Provincial Meetings.

province . The smallest lodge in the province—they were holding , five provincial collars , and among them those of both the Wardens . The W . M . having acknowledged the compliment on behalf of himself and his brother provincial officers , the lodge vvas closed , and was followed by the customary adjournment from labour to refreshment .

BOLTON . Anchor and Hope Lodge ( No . 37 ) . —A meeting vvas held on Monday , the Cth inst ., at the Freemasons' Hall , when there vvere present Bros . R . Nightingale , VV . M . ; VV . Golding , S . W . ; VV . Forrest , J . W . ; John Boott , P . M ., Treas ; H . L . Hinnell , Sec ; ' Thos . Murphy , S . D . ; J . W . Thompson , J . D . ; F . VV . Briscoe ,

Org . ; T . Barnes , I . G . ; Brockbank and Broadbent , Stewards ; T . Higson , Tyler ; Jas . Naylor , P . M . ; Jno . Hardcastle , P . M . ; Jas . Walker , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . ; E . G . Harwood , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . ; J . Newton , P . M ., Prov . A . G . Sec . ; T . B . Tonge , P . M . ; Mason , Isherwood , J . Walker , and Greenhalgh . Visitors : Bros . VV . Hughes , 221 ; the Rev . J . Gibbons , and the Rev . J . E . Taylor , 62 .

The lodge vvas opened , when , after the usual formal business , a ballot was taken for Messrs . Harold O . Bailey and Gidlon Fell , both of whom vvere unanimously elected . Mr . Fell was then initiated by the W . M . in a most efficient and impressive manner . The lodge vvas then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the social board , vvhich vvas heartily enjoyed by all present .

CAMBRIDGE . Scientific Lodge ( No . 88 ) . —The brethren reassembled after the recess at the lodge room at the Lion Hotel , on Monday , the 13 th inst . Bro . VV . Purchas , VV . M ., vvas in the chair , supported by Bros . Frank Piggott , S . W . ; W . P . Spalding , J . W . ; the assistant officers , and the following Past Masters : Bros . J . V . Pryor , I . P . M . ; Geo .

McCallum , O . Papworth , T . Nichols , and Rev . J . C . Saunders . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes of the May lodge confirmed , Bro . E . S . Innes , formerly of the Orissa Lodge ( No . 1106 ) , Cuttack , Bengal , was unanimously elected a joining member . The VV . M . then , on behalf of the lodge , presented to Bro . J . V . Pryor ,

I . P . M ., a Past Master ' s jewel , as a memento of his year of office , with an expression of sincere hope that he might long live to look back with pride to the time when he occupied the chair of K . S . in their ancient lodge . Bro . Pryor said that recognition of his services came as a most agreeable surprise , as it had not been usual in past times . He thanked the brethren most heartily , and

trusted that he might live long to enjoy their fellowship , and to see the old lodge as flourishing as it had been in the past . After the by-laws had been read , and some formal business had been disposed of , it vvas reported that Bros . Reuben Moore , F . Flynn , and W . B . M . Vans had each given five guineas to the Royal Masonic Institution for Bovs , through

the Cambridgeshire Masonic Association , an announcement that vvas received with pleasure . Three propositions for initiation and one for a joining member were made , to be dea't with at the November meeting . The lodge having been duly closed , the brethren adjourned for refreshment .

Three Grand Principles Lodge ( No . 441 ) . —This lodge was the first to get to business after the recess , the usual meeting being held on Monday , the 6 th inst ., at the Red lion Hotel , Petty Cury . Bro . J . F . Symonds , Worshipful Matter , vvas in the chair , with

Bros . W . Dewberry and J . Royston in the Wardens' chairs . The Past Masters in attendance were Bros . J . Vail , J . Taylor , J . S . Youngman , F . Dewberry , George Cole , J . Sheldrick , E . H . Jennings , S . H . Sharman , and J . Fuller . There was a large attendance of brethren , and three visitin >> brethren .

A ballot was taken in respect of Mr . Sieveking , and the vote being unanimous , he was duly initiated by the VV . M . jn good style . Propositions vvere made in favour of one joining member and three candidates for initiation . The brethren appeared in mourning for the late Pro G . M . A vote of condolence was passed to Bro . Thomas Watts ,

P . M ., on the sad death of his wife in the previous week . At the banquet which followed the VV . M . gracefully alluded to the fact that Bro . Joshua Taylor , P . M ., had been elected an Alderman of the ancient Borough of Cambridge , and the congratulations of the lodge vvere tendered , whereupon Bro . Taylor made an appropriate response .

HAMPTON COURT . Villiers Lodge ( No . no ^ . —The installation meeting of this successful lodge took place at the Mitre Hotel on Saturday , the 4 th inst ., when Bro . G . J . Thomas vvas installed as VV . M . for the ensuingyear . The members present included Bros . R . Saxton Besant , VV . M . ; G . ThomasS . W . ; R . T . PearceJ . VV . ; VV . DoddPP

, , , .. G . D ., Sec . ; E . Bull , S . D . ; Raymond H . Thrupp , Dep , Prov . G . M . ; VV . Vickery , P . P . G . S . B . Dorset ; J . Adams , P . M . ; P . Mormon , P . M . ; VV . Vincent , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; E . Monson , jun ., P . M . ; F . H . Green , P . M . ; T . A . Woodbridge , P . M . ; H . J . Pellatt , C . Dodd , J . F . Collinson , E . J . Mills , J . D . ; and others . The lodge was openedthe minutes confirmedand a

, , satisfactory audit report received and adopted . Bro . S . Pond was then raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason . The VV . M . next proceeded to mstall Bro . G . J . Thomas , VV . M . elect , into the chair of K . S ., which he performed in a highly creditable manner . Ihe following officers vvere appointed and invested : Bros . Richard 'f .

Pearce , S . VV . ; G . S . Peachey , J . VV . ; VV . Vincent , P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; W . Dodd , P . P . G . D ., Sec . ; E . J . Mills , S . D . ; H . J . Pellatt , J . D . ; C . Dodd , I . G . ; W . Vickery D . C ; J . F . Collinson , Stwd . ; H . Wicks , Org . ; and J . Gilbert , Tyler . The addresses having been effectively rendered by the Installing Masterthe VV . M . proved his

, qualification for the chair by impressively initiating Mr . F . A . Rayner into Freemasonry . The resignation of Bro . the Earl of Jersey , who is about to proceed abroad , was accepted with regret . Bro . Monson , P . M ., expressed his willingness to represent the lodge at the next Festival of the R . M . B . I .

The lodge was closed , and a banquet followed , which vvas served in a manner fully sustaining the reputation of this hostelry . The usual toasts were subsequently given , and heartily received .

Provincial Meetings.

Bro . E . M . Money , G . Stwd ., replying for "The Grand Officers , " said he felt it a great honour to respond for the toast . Having alluded in touching terms to the death of the Pro G . M ., he said it was a necessity—in a body extending so widely as that of Freemasonry—to have a man who could ably preside over the meetings of Grand Lodge . He thought , as a Grand Officer for the year , he could very

sincerely congratulate the VV . M . and the lodge on the work he had witnessed . He had been to other lodges in the province , but had never visited the Villiers Lodge before . The I . P . M . vvas an old friend of his , and he vvas pleased to see him perform the ceremony that evening . The VV . M . next proposed "The Prov . Grand Master and Prov . Grand Officers , " and said he should be excused if he

said , in matters of importance , that was equal to the previous toast . It would ill become him—a young Mason—to say much about Sir Francis Burdett , the Prov . Grand Master , although that brother was a younger Mason physically speaking . He had hoped their Prov . Grand Master would have been present , but failing that , they could congratulate themselves upon having so able and worthy a representative

as the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , to mention whose name vvas always to meet with a cordial and enthusiastic acceptance . Bro . Thrupp vvas known to every Mason , and worked hard in the Craft , so that if the W . M . faltered he vvas ready with a whisper to set him right . Bro . Raymond H . Thrupp , D . P . G . M ., said that after such a flattering reception he should be wanting in brotherly

love and affection if he did not at once rise to thank them . As far as the Prov . Grand Master vvas concerned , they hoped to have him with them for many years to come . 1 he interest taken by their Prov . Grand Master in the Craft , and especially in the province , was shown by the fact that on the 25 th inst . in that room his eldest son vvas to be initiated into the great Craft .

Speaking personally , he always received such a kind and hearty welcome that it vvas a pleasure to visit lodges and make acquaintance with new faces . Bro . Money had spoken in eulogistic terms of the work that evening , but as he arrived before that brother , he could testify to the working of the I . P . M . and VV . M ., and also the officers , for , having been through the chair on many occasions , he knew the great

assistance rendered by good officers . It rested with the officers and also with the members in finding good candidates , whether a Master had a good or bad year , and whether the year vvas a prosperous one . With regard to the Woodward testimonial , they had presented Bro . Woodward with a gold watch , and as they had so much money in hand , they presented Mrs . Woodward with a handsome

diamond bracelet . He again thanked the brethren for their kindness , and wished the VV . M . a prosperous year of office . " The VVorshipful Master" was given by Bro . S . Besant , LP . M ., who said it was a very pleasing duty he had to perform . 'Those who had the privilege of seeing - Bro . Thomas , VV . M ., work in the various chairs must have felt that when he came to the position of Master he would worthily fulfil

the duties . lt afforded him great pleasure to see Bro . Thomas in the chair , as he had been of great assistance during the past year . Bro . G . Thomas , VV . M ., said he had risen to thank them for the kind manner in which the I . P . M . had proposed the toast , and for the cordial reception accorded it . It was the one thing he dreaded , but the ceremonies he did not mind , because he thought that by diligent application he might

become proficient . It was the one thing that had detracted from his enjoyment , but he knew he vvas surrounded by brethren who were as full of sympathy as he vvas with them . He could only hope that the kindly things said of him would be verified , and he knew he should have a tower of strength in the I . P . M . It was always a good thing to have support , and it would be a great satisfaction to him to feel that every assistance would be accorded him by the I . P . M . and officers .

The VVorshipful Master next proposed "The Installing and Immediate Past Master , " and presented Bro . S . Besant , I . P . M ., with a Past Master ' s jewel he had so well earned , expressing the hope that he might be spared many years to wear it . The I . P . M . had been one of the shining lights of the lodge , and as far as he knew had never been prompted in the ceremonies . It was a hard task to go through the

three ceremonies , but Bro . Besant had done that , and done it well , and it was therefore a great pleasure to present him with the jewel . Bro . Saxton Besant , I . P . M ., said , with reference to the work during the past year , it was his wish from the time he entered Masonry to become a ruler in the Craft . It had been his good fortune to meet with brethren who had helped him in the ritual . The jewel would remind him of the

pleasant year he had spent as their VV . M . He thanked them for the kind manner in which they had assisted him , and especially the officers for their hearty support . He could not have done what he had without such good officers . He again thanked them for their kind feeling towards him . " The Initiate" having been honoured , " The Past Masters" vvas given , and replied to by Bros . Besant ,

I . P . M ., and Woodward , P . M . Bros . Vincent , P . P . G . S . B ., Treas ., and Dodd , P . P . G . D ., Sec , responded for " The Treasurer and Secretary , " and Bros . Bailey , P . M . 1540 , and Rev . H . Dicker , Chap . 1996 , returned thanks on behalf of "The Visitors . " Bio . R . T . Pearce , S . W , on behalf of "The Officers , " said he felt he had arrived at the height of his ambition in having to respond for the officers of the Villiers Lodge .

He felt like a man on the edge of a precipice—he could not go forward and could not go back . He could assure the VV . M ., speaking for the officers , they wished him a pleasant year of office , and hoped that at the end of that period he would be as proud of his officers as he was that night and as they were of him . He returned sincere thanks for the hearty manner in which the toast had been received . The Tyler ' s toast closed a very successful and pleasant evening * .

HASTINGS . Derwent Lodge ( No . 40 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the Castle Hotel , on Monday , the 13 th instant , when there were present Bros . VV . S . Allen , W . M . ; F . C . Edwards , S . VV . ; G . Randell , J . VV . ; Rev . J . Puttick , P . G . C , Chap . ; J . Pearce , P . M ., Sec ; R . Walmsley , S . D . ; G . H . Gage , J . D . ; C VV . Duke ,

P . P . S . G . W ., D . of C ; C . J . Ticehurst , I . C ; L . J . Jakes , Stwd . ; T . H . Cole , M . A . P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ; T . VV . Markwick , P . M . ; F . Plowman , P . M . ; VV . H . Russell , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ; Capt . Hennah , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; W . M . Glenister , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; T . Trollope , M . D ., P . M ., P . G . D ., & c ; H . Boyce , VV . J . Bourn , T . II . Tcndall , G . Heaphv , F . G . Tyrrell , A . G .

Provincial Meetings.

Hickman , J . J . Whitehouse , W . A . Beck , and E . J . McCormick . Visitors : Bros . J . B . Foster , S . VV . 11 S 4 ; W . T . Jordan , P . M . 11 S 4 ; VV . T . Huckell , 1636 ; and T . " H . Dewhurst , P . M . 1 403 . The lodge having been opened , Bros . Hickman and Bourn vvere passed to the Second Degree , and Mr . H . J . Russell initiated . On the proposition of the

W . M ., it vvas unanimously agreed to send hearty and fraternal congratulations from the brethren of the lodge to Bro . Lord Brassey on his marriage . Bro . T . H . Cole , M . A ., P . P . A . G . D . C , read a paper , the title of vvhich he corrected from " The Antecedents of Freemasonry" to "Freemasonry , " in vvhich , by some useful original matter and extracts from various authors , an

able , interesting , and instructive resume vvas compiled . On the motion of Bro . Trollope , M . D ., P . G . D ., a hearty vote of thanks vvas accorded Bro . Cole , the talented author , for the valuable paper , and Bro . Trollope expressed a hope that it would be published . He was pleased to see Bro . Cole , who had worked in the lodge for more than 20 years , well enough to be able to take the active part he did . Bro Cole said he

was grateful for the kind expressions of the brethren , especially to Bro . Trollope , but as the paper vvas chiefly extracts from already published works , it was hardly written for publication in newspapers . On the suggestion of the Secretary , Bro . Cole consented to the paper being printed in pamphlet form , and circulated amongst members of the lodge .

LINCOLN . Witham Lodge ( No . 297 )—The hrst meeting after the recess was held on Monday evening , the 13 th inst ., at the Freemasons' Rooms . Bro . VV . Dixon , P . P . G . O ., VV . M ., occupied the chair , there being a good attendance of members and several visitors , including * Bros . Townrow , VV . M . Southwell Lodge ; H . Price , P . M . 177 , 230 S ; W . Pearson , 163 ; and brethren of St . Hugh Lodge , 13 SO .

The lodge having been opened , the VV . M . and officers rendered the questions on the second tracing board in a very creditable manner , the VV . M . afterwards giving a very interesting lecture on the tracing board of the Second Degree . A hearty vote of thanks vvas accorded to the W . M . and officers for the instruction the brethren had received . The lodge vvas then closed , and the brethren afterwards partook of refreshments .

MANCHESTER . Friendship Lodge ( No . 44 ) . —The members of this old lodge held their annual Festival of St . John , on Friday , the 3 rd instant , at the Albion Hotel . In the , unavoidable absence of the W . M ., Bros . Coombs , the lodge vvas opened by Bro . Stephen Smith , the senior Past Master . There vvere present Bros . Chas . Hobbins , S . W . ( VV . M

elect ); F . VV . Woollaston , J . VV . ; the Rev . VV . Wilkinson , Chap . ; H . J . Cutter , P . M ., Treas . ; John Chadwick , P . G . S . B . Eng ., Sec ; F . G . Berry , S . D . ; Nathan Heywood , J . D . ; VV . G . Mills , I . G . ; J . VV . Woodall , P . M . ; Chas . Woodall , P . M . ; R . Thompson , E . A . Smith , A . T , Corner , A . D . Humphreys , and others . Visitors : Bros . J . H . Sillitoe , P . P . G . Std . Br ., P . P . G . W . ; Capt . Lingard ,

P . J . G . W . ; J . VV . Abbott , P . P . G . D . C ; J . Wildgoose , P . P . G . D . ; and Martin Thomas , P . M . 204 . After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed , Bro . J . H . Sillitoe , who had been called upon at short notice , assumed the W . M . 's chair , and installed Bro . Chas . Hobbins as W . M . in his usual impressive and correct manner . In this ceremony he was ably assisted

by Bro . J . VV . Abbott , who acted as D . C , and delivered the addresses to the Wardens and brethren at the proper period . The newly-installed VV . M . invested his officers with marked ability , as follows : Bros . Woollaston , S . AV . ; F . VV . Berry , J . VV . ; the Rev . VV . Wilkinson , Chap . ; IT . J . Cotter , P . M ., Treas . ; John Chadwick , Sec ; N . Heywood , S . D . ; J . VV . Mills , J . D . ; R . Thompson , I . G . ; E . A .

Smith , Org . ; A . T . Corner and A . D . Humphreys , Stwds . ; and Jas . Sly , Tyler . At the conclusion of the ceremony " Hearty good wishes " vvere given by the visiting brethren , and the lodge vvas closed . At the banquet which followed , presided over by the

VV . M ., the usual loyal and Masonic toasts vvere duly honoured , and special allusion was made to the valuable and timely services of Bros . Sillitoe and Abbott . Bro . Martin Thomas and other brethren enlivened thc evening with some excellent songs , and Bro . E . A . Smith presided at the pianoforte most efficiently .

[ NORTH WOOLWICH . Henley Lodge ( No . 1472 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of the above flourishing lodge took place on the 7 th inst ., at the Three Crowns Hotel . Bro . C . Wood , W . M ., presided , assisted by the following officers and brethren : Bros . C . Canning , I . P . M . ; A . Knight , S . VV . ; C . Powling , J . W . ; C . Jolly , P . M ., Sec ; B . Curtis ,

S . D . ; J . Glading , J . D . ; J . Delo , I . C ; VV . Turvey , D . C ; A . T . Ives , P . M . ; E . VVest , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . Herts ; and some 50 members of the lodge . Among the visitors were Bros . Tufnell , Long , and Smith , of 700 ; and others . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes confirmed , the ballot was taken for Mr . IT . Golding , and

proving unanimous that gentleman was duly initiated . Bros . Tumber and Stehfast vvere raised , after vvhich the lodge was closed . After partaking of a nicely served supper , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts vvere honoured , and the brethren spent , under the rule of the genial Master , an hour or two in pleasant converse or grateful harmony .

STOCKPORT . Unanimity Lodge ( No . 287 ) . —On Wednesday , the 1 st inst ., a meeting of this lodge was held at the White Lion Hotel , when two veryinteresting ceremonies were performed . There vvas a large attendance of brethren and visitors . The following were present : Bros . James Cookson , P . G . Treasurer , VV . M . ; Wm . Lancaster , S . W . ; C .

Bullock , acting J . W . ; R . C Blakehurst , P . M ., Sec ; Chas . Dawson , I . P . M . ; ^ Jno . Leigh , P . M ., D . C ; Rev . Arthur Symonds , P . G . Chap . ; Alfred Taylor , P . M . ; Geo . McCelland , P . M ., P . J . G . D . ; J . VV . Howard , S . D . ; J . Martin , J . D . ; Geo . Roberts , P . G . Stwd ., I . G . ; Arthur

Keymer , Jas . A . Cookson , Frank Brooke , and many others . Visitors : Bros . Richard Newhouse , P . G . Sec ; Herbert Finch , P . M ., P . G . Registrar ; Jno . Berresford , P . M , P . P . G . D . ; Jno . P . Bardsley , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br . ; Councillor N . D . Fairbrother , P . M ., P . G . Stwd . ; li . Taylor , P . G . Stwd . ; George Gaskill , VV . M . 104 ; Jno .