Provincial.

o-reat loss she had sustained—undoubtedly the greatest loss that could befall a woman—the loss of her partner for life—induced her to decide that none of the members of the Royal Family should take part in any public ceremony this year . Her Majesty has not done this out of any disrespect towards you , my fellowcountrymen ; on the contrary , I believe that her Majesty entertains for you at the present moment the highest feelings , ancl sentiments of the most profound admiration and even gratitude .

I have endeavoured , as you will have observed , to perform all the rites which belong to my office , ancl I have only one or two ¦ words , in additionally addressing you , to say on this occasion , namely , that Masonry , of which a great many of you are most profoundly ignorant ( laughter ) , ancl for which I am profoundly sorry ( laughter ) , may easily become known to you ; and if any 0 f wish to enjoy the secrets of the CraftI beg to inform

you , you that there are several lodges in this town ancl neighbourhood where you will be most readily admitted . Ladies , it is true , are excluded ( laughter ) , from the privileges of the Order ; but let me tell them—and I can do so without encroaching on the oath of secresy—that Freemasonry is a system of beautiful morality . ( Hear , hear . ) Its principles may be disguised , may be mysterious , ancl may be only made known by insignia ; but this I may

say , that from the earliest times up to the present it has existed as an honoured art—as an honoured Order . His worship then alluded to the high antiquity of the order of Freemasons , and , after thanking the company . for their presence , he brought his remarks to a conclusion amid great acclamation . The " Hallelujah" chorus was afterwards played by a band adjoining . The PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPLAIN next offered up a prayer

, and after the "National Anthem" had been sung , ancl three cheers given for the Queen and Lord Derby , the proceedings closed . After the ceremony of laying the stone was completed , the brethren returned to the school-room in procession , after which they retired to the Corn Exchange to

THE BANQUET . At the conclusion of an excellent repast , provided by Bro . Jlorrish , of the Merchants' Dining Rooms , in this town , the Mayor , Bro . Townley Parker , said at the request of the R . AV . Prov . G . M . Bro . Sir Thomas G . Hesketh , Bart ., he would take the chair . The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given , and heartily

responded to . The D . PROA ' . GRAND MASTER , in proposing the first Masonic toast of the evening-, said he had the honour then of giving " The Health of the Earl of Zetland , M . AV . G . M . of England , " anil coupling with it "The Health of his Deputy , the Right Hon . Earl de Grey and Ripon , M . AV . D . G . M . of England . " There could not be two better Masons or two noblemen who could take more interest in the Craft ; and he felt sure had

either of them been present that clay he would have been pleased to see the number of the brethren present , and the interesting procession ancl ceremony in which they had all joined . Drunk with Masonic honours . Bro . Sir THOMAS G . HESKETH , M . T ., said the toast he had the pleasure of proposing was the toast of the evening , that of " The Mayor of one of the most ancient towns in England—¦

the Guild Mayor of Preston , Bro . Townley Parker . " Bro . TOAVNLEY PARKER , in reply , said he could not fail to express his surprise that the R . W . Dep . Prov . G . M . should have fallen into the error that he was a young Mason . He was initiated in Masonry in India before he ( Sir Thomas ) was born ; and although he had not taken an active part in the craft for years , he was associated with their R . AV . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Le Gendre NStarkie After a speech replete

. many years ago . with a considerable amount of humour , the chairman concluded V proposing " The healths of Bro . Le Gendre N . Starkie , R . W . Prov . G . M . of AVest Lancashire , and his deputy , Sir Thomas G . Hesketh , Part . " He regretted very much the absence of the R . W . Prov . G . M ., who was an excellent mason , but who , unfortunatel y , was prevented from being present in consequence of his infirmities from old age .

Sir THOMAS G . HESKETH , Bart ., returned thanks for the manner in which his name had been given ancl received . _ Bro . PARKER said he ivas sorrow he had to leave them , but his place would be ably filled by the R . W . D . Prov . G . M . SIR THOMAS then took the chair , and in doing so said he had one duty to perform , that of proposing "The Provincial Grand Ufneers of West Lancashire , present and past . " He would bear

testimony to the indefatigable exertions of one brother in Grand Lodge who appeared the right hand of the lodge , who was always at his duty and seemed never to tire ; that was Bro . Wylie , Prov . G . Secretary . Of the other officers of the lodge he had to speak in the highest terms , and he could not refrain from saying it was by their industry he was relived to a great extent in his duties . ( Cheers . ) The PEOV . G . SEC . in responding to the toastsaid he was not

, , entitled to the very flattering terms in which the D . G . M . had spoken of him . ( Yes , yes . ) He was glad to say that the harmony which existed among the thirt y lodges of that province was worthy of remark . From the cordial manner in which the brethren of Preston had met them , he hoped for the future .. they would go to different portions of the province to hold their annual meetings . ( Hearhear . ) He had great pleasure in

re-, turning thanks on his own behalf , as well as for his brother officers present and past . Tbe D . PROV . G . M . could not allow any one to give the toast he was about to propose . He could not think of leaving them without tendering his thanks to those brethren who had come from a distance to do them honour . The excellent manner in which the brethren from Cheshire had come forward had done

them good service , and contributed large to tbe success of the proceedings . He had also to thank the other brethren from Yorkshire ancl East Lancashire . ( Three times three ancl Masonic honours . ) Bro . FOAVLER , W . M . 101 , next responded to the toast , "The Worshipful Masters , Past Masters , and Officers of Lodges . " Bro . AA YLiE'Prov . G . Secproposed "Prosperitto the West

, , y Lancashire Institution for the Education and Advancement in Life of Children of Distressed Masons , " which he described as one of the best institutions in the country . He coupled Avith the toast the name of Bro . Billinge , one of the trustees of the institution .

Bro . BILLINGE said lie felt greatly obliged to them for the manner in which his name had been received . He did not know why bis name should have been so warmly associated with theinstitution , although he at its commencement gave it his support . He urged the brethren to continue their subscriptions , notwithstanding they bad-ample funds at their disposal for the education of their children . ( Cheers . ) The toasts , "The Ladies" and "The Grand Stewards of the Province" concluded the proceedings .

NORFOLK . NORWICH . —Cablell Lodge ( No . 1109 ) . —At a meeting of this lodge on the 27 th ult ., at the Assembly-rooms , a handsome testimonial in the shape of a silver tea service , was presented to Bro . Henry Underwood , Prov . G . Purst ., in acknowledgment of his personal exertions and liberalit y in promoting the success of that lodge , of which he was one of the founders , and also his innumerable services to the Craft during the period of twenty

years that he has belonged to it . The service , which weighed upwards of 60 ozs ., was supplied by Bro . Wm . Cooper , of London-street , and each article bore the following inscription : — " Presented to Bro . Henry J . Underwood , P . Prov . G . Purst ., by Cabbell Lodge ( No . 1109 ) , ancl the Masonic Craft in general , as a mark of their esteem and regard . August , 1862 . " One of the principal contributors to the testimonial was the R . W .

Prov . Grand Master himself , Bro . B . B . Cabbell . In the absence , through indisposition , of the AV . M . of the lodge , Bro . H . B . Woolsey , the chair was occupied by the V . W . Bro . the Rev . S . Titlow , P . Prov . G . Chap ., who , in presenting the testimonial , gave a sketch of Bro . Underwood ' s career , both in business and in Masonry , dwelling on the industry and forethought he had always displayed in life , by which he had raised himself to an

independencyfrom a very humble position in life , having begun to \\ ork for his livelihood at the very early age of six years . Bro . Titlow said he did not know any brother who better exemplified than Bro . Underwood the Masonic virtues of " prudence and _ fortitude , temperance and justice , faith , hope , and charity . " Bro . Underwood expressed in feeling terms his sense of the great honour which had been paid to him , and the lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned from labour to refreshment , and spent an exceedingly pleasant evening .

YORKSHIRE ( WEST . ) PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE . LAYING- THE FOUNDATION STONE OR THE NEW PUBLIC BATHS . A ceremony , unique in its character , was observed on AVednesday , August 27 th , at Dewsbury , the occasion being tho laying