Provincial.

period of five-and-thirty years had sustained and fostered the Order . The lodge unanimously resolved that the sentiments embodied in these addresses be entered on the minutes . Bro . Alfred J . Copeland was raised to the third degree . The AV . M . then resigned the chair to Bro . Francis , D . Prov . G . M . ; and , presenting Bro . Alfred T . Brett , AV . M . elect , he was duly installed into the chair . The AA . M . then appointed and invested the several officers as tollows : —BrosHGMartinSAVRev

. . . , .. ; . R . T . Branson , J . AV ; Thomas Rogers , Treas . ; H . H . B . Heme , P . M ., Sec ; Rev . George Finch , Chap . ; AVilson lies , S . D . ; S . Camp . J . D . ; H . F . Schroder , I . G . ; T . Hill , Dir . of Cers . ; Thomas Thomas , Tyler All business ended , the lodge was closed in peace and harmony and brotherly love , and at six p . m . about twenty-five brethren gathered round the social board . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , ancl the

evening ' s entertainment was enlivened by the presence of Bros . Fielding , Shoubridge , and Ransford , who discoursed sweet music , in particular some glees of the old masters of English melody .

1 A . NCASHIRE ( WEST ) . liI \ EXJ ? OOi ,. --Merckaxt ' s Lodge { No . 294 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday the 14 th of April , when four gentlemen were initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry by Brother McConnan , the AV . M . At refreshment there was a large attendance of the brethren , and several distinguished visitors . The toast ofthe Provincial Grand Officers was responded to by the Prov . G . Treasurer and the ProvG

. . Registrar , tho former of whom spoke highly of the working of the lodge , and attributed its excellence to uhe influence of the lodge of Instruction , founded and presided over by Bro . P . M . Younghnsband . The Prov . G . Registrar followed in the same strain , and stated that eminent Masons from London had told him that the working of lodge 294 was not excelled in any lodge in the metropolis . He also limented the lodon its

comp ge exertions in the cause of charity—its contribution to the AA est Lancashire Educational Institute being greater than that of any other lodge in the province . In responding to the toast of the Past Master , Brother Yoiinghusband stated that a pleasing duty devolved upon him that evening . The brethren might remember that , a few months ago , he had proposed that the lodge should

provide an album for preserving the carte de visile portraits of all its members , which after the lapse of a few years , would form a most interesting collection . He had now the pleasure to inform them that a most elegant album had been sent from New York by Brother R . N . Musgrove , of 294 , and in his name he ( Bro . Younghusband ) now presented it to the lodge . The health of Bro . Musgrove having been drunk with Masonic honoursit was decided that his letter to the AVMshould be

, .. placed on the minutes , au account of this presentation sent to the PKEEMASOSS' MA & AZIXE , ancl a copy posted to his address in New York . The toast of the visiting brethren was responded to by Bro . Young , P . M . of lodge 255 of london , who stated that in no other lodge in liverpool , except 294 was the working pure . _ If , said Brother Young , the pure working is not to be found in londonunder the shadow of the Grand lod where

, ge , may we expect to find it ? The Emulation lodge of Improvement , presided over by Brother Stephen Barton AVilson was the standard , and this was the model adopted in the Merchants ' lodge of Instruction , 294 . The brethren were indebted to the Prov . G . Treasurer , Bros . Mott , R . AVilson , and other brethren for some excellent songs , and after a very delightful evening , the lodge was closed before 10 p . m .

WARWICKSHIRE . BntMiNGnAjr . —Faithful Lodge . ( No . 696 ) . —Tin ' s lodge held its annual Festival at the Masonic Rooms , on Tuesday . April 14 th . Bro . AV . H . Dawes , AV . M ., initiated Mr . Bonus , and afterwards resigned the chair to Bro . J . A . Turner , who in a very impressive ancl able manner installed Bro . AVilliam Hutton into the chair , the AV . M . then proceeded to appoint his officers for the year and afterwards closed the lodge . The brethren ,

mustering over sixty , then proceeded to the banquet , the AV . M . being supported on his right by A . AV . Bro . Charles W . Elkington , P . G . S . B ., D . Prov . G . M . ; Bros . Capt . Charles Ratclilf , Hudson , Thomas Bragg , Robinson , AVest , Hopkins , Simpson , Hooper , S . AV .: and on the left by W . H . Dawes , S . W . ; John Ralcliff , J . J . Turner , J . II . Beresford , Capt . Bullock , Bullock , Jun ., Nelson , S . A . Parker , & c , & c . The W . M . proposed in suitable terms "The Queen and the Craft , " "thePrince and Princess of Wales , the Crown Prince of Prussia , and the

rest ofthe Royal Family ; " "The M . W . G . M ., theD . G . M ., andthe Grand Lodge of England ; " coupling with the toast the name of the V . W . Bro . Charles AV . Elkington . Bro . Elkington , in reply , spoke of the hig h and noble qualities of Earl Zetland and Earl de Grey , and assured the brethren that they , with the Grand Officers , zealously and successfully performed the various duties in connection with their offices . " The R . W . the Prov . G . M ., lordleih ; theD . Prov . G . M . Bro . Charles AV . Elkington ; and

g , the Provincial Grand lodge , " was then given , the AV . M . speaking . iti high terms of the Prov . G . M ., and also of the Deputy , who ' most zealously ancl faithfully performed his duty , and was always welcome amongst them . Bro . Elkington assured the brethren how much he valued their good opinions , and the hearty reception the toast had received , he was happy to tell them lord Leih would be at home on the 1 st of Mayand

g , _ what they would be equally pleased to . hearthat lady leigh's health had beeu fully re-estahlished by the change of climate . Bro . Elkington , in an eloquent speech , then advocated Freemasonry , and appealed for support to the Girl ' s School at the forthcoming Festival , at which his friend , Bro . the Rev . W . Iv . R . Bedford was President of the Board of Stewards : Bro .

Capt . Ratcliff was also a Steward . The appeal met with a liberal response . Bro . Elkington alluded to the wonderful subscription for the Boys' School , a sum having been realised which had never been surpassed at any Festival , and begged his brethren to carry into practice that which they had all professed to admire—Charity ! Bro . Elkington concluded his speech amidst cheers , and proposed the health of thenexcellent friendBro . Hutton bhe newly-installed AV . M .,

, and success to the Faithful lodge . The toast was received with all the honours , aud Bro . Hutton , made a spirited reply and proposed the immediate P . M ., Bro . AV . H . Dawes , who had so faithfully performed the duties of the chair , and had so beautifully performed the ceremony of initiation . The health of the newly-initiated brother was proposed by Sir John Ratcliffthe Visitorsresponded to in an excellent speech by

; , Capt . Ratcliff , the P . M . ' s , the Installing Master , Bro . J . J . Turner , received with long-continued cheers , the Officers' aud the Tyler ' s toast . During the evening some good music and singing enlivened the proceedings , Bros the AA' . M ., S . A . Parker , Lieut . Edwards , J . J . Turner , and others , assisting therein ; it was a most enjoyable evening , ancl all separated at an early hour .

YORKSHIRE ( AVEST ) B-ttATOOTCD . —Lodge of Mope ( No . 379 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held ou Monday evening , the 6 th inst ., under the presidency of the AV . M ., Bro . Manoah Rhodes , who was ably assisted by his officers , and supported by a numerous assembly of the brethren . There was also present Bros . R . R . Nelson , ProvGSecJ . DoddW . M . j John AVardP . M . P . Prov .

. . ; , , , J . G . AV . ; T . Peel , S . D . Harmony , 874 ; E . Robinson , Moira , 406 ; J . G . Wheelwright , St . Oswald , 1212 ; Capt . Robson , Malta , 387 ; C . AVatson , Integrity , 529 ; John Greaves , Friendship , 344 ; John Fisher , P . M . ; T . Perkington , P . G . Supt . of AVorks ; J . Booth , P . Prov . G . Supt . of AVorks ; J . Dawson , J . Stott , F . Smith , and J . D . Hutchinson , Probity , 73 , Halifax . The lodwas opened at 5 - 30 p . m . being an earlier hour than usual ,

ge , on account of the pressure of business , and to meet the requirements of those visitors who desired or were necessitated to leave by early trains . After the minutes of the previous lodge and subsequent lodge of emergency had been read and confirmed , Bros . John Armitage , W . II . France , and Sydney Lister successfully passed their examination , and with the unanimous consent of the brethren were passed to the degree of F . C . The

ballot was then taken for Mr . W . H . Hattersly aud Mr . Charles Gott , and the result being in favour they were duly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry . The lodge business being concluded , Bro . R . R . Nelson , Prov . G . S ., rose and eloquently advocated the claims of the Masonic Charities upon the sympathies aud substantial support of all Masons throughout the world . He spoke in terms of high and sincere

commendation of the "long . pull , " the " strong pull , " and the " pull altogether" that the Lodge of Hope had made in getting up the munificent subscription of £ 336 , presented last anniversary to the Boys' School . He adverted with great power and earnestness to the blessed results of Masonic benevolence , and urged all Masons to be true to the charitable principles of the Order , and not to grow weary in well doing , so long as the seed was sown in good ground and brought forth some twenty , some