Devonshire.

zeal to promote the best interests of the Craft , and during the last twelvemonth has exhibited such proofs of his proficiency in the art , that the Royal Lebanon Longe bids fair to be one of tho best working lodges in the province , the new officers being well up in their work , shows the fitness of the appointments . This argues well for Bro . Stocker's sovereignty . The following brethren were duly invested : —Bros . W . F . Brown , S . W . ; T . Skinner , J . W . ; —Tombs , J . D . ; Cramp , pro tern I . G . ; Shenston ,

( P . M . ) , Sec .: the remaining appointments b » ing for the present left open . During tlie business of the lodge the poverty of a visiting brother was brought to the consideration of the brethren , and the brother being present , he was recognised by Bro . Cossens as one of those vagrant gentlemen who solely exist on the charitable subscriptions ofthe Craft , and who , Bro . Cossens , nad whilst Almoner in another province , twice relieved en route , the applicant repeating the same tale about Bel near Derb

per y on each occasion , but who on the third application departed from the third grand principle , ancl was allowed to depart with a caution . As a necessary consequence , the W . M . very properly required the applicant to withdraw . Bro . Cossens called the W . M . ' s attention to the sudden bereavement which the R . AV . the Prov . G . M . was now labouring

under , the decease of the late Lord Sherborne , a nobleman o whom ha had had the felicity to be known for the last fifty years ; a most honourable nobleman , charitable without measure , a liberal subscriber to all the institutions of the county , and one who had lived respected by every person with whom he had , during a long life , heen known to—and , dying , he is deeply regretted . The W . M . following Bro . Cossens ' s intimation , proposed that an address of condolence should be presented to the

R . AV . Prov . G . M ,, who had shown such unequivocal marks of his patronage to the Royal Lebanon Lodge since its resuscitation , which was seconded by Bro . Dr . Smith , ancl carried unanimously . The brethren retired to refreshment , when they partook of a most excellent banquet , provided by Bro . Daniel Smith , the proprietor of the Lower George Hotel , reflecting the utmost credit on Bro . Smith for amply providing tbe brethren with so much of everything that was good ; indeedthere was sufficient for

, twenty more if room could have been found for them , proving that he has not forgotten the good old style of feasting , for which Gloucester was at one time so reputed . Harmony prevailed amongst the brethren until the proper time , when they retired to their more serious and proper duties , highly gratified with the ceremonies , works , ancl tbe banquet and its appurtenances .

LANCASHIRE ( AVEST ) . LIVEKPOOI . —Merchants' Lodge of Instruction ( No . 294 ) . — This loclge continues to meet every Tuesday evening ( except the second ) with unabated zeal . At the meeting held on the 28 th inst ., Bro . Preceptor Younghusband brought forward the motion of which he had previously given notice , that five guineas be presented by this lodge to the fund for the relief of the distressed operatives in the manufacturing districts . He explained that he

had been appointed by tho Prov . Grand Lodge to make application to every lodge in the province to contribute to this fund , and "he trusted that in this respect the Lodge of Instruction would not bo found wanting . The motion was seconded by Bro . McConnan , AV . M . 291 , and carried unanimously . Four new members were proposed , and the lodge was then closed with solemn prayer by the'AA . M . for the evening , Bro . Dr . McGeorsc , S . D . 291

WAMUXGTOS :. —Lodge of Lights ( No . 173 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodgo was held on Monday , October 27 th , at the Blackburn Arms Hotel , at 7 o'clock . Bros . James Hamer , Prov . G . Treas . of West Lancashire , W . M . ; H . B . White , S . AV . ; AV . K . AA almsley , J . AA . ; John Bowes , Sec , and a number of other brethren . The lodge was opened in solemn form , and the minutes of last meeting confirmed . Bro . Bowes , as Treasurer to the Ferrars Testimonial Fund , reported

that ho had received a handsome sum and had applied it as indicated by Bro . Harrison Verrars . Bro . Hamer then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Houghton , P . M ., and proceeded to deliver a most interesting and instructive lecture on the tracing boards of the first ancl second degrees , at the conclusion of which a hearty ancl unanimous vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer , for past as well as present favours . A long discussion then took place as to the desirability of removing the

loclge to private rooms , and it was ultimately aud unanimously resolved that a lodgo of emergency be called to hear ancl decide the question , to meet on Thursday evening , November Oth , at seven o ' clock . The treasurer reported that the loclge funds

were in a favourable condition . Mr . AVilliam AVood was proposed as a fit ancl proper person to be made a Mason . Bro . Hamer informed the loclge that the Prov . G . Sec . hoped to arrange for the Provincial Grand Lodge to meet at Warrington , in 1865 , to assist at the celebration of the centenary of the Loclge of Lights , he also gave notice that at the next regular lodge he should move that the lodge consider the question of subscribing to the distress fund , now being organised by the Freemasons of AA est Lancashire . There being ' no further business tbe lodge was closed with prayer ancl the brethren separated in harmony at 9 o'clock .

GAUSTOX . —Lodge of Harmony ( No . 267 ) . —November 3 rd . This being the regular night of meeting , the loclge was opened at the AA ' ellington Hotel , by P . M . Bro . James Hamer , Prov . G . Treas . as W . M . ; Bro . C . J . Banister , Prov . G . Dir of Cers . as P . M . ; Bro . Charles Leedbam , S . W . ; Bro . Hodgson , as J . AV ., and the rest of the officers . Visitors , Bros . AV . It . Walmisley , Loclge 173 , Talby and Hodgson , 864 , H . AVresthoff , 111 , Belfast , ancl a good muster of brethren . The minutes of the last meeting

were read and confirmed . Bros . Bromdath ancl Ammerstine were passed to the second degree . Notice of motion was given by Bro . C . J . Banister , that at the next regular meeting he would propose that five pounds be given to the Lancashire Relief Fund . Business over , the lodge was closed in solemn form . At refreshment the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given ancl responded to . Bro . AValmisley responded for the visitors , ancl the brethren separated after a very happy evening , enlivened by songs from Bros . AAllmer , AVilliams , Hodgson , Hamer , & c .

NORTHUMBERLAND . NEWCASTLE . —Hewcaslle-on-Tgne Lodge of Instruction ( No . 24 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Blaekett-street , on the 28 th ult . The lodge was opened bv Bro . C . J . Banister , as AV . M . ; Bro . Reed , as S . AV . ; Bro . Smith , as J . AV . ; Bro . Heaword , Sec ; Bro . II . A . Hammerbom , as Lecture Master ; Bro . James Symington , P . M . ; Bro . Marshall , of Lodge 774 ; Bro . Michalsonas I . G . ancl the rest of the

, , brethren . The minutes of the last meeting were read ancl confirmed . Bro . H . A . Hammerbom worked the sections in first and second divisions . Bro . A . Gillespie was proposed , seconded , and carried unanimously as Lecture Master for tbo next fortnight . After the other business was over , the lodge was closed in solemn form at half-past nine .

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE . PBOVINOIAX GIUBD LODGE . A Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Assembly Rooms , Nottingham , on Thursday , the 30 th of October . Before opening the lodge Bro . Edmund Percy , D . Prov . G . M ., announced to the brethren present , that owing to the serious ancl sudden attack of illness ( bronchitis ) , his Grace the Duke of Newcastle , Prov . G . M .,

who had arrived in Nottingham the previous evening with the full intention of presiding at the loclge , was totally unable to attend , being afc that moment confined to his bed , at the George Hotel , where he ( Bro . Percy ) , had just had an interview with His Grace , who had expressed his very deep regret at his being unable to perform tho duties the office he had accepted required of him , but that he sincerely trusted to be enabled to meet them on some more auspicious occasion . The Provincial Grand Lodge

was then opened in duo form , the D . Prov . G . M . in the chair . The reports of the several lodges were brought up , read , and received , ancl we are happy to say with only ono solitary exception , were all of a satisfactory character . The Treasurer ' s accounts were duly received , audited , ancl passed with the gratifying announcement that all tbe accounts were paid , and a handsome balance left in hand , a circumstance which elicited a well-earned accord , of thanks to the worthy Treasurer Bro .

J . Close , followed by a unanimous resolution . It was also resolved that the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nottinghamshire , become annual subscribers to the Boys' and Girls' Schools , in compliance with a recommendation from the Newstead Lodge . The following gentlemen wero then appointed on the nomination of the Prov . Grand Master , Grand Officers for the ensuing year , and were duly invested by the D . Prov . G . M . Bro . R . Allen Prov . G . Secretary .

„ Dr . Lory Marsh , Pro v . S . G . AVarden . „ J . C . Nixon Prov . G . J . AV . „ Dr . Robertson Prov . G . Registrar . „ John Watson Prov . S . G . Deacon .