Provincial.

and he could assure the meeting that there could not possibly be a happier household than that enjoyed by " the daughter of England . " ( Cheers . ) The toast was drunk with enthusiasm . His LOEDSHIP said , the next toast on his list was , " The Bishop of the Diocese , and the Clergy of all denominations . " The venerable prelate had special claims to their esteem , apart from his important duties . Dr . Davies was a Leicestershire manand took

, deep interest in the welfare and prosperity of this county . He was very charitable , kind-hearted , and considerate . His unceasing desire was to promote the social and moral condition of the people entrusted to his charge . . The toast having been duly honoured , Bro . the Rev . John Denton , Prov . G . Chap ., replied to it in a neat and appropriate speech .

The PEOV . G . M . next proposed "Our National Defences , " observing that the British army had , by its prodigies of valour during the past eight or ten years , confirmed its ancient character for loyalty , patriotism , bravery , and extraordinary power . ( Hear , hear . ) The navy had not had the same opportunities for distinguishing itself ; but he doubted not that that section of our " national defences" would have given a good account of any enemy that might have challenged itor come in its way . ( Hearhear . )

, , As to the volunteers , he could not sufficiently express his admiration of them . To see a force of some 150 , 000 stalwart young menthe representatives of the physical , and . indeed , he might add , the moral force of the nation—come forth as they had done , at a time when no inconsiderable amount of anxiety prevailed that the regular army might not he sufficient to promptly repel an invasion —to see such a majestic force rise up so suddenly , and so rapidly the

acquire power of an army , was a fact of the most intensely gratifying character , and merited the lasting gratitude of their fellow-countrymen . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) In conclusion , he begged to couple with the toasfc the health of Bro . Captain Brewin , and the other volunteers present . The toast was drunk with all the honours . Bro . CAPTAIN BEEWIN in returning thanks , observed that he was sure all the volunteers present would feel as he felt , highly honoured in having their corps thus associated with the Army and

JXavy . It unhappily occasionfor their active services should arise , their pride would he—as indeed they deemed ifc their duty—to emulate the deeds of the Army , and he felt confident , from the spirit which he daily witnessed , that the volunteers would make every exertion , and every sacrifice for the defence of their Queen and country , should either be assailed ( Cheers ) . The D . PEOV . G . M . ( Bro . Kelly ) then rose and proposed in brief hut eloqent terms , the health of their Prov . G . M . ( Cheers ) . He

might , lie said , preface his observation with the expressive aphorism which Shakspeare had adopted and rendered familiar to us" Good wine needs no bush . " So might his request for a hearty bumper be unencumbered by any recommendation from him . They all knew—they all much respected , and well loved Earl Howe , and they all hoped that he might long live in the enjoyment of health The toast was rapturously received . His LOEDSHIP thanked the D . Prov . G . M . for the

hihlcomgy plimentary way he had proposed his health , and the brethren for their cordial and hearty response . It gave him ( Lord Howe ) great pleasure indeed to meet them at business , as well as at the festive board , and he was much gratified to find the Masonic Order in such a state of efficiency in Leicester . He hoped that many repetitions of that most agreeable anniversary might he vouchsafed to all present ( cheers ) . The following toasts were severally drank with acclamation : —

" Success to the Leicestershire Freemasons' Hall , " by Lord Howe ; "The health of the D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Kelly ; " "The Provincial Grand AVardens and other Grand Officers of the year , " responded to hy Bro . Marris , Grand Secretary ; and "The Past Grand Officers , " acknowledged by Bro . Brewin , the retiring S . G . AV . The healths of the AV . M . ' s Wardens , and brethren of the two local lodges , and those at Hinckley and Ashby-de-la-Zouch , followed in successionand were suitablacknowledgedThe toast of " The

, y . Ladies" was responded to by Bro . Lloyd , P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . The various toasts were interspersed with numerous songs and glees hy the musical brethren , among which we may mention "The heart bow'd down , " which was spendidly sung by Bro . Selby , whose fine voice told with great effect . The respected Prov . G . M . remained in the chair until nearly the close of the proceedings , when he took his leave ( as he stated he still felt the

effects of his late indisposition ) amidst the applause of the brethren . The chair was then taken by the D . Prov . G . M . , and after the usual Masonic toasts had been duly honoured , the brethren dispersed , after a pleasant re-union . LAs strictures have on several occasions appeared in our pages on the irregular practice adopted in some provinces of appointing brethren to offices whose duties they do not possess the qualifica-

Provincial.

tions to discharge , we may mention that in this province such isnot the case . Since the appointment of the . present noble Prov . G . M . the office of Grand Registrar has been filled only by . legal brethren , and was held last year by Bro . R . H . Palmer , ZZ . D ., of the midland Circuit ; that of the G . Supt . of AA ' orks by Architects only ; it was held last year by Bro . Mellican ( the Architect of the hall ) , and the newly-appointed brother is J . P . St . Aubyn , Architect for the Temple Church . The Grand Organist also stands high in

his profession as an organist and teacher of music . The office of Grand Sword Bearer has , when practicable , been filled by a military brother—having been a year or two ago held hy Capt . Dawson , of Launde Abbey , late of tbe Enniskillen Dragoons . It is , however , much to be regretted that greater progress cannot be made in extending the Order in the province , which only possesses fourlodges . We believe that efforts have been made by the provincial authorities to get lodges established at the important towns of Loughborough , Melton , and Market Harborough , but hitherto without success . It is nevertheless satisfactory to find that the lodges it does possess are in a healthy and prosperous state . ]

STAFFORDSHIRE . LONGTON . —Ftrnsean Zodge ( No . 803 ) . —The brethren of this well-conducted lodge , assembled for the despatch of business in goodly numbers on the 10 th insfc ., when Charles Bullock , Herbert , Allen , Linnius AA right , and Charles Burrell , were initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry . The ceremony was excellently performed by the respected W . M ., Bro .

Enoch Palmer , and his J . W . and S . W ., Bros . AAllliam Webberley , and Jabes Smith . After the charge , which was very impressively delivered by Bro . Robert Hawley , P . M ., it was proposed by Bro . Jabes Smith , J . AV ., and seconded by Bro . Samuel Hill , G . P . D . C .,. and carried hy the members unanimously , that the lodge annually subscribe to the following charities . Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Free- £ s . d .

masons and their Widows , male fund 10 0 Ditto , widows fund . 1 0 0 Boys School , 10 0 Girls School , 10 0

• The intention of the officers and members to support the charities and do all in their power to uphold the credit of the Royal Craft ,, , is the prominent feature of Lodge No . 803 . YORKSHIRE ( AVEST ) . SUEEPIEDD . —Britannia Lodge ( No . 162 ) . —The regular monthlymeeting of this lodge was held in the Freemasons' Hall ,

Surreystreet , on Thursday , 10 th inst . Bro . AVilliam White , jun . W . M . and Prov . G . A . D . C , in the chair . A large number of hrethren wereE present , including several visitors from Worksop , where it is hoped a lodge will shortly be established . Mr . Henry Oxtoby Hannafcb . of Worksop , and Mr . George Glencross were initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry , and Bro . the Rev . C . E . Camidge B . A ., having satisfactorily proved his proficiency in the first degree , was duly passed to that of F . C .

YORKSHIRE ( NORTH AND EAST ) . STOKESLET . —Cleveland Lodge ( No . 795 ) . —The monthly meeting of this prosperous lodge was held at the Golden Lion Inn , orr Monday evening , the 7 th inst ., Bro . J . H . Handyside , P . Prov . G ; J . AV ., W . M . ; Bro . AVatson , S . W . ; and Bro . Stephen Hunter , P . M ., as J . W . The lodge being opened to the second degree , Bros . Ferry , Wrightson , and Cooke were passed to the degree of F . C , the

ceremony being performed in an able manner by the W . M . After the transaction of some business of no public interest , the lodge was closed in the usual manner , and declared adjourned until the first Monday in November .

Scotland.

SCOTLAND .

SIIEHNG ROCK ROYAI AECH CHAPTEE ( NO . 2 ) . —On Thursday evening , the 10 th inst ., the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland , met in the Guild Hall , Stirling , for the purpose of reopening tbe Stirling Rock Chapter , which has been dormant since 1848 . Lord James Charles Plantagenet Murray , M . E . G . Z . presided on the occasion , assisted hy Comps . Donald Campbell ( Grand J . ) , acting Grand H ., Wm . Bel ' frage , acting Grand J . After the

exaltation of several new members , the First Grand Principal declared the Stirling Rock Chapter duly reopened , and ordered ^ ifc to be again placed on the roll . ^ The Companions thereupon proceeded