Provincial.

the means of more money being spent in the place . In conclusion ho again thanked the citizens for the confidence they had leposed in him during the last 25 years he had been amongst them ; and after filling every municipal office it was possible for a citizen to hold , they had invested him with the civic dignity two years in succession , the highest honour they could confer on him . His right hand would forget its cunning if he ever forgot their kindnessivhich was a retaining fee for any future services

, they might require at his hands . He prayed God to bless them all , and prosper the city of Chester . ( Loud cheers . ) The Chaplain then pronounced the usual blessing ; and tbe procession returned to the Royal Hotel in the samo order as it liad arrived . » - The interesting and formal proceedings then terminated . In the course of the afternoon the workmen employed by

Mr . Roberts , the contractor , to the number of nearly 100 , were hospitably entertained on the ground by a donation from the Mayor , and also b y a donation from the Committee of the Town Council . At the conclusion of the ceremony a large party sat down to luncheon at the Royal Hotel , the Mayor in the chair , and Mr . Butler in the vice-chair . On the removal of the cloth the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given and dulhonoured

y , Captain Hitchen responding to the Volunteers . The health of A'iscount Combermere , the Provincial Grand Master of tho Province of Cheshire , was proposed in eulogistic terms hy the Mayor , and most heartily honoured . The Vice-Chairman then proposed the health of tlie Mayor , in an eloquent and appropriate speech , who responded in most felicitious terms . The health of the visitors , proposed by Mr . Ralph , was drunk with

enthusiasm , and responded to by Mr . Bent . The Mayor then eloquently proposed the health of Bro . Butler , the Master of the Cestrian Lodge , who responded in an able address , ivhich was received with the utmost enthusiasm . The toast of " Our

next merry meeting" was then given from the chair , and the meeting broke up . The brethren of the Lodge of Independence , to the number of thirty , with several visitors , sat down to a sumptuous banquet at their lodge rooms , the Pied Bull Inn , provided and served up in excellent style hy the worthy host Biv . H . Thomas , which did him ancl all concerned very great credit . The respected AA * . M . Bro . Brownoccupied the chair ; ancl Bro .

, , Watts ( the Senior AVarden of the lodge ) was an excellent Vice . On the removal of the cloth , the benediction was pronounced . The usual loyal , patriotic , and other toasts were given from the chair , amongst which were "Her most gracious Majesty the Queen , " with a fervent prayer that she might be blessed with health and long life to reign over her devoted and loyal subjects ; "Edward AlbertPrince of Wales and Earl of

, , Chester , and the rest of the Royal Family ; " "The Army 'Navy , and Volunteers , " responded to by Private Bro . Burghall ; 'The KW . the Mayor of Chester ; " "Prosperity to the Old City , and success to the New Market Hall ; " "F . M . the A'iscount Combermere . R . AV . Prov . G . Master of Cheshire ;" "P . S . Humberston , Esq ., M . TB . for Chester , " with thanks for his able speech during the ceremony ; many other toasts were

given , insterspersed with some capital singing . The Chairman observed that everytning had gone off without a single mistake ; and although there had been so much rain up to Monday night , yet ^ the weather that clay had been everything that could be desired . Having made these observations , he trusted that they would devote the remainder of the day to good fellowship . The brethren took the hint , for a more social and pleasant clay , believe

we , they never enjoyed ; and one of the acts of the afternoon ' s pleasure were heightened by making a contribution towards the Blue Coat Hospital of this city , which amounted to £ 2 2 s ., and it was handed over to that excellent institution the same evening , as a donation from the Lodge of Independence , with 10 s . to treat the Blue Coat Band , who had that day so well performed their part in the procession . It was unanimousl

y agreed that the lodge should become annual subscribers . The Masonic part of the procession was well arranged and marshalled , and the grand Masonic honours given at the close of the ceremonial by tho AA ' . M ., Bro . Brown , as the director of the ceremonies of the day . The Cestrian Lodge subscribed £ 1 Gs . U . towards the Blue Coat Hospital . . DEA * ONSHIRE . DEVOKPOET . —Zodge Friendship ( No . 238 ) . —AA ' e some time smce stated that the above named lodge had taken suitable

premises and were fitting it up worthy ofthe craft ivhose warrant they possess . Indeed , having been favoured with a private view we confess that rarely have we stepped on such a little temple of Masonry . More particularly worthy of mention is the canopy oyer the chair of the W . M . ; decidedly some artistic taste wa ' s displayed by the workman . Our space however will not admit of further critiques on the appearance of the lodge , we only trust that the brethren who have worthilestablished so

y noble an edifice will not lack that zeal whicli should ever stimulate every brother to maintain that good order and working ivhich are such bright ornaments to the craft . At the first regular meeting on the new premises ive observed more than the usual sprinkling of visiting brethren , foremost among them were Bro . Chappell , P . G . S ., P . M . 185 , and several brethren from Lodges Harmony , Fidelity , & c . After the usual

formalities the AV . M . proceeded to initiate a candidate into the ancient mysteries , which he did in his usual impressive style . There were also two candidates for the 2 nd degree . After the ceremony was finished , the J . AA * ., Bro . Miuch , very ably gave the lecture on the tracing board . At the festive board , on the toast of ' ¦ ' Our A * isiting Brethren " being drunk , brethren from Malta and the several lodges above-mentioned , returned thanks . PLYMOUTH . —Lodge Brunswick ( No . 185 ) . —By the notice issued to the brethren for the regular lodge of the 2 nd inst ., we observed there were no less than four brethren to he

raised and two candidates for initiation ; but perhaps happily for the strength ofthe W . M ., the results of the evening proved that two only ofthe former and one ofthe latter were present . The ballot having proved clear , the AV . M ., Bro . Elliott , proceeded to initiate Mr . P . B . Clemens in a very effective style . After the ceremony the raisings were proceeded with and the lodge closed down . Matters of a purely local character were then introduced and after the proposition of a candidate , the

lodge was closed with solemn prayer at eleven o ' clock . Zodge Fortitude ( No . 122 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this prosperous lodge was held on the 9 th ult . Had it not been for the unpropitious state of the weather very many more visiting brethren would have been present , for in addition to the usual business of the lodge , there was one of more than ordinary interest to ivhich we shall refer hereafter . The first business on the circular was to raise a brother ; this having been performed

by Bro . Peters , P . M ., the next was proceeded with , viz . to pass two brethren to the degree of F . C . On the conclusion of the ceremony Bro . Phillips , P . M ., rose and said , AV . Sir , I rise with very great pleasure to present to our worthy and respected P . M ., Bro . Pomeroy , this P . M . 's jewel . He ( Bro . Pomeroy ) was one of the first to join the lodge at its resuscitation , ancl both in his private life and his masonic career , he is worthy of our highest esteem—in fact when I state that hy the unanimous voice ofthe

lodge this jewel was voted to him it will be all I need to say ( applause ) . In conclusion , Bro . Pomeroy , I hope that you may long continue to wear the jewel , and that it will only add if possible some additional incentives to your already wellknown masonic zeal . —Bro . POMEEOY in returning thanks said he hoped it would not be expected of him to make a long speech . The presentation came upon him very unexpectedly , and he very much feared he did not deserve half the encomiums lavished on him bBro .

y Phillips . He however trusted that it would teach both his senior and junior brethren a lesson that they might envy the jewel on his breast , and look forward to the day when they too might have the same pleasing ordeal to go through ( continued applause ) . Shortly after , the lodge was closed , when the brethren adjourned to the festive board : and we very much query if many lodges possess so many philantrophic members as

Lodge Fortitude— -to wit , in our last number we stated that a certain picture representing the masonic procession at Plymouth entering- St . Andrew ' s Church , was won on the Art Union principle by Bro . Rodda for his friend Bro . Mills s we have now to inform the Craft that this work of art may be seen hung in Lodgo Fortitude , whose property it is , having been presented by the AV . M . Bro . Ridley and the J . AV . Bro . Rodda . The evening which had been so pleasmtly spent was soon after brought to a close , though not without hearing one of Bro . Rodda's famed " Cornish Stories . "

DAETJIOUTH . —THTauley Zodge ( No . 1099 ) . —The last regular lodge night took place on Monday , the 14 th inst ., at half-past one p . m ., under the presidency of Bro . Henry Bridges , D . Prov . G . M . of Somersetshire , the AV . M . On the ballot being taken for the AA' . M . for tbe year ensuing , the lot fell unanimously on Bro . Thomas Lidstone , P . Prov . Dir . of AVorks ( Devon ) , the S . W . Bro . Captain Davy was re-elected Treas . Bio . Lidstone will be