Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

DEVONSHIRE . 1 ' LMIOUTII . —Lodge of St . John ( No . S 3 ) . — 'This Lodge , at its regular meeting at tho Masonic Hall , on Tuesday , 5 th July , very forcibly illustrated the advantages to bo derived from meeting in private rooms , by confirming a vote of ton guineas to bo divided amongst the four London Masonic institutions , and the South Devon hospital at Plymouth . At a Lodge of emergency , on Tuesday , 12 th July , a gentleman previously balloted forwas initiated in a manner hihlcreditable to the officers

, gy generally . Where all did their duty well , it scorns almost invidious to particularize , but honourable mention should be made of Bro . Harfoot , S . D ., who delivered a lecture on the first tracing board so admirably as to command tho thanks of those present , for the high intellectual treat he had afforded . The Lodge may well be proud of the talents of its Senior Deacon .

HAMPSHIRE . WINCHESTER . — -Lodge of ( Pmiivmi / ( No . 90 ) . —The general monthly assembly of this Lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , adjoining the Black Swan Hotel , on AVednesday evening . Bro . Durant , P . M ., presided on tho occasion , assisted by Bros . La Croix , S . AV . ; Lai-kin , J . AV . ; and among the P . Ms , were Bros . Everett , Sherry , Oakskott , and Cowen . After the Lodge had been duly opened , aiid the minutes of tbe last meeting

confirmed , the AV . M . pro ten ,, requested the Secretary to read some business communications to the Lodge . The first of these was from the Grand Secretary , the " V . AV . Bro . AV . Gray Clarke , in reference to the fact that some spurious Lodges had been formed at Smyrna , which had assumed tho unauthorized title of " The Grand Lodge of Turkey , " and cautioning all regular Loclges against acknowledging or admitting any parties claiming admission on the ground of having been initiated in such irregular Locl . The communication having been formallread

ges y , a minute of the same was ordered to be entered on the books of the Lodge . The second communication consisted of a letter addressed to the W . M ., officers and brethren , from the Lodge " La Cesaree , " No . SCO , Jersey , soliciting subscriptions towards a fund about to be raised for the purpose of erecting a Masonic temple in the island . The consideration of the application was deferred to a future meeting . Bro . C . Sherry , P . M ., then gave notice of a motion for discussion at the next monthly meeting , to the effect , that he would bring forward for adoption a form of

memorial to be presented to the Board of General Purposes , asking them to take into their consideration tbe present representation of ju-ovincial Masons in the Grand Lodge of England , with a view of affording them a fair share in the election of all boards connected with the Order ; and requesting the board to bring the epicstion before the ('• rand Lodge . A discussion followed , relative to the revision of the by-laws of the Lodge ; some additions were proposed and approved , subject to tho confirmation of the next meeting . This being the whole of the business of the evening , the Lodge was closed with the usual formalities .

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AND HUNTINGDONSHIRE . PIIOVIKCIAE GI 1 AKD LODGE . Tho annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge was held at Oundle , on the 20 th July . Tbe Board of Management of the Provincial Benevolent Fund assembled at twelve , and examined and audited tho accounts of the previous year . The Provincial Grand Lodwas held at the Town Halland opened

ge , at one o ' clock , in accordance with summons , under the presidency of the D . ' Prov , Grand Master , Bro . Thos . Ewart , who ably sustained the duties of the chair in the unavoidable absence , through illness , of the Right AVorshipful Prov . Grand Master , tho Marquis ol Huntley . Tho Lodge having been opened in due form , tho minutes of the preceding Grand Lodge were read and duly confirmed . Bro . G . M . Fox read a statement of the present condition and progress

oi the Provincial Benevolent Fund , which elicited tho warmest approbation . The motion that the accounts be passed was carried unanimously . Tho offices of Secretaries to the Benevolent Fund having become vacant , Bros . G . M . Fox and J . Marshall were unanimously re-elected joint Secretaries for another five years . The office of Prov . Grand Treasurer having also become vacant by the lamented death of our respected Bro . Christopher Markham , it was proposed by Bro . Higgins , and seconded by Bro . tbe Rev . 0 . Bobbins , that

Bro . Henry Markham , assisted by Bro . Boen . e , be appointed Prov . Graud Treasurer , and also Treasurer of the Benevolent Fund ; which motion was carried unanimously . The sum of ten guineas was voted to the Masonic Girls School , to constitute the D . Prov . Grand Blaster a governor of that institution for fifteen years . The sum of ten guineas was also voted to tho Masonie Boys School , to constitute the Prov . Senior Graud AVardcn a life governor to that institution .

The sum of ten pounds was voted "to the widow of our late Bro . Beresford , of the Socrates Lodge , Huntingdon , she having been left in a very distressed condition . A donation of ten pounds was given to Bro . James Marshall , an old and worthy member of the Pomfret Lodge , Northampton , who had fallen into poor circumstances .

The sum of five pounds was also given to the widow of the late Bro . Kapler , of tho St . Peter ' s Lodge , Pcterboro ' . Bro . G . M . Fox gave notice that he should , at the next provincial meeting , propose for consideration the propriety of altering tbo present mode of subscriptions to the Prov . Grand Lodge , substituting a certain turn per head for each member of a Lodge , in lieu of the present system of each Lodge paying two pounds . The Grand Lodge was closed in antient and solemn form , and tho

brethren , being placed in order by Bro . Inns , Director of Ceremonies , walked in procession to the Talbot Hotel , whore an excellent din netwas served by Bro . Wright , and the remainder of tho day was spent in a very agreeable manner .

SOMERSETSHIRE . PIIOITNCTAI . GBAA'D LODGE . The annual meeting ivas held at Glastonbury , on Tuesday , July 2 Cth , that day being also appointed for the consecration of a now Lodge , " The Pilgrim , " No . 1074 , the warrant for which had been granted some mouths since by the M . AV . Grancl Master . A neatly fitted up Lodge room was prepared at the Pilgrim and George Hotel , ivhich presented

a striking and beautiful appearance , being adorned with the banners of the various Lodges in the province in exceedingly good taste by Bro . Piatt , of Beaufort Buildings , London , to whom the general arrangement of furnishing tbe Lodge was confided . The splendid banner bearing the device of the " Pilgrim , " manufactured by that brother , under the immediate direction of Bro . Dr . Pope , elicited the approbation of all present . An event in itself so interesting to the fraternity , but especiallimportant to the localitycould not fail to attract a very largo

y , gathering of the brethren of this and surrounding provinces—but the interest was not confined to tbe Masonie circle alone . The Bristol ancl Exeter Railway officials having put on excursion trains at very low fares from both ends of their line aud also the various branches , many hundreds availed themselves of the opportunity of visiting the once magnificent abbey of Glastonbury , which covered forty acres of ground . It ivas founded in 605 ; the greater part , however , is so modern as the two ! fth and fourteenth centuries—the ruins consist of some fragments

of the church , a Norman chapel , built in 1190 , and the abbot's octagonal kitchen , a most hospitable structure in design and extent . The abbot lived in almost regal state , aud sat among the barons in Parliament . All this greatness was brought to a close at the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539 , when the last abbot , Richard AVliiting , was hanged in bis robes , Avith two of bis monks , by order of Henry VIII ., for refusing

to surrender the abbey to the royal power . The Pilgrim and St . George ' s Inn was formerly the Abbey hospitium , and it was here the newly constituted Lodge met to receive the Prov . Graud Lodge , which was opened by Bro . J . AA ' . Randolph , D . Prov . G . M ., who was supported by the following brethren - . —H . O . Vernon , Prov . G . M ., Worcester ; H . Shute , Prov . G . M ., Bristol ; C . J . Vigne , P . Prov . S . G . AV ., Somersetshire ; R . E . Peach , P . Prov . S . G . AV . ; AVhite , P . Prov . S . G . AV . ; AVelsh , P . Prov . J . G . AV . ; Ashley , Prov . J . C . AV . ; Oakley , P . Prov . J . G . AV . ; Oliver , P .

Prov . S . G . D . ; AV . Robinson , P . Prov . S . G . AV . ; T . Cave , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; R . AV . Falconer , Prov . G . Treas . ; Rov . R . Thomas , Prov . G . Chaplain ; Bluett , Prov . G . Org . ; H . AV . Lovctt , P . Prov . G . Supt . of AVorks ; AV . A . F . Powell , D . Prov . G . M ., Bristol ; Harris , Prov . G . S . AV ., Bristol ; G . Chick , P . Prov . S . AV ., Bristol ; J . A . Page , Prov . G . J . AV ., Bristol ; J . A . Clark , Prov . G . Reg ., Bristol ; AV . Heal , Prov . G . S . B ., Bristol ; Henry Bridges , P . Prov . S . G . D . ; C . Halliday , P . M ., No . 367 ; AV . AA . ilkleyP . M ' . No . 307 ; J . K . GundryP . M . St . Augustine LodgeNo .

, , , , , SS 5 , New Zealand ; C . Milsom , AA ' . M ., No . 61 ; E . Horwood , AV . M ., No . 221 ; AV . Salvan , AV . M ., No . 357 ; Clapcott , S . AV ., No . 412 : Piatt , J . AV ., No . 108 ; A . AValkley , J . D ., No . 367 ; J . B . Invertue , J . AV ., No . 43 ; J . J . Ckipei'ton , S . AV ., JSTO . -112 ; C . George , I . G ., No . 4 S , & e ., & c . Assisted by his officers and the brethren present , Bro . Randolph proceeded to consecrate the Pilgrim Lodge , No . 1074 , and invest the officers named in the warrant and others as follows : —Bros . Dr . Pope , P . M ., No .

367 , AA' . M .. ; T . S . Howe , S . AA' . ; Capt . H . P . Crampton , J . AA ' . ; T . If . Roach , S . D . ; J . Cornwall , J . D . ; T . Robinson , I . G . The ceremony of consecration by the D . Prov . G . M . who officiated in the regretted absence of the venerable Prov . G . M ., Colonel C . Kemeys Kemeys Tynte , was very impressively performed according to antient custom , the Prov . G . Chaplain reciting the several prayers during tho

ceremony . This installation of tho first AA ' . M ., Bro . Dr . Pope , succeeded the consecration , but was mueh curtailed in consequence of his Laving already passed the chair of No . 367 ; and in investing him with the AA ' . M . ' s collar , the D . Pro ' . G . M . said , that he had it on good authorit y , on which he could rely , tli . it he ( Dr . Pope ) was an excellent working Mason , and that no brother performed the ceremonies of the Craft more skilfully . These cercmon . es ended , the visitors and brethren , not being members

of the Prov . Gmi . d Lodge , retired , anil the business of the province was proceeded with , A iz ., tbe reading and confirmation of the minutes of the previous Prov . G . ancl Lodge and the presenting the report of the Prov . Grand Treasurer . A grant of £ 20 was voted to the widow of a brother of No . 327 , and the following brethren were appointed and invested Prov . Grand officer .- ) by tho ' D . Prov . G . M . . —Bros . P . 11 . Crampton , No . 107-1 , Prov . S . G . AV . ; Charles Molsom , No . i ) l , Prov . J . G . AV . ; Rev . 11 . J . V . Thomas , No . 432 , Prov . G . Chaplain ; R . AA ' , Falconer , No . 52 S , Prov . G . Treas .: C . Babbage ,