Provincial.

Bro . DEVEREUX , prov . G . Sec , who , was most vehemently cheered , heartily thanked them for the very kind manner in which his name had been received . AAlien he was initiated , some few years ago , the Freemasons in AAlndsor and Eton numbered thirty-seven , now they could reckon ninety-seven , but what did such numbers represent ? In Berks with a population of 176 , 000 , and Bucks with 167 , 000 , there were but ' seven lodges , five in Berks and two in Bucks . This called upon them

to be up and stirring and take that day as an earnest , from which they might sec other lodges starting up . On such a festive occasion , when ^ they were surrounded by adornment and jewels , he hoped they would recollect that they were symbolical of holier and higher ideas , and , if , they would each do their individual work under such feelings and work while it was yet day , this province would soon vie in prosperity with any province in England .

Bro . McLvintE , G . Reg ., was sure that , as in all lodges , visitors were always welcomed , so they would ever be in the Provincial Grand Lodge of Bucks and Berks . Bro . Cotell was looked upon as an old Mason connected with a revived lodge No . 45 , and the Sussex brethren were greatly indebted to him for his exertions . Bro . Piatt they all knew , and most of the visitors were known to the majority of the brethren ; but he could not pass over Bro . Matthew Cookewhose antiquarian

, researches had been of service to the Craft , and he coupled the names of Bros . Cotell and Matthew Cooke with the toast . Bro . COTELL said it would ill become him not to acknowledge the kindness he had always experienced North , South , East , and AA est , and for the passing compliment paid to his lodge , he was thankful . For the other part of the toast , he should leave that to Bro . Elisha Cooke to reply .

Bro . MATTHEW COOKE said he could have wished some more eminent and senior brother to himself had been selected for that duty . In Bros . Spencer , Piatt , Rowland , and others , he recognised those who would have done more justice to the toast . His brother who had just spoken had invested him with a mantle that did not fit . Elishas' garment was of no use to him , for to those who knew each of them , those two cooks that spoiled much broth , he was sure they could not say " look on this picture and on that , the counterfeit presentiment of two

brothers . " ( Loud laughter . ) Like all visitors , he had an unhappy knack of spying about him when he went visiting , but he must say , and believed every brother standing with him , had never seen a fairer selection of Prov . Grand Officers than those appointed that day , and he did believe , although it was contrary to the opinion of a brother he greatly respected , that if for another year or two the G . Reg ., the D . Prov . G . M ., and Prov . G . Sec , retained office , Berks and Bucks would become a model

province . ( Cheers . ) In the name of the visitors and for their kind hospitality , he begged to tender their united thanks . Bro . MCLVTVBE , G . Reg ., had very great pleasure in proposing the next toast . They perhaps thought lie had forgotten their Bro . Frederick Binckes , but he looked upon him as the embodiment of one of the great principles of the ordercharity . They had responded to that sentiment in their contributions for the distress in the North , hut still the aged Masons ,

their widows , sons , and daughters , had a strong claim on their harvest of good works . Brother Binckes , the Sec . to the Boys School , had been heard of from the north of Northumberland to the south of the . southernmost part of England , for like Peter the Hermit of old , he carried abroad the cross of the Craft , whose watchword was to diffuse education to tho boys of the Freemasons School . He ( Bro . Mclntyre ) believed ' that charity was one of their brightest jewelsand without it

Free-, masonry was nothing . He concluded by proposing " The Health of Bro . Binckes , and Success to the Masonic Charities . " . Bro . BijrcKES , Sec . to the Boys School , was averse to taking up the time of the brethren after the eloquent addresses they had heard . ( " Go on ! Go on ! " ) He had had to reply to the toast early and late , but he was always pleased to find the Masonic charities were generally remembered . He was there as the sole representative of those institutions , and he was very

sorry it was so , for some of his exertions had been rumoured as antagonistic to the others . This he denied was the case , for the more that was done for the one the more all benefitted . The R . AA . Prov . G . M . had alluded to the crusade he had made among the provincial brethren , aud he was pleased that he had been the means of carrying a knowledge of their charities where they had been but little heard of , for he anticipated a more brilliant result at the next festival than at the last . Connected as he was with the Boys ' School , it was but natural that he

should feel move anxious lor its welfare . For years it had not enjoyed the favour extended to the other charities , but it was not to be supposed that because they had had one good festival that could do all that was to be desired . He told them that the brethren must be as liberal , and more so , than they had been , and he jiut in his claim , as first , for the Boys School . One brother had hinted to him that he might serve as a steward from the province of Berks and Bucksand he saw that he

, might announce , thanks to Bro . McConnell , their D . Prov . G . M . that he had consented to stand as a steward . ( Loud cheers . ) , He hoped to sec , ere five years had passed from i 00 to 120 boys in a new or greatly improved house . Everything prospered with them—their master had done wonders with the school , and they were each and all proud of their work' , for the boys reflected great credit on tho institution .

Some few other toasts were drunk , and the revived Prov . G . Lodge of Bucks and Berks separated , after giving no uncertain proof of its vitality , and the energy , tact , zeal , and ability of its Acting Prov . G . M ., D . Prov . G . M ., and Prov . G . See .

DEVONSHIRE . DEVOKEOIIT . —Lodge Friendship ( No . 23 S ) . —A very interesting meeting of this lodge was held on the evening of the 23 rd inst . The programme of business on the agenda paper was to initiate -three ; admit one as a joining member , pass one , and raise three . The officers were present punctually , and at once proceeded to ballot for the candidates . One only was present , Mr . Mark Baum , who was duly initiated into our ancient mysteries . Bro .

Price , having proved himself a suitable candidate for the degree of a F . C ., was duly passed . Bro . P . M . Bickell having assumed the chair , after the usual examination raised Bros . Maten , Rogers , and James , to the sublime degree of Master Masons , in a most solemn and impressive manner . After the transaction of » the above business , the lodge adjourned to the refreshment table . Prominent among the visitors we observed the W . Bro . Harfoot , AA . M ., S 3 , who in returning thanks on behalf of " The visitors , "

alluded to the great assistance rendered by Lodge 238 on the occasion of the visit of the Prov . Grand Lodge in June last . AA e cannot refrain from complimenting No . 238 on their very pretty lodge , especially when we consider that some twelve months since , they were located in a small room of a public house , and are now occupying premises exclusively their own . Too much praise cannot he given to the AA . M . aud his officers , for their energy and spirit . The large accession of new members since removing must have amply repaid them , and forcibly demonstrated the policy of the step .

LANCASHIRE ( AA EST ) . The second annual report of the Masonic Relief Fund says the Committee have much pleasure in calling tho attention of the brethren to the second annual report of the distribution of the Masonic Relief Fund , confident that the experience of the past year will convince them of the satisfactory progress of this valuable institution . They have great pleasure in being able to state that the Committee have been the means of affording

temporary relief and assistance to 101 individuals , in various sums amounting to £ 51 5 s . 6 d ., some being enabled to reach their own country and friends , some aided pecuniarily , and others again assisted to find employment , or with such other help as the Committee have had in their power to grant . The Committee have been the means of forwarding to New York the widow and child of the late Bro . P ., at a cost of £ 7 . On

the other hand , several applications have come before the Committee which , upon investigation , have proved unworthy , and consequently been disregarded . The Committee urgently call the attention of the W . M . and brethren of the various lodges to this fact , and would earnestly impress upon them the desirability of referring every applicant for relief with the particulars of whose case they are not fully conversant , to them , in order that such lications receive that searching

inapp may vestigation which the Committee can bestow upon it as a means of rendering imposition upon the lodges more difficult , and also preventing really-deserving and distressed brethren being turned empty away . The Committee have opened a communication ( weekly ) with the Manchester Relief Committee , by which mntnal assistance and essential services are rendered to each

other . YORKSHIRE ( NORTH AND EAST . ) PROVINCIAL GEAXD LODGE . A Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the Humber Lodge , Hull , on AVednesday , the 8 th inst . The Right AA orship ful Bro .