Provincial.

presented for installation by Bro . Down P . P . G . S . W ., and tho ceremony was ably performed by Bro . Pearce . The Brethren adjourned t- > the Ashburton Hotel , where an excellent dinner was served . The Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured ; capital songs wero sung and a most enjoyable evening spent . Formed in 1887 , the Lodge has continued to make satisfaefcorv progress , and now numbers over 30 members .

o o o MINNEHAHA MINSTREL LODGE , No . 2363 . THE regular meeting was held at the Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on the 27 th ult ., Bro . W . A . Brabner W . M . There were also present : Bros . F . W . Wollaston I . P . M ., Cyril H . BeeverS . W ., C . Harrop J . W ., Joseph Hilton Treas ., M . Thomas P . P . G . D . Secy .,

Fred Hilton Prov . G . D . C ., J . Crompton Wood Chaplain , Edwyn A . Smith Org ., Humphrey C . Lilly Std ., E . Roberts Asst . Prov . G . T . ( FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE ) , Sam Luke , Thos . Hamnett , Nagib Fiani , S . H . Stubbs , W . W . Hitching , F . Todd , G . R . Ward . Visitors - . —Bros . J . M . H . Blarney W . M . 163 , J . Robt . E . Birkett

1375 , T . H . Black 1170 . After the confirmation of minutes , Bros . Frederick Todd , Callender Lodge , No . 1052 , and Andrew Ferric , Century Lodge , No . 2349 , wero successfully balloted for as Joining Members , after which Bro . S . Harold Stubbs was questioned in the usual way , and having answered satisfactorily he was raised by Bro . Brabner .

The working tools were presented and explained by Bro . Wollaston I . P . M ., while Bro . Fred Hilton Prov . G . D . C . acted as Deacon throughout the ceremony . This over , the Brethren retired to partake of dinner , which was followed by the usual festive board .

o o o HARDWICK LODGE , No . 2373 . THE anniversary took place at Chesterfield , on tho 27 th ult ., under peculiarly favourable circumstances , says the " Derbyshire Courier , " and there is little doubt that the Lodge has now a successful and useful career before it . The members met in the Masonic Hall , when there were many Brethren present .

The Lodge having been duly opened , Bro . L . F . Shaw installed Bro . W . T . Buckland . The new W . M ., who was very cordially received , invested his Officers . After the conclusion of the business , the Brethren adjourned to

the Angel Hotel , where Mr . Joseph Warner had provided a sumpfous repast The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were drunk , and the health of the newly-installed W . M . was proposed and received with the greatest cordiality . o o o

VALE OF EDEN LODGE , No . 2493 . THE first ordinary meeting was held in the Masonic Hall of tho Tufton Arms Hotel , Appleby , on Saturday . The following gentlemen were initiated : Messrs . John Bell , M . A ., William Hewitson , and Doctors Smith , Bell and De Montmorency . Messrs . J . M . Nicholson , M . A ., Barrister-at-law , of Kirkbythore ; R . E . Leach , M . A ., F . G . S ., of Appleby ; and Dr . Bryan , of Brough , wero nominated for initiation , Bro . James Postlethwaite Watson was elected Treasurer of the Lodge , and Bro . George Thomas appointed Secretary .

After the business was over tho Brethren were entertained to supper in the banqueting room of the Tufton Arms Hotel , by the Worshipful Master , Bro . C . R . Eivington . A numerous company , including amongst others Bro . J . Thompson Provincial Grand

Treasurer of Durham was present . The usual toasts followed , and the members of the Lodge expressed the hope that this was but the first of many similarly pleasant reunions . Mrs . Watson excelled herself in the supper arrangements , and received thanks on all hands . i o o o

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

UNITY AND PERSEVERANCE CHAPTER , No . 580 . rpHE installation meeting took place in the Chapter Room at JL thc Wheatshcaf Hotel , Ormskirk , on 13 th ult ., when there was a fairly large attendance of Companions . In the course of the evening , Bro . R . C . Ivy , Lodge No . 580 , and Bro . R . Jonas , Lodge No . 1403 , were exalted . The subjoined were installed the Principals of the Chapter for the ensuing twelve months : —Comps . A . J . Brooks Z ., Rd . Turner H . and Rd . Winrow J . — : o : —

The Companions afterwards dined together ( Comp . Taylor being the caterer ) under the presidency of the M . E . Z . o o o

CAMDEN CHAPTER , No . 704 . AT Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , on the 22 nd ult ., Comp . Bolton M . E . Z . The minutes having been confirmed , Comp . Dr . Goodchild P . Z . installed his son Dr . J . Goodchild as M . E . Z ., Comp . Nottingham H . and Edwin Styles J . The Z invested Comp . Bolton I . P . Z ., H . Slyman Treas ., Dr . Goodchild S . E ., Copplestone N ., Captain Lurcock P . S ., W . H . Goodchild 1 st Assist , and Smith 2 nd Assist .

The Visitors included Comp . Britton and Middleton , with Comp . Edmonds Hon . Member . Bro . Cartwright was exalted by the new M . E . Z . in a most exemplary manner , ably supported by his Officers . Chapter was then closed The Comps . adjourned to an excellent banquet served under the personal care of Comp . A . Clemow , and this reflected the highest credit on him and his staff .

Royal Arch.

The Loyal toasts were received heartily . The health of the M . E . Z . was proposed by P . P . Bolton , who spoke in the highest praise of the M . E ., alluding to thc excellent way in which he discharged his duties that evening . The perfect and impressive manner in which ho had exalted Comp . Cartwright was especially pleasing to them , gratifying to himself , and an honour to the

Chapter . The M . E . in reply said he was deeply indebted to Comp . Bolton for his kindness . His great desire was to maintain the reputation of the Chapter for good working , and the kindly feeling that existed . From the hearty way the toast of his health had been received he was sure he should receive every assistance from his Officers , and the support of the Companions .

The health of the I . P . Z ., Comp . Bolton , was proposed by the M . E . in very feeling terms . He expressed the great sorrow they all felt in his state of health . They were pleased to meet him again . Tho members had voted a P . P . jewel for his valuable services . Ho felt it a great honour that almost the first duty he did was to present him with this mark of the esteem and affection

they all entertained for him . Comp . Bolton thanked the M . E . Z . and the Companions very sincerely for thoir great kindness and sympathy . He felt a great deal better , and hoped to be with them frequently . They had made the duties of M . E . Z . so pleasant to him that it was with

great regret he went out of office . Looking back he felt he ought to have done more , and he looked at many things in a different light from what ho did when they occurred . He thanked them for their beautiful gift . His earnest endeavour to discharge his duties have evidently met their entire approbation .

The M . E . in proposing the toast of H . and J . said he had known them many years . Comp . H . had followed him in office year by year , and the Comps . were pleased to see him so near the chair in fche Chapter . Comp . J . was an excellent Companion , discharging any duty he might be called upon ; singing for their pleasure , accompanying on the pianoforte , and in fact doing everything that could possibly add to their comfort .

Comps . H . and J . thanked the M . E . and Companions briefly , but very much to the point . The health of the Exaltee followed , and Comp . Cartwright , an old Craft Mason , thanked the M . E . for so kindly exalting him .

What he heard and the beautiful sentiments expressed , together with the solemnity and the impressive manner in which the ceremony had been conducted , had made a strong impression on his mind . He would endeavour to discharge his duties as a Eoyal Arch Mason .

The toast of the Visitors was duly given , Comp . P . P . Britton , Gladmuir Chapter , and Middleton responding . The toast of the P . Zs . and Officers followed , and the Janitor ' s toasfc closed a very successful meeting . o o o

INVICTA CHAPTER , No . 709 . THE installation meeting took place at Ashford , on thc 14 th ult . The following are the Officers for the year : —Comp . B . Snell , M . A ., Z ., Jno . Brothers P . Z . H ., Jno . Creery J ., F . Hughes-Hallett

V . ' L . S . E ., Robert Elliott P . Z . Treasurer , Charles Loud S . N ., C . Igglesden P . S ., Julius Kingsford 1 st A . S ., George Wilks 2 nd A . S ., John Cooke Janitor . The Companions subsequently dined together at the Kent Arms Hotel . o o o

JOHN HERVEY CHAPTER , No . 1260 . AT the Holborn Restaurant , on the 14 th ult ., there were present Comps . Dangerfield Z ., Bartholomew TL , Eeep J ., Dr . Jabez Hogg Treas ., Pembury S . E ., Goodinge P . S ., Goodinge jun . Assist . S ., Evan P . Z ., Halsey P . Z ., & c . A proposal by Comp . Reep was discussed , and other business being disposed of the Chapter was closed , and the Companions proceeded to banquet , after which the customary toasts were honoured .

Dr . Hogg , in proposing the health of the M . E . Z ., said they were much indebted to him for the great interest he displayed in the Chapter , and his earnest endeavours to put new life and vigour into ifcs working . The impressive manner in which he rendered the ceremony of exaltation was an honour to the Chapter and to himself .

In reply , Comp . Dangerfield said ho was extremely pleased the Companions had lcceived the toast of his health in such flattering terms . He had certainly availed himself of every opportunity of perfecting himself , and was fully repaid by the kind remarks that had been made . He was anxious that the John Hervey Chapter should hold a front rank , and by the kind assistance of fche Officers he hoped to fully maintain its reputation .

The toast of the H . and J . followed , each of those Companiona replying . Comp . Reep announced that if there was not a candidate for the next meeting a rehearsal of the exaltation ceremony would be given , so as to prove to the members that the Officers were fully qualified to discharge their duties , and meant to maintain the true spirit of emulation .

Replying to the toast of the Pasfc Principals , Comp . Hogg stated the meeting was really the silver wedding of the Chapter , which had had many vicissitudes . It was now in a more flourishing condition than ever . He hoped he should be among them for many years to come , to witness its still further advancement .

Other toasts and replies were given , after which the Chapter was closed . A very nice selection of music under thc direction of Dr . Haskings gave considerable pleasure . o o o

TRAFFORD CHAPTER , No . 1496 . A MEETING was held at the Western Hotel , Moss Side , Manchester , on the . 21 st ult ., Comp . Joseph Kershaw M . E . Z . There was a good attendance .