Provincial.

on Wednesday , the 12 th inst ., at half-past" five o ' clock . Since the last meeting two of the brethren have died—one , Bro . I . Smith , was one of the founders , and a most active officer . To his exertions at the commencement , and the excellent manner in which he discharged the duties of Treasurer , may in a great degree be attributed the success and prosperity of the lodge . Also Bro . Isaac Hawker Bedfordan honorary memberthe

, , instructor aud almoner of the district ; a short sketch of whose Masonic career appears in another page . The brethren wore the emblem of mourning on their aprons , ancl the lodge room had a very funereal appearance , being draped with black . The minutes of the last lodge liaving been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for two candidates for initiation , and one joining memberand in each case was unanimous in favour of

, those proposed . Mr . W . Williams was then admitted , properly prepared , and duly initiated into the secrets of an E . A . The lodge having been opened in the second degree , Bro . M . H . Wright proved his proficiency as a F . C , retired , and was re-admitted , pcoperly prepared and raised to the sublime degree of a M . M . The lodge was then closed down to the first degree , and the W . M . rose three several times to make the usual

enquiries . A vote of thanks was passed to Bro . John Pailler for his assistance as Organist that evening . The W . M ., in feeling and appropriate terms , alluded to the loss Masonry in general , and this lodge in particular , had sustained by the death of the brothers mentioned . The Organist then played the "Dead march in Saul , " the brethren upstanding , with the sign of fidelity . The lodwas then closedand after the brethren

ge , had partaken of some refreshment they retired at an early hour . At the opening of the lodge an invocation hymn , and at the closing a chant , was sung by the brethren , the Masonic words of both were presented to Bro . T . Partridge , P . M ., for the use of the lodge , by Bro . Dr . Henry Hopkins , the use of which will no doubt become universal .

Scotland.

SCOTLAND .

GLASGOW . , THISTLE LODGE ( No . 87 ) . Presentations to Glasgow Brethren . The monthly meeting of this lodge was hold in the Masonic Hall , 19 , Croy-place , on Wednesday evening , the Sth inst . Bro . PatonR . W . M . presidedand was supported riht and left b

, , , g y Bros . McTaggart , M . A ., R . W . M . 27 , and Wilson , Chaplain of the same lodge . The Senior and Junior Wardens chairs were filled by Bros . Grieve , and Dobbie respectively . There was a large attendance of the office bearers and brethren . The lod « -e liaving been duly opened and the routine business disposed of , it was thereafter called from labour- to refreshment , and placed underthe baton of the Junior Warden . The R . W . M . proposed in succession

the following toasts : "The Queen and the Craft , " " The Three Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland . " and " The Provincial Grand Ladge of Glasgow . " Bro . McTaggart said , " I have been called upon to discharge a very pleasing duty in name of the members of this lodge , and I would remind the brethren that the occasion of our meeting is a memorable one indeed , and the record of it will stand in mivrates

JOIST as an example to your successors worthy of imitation in all time coming . There can be nothing more Masonic in its nature , and more commendable in practice , than for the members of a lodge to meet and recognise the worth of a brother whose services have promoted the prosperity of his lodge and advanced the interests of Freemasonry in the province . You are met for such a purpose , actuated b y the purest feelings of and brotherl

respect y regard . The brother you seek to honour has had a long ancl intimate connection with your lodge . He has served her in numerous capacities , and filled some of the more important offices with much acceptance . He has stood by ber in the hour of adversity , and with the true devotion of a son to a mother , has laboured through good report and through bad report to gain for her honourable in the

, an position province . Without expectation of praise or hope of reward he has pursued his Mnsoni " . career , and he is now before you , on this occasion , with a name unsullied by a single reproach . Although unexpected by him , it is no doubt deeply gratifying to know that he is regarded b y you with feelings of respect and confidence ; and although he may have the consciousness that virtue

is its own reward , still this expression of your good opinion must be a great source of gratification . The spirit that now animates you will be shared by the province ; not only because he holds a high place in your estimation , but becruse of the many and valuable services he has rendered the province in the capacity of Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies , a position ho has held for sis successive years . The annual festivals under the

auspices of the Provincial Grand Lodge have been eminently successful — yielding as they have done about £ 25 yearly to the Benevolent Fund — and much of their success has depended on the constant attendance and good management of Bro . Leith . These services yon cannot possibly have overlooked in the estimate of his worth which , suggested the testimonial which I am about in your name to

present to him . I cannot but admire the delicacy with which your arrangements have been carried out , and the true Masonicspirit that led you to remember Bro . Smith ' s hearth and home . You did well to connect Mrs . Leith with this expression of your goodwill . While you recognise Bro . Leith ' s faithful services , you did right to bear in mind that much of the encouragement he has received in his labour of love has been derived from

her-She has voluntarily on many occasions resigned his society , and sacrificed many domestic comforts , that he might attend tothe duties of his lodge and the interests of the province ; and you have wisely shown your appreciation of her self-denying worth in seeking to couple her name with this mark of your esteem for her husband . I have endeavoured , though feebly , to give expression to the feelings and sentiments which prompted

you in getting up the testimonial which you have put into my hands for presentation to Bro . Leith , and , with your concurrence , I shall proceed to place them in his hands . Bro . Leith , you have no doubt heard with feelings of gratification and pride the estimate which the members of your mother lodge have formed of your character and services ; but you were , nodoubtespecially pleased with the references to your wife . You

, will , therefore , be good enough to accept on her behalf of this ring and locket ; and , when you present them to her , convey to her the assurance of your brethren ' s respect and love . When you clasp ber neck with this chain of gold , I have no doubt it will be emblematic to you of that pure ,. chain of

affectionwinch has knit you so closely together in the past ; and , when ' you invest her with this ring , I have no doubt it will call toyour recollection the first scene in the pleasant drama of your married life ,-whicb you have so much cause to remember with feelings of joy and gratitude . And now , Bro . Leith , I place in ; your hands this snuft-box , which bears the following inscription : — " Presented to Bro . James Leith by the brethren of his mother lodgeThistleNo . 87 as a mark of esteem for

, , , services rendered . Glasgow , 1868 . " You are not to look upon it as a mere money estimate put upon your services ; but as a . simple token of esteem , given in the true spirit of brotherl y affection . Its intrinsic worth is comparatively speaking trifling - and , if ever you were tempted to realize its money value , it would scarcely serve your need ; but you may be sure of this , thatin whatever circumstances of life you are lacedit

will-, p , always help you at a " pinch . " In your intercourse with your numerous friends it will be in daily requisition ; aud I trust its use will serve to keep the memory ot this evening fiesh , and ' give you pleasure in years to come . Take with it the best wishes of your brethren for your future welfare and for the happiness of your wife ancl family . Bro . Leithin returning thanks for the handsome presentationr

, made to him and to Mrs . Leith , took occasion to revert to the chief incidents in his past Masonic career , referring to his initiation eleven , years ago , and to the different offices he had filled in the lodge since that time . He also made modest allusion to his connection with the Provincial Lodge ; and said he was only too glad to think that his services in the past were appreciated , and if they could be made available in the future for good to

the province and to his mother lodge , the brethren had but to command them . In reference to the presents , he said thatvaluable as these handsome articles were in themselves , they possessed a value to him beyond price—a value that in his eyeswould not diminish ; but that would increase with his growing years , and be greatest at that period of his life when the recollection of past events would become most sacred . For himself ,,

and on behalf of Mrs . Leith , he thanked them cordially for their good wishes ; and hoped that the lodge would continue to prosper as she had done in years gone by . At short intervals in the course of the evening several articles ! of value were presented to the lodge .