Craft: Provincial.

business was a capital dinner , which in turn was succeeded by the festive bond , where Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted , the game being varied by songs , & c , from several brethren . o o o

HORWICH LODGE , No . 2324 . rprEF urual monthly meeting was held at the Bridge Hotel , Hor-J _ ' wich , on the 13 th . There was a full attendance of members , visitiu" brethren being present from London , Bolton , Hindley , Radcliffe , and Wigan . W . M . Varley presided over the proceedings . The Rev ! T . Storey Bates , Curate of the Harwich Mission Church , was initiated . o o o

MINERVA LODGE , No . 2433 . ON Friday , the 2 nd inst ., there was a large and influential gathering of members and visitors at the Masonic Chambers , 9 Hamilton Street , Birkenhead , to welcome Bro . William George Speth P . M . 183 . The Minerva Lodge , consecrated in September 1692 , was found e d for the purpose of reading and discussing papers on subjects cognate to Freemasonry , such as archaeology , mythology , science and art ,

and formed generally on the lines of the " Quatuor Coronati . Since its foundation , tho Lodge—the first of its kind in the Provinces —has prospered greatly , and the interest of the members in the papers read at the meetings steadily increased , every paper leading to very interesting discussions among members nnd visiting brethren . The present W . M ., Bro . John Armstrong Prov . G . S . of W ., is indefatigable in his efforts to ensure success , sparing neither time nor labour to attain that end .

Bro . Speth , honorary member of the Lodge since its formation , on this occasion paid the members the compliment of travelling specially from Margate for the purpose of reading a paper on " The Degrees of Ancient ( pre-1717 ) Freemasonry , " and by a careful dissection and comparison of existing documents , such as M . S . Rolls

of the Constitutions , gleanings from the 17 th century writers and diaries , catechisms , the Book of Constitutions , & c , to arrive at some conclusion as to the nature and numbers of the ceremonies of the Craft in the traditionary epoch ; to follow these up through the transitional era , and to trace their development into the present three-degree ritual .

The paper throughout was most able and interesting , and for nearly two hours secured the undivided attention of those present . During tho reading of the paper , Bro . Speth passed round for inspection several facsimile M . S . Rolls ol Constitutions ; a first edition copy ( 1723 ) of the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of England—the first Grand Lodge in the world , and other Masonic

literary curiosities . But the gem of the exhibits was the Scarborough M . S . Rolls of Constitutions , the property of the Grand Lodge of Canada , loaned to Bro . Speth upon his depositing his cheque for fifty pounds for its safe return , and exhibited for the first time in England on this occasion . From endorsements on the back the roll is known to date prior to 1705 , but how it reached

Canada is uncertain . Bro . Holt W . M . of the Zetland Lodge , who was present at the meeting , mentioned the fact that there was a considerable migration of Yorkshiremen to Canada in the ISth century , that Toronto was formerly called York , and that there is a place called Scarborough in the neighbourhood of Toronto . It is , therefore , propable the roll reached its present resting place through the medium of one of tho emigrants referred to .

Upon the conclusion of the proceedings a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . Speth , for his able and exhaustive paper , and by him suitably acknowledged . o o o

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

— . u ; — BURDETT COUTTS LODGE , No . 1278 . THE Annual Ball and Bohemian Concert of the Burdett Coutts Lodge , No . 1278 , was held at the Cannon St . Hotel , on Wednesday , 14 th inst ., and was a most successful gathering of brethren and friends . Dancing commencing at 9 to the strains of Layton ' s Quadrille Band , with Bros . Perkins P . M . and Strickling as M . Cs . At the same time the chair was taken in the Smoking Room , where

seveial well known Artistes and Brethren contributed to an excellent programme of vocal and instrumental Music . At 12 the large company adjourned to supper , covers being laid for 220 . Ihis w-as served in a manner which gave universal satisfaction . The W . M ., Bro . W . H . Toye , was supported by Bros . Arter I . P . M ., G . Ward

Verry Sec , Crutch Treas ., and was faced by Bro . J . J . Hall S . W ., and F . Gildersleeve J . W ., and on giving the usual toasts met with a most enthusisastic reception . Bro . Arter I . P . M . gave the W . M . Bro . Corbett replied to the toast of the Ladies , after which the company adjourned to the Ball Room , where dancing continued . It was . 6-30 a . m . before the company departed , and brought to an

end one of the most successful gatherings held in connection with the Burdett Coutts Lodge . The arrangements of the evening were well carried out by the Stewards , Bros . F . Toye , F . Islip , H . Lloyd , C . Callaghan , and Dr . Haskins Organist , who wore special favours manufactured by Bro . Toye & Co ., of 17 Clerkenwell Road . o o o

KINGSLAND LODGE , No . 1693 . A T the meeting held at the Railway Hotel , Highbury , on the Xi- Gth inst ., Bro . L . Simon I . P . M . presided as W . M . Bros . J . R . Clarke and A . Wright were passed , and Bro . R . E . Clarke was raised . £ 5 5 s -was voted for the list of Bro . H . J . Hazel P . M ., as bteward for the Girls School . The Lodge was then closed . Bro .

Metropolitan.

Simon presided o t the after banquet , which was liberally and well prepared aud served by Bro . -Tuck , and at its conclusion the usual toasts were honoured . o o o

CREATON LODGE , No . 1791 . rjlHE instillation meeting was held on the 8 th inst ., at Free-J _ masons' Hall . After opening the Lodge and confirming the minutes of the December meeting , the auditors' report was taken , and proved the Lo ige to be in a sound financial condition , and the Brethren evinced their satisfaction by passing a vote of thanks to the Treasurer and Secretary . Bro . L . Cordon was then passed

and Bro . W . Wood was raised . The installation of Bro . G . Bruce-Johnston followed and was carried out by Bro . G . E . Higginson in a way that elicited well-meiitcd and general praise . The new W . M . invested his Officers , Bro . J . J . Cantlo and Bro . E . A . Austin remaining respectively as Hon . Secretary and Treasurer . Bro .

J . Kift , on being re-appointed Organist , was presented with a handsome jewel as a mark of appreciation of his services for the past fifteen years . At the banquet which followed , the usual toasts were proposed , interspersed with songs from Miss Ethel Winn , Bro . J . J . Cantle , W . Noel , Chas . Ellison , and C . Spencer West ( flute solo ) . o o o

HENDON LODGE , No . 2206 . AN emergency meeting was held at the Midland Grand Hotel , St . Pancras , on Saturday , 27 th ult ., Bro . W . W . Langley W . M ., Parson S . W ., A . Parson J . W ., W . M . Stiles Treas ., Scurrah Sec , Powell S . D ., Dobbs D . C , Johnson Org ., P . Ms . Lewis , Nottingham . Bros . Bemberton , Knight , Elliot , Kenney , Dr . Andrews , Adam , Mason , Ashby , Griffiths , Codner , Lorrick , Mone , Hardy . Visitors : C . J . Scales P . M . 1507 , Curtis 2271 , Blatchford 704 ,

Edmonds 1507 , E . Storr 167 . Lodge being opened , Bro . Kinney was passed . The ballot " was taken on behalf of Messrs . Edward Levick , William Condner , Thomas Moore , Benjamin Fuller and William Whittick , which proving unanimous in their favour , they were initiated into the mysteries of the Order , the W . M . Bro ; Langley showing his perfect knowledge of the ritual , and gaining

great praise for his beautiful and impressive delivery . The Lodge was closed and the Brethren adjourned to the banquet . The Loyal toasts were given and received with great heartiness . Bro . P . M . Scurrah in proposing the health of the W . M . congratulated him on the great success that had attended the Lodge , and also on his genial and kind couitesy , and . his great ability as a W . M . The

W . M . thanked . P . M . Scunah for the kind way he had proposed his health , and the Brethren for their generous support . Nothing could give him greater pleasure than to add to the harmony and success of thc Hendon Lodge . He could not speak in too high praise of Bro . Scurrah and the P . Ms ., who had but one object , and that was to make the Hendon Lodge in their new home a great

success . P . Ms . Lewis and N ottingham replied for the Past Masters . The toast of the Initiates was received heartily , and in their replies the newly admitted members thanked the W . M . and Brethren for their kindness . The toast of the Treasurer and Secretary followed . Bro . Stiles thanked the W . M . for his kindness , and particularly in reference to his candidature for the post of the Grand Treasurership , thanking the Brethren for their support , and impressing on their

minds the necessity of being at Grand Lodge and recording their votes . Bro . P . M . Scurrah also thanked the Master for his kindness , and asked the Brethren to support their Lodge of Instruction at West Hampstead . The toast of the Visitors was given by the W . M . in pleasing terms . He expressed the great delight felt by the Lodge in having Visitors , and trusting they had enjoyed themselves . Bro . P . M . Storr thanked the W . M ., and impressed the candidates with their new duties as Masons .

Bro . Scales also replied , the visitors felt all had done their utmost to make them comfortable . There was one thing he had at heart , and with the W . M . ' s kindness he would allude to that which was in all their thoughts , and that was the success of their old friend and Bro . W . M . Stiles . It did seem strange to him that opposition should come in the person of Bro . Alderman Dimsdale .

His ] qualification as a M ason was not very great , in comparison to the other Candidates for the Grand Treasurership , and no doubt in a few years he would be elected Lord Mayor of London , and then the M . W . G . M . would very likely appoint him a Grand Warden . 1 he Office of Grand Treasurer was really the only one for which Brethren had the right to nominate and to support a Brother they wished to see in office . In this instance they had nominated

Bro . W . M . Stiles , who for twenty years had worked hard for Masonry , being a Vice Patron of the three Institutions , and a Steward for the Charities fourteen times , which must convince the Brethren that he was a kind and benevolent Brother . To such Brethren we should be desirous of showing appreciation . The toast of the Officers and Tyler then brought to a finish a very happy evening . o o o

DRURY LANE LODGE , No . 2127 . THE installation meeting was held on Tuesday of last week , at Drury Lane Theatre , when Bro . Thomas Catling ( Past Master of the Savage Club Lodge ) was elevated to the chair of this , his Mother Lodge , the ceremony being performed by his predecessor in office , Bro . Harry Nicholls . There was a large and brilliant assemblage of Craftsmen , about 2 C 0 being present .

After the principal business of the day , the newly installed Master appointed the following as his assistant Officers : Bros . Oscar Barrett S . W ., Henry Neville J . W ., Rev . C J . Martyn P . G . C

Chap ., J . S . Fleming Treas ., J . H . Matthews P . D . G . D . C . Sec , Will . E . Chapman S . D ., Luigi Lablache J . D ., Sir Edward Lawson , Bart ., D . C , G . M . Maxwell I . G ., John Cook Org ., F . B . Rendle and W . A . Baskcomb Stewds ., and R . Goddard P . M . Tyler . The usual