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in the furtherance of such a scheme as the one they had that day so well commenced . ( Applause . ) The Corporation of the Trinity House of Newcastle having heen toasted , The Vice-chairman ¦ then said : — " Mr . Mayor , I do not know that a greater honour could have been done to myself than by entrusting to me the toast which I hold in my hand . I have the pleasure to propose to you the health of ' The

Provincial Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons of Northumberland . ' Whether I consider the high character and attainments of the Master of this important branch of Masonry , or whether I look to the ancient and noble families with which he is connected , he is equally entitled to our admiration in these and in other respects . But when I look upon him as an individual associated with a most important society—a society which carries charity and benevolence in all directions , for I may almost say that in whatever country a man may find himself ,

he meets with a Mason , and every Mason he meets with is a brother and a friend , —I say , that to see a gentleman of Mr . Ogle ' s position in society making common cause with a number of gentlemen of the same benevolent feelings with himself , and bringing out all the influence which his station commands to bear on this great and important subject , it redounds in honour of the very highest degree to himself . I therefore propose , with very great pleasure , the health of Mr . Ogle , and all the Brethren connected with the Lodges of Northumberland . "

The Rev . C . E . Cole , after a few preliminary remarks in responding , humorously continued : — ft It has been most truly said that Freemasons take a pleasure in associating themselves with those who engage in doing good to their fellow-creatures . And there are many here present—amongst them , many of our fair guests—who would be glad to know from me , as the Prov . G . M . of Northumberland , what is the great secret of Masonry . I know that many of them have even asked their husbands what it is . I have often longed for a good opportunity of telling it

myself ; and where such an opportunity as the present is afforded , I will not allow it to escape , but 1 will reveal to our fair guests what is the great secret of Freemasonry , and set their curiosity at rest for ever . The great secret that we have to tell one another , is , that we promise to be good husbands , and good fathers , and good brothers . Therefore , let me urge upon our fair guests the strong necessity of

their immediately impressing upon all who are nearest and dearest to them , the extreme importanceof immediately joining our ranks . But , " continued the reverend gentleman , " in sober earnest , all that I have said is true . Their great object—and let that suffice—is to do good to all men . On all occasions where the good of our fellow-creatures is concerned , I and my fellow-Masons of Northumberland will always be found at our post . "

A variety of other toasts were drunk , not forgetting the health of the worthy Vicar , who had been the original cause of the meeting . A benediction closed the proceedings of the day , which were throughout of a most agreeable character .

NORTH WALES . Bangor . —The " Brethren of the Mystic Tie , " resident in Bangor and the neighbourhood , and subscribing to the St . David ' s Lodge , No . 540 , celebrated , by anticipation , on Tuesday , Dec . 19 , the Festival of St . John , in order that their doing so on the regular Lodge night might save the unpleasantness of clashing

with other celebrations of the patron saint , at the proper time , in Lancashire , Cheshire , and Shropshire . The attendance—probably on account of the bad state of the weather—was not so numerous as had been expected , but there was a ftiir muster of those who are known to take an interest in the proceedings and welfare of this distinguished and truly noble Order .

The business ( comprising two initiations and one raising ) of the Lodge having been transacted in the Lodge-room , the Brethren adjourned for refreshment to the Castle Hotel , where Bro . Bicknell had provided a most recherche banquet , which was enjoyed by the select number of eighteen . The W . M . of the Lodge , Bro . Stevenson , V . W . P . P . J . G . D ., of North Wales and Shropshire , presided , the W . M . of the Segontium Lodge , No . 881 , Carnarvon , Bro . Jennings , V . . P . P . G . D . C . of Oxfordshire , acting as S . W ., and P . M . Bro . Pritchard , V . W . P . P . S . G . D . North Wales and Shropshire , occupying the chair of J . W ., P . M . Bro . Martin ,