Pkovincxal,

had done more for the cause of education , especially in Newcastle , than their very excellent friend the Vicar . They all looked up to him with the highest degree of respect and reverence , for they knew him to be a " true man . " He begged to give them " The Health of the Vicar , " and " Prov . G . Chap , for the Province . "

Bro . the Rev . C . Moody , in reply , said the way in which they had received the last toast was most gratifying to him . He ( the Vicar ) had , since lie came to reside in Newcastle , done all that he could for the good of the town . He felt proud to be ranked among the friends of education ; and thanked them all most cordially for the very warm reception he had met with on . that auspicious and interesting

. Other toasts having been drunk , the company separated . NEWCASTLE-OX'TYXE . N ( —orthumberland Lodge No . 985 ) . —Tuesday , November the 4 th , being the first meeting of this Lodge , the attendance of members was good . The Lodge was opened by the W . M . Bro . Jobling , assisted by the following Officers : —Bros . C . D . Davis , P . M . ; B . J . Thompson , S . W . ; Wm . Johnston ,

J . W . ; John Hopper , Sec . ; G . P . Birkenshaw , S . D . ; Frederick Shaw , J . D . ; Henry Bell , S . S . ; C . W . Rose , J . S . ; J . Barker , I . D . ; John Trotter , Tyler ; and several other Brethren . A gentleman was ballotted and accepted for initiation . The bydaws of the Lodge , previously prepared by a committee , were passed . Two propositions , including the R . W . Prov . G-. M ., as joining member , were made ; and sundry other matters of routine gone through , the Brethren separating hi love and harmony at half-past nine p . m .

SOUTH WALES , Brecknock . — -Breclcnoch Lodge ( No . 936 ) . —The highest personage in this county was installed W . M . of this Lodge , by Bro . Ribbans , a few weeks back . Colonel Lloyd Vaughan Watkins , M . P ., and lorddieutenant of Brecon , is the present Master , and takes a great deal of interest in Masonic matters . He was initiated by Bro . Ribbans , who is Treasurer to the Lodge now so conspicuous in this part of the principality . We heartily wish our distinguished Bro . Watkins had not declined the additional honours of Prov . Grand Master for the eastern division of

South Wales ; but such is the fact . Carmarthen . —St . Peter ' s Lodge ( No . 699 ) . —At the last general meeting of the members of this Lodge , an unanimous vote of thanks was ordered to be recorded on the minutes to our old friend and Brother Ribbons , for his assiduity and zeal in furthering the objects of Masonry in general , and especially for his laborious devotion to the interests of this Lodge in particular , through a course of twelve

years ; and also , for the care and vigilance he has displayed as Treasurer to the Lodge . Bro . Ribbans initiated three into the Order , and passed one ; after which the members proceeded to tbe election of Worshipful Master for the year 1857 , when Bro . W . Thomas , Prov . S . W ., was declared chosen for that office ; and it was resolved to instal the Worshipful Brother on the 11 th of December , when the Brethren intend to celebrate the event by a dinner at the Ivy Hotel .

This Lodge now numbers many of the first people in the neighbourhood amongst its friends ; and if we may judge from reports , there are few Lodges in the kingdom where the true old-fashioned ( Gilkes ' s ) modes of working are better performed . It appears to us somewhat singular that Bro . Ribbans , who has all the work to arrange , and a great deal more than his share to do , should not have been nominated

as the W . M . Surely it must be an oversight amongst the Past Masters ; at all events it is subject of inquiry with many good Masons and true , why Bro . Ribbans should be apparently passed over . We speak after Bro . Morgan , whose good cheer at the Boar ' s Head Hotel at Carmarthen we have more than once shared and enjoyed , and than whom a more devoted Brother and companion does not live in South Wales .

Llanelly . —The Prince of Wales ' s Lodge ( No . 969 ) . —This now Lodge continues to progress steadily under the able presidency of the present Master . The meetings are held on the first Thursday in the month , and Bro . Byuon , the host of the Thomas Arms , does his best to make all happy .