Provincial.

ivere better able than he ivas to discharge the duty ivhich hud devolved upon him , but he yielded to no brother one grain of the high estimation he held for Bro . Biggs . He thought that be need not dilate upon the many valuable services their brother had rendered to the Craft , or that loclge in particular . They Avere doubtless knoAvn to all present , and it AA-HS also known how ready and Avilling he was at all times to clo what he could for the furtherance of Masonrysacrificing both time and labour for

, that object . In the neighbouring Province of Wilts he had been awarded tbe highest office it Avas in the poAver of tbe Province to give , ivith the exception of that which their present P . G . Master IIOAV held . He bad also been presented with many of the valuable jeivels which tbey now saiv adorning his breat . It ivas not , hoAvever , only as a Mason that they esteemed him , but as a

friend and neigbour . AA-IIO had during his residence amongst them Avon for himself golden opinions from all by bis upright and manly conduct . It would ill become him ( the W . M . ) in the presence of Bro . Biggs , and he Avas sure it would be contrary to bis feelings , if he further eulogised his Masonic or private character . If Bro . Biggs , bad been absent he ( the W . M . ) could then have said much

more , all of which he felt sure would be fully endorsed by every brother present . It therefore only remained ' for him to say that it was bis happy task and pleasing duty to present to Bro . Biggs , in the name of the Greyfriars Lodge , 1 , 101 , the piece of plate ivhich he noiv held in his hands , in testimony of their ¦ appreciation of his A-alua bio services in the cause of Masonry . It was his ( the W . M ' s . ) sincere ivish that Bro . Bi n-ould

ggs live long , and look upon the testimonial as a bumble mark of the high estimation formed of him by the members of that lodge and AA'hen it pleased the Great Architect of the Universe to call him from this world to the Grand Lodge aboi-e might the cup descend as an heir-loom to bis family , and stimulate his sons to walk in their father ' s footsteps . The W . M . then amid the loud and continued lause of the

app brethren , handed to Bro . Biggs tbe splendid testimonial which -consisted of a lmissiA'e sih'er claret cup , w-eighing- forty ounces , beautifully chased and frosted , the handles entwined Avith bunches of grapes , and the cover surmounted Avith acorns . It Avas supplied by Bro . G . Botly , of King-street , and bears the folloAVing inscription : —

PRESENTED TO BRO . AVILLIAM BIGGS , P . M ., P . Z ., P . Prov . S . G . W . of Wiltshire , by tbe Brethren of tlie Greyfriars Lodge , 1 , 101 , Reading , in testimony of their appreciation of the valuable services he ' has rendered , not only to their Lodge , but to the Craft in general , and of his earnest zeal and devotedness to the Order . —Dee

. 9 th , 1 S 68 . Bro . Biggs replied that ho could not find Avord- sufficient to thank the AV . M . and brethren for the A'ery splendid testimonial of their kindness and generosity which hud been placed in his bands . He could assure tbem that it needed no such substantial proof of their regard to convince him of their kindly feelings towards him . He could hiiA-e been content to recall the many

from the Master in the chair to the ncAi-ly initiated brother—as acts of courtesy he had ever received from one and all—• a sufficient recompense for any time or trouble he might have devoted to the interests of tiie lodge , but tbe splendid and valuable present tbey had made him that evening caused him painfully to feel a paucity of Avords to express his great obligations to them . He might say that from the time of his

initiation to the present moment he had ever taken the greatest interest in everything pertaining to Masonry . He had seen so much practical good , such genuine friendships , such unostentatious charity , displayed amongst brethren of all ranks and creeds in the Order th . it it had made Masonry a component part of bis existence . He could but echo the Avorcls of the W . M . in expressing the hope that when it leased the Almihty to call

p g him hence , his children ivould ever treasure that gift as a memento ot the kind feelings entertained toAA-ards himself by the members of the Greyfriars' Bodge . The lodge was then closed and the brethren adjourned to the George Hotel , and passed the remainder of the evening in a most agreeable and pleasant manner .

CHESHIRE . SEACOAIBE . — Combermere lodge , ( No . ( 305 ) . —The Right Hon . Lord de Tabley since his appointment as Prov . G . M . of the county of Chester , has by the interest bo has taken in tho Craft and

the efforts he has made in promoting the noble science made himself extremely popular amongst the brethren . At the time of bis lordship ' s installation , about three years ago , by the Right Hon . Earl de Grey and Ripon , R . W . D . G . M , bis lordship expressed his determination of visiting every lodge in the Province , as opportunity afforded , so as to make himself acquainted Avith and judge of tlie position , state , and Avorking of each . In COIIOAVing out this determination many of the lodges have already

been visited by the noble lord , ancl tbe brethren haA'e not only been cheered by the presence of their chief , but the effect seems to have been of great value in giving to Freemasonry a sound and healthy progress . On Thursday , December 3 rd , the R . W . P . G . M . visited tlie Combermere Lodge , No . G 05 , at the Seacombe Hotel , Seacombe , near Birkenhead . There ivas a goodly muster of the members , tbe lodge being in a more

prosperous state , both as to members and respectability , than it was some time ago . For the present year the W . M . is Bro . J . T . Lea , architect and surveyor to the Loc il Board , but AA-IIO to the regret of the brethren Avas unable to be present on the occasion , in consequence of which the lodge was presided over by Bro . John Horbury , the immediate P . M ., Bro . AV . Wade , V . W . P . G . R . acting as P . M . The AVardens chairs ivere filled by Bros . Henry

Davies and Thomas Leighton . The lodge , not being held on the regular night of meeting , only the ceremony of the third degree ivas gone through , ancl Bro . Thomas Monk , contractor of Leighton Hall , AA-as raised to tbe sublime rank of M . M . The Avork Avas ably aud impressively performed by Bro . Horbury . At the conclusion of the business the brethren were called from labour to refreshmentwhen a banquet was served by Bro .

, Stokes , tbe Avorthy host in a most superior style of excellence . The room ivas decorated ivith beautiful banners arranged in ornamental festoon ? , manifesting great skill , and producing a most pleasing effect . Indeed everything gave the most entire satisfaction to all . Bro . J . Horbury occupied the chair , supported on his right by Bros , the R . W . P . G . M . Lord de Tabley ; Capt . Cope , P . S . G . W . ; and J . P . Piatt , P . J . G . W ., and on his left

Bros . AA . AVade , P . G . R . ; E . G . Willoughby , P . Prov . G . AV . ; Thomas Piatt , P . Prov . J . G . D . ; H . Bulky , P . Prov . J . G . D . Amongst tlie brethren present we noticed Bros . J . Morton , P . M . 1 , 080 , Frederick * Stsveiison , W . M . 537 , J . Griffiths , P . M ., J .

Lunt , AV . M . 1 , 086 , & c , & c . On the removal of the cloth the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given and drank ivith enthusiasm . Tho toast of the " Grand Lodge of England " AA'as responded , to by Bro . Capt . Cope , AA-1 IO alluded to tbe various charities connected with the Grand Loclge , and urged on tho brethren the necessity of making an effort for their support , more especially the Boy's School . The W . M . then proposed "The health of tbe Prov . G . M . " Lord de Tableyexpressing hisregret

, that the W . M . of the lodge Avas unable to attend , as he AA-OUUI have done fir more justice to the toast than he could . The toast AA-HS drank ivith Masonic honours . The Right Hon . Lord de Tabley in responding to the toast , also expressed his regret at the unavoidable absence of the W . M ., but he had received a very kind and admirable letter from him on the subject . The following is a copy of tbe letter alluded to : — "Tbe Lord cle Tabley ,

K . W . P . G . M . of Cheshire , Dec . 3 , 1868 , My Lord and Brother , I regret most sincerely that my . official avocntions AA * ill pi-OA'cnt my receiving your Lordship , as I could have Avished in person , but I have the satisfaction of knowing that abler hands , though not Avarmer hearts than mine , will accord you that welcome to the Combermere Loclge , ivhich our attachment to your Lordship ' s person mid exalted position in the Craftso ivill entitle

, you to , Believe me My Lord , Yours faithfully and fraternally , J . T . Lea , W . M . 005 . " His lordship expressed his hearty approval of tbe Avork . ng of the lodge , the able and efficient manner in Avhich it was conducted , and the pleasure and gratification his visit bad afforded to him , observing that be should not forget as long as he lived the enjoyment he had received . The " ollicers of the Provincial Grand Lodge " AVUS given from

the chair and responded to by Bro . Willoughby . The P . G . M . proposed the "Health of Bro . Horbury , " observing that it AA'as not a matter of wonder that the lodge should prosper when it had tbe advantage of such efficient officers . Tbe toast Avas most Avarmly received and drunk ivith Masonic honours . Bro . Horbury responded , and proposed the Cheshire Masonic Educational Institutionfor tbe education and advancement in life of the

, children of distressed Masons , AA'hich Avas responded to by Bro . J . Piatt . Other toasts folkm-ed , and a pleasant and harmonious evening ivas passed . CHESTER . —Lodge of Independence ( No . 721 ) . —A postponed meeting of this lodge was held on Friday , the 4 th inst ., at The