Provincial.

the admission of three gentlemen , AA'illiam Andrews Rogers , B . A and M . R . C . S ., George Biffing York , M . D . and James Neal York . The result being unanimous in their favour , they were admitted and initiated into ancient Freemasonry . Bro . Finch went through the ceremony most admirably , and delivered the charge in a very impressive manner . On the motion of Bro . George Francis , a guinea was voted in aid of the testimonial to Bro . Henley the

honorary surgeon of the Asylum at Croydon . There being no other business , the loclge was closed . At five o ' clock the brethren assembled around the AV . M . at the festive board . The dinner ended and the cloth removed , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Bro . AVard , the Deputy G . M . of the province then said it was his duty as it was likewise his pleasure to propose the toast next in order . In Bro . Stuart , they had the happiness of having to preside over the uvoviucenot only an excellent

, Mason , but a most kind and courteous gentleman ; he took great interest in the lodge , of which he was a member , and omitted nothing that could further its interests , and was only absent when more important duties required his presence elsewhere . The toast was received with enthusiasm . The AV . M . said the next name ivas a household word at AVatford , as being that of what might almost be called the fattier of Masonry in the province , and ivho , as

deputy Prov . G . M ., had been for many years one of the best supporters oftlie Institution . Bro . Ward ' s health was warmly received , and in acknowledgment he alluded to the especial pleasure he had in witnessing the initiation of the three gentlemen that evening . Bro . George Francis said , in so well regulated an order as Freemasonry there were necessarily many who by service aspired to high office , and had not the power of memory required by their ceremonies to perform the duties . In their AV . M . they were

happy , however , in liaving- one who , without disparagement to others , he might say , was eminently fitted for his office . They had seen how admirably Bro . Finch had discharged the duties of the chair that day , and he concluded by asking them to rise and join him in the health of the W . M . The W . 31 " . said it would ill become him , did he not rise spontaneously to acknowledge the compliment paid him , and he assured them that his efforts should be given to render himself perfect in the business of his office . The AV . M . then

called on the brethren to give a cordial greeting to the newly initiated brethren , which was responded to by Bro . G . B . York . The health of Bro . Howe , the only visitor , having been received and acknowledged , the AV . M , then gave , the officers , thanking them for their affection and good service , which was responded to by Bro . C . Davy , S . AA . The Tylers' toast concluded a highly satisfactory meeting . LEICESTERSHIRE . LEiCESTEKSniRE . —St . John's Lodge ( No . 318 ) . —This Lodge

resumed its meetings , after the summer recess , on AVednesday the 3 rd inst ., at the Freemasons' Hall , when , owing to the A olunteer review at Nottingham , ( of which patriotic body many of the Leicester brethren are members ) , and other causes , the attendance was unusually small . The Worshipftil Master and Senior AVarden were , unfortunately , absent from severe indisposition . There were present Bros . Kelly , P . M ., and D . Prov . G . M . ( who presided ); Gibson , P . M . ; AVindram , P . M . as S . AV . ; Dr . Sloane J . AV . ; Gill P . M .

Sec . ; Marris , J . D . ; AV . Jackson , I . G-. ; Bembi-idge , Tyler ; visitors Bros . Lloyd and Garnar of 766 . The minutes of the last meeting , held on the 2 nd May , including the nomination of Bro . the Rev . George Oliver , D . D ., as an Honorary Member , under the circumstances reported in our columns ( May 12 , p . 377 ) , having been read ancl confirmed , the following interesting letter from the learned ancl venerable " Historian of Masonry" was read : — Villa RoadNottingham 7 th MayI 860 .

, , , " My clear Bro . Kelly , —I am rejoiced to hear , once more , from such an old and valued Masonic acquaintance , and the pleasure is enhanced by the exciting subject of your very acceptable letter . At an age bordering upon fourscore years , the leisure of more than one moiety of which has been devoted to the exemplification and improvement of our noble order , it is matter of high gratification to find that the brethren of the Lodge of St . Johnestimate so kindl

, y my humble efforts for that desirable purpose . It is time , my days of active labour are nearly ended , but my mind is still enthuias ' tic in the cause , and would willingly perform what bodily infirmity will scarcely permit . Bulwer Lytton somewhere says " while a man can work he is never old ; " and 1 not only can work , but am working in the preparation of a series of Lectures on the Masonic Trai . ids , although I clo not think they will be published during lifetime

my . Vou will not be suprised , therefore , to hear that I have received your notification with great pleasure ; ancl I beg of vou to communicate to the brethren of 348 my grateful thanks " for the honorary membership which they have , through yon , or courtesy , offered for my acceptance ; ancl inform them that I shall prize it as an honour scarcely to be expected at such an advanced period of life , and consequentl y of so much the greater value .

" Allow me to thank you also for the copy of the entry of my father ' s initiation , as I had placed it in iny mind at an earlier date . In one of his MSS . now before me , Ifind the following entry . ' Here follows twelve Masonic Songs , written ( one for every Loclge night ) , between St . John Baptist ' s clay , 1797 , and St . John Baptist ' s day , 1798 , and presented to the worthy brethren of St . John's Lodge , Leicester , 4 .-71 . ' At the end of the songs I find this note ' end of

the twelve songs ; but considering them imperfect without one for the Festival , I have added one for that purpose . ' The poetry is passable but not first rate . However , if this original copy of the songs would have any value in the eyes of the present brethren of St . John ' s Loclge , 1 shall have much pleasure in requesting their acceptance of it . " There is no engraved portrait of my father in existence . I am lad to hear that you have erected a Masonic Hallfor it is the

g , only method of promoting the respectability and ensuring- thepermanence of the lodges ; to which the library will form a noble adjunct . I have by me duplicates of a few of my Masonic works , which I shall have much gratification in contributing to it , if you will inform me which of them are already in your possession . " AA'ith fraternal respect to the officers and brethren of St . John's

Lodge , believe me to be , my clear Sir , your faithful Brother , GEO . OLIVEH . " A second letter from the learned brother was also read , which accompanied the MSS . songs above alluded to , and thirteen of his own works . The letters having been ordered to be entered on the minutes , a ballot was taken , which , it is unnecessary to state , resulted in the unanimous election of the venerable and worthy brother as an honorary member . The result was .

ordered to be officially communicated to Dr . Oliver , by thesecretary , together with a cordial vote of thanks for his valuable contribution to the Hall Library . A resolution was then passed that a portrait of the newly elected brother be procured , and placed on the . walls ofthe hall , among the collection of portraits of distinguished brethren connected with the province , which is now in course of formation . The D . Prov . G . M . having expressed the regret ivhich hein common witb every brotherfelt at the severe

, , indisposition , from which the worthy W . M . ancl S . AV . oftlie lodgeivere suffering , and a hope that they ivould soon be enabled to resume those Masonic duties which they had hitherto so efficiently performed , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned t ' orefreshment .

MONMOUTHSHIRE . ABEKGAVE . N ' XY . —Philanthropic Lodge ( No . 1120 ) . —The regular monthly meeting was held on the 5 th inst . when the AA ' . M . Bro . Higginson , passed Bro . the Rev . Allen Steel , and Bro . AV . C . Freeman to the second degree ; he also initiated Mr . James E . Steel of the Mercantile Marine . The AA ' . M . read a letter from the A . AV . D . Prov . G . M . Bro . J . E . Rolls stating that it was the pleasure of Col . C . K . Tynte , the Prov . G . M to hold his Prov . G . Lodge at

Abergavenny , toivards the middle of November . The brethren were highly gratified at the intelligence , and appointed a committee to make proper arrangements for so great an honour . It having become known that the hall could now be purchased entirely for Masonic purposes , £ 250 was at once subscribed by four brethren toivards so desirable an object and the S . W . was appointed as a deputation to the Trustees to make terms , etc . The Loclge was . , closed at half past eight in perfect harmony .

SOMERSETSHIRE . HIGHBRIDGE , BtrRxitAM . —Rural Philanthropic Lodge ( No . 3 G 7 ) . —On Friday , September 28 th , this Lodgo held its monthly meeting at the Masonic Room , Railway Hotel , Highbridge . The minutes of : loclge held August 31 st were read ancl confirmed . The ballot was then taken for Messrs . Richard Henry Whitney , Alexander Wilson ,. Thomas Lewis Davis , and Daniel Spink , who were declared by the AV . M . unanimously elected . The W . M . then resigned his chair

to Bro . Henry Bridges , P . M . and Sec ., who initiated them into the first degree of Freemasonry , and also gave the charge which was delivered in a most impressive manner ; the loclge was opened in . the second degree , when Bro . Salisbury was examined and found d . ily qualified to be raised to the third degree ; the lodge having been opened as usual in the third degree , Bro . Salisbury was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason . Bro . E . T . Fernandez , of

St , John the Baptist Lodge , No . 40 , Exeter , ivas pvc ; : c * eu as a , joining member , to be balloted for at the Vit-xt lodge meeting , to be lield the 20 th List . The lodge was then closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned for refreshment , after which they spent the evening together in love and harmony , ancl separated at their usual early hour . SUSSEX . CilicnESTETi . —Lodge of Union , ( No . 45 ) . —This lodge met , for the first time since the summer recess , at the Council Chamber