Metropolitan.

in the hearts of his fellow men , but he was appreciated- in his public capacity . He would not refer to the business which had caused his absence , and having traversed half the globe , fchey were glad to see him returned in health , for he was appreciated by every one who had the p leasure of his acquaintance . He was esteemed for his virtues in private life , and his honour aud integrity wero unimpeachable . He S ; iid he was delighted to see him again amongst them , for they all knew what he was —a brother and a man , and he hoped they would make up for any

deficiency on bis part in expressing what he felt by drinking " Long life aud happiness to Bro . Brett . " The toasfc was drunk with great enthusiasm . Bro . Brett said : Gentlemen , in risiug to reply to the remarks of my excellent friend , Bro . Ireland , and to acknowledge the kindness with which I have beeu received by you this evening , I feel myself embarrassed and pained , for your reception might well have overjoyed aud delighted a better man , if he stood in my present position . I feel

pained , because I am incapable of giving expression to my feelings for the way in which I have beeu received , and in a manner which the present occasion deserves . ( Cheers ) . I am delighted to be your guest this evening , and I am still more so to be received in -so cordial a manner , not only in this room , but wherever , since my return , I have had the pleasure of meeting you . It is not my intention to refer to the business which caused me to leave this country , but I feel it- clue to you to say a few words as regards myself . AA'hen I received my instructions to leave

England , I received them with sorrow and regret , from no fear of my life , the dangers of the sea , and so forth—although I was bound to consider all these on account of those I should leave behind me— -but regret that I was about to part with friends with whom I had spent so many happy hours—regret that I might perhaps part with them for years , ancl perhaps for ever . But as a public mau , on the other hand , I recollected that I had a duty to perform to the establishment to which I have belonged , ancl to my superiors , for whom I have worked for twenty years ; and considering , too , that if I should meet with success , that on my return I should receive a genuine welcome from every brother ancl sincere friend . AVhen I considered ail these things , I hesitated not for

a moment ; but I certainly never thought or expected to be received in that- hearty manner in which I have been received this evening . ( Cheers ) . I am sure those who know me do not expect me to make a speech , and I can but simply express my feelings , although not in the manner I could wish , ancl to thank you for the honour you have conferred upon me . If I have erred on any occasion , I hope you will consider those errors of the head and not ' of the heart ( loud applause ); and I trust that this meeting may be the commencement of many otliers where we

meet together and rejoice in each other ' s success . I trust that you will pardon me for not fully expressing what I feel , and simply , but sincerely , I thank you for the kindness with which I have this evening been received . ( Loud and continued applause ) . The Chairman then said he had a most important toast to propose , which was that of " The Press , " and ho need not remind them of the value of that great constitutional organ in giving free expression to their opinions . He gave in connection with this toast " The health of

Messrs . Carpenter and Thompson . " Bro . AY . Carpenter , in a very witty address said the chairman had rather inappropriately connected his name with that of the press , as he had not been in harness for the last six weeks , but after a short relaxation freed from the cares and anxieties of editorial life , ho should again resume his duties . He dwelt at some length on the excellent qualities of his friend Brett , and said he felt delighted at his being again amongst them .

Bro . H . Thompson also briefly returned thanks for tho manner in whieh his health had been drunk . Mr . Brown gave " The health of their Chairman ancl worthy host . " The chairman briefly acknowledged the compliment , ancl trusted they would excuse any imperfections in the performance of his duties in the chair that evening . The healths of Messrs . Hamilton and Howell were given , and drunk with great cordiality , to which those gentlemen severally responded . Several other toasts were given and the evening was spent in the Most complete harmony , ancl the company retired shortly before eleven o ' clock .

PROVINCIAL . CHESHIRE . MEETING OP THE PHOVISCIAL CtnASD LODGE . Tnu Right AVorshipful Provincial Grand Master , Field Marshal Viscount Combermere , having appointed AVednesday , Sept . 28 th , for the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge—in obedience to the summons , 'he brethren

began to assemble from all parts of the province , at tho « oynl Hotel , Chester , at twelve o ' clock . Their chief , who considers PJ " lctnality a Masonic virtue , arrived by rail from Combermere Abbey , * ' that hour , and received the congratulations of the assembled frafceniity wi his excellent state of health , at his extreme age—indeed , he never , or years past , looked in better health and spirits , and his Lordship ' Tl ' p ' " " - l jtitude for business . of th 1 ovilloia ^ Grand Lodge having been duly opened , the examination bv « ^? of tlae several Lodges in the province was proceeded with ! the Deput y Provincial Grand Master , Bro , Of . C , Antrobus ; and

the Provincial Grand Treasurer ' s accounts passed by three AA . Ms . of Lodges iu Cheshire , showed a steady increase in the benevolent fund . The Provincial Grand Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . J . N . Tanner , then proposed in suitable terms the re-election of the Provincial Grand Treasurer , Bro . Bland , which was seconded by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , ancl carried unanimously . Bro . Bland gave notice of motion , "that in consequence of the valuable services of the-Provincial Grand Secretary , a committee should

be appointed to consider what amount should be added to his salary for the very onerous duties he has to perform , " whieh being seconded by Bro . Bennett , was . carried . A committee was then nominated , consisting of five brethren—Bros . Antrobus , Bland , Tamiert , Bennett , and Cruttenden . A proposition and notice of a similar character was made by the Provincial Grand Chaplain , and seconded by Bro . Cruttenden , Prov . G-. R . to present a jewel , or whatever else a committee named , might think best ,

in testimony of Bro . Twiss ' s valuable services as Provincial Grand Organist , which also passed with acclamation . At this stage of the proceedings , a collection was made for the Fund of Benevolence . The Prov . Grand \ Master then proceeded to appoint his officers for the ensuing year , who wore severally- invested with the collars and badge of office , the fresh appointments being—Bros . Maclntyre , as Prov . G , D . ; the Eev . B . Lowther , as-Prov . S . G . A'V . ; and Cope , __ as Prov . G . S . B . All business being concluded , the Prov . Grand Lodge was then closed in antient ancl solemn form .

A large number of the brethren afterwards diued together ; the Prov . Grand Master , Lord Combermere , presided , supported on the right by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , G . Crawfurcl Antrobus , Esq . ; Bros . Cruttenden . Prov . G . Reg . ; Bennett , P . Prov . S . G . AA ' . ; John Lord Howard , P . ' Prov . G . D . ; Bradwall , Prov . G . Sec . AA est Lancashire ; Maclntyre , Prov . G . D . ; Lloyd , Prov . G . D . ; the Prov . G . Sec . of Oxfordshire ; Cope , Prov . G . S . B . ; Siddeli , Prov . Grand Dir . of Cera . ; Shaw , Prov . G . Purst . ; Rev . B . Lowther , Prov . S . G . AV . ; Bland , Prov . G . Treas . ;

Griffiths , Prov . G . See . ; Sainuelson , Prov . G . D . ; AYilloughby , Prov . J . G . A'V . ; Bully , Prov . G . D . ; Dntton , P . Prov . G . D . ; Lewis , Prov . G . D . ; Twiss , Prov . U . Org . ; Martin , Prov . J . G . AV . of North AA ales . The musical performance was under the direction of Bro . John Twiss , Prov . G . Org ., who presided at the pianoforte , assisted by Bro . Edmundson , of Stockport , and Bros . Sandy and Cuzner , of Chester , and gave universal satisfaction . After "Non nobis Domine , " The Prov . Grand Master proposed the first toast" The Queen and

, the Craft , " a toast which he said required no preface from him , ai he was sure every good Briton , and particularly every good Mason , would drink ifc with heartfelt enthusiasm . The Prov . Grand Master then gave "The Prince Consort , Albert Prince of AA ' ales and Earl of Chester , and the rest of the Royal family . " The Prov . Grand Master then gave " the Army and Navy . " The Deputy Prov . Grancl Master , Bro . G . C . Antrobus , then rose to

propose tho toast of " Tlie A'iseountess Combermere and the ladies . " Ho said he was sure there was no brother present who did not congratulate the Prov . Grand Master on the restoration to health , after a severe illness , of Lady Combermere , a lady who possessed so many excellent virtues , ancl one also who took so great an interest in the Craft ; witnessed by her attendance at the Prov . Grand meetings and her subscriptions yearly offered to the benevolent fund . To so noble an example of everything that is good , he was indeed proud to have the honour to propose

the toast . The Prov . Grand Master responded to the toast by observing thafc he must first express his thanks to the Deputy Prov . Grancl Master , for the very kind ancl feeling remarks with ivhich he had introduced the name of Lady Combermere . Ho assured the brethren that Lady Combermere did take a deep interest in everything relating to Masonry , and had it not been for her recent illniss , she would have been present that day ; aud lie begged to assure the assembled brethren , he was commissioned by

Lady Combermere to state , how much she regretted not being able to witness the day's proceedings ; and he hoped the brethren would accept his sincere thanks for the honour done in proposing the toasfc of Lady Combermere and the ladies . The Prov . Grand Master gave , "' The Earl of Zetland , M . AV . G . M . " The next Masonic toast was— " Lord Panmure . " Bro . Hornblower then rose and said , I have the great honour to proa toast which I am sureas Englishmen will drink with loyalty

pose , , you ancl enthusiasm . I give you "The health of our Provincial Grand Master . Viscount Combermere . " Our Provincial Grand Alaster has done everything for Masonry in this county . AVe owe to him the prosperity ive have hi the numbers that flock to our Lodges . And as a soldier , I am sure you will drink his health with enthusiasm . Bis exploits are above praise , ancl I hope we may havo many to follow in his footsteps , ( Protracted cheering ) . said

The Right AVorshipful Provincial Grand Master , I thank my brother Hornblower for tho manner in whieh he has proposed my health , and I beg to thank the brethren assembled for the hearty , friendly , ancl fraternal manner in which they have drunk it . It has pleased the Great Architect of the universe to spare me to a very lengthened period of life , ancl to keep me in existence until I have seen the great object of my heart accomplished , and that is , the revival of Masonry in this province . I hacl a great deal to do when I promised tho Grand Master of England , my worthy friend , the Duke of Sussex , to do my utmost to bring this