The Provinces.

find that they could do nothing right—not their judgment only , but their motives were impugned ; and that with no sparing hand . They would however assure them and the Brethren generally , that regardless of taunt and insinuation—indifferent alike to the praise or blame of those who work for themselves and not for Masonry—they would pursue their course stedfastly and patiently , feeling perfectly confident that the Craft generally will do justice to those who endeavoured faithfully to serve them . The editor of the Freemason ' s Magazineon the other handdeserved great praise for the

, , course he had lately adopted . The Grand Register had now to draw the attention of the Brethren to an institution which , in a country like England , was of the greatest importance , and which had been not unjustly denominated the fourth estaste in the realm . It was a great blessing to any country to be possessed of a free press , in which all subjects mi g h be fairly discussed , and criticised freely , honestly , and independentl y T No country , except England and America , was in possession of such

a press ; and he was happy to say that there was a Masonic journal which , for independence and ability , might fairly take a position b y the side of any other journal published in the kingdom . He drew a wide distinction between a journal such as that to which he had alluded in the early part of the evening , as making unfounded accusations against the Grand Master—and one which gave full , faithful and honest reports of the proceedings of the Grand Lod ge , and fearlessly , honestly , and independently criticised in a just spirit , those proceedings , without acrimonious or party prejudice . It was a fate to which all public men must submit , to have their acts criticised indeed , it was the penalty which they paid for the position which they held . At the same time , all such criticism should be conducted

in a spirit of fairness , and they ought not to be subjected to having their motives maligned and misrepresented—and still less , should the head of a body like the Freemasons of England , be subjected to such imputations as those to which he had already alluded , from a journal professing to represent the opinions of the Craft . To a Magazine published fairly , and conducted with honesty and independence , there could however be no objection , and he spoke his own opinion boldly when he stated , that he considered they were bound to support—so as to render it a permanent success—a

Magazine which was honestly and fairly conducted . Masonry ought ° to have its organs as well as any other class of the community for it was not necessary , because they had such organs , that anything should be published that would betray their secrets . And here he might observe , that the Freemasons' Magazine was allowed to publish the proceedings of Grand Lodge on the responsibility of the proprietor , to see that nothing appeared at all inconsistent with the principles of their Order . That that had been done honestly and there eould be doubtand he

independently , no ; was glad to see Bro . Warren present on that occasion , and to give him a welcome to Suffolk , he was sure he might say in the name of the Brethren ( Cheers)—as well as of himself ; and he would ask them to drink the health of that Brother , coupled with an honest and independent press , which it should ever be their duty to support , whilst they scouted all libellous and scurrilous publications . ( Cheers ) . Bro . Henry George Warren felt some difficulty in acknowledging the toast which had been so kindly proposed and responded toHe

. was proud of his connection with the press , and of the position which he had the honour to hold in Grand Lodge , and so long as he continued to hold his position , it would be his utmost endeavour , whilst speaking boldly and independently , to abstain from anything bearing even to semblance of anonymous slander . ( Applause ) .

CHESHIRE . The annual P . G . L . was held at Crewe , on the 22 nd September , by F . M . the Viscount Combermere , P . G . M . At the banquet , after the toasts of the M . W . G . M . and the D . G . M ., Bro . Lord de Tabley rose and said , Had he known that he should have been called upon for the toast of the evening , he should have endeavoured to have been somewhat prepared . However inadequate he might feel for the task , he most cheerfully obeyed the call , especially as it was his

first visit to the Prov . G . Lodge . No words of his could picture the enthusiasm with which at all times the health of the noble lord was received by the Craft . Much indeed might be said how the attention of the world had been directed to tbe exploits and great achievements of his noble Brother in the army , as well as the immense benefit resulting from his patronage to the Craft . We had heard of the deeds and glories of the Crimea , the wonders achieved at Sebastopol ; but we cannot forget the successes of Torres Vedras , Talavera , Scringapatam , and Burtpoor , where the gallant nobleman at the head of the table acted so distinguished a part , and for which his fellow men and country have ever been grateful—time can never erase his great deeds and actions . They all were proud to

see him there and looking so well ; long may he continue to enjoy the same rude health , and delighted they shall be to see him presiding again and again as their Provincial Grand Master . Lord Combermere , Prov . G . Master , in rising , said . He could not do justice to his feelings for the enthusiasm with which his name had been received , and for the manner in which Lord de Tabley had named his services as a soldier and a Freemason . He hoped in the former situation he had zealously done his duty ; in the latter appointment , as Prov . G . Master , he had done all in his power to

revive Masonry , since the Duke of Sussex did him the honour to install him , with the assistance of his distinguished Brethren . He recommended uniformity of working , constant and persevering attention , and the non-admission of unwortny persons . So far , he must say , they had been properly acted upon . One great pleasure had occured to him after the lamented death of Bro . Finchett Maddock , in having written to Bro . Antrobus , offering the appoiniment of D . Prov . G . M . ; two days afterwards he received communications from almost every Lodge in the province , urging his elevation to

the office . This was indeed gratifying to him , and he felt sure was flattering to Bro . Antrobus , in whom he had great confidence . He was glad that Bro . Lord de Tabley had joined the Crewe Lodge , under Bro . Antrobus ' s able supervision , and he had great pleasure in proposing Bro . Antrobus's health , with Masonic honours . Bro . Antrobus , in returning his warmest thanks to the Brethren said , That if the recommendation to his lordship for the appointment had come from his immediate neighbourhood , Macclesfield and Congleton , he could have understood the feeling displayed ; but arising from the whole ofthe Province , was indeed highly flattering

and overpowering . He again begged to return his thanks to them for their very kind wishes , and to his lordship for the honours thus conferred . Bro . Willoughby returned thanks to the toast of the Provincial Graiid Officers . The Prov . G . Master then proposed " The health of Bro . Lord de Tabley , " in very complimentary terms , assuring him how delighted he and the Brethren were to have him in the province . Bro . Lord de Tabley said he thanked them from the bottom of his

heart for the honour just conferred . It was with great pleasure that he found himself enrolled as a Freemason in Cheshire . He was not a young man . Upwards of twenty-four years ago , he was initiated in the Apollo Lodge at Oxford ; since then he had resided much abroad . After his return , he again desired to belong to the Cheshire Craft , and accepted the invitation to be present at the Crewe meeting , under the presidency of the W M . Bro . Antrobus , and the government of the Provincial Grand Master . He hoped to derive practical lessons in the working of the Lodge , and no

exertions or efforts on his part should be wanting . He trusted it would not be the last time he should meet the Cheshire Masons in Prov . Grand Lodge . The Prov . G . Master then said , Brethren , I have some distance to go , and I must beg your kind indulgence . I have known some of your fathers and grandfathers . May the Great Architect of the universe bless you all . The noble and venerable lord then quitted the room amidst the respectful cheers of the Brethren . The Lodge was then left under the Dep . Prov . G . Master , who afterwards ably occupied the chair .

SUSSEX . A P . G . L . was held at Brighton , on September 24 th , by Captain Dalbiac , D . P . G . M ., who passed a very kind elogium upon his predecessor , Col . Mac . Queen , and his G . Officers , and then appointed and invested the following for the year ensuing : Bros . John Bacon , Nos . 394 and 1034 , Prov . S . G . W . ; James Powell , No . 45 , Prov . J . G . W . ; Wm . Watkins , No . 45 ., re-appointed Prov . G . Chaplain ; Wm . Verrall , re-elected Prov . G . Treas . ; Henry Verrall , No . 338 ,

Prov . G . Reg . ; Gavin E , Pocock , Nos . 338 and 390 , re-appointed Prov . G . Sec ; Wm . R . Wood , No . 394 , Prov . S . G . Deacon ; C . Woolven , No . 394 , Prov . J . G . Deacon ; E . E . Scott , No . 338 , reappointed Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; H . Schilling , No . 338 , re-appointed Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; G . Wellerd , No . 47 , re-appointed Prov . G . Assist . Dir . of Cers . ; Bowmer , No . 47 , Prov . G . S . B . ; Kuhe , No . 338 , re-appointed Prov . G . Organist ; Butcher , No . 390 , re-appointed Prov . G . Purs . ; Bros . Ridly , Nos . 394 and 1031 , GoodeveNo . 45 BurchellNo . 47 CollinsNo . 45 re-appointed P .

, , , , , , G . Stewards ; Penfold , No . 390 , re-appointed Prov . G . Tyler . Bro . John Bacon , Prov . S . G . W ., then moved the following resolution , which , being seconded by Bro . Powell , Prov . J . G . W ., was carried unanimously : — "That the best thanks of this Prov . Grand Lodge be presented to the Right Worshipful Bro . Colonel James MacQueen , upon his retiremcut from tho appointment of D . Prov ,