Provincial.

nil equal to them the brethren would be of opinion that tbe Earl of Zetland , in his distribution of officers was not unmindful of the interests of the Craft . He would propose " The health of the Plight Worshipful Deputy Grand Master , the Earl Oe Grey anel Ripon , and the Grancl Officers past and present , and connect with the toasfc the name of Bro . Spiers . " Bro . SPIEES briefly returned thanks , and said he hoped the applause which had been given at the mention of their names

was an indication that the brethren were satisfied with the manner in which they discharged their duties . That meeting had been a very successful one , and they must all feel proud of . their connection with this province . Glee—Bros . Marriott , Tollcy , Strickland , and AVhitehouse . « - The Rev . and W . Bro . R . J . SIMPSON , saiel that they were aiow supposed to be in true Masonic secrecy . It had been supposed that love's request was confined to that relation which

• existed between the female sex and their own . He would like to tell the ladies , if they hael been permitted to be present ou that mysterious occasion , thafc love was not confined to that relationship , for when he found a man giving up his time , his professional skill , his energies and his time to support the cause of the widow and orphan , and the aged , and every other work connected with national prosperity , with everything thafc would promote tbe happiness of his fellow manhe woulel say

unre-, servedly , and without affectation that he loved that man . He did say , and he claimed it , that there was a love surpassing the love of woman ; he meant that deep veneration which a man Iiad for anyone who really and truly , heartily and manfully did his duty . He was once tempted to go to the bar himself , but he did not like to do so , because he found that an advocate hael sometimes to say that which his heart did not quite approve . He was happy on that occasion to hold a brief of a very different

character , one which he perfectly approved of , and with which be heartily aud thoroughly agreed . He was very willing to be the advocate , and for a moment to connect himself with that mission to which their AVorshipful Master belonged . He did most heartily and thoroughly propose "The Health of the Right AVorshipful and acting Grand Master of tbe province of Berks and Bucks . " He believed that Bro . Mclntyre devoted all the energy and even more than his spare time permitted , to benefit

Masonry iu this province . He would not indulge in praises in the AVorshipful Master ' s presence , as there was nothing so humiliating to a man of true and high feeling as to listen to his own praises , but he was sure that they would with heart and voice drink " The Health of Bro . Mclntyre . " The toast was drunk with three times three . The CnAiEMAlS' said be returned them thanks with tbe very deepest amount of satisfaction and thankfulness for the kind

manner in which they hael been pleased to receive the toast on this occasion . In 1862 , the M . W . G . Master thought fit to jilaco this province in his charge , and since that time he had presided at their annual gatherings , and he was very glad to see that in each succeeding year the prosperity of the Craft had increased in no inconsiderable degree . That was not so much owing to him as to the presiding officers who came amongst themand to the innate love which existed in tbe Craft . They

, were assembled there with a true fraternal feeling , resolved to overlook each others failings , but at the same time to promote the prosperity of Masonry . There was not the slightest doubt that the principles which were inculcated in their lodges must make them better men than they would otherwise have been , and encouraged those who required encouragement to walk in a proper path of life . He knew that some persons supposed that the secrets of Masonry were a myth , but he would tell them that

was an entire mistake . Freemasonry was a reality . it was to live honourably , to act properly to their neighbours , nnd to discharge their duty in every relation of life . These were the purposes of Freemasonry , and the secret of it was " To scorn the false and to love the true , To do to others in the fullest sense what others ought to do . " Song— "Love ' s Request , " Bro . Tolley . Bro . C . J . PAIMEB then proposed " The Health of the Ri ght Worshiful tbe

p Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . McConnell , " Avhom he very much regretted was absent on that occasion . Bro . Dr . AVOODHOUSE acknowledged the toast . He said when he traced the past history of Masonry in this province , he might say it was first began by a few individuals who met at the Woolpack , in this town , occasionally , and supped together . The Master of tbe lodge was the landlord of the hotel , and seeing in what a position Masonry was then placed he ( Dr . Woodhouse ) determined to rescue it from that sad state . He was elected

Master of the loelge , and lie said to the brethren that he had a duty to perform to them as well as to the Craft , and that he had no objection to their having suppers , but they must pay for them out of their own pockets , instead of applying the subcriptions to that purpose . He did not say that the satisfactory result he saw that night was through his humble efforts , because he attributed that to the innate value of the Craft , and to the excellent principles of Masonry ; but he was glad to see such

an assemblage around him , and also to know that they had in Reading not only the Loelge of Union , but also a new scion in tho Greyfri . irs Loelgo , which he hoped would emulate the old lodge in its past experience , and avoid the errors which had been attendant upon it . The CnAlKMAN next proposed "The Health of the Reverend and W . Bro . R . J . Simpson , late Pi-ovineialGrancl Chaplain . " He alluded in feeling terms to tbe satisfactory manner in which

Bro . Simpson had always discharged his sacred duties ; to his kindliness of feeling , and he assured him that he hael tbe kind regards and hearty good wishes of all the members of the Craft in this province , anel concluded by presenting him with a purse of money , as a small and lasting memorial from the brethren . Bro . S ' IMPSOJJ , who was much affected , said lie most truly thanked them for the kind present be had received , every atom of which should be sacred , and devoted to purposes akin to tbe

noble objects of their glorious institution . He would not put it to any selfish purpose , but still he felt selfishly grateful for the honour aud compliment they had paid to him , which be should remember to tho last moment of his life .

Glee— "Push the red wine . The CiiAiBjiiAN next proposed "Tlie Health of the Past and Present Prov . G . Officers , " and coupled with the toast the name of Prov . G . S . AV . Palmer . Song—'' Basque Muleteer , " by Bro . Bradley , which was encored and repeated . Bro . PA-CMEE . briefly acknowledged the toast . The CIIAIEMAN said he had much pleasure iu proposing the

next toast , which was very apropos to the members of the Craft who were inhabitants of Reading . They knew as visitors they were extremely glad to meet with such a hospitable reception from the two lodges as had been extended to them that clay . AVhen the province was first placed in his charge there was in the county of Berks five loelges , anel now there seven . One of the new lodges was at AVmgcAon and was now in a flourishing condition , anel the youngest daughter of the

Craft was the Greyfriars Lodge which was very prosperous . He hoped thoy would not be too proud in their growth , like big babies . He knew that the new loelge had done its very utmost to got on , and it was a very proper and kindly rivalry , for the Greyfriars said to bis elder sister , "Let us go side by side , anel work with each other ; we have no antagonistic feeling ; " and he woulel say to the Loelge of Union , " Take care of your younger sister ,, anel don't get tired of your charge too soon , and you will be rewarded in the future . " Both lodges were well represented by Bros . Sellar and Ivey ,

and ho hoped they would go hand in hand in promoting the true principles of Masonry , and that each brother of the one lodge would look upon each brother of the other lodge as a true and esteemed friend . He would propose " The health of Bros . Sellar and Ivey , and prosperity to the Union and Greyfriars Lodges , and might they long continue rivals in doing good and promoting the objects of Masonry . " Song— " Sweet Mary of the A ale , " by Bro . Marriott , which

was encored anel repeated . Bro . SEXTJAB , WM ., responded to the toast in brief but appropriate terms . Bro . IA'EY , \ A . M ., of the Greyfriars Lodge , said the W . Bro . stated that he felt ejnite overpowered by the noble response made by the brethren of this and adjoining provinces to the exertions of the committee for their reception on this momentous occasion . He woulel not detain them with a long

speech , but would just give a little of bis Masonic experience . AVhat induced him principally to become a member of the fraternity was tbe circumstance of his being asked by a gentleman from India , whom he much esteemed , where tho Masonic lodge was held . The impression on his mind that so excellent a man was a Freemason prompted him to make some inquiries respecting the institution ; the result of which was that he obtained the consent of a brother to propose him , and he was duly elected . Since that time the more he saw of the science of Masonry tbe more beautiful it appeared to him . Bro . Ivey then gave several illustrations of the tru l y fraternal feeling that