Provincial Lodges.

The health of Mrs . Maturin having been drank and responded to by her husband , The Chairman proposed the health of Rev . Br . Pearce , and that gentleman having suitably replied to the compliment , the P . G . W . Br . Stowe , and the other P . G . officers were toasted with all the honours . The Chairman then proposed the Mayor ( Br . Adey ) and the corporation of Poole , and thanked them for the use of the town-hall . Br . Adey on behalf of himself and in the name of the Corporation , begged to say

that the hall had never been granted far a more noble purpose than it had been that day . As an old Mason , he could , if time permitted , enter largely upon the benefits derivable from a connection with the Order . Among other incidents in his own experience was one where he had received the greatest kindness from the captain of a French privateer , because his father had been equally well treated by a captain who had also sailed from Poole , and to whom the right hand of fellowship had been held out at a moment the least expected .

The R . W . M . said there was another worthy magistrate in the borough whose health he would propose , Br . Ledgard , who had been Mayor when the last Provincial meeting was held in Poole , ancl on that occasion he showed great kindness to the Craft , and therefore deserved their thanks . Br . Ledgard thanked the R . W . M . and brethren for their kindness . He always

felt great interest in the principles and progress of Masonry . It should never be forgotten that the province of Dorset was ever noted for its zeal and Masonic proficiency . Many of their Provincial Grand Masters were of great celebrity in the Craft , and held in the highest estimation by the late Duke of Sussex , and by his successor , the Earl of Zetland . He need scarcely revert to names so well known as those of Br . W . Williams , or his worthy successor , Br . Eliot , or of their late Br . Tucker , and he was sure that under the guidance of their present worthy Grand Master ,

the science of Masonry would lack nothing of its wonted energy . He could not but regret that among the Lodges that had been enumerated that day , he did not find the . names either of Bridport or Blandford , as having Lodges at present . He could remember when both these places had excellent Lodges , and persevering and skilful hands to carry out the principles of Masonry . He hoped yet to see both revived , and if Br . Pearce would but take the matter up , as he was so near a neighbour and so good a MasonBlandford at least would not long be without a working Lod .

, ge He again thanked them for their kindness , aud hoped the hints he had taken the liberty to throw out would have the desired effect . The Chairman then proposed , as the last toast of the evening , " To all poor and distressed Masons throughout the world . " The brethren then separated , delighted with the proceedings of the day , having spent their time in a mutual interchange of kindly feeling and brotherly love .

KENT . LODGE or FREEDOM , GRAVESEND ( NO . 91 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of the brethren of this Lodge was held at Watt's Hotel , under the presidency of their W . M ., Br . R . Spenser , who in a masterly style initiated three gentlemen into the Order , passed four to the fellow-craft degree , ancl raised one to the sublime degree of a Master Mason . An agreeably spent evening concluded the proceedings . EAST LANCASHIRE .

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE . We last month gave a brief notice of the proceedings of this meeting on the 25 th July , which came to hand too late for a more extended report , which we now proceed to lay before our readers . . Early in the morning , the pealing of the Bury Parish Church bells announced to the inhabitants the gathering together of the brethren . The " Union Jack" floated

on the top of the principal buildings , and from the windows of the principal hotels . The bells continued at intervals their merry peals , and altogether the streets soon assumed a very animated and cheerful appearance . The business of the Lodge was transacted in the Town Hall during the forenoon ,