Provincial.

Bro . AA ' yndham Portal confessed there was some difficulty in handling this subject . It included a question of very great importance both to the London and Provincial brethren , and it was a misfortune that the facts as discussed in Grand Lodge concerning it were so little known among the brethren generally . The present accommodation of the officers was wholly insufficient , and he wished their R . AV . brother had spoken more strongly on that point . He and many other brethren had found the difficulty arising from not having a general lace of assembly where

p they could meet with Masons when in London . There was an excess of £ 2500 a year and the Board of General Purposes might spend that either iu giving the Craft a general accommodation , or in benevolent purposes . The AVorshipful brother expressed his objection to any funds at all being expended for the purpose of providing refreshment in any shape . Bro . Stebbing further addressed the meeting in explanation of the exact appropriation of the funds ofthe Board of General Purposes ; and expressed his anxiety

to make every brother present feel that any very considerable expense for alteration of the Grand Lodge property would diminish the likelihood of assistance to tho Benevolent fund from that of General Purposes . Bro . Beach thought that those were very fit points upon which to call the attention of the brethren . Although it was of some importance that they should havo a building in accordance with the dignity of the Craft , still at the same time they should be careful not to entrench too far tho funds . He thought a library

upon of reference would bo useful on matters of Masonry , but a general library containing the standard authors of the day ho was of opinion was undesirable . He approved of the Rev . Bro . Portal ' s resolution . The resolution was then put to the mooting , and carried without a dissentient voice .

The E . AV . Prov . Grand Master then said he believed the business was concluded for which they had been called together , ancl he would therefore proceed to close the Prov . Grand Lodge . Bro . Stebbing then proposed a motion appreciating the kindness of tho Prov . Grand Master iu submitting the points to the discussion of the members of the province ; whicli was seconded b y Bro . Perkins , and carried by acclamation . TheR . AV . Prov . Grand Master briefly acknowledged the compliment , and the Prov . Grand Lodge was closed in duo form .

THE BASQUE ! took place at the Black Swan , at four o ' clock , and was most excellently served by Bro . Sherry . About fifty brethren sat down , Sir Lucius Curtis in the chair , and the vice chair was occupied by Bro . AV . AV . Beach , M . P ., and afterwards b y Bro . Dr . Clark , of Southampton . The viands , wines , and dessert , were of very superior quality , and gave general satisfaction . The chief brethren who had heeu present at tlie business of the day were also in attendance at the banquet . After the cloth

had been removed , and thanks returned by the Prov . Grand Chaplain , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given by Sir Lucius ancl properly celebrated . In the giving and responding to the toasts , several excellent speeches were made ; but a general ropoit of each would render our account too lengthened for the limits of the Magazine . Amongst other toasts drunk was the health of that useful and respected brother , Henry Ford , mayor of Portsmouth , and Bro . R . S . Hulbert , mayor of Basingstoke . In returning thanksBro . Fordafter some general

obser-, , vations , remarked on tlie honours and privileges of the Fraternity . He said ho had not found it at all incompatible with his office of mayor of Portsmouth to be the AV . M . of a Lodge of Freemasons . Ho loved Masonry as he hoped and believed they all loved it ; and he loved these social and brotherly gatherings , but above all the beautiful sentiments ivhich their noble Order taught them to feel and express towards each other . It was his firm conviction that on this earth , as fin- as human means could give it , Masons enjoyed tho purest possible bliss

within tlie four walls of their Lodge . As long as he was the Master ol , or connected with the Phoenix Lodgo , No . 319 , he hoped to continue to give satisfaction to the members of the Lodge , and all other Masons . Bro . Hulbert said ho could not boast , like Bro , Ford , of being a Master of a