Provincial.

CHELTENHAM . —Royal Union Lodge ( No . 307 ) . —On AVednesday , the 5 th inst . the festival of St . John the Evangelist was celebrated by this Lodge , at the Masonic Hall , Cheltenham . The Lodge ivas opened by Bro . AVilliams , AV . M ., and immediately after the confirmation of the minutes of the last Lodge , the AV . M . elect , Bro . Shirer , Prov . Grand Purs ., Gloucestershire , was installed in the ancient form by Bro . Bennett , P . M ., Nos . 349 ancl 779 , P . Prov . G . S . AV ., AYorcestershire . The ceremony was performed in a manner that elicited the warmest approbation of all

the Brethren present . Tho AY . M . then took the chair , and proceeded to appoint the following officers : —Bro . Power , S . W . ; Bro . Tovey , J . AY . ; Bro . Wallace , Treasurer ; Bro . Potter , Secretary : Bro . Ward , S . D . ; Bro . Trimmer , J . D . ; Bro . Hodge , I . G . ; Bro . AA igins , Tyler . It was proposed by Bro . Ales , seconded by Bro . Power , and carried unanimously , that a Warden ' s jewel be presented by the Lodge to Bro . Shipton , as a mark of respect from the Brethren , prior to his projected departure from the neighbourhood . Ou the conclusion of the business of the Lodge , the Brethren adjourned to the banqueting hall , where a most

sumptuous banquet was provided by Bro . Phillips . The chair was taken by the AV . M ., supported on his rjght by the installing Master , Bro . Bennett ; the Rev . George Roberts , Prov . G . Chap , of Monmoutshire ; Bro . Collins , AY . M ., No . 7 , P . M ., No . 420 , and Past Prov . G . E ., AA ilts ; and Bro . Humphrey , No . 40 S ; ancl on his left by Bro . Brandon , P . M ., Past Prov . G . J ' . AY ., Gloucestershire ; and Bro . J . Brook Smith , P . M ., Past Prov . G . S . AV ., Gloucestershire . After the usual loyal ancl Masonic toasts had been given , the AA . M . proposed " The health of the Visiting Brethren , " coupling therewith the name of the Eev . George Eoberts , to which

that gentleman responded in an able speech , in ivhich he alluded in eloquent terms to the satisfactory progress made by Masonry during the last few years in the provinces of Gloucestershire , Monmouthshire , and South AVales . Several songs of a high character enlivened the evening , the festivities of which were prolonged until a late hour , when the Brethren separated with those warm feelings of brotherly love and amity , which such meetings are so well calculated to promote . AA e may add that tho names of two gentlemen wore proposed as candidates for admission into this ancient Order , and we congratulate the AV . M . on Vac prospect which his year of office in this flourishing Lodge presents to him .

HAMPSHIRE . AvvowTmsms : —Lodges . * -Wednesday , January 19 th , Royal Sussex ( ilS ) , Freemasons' Hall , Porlsca , at 7 ; Thursday , 20 th , Southampton ( 555 ) , Freemasons' Hal ] , Southampton , at 7 . Chapter . —AVednesday , 19 th , Economy ( 90 ) , . Black Swan , Winchester , at 7 . HERTFORDSHIRE . MsowmvsT . —Lodge . —Tuesday , January 18 th , Hertford ( 571 ) , Shire Hall , Hertford , at -J .

BERKHAJIPSTEAD . —Berkhampstead Lodge ( No . 742 ) . —There was a good attendance of the brethren on AVeduesday , January 5 th , at the King ' s Arms Hotel , it being tie instillation festival . Bro . John AVebber , W . M . ; Bro . T . J . Barringer as S . AV . ; Bro . J . How as J . W . The minutes of the previous Lodge were read and confirmed , ancl the finances showed a healthy aspect . Bros . Butcher , Gurdon , Hart , and Stevenson , were raised to the third degree . The Lodge having been resumed in the second degree , Bro . F . M . Shugar , the AV . M . elect b

, was presented y Bro . Rev . F , B . Harvey , P . M ., and duly installed by Bro . Hem-y Isaacs . The AA . M . having been proclaimed , appointed and invested as his officers , Bro . T . S . Barringer , S . W . ; Bro . H . G . Lane , , f . \ Y . ; Bro . C . H . Law , Sec ; Bro . James Burton , S . D . ; Bro . H . Norman , J . D . ; and Bro . Shearman . I . G . ; Bro . John Lane , Treas ., and Bro . Thomas , Tyler , were also invested . The business being concluded , the brethren adjourned to banquet . Bro . John Sedgwick , Prov . G . Sec . : Bro . C . Davey , Prov . G . S . D . ; Bro . J . How , Prov . G . D . C . ; Bro . 11 Garrod , No . 11 , and Bro . Quellhorst , were visitors . The Prov- G . M . has been pleased to confer on Bro . Hemy Isaacs the office of Prov . G . Organist .

KENT , AiPM » iaiSTs . —i , o < ij / es . —Monday , January 17 th , lodge of Freedom ( 91 ) , aud Sympathy ( 709 ) , Town Hall , Graresend , at Si ; Wednesday , January lOili , lioyul . tJisr . il ( 021 ) , Royal Hotel liamsgate , at 7 j Friday , 21 st , Union ( 149 ) , King ' s Head , Margate , at 7 . '