Peovistcial.

when the W . M ., Bro . R . Spencer , initiated Mr . Oliver into the mysteries of the Craft , and passed to the Fellow Craft's Degree Bros . Wates , Hills , and Olive , which was done in his usual excellent style . Business concluded , the Lodge was closed with solemn prayer , and the Brethren proceeded to banquet , and spent a very agreeable evening .

MAJDQTOS ^ . —jBelvidere Lodge ( No . 741 ) . —The annual meeting of this Lodge took place , at the Star Hotel , on the 4 th December , when the W . M . for the ensuing year was duly installed by Bro . John Savage and the officers appointed . Amongst the visitors present were Bro . C . Purton Cooper , Q . O ., the R . W . G . M . for Kent ; Bro . Ashley , P . P . D . G . M . ; Bro . Isaacs , P . G . S . ; Bro . Keddele , P . P . G . S . W . ; Bro . Savage ; Bros . Spencer , Pottinger , and Watson , of Gravesencl ;

Bros . Windeyer and Isaacs , of Chatham ; Bro . Rodgers , of Brompton , Kent ; Bros . Campbell , P . P . G . J . W ., Mann , and Landed , of Dartford , & c . Upwards of forty Brethren afterwards dined together , and spent a very pleasant evening . It was mentioned that the Prov . G . M ., who is very popular in the Province , intends holding a meeting of the Brethren , at Maidstone , preliminary to the next Prov . G . L .

LANCASHIRE . Blackburn . —Lodge of Fidelity ( No . 336 ) . —The Members of this well-conducted and highly respected Lodge celebrated their monthly gathering on Friday , the 3 Gth November . The Brethren mustered well , and included several visitors . among whom were Bros . Wilding , P . M ., and Henderson , F . G . S . B . E . L ., No . 676 ; and Backhouse , S . W ., No . 432 . The ordinary monthly business having been

transacted , a gentleman was initiated into the mysteries of the Order by Bro . George Whewell , whose able and impressive manner of performing that beautiful ceremony called forth the deserved encomiums of all present . The Members then fixed Friday , the 4 th January , for the celebration of the Festival of St . John , and Bro . Whewell , S . W ., was proposed as W . M . for the ensuing year ; after which a unanimous vote of thanks was passed to Bro . D . Thwaites , jun ., for his services during the past year , when the Brethren adjourned and passed a pleasant evening .

Lodge of Perseverance ( No . 432 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this Lodge was held on the evening of Monday , the 26 th November . There was a good attendance of the Brethren of the Ancient Craft ; among whom were several visitors . The W . M . Bro . Charles Boardman , assisted by bis wardens , Bros . II . Backhouse and Wm . Harrison , presided . Several matters of business were

transacted , and a new code of by-laws adopted , and ordered to be transmitted for the approval of proper authority . Thursday , the 27 th of December , being St . John the Evangelist ' s day , was then appointed for the celebration of that festival ; after which the Brethren adjourned and passed a most agreeable evening .

Liverpool . —A grand ball is to take place in the Town Hall , Liverpool , on the 8 th inst ., in aid of the fnds of the West Lancashire Masonic Institution for the education and advancement in life of children of distressed Freemasons .,

NORTHUMBERLAND . North Shields . —& George ' s Lodge ( No . G 42 ) . —This Lodge held a meeting , at the George Hotel , on the 19 th December ; when Bro . J . Graham Tulloch was installed W . M . for the coming year . The W . M . then appointed and invested the following Brethren as Officers for the year , viz .: —Thomas Fen wick , P . M . and Orator ; James I ) . Brown , S . W . ; Chas . Alex . Adamson , J . W . ; W . Blackwood , P . M ., Treas . ; George R . Maltby , See . ; William Twizell , S . I ) . ; Thomas Taylor , d . D . ; David Ronton , I . G . ; P W . Richardson- S . S . ; II . Isaacs , J . S . ; J . Evans , rp-i ' ' si ? - i i lyler .

The annual festival was held at the George Tavern , on Thursday ( the following day ) , when about forty Brethren sat down to an excellent dinner , prepared by the worthy hostess , Miss Coxon . Bro . J . G . Bullock , W . M ., presided ; " supported on his right by Bros . J . W . Mayson , P . G . S . W ., and ex-mayor of Tynemouth ; W . Berkeley , P . P . G . S . W ., and P . G . S . ; E . I ) . Davis , P . G . P . O . for the Province of Durham ; and John Toshach , P . M ., and ex-mayor of South Shields :