Provincial.

The Brethren , having adjourned from labour to refreshment , the usual toasts were given , and a happy evening spent ; several excellent recitations being given by Bro . Matthews , the leading tragedian of Mr . AVardhaugh's theatre . HEIWOOD . —Napthali Lodge ( No . 333 ) . —On AVeduesday evening , February 23 rd , a Lodge of emergency was held at the Brunswick Hotel , for the purpose of raising Bro . Briggs to the sublime degree of M . M . Iu the absence of the AA . M . from indisposition , the ceremony was performed in a very effective manner by Bro . John Redfern , Dir . of Cers ., ably assisted by Bro . AA illiani Bimis , P . M . of No . 50 after which the brethren partook of a sumptuous ropast .

LINCOLNSHIRE . APPOINTMENT . —Zoifyc—Tuesday March 8 th , Harmony ( 339 ) , Masonie Hall , Boston , at 7 . NORFOLK . APPOINTMENT . —/ . oifye . —Monday , March 7 th , Perseverance ( 258 ) , Lamb Inn , Norwich , at 8 . NORTHUMBERLAND .

APPOINTMENTS . —Lodges . —Monday , March 7 th , Northern Comities ( 536 ) , Bell ' s Court , Newcastle , at 7 ; St . George ' s ( 624 ) , Commercial Hotel , North Shields , at 8 ; Tuesday , 8 th , All Saints ( 161 ) , Sun Inn , Wooler , at 7 ; Do Ogle ( 919 ) , St . James ' s School Eoom , Morpeth , at 7 . Instruction . —Freemasons' Hall , Newcastle , at 7 ; . Wednesday , 9 th , Blagdcn ( 957 ) , Hidley Arms , BIytii , at S . Chapter . —Wednesday , 9 th , l ) e Swinboiu-ne ( 24 ) , Freemasons' Hall , Newcastle , at 7 ; Encampment . —Friday , 11 th , Royal Kent , Boll ' s Court , Newcastle , at 5 .

OXFORDSHIRE . BANBURY— OherwcU Lodge ( No . S 73 ) . —The annual festival of this Lodge was held on the 21 st of February , at the Red Lion Hotel , when Bro . R . Havers , of Banbury ( brother to the President of the Board of General Purposes ) , was installed into office by the late Master , Bro . J . B . Looker , who performed the ceremony with great ability and effect . On the conclusion of the ceremony , the AA . M . appointed his Officers for the yearas follow : —Bros . C . D . FaulknerS . AV . ;

, , J . Soroggs , J . AV . ; J . B . Looker , Sec . ; Joseph Gardner , Treas . ; Dr . Caparn , S . D . ; Dr . Griffin , J . D . ; AV . G . Coleman , Master of Cers . ; H . C . Risley , I . G . ; AV . Floyd and AV . Chamberlain , Stewards ; T . Moss , Tyler . On the motion of the Senior Warden , seconded by the Treasurer , it was unanimously agreed that five pounds should be given from the charity fund to the " Old Charitable Society" of Banbury . It was also unanimously agreed to vote five pounds from the charity fund to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . The AV . M . undertook to raise five guineas

more for the same charity . After the business had been disposed of , the banquet was served in the assembly room ; about forty Brethren were present . The AV . M . presided , and was supported by Bros . Capt . Bowyer . of Steeple Aston House , Prov . Grand Master of Oxfordshire ; Alderman Spiers , Deputy Prov . G . M . ; Charles Cottrell Dormer , of liousham House ; AV . Belcher , AV . M . of the Alfred Lodge ; Bros . Thompson , T . Randall , E . Owen , J . T . Hester , H . Houghton , Cooke , Looker , Macklin , P . Ms . ; Bros . T . AA . A . Bowyer , R . H . Risley , Cartwright , and Plowman . The

W . M . fulfilled the duties of tho chair with great ability , and the evening was spent in a most agreeable manner . The visiting brethren from Oxford and Leamington were so gratified with their reception , that they assured the Baubury brethren that they should gladly hail every opportunity of renewing their acquaintance ,

SOMERSETSHIRE . APPOINTMENTS—T / otfi / e . —Monday , March 7 th , Eoyal Sussex ( 61 ) , Amei-y ' s Hotel , Bath , at 7 J . Mark . —Thursday , 10 th , Boyal Kent ( T . I . ) , Masonic Hall , Bath , at 8 . Chapters—Monday , 7 th , Tale of Jehosaphat ( 367 ) , Highhridgo Inn , Huntspill , at 12 ; Wednesday , 9 th , Eoyal Sussex ( 61 ) , Amery ' s Hotel , Bath , at 7 $ , STAFFORDSHIRE . APPOINTMENTS . —Lodges . —Monday , March 7 th , St . James ( 707 ) , New Inn , Haadsirortii , sit 7 l Friday , 11 th , Honour ( 709 ) , Old Assembly Booms , AYorrerhamptoii , at 7 &