Provincial.

as chairman—for the meeting was held in the refreshment room —and ho requested the W . M . to state the particulars ; to which Bro . Hayward said that he attended a summoned meeting at Maryport some three weeks ago , and found that several brethren , especially in the west of the . province , were desirous of petitioning the Earl of Zetland to grant them an independaufc piovince for Cumberland , it was resolved that each W . M . should ascertain the feelings of the brethren of their respective lod aud that

ges , they , the W , M . 's should be summoned to attend a meeting at Maryport on or about the third Monday in October , and if a majority wero in favour of such dissolution , then to carry out the principal feature required . The chairman put to the meeting a proposition by Bro . P . W . Hayward , seconded hy Bro . J . Slack , to the effect that such conduct as convening a meeting without the sanction of the Prov . G . W . was contrary to the constitution

of Freemasonry , and that this meeting do signify their assent to a vote of confidence iu Bro . Lord Kenlis , as their Prov . G . M ., hoping that , at the next meeting , there will he a large majority in favour of Bro . Lord Kenlis . This was carried unanimously . Bro . Woodhouse , P . M ., moved , and Capt . Wilson , seconded a resolution that the W . M . of this lodge do attend the next meeting as delegate , and strongly denounce the proceedings taken at the former meotinsr , and to inform tho brethren of that

meeting of the Carlisle brethren to support Bro . Lord Kenlis , the Prov . G . M . The business being over , the brethren desired that refreshment be served , they adjourned , and all being supplied in the four quarters , the chairman gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , viz ., The Queen , the Earl of Zetland' the Past and Present Grand Officers , the R . W . the Prov . G . M ., the Right Hon . Lord Kenlis , witii all honours . Bro . P . W . Hayward , P . Prov . S . G . W . returned thanks on Bro . Lord Kenlis's behalfand

, , said that what he had seen aud heard of Lord Kenlis , he should strongly support him , and hoped that every brother would do the same , and before he sat down he begged to express his satisfaction that a vote of confidence was to be sent to Bro . Lord Kenlis from this lodge . The chairman proposed a toast to the Present Prov . G . Officers , two being present , Bros . G . G . Hayward and Woodhouse , each returning thanks ; the latter by

permission proposed a toast to the success of "Tommy . " Bro . Iredale kindly lectured on " Jacob ' s Ladder , " in such a manner that won him the applause of the brethren . To the health of the chairman , Bro . Iredale returned thanks , during which he strongly rccsmmended the brethren to support the Prov . G . M . of Cumberland and Westmoreland , who was tlio right man in the right place . The brethren rose and chaunted " In the Grand Lodge above , " Bro . W . Johnston giving the air . The Tyler ' s toast closed the evening , and all retired in harmony .

DEVONSHIRE . PEOVISOIAE GRAOND LODGE . A special Provincial Grand Lodge was held at Totnes , at noon , on Thursday , the 10 th hist ., for the purpose of dedicating the newly-erected Masonic Hall in Mill-lane . On August 12 th , 1 S 57 , tho Pleiades Lodgo ( now Xo . 710 ) was duly consecrated by Bro . Heavy Bridgesof BridgewatorDProvGMof

, , . . .. Somerset , through whose untiring exertions the lodge was formed , prior to which there were but few Freemasons " in the town . In that year , however , twenty-six persons woro initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry , and the number has since gradually increased , to fifty-four . ' The building then selected as the lodge-room was that known as the Auction Mart , and was used as a Masonic Temple for some time subsequently , but on the ni

ght of January 19 th , 1 SG 0 , the building was totall y destroyed by fire , together with all the effects belonging to the lodge , excepting the cash-book , ledger , and rough minute-book . Fortunately for the lodge the effects were insured , and with the money received under the policy the members were enabled to purchase new furniture , jewels , & c , although of a character less valuable than those previously possessed . A difficulty then to lod

arose as a ge-room , and not being able to secure the occupation of one sufficiently private for the purpose , the fraternity ultimately accepted the oiler made by Bro . . John Heath , of the Assembly Rooms , at tho Seven Stars Hotel , where , until recently , the meetings of the lodge have been held . At length , however , it being felt that this room was not so convenient for the celebration of the solemn rites of Masonry as one entirely aud set

private apart exclusively for the purpose , after careful deliberation the lodge arranged with Bro . Heath for the occupation of the present building , which he undertook to erect at his own cost—about £ 300 . The exterior of the building is

quite plain , and the dimensions are 42 ft . by 21 ft . The interior , comprising the temple , ante-room , and offices , is admirably adapted for Masonic purposes . The temple , 17 ft . high , has a canopy ceiling , in the centre of which is placed " the All-seeing Eve . " The decorations are not yet complete . It is intended that tho ceiling shall bo clouded , to represent the sun , moon ,, planets , and stars ; the constellations , as well as the rays surrounding tho "All-seeing Eye" and the cornices around the

, room arc to be gilded , with other enrichments symbolical of the Order . Among the present decorations there is at the east end of the room a splendid aud valuable oil painting , representing St . John the Evangelist contemplating the human skull , which , being of a Masonic character , was recently presented by Bro , T . E . Owen , W . M . for the past year . Over the entrance is placed a cast from a marble bust of Bro . Bridgespresented to

, him some time ago by the brethren of the lodge , in grateful remembrance of his zeal in their behalf . The bust was sculptured by Bro . Samuel Haydon , then of Totnes , and its cost amounted to fifty guineas . The furniture and other effects represent the various Masonic symbols , and the carpet , composed , of black and white squares diagonally placed , represents the Mosaic pavement . Tho Master ' s chair—a beautiful piece of

workmanship—was manufactured by the late Bro . T . Richardson * expressly for the lodge , from a block of solid oak ; it is elaborately carved , the back being supported by Doric pillars , and the cushions and back are covered with crimson plush ; the design , for the chair was drawn by Bro . J . Heath , jun ., who also prepared the plans for and was the architect of the hall . In the last month ' s report of the Pleiades Lodge it was

stated that a new W . M . for tke ensuing year had been olected ,. aud that he would be installed at the October meeting . Bro . John Heath , tho W . M . elect , having been one of the foundersof the lodge , and intimately connected with all its subsequent proceedings , thought that this would bo a favourable opportunity to have the building set apart for Masonic purposes by a ceremony of dedication . He accordingly put himself in

communication with the Provincial Grand Master , who at once acceded to his request , and issued circulars summoning his Prov . G . Officers to attend , in order to render the necessary assistance , and to give eclat and official sanction to the

proceedings , which were appointed to take place on Thursday , the-10 th inst ., at high noon . All preliminary arrangements having been made , the programme of the proposed ceremony was printed , and copies were supplied to the members . Towards boon tho brethren of the Pleiades Lodge , with many others from neighbouring towns , began to assemble , and all , as they entered tho hall , were struck with the change in its appearanceand with the progress which had been made during

, the last month towards the completion of tho decorative arrangements previously determined upon , with a view to render it more appropriate for carrying out the rites of the Craft . Among the brethren present the following may be specially named : —Bros . Rev . J . Htiyshe , M . A ., Prov . G . M . of Devon and P . G . Chap , of England ; L . P . Metham , D . Prov . G . M ,, and S . G . D . of England ; Major Deacon , Prov . S . G . W . ; Rev . R .

Measham and Rev . R . li . Howe , Prov . G . Chaps . ; Rev . James Powning , P . Prov . G . Chap . ; Samuel Jew , Prov . G . Treas . ; IT . L . Brewster , Prov . G . Reg . ; I . Latimer , Assist . Prov . G . Sec ; G . Kichol ) , W . M . 70 , Prov . G . S . ; W . H . Maddock , P . M .. ISO , P . G . S . ; P . James , P . M . 159 , P . G . S . ; and J . B . Witheridge , W . M . 223 , Prov . G . Purst . There were about fifty visiting brethren presentamongst whom were : — 'The Riht Hon . Lord

, g Dououghmore , Appollo Lodge , Oxford ; Dr . Hopkins , P . M . 4-3 and 95 S , P . Prov . S . G . W . for "Warwickshire ; Rev . J . Carwithen ,. P . Prov . G . Chap . ; and T . C , Kellock . Shortly after twelve o ' clock tho lodge was opened in the first degree , the R . W . Prov . G . M . presiding , assisted by Bros . Major Deacon , S . W . ; H . L . Brewster , Acting J . W . ; L . Latimer , Assist . G . Sec . The Rev . R . Measham read KingsBook 1

, , chap , viii ., verses 22 to 23 inclusive , after which the brethren sang an anthem , Bro . 'Taylor presiding at the organ . A procession was then formed , and the Prov . G . M . proceeded round tho lodge-room , the D . Prov . G . M . and the Prov . G . Wardens following , bearing in their hands the elements of dedication . There was solemn and appropriate music during the procession , excepting at tho intervals of dedication . Tho ceremonies of

scattering corn and pouring wine aud oil over the lodge were then performed in the customary manner , a prayer for a . blessing on the lodge being offered up by the Prov . G . M . after each portion of the ceremonial . When this was completed the Prov . G . Chap , offered up a further prayer , to which .