Provincial.

favoured that day should be published under the auspices of th of the Lodge , provided that the consent of Ihe Bishop could be obtained , was received with loud cheers . —The A ice-Chairmau responded . The Chairman next proposed the health of the " Eight AVorshipful Grand Master of England , Lord de Grey and Eipon . " Bro . AVhitwell proposed the health of the Deputy-Provincial

Grand Master , and tbe rest of the Grand Officers . —The toast was acknowledged by Bro . Busher , Kendal , who , having been personally seen the manner iu which Lord Carnarvon discharged the duties ol his office , could testily that his lordship , though a little man , had a big head , and a good deal iu it . Bro . AVhitwell proposed the health of the chairman , Lord Kenlis , —and said that if anything- were required to evince the interest their Prov . G . M . took in Freemasonry it would be th

ordeal he had gone through that clay . Lord Kenlis might be styled chief inspector of the mud in Carlisle Street , and when the hard paving stone which he had to traverse in thin boots , getting wet through in tbe process , were taken into consideration , be thought that the spirit of self-sacrifice displayed by his Lordship deserved the highest admiration , the Chairman in returning thanks , was received with enthusiastic applause . He thanked the brethren cordially for their kindness in drinking his health

ancl in supporting him through the severe trial referred to b y the vice-chairman . Although the long route , on their return , seemed rather unnecessary , yet he could only hope for a dryer day on a fuiure occasion , and as congenial society to travel in

as he had enjoyed on that occasion . The Prov . G . M . then proposed the health of Bro . AVhitwell in eulogistic terms , who iu reply , enlarged fully on the benefits of Freemasonry , giving various instances of its value in warfare as well as the social relations in life . A near relative acting as a member of the Ambulance Corps for the relief of the sick and wounded , bad recently been despatched with several waggon loads of provisions to the distressed peasantry in the

neig hbourhood of Metz . He was intercepted by the Germans , placed under arrest , ancl in spite of all attempt at explanation seemed on the point of being- compelled to renounce the object of his journey . As a last resource ho saluted the Prussian , officer in command as a brother . He was immediatel y recalled and subjected to a searching examination , after which a consultation was held amongst the Prussian officers , who were members of tbe body . The result was that our countryman was released

rom surveillance , and everything was done by the Prussian officers to promote the object of his expedition . Other toasts of a complimentary nature followed , interspersed with g loes ancl other music , ancl the company separated about eight o ' clock , highly gratified with the successful nature of the gathering . The dinner and wines were of a quality to elicit the hi ghest expressions of commendation , and reflected great credit on the

County Hotel and Wine Co ., ancl their able manager , Bro . Gosling , whilst tbe genera ] arrangements reflect equal credit on the members of the Carlise Lodge , under whose management tbey were conducted .

GLOUCESTERSHIRE . CHELTENHAM . —Royal Union Lodge ( No . 246 ) . —A meeting of the above lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Cheltenham , on AVednesday , tbe 11 th inst ., the AV . M ., Bro . W . Firth , P . G . B . for Gloucester , in the chair . There were also present Bros . AV . Stapley , S . W . ; J . Robertson , J . AV . ; J . Brooksmith , P . Prov . G . S . AA . Gloucestershire ; W . L . Bain , Troas . ; AV . R . Holman , Sec ; E . Aider , J . D . ; Dixon , I . G . aud P . M . ; Alex .

P . P . J . AA . Gloucestershire ; AV . Stapley , Ricketts , Warr , & c . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the former meeting were read ancl confirmed . Ballots were then taken for the admission of Messrs . Charles Court and John Bnlcomb , who were duly initiated into the order by the W . M . in an excellent aud repressive a manner that was well worthy of imiiation , and ihe afterwards delivered a lecture on the tracing board which , at its conclusionwas complimented bv all present . A ballot was

, also taken for tbe admission of Bro . Ferrett ( formerly of the lodge , which was unanimously in his favour . A banquet followed , and the toasts customary on such occasions were given and responded to . The toast of the Provincial Grand Officers was responded to by Bro . Ricketts . The visitors were Bros . D . Davis , Lodge of Fait , h , No . 141 , and Trecine , 1001 , who

/ severally responded , and complimented the W . M . on his excellent working . The Tyler ' s toast concluded a very agreeable evening , which was enhanced by some capital songs , rendered by the brethren .

LANCASHIRE , LEVENSHULME . —Alexandra Chapter ( No . 993 ) . —The annual convocation of t lis chaprer was held on the 11 th inst ., at the Midway Hotel , Levenshulme . The chapter was opened b y Comps . W . Abbey , Z . ; John Cove Hind , H . ; AV . Henry Bilby , J . ; W . George Turner , E . ; Richard Timperley , N . ; AVilliam Wayne , P . S . ; John Adam AVhyatt , S . ; John Parker , Treas . ; and Henry Turner , Org . The minutes of the previous chapter

were road and confirmed . A conclave of First Principils was formed , and C > mp . W . Abboy , the retiring Z ., installed his successor , Comp . John Cove Hind , into the chair of Z . On the formation of a Conclave of Second and Third Principals respectively , Comp . Abbey ( ably assisted b y Comp . George Frederick East , P . Z . ) installed Comps . AV . Henry Bilby , H ., and AVilliam Wayne , J . ; after which the Conclave of Third Principal was closel , when the folbwing officers were invested : —

Comps . Richard Timperley , E . ; George Arden Yates , N . ; John Adam AVhyatt . P . S . ; Henry Turner Robberds , S . ; John Samuel Dethick , S . ; Henry Turner , Org . ; John Parker , Treas . It is impossible to speak too highly of tbe admirable manner in which Companion Abbey , P . Z ., performed the ceremony of installing ancl investing the officers , but such talent and abilit y has he shown in tho working forward of the chapter during the past year , and so high is the respect in which he is held , that the companions subscribed

for a £ 10 . P . Z . Jewel made of IS car . it gold by Comp . H . F . Lamb , St . John's Square , Clerkenwell , London , and such was the beauty and artistic skill displayed in its manufacture , that both members and visitors declared it to be the most elegant jewel they had seen . This was presented to him in open chapter by Comp . John Cove Hind , Z . with a few most appropriate remarks , hoping that he might long be spared to wear it as a token of the respect and esteem in

which he was held by the companions . Comp . Abbey , P . Z ., acknowledged this token of favour in some feeling words . The Treasurer's account was then presented h y Comp . John Parker , whose assiduity enabled him to show the chapter entirely free from debt , with a small balance in hand . This was considered extremely satisfactory , as the chapter is ouly four years old , and the furniture , although beautiful , very expensive . The chapter having been closed in clue form , the companions adjourned to

refreshment , when the toasts of the Three Principals were given and responded to . Tbe companions of this chapter hold Comp . John Cove Hind , Z ., in such estimation for his urbanity and kindness , combined with firmness and ability , that they are looking forward to a most happy and prosperous year . This can scarcely fail to be realised , considering the excellent working displayed by both tbe Second and Third Principals aud the officers throughout , combined with the harmony aud unity which prevails amongst the comnanions .

LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND . LoUGEBOiiouGli . —Howe and Charmoood Lodge ( No . 1 , 007 ) . —The annual festival of this lodge took p lace at the Bull ' s Head Hotel , on Tuesday , November 22 , under the presidency , at the commencement , ofthe R . W . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Kelly , ouo ofthe founders of the lodge , the W . M ., Bro . John AVilson , being absent through illness . Among the brethren present were Bros . AV . G . Palmer , P . M ., and Prov . G . S . AA . ; C . II , Capp , J . W . and AV . M .

elect ; 11 . Deane , P . Prov . G . Reg ., as S . AV . ; W . AVhite Goode , Sec ; E . Burrows . S . D . ; Pratt , J . D . ; Dougherty , I ' . G . j Capt . Dobell , P . Prov . G . Swd . B . ; C . Boswortb , P . Prov . G . J . D . * Gosling , P . Prov . G . P .-, J . J . P . Scott ; W . R . Bryan ; G-, Moutstophen ; AV . G . Palmer , Jim . ; A . Mullet ; F . Ainatt ; Scholield ; Greenwood , ancl others . Visitors : Bros . Rev . Dr . Pyeraost , P . M . 779 , and P . Prov . G . S . W . ; Leonard A . Clarke , P . M . 279 , and P . Prov . G . S . AA . ; and T . Thorpe , 279 , and P . Prov .

G . D . C . Tho lodge having been opened , the minutes of the last meeting , including tbe election of the AV . M ., were read and confirmed ; the lodge was opened in the second degree , when Bro . Charles Hacker Capp was presented to the Prov . G . M . as the AV . M . elect , to receive the benefit of installation , which ceremony