Provincial.

months has flourished in a remarkable degree during the mastership of Bro . John Coombe , the retiring AV . M . There have been uo less than sixteen initiations , fourteen passings , twelve raisings , and five joining members , being more initiations than has been done in one year for some considerable time back . Tbe able manner in which Bro . Coombe has conducted the ceremonies 'during the past twelve months reflects great credit upon himself . During the- last six years there have been nearly sixty initiations .

There now stand over five initiations for Bro . Eustice to commence on , and there is every reason to believe that the ensuing year will meet with similar success . It was proposed that the sum of £ 10 should be given as a donation to the Cornwall "Masonic Annuity Fund . The Financial Fund being also in a flourishing condition , the sum of £ 100 will now be lent out on interest . Again , the members are in a position to build a new Masonic Hall . The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were very

happily given from the chair and from other members of the Craft , and were pleasantly responded to , and a most comfortable evening was spent , which will be long remembered by the brethren of the Cornubian Lodge .

DEVONSHIRE . PLTMOUTH . — Lodge Fortitude ( No- 105 ) .- On tho evening of 20 th ult . this old and flourishing lodge met in their splendid temple for the purpose of installing the AV . M . elect , Bro . James Cox , into the chair of K . S . There was a very large attendance ¦ of its members , together with many distinguished Prov . Grand Officers and visitors . Prior to the installation , five gentlemen were balloted for initiation , and duly accepted , Mr . John Henry

Cleverton , S . N ., was introduced and received the first degree . The ceremony was performed by Bro . Rodda with his usual correctness , and the charge excellently given by Bro . Colonel ' . Elliot , P . M . The W . M . presiding , on receiving the presentation of the W . M . elect , spoke highly of the qualities of Bro . Cox , pointing him out as an example to be followed by others who aspire to the proud position of presiding over them at a future "timefrom his strict attendanceurbanity of mannerand correct

, , , working of his duties as Senior Warden . On the completion of . 'his installation the W . M . proceeded to invest his officers as follows : —Bros . Rodda , P . M . ; G . Hillson , S . AA ' . j C . C . Gary , J . AV . ; G . Bignell , S . D . ; Martin AVilliams , J . D . ; Geo . Bellamy , Org . ; Philip Rousham , I . G . ; James Trenemau and AV . H . An-. fchony , Stewards . Bro . Samuel Jew was re-elected Treasurer ; ¦ and James Rowe was re-elected Secretary . The brethren then retired to the refreshment apartmentsand spent a most

agree-, able evening , enlivened by many excellent speeches and responses thereto . The Secretary made his usual statement of the progress of the lodge , thirteen candidates having been initiated , and six members joined during the last year , followed hy a general exclamation of " Thus may Fortitude ever prosper . "

PLYMOUTH . — Lodge Harmony ( No . 156 ) . —On Monday evening the 16 th December , a goodly number of the brethren of this lodge assembled at the Huyshe Masonic Temple , Princess-place , Plymouth , to initiate a candidate , and to install Bro . AV . Bell , the W . M . elect . The ceremony of initiation was very ably and impressively performed by Bro . S . Kessell , the . retiring WM ., after which Bro . Bell was duly installed , according to ancient custom , by Bro . AV . K . Michell , P . M ., assisted

by Bros . ICessell , P . M . ; Yeo , P . M . ; Harvey , P . M . ; Shepheard , P . M . ; AVatts , P . M . ; and Nicholls , AV . M . of St . John's Lodge , No . 70 , Plymouth . Bro . AV . Bell , W . M " ., then appointed the following brethren as his officeis for the ensuing year -. —Bros . Kessell , P . M . ; Triplet ., S . W . ; Ellis , J . AV . ; Manning , Treas . ; "Hearle , Sec . ; J . Willoughby , S . D . ; Clutterbuck , J . D .,- Routlefi ; ¦ I . G . j Lapthorn , S . S . ; Bangham , J . S . ; and Smith , Tyler . The ¦ brethren then adjourned to Bro . Triplett ' s for refreshment ,

which was served up in his very tasteful style . After the removal of the cloth , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were drunk . The healths of the following brethren were then given , ¦ and suitable responses made : —Bros . W . Bell , AA' . M . ; Kessell , the immediate P . M ., for his conduct in the chair during the ; past year ; W . K . Michell , P . M ., for the able and efficient manner in which the installation ceremony was performed , and the newly initiated brother . A . very comfortable evening was spent , ancl it is hoped that this is the beginning of a happy aud prosperous year to this lodge .

PLYMOUTH . —Lodge Charity ( No . 223 ) . —The regular meeting ¦ of this lodge was held on the 17 th ult . for the purpose of fciusacfciiig , the business of the lodge , and the installation of

the W . M . elect . Bro . A . Woolf , P . M ., P . Prov . S . S ., waff duly installed AV . M . of the lodge for the ensuing year . The installation ceremony was performed in a most efficient manner by Bro . Browning , P . M . The \ A . M . then appointed the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing vear : —Bros . J . B . Witheridge , Prov . G . Purst ., _ . _ . __ . ; J . May , " P . M ., P . Prov . G . Assist . Dir . of Cers ., S . AV . ; J . M . Hifley , P . M ., J . W . ; AV . Browning , See . ; J . Montgomery , S . D . ; J . Rogers , J . D . ; AV .

Kennedy , I . G . j W . Fitch , Dir . of Cers . ; J . Cornish , Assist . Dir . of Cers . ; and G . Crocker , Steward . Bro . W . Radmore was elected Tyler . A very large number of brethren were present , and the D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . L- P . Metham , J . G . D . of England , paid a visit to the lodge . Amongst many visitors were Bros . Elliott , P . M ., and W . M . of Ascension Lodge ( No . 1 , 029 ); Carlyon , 1 , 029 ; Shanks , Sincerity Lodge ; Baxter , St . Alban ' s Lodge ; Rousham and T . Carr , Fortitude Lodge ; Ferris , P . M .

St . John's Lodge ; Thomas , Brunswick Lodge ; and Austen , W . M . Huyshe Lodge , Stoke . It was unanimously agreed that five guineas should be handed over to the D . Prov . G . M , Bro . L . P . Metham , J . G . D . of England , who has accepted the muchhonoured office of Grand Steward at the annual festival to be held at the Freemasons' Hall , Loudon , to be presented by him on that occasion to the Aged Freemasons and Widows Annuity Fund . In addition to this sum , a subscription was commenced in the lodge , which amounted to nearly £ 5 , aud it is anticipated that the members of the lodge who were not then present will make this up to a very handsome donation from Lodge Charity towards this excellent institution .

DURHAM . DAELING-TON . —Mesloration Lodge ( No . 111 . ) FESTIVAL OE ST . Jonu THE EVANGELIST AND INSTALLATIOIT 01 THE W . M . ELECT . The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Northgate , on Thursday , the 26 th ult . Bro .

James Davies AA ' . M ., in the chair , supported by Bro . J . AV . Marshall , P . M . ahd P . Prov . G . Org . as S . W ., J . Morrell , J . TV . ; J . B . Towne , Chap . ; Bailey , Sec . ; Lee , Treas . ; Bryson , S . D . ; Jackson , J D . ; Robinson . I . G .,- Lear , Dir . of Cers . and W . M . elect ; Waldy , P . M . ; E . Deans , J . Foster , John Morrell , R . F . Leidler , AA . B . Johnston , H . H . Arrow-smith , Thomas Robinson , A . Oliver , T . Branton . Visitors—Bros . Harry Wilson , of the St . Edward's Lodge , No . 9 . 6 , Leek ; J . T . Kay , ol the Unioa

Lodge , No . 236 , York . The lodge was opened in the first degree , when the minutes of the last lodge and lodge of emergency were read and confirmed . The lodge was opened iu the second degree , when Bro . J . E . Mackay , P . M . and P . Prov . J . G . D ., presented the AV . M . elect , Bro , William Lear , for the benefit of installation , who was addressed by the W . M . and Installing Master , Bro . Davis , on the qualifications , which are essentially requisite in every candidate for the office of Master , and having accepted the duties under these qualifications , the Secretary read over the ancient

laws and regulations , which were duly assented to by Bro . Lear , who having been obligated on the duties and government of the lodge all below the rank of Installed Masters retired . A board of Installed Masters was then opened by Bro . Davis , assisted by Bros . J . AV . Marshall , J . E . Mackay , and E . AValdy , P . M . 's , and the W . M . elect was solemnly installed in tha chair of K . S . The brethren were re-admitted , a procession formed , and the AA . M . saluted in the third degree .

After the ancient proclamtion in the East by Bro . J . AV . Marshall , Assistant Installing Master , and time-honoured greeting , the AV . M . appointed and invested the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year , viz .: —Bros . James Davis , P . M . ; John Bailey , S . W . ; W . Bryson , J . AV . ; J . B . Tomie , Chap . ; A . F . Robinson , Treas . ; Thomas Brunton . See . ; C . Jackson , S . D . ; A . If . AVhipham , J . D . ; John Morrell , I . G . ; J . AV . Marshall , Dir . of Cers ,,- J . Morrell and Foster , Stewards ; Thomas

Gargfctt , Tyler . The charges to tbe several officers were delivered in a very iinpi '_ .... ivo manner by Bro . Marshall . TJie lodge was closed in the third aud second degrees with the usual proclamations and greetings . The Wardens and brethren generally addressed by the Installing Master . A gentleman ofthe town was duly proposed and seconded as a fit and proper person to be made a i ' reeniason , and the lodge was closed in clue form and with solemn prayer .