Provincial.

The emblematic use of the working tools was explained by the acting AV . M ., but for want of time he was obliged to postpone the delivery of the charge ordinarily given to an E . A . The W . M ., Bro . Clemens , again took his chair , and on his proposition a unanimous vote of thanks to Bro . Dr . Hopkins for his prompt assistance at a moment ' s notice was passed . The lodge of emergency was then closed . After a short interval it was again opened in the first degree , and such portions of the

minutes of the previous meeting , as referred to the election of the Worshipful Master and Treasurer , was read and confirmed . The chair was then taken by Bro . Chappie , Past Master , & c , as Installing Master , who opened the lodge in the second degree . Bro . Clemens , the retiring AV . M ., presented Bro . S . K . Gudridge , the W . M . elect , to receive the benefit of installation , and after the opening address , Bro . Dr . Hopkins was called upon to read the ancient charges , the

requisite assent to which having been given , the obligation of AA . M . elect was administered . The lodge was then opened in the third degree , and the brethren who had not passed the -chair retired . A Board of fifteen Past Masters was then formed , with whose aid Bro . Gudridge was duly installed , and when it had been closed the Master Masons , on their re-admission , found Bro . Gudridge occupying the chair of K . S ., supported by Bro . Clemens as I . P . M . The usual processions , salutations , and proclamations took place , after which the new AV . M ., appointed and invested the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . P . B . Clemens , I . P . M . ;

Hawton , S . W . ; H . F . Smith , J . AV . ; Trounce , Sec . ; J . Baxter , Assist . Sec . ; V . Bird , Treas . ; Paul , S . D . ; Ivey , J . D . ; Goodall , Org . ; Flanagan , I . G . ; Fisher , Dir . of Cers . ; Masters and Roberts , Stewards ; and Rashbrook , Tyler . The final charge to the W . M . was given by the Installing Master , Bro . Chappie , and those to the AVardens and brethren by Bro . Dr . Hopkins . Upwards of sixty members and visitors were present at the ceremonies , and at tho close of the lodge proceedings , as the

adjoining room generally used for refreshment was not sufficiently large for so special an occasion , and the entertainment of so large a party , the brethren adjourned to a large hall in Ker-street , kindly lent for the purpose . Bro . Gudridge , W . M ., presided at the banquet , supported on his right hy Bros . Dr . Hopkins , P . M ., and P . Prov . S . G . AA . ; Mnrch , P . M ., and others ; and on his left by Bros . Clemens , I . P . M . ; Chappie , P . M . and P . Prov . Assist . Dir . of Cers . ; Bird , P . M . ; AV . J . Spry ,

P . M ., and P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers ., and others . The vice-chair ivas taken by Bro . Hawton , P , M . 1 , 091 , S . AV . Bro . Goodall presided at the piano , accompanying several brethren in songs interspersed between tho toasts , which were of the usual character on such occasions . The toast of " The Ladies " having been entrusted by the president to Bro . Bird , ho took the opportunity to announce that it was the anniversary of the marriage of the newly-installed AA ' . M ., and therefore he appropriately proposed " The Health of Mrs . Gudridge , " which was received with acclamation . A most delightful evening was passed , and the brethren separated at about half-past ten .

LEICESTERSHIRE . LEICESTER . —John of Gaunt Lodge ( No . 523 ) . —The annual festival of this lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , the 24-th ult ., being St . John ' s-day , and also the anniversary of the birthday of "Old John of Gaunt , " timehonoured Lancaster . The lodge was opened in the first degree bBro . Kellthe senior P . M . and D . Prov . G . M . and there

y y , , were also present , Bros . Goodyer , P . M . and P . Prov . S . G . W .-, Duff , P . M . Lodge of Unions , London , and AA . M . elect ; Toller , J . W . ; Sculthorpe , Sec ; Johnson , PM . 491 and P . Prov . S . G . AV . Jersey , Org . ; Buzzard , S . D . ; J . C . Clarke , J . D . ; Sargeant , I . G . ; Hunt , Partridge , Barnes , Spencer , Atkins ( Steward ) , AVardle , Richardson , Bembridge , Tyler . A isitors , Bros . John A . Bindley , P . M . Abbey Lodge , ( No . 624 ); W . C .

Crofts , I . P . M . Ferrers and Ivanhoe Lodge ( No . 778 ); Rev . W . K . Robinson , W . M . ; Rev . AV . Langley , S . AV . ; H . Douglas , J . AV . ; and T . Markham , I . G . of the Rutland Lodge ( No . 1 , 130 ); and E . Morris , P . M . and Prov . G . Sec ; 0 . Stretton , P . Prov . G . Reg . and Sec , and AV . E . S . Stanley , J . AV . of St . John ' s Lodge ; and W . Knight , late of 523 . The minutes , including the election of the AV . M ., having been read and confirmed , the D . Prov . G . M ., announced that a day or two ago he had received a letter from Holland , and subsequently a telegram from Paris , from Bro . G . H . Hodges , the AV . M ., expressing his deep regret that he could not reach Leicester in time to attend the lodge ,

and that ho had also to explain that the Treasurer , Bro . T . Sheppard , -P . M ., was prevented being in his place in lodge owing to his official duties in connection with the annual wool fair , then being held in the town , and which also was the cause of other brethren . The D . Prov . G . M . then read an abstract of the Treasurer's accounts , which had been audited by himself and Bro . Clepbam , P . M ., whicli showed that the funds of the lodge ( notwithstanding the vote of £ 100 to the Masonic Hall

fund made in the preceding year ) were sufficient to meet every liability of tbe lodge , irrespective of the year ' s subscription due that day . He moved a vote of thanks to Bro . Sheppard for his valuable services as Treasurer , which , he regretted , they were about to lose . Bro . Sheppard ' s residence in the country , and other duties , compelling him to retire from the office . The motion was seconded bBro . GoodyerP . M . and carried

y , , unanimously . A ballot being taken , Bro . W . B . Smith , P . M . and P . Prov . J . G . W ., was unanimously elected Treasurer . The lodge was then opened in the second degree , and the AA ' . M . elect , Bro . Alexander Marshall Duff , P . M . of the Lodge of Unions , London , and P . G . Dir . of Cers ., was in ancient form installed , invested , and saluted by the brethren in the several degrees . He then appointed and invested the officers as follow :

—Bros . G . H . Hodges , I . P . M . ( by deputy ) : G . Toller , S . AA . ; T . H . Buzzard , J . AV . : Rev . John Spittal , Chap . ; W . B . Smith , Treas .: AV . Sculthorpe , Sec ; A . Sargeant , S . D . ; S . S . Partridge , J . D . ; C . Johnson , P . M . 491 , aud P . Prov . S . G . W . Jersey , Org . ; G . B . Atkins , Steward ; P . Wardle , I . G . ; and C . Bembridge , Tyler . A otes of thanks , for their services , were passed to the retiring AV . M . Bro . G . H . Hod and to the StewardBro . G .

, ges , , B . Atkins , and acknowledged hy the latter brother . Bro . Job Herbert , late of the Hope Lodge , Kurrachee , India , was elected as a joining member ; and a candidate having been proposed for initiation , the lodge was closed and the brethren adjourned to refreshment under the presidency of the newly-installed AV . M .

OXFORDSHIRE . OXEOED . —The Poioyer Lodge ( No . 1 , 036 ) . The anniversary meeting was held on Monday , 1 st ult ., Bro . the Rev . W . H . Marah , W . M ., presiding . By a dispensation from the Provincial Grand Master the Town Hall was converted into a lodge room for the occasion , as , besides the installation of the newly-elected Master , the Bowyer Lodge was honoured

by having the annual Provincial Grand and banquet placed under its charge . At the time fixed , a large number of brethren many of them highly distinguished in the Craft , had assembled , and the lodge being duly opened , Bro . Henry Hartley , Prov . S . G . D ., was formally installed as AA . M ., of the Bowyer Lodge , by the D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Alderman J . Spiers , assisted by an unusually large number of Past Masters of the province . The beautiful and interesting ceremony of installation was performed by Bro . Spiers in a most able and impressive manner . The following officers were then selected and invested by the newly-installed Master : —

Bro . the Rev . AV . H . Marah , P . Prov . G . C ., P . M . „ Robert Parsons . S . W . „ D . H . AV . Horloek , J . AV . „ the Rev . AA . C . Nottley , Chap . „ AVilliam Bower , Treas . „ Francis Fowler , Sec . „ AVilliam E . Hartley , S . D . Robert Bunting , J . D .

„ „ Peter Irving , Sen . M . C . „ James Compton , I . G . „ AV . Josiah Smith , P . M ., Org . „ John Galpin , } Stewards „ Alfred Wheeler , j ! 3 tewauls ' ,, Henry Judge , Tyler . The lodge was then closed in the usual manner .

Bro . Col . Henry Atkins Bowyer , Prov . G . M ., then proceeded with the assistance ofhis officers to open Grand Lodge . Among those present wo observed , besides the brethren named above , Bros . Alderman Randall , Treas .: the Earl of Donoughmore , Capt . Lamert , the Rev . 0 . Thompson , the Rev . F . J . Palmer , the Rev . G . C . Notley , Hurford , P . M . ; F . AV . A . Bowyer , P . M . ; Margetts , P . M ., 599 ; Hartley , AV . M ., 1 , 03 G ; Round , G . T . Prior , phone Spiers , J . Juggins , Captain Ray , D . Faulkner , Dr . Turner , W . Hone , &_ ., & c . The D . Prov . G . M . read a very satisfactory report of the Charity Committee of the province , from which it appeared