Provincial.

which had been the cause of so much harm to society should be cast aside in that great and fair realm whence their brother had come , and that whilst shackles and bonds should be broken in the way which had been referred to more distinctly in the lodge by him , the grand principles of Masonry had had their part in working out this change . In those principles laid the secret of its surviving as well the wreck of empires as the destruction of time , and that night they had a practical exemplification

that wherever Masonry planted its roots there it never failed to rise into that splendour known only to those who were acquainted with its workings . Its location made no difference to its brethren ' s reverence for tbe Creator , their loyalty to tbe sovereign , their faithfulness to the soil , their help one to another , and the binding them together in those bonds of brotherhood over which they had reason to be proud ( cheers ) . He hoped that when their brother got back to India he would not fail to

assure tbe brethren there of the fraternal regard entertained for them among their brethren in England , and their desire that the Indian nation at large should be great and prosperous —( hear , hear)—and he concluded by the expression of a hope that their brother might long be spared to see and enjoy the fruit of his labour in Masonry as well as in those other positions in which he had so prominently exerted himself for the benefit

of mankind ( cheers ) . Bro . Manockjee Cursetjee , in acknowledging the compliment , said that during a career of forty years he had done his humble part as an instrument in the hands of Providence , to advance his people . Masonry was one of the most prominent among several means which he had ever regarded as a foundation upon which to work for some of the most benevolent objects ( hear ) . This Institution included in its sublime principles men of all beliefs—ChristiansHindoosParseesand

Mahom-, , , jnedans , and its history might be summed up in the glorious sentence , " Do unto others as you would they should do unto you" ( cheers ) . Masonry , like religion , was a mystery ; it required not only to be heard , and read , and understood , but to be practised ( hear , hear ) . A compound of philosophy and of religion , without practice it was nothing ( hear , hear ) . Religion had doubtless clone much good , but in the name of religion much

harm had been wrought by the strifes which had taken place concerning it . Masonry , however , was the helpmate of real religion , for it was universal in its ends , ancl aims , and existence , having God as the Master of a universal Brotherhood , the world being its lodge ( cheers ) . Several other toasts were given and drunk , Bros . Dr . Bradshaw , P . G . Chap . ; Hayward , P . M . ; Milner , P . M . ; AVeston , P . M . ; ancl Donan , S . AV ., being among the speakers .

LANCASHIRE ( EAST ) . MANCHESTER . — Blair Lodge ( No . 815 ) . —At the last meeting of the above lodge the brethren had the satisfaction of inaugurating a set of magnificent emblematical solid oak chairs , of an entirely new design , by one of the members , Bro . Jas . Redford , J . D ., architect , of this city , 'f hey are massive in character and inlaid with ebony ; the oak is gilt in some part , showing the grain of the wood through . Each chair is ornamented with tho

emblems , working tools , & c , of the respective degrees , ancl upholstered in blue morocco . They have a most noble appearance , and form a lasting monument of tbe skill and research of the designer . About seventy brethren sat down to an excellent dinner , ancl a most pleasant evening was spent .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) . WAKRIXGTON . —Lodge of Lights , ( No . 148 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Rooms , Sankey-street , on Monday evening last . In the unavoidable absence of the AV . M . Gilbert Greenall , Esq ., MP ., Prov . G . S . AV ., the chair was ocenpied by Bro . II . B . AVhite , P . M . and Treas ., Prov . G . S ., who was supported by Bros . AV . Smith , S . AV . ; R , StevensonJ . AV . ; Rev . Thos . DoughtyChapj C . EkkertOrg ;

, , , , . Rev . J . N . Porter , S . D . ; David Finney , J . D . ; Akern , J . G . ; John Bowes , P . M ., Prov . G . D . C ., Sec ; Bancroft , Anderton . Thos . Jones , B . P . Coxon , C . E ., XV . Robinson , Dr . Spinks , Alderman Rylands , AA . Savage , Charles Pettitt , M . C ., John Pierpoint , W . H . Spring , AV . Woods , Alderman Hepherd , G . J . Higginbottom , P . Penrse , James Al oods , Geo . Blacldmrsfc , 1 ? . Gibbons , Jos . Robinson , and Jas . Johnson , Tylers . Visitor : — William

Morsop , 119 , Whitehaven . The lodge was opened in due form according to ancient custom , ancl the minutes read ancl affirmed . The ballot was taken for Bro . Leonhardt as a joining member , and for Captain S . Reynolds and Arthur AVaring ,

Esq ., candidates for membership , which proved unanimously in favour in each case . Grand Lodge certificates were received and duly signed by several brethren . The chair of K . S . was now assumed by Bro . John Bowes , P . M ., & c , and Bros . Anderton , Bancroft , and Thos . Jones , being candidates for promotion , ancl having proved their several claims , were entrusted and retired . The lodge was opened in the second degree , the brethren severally admitted and passed to the degree of F . C . 's .

The chair was now resumed by Bro . H . B . White , P . M ., & e , ; and Bros . P . Rylands and Jas . AVoods being candidates for advancement , ancl having proved their proficiency were entrusted ancl retired . The lodge was opened in the third degree , tbe brethren admitted in due form and raised to the sublime degree of M . M . ' s The lodge was closed clown to the first degree . The minutes of the lodge room committee were read and passed . It was projjosed , seconded , ancl resolved that an harmonium be

purchased for the use of the lodge , and that its selection he left to five musical brethren who were named . Two gentlemen were proposed as fit and proper persons to bo made Masons . A petition to the Supreme Grand Chapter for a Royal Arch warrant was sanctioned and signed by every brother present . It is proposed to designate it the " Chapter of Elias Ashmore , " in memory of that distinguished antiquary ' s initiation at Warringtonin the year 1640 . The first principal Z . is Bro . H . B .

, White , P . M ., Prov . G . S . ; the first principal H . is Bro . John Bowes , P . M ., Prov . G . D . C ., I . 129 ancl E . 220 ; the principal I . is Bro . Thewlis , P . M ., P . Prov . G . S . D ., ( Mayor of AVarrington ) . A Grand Lodge summons and agenda paper were read and some routine business transacted , when the lodge was closed ill ancient form and the brethren separated in perfect harmony .

LEICESTERSHIRE . LEICESTER . —John of Gaunt Lodge ( No . 523 ) . —This lodge held its usual monthly meeting on Thursday , the 15 th ult ., at the Freemasons' Hall , under the presidency of the AV . M ., the Rev . John Spittal , when there were also present the D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Kelly ; Bros . Brewin , Baukart , and Sheppard , P . M . 's ; and about twenty brethren . Visitors—Bros . Klein , P . M . 21 , and P . G . S- DuffP . M . 165- AAliite 333- Hubert Collins 107 ;

,, , , , , , and AVearo , P . M . ; A . L . Clarke , S . W . ; and A . 0 . Davis , 279 . The lodge having been opened and the minutes read and confirmed , a ballot wa 3 taken for Mr . David AA / atson , who was unanimously elected , and being in attendance , was initiated into the Order ; the ceremony was very efficiently performed by the AV . M . The working tools were explained by the D . Prov . G . M ., and the tracing board by Bro . Brewin , P . M . Bros . Rome , Hack ,

and A . C . Spencer having been called to the pedestal , and examined as E . A . 's , retired , and the lodge having been opened in the second degree , they were passed F . C . ' s The lodge having been lowered to the first degree , it was proposed by Bro , Brewin , P . M ., seconded by the D . Prov . G . M ., and unanimously agreed , that the lodge should contribute £ 1 Is . per annum to the National Lifeboat Institution towards the manning of the Leicester life boat , now being provided by the ' inhabitants of the town . Bro . A . M . Duff , P . M . 165 , London , having been proposed a joining member , the lodge was closed , ancl the brethren adjourned to refreshment .

YORKSHIRE ( NORTH AND EAST ) . SCARBOROUGH — Old Globe Lodge ( No . 200 ) . —On AVednesday evening , February 21 st this lodge was opened in the first degree , ancl the minutes of tho previous meeting were confirmed . Lodge opened in the second and third degrees , when Bro . Harcourb Johnstone was raised to the sublime degree of M . M . The lodge was reduced to tho E'A . degree , when Mr . R . M . Candler , of

Scarborough , was initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry . Tree candidates for initiation were proposed , ancl it is anticipated that in future the brethren who proposes a new member is likewise obliged to acquaint the brethren of the qualifications of the candidate as to his character and morals , and whether a sound man in all respects , that it may be debated whether he shall be admitted as for the good of this ancl all other lodges it is wished a more strict regard were paid on the part of the

proposer to the character , morals , and disposition of the candidates , that those only may be admitted who desire to promote the cultivation of science and elevate the standard of knowledge and virtue . There were present upwards of thirty members , amongst whom were Bros . Godfrey Knight , AV . M . ; AV . B . Stewartson , AV . F . Rooke , P . M . ; James Frederic Spurr , P . M . ; J . AA . Woodall , P . M ., Treas .,- H . C . Martin , P . M ., Hon . Sec . ;