Provincial.

of Freemasonry in the province of Sussex ; and said this prosperous condition was mainly to be attributed to the zeal and activity of the Prov . G . Reg . and G . Sec , whose untiring efforts were devoted to the promotion of the best interests of the Craft . The Prov . G . Sec . submitted to the inspection of the Brethren a set of books , which he had prepared as models for a mode of keeping their accounts .

No further business being offered , the Prov . Grand Lodge was closed with solemn and suitable prayer from the G . Chaplain . The I ) . Prov . G . M . announced that the Prov . Grand Lodge of 1857 would be holden in the South Saxon Lodge , No . 390 , in the town of Lewes . At half-past five the Brethren again met in the handsome assembly-room adjoining the Town-hall , where was laid

THE BANQUET , which was plentiful and excellent , and did much credit to the care of the Stewards . The Y . W . Bro . Col . James McQueen , D . Prov . G . M ., presiding , having on his right the R . W . Bro . Sir Lucius Curtis , Bart ., the Y . W . Bro . Charles Ewens , Deacon , the W . Bros . Firmin , Tibbetts , Gait , and others of the Prov . Grand

Lodge of Hampshire , the W . Bros . J . J . Blake , P . Prov . G . Sec , and J . How , Prov . G . D . C . of Surrey , the W . Bro . Francis Crew , P . M . of No . 1 , W . B . Wood , W . M . of No . 194 , and others ; and on his left the W , Bros . I ) . M . Folkard , G . E . Pocock , W . Yerrall , Bev . W . Watkins , H . Yerrall , E . Eermor , Bannister , Jones , Schilling , and others of the Past and Present Prov . Grand Officers of Sussex ; altogether there were sixty Brethren present .

The cloth being removed , and thanks rendered to the G . A . O . T . U . by the Prov . G . Chaplain , the D . Prov . G . M . rose , and in brief terms proposed the health of her Majesty . The National Hymn was sung , led by Bro . Brown , of the Cathedral Choir . The toasts of M . W . the G . M . the Earl of Zetland , and also the Earl of Yarborough , and the rest of the Grand Officers , met with due honour and notice . The next name offered for notice was the Duke of Richmond , the R . W . G . M . of Sussex ; and following this , Bro . Goodeve , on being called upon for a song , gave " Old Eamiliar Faces , " a sly bit of satire , we presume , for no one present could remember seeing the Prov . G . M . in Masonry .

Bro . McQueen then rose , and asked the Brethren present to join him in a bumper toast , to the health of that most excellent Mason , Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis , who had that day presented the right hand of fellowship , which his Sussex Brethren , he was sure , would readily grasp . The R . W . the Prov . G . M . of Hampshire was received with enthusiastic cheers , and a Brother present sang , most appropriately , Dibdin ' s " Poor Jack . "

Sir Lucius Curtis rose and said , —Brethren , I thank you for the very kind way in which my name has been received , and I trust that this , the first meeting of the Masons of the two provinces , is but the beginning of an enduring friendship . I cannot but consider that we shall derive great benefit from our visit , as the praiseworthy manner in which the business has been conducted is deserving our

notice . I thought we were perfect in Hampshire , but I must confess we have seen much to-day to instruct us as worthy of imitation . The true Masonic feeling with which we have been greeted , I hope the Grand Lodge of Sussex will afford us in Hampshire an opportunity of reciprocating , by attending our meeting on the 2 nd of October .

Bro . Folkard having possession of the gavel , said the use he should make of his power was to discharge a duty of the most pleasing kind not only to himself , but to every one present . Four years ago ho called the attention of the Sussex Masons to their neglected position , —a bark without a rudder , without commander or pilot , having no one to whom they could refer in cases of doubt or difficulty .

At last , however , they had found a Brother worthy their regard , and to whom they could with safety intrunt their interests . In 1854 , Bro . McQueen told them he would endeavour to carry out the principles of Masonry , and strive to see the constitutions and regulations of the Grand Lodge strictly obeyed ; that he had done so , he ( Bro . Folkard ) was assured was the opinion of all the Brethren . Ho