Provincial.

alluded to the late Duke of Devonshire , who was respected and beloved by all who knew him , congratulated the brethren on the appointment of the Marquis of Hartingdon who , from what he had heard of him , would reign over them with true brotherly love and affection . He hoped a long and happy life would be allotted to him , and that in the arduous duties he has undertaken , he might receive the hearty co-operation of every brother . Bro . Pole concluded a feeling address by proposing "The health of the Provincial Grand Master of Derbyshirethe

, Marquis of Hartiugton . " ( Applause ) . 'The Marquis of Hartiugton said : —Brethren , I rise to return you my sincere thanks for the honour you have done , me in so cordially responding to the toast which has just been proposed by our reverend brother . It was , indeed , a great honour to be received as I have been this day , and to be called upon by the Grand Master of England to preside over the province of Derbyshire . It did not require the touching allusion so gracefully made bBro . Polefor me to know the terms

y , upon which my family have been , and I trust ever may be , with the inhabitants of the town and county of Derby . ( Cheers ) . On this , my first appearance in this town , it is most gratifying to me to have been thus received , and which convinces me that the long standing friendship between my family and this county still continue . It will be my endeavour in the station of life in which I am placed , and also as a Mason—and I am sure I may say the same of my noble father—it will be our endeavour that those tics shall not be severed ( Cheers ) . It woutd ill become

me , so young a Mason as I am , to dilate on the mysteries and secrets of the Craft , but as the subject has been touched upou by Bro . Pole , I cannot but remark that it does seem peculiarly fitting and still most gratifying that we are here to celebrate peace and brotherhood , whilst at the same time such opposite passions are going on in the world around us ( hear , hear ); and I cannot help thinking that there must be great good in a union like ours , tho foundation of which is peace and brotherhood . ( Loud cheers ) . Masonry can only prosper in any province by the cordiality antl good feeling which should exist amongst its members . The reception I have

received from you this day shows your cordial wishes and good feelings towards me . Give me but a fair trial , and I will do all I can for the furtherance of Masonry . ( Cheers ) . Much depends on the assistance I receive from my Grand Officers , and I think that the selection I have made this day is an impartial one , and that the officers will do their duty . I feel grateful for the assistance aud support I have received this clay from neighbouring provinces . ( Cheers ) . I need not tell the Freemasons of Derby how much I feel the honour they have conferred on me , —an

honour which has been to some extent more through the position of the family that , I represent , than to myself . ( No , no ) . Brethren , before I sit down I have a toast to propose , which I am sure will be most cordially received , it is the health of the Right AVorshipful brother who was kind enough to perform , the ceremony thi * day . ( Loud cheers ) . How admirably he did perform it , I need not tell you ; it was done in a manner worthy of its importance , and worthy of the high officer who performed it . I need not say how well his officers did their work . The province

of Staffordshire will be an example to me , and it will be my study to emulate the zeal and fidelity with which Colonel Vernon conducts the affairs of his province . Brethren , I beg leave to propose to you , and I am sure yon will' drink it most cordially , " The health of Col . Vernon , Provincial Grand Master of Staffordshire . " ( Drunk with musical honours ) . Bro . Colonel A ernon acknowledged the toast , and expressed the gratification it had given him to be present that day , and to take part in the ceremony . ( Cheers ) .

Although it was the first time that lie had paid a visit to the province of Derb yshire , he cordially hoped it would not bo the last ; and from the numerous attendance from Staffordshire that day , the same cordiality , he felt sure , existed with all the brethren who had come not only to do honour to the noble marquis on his installation , but to join hand in hand with their Derbyshire brethren on that interesting occasion . On that future occasion , should they require his services , they would be given with the same hearty good will as they had been that day . ( Cheers ) . The prosperity of Masonry in this province was an object most dear to his heart . ( Cheers ) . The R . AV . Prov . Grand Master then proposed " The health of Lord Leigh , Prov