Provincial.

SOUTHAMPTON . — -Royal Gloucester Lodge ( No . 152 ) . —This Lodge assembled at Freemason ' s Hall , Bugle-street , on Thursday , the 24 th nit ., at seven , p . m ., tho AV . M ., Bro . Perkins , presided , aud raised Bro , Klite to the degree of M . M ., in the most efficient and impressive manner . The Lodge then proceeded to consider the commimieation of Bro . Havers , as President of the Board of General Purposes . Bro . Abraham , acting Secretary , informed the AA . M . that he had received from

Bro . Havers a very lengthy communication iu reply to his letter , in conformity with a resolution , moved by Bro . Sir L . Curtis , Prov . G . M ., aud seconded by Bro . 0 . E . Deacon , D . Prov . Grand Master , at the last Lodge meeting , asking for further information with respect to the estimated cost of the alterations . Bro . J . R . Stebbing , P . M ,. said that as the Prov . G . M . Sir L . Curtis , Bart ., had attended the last meeting , and given his opinion on this question , in his unofficial character as a member of the Lodgeand as this communication had resulted from a motion

, made by that R . AA . brother , he would suggest that this discussion be adjourned until tho next Lodge meeting , and that this last communication be sent to the Prov . G . M ., so that the Lodge might have his opinion thereon ; and at the same time a few copies mig ht be made , so that any brother might have one on application . The motion was finally made to the above effect , seconded by Bro . Passenger , S . AA ., ancTadopted by the Lodge unanimously . B $ . C . E . Deacon , D . Prov . G . M ., read a letter from the Prov . G . M . expressing regret at his inability to be present at this

, meeting . Bro . Douglas , P . M ., referred to a highly finished and beautifully illuminated record of a testimonial presented to Bro . Abraham , P . M ., which had just appeared on the walls of the Lodge , and moved that a facsimile of the same be made at the expense of the Lodge , and presented to Bro . Abraham , to hang up in his private residence , which proposition was duly seconded , and unanimously adopted . Bro . Stebbiiig then alluded in very kind aud feeling terms to the illness of the SecvetaryBro . Firmina P . M . and most zealous member of the Lodgeand

, , , after expressions of regret and sympathy by several brethren , the acting Secretary was instructed to write a letter , conveying to the afflicted brother the feelings of the Lodge , with an earnest wish for his speedy recovery . A candidate for joining , and another for initiation , were proposed . The Lodge was then closed in harmony soon after nine o ' clock .

AVINCIIESTEE , —Lodge of ( Economy ( No . 90 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of tho members of this Lodge , was held at the Lodge rooms , Black Swan Hotel , on Wednesday evening last . The new AA . M ., Bro . J . L . Hasleham , presided this evening for the first time since his installation . There were present Bros . F . La Croix , S . W . ; Larkin , J . AA . ; S . Everitt , P . M . ; G . Oakshott , P . M . ; C . Sherry , P . M . ; G . P . Jacob , P . M . ( Treas . ); AV . Cowen , See . ; and Bros . H . Newman , H . Butcher , A . J . Bi E . SherryElsonundH . Huggins . TheLodge having been duly opened

ggs , , , , the minutes of the last meeting wore read by the Secretary , and confirmed . Bro . Sherry , P . M ., gratified the assembled brethren by giving a glowing description of the results of the late festival of the Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Masons and their AVidows . In the course of his remarks , Bro . Sherry expressed the gratification he had felt on learning the conspicuous position occupied by the province of Hampshire in respect to the amount of contributions in tho institution ' s behalf . The Hampshire province had contributed ( through Bro . Perkius and

himself , as stewards ) , the sum of £ 90 , a sum far exceeding that sent up by any other province iu the kingdom . He believed Somerset stood next , with the sum of £ 33 ; aud the Isle of AA ight was third , £ 72 10 s . There were thirteen Lodges in the province of Hampsliire ; but the amount he had mentioued was supplied from five of them only , namely , AVinehester , Basingstoke , Shirley , and two at Southampton . He had himself taken up to London the sum oE £ 42 10 s . The provincial brethren would , no doubt , be happy to learn that it was intended to

increase the charity by taking iu twenty more men , aud six widows . The result would , ho hoped , be useful in showing what might be done by undertaking and entering into anything with a little spirit ; if the subject was taken up generally in the other provinces with equal ardour , they would hear no more of neglect on the part of provincial brethren generally . Here he must compliment Bros . Binckes , Simons , aud Lyall , for having instituted inquiry into the Masonic schools ,