Provincial.

The Prov . G . M . now rose , and the Brethren separated , after spending most satisfactorily a j ) leasant day . Among the visitors present we noticed ,, besides the Rev . Bro . Owen , Bros . Dr . Rowe , Herbert Lloyd , and John Hervey , P . S . G . Ds . ; and Bro . Patten , P . G . S . B . of England , Bro . How , Prov . G . D . C ., Herts , etc .

Gravesend . —Lodge o f Freedom ( No . 91 ) . — A very strong muster of the Brethren of the above Lodge took place at Bro . Wales' last week ; and , after opening with solemn prayer , entered upon their duties with all the energy and skill which so distinguish our Kent Brethren . This Lodge , from the sprinkling of purple aprons , is one of the most effective we know of ; and we are happy to see the Prov . G . M . for Kent , recognising the ability of our Bro . Nicoll , has conferred the P . G . apron upon him : and to give every deserving Brother his due ,

we may be pardoned for noticing the very beautiful embroidery of Bro . Nicoll ' s apron , & c ., all from the workshop of Bro . John Mott Thearle , of Fleet Street . The work of the Lodge consisted in the initiating of E . Norris , the passing of Bro . Gibbon , the raising of Bros . E . Evans and E . Everest . The banquet , which was served up in Bro . Wales' proverbially excellent style , and choicely illustrated by the best wines , passed off most satisfactorily . After the cloth had been removed , and the various established toasts of the evening had been given by the W . M . in

his , usual happy style , Bro . Briveau rose , and in a most eloquent speech proposed , that in consideration of the very able manner in which Bro . Rt . Spencer had performed the duties of W . M . of that Lodge , a gold jewel in recognition of such services be presented him . Bro . Hill having seconded this , Bro . Dobson rose , and spoke of the ties that bound Masons together , in the past , present , and future ; and of the acts and kindnesses so recorded in all climes , and in the most adverse circumstances , by and toward Masons . Bro . Dobson concluded a most effective speech by highly eulogizing the manner in which Br . Spencer had

performed the duties of his office . And so , with good speeches and excellent harmony , the hours fleeted quickly . The chimes from the church struck very sweetly some hour or other , —we had not nerve enough to count which it was : a strong scent of hay greeted us from the south , of sea-weed from the north , and of shrimps from ali quarters of the compass , as we went to our Gravesend bed ; and we dreamed that good-tempered Prov . G . M ., Bro . Burton Cooper , had , with his usual discrimination ( considering we belonged to no Lodge in the province ) , made us some high Officer or other , but which , memory fails to record .

LANCASHIRE . Manchester . —Provincial Grand Lodge . —A special meeting was held at the Bush Hotel , on Thursday , the 22 nd day of May , by command of the R , W . Bro . Stephen Blair , D . Prov . G . M .

A Craft Lodge having been opened in the Three Degrees by Bro . Henry Carrigg , W . M . ( No . 52 ) , Manchester , as W . M . ; Bro . John Musgrave , S . W . ( No . 44 ) , Bolton , as S . W . ; Bro . John Garside , W . M . ( No . 62 ) , Rochdale , as J . W ., supported by the usual staff of Craft officers , the Provincial Grand Officers entered the Lodge . The W . Bro . John Bell ( No . 177 ) , Prov . S . G . W ., presided , and announced to the meeting that he had been requested to do so by the R . W . the D . Prov . G . M ., who was unavoidably absent from this meeting in consequence of his attendance in London , on parliamentary business . The W . Bro . John Bell , Prov . S . G . W ., declared the Provincial Grand Lodge open in form , and called upon the Prov . G . Sec . to read the circular by which this meeting had been

convened . The Prov . G . Sec . having read the circular convening the meeting—The W . Bro . Thos . Preston ( No . 75 ) , P . Dep . Prov . G . M ., offered some observations relative to a fund , raised many years ago , to establish a school for indigent female children . But , the meeting , having been convened for a special purpose , could not entertain the question , therefore Bro . Preston did not further press tho subject .

The W . Bro . John Bell , Prov . S . G . W ., then called upon Bro . T . P . Pollitf , S . W . ( No . 177 ) , Manchester , the mover of the resolutions in pursuance of which