Provincial.

and would , we fear , stall our readers , suffice it that everything passed off with the harmony and goodfellowship that so eminently characterises our gatherings . The songs of Bros . Lohden , Stokoe , Miller , Farrar , Softley , Inglis , Stamp , Wilmott , & e ., enhanced the pleasures of the evening , while tho firstnamed brother did good service at the piano .

KENT . SYDENHAM . —Crystal Palace Lodge ( No . 742 ) . —On Thursday , the 6 th inst ., this numerous and influential summer lodge held their annual installation meeting , the attendance being very large . The W . M ., Bro . Samuel P . Acton , took the chair soon after one o'clock , well supported by all his officers . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting were

confirmed . Bros . Shringley and Thomas were examined as to their proficiency , and having satisfactorily acquitted themselves were passed out for preparation . In the interim the lodge was opened in the third degree . The candidates were then re-admitted , and duly raised to the sublime degree of M . M . ' s , the ceremony being beautifully rendered . Lodge was then lowered to the second degreeand Bros . RaperWestbrookBrewerBlundell

, , , , , and Langton went through the ordinary questioning , and were favoured with the F . C . degree . The working tools were well explained by the W . M . The chair was then resigned to Bro . Palmer , P . M ., who performed the ceremony of installation most admirably . The now Master , Bro . Davison , now occupying the chair of K . S ., proceeded to appoint and invest his officers to assist him in the onerous duties of the next twelve months .

They were as follows : —Bros . T . Foxall , S . W . ; S . Foxall , J . W . ; H . Tenill , S . D . ; A . Braun , J . D . ; H . Matheson , J . D . ; Henry Thompson , Sec . -, and Westbrook , Org . Bro . Handford , P . M ., desired to place his resignation of the office of Treasurer into the hands of the lodge ; his health being so precarious he feared his power of continuing to do justice to so important an office . This portion of the evening ' s business was ordered to stand over till next meeting . The following candidates having been balloted

for and unanimously elected , viz ., Messrs . Thomas Wildash , George Cousins , William May , George Fowler , and M . Johnson , they were properly introduced and regularly initiated into the mysteries of the Order . They individually and collectively returned thanks for the honour vouchsafed them , and trusted , as time progressed , to merit some further mark of favour . Business being endedthe brethren adjourned to the banqueting

, hall , where a first-class banquet awaited them , and to which ample justice was done , Bro . Bertram receiving great praise for his excellent arrangements . Tho evening passed off most harmoniously , and the brethren separated about ten o ' clock . The next meeting is announced for the first Thursday in August , emergencies excepted .

WORCESTERSHIRE . TENBURT . —Lodge of St . Michael ( No . 1 , 097 ) . —Tho annual meeting of this lodgo was held on the 30 th ult ., at the Swan Hotel , Tenbury . Bro . Sir F . Ousley , W . M ., having opened the lodge at two o ' clock , the first business was to initiate Dr . Berkeley Murray , the ceremony being well worked by Bro . the Rev . J . H . Bluck , P . M ., Bro . Bullock acting as Deacon ,

and presenting the working tools . The by-laws having been read , the lodge was opened in the second degree , when Bros . H . A . Hobbs and Thos . Price were examined as F . C . 's , and entrusted by Bro . Bluck , and on their return to the lodge Bro . W . J . Bullock , P . M . of No . 979 , Crewe , raised them to the sublime degree of Master Masons . Bro . Bullock ' s working was perfectand Bro . GreggP . M . and W . M . 751 Ledburywas

, , , , an unusually efficient S . Deacon . The lodge was closed down to tho second degree , when Bro . Bullock presented Bro . Rev . J . Hampton , tiie W . M . elect , to the Rev . J . II . Bluck , the Installing Master , who performed the ceremony admirably , Dros . P . M . s Newton , Bullock , and Gregg giving most efficient aid , and presenting the working tools of the third degree in tho order of their names , Bro . Bullock , in the F . C .

tools , giving full illustrations of the square , level , and plumb , whicli had a most pleasing effect on many of the members who heard them for the first time . The board of Installed Masters numbered ten , and the number of brethren present , thirty . Bro . G . Bannister , P . G . Org . Hereford , presided at the organ , and the whole ceremony was a great treat to all present . The whole of the brethren then sat down to a excellent banquet . The W . M . proposed " The Health of Bro . the Rev . Sir F . A . G . Ousely , I . P . M . " first , as he was compelled to leave early for

Provincial.

the evening service at St . Michaels . This worthy Mason ' s health was drunk in a perfect ovation of applause , and lie made a most appropriate reply . The other Masonic toasts were dulyhonoured , and Bro . J . Newton , P . M . 280 , Prov . S . G . W . Worcestershire , responded for the Prov . G . Officers ; and Bro . Gregg for the visitors . Bros . Bluck and Bullock ( whose working was highly commended by the W . M . ) , as the Installing Masters . The Initiate made a short sensible speech after Bro . Bluck

proposed his health . Bro . Ousely proposed the W . Master , who made a speech that spoke volumes for the due performance of his year ' s work . Bro . Bullock , in proposing the Masonic Charities , suggested that the lodge ought to make it a rule toannually qualify for at least one vote to each of the great charities , as it only wanted the will , lie was sure they would possess the means . The Tyler ' s toast brought to a close one of

the most pleasant Masonic gatherings ever held in Tenbury . There was somo capital singing , and Bro . Hampton's " Tom . Rowling , " and Bro . Bullock's medley " The Twins " received a furore of applause .

Ireland.

IRELAND .

PROPOSED MASONIC MALE ORPHAN SCHOOL . A numerously attended and influential meeting of the members of the Masonic Order was held on the 31 st ult ., in the large dining room of the Freemasons' Hall , Dublin , for the purpose of considering a proposal for tho establishment of a school for thesupport and education of the sons of deceased and deserving members of the Masonic Ooder . At four o'clock the chair was

taken by Bro . William S . Tracy , J . P . Bro . the Rev . Henry H . J . Westby , Hon . Secretary , proceeded to state the objects of the meeting . He said that ifc was with great diffidence that so humble a member of the bodyas he was had taken the liberty of calling tliein together ; but the cause which had brought them together had actuated the brethren not only to come , but would actuate them in bringing

to perfection the object they had in view . As he had been called upon to make a statement , he would , bring before the meeting a few facts with regard to the establishment of a school for the maintenance ot the sons of deceased Masons . He had most prayerfully and anxiously thought over the matter , and he was thoroughly convinced that they would all join with him in the prayer which ho had offered upto the Great Architect of the Universethat he would of his

, infinite mercy encourage , perform , and carry into effect thisvery charitable and glorious project . Four plans had been propounded at this preliminary meeting for the purpose of carrying out the object . First—that they should establish a school ,, under their own control and management , for twenty-four orphans ; ane upon inquiry they discovered that they could not carry out this plan with a sufficient staff , and all matters in

connection with such an establishment , for a smaller sum than £ 10 , 000 . Nothing short of that sum would Satisfy the claims of the children of their deceased brethren , and that was the sum he would ask for . He was going in now for the raising of that £ 10 , 000 , and he hoped that before twelve months or so they would have a great part of it subscribed . To maintain an establishment of that kind they would require a sum of £ 10 , 000 firstlywith the prospect of at least £ 500 or £ 600 a-year . Ho

, hoped that none of their brethren would be deterred from giving small subscriptions , or such as they could afford , when they heard of tho more wealthy brethren giving £ 50 , £ 30 , £ 25 , or £ 20 . If wealthy brethren forced these sums upon them , why should they refuse them ? But lie believed , after all , there was nothing like the annual subscription of £ 1 per annum . A sum of five shillings per quarter would not be a severe matter out

of a man ' s pocket , but it each of the brethren would contribute such a sum , it would maintain an institution of the kind proposed . He woulel suggest that life governors should be appointed out of those who subscribed £ 10 or upwards ; but lie thought that the annual subscriptions of £ 1 a-year would bring in as much as the larger subscriptions in tho aggregate . Another plan which had been proposed

wasthat of sending their twenty-four orphans out to other schools to be educated . That would cost them about £ 30 a-year for each boy , and would amount to £ 600 or £ 700 a-year . The third scheme was that of allowing the children to be educated by the Incorporated Society at a cost of £ 6 a-year each . Ib was an admirable society , and the children would receive an