Provincial.

cessor the warrant of the lodge as unsullied as ho had that day received it . He had the greatest pleasure in nroposing the health of the AA ' . M . of the Cope Lodge . The toast was received most enthusiastically , and was drunk Avith honours . Bro . John Richardson , S . AA' ., proposed tho "Visiting Brethren , " and said how glad the members of the Cope Lodge Avere

to see so ninny visitors present , and in the name of the Lodge he gave them a right hearty welcome . Responded to b y Bros . S . JI . Bradley , and D . H . Berresford . The " Officers of the Lodge" was proposed by Bro . Dr . Benles , Prov . G . J . AV ., in a speech full ot practical advice , and AV . IS responded to by Bros . J . Richardson , AV . J . Towle , and ' J . R . Horner . Bio . J . A . Birch " Success to the JIasonic Charities" in

gave , an admirable speech , coupling with the toast the names of Bros . Henry Bulley , P . Prov . G . J . W ., and Bro . J . P . Piatt , P . Prov . G . J . AA ' ., who severally responded on behalf of the London JIasonic Charities and the Cheshire Educational Board . The Tyler's toast closed the proceeding , and the brethren separated about 9 o ' clock , having passed a most enjoyable and harmonious evening .

CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND . PltOVINCIAL GltAND LoDGE .. The Annual Festival and Grand Lodge in connection with the Province of Cumberland and Westmoreland was holden at Kendal , on Friday , Gth inst ., under the auspices of Union Lodge , No . 129 , in that town . The attendance was very large , not-Avithstauding tlie difficulties existing in the means of

locomotion from the several lodges in the province , and members turned up in force from the Sun , Square , and Compasses Lodge , 119 , AA'hitchaven ; Union Lodge , 310 , Carlisle ; St . John ' s , 327 , AA'igton ; Unanimity , 339 , Penrith ; Persei'erance , 371 , Jlaryport ; Holy Temple , 412 , Longtown ; Eden A'alley , 812 , Appleby ; Lewis , 872 , AA'hitehaven ; Sun aud Sector , 962 , AVorkington ; Skiddaw , 1002 , Cockermouth ; Greta , 1073 , Keswick ;

Underley , 1074 , Kirk by Lonsdale ; Sol way , 1220 , Silloth ; and Kenlis , 12 G 7 , Egremont . The Prov . Grand Lodge was held at tbe Town Hall , the spacious building having been metamorphosed for the occasion into a handsome JIasonic temple , appropriately decorated for fho purposes and work of the day ; whilst the minor apartments served for Grand Officers' , clothing , and official rooms . An elegant luncheon Avas provided in the building for visiting brethren .

About half-past eleven Bro , C . Gardner Thomson , P . Prov . G . Reg ., and AA ' orshipful JIaster of tho Kendal Lodge , opened the usual craft lodge , and shortly afterwards the Right AVorshipful the Earl of Bective , JI . P ., Provincial Grand JIaster and Bro . AA'hitwell , JI . P ., Deputy Grand JIaster , aud Junior Grand AA'arden of England ; with the remainder ofthe Grand Officers of the Province , were announced , and , after the Grand JIaster had taken bis seat on the throne , his Lordship

and the Deputy Grand Master Avere saluted in accordance with the honour due to exalted Jlasons . The Grand JIaster then opened the Grand Lodge , with the assistance of his Deputy , and Bros . Jlorton and Kenworthy , of AA'hitelniA'en—Senior and Junior Provincial Grand AVardens . The minutes of the Grand Lodgo meeting , held at AA'hitehaven in April last , were then read by Bro . Busher , Prov . u . Sec , and Past Grand Sword-bearer of England , and being put to the vote were confirmed , and signed hy the Grand JIaster and AVardens .

It Avas then resolved to subscribe the sum of £ 5 to the " Simpson Testimonial , " which it may be explained , consisted of a new stone pulpit , to be presented by the Jlasons of the province to Bro . Rev . James Simpson , vicar of Kirby Stephen , who is now engaged in the restoration of his parish church . The like sum was also voted to the testimonial in course ofthe presentation to Bro . Binckes , the energetic and hard-working Secretary of the Freemasons' Boys' School . A vote of condolence

Avas unanimously accorded to Bro . the Rev . James Simpson , Prov . S . G . W ., on the untimely death of hisivife . The Acting Officers of the Province then divested themselves of their jewels and clothing , and the Grand JIaster appointed and invested their successors as follows : —

Bro . Braithwaite AVilson ... Prov . G . S . AV . " John Holme Prov . G . J . AV . " AVilliams Prov . G . Chap . " Rutherford Prov . Assist . G . Chap . " Lemon ProA' . G . Treas . " H . Cooke , ... ... Prov . G . Reg . " Busher Prov . 6 . Sec . " AV . James Prov . G . S . Deacon .

" Robertson ProA' . G . J . Deacon . " Dodd ., Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . " Henry ... ., ... Prov . G . Assist . Dir . of Cers . " Titus Wilson Prov . G . Supt . of AVorks . " E . Fearon Prov . G . Sword-Bearer . " Jones Prov . G . Organist . " Court Prov . G . Pursuivant ;

" John Talbot ... ... Prov . G . Steward . " E . G . Smith Prov . G . „ " J . AVood Prov . G . „ " G . Booker , Prov . G . „ " J . Porter Prov . G . „ " W . Allsop Prov . G „ " Mulcaster Prov . G . Tyler .

The Grand Lodge having been closed in ample form , preparations were made for a procession to the Parish Church , the route on both sides from one end to the other being thronged with spectators , although a heavy rain fell all the time . The procession AA'as headed by the band of the Kendal Rifle Volunteer ! . , playing the "Entered Apprentice ' s Song , " and then came the officers and members of the various craft lodges , according to their numbers in tiie English Constitution , folloived by the Provincial Grand

Officers , the rear being brought up by the Grand JIaster and Deputy Grand JIaster . The spectacle Avas most effective , varied as it was by the lodgo banners , the light blue and silver clothingof the craft brethren , aud the darker blue and gold decorations of the Grand Officers . Arrived at tbe portals of the fine old Parish Church , the head of the procession opened out , and the rear passed up tbe avenue into the sacred edifice first , under the " usual arch of steel . " The congregation was very large . The

music of the evening service was beautifully rendered by the choristers belonging to the church . The sermon was preached by the venerable Archdeacon Cooper , M . A ., Vicar of Kendal , who delivered a very appropriate discourse from 2 Cor . v ., 1 . — "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved , Ave have a building of God , an houso not made with hands , eternal in the heavens . "—A collection Avas afterwards

made in aid ofthe restoration of the parish church , amounting to £ 18 12 s . The procession was then reformed in reverse order to the Town Hall , in the midst of rain , and through a sea of mud . At four o'clock the brethren adjourned to ' tho Albert Buildings , Bro . AVhitwell , JI . P ., having invited those present at the festival to a sumpuous banquet , d la Eusse . Covers were laid for 160 , but over that number dined , the menu being of the most

recherche character , and creditable to the resources of the caterer , Jlr . Dawson , King's Arms Hotel . The Avhole of the brethren appeared at the table in their Masonic clothing . The Earl of Bective , JI . P ., Grand JIaster , presided , supported right and left by Bro . AVhitwell . M . P ., Dep . Prov . G . JI ., and A ' eu . Archdeacon Cooper ( who , not belonging to the Craft , of course retired Avben tlie Masonic post-prandial speeches began ); Bros . Greaves , P . Dep . G . M . ; Rev . A \ . AVilliams ; Mott , R . N . R . ; J . Lemon , Busher , and others . Bro . C . Morton , of AVhitehaven , was the vice-chairman .

STAFFORDSHIRE . PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGS . The annual Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Jlasons for the province of Staffordshire was held in tho Shire Hall , Stafford , Thursday , the 5 th . ult . The attendance of brethren was more than ordinarily

numerous , nearly 300 hundred being present—tbe principle cause of this large meeting being the Installation as Right Worshipful Grand JIaster of the Province , the Right Honourable the Earl of Shrewsbury , ivho had been recently nominated to that distinguished position by the JIarquis of Ripon , R . W . Grand Master .