Provincial.

The Prov . G . Lodge was then closed in form , with solemn prayer . The banquet , to which about 70 brethren sat down , and to which , as usual , a plentiful supply of venison , game , and dessert was contributed by the Prov . G . Master , took place at the Crown Hotel , at four o ' clock . The D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Kelly , who , of course , presided , was supported on the right by the acting D . Prov . G . M ., Bro .

Goodyer , the D . Prov . G . M . of Northamptonshire and Hunts ; Bro . Binckes , P . G . Steward ; the Eev . E . Hawley ( vicar of N ' ewarke ); ancl on the left by the Eevs . Dr . Pyemont , P . Prov . S . G . AA " ., and Robinson , P . Prov . G . Chap . ; the Prov . G . S . AV . for Northampton ancl Hunts ; Bros . Davis , P . Prov . J . G . AV . ; Capt . Bailey , and others . The vice-chairs were filled by the Prov . G . Wardens , the Eev . Bro . Langley , AV . M . 1130 , ancl Bro . Brown , 'AV . M . 1265 . Grace was said by the Eev . Bro . Ribinson , and thanks returned bv Bro . Dr . Pyemont .

"The Queen and the Craft , " "Bro . H . R . H . the Prince of AA ' ales , P . G . M ., the Princess of AVales and the rest of the Royal Family , " " The Eight Eev . Bro . tho Lord Bishop of the Diocese and the Ministers of Eeligion within the Province , " " The Most AVorshipful the Grand Master , " "The E . AV . the D . G . Master and the Officers of the Grand Lodge , " having been duly honoured , Bro . Kelly rose to propose the toast of the evening , " The better health of the E . AV . Prov . G . Master , Earl Howe . " He expatiated

• on the warm attachment which Lord Howe had evinced for Masonry during his long connexion of nearly half a century with St . John ' s Lodge , Leicester , the great prosperity which had been the result of his rule over the province , there having "been two lodges only in active work in the province thirteen years ago on his appointment , where now there wore eight , and tho crowning point , as it were , which was now put to that state of prosperity by the addition of the County of Rutland to

this Provincial Grand Loclge , and which event shed a lustre on his contemplated retirement ( which all must deeply regret ) owing , as it was , to his advancing years and infirm state of health ; and he also referred to Lord Howe ' s munificent charities ( he had lately presented a third donation of £ 1 , 000 to one local charity ) , and his many private virtues , which ennobled him not less than his high rank and illustrious name . Tho toast was received with the greatest enthusiasm and with musical honours .

Dr . Pyemont , in highly eulogistic terms , proposed "The health of the D . Prov . G . Master , Bro . Kelly , which also met -with a very cordial reception from the brethren , and to which Bro . Kelly responded , thanking the brethren for the manner in which on this , as on all occasions , his name was leceived by them ; and announced that ho might be said to be now taking 'his farewell of the brethren in his official capacity , because , as they all knewthisin all probabilitywould be the last annual

, , , meeting of the Grand Lodge of the province held under the authority of Lord Howe as Prov . G . M ., and ( as he bad once or twice before told them ) it was his intention—having now had the honour to hold the distinguished office of 1 ) . Prov . G . Master for some fourteen or fifteen years—to withdraw from it whenever Lord Howe retired , the noble earl having paid him the greatest compliment , when he asked permission to retire ten

years ago , to request him to continue as his deputy so long as he might remain . This alone had induced him to hold the office for so long a period , ancl now , having actively laboured in Masonry in the province during thirty years—half ' that time as D . Prov . G . Master—ho felt he hacl earned his retirement , leaving the work to younger hands . The health of " Th _ . visiting brethren" was responded to

by Bro . Inns , D . Prov . G . Master ( Northampton and Hunts ) . The toast of "The present and past Prov . G . Officers" was responded to by the Rev . AV . Langley , the incoming , ancl the Eev . Dr . Pyemont , the outgoing Prov . S . G . AV . In proposing " The Masonic charities , " the D . Prov . G . M . stated that when three years ago the eloquence of their worth y Bro . Binckes had induced him to accept the office of steward on

behalf of this province for the festival of the Boys' School , by the kindness and liberality of the brethren he had been privileged to send in the largest list of any individual steward upwards of £ 200 . —that the Rev . Bro . Langley , who hacl recently served the office , when the munificent sum of £ 12 , 000 was contributed by the fraternity , had increased the contributions of this province by about £ S 0 , and that Bro . Brown , the AV . M . of the new lodge , had undertaken the office for ths next festival , whilst their ever-energetic Bro . Langley would serve as a steward for the Girls' School .

Provincial.

Bro . Binckes , being called upon- to respond , pleaded thecause of the charities with that eloquence for which he is so distinguished , but his remarks were necessarily somewhat curtailed by the near approach of the time fir the departure of the 8 . 50 train for Leicester , by which the great majority of tho brethren hacl to leave . After their departure the list of toasts was concluded , and the brethren finally separated , able to congratulate themselves

on the highly successful completion of a doable event , —the introduction for the first time of Freemasonry into the County of Rutland , ancl its union with the Province of Leicestershire . Esto pernetua !

Malta.

MALTA .

ISOLA . —Zeinster Lodge ( No . 387 , I , C ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , on Tuesday , the 7 th ult .. the W . M ., Bro . Stewart , presiding , when three candidates were initiated in a most efficient manner . At the request of tho AA . M ., Bro . Gorham , P . M ., delivered a lecture on the MasonTfc Charitable institutions , which was heartily responded to by the brethren . The lodge being then closed , a short time was devoted to refreshment and musicafter which the brethren

, separated , having passed a pleasant and instructive evening . A ' ALETTA . — Union Lodge ( No . 407 , E . C . )—A meeting of this loclge was held at the Masonic Hall , Strada Forni , on the 17 th ult ., when Mr . Hargood was duly initiated into the mysteries of the Order , the ceremony being most impressively performed by Bro . Ravenbusch . A most complete explanation of the tracing board was given by Bro . DoghertyP . M . S . AVand the charge

, , , was given by Bro . Gorham , P . M ., who was present as a visitor . The lodge being closed , the brethren sat down to slight refreshment , when , after the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , "The Health of the newly-initiated Brother" was acknowledged by Bro . Hargood , who expressed his delight at becoming a Mason . The E . A . song was then given by Bro . Gorham , who also responded for the visiting brethren , and expressed a hope that ,

at the next meeting , he should be elected a joining member . Bro . Connell sang "The ould leather breeches , " in his usual Hibernian style , and the Tyler's toast then closed a very cheerful evening .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

METROPOLITAN . AICTORIA CHAPTER ( NO . 1 , 056 ) . —A convocation of this flourishing chapter was held at the George Hotel , Aldermanbury , on the 4 th inst ., for tho purpose of installing the principals ancl officers for the ensuing twelve months . The following officers were then installed : —Comps . G . H . Oliver , M . E . Z . ; ClarkH . ; LongJ . ; C . HosgoodI . P . Z . ; BrettTreas . ;

, , , , Pendlebury , S . E . ; Gotthiel , N . ; Forsyth , P . S . ; Harris , 1 st Assist . S . ; Neohmer , 2 nd Assist . S . The following members were present , viz ., Comps . Bright , Baker . Ashby , Forge , Smith , Taylor , Musto , Einhiens , and one visitor , our much respected Comp ., J . Boyd . The splendid furniture manufactured b y Bro . J . J . Coney , of 44 , Cheapside , was the admiration of all the Comps . present . A jewel was voted to Comp . C . Hasgood

, I . P . Z ., every Comp . having subscribed thereto . Bro . J . Canoy has intimated that he intends to furnish a jewel for the abovenamed Comp . of an entirely new design , consisting of diamonds ancl rubies suitably arranged . He will have the same on view by the 20 th of this month . The chapter was closed in ancient form , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent repast served bthe proprietor of this hotel . The meeting was one

cony tinved scene of rational enjoyment , heightened by the advancement of Eoyal Arch Masonry generally . The harmony of the evening was greatly promoted by Comps . Brett , Bright , and Ashby , and an evening spent in fraternal union was brought to a happy close .

THE Musical Standard says that Mr . Sullivan ' s " Prodigal Son , " lately heard at Worcester , is to be performed shortly at the Crystal Palace .