Provincial.

N . Crowther , P . M . 's . Bro . G . W . Rhodes , in a brief but effective speech , explained the object of the deputation , which was to present to the Lodge of Truth , a massive richly-chased silver snuff-box , decorated with Masonic emblems ancl bearing a suitable inscription . Bro . Rhodes stated that the brethren of the Harmony desired , by this gift , to express their just appreciation of the kind feeling and truly Masonic conduct of the brethren of the Lodge of Truth in having spontaneously placed

their hall at the service of the members of the Harmony , for the few months during which their own building was undergoing extension ancl improvement . And as it was during the past year , whilst he ( Bro . Rhodes ) had held the office of AV . M ., that this courtesy had been extended to the Harmony , it had been deemed proper that he , rather than Bro . Sissons , AA . M . ( who was also present ) , should tender on behalf of this lodge this token of the ' goodwill and concord which existedand he trusted

, would ever continue to exist , between the Lodge of Harmony ancl the Lodge of Truth . After enlarging on this topic , Bro . Rhodes handed the snuff-box to the AA . M ., Bro . Tempest , who , having read aloud the inscription , passed it round for the inspection of the hrethren , and then , in a very forcible speech , expressed the gratification which this very handsome presentation afforded to him and to all the brethren of the Lodge of Truth—the considerate delicacy ivith which the affair had been

arranged , the pleasing manner in which the presentation hacl heen made—and the beauty and utility of the present itself , called forth his warmest admiration ; ancl he assured the deputation that the Lodge of Truth would ever regard this elegant piece of lodge furniture as a new link in that chaii of brotherly love by ivhich the lodges were united , aud as the Lodge of Truth neither sought nor expected any such thing as recompense

irom the Lodge of Harmony in placing ireemasous Hall at the disposal of the latter , so had the Lodge of Truth this eveningreceived no recompense—for the beautiful present ivhich was now placed on the pedestal was something more and something better than that—it was an interchange of fraternal feeling ; as such he accepted it , and as such , in the name of the brethren of the Lodge of Truth , he thanked the . deputation for their presentation , ancl for the very gratifying remarks with ivhich it

had heen accompanied . The lodge being then duly opened in the Second Degree , the business of the evening was proceeded with , namely , the installation of the AA . M . elect , Bro . Allen Jackson , the ceremony being admirably performed by Bro . W . Geo . Dyson P . Prov . A . Dir . of Cers ., in his usual correct ancl impressive style . The AV . M . then invested his officers , addressing to each a few appropriate observations , the hrethren appointed for the ensuing year being : —Frederic AA'illis , S . AA . ;

Thos . Sellers Higgins , J . W . ; James T . Prince , S . D . ; Edwin Woodhouse , J . D . ; Jolm Burgess , I . G . ; Jolm Turpin , Treas . ; Mark Beaumont , H . Sec ; Rev . AA'm . Kay Robinson , Chap . ; Joe AA ood , Org . ; Thos . Robinson , P . M ., ancl AA'm . Smith , P . M ., Dirs . of Cers . ; Henry Bnrne , P . M ., Samuel Hardy , P . M ., and Geo . Marshall , Purveyors ; AV . G . Dyson , P . M ., James Stoekwell , and Thos . Jackson , Stewards ; Joshua Lee , P . M . ( 365 ) , Tyler . It was then proposedsecondedancl unanimouslresolved that

, , y the annual Masonic ball of the Lodge of Truth should be held in January , 1 S 63 ; and Friday , the 16 th , was the day subsequently decided upon . The lodge was ihen finally closed at 9 . 15 p . m ., when the brethren retired to the supper-room , and did ample justice to the excellent fare provided ; after which they united at the festive hoard , and spent a most agreeable ¦ evening in harmony ancl concord , separating at 12 p . m .

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE . NOTTINGHAM . —Newslead Lodge ( No . 55 ) . —The ninetyninth anniversary of the festival of St . John was held on Tuesday last , the 22 nd inst ., by the Newsteacl Lodge ( No . 55 ) , at the Assembly Rooms , in the Lower Pavement . Present —• Bros . Percy , D . Prov . G . M . ; Marsh , Prov . G . S . AA ' . ; Kidd , P . M . 594 ; A owies , P , M . 594 ; Jenkins , 674-, 1154 , P . M . 252 , and P . Prov . G . D . CBerks and Bucks ; PearceAA' . M . ancl the

fol-, , , lowing Past Masters of No . 55 : — -Bros . Jefferies , Senior ; Clarke , Skiltou , Robinson , and several other brethren ancl officers of the lodge . The minutes of the last lodge having been duly read ancl confirmed , Mr . Dumiiugton was introduced ancl initiated by the AA . M . ; after ivhich , Bro . Woodward , W . M . elect was presented to Bro . Jenkins ( who had kindly offered his services as installing Master in the unexpected and unavoidable absence , through illness , of Bro . Richards , P . M . ancl Treas . of

the lodge , who had for twenty years past regularly performed that important duty ) , for installation ; and notwithstanding the great difficulty of working ancl conducting -the impressive and interesting ceremony at so short a notice , we are much pleased at being able to record Bro . Jenkins ' s entire success in carrying out the arduous duties which devolved upon him . The installation over , Bro . AVoodwarcl invested Bro . Pearce as P . M ., and appointed ancl invested Bros . CarterSWbdeputy Hack .

, .. y ; J . W . ; Parr , S . D- ; Jefferies , Jun ., J . D . ; Clark , I . G . ; ancl Attenborough , Sec . AVe should also add that Bro . Richards was unanimously re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Banwell , Tyler , at the last lodge . The brethren then adjourned to refreshment , and enjoyed themselves in a truly Masonic and friendly mannor over a very nice banquet prepared by Bro . Mee .

SUFFOLK . IPSWICH . —Lodge of Perfect Friendship ( No . 522 ) . — The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , at the Great \ A nite Horse Hotel , Bro . C . T . Townsend , AV . M . for the past year , presiding . Mr . E . T . Meachwas ballotted for ancl unanimously elected , and was afterwards duly initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry , the ceremony being effectively ancl ably performed bthe presiding AA . M . The working

y tools were duly explained to the newly-elected brother by Bro . AA estgate , J . D . The installation of Bro . S . P . King , P . M ., as the W . M . of the ensuing year was then proceeded with , the solemn ceremony being performed by Bro . C . F . Townsend , the retiring AV . M ., in a most effective manner . The AV . M . having received the congratulations of the brethren in being exalted to this high ancl honourable office , he was invested with the badges of authorithy the late AA ' . M . The following brethren were

y then appointed hy the AV . M . to fill the various offices in the lodge during the ensuing year ;—S . AV ., Bro . H . Luff , P . M . ; J . AA ., Bro . G . A . Turner , P . M . ; Treas ., Bro . AA ^ . P . Mills , P . M . ; Sec , Bro . Franks , P . M . ; Chaplain , Bro . It . N . Sanderson , P . M . ; S . D . Bro . Grimwood ; J . D ., Bro . A . Pettitt ; Librarian , Bro . AA ' . Spalding , P . M . ; M . C ., Bro . Findley , P . M . ; I . G ., Bro . F . B . Jennings ; Tyler , Bro . Robinson . This part of the ceremony being concludedthe newly-elected AA . M .

address-, , ing the brethren , said it would ill become him on this occasion if he did not rise ancl return them his thanks for placing him in that high ancl honourable position . He felt it a great honour , for on a previous occasion it had been his happylot to have been called upon by the brethren of that lodge to fill the chair which he then occupied . It would bo his endeavour to discharge the duties pertaining to the high ancl responsible office ho held with impartiality in every matter connected with

the Perfect Friendship Lodge ; ancl he only hoped that during his year of office its general management would give every satisfaction to the Avrethren connected with . it . Ancl he also trusted that when he left that chair , at the expiration of his year of office , he would do so in the same pleasurable spirit as he took it that evening . His great aim ivould he to discharge his duties to the satisfaction of all , ancl the only reward he sought was the good opinion of those over whom he hacl the

good fortune and pleasure of presiding . He . should not , however , be discharging his duty if he refrained from alluding to the able manner in which his predecessor in office , Bro . C . T . Townsend , hacl performed the duties of AV . M . He was entitled to the thanks of the lodge , ancl he had , therefore , great pleasure in proposing such a vote to Bro . Charles Townsend . It is needless to say that the resolution was most cordially received by the brethren . AA e feel

assured that Bro . Charles Townsend is deserving in every way the thanks of the lodge , for the able ancl efficient manner in which he'has discharged the duties of AV . M . during the past year ; and we only hope that he will still continue to give the lodge the benefit of his valuable services ancl assistance . —Bro . C . T . Townsend , in returning thanks , said it always gave him the greatest iileasure to further any object in which Masonry was concerned . The lodge was then closed in due and solemn

form ; after which , about 25 of the brethren partook of an excellent supper liberally provided by Bro . Guiver . This being over , the usual loyal ancl Masonic toasts were given and cordially responded to ; not the least , amongst whom being those of the present ancl retiring AA' . M . ' s . A most agreeable ancl harmonious evening was passed ; indeed , so happy did the brethren seem , that it was past hig h twelve before they separated .