Provincial.

WARWICKSHIRE . B IRMINGHAM . —Leigh Lodge of Bifle Volunteers ( No . 1189 ) . One of the most interesting ceremonies connected with Freemasonry took place , on Friday last , at the Masonic Rooms , Newhall-street , on the occasion of forming and consecrating a new loVe in connection with the Rifle Brigade . The lodge is called the Leigh Lodge of Rifle Volunteers ( No . 1189 ) , the Lord Lieutenant himself being the first AVorslupful Master . The

beautiful ceremony was most successfully conducted by Bro . Chas . W Elkington , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , assisted by Bros . AV . R . K . Bedford , G . Chap . ; Kittoe , Prov . G . Chap . ; Capt . BriggS ) Prov . G . Dir , of Cers . ; J . H . Bedford , Prov . G . Sec . ; and Capt . Machen , of Leamington , Prov . G . S . B . An extremely o-ood choir , under the conductorship of Bro . J . A . Baker , made the musical portion both attractive and imposing . Bro . J . A . " harmonium oration the

Beaumont also assisted at the . An upon Order was delivered by Bro . Bedford , after which Lord Leigh was regularly installed into the chair . He then proceeded to appoint Capt . Hebbert , S . W . ; Lieut . Turner , J . W . ; Capt . Ratcliff , Treas . ; Capt . Briggs and Lieut . Phillips , Sees . ; Capt . Chesshire and Capt . Everitt , Deacons ; Lieut . Mclnnis , M . C ., & c . Bro . Elkington then initiated Col , Mason , Dr . Hill , and Lieut . SaltOther business was then completedand the company

. , proceeded to an elegant banquet , provided by the lodge . Lord Leigh took the chair , supported on his right by Bros . Chas . AV . Elkington , D . Prov . G . M . ; Capt . Bowyer , Prov . G . M . Oxfordshire ; Rev . AV . R . K . Bedford , G . Chap . ; Captains Hebbert , Briggs , Molesworth , Royal . Dragoons ; A aughton , Muletin , Munchen , Ratcliff , Chesshire , Dr . Burton , D . Prov . G . M . Staffordshire , Capts . Mole and Malins , and on the left by Col . Mason , Dr . Bell Fletcher , P . D . Prov . G . M . ; and W . L . Smith ; Revs . J .

Coddrington , Kittoe , Prov . G . Cbap ., Ray , Dickens ( Warwick ) ; Dr . Forteith , and Mr . Calwell , Royal Dragoons ; Capt . Haddo , H . M . I . A . ; Ensign Elkington , H . M . 91 st . Reg . ; Dr . Nason , Lieut . Edwards , Salt , Bullock , Malins , Mclnnis , Ensign Edwards , Sir John Ratcliff , Jones , Roberts , King , of the Yeomanry , Bros . C . A . Lingard , Overill , Prov . G . YVardens , and the following Prov . G . Officers : Read , Astley , B . AV . Goode , Pursall , AVeiss , Roberts , Blake , J . H . Bedford , AVyman , H . Mullmer , and Bros . J . A . Baker , J . A . Beaumont , W . H . Beaumont , Thomas Bragg ,

John Bragg , George Jones ( W . M . 857 ) , Glydon , John Jones ( Worcester ) , Savage , Chandler , A aughan ( W . M . 88 ) , David Malins , jun ., & c . — "The Queen and the Craft" was ably given by Lord LEIGII , who alluded in a most feeling manner to the painful loss so recently sustained by our beloved Queen , and the kindness exhibited by Her Majesty in the fearful colliery accident at New Hartley ; "The Prince of AVales ; " "The Most AVorshipful the Grand Master , " " Earl de Grey and Ripon ; " and

"The Grand Lodge , " acknowleged by Bro . BEDFORD , G . Chap . — Bro . ELKINGTON proposed "The Health of Lord Leigh as Lord Lieutenant , Prov . Grand Master , and Worshipful Master of the Leigh Lodge , " and spoke of the great zeal Lord Leigii had always shown in all he undertook , how well he had earned the high esteem of every class in the county , and how much he was beloved by his brethren in Masonry . Bro . Elkington alluded to the services rendered to the A olunteer movement , Yeomanry ,

Militia , and Rifles , by the noble Lord as Lord Lieutenant . The toast was given with all the honours . —Lord LEIGH thanked his good brother on his right for the manner he had introduced his name , and he thanked the brethren from the bottom of his heart for the way they had received the toast . He could assure tbem how much pleasure it gave him to meet them there that day , and upon such an occasion . He was much gratified bthe beautiful

cerey mony he had witnessed in the lodge , and by the oration which Bro . Bedford had delivered , and which he hoped to have printed . —Lord LEIGH gave "The Army , Navy , Yeomanry , Militia , and Rifle Volunteers , " in a trnly military speech , and called upon Captain Molesworth , who responded for the Army , Captain King for the Yeomanry , Captain Vaughton for the Militia , and Colonel Mason for the Rifle Volunteers . —Lord LEIGH then proposed "The Health of Bro . Charles W . Elkington , D . Prov . G . M ., " and

congratulated him upon the success of the proceedings ; it was only one more to the many instances of his assistance to Freemasonry . —Bro . ELKINGTOIT thanked them for all tbe many kindnesses he had received , he called upon them to aid the Boy's School in March next , and thanked all those who had rendered such services to him that day . — "Captain Bowyer , P . G . M ., Oxon , " and " The Visitors , " was responded to by the gallant Capt . and Bro . Dr . Barton , D . Prov . G . M ., Staffordshire . —At this period the Prov . G . M . was obliged to retire , having to return to

Provincial.

return to Stoneleigh , and the chair was taken by Bro . ELKINGTON , who proposed " Bros . Hebert and Turner , the Wardens ,. and the other officers of the Leigh Lodge . " He was sure the lodge would be a prosperous one from the manner it has been taken up and carried forward by Bro . Hebert , assisted as he was by Bros . Turner , Briggs , and Charles Ratcliff . They had done well to name it after their excellent Prov . G . M ., and still better in obtaining Lord Leigii to take the chair . —Bro . HEBBERT

made , a suitable reply , and some most appropriate remarks upon Masonry . —Bro . FLETCHER then proposed "The ' Initiated Brethren , " Colonel Mason , Dr . Hill , and Lieutenant Salt , responded . Bro . Elkington proposed " Bro . J . A . Baker and his choir , with the Bros . Bragge . " Bro . Thomas Bragge and Bro . Baker , replied . " The Health of Bro . Charles Ratcliff , " was next given . Bro . Ratcliff had travelled 1200 miles to be present , and in repling made some feeling allusions to his travelsand

y , to the interest he took in this lodge . Bro . Captain Briggs , proposed "The Ladies , " which was responded to by Captain Ratcliff . The Tyler's toast concluded this most enjoyable day . AVe must not omit to say the pleasures of the evening were much increased by some excellent singing , under the arrangement of Bros . Piersall , Prov . G . Org ., and J . A . Baker . YORKSHIRE ( WEST . )

BATLET CARR , DEWSBURY . —St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 1129 . )—The regular meeting of this lodge was held in the lodge-roomon Monday evening , the 20 th ult ., under the presidency of the W . M ., Bro . Abraham Wilson , it being tbe first regular meeting since his installation . He proved himself duly qualified for the position by initiating in a very efficient manner Mr . Richard Hewitt , after which Bro . R . R . Nelson , P . M ., gave the explanation of the working toolsand Bro . John Armitage

, , Hon . Sec , the lecture on the tracing-board . Two gentlemen being proposed as candidates , and other general business being transacted , the lodge closed with solemn prayer , when the brethren adjourned to refreshment ; after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and severally responded to , and the brethren adjourned to their respective homes with the full assurance that the lodge was in a fair way to become a prosperous one .

Scotland.

SCOTLAND .

GLASGOW . GRAND MASONIC FESTIVAL . The annual festival of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow ., supported by all the lodges in the province , was held in the City Hall , on the 24 th Jan . The various lodges being pretty largely represented , and theFestival being open to their friends , the large hall was quite filled , nearly 1200 being present . Surmounting

the platform was the banner of the Provincial Grand Lodge , while above the west gallery hung the . flag of the Glasgow Freeman St . John ' s ; and the banners of the other lodges were suspended round the hall . Altogether , the spacious room presented an appearance brilliant and animated beyond what is the case on the occasion of ordinary soirees or festivals . By the permission of Lieutenant Colonel Middleton and officers , the excellent band of the 2 nd Regiment of Rifle Volunteers was in attendanceand

, while the company was assembling played a variety of pieces in capital style . It was confidently expected that the chair would have been taken by Sir Archibald Alison , Bart ., P . G . M . ; but business engagements prevented him from carrying out his original nation . Tnis was announced before the soiree commenced by D . P . G . M . Donald Campbell , wdio , after expressing his extreme regret at the unavoidable absence of the Provincial Grand

Master at the Sheriff Criminal Court , read the following note which he had received from him : — " Glasgow , Jan . 23 , 1862 . "My dear Sir and Brother , —I cannot tell you how much I regret that , owing to my having some heavy cases to try tomorrow , which will , I fear , extend to late in the evening , there is every likelihood of my being deprived of the pleasure of attending your soiree to-morrow evening .

"If the cases should conclude in time I will come to your meeting with pleasure ; but if I am kept in court , I trust ' the brethren will forgive the absence of one whose heart will be with them , and is only prevented from coming by persons who are not Freemasons . Ever yours faithfully , "A . ALISON . "