Provincial.

its ranks on to the platform . AA'hen they had reached it , the group they presented was a most picturesque one . There stood the scarlet-robed Mayor , the sun shining on his uncovered head , the majestic-looking Grand-Master with his breast covered with the glittering insignia of his order , the scarcely less decorated Deputy Grand-Master , the black-robed Chaplain , while round them thronged the subordinate officers , one bearing the horn of plenty filled with ripe corn-ears , another the chalice containing wine ,

another that with oil , another with a vessel of salt , others with the trowel , square , and other carpentering tools required , whilst others , to the great mystification ancl delight of the populace , bore huge unlighted wax candles , almost as long as themselves . The official dignitaries having taken up their position , the Rifle Band again played the National Anthem , after which the Rev . Bro . AVatson offered up an appropriate prayer . The Director of the CeremoniesBro . C . H . Lowethen read the inscription on the

, , plate aloud , ancl it was then adjusted in its place on the stone bv the D . Prov . G . M . Bro . AV . A . F . Powell . The Prov . G . M . was then handed the hoin containing the ears of corn , some of which he sprinkled over the stone ancl plate , and afterwards having received the chalice , poured a libation of wine on it : the D . Prov . G . M . then added some oil , and the Prov . G . M . besprinkled the stone with salt . The Prov . G . M . then tried the stone with the square and

level , and said , "I declare this stone to be true , trusty , and perfect . " A silver trowel was handed to him with which he laid some mortar on the top of the stone . The stone was then raised opposite to its niche in the wall , and adjusted there by Bro . Rice and his assistants . The architect , Bro . Godwin , handed the Prov . G . M . a mahogany mallet , with which the latter struck the stone two or three times , and then declared it properly laid . Another prayer was offered up , and the 100 th Psalm sung , the Rifle Band accompanying . The

Grand Master then pronounced the benediction . The PEOV . GEAND MASTEE then said , according to the regulations which usually , in their Order , accompanied the laying of a stone , the Provincial Grand Master was supposed to deliver an oration . He was no orator , as Brutus was , and after the discourse they had so lately heard , any words of his would fall like lead on their ears . He should , therefore , not presume to address onejjword to themafter the sermon they had heardexcept to assure them

, , that however much he might be called on to take a leading part in these proceedings , he should he sorry to take one crumb of credit for a tiling in which he had no hand . The present proceedings hacl heen carried out by a committee , and though he had been on the executive of that committee he hacl only assisted to carry out their instructions . The procession was then re-formed and , headed by the Rifle Band , returned to the Exchange , which it reached about four o ' clock .

THE BASQUE ! . The passage from " labour to refreshment , " was a pleasant ancl natural one enough ; but the banquetting room was not in this case "tiled , " as there were a goocl many present , including the Chief Magistrate , who have never been initiated in the mysteries of the Craft , or set eyes upon such symbolic luminaries as the " Doric liht . " The company that sat clown in the White Lion numbered

g nearly 150 . The chair was taken by the Prov . G . M ., H . Shute , Esq ., who was supported by the Mayor , the High Sheriff Bro . Tynte , ancl other gentlemen . The following is a list of gentlemen present -. — The Prov . G . M ., Bro . Shute , the Mayor of Bristol , and Messrs . Win . Powell ancl M . AVatson , the Sheriff of Gloucester , the High Sheriff of Bristol , Messrs . James AA'illcox , Samuel Hancom , AA ' .

Thompson , Thomas Moutrie , John Greening , S . G . Mitchell , D . P . Belfield , J . Hill , Robt . Scott , Geo . Knowland , John Linter , Win . Saltern , J . A . Gardner , G . AA'ilks , F . G . Prideaux , T . Collett , E . Evans , F . Lane , J . M . Stephens , J . M . Banfield , J . Broad , George Gardner , Chas . T . Jefferies , S . Short , B . Ames , AA ' . Rice , R . Long . G . Turner , AV . Proctor , J . A . Randall , AV . Knill , T . Bell , R . Pendicle , H . Pilchard , AV . Baye , G . Chick , Dr . Pope , H . SimmmonsAV . M . MaekrethRPughAFrySLowther

, , , , . , . , D . Taylor , J . D . Musgrove , J . Shellard-, J . Frost , J . Kirby , F . T . Barnard , B . H . Rice , AA ' . C Jarrett , AV . G . M . Sladen , AV . A . Scott , T . R . Grimes , A . AA ' alkley , AA ' . Lemon , W . A . Grimes , E . Floor , T . Clements . D . Parsley , W . Brown , AV . J . Rogers , F . N . Watkins , J . Pickford , AV . Pickford , AV . L . Pear , AV . Plummer , G . Godwin , J . Randolph , C . K . Tynte , AA ' . Rotton , S . E . Taylor , J . A . Page , J . H . Chuto , A . Drewe , T . AV . Tilley , C Tovey , J . Pepler , R .

Cripps , E . T . Lucas , J . F . Lucas , T . Graham , J . Roberts , I \ Dailies , AA . H , Bowden , E . Cole , jun ., II . Merrick , II . Tanner , J . R . Marwood , D . Robottom , B . Maggs , J . II . Fyler , H . Rutson , G . L . Calloway , Le Couteur , C . R . Davy , J . H . Amor , J . G . Rake , G . S . Sebry . The usual loyal toasts having been given in brief but happy language by the Prov . G . M ., "The Army , Navy , ancl Volunteers . "

were proposed , and responded to by the Mayor , as Hon . Colonel , and Capt . Taylor , ( Bristol Rifle Volunteers ) , ancl Colonel Tynte fertile regular army . The MAYOE , in responding for his own health , said : —Ten months of his mayoralty had now almost passed , ancl he hoped that at the termination of the year the citizens would consider that he had endeavoured to discharge his duties . ( Cheers . ) The HIGH SUEEIEP ( J . SaundersEsq . ) in responding to the

, , compliment passed on him , said : —The restoration of St . Mar y Redcliffe Church had been an object that he had always had in view , and he hoped that he might live to see that fine building restored again to its perfect beauty . ( Cheers . ) Mr . TOVEY replied for the Town Council . The MAYOE proposed , in merited and complimentary terms , "The Health of the Provincial Grand Master" and the worth

, y CHAIRMAN , in replying to the compliment , expressed his gratitude to the brethren of the lodges generally for the invariable kindness which they hacl evinced towards him since he had held his present high office . Each individual knew how he himself had contributed to that happy state in which the province was at that time , ancl they all knew who had contributed mainly to that end—they all knew one whose sound sense , goocl judgment , and kindness of heart

—whenever ke had been called to interfere ( ancl that was very rarely ) had invariably brought about a removal of difficulties , which might have arisen between individuals or between lodges . The D . G . M . had done it all ; and the kindly expressions used towards him ( tho Chairman ) that evening were more than a sufficient reward for any labour he hacl bestowed on the cause of Masonry . ( Cheers . ) The toasts of prosperity to the various lodges of the neighbouring

provinces were given in succession , and responded to by the officers present belonging to them , Col , Tynte , P . G . M . ; Dr , Pope , P . S . G . W . ; Mr . Randolph , P . Prov . D . G . M . ; & c . Colonel TYNTE proposed a toast which he was sure would meet with that honour which it richly deserved " The Provincial Grand Lodge of Bristol . " ( Cheers . ) Bro . AVIEEIAM POWEEE , D . Prov . G . M . of Bristol , returned thanks for the admirable manner in which the visitors had rallied

around them that clay . He wished every one of them prosperity . The CHAIEMAN proposed "The Health ofthe Rev . Bro . AVatson , " the preacher of the clay , and expressed a hope that the rev . gentleman would allow his ' sermon to be printed . The Rev . Bro . AVATSOU thanked the meeting for the kindness with which they had received his name . He hoped ancl trusted that he might have helped in a small degree to show to the world

that Christianity and Masonry were not incompatible with each other . ( Cheers . ) They might be Masons and true Christians at the same time . ( Cheers . ) That depended upon themselves . He should heve great pleasure in placing his sermon at the disposal of the Grand Lodge , and if there should be any profits , he hoped they -would be appropriated to the restoration of the church . ( Hear , hear . ) The healths of Bro . Godwinthe Rev . Bro . Thomasancl other

, , toasts followed , and altogether a most agreeable evenhi" - was spent Indeed , the arrangements throughout the clay were excellent . The number of Masons present at the ceremony was estimated at about 500 . The procession was marshalled b y Bros . C H . Lowe ancl Samuel Bryant , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers ., assisted by the Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . of Somerset , and tho manner in which they performed their arduous duties was exceedingly creditable to them . The proceedings of the clay passed off in the most

harmonious manner . The Rifle Volunteer hand , after the ceremony , sat down to a capital spread at the George Inn , Narrow AVine ' -street , Mr . Richardson presiding-. Host Allen catered to the entire satisfaction of the partj-, and they broke up at an early hour . Relative to the proceeding of the day the Bristol Journal says : — The learned [ in Craft lore claim for the fraternit y a direct descent from those men whose skilful ancl ious hand ht those

p wroug " windowed labryinths of twisted tracery and starry light—those misty masses of multitudinous pinnacle and diademed towers "which form , in cathedral city and ancient town , the wonders of our land ; and we should be the last to gainsay or question their researches : still , allowing all this , the uninitiated public have from time to time irreverently canvassed the use and aim of a Craft , which to the outer world seemed only the depository of occult , if not idle

, symbols and unproductive traditions . To all such profane parties the undertaking so happily inaugurated on Wednesday last is more than answer ancl refutation enough . If any one for the future asks what Masonry has done in Bristol , or for Bristol , it will only be necessary to point to the restored north-east portion of this noble parish church for a monument of the goocl of a body which so substantially con firms its claim to date from the early builders , by taking reverend thought for the preservation of their beautiful but decaying labours . There is even something of mystical