The Provinces.

G . M ., for the ability , impartiality , and courtesy at all times shown by him during tho period of his presiding over the Freemasons ol this province , as the Deputy of his grace the Duke of Richmond " Bro . Pocock , tho Prov . G . Sec . » then rose , and after dilating on what the Masons of Sin-sex had already done in aid ofthe Charities , proposed—" 'I'llat two governorships for fifteen years in the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for aged Freemasons and their Widows , be purchased from the funds of this Provincial Grand Lodgeat a cost of £ 20 ; and that the privileges of one be given to

, the Worshipful Master ( for the time being ) of the Lodge of Union , No . 45 , antl of the other to the Worshipful Master ( for the time being ) of the Derwent Lodge , No . 47 ; " which was carried unanimously . The D . Prov G . M ., having announced the next Provincial Grand Lodge would be held at Hastings , the Prov . Grand Lodge was closed in ancient and solemn form .

STAFFORDSHIRE . The Prov . Grand Lodge held its annual meeting on Tuesday , the 26 th Oct ., in the Shire Hall , Stafford . There was a large gathering of the Brethren of tho county on the occasion , and mauy delegates and visitors from other provinces wore present . Tho following Brethren , were appointed officers of the P . G . L . for the ensuing voar : —R . W . Bros . Thos . Ward , D . Prov . G . M . ; C . T . Davenport , S . G . W . ; Henry Hall , J . G . W . ; Bros . Rev . J .

Downcs , G . Chaplain ; Win . Lloyd , G . Treas . ; George Sargeant , G . Reg . ; Fred Dee , G . Sec ; Geo . Spilsbury , S . G . D . ; F . Gough , J . G . D . ; Jos . Knight , G . Supt . of Works ; Samuel HiiZ , G . Dir . of Cers . ; Geo . Waring , Assist . G . Dir . of Cers . ; S . P . Goddard , M . D ., G . S . B . ; Edwin Shargood , Org . ; J . W . Hancock , G . Pur . ; Carlo Bregazzi , G . Std . B . ; Henry Bagguley , G . G . Tyler . Tho D . Prov . G . M . proposed , and Bro . A . Glover seconded that the sum of fifty guineas be given as a donation to the Masonic Boys ' School , and the Masonic Girls' School . These donations would

constitute the Prov . G . M a life governor of those institutions . The Proposition was carried unanimously . No further business coming before tho Grand Lodge , it was duly closed . The banquet took place in tho Shire Hall , which had been most handsomely decorated in Masonic style , with banners , emblems , and devices , Moral and otherwise , for the occasion . The ladies , the wives and daughters of Masons , contributed the floral decorations of tho wallsand graced the banquet by their presence iu the galleries .

, The tables ranged round the entire hall , and nearly 110 Brethren took their seats . The Prov . G . M ., after the ordinary toasts had been given and responded to , said , it was now both his incumbent duty and his highest pleasure to propose a toast , which would be received with as much respect as it would undoubtedly bo with enthusiasm . Ho would detain them as briefly as possible , and

endeavour to confine his remarks to what was absolutely necessary to be said in proposing " The health of the Most Worshipful Grand Master the Earl of Zetland . " ( Loud cheering ) . It needed nothing further than the bare proposal of the toast to ensure it a warm acceptance at the hands of so many Brethren assembled around the festive board ; but it w as next to impossible for him to avoid referring to a circumstance iu connection with the M . W . G . M ., which . had been the cause of a feeling in the minds of a number of the Brethren throughout the country which he was sure none of them shared .

( Applause ) . That circumstance was the unfortunate , and he firmly believed ungrounded accusation , that the M . W . G . M . in his appointments had been actuated by political motives . As he had said , he firmly believed that iheir Most Worshipful Grand Master had never for a moment made his high office subservient to such an end —( loud applause)—but that iu all his appointments ho had been guided solely and entirely by the pure and single desire to advance the interests of Freemasonry . ( Applause ) . No doubt difficulties had sometimes arisen in tne execution of tho duties of liis office

which required no ordinary judgment and discretion to surmount , and perhaps in the exercise ' of that judgment and discretion he may not—as who could—gain the most perfect unanimity of all over whom he presided ; but of this he was certain , that their Most Worshipful Grand Master , was was too excellent a man , and too well understood the principles and precepts of the Craft , ever for a moment to forget what was due to the whole body of the Brethren , or to make his position subservient to political purposes . ( Cheers ) . Ho believed i \\ the integrity and impartiality oi' his whole

conduct—( hear , hear)—his courtesy , kindly fooling , and gentlemanly conduct were well known , and in the most difficult of circumstances he hesitated not to say , that he had always done what ho considered best for Freemasonry . ( Cheers ) . He scouted tho idea that the Grand Master had ever made appointments out of political motives ,

and ho asked them all to join with him in drinking to the health and happiness of him who had been for so many years at the head of the Order ; and who , as long as ho remained in that distinguished position , would , he was sure , always exert the powers of his influence and his talents to promote harmony , brotherly feeling , and success amongst all tho Bretliren . ( Loud cheers )

ESSEX . A Prov . Grand Lodge was held on Thursday , Nov , 4 th , in the Comodalo Hall , Romford , the H . W . i'rov . U . M ., Bro . John Bag'shaw , 21 . 1 ' ., presiding , supported by L ' ros . John Hervey , P . G . D ., acting as D . Prov . G . M . ; W . Puitency Scott , S . G . D . ; R . A . Burton , P . Prov . G . W . and G . Ileg .: Peter Matthews , P . Prov . G . W . ; Aug . U . Thiselton , P . Prov . G . Ileg . ; Ucv . C . W . Arnold , Prov . G . Chaplain ; J . J . Simpson , P . Prov . G . W . ; Wakoiing , Prov .

G . W . ; Capt . Barney , Prov . G . D ., & c , & c . The Lodge having been duly opened , The Prov . G . M . said , that the most important item in the business of the day was the appointment of the Prov . ( i . Officers . ' 1 hat was always a most difficult task , and one which lie had endeavoured to discharge as far as possible so as to give satisfaction to every Brother . There was one office tfhieh of ail others was the most important , that of'D . Prov . G . Master which , he regretted to say , had upon this ocetision become vacantowing to the retirementfrom advancing- years and

, , debility , of their esteemed Brother Major Skinner , alter tne discharge of the duties for upwards of seven years , to the entire satisfaction , not only of himself , but he wits sure he might say , of every Brother ( Cheers ) . When he first entered on his duties as Prov . G . 51 ., he found Bro . Skinner the most , popular man amongst tho Lodges ; he had visited the whole of them , and was generally appreciated wherever he appeared . He had great gratification in confirming him in his office , and indeed without the assistance of Bro . Skinner , lie

should havo felt some difficulty in undertaking the rule of the province . He had felt it his duty to accept the resignation of Bro . Skinner—though with great reluctance—and looking at the importance of the office , he had determined not to fill it up for the present . He could not find words to express the loss that he , and he was sure ho might say all the Brethren , felt at tho loss of the services of Bro . Skinner —( hear , hear)—but ho was sure they would not be doing justice to their feelings if they did not put a resolution on the records of Grand Lodge , expressive of their thanks to Bro . Skinner for his long and valuable services , and their deep sympathy with him in Ins indisposition . Ho had not prepared any formal resolution , but

would suggest that a Committee consisting of the Prov . G . Master and the Prov . G . Warden , be appointed to draw it up . Bro . Peter Matthews , Prov . G . W ., seconded the motion . Bro . Burton , Prov . G . l ! eg . trusted that some more lasting-memorial than a mere vote of thanks would be presented to Bro . Skinner . After some conversation with regard to the most appropriate testimonial , it was resolved that the Committee should consist of the Prov . Grand Master and Wardens , and the masters of the various Lodges iu the province , with power to add to their number .

The Prov . Grand Muster then proceeded to appoint his officers : — Bros . G . Addison , Prov . S . G . W . ; Hail , Prov . J . G . W . ; Mann , Prov . G . See . ; Rov . C . W . Arnold , Prov . G . Chap . ; C . Owen , Prov . G . Reg . ; S . P . Saul , Prov . S . G . D . ; Webb , Prov . J . U . D . ; P . Matthews , Prov . G . D . C . ; J . Matthews , Assist . Prov . G . D . C . ; Chas . Ind , Prov . G . Purst . ; Bro . Pattisou , was re-eiected Prov . G . 'Irons . Tho Prov . Grand Master then said that he had returns from various Lodges laid before himand he was happy to that the

, say province was generally in a prosperous condition , and that the Lodges were iu good working order . In some of the Lodges there has boon an increase iu the number of members , and in others a slight doorcase ; but he looked not so much to numbers its to the regularity of tiie working , and he hoped and trusted that the Brethren would be careful to elect only those to office who could efficiently discharge their duties , or otherwise Masonry would only become a byword and a sneor . Bro . Burton , Provincial G . Ucg ., called attention to a circular

which he had at the desire of the Prov . G . M ., addressed to the various Lodges of tho province calling their attention to the position of the charities , and to the fact that , though the Brethren of Essex were benefited by them to tho extent of £ 60 or £ 70 a-yoar , tho total subscriptions did not exceed £ 20 , and suggesting a subscription of Is . Bd . per annum from each member of a Lodge as an amount capable of doing much good . The onl y reply they had yet received was from No . 343 , Chelmsford , in which they had obtained eight annual subscribers of £ 1 Is . each for the schools ; subscription of 10 s . per annum for the annuity fund ; and 17 s . 6 d , which had been paid over