Provincial.

Haworth H 66 , John Bottomloy P . M . 324 , Walter Burrow S . D . 324 , Reuben Firtu I . G . 1218 , John Dransfield 1168 . The Secretary having read the Lodge summons , the minutes of the former meeting were put for confimation , and the Lodge advanced by tho W . M ., who submitted the usual questions to Bro . Samuel Kirk , a candidate for the sublime degree . Bro . Kirk having acquit led himself to the satisfaction of tho Brethren , he was c n u-tcd .

jj ; - . John Smith P . M . now assumed the principal chair , and the candidate having re-entered the Lodge , he was raised in that capable manner for which Bio . Smith is distinguished . The tracing board was explained by Bro . J . Mercer Jones , who fully maintained the reputation which he has acquired as a careful and reliable exponent of Masonic matters .

The usual festive board followed , when Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured . That of tho newly-raised Brother was proposed by Bro . Jones , who , in a humorous speech wished the candidate every success . He commended the way in which Bro . Kirk had comported himself in his progress through the various degrees , and had formed an opinion that he was fully qualified for anything he might be called upon to perform .

Bro . Kirk in responding said that the impression which was made upon him while passing through the first and second degrees had been so deepened by the present ceremony that ho could never forget it . It would bo a very strong inducement for hitn to endeavour to fulfil the obligations which it had imposed upon him , and he hoped he should be successful in the effort .

The toasts were pleasantly relieved by some excellent songs and recitations given by the following visitors : —Bros . Haworth , Firth , Roberts , Bottomloy , and Dransfield , the dialectical sketches of the latter being rendered with a racy humour which induced roars of laughter from the audience .

ARCHITECT LODGE , No . 1375 . 11 HE regular meeting of this Lodgo was hold at tho Masonic Hall , Ghorlton-cum-Hardy , on Friday , tho 4 th inst ., there being present : —Bros . Jas . Morrison Junr . W . M ., Cyril H . Beovor I . P . M ., Alfred Pickford S . W ., Charles Rawle J . W ., Henry Nail P . M . Treas ., Jas . A . Carse J . D ., W . T . Hesketh P . M . D . C ., John Coupland I . G ., Wm . Rushton Org ., A . Redfearn , Sam Tiller , John

M . Crone , J . Robt . E . Birkett , Edwd . M . Beebeo Sfcds ., Jas . Laidlow P . M . P . P . G . J . D ., Arthur A . Moss P . M ., Jno . Southam P . M ., Edward Roberts P . M . Asst . Prov . G . T . ( FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE ) , William Martin , Emile de Minciaky , R . Kastner , Hugh W . Bloomer , Wm . 0 . Flint . Visitors : —Bros . Jno . H . Ratcliff W . M . 322 , John Chadfield P . M . Treas . 1387 , Jas . Willcox I . P . M . 1140 , Thos . Griffith P . M . 645 , Arthur C . K . Smith 317 , A . 0 . McLeish 322 , Richard Bruce 1166 , E . P . Woodhouse and Jno . Meo 1387 , Thomas Plumpton 2464 .

After the minutes of the previous meeting had been confirmed , the Lodgo was advanced to the second degree by the W . M . Brother the Baron Emile C . de Minciaky was raised to tho degree of a Master Mason , the Worshipful Master performing the

ceremony . It was his first essay in the work of this Degree , and it is but fair to state that he created a distinctly favourable impression upon his auditors . By careful study Bro . Morrison had aimed at perfection ; by an equally careful performance he reached the success which his efforts deserved .

The festive board succeeded these proceedings , when Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted . That of the newly-raised Brother was proposed by Bro . Southam P . M ., who had introduced the candidate to tho Brethren in the first instance . Bro . Minciaky said that there are impressions which cannot be adequately translated into words ; and of this nature were tho

impressions made upon him that evening , which alternated between delicious pleasure and nervousness . He would never forget the ceremony through which ho had passed , and should treasure the knowledge of it in his memory and in his heart . He thanked them sincerely for their kindness and sympathy in condoning every little fault of his , and hoped the time would arrive when ho could evince his gratitude .

In reply to tho toast of tho Visitors , Bro . Ratcliff said that his visit to the Lodgo that evening had been one of the greatest pleasures of his life . Ho congratulated tho W . M . upon the excellent manner in which ho had performed the ceremony , and said that he was blessed with good Officers . He had witnessed a number of Masonic ceremonies , but it had never been his good fortune to see a candidate go through one in so admirable a manner as Bro . Minciaky had done .

Bros . Willcox and Griffiths also bore testimony to the excellence of the work , and tho deportment of tho candidate through tho most trying ordeal of the evening . Bro . Plumpton added his kind wishes and thanks to those

which had already been expressed . This was not his first visit to tho Architect Lodge , and ho did not feel himself to bo a stranger . He had seen Bro . Morrison in the position of Junior Warden , and now he was proud to observe that he had not only attained the principal chair of the Lodge , but that he had done credit to it .

Bro . Morrison proposed the health of the Past Masters in a very humorous speech , proving that though numerous they held office of some kind in the Lodge . Bro . Hesketh P . M . in responding to the toast said that this was an ordeal through which he had not passed for some time , but as the W . M . had insisted upon his saving something in reply , ho was

compelled to acquiesce . The duty of a Past Master was to sot a good example in the Lodgo , —it was a great incentive to others , and nothing was more delightful than to retain reminiscences of former efforts . Masonry was so complex in its working that it is impossible for a man to go right through the various offices and bo perfect ; and it must necessarily combine a number of distinguished talents to perform the duties in a creditable manner .

Provincial.

Bro . Beever in his usual felicitous way said he thanked the Brethren for their hearty reception of the toast . He w as unfortunately suffering from suppressed Masonry . They were probably aware that it is the duty of the Immediate Past Master to prompt the W . M . during the ceremonies . He had gone there that evening simply bubbling over with tho ceremony , and the prompting would

have acted as a safety-valve . But the W . M . had required next to no prompting , and the consequence was that he ( Bro . Beever ) was suffering from suppressed Masonry , which he could assure them was worse than many would innigine . As I . P . M . he was an Officer in tho Lodgo , but not of tho L"dge , in fact he had a little perch all

to himself . Having had to make a speech last month , he really thought that on the present occasion he ought to be allowed to copy the parrot , and say nothing—but think a lot . In conclusion he assured tho Brethren that tho Pa > t Masters would be ever ready and willing to support tho Worshipful Master .

Bro . Nail P . M . announced the forthcoming picnic to Chatsworth , to be held on Monday , 4 th June , and added that it was open to all the visitors if they felt a desire to join the members of the Lodge upon that date . Bro . Moss P . M . proposed tho health of the Officers , saying that

the time was so short as to prevent him doing full justice to the subject . The Officers of tho Architect Lodge wore a fine body of men both physically and mentally , they were heartily in accord with the W . M ., and regularly attended the various rehearsals . Bro . Carse J . W . responded . Songs , recitations , etc ., wore given by Bros . McLeish , Willcox , Rushton , Beever , Brice and Mee .

LODGE OF TRUTH , No . 1458 . THE regular meeting of this Lodge was held at the Wheat Sheaf Hotel , High Street , Manchester , on Saturday , the 5 th inst . There were present . - —Bros . Hamlet Lowe Burgess W . M ., Shepherd S . W ., W . H . Worsley J . W ., T . H . Hall P . M . and Sec , Cooper S . D ., Dean J . D ., Alfred Hebden P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C . D . C ., A . B . Taylor

I . G ., Bishop Organist , Fred Hilton P . M . P . G . D . C , Robert Caldwell P . M . P . P . G . S . B ., Needle P . M ., Jas . Archdale I . P . M . Bros . Joseph Hilton , Parkin , Kempston , Kellewell , Leach , Hogg and Sam Luke . Visitors : —Bros . T . W . K . Start P . M ., J . Rogers P . M . 2324 .

Tho Lodgo had been called for an early hour of the day , two Initiations boing expected . A ballot was taken for Messrs . Edward Jackson , Musician , and Charles Vaughan Brotherton , Electrical Engineer , but the former only put in an appearance . The ceremony

was undertaken by the Worshipful Master , who was assisted by Bros . Worsley and Hobden , the former delivering tho charge in the N . E ., and the latter tho E . A . charge . The work throughout was splendidly done , and reflected great credit upon all concerned , which fact was subsequently emphasized by tho visitors .

Before the Lodgo was closed the sum of ten guineas was , upon the proposition of Bro . Fred Hilton , voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls .

Tho name of another gentleman desirous of becoming a member of the Craft was handed in , so that it is possible the original intention of performing two ceremonies of Initiation may bo carried out at the next meeting . At six o'clock tho Brethren adjourned for dinner , which was

provided by Bro . Tom Wood , tho host , in his usual excellent manner . At the festive board which followed , a number of songs , recitations , & c , were given by the Brethren , which relieved in a pleasant manner the tedium of the speeches , Loyal and Masonic . When the

notes of the National Anthem indicated the hour for retiring , the Brethren very reluctantly turned their backs upon what had been universally characterized as a most enjoyable and successful meeting .

Wo may mention incidentally that next year , being tho majority year of this very popular Lodge , it is in contemplation to celebrate tho same in a manner ' which may befit the important occasion .

o o o TRAFFORD LODGE , No . 1496 . AN Emergency meeting was held at the Western Hotel , Moss Side , Manchester , on Monday , tho 7 th inst ., Bros . Francis Long W . M ., John Morris I . P . M ., P . E . Land S . W ., Ramsey Knight J . W ., George Burslem P . M . Treasurer , J . C . Gillman P . P . S . G . D .

Secretary , Chris . A . H . Preston S . D ., W . Yeedon ( acting ) J . D ., John Done I . G ., D . Johnson P . M . D . C ., H . P . Jones P . G . R ., Joseph Kershaw P . M ., John Rathbone P . M ., W . Blears P . M ., W . P . Davies P . M ., H . Russell Steward , H . Mogridge , M . Seanor , T . Jackson , E . Dewsbury , C . F . Davies . Visitors : G . R . Lloyd P . G . T . 1730 . C . Heywood P . P . G . D . C . 1387 , J . Bladon P . P . G . A . D . C . 317 , R . Dottie P . M . 1161 . R . Hushes P . M . 1219 . A . T . Fnrrpst-. P M ifiaa T ? . T . ™ , ; a

Littler P . M . 1730 , J . W . Morley 317 , Joseph Schoifiold 1161 , 0 . J . Guest 317 , John Allin 2231 , P . R . Lissenden , W . R . Scholfield 1161 , A . Jones Tyler . The Lodge was opened in duo form when the Brethren adjourned for tea . On re-assembling , Mr . J . Yule-Deely was Initiated by tho W . M . iu a very efficient manner , and the working tools presented by the J . W .

Bro . F . 0 . Davies having satisfactorily answered tho necessary questions was raised to tho sublime degree of M . M ., the ceremony being admirably performed by Bro . G . Burslem P . M ., and the working tools presented by tho S . W . After the visiting Brethren had expressed hearty good wishes tho Lodge was closed .

At tho social board which followed , after the usual Loyal toasts had been honoured , the W . M . proposed the health of the newly initiated , and Bro . Burslem P . M . that of the newly raised Brother , which were heartily received and responded to in a feeling manner by Bros . Dsely and Davies .

The toast of tho Provincial Officers was responded to by Bros . G . B . Lloyd P . G . T . and J . Bladon P . P . G . A . D . C , and that of tho Visitors by Bros . Chas . Heywood P . P . G . D . C , and A . F . Forrest