Provincial.

which was composed by Bro . Cummings , and sung for the first time in public . The following are the words : — " Almighty Architect , to Thee all praise For earthly blessings at Thy hand , But more for teaching us to raise , That building , ivhich shall for ever stand . "

The W . M ., in giving the usual loyal toast , said the past year ( I 860 ) had been an eventful one in the career of one of the Royal family , bufc he trusted that the year 1861 would not pass without the Prince of AVales becoming a brother Mason . ( Cheers . ) Tho AV . M . next proposed "The M . W . G . M . of England , and his Deputy , the Earl of Dalhousie , " whose services to the Order could nofc fail to bo appreciated by the whole of the Craft . ( Cheers . ) The W . M . then gave " The Healths of Le Gendve N . Starkiethe R . AV . Prov . G . M . of

, AVesfc Lancashire , and his Deputy , Sir Thos . G . Hesketh , Bart . " He regretted that the Prov . G . M . was so . infirm from age that he could not attend to the duties of the province , bufc they were ably performed by Sir Thomas , who , it was well known , frequently put himself to a great inconvenience in being ready at all times to advance the interests of the province . Bro . Henry Lumb , P . M . 310 , proposed " The Health ofthe AV . M ., " which was heartily received . —The W . M . in returning thankssaid he . always felt great pleasure in the

, , society of his brother Masons , and lie trusted that his connexion with the lodge would extend to a ripe old age , or the termination of his terrestrial career . He was always happy to meet with the brethren in his intercourse with the world , for he had experienced niaiiy acfcs of kindness from them—quite as much as he could expect from his own friends . He concluded by giving " The Healths of the P . Msof Xo . 29-1 " which was responded to bBros . Wright and

, , y Hy . Lumb . "The Healths of the newly-initiated Brethren" were afterwards given , as well as that of "The A isiting Brethren . " Bros . AVright , Horsley , and A ' eatman favoured the company by singing a number of glees , & c , which pleasingly diversified the evening ' s proceedings .

NORFOLK . GHEAT YAIUIOUTH . —Lodge of Friendship ( No . 11 . 7 ) . —The ceremony of the installation of Bro . George Harvey as AV . M . took place on Monday , the llth inst ., afc the Crown and Anchor Hotel , and was performed by Bro . Oswald Diver in a most impressive manner . The following brethren were appointed officers of the loclge for the ensuing year .- —Bros . Chipperfield , S . AV .,- II . Bly , J . AV . ; Knox , S . D . ; Wilson , J . D . ; AVillis , I . G . ; Bro . P . M . Bnnn was

appointed Treasurer , and Bro . H . J . Norfor , Secretary . Messrs . H . Fenner ancl Burton was also initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Ancient Freemasonry , after ivhich about forty brethren assembled at the banquet , amongst whom were Bros . George Harvey , AV . M . 117 ; Hyams , P . G . D . C . ; and Bro . Stevens , AV . M . 2-18 , from Norwich ; Bros . Clark , Combes , Presfc , and Arrowsmith , from Lowestoft ; Bros . Falcke , J . C . Smith , C . H . Chamber !!]] , 0 . Diver , J . AV . Bumi , F . AV . Perrier , AV . Wright ,

S . Aldred , J . Tomlinson , Henry J . Norfor , R . Pratt , J . A . Foreman , AV . AVillis , Hanlon , AVilson , Stanford , G . Knox , G . Diver , Bee , Crowe , Franklin , AAlnder , G . AAllght , Townshend , Fenner , & c . The usual loyal ancl Masonic toasts having been given and responded to in true Masonic style and custom , the brethren separated about eleven o'clock , highly gratified on having attended a very happy meeting . The AV . M . stated during the evening that forty-six new lodges were consecrated during the past year , and dOOO members were added to this ancient and honourable fraternity .

OXFORDSHIRE . OXPOED . —Apollo University Lodge ( No 4 G 0 ) . —The installation of the W . M . elecfc , Bro . the Rev . R , W . Norman , P . Prov . G . Chap ., took place at the Masonic Hall on Monday , Feb . llth , in the presence of a large number of the brethren . The ceremony of installation was admirably performed by the D . Prov . G . M . of Oxfordshire , Bro . Alderman R . J . Spiers . On the conclusion of the ceremony , the

AV . M . appointecl his officers for the year , as follows : —S . AV ., Sir George Grant , Bart ., Christ Church ; J . AV ., AV . Oswell Thompson , Exeter College ; Chap ., Rev . E . C . Adams , A \ or . Coll . ; Sec , F . AV . A . Bowyer , Christ Church ; S . D ., E . C . S . Thompson , Trinity College ; J . D ., C . AV . N . Ogilvie , Christ Church ; Org ., AV . Harrison , Brasenose College ; M . of Cers ., Cave Brown Cave , Brasenose College ; Assist , do ., H . Walrond , Christ Church ; I . G ., AV . Pyne , Exeter College ; Stewards , Holford C . Bisley , New College ; C . Gandy , Exeter

College ; Hon . A . J . Morgan , Merton College ; II . Brassey , University College ; P . Arden , Brasenose College ; R . P . Roberts , Oriel College ; ancl J . Turner , Balliol College . After the newly appointed officers had taken their respective places in the lodge , Bro . Victor A . AVilliamson , accompanied by Bro . Sir G . Grant , Bart ., ancl a large number of the brethren of the Apollo Lodge , proceeded to the dais , and presented to the late AV . M ., Bro . Rev . A . H . Faber , M . A ., Fellow of New College , and Prov . S . G . W ., a massive silver inkstand , bearing the following inscription : — " Presented to the

Rev . A . H . Faber , M . A ., as a tribute ofthe esteem and affection of his officers and the brethren initiated by him during the two years he presided over the Apollo University Loclge , Feb . llth , 1861 . " Bro . AVilliamson , in presenting the testimonial , said that this pleasing duty had devolved upon him , and of all the many duties which he had been called upon to fulfil , he did not hesitate to say that this was the most pleasurable that had ever fallen to this lot . In the name of the brethren of the lodge , he begged to hand to the late

AV . M . this testimonial ofthe high esteem which they entertained for him as a man and a Mason . Bro . Faber , in reply , said that he . was so taken by surprise , not having had the slightest intimation of what was about to take place , thafc he was utterly at a loss to convey to them , in adequate terms , how much he appreciated the kindness and sympathy conveyed through their elegant present-He regretted that he could nofc make use of it for the first-time in , conveying , by his penthose thanks which his tongue failed to

ex-, press ; but if he could have clone so , it ivould not have been with , greater sincerity or with a deeper sense of their kindness on this , as well as on every occasion . Wherever his duties might fall , he should never look upon their gift without being reminded of the many happy hours which he had spent among them , and of the many acts of kindness , confidence , and support whicli he had received at their hands , ancl which were indelibly impressed upon his memory . On the conclusion of the business the annual festival of

the lodge was celebrated by a banquet , at which about seventy were present , including the D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Aid . Spiers ; the following . P . Ms ., Bros . Faber , New Coll . ; Pickard , Cii . C'h . ; Bedford , Brasenose ; . Aid . Sadler ( Mayor ); T . Randall ( late Mayor ); AV . Thompson ( Sheriff ); . Aid . Dudley , J . Wyatfc , Martin , Bevers , and Houghton ; E . Bainsforcl , AV . M . ofthe Alfred Lodge ; J . Scroggs , AV . M . elect ofthe Cherwell Lodge ; Bros . AVhite , Brasenose ; Down , Brasenose ; Blandy Jenkins , Halsay Ch . Ch . ; BlakostonSt . John ' sTurnerBalliolSalting .

, ; , ; , Queen ' s ; Dowson , Exeter ; Dew , Exeter ; AVarburton , Ch . Ch . ; Rev .. T . F . T . Ravenshaw , Oriel ; Glynn , Univ . Coll . ; Lindsay , Univ . ; AViliamson , Ch . Ch . ; Jfeaves , Balliol ; Jackson , Lincoln ; J . Prior , Briscoe ,. Holmes , Q- . Taunton , J . AInceufc , C . Vincent , Wootten , Ringrose , Cunningham , Hobbs , Birch , Simmonds , Plowman , ancl every one of the officers of the loclge . The Prov . G . M ., Bro . H . A . Bowyer , who has . seldom been absent from this festival , was , very much to the regret

of all the brethren , unable to be present in consequence of illness .. The newly installed AV . M ., Bro . Rev . E . W . Norman , presided , -and introduced the various toasts with great ability and e / iect ; the proceedings were diversified by songs from various brethren , and . altogether the festival was one of unmixed enjoyment , ancl a . great success . The banquet , as well-as all the arrangements , which were admirable , were conducted by „ the Treasurer to the loclge , Bro .. AV . Thompson , who catered most liberally ancl j udiciously , ancl spared no pains to promote the comfort and happiness of fche party .

STAFFORDSHIRE . AVoi / VEiiHAMi'TOX . —St . Peter ' s Lodge ( No . C 07 ) . —This lodge held its usual monthly meeting at the Star and Garter Hotel , Wolverhampton , on the 7 th insfc . The circular announced the passing of Bro . Pratt , and also the raising of Bro . Hinde ; but , from some un explained reason ,. neither of them were presen t . . There was an excellent attendance—doubtless attracted to witness the Masonic abilities of the newly-appointed AV . M . Bro . J . Haseler .

, The sum of £ 3 3 * . was unanimously granted to the fund now being , raised for the distressed poor of Wolverhampton . The lodge having been duly closed , fche brethren adjourned to the banquet . The D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Burton , in responding to the toast of his own health , passed a very high eulogium upon the AV . M ., Officers ,, mid general working of the Order .

SUSSEX . BMOHTOX . —Royal Clarence Lodge ( No . 338 ) . — -Afc the monthly meeting of this loclge , held on Friday , the 15 th inst ., at the Old Ship Hotel , the newly-elected AV . M ., Bro . J . Dixon , presiding , a successful ballot was taken for Mr . Crawford , John Pocock , son of Bro . Gavin Elliot Pocock , P . G . S . B ., P . M . 338 , 390 , and the respected Provincial Grancl Secretary ^ of Sussex . BiiiGiirox . —At the usual fortnightlmeeting of the Brihton

y g Loclge of Masonic Instruction , at the Old Ship Hotel , on the 12 th inst ., the 'Treasurer , Secretary , ancl Board of General Purposes were unanimously re-elected . The report ot the latter slioived a small balance in hand ; and that the jewels , furniture , i . werfe paid for .

YORKSHIRE ( WEST ) . SHEFFIELD . —Britannia Lodge ( No . 162 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this loclge took place on Thursday , 11-th inst ., at the lodge rooms in the Music Hall . Bro . Win . AVhite , jun ., AV . M ., presided , and in a very impressive manner passed Bro . Tomlinson to the degree of F . C , and gave the lecture on the Tracing Board . A paper was then read by Bro . Hy . AVebster , Sec , on " Masonic