Provincial.

Redfern , of Loclge No . 1081 ( about to be opened at Ashby-de-la-Zouch ); Gregory Knight , N . Bloxham , John Spencer , J . H . Garner , H . Phungst , Commercial Loclge , Nottingham ; J . AV . Goodwin , Past Grand Sword Bearer ; AV . H . Man-is , & c , & c . After the Lodge had been opened , and the business of the province partly transacted , the brethren adjourned privately to the site of the hall , it not being deemed desirable , owing to the season of the year , and the state of the health of the noble and reverend Provincial Grand Masterthat the public procession to

, church and from thence to the site of the building , as usual on such occasions , should take place at the present time , but should be deferred until the inauguration of the hall in the early part of the summer . The brethren met at the residence of Mr . George Read , adjoining the ground , which had most courteously and kindly been placed at their disposal by that gentleman , and moved thence in procession to the stone , which , as prescribed by the ancient ritual , was placed at the north-east corner of the intended hall .

Platforms had been erected for the convenience of the friends of the subscribers ( among whom were many ladies ) , who wero admitted hy ticket to witness the proceedings , but owing to the position of the stone being at the extreme corner of the ground , iu contiguity to a lofty building , we fear that comparatively few of those present could obtain a good view of the mystic doings . The Provincial Grand Master standing near the lower stone , with his principal officers and the Masters of Lodges in the province , near him , and the other officers

and brethren grouped around , addressed the assembly in the words of an ancient charge , as follows : — " Know all of you , that we be lawful masons , true to our country , and established of old , with peace and honour in most countries , to do good to our brethren , to erect great buildings and to fear God , who is the Great Architect of all things . To-day , we are hero assembled in the presence of you all , to build a house for Masonry , which wo pray God to prosper , if it seem good to him , that it may become a building for good men ancl good deeds , and promote harmony and brotherly love , till the world itself shall end . "

The brethren responded , " So mote it be !" The Architect ( Brother Milliean , Provincial Grand Superintendent of AVorks ) , then presented the plan of the building to the Provincial Grand Master , AA'hich his lordship returned to him , after signifying his approval of the design . The Provincial Grancl Treasurer , Brother Underwood , then presented the glass vessel containing a vellum roll , inscribed with the names of the subscribers to the building , the Provincial Grand Officers for the time being , ancl the principal officers

of tho several Lodges and Chapters in the Province , the printed scheme for the erection of tho Hall , the circulars for the meeting , copies of tho by-tows of the various Lodges , and other records connected with the craft , and a copy of the Leicester Journal , of February 11 th , which , together with a phial containing coins of her present Majesty , tho Provincial Grancl Master deposited in the cavity of the lower stone . The Prov . G . Secretary , Brother Goodyer , then read the following incription , engraved on a brass-plate : — - ¦

" I . T . N . O . T . G . A . O . T . U . " "On the 15 thFebruary , A . D . 1859 , being the 22 nd year o £ the reign o £ Queen Victoria , and of the era of Masonry 5859 , tho Right Hon . Richard AVilliam Earl Howe , 6 . O . H ., Right AVorshipful Provincial Grand Master of Freemasons for Leicestershire , according to ancient form , and amid the acclamations of his brethren , laid the corner stone of this Hall , dedicated to Masonry , which may God prosper ! Bro . AVm . Kelly , R . AV ., Dep . Prov . G . Master . ; Bro . Chas . Morris , \ . W ., Prov . J . G . AVarden ; Bro . the Right Hon . Earl FerrersV . AV . Prov . J . G . AVarden ;

, , Bro . AVilliam Milliean , Prov . G . Supt . of AVorks , Architect ; Messrs . Hutchinson and Smith , Contractors . " The Provincial Grand Master , after depositing the plato over tho hollow of the stone , spread the cement upon it , after which the upper stone was lowered to its place . The Pro \* . G . Chaplain , Bro , Picton , in a most impressive manner , then offered np the folloAving prayer - . —