Provincial.

ing the brethren , the R . AV . the Prov . G . M . took occasion to express his gratification at seeing so numerous an assembly of the Craft to welcome him , and further hoAV sincerely pleased he Avas to A \* itness and partake in the good feeling existing among the brethren of the Sodges under his control . The brethren were then formed into procession under the superintendence of the Veteran Prov . G . Dir . of Cers ., Bro . F . D . Michaeland ivalked to the parish church in the folloiving order

, , -preceded by the band of the 3 rd Glamorganshire Rifles . Visiting Brethren , unattached , tivo and tivo . Visiting Brethren from adjacent lodges . Afan Lodge , ( No . 1135 ) , Aberai-on . St . David's Lodge ( No . 979 ) , Aherdare . Brecknock Lodge , ( No . 936 ) , Brecon .

Cambrian Lodge , ( No . 472 ) , Neath . Indefatigable Lodge , ( No . 288 ) , S'vansea . Loyal Cambrian , ( No . 127 ) , Merthyr ) . Glamorgan , ( No . 43 ) , Cardiff .

Provincial Grand Lodge of the Eastern Division , South AVales . The streets through which the procession passed , were crowded -Avith orderly and interested spectators . Arriving at the church , the brethren entered by the ivest porch , and seated themselves iu the nai * e which was especially reserved for their accommodation , the chancel and galleries being filled Avith visitors . The evening prayers were read by Bro . the Rev . J . D . Davies , Chaplain of the Indefatigable Lodgeand the sermon was preached bthe Prov . G . Chap .

, y , Bro . the Rei * . E . D . Burrowes , L . L . D . The rev . brother selected for his text apart of the 16 th verse of the 22 ud chapter Revelations , " The Bright and Morning Star , " and delivered a most appropriate and impressive discourse , attentively listened to by the assembled brethren . The musical service , most appropriately selected , was conducted by Edward Pricker , Organist of the Indefatigable Lodge , assisted by the choir of Trinity Church . At the conclusion of the

service , the Ti . etnren -returned in the same order of procession to their lodge-room , where the usual charitable collection was made , the amount of same being , at the desire of the R . AV . the Prov . G . M ., placed in the hands of the AV . M . of the S'vansea Lodge , Bro . AVilliam Cox , to be given to the vicar of the parish for distribution . On the motion of Bro . M . Moggridge , P . Prov . G . S . AV ., a donation of £ 10

was voted to the Girls' School , and the usual donation of £ 2 2 s . was also voted to the Cambrian Deaf and Dumb Institution . By permission of the R . AV . the Prov . G . M ., Bro . Fred . Binckes , Secretary to the Boys' School , addressed the meeting , urging upon the brethren of the various lodges the necessity for increased exertions in the provinces . Adverting to the recent alterations in administration , he gave much interesting information and explanation regarding the Boys' School ancl also relative to the other

Charities , and concluded by making an eloquent appeal for additional aid to these excellent Institutions . The Prov . Grand Lodge then retired , and having returned to the lodge-room set apart for its use , the Prov . G . Treas . accounts were audited , and a fair balance reported to credit , and after transacting the remaining needful business , the PI-OA * . G . Lodge was closed in ¦ ancient form with solemn prayer . The Craft Lodge AA'as opened bBro . Thos . PowellP . Mand

y , ., Treas . No . 288 , supported by the Officers of the SAvansea Lodge . In the evening a banquet took place at the Mackworth Arms Hotel , when upwards of 120 of the brethren attended ; it was presided over by the R . AV . Prov . G . M ., and a most agreeable evenin ° - was spent , thus brining the day ' s proceedings to a satisfactory terminations .

YORKSHIRE ( WEST . ) SHEEEIELD . —Britannia Lodge ( No . 162 ) . —Inauguration of the iNew Freemasons' Mall . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodge took place on Thursday evening , the 12 th inst . in the new hall , AA'hich is situated in the very centre of the town , at the junction of Surrey-street and Eyre-street . The building , which was originally erected , and has till recently been occupied as a

Savings' Bank , presents two handsome facades of dressed stone , enriched by pilasters of the Ionic order , and is surrounded by a neat iron palisading . The freehold has been purchased b y the Sheffield brethren ; and , by the additional outlay of several hundred pounds , the building has been admirably adapted to Masonic purposes , to which alone it is dedicated . Great credit is due to Bros . AVhite , Webster , and Longden , who have devoted much time and labour in superintending the workmen ancl planning the alterations . The ground floor consists of entrance and staircase , a kitchen , furnished with au excellent cooking apparatus , and a dining-room

Provincial.

31 feet by 24 feet , lighted by six large AvindoAA's . The upper floor is approached by a winding staircase , and contains a convenient preparation room and lavatory ; ancl the lodge-room , Avhich is the same size as the dining-room , and is about 20 feet high . It is lighted by three large sheets of plate glass in the roof , which are tinted rose colour , richly ornamented , and have the letter G and a five pointed star in the centre . Rows of gas jets and reflectors are placed above theseand cast a beautiful liht into the

, g lodge , AA-ithout the heat and discomfort of liaving gas burning in the room . The ventilation is also admirably provided for . Bro . AVm . AVhite , Jan ., b . AV ., Prov . G . A . D . C ., presided , and Avas supported by Bros . Hay , S . AV . ; Arden , J . AV . ; Webster , Sec ; Rodgers , S . D . ; Garnet , J . D . ; Short , I . G . ; J . A . Eadon , P . M . ; AV . Longden , P . M . ; E . . T . Buxton , P . M . ; E . Harrison , P . M . ; Capts . Sher ' mgham and Jefferson , and a large number of visiting and other brethren . Tbe

Eev . Chas . ECIAA * . Camidge and Mr . Thomas Hydes Avere severally initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry in a very able and impressive manner by the AV . M ., and several candidates Avere proposed . Business being completed , the brethren adjourned to the dining-room , where a splendid banquet aAvaited them , to which , they did ample justice . The speeches made were such as are usual on such occasions . The brethren felicitated each other on liaving at length emerged from their long confinement in the back rooms

of the Music-hall , and established themselves in so excellent a hall of their oivn , which certainly may vie Avith any other in the province . The health of the W . M ., AA-IIO has been indefatigable in his exertions to accomplish this object , was drank ivith great enthusiasm , as was also that of his bride , he having recently become a benedict . A ' arious complimentary toasts ivere given and responded to , and the intervals Avere filled up by vocal music and

pleasant chat . The brethren separated soon after eleven o'clock , well xileased with the auspicious inauguration of their IIOAV hall . LEEDS . —Philanthropic Lodge ( So . 382 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held on AVednesday , the 28 th August , under the presidency of Bro . . Ino . Batley , AV . M ., assisted by his officers , ancl there AA'as the usual excellent attendance of members , as well as several visitors from local and other lodges . The minutes of the last regular lodge , and of a Lodge of Emergency , Avere read

and confirmed . Bros . Cross and Gatehouse , after due examination in the first degree , were ' passed in due form to the degree of a F . , C . Mason . Bro . Jno . M . Smith having proved his proficiency in this degree , was duly entrusted , and was raised to the sublime degree of M . M ., the traditional history of the degree being recited by the AV . M ., and the Working Tools of a M . M . explained by Bro . Jno . Lee . P . M . The lodge was then closed CIOAA-H to the first degree . The ballot Avas taken for Mr . AVilliam Thomas

Jackson , which , proving unanimous , he was admitted in due form , and regularly initiated into the first degree of Freemasonry . Bro . Lee , P . M ., then named and explained the AVorking Tools ol an E . A . P . Mason , and also gave the charge in the first degree . Bro . the Bev . A . F . A . Woodford , P . M ., moved " That the best thanks of the Philanthropic Lodge are due , and are hereby given , to -Mr . John Richards AValbran , for the kind attention , and for the

valuable information on the various objects of interest at Ripon and Studley , which he had given to those members of the lodge AA'I IO visited Ripon on the 14 th August , and that the Secretary be ordered to notify the same to Mr . AValbran . " Bro . Jno . Lee , P . M ., seconded the motion , which was carried unanimously . The usual questions having been asked , and a gentleman proposed as a candidate for Freemasonry , the lodge was closed in peace and harmony and in ancient form .

Royal Arch,

ROYAL ARCH ,

HERTFORDSHIRE . AA ATEORD CHAPEEE ( NO . 580 ) . —The annual convocation of this chapter Avas held in the Freemasons Hall , Watford , on Monday , September 16 th . In the absence of the first Principal Companion , AA iliiam Tootal , Comp . George Francis presided as M . E . Z . ; E . Comp Burchell-Herne , H ; ancl B . Comp . H . C . Finch , -T . After the confirmation of the minutes of the preceding chapter , a

conclave of the installed principals was opened , and Comp . Jeremiah Howe , P . Z . ( No . 69 ) , at the request of the M . E . Z ., installed Comp . Finch into the second chair , the other principals elect not being present . After the ballot Bros . Alfred Brett and Howell , of Lodge No . 580 , Avere exalted to the sublime degree by tho acting M . E . Z ., Comp . Howe acting as P . S . The other other officers were invested . The officers for the ensuing year are Comps . AV . Tootal , M . E . Z . ; II . C . Finch , H . ; C . Humbert , J . ; W . Rogers , Treas . ; J . Goodyear , E . ; C . Davy , N . ; C . Layton , P . Z . ; lies ancl Branson A . S . ; T . Tliomas , Janitor .