Pkovincxal,

Prov . G . Purst . ; C . T . Freer , T . H . Pares , J . B . Haxby , P . S . dotterel ! / G . F . Lloyd , and H . E . Emberlin , Prov . G . Stewards .. A ballot having taken place for Prov . G . Treasurer , Bro . Joseph Underwood , Esq ., mayor , and P . Prov . G . J . W ., was unanimously elected . Other business of a routine character , including the reception of the late Treasurer ' s account , and reports from the Worshipful Masters of Lodges , was then

transacted ; after which , votes of thanks were passed to Bro . Millican , for his valuable services in executing and illuminating in so artistic and beautiful a manner the address to Lord Howe ; to the late Prov . G . Treasurer , Bro . Crawford , for his efficient services in that office for many years ; to the Rev . Bro . Fenwicke , Prov . P . G . Chaplain , for his excellent sermon ; and to the Rev . W . Barber , for the use of his church . The Lodge was then closed , and the Brethren adjourned to St , John ' s Lodgeroom at the Bell Hotel , where the banquet was to take place .

THE BANQUET . At five o ' clock , a very large and distinguished company sat down to a sumptuous dinner at the Bell Hotel . Earl Howe presided , supported on his right by Lord Curzon , Bro . Kelly , D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Colvile , M . P ., D . Prov . G . M . for Derbyshire , the Worshipful the Mayor ( Bro . Underwood ) , R . Toller , W . Freer , Captain Jackson , Captain

Costobadie , and S . Berridge ; and on the left by Bros . Sir A . G . Hazlerigg , Bart ., and 0 . T . Freer , S . Stone , town-clerk , J . D . Harris , ex-mayor , Revs . T . Jones and W . Barber . The vice-chairs were occupied by the Prov . Grand Wardens , Brothers Crawford and Buck . The high sheriff , and Colonels Keck and King , were prevented attending "b y prior engagements . Most of the Brethren present at the Grand Lodge attended the banquet , with many others who were prevented being present in the early part of the day .

The room was magnificently decorated for the occasion , and presented as brilliant a coup d ' ceil as we have ever witnessed upon a festive occasion . After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts , and a few of a local nature had been drunk , The Mayor said he had the honour on this occasion , to propose to them a toast whicn he was sure they would drink with the greatest pleasure . He had to propose the health of their noble Chairman , who , as a nobleman , was ever

foremost in kindness , humanity , and goodness of heart , and whom as a Mason they hailed as one of their brightest ornaments . It would be their pleasing duty to follow his directions , and lie hoped the world might be induced to estimate the proceedings of Masonry better than they had hitherto done . He hoped they would make themselves better acquainted with those proceedings , and then he was sure they would enrol themselves in its ranks . He begged to propose " The Right Hon . the Earl Howe , the Right Worshipful Prov . G . M . of Leicestershire . " The toast was drunk with tremendous cheers .

Earl Howe , on rising to return thanks , was greeted with overwhelming applause . He said , —I do not think I ever rose under feelings of greater embarrassment than on the present occasion . My feeling must be a two-fold one , first , how little fit I am to follow that good man in whose place I have now tbe honour to sit . lean assure you that , as an acquaintance and friendship of thirty-six years has convinced me , the principles of Masonry were never carried out by a better man—one more full of the milk of human kindness to every one about him , and having extraordinary talents which I do not possess in innnaging the concerns of

Masonry . He was an excellent working Mason , as well as an upright good man in every relation . Feeling as I did at the time of his lamented death , I do not think anything would have induced me to occupy this post , but the recollection that during a residence of about forty years of a not very short life in this county , I have never received , either in the town or county , an unkind word from any human being . I have always been treated with the greatest affection and kindness , and I may say charity to my great imperfections . I have been received in the most kind and Maaonic manner by those having the advantage of being Masons , and by those who unfortunately are not so . I therefore felt I should YOT < * IT , 5 8