Provincial.

phial containing coins of our day , aud a scroll of vellum recording the event within a cavity of the stone , a suitable address being first given by the reverend brother . Corn , wiue , and oil were scattered , aud a brass plate covering , the cavity was laid which bore this inscription : — "This corner stone of tho Reading Masonic Hall , Lodge of Union , No . 597 , was laid by the most uoble the Marquis of Downshire , the Right AVorshipful Provincial Grand Master for Berks and Bucks , on AVediiesday . the 23 rd day of March 1 S 59 . " With a silver trowel the Pror . Grand

, Master spread the mortar , aud the upper stone was slowly lowered , the band playing the National Hymn . The stone having been proved by the plumb-rule , level , and square , tho Prov . Grand Master pronounced it true , and giving three knocks with his mallet , said— " May tho Great Architect of the Universe enable us successfully to carry on and finish the work of which we have now laid the corner stone . May Ho iuhis mercy and goodness permit this building to bo erected to his honour aud loryand to tho praises of his most holy name . " The lans of tho

g , p building were presented by the architect , Bro . James Clacy , Prov . G . Sup . of AVorks , to tho 11 . AV . Prov . Grand Master , who handed them to Bro . Child , the builder . The ceremony was concluded by a benediction from the P . Prov . G , Chaplain . The brethren now returned iu the same order to the town hall , aud the business of tho Prov . Grand Lodge was resumed . The Prov . Grand Master proposed a vote of thauks to the Rev . Bro . Roberts for his eloquent sermon , which

was carried by acclamation . A like vote was passed to the Rev . Bro . Ball , the , vicar , for the use of the Church of St . Lawrence , and also to Bro . Colonel ITorfc , for the band of his regiment . A committee was appointed to organize a support of the Masonic charities . The Prov . Grand Lodgo was then closed in due form . Soon after five o ' clock the brethren , numbering considerably over one hundred and twenty , were assembled at a splendid banquet in the uoble hall . The Most Noble the Marq ' ui . s of Douushiro presided , having on his right the A . AV . Bro . Gibson , D . Prov . G . M . ; tho Rev . Bros . Roberts , and Sir John AVarren Hayes , Bart . ; tho A . AA . Bros . AA ' oodhouse and Blaudy , P . D . Prov . G . M . ; and Bro . Francis

Crew : on his left , the R . AV . Bro . 11 . A . Bowyer , Prov . G . M . for Oxford ; the A . AV . Bros . Dr . Harcourt , D . Prov . G . M . for Surrey ; and D . Gooch , D . Prov . G . M . for AVilts , and G . S . B . ; Bro . Sir Charles Ibbotson , Bart . ; Bro . Blenkin , P . Prov . G . AV . for Surrey ; tho AV . Bros . Charles Case Prov . G . Tresis . ; Jordan , P . Prov . G . Reg . ; J . B . Gibson , Prov . G . Sec . ; Couipigno P . Prov . G-. D . C . Franklin , Prov . G . S . D . for Durham , & c . The band of the 36 th regiment iu the gallery playing lively airs during the banquet . Dinner over , grace was sung by Bros . Hansford , Holmes , and YoungThe noble marquis in few words proposed the toast of " The Queen" and

. ; next , his noble friend " The Earl of Zetland , " M . AA . G . M . of England . Bro . Bowyer then rose and said , that having permission of tho noble brother an the chair , he called on the brethren to join in a hearty greeting to tho health of their Prov . G . Master . He had the pleasure of knowing the noble marquis for many years ; he possessed all those qualities that should distinguish au English nobleman , aud mark an English gentleman . The attention he had given to th « interesting ceremony they had that day witnessedgave assurance of his desire to

, promote the prosperity of Masonry in every way in his power . Ho ( Bro . Bowyer ) was sure the high esteem iu which their Prov . G . M . was hold by every Mason iu the province would cause them to receive the toast with the most cordial feeling . Tho Prov . G . M . in reply said , lie thanked his old friend for the way in which he had proposed his name , and the brethren for their promptitude in responding to his call . Bro . Bowyer had expressed a hope that the ceremony of tho day would lis productive of benefit to Freemasonry in the province ; the large attendance we

have to-day must have that result . A wish had been expressed to found a new Lodge in Oxfordshire , adjoining Abingdon , which will be in close contiguity to their own province ; of course , seeing the high compliment the Oxford Masons had paid them in visiting them in such strength to-day , they wero bound to reciprocate their kindness in giving the project their support . The noble marquis in conclusion said , he hoped the brethren would overlook any imperfections they might have observed iu the conduct of the proceedings on his part ; and with regard to the past he would make a clean breast , aud acknowledging lie had been neglectful , promised