The Masonic Mirror.

of the Lodge AA-ere due to Bro . Sherry for fche indefatigable zeal he had shoAvn and the trouble he had bestowed in getting up information for the introduction of so important a subject . The AVorshipful Master also proceeded to remark that that mighty engine " the Press ; " he alluded , of course , more particularly to their OAVU Magazine ( hear , hear ) , would continue to stimulate the brethren not only of the Province of Hampshire , bufc of the provinces generally , to come forward as one man and assert their claims to a fair representation in the election of the various Boards

appointed by the Grand Lodge . The AVorshipful JIaster concluded by puttiiig the motion to the meeting , expressing how satisfactory ifc would be for him to soe it adopted unanimously and the memorial signed by all present in open Lodge . The motion w-as carried nam . con ., and the memorial signed accordingly by the folloiA'iug members then present : —Bros . J . L . Hasleham , AA' . JI . ; Charles Sherry , P . JL ; George Durant , P . JL ; John Naish , P . M . ; AVm . CoAven , P . JI . ; George P . Jacob , P . JL ; AVilliam Russ , P . JI . ; Samuel R .

Everitt , P . JL ; Geo . Oakshott , P . JL , J . AV . ;» -o tern-. ; Fred . La Croix , S . W . ; John Henry Elson ; Henry Butcher ; Henry Huggins , Prov . G . See . ; J . Waterman ; Alfred Smith ; Isaac Snary ; AA'illiam John Gerrard : James Withers , P . JL A motion was then carried , admitting Bro . Harry Grant as a joining member of the Lodge , the general feeling of the members being gratefully expressed for the long and valuable services rendered to the Lodge by that brother . The Lodge AA-as then duly closed , and the brethren adjourned for refreshment and spent an hour or so in that unity and concord for which the Lodge is so eminently conspicuous .

NORTH AJIPTONS HIRE . PETERBOROUGH . —St . Peter ' s Lodge . ( No . 646 ) . —The Lodge was held as usual on Thursday last , the 1 st of September . Bro . George Cattel , AA . JL , in the chair , a great many other brethren being present . The minutes of the previous Lodge being read and confirmed , a ballot was taken for Bro . AA'illiam AVells as a joining member , he having been initiated in the Lod of Coreyraat Corfuhe w-as unanimousl

ge , ; y accepted . The AA . JI . passed Bro . AVells , ivho had previously taken the first degree , fco the second degree , and also explained the second tracing board . The Lodge was honoured ivith the presence of a brother of the candidate , Bro . Capt . Grenville AVells . There being no other business before the Lodge , it was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment and spent the evening very agreeably .

SUSSEX . PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE . THE annual Provincial Grand Lodge was held in fche NOAV Music Hall , Hastings , on Friday , Sept . 2 nd . Bro . G . C . Dalbiac , R . AV . D . PI-OA-. G . JI ., presided , supported by Bros . Cordy , P . Prov . S . G . AV ., as D . G . M . ; Bacon , Prov . S . G . AV . ; Powell , Prov . J . G . AV . ; Fermor , P . Prov . S . G . AV . ; A errall , Prov . G . Treas . ; Gavin Pocock , G . S . B ., Prov . G . Sec . ; AVood , Prov .

S . G . D . ; Woolven , Prov . J . G . D . ; Bannister , P . Prov . S . G . D . ; E . Scott , Prov . G . Supt . of AVorks . ; J . Fabian , P . Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; Schilling , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; AVellerd , Prov . Assist . G . Dir . of Cers . ; Smithers , P . Prov . G . Dii-. of Cers . ; Boivmer , Prov . G . S . B . ; Stuckcy , P . Prov . G . S . B . ; Kuhe , Prov . G . Org . ; Butcher , Prov . G . Purst . ; Burchell and Collins , Steivards ; fche AV . JIasters , P . Masters , Wardens , and about seventy brethren . Amongst fche visitors were Bros . J . Symonds , P . JI . 21 , and member of the Board of General Purposes ; and

Bro . H . G . AVarren , Past G . Steward , & o . The Prov . Grand Lodge was opened afc three o ' clock . On the lists of the Lodges being called over it was found that all excepting No . 878 , Littlehampton , were represented . The minutes of the last Prov . G . Lodge were read and confirmed . A most favourable report ivas read from the Finance Committee , showing a balance of , i'S 5 19 s . fid . in hand . Bro . AV . Verrall was unanimously re-elected Treasurer . Tho Prov . G . See . read a statement prepared from the returns , shelving the progress of

Freemasonry in Sussex during the year ending June 1859 . The Deputy Provincial Grand JIaster thus addressed the Provincial Grand Lodge : — "Brethren , itis noiv my pleasing duty to offer to the officers ofthe pasfc year ray grateful thanks for the efficient support ivith which they have enabled me to conduct the duties of the province , and for tho zeal AA-hich has characterized their efforts to maintain in every instance our ancient landmarks , the interests of the Craft in general , and of this

Provincial Grand Lodge in particular . I believe this to be a fitting opportunity , without detaining you long , to take a slight review of the past year in order that the brethren may be fully acquainted with tho manner in which the executive have performed the trust reposed in them , and also to recall any particular incidents that have occurred since we last met , and to mention one or two subjects I Avish to impress upon JIasters of Lodges and upon the brethren generally . These and a feiv statistical facts , comparing the funds and our present numbers in the

province Avith those of the year 1855 ( the year immediately succeeding onr resuscitation as a Provincial Grand Lodge ) , will , I feel satisfied , be acceptable to the brethren , as manifesting the steady progress Freemasonry is making amongst us , and proving that the officers of the last year have acted Avith that zeal transmitted to them by those worthy Past Provincial officers who have set them so bri ght an example , many of whom I delight in seeing here to-day : and more particularly that the brethren may know how the finance lias been looked after , the funds

applied and the great objects of Freemasonry always borne in nihiil . This is only our fifth annual meeting since the re-organization of the Provincial Grand Lodge . The first returns in 1854 , shoiv a total of 19 !) members ; by the returns up to Juno 30 th of this year , we have 329 subscribing members . In 1855 there were fifteen initiations , in this year thirty . In 1855 the quarterage , & c , amounted to £ 23 14 s . Gd . ; in this year to £ 40 12 s . 6 rf . Iu 1855 your balance was a nominal one , as the n-hole of the Provincial Grand Lodge regalia was not paid for till ISoG , when I

perceive there w-as £ 3 15 s . 11

has averaged £ 4 16 s . Gd . per annum . This statement ivill , 1 am sure , convince the brethren hoAV much is due to the Finance Committee for their very able management , but more especially to fche valuable and earnest services of our esteemed Prov . G . Sec . and Prov . G . Treas ., to the latter for his care of our exchequer , and to the former for devoting so much valuable time to our interests , conducting our correspondence so ably , and bestowing such care ou the regalia , & c . ( IIOAV the paid property of the Prov . Grand Lodge , AA'hich may be

estimated at a value above one hundred guineas ); and it is with the highest gratification I am enabled in Prov . Grand Lodge to tell Bro . Gavin E . Pocock how much satisfaction we all feel that his usefulness has been recognized and reii-arcled by the JLAA . Grand JIaster of England , and that by his presence Ave are honoured by the attendance of an officer of the Grand Lodge of England . I am indeed proud of the position I hold in this province , for in my visits to the several Lodges and my intercourse with the brethrenI have seen nothing but excellent working ,

, harmony , and good feeling prevailing amongst all , an earnest wish to carry out the princip les of our Order in accordance with the Book of Constitutions and iu strict allegiance to our most respected and JI . AV . G . JI . Lord Zetland , a nobleman who presides over JIasonry with the hearty good wishes of all Sussex Freemasons , and who I feel

convinced may count on the cordial support of this province should faction ever assail him . ( JIuch applause ) . I will now remark on one or tivo points which I trust the JIasters of Lodges and the brethren generally will bear in mind , especially as they are subjects clearly enjoined in the Book of Constitutions , and the infringement of them has on more than one occasion been brought before the Board of General Purposes . Lodges of Emergency should rarely be called—nothing but a sheer necessity can warrant them . I ivould beg to refer AV . Jls . to pages SO and

83 of the last edition of the Book of Constitutions relating to the examination of candidates prior to passing and raising . They must reply correctly and audibly , so that every brother may hear ; the AVorshipful JIaster should not be satisfied with the Deacon putting the words into their mouths , but the candidates should themselves bo perfect in Unrequired replies ; the same remarks apply to thoir answers to the AVardens , which should be given distinctly aud audibly . The clothing of the brethren must be strictly in accordance with the Book of Constitutions , and

the AVorshipful JIaster of each Lodge is responsible for the observance thereof . This rule has been ever adhered to in Sussex , but some Lodge ; in England having lately been called to account for a deviation therefrom , is my reason for mentioning it . I would also caution JIasters of Lodges with reference to mendicants ; I am grieved to say that many uiiAvortliy Jlasons from all parts make ifc their business to travel the country merely to impose upon the charity of the univary , and as soon as each neiv JIaster is appointed , to make him their prey . A little caution on this head ivill prevent much imposition and preserve the charitable funds for the deserving and really needy brothers . In Starch last I was

necessitated to report to Grand Lodge the Howard Lodge , No . 64 , and the Mariners' Lodge , No . S 7 S , for non-payment of arrears ; I am happy b > say No . 64 has since adjusted all claims ; through the exertions of kind brethren over zealous in our cause , that Lodge starts afresh under very favourable circumstances—may it flourish aud prosper long in the conn try . I regret to say No . 878 has made no arrangement for the settlement of arrears , aud the case will ccme before the Grand Lodge on AVednesday next . A petition for a fourth Lodge to bo held in Brighton , at the

request of certain brethren , AVUS forivarded by me to the Grand JIaster during the present year : Avithout a decided opposition to the prayer of the petition I did not feel justified in according to it that warm and cordial support I otherwise should have done , from a feeling that the time was premature for such an application . I can assure the brethren whoso names were appended to it , thafc as I find our numbers increase and our influence extend , I shall feel it a duty as Avell as a pleasure to co-operate with them , and Avill give my support and recommendation

for the formation of additional Lodges either in Bri g hton or any other toAvn of the province , if I see it to be the wish of the brethren and am convinced ifc is for the good of the Craft in the locality from whence the petition emanates . I understand that petitions from several of our increasing populated coast towns will very probabl y , ere long , be sent to me , to all of which I shall give my very best attention . In conclusion I will allude to a painful occurrence , but one which must be continually befalling us—our respected Bro . Benjamin A allance has passed from ns . Our beloved brother was amongst the first of the Prov . Grand Officers at our re-organization in 185-1 , and a P . M . of No . 338 , He ivas appoint ™