Provincial.

This was all the business set clown on the paper for disposal . The Provincial Grand Lodge then proceeded from the loclge room to St . John's Church . Full cathedral service was given , the choir consisting of Bros . Edniondson , Baker , AVilson , Parker , T . J . Hughes , and Armstrong , assisted by Miss Green and Miss Phillips , and the choir boys of St . Peter ' s parish church , Liverpool . Bro . Twiss , Prov . G . Org . of Cheshire , presided at the organ , ancl played an appropriate voluntary while the brethren

were entering the church . The sermon was preached by the Prov . G . Chap , Bro . Hobson , who chose for his text the 12 th verso of the 10 th chapter of Romans , " For there is no difference between the Jew ancl the Greek ; for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon him . " A collection was afterwards made in aid of the Birkenhead Borough Hospital and the Provincial Fund of Benevolence . The brethren observed the same order in returning from church

to the Music Hall , where the Provincial Grand Lodge was duly closed . Shortly after the return of the brethren from church a banquet was served in the Music Hall , to which about 200 sat down , Bro . Stokes , of Seacombe , being tbe purveyor . Lord de Tabley presided , and he was supported right and left by the officers of the Provincial Grand Loclge . The musical arrangements , which were admirably carried out , were under the direction of Bro .

Twiss , Prov . G . Org . ( who presided at the pianoforte ) assisted by Bros . Edmondsou , Baker , AV . Parker , T , J . Hughes , and T . Armstrong . After proposing the toast of " The Queen , " which was most cordially received , the R . AV . Prov . G . M . gave the toast of "The Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester , the Princess of "Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family . " The toast was responded to with groat enthusiasm . " The Cambrian Plume , " a new song by Brinley Richards , was then sung by Bro , Hughes with great spirit , and was loudly cheered .

The principal remaining toasts were— " The Earl of Zetland , M . W . G . M , ancl the Officers of the G-.-and Lodge" ( responded , to by Bro . M'lntyre , G . Reg . ) ; " Lord de Tabley " ( proposed by Bro . Cope , Prov . G . S . W . ); "The R . W . Prov . G . Masters of Neighbouring Provinces ( responded to by Bro . H . S . Alpass , Prov . G . Sec , AA . Lancashire ) , & c . The Grand Stewards deserve especial notico for the indefatigable zeal they displayed at the banquet and throughout the

day ' s proceedings with the view of securing the comfort and satisfaction of all the brethren . After the concluding- to . ist , " All Poor and Distressed Masons , " the brethren separated , all expressing their pleasure at the result of the clay ' s doings .

CUMBERLAND AND AVESTMORELAND . COCKEEMOUTH . —Skiddaw Lodge ( No . 1002 ) . —The regular meeting of this flourishing lodge was hold at the Masonic Temple , on Tuesday , the 7 th iust , the W . M . Bro . Richard Robinson was supported by Bros . T . F . Taylor , S . W , J . May son , J . AV , W . Shilton , I . P . M , II . F . Faithfull , P . M . P . Prov . J . G . W , John Pearson , Prov . G . S . D . TreasRev AV . WilliamsHon . Sec

, , , Isaac Evening , as I . G , J . Tlnvaites , R . Brown , C . Miiyson , J . Lowthwaite , J . AUinson , W . Potts , Tyler ; visitor : Bro . John Bowes , P . M . P . Z , P . Prov . G . Reg . The lodgo was opousd in due form with solemn prayer according to ancient usage , when , the minutes of the last regular meeting , and a lodge of emergency were read and deel-ired to be correctly recorded . The W . M . now ' requested Bro . John Bowes to occupy the chair of K . S , when Bro . J . Allinson sought preferment , and proving his claim was

entrusted , ancl retired . The loclge was opened in the second degree and Bro . Alliusou was re-admitted and passed . Bro . J . Lowthwaite now claimed advancement , and on proving his proficiency was entrusted ancl retired . The lodge was opened in the third degree , Bro . Lowthwaite introduced and raised to the sublime degree of a M . M . Both ceremonies had tbe advantage of the able deaconafce of the XV . M ., li . Robinson , which was marked by accuracy and precision , as was the working of all the officers .

Indeed it would be difficult to find a provincial loclge where greater zeal is manifested . The lodge was lowered to the first degree , when a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Bowes , for his assistance during the evening ' s labour , which that brother suitabl y acknowledged . There being no further business the lodge was closed with the usual solemnities , We must not close our report without a word in reference to tho lodge room .

The painting , decorating and fittings are at once accurate iiwl Jr** u . ,

chaste , and reflect the highest credit upon Bro . Faithfull , at whose cost and under whose superintendance the work was done , Bro . W . Taylor , a member of the lodge , did the painting and decorating . DURHAM . DUBHA ^ . —Marquis of Granby Lodge ( No . 124 ) . —On Tuestbe 7 th instthe usual of this

day evening , , monthly meeting lodge was held under the presidency of the W . M , Bro . C Rowlandson . The lodge was opened shortly after the time stated on the summons , when , after tbe minutes of the previous loclge had been confirmed , Mr . James Clement Thomson , of Thornley , was duly initiated , the ceremony being followed by passing Bro . C . Millwood to tlie F . C . degree . Several propositions having been made and notices of motions given , the loclge was closed

according to ancient and solemn form until the first Tuesday in the ensuing month . CIIESTER-DE-STBEET . —Lambton Lodge ( No . 375 ) . —A regular meeting of this loclge was held at the Lambton Arms Hotel , on Friday afternoon , the 3 rd inst , at 3 o'clock . Bro . Sir H . Williamson , Bart ., M . P ., R . W . D . Prov . G . M , presided , and amongst those present were —Bros . J . Fawcett , Prov . G . M . ; Revs . J . P . De Pledge and J . W . Cartwright ; H . J .

Baker-Baker ; V . A . Williamson ; A . Story , & c . The election of W . M . for the ensuing year was proceeded with , when Bro . H . J . Baker-Baker , J . W , was elected . After transacting other business of importance , the lodge was regularly closed . The installation of the AA' . M . elect will take place on the 5 th of November next .

ESSEX . COICHESTEK . — United Lodge ( No . 697 ) . —The last regularmeeting of this lodge took place at the George Hotel , on Friday , 13 th ult . Present : Bros . Newman , W . M . ; Ray , S . W . ; J . S . Smith , J . W . ; Rix , Treas . ; Calthorpe , S . D . ; Eustace , J . D . ; Gill , I . G . ; Saunders , Bell , Piper , Woodland , Kinloch , Everett , Givin , AA arren , J . Smith , O'Malley . The lodge was opened in due form in first degreeancl the sunnnous convening the

meet-, ing was read , and also the summons for the Board of General Purposes . The minutes of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed . A report irom the Board of General Purposes was read , reporting that the character of Bro . G . Smith Angel , 51 , was considered satisfactory , and that they had decided , with the approval of the members of the United Lodge , to reduce the fees to one uniform quarterly subscription of 5 s , the quarterly charges having been hitherto for officers and civilians

7 s . Gd . Ballot was then taken for Bro . G . Smith , 51 , as a joining member , and which proved unanimous . A communication was read from the Grand Loclge . The lodge was then opened in the second degree , and Bro . Piper was called upon to answer the questions appertaining to it prior to being raised ; he then retired , and the lodge being then opened in third degree , he again entered and was raised to the sublime degree of a M . M . Bro . \\ oodland signed ancl received his Grand Lodge certificate .

The lodge was then closed by the power of tho gavel to the first degree , ancl Bro . Warren was called upon to answer the questions in first degree , and having satisfactorily clone so , retired . The loclge was then opened in second degree , ancl Bro . Warren was passed . The questions appertaining to second degree were then put round for the information of Bro . Warren . The lodge was then closed to first degree , and Bro . Newman proposed , and Bro . Eustace secondedthat Bro . Bolton be received as a

join-, ing member of United Lodge No . G 97 . Bro . Newman proposed and Bro . J . S . Smith seconded tliat Capt . George Blunt , S 3 rd . Regt , be received as a joining member of United Lodge 697 . The lodge was then closed in peace , harmony and brotherly love , and the brethren sat down together to banquet , spent a convivial evening , and retired at an early hour .

HEREFORDSHIRE . LEOMINSTER . Provincial Grand Lodge . The Masonic body of this province celebrated their annual Grand Loclge gathering , or muster of brethren from the different lodsres under Masonic rule , on Monday , the Oth inst , the holding of Grand Loclge being a moveable festival at which the past is

reviewed , brotherly love stimulated , generous feelings exchanged , ^kJ ¦ Sttn-Uthe work of the future considered . MiV D \ A