Provincial.

Sublime Degree of Master Mason . The Master then closed down to the 1 st Degree , when Mr . William Hardie and Br . Cunningham were initiated into the ancient mysteries of Freemasonry , after which the Lodge was closed in due form .

WILTSHIKE . PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE . New Swindon . — On Wednesday , . the 10 th of September , the B . W . the Prov . G . M . for Wiltshire , Bro . Lord Methuen , held a Lodge for the transaction of the business of the province in the New Hall , New Swindon , which was attended by about fifty Brethren . The Grand Lodge having been

duly opened , the B . W . the Grand Master expressed his satisfaction at the progress of the Craft in this province enuring his absence on foreign duty , more especially in the course of the last year , in which a Lodge had been established at Devizes , under the presidency of their active Grand Secretary , who had initiated an unusual number of Brethren in so short a time ; this resulted , undoubtedly , from the impetus first given to Masonry in this province by his worthy D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Gooch .

The venerable and worthy Bro . Sheppard , G . Treas ., having reported the funds in a prosperous state , his Lordship the Prov . Grand Master proceeded to appoint the following officers for the year ensuing , viz .: —Bros . E . Roberts , S . G . W . ; T . Goddard , J . G . W . ; J . H . Sheppard , G . Treas . ; Rev . G . Campbell , G . Chap . ; Collings , G Reg . ; H , Weaver , G . Sec ; T . E . Marsh , S-G . D . ; T . L . Henly , J . G . D . ; G . P . Stancomb , G . Dir . of Cers . ; J . Burt , G . Sword-bearer ; C . E . Owen , G . Poursuivant ; W . Biggs , John Long , and Hopkins , G . Stewards .

All other business having been ended , the Grand Lodge was closed , and the Brethren adjourned to the Queen ' s Hotel , where an elegant and first-rate banquet was served by Bro . Phillips . The Prov . Grand Master presided , supported by Sir W . W . Wynn , Bart ., Prov . G . M . for Shropshire and North Wales ; Bros . Gooch , D . Prov . G . M . ; the Prov . G . Chap . ; Captains Bulkley and J . B . Dickson , R . N . ; C . B . Calley , M . C . Rea , & c . The S . and J . G . Wardens ably

officiated as Vice-Presidents . Among the company were Bros . Collings , G . Beg . ; Sheppard , G . Treas . ; Weaver , G . Sec . ; and the other officers that day appointed , as well as Bros . Hodgkinson , Golden , Temple , White , Oliver , and several other distinguished Prov . Grand Officers and Brethren from other Lodges . On the removal of the cloth , the Masons' first toast , " The Queen and the Craft , " was given from the chair and duly honoured .

The Prov . Grand Master then gave " Sir Watkin W . Wynn , Prov . G . M . for Shropshire and North Wales , " who , in responding thereto , expressed the very great pleasure it gave him to again meet bis old friend , Lord Methuen , presiding over his province , and discharging the duties of his exalted position in the same able manner in which he at all times acquitted himself of his military and other duties , and concluded by proposing his health .

The Prov . G . M , Lord Methuen returned thanks in an able speech , assuring the Brethren that the high state of prosperity Masonry had attained in the province was to be attributed to his excellent Deputy Bro . Gooch , and the zealous officers , Bro . Weaver and others , acting with him . Thus it was that he saw Bro . Burt and many recently-initiated Brethren , whom he had never seen at a previous meeting , and he hoped each succeeding year to see more additions to the Craft .

His lordship concluded by proposing " The Health of Bro . Gooch , D . Prov . G . M . " who responded thereto in suitable terms . Next followed "The Visitors , " to which Bros . Chick , P . Prov . G . S . W ., of Bristol , and Captain Dickson , R . N ., severally responded . ( irni , „ T \/ r 4 . _ p r _ i >> _ i i j „ i i » * -n n - -m ir . r > The Masters of Lod to b Master of

" ges" was responded y Bro . Collings , Monckton Farleigh Lodge . Bro . Sheppard , Treas ., was next toasted , with many a hearty wish that wo may yet see him for some time to come taking the same good ca . ro of our funds . Several other toasts followed , and the Brethren separated in perfect harmony shortly before nine o ' clock .