Provincial.

stone , declaring that it was proven to have been truly laid accordin" - to the rules of the Order . Then taking a mallet in his hand and striking the stone three times , ho said , that in the name and by the authority of the Most Worshipful Grand Master of England , the Earl of Zetland , and in the presence of their Royal Highnesses the Prince ami Princess of AA ales , ho had ] roven this stone , and holding in his hand a gavel used on

a similar occasion by his late Majesty , King George IV ., a patron of the Order , aud who was regularly initiated into its mysteries , lie now declared that the stone of tbo new Staffordshire Infirmary had been regularly laid according to the rules of the Cratt , and having been proven by the square , the level , ancl the plumb rule , was truly and correctly laid in every particular . Tho plans and elevation having been inspected by his Royal Highness , " "

The Prov . G . Master , addressing Bro . Barlow , the builder , said the erection of the building would be entrusted to his skill , care , and industry , and he hoped that neither bis own reputation nor tbe stability ' of the building would suffer by the negligent or unfaithful performance of the work . He exhorted him so to fulfil his engagements as to win honour for himself and set a good example to his fellow labourers , and he prayed the Great Architect of the Universe to prosper his handywork .

The Prov . G . Master then took from the hands of Bro . Capt . Segrave a cornucopia containing ears of wheat , which he scattered upon tho stone , saying as he did so— "I scatter this corn as an emblem of plenty . May the blessings of bounteous Heaven be showered down upon us , and may our hearts be filled with gratitude . " The choir then sang to the simple and sublime strains of the " Grand Chant" — "There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains ; the

fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon "—Psalm lxxii ., 16 . The Prov . G . M . poured wine upon the stone , and said—•' I pour this wine as a symbol of joy and gladness . May our hearts be made glad by the influence of divine truth , and may virtue flourish as the vine . " The choir chanted— " AA'ine that maketh glad the heart of man , and oil to make his face to shine , ancl bread which strengtheneth man ' s heart . "—Psalm civ ., 15 . The Prov . G . M . poured oil upon the stone , and said— " I pour this oil as a symbol of peace and comfort . May peace and happiness , goodwill

ancl brotherly love flourish amongst us . " The choir chanted"And Jacob set up a pillar iu the place where he talked with him , even a pillar of stone ; ancl he poured a drink offering thereon , and be poured oil thereon . "—Genesis xxxv ., 14 . The Pro . G . Master then turned to the Prince of AVales and said he could not conclude bis part in the ceremonial without offering to his Royal Highness , and to all those who were interested in the Infirmary , tho hearty congratulations of the

Masonic body upon the auspicious commencement of the building . It was true that the meetings of the body were separate from the outer world , but tbey still claimed to belong to the universal brotherhood ofthe race , and there were times and occasions of public need ancl polity when , clothed with the badge and insignia of their Order , they were permitted , without overstepping the boundaries and ancient landmarks of their Craftto assist in the performance of good works . Ho had now

, great pleasure in directing tbe Treasurer to deposit their mite upon the stone , to be spent by the master builder in the refreshment and comfort of the operative masons , that their hearts , like the hearts of those present , might be glad and rejoice at tho commencement of this noble work , and as an earnest of the approbation aud sympathy which would be accorded to them if they faithfully performed their duty . In conclusion be begged to be allowed to wish long lifestrengthand happiness to the

, , Prince ancl Princess , and to the whole of that vast assembly . It only remains to be added with respect to this part of the ceremony , that the Freemasons of Staffordshire are justified in feeling proud of the dignity with which their Grand Master performed these elaborate formalities .

The presentation of purses followed the ceremony of laying the foundation stone , and it is highly gratifying to find , as it will to the Craft at large , that whilst the total number of purses presented was about 160 , and the aggregate amount of their contents a little over £ 1 , 400 , that of this amount £ 18716 s . was [ subscribed by the Staffordshire lodges , and £ 100 by Bro . Barlow , contractor , the builder for the new infirmary . These little facts reflect great credit upon our Staffordshire brethren

as evidencing their appreciation of the value of that brightest ornajneut , Charity which adorns Freemasonry , and showing the readiness of tiie Craft to support good works ; especially those f r the relief of suffering humanity , ancl that we do not keep

our hearts and pockets shut up against those who are not of us . AA ALES ( SOUTH ) . CAEDIIT . — Glamorgan Lodge ( No . 36 ) . —The installation of AV . M . for tho year ensuing- took place at the Freemason ' s Hall ,

on Monday , the 25 th ult ., when Bro . E . F . Langley , P . Prov . G . S . AA ., who had been unanimously chosen to preside over the lodge , met with a most enthusiastic reception .- A largo number of brethren attended , including Bro . J . M . Talbot , the R . AV . Prov . G . Master . The ceremony of installation was very efficiently performed by Bro . D . Roberts , I . P . M ., prov . G . Reg . The W . M . appointed his officers as follows : Bros . G . E . Robinson , S . AV . ; R . S . Fisher , J . AV . ; E . J . Thomas , P . M ., Sec ; E . S .

Hill , S . D . ; G . Robertson , J . D . ; S . Cooper , I . G . Bro . D . Roberts , P . 51 ., was then unanimously elected Treasurer . The brethren adjourned to a banquet at the Royal Hotel . The usual toasts wero duly honoured , and a most agreeable evening was spent .

AVORCESTERSHIRE . PEOViifciAi . GEASD LODGE . The meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Guildhall , AA orcester , on the 21 st ult ., when tho R . AV . Prov . G . M ., Albert Hudson Eoyds , was installed . At the close of the business the brethren walked in procession to atttend divine service at the Cathedral . The service commenced at

three o ' clock , and was most numerously attended . An eloquent sermon admirably adapted for tbe special occasion , was preached by the Rev . Sir F . A . Gore Ouseley , Bart ., M . A .., who took as his text the 2 nd chapter of St . Paul ' s Epistle to the Ephesians , the 19 th and following verses . The Rev . preacher commenced by stating that his text contained two metaphors , tbe first , in the 19 th verse , and which described the wretched state of Christian men before their condition was completely changed

by their admission to the fellowship and privileges of Christ's religion . All Incorporated bodies had peculiar privileges to which others and strangers are not admitted . The Jews had great privileges , but the privileges of Christians far exceed them ; all things in heaven belong to believers who joined with the glorious company in heaven actually form tho household of God . The second metaphor showed the surpassing privileges of Christians whoas a wholearc compared to a temple—one

, , whole building finished ancl completed , having its foundation in the apostles ancl prophets . There were two senses in which the Church is built upon that foundation , the testimony of their lives and words , and ' the fact of the apostles having been the first ministers , and from them the Church having been handed clown to our own day , and all resting on Christ Himself , the chief corner stone . The superstructure of the Church consists

of lively stones , not all alike , but some useful , some ornamental , some visible , others hidden , but all silently performing the duties allotted to them . The preacher next reverted to the special object of that clay ' s gathering . He did not wish to appear as an apologist for the society of Freemasons , hut the society was thoroughly Scriptural , and though not occupying the same ground as religion , yet inculcates ancl carries with it the principles of mutual love and benevolence , and was at all

times the Church ' s fellow-worker . He next adverted to the glorious Cathedral in which they were assembled , which was built in by-gone ages for God ' s glory , and for the use of His people—the builders were all Freemasons . AVe should , he said , all try to follow in their footsteps , all join in the work of restore ing that Cathedral . In the interests of morality unci religion the society of Freemasons always aided the Church , ancl taught the practical duty of social virtue and charity . On the one

point , charity , he would say a fow words to non-Masons . Let them judge the Freemasons by their works , and by the ready , helping hand they always extended to alleviate distress , to all alike he would say , let all help liberally in providing funds for a new window in the Cathedral , and for which their alms were that day asked . A collection was made at the close of the sermon , and £ 33 obtained towards the cost of the new window . Prom tho cathedral the brethren proceeded to the Shirehall

, where a magnificent banquet was prepared for them , a la Russe , by Bro . Chalk , of the Star Hotel Company , who did himself especial honour on this occasion by the light and elegant character of the repast . The chair was occupied by the Prov . G . M . The Prov . G . Master , in giving the first toast , " The Queen , " said he could not do greater honour to the throne than by connecting with the toast the pleasing duty of presenting the four