Provincial.

k uniting not only the Past Master ' s emblems , but also those of the Prov , G . Chap . ; was of solid gold , and manufactured by our well-known Masonic jeweller , Bro , Spencer , of the Strand . It was presented in the name of the Lodge by Bro . Howells , the W . M ., in appropriate and very feeling remarks . " The duty that

now devolves upon me , " said he , " was similar to the one I had the pleasure of performing some twelve months since" ( alluding to a token of respect presented to the same Brother by his Officers and Brethren ) . " Allow me at the same time to express the unanimous opinions of the Brethren of this Lodge , that never was Brother more deserving of wearing such a jewel than yourself . May you long live to wear it , and may you live as long as it will wear , for it is of good metal , like yourself . "

Bro . Gwynne acknowledged the acceptance of the superb jewel , and stated that he had so often been called upon to acknowledge their almost unparalleled kindness to a humble member of their noble Fraternity ( in which kings thought it no disgrace to be enrolled ) , that he must say feelingly , " some men were born to honour , and some had blushing honours thrust thick upon them ; " he was one of the latter . He concluded a speech of some length , by assuring them that , live where he might , of as long as he might , their kindness would never be effaced from his memory .

Bro . Howells hoped they would not consider , from what he was going to say , that he was at all vain or egotistical ; but since he had had the pleasure of seeing them , he had visited the Lodge of his native town " Carmarthen , " where he had experienced the greatest kindness from the Brethren of St . Peter ' s Lodge , who invited him to a dinner consisting of the choicest viands and wines . He considered this compliment paid to him , as much on account of his being W . M . of

No . 435 ( and therefore of the Lodge ) as from his being a townsman . They displayed their kindness to him in other ways , and he merely mentioned this to show that there was something more in Masonry than the name . He had a precedent for saying this in the R . W . Prov . G . M ., who last year informed the Brethren of No . 435 ( and Prov . Grand Lodge ) of the noble reception he had met with from the Brethren of the Continent , and of Switzerland especially .

On the motion of Bro . Gwynne , P . M ., seconded by Bro . J . Davies , S . D ., it was unanimously agreed that a vote of thanks from the Brethren of Noah ' s Ark Lodge should he given to the Brethren of St . Peter ' s Lodge , Carmarthen , for the fraternal feelings shown to them in the person of their esteemed W . M . Lodge was closed in due form , and the Brethren adjourned to banquet , at which they were also joined by the visitors to their " Lodge working "—the B . W . Prov .

G . M . of Staffordshire , Col . Geo . Vernon ; Bro . Dr . Benton , P . M ., of No . 876 , and P . Prov . G . S . W . ; Bro . Thomas James , P . M ., No . 876 , and P . Prov . G . S . D . ; Bro . W . Bristow , P . M ., No . 313 , and Prov . G . S . B . of Worcestershire . Bro . J . B . Bobinson , W . M ., No . 876 ; Bro . the Bev . T . W . Herbert , J . W ., No . 313 ; Bro . Jackson , Sec , No . 960 ; and Bro . W . Wigginton , Sec , No . 313 .

The usual loyal toasts having been given , the W . M .. proposed that of " The Bight W . Prov . G . M . Col . Vernon , " who , in reply , stated his intentions , as a slight compliment to the Noah ' s Ark , to hold the Prov . Grand Lodge under their banner . West Bromwich . —Dartmouth Lodge , ( No . 960 ) .- —The Prov . G . M . for Staffordshire ( Col . Vernon ) has appointed July the 21 st , at twelve o ' clock ^ , noon , for the consccratiooi of this new Lodge . We have no doubt but that a very large assembly will grace this most interesting ceremony—a report of which we intend giving .

The Provincial Git and Lodge-mee'Iihg l ^ or Staffordshire will be held in September next , at Tipton , when a large number of the Brethren from the adjoining provinces are expected to fraternize with the Craft in Staffordshire . Due notice will be given in our September number . SOUTH WALES .

Abeedaee . —bl . David ' s Lodge . —A new Lodge was opened on June 18 , at the Queen's Hotel , Aberdare—host , Mr . Edward Watkins . Brethren from Swansea , Cardiff , Merthyr , and other neighbouring towns , were present , and took