Provincial.

Giddmgs , John Long , C . Clark , & c . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were giveu and responded to , but none with more enthusiasm than that of the W . M ., Bro . Gibbs , with every wish for a successful and prosperous year of office . A truly happy evening was spent , interspersed with some excellent songs , Bro . Clark kindly presiding at the piano , the brethren finally separating at nine o'clock .

YORKSHIRE ( NORTH AND EAST RIDINGS ) . STOKESEEY . — Cleveland Lodge ( No . 543 ) . —The annual festival of this lodge was celebrated on Monday , January 18 th , at the Golden Lion Inn , when a very excellent repast was provided , for the occasion by Bro . Edward Smith , the host . Bro . George Marwood , of Busby Hall , J . P ., D . Prov . G . M ., occupied the chair ; and Bro . Richard Watson , WM ., officiated as croupier . Grace was said by Bro . the Rev . W . L . Croft .

After the cloth was drawn , the following toasts were given : — " The Queen , " " The Prince ancl Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " " The Earl of Zetland , G . M . of England , and of the Province , " " The Earl de Grey and Ripon , D . G . M . of England , " "The R . W . Bro . Marwood , D . G . M . of the Province , and P . M . of the lodge , " proposed by the W . M ., and responded to hy Bro . Marwood ; " The W . M . and brethren of the North York Lodge" responded to bBro . Francis

, y Atkinson , P . M . and W . M . of that lodge ; "The W . M . of the Cleveland Lodge , " responded to by Bro . Richard Watson , W . M . ; "Prosperity to the Cleveland Lodge , " proposed by Bro . Atkinson , and responded to hy Bro . j . H . Handyside , P . M ., P . Prov . G . S . W . ; "To the Memory of the late Bro . William Martin , P . M ., " drunk in solemn silence ; "The Officers of the Cleveland Lodge , " responded to by Bro . George Simpson , S . W . ; " The Secretary ' s Toast" given in the usual manner ; " To all

, Poor and Distressed Masons throughout the World , wishing them a speed Deliverance from all their Troubles ; " "Prosperity to the North York Rifles ; " "The Press , " coupled with the health of Bro . Twedclell , " proposed by Bro . Stephen Hunter , P . M ., ancl responded to by Bro . George Markham Tweddell ;" " The Host ancl Hostess . " A number of excellent songs and recitations were given , and tho evening was passed with that harmony ancl decorum peculiar to the Craft .

. YORKSHIRE ( WEST ) . BATLEY-CAEB , DEWSEUBT . —St John's Lodge ( No . 827 ) . — The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 25 th ult . The lodge was opened at seven p . m . by Bro . John Armitage , W . M ., and the followina : brethren : —Win . Richardson , S . W . ; Wm . Thackrah , J . YV . j John Lohley , P . M . ; A . Wilson , P . M . ; R . R . Nelson , P . M ., and Prov . G . Sec ; John Spikingand George PoxP . M . 208 ; R . HewittHon . Sec . ; J .

, , , Fox , S . D . ; J . Vero , J . D . ; John Whittles , I . G ., and other brethren . The minutes were read and confirmed , also several communications , including one from the R . W . the Rt , Hon . Earl de Grey and Ripon , D . G . M ., and Prov . G . M . of West Yorkshire , ' appointing our trusty and talented Bro . R . R . Nelson , Prov . G . Sec , to fill the office of D . Prov . G . M . ad interim , until such time as he shall see fit to appoint a D . Prov . G . M . in the place of our late highly esteemed D . Prov . G . M .,

Bro . George Fearnley , M . L ., and Grand Deacon of England . After which the ballot was taken for Mr . Charles Robert Scholes , Mayor of Dewsbury , as a candidate for Freemasonry , who , being found worthy , was then admitted in due form , and solemnly initiated into the Order by the W . M . The explanation of the working tools was given by Bro . G . Fox , P . M . 208 in his usual effective and well-known manner . The charge , & c , was then delivered by the newly-appointed D . Prov . G . M . Bro . R . R .

, Nelson , in a very creditable manner , A resolution was unanimously passed that a letter of condolence be forwarded to the daughter of our late R . W . D . Prov . Grand Master expressive of the high respect in which he was held hy every member of this lodge , and the deep regret at his demise , & c A profound silence reigned during the proposition , showing the deep sympathy felt by ever }* member in the sentiments expressed . The whole of the business being concluded , the brethren adjourned

to the refreshment room , when ample justice was done to the repast . Tbe usual loyal toasts were proposed , after which the W . M . proposed ' -The Health of the M . W . G . M . the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Zetland , the D . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers . " The Prov . G . M ., R . W . Bro . the Rt . Hon . the Earl de Grey and Ripon , he said , was a pleasant toast for any brother to propose in this province , because it was always received by the brethren

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with that good feeling and true heartedness which it merited . — The next toast was " The newly-appointed D . Prov . G . M ., and the rest of the Prov . G . Officers , " which was responded to by Bros . R . R . Nelson , D . Prov . G . M . ; Edwd . Chadwick , Prov . G . Sword Bearer ; and Abraham Wilson , Prov . G . Standard Bearer . —Bro . W . Richardson , S . W ., proposed "The Health of the W . M ., Bro . John Armitage , " which was dulv responded to . — The W . M . proposed " The Health of the AVardens of the St .

John's Lodge , " coupling with the toast the rest of the Officers , and hoped they would support him during his year of office . This toast was responded to by Bro . AV . Richardson , S . W ., and the rest of the officers . —Bro . John Lohley next proposed " The Health of the "Visiting Brethren , " coupling with it especially the name of Bro . L . A . Shepherd , P . M . No . 203 . —Bro . Shepherd responded on behalf of himself and the visiting brethren . — " The P . M . ' s of St . John's Lod" was proposed by the Rev .

ge , Bro . Appleyard , Chap ., and responded to by Bro . John Lohley , P . M . —The AV . M . next proposed "The Newly-initiated Candidate , " and in doing so expressed a hope to see him at some not very distant date rise in Masonry to a high position , as he possessed ability and time , and had risen to a very high position out of the Craft . The toast was received ancl drunk with good feeling . —Bro . Scholes , in responding , said that after passing through the solemn ordeal of the eveninghe would for the

, present content himself hy thanking the brethren for the kindmanner in which they had received his name , and at some other time he would say more . —The W . M . then stated that the business of the evening should be closed , in respect to the memory of our departed Bro . Dr . Fearnley , D . Prov . G . M ., when all thebrethren expressed concurrence , and thus ended a pleasant and agreeable evening of this thriving ancl prosperous lodge . .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER . The quarterly convocation of Grand Chapter was held oir Wednesday . The Chapter was opened by Co : nps . Gibbs , Prov Gr . Supt . of Bombay , as Z . ; Havers , P . G . J ., as H . ; Evans , P . G . N ., as J . ; Jennings , G . N . ; Clarke , G . E . ; Potter , as G . Soj . ; and Comps . Le Veau and Gole , as Assist . G . Sojs .

There were also present—Comps . Mclntyre , G . Reg . j Head , G . S . B . ; Perkins , P . G . Soj . ; Bradford , P . G . Dir . of Cers .,-Smith , P . G . Dir . of Cers . ; Payne , G . Jan . ; Stebbing , Farnfield , Woodley , Spencer , Buss , Webb , ancl about half-a-dozen others . The Chapter was opened with an impressiveness which

madeus desire that the G . Z . could find as able representatives in England as he apparently can in India . The G . Scribe E . proceeded to read the minutes , during which it was announced that the G . Third Principal had arrived ( the first ancl second nobody ever expects to see , and therefore is not disappointed ) . Shortly afterwards Lord Sherborne entered

and a scene ensued by the changing of robes , & c , which reminded us more of an harlequinade than anything else—thus varying the usual entertainments—Lord Sherborne bearing Z ., ancl Comp . Gibbs , H . Comp . Evans offered his robes as J . to Comp . Havers ; but as there was , luckily , one Companion of common sense present amongst the heads of the Order , they were declined , and we are bound to admit , we regretted

thechanges that did take place for more than one reason . The " tomfoolery" of changing being by the help of the Janitor got over , the business was proceeded with and theminutes confirmed . On the motion of Comp . JE _ : KTJ * G 3 , the report of the Com mittee was received and entered on the minutes .

Comp . JENSTN'GS said that there were some passages in the report on which it was necessary to take action . The first was with regard to the High Cross Chapter , meeting at Tottenham , relative to which a petition had been presented for its removal to London . The question had been referred back to the Com-