Provincial.

closed to the second , and afterwards to the first degree , when Bro . Piper was called upon to answer the questions appertaining to the first degree ; having answered them satisfactory , he retired . The lodge was then re-opened , and Bro . Piper was passed to the second degree . The lodge was then closed to the first degree , and Sergt . James Warren , 49 th Reg ., was initiated into the mysteries and privileges of our ancient- Freemasonry . He afterwards signed and received a copy of the by-laws of tbe

lodge . The questions appertaining to the first degree were put round for the information of the newly initiated brother . Bro Ray proposed , and Bro . Smith seconded , that the subscriptions of members of the United Lodge be 5 s . each , aud which was referred to the Board of General Purposes . Bro . Rix proposed , and Bro . Eustace seconded , that Bro . G . W . Smith , Angel Lodge ( No . 51 ) , be received as a joining member . Tbe lodge was afterwards closed , and the brethren retired .

HERTFORDSHIRE . BERlcnAiresTEAD . —JBerJcthampstead- Lodge ( No . 504 ) . —The usual monthly meeting was held on Wednesday , the 4 th inst ., in the commodious Town Hall of this ancient town . The lodge was opened at high twelve by Bro . E . A . Wright , W . M ., attended by his officers and other members . The minutes of the preceding lodge having been read and confirmeda ballot

, was taken for the admission of Mr . Martin Luther Hayward , which being unanimous in his favour aud he being in attendance , was received and initiated . The lodge was opened in the second degree , and Bros . Youngman and Abbot ^ Y 0 l ^ a passed to the rank of F . C . The lodge was opened in tbe third degree , and Bro . Glassborrow was raised to tbe degree of M . M . The W . M . referring to the decease of Bro . H . G . Lane , P . M ., and See .,

conferred that office on Bro . W . Wilson , J . W . The W . M . suggested that the members should give expression of the deep regret for the loss the lodge had sustained by the death of Bro . H . G . Lane , and that the Secretary be instructed to communicate the same , by letter , to Bro . John Lane , his father ; which being formally put , was resolved unanimously . No further business being offered , the lodge was closed iu peace , harmony , and brotherly love . The brethren then prepared for tbe reception of the Prov . G . M .

PROTTNCLAL GRAND LODGE . The Prov . G . M . having elected to bold his annual meeting of the members of tbe various lodges in the province at Great Borkhampstead , fixed tbe day on which the Berkhampstead Lodge ( No . SO-i ) , should meet on Wednesday , the 4 fch inst . The business of tbe lodge being over , the brethren of tbe province assembled in tho Town Hall of the ancient town , at four o ' clock . There were presentBros . W . StuartProv . G . M . ;

, , G . Lambert , as Prov . S . G . W . ; B . Heath , as Prov . J . G . W . ; T . Rogers , Prov . G . Treas . ; J . Sedgwick , Prov . G . Sec . The following were also present : —Bros . J . Havers , P . G . W . ; H . C . Finch , Rev . G . Finch , A . Copeland , J . Howe , Gumpertz , Copestake , Swan , Brady , and others . Tbe Provincial Grand Lodge was then duly opened , after prayer from Bro . the Eev . George Finch , Prov . G . Chap ., aud the minutes of the last Provincial Grand Lodge , held at

Watford , were read and confirmed . Bro . Thomas Rogers , Prov . G ., Treas ., presented his account showing , after payment of al charges , a balance of £ 33 10 s . cash in hand . Tbe Prov . G . Master appointed the following brethren as Prov . G . officers for the ensuing year '•—Bros . George Francis , D . Prov . G . M . ; Heath , Prov . S . G . W ; Andrews . Prov . J . G . W .: J . Sedgwick , Prov . G . Sec . ; Wright , Prov . S . G . D . ; Bruce , Prov . J . G . D . ; H . C . Finch , Prov . G . Reg . ; Rev . G . Finch ,

Prov . G . Chap . ; AV . AA'ilson , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; Rowe , Prov . G . Supt . of AVorks ; Terry , Prov . G . S . B . ; Olney , Prov . G . Purst . ; Swan , Prov . G . Steward ; and Thomas , Prov . G . Tyler . Bro . T . Rogers wishing to retire , his son , Bro . AV . . Rogers , was unanimously elected Prov . G . Treas . Bro . Heath proposed that a vote of thanks be given to Bro . Sogers on his retirement , for his long and valued services as ProvGTreaswhich was seconded bthe ProvGMaster

. . ., y . . , who referred to the many years' intimacy with Bro . Rogers , and bore testimony of tho high esteem in which be was held by one and all . This was , of course , carried by acclamation . Bro . G . Lambert , P . Prov . G . AV ., then said that , seeing there was a goodly balance in hand , he ventured to suggest a contribution from the Provincial Grand Lodge towards the fund for restoration of the ancient church of Berkhampstead . A desultory

conversation on the subject ensued ; Bro . the Eev . F . B . Harvey , P . Prov . G- Chap ., as a resident minister of the parish , eloquently pleaded the cause , and he mentioned that the repairs would cost about £ 7 , 000 . Bro . Lambert then proposed that the sum of ten guineas be contributed by the Provincial Grand Lodge , which motion being seconded by Bro . AVinter , was carried uuanimously , It was proposed by Prov . S . G . W ., that in acknowledgment of tbe long services of the R . W . Prov . G . M . and of the esteem in

, which he was held by every one , a committee be formed to suggest some suitable testimonial be presented to Bro . Stuart , and that a commemoration be sent to all tbe lodges in the province to carry it into effect . This motion was resolved upon unanimously . The Prov . G . Master then closed the Provincial Grand Lodge , aud under the guide of Bro . AVilson , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers ., tbe brethren went in order to tbe King ' s Arms

Hotel . Soon after five o'clock the brethren sat down to an ample and elegant banquet , provided by tbe Berkhampstead Lodge , under the direction and management of Bros . Lambert , Heath , and AVilson , which , aided as it was by some choice wines , gave the utmost amount of satisfaction to all present , there being somewhat over sixty brethren—the most numerous gathering ever witnessed in the province A selection of music was iven

. g under the direction of Bro . AA . J . Fielding , assisted hy Bros . Donald King and AV . AA inn , tbe latter presiding at tho pianoforte . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and the day's business and enjoyment ended . This province is awkwardly placed with respect to railway travelling , the Jorlges being on tbe three main lines . The AVatford and Berkhampstead Lodges are on the London and North

AA estern ; the Cecil Lodge on the Great Northern , and the Gresliam , Hertford , and Stortford Lodges on the Great Eastern ; consequently a journey to London is needed to visit the sister lodges of the province , and the general meetings not so fully attended as they otherwise would be , for so greatly beloved as Bro . Stuart is by every one , his summonses are always agreeable . Hertfordshire is much favoured by London Masons , bein

convenient to the metropolis , as in little more than an hour the journey to any part can be made . It has also much pastoral beauties , being pleasantly undulated , it is well cultivated , and at tbe present season teems with promise of an abundant harvest .

The county is happy in having many resident gentry ; between AVatford and Berkhampstead are the beautiful and richly cultivated parks of Lords Essex and Clarendon , Mr . W . Jones Lloyd , at Langleybury ; Mr . Dickenson ' s , at Nash Mills , and others . Mr . AV . H . Smith , M . P . for Westminster , and Sir S . Canning , of Atlantic Telegraph celebrity , reside in the pretty village of Abbot ' s Langley . There are few localities so near to the metropolis possessing so much historic interest . Berkhampstead is a

town of Saxon origin ; the kings of Mercia had a palace or castle here , the site of which lies adjoining , only a few fragments of a wall now remain , but tbe works show the ancient strength and importance of the fortress . The church is an extensive building in the form of a cross , and there are several chantries and chapels which are still partially divided from the body of the church . It contains several sepulchral memorials , and among others , one to the memory of the mother of Oowper

the poet , who was born in tbe town . At Berkhampstead , in the seventh century , a general council of tbe Anglo-Saxon church was held , and among its enactments was one , that the Lord ' s day do commence on the Saturday even at six . At King's Langley was a palace of our early sovereigns ; some fragments of the building remain . In tbe parish of Abbot's Langley was born . Nicholas Breakspeare , the only Englishman who ever filled tbe Papal throne . The church here , of Norman construction , has recently been put into thorough repair . Many Roman remains have been discovered in these neighbourhoods .

SOUTH AVALES ( EASTERN DIVISION ) . NEATH . Provincial Grand Lodge . The annual meeting of tbe Grand Lodge of this province was held at Neath , ou Thursday , tbe 5 tli inst . The attendance of brethren tho whole was goodalthough

on , , in ' poiut of numbers , far below the attendance expected—looking at the central position of place whore the meeting was held and the great facilities of communication afforded . The various lodges wore all , with one exception , represented ; but it was a matter of general regret that , with its great re-