Provincial Lodges.

KENT . LODGE OF FREEDOM ( NO . 91 ) , AND LODGE OF SYMPATHY , GRAVESEND ( NO . 709 ) . —A very interesting meeting of the Members of these Lodges was held at the George Inn , in the early part of the month , where they sat down to a most sumptuous banquet , which did the greatest credit to the establishment of Br . Moore . The chair was taken by Br . F . Southgate , supported by his worship the Mayor ( Br . W . F .

Dobson ) , and Brs . Shavland , Nichol , Johnson , and Riveau . After the usual Masonic , loyal , ancl patriotic toasts had been given and responded to AA'ith great heartiness , the chairman said that the chief business of the evening was to do honour to a worthy brother , whose Masonic worth and great ability entitled him to the praise of the Craft , and whose kindness and affability had won for him thc regard of all the brethren . In order to show their appreciation of such sterling Masonic worth , the members of the two Gravesend Lodges had subscribed upwards of thirty guineas , -which had been

expended in the purchase of a very handsome silver tea service , which , in the name of the assembled brethren , he now presented to Br . Moore , as a testimonial of their esteem and affection , and as a token of their sense of his services to Masonry at the Lodge of Instruction . Br . Moore's health was then drunk with three times three hearty cheers . Br . Moore acknowledged this distinguished compliment in a very appropriate speech , and after several other Masonic toasts the meeting separated . Round the lid and outer rim of the teapot is engraved tho following inscription : — " Presented to Br . Henry William Moore , P . M . 20 , and P . P . G . J . D . for the Province of Kent , by the Members of fhe Lodge of Instruction of Lodges 91 and 709 , for his distinguished services . "

ADAMS LODGE , SHEERNESS ( NO , 184 ) . —On Tuesday , 9 th January , the installation of the W . M . took place . The business of tho evening commenced by the raising of Br . G . M . Smith , Lieut . R . N ., to the sublime degree of M . M ., AA'hich ceremony Avas performed by Br . Keddell , P . S . G . W ., Kent . The installation ceremony was ably conducted by Br . J . Townsend , P . P . G . R ., P . P . G . S . W ., and the able and active Secretary of the Lodge . Tho W . M . for the ensuing year , although a young Mason , bids fan . ' to be an active one , having evinced , during the time he has been a member

of the Lodge , such readiness in attaining that kno \ A'ledge so requisite to fill the chair Avith honour to himself and advantage to the Lodge , that he has fully succeeded in convincing the brethren , that their choice will prove a happy one ; indeed , the admirable manner in which he initiated two gentlemen into Masonry fully proved that Br . J . Whittall , Paymaster , R . N ., has richly deserved the Gavel . The following brethren were then invested : —Brs . Bigley , S . W . ; Capt . Forbes , ( R . A ) J . W . ; Court , S . D . ; Kett , J . D . ; L . Shrubsole , P . ; J . Townsend , S . ; Bate , I . G . ; Wilkins ,

Tyler . The Lodge having been closed , the brethren , to the number of 27 , sat down to an excellent banquet , arranged by their judicious Steward , Br . Bigley , and provided by Br . Da \ 'is , " mine host , " of the Fountain . The usual toasts were ably proposed by the W . M ., and cordially responded to by the brethren , and a high fund of comic humour emanated from Brs . Swandale Keddell , sen . ancl jun . The prospects of Masonry at Sheerness , are at present peculiarly promising , many initiations having taken place during tho past year , ancl those of a character calculated ,

to raise the Lodge to as high position in the province , as well as to extend Masonry , inasmuch as several of the neiA'ly initiated are officers of the army ancl Navy ; and Ave are happy to state , that three candidates for initiation were proposed for next Lodge night . Nor is this pleasing prospect confined to Craft Masonry , the Chapter attached to the Lodge is also prospering , ancl we have no doubt that both Lodge and Chapter Avill bear the test of a visit in the summer seasons from our metropolitan and our provincial brethren . Wc have much pleasure in adding , that the Lodge haA'e unanimously voted £ 5 to the Patriotic Fund , Avhich was forwarded to London last month .

LANCASHIRE—EAST DIVISION . LODGE OF FAITH OPENSHAAV , MANCHESTER ( NO . 847 ) . —The members of this Lodge met on the 5 th Jan ., 1855 , at the New Inn , Openshaw , when the W . M . Br . T . Swindells performed for the first time the beautiful and sublime ceremony of