Provincial.

Jl . il ., Bros . Isaac Latuuer , of Plymouth , aud Hides , of Fowey . There was a very numerous attendance . The ceremony was performed by the W . M ., Bro . R . Rodda , who was ably assisted by Bro . Phillips , P . M ., P . Prov . G . Treas . After the ceremony had been gone through the W . M . informed the lodge that he had had the pleasare of receiving a warrant from the Grand Lodgo , ivhich ivould entitle all the members of the Lodge Fortitude to wear a centenary jewel . They were greatly indebted for this honour to the D . Prov . G . M ., the Rev . Bro . John Huyshe , who had used his utmost exertions in secondinar their wishes on this

matter . The , AA . M . then read the warrant , which was engrossed on vellum , with a copy of the jewel , and its ribbon in the margin . The warrant stated that it appeared by the records of the Grand Lodge that on the second clay of January , in the yiear 1759 , a warrant of constitution was granted to certain brethren therein named , authorising and empowering them and their regular successors to hold a lodge of free unci accepted Masons in Plymouth . It then set forth the changes in the number of

the lodge , till it settled down in 1832 , and became as it now stands on the register of the United Grand Lodge of England—No . 122 , under the title of the Lodge of Fortitude . The warrant then went on to say— "And whereas the brethren present composing the said lodge are desirous , now that 100 years have expired since the constitution of the lodge , that they may be permitted to wear a jewel commemorative of such eventand

, have prayed the sanction of the Most Worshipful Grand Master for that purpose ; and the M . W . G . M having been pleased to accede to this request , doth hereby give and grant to all and each of the actual subscribing members of the said lodge , being Master Masons , permission to wear in all Masonic meetings suspended to the left breast by a sky blue ribbon , not exceeding one inch and a half in breadth , a jewel or medal of the pattern

or device in the drawing in the margin hereof as a centenary jewel . But this jewel is to be worn only by those brethren who are bona fide subsesibing members of tho said lodge , and so long only as they may pay their subscriptions thereto , and be returned as sneh to the Grand Lodge of England . Given at Freemasons' Hall , London , this 24 th day of March , 1863 , by command of the Riht Hon . the Earl of ZetlandMost Worshiful

g , p Grand Master , W . Gray Clarke , Grand Secretary . " The medal hears upon its centre an emblematical figure of Fortitude . On his right there is an open Bible , with the square and compass ; on his left the five-pointed star . Immediately over his head is the All-seeing eye . The medal is surmounted by a crown , and surrounded on one side by a lotus leaf , and on tho other by the

open leaf . At the bottom is the number of the lodgo 122 , and on the centre bar of the ribbon is A . L . 5759 ; on the lower bar the word " Fortitude . " The AV . M . warmly eulogised the D . Prov . G . M ., the Rev . John Huyshe , for the interest he had taken in behalf of the lodge in getting the honour conferred upon it , and proposed that a vote of thanks be passed and communicated to him . Bro . Harfoot , P . M ., seconded the motion , and it was unanimously agreed to . [ A similar favour has been

conferred upon St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 83 ) , in Plymouth , that lodge also being more than 100 years old . St . John's has adopted a medal and ribbon , similar in their general features to that of Fortitude , only with an emblematical figure of St . John . ] DEVOXPORT . —Lodge St . Aubyn ( No . 1256 ) . —An emergency meeting of this lodge was held on Monday last , the 18 th inst ., for the purpose of initiating an officer of one of Her Majest ' s

y ships , whose stay in'the port is uncertain . The ceremonial peculiar to the first degree was rendered in the most impressive style by the XV . Bro . who so happily presides over 1256 , and the charge and tools effectually given by the AVardens . The visitors where the AV . Bro . Harfoot , of S 3 , and Bro . Thomas , of 182 , who adjourned with the brethren to the Great Western Hotel , were refreshment was provided . Bro . Harfoot in

responding to the toast of the visitors , remarked that he felt very proud in being present to witness Lodge St . Aubyn work . He was surprised to find such perfect working , considering that many of the officers were young members of the Craft . He should tail in his duty were he to neglect to congratulate his very clear friend , Bro . Chappie , on the energy he always displayed in his Masonic career . Bro . KentS . W . had

de-, , livered the charge very ably that night , forcibly reminding him of the time that his brother , now on his right , had delivered it to him ; never could it be effaced from his memory , and since that memorable time a fraternal link had been made between him ancl Bro . Chappie , never ho hoped to be separated . The W . Bro . then briefly alluded to the fact that No . 1256 was established so fairly , and he trusted , that all the brethren ivould

work together ' . with admirable energy , when he doubted , not from the talent displayed that night that there would be little trouble in finding efficient officers forjthe work . He thanked the brethren for their hospitallity , and resumed his seat amidst loud applause . Bro . Kent , S . W ., proposed " The Health of the AV . M ., " ivhich was duly responded to . The Master then gave " The Senior and Junior Wardens and other Officers , " responded to hy the S . AV . who said he ivould devote any amount of time to the

, welfare of the lodge , ancl to the acquirement of Masonic knowledge . The J . AV . said that with such luminaries as his brothers in the East and West , he thought it would be strange if he did not not emulate their example . The last toast was then proceeded with .

LANCASHIRE AVEST . BIEKENHEAD . —Mersey Lodge ( No . 701 ) . —The usual monthlymeeting of this well-worked lodge was held on Thursday , the 14 th inst ., at the Masonic Chambers in Hamilton Square , hy Bro . Joseph New , AV . M ., assisted by Rev . G . H . Hobson , S . W ., Rev . H . G . Vernon , J . W ., and about thirty members and visitorsAfter the confirmation of the minutesa ballot was

. , taken for AA . St . George Ross , Benj . Lee , and Thos . Summerfield , and they were all unanimously elected and admitted to light by the AV . M ., in his usual impressive manner . Bro . Geo . Blundell ivas passed by Bro . Wm . Wade , Junior , P . M . of 701 and 1026 , and Prov . G . P . for Cheshire , the AV . M . having courteously handed over the gavel by special request , "Bro . Lewin , P . M . of 701 gave notice that at the next meeting of the lodge , he

should propose that a portion of each initiation fee be handed over to the funds of the Cheshire Educational Institution , recently established in the province . This will , no doubt , meet with the cordial concurrence of the members of the lodge , aud we trust that the example will be followed by all the Cheshire lodges . The advantage accruing from meeting in private rooms has been shown in this instance in a marked manner by the steady increase , not only of candidates , hut also of joining members during the last eighteen months .

MIDDLESEX . UXBRIDGE . —Royal Union Lodge ( No . 536 ) . —The members of this lodge held their regular meeting on Monday , May 18 th , at the Chequers Inn , under the presidency of Bro . Cobham , AA . M ., assisted by his officers , Bros . Coombes , S . W . ; Herring , J . W . ; Chegwidden , S . D . ; Williams , J . D . ; Gaball , I . G . ; AVatson , Steward ; Gawthrop , Hon . Sec . ; AVeeclon , Tyler . The following were also present : I 3 ros . HicksMillsClaissenZink

, , , , Guy , Bishop , Jordan , Felsenthal , AVurzfeld , Cocke , ancl other brethren . Visitors : Bros . Bunting , P . M . 1051 ; Stuart , AV . M . 209 ; and others . Messrs . Dyke and Armhrecht were initiated , and Bros . Guy , Bishop , Jordan , Felsenthal and AVurzfeld were passed . Messrs . Wm . Brough and J . Gothknecht were balloted for and unanimously elected . Bro . Newall rose and said that it having been intimated to him that the worthy hostBroLinewas

, . , likely to be deprived of the occupancy of the house in which . the lodge was held , he would propose that the officers and brethren should subscribe to a testimonial he had prepared , expressing their sympathy with Bro . Line under the circumstances in ivhich he was placed ; and thanking him for the handsome manner in which he had catered for them , and the great courtesy

they had ahvays met at his hands , hoping that some satisfactory arrangement might be made , and that for many years he should continue to be their host . This was agreed to , ancl signed by all the brethren present . Business over , the brethren , numbering about twenty-four , adjourned to banquet . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been given , the AV . M . proposed " The Initiates , " ' The Visitors , " " The Past Masters , " replied to by Bro . Newallwho then proposed the health of the AV . M .

, , Bro . Cobham . Bro . Cobham replied aud stated his determination to perform his work in a manner satisfactory to the brethren , and that the words of the installing Master , when handing him the charter of the lodge , that " he was sure it ivould leave his hands unsullied as he received it , " had made a great impression on him , and consequently he ivas determined to uphold the character of the Royal Union Lodge . He should

use his utmost endeavour to do his work in a strictly correct manner , ancl he expected the same amount of attention from his officers , for without good officers no Master could properly conduct the work of his lodge to a successful issue . He thanked his officers for the assistance they had rendered him , and hoped that if at any time he should find fault ( which he should if there were occasion ) the brethren ivould take it kindly , and