The Masonic Mirror.

Cook , No . 11 . The real numbers beiug , Mrs . Corney , 2990 instead of 909 , as previously reported , and Mrs . Cook 1203 instead of 3109 . Mrs . Corney was therefore declared elected , and tho number of Loudon and country cases beiug equal , Mrs . Chase , the next highest ou the list , 10 S 7 , being a London case , was also elected instead of Mrs . Yule , of Cumberland , with 1611 . After a short discussion it was resolved that , iu consideration of the

disappointment of thc two poor ladies who had been announced as elected , in error , they should receive the amount of the anuuity for the forthcoining year to which they would have been entitled had they been elected , there being no doubt from the large number of votes carried forward that they will be elected next year . A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

DEVONSHIRE . TOTNDS . —Pleiades Lodge ( No . 1 , 012 ) . —On Thursday , the 31 st May , this Lodge , held its monthly meeting at the Seven Stars Hotel , Totnes , at the request of Bro . T . . 11 . Edmonds , AV . M ., Bro . Henry Bridges , G . S . B ., presided . The ballot was taken for Messrs . G . It . Kemp and \ V . -Adams , who being unanimously elected were initiated into the Order of Freemasonry , and received the charge from Bro . Bridges . The Lodge was then closed in due form .

HAMPSHIRE . SOUTHAIU'TON . —Southampton , Lodge ( No . 555 ) . —A Lodge of emergency took place on Thursday for the purpose of initiating Mr . Alexander McLouuon , chief engineer of the Great Eastern , and which was attended by Bro . the lit . AV . D . Prov . G . M ., Charles Ewens Deacon , Esq ., the Mayor of Southampton ; Bros . Fred . Perkins , P . M ., No . 152 ; the Kev . Goo . Bradshaw , Chaplain , No . JU 2 ; G . AV . Clarke , AV . M ., No . 162 , and a number of other influential brethren . Bro . George Luugloy , AV . M .,

was present , but being very hoarse , Bro . Rankin Stebbing , P . M ., presided , and impressively conducted the ceremony , the I ) . Prov . G . M . delivering the charge . A collection being made for a poor brother , the Lodge was closed , and the brethren retired- to refreshment , presided over by Bro . Luugley , AV . M ., ensuring , as usual , au evening of happiness . Some eloquent allusions were made to the approaching voyage of tlie Great Eastern , and due honour given to Bro . MoLcunon , whose high professional standing is well known aud appreciated at Southampton , with which he has been before connected .

KENT . ( From the MaidMone Journal . ) AViio is TO BE PnovixuiAti GiiANii MASTEU?—The brethren of thc Masonic body ill Kent are iu a state of great anxiety with respect to the office of Provincial Grand Master , now vacant by the resignation of Bro . C . Purton-Coopor . It appears that it is now many years since the office was held by any nobleman or gentleman of influential standing in the county . The last nobleman who held the office was Lord Say and Sele ,

who then had a residence at Belvidere , near Erith . His lordship , however , performed all his duties by deputy , and scarcely ever made his appearance in connection with Masonry in the province . At his death a distinguished lawyer , and Queen ' s counsel of the Midland circuit , was appointed , Bro . Humphrey , who , although he took more interest in the welfare of his Masonic principality , was yet a person of no influence amongst the upper classes of the county . At his death , Bro . I . ' urtou-Cooper was appointed , who , although a chancery barrister aud . a Q . C ,

was , like Bro . Humphrey , utterly unknown amongst thc county magnates . This has been so far unfortunate that in the late remarkable increase which has taken place in the numbeis of the brotherhood , the aristocracy and gentry of the county have been practically excluded . This is au anomal y in a society whieh pervades all classes and which belongs exclusively to none ; and is Jdue solely to the lack of •'• county " position aud local influence in thc Provincial Grand -Masters who havo ruled thc province during the modern " revival . " The brethren , therefore

, being fully alive to these considerations , have determined to hold special meetings in every Lodge to petition the M . W . Grand Master of England , the Earl of Zetland , to appoint some brother whose social position , influence , and personal ability , would give to Masonry here that high position in the public estimation which it holds in other counties . -Meetings have accordingly boon hold in many of the Lodges , and wo understand that it has been unanimously agreed to memorialise the Earl of Zetland to appoint Bro . Lord Ifolmesdale , who is understood to be a good working Mason , P . M . of his Lodge , aud a frequent attendant at the Grand Lodgo of England . The following reports havo reached us : —

Ashford . —At a full meeting of the Invicta Lodge ( No . 1011 ) , held in the Assembly Booms , on Wednesday week , Bro . Sheppard , AV . M ' ., in the chair , to consider the position and prospects of Masonry in Kent , it was unanimously agreed , on the motion of tho . Ilallowes , P . Prov . S . G . AV . seconded by Bro . Thorpe , s--n ., P . Prov . G . ll ., to petition the M ' . AV . Grand Master of England ( Lord Zetland ) , to appoint Bro . A'isfoimt Holmesdale to the vacant office of Provincial Grand Master of Kent . Tho petition was then prepared , agreed to , signed by the W . M . on behalf of the Lodge , and has since being transmitted to the Grand Secretary for presentation .

Graecsend . —On Tuesday last a special meeting of the Lodge ol Freedom ( No . 91 ) was hold at the Town Hall , on the same subject , aud a petition to the above effect having been , on the motion of Bro . Dobson , P . Prov . S . G . AV ., unanimously adopted , was signed by the AV . M . ( Bro . Pottinger ) and upwards of fifty brethren . Maidstone . —On Tuesday evening , at a Lodge of emergency , numerously attended , after some discussion , in the course of which Bro . Hallowes , P . Prov . S . G . AV ., made a most able speech on the position and

prospects of Masonry in Kent , as affected by tho conduct and position in the county of late Provincial Grand Masters , it was proposed by Bro . Pike , P . Prov . J . G . AV ., seconded by Bro . Cruttenden , son ., P . Prov . G . K ., that a similar petition to that of the Ashford Lodge be agreed to and signed by tho W . M . ou behalf of the Lodge . This was carried unanimously , and has since , wo are informed , been carried into effect . Dartfird . —On Tuesday the Lodge of Emulation ( No . 376 ) held its annual Lodge of emergency for the purpose of installing the AV . M . elect for

the year ensuing . There was consequently a large muster of the brethren , and tho question of the Provincial Grand Mastership was fully discussed . Bro . A . Kusscll , P . Prov . J . G . AV ., moved the adoption of thc Ashford form of patition , iu an exceedingly interesting and truly Masonic speech , which , after some remarks by Bro . Webb aud others , was seconded by Bro . Lauded , P . M ., and carried unanimously . The Lodge then proceeded to the ceremony of tho day , when Bro . Philcox was duly installed AV . M . of the Lodge for the ensuing yearBro . MiuniP . M ., acting

, , as installing Master with great ability . Tho AV . M . then appointed his officers as follows : —Bro . Martin , S . AV . ; Bro . Adams , J . AV . ; Bro . Treadwell , S . D . ; Bro . Dives , J . D . ; Bro . l ' ryer , I . G . ; Bro . Bonner , Sec . ; Bro . Mil bonne , Treas . ; Bro . Pel ton , Tyler . At thc close of the Lodge a large party sat down to a sumptuous banquet in the new Concert Hall , lately opened by Bro . Bray , at tho Bull Hotel . Amongst those present

were Bros . Philcox , AV . M . ; Martin , S . W . ; Adams , J . W . ; Cooke ( No . 7-11 P . Prov . S . G . AV ; Pottiugner , AV . M ., aud Nettleiiigham ( No . 91 V Beynolds , AV . M . ( No . 1002 ); Henderson , P . M . ( No . 13 ); Harris , P . M ( No . 33 ); Gibbs , P . M . ( No . 15 ) ; Blundoll ( No . 132 ); Webb , P . M .: Quait , P . M . ; Munn , P . M . ; Landcll , P . M . ; Treadivell , Haynes , Kemp . Hill , Bray , Denny , Newman , Dives , Pryer , Bonner , Ike ., & c . The dinner was everything that could be desired , and from tho speeches afterwards made , it was evident that thc Masons of Dartford

entertain great hopes that the year ensuing ' , under the rule of Bro . Philcox , will bo one of unexampled prosperity and success . The health of Bro . Philcox , as W . M ., was therefore drunk with great enthusiasm , and responded to with feeling eloquence by the worthy Brother . The "Past Masters" met au able representative in Bro . Quait , and Bro . Munn , as installing Master , addressed somo very sensible and encouraging remarks to the younger officers of the Lodge . To the " Visitors , " several brothers responded . Bro . Cooke , P . Prov . S . G . AV ., making some important

observations upon thc present crisis in the prospects of Masonry iu Kent , and stating that ho had received information from various Lodges which made , him certain that every Lodgo in the province would petition the Grand Master to give them Bro . Lord Holmesdale to rule over them . Tho warmest applause was afterwards given to Bro . Bonner , as Past and Present Secretary , his exertions to get and to keep tho finances of the Lodge in a healthy state having been highly eulogised by the AV . M . Some excellent songs were sung , and a most pleasant evening wa . _

passed . The noble size and proportions of the now Lodge room were highly - appreciated ; and tlie health of Bro . Bray , the spirited host , ivas drunk with great heartiness . AA e had almost omitted to mention one of tho most interesting events of the evening , namely , tho presentation of the handsome P . M ' s . jewel to the outgoing Master , Bro . Webb , who responded in an eloquent speech .

LEICESTERSHIRE . A 8 iiin .-i - F . i-- _ -Zoi . cii . — Ferrers aud Iva-nlios Ludge No . 1 , 081 .--The monthly meeting of this Lodge was held at the Town Hall ou Monday , June J . The members present were : — -Bros . It . AV . AVm . Kelly , D . Prov . G-. M ., as AV . M . ; ltd . AVarner , S . AV . ; T . II . Bobart , J . AV . ; I Icnry T . Bobart , See . ; J . Itedi ' orn , S . D . ; W . Jl . Bobart , I . G . ; P . Dickon ; G . F . Brown ; S . Love ; W . Woodward ; and W . S . Bithrey . The Lodge was opened in tho first degree ; the minutes of the last

mooting were read and confirmed unanimously . The Lodge was opened in the second degree : Bro . 'Woodward was examined in thc questions appertaining to the second degree , to the satisfaction of the brethren present . The Lodge was opened iu tho third degree : Bro . AVood ward was rais . d to the third or sublime degree of M . M . Bro . T . 11 . Bobart , AV . M . elect , was then regularly presented to a board of installed Masters , presided over b y R . AV . Bro . Win . Kelly , D . Prov . G . M . for Leicestershire , who performed thc ceremony of installation in a most admirable manner .

The new Master having been proclaimed aud saluted according to antient form , proceeded to appoint and invest the following brethren with the collars and jewels of their respective offices for the ensuing year . : — Bros . AV . Mason , S . AV . ; Henry T . Bobart , J . W . ; G . V . Brown , Sec ; F . ITauip , Treas . ; J . Denton , S . D . ; S . Lovo , J . D . ; J . Goodman , I . G . ; AV . Calmer , Tyler . The Lodge was then closed according to anlicnt custom , and adjourned . SOAtERSKTSiffRE .

llrfuiiiiiirKii-l . - - liurul Philanthropic Ludge ( No . 307 ) . —On Friday , Juno Ist , this Lodge held its monthly meeting at the Masonic room , Railway Hotel , Highbridge , at the request of the AV . M ., Bro . W . Harwood ; Bro . Henry Bridges , G . S . B ., presided . The ballot was taken for