Provincial.

as also in the former cases there was a musical response by the brethren . The Prov . G . M . then seasoned the lodge with salt , the Prov . G . Chap , preceding him with the burning incense . This was followed by a prayer and a chant . The ceremonies having been brought to a close , the R . W . Prov . G . M . stated that it was customary on such occasions to select a distinguished and well-instructed brother to deliver an appropriate oration . Such an appointment had not in this instance

been made , but , unwilling to depart from so excellent a practice he called upon his D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Metham , to address a few words to the assembled brethren , who , after expressing his regret at his want of preparation for so important a duty , pronounced an admirable oration on the excellencies of Masonic

teaching , forcibly pointing ont the errors which exist in the minds of many , even of the initiated , as to their scope and object , showing the duty incumbent on Masons to maintain the character and dignity of the Order , by discountenancing every practice and every individual not conformable to them , happily hinting at several circumstances on passing events in which Masonic , principles might with advantage be allowed to exercise their benign influenceand concluding the whole by an

illustra-, tion derived from his own position on the same day last year , when , standing alone on the summit of Ben Venue , surveying tiie scene and recalling the circumstances so beautifully described in the " Lady of the Lake , " impelled by thirst , be at last discovered a little rill of pure sparkling water , which he traced to the shores of Loch Katrine , gradually swelling on its course , and on its way forming a cascade of exquisite beauty ;

while , on the other hand , in his progress downwards , he encountered a dark filthy morass , whose stagnant liquid , full of impurity , likewise found its way by another channel to the lake . Here , however , its baneful effect was counteracted and rendered incapable of mischief by admixture with the clear stream which emanated from the summit of the mountain . So in Masonry , though here and there be found one who

may brings discredit on our Order by disregard of its precepts and practices , bis evil influence is lost in the mass of good which exists among the thousands who strive to know and carry out the principles taught in that Holy Book which ilfasons profess to take as their guide through life , and whose blessed promises are their consolation when summoned from this earthly abode to join the Grand Lodge above .

The address , of which the preceding is but a faint outline , was , in fact , an eloquent tribute to the beauties of Preemasonry , and the benefits which result to mankind by the dissemination of its principles . The discourse was , at its conclusion , greeted with loud applause . The Prov . G . M . then gave the final benediction , and the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in the usual form .

The Prov . G . Master , his Deputy , and several other Prov . G . Officers then retired , and after a short interval the regular business of the Pleiades Lodge commenced . In the unavoidable absence of Bro . Owen , W . M-, on account of an important professional engagement , the chair was taken by Bro . Yellam , supported by Bros . Cooke , acting ; as S . W . ; Beeehey , J . W . ; Jew , acting as I . P . M .. ; and the Rev . Bro . Powning , Chap . After the lodge hud been opened in the three degrees , Bro . Brewster , P . M . and Prov . G . Reg ., took the chair as Installing Master .

The W . M . elect was duly presented and received , the brethren below the rank of W . M . withdrew , and a Board of Installed Masters was formed , in whose presence Bro . John Heath was placed in the chair of King Solomon . The Board was then closed , and the brethren in the several ranks of the Ordor were successively admitted . The usual processions , salutations , and proclamations took place , but the ceremony was much curtailedas time pressedaud Bro . Heath had

, , previously twice filled the chair in another district . The lodge was resumed in the second , and afterwards in the first degree . The following brethren were appointed to hold office for the ensuing year , and duly invested , each one receiving appropriate remarks from the W . M .: —Bros . Owen , I . P . M . ; Cooke , S . W . ; William Olderry , J . W . ; Rev . J . Powning , Chap . ; Watson , Treas . and Sec ; Pridham , S . D . ; William Pullen , J . D . ; W . H .

Taylor , Org . ; Jeliner , I . G . ; Crocker , Tyler . A ballot was then taken for the admission , as a joining member of the lodge , of Bro . Dr . Hopkins , P . M . 43 aiid 958 , r . Prov . G . S . W . for Warwickshire , on the proposition of the Chap ., the W . M . remarking that the reputation of the candidate , and the evidence he had given of Masonic knowledge at a Lodge of Instruction on the previous evening , which gave

hopes that he would be a valus . ble acquisition to the lodge , were such as to ensure a unanimous ballot iu his favour—which proved to be the case . Bro . Dr . Hopkins briefly offered his acknowledgments . The lodge was resumed in the second degree . Bros . Owen and Stephens' were presented , examined as to their proficiency as Fellow Crafts , and afterwards entrusted and dismissed for preparation . The lodge was resumed in the third degreeAs

. time pressed , only one of the candidates , Bro . Owen , was raised to the rank of M . M ., the ceremony for Bro . Stephens being necessarily postponed The W . M . performed the duty in a style which merits a high enconium , and was ably supported by his new officers . The lodge was resumed in the first degree , and finally closed soon after half-past three o'clock .

At asout four the brethren again assembled m the large room at the Seven Stars Hotel , for the purpose of partaking of their annual banquet . Though a matter of minor importance compared with the proceedings in the lodge-room , it must in justice be stated that the dinner was such as to do him great credit . About fifty-five brethren sat down to table , and , appetite , being whetted by the previous labours , evidently appreciated the effort which had been so satisfactorily made to administer to

their personal wants , after a confinement of several hours within the tyled precincts of the lodge . The cloth having been drawn , Bro . J . Heath , who , as W . M ., presided , proposed in succession the usual routine of Masonic toasts , which were duly honoured . Of the addresses delivered in reply , which were generally marked by brevity , that of Bro . Metham should be especially noticed , as frill of humour , modestygood senseand truly Masonic sentiments and counsel .

, , The Prov . G . Master also gave a short speech , impelled by his foelings at the cordial reception he had met with , though suffering from severe indisposition , which he assigned as the reason of his absence from the room while the ordinary business of the lodge was being conducted . At about six o ' clock most of the brethren withdrew , many of whom had some distance to travel by train , and only about

twenty remained a short time longer , to talk over the events of the day , and to enjoy social intercourse free from the formalities with which the early portions of the proceedings bad been so properly and efficiently conducted . [ The brother who has so kindly supplied the above report desires that it may be mentioned that for most of the details contained in the first portion he is indebted to an account published in the Daily Telegram of the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette—ED . F . iL ~\

JNEWTON ABBOT . —Devon Lodge ( Xo . 1 , 133 ) . —Tho ordinary mooting was hold on Tuosday , tho 8 th iust ., under tho prosidoncy of Bro . Capt . P . D . Bowes , W . M ., assistod by Bros . Major Yates , acting as S . W .: Lamblo , JAY . ; Dr . Hopkins , P . M ., & c , acting as I . P . M . Tho lodgo was oponod in tho first dogreo at a quarter to seven . Tho minutes of tho last regular , and of an omorgoncy , mooting wore road and confinnod . Bros . Hewlett and Mngford woro then prosontod to tho W . M . as candidatos for tho second

dogroo . Accordingly , after an examination ( which , however , by no moans showod a propor acquaintance with tho coremouy through which thoy bad previously passod ) , they woro entrusted and dismissod for ] iroparation . Tho lodgo was oponod in tho second dogroo , oaeh candidate was admitted separately , and rocoivod at tho hands of tho W . M . tho rite nocossary to admit him to tho rank and privilogos of a Follow Craft . The usual cbargo wasat tho roquost of tho W . M . ivon bBro . Dr . HopkinsP . M .

, , g y , Tho lodgo was then closed in tho soeond dogroo . Tho W . M . thon infonnod tho brothren that ho had actod on the recommendation of several of thom to invito tho attendance of tho acting I . P . M . ( who had rocontly come to rosido within a fow miles ) , and to solicit him to givo thom somo of tho lectures illustrativo of tho principles and coromonios of tho Craft . Ho had choorfully acceded to tho roquost , though at considerable porsonal inconvenience , and was now prosont . Tho W . M . had pleasure , in

formally introducing him to tho lodgo , and in calling upon him to givo the locturo on tho first tracing-board . This was listened to with great attention , and at its closo tho W . M ., on tho part of tho brothrou , tondorod gratofnl thanks for tho instruction afforded . With permission from tho ehah ' , Bro . Dr . Hopkins introduced his Masonic book-markors , which ho disposed of for tho bonofifc of tho chavitios , and all tho brethren mado purchases . Two sots of thoso appropriate for tho lodgo Biblo , showing tho plaeos at which it should bo oponod for tho sovoral dogreos , woro also ordorod . The lodgo was finally closed at nine o ' clock ,