Provincial.

finally closed , and the brethren parted in good fellowship at an early hour , to enable the Carlisle brethren to drive home before tbe small hours of the morn . SILLOTH . —Solway Lodge , ( No , 220 ) . —This new lodge held its second meeting-on Tuesday evening , the 4 th inst ., at the Albion Hotel , when , according to the Tylers' book , the following brethren were presentviz . F . W . HaywardP . M . 310 P . Prov .

, , , , S . G . W ., as W . M . ; J . Button , P . M . 327 , S . W . ; A . Routlertge , P . M . 327 , J . W . ; T . Woodall , S . D . ; A . Woodhouse , W . M . 4-12 , Sec . P . G . S . ; S . Halifax , W . M . 327 , as I . G . ; A . Dixon , 327 , as Tyler ; G . Stoddart : 0 . Jones ; W . Johnstone , 310 ; G . Holmes ; Dr . W . Jones , 371 . The lodge was opened in form , the minutes read and confirmed . The lodgo was then advanced to the F . C . and Bro . G . Stoddart being a candidate for exaltationwas

, found worthy , and after tho lodge opened in the third , was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason , by F . W . Hayward , W . M . The lodge was then closed to a E . A . degree , and Bro . G . Holmes , a candidate for preferment , was intrusted , prepared , and afterwards admitted and passed to the Fellowship of a Craftsman . The lodge was again closed down to an E . A .

degree . Bro . woodhouse , on addressing the W . M ., said that Bro . Dr . Jones bad composed several verses on the consecration of this body , and formally given them to him to be disposed of to the best advantage , for the purpose of augmenting the "Masonic Life Boat Fund ; " also another leaflet with five verses , called " The Queen and all Good Subjects , " composed on the laying of the foundation stone of the " Royal Albert Asylum , " at Lancaster . After Bro . Dr . Jones had spoken at some length

on behalf of the two institutions , he finally presented about 300 of the leaflets to Bro . Woodhouse , who returned thanks ( to Bro . Jones ) , and said that he would be glad to dispose of some to any of the brethren who felt inclined to take them . The W . M ., then wished to know if any brethren had anything for the good of Masonry , or this lodge in particular , when two propositions were made on behalf of Mr . Thomas HowesGrocer

, , and Mr . Lowry Turner , Timher Merchant , both of Silloth , for initiation ; and for Bro . G . Eckersley , Contractor , of No . 654 , as a joining member . After other business of importance had been transacted , the lodge was finally closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment , and spent an hour convivially , after which all parted in harmony .

DURHAM . HARTLEPOOL . — ££ Helen ' s Lodge ( No . 531 ) . The regular lodge was holden on Thursday , the 6 th inst ., when there were present , Bros . Emra Holmes , W . M . ; W . J . Sivewright , P . G . Purst ., I . P . M . ; Forbes , S . W . ; J . J . Armstrong , J . W . ; CornerS . D . ; Emil Jessienacting Sec . Visitors : —

, , Bro . Farrar , J . Miller , Coulson , I . G ., & e . The lodge having been duly opened with solemn prayer , the minutes of the previous lodge were read and confirmed . Mr . J . Hunter , who had been previously balloted for and accepted , having come properly prepared , was initiated by the W . M . into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry . Bros . Mitchell , Proctor , and Coverdale being candidates for

the second degree , were examined , entrusted , and on retiring , the lodge was opened in the second degree . At the W . M . 's request Bro . Sivewright , I . P . M ., assumed the gavel , and Bro . Mitchell having come properly prepared , was passed to the degree of F . C . Bro . Proctor was then admitted to that degree , but the evening being already far advanced , the W . M . postponed Bro . Coverdale ' s reception into the F . C . degree until next regular lodge night .

The business in this degree being ended , the lodge was closed down to the first degree , when the W . M . read some passages from the report of the proceedings at the last quarterly communication of Grand Lodgo , relative to the initiatingofsever . il candidates at one and the same time . At the last regular lodge a letter from the Lodge Amenite , of Havre , under the G . 0 . of France of which the following is

a literal translation , was communicated to the lodge , when the collar and jewel of the Lodge Amenite' was sent to the W . M ., in return for some little attention paid to two French brethren who had visited St . Helen ' s Lodge recently : — "In the regular lodge holden on the 6 th inst ., the Lod ge Amenite has been informed of the friendly aud kind reception given to the Bros . Donnely and Duhamel , of our lodge . It has been unanimously decided upon to address you a vote of thanks . Believe us , that we are happy to avail

ourselves of this occasion to offer you the expression of our gratitude for the hospitality , as kind as great , shown in your seat of light . In order to try directly if it is possible to join the links of our chain of union , our lodge has the pleasure to send you its jewel as a token of gratitude , asking you to grant us the continuation of your veritably Masonic and fraternal feeling—the predominant quality of all Freemasons who cooperate in our noble institution . Pray accept the assurance of all our sympathies and fraternal feelings . " Le Venerable . " "ALMED DUPEEZ , " Secretary . "

" P . S . —I deeply regret not being able to hand you peisonally the enclosed , which has been entrusted to me by the brethren of the Amenite . I send it through the medium of the engineer of the British Queen , hoping that yon may safely receive it . Permit me , dear sir , to thank you for past favours .

" Yours fraternally , " A . DONNELEY . " " Masonic Hall , Hartlepool , " 16 th July , 1868 . " Worshipful Sir and Brother , —I very much regret that circumstances should have prevented my acknowledging before this the graceful and flattering letterand beautiful giftsent

, , to me as W . M . of the St . Helen ' s Lodge ( No . 531 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England ) , by the members of the Lodge Amenite , which has the honour of being under your able rule and guidance . "I have now the pleasure to inform you that at the regular lodge holden on the 2 nd inst ., Bro . W . J . Sivewright , I . P . M ., and P . G . P . of Durhammovedand Bro . Jas . GrovesP . M . and

, , , , P . P . S . G . D ., seconded , in an eloquent speech , a vote of thanks to yourself and tbe Lodge Am 6 nite ' , for the handsome cordon of your lodge , and for the kindly and courteous le ; ter which accompanied the jewel ; and the resolution was carried unanimously , amidst the applause of the brethren assembled within the tesselated border at our seat of light . Believe me , sir and brother , the sentiments expressed in your truly fraternal

communication find a grateful response in our hearts . We heartily reciprocate the kindly feeling therein displayed , and whenever I or my successor in the chair of K . S ., put on tho emblem of fraternity . aiid unity which you have so thoughtfully bestowed upon the W . M ., we shall bo most agreeably reminded of tha Lodge Amenite and of the brethren who honoured , us by witnessing our august and time-hononred ceremonies , and

sharing our humble fare , with every assurance of profound regard . ¦ "Believe me , " Worshipful Sir and Brother , " Faithfully and fraternally yours , " * U EMRA HOLMES , 30 " .

" W . M " . of St . Helen's ( No . 531 ) , Mark Master , K . T ., K . M ., Knight of the Royal Order of Scotland , & c . " " To Le Venerable " La Logo de l'Amenite , Havre . " WEST HARTLEPOOL . —Sarlour of Befuge Lodge ( No . 764 ) . — A lodge of emergency was held in tha Masonic Hall , for the purpose of raising Bro . Farvar , wdio is about to leave for

Australia , on Tuesday , the 4 th inst . The following were present , Bros . S . Gourley , M . D . ; R . B . Harpley , I . P . M . ; E . Holmes , W . M . of St . Helen's ( No . 531 ); Watt , S . W . ; Stonier Leigh , acting J . W . ; J . Cameron , S . D ., & c . The lodge being opened with due form and solemn prayer in the first and second degrees successively , Bro . Farrar was examined and entrusted , and on his retiring for preparation , the lodge was opened in the third degreewhen having returned properly preparedhe was raised

, , to the sublime degree of M . M . by the W . M ., assisted by the I . P . M ., who related the traditional history and gave the charge . Bro . Emra Holmes presented the working tools , and gave the description of the M . M . tracing board . The lodge being closed , the brethren retired for refreshment , when they were joined by Bro . Geo . Moore , M . D ., P . Prov . J . G . W ., P . M ., & c . ; and W . Brunton , Prov . G . Reg . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been iven and responded tothe W . M . proposed "The

g , Health of visiting Bro . Leigh , " formerly member of this lodge , iu very ilattering terms . Bro . Leigh , who was greeted with , hearty applause , responded in a characteristic and modest Speech , which made a very favourable impression upon the brethren , and after a pleasant hour of social intercourse , the brethren separated and the proceedings closed in harmony .