Provincial.

degree , the summons convening the meeting was read , and tho minutes of tho last meeting were read and confirmed . A requisition to the W . M , was read , requesting him to place the name of Sergt . AA ebb , ISth Regiment , in the summons as a candidate for initiation . Sergt . Webb was proposed by Bro . Vnnn , and secoiilcd by Bro . Calthorpe , I . G . A report from the Board of General Purposesapproving of Colour-Sergt . Crick ,

, 16 th Regt ., and Sergt . Webb , ISth Regt ., as candidates for initiation , was read aud confirmed . A letter from tho G . Sec . was read , directing that when an application was made for a Grand Lodge certificate for a brother joining from an Irish , Scotch , or foreign lodge , his Grand Lodge certificate should be forwarded for inspection . A ballot was then taken for Sergts . Crick and AA ' chb as candidates for initiation , which proved

unanimous in their favour in each case . Bro . Tarleton , Lieut . 16 th Regt ., was examined as to his proficiency in the first degree , which , proving satisfactory , he was entrusted , and retired . The lodge was then opened " in the second degree , and Bro . Tarleton was passed to tho degree of F . C . Bro . Sutherland being obliged to retire , the W . M . ' s chair was taken by Bro . C . Carnegie , I . P . M ., who put round the questions

appertaining to the second degree for the information of Bro . Tarleton . The lodgo was then closed down to the first degree , when Sergts . Crick and AVehh were separately admitted and regularly initiated by Bro . C . Carnegie , who also explained the working tools , and gave tbe usual charge . The questions appertaining to the first degree were answered by the brethren for tlie information of the newly-initiated . Bro . Donnolly , 308 ( E . C . ) was proposed as a joining member by Bro . King , seconded by Bro . Newman , J . AA . Some further business having been transacted , the lodge was closed at ten p . m .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) . IXSTAILATION OF THE W . AL AND THE VESTIFM , OF ST . JOHN THE EVANGELIST . St . Helen ' s Lodge of Loyalty ( No . 897 ) - The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Assembly-room , Fleece Hotel , on Tuesday , the 10 th inst ., at two p . m . In consequence of the lamented illness of the AV . M .

, Bro . James Morris , the chair of K . S . was occupied by Bro . AVignall , P . M ., who was supported by Bros . W . Webster as S . A \ . ; Peter Robinson , J . W ., W . M . elect ; Jos . Robinson , Hon . Sec ; W . Harrison , J . D . ; John Knowles , P . M ., Org . ; AV . Butler , I . G . ; Edwin Bentley , W . C . Seddon , W . C . Marsh , P . M ., P . Z .: Capt . Naylor , C , F . Clark , AV , Leather , James Johnson , 11 . MacGill , Beaslev , Eraser . A'isitors : —Bros . James Hamer ,

P . AI ., Prov . (> . Treas ., Installing Master ; John Bowes , P . M ., Prov . G . Reg . Cumberland and Westmoreland ; James Charnock , W . M . 4 11 ; James W . U . Fowler , 86 ; John Knight , Dr . Pennington , AV . AVoods , AV . Savage , all of 1-1-8 ; AVoods , Thos . Sepbton , Tyler . Tlie lodgo was duly opened in the first degree , when the minutes oi the last meeting were read and confirmed . Tlie lodge was opened in the second degree , when Bros . Marsh

and AVebstei-, P . Af . 's , presented the WLM . elect ; Peter Robinson , for the benefit of installation , to whom tlie summary of ancient charges , &< :., were rend by tho Secretary , Bros . Joseph Robinson . The lodge being opened in tho third degree , and all

brethren below tlie degree of Installed Master having retired , a board of Installed Musters was opened by Bro . Hamer , assisted hy the following P . Al . ' s , viz ., Bros . John Bowes , as S . W .: W . C . Marsh , as J . W . ; IT . AV . WignaVi , John Knowles , W . AVebster , Jas . Morris , and James Charnock , when the AV . M . elect , was readmitted and solemnly installed in the chair of K . S . The Board of Installed Masters having been closed , the M . M . ' s . the F . C . ' sand the E . A . ' s were successiveladmitted and saluted

, y the AA ' . M ., who was proclaimed on each occasion . The W . M . then appointed and invested the following brethren as his officers for tho ensuing year , viz .: —Bros . James Aforris , P . M . ; AV . C . Seddon , S . W . ; W . Harrison , J . W . ; F . W . AVignall , Treas . ; William Leather , Hon . Sec . ; Beasley , S . J . ; AV . Butler , I . G .,- Thomas Sephton , Tyler . Bro . Hamer delivered tho whole ofthe charges to the several

officers in an impressive and correct manner . At a convenient point iu the ceremonies of the day Bro . AVignall , P . M ., referred in a feeling manner to the illness of the I . P . M ., Bro . Morris , and assured that brother he had the warmest sympathy of every member of the loelge in his ailliction ; a statement which afforded the afflicted brother evident pleasure . The AV . M . then commanded the J . AV . to call the hrethren off for refreshment .

THE BANQUET , . " ** , Which was served in the Assembly-room , at the Fleece Hotel , by Airs . Taylor , widow of the late Bro . Taylor , in a sumptuous manner . It included the choicest delicacies of the season , and in every respect gave satisfaction , reflecting the greatest credit on her abilities and liberality as a caterer . ' ^ Zy The chair was occupied by the W . M ., Bro . Peter Robinson , while tho two AVardens , Bros . Seddon and Harrison occupied

their constant places . The cloth having been withdrawn and orders given and executed , the following toasts were drunk . Tho AV . M ., on rising to propose "Tho Queen , " said the loyalty of Masons was proverbial , and therefore no words of bis were required to ensure for the toast a hearty reception . The Queen was a model in every relation of life . The toast was drunk with right loyal enthusiasm .

" National Anthem , " led by Bro . Savage . The AA' . M . next proposed the " Prince and Princess of A \ ales and the rest of the Royal Family , " aud said that they deserved their respect and esteem . The toast was drunk with enthusiasm . Bro . Savage led off " God bless the Prince of AA ' ales . " Tho AA' . M . next proposed the "ArmyNavyand

Volun-, , teers , " and in doing so reviewed tho claims of each branch oi the service to their gratitude . Song— "The Sailor's welcome home from sea , " by Bro . AVoods . Bro . Lieut . F . AV . AVignall responded . He traced the history of tho many brave deeds of both the Army and [ Navy . The

A oIunteevs , ho said , deserved recognition and merited all the kind words bestowed upon them by the AV . M . They were the " home " defences , and as far as the 4-7 th Lancashire was concerned he could most truthfully assert that they had in Colonel Gumblc one of the best commanding officers in England . The \ V . Master now rose to propose their chief Masonic ruler and his subordinates , ' The Earl of Zetland , the M . W . G . M .,. Earl de Grey and Ripouthe R . W . D . G . ALand the Grand

, , Lodge of England . " He said he entertained the most unbounded respect for tbe heads of the Craft , for they were the best of men and Masons . Drunk with all honours . Tho W . Master said they now came nearer home , and he called upon all present to clo honour to " The R . AA . Prov . G-. Master , Col . Sir T . G . 1 \ Hesketh , M . T ., the R . W . D . Prov . G .

Master , Lord Stelmersdale , and the Prov . G . Lodge of AA est Lancashire . " They had all had opportunities of judging of their fitness for the position they held , and , therefore , lie need not detain them with any lengthened remarks to ensure the toast a fraternal welcome . He was glad that ho had in his power to call upon an officer of the province to respond to this toast . Bro . Hauler had laid them under deep obligations in days gone

by , and he had still further added to those obligations that clay . If Bro- Hamer was nob present he should have much to say about him , but as it was ho would simply propose the toast , coupling with it tho name of Bro . Hamer , Prov . G . Treas . of the province . Drunk with full honours , under the leadership of Bro . Bowos .

Bro . Hamer , who was received with Jong-continued dicers , responded . He expatiated at some length on the grand principles on which the Order was founded , ancl the reasons the Masons of AVest Lancashire had to be proud of their provincial rulers . He expressed himself highly gratified and complimented by the hearty and fraternal reception he always received from the St . Helen ' s brethren . He further thanked them for expressions of respect aud esteem for the Provincial Grand Lodge , of

which ho hail the honour to be a member . Bro . Hamer asked permission to propose a toast not in tho list . This being granted , ho said they had a brother present who represented the adjoining province of Cumberland and Westmoreland . That province was presided over by a nobleman , Lord Kenlis , wdio was an honour to the Craft . Lord Kenliswas W . M . for the second time of a lodge in his province . He felt proud to say that he was present at his installation on the first

occasion , and still more proud that be had now attained th . e honour he so richly merited . Bro . Bowes had held provincial office under his lordship's predecessor as Prov . G . Dir . of Cers ., and had fulfilled his duties with credit to himself and advantage to the province . He begged to propose , ; The Health of the Right Hon . Lord Kenlis , the R . W . JProv . G . M ., Major Whitwel ) , the R . AV . D . Prov . G . JL , and the Prov . G-. Lodge of Cimibei-laniA