Provincial.

Cers . ; Smith , Prov . G . D . of AA . ; Trimnell , Prov . G . Org . ; AA ykes , Prov . G . S . B . ; Ison , Prov . G . S . B . ; Breai'ley , Prov . G . Purs . ; and Bro , Faulkner , Tyler . About two hundred brethren were present . THE BANQUET took place at the AthensBum-room , Royal Hotel , precisely at four o'clock , and was attended by one hundred and seventy brethrenThe Marquis of HartiugtonMP

. , .., Prov . Grand Master of Derbyshire , presided , and was supported by Bros . Colvile , D . Prov . G . M . ; Colonel Vernon , Prov . G . M . of Staffordshire ; Lord Leigh , Prov . G . M . of-AVarwickshive ; Rev . R . Chandos-Pole ; Rev . G . AA right , Prov . G . Chaplain ; Elkington , Prov . G . S . B . of England ; M . T . Bass , M . P . ¦ Kelly , D . Prov . G . M . of Leicestershire ; Percy , D . Prov . G . M . of Nottinghamshire . The vice-chair was occupied by Bro . A . Butel , P . Prov . S . G . AA ., the second and third tables beiug presided over by Bro . StoneAV . M . No 315 and Bro . CollinsonAV . M . So . 1033 .

, , . , , The brethren of the different Lodges in the province were arraigned according to seniority , the visitors from Staffordshire , Nottinghamshire , and Leicestershire beingarraigned together , Bro . Faulkner ' s band occupied the orchestra , and played during dinner . Grace before , and thanks after , dinner were said by the Provincial Grand Charjlain .

Dessert having been placed on the table , The Marquis of Hartiugton rose amidst loud cheers , and said : —Brethren , the toast that I am about to propose requires no preface , for I am sure it will be accepted in the most hearty manner . In eveiy assemblage of England it is cordially received , and I am sure not less so in the loyal society of Freemasous . ( Cheers , ) Brethren , I give you " The Queen and the Craft . " ( Applause . ) The Prov . G . M . then said : —Brethrenthe next toastI am surewill receive a

, , , cordial reception from you all . It is " The health of the Earl of Zetland , Grand Master of England . " Many brethren , no doubt , know the noble earl better than I do ; therefore I need not tell you how fully he has the confidence of the Freemasons of England , as exemplified in his continued re-election to the high office he holds . I am too young a Mason to know much of the noble carl as Grand Master of England , but I can only say that , for the short time I have been a Mason , I have

received the greatest kindness at his hands , and I am sure every brother would do the same . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Colvile , D . Prov . G . M ., ou rising to propose the next toast , was received with several rounds of cheering , which evidently touched him . He said the toast which had been intrusted to him was second only in importance to the one that had just been proposed by the noble marquis . It was , " The Deputy Grand Master of England—the Lord Panmure— and the other Officers , past and present , of the Grand Lodges of England . " ( Cheers . ) Bro . Colvile in a humorous strainalluded

, to the honour that had been conferred upon them in having amongst them a Past Grand Sword Bearer of England , Bro . Elkington , of Birmingham , whose name he coupled with the toast . Bro . Elkington , Prov . G . S . B . of Eugland , acknowledged the toast , alluding to the popularity of the Earl of Zetland , " and expressed the gratification the Grand Lodge felt in the appointment of the noble marquis who theu filled the chair , and which had that day been fully indorsed by the Provincial Grand Lodge of

Derbyshire . He sincerely hoped that Masonry in Derbyshire might flourish under his presidency ; and he was sure that the brethren of the province would give him every support . ( Cheers ) . Bro . the Rev . R . Chandos-Pole , who on rising to propose the next toast , was received with considerable applause , said a toast had been entrusted to him which he regretted had not been placed in better and more able hands ; but as he had been requested to propose ithe did so with much leasureand wouldtherefore

, p , , , trouble them with a few remarks . The rev . gentleman proceeded to glanco at the antiquity of the honoured society of Freemasons , which was in existence long before Christianity was known ; when it was only by signs that Masons could be distinguished . The great feature in Freemasonry was its religious character ; and wherever churches had been erected in bygone days , the marks upon them show indelibly that the Freemasons were a religious body . The rev , gentleman having 4 G