Provincial.

him [ in the office to which he had been appointed . He then , in the name of the bretliren of the Province of Devon , presented the worshipful brother with a very beautiful jewel , which he hoped he would wear as a very small proof of their regard . The jewel was then added to a number of others which adorned the breast of the Grand Registrar . The GBAJTD REGISTBAB acknowledged this gift , which he

received with much pleasure , iu very appropriate terms . The D . PEOV . G . MASTEE then briefly returned thanks for the honour that had been conferred upon himself . He had for thirty-seven years been Grand Secretary of the province , ancl during that time he had been brought in contact with a large number of the Masons of the province , and he had not met with

one single instance of vnikindness or discourtesy . The duties of that office were arduous , but at the same time , with the accompaniments to which he had alluded , they had been exceedingly pleasant , and he should not leave that table ( the Secretary's ) without a feeling of regret . He hoped that his successor would find the office and his duties equally pleasant

as he had found them . He then adverted to some distinguished members of the Craft connected with the province , to whose memory he paid an eloquent tribute of respect . This closed the business of the clay . The lodge was duly closed with piayer offered up by the Grand Chaplain , who duly invoked a blessing from the Grand Architect of the Universe on

all their labours . The brethren then formed in procession , and preceded by a band of the volunteers , and headed by tho banner of the Provincial Grand Lodge , walked three abreast down Highstreet , through Broadgate and the Cathedral-yard to the Clarence Hotel . Here the bretliren opened to allow the Grand Officers to pass into the Hotel first . The band at this time

played the National Anthem , and all the brethren were uncovered . The whole route of the procession was lined with people , ancl the city looked en fete . Many flags were suspended in honour of her Majesty , it being her birthday . On arriving at the Clarence the brethren dispersed till four o'clock , when they again assembled for the banquet . At four o'clock the brethren sat down to an excellent banquet ,

provided at the Clarence Hotel . Bro . Huyshe , the newlyinstalled Prov . G . M ., presided , and he was supported on either side by the Mayor of Exeter ( R . T . Head , Esq . ) , the Grand Registrar , the Grand Chaplain , the Prov . G . Master , of Cornwall , the D , Prov . G . M . of Devon : Bros . Captain Dick , Captain James Davey , R . Robinson Rodd . There were also present : —

Bros . Colonel Peard , of Penquite , St . Austell ; Opie , P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; Rodcla , P . M ., P . Prov . G . Reg . ; Brutton , P . Prov . G . Reg ., Somerset ; D . Hogg , P . M ., P . Prov . J . G . D . St . Matthew ' s Lodge ; Hollow , Prov . G . Treas . ; Dr . Scott , AV . Tanner , AV . G . Rogers , L . P . Metham , I . Latimer , D . B . Dickes , AV . Laidman , S . R . Force , J . ICeary , Easton , AV . M . ; Blight , P . G . Org . ; J .

Sandford ,- Channene , Hoclge , P . Prov . G . P . ; B . W . Morgan , R . Pyne , S . Jones , Harris , J . D . ; Brown , W . Dymond , J . Barnett , Elford , R . Lose , P . M . Lodge Brunswick ( No . 159 ); A . Bodley , J . B . Gould , AV . D . Thomas , Dir . of Cers . Lodge Brunswick ; I . AA ' atts , P . M . ; Harvey , P . M . ; Kessell , S . AV . ; Bell , J . AV . ; Foot , Sec ; Thorning , S . D . ; Lakemau , J . D . ; Patterson , Toms , all of Lodge

Army , ( So . 156 ); E . Stafford , Phillips , C , Edwards , G . Spink , AV . Cann , C . J . Carey , J . Treneman , Nicholls , S . AV . ; J . Head , W . M . j Allen , W . AV . Fyfe , AV . S . Gillard , Pike , Elliott , Farley , Webb , Matthews , J . Heat ! : . . Rowo , C . B . j Burgoyne , Ellis , Westaway , Radford , & c . The CHAIEMAN first gave " The Healths of the Queen , the Prince and Princess of AVales , and tho rest of the Royal Family . "

The next toast was thatof the "Mayor of Exeter , " aud the Prov . G . MASTEE in proposing it , saicl he had now to propose a toast , as he had already given them the Eoyal toasts , which he might call half-royal . It was that of the representative of our Sovereign in the City of Exeter . He was happy to inform them that they were honoured with tho company—by special

invitationof the Right AVorshipful the Mayor of that ancient , loyal , and faithful city , and he was very glad to see that gentleman present , although he was not a Mason ; but perhaps the time might come when he would catch the infection . He coulcl only say that when that time did arrive , he—for one—should be extremely glad to receive him into the Order . They were always

willing to receive amongst them those who conducted themselves as the Mayor had done , in such a manner as to gain the approbation , regard , and esteem of his fellow-townsmen . He begged to give them "The Health of the Mayor . " The toast having been enthusiastically receiveci , Tlie MAYOB rose to return thanks . He said .- Right

Worshipful Prov . Grand Master , gentlemen and . ladies—for I dare not presume upon the privilege of addressing you as brethren . I do esteem it , indeed , a great favour and a great honour to be permitted to be here this clay , and have the pleasure of joining in so distinguished a company as the Masonic body is , whieh I now see around me . It was my very great privilege and

pleasure to meet several of your dignitaries , whose titles I will not presume to mention , lest I should err . It was my privilege to meet them last evening , and they were kind enough to intimate that they would be willing to receive me here to-day at dinner . I really hardly knew -whether they were serious or not , because I perceive that this gathering is a privilege peculiar to the members of your fraternity ; but I repeat that it has afforded me great satisfaction to be now present , for the first time

amongst so large a number of Masons . Gentlemen , I am carried back in imaginatian almost to the time when the gigantic Thebes was erected by those whom , I presume you would call your predecessors . I go back in imagination to the time when the gigantic pyramids were-eseeted , and which now remain in defiance of flood , storm , or earthquake , ancl which still remain monuments of buildings which were erected at no less than 400

years after the flood . I go back in imagination when Solomon called his assistants to assist him . Gentlemen , I don't know whether I am unfortunate , but I can assure you of this , that I did not come here under the expectation that you would have done me the honour of drinking my health , and , therefore , I did not come here prepared to address to you any

set speech , but I clo say this I have gathered from the little I have heard , ancl what we know , the fact is , that your Order is one of tho most ancient in the world . It is not confined to this city , it is not confined to this country , neither is it confined to this kingdom , upon the dominions of which , it is said , the sun never sets , but it extends throughout the civilised world ;

and I am further told that Masons of all languages , of all creeds , and of all degrees have that wonderful facility or that wonderful secret , if you so like to call it , of recognising themselves even though they are . perfectly ignorant of each other ' s language . Gentlemen , I am sure there must be something in Masonry , — there must be something good in Masonry , —for if there was not

it could not have lasted and endured for 3 , 000 years . The only thing which I really suspect amongst you is this , whether you have in truth any of those professed or pretended secrets which you say you exclude the fair portion of our audience from . If I were disposed to find fault with Masonry at all , it is thatyoudo not admit the fairest portion of God ' s creatures amongst you . Now , gentlemen , I will not dwell more upon that subject , but I will say that it has afforded me infinite pleasure to hear the