Provincial.

members , and Bros . J . Grinsell , W . M . 1 , 016 , and E . H . Hunt , 188 , as visitors , there being no candidate for either degree , the 3 rd and 4 th sections of the 1 st lecture were worked by the officers . A candidate for initiation was then proposed , and nothing further offering , the lodge was closed in perfect harmony . The excellent performance of the Halleluliah Chorus by Bro . Parker , on the organ , during the evening was highly appreciated by the brethren .

Ireland.

IRELAND .

BELFAST . HIEAM ' S LODGE ( NO . 97 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the rooms , Donegall-place Buildings , on Friday evening , the 14 th inst . There was a large attendance —the newly-elected W . M ., Bro . Robt . Hays , in the chair . After the transaction of lodge business , some new candidates were balloted for , and a brother initiated in the first degree , having

been found eligible on the application of the usual tests . The S ecretary liaving occasion to leave town for some time , Bro . Doctor Martin was unanimously elected to the office . A conversation took place regarding the necessity of the brethren supporting the new Masonic Hall project , by paying up the calls on the shares taken , and otherwise strengthening the hands oftlie directors , the hall being now in an advanced state ,

and the builder getting through the work without delay . The lodge having been closed in due form , the brethren adjourned to the refreshment room , where a very pleasant and harmonious hour was spent .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

DEVONSHIRE . ExstouTH . —Suit Chapter , ( So . 106 ) . —The quarterly meeting of this chapter , was held on Monday , the 17 th inst . Soon after high noon tho 1 st chair was taken by M . E . Comp . Dr Hodge , Z . ; the 2 nd by E . Comp . P . M . Hadley , H . j the 3 rd by M . E . Comp . Dr . Hopkins , P . Z ., acting as J . After the chapter had been formally opened , the Comps . were admitted , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The

following appointments were made by the votes of the members , after having been duly proposed and seconded : Comps . Thwaites , P . Z . Treas . ; Lewis , Janitor ; Storke , Org . ; Bovey , Priii . Soj . A ballot was taken for Bros . Q . C . Rotlierliam , W . G . Ellis , W . M . 797 , and J . P . Estlin , as candidates for exaltation , which was in each case favourable , but only the two latter subsequently presented themselves . The Companions were then requested to withdraw . A board of 1 st principals was constitutedand

, Comp . P . M . Hadloy , ivas duly installed as Z . It was then closed , a board of 2 nd principals was constituted , ancl Comp . W . Haynies was installed as H . It was then closed , a board of 3 rd principals was constituted , and Comp . Glanfield was placed in the chair as J . After it had been closed , the companions were re-admitted . The installation ceremonies were performed by

Comp . Dr , Hopkins , P . Z . For the exaltations which followed the chairs , were taken thus : Comps . Dr . Hodge , Z . ; Hadley , H . ; Dr . Hopkins , P . Z . as J . ; Bastin , E . ; Pridham , N . ; Glanfield , Pr . Soj . The candidates were admitted , properly prepared , ancl dnly exalted to the supreme degree of the Royal Arch . The historical lecture was given by Comp . Baslin , P . Z ., and the prophetical and symbolical lectures by Comp . Dr . Hopkins , P . Z . After some complimentary remarks from the MEZIIand

..., ., others , a unanimous vote of thanks was passed to the last-named M . E . Comp ., for his services as installing M . E . Z ., ancl the assistance he had rendered by occupying one of the chairs , and giving the lectures , which was ordered to be entered on the minutes ; Comp Dr . Hopkins , made a suitable acknowledgment for the compliment , embracing the opportunity to oiler some advice to young Masonsespecially the newlexalted membersand to

, y , remark on the duty of all to remember their obli gation in the 3 rd degree , to render assistance and instruction to their brethren in the inferior degrees . The M . E . Z . acting , brought before the chapter the variations existing in different districts in workin" - the R . A . ceremonies , and read some correspondence lie had received from eminent Masons on the subject . After some discussion he promised to attend the next convocation of Prov . G .

Royal Arch.

Chapter ; and endeavour to obtain united action to be brought to bear on the Grand chapter on this point , with a view to the adoption of an authorized ritual . The chapter was finally closed at 3 p . m . An adjournment to the banqueting room then took place , where a most excellent dinner was heartily enjoyed by about 25 companions , for which great credit is clue to Comp . Bastinthe hostwho had provided most liberally . The chair

, , of President was of course taken by Comp . Hadley , the newly installed M . E . Z ., and the vice-chair by Comp . Glanfield , J . The usual toasts were duly honoured , and a most enjoyable evening was spent , the party breaking up about seven o ' clock , as many had to return home by railway to Dartmouth , Torquay , Totnes , Exeter , & e .

IRELAND . BELFAST . —The Royal Arch Chapter , in connexion with Hiram ' s Lodge , No . 97 , met in their rooms , Donegnll Place Buildings , on Monday evening , the 10 th inst ., at seven o ' clock , Bro . James Fitchie King , presiding . After the transaction of business relating to the chapter , a number of candidates were proposed . The chapter was then closed in ancient form to the

25 th inst ., at which time a number of brethren who have received the degree of M . M . M . will be advanced to that of R . A . The brethren then adjourned to the refreshment room , where after spending a very pleasant hour , they separated .

Knights Templar.

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR .

WARWICKSHIRE . BIRMINGHAM . —Hoioe Bncampment . —The regular quarterly meeting of tbe above encampment , was held at tho Masonic Rooms , on Friday , the 14 th inst ., and after having opened according to ancient rites by the Knt . J . B . Hebbert , E . G ., Comp . Enoch Kent , was admitted , properly proposed , and installed as a Kniht of the Order . In the absence of the 1 st

g and 2 nd Captains , those offices were filled by Sir Knt . T . N . Bold , P . E . C , of Lancashire , and Sir Knt . Thomas Partridge , A candidate for installation was proposed , and the encampment was then closed in due form . This encampment , which has been at a low ebb for some time , bids fair to occupy soon its former flourishing condition .

Scotland.

SCOTLAND .

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE CROFTHEAD AND KILMARNOCK EXTENSION RAILWAY VIADUCT AT LAINSHAW , STEWARTON . On Monday , the 10 th inst ., the interesting ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the last arch of the railway viaduct across the Annick at Lainshaw , Stewarton , was very gracefully performed by Bro . Colonel Mure , of Caldwell , R . W . M . of Mother

Kilwinning , and Prov . G . Master of Ayrshire , assisted by the Prov . Grand Office-Bearers , in presence of a large assemblage of the Craft and an immense number of spectators . The members of Mother Kilwinning , with the Prov . G . Master and other members oftlie Craft , began to assemble in the Masons' Hall about one o ' clock , and shortly afterwards a Prov . G . Lodge was opened . Bro . Colonel Mure was supported by his P . G . officers and by the representatives of seventeen lodges . Among those

present we observed Bros . Wylie , Past P . G . M . ; John Steven , D . P . G . M . ; Neil Robson , Bonrtreehill , Acting S . P . G . M . ; D . Murray Lyon ( one of the Grand Stewards in the Grand Lodge of Scotland ) , Senior P . G . Warden ; John Whinton , P . G . Treas . ; Rev . Alex . Inglis , P . G . Chap . ; John M'Kay , R . W . M . 22 , Acting S . P . G . W . ; John Brown , R . W . M . 51 , Acting J . P . G . W . ; Robert Armour , R . W . M . 179 , J . P . G . D . ; W . R . Patrick of Trearne ; R . Cochran Patrick of U'oodsido ; Captain Neil of

Swinridgemuir ; Roger -Montgomerie of Annick , Advocate-Depute ; John . Oarruthers ; William Gemmell , Oxeuvvard ; James Gillespie ; William Kennedy ; Charles Brackenridge ; James Muir ( P . G . M . 's brother ); James Maenaughton ; Bailie Brown , Stewarton ; James Thompson , Renfrew ; Archd . M'Kay , David Brown , Dr . Gray , Robert Auld , James Buchanan , Wm . Craig , Wm . Shaw , H . Neal , Hugh Reid , Alex . M'LeocI , Tliomas Gray , W . J . Hunter , Wm . Cochran James Craig ; Jolly , inspector of railway works , St . Cuthbert ' s , Kirkcudbright , 41 ; Gillies , Caledonian Railway ,