Provincial.

called for the initiation of Mr . Wm . Bussey , who was balloted for on the lodge night previous , and who , being in attendance , was accordingly initiated into the first degree of Freemasonry . Bros . Bennett , Stonestreet , Matthews , and M'Namara wero passed to the second degree , and Bros . Brown and Capt . Thompson ivere raised to the third . The brethren then proceeded to the annual election of Master , and the S . AA . having announced to the brethren his desire to withdraw from officethe result of the election was

, unanimous for Bro . Adamson , J . AA . Bro . A anderlyn was also unanimously re-elected as Treasurer . A proposition having been carried for the purchase of new furniture for the lodge , a committee was appointed with full powers to carry out the proposition . All business being ended , the lodge was closed , and the brethren again assembled at refreshment , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been given—viz . "The Queen" "The M . W . G . M . / ' and

, , "The R . AV . Prov . G . M . of Kent , " the AV . M . said he had great pleasure in proposing " The Health of their newly-initiated Bro . Bussey , " and trusted lie should for very many years have the pleasure of meeting him at Lodge No . 235 . Bro . Bussey having acknowledged the toast , "The Health of the W . M . " was proposed , and received with due honours , after which the AA . M . proposed " The Health of the AA . M . elect , " and congratulated the

lodge on the judicious choice it had that night made . The toast was received with great applause . —Bro . Adamson , in returning thanks to the brethren for tho proud position to which he had been unanimously elected , took the opportunity of explaining to the brethren who had been recently initiated what could be attained in Freemasonry by diligence and perseverance , he having been a Mason not yet four years . He strongly urged thc necessity of their regular attendance at the Lodge of Instruction . "The Healths of

the P . Ms ., Secretary , AVardens , and Officers , " were drunk very cordially , and suitably replied to by Bros . Boyton , A ' anderlyn , Gardner , and Olifent . The brethren separated at twelve o'clock , after enjoying the evening in a truly Masonic manner . During the evening , a collection was made towards defraying the expense of the tablet about being placed over the remains of the late Sergt . Monger , of the Dover Artillery A olunteers , who lost bis life with that of Lieutenant Thompsonat the recent fatal catastrophe at

, Ashcliff Fort . An emergency lodge was also jheld on the Sth , for the purpose of conferring the third degree on Bros . Greenwald , Polack , Law , and Blackmoor . The installation of AV . M . is appointed for Monday , April S , on ivhich occasion tbe lodge expects to be honoured with the presence of Bro . Dobson , the D . Prov . G . M . of Kent .

ASHFORD . —Invicta Lodge ( No . 1011 ) . —The monthly meeting of . this lodge was held in the Assembly Rooms , on Friday , March 1 , the AV . M ., Bro . J . S . Eastes , presiding , a numerous assemblage of the brethren being present . The AY . M ., in the course of the evening , in the absence of Bro . R . C . May , S . AV ., presented a Master ' s chair on his behalf to the brethren of thc Invicta Lodge . The chair , which has been manufactured from a design of Bro . May , is of Spanish mahogany , elaborately carved , and of very

superior workmanship . It is ornamented with Masonic emblems , the amis of the donor , and surmounted by the Kentish Horse ; altogether presenting a very handsome and stately appearance . Tbe AV . M . remarked that it iras only another instance of Bro . May's liberality , he having before presented to the lodge a set of Tracing Boards , and he had ever shown himself a thorough Mason , his assistance in every sense of the word being at the command of the hrethren of the lodge . He hoped this chair would prove a stimulus to the brethren to qualify themselves for the office which would entitle them to occupy that seat . The 1 st and 2 nd sections of the first lecture were worked in open lodge .

LEICESTERSHIRE . MARKET HARBOROUGH . —STAMFORD , BOSTON , AND SPALDING BANKING COMPANY . —There has been a branch bank in connection with the above company for some time past at Harborough , but they having found their premises too small for their business , they have piivebasci . others in the High-street , which are bcina altered for the convenience and requirements of the bank . John SmithEsq . the manager herebeing a member of the Order ot

, , , Freemasons , proceeded on Saturday last , witli two other brothers , to lay the foundation stones of the porch-wavs with Masonic order . Mr . Smith , in addressing those present , said , " Brothers , fellowworkmen , and friends , there urn two classes of Masons , thc operative and the speculative . The operative Mason uses his tools to assist him in his work . He uses the plumb-line to assist in putting uprights on their solid basesthe level to fix the horizontalsand the

, , square and compass to mark out the work ready for the mallet and chisel , and with these tools the skilful workman accomplishes a perfect design , and an elegant solid structure . The speculative Mason applies these tools to his moral work , and hopes by tbe use of them in his intercourse with his fellow-men , treating them as his

brethren , to erect a perfect edifice which shall last for ever . Such is a brief view of Freemasonry , and I wish I was permitted to explain to you the use of the tools more fully , and how to apply them to your daily life . But we are met on thc present occasion to lay the foundation stones of a porch-way or entrance , which I trust may be as enduring as those at the porch-way of the ancient Order of Brotherhood known as Freemasons , to which I and two of my brothers present have the honour to belong . I heartily hope that

the column on the left will express the strength , while that on the right indicates the establishment , and the two combined , united by the Catenarian arch at the top , will represent the stability of the Bank , which I have been so unexpectedly chosen to carry into operation . I can only add that I shall take the columns to represent the uprightness of my conduct in every act connected therewith , doing the utmost in my power for success , and trusting to support to all surrounding influences . Under these impressions , we

proceed to lay the foundation stones of each pillar , imploring the blessings of the G . A . O . T . U . on all our undertakings . " Mr . Smith thenproceeded to lay the first foundation stone on the left , applying the usual tests of Freemasonry to it , and also giving the answers to the square and stability of the work . The second stone was then laid by Mrs . Smith , after tbe same manner as the first , she being the wife of Mr-Smith , a Royal Arch Mason , and a heroine of the Order . * After the ceremony , Mr . Smith entertained the party at lunch , and in the evening gave the men engaged upon the work a supper at . Mr . Sulley's , the . Freemasons' Arms . —Leicester Journal .

MIDDLESEX . UXBRIDGE . —Royal Union Lodge ( yo . 536 ) . —This now flourishinglodgo held its regular meeting at the Chequers Hotel , on the 27 th ult . and there was a full attendance of members , tho AA ' . M ., Bro . Newall , carefully advising them of the time of the train leaving Paddington , and making special arrangement for their return by an extra train . The business of the evening consisted of three

initiations and as many passings . Several more were proposed , and four joined . The Audit Committee presented their report , and it was a matter of unfeigned satisfaction to find that this lodge , which six months ago numbered but ten or twelve members , now boasts of more than thirty , whicli is chiefly due to the exertions of its able and persevering AA . M ., Bro . Newall . Tbe ceremonies were all that could be desired by the most fastidious , and the officers had each made great progress towards perfection in order more worthily to

second the talents of their AV . M . After the business had been disposed of , the brethren were called off and proceeded to the banquet , the visitors on the occasion being Bros . Broome , P . M . No . 9 S , Cobban ) , P . M . 165 , and Exall , J . W . 109 . The banquet , which was of a solid character , reflected great credit on Bro . Lines , the worthy host of the Chequers . The cloth being cleared , tbe W . M . gave , in terse but glowing terms , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . These were followed by "The Health ofthe Initiates" and dulresponded

, y to by Bro . W . II . Carter . Bro . Piatt , P . M ., in the warmest terms proposed " The Health of the AV . M ., " to ivhich Bro . Newall responded in a brilliant speech . The AV . M . next proposed " The Health of the P . M ' s . of the lodge , and Bros . Pratt and AVeeden , Sec , " responded . The visitors also received such a hearty welcome as the W . M . extends to all who favour him with their company , and the toast was duly acknowledged by Bro . Cobliam . " The

Health of the AVardens and Officers" followed , and Bro . AV . Smith , C . H ,, undertook the duty of replying , which he did with great success , making some capital points , in his usual facetious style . "The Joining Members" followed , and brought Bro . AVatson on his legs ; ar . d all that ever heard him—and who has not ?—know how excellently he addresses his observations to the point . The Masonic Charities were not forgotten ; and it was announced that a brother of the lodge had offered himself as

Steward for the Girls' School Festival , in May . Tho Masonic Press—THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE—was warmly eulogised by the AV . M . ; and Bro . Matthew Cooke gratefully and briefly acknowledged tbe honour . " Lodges No . 10 io and 1090 " were proposed ,, and followed by "Success to No . 536 , " which was most enthusiastically received . The Tyler ' s toast came next ; after which , the lodge ivas closed . During the evening , some excellent part-songs ,

glees , and other music was sung , to the delight ofthe brethren , by Bros . Hawkins , the two Carters , and the W . M . ; nor must Bro . Exall ' s comic ditties be overlooked , as thoy created a perfect furore . Altogether , this was one of the most successful meetings of any lodge ; and with the talents of the AV . M . in doing his duty , contributing to tbe comfort of thc brethren , and providing them a musical treat of no common order , it is not to be wondered at that No . 53 G is rapidly regaining the position for accuracy and numbers ivhich ivas its lot some years ago .