Provincial.

Masonry , the more they loved Freemasonry in general , and the volume of the sacred law in particular . In attention to it , and the desire of furthering Freemasonry , they could not have found a brother more willing than himself on the board of their clerical brethren . In conclusion , ho returned thanks , and called on another brother present to do likewise . Bro . the Rev . G . Truman , 1002 , very briefly returned thanks . "

Bro . John Mayson , J . W ., then gave . " ThoGrand Officers of Cumberland and Westmorland . " I 3 ros . Busher and Fisher responded . Bro . Faithfull , Treas ., then rose to present a handsome P . M . 's jewel to Bro . Morton . The jewel which is of eighteen carat fine gold , and executed by the Messrs . Starkil , of London , bears the following inscription on the obverse : — " Presented by the brethren of Skiddaw Lodge , No . 1002 , Cockermouth , to Bro . Crowther Morton , first Past Master of tho lodge , on the termination of his second consecutive year of office , Juno 12 , 1866 . "

Bro . Faithfull said : Worshipful Sir and brethren , I can assure you that on this occasion a very pleasing and gratifying duty has devolved on me . Literally I am the mouthpiece of this lodge to-day . One who up to to-day was our Master but who is not now , I am about to present on behalf of you , my brethren , this mark of our esteem . Believe mo , that many of you are better able to perform this very agreeable duty this day than myselffor there areithose who stand hiher in rankI am

, g ; sure , however , that you will overlook my shortcomings . You all know that we are only a young lodge yet , and wa are , as it were , in swaddling clothes . When our lodge was opened we had many difficulties to contend with , and who assisted us out of many of those difficulties by his advice and counsel , but our Bro . Morton , our first Master . Kindness , gentleness , and conciliatory qualities , were the qualities which the Deputy

Provincial Grand Master told us to-day ought to bo possessed by a Master of a lodge , and I am sure you all know that these qualities have been liberally dispensed by our late Master . To our Bro . Crowther Morton we are under a debt of gratitude which we will never be able to repay . Look at the great distance ho has always been obliged to come ; and not only has he attended on lodge nights , but on every occasion when a lodge of emergency was called . Therefore , I say , that there

should be a tribute of respect to that officer , whose word was loved so much that it was law . To Bro . Morton , I say that the Skiddaw Ledge is indebted for the proud position which it now enjoys . Wo could not part with him without giving him some mark of our favour . It was fixed at the last Provincial meeting that Bro . Dodgson should be our next W . M ., and I think we can say that the proficiency of all our officers is due to the teaching and endeavours of Bro . Morton . Ho has done his duty iu respect to this lodge , and now he can say with tho

poet" When all the cares oi life aro past , Hope drops her anchor hero at last . " To Bro . Morton I say , may the Great Architect of the Universe bless you with every comfort , and when Ho calls you away , may you be prepared to take that honour which you have won so well . Bro . Morton , in presenting this jewel to you , the brethren of the lodge thought you were deserving of it . May God bless

you ! Bro . Morton's health was drunk with all the honours . Song— " The Pilot . " Bro . Capt . Byers , 962 . Bro . Morton , in responding said -. I beg to return my sincere thanks for the manner in which you have drunk my health . I only wish it was in my power to respond to the eulogistic terms just spokenas I ought . But it is a consolation to know that

, Bro . Faithful is not the one to say one thing and think another . Besides there is one great feature which has been so amply exhibited to-day , that of " brotherly love . " If it had not been for Freemasonry it is probable I would not have been in Cockermouth , and made so many friends . I will always look upon this jewel with pride , and when I go to that bourne from whence no traveller returns , I shall bo able to hand this jewel over to

my children , and they could then say how well their father was loved by the brethren of Cockermouth . As to the Skiddaw Lodge , I can say without any exaggeration , that the working of it is conducted the best of any in the province . Although , I can remark that none of the credit is due to me , but to the perseverance , ability , and intelligence of its members . The D . Prov . G . Master proposed "The Worshipful Master of the Skidda-n Lodge . "

Chorus— " Prosper the Art . " Bro , Dodgson , W . M ., returned thanks . Bro . Shilton , Prov . G . S . 1002 , proposed "Tho Past Masters , Masters , and Brethren of Lodges , " coupled with the name of Bro . Feather , who responded , as also did Bro . Slade . Song— " The Village Blacksmith . " Bro . Hartuess , J . D . Bro . Morton then proposed " The Newly-appointed Officers of

the Skiddaw Lodge . " Nothing would give him greater pleasure than to see their worthy S . W . Master of the Skiddaw Lodge . Bro . Howetsou , as junior officer responded in a humourous speech , followed by Bros . Hartuess , Robinson , Mayson , Puxley , Faithfull , and Taylor . The remaining toasts were ' ' Bro . Rapley and Mrs . Rapley , " " Tho Visiting Brethren , " & c . The W . Master having given " To all distressed brethren , " tho happy party broke up , the proceedings having passed off most satisfactorily and harmoniously to all present .

DEVONSHIRE . DEVOKPOBT . —Lodge St Aiibins ( No . 95-1 . )—Tho regulav . monthly meeting of this lodge was held at ' the Masonic rooms , Morice Town , on the evening of Tuesday , tho 12 th inst ., at half-past four ; the duties of the evening as stated on the circular being to initiate two , pass three , and to raise nine , in addition to which the Audit Committee ' s report was to be

brought up and tho Master for the year elected . Punctual to the hour named on the summons , the lodge was opened by the W . M . Bro . John R . H . Spry , who after the confirmation of the minutes , passed the lodge to the second degree , and having satisfied himself that the candidates for the third degree were entitled to that position , subsequently conferred that degree on seven out of the nine candidatestho other two being

un-, avoidably absent ; on the lodge being worked to the second degree two out of the three candidates for that degree were passed ; the W . M . having closed the F . C . lodge , resigned his position to Bro . S . Chappie , P . M ., who initiated ^ two gentlemen into the ancient mysteries , with his wonted ability . The W . M then resumed the chair and delivered the charge to the candi .

dates . The ceremonies of the evening having thus been completed , the report of the Audit Committee was presented and unanimously adopted . The lodge about seventy present then proceeded to elect a Master for the year ensuing , and their unanimous ' choice fell on Bro . Vincent Boid , S . W ., that of Treasurer with tho same unanimity falling on Bro . Chappie , P . M ., and Bro . Rashbrook being again chosen as the Tyler . The installation was appointed for Mondaythe 25 th inst . at four

, o'clock , and the banquet at six o ' clock , on which occasion the presentation of a P . M . ' s jewel will be made to Bro . Spry , I . P . M . The labour of tho evening was closed with prayer , and the brethren adjourned for slight refreshment . During the evening this lodge though tho youngest working lodge in the province is the largest in the west of England , was honoured by the of no less than thirtvisitors of whom spoke in

presence y , many the highest terms of the manner of the working and the truly Masonic friendship that was evinced towards them . Indeed , the efficient manner in which the office bearers of this , young lodge , discharge their several duties is a subject of general and frequent remark by visitors to it from some of the oldest lodges , and those of the highest standing .

DURHAM . DlJmLDt . —Marquis of Granbg Lodge ( No . 121- ) . —On Tuesday evening , tho 19 th inst ., an emergency meeting of this lodge was held in the Freemasons' Hall , under the presidency of Bro . W . R . FitzGerald , 18 ° , W . M . Amongst the officers present wero—Bros . W . C . Blackett , S . W . ; Young , J . W . ; W . Stoker ,

P . M ., P . Prov . S . G . W . ; T . Jones , P . M ., P . Prov . G . Reg . ; J . Nicholson , P . M ., P . Prov . J . G . D . ; Rev . G . R . Bulman , M . A ., Chaplain , & c . The lodge was opened in the first degree , and the circular convening the same read . Tho lodge was then opened in the second degree , when Bro . If . Nevison , G . Stillman , and J . S . Fowler , being candidates for raising , were examined in the usual manner , and having shown their proficiency , they retired for preparationThe lodwas then opened in the third degree

. ge , after which the last-named brethren wero severally admitted and raised to the sublime degree of M . M . This having coneluded the business of the evening , the lodge was closed in the several degrees in harmony , and with prayer , after which the brethren adjourned to refreshment , and spent the remainder of the evening very agreeably .