Provincial.

cheered by approaching events , the severity of her terrible loss would be less keenly felt , falthough not forgotten . —The noble chairman on proposing " The health of His Royal Highness the Prince of AA ales , and the other members of the Royal Family , " remarked how highly they were prized by an admiring people , and personally he himself could speak of the sterling qualities of the Prince , Avho , far more than his predecessors , had enlightened himself bforeign traveland bintercourse

y , y with men had gained experience which would be invaluable in that still loftier position that awaited him . To all Englishmen , and especially to Masons , was this toast peculiarly interesting on the eve of that event which was to bring a princess and a future queen to this country . Having had the honour of an introduction to the Princess of Denmark , he could venture to give his opinion , that if much personal grace and beauty and

queenliness of manner , associated with every appearance of amiability can commend , then , indeed , no doubt can exist of the affection that will be entertained by the people of this country for one who possesses these qualities in an eminent degree . His lordship was interrupted hy frequent applause , and the toast was enthusiastically received . The toast of the " Army and Navy " was responded to by Captain DAA ENroRT ( 2 nd AVest India Regiment , ) Avho remarked that the British army , in all its

branches , was never so efficient as at the present moment . The CHAIRHAN proposed " The Town and Trade of Knutsford , " coupling with the toast the name of Brother Joseph Jackson , as a principal tradesman in the place . Bro . JACESOIT responded , and expressed bis belief that the formation of the lodge would prove beneficial to the town by creating unanimity [ of feeling and unity of interest . —Bro . G . CoKNYJAli LEGH , M . P ., in a lively speech , proposed "The

Health of Lady de Tabley and the Ladies , " which was courteously acknowledged by the noble chairman . The health of Field Marshall the Lord Alscount Combermere , G . C . B ., RW . Prov . G . M . Cheshire , was well received , as was that of R . AV . Deputy Colonel Cotton . —Bro . the IHonorable AVriBRAnAil EGERTOX , M . P ., proposed " The Health of Bro . Captain Cope , the Acting Prov . G . M ., " who had , with so much ability , conducted the important ceremonies of the clay . Bro . Cope had long been valued in the province as a worthy man and Mason , but the

members of the De Tabley Lodge could never forget the services rendered that , day by him . —Bro . CorE , in reply , said that in common with every member of the Craft , he was always ready and glad to obey the calls of duty , and if he had afforded gratification to the brethren , he was fain to admit that from no circumstances had he derived greater pleasure than from the duties of that day , for he knew that in assisting in the establishment of Freemasonry in Knutsford , under the auspices of

so distinguished a Mason as Bro , Lord de Tabley , he was benefitting his fellow men . He Avas always at the service of his brethren in the province of Cheshire , and when his experience could be of avail , it would be ever at their command . He had obtained permission to propose a toast which , in any part of the country would be Avell greeted , and by the Masons present would , he knew , be heartily Avelcomed . As Grand Officer of Englandas the representative of the Grand Lodge of Canada

, , as a leading member of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire , and still more as the excellent AV . M . of the De Tabley Lodge , would the subject of the toast be appreciated by all present , and wishing him long life and every happiness , he asked them to drink a bnmper to the health of "Lord de Tabley . " Loud aud protracted cheering prevented his lordship for a considerable tune from replying . He said it was a delihtful position for

g him to occupy when he saw around him so many faces which he had been accustomed to see in the good work of Masonry . —So far as he could do so , he was pleased that he should have received them at that board on an occasion Avhich he believed Avould be of importance to the province at large . The CHAIRMAN proposed the " Officers of the De Tabley Lodge , and Bro . G . Cornwall Legh , SW ., and brother Secretary , " remarking that it

was impossible for the lodge to succeed Avithout the attentive asistance of its officers . To theSec was attributable the existenceof the lodge , and upon him much labour had devolved . —Bro . GEO . CORNAVALX LEGH expressed his acknowledgment , and assured the AA . M . and brethren that he Avould use his best exertions in promoting the prosperity of the lodge . —The SECRETARY , on returning thanks , said he was grateful for the honour done him in

associating his name with the distinguished brother who had last spoken , and on behalf of himself , and every officer of the De Tabley Lodge , would ask the brethren of Cheshire to believe that they were most desirous of promoting and reciprocating

every fraternal feeling . It had been said that Knutsford was a sort of Nazareth , or even worse ; for not only could nothing good come out of the place , but it had been continually impressed upon him that nothing so good as Masonry could be implanted iu the town . He , however , bad thought differently ; and the experiences derived from the formation of that lodge had fully proved that the locality was all ready for the good seeds of Freemasonry to be sown broadcast there . He was convinced that

the lodge Avould be found of much public utility , and of immense private advantage . Few places more than Knutsford needed a machinery to knit men's hearts together , to soften down the rough edges of society , and to prove that selfishness is not happiness . To be the founder of a lodge which , in all human probability , would be the nursing ground of men influencing the lives and characters of their neighbours—a lodge which would be the rallying point where breaches should be healed and harmony

restored , where philanthropy could flourish and send forth its genial influences , and that under the sanction and names of such men and brethren as the noble lord in the chair , and the honorable brother in the vice-chair—was so iileasing a task , that had it not been self-imposed , would not have been the less happy . It was not the territorial associations which the name of De Tabley carried with it , nor the distinguished title with which it was identified in the state , nor even the presence there of the noble owner of the one and bearer of the other , that afforded him ( the speaker ) so much happiness in being au originator of

that important meeting ; but it was because Freemasonry robs no man of his social distinction , adds to his moral worth , and places the latter before the former . And so it had been since the lodge was first suggested , and his lordship ' s name permitted to be identified with it , that every one had prophesied success to an undertaking which had the sanction of one esteemed by all , from the most exalted lady in the land down to the humblest peasant on his lordship's estates . He ( the Secretary ) mus

therefore disclaim all merit of success ; his only merit consisted in a desire to benefit the town of Knutsford by bringing it within the pale of Masonry , and a still greater desire to advance the promulgation of those principles of the Order exemplified in the lives of many present—friendship , love , and truth—which have for their results in this life , Avisdom , strength , and beauty , and fit men for a higher and nobler existence hereafter . If he were

asked to designate the lodge by any other title than that it at present held , it should be the " Lodge of Hospitality , " for he hoped the brethren who had favoured them with their presence that day would remember that Avbenever the lodge doors were open they Avould be welcomely received . ( Cheers . )—The SECRE - TARY proposed " The Health of the Macclesfield Brethren , " especially of Bro . Pattinson , AA . M . 334 , and Bro . Brown , P . M . — Bros . PATTINSON and BROAVN responded . —After a most agreeable evening the brethren separated a little before ten o ' clock , and the feAv AVIIO were present during the day ' s proceedings will not fail to remember the Knutsford Masonic Festival .

DURHAM . DURHAM :. — -Marquis of Granby Lodge ( No . 146 ) . —A larger gathering than usual took place at this lodge on Tuesday evening , the 3 rd inst . The AA . M ., Bro . Nicholson , having taken his seat , and the officers being present , the lodge was opened iu due form , upon which the minutes of the last meeting were read and received confirmation . The ballot was then taken for Messrs . S . Holdsworth and JT . Meggesonboth of whom being approved

. , of , and also in attendance , were initiated by the AA . M . in so admirable a manner , as to gain the entire approbation of the lodge over which he has the honour of presiding . Bros . Greenwell , Robson , and Hoyle , having- given satisfactory proofs of their proficiency in the art , they were raised to the sublime degree of M . M ., by Bro . Stoker , P . M ., in his usual effective manner , which never fails to impress upon the minds of the brethren present

, the inherent beauties of that degree . The lodge having been closed down to the first degree , the AA . M . brought forward the case of Bro . Robt . Sutherland ( a poor blind canidate ) , ivbo was unsuccessful in his application as an annuitant on the Royal Benevolent Institution last year . The sum of £ 10 was voted as a donation to the funds of the Institution , and it was also agreed that the necessary expenses of printing and postage in

prosecuting Bro . Sutherland ' s application be paid out of the funds of the lodge . Several brethren present also paid their subscriptions to the Secretary , as subscribers to the funds of the Royal Benevolent Institution . The brethren afterwards proceeded to refreshment , and spent the remainder of the evening in the greatest harmony and enjoyment .