Provincial.

Chichester , on Thursday evening , the 4 th inst . Present , Bros . Elliott , AV . M . ; Cottell , * S . AA" . ; Collins , J . AV . ; Smith , P . M . and Treasurer ; Holmes , Sec . ; R . Smith , S . D . ; Adams , J . D . ; Bond , J . G . ; Benford , Tyler "; Past Masters .- Powell , junr ., Pickett , and Gambling , Bros . Jones , and Dawtrey , visitors and officers of H . M . 4 th Eegiment of Foot .- Bro . Bridson , ( Unity 889 ) AVilson ancl Boyle , '

( 91 ) . The loclge being opened to the 1 st degree , Bro . Jeffry Dawtrey , having given satisfactory proof of his proficiency as au E , A ., was duly passed to the degree of a F . C . The AA " . M , explained to Bro . Dawtrey the working tools , and Bro . P . M . Powel , junr . gave the G . B . of this degree . The loclge was then closed , AVe congratulate the Brethren on the renewed energy and zeal which appeared to animate them at this their first re-assembly . Rumour says that an endeavour will shortly be made to re-establish the Chapter formerly attached to this old lodge .

> WINCHESTEB . —Lodge of Economy ( No . 90 . )—The usual monthly meeting of this loclge took place at the rooms adjoining the Black Swan Hotel , on the evening of the 26 th ult ., ivhen there were present Bro . Hasleham as AV . M . pro tern . P . M . 's Sherry , Jacob , Naish , Russ , Durant , Everett , Oakshot ; Bros . Cowen , Adamson , Huggins , Smith , Habbersty , Sheppard . The lodge liaving been duly opened , and the minutes of the last lodge confirmed , it was agreedon the motion of Bro . Sherrythat the votes to which the

, , lodge were entitled by their subscriptions for the Boys' Bene-A'olent Institution , should be given in behalf of a child named Ridgeway . The AV . M . then read the minutes kept by Bro . Smith , as Secretary of the Loclge of Instruction . Bro . Smith explained that at some meetings the offices had not been filled as pre-arranged , hut this -was through the non-attendance of parties . Some few of the brethren had been regular attendantsmuch to their own

, advantage , and he hoped to see a greater number upon future occasions . Bro . A . R , Wright , civil engineer , was raised from the degree of Fellow Craft to that of Master Mason . In the course of the evening Bro . HASLEHAM , P . M ., brought on his motion , of ivhich he had given notice , to the effect that on . and after the next annual meeting ( St . John's Day ) the brethren should -not partake of refreshment on lodge nights , the cost of which should

be deducted out of the funds . Bro . Hasleham said lie believed lie had been threatened with opposition by P . M . Everett ; but he felt convinced that vast retrenchment was required iu their management ; their expenditure in the shape of suppers had been most inconsistent . The absence of proper lodge furniture was very apparent , and quite unworthy of the Lodge of Economy . He hail thought it a feasible plan to do away with the refreshments supplied

from the lodge funds at every meeting , and let the brethren in future pay out of their own pockets what they may individually require . He was strongly opposed to continuing the present plan , but he left the matter in the hands of the loclge . Bro . SIEEEBT , P . M ., had very great pleasure in seconding the motion . It was his

opinion that for a long time they had been spending money ou unmasonic purposes . If they wished to meet at the supper-table , they could clo so , and pay at the time out of their own pockets . It was only comparatively a few lodges now that ate ancl drank from the common funds . All the funds possible to realise ought to be devoted to the relief of the distressed , and other charitable purposes ; and if such had been their custom in past years , they would now have had a handsome sum in band to devote to charity . Reckoning

from the year 1854 , he found that their expenditure for refreshment averaged £ 30 19 s 6 d a year ; and if they had saved what was spent in refreshments from the beginning they would now have iu their hands many hundred pounds . The time now occupied insuppers might be devoted to discussing Masonic subjects to the benefit of the fraternity . Bro . NAISH , P . M ., argued that it hacl been laid doivn by their forefathers that certain customs were good , and he saw no reason

for departing from them . It had never been intended that the Aidiole lodge subscription should be spent in relief . Thev had manv special applications for relief , and stood high in the country for the way in which such hacl been met . They likecKto meet , not alone for the sake of eating , but for sociality ; and when the heart was Avariu , and any charitable object was brought forward , how readily the hand dived into the pocket for the relief of distress and woe .

He liked to enjoy life , and while paying for their suppers with a portion of their subscribed money , at the same time they could pay specially towards objects of charity . Bro . OAKSHOT , P . M . thought a most sfricr . *! injury would accrue to the lodge by adoptins the motion before them . The Er . g- ' . 'sh heart was opened by a good dinner , and it was a good Englisii custom ; all iiie gi'C-r . t ch ? . ' . ' ! . i _* of the Metropolis had ' their dinners . Bro . EVEEETT . ' PMsaid the

.., "brethren were not bound to study themselves individual !' ,- , in reference to the motion . He ivas " as fond of Masonry with as without suppers ; but instead of doing away with them ' altogether perhaps they had better sup once a quarter . He would move that as an amendment . The AV . M ., pro tern , said he felt induced to accept the amendment as a compromise , as it was a step in the

Provincial.

right direction ; and withdrew his motion . Bro . SMITH , in reference to the observations of Bro . Oakshot , reminded him that the great London Charities only dined once a year , and then the tickets were a guinea , paid for especially at the time by those who attended , Bro . Rr / 33 , P . M ., moved , and Bro . OAKSHOT , P . M ., seconded another amendment , to the effect that the arrangements do remain as at present . Some further discussion took placeand the lodge divided

, on the amendments . That of Bro . Russ was negatived , while Bro Everett's was carried , and entered on the minutes , for confirmation at the next meeting . The lodge soon afterward closed , and the brethren adjourned for refreshment . BEIGHTON . —Royal Tori- Lodge ( No . 394 ) . —The half-yearly meeting and banquet of this lodge , took place on Tuesday , the 2 nd inst ., at the Old Ship Hotel . Bro . Freeman , the W . M . presided ,

supported by the whole of bis Officers and several visitors , including Bro . Pocock ( Prov . G . Sec , P . G . S . B . ) Bro . AVoodhead ( Lodge 654 ) , Captain of the 1 st . Sussex Rifles . Bros . Fabian ( S . AA . ) and Booty ( 338 , ) Bro . Chelberden ( AV . M . elect 390 ) , & c . A successful ballot was taken for two gentlemen , and Mr . Win . Corder was initiated . The brethren then adjourned to banquet , about 40 partaking of an excellent repast . The usual lodge toasts were given , and a most agreeable evening passed , the chief feature being the good feeling existing betiveen the W . M " . and his Officers , and the mutual desire to maintain the efficiency of the working of the lodge , now of note , in this respect , in the province .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

METROPOLITAN . KEY STONE LODGE ( No . 3 ) . —This Lodge held its regular meeting on Thursday last the 4 th Oct ., at the Ship and Turtle Tavern , Leadeuliall Street . The A . AA . Bro . Burrell , P . J . G . D ., Grand Reg ., in the chair . In pursuance of a previous arrangement , the meeting was adjourned to the 18 th inst . for the despatch of business when the banquet will take place . The meeting was therefore merely one of form

. THISTH- LODGE . —This loclge resumed its meetings on Friday last at Dick ' s Coffee House , Fleet Street , Bro . F . Binckes , W . M ., presiding . Two brethren were advanced . Bro . Figg , S . AA ., was unanimously elected W . M . for the year ensuing , and Bro . Lee reelected Treas . The finances were shown to be in a prosperous condition , and the affairs of the loclge generally were reported to be very satisfactory . Seventeen brethren partook of the banquet

, and the evening passed very agreeably and harmoniously . In proposing the health of the Grand Master , the AA . M . assured the brethren that they had at their head , in the person of the Earl of Carnarvon ^ a ruler ivho was actuated by the most sincere desire to clo everything in his poiver to promote the interests of the Order , and who ivas most anxious to seo this beautiful degree occupy tho distinguished position to which it was deservedly entitled . In

addressing the newly-advanced members , the AA ' . M . congratulated them on their enrolment amongst Mark Masters , and trusted they would ever remember with satisfaction the occasion of their extending their Masonic knowledge by making- themselves acquainted with a degree so ancient , so authentic , and so valuable as that into which they had just been admitted . In the course of the evening , and while discoursing on the state of Mark Masonry

, earnest hopes were expressed that tiie other lodges hailing from the same source as that whence the " Thistle " derived its origin would , eve long , follow the example of the latter , and place themselves under the jurisdiction oftlie "Mark Grand Lodge of England and AVales , & c , " and it was intimated that measures were in progress for bringing about the consummation of so desirable an arrangement .

BERKSHIRE . NEAVJBI-I-Y . —Porchester Lodge ( No . 27 ) . —On Friday the 5 th inst ., Bro . E . S . Cossens , G . S ., Prov . G . Res , Berks and Hants , was duly installed as AV . M . by the retiring AV . M . ( Bro . Ii . 10 . Astley , ) Prov . J . G . AV ., Berks and Hants . The W . M . then appointed and duly invested the following Officers . Bro . Astley as P . M . ; Bro . R . S . Hulbert , Prov . G . J . D . as S . AA ' . ; Ilro . AA " . H . Cave , J . AV . ; Bro . F . G . Hall . S . D . ; Bro . Pinni being dulre-elected Treasurerand

ger y , Bro . F . Thomas , appointed Tyler . HAMPSHIRE . BASI-TOSTOKE . —Wyndham Lodge ( "So . 37 ) . —Tins lodge was duly constituted in . solemn form , on Monday the 1 st . inst .. bv the R . W . AV . AV . Beae ' ii , M . T . Prov . G . AL , Berks and Hants , at the Black Boy Inn . at Basingstoke , in the presence of upwards of 40 Mark Misters , inclndin-r the P ,. W . brethren , the Rev . J . 11 . Portal , S . W . 51 ,

G . Ch . ; If , E . Astlev , Prov . G . S . AV . ; E . S . Cossens , Prov . G . Reg . G . S .: T . Deller , Pro . G . St , ; P .. S . Halbert , Prov , G . P . D . ; the Rev . C . Pettaf . LAV . ; Lamb , 27 ; C . Sherry , J . D . 51 ; II . Huggins , Secretary , 51 j Ford , May , Nichols , & c . Tiie Rev . G . K . Portal ,