Provincial.

Junior Grand AA arden of Cheshire , was responded to in an ¦ eloquent and stirring speech by Bro . G . C . Legh . The ACTING PROV . G . MASTER proposed the health of Bro . 'Griffiths , the Secretary , and Bro . Bland , the Treasurer , two most valuable officers , and thanked them for their services to itbe Craft . Bro . B LAND regretted it devolved upon him to reply in

consequence of Bro . Griffiths having just left the banquet table . In his absence , he availed himself of the opportunity of stating that a more efficient and untiring Secretary there was not to -be found in any province in England , and who dovetailed so -much tact , ability , and perseverance with his duties . In reference to himself lie should merely observe that he hoped the Key , which was the emblem of his office , would remain asbright and untarnished whenever he handed it to a successor as

it was when he received it on his appointment . The Key had always been esteemed as an instrument of power and trust . The stewards of a Royal household in some countries were distinguished by a golden key . St . Peter is usually depicted with a 'key as a symbol that he had power to admit ancl exclude . He liacl been eleven years their Treasurer , and was happy their funds was so flourishing . He thanked his lordship for his

complimentary observations , and would content himself by uttering the sentiment to his assembled brethren , " May brotherly love and truth , in conjunction with temperance , fortitude , prudence , and justice , ever actuate our minds and guard our passions . " The ACTING PROV . G . MASTER proposed the health of tho Prov . G . Stewards , Bros . AVoodeoek , Jackson , Fair , Cutter , and Siddeley .

Bro . WOODCOCK acknowledged the compliment . The lodge was closed in ancient and solemn form , when the "brethren adjourned to the soiree . Full cathedral service was given at church , by an efficient choir , under the able direction of Bro . Twiss , Prov . G . Org . of Cheshire , who also presided at tho piano at the banqaet . A Masonic soiree took place in the evening , in the Assembly Roomto which the brethren adjourned from the banquet . The

, assembly was graced by the presence of the Hon . Misses AVarren , Mrs . Cornwall Legh , and many other ladies . Dancing was kept up with much spirit till past midnight . In the course of the evening , Bro . MTntyre , in an eloquent and complimentary speech to Lord de Tabley , presented to his lordship an address from the brethren of the De Tabley Lodge , with a splendid Past Master's jewel , of which they begged his

lordship's acceptance . —Lord de Tabley very gracefully and feelingly acknowledged the honour thus conferred . CREWE . —Lodge of the Four Cardinal Virtues ( No . 979 ) . — The consecration and opening meeting of this lodge took place ou the 17 fch ult ., at the Masonic rooms attached to the Mechanics' Institute , Crewe . Present : Bros . T . Mould , first AV . M . ; AV . G . Bullock , S . W . ; AV . It . Scott , J . AV . ; and AVilson , Kenyon ,

AVadsworth , Bromfield , Dr . Lord , & c . The following candidates for initiation , having been previously balloted for , were duly Initiated , viz ., II . Price , 6 . Lord , anil W . Eardley . Bro . AVadsworth kindly presided at the harmonium . The want of a good working lodge has long been felt in the railway created town of Crewe ( in addition to the Lodge of Unity ( No . 321 ) . The opening meeting was of a very satisfactory character , and

augured well for the future prosperity of tlie lodge . From the numerous Masons located at Crowe and the adjoining district , there ought ere long to be a very marked accession to the strength of the Lodge of the Four Cardinal A irtues .

GLOUCESTERSHIRE . TEWKESBURY . — £ / :. George ' s Lodge ( No . 900 , late 1202 ) . — Tins lodge was opened for the session of 18 G 2-3 , on Friday , the 25 th ult ., in the presence of a more than usual average of brethren , Bro . E . S . Cossens , AV . M ., presiding . The ballot was exercised , when Bro . the Rev . Joseph Hill Grice , R . A ., K . T ., S . P . R . C . 18 ° , kc , and Bro . W . T . Dix , S . D . 307 , proposed by

the AV . M . as joining members , were unanimously approved ; also Mr . Albert II . AVansbrough , proposed by the AV . M . as a candidate , was duly elected , and received at his hands the honour of initiation . Bro . Daniel Chandler having passed a very satisfactory examination as an E . A ., was promoted to the degree of E . G . by the AV . M . One of the officers of the lodge having transgressed the by-laws , and acted uncourteously towards tlie AV . M ., he having in vain , by correspondence , endeavoured to keep him within the compass of his duty , read the correspondence in open lodge assembled . The offending brother

continuing in discourtesy , the AA . M . passed on him the sentence of admonition ; but , owing to the kind offices of a rev . brother present , the offending brother expressed his contrition , and the . W . M . embraced the opportunity of reversing the sentence , but directed that all should be recorded as an example to others for the future . "L'Empire ce la paix" became the motto for the moment , and the brethren retired to their usual refreshment , parting in very good time .

LANCASHIRE ( EAST . ) MANCHESTER . —Cheetham ami Crumpsall Lodge ( No . 645 , late 92 S ) . —A lodge of emergency was held on Monday , the 28 th ult . Present : Bros . W . Emmatt , AV . M . ; AVhittaker , S . AV . ; and sixteen other members . Visitors : Bros . I . AV . Petty , P . M . 204 ; James Jackson , AV . M . 266 , Todmorden ; Joseph Bennett 204 ; and Henry Thomas BaldwinP . M . 204 .

, , The lodge was opened in form at 20 minutes to 7 o'clock . Bros . Chambers , Bailey , and Bennett were examined upon the progress they had made in Masonry since passing to the degree of F . C , ancl retired with tests of merit . Bro . Chambers having been admitted in due form was raised to the sublime degree of M . M . by Bro . Petty . Bros . Bailey ancl Bennett having been admitted in due form , were raised to the sublime degree of

M . M . ' s by Bro . Baldwin , who delivered the traditional history . The lodge was closed in peace and harmony at 9 o ' clock . The brethren retired to refreshment . After the usual loyal ancl Masonic toasts , Bro . Emmatt called attention to the funds of the Boys' School , and alluded to the success that had attended the " ladies' cards . " Ho said that , from unavoidable circumstances , Mrs . Emmatt ' s had been unable to complete hers ; it was suggested the card be passed round the table , and so successful was

its course that the five guineas was immediately made up . The AV . M . expressed himself so much encouraged by what had been done at the emergency , that , at the regular meeting on Monday , October 5 th , he should endeavour to make it into ten guineas . Tlie pleasures of the evening were much enhanced by the excellent singing of Bro . Cooper . AVHITEI-IELD ( Manchester ) . —Lodge of Merit ( No . 934 , late No 123 G )—Tho loel opened in form at quarterpast

. . ge was a - seven o ' clock . Present : —Bros . AV . Bailow , A \ . M . ; J . Briggs , S . AV . ; D . AVillcock , J . W .,- and several other members of the lodge . Alsitors- —Bros . Greenhalgh , Bellamy , and Baldwin . Two brethren having iu a satisfactory manner passed the examination leading from the first to second degree , retired with tests of merit , and were afterwards passed in due form . The lodge closed in peace ancl harmony at half-past eight o ' clock .

MANCHESTER . —Lodge of Integrity ( No . 163 , late No . 189 ) . — This lodge was opened in form at seven o ' clock . Present : — Bros . John Clayton , AV . M . ; May , S . W . ; and Bro . Rangers , J . AV . ; with a number of other members and visitors . The AV . M . passed Bro . L . Shiers to the degree of a F . C . The lodge closed in harmony at a quarter-past eight o ' clock . The brethren , having enjoyed a very pleasant evening , retired about half-past ten o ' clock .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) . AA ARRiNGTON . —Lodge of Lights ( No . 148 ) . —The regular meeting was held on the last Monday in September , at 6 . 30 p . m ., fourteen brethren attending . In the absence of the the W . M ., Bro . H . B . White , and there being no installed Master , or the S . W ., present , Bro . Bowes , the J . AA ., ruled the lodge from the right hand of the W . M . 's pedestal . The

lodge being opened in clue form , the unavoidable absence of the W . M . was explained , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed . Bro . Aherin was elected as a joining member , anel Bro . John Tunstall , having given satisfactoryevidence of his skill as an E . A ., retired . A P . M ., ancl the S . W ., being announced , were admitted ; when , the P . M . having taken the chairthe lo'lge was opened in the second degree .

, Tho presiding P . M . being unable to perform the ceremonies of passing , requested the J . W . to officiate for him , from the right hand of the pedestal . Bro . Tunstall being admitted in due form , was passed to the second degree by Bro . Bowes , the J . W . acting for the presiding P . M ., while Bro . Pettitt officiated as S . D . ; and , on the re-entry of the newly-passed brother , Bro . Pettitby request of the presiding P . M . gave the F . C .

, , charge , and the lecture on the tracing-board of the F . C . degree ; after which , the Eev . Bro . Porter gave a lecture on some points marking the progress of a F . C , and , after the routine business was duly completed , the lodge was closed in harmony .