Provincial.

Bro . Thomas Norcross Firmin , the late Grand Secretary of the province . Bro . Firmin had been known to most of them now present , and he ( Sir Lucius ) felt nailed upon to state that ho believed a bettor Mason never breathed in this world , He had a resolution of condolence to propose to the meeting , which he would thank I ' m . Stebbing ( who had kindly prepared it ) to read , and he felt sure some brother present would readily second it . Bro , Stebbing read the resolution , which was as follows . —

"That this Grand Lodge desires to record its deep and heartfelt sorrow on the melancholy occasion of the death of its most valued and ever to be lamented Grand Secretary and Past Grand AVarden , Bin . Thomas Norcross Firmin , whose hiss to Masonry will lie long and severely felt , and whoso amiable manners and sincere friendship will never be forgotten . " That this Grand Loclge embraces the opportunity of . passing this sad tribute to his memory , and of testifying to his great worth and excellence as a Mason , and his

high aud honourable conduct as a man . In him were united the genuine characteristics of a true brother , a sincere friend , a fond husband , a kind father , a loyal citizen , a just and upright man and Mason : he truly cultivated brotherly love and practised charity , and in his life and conduct upheld the principle ! -, ancl illustrated the inspiration of the Psalmist , so beautifully expressed in the words— Behold how good aud pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell t , igether in unity . ' " "That in grateful appreciation of their lamented brother ' s services to this

province , of sincere and earnest conviction of his distinguished character as a Mason , and in deep , affectionate sympathy aud condolence with his much respected . 1111 ! bereaved widow and family , a copy of this resolution be respectfully forwarded to them with tho earnest and heartfelt prayer of every brother in the province that it may please tho Great Architect of the Universe to extend his mercy to them in their deep sorrow , and to comfort aud console them in thoir irreparable loss and great affliction . "

Bro . Beach , MP ., said he was very pleased to second the resolution . It was a subject of extreme regret at all times when a brother so universally esteemed passed away from among them , and the regret was greatly enhanced when the services of that brother ( as iu this instance ) had been so exceedingly useful . He was sure that there wero none but would feel the loss which the province had sustained ; aud the resolution before tho meeting was but a fair acknowledgment of the worth of the deceased , a tribute from the esteem in which the province held his memory , and their deep conviction of their irreparable loss .

The R . W . Prov G . M . said the departed was not only a good man , but an excellent Mason , and his right hand in everything regarding the business of the province . In feet , he should not now be enabled to carry ou the duties of his position , in consequence of tho great loss ho experienced , were it not for the kind and voluntary assistance rendered by Bro . Stebbing , who , from his former long fulfilment of the duties , was so well versed in the import-ant office of Graud Secretary of the province . The resolution was then put from the chairand carried with perfect unanimity

, and general expressions of sympathy and sorrow . Bro . Stebbing said Sir Lucius had referred to him as having again taken up the duties of Prov . Grand Secretary ; he must remind brethren presentjjthat he merely performed tho duties for the time being , only holding office , indeed , uutil a successor to Bro . Firmin should be duly appointed , which ho hoped would bo early . Bro . IT . Ford , ( mayor of Portsmouth ) , anil AV . M . of Lodge , No . 319 , then said he rose for the purpose of proposing that the resolution just carried , and which

so well embodied tho feelings of the Grand Lodge , should be emblazoned aud framed , and handed to the family of the deceased as a heirloom , so as to perpetuate the honoured memory of their worthy brother . . Tho motion was seconded by Bro . AVoolvin , AV . M , and carried unanimously . HIE MASONIC CHARITIES . Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis , Bart ., said he should take upon himself again to