Provincial.

part , each of us in our respective degrees , in the good work of laying tbe foundation stone of the new Mechanics' Institute in this district . It- is not here , in Huddersfield or its neighbourhood , that I need detain you by dilating upon the value of Mechanics' Institutes . During the long period of now twelve years since I have had the satisfaction of being well acquainted with this borough , I have learned to know how thoroughly you value institutes of this description , and you have here in the

Mechanics' Institution of Huddersfield an establishment which all the friends of institutes havo long been accustomed to regard as a model for the imitation of otliers —( hear , hear)—¦ because the object has been solid , earnest ^ and not superficial study ; because there the friends and managers of tbe . Institution bave constantly endeavoured to make it a real place of education and of instruction , and not merely a substitute for the reading-room or the club . ( Hear , hear . ) Knowing well ,

therefore , how thoroughly tlie real objects of such institutions as this are appreciated in this district , and seeing in the vast multitude by which we are surrounded to-day the best proof that that interest is as lively now as it has been during the last ten or twenty years , I feel that I can dispense on this occasion with the necessity of detaining you by dilating on the objects which this Institution has in view . All that I can say is that I sincerely trust that it may be worthy of this

neighbourhood , and its predecessor in Huddersfield , of which the foundation stone was laid not many years ago , on an cccaion when I had also the pleasure of being present—( applause)—and that this Institution may grow up as a dutiful child of the Huddersfield Institution , striving only to walk in

the steps of that worthy example . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Bentley Shaw iu the address ivhich he just made to me spoke to us of the difference between operative and speculative Masonry . I am not about to enter now into the mysteries of the-Masonic Craft , nor to tell the ladies any of the secrets which they are always so anxious to learn —( laughter)—but this at least I may say—that I am confident I speak tbe sentiments of a good Masonas I certainly speak the sentiments which I have always

, entertained , when I say that it is , in my opinion , one of the first claims that these institutions have upon our support and our approbation that they arc intended to bring , aud that they do bring , when well conducted , the means of increasing knowledge , and of developing education within the teach of the operative classes . It is to that spread of education that we owe those great results which have been attained of late

years , and which have made our country so happy , so prosperous , and so peaceful . ( Applause . ) And I trust that wo shall never relax in that course , but steadily improving on methods , and developing our means of education—combining the voluntary efforts of the people with tbe aid of Parliament and of Government—we shall continue that wise system which has borne such fruits in the pastand whichI trustthe blessings

may-, , , be , through the means of this Institute and others , long felt in this important district . ( Cheers . ) AA'iien bis lordship had concluded , thanks were voted on the motion of Mr . J . Cross-and , seconded by Mr . N . Berry , the National Anthem was snug , and tlie proceedings closed with a series of hearty cheers for the earl and countess , thc Institution , the ladies , & c .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

DEVONSHIRE . MOIUCE Toivx , DEYO _ -. - _> _ . , —SI . Aulgn Chapter ( No . 951 ) . —This Chapter held their quarterly convocation at theMoricc Town Freemason ' s Hall , on the evening of Monday , the 17 th inst . The E . Comp . L . ' S . Methan , P . Prov . G . H ., P . Z ., and First Principal of the Chapter , as Z . Tlie minutes of the last regular chapter having been read and confirmed , a ballot was

taken for tlie candidates named on the summons , and the same being unanimous they were declared elected , and being in attendance were introduced and elected to this supreme degree . The lectures of each chair were respectively given by E . Comps . Metham , Z . ; Chappie , IL ; and Kent J ., in a manner rarely equalled . The by-laws for the government of the chapter were read by the Scribe E . and confirmed . The Principal having received an intimation that the Grand Chapter of the Province ivould shortly be held at the St . Aubyn Chapter Rooms , a committee was nominated

Royal Arch.

to make such arrangements as might be deemed desirable . The voting papers of tho Royal Benevolent Institution were ordered to be forwarded to the Grand Superintendent of thc Province . A cordial vote of thanks was proposed and unanimously carried , thanking Comp . Littleton for his kindness in presenting a very handsome set of working tools to tho chapter . The business of ' the evening was closed by the nomination of the officers for the ensuing Sliht refreshment was served

year . g in the banquet rooms , tbo E . Comp . Methan presiding , who , in reply to tho toast of his health , congratulated tbe Companions of the Chapter on the efficiency of their working and the appointment of their furniture , concluding his speech by some wholesome advice , and wished every prosperity to St . Aubyn Lodge and Chapter .

STAFFORDSHIRE . IlA > 'D 3 ' . vo __ Tit . —St . James's Chapter ( No . 482 ) . —The opening and consecration of this chapter connected with the St . James's Lodge ( No . -1 S 2 ) , held at tho New Inn , took place on tho 20 th ult . " The ceremony of consecration was performed by M . E . Comp . AA " . K , Harvey , Prov . G . Superintendent for Staffordshire ,

assisted by Comps . John Burton , P . G-. B ., and Poster Gough , P . G . J . 'The music performed during the service was composed and directed by Comp . , V . A . Beaumont , E . 93 S , Org . 5 S 7 , who presided at the harmonium , and was efficiently rendered by Comps . Pursall , Beresford , Bragg , and Beaumont . Comp . Edwin Yates having been installed as M . E . Z ., and Comps . J . J . Turner and J . Hopkins , as H . and J . ; and the M . E . Z . having

appointed and invested his officers , Bros . G . AA . Bayley , John Hutton , G . T . Green , Rev . 13 . Wilhiiove , Henry Davis , Henry Yates , J . II . Pearson , F . Meyer , AV . C . AVoodcock , and P . AA . Hoffman were balloted for , elected , and duly exalted to the sublime degree of Royal Arch Masons , the various lectures during the progress of thc ceremony being admirably given by Comps . Hopkins , Turner , and E . Yates . After the conclusion of the

ceremony tlie companions proceeded to the banquetting room , where an elegant repast was provided . The M . E . Z . Comp . Yates presided , supported by Comps . J . J . Turner , 11 . ; and J . Hopkins , J . ; M . E . Comps . W . K . Harvey , Prov . G . Superintendent ; J . Burton , P . G . N . ; F . Gough , P . G . J ., & c . After the cloth was drawn the usual toasts were given and responded to , and tbe proceedings of the evening were enlivened with some excellent sonss by Comp . Pursall , Macbin , and Hoffman .

Knights Templar,

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR ,

DEVONSHIRE . PI . OYI _ < X ' IAI - GI .-O ' COIN-CLAVE . A Grand Conclave of the Province of Devon was held on Wednesday , the Sth inst ., at the Temperance Hall , Devonport , by command of the Very Eminent Provincial Grand Commander , Sir Knight the Rev . John Huyshe , who , after the usual preliminaries , appointed his officers as follows : —

Sir Knt . Moore Prov . D . G . M . „ Cant . Davy „ G . Prior . ., Sir AA ' . Fairfax „ G . Sub-Prior . , ' , Rev . R . Benden „ G . Prelate . „ W . M . Tweedy „ G . 1 st . Capt . of Col . J . T . Liscombe „ G . 2 nd Capt . of Col . R . Rodda G . Chancellor .

„ „ „ T . Mills „ G . Vice-Chancellor . „ ' J . Gibbard ,, G . Registrar . ., J . Ash ,, G . Treasurer . „ IT . O'Neil „ G . Chamberlain . AA " . IL AA ' . Blight „ G . Hospitaller . T . S . Bayly , G . 1 st Expert . T . Lindo . „ G . 2 nd Expert .

„ John Heath „ 'G . 1 st Standard Bearer . John R . H . Spry „ G . 2 nd Standard Bearer . „ E . AA'orth „ G . Almoner . „ J . Thomas „ G . Dir . of Cers . „ E . Arnold „ G . Assist . Dir of Cers . T . Chergwin „ G . 1 st Assist . Dir . of Cers . J . Hocken , jun „ G . 2 nd Assist . Dir . of Cers . ,, S . Chappie „ G . 1 st Capt . of Lines . „ Rov . G . Ross „ G . 2 nd Capt . of Lines . „ J . Sadler ,,, „ G . Sword Bearer .