Provincial.

HAMPSHIRE . PETERSFIEED . —Lodge of Friendship ( No . 1230 ) . —On Tuesday , the 27 th ult ., a large number of Masons from the province of Hampshire and adjacent districts assembled at Petersfield , to witness the consecration of the Lodge of Friendship ( No . 1230 ) , which has been recently established in that town . Many years ago Petevsfield possessed an ancient and flourishing lodge , but in the course of changes which time brought about , the lodge ,

in common with the town , lost much of its old vigour , and gradually decaying , finally became extinct . After a lapse of more than thirty years , the zeal and energy of a new resident , Bro . Levander , P . M ., P . Prov . S . G . D . AVilts , led to a revival of Masonic feeling , and ultimately to the constitution of the Lodge of Friendship . The brethren of the Lodge of Economy ( No . 90 ) , AA'inchester , having petitioned the M . AV . the Grand Master for a AA arrantthe lod Avas for some time held under a

dis-, ge pensation from the R . AA . the Provincial Grand Master of Hants . AAlien the warrant had been obtained , and the necessary preliminary arrangements had been made , the lodge was constituted in ancient form hy Bro . Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis , Bart , G . C . B ., R . W . Prov . G . M ., assisted by Bro . AA . AV . Beach , M . P ., P . Prov . S . G . AV . Hants and Oxfordshire , and the Prov . G . Officers . The ceremony of consecration was performed

in a most able and impressive manner . Bro . H . C . Levander was installed as AV . M ., Bro . Sherry , P . M . 90 , being appointed S . AV , and Bro . Naish , P . M . 90 , J . AV . The other offices were distributed as follows : —Bros . Dollery , Treas . and Sec ; G . Finley , S . D . ; J . Wright , J . D . ; John Gammon , I . G . ; Charles Knight , Tyler ; Rev . T . A . Wills , Chap . ; E . Emery . P . M . 42 : 3 , Dir . of Cers . After lodge , the brethren adjourned to the banquet at the Red Lion Hotel , under the presidency of the Prov . G . M . Amongst

the company present were Bros . AV . W . Beach ; Stebbing , Vice-President of the Board of General Purposes ; Hickman , Prov . G . Sec ; Rev . A . AVills , Prov . G . Chap . ; Heather , Prov . G . Treas . ; Kirkman , Prov . J . GW . ; Towey , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; AA ells , Prov . S . G . D . ; Forbes , P . Prov . S . GW ., Essex ; H . C . levander , AV . M . 1230 ; Alfred Smith , AA . M . 90 ; Naish , P . M . 90 , P . Prov . J . G . AV . and J . AV . 1230 ; Sherry , P . M . 90 , P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . and SW . 1230 ; J . Carter , P . M . 90 ; Turner , See . 166 ; Edmonds , S . AA \ 3 S 7 ; Thompson , Sec 387 ; Hiscox , 387 ; Emery ,

P . M . 428 ; Carter , J . AV . 42 S ; Artha , 42 S ; Andre iv , 428 ; M . E . Frost , W . M . 714 ; Hogg , S . AV . 717 ; Fiddiman , 805 ; Lawson , J . AV . 915 ; Hulbert , AV . M . 995 ; AVenham , Hullyatt , Bachelor , Purnell , Arter , and Palmer , 1106 ; Gundry , 1205 ; Hill , Prov . G . Steward ; Faulkner , Finlay , Gammon , Dollery , Wright , 1230 ; Bannister ( Portsmouth ) , & c . AA hen the cloth was removed , the R . AV . the Prov . G . M . proposed the health of the Queen , which was followedas usualbthe health of the M . AV . the Grand

, , y Master of England . Both toasts were received Avith great enthusiasm . —The Prov . G . M . then proposed the health of H . R . H . the Prince of AAliles . He said that it Avas not usually proposed at Masonic meetings , but he could not pass it by on account of the approaching marriage of his Royal Highness to a beautiful and accomplished Princess . He trusted that his Royal Highness would soon join the fraternity . ( Hear . ) Nothing would ive Masons

g greater pleasure than to number in their ranks a member of the Royal Family , who would , in after years , be able to take the place of thelateDuke of Sussex . ( Loud applause . )—Bro . H . C . LEVANDER , the AV . M ., then rose , and said that he was sure they would respond heartily to the toast of the Prov . G . M . for he was always ready to support Masonry . It was the first time Sir Lucius Curtis had visited Petersfield in an official capacity , but he hoped

it would not be the last . It was quite unnecessary for him to use many words ; they all knew their Prov . G . M ., and to know him was to love him . He , therefore , proposed his health with all the honours . The brethren rose and did honour to their venerable Prov . G . M ., with every mark of respect and affection . — R . W . Sir LUCIUS CURTIS , in replying to the toast said , that he rose with diffidence , as he had not sufficient eloquence to express his feelings at the enthusiasm with which the brethren received

his name . He had experienced great pleasure in being amongst them that day , and more especinlty in witnessing the constitution of their new lodge . He begged to propose the health of Bro . AV . AA . Beach , M . P ., who had kindly acted that day as his deputy , in the ceremony of consecration . He thanked him sincerely for consenting to take so arduous a duty , which he had performed most ably and Masonically . He knew that Bro . Beach was a thorough Mason . It was his constant study to serve the Craft on every occasion , and the manner in Avhich he had performed the ceremony that day was a lesson and delight to all Avho had witnessed it . He drank health to Bro . Beach . ( Loud applause . )—

Bro . AV . AV . BEACH thanked the Prov . G . M . most sincerely for the kind and flattering expressions which had fallen from his lips . He felt that he was not deserving of such praise . He had seen many lodges rise in that province , and all of them had succeeded : he hoped that would always be the case . To ensure success , the brethren of the new lodge must rely on themselves , and not on brethren from other lodges . They must Avork hard , and raise up brethren from among themselves to rule the lodge

and perform their ceremonies . He concluded by wishing every success and prosperity to the lodge , and said that he would attend it whenever he could . He should always take the greatest interest in it , and hoped it would be an example to the province . ( Applause . )—Admiral Sir Lucius CURTIS said that he had great pleasure in proposing " The Health of Bro . Levander , the W . M . " From what he had seen that day , he was quite sure the lodge would never have reason to regret having placed

him in that distinguished position . ( Cheers . ) From what he knew of the ivorthy brother , he was convinced that he was eminently calculated to maintain the dignity of the lodge , and ensure its success . Bro . Levander Avas an especial favourite with all the brethren with -whom he had associated in the work of Masonry in other towns—a circumstance -which augured Avell for the interests of the new lodge . ( Hear , hear . )—Bro . LEVANDER , AA . M . eloquently acknowledged the toast . He expressed his

, diffidence in replying before so many eminent Masons . He regretted that , owing to an unexpected circumstance , he was about to leave the town ; but he assured the brethren that he would frequently visit them . In impressive and dignified language , AA . M . warned the brethren against the dangers Avhich beset all new lodges , and enjoined upon them the duty of preserving the genuine cement of Masonry—ever-active charity . —Other toasts were proposed , and many excellent speeches were made ; but we

regret that , in consequence of an unforeseen circumstance , we are able to present only this meagre account of this interesting day . In conclusion , we wish all prosperity to the Lodge of Friendship ( No . 1230 ) .

HERTFORDSHIRE . WATFORD . —Watford Lodge ( No . 5 S 0 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Friday , February 6 th , in the Freemasons' Hall , and was well attended . There Avere present , Bro . Captain C . H . Layton , AV . M ., bis Wardens and other officers , also the V . AA . Bros . George Francis , D . Prov . G . M . ; H . H . B . Heme , P . Prov . S . G . AV . ; C . F . Humbert , P . Prov . J . G . AV . ; Thomas RogersProv . G . Treas . ; J . G . Sedgwick ,

, Prov . G . Sec ; C . II . Finch , AV . Miles , AV . Rogers , P . M . 's ; and others . The lodge was opened , and Alfred J . Copeland ( son of the London alderman ) was initiated , and Bro . Thomas Hill was passed to the second degree . Bros . John Tomlyn , of No . 312 , and J . How , P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers ., were visitors . After the disposal of other business , the brethren adjourned to banquet .

SUFFOLK . HADLErGH . —Lodge of Virtue and Silence ( No . 417 ) . — -On Thursday , the 29 th ult ., this lodge celebrated the Festival of St . John the Evangelist , at the AVhite Lion Hotel , Hadleigh , on which occasion the AV . M . for the ensuing year was installed . The brethren present were E . W . Freeman , D . Prov . G . M . of Suffolk ; H . Luff , P . M . and S . AV . of the Lodge of Perfect Friendship ( No . 522 ); HartP . M . P . Prov . G . D . ( No . 417 );

, , Muriel , P . M .. ( No . 417 ); J . F . Robinson , J . Bowlev , Golden , P . M . ; Chisnall , P . M . ; Dowsing , G . Freeman , J . Corder , Barber , P . M . ; Payne , P . M . ; E . C . Tidd ( No . 522 ) , & c . The lodge having been opened in solemn form by Bro . Hart , assisted by Bros . Dowsing and Golding , the ceremony of installation then took place , when Bro . J . F . Robinson was duly installed AV . M for the ensuing year by the D . Prov . G . M ., assisted by Bro . H .

Luff ( 522 ) . Tho AV . M . elect having taken the chair , thanked the brethren for the honour they had conferred upon him in raising him to so high and honourable an office . He would endeavour to discharge the onerous duties pertaining to the office with care and assiduity , trusting to merit their approval and to enhance the interest and prosperity of the lodge . Bro . GOLDING moved a vote of thanks to the late AV . M . for the able manner in wdiieh he had discharged the duties of his office . The vote was cordially agreed to by the brethren . The AV . M . elect then appointed the following brethren to fill the various offices of the lodge : —Bros . George Freeman , S . AV . ; J . Corder ,