Provincial.

" Hill Prov . G . „ " Howard ... Prov . G . " Jackson Prov . G . „ " Ingram Prov . G . „ " A . Wallace Prov . G . The R . W . Prov . G . M . then said he could not do better than

reappoint Bro . Cope as Chairman of the Committtee of the Fund of Benevolence for the ensuing year , feeling that in doing so be was only consulting the feelings of every brother in the province . The R . W . Prov . G . M . said he would now address a few words to the brethren , and he was very happy to be able to say they would he words of good omen and congratulation—congratulation on the state of Masonry in that provinceHe could not

. help expressing satisfaction at the harmonious working of all the lodges throughout that large district , and the complete good feeling which prevailed generally amongst the brethren of their order . Hr hoped and trusted that the spirit of Masonry would spread—and it would spread—and that brotherly love aud harmony would increase . The past year bad not been characterised by any remarkable event , but the progress of

Freemasonry had been slow and steady , which was perhaps , more satisfactory than any sudden outburst of new lodges . He had the satisfaction of consecrating a new lodge in that province on Monday last , which promised to take a high place , bearing the name of one whom they all respected—the Cope Lodge . Tho fund of Benevolence was in a most flourishing state , and during the past year £ 50 had been voted for the relief of sick and

wounded in the war , and £ 30 for the relief of two deserving brethren . His lordshi p also referred to the success which had attended their efforts in obtaining admission of one boy to the nclou Freemasons' School , which owing to the exertions of the committee . He also congratulated tbe brethren iu the province in having three boysin the school , five old Masons on the annuitants' fundsaud two

. , widows on the charity—a fact which was highly satisfactory . He trusted the brethren would pull together in ' the future , so that they might always always carry their candidates . He also expressed great satisfaction at the cordial reception the pro-Provincial CrandLodge had received from Staleybridge , as shown by their largo muster , and concluded by announcing his

iutenticn of holding the next Provincial Grand Lodge at Crewe . After a vote of thanks had been proposed to the Rev . Thomas Floyd , incumbent of Holy Trinity Church , for the use of that building for the service , tbe lodge was closed in due form . Headed by the band of the 13 th Chester Rifle Volunteers , a procession was formed , and tbe brethren proceeded to the Holy Trinity Church , where foil cathedra ] service was performed under the direction of the ProvGrand Organist ( BroCBarlow )

. . . A sermon was preached by the Prov . Grand Chaplain ( Bro . R . Hodgson ) , who gave a discourso peculiarly suitable to the occasion . A collection , amounting to £ 20 10 s . was made at the close of the sevv ' a » , which will be divided between the fund of benevolence and the district infirmary of Staleybridge . After ^ returning from church , dinner was served in tbe Mechanics' Hall , where a very large number of brethren sat down

, under the presidency of the R . W . Prov . G . M . In many respects the repast was but a . sorry affair , and complaints , not ioud but deep , were heard on every , the excuse for the scanty supply of provisions being that the number greatly exceeded that which was expected . A large and fashionable gathering of ladies occupied tho gallery , to whom cake and wine were supplied during the evening . The large hall was tastefulldecorated iving the

very y , g interior a very bright and animated appearance . ( After dinner , the R . W . Prov . G . M . proposed the toast of "The Queen , " referring to her Majesty ' s recent illness , and expressing a fervent hope—a hope which must be cordially cherished by every Mason—that she might be speedily restored to health , and be long spared to reign over them . The toast was honoured with great cordiality .

In proposing the M . W ., Patron of the Order , H . R . H . tho Prince of Wales and the Earl of Chester , the Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " his Lordship said he had great pleasure in being present recently at the installation of the Prince ef Wales as W . M . of a private lodge—the Royal Arthur . In giving the health of " The M . W . G . M . the Marquis of Ripon , " Lord de Tabley paid a high compliment to the zeal as a

Freemason , and the talent as a statesman displayed by that nobleman in the discharge of bis onerous duties . In responding to the toast of "The D . G . M . the Earl of Carnarvon , and the Officers of the Grand Lodge , " Bro . Latham , Past G . Reg ., said the charge was sometimes brought that the interests of the provincial lodges were overlooked by the Grand Lodge , but this was because tha Masonic bodies in tbe country did not send their Masters aud Wardens to represent them . He

also spoke in strong terms of the degradation to Masonry brought about by mere processions through the street . That day they had been taken at great trouble and inconvenience through street after street , where nothing was to be done and nothing to be 6 een ; therefore , in the names of Masonry and the Grand Officers , he must protest against such proceedings , which would bring Freemasonry into the same category with the Oddfellows , druids , and other bodies of a like nature . The

objects of Masonry were much higher , and not mere benefit societies , who got up these processions with the view of attracting members and securing contributions . The objects of Freemasonry were charity and benevolence — not to benefit themselves , but to do good to the whole world . Bro . Cope also responded , and afterwards proposed " The health of the R . W . Prov . G . M . " passing a high eulogium upon him as a Freemason , a statesman , peer , landlord , and neighbour .

The toast was received with tbe utmost enthusiasm , and on rising to respond , Lord de Tabley was again cheered to the echo . He remarked that he bad never seen a more numerous or influential gathering of that lodge than there had been only one lodge out of the province being unrepresented . Bro . Latham had referred to a most difficult and delicate subject , and ono with which be also felt a little puzzled , but one in which he felt bound to submit to the feelings of the provinces , and those

particular towns or localities which he visited . Strictly speaking , they had no right to go to church , but they did so in accordance with ancient custom , irrespective of creeds , or sects , and as one great community . He must speak with great respect of Foresters , Oddfellows , and other societies of a like nature , which were all excellent in their way , but the brethren ought to remember that , as Freemasons , they were bound together for tbe sacred cause of charity . While thinking their processions

ought to be curtailed , that which had taken place that day had brought out the evidence of a hearty welcome by the inhabitants of Stalybridge . If they asked him as a Mason , he would say , " Don't have any processions , " he felt it his duty to concur in tbe arrangements made by those who managed them . The toast of " Bro . George Cornwall Leigh , M . P ., R . W . D . Prov . G . M ., and the Prov . G . Officers , " was responded to by Bio . Button , Prov . G . S . W .. Mayor of Chester , who remarked that he felt the responsibilities of that office more than those in connection with his native city , because he followed one ( Bro . Cope ) who had long and ably performed the functions devolving

upon him . The Prov . G . M . then proposed tho toast of tbe W . M . ' s of the Moira and Royal Edward Lodges , " and in reply , Bro . Davies , B . C . 324 , and W . M . 1218 ( who spake on behalf of the brethren referred to ) , said he deeply regretted to hear the remarks which had been made upon other orders , which fulfilled their duties as sincerely as Freemasonry itself . He regretted this all the more because he felt bound to say -that four-fifths of the brethren

present belonged to other Orders . They ought to give the members of those Orders credit for honesty ; but be quite agreed with Bro . Latham in thinking that there ought to be no Masonic processions through the streets , and therefore he hoped that that brother would not carry away with him the impression that they were fond of parade . After tbe toast of " The Visiting P . G . Officers of the neihbouring Provinces" had been responded to

bBroKeng , y . nedy , P . Prov . G . T ., EX ., Lord De Tabley gave "The Charities within the Province , " referring specially to the Cheshire Masonic Educational Institution . Bro . J . P . Piatt acknowledged the toast , remarking that in their educational institution they had 24 children who were receiving its benefits . That institution had great claims upon the brethren within the province , and he trusted they would continue theis efforts for its prosperity .

The " Masonic Charities , " proposed by Bro . J . P . Piatt , and acknowledged by Bro . Piatt . " The Visiting Brethren , " and all " Poor and Distressed