Provincial.

than that which was transacted at our last meeting . Tnere is no doubt but this town was many years since a stronghold of Freemasonry . History informs us that Sir William Ashmole and others were initiated at Warrington in 16 S 9 , being one of the earliest instances on record of the admission into our order of persons not directly or indirectly connected with architecture or practical masonry . Unfortunately however the gentle craft has for some years past been in a languishing condition here ,

the causes of which , although not difficult to discover , I will not tlilate upon , as I could not do so without being invidious ; and I am , moreover , in hopes that we are , by gradually removing those causes , in a fair way of improvement and revival ; and I trust that when we attain our centenary in 1 S 65 , we shall have regained that position which , from the age of our warrant , we ought to hold . We have lately-passed the following resolutions : —• "That in future the practice of paying for refreshments out of

the lodge fund be discontinued ; " and " That it is desirable that a Lodge of Instruction be established , and that private rooms be obtained for transacting Masonic business , instead of continuing to hold the lodge at a house of public entertainment . " Our bye-laws are also being revised . We have been greatly indebted for some months past to Bro . James Hamer , Prov . G . Treas ., for his kind assistance in performing the various

ceremonies . Monday , Feb . 24 th . —The regular monthly meeting was held at the Blackburn Arras Hotel , at 7 o'clock , p . m . The W . M . being absent , the lodge was opened by Bro . Hamer ( P . M . 267 ) , Prov . G . Treas ., assisted by Bros . Ald ' ritch ( P . M . 2 G 7 ) , as P . M . ; H . B . White , S . W . ; Knight , J . W . ; and other members of the lodge . Mr . John Pierpoiut , having been unanimously approved on ballot , was initiated in a most effective manner by Bro . Aldritch , Bro . Hamer officiating as J . D ., and the working

tools being presented by the S . W . The lodge was then opened in the second and third degrees , and Bros . Bowes and Higginhottom having satisfactorily passed their examinations were raised to the sublime degree of Master Masons by Bro . Hauler , in his usual solemn and impressive manner . The lodge was then closed down to the first degree , when Bros . Hamer and Aldritch , being pressed for time , withdrew , and the chair was taken by Bro . MaxfieldP . M . An animated discussion on the

, proposed new bye-laws then took place , in which Bros . Maxfield , P . M ., Chorley , P . M ., White , S . W ., Knight , J . W ., Veeves , Sec . ; Spinks , aud Walmsley took part , when it was ultimately resolved to hold a Lodge of Emergency on Monday , March 10 th , to take the bye-laws into consideration . The auditors reported the result of their audit of the Treasurer ' s accounts , which having been discussed , the lodge was closed in harmony at halfriast ten o ' clock . —H . B . W .

OXFORDSHIRE . BANBURY . —Cherwell Lodge ( No . 373 . )—On Monday the 17 th inst ., the installation of the Worshipful Master elect ., Bro . Dr . Griffin , took place in the lodge-room at the Red Lion Hotel , when there wis a large attendance of the brethren resident at Banbury , Oxford , and other places , including the Prov . G . M . for Oxfordshire , Captain Bowyer ; the D . Prov . G . M ., Alderman Spiers ; Past Masters , Thompson , ' Houghton , Owen , Bevers ,

Rainsford . R . Havers , Cocke , Looker : Bros . Cautain Bartlett , Hon . W . North , Rev . J . Russell , Holfovd , C . Ri ' sley , F . W . A . Bowyer , Chamberlin , Rye , Lodgley , Hartley , Park , Ringrose , Richards , T . Fowler , Juggins , Harrison , Welcbman , Margetts , Saivmasi , Coleman , S . P . Spiers , Birch , Stevens , Joshua Plowman , & c . The ceremony of installation was performed in a very impressive and effective manner by Richard Havers , P . M ., whose masterly delivery of tbe charges was followed by much applause

On the conclusion of the ceremony the W . M . nominated his officers for the year' as follows : —Holfovd C . liisley , S . W . ; F . W . A . B ' owver , J . W . ; Rev . . 1 . Russell , Chan . ; P . M . Cooke , Treas . ; P . M . Looker , Sec ; W . Chamberlin , ' S . D . ; Dr . Eye , J . D . ; Sawnnm , Dir . of Cers ; Lodgley and Fowler , Stewards ; Harrison , I . G .: Moss , Tyler . The W . M . addressed each officer as ho was presented to receive his insignia of office , and each was complimented by the brethren with demonstrations of appiaus ? .

Previous to the ceremony of installation , P . M . Bro . Havers presided , in the absence of the W . M ., Bro . Seoggs , whose engagements prevented his attendance . The sum of five'guineas was voted from the charity fund to the Provincial Charity Committee . The lodge has lately received a very valuable and appropriate addition to its furniture in the gift of three splendid carved oak chairs for the W . M . and two Wardens , by Bro . Hon . W . North , son Colonel North , M . P ., of Wvoxton Abbey . The chairs were greatly admired , and the carving and workmanship , especially

Provincial.

of the W . M . ' s chair , have rarely been surpassed . The business being brought to a termination the brethren proceeded to the ball-room at the hotel , where a sumptuous banquet , provided by Mrs . Fowler in her usual liberal and excellent st yle , awaited them . Everything was served iu that complete and perfect manner which distinguishes the Red Lion Hotel . The champagne , of which there was a most abundant supply , - was the gift of the Prov . G . M ., Captain Bowyer , who was the first

Master of the Cherwell Lodge , and has always taken the deepest interest in its prosperity . The W . M ., Dr . Griffin , presided with great ability and introduced the various toasts inappropriate and stirring terms . During the evening some excellent addresses were delivered by the Prov . G . M . and other brethren , and the proceedings were diversified and enlivened by many excellent songs . Soon after ten the brethren from Oxford , who mustered in strong force , were obliged to leave by special train , being

loth to do so , and will long remember with grateful and pleasurable feelings , the kindness , hospitality , and generous welcome which they received at the hands of their brethren of the Cherwell Lodge .

STAFFORDSHIRE . WOLVERHAMPTON . —Lodge of Sonour : ( 769 ) . —The brethren of this lodge assembled on the 14 th nit . for their monthly meeting . Every officer was present , besides a good attendance of members and visitors , amongst whom were Bros . Humphrey , P . M . ; King , P . M . ( 607 ); Haseler , P . M . ( 007 ); Cooper , W . M . ( 607 ); Dr . Wollaston . The principal business was the passing

of Bros . G . P . A ? ton Pudsey , the Rev . R . Baker Stoney , and William Aston , -who , having been duly initiated at the previous meeting , and satisfactorily proved the proficiency they had subsequently made , were advanced to the Fellow-Craft's Degree by the W . M . Bro . Charles Matthews . The charge was delivered by Bro . Dr . Eraser , I . G . Communications relating to the votes , & c , of some masonic charities were directed to be forwarded to the Prov . G . M ., Col . Vernon , according to the custom of the lodge .

The names of two gentlemen were submitted , as is required by the Bye-laws , previous to their being proposed for initiation at the next meeting ; that of a joining member was also so mentioned . The W . M . and officers appear to have plenty of workin hand before the vacation of their posts in June next , on which we not only congratulate them , but wish them all success . The craft must indeed be well and ably supported in Wolverhampton , which can boast of two good well-worked lodges , who have no lackof members , and have of late initiated several brethren .

YORKSHIRE ( WEST ) . I-IoEMEiKiir . —Solme Valley Lodge ( No . 937 ) . —The regular lodge meeting was held at the Victoria Hotel , on Friday , the 14 th February , at half past five in the afternoon . In the absence of Bro , John Harpin , J . P ., the W . M ., the lodge was presided over by Bro . J . M . Woodhead , P . M ., supported bv Bros . Joseph Mellor , P . M . and Prov . G . D . ; G . N . Nelson , P . M . ; John BurtonP . M . ; Frank LittlewoodP . M . ; and Bros . Georce Taylor

, , , P . M . ; C . H . Redfearn , P . M . ; and John Taylor , . LW ., from the Lodge of Peace ( No . 174 ) . The lodge having been duly opened in the first degree , and the minutes of last lodge read and confirmed , the lodge was then opened in the second degree , when Bro . the Rev . John Fearn , having satisfactorily proved his proficiency was raised to the sublime degree of M . M ., by Bro . Charles Taylor , P . M . The lodge was then closed down to the first degreewhen Mr . Matthew Henry Nelson and Mr . John

, Marsh were ballotted for , and unanimously elected ; their initiation was at once proceeded with , the ceremony with the firstcandidate being ably gone through by Bro . G . N . Nelson , P . M ., and the latter by Bro . Charles Taylor , P . M . There was an average attendance of brethren who passed an agreeable evening such as none but Masons can .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

NORFOLK . NoEV , -ic ; r . — Cabbell Chapter ( No . 1109 . )—This excellent chapter held a meeting at the Masonic Hall , St . Stephen ' s , Norwich , on Thursday , Feb . 20 th , for the purpose of exalting the following brethren as companions of this noble order : — Bros . Donald Dalrymple , late Sheriff of Norwich ; Francis Stone Hodgson , Prov . G . Chap , cf Norfolk ; James W . Lacey ,