Provincial.

nobleman and brother , for upwards of thirty years a Mason , had for the last seventeen years filled the high and honourable position he now occupied , having succeeded thereto , by election , upon the death of their lamented brother of royal blood , the Duke of Sussex . During his tenure of office Freemasonry bad made great progress , as was proved by the fact that in 1834 there were only about 700 lodges in existence , while at the present time there were upon the registry of England about 1000 . Matters of great importance to the Craft

had , within the last few years , occupied the attention of Grand iiodge , and dissensions had ousted ; but it was gratifying to know that all difficulties had been removed and threatened ruptures amicably settled by his Lordship , and those with whom he bad been happily associated . He ( the AA . M . ) believed be was expressing the wishes of all present that his Lordship might . long continue in the office , and only be induced ultimately "to resign it into the hands of one to whom all were looking

forward , the Prince of AVales , in all human probability their future monarch , though long might that day be distant . The AA . M . again rose and said , that he had now the pleasure of proposing "The Health of the Earl Dalhousie ( or Lord Panmure , as he was more 'familiarly known ) , the R . AV . D . G . M . of England , and the Officers of Grand Lodge . " His Lordship was a most able assistant to the G . M ., untiring in his efforts to promote freemasonry , and constantly present at Grand Lod . The W . M . next saidthat since their last

ge , meeting it had pleased the G . A . O . T . U . to remove from them their brother , the Duke of Richmond , G . M . of the Province , so that be ivas unable that evening to ask them to do honour to the usual head of the Province . Meanwhile , it was satisfactory to know that the G . Reg . of England had placed the Province of Sussex under the Masonic control of the D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Dalbiac ( who was prevented attending that evening by absence from Brighton ) . Under

his management , the province had flourished , new lodges had been opened , other lodges revived , and a considerable number of members added to the Craft . AVitbont flattery , be might add that bis manner was most courteous and fraternal , that he was at all times approachable , that he took the deepest interest in everything relating to Freemasonry , and was to be found visiting every lodge , and affording his advice and assistance . He therefore asked them to show their fraternal regard for their D . Prov . G . M . and their confidence in his Masonic administration , by drinking his health in the enthusiastic manner it deserved . AATth the toast he would couple "The Present and Past Provincial Grand Officers , " many of whom

lie was pleased to see present that evening , thereby honouring the lodge . Without fear of giving offence , he would add the name of Bro . AA illiam A'errall , Prov . G . Treas ., as a senior officer . — Bro . YERRALE returned thanks , congratulating the lodge upon its present position , and upon a " bright gloom " opening upon it , in its selection of W . M ., and humorously alluded to the York Lodge , when lie first attended it , in 1838 , not a member of which lodge was now present . —Bro . FREEMAN , P . M ., then assumed the gavel , and asked

for a bumper toast to the health of their AV . M . ( Applause . ) He bad found in him a most able coadjutor , punctual , and attentive to tho duties entrusted to liim , and he doubted not that Bro . Curtis ivould carry out the duties of bis office in such a- manner as to reflect credit upon himself and the lodge , and maintain its present proud position . —The AA . M ., upon rising , was received in a manner whicli "betokened that his occupancy of the chair afforded delight to all present . He stated that be felt unequal to the task of responding

to the cordial manner in which his health had been introduced by . P . M . Freeman , and the reception it had met with from the brethren of the Royal York Lodge , and the numerous visitors , whom he was glad to welcome . He was comparatively but a young Mason , but from the moment that he saw Masonic light , and was able to appreciate its excellent principles , he determined upon aspiring to the high position he that day held . To enable him to do so , he had never neglected attendance at a single lod meetinghad cheerfull

ge , y undertaken any ollice offered to him , had paid , as far as laid in his yowev , tbe strictest attention to his duties , and he felt bound to say , with gratification , that he had a proud reward , and that present was one of the happiest periods of bis life . AVith regard to the future , he would endeavour to carry out the office of W . M . so as to ensure their satisfaction . ( Applause . ) The W . M . next proposed "The Visitors . " Again he must repeat that it afforded him sincere leasure to see so

p many friends assembled at this festive board , Masters and Wardens of Lodges , Past avid Present . Provincial Grand Officers , brethren representing the Clergy , tho Army , the . Medical , Legal , and -Musical professions , & c . He considered it a high compliment to himself , but a far greater token of respect towards the York Lodge , and a desire to promote friendly feelings with kindred lodges . AA'ith the toast he would couple the names of Bros . Dixon

, the AV . M . of Lodge 338 ( the oldest in Brighton ) , and Chittenden , AV . M ., 390 , Lewes . Bros . Dixon and Chittenden ( the latter at somo length ) acknowledged the toast . The AV . M . then proposed " The Past Masters , " acknowledging the valuable

assistance rendered to him by them , and their numerous attendance . "The Officers of thc Royal York Lodge" followed , the AY . M . expressing the hope and sanguine expectation that thc kind feeling evinced towards his predecessors , and their attention to their previous duties , would be accorded to himself . The AV . M . next proposed "The Masonic Charities , " feelingly alluding- to the regretted illness of their esteemed Brother Crew , the services rendered by Bro . Pocock ( who would represent the Province at the

Boys' School Festival , and for whose list he solicited further contributions ) , and Bro . AVooi , P . M . ( Steward to the Charities from this lodge ) . The Tyler ' s toast brought the evening to a conclusion , which , whether as regards the efficient working in lodge by Bro . Freeman , P . M ., the excellent banquet and presidency of the new AA . M ., the musical treat afforded by the singing of Bros . AVinn and Fielding , and the fraternal feeling displayed by all present , will cause the March , 1861 , Banquet of the Royal York Lotlge

sometime to be remembered . AVe had nearly omitted to state that Bro . Kuhe ( who ranks ivith the first pianists of the day ) delighted all present , and increased the pleasure of the evening by the performance of two favourite compositions .

YORKSHIRE ( AVEST . ) The brethren of the AA akcfield Lodge have submitted to the brethren of the province a statement of the accommodation which their town affords for the purpose of holding the installation of tha R . AV . Prov . fG . M ., the Right Hon . the Earl de Grey and Ripon . They state that they believe that AVakeiield possesses facilities for the purpose ivhich no other town in the AVest Riding can offer ; but as their onlwish is that the best lace be selectedthey

y p may , are ready , for the honour of the Craft , to defer to the claims of any other town that may , on inquiry , be found to have superior accommodation . Should Wakefield be the place , selected for tbe ceremony , no effort will be spared on the part of the AVakefield brethren to make the event pass off with dignity and success . They have six large and commodious rooms , whicli can be made available for the ceremonies , and 120 trains pass through the town

daily . BRADFORD . —Lodge of Hope ( No . 379 ) . —A regular meeting was held on Monday , February 25 th , presided over by the AV . M ., James Lumb , assisted by the following officers , Bros . , 1 . T . Robinson , P . M . ; J . Gaunt , S . AV . ; A . Hunter , J . W . ; T . G . Tetley , S . D . ; J . Pickard , J . D . ; J . Coleman , I . G . ; J . J . Holmes , O . G . ; J . H . Buckley , P . M ., Curator ; P . M . AA . Gath acting as Secretary , and G . Beauland , Treasurer ; there ivere also present Bros . T . Hill , C . II . Taylor ,

and H . Farrar , P . Ms ., & c . After the lodge had been opened and the minutes read , Bros . A . Briggs , W . Ibbetson , and J . Armitage passed a satisfactory examination , and were afterwards raised to the sublime degree of M . M . by the W . M ., assisted by Bros . Robinson and Gath , Bros . Hill and Farrar giving the working tools and the charge . It was proposed by Bro . Hill , and seconded by Bro . Gath that the sum of £ 210 * . he paid for the books presented to the ward at tbe Bradford Infirmary furnished by this lodge . Business

concluded , the lodge was closed and thc brethren retired to the refreshment-room , where an excellent supper was provided , thanks to the exertions of Bro . Robinson , P . M . Bro . T . S . Tetley stated that he was progressing rapidly with the- subscription for the harmonium for tbe new lodge , and hoped to get at least ; E 10 . —A Lodge ] of Emergency was held on Tuesday evening , the Sth inst ., for the purpose of completing the arrears of business . Tbe W . M ., Bro . James Lumb , was assisted by most of bis officers , including

Bros . Gaunt , S . AV . ; J . T . Robinson , P . M . ; L . C . Hill , Sec , as I . W . ; G . C . Tetley , S . D . ; J . Pickard , , 1 . D . ; J . J . Holmes and 11 . Buckley , Curator ; there were also present , Bros . P . M . It . Farrar and T . Hill . Visiting brethren from the Lodge of Probity ( 73 ) , Halifax , the AV . M . Bro . Fisher , and l' . M . Perkinton . Bro . Crawford , of Montreal , and Bro . Geo . Townend , of 858 , Sleaford ( St . Botolph's ) . Bros . Keighley , AA ilson , and Holt passed a very satisfactory examination as FCsand were afterwards raised to the sublime

.., degree of M . Ms , by the AV . M . assisted by Bros . ' Farrar and T . Hill , P . M ., the two latter giving respectively the working tools and tbe charge . The lodge was closed at nine , and after which a pleasing ' eveiimg was spent in the refreshment-room . Considerable regret is felt that many of the old and worthy members abstain from attending , and at the election of officers they are overlooked , and in consequence perhaps feel as if their claims were neglected

when the new appointments are made . BATEEV CARR , DEIVSBUJIY . —SI . John ' s Lodge ( No . 1129 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held in the Lodge-room , Saw Inn , on Monday , March 4 th , under the presidency of Bro . Edward Chadwick , P . M . ( owing to the absence of Bro . 11 , 11 . Nelson , AV . M . ) . There was a good attendance of the brethren . The lodge having been opened , and tho minutes of the last regular lodge and the intervening Lodge of Emergency having been read and confirmed , the . R . AV . D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . George Fearnlcv , M . D ., ivas duly