Provincial.

Jurisprudence . " The experience and facility acquired in the study and practice of the legal profession for investigating and elucidating varied , and sometimes apparently conflicting enactments , and points of evidence , peculiarly fitted Bro . AA ehster for handling his subject in such a manner as to be both interesting and instructive to the brethren . He said that the only way in ivhich the

Constitutions of the Craft could be well understood , ancl their beauty appreciated , was by bringing to the consideration of them such a frame of mind as could alone bo produced by the development ol the great principles of our Order ; and that thus only could we be reconciled to laws which might appear unjust , and in many cases unintelligible to ordinary readers , and see in them the embodiment of those benign influences of Freemasonry ivhich have been seen from the beginning of the worldand will be to the end of time .

, After paying a well-deserveil tribute of respect anil praise to the many excellent Past Masters ofthe Britannia Lodge , Bro . AA ebster brought forward many points of Masonic jurisprudence , choosing those which he considered either of special interest , or such ¦ as would rarely come within ordinary observation in the loclge . Commencing with the constitution of a regular loclge , he defined the rights it possessed of making by-laws , choosing members , electing and installing officers , admitting candidates , representation

in Grancl ancl Prov . Grand Lodges , suspending and excluding disorderly members , exacting fees , regulating its own proceedings , and obtaining certificates for brethren raised to the third degree . He went fully into the question of the ballot , and whilst declaring it to be , from his reading of the Constitutions , the undoubted and inalienable right of every member to blackball , strongly urged the "brethren in all cases to attend to the very judicious suggestion -printed with the by-laws of this loclge , and which , in fact , is here

considered almost in the same light as a by-law , that a member intending to blackball should confide his secret to the safe keeping of the AV . M . ; so that , by withdrawing the candidate ' s name , the annoyance of blackballing may be avoided , and the minute-book

kept clear of the entry of such an unpleasant event . After touching -upon the proceedings at lodge meetings , and the unsatisfactory state in which a question was left by a refusal to confirm the minutes , unless such l'efusal was prompted by the principles before alluded to , and for the furthering and protecting which the power ¦ of non-confirmation was undoubtedly given , the paper described the duties , responsibilities , and privileges of the AV . M . and his officersto whom are entrusted the due preservation of our ancient

, ¦ usages and customs ; the careful conduct of the initiate through the varied and interesting paths of Masonic knowledge , to the full appreciation of our whole system ; and the proper illustrations of those sublime principles which teach us how to live , ancl how to die , so thative may hope finally to be members of that Grand Loclge above , into which alone can enter that which is PEEFECT , JUST , and TEUE . In speaking of the office of CharitStewardwhich is the

_ y , title given to the brother who is delegated to represent the lodge on the Provincial Charity Committee , under the system so admirably worked in Yorkshire ( AVest ) , Bro . AA ebster , who occupies this post , took occasion to thank the brethren for having , by their liberal contribution of £ 100 at the recent Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , placed Sheffield at the head of the -subscription list in . the province , and contributed in no small

degree to place Yorkshire ( West ) in the same proud position with respect to other provinces ; and afc the same time he urged renewed effort , in order to keep pace with the zeal apparent in other towns and provinces , to support our charities in such a manner as becometh worthy Masons . Another officer of the Britannia Loclge is the Relievhig-officer , or Almoner ; who , whilst relieving the necessities of the unfortunate the brethren

, preserves from the liability of imposition , and prevents the necessity of their investigating every ease for themselves . A vote of thanks , on the proposition of Bro . J . A . Eaclon , P . M ., seconded by Bro . E . Harrison , P . M ., was unanimously accorded to Bro . Webster for bis excellent paper , which displayed great ability and true Masonic feelinsr .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

CHESHIRE . BIHKE - N-IIEAD . —JoppaLodge ( S . C . No . 5 ) . —The usual meeting of the members of this prosperous ; lodge was held on Tuesday evening , the 12 th inst ., at their rooms , Park Hotel , Grange-lane . Bro . John AVilson , R . AV . M ., presided , and was well supported by Bro . AV . Skirving , S . A \ . ; Bro . X . Piatt , J . AV . ; and all the assistant officers . Among the visitors were Bro . AV . ' !' . May , Prov . G . S . for the Western Division of Lancashire , and P . M . 971 ; and Bro . Fairfax

, J . AV . 880 . After the business of the evening , which consisted in advancing Bro . A . S . Samuel , of Lodge 2 G 3 , to this beautiful degree , Uro . K . (> . AVilloughby , P . R . AV . M . and Prov . G . J . W . for Cheshire , in a most impressive manner presented , on behalf of the

Mark Masonry.

brethren of the lodge , a handsome electi-o-plated tea-pot to Bro . Henry Bulley , P . R . AV . M ., as a mark of the fraternal esteem in which he is held by them . The brethren then adjourned to refreshment , and after enjoying a happy ancl instructive evening , separated at mi early hour . The above present bore a suitable inscription , and was the manufacture of the well-known firm of Elkington , Mason , & Co ., of Birminsham , & c .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

KENT . CHATHAM . —Jloyal Kent Chapter of Antiquity ( No . 20 . )—The quarterly convocation of this chapter was held on AVednesday , the 13 th inst ., at the Sun Hotel ; present , Bros . Ashley , P . Z ., P . Pi'ov . D . G . M . ; Keddell , P . Z ., P . S . G . AV . ; Saunders , P . Z ., P . Prov . S . G . AV ; Isaacs , P . Z ., P . Prov . S . G . AA " . ; AVindeyer , P . Z ., P . Prov . G . Reg . ; Moore , M . E . Z . ; Cooley , H . ; Delmar , J . ; G . A . Everist , AV . H . EveristSlyHaw-treySkiller & c . ; Comps . SprattGreen & c

, , , , , , , visitors . The chapter being duly opened , the minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed . Comp . H . AV . Moore being unable to attend last meeting , was duly installed 1 st Principal by Comp . Keddell , in his usual masterly style . At the urgent solicitation of the M . E . Z ., Comp . Ashley kindly consented to occupy the chair , and in a most impressive manner exalted Bros . Brander , No . 20 ; LawlerNo . 167 ( Ireland ); BlythNo . 898 ; S . AustenNo .

, , , 216 . After which the sum of five pounds was voted to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Fund for Aged and Decayed Masons . The business being ended , the chapter was closed in solemn form . The Companions then adjourned to an excellent banquet , when the usual toasts , & c , having been given and responded to , the meeting separated , after having passed a happy evening .

LEICESTERSHIRE . LEICESTEE . —Chapter of Fortitude ( No . 34-8 ) . —A quarterly convocation of this chapter was held at the Freemasons' Hall on Thursday , Jthe 1-tth instant , when the following companions were present : —Underwood , M . E . Z . ; Kinder , H . ; Bankart , J . ; Clephan , P . Z ., AVindram , P . Z . ; Pettifor , P . Z . ; T . H . AVheeler , P . Z . ; Cummings , E . ; Brewin , P . S . ; Davis , Bithrey , Goodwin , and II . AA " . AVheeler . The chapter having been opened ., and the minutes of the

last meeting read and confirmed , a ballot was taken for Comp . Edward Finch Dawson , of Launde Abbey , as a joining member , and for Bro . Geo . Fieldhouse Lloyd , of tbe John of Gaunt Lodge ( No . 766 ) , who were duly elected , and Bro . Lloyd , being in attendance was exalted , as was also Bro . Thomas Herbert , of St . John's Lodge ( No . 31-8 ) , who had been elected at the previous convocation . Coinp . AVindram , P . Z ., proposed , and Comp . Bithrey seconded , the following resolution : —That the portion ofthe by-lawsNo . 2 which fixes the

, , day of meeting for the third Monday in the month of February , May , August , and November , be rescinded , and that the day of meeting in future bo the second Thursday in those months . A ballot having been taken for principals for the ensuing year , Comps . Underwood , Kinder , and Bankart were re-elected . The chapter was then closed with prayer , ancl in solemn form .

YORKSHIRE ( WEST ) . SHEFFIELD . —Chapter of Paradise ( No . 162 ) . —The regular convocation was held on Monday , 18 th inst ,, at the Music Hall . Comp . Dr . Bartoloine , M . E . Z ., presided , with Comp . Danby , P . Z ., as H ., and Comp . Naylor , P . Z . as J . Bro . H . AVebster , the indefatigable Secretary of the Britannia Lodge ( No . 162 ) , was exalted to this supreme degree . The ceremony was performed in a very excellent manner , and the lectures were ably given by the three principals . Comp . Hay , P . S ., and indeed all the officers , appeared to be thoroughly acquainted with their work , and fully ecpial to the proper performance of their duties .

SCOTLAND . A Provincial Grand Chapter has been constituted for the City , Province , and County of Aberdeen , under the auspices of Comp the Marquis of Huntly , as Grand Superintendent . On the 15 th January , the members of the several chapters assembled in the Masonic Hall , 115 , Union-street , for the election of the subordinate office-bearers , and on the 12 th inst . they were installed . The following are the officers . —Comps . the Marquis

of Huntly , P . Z . 57 , Prov . G . Sup . ; Edward , 1 . Henessey , P . Z . 21 , Dep . Prov . G . Sup . ; George Middleton , P . ll . 57 , Prov . G . H . ; John Duncan , P . P . Z . 30 , Prov . G . I . ; AVilliam Taylor , P . H . 21 , Prov . G . Scribe E . ; George Stables , jun ., 1 G , Prov . G . Scribe N . ; Alexander Fraser , 30 , Prov . G . Treas . ; John Lambs , 21 , 1 st Soj . ; James Jackson , 21 , 2 nd Soj . ; Thomas Menzies , 30 , 3 rd Soj . ; James Watson , P . Z . 21 , Sup . of AVorks ; Francis Gray , 57 , Recorder ; Robert Hughes , 30 , Jeweller ; John Thom , 16 , and Peter Barrie , 21 , Standard-bearers ; Daniel Campbel . 21 , Tyler .