Provincial.

Bro . How , No . 801 , wished to know if these laws had a retrospective effect , or what the laws were that previously governed the province . The Prov . G . Sec . said there were no by-laws previously , and that consequently those now promulgated would take effect after their confirmation . Bro . How then asked how it was that no summons had been sent to the Buckingham Lodge , either in 1852 , or on the present occasion . The Prov . G . Sec . said he had sent the summons to Uxbridge , where he thought the Lodge was held . The by Jaws were then adopted , and the Provincial Grand Lodge closed , the whole business not occupying an hour . There was a banquet at the Castle Hotel , the attendance at which was verv small .

COMING OF AGE OF LORD SKELMERSDALE . OIIMSKIKK . —Lodge of Harmony , No . 845 . —The Eight Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , who a few weeks ago , was initiated into the mysteries of the Order by dispensation , in the St . George ' s Lodge at Liverpool , attained his majority on Wednesday , the loth of December . His mansion , Lathom House , and its grounds , presented a scene of unusual animation . Congratulatory addresses and replies , festive hospitality , music and dancing , decorative and pyrotechnic display , were

the order of the day . The Brethren of the Ormskirk Lodge presented an address upon the occasion . By dispensation granted by the Prov . G . M . of West Lancashire , the Lodge of Harmony , No . 84 o , of Ormskirk , was opened at Lathom House by the D . Prov . G . M ., Sir Thos . Heskoth , supported by Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , and the Prov . Grand Officers , amongst whom we noticed Bros . J . Walmsley , Prov . G . Treas . ; Hess , Prov . G . D . ; P . Maddox , Prov . G . R . ; James Hamer , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; Lambert , P . Prov . G . D . ; Atherton , Allender , J . Pepper ,

and C . J . Banister , Prov . G . Stewards ; and about one hundred and twenty of the Brethren from the Ormskirk , Southport , and Liverpool Lodges . The minutes having been read , it was agreed to permit the presence of Ladies in the Lodge , and the Brethren were honoured by a visit from the Countess of Derby , and other distinguished persons stopping at Lathom House . Bro . Fairhurst , Secretary , was called upon to read the following address , which was beautifully engrossed on vellum : — " Lodge of Harmony , No . 845 , Ormskirk . " To Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale .

" My Lord—It is with feelings of unminglcd satisfaction that we are thus permitted to show our respect to your lordship this day , being the celebration of your lordship attaining your majority . "It is highly interesting to sucii of us as may be considered more immediately your lordship ' s neighbours , —the more so , as we are witnesses of tiie high esteem in which your honoured and much respected father was held amongst us . To have known him , was to love and respect him . Such as was the father , may the son be . "But , my lord , to us as Freemasons—members of the same

brotherhood—it is peculiary interesting to have this opportunity of congratulating your lordship as a Brother , on attaining your majority , and taking your position as a nobleman of the freest land in the world ; and it is our earnest prayer that the great Architect of the universe , whose all-seeing eye is ever upon us , may guide and protect you in all things . "It is evident to all that we are living in eventful times , and it may be that , from your position as a peer of the realm , you will have arduous duties to perform . Nevertheless , my lord , we have a

confident hope that the principles of the ancient and honourable Order of which we are members , will encourage yon in the performance of every dut 3 , sustain you in every trial , and , with the blessing of a kind Providence , direct all your labours to a successful issue . "As a landlord , we trust you will be ever found treading the same paths as your late honourable and much-esteemed grandfather , the late Lord Skelmersdale—a nobleman who ever prided himself in the welfare of his tenantry , and whose name will ever be cherished amongst them . " In conclusion , my lord , we earnestly pray that your lordship may long be spared to us in the enjoyment of every moral and social

virtue . " We are . my lord , on behalf of tho Lodge of Harmony , No . 845 , your lordship ' s most humble and obedient servants , "James Hamer , W . M . ; Benjamin Towwndrow , S . W . ; James Bromley , J-W . ; A . B . Goss , P . M . ; William Smith , P . M . ; John B . Lambert , P . M . ; Richard Thomases , Treas . ; Enoch Fairhurst , Sec . " Lord Hkclmersdale , in reply , expressed a hope that all his actions would be directed by Masonic sentiments , and that lie should endeavour to imitate the example of his lather and grandfather , and ever have the interest of Masonry at heart .

His lordship then proceeded to another apartment to receive the address of the inhabitants of Ormskirk . The dining-room in which the Lodge was held presented a very interesting appearance , there 'being more than twenty ladies present . The Masonic anthem being sung , the ladies retired . Bro . Lord Skelmersdale was proposed as a joining member to the Ormskirk Lodge , and invited the Brethren to partake of refreshment . The Lodge was then closed , and the Brethren returned to Ormskirkwhere the Lodge was opened for the purpose of electing the

, W . M . for the next year . The unanimous election of the members was in favour of the S . W ., and he was saluted by the Brethren with the accustomed honours . The Brethren and visitors then adjourned to the banquet , and after the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to , they separated . SOMERSETSHIRE . A Prov . G . Lodge of Emergency was held on the 7 th Dec , at the

Lamb Inn , Bridgwater , for the purpose of appointing a Provincial Grand Secretary ( caused by the resignation of Bro . A . P . Browne ) , which was presided over by the R . W . Provincial Grand Master , Col . C . K . K . Tynto , who appeared in excellent health and spirits . The Lodge was opened at high twelve by the W . M . and Brethren of tho Lodge of Perpetual Friendship , who received the R . W . Prov . G . M ., and his officers with due Masonic honours . Tlie ceremony of installing the Provincial Grand Secretary was performed by the R . W . Prov . G . M ., who conferred this distinguished honour upon Bro . Christopher

Babbage , of Bridgwater , with the unanimous approbation of the Craft assembled . At the installation , Col . C . J . K . Tynte , R . W . Prov . G . M . for Monmouth , Bro . Randolph , D . Prov . G . M . for Somerset , as well as the officers from the various Lodges , were present . The choice of Prov . G . Sec . has met with the general approval of the province . The business of the Lodge having terminated , it closed in perfect harmony . BRISTOL . A P . G . L . held on January 28 th , a vote of confidence in the M . W . G . M . was unanimously agreed to .

CAMBRIDGE . On Monday last , the 10 th January , the annual convocation of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cambridgeshire was held at the Lion Hotel , Cambridge , under the presidency of the R . W . Bro . Hall , Prov . G . M ., assisted by the Grand Officers of the province . The Prov . Grand Lodge having been opened in ample form , and the minutes of the last convocation having been read and confirmed , The E . W . the Prov . Grand Master said , that he had this year

convened the Grand Lodge of this province at an earlier period than usual , because ho was unwilling that they should be delayed in expressing a strong feeling of confidence in the integrity of the M . W . the Earl of Zetland , the Grand Master of England , and of reprobation of the calumnious attacks which had been made upon him . ( Hear , hear ) . Ho was rejoiced on looking at the notice paper , to find that such a motion was about to be submitted to them . Bro . the Rev . A . E . Ward , Grand Chaplain of England , and D . Prov . G . M . then rose to move the following resolutionof which he

, , had given notice : — " That the members of this Prov . Grand Lodge , viewing with indignation the unfounded imputations on the M . W . Grand Master , contained in the Masonic Observer , desire to express their gratification at the manner in which his refutation of these charges has been received by the Craft , their participation in the feelings of confidence and attachment which were unequivocally demonstrated by the Grand Lodge in September last , and their determination to support the Grand Master in tho performance of the duties of his high office . "

He said , "Brethren , the proposition which I have to bring forward refers to our old Masonic friend and Grand Master the Earl of Zetland . In bringing it under your notice I feel I shall best consult your wishes by being as brief as possible in my observations ; at the same time I wish to state that , so anxious and so determined was I that every Brother should be acquainted with the particulars of the matter to which I am going to call your attention , that a fortnight ago I took the trouble of sending to every Mason in the province a copy of the Masonic Observercontaining the calumny the Grand

, upon Master of which I complain , and also a copy of the Freemasons' Magazine—a publication of a far different character—containing the reply of the M . W . tiie Grand Master to that- charge so bitterly urged against him . I believe that every brother present has received those two publications , with the exception of Bro . Ransom , Prov . G . Reg . and I can now only express my regret that they were not sent to him , or rather , that they should have remained in the hands of the Worshipful Master of his Lodge without his presenting them in proper