Provincial.

Hojteh The duties of president were ably and most happily supplied by the acting Prov . G . M . W . Denis Moore , who was ably supported by Bros . W . H . Evens and J . C . Hancock , as Prov . G . S . and J . Ws . The usual Masonic and loyal toasts were duly honoured , and the party was dispersed at an earlier hour than it otherwise might have been , in order that , in the then prevailing rain ajid storm , the Brethren might be able to secure sufficient light to get out of the

forest-road . It is due to Bro . T . Gibson , of No . 325 , Grand Lodge of Ireland , and Sec . of the New Lodge , that his Masonic Brethren should know he was most energetic and active in advising , arranging , and making the preliminary steps for the warrant of its institution being obtained , and in the preparations for the ceremony of its dedication . In these labours he was heartily assisted by Bro . Piper , of No . 351 , Tavistock , and the S . W . of the New Lodge . The other Members of the New Lodge are Bros . R . J . Rowe , J . W . ; E . W . Wren , B . Worth , and the Rev . F . S . Batchelor .

HERTFORDSHIRE . Berkhampstead . —Provincial Grand Lodge . —The Grand Lodge of this province was held at the King ' s Arms Hotel , in Berkhampstead , on Wednesday , August 27 th , under the warrant of the Berkhampstead Lodge , No . 742 . Present : — The R . W . Bro . William Stuart , of Aldenham , Prov . G . M . ; the "V . W . Bro . Thomas Abel Ward , D . Prov . G . M . ; the V . W . Bro . George Francis , P . D .

Prov . G . M . of Surrey ; the W . Bro . H . H . Burchell Heme , P . Prov . G . S . W . ; the W . Bro . J . H . Patten , Prov . G . S . B . ; the W . Bro . F . Crew , Prov . G . Stew . ; the W . Bro . Thomas Rogers , Prov . G . Treas . ; the Rev . Bro . Frederick B . Harvey , Prov . G-. Chap . ; Bros . John Sedgwick , Prov . G . Sec . ; E . H . Law , Prov . G . S . D . ; J . How , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; John M . Thearle , Prov . G . S . B . ; John Lane , P . Prov . G . Purs . ; and several other Brethren .

The Prov . Grand Lodge was opened in due form , with solemn prayer . The minutes of the Prov . Grand Lodge , held at Hitchin , were read and confirmed . The Treasurer ' s Report , showing the financial state of the Grand Lodge Funds , was received and adopted . Bro . Thomas Rogers was unanimously re-elected Grand Treasurer , and invested with the Jewel of Office .

The Prov . G . M . then appointed and invested the following Brethren as Prov . Grand Officers : —Thomas Abel Ward , D . G . M . ; C . H . Law , S . G . W . ; D . G . Thane , T . G . W . ; John Sedgwick , G . Sec . ; George Francis , G . Reg . ; Rev . Fred . Burne Harvey , G . Chap . ; John Lane , G . Supt . of Works ; H . Webber , G . S . D . ; J . M . Thearle , G . J . D . ; J . How , G . Dir . Cer ., G . S . B . ; Davey , G . Purs . ; Ifervey Lane , G . S . ; T . Thomas , G . Tyler .

All business being disposed of , the Prov . Grand Lodge was closed in due form At half-past four the Brethren assembled at

THE BANQUET , which was laid out in the noble ball-room of the Hotel , and was amply supplied with the viands of the season , two fine haunches of venison being furnished by the Grand Lodge . The cookery and wines were alike creditable to Bro . Softlard ' s good taste and culinary skill . The cloth being removed and the grace sung by Bros . Shoubridge , Lawler , and Young , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts duly honoured , and Bro . Lawler having given the song of iC The Oak and the Ivy , "

Bro . Ward , the Dep . G . M ., asked the Brethren to fill bumpers to honour the toast , " The R . W . Bro . Stuart , their G . M ., who had so long and so ably presided over the province of Hertfordshire , and whom he prayed the G . A . O . T . U . Would for many years support with health to continue with them , taking the sentiment of Bro . Lawler \ s song , may Bro . Stuart be the oak and we the ivy that clings around him "— - ( cheers)—and a musical chorus , led by Bro . Crew .

rim . ... i ) .. . _ .. /« -it / r i . i n i , i i l i i n i .., .. 1 , „ 1 ™ The Prov . G . M . said , they all knew that he was not accustomed to make long speeches , and that he would simply say , that lie was much gratified with the reception his name had met . He was always kindly received by the Brethren 01 the province , and he hoped that many years might yet he spared him to preside