Provincial.

answered satisfactorily as to their progress in Masonry , were raised to the sublime degree of M . M ., and Bros . Rodgers and Read were passed to the degree of F . C . Mr . Marmaduke Joseph Taylor was initiated into Freemasonry . The AV . M . then presented a handsome P . M . ' s jewel to Bro . Cox . He said he was entrusted with a very pleasing duty that evening in presenting , in the name and on belialf of the lodge , to a very worthy brother , a testimonial of esteem and regard for his valuable services ; also for the kind and courteous

manner and readiness at all times to give information to those brethren who were not so well informed in the mysteries of the Craft . It was a pleasing duty at all times , as well as a Masonic virtue , to encourage industry and reward merit , and he felt confident he spoke the sentiments .--. of every brother when he said Bro . Cox had faithfully carried out the ancient charge of the Order ; and , on behalf of the brethren of 235 , he placed that jewel on his breast , trusting he would receive it in the same kind spirit in which

it was given ; might he live long to enjoy it , and the social intercourse of the brethren of the Craft ; ancl when it should please the G . A . O . T . U . to remove him from tins sublunary abode , might he ascend to that Grand Lodge above , where the world ' s Great Architect lived and reigned for ever . Bro . Cox having returned thanks , the lodge closed at 9 . 30 . The brethren then adjourned to refreshment . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly responded tothe AV . M . gave " The NewlInitiated . " Bvo . Taylor

, y responded ; the visiting brethren being acknowledged by Bro . Humphreys . The AV . M ., P . M ., and officers being severally responded to , the brethren departed , highly delighted with the evening . A very handsome set of gavils , of exquisite workmanship , was presented by Bro . Duke , P . M .

SUSSEX . BRlsnTO'S . —Eoyal York Lodge ( No 394 ) . —The half yearly banquet of this flourishing lodge was held at the Old Ship Hotel on Tuesday , Oct . 1 st , Bro . AA illiam Curtis , AA . M . presiding supported by the whole of his officers . The business of the meeting consisted of the usual opening of the lodge , when a ballot was taken for Mr . Edmonstone , who was elected .

Bro . AValter Breton was afterwards raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason . Various communications were read , the lodge was then closed . The bretbren then adjourned to one of those delightful banquets which we frequently have had the pleasure of attending under that banner . On this occasion the AV . M . was supnorted by the following visiting brethren : —Bros . Kuhe , P . G . O . 338 ; Booly , 338 ; Schmitagel , 338 ; John Bacon , P . P . S . 1034 ; R . Legg , 1034 ; Johnston , 1034 ; Reed , 1034 ; and

Thorncroft , 394 , who was initiated in the Royal York Lodge in 1 S 24 ; also by the following P . M ' s . and about forty brethren of the lodge , Bros . P . M . Freeman , Tasker , Lucas , J . Jones , Ade , Wood , AVoollven , Moppett , and H . Smythers . Upon the removal of the cloth , grace was sung by Bros . Fielding , Shoubridge , and Smythson ( under the direction ofthe former ) , who were specially engaged for this occasion . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , between which the brethren were hihly pleased with the songs ancl

g glees . In the course ofthe evening Bro . Kuhe , Prov . G . O ., delighted the brethren with two of his choicest pieces on the grand piano . The brethren separated after having spent a most pleasant evening . Too much praise cannot be given to Bro . Bacon for the style in which everything was served .

AA OECBSTERSHIRE . A Provincial Grand Lodge was held at Dudley on Tuesday , the 1 st inst ., presided over by tbe Prov . G . M . Bro . C . H . Vernon . The Masons present from AA orcester , were the D . Prov . G . M ., A . H . Royds ; M . M . Beale Cooper , Master of the AA orc-ester Lodge , 340 , and AA . Haigh , of Bonghton . The business of the lodge was the appointment of officers for the year 1 S 61-2 , followed by a banquet , at which about fifty of the Craft assisted . In the course of the jiroceedings Bro . Binckes made an appeal on behalf of the Boys ' School , and the Provincial Grand Lodge voted £ 5 5 s . in aid of ' its funds .

YORKSHIRE AVEST . Pl-OVINC'IAI GBAM ) LOD & E . On AVednesday , the 2 nd inst ., a Provincial Grand Lodge , at which the Prov . Grand Master , the Earl de Grey and Ripon , presided , was held at AA akefield . So soon as it was known that his lordship would be present , the AA akefield brethren determined that the affair should not be a merelformal onebut that his lordshi

y , p should have a good reception , especially as he was one of their own members . Accordingly the Corn Exchange was taken for the occasion , and for once the spacious saloon was converted into both a banquetting-hall ancl a lodge-room , by being divided by curtains in the centre .

The Rifle Corps also , hearing of the intended visit of Earl de Grey and Ripon to AVakefield , desired , as his lordship is Under Secretary of War , ancl the man of all others in tbe kingdom who bas fostered the movement , to pay his lordship a mark of respect , and accordingly Captain Maekie summoned the corps on Wednesday morning , when about 60 volunteers mustered , and were placed in the corridor as a guard of honour to receive his lordsbip on

entering the Corn Exchange , the hand being stationed in front of the building . Besides Captain Maekie , there were also present Lieutenant Tomlinson , ancl Ensigns Hart and Thompson . His lordship arrived from Studley by the train clue at Wakefield from Leeds at 10 . 38 , where Bro . G . H . Westerman , the AV . M . ofthe Lodge Unanimity ( No . 179 ) met him , accompanied by two or three of the brethren of the Wakefield Lodge ( No . 727 ) . Bro . Westerman conveyed him in his carriage , which w-as waiting for that purpose ,

to the Great Bull Inn , where his lordship partook of some refreshment , and afterwards , accompanied by Bro . Dr . Fearnley and a large number of Masons , entered the Corn Exchange , the rifle band playing the National Anthem , and the volunteers presenting arms . The bells of the parish church also rung out a merry peal , and a large concourse of spectators assembled in the vicinity of the Corn Exchange to witness the proceedings . The business of the lodge was then proceeded within the course

, of which a very interesting episode took place , by the presentation to Bro . Dixon , the Prov . Graud Treasurer , of a testimonial from the brethren of the province , consisting of a rich suit of Masonic clothing , and a very valuable tea and coffee service , as a mark of their high appreciation of his valuable services to the Craft for a period of upwards of 13 years . The testimonial was presented , in . very suitable terms , by Bro . Dr . Fearnley , the D . Prov . Grand Master , and acknowledged by Bro . Dixon in a very feeling ancl

affecting speech . The lodge was opened and closed by Bro . Thos . Senior , AV . M . of the AVakefield Bodge ( No . 727 ) , and bis officers . At the conclusion of the business , the brethren adjourned to the banqueting room , where a very elegant dinner was served up by Mr . Sweeting , of the Great Bull . The Earl de Grey ancl Ripon presided , supported on his right ancl left by Bro . Dr . Fearnley , D . Prov . G . M . ; the Rev . Dr . Senior , Prov . S . G . AV . aud G . Chap . ; J . Batley , Prov . J . G . W . ; the Rev . — Ferrers , Prov . G . Chap . ; Rev . A . F . A . AVoodford , , P . Prov . G . Chap ., & c ., & c . The vice-chairs were filled by Bros . Thomas Senior , AV . M . of the AVakefield Lodge , ancl his two AVardens , D . AVilson , and M . B . Hick .

His Lordship gave successively "The Queen , and "the Prince Consort , the Prince of AVales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " in very appropriate speeches . In giving "The Army , Navy and Volunteers , " his lordship said it was a toast which would be always well received by Freemasons . Englishmen had ever been much attached to the wooden walls of Old England . Their navy and army were in every quarter of the globe , ready to defend their commerce from every agressor . Those were two arms from which

England had long reaped great honour . But there was another force which had silently sprung up , namely , the volunteers . ( Cheers . ) This had sprung up , and added , if needful , another bulwark around their shores . ( Cheers . ) That force , which now numbered 160 , 000 men , would prove themselves , if ever their services were calledupon , to be not unworthy . His lordship said he must take the opportunity of returning his best thanks to the AVakefield Volunteers for the reception they r had that morning given him , and

he trusted if any of that corps were present they would convey to them how hi ghly he appreciated the compliment . He was indeed very proud of it . ( Cheers . ) His lordship concluded by proposing the toast , ancl calling upon Bro . Batley to respond . Bro . BAILEY , in responding , said he hoped to see tbe greatest cordiality exist between the three forces . The volunteers had not yet been called upon to stand under fire , but when at York the other day they stood under waterand most gallantlthey behaved

, y under the charge . ( Cheers . ) If they stood as well under fire , he had no hesitation in saying that they would be all right . His LORDSHIP next proposed "The Grand Master of England , " to which Bro . Dr . Senior responded . Bro . Dr . FEAENLEY then , in very appropriate terms , gave " The Provincial Grand Master of AVest Yorkshire , the Earl de Grey and Ripon , " which was received with all the usual Masonic honours . The EAT . L DE GBEY AND RIEON responded in a very eloquent

speech , thanking them from his heart for the manner iu which they had received him . He was indeed glad to have been able to come among them . Since he had accepted office under Her Majesty's Government , he had made it a rule never to preside at public meetings ; but he did not call thatapublic meeting , but an assembly of brethren . They were of one family , where , as far as he could see , there were very few family quarrels , which proved that the principles of Freemasonry were harmonious . He was glad to see so good an attendance , ancl he would assure them , that whenever he could do so consistently with his official duties , he should be delighted to come among them , ( Cheers . ) His lordship next