Provincial.

him . It had given him very great pleasure to be present that day , and he trusted he had only commenced a series of visits to be made at every opportunity he could avail himself of . It was a long period since he had last entered a Mason ' s Lodge . They ivere Avithout a Lodge in his own neighbourhood at that moment ; IIOAV it AA-as he could not explain , but it AA-as so . He . hoped something AA ' OUUI turn up ere long , and that they lA-ould again shine as they did tiventy years ago , as one of the best Lodges in the county . They had been kind enough to make allusion to his civic position : he was certainly proud to have been elected to his situation b

y the voices of his fellow townsmen , a , situation to attain AA'hich any man must feel highly honoured . Iu conclusion , he again thanked them ; repeating that on that festive occasion he ivas exceedingly glad to bo one of the party . — Bro . C . Sherry , P . M ., having obtained permission from the chair , next addressed the company . He apologised iu case his want of Avords should cause his not being perfectly understood by his felloiv Masons present . The Lodge of Economy had kindly deputed him AA'ith the necessary authority to act as their stoivard at the coming festival of tho Royal BeneA'olent Institution ; andthereforeon the

, , present occasion , he considered it his duty to make a pressing application to all his Brethren for substantial support . Before he made any further remark on the point , he begged to propose a toast , " Success to the Royal Benevolent Institution . " He sincerely hoped he should not be considered out of order in making such a pointed application for them to contribute to the support of the institution . From their individual province , many applications for relief had gone up to the institution , and they had not failed in obtaining a favourable reply in behalf of the objects of charity put forward . The Lodge of Economy had made a vote for a

grant to the Benevolent Institution , and they thus attained a life governorship iu the male department . A peculiarity of some importance existed in the patronage of tiro institution , AA'hich he desired to point out as inconsistent and unfair . ' There AA'ere forty-four recipients of relief ; thirty-six from the provinces , and eight from London . £ 775 ivere paid to the provinces , and £ 165 to the London recipients .

London contributed £ 9 out of every £ 10 towards the institution ' s support at the last festival . They , in the provinces , therefore , enjoyed a very great advantage in proportion to what they contributed ; and he should like to see the thing a little equalized . The chairman coincided as to the undue proportion of the benefits to the contribution . Bro . Sherry continued : —thc London lodges had contributed just nine tenths of the money ; he really did think the time was arrived for the provinces to bestir themselves in the matter , and show their liberality . The toast of "The Royal Benevolent Institution" was then drunk ivith proper feeling ; and Bro . Sherry passed a paper round to tire assembled brethrenand from almost

, every one present obtained either a donation , or a subscription , to be annually continued . The next toast proposed ivas " the health of Bro . AV . Biggs . " Bro . Biggs said—Like his ivorthy Brother , the Mayor- of Lymington , he felt he should be devoid of all gratitude if he did not rise at once and return his most sincere thanks . That was not the first , second , or third time lie had been in the Lodge ; he believed he could almost be called an annual visitor . He must say he had always much enjoyed the hospitality of their board , and he Avas deeply indebted for the pleasure and gratification he had experienced at his frequent visits . Though

the neiv AV . AI . had stated himself to be no speaker , still he ( Bro . Biggs ) thought the gavel Avas placed in the light hands , and ho foresaw that the duties of the various officers ivould bo properly carried out , and tire work of thc Lodge done properly during the next year . Bro . Sherry had alluded to the claims ofthe Royal BeneA'olent Institution . He certainly should like to find in future that a little less ivas said , and more douo to the purpose . During his travels about the country , there AA'as scarcely a fortnight elapsed Avithout his visiting some Lodge or other , and he had been very ivell able to observe that ( as Bro . Sherry had said ) the

provincial Lodges required stir ring up—ivith regard to the benefits they received from the Benevolent Institution , and what they paid towards it , it ivas so very much out of proportion . AVhat benefits had they obtained in that province 1 Only some little time ago £ 100 had been received from tho Grand Lodge for a distressed Brother , and he hoped soon to see him placed upon the annuity list . They ought to feel a lasting gratitude . They also had three stewards out of the piwince