Provincial.

satisfaction for several years , and who had been a resident in Hertfordshire fo . t some years . He was a most able and active Mason , and well known to the brethren . The other appointments were Bros . C . Purser , AV . M . No . 657 , S . AV . ; C . F . Humbert , P . M . No . 5 S 0 , J . AV . ; Rev . J . W . Laughlin , No . 1171 , Chaplain ; Smyth , Reg . ; John Sedgwick , Sec . ; T . J . Hooper , No . G 57 , S . D . ; H . G . Lane , AV . M . No . 742 , J . D . ; J . Goodyear , AA ' . M . No . 5 S 0 , B . C . ; J . G . RichardsNo 742 SBJBraithwaiteAA MNo 1171 Supt .

, . , .. ; . , .. . , of AVorks ; H . J . Thompson , No . 1171 , Purst ; AA . Rogers and Smyth , Stewards ; Bro . Thomas was re-elected Prov . G . Tyler . Upon a motion made by Bro . Birchell Heme , donations of ten guineas each were voted to the Girls * ancl Boys' Schools , which were gratefully acknowledged by Bro . Binckes , who was present as a visitor . There being no further business , the Prov . G . Lodge was closed with solemn prayer .

Soon after tour o ' clock the brethren , numbering nearly forty , assembled at the banquet . The cloth being removed , the Prov . G . M . with brevity proposed the usual loyal ancl Masonic toasts . Bro . FhiANCis then requested that every brother ivould be prepared with a bumper to do honour to the next toast , which , according to rule , was in his hands . That toast was " The Health of the estimable brother who presided over them . " These

gatherings gave their Prov . G . M . the opportunity of becoming acquainted with the members of the different loclges ; ancl it afforded them a means of testifying their esteem ancl respect for him who so courteously ancl kindly ruled the province . Hoping that the blessing of health would be continued to him for years to come , ancl he thus be able to receive the devoted affection of every Mason hi the

province . The Pitoi ' . G . M . Lriefly acknowledged the kind way in which his name was always received , ancl assured the brethren he should not only do his duty , but as far as laid in his power , sustain the high prestige which Masonry had ever held in Hertfordshire . -The Prov . G . M . then proposed "The Health of his newly appointed Deputy . " Bro . FBANCIS , in reply , said he could not but feel pleased to he

elevated to the distinguished position , although there was necessarily some alloy mixed with that pleasure , seeing that his elevation was caused by the resignation of the highly-esteemed Bro . Ward . It was in Hertfordshire he was first admitted to the light of Masonry , and he therefore must necessarily have an affection for the province . He should bring to his office all the energy and familiarity with its duties , obtained by his career whilst holding a similar appointment for seventeen years in another provinceancl

, endeavour to deserve the esteem of his brother Masons . The PEOA ' . G . M . then proposed the " Past ancl Present Provincial Grand Officers , " uniting with it the name of Bro . Burrell , who briefly responded , expressing the pleasure he felt in attending the Herefordshire meetings , and stated he was but expressing the sentiments of every brother in the province in saying that this happiness was created by the urbane ancl courteous bearing of their respected Prov .

Grand Master . The D . Pnov . G . M . next rose to propose " The Oldest Mason of the Province , " who has for many years so well discharged the ¦ office of Treasurer .

Bro . ROGEBS , in acknowledging the toast , assured the brethren that it afforded him very great gratification after so many years holding the trust , to be again elected their treasurer . The PEOA \ G . M . then gave " The Masters of the Lodges in the Province , " particularly the AV . M . of the Cecil Lodge , which they , that clay , had the pleasure of visiting . This was acknowledged by Bro . Purser , ancl the Tyler being called on for his toast , a most agreeable clay was brought to a close .

WAKI-HAM CBOSS . —Gresham Lodge ( No . H 7 l . )—The regular monthly meeting was held on Saturday , August 10 , at the Four Swans Hotel , AA altham Cross , under the presidency of Bro . Joseph Braithwaite , Prov . G ., Supt . of AVorks , AV . M . The lodge having been opened , a ballot was taken for Bros . Clarence Harcourt and O . F . Vallentin , as joining members , and Bro . Harcourt was appointed as J . D ., Bro . A ' allentin elected Treasurer . A ballot for the

admission of Messrs . Edward Swift , Stilwell , and James Girling was next taken , ancl being unanimous in their favour , they were received , and initiated into the Order . Bro . Girling proposed , and the Secretary seconded a gentleman for initiation at next lodge . After the transaction of some -outine business , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet , at which the W . M . presided . The cloth removedthe toasts of the Queenthe

, , M . W . the Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the Grand Master of the Province , duly honoured , the VOL , as one included in the toast that came next , he entrusted it to Bro . Binckes , who said that having been present at the Prov . Grand Lodgo on the 8 th inst ., he was pleased to find that in the distribution of honours tha Gresham Lodge was so much noticed ; he therefore had the honour

Provincial.

and happiness of proposing- " The Deputy Grand Master , ancl rest of the Officers of the Province . " Bro . Howe responded . Before he resumed his seat , he called on the brethren for a bumper to " The Health of the AV . M ., Bro . Braithwaite . " The AA . M . expressed his gratitude for the reception of the toast , ancl said he hoped that his efforts would , at the close of his year of office , be rewarded hy as much kindness as he had that day experienced . The AA . M . then said the next was tho toast of the daybut with the Gresham

, Lodge it must necessarily be the bright clay in their calendar . It was to welcome the first brethren initiated in their lodge ; although it was the first clay the brethren made the acquaintance with Bros . Stillwell ancl Girling , yet he was satisfied thej' ivould become worthy members of the Order . Bros . Stillwell and Girling acknowledged the compliment . The AV . M . then , referring to the position of the visitors , all being Past

Masters , and distinguished for their separate merit in promoting the interests of the Order , offered them , on part of the lodge , a cordial reception , and , with the toast coupled the name of Bro . Binckes . Bro . Binckes , after tendering the united thanks of the visitors , referred to the happiness he had in being informed by a warm advocate of the Charities , Bro . Thompson , that both the initiates and their visiting brethren had that clay given their names as life governors of the institution of which he was

particularly connected . He referred to the great demands of the Boys' School , ancl he hoped the example of the Gresham Lodge at its outset ivould stimulate the other loclges In the province . He felt particularly grateful to Bros . Stilwell ancl Stirling in so faithfully observing the great lesson taught them that clay , more particularly as their bounty was in behalf of the institution of which he was the representative . The officers wero thanked for their attendance , and then the Tyler's 'toast brought the meeting to an end at an early hour .

Scotland.

SCOTLAND .

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OE AYE . Through the courtesy of the Prov . G- Secretary ( Bro . Wylie , of Mother Kilwinning ) , we are enabled to publish the following letter , which will be read with interest by the Ayrshire brethren : —• " Grand Lodge of Scotland , 8 th August , 1861 . " Right AVorshipful Dear Sir and Brother , —I have the pleasure to inform you thatat the QuarterlCommunication of the Grand

, y Lodge , held here on the 6 th instant , I presented the Charter of the Lodge of St . David ' s Tarbolton , ivhich was received by the Grand Lodgo with evident gratification ancl satisfaction . It was moved from the throne , ancl unanimously agreed to , that in consideration of the promptitude ancl energy evinced in the recovery of the ancient and interesting document , a cordial vote of thanks should be tendered to yon , and the other office-bearers and members of the

Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire , who exerted themselves in restoring the same to Grand Lodge , ancl that the same should be recorded in the minutes of Grand Lodge , and communicated to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire . " You will , therefore , be so good as communicate the contents of this letter to the Provincial Grand Lodge at its first meeting . "I remain , R . AV . Dear Sir and Brother , yours ancl fraternally , " AVu . A . LAAVEIE , G . Sec . " D . MUBEAY LYON , Junior Prov . G . Warden of Ayrshire . "

TROON NAVIGATION LODGE ( NO . 86 ) . —The transactions from time to time of the Lodge Navigation Troon show that it is no misnomer to designate No . S 6 as Neptune's Lodge , —for it is is one of ivhich the bulk of its members consist of breth . ten " that go clown to the sea in ships , that do business in great waters , " ancl a lodge which the wayfaring mariner ever feels a peculiar pleasure in visiting . From the number of foreigners resorting to Troon , participation in the rites of Masonry havo been enjoyed b" the alien " to such an

y extent within the last few years , that the diploma of Lodge Navigation may be said to be found under every flag , and secreted in the cabin of many a seaman in whose country the ban o f proscription is in operation against the importation of all such parchments . A most interesting meeting of the Craft took place in the lodge room of Troon Navigation the other night , when a young Austrian navigator presentecl himself for initiation into the mystic circle . The peculiar circumstances of No . 86 having necessitated the creation

of an office which none but- a brother skilled iu more languages than his own can by any possibility fill , the valuable services of a qualified interpreter are now kindly rendered to the lodge on all occasions in which the neophyte cannot speak English . According , iii the case referred , Bro . Imrie , through the medium of the lodge linguist , imparted the necessary instruction to the young foreigner