Provincial.

The first name on my list is that of our Bro . E . J . Reed . When the Athenians consulted the oracle in order to learn how they might best defend themselves , they were told to pnt their trust in wooden walls . If at the present time England was to consult a similar institution , I doubt not that the reply would be that we should put our trust in iron walls . Our thanks thereforeand those of the nationare especialldue to those

, , y who spend anxious nights and lahourious days in striving to perfect our sea going defences . No one has attained greater distinction in this pursuit than our Bro . Reed , and we therefore cordially hail him as a brother amongst us . The health of our Bro . Needham follows naturally aud appropriately for what would be the value of iron walls or any others unless we had brave men to defend them . If we can no longer sing " Hearts

of oak are our Ships , " we can at least boast that " Gallant tars are our men . " Bro . Needham is a member of that splendid service , whose zeal , science , and courage , have had a principal share in building up the power and fame of Old England , and whose members have repeatedly proved in these later years , that they only want opportunity to equal , if not surpass , the glorious deeds of their heroic forefathers , and as such we feel

that his presence among us is an honour and pleasure to all . There are peculiar reasons why we should heartily greet our Bros . David Smith , and Griffith , well known as an old and eminent masons , the former has done our lodge honour in entering it , because be has been attracted to it simply by its reputation for Masonic skill , industry , and character . AVe feel no ordinary pleasure in welcoming the latterbecause his name

, has become quite a household word among us both as a man and as a mason . Honoured for his talents and esteemed for his private worth , he has ever striven to advance the cause of sound knowledge , christian charity , and Masonic excellence . In conclusion I may say that this is indeed a proud day for the R . Clarence Lodge , and I trust that our new members may long be spared to assist in and witness its prosperity .

YORKSHIRE ( NORTH AND EAST ) . STOKESLEY . —Cleveland Lodge ( No . 5-13 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Golden Lion Hotel , on Monday evening , the 22 nd ult . ; Bros . J . H . Handyside , P . M ., acting W . M . ; George Markham Tweddell , F . S . A . Scot , S . AV . ; Stephen Hunter , P . M ., as J . W . ; Henry Fawcett , __ . __ ., S . D . ; George Tweddelljun . JD . as I . G . The lod was opened in

, , ., ge the first degree , when the minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed , and Bro . AVhite passed a very creditable examination as an E . A ., after which be was passed to F . C . Three new candidates were proposed for ballot at next meeting . The lodge was then closed , aud the evening was spent in quiet conversation ou Masonic and other subjects .

Ireland.

IRELAND .

DOW N . MOSEYREA . —Public Lecture on Freemasonry . —On the 22 nd nit ., a public lecture on Freemasonry was delivered in Moneyrea school-room to a large and highly-influential audience hy Bro . James T . Jl'C ' almont . About 00 brethren from Belfast , besides members from Comber , Saintfield , Donaghadee , Newtownards , and the surrounding districts , appeared in Masonic costume ' . The chair ied b '

was occup y the AV . M . of Moneyrea Lodge , 550 , Bro . R . M'Calmont , who in introducing the lecturer was received with applause . The lecturer then proceeded to state his utter inability to do a tithe of justice to so humanising , unsectarian , and universal a society , lie was aware that it was too venerable and too sacred to require support by flourishes of oratory . The grandest aud most temples erected b have been

gorgeous y men swept away , leaving not a trace behind . Empires have risen and fallen . Cities , once the seat of kingdoms , have become deserts ; yet , amid all these changes , the Masonic institution has lived and flourished to elevate and enlighten the human race . Although he was aware of this , he considered it as his duty , and the duty of every true Freemason , to use every legitimate means to advance its cause and to free it from misrepresenta

- tions . He next showed that Freemasonry existed from the earliest age of the world , but under different names , and traced its connexion with the idolatrous rites of the ancient heathens , considered it when protected by the Romish Church , and traced it through its various changes down to the present day . The object of the society was then taken up , and explained to be

Ireland.

the enjoining and enforcing of the most beautiful moral and religious precepts— - "Peace on earth , good will to all men , " was one of its principal mottoes . In the Freemasons' Lodge , men of every nation , colour , and tongue , and widely differing in theological belief and political principles , assembled in amity . To banish feuds and contentions , to allay enmity , to practise charity , to soothe aflliction , to be temperate , faithful , generous , and just arc the aims of the true Freemason . Freemasonry is now

progressing faster than before . It has fewer obstacles to contend with , and more helps . The noble and the good ofthe earth are in its ranks engaged in bestowing additional blessings on mankind , and assisting to spread the principles of liberty and progression . A vote of thanks at the conclusion was proposed hy Bro . Bennett , and seconded by Bro . Pyper , and after praise and prayer the assembly dispersed .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

METROPOLITAN . A ' ICTORIA CHAPTER ( NO . 1 , 056 ) . —A quarterly convocation of this chapter was held on Monday the 1 st inst ., at the George Hotel , Alderinanbury . The chapter was opened in ancient form by Comps . C . Hosgood , M . E . Z ., Pendlebury , P . Z . as IL , and J . Brett , P . Z . as J . Comp . J . Brett then installed Comp . G . H . Oliver as H . The companions were then admittedand tho

, minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed , also the minutes of the emergency . Among the members present were Comps . Long , N . Gotthiel , P . S ., Harris , 1 st assist . S „ Higman , D . C , J . Coney , Newman , Bolleter , and Forge . A isitor , S . Mortlnck , No . ISO . Favourable ballots were then taken for Bros . J . Taylor and W . Musto . These brethren being in attendance were then exalted to the supreme degree of Royal Arch

Masonry . The usual orations were delivered by Comps . C . Hosgood , Z ., Pendlebury , IL , and J . Brett , J ., with that accuracy for which the Victoria Chapter is now so famous . The chapter was then closed in ancient form , and the companions then adjourned to a most excellent banquet , followed by a sumptuous desert . Grace having been said , and the cloth removed , the usual loyal aud Masonic toasts were given and

responded to , interspersed with some excellent vocal music The M . E . Z . then rose , and said he came now to what he deemed the toast of the evening , namely , "the I . P . Z ., Comp . Pendlebury . " He then , in highly eulogistic terms , expatiated upon the many merits of Comp . Pendlebury , the first P . Z . of this flourishing chapter , who had won the esteem of every companion by bis faultless working , as well as by the display of many genial and social good qualities . He then presented to Comp . Pendlebury a splendid P . Z . jewel for the zeal and ability

he had displayed in the faithful discharge of his duties as first Z . of the Alctoria Chapter , and in affixing this jewel be ( Comp . llofgood ) , in the name of the members of ( liis chapter , wished him many years of prosperity . Comp . Pendlebury then thanked the companions , and said he received this splendid proof of their esteem and regard with feelings of the deepest gratitude . This was indeed a proud testimonial and an ample reward for all those past services which had honoured btheir unanimous

comy mendation , and an incitement , if any were wanted , to the most unremitting exertions for the future . He should ever retain aud prize the magnificent tribute of respect which he had received that evening at their hand-- . Comp . Pendlebury also responded for the P . Z . 's . The health of the M . E . Z . was then proposed in very flattering terms , and responded to by the M . E . Z . in an appropriate speech . The officers' healths were then proposed ling

, coup with that toast the name of Comp . Brett , P . Z . and Treas . Comp . Brett then returned thanks for the officers , and seemed to be quite at home in this as in all other R . A . ceremonies . The mantle of the late Dr . Ladd may with some truth be said to have fallen on Comp . Brett ' s shoulders , and fits admirably . It is a great pleasure to find this worthy companion throwing his whole zeal and energies into -Masonry . There are few R . A . 31 ., if '

any , who can work the sections ofthe R . A . in so correct and pleasing a manner . The credit is also due to that worthy Mason ( Comp . Brett ) , for the faultless manner in which the officers of this chapter perform their duties . Comp . J . J . Caney , of 44 , Cheapside , received instructions from the principals to provide a complete set of furniture for the chapter for the meeting in April next . The poor and distressed were feelingly remembered , and thus terminated au evening spent in truly fraternal harmony .