Provincial.

sacrifice to entirely appropriate the whole to themselves . He said this : —extend the tavern accommodation , and make a large club room for the use of Masons generally , where they could obtain their wants at club prices . It was the middle class of the people , who principally supported Freemasonry ; and there were few professional men aud tradesmen but went to London several times in the course of the year . It would therefore be very comfortable and convenient for them to meet at their own club . They would then always find lenty of Masons therewhomeet

p , , - ing together aud rubbing their ideas together on the concerns of the fraternity , would bring about much that would eventuall y benefit the Order ; they would be continually moving something for the benefit of Masonry . Since he had in the habit of attending the Masonic meetings iu London , he had felt a great deal more interest in Masonry ; aud , no doubt , there were many others who felt the same . The general opinion was elicited that a library , reading aud refreshment rooms , exclusively for the use and accommodation of Masons , was indispensable . Respecting the amount

suggested to be expended in increasing the extent of the Masonic buildings , an opinion was expressed by Bro . Everett and other members that a pause should be made before a very large outlay was entered into , or such an expense as would make it doubtful whether an adequate return would ensue . Bro . Oakshott said a

larger extent of building accommodation would , of course , bring a larger rent , and hence a larger return would be so far ensured . Bro . Jacob said the present occupant would soon be able to say if he were able to pay more for enlarged means of accommodation . Bro . Higgs asked if it was likely a tenant would pay au increase of rent equal to five per cent , on the money spent in enlargement and improvement . He thought the amounts named for expenditure in this way were too large . Tho AV . M . having gathered the opinion of his Lodge on the questions , other business withThe

was proceeded . AA . M . read an application from a brother of the Lodge , who had mot with unforeseen misfortune , aud required assistance . The appeal was readily met by the voting of a specified amount from the Lodge funds , and the Brethren present subsequently collected a sum in addition , for transmission to their distressed Brother , the list being left open for contributions from other Brethren present . The AA . M . proposed a candidate for initiation in the privileges of Masonry , and the nomination being secondedit was entered in due course bthe Secretary

, y . The immediate business of the Lodge was then suspended , and the proceedings being duly closed , the Brethren were called to refreshment . Having strengthened the inner man with some of the good things provided by Bro . Sherry , the Brethren again assembled in their Lodge room , and spent an hour or so in mutual harmony and conversation bearing on the interests of Masonry in general .

KENT . APPOINTMENTS . —iorfi / es . —Monday , March 7 th , Peace and Harmony ( 235 ) , Eoyal Oak , Dover , at 7 ; Tuesday , 8 th , Belviclerc ( 741 ) , Star Hotel , Maidstone , at 7 . LANCASHIRE ( EAST ) . APPOINTMENTS . —Aoc / i / fs . —Monday , March 7 th , Chectham and Crumpsall ( 923 ) , Crumpsall HotelManchesterat 6 Wednesday !) thAntiquity ( 170 ) One Horse Shoo ] Boltonat 7

, , ; , , , , , . Chapter . —Wednesday , 9 th , Rectitude ( 817 ) , . New Inn , Openshmy , at 7 . Encampment . —St , James of Jerusalem , Bolton . LANCASHIRE ( AVEST ) . APPOINTMENTS . —lodges . —Monday , March 7 th , Harmonic ( 267 ) , Wellington Hotel , fiarston . at 61 ; Tuesday , 8 th , Merchants ( 294 ) , Masonic Hall , Liverpool , at 5 ; Royal Preston ( -118 ) , Cross Axes , ' Preston , at 8 ; Thursday , loth , Harmonic ( 283 ) , Adelphi Hotel , Liverpool , at 4 . Chapter . — Thursday , 10 th , Harmony ( 267 ) , Wellington Hotel , Garston , at 0 .

BURY . —St . John ' s Lodge . ( No . 226 ) . —On Thursday evening , February 24 th , a Lodge of Emergency was held at the AVhite Horse Inn , Fleet Street , when Mr . George Benson , of the royal navy , was initiated into Freemasonry by Bro . Maiden , AV . M ., after which Mr . AVilliani Agar was initiated by Bro . Joseph Hundley ; the ceremony in both cases being very creditably gone through . Tho charge was delivered by Bro . William Binus , P . M ., of No . 50 , in his usual impressive manner .