Provincial.

. 1 . S . Gissing , Prov . J . G . AA . ; Rev . J . Sanderson , Prov . G . Chaplain ; James Franks , P . Prov . G . Reg . ; Edward Dorling , Prov . G . Sec . ; J . Richmond ancl I . Ludbrook , Prov Grand Deacons ; T . Downes , Prov . G . Supt . of AA orks ; I . Tracy , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; H . Ball , Prov . G . Org . ; AV . C . Randall , Prov . G . Purs ., and also Bros . Richmond , sen ., Jack , Head , Turner , Jennings , Harris , Breckler , John , Townsend , Pitcher , Schulen , and other Prov . Grancl Officers , the Masters of Lodges , & c . The VAVDProvGMdirected the roll of the Lod to be called overand

... . .. ges , all were represented on the occasion , save three , and from two of them it appeared letters had been received , concurring in the resolutions to bo proposed , and expressing the entire confidence of those Lodges in the M . AV . G . M ., to whom they suggested an address should be presented . The circular summoning the Brethren was then read , stating that " at tho last Provincial Grand Lodge for Suffolk , held at Ipswich , on Friday , September 24 th 185 Ssome observations were made the unwarrantablescurrilous

, , upon , , and abusive attack to which the Most AVorshipful Grand Master , the Earl of Zetland , had been subjected in the Masonic . Observer , imputing to him unworthy and improper motives in the appointment of his Masonic officers . Now , the Most AVorshipful the Grand Master having always been held in high estimation by the Brethren of this province , the remarks which were offered on the subject of that attack met with a hearty ancl ready approval from the Brethren present . This has been characterized by certain Brethren , as " sickly sycophancy , " have been made

and other attacks upon the Suffolk Brethren , still more offensive , . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , therefore , deems it his duty to call the Brethren together to repudiate this vile aspersion on their Masonic character . " The V . AA . D . Prov . G . M . said that he considered it his duty to call the Brethren of the province together to express their opinions on a gross attack made upon tho honour and independence of the Prov . Graud Lodge of Suffolk , involving as it did their character as men and Masons ; and that they might thus , as a body , give a solemn denial to the foul charge made against it . They were aware that Suffolk was , iu the absence of a Prov . G . M ., under the control of the Grand Registrar ; and at the

Prov . Grand Loclge held in September last , Bro . Roxburgh , who by virtue of his office presided , was accompanied by several Masons of eminence from London ; and at the banquet , in proposing the health of the M . AV . the Grancl Master , thought proper to allude to a most gross attack that had been made on that distinguished nobleman , in the Masonic Observer , a publication which , till then , thoy in Suffolk had never heard of ; the charge being that he had prostituted his powers , in the appointment of Grand Officers , to political purposes ; his Lordship had indignantly repelled the slanderand the Grand Lodof England on the occasion echoed his

, go manly denial . Bro . Havers afterwards followed Bro . Roxburgh , with some observations on this " most unwarrantable , unfounded , ancl wicked attack" on the Earl of Zetland , than whom , as Bro . Havers said , " England ' s peerage does not possess one nobleman whose honour is more pure ancl spotless , and whose integrity and singleness of purpose is more unquestionable . " The Prov . Grand Loclge of Suffolk took no part in this matter , for they Avere till then in ignorance of the matter , an for listening to these statements , they were now charged , forsooth , with " sickly

sycophancy . " The brother who made that charge should have remembered his Masonic obligation—neither to slander a brother Mason himself , nor suffer another to do so . The wisest man had truly said " AVhere no wood is , there the fire goeth out : so where there is no talebearer , the strife eeaseth . As coals are to burning eoals , and wood to fire ; so is a contentious man to kindle strife . " Bro . Freeman then read Bro . Binckes ' s letter , in which the Prov . Grand Lodge of Suffolk was charged with " sickly sycophancy . " Now the first charge he thought might , be but b Binckes

treated Avith contempt , seeing how it had been followed up y Bro . , one of the " Observer party , " he decided on calling them together as early as convenient , and having thus laid the matter before them , he would leave the resolutions in their hands . Bro . Martin , P . Prov . D . G . M ., in rising to move the first resolution , referred to to the scandalous charge made against the M . AV . G . M ., and the difficulty that he must find in so filling the few offices that were annually at his disposal , as to satisfy all who were ambitious of Grand Loclge honours . The Earl of Zetland had , by his conduct and character , Avon the esteem of the Avhole Craft , save this small clique .