Provincial.

on their behalf , though at present the Denvent Lodge did nofc happen to have a candidate for either of those valuable institutions . As they hacl so able an exponent of them present , he Avould not detain the brethren longer by expatiating on their several advantages , but Avould call on Bro . Binckes , the respected Secretary of the Boys' School , to respond on their behalf . Bro . BINCKES , P . M ., and Secretary of the Boys' School , responded on behalf of the Charities in a most ableeloquent ,

, and forcible speech , and ivith respect to the institution with which he was more immediately connected , detailed the rapid progress ifc had made in the last few years , particularly alluding to the noble building , second to none of the kind , recently completed at AA ' ood Green , Tottenham . He stated the number of boys admitted to be now' eighty , aud thafc they soon contemplated increasing the number to one hundredreling on

, y the generosity of every Mason to do a little and put down his shilling or his sovereign , if he could not afford his £ 5 , or £ 10 , or £ 50 , to assist in clearing off their still heavy liabilities—to render the institution free from debt , and to enable ifc still further to diffuse its inestimable benefits . Bro . AVINGPIELD , also responded on behalf of the toast , and expressed the gratification he felt in coming forward

to fill the office of Steward at the next festival in aid of the Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and their Widows . He cordially coincided in the remarks that had fallen from Bro . Binckes , and he hoped that particular charity would soon "be placed in a more favourable position than ifc afc present enjoyed . As for himself , he was ever ready and willing to assist , to the utmost that his position would admit of , in promoting the prosperity of all those excellent institutions .

The AV . MASTEB then called upon the Tyler , Bro . Inskipp , who came forward , and with much feeling , according to ancient custom , gave his toast , " To all Poor and Distressed Masons , " ivhich ivas responded to in the usual manner . This ended the official programme , but , under the able presidency of fche AV . M . the convivialities of the evening Avere prolonged for some time further . Many excellent songs Avere sung bBro . John Skinner ( who contributed materially to the

y harmony of the evening ) , Bro . John Bull ( including a most humorous one ; " My Avife's a good old creature " ) , Bro . C . Duke , J . Inskipp , & c . The visitors and brethren did nofc separate iill a late hour , highly gratified ivith their evening's entertainment , and most favourably impressed AA'ith the hospitable reception they had met ivith at the hands of the Denvent Lodge .

WARWICKSHIRE . BIEJIINGHASI . —Bedford Lodge ( No . 925 ) . —This prosperous lodge met at the Masonic Rooms , Newhall-street , on Monday , the 15 th inst ., for the purpose of installing Bro . Mark Oliver Suffield as AV . M . for the ensuing yeir . The ceremony of installation was most ably performed by the retiring AV . M . ( Bro . E . Worrall ) , to whom , after the conclusion of the ceremony , a handsome gold jewel was presented as a mark of esteem

very from the memhers of the lodge for the efficient and courteous manner in which he had discharged the duties of his office during the past year . Complimentary jewels Avere also presented to Bros . Man ton and Dennison for tho satisfactory performance of . their duties as stewards in catering for the members during the time they had held office . After disposing of the usual business of the lodgethe membersaccompanied by a large

, , number of visiters , adjourned to Nock's Royal Hotel , Avhere a sumptuous banquet Avas provided , to whieh about 100 sat down . Among fche visitors present ivere—Bros . Major John Machen , the neivly appointed . Deputy Provincial Grand Master for AVarwickshire ; Bedford , P . Prov . S . G . W . ; J . H . Jukes , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; Henry \ A eiss , Prov . S . G . W . ; AY . B . Smith , P . Prov . G . Chap . ; John Pursall , P . Prov . G . Supt . of AVorks ;

John J . Turner , P . Prov .. G . Dir . of Cers . ; Thomas Bragg , Prov . S . G . D . ; Lomas Harrison , aud others . The usual patriotic and Masonic toasts were duly given , and the proceedings of tho evening were enlivened by a selection of vocal music by members of fche lodge . Some of the members of the Crystal Palace Vocal Union , by the kind permission of Bro . Day , and under the direction of Bro . D . Saunders , also gave several glees Avith much success . —

WILTSHIRE . DEVIZES . —Wiltshire Lodge cf Fidelity ( No 663 ) . —This lodge celebrated their annual gathering on Tuesday , the 10 th . The lodge ivas opened at the Town Hall , at tAvo o'clock , when Bro . the Rev . T . F . Ravenshaw , "PrOA . G . Chap ., Avas -duly installed as W . HI . in the presence of a large number of members and several distinguished visitors , on the completion

Provincial.

of the ceremony v . \ e AA ' . M . Avas pleased to appoint Bros . Mclluffh , S . W . ' ; Rev . J . K . Booker , J . W . ; T . Burt P . M ., Treas . ; S . AVitley , P . M . Sec ; Notfc S . D . ; E . Giddings , J . D . ; Holloway , I . G . After a very complimentary vote of thanks bad been passed to tlie Installing Master for his services on the occasion , and to the Secretary , Treasurer , and Immediate P . M . for theirs during fche year , as well as to the visitors AVIIO had honoured them with their presencethe brethren adjourned

, to the old lodge room ivhich was built nearly a century since at the Elm Tree Inn , when a splendid banquet awaited them , thafc highly respected Bro . Simon AA afcson Taylor having ivith his accustomed liberality given a bountiful supply of venison , pheasants , hares , & c , to ivhich the AV . M . generously added that usual accompaniment , champagne . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were iven and responded tobut none with

g , greater enthusiasm than the \ A . M . 's health , with every wish thafc his year of office might be a happy one , feeling sure that the election of so popular and distinguished a brother would nofc only reflect honour on the lodge , but be highly beneficial to the Craft in general . Ifc is useless to add that the brethren spent a truly happy evening , and separated by nine o ' clock .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE .

NO RTHUMBERL AND . NEIVCASTLE-TJPO : N-TYXE . —lloyal Kent Chapter of Sovereign Princes Hose Croix . —An emergency convocation of this chapter Avas held afc the Masonic Hall , Bell's Court , Newgate-street , on AA ednesday , the 10 th inst . The illustrious Bro . C . J . Bannister , 31 ° Past M . AV . Sov ., presided . There were also present fche illustrious Bros . Henry Hotham , Past M . W . Sov . ; G . Ludwig ,

Past M . W . Sov . ; Robert J . Banning , M . D ., 1 st Gen . ; Jens Jensen , 2 nd Gen . ; AA'illiam Fonlsham . The M . AA ' . Sov . Edward Shofcfcon was prevented attending by illness . John Emra Holmes , James H . Thompson , and AVilliam George Laws , having been severally proposed , were elected , and , being in attendance , were admitted and installed into this princely Order . The ceremony was most ably performed by the illustrious Bro . C . J . Bannister , assisted by the officers of the chapter .

Sov . Prin . R . J . Banning , M . D ., was then elected unanimously M . AV . Sov . for the ensuing year . 111 . Bros . G . Luilivig , P . M . AV . Sov ., Avas elected Treasurer , and J . S . Trotter , Equerry . This concluded the business of the convocation .

Knights Templar.

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR .

NORTHUMBERLAND . NEWCASTLE-UPON-TATSE . —Eoyal Kent Encampment . — The regular meeting of this encampment was held at the Masonic Hall , Newgate-street , on Jan . 12 fch . The E . C . Henry Hotham , presided . Amongst the Sir Knights present we noticed . —C . J . Bannister , 31 ° , and G . Ludwig , Past E . C . ' s ; Jens Jensen , Robert J . Banning , M . D . ; Anthony Clapham , AA'illiam G . LaAvs , James H . Thompson , AA'illiam Foulsham , & c . The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed , and some business transacted , the encampment Avas closed in due form .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

CHANNEL ISLANDS . JEESEY . —Cesarean Lodge ( No . 74 ) . —The fourth quarterly meeting of this new lodge was held at the Masonic Temple , Sfc . Helier , on Monday , Jan . 8 th , under peculiar and unfortunate circumstances , as it Avas the eve of the most exciting triennial election of Deputies for the " States , " whieh has taken place for many years , in which Avere involved principles vital to the

welfare of the island , there being five candidates for three seats . The lodge was opened afc half-past seven by Bro . Dr . Hopkins , AA . M ., when it Avas found that six of the officers Avere absent , and six out of seven candidates for advancement . AVith the kind assistance of other brethren , hoivever , tl \ e work was got throusrh much better than might have been expected . The obligation Avas administered to Bro . Leat , a joining member from the Justice Lodge ( No . 34 ) , under Irish registry . A ballot ivas taken for Bros . Le Geyfc and Yiel , Avhich in both cases