Provincial.

The Lodge than voted a sum of fifty guineas from the provincial funds to tile Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . Bro . HIXOKES , the Secretary of the Institution , expressed his thanks for the valuable aid given 1 > 3 ' them to the Institution in the past . He had never gone away from tho province emptyhanded , and he had always received from them generous sympathy . Two years ago lie had been present when their then Secretary , Bro . James , had accepted a stewardship for the annual

dinner of the Institution , ancl that brother took up with him the sum of £ 120 . AA'hen he applied to Bi-o . Dr . Burton , Jie received , through that brother's instrumentality , between £ 60 and £ 70 , and now their Provincial Grand Master had added to the obligations by accepting a stewardship for this year , ancl they had passed a liberal vote in faveur of tlie Institution . He could not say more than that he tendered his warmest and heartfelt thanks for their support .

Grand Lodge was then closed in due form , ancl subsequently a banquet was partaken of by the brethren in the Corn Exchange . THE BAXQUET

AA as held at the Exchange , and was attended by a large number of Masons . It was provided by Mr . Street , of the Star and Garter Inn , who was highly commended for the profusion of choice dishes which were placed on the table , and for the plentiful character of the general supply , but there was a defect in the waiting , ancl , consequently , the dinner was not so well enjoyed as it would have beau iu the absence of such a drawback . Bro . AA ' . X . HarveyProv . G . M . presided at a cross

, , table , being supported on the right by Bros . Foster Gough , D . Prov . G . M . ; A . H . Royds , D . " Prov . G . M . AA orcestersbire ; W . Howells , Prov . ( J . Treas . Staffordshire ; Colonel Hog" -, Prov . S . G . W . ; W . MaseflcUl , Prov . S . G . W . Worcestershire ; and C . Fendelow . Tho Prov . G . M . was supported on his left by Bros . Rev . A . Clarke , Prov . G . Chap . ; Lieutenant-Colonel VernonP . Prov . G . M . ; Dr . BurtonP . Prov . D . G . Mand Rev

, , ; . B . AA'illmore , P . Prov . G . Chap . The Masters of the local lodges , Bros . C . A . JSTewnham ar . cl H . Kitson , sat at the heads of tivo other tables , and Bro . Cartwright , the Secretary , acted as vice-chairman . The room was decorated with emblems of the Order ; the orchestra was ornamented with plants in pots ; and the galleries were occupied by numbers of the fair sex , who were evidently interested iu the proceedings . A band was

present , and performed some first-rate music in good style , and Messrs . Bickley , Fin-rell , and Glyclon , of Birmingham , gave u chaste rendering to some popular vocal selections . After dinner the Prov . G . MASTER proposed the customary loyal toasts , remarking that Masons took : i particular pride ancl pleasure in drinking the health of their beloved Queen . Referring to tho Prince of AVales , he said he had hoped that before this the Freemasons would have had the honour of

calling his Royal Highness brother , and recognising him as one of the Craft . But , though he had been disappointed , he had no doubt that before long the Prince of AA ales would become a Freemason . ( The toasts were cordially drunk . ) Bro . Dr . BURTOX , the P . Prov . D . G . Master , proposed " Tlie Army , Navy , ancl Volunteers , " recognising the services of the army and navyand observing that what they had seen of the

, volunteers argued a sincere desire on their part to follow in the footsteps of the regular army of tho country . He associated with the toast the name of Colonel Vernon , whose merits could not , he saicl , be too highly spoken of ; whether as a soldier or a private friend . ( Tlie toast was cordiall y drunk . ) Bro . Col . VEBKOJT was received with enthusiastic cheers on

_ rising to respond . After apologising for acknowledging the toast himself in the presence of Captain Segrave , who was a real " live captain , " whereas bo had been for some years " on the shelf , " the gallant Colonel saicl that after an experience of a quarter of a century in tbe army he could assure them that , though rewards and titles were hi ghly appreciated by soldiers , it was still more gratifying to them to learn that they

kacl a place in the hearts and affections of their countrymen , ancl they ivere ahvays most grateful for kindly mention on such festive occasions as tho present . He hoped ancl believed the service was now in excellent condition , and trusted it would remain so . During the last twenty , or even ten or fifteen years , much experience had been gained which would stand them in good stead , and satisfied was he that an efficient array would never be wanting in gallantry . ( Applause . ) Bro . FOSTER Gorrsir , D . Prov . G . M . responded for the

volunteers in the following terms : —I regret that my esteemed friend , Colonel Barrows , is not of our number to-clay , but in his absence I have much pleasure in divesting myself for the moment of my Masonic character , in order to acknowledge the kind and graceful compliment which has just been paid to- the citizen solcliei-s of England . But it is not of this alone that I have to speak , ancl tlie usual form of response is insufficient . The toast emanates from a body of gentlemen who have done more than

any other to advance and establish our volunteer system . Freemasonry has ever been a great and faithful supporter of the state , and of every institution tending to the security , the harmony , and the well-being of society . ( Applause . ) The ancient bretliren pursued their sacred work with the peaceful trowel in the hand and the warlike sword at tho side , and the great lesson thereby inculcated and which is taught their brethren in succeeding ages , is that next to the obedience clue to every

lawfully constituted authority is a manly and determined resistance to lawless violence . Hence , perhaps , it is little to be wondered that the volunteer movement should owe mnch to Freemasonry , or that its principal promoters ancl supporters should in so many instances have been members of the Craft . ( Cheers ) Pardon me if I limit my examples ; it is time , and not tho absence of knowledge , which alone compels me to do so . But that ray few remarks may not be incomplete , let me ask you to regard our excellent Provincial Grand Master , for in him

you see an able , energetic , and esteemed officer of the First Staffordshire Battalion ; let me ask you to regard our own town , and see that the hardest working Masons have generally been hard working volunteers , whilst our three local companies are ancl have been , from tiie day of their formation , commanded by members of tho Craft . I shall only add one more example —but if , is one which will strike home to each and every one of you—I shall make no exception . I shall say to my brethren—¦

though tho tear of heartfelt sympathy and grief but lately felt —clo not your eyes brighten and your hearts glow with happiness at the sight of one now standing in our Masonic East ? To my companions in arms I shall say : Do we not in the samo individual behold one who might most justly claim to have originated the first volunteer company in this county—one who , in this district , has made us what we are , whether as individuals

or as a battalion—aud one who , up to tho moment of his departuva from amongst v . s , was not to he surpassed by any commander in the kingdom for self-denying zeal , ability , and worth , or for any quality appertaining to the officer , the friend , or the gentleman . It is needless to say that I refer to Colonel Vernon—( applause)—the impersonation of two grand principles— of Freemasonry and volunteering—of universal peace and national defence ; principles which must go hand in band together , the latter being ever the best and surest—in fact , the only true method of securing the former . ( Applause ) .

Ihe PROV . & . MASTEE next proposed the first Masonic toast | — "The Most AVorshipful G . Ji ., the Earl of Zetland , " expressing his regret at the loss which the noble earl had recently sustained in tho decease of his beloved wife—a circumstance which had removed him in some measure from the Masonic world , and prevented him from being present on many interesting Masonic occasions . He ( the ' Prov . G . M . ) hoped they all sympathised with Uira iu his bereavementand would cordially

, drink the toast . Though , as ladies were present , they could not accord to it those honours which were peculiar to themselves as Freemasons , yet he was sure they would sooner dispense with those honours than bo without the presence and countenance of the ladies . The Prov . G . M . concluded by thanking the members of the fair sex for their attendance ou that occasion . ( The toast mis received with liearty good

feeling . ) Bro . Goucii introduced "The Health of the Most AVorshi pful G . il's . of Scotland and Ireland , " observing that considering tho kind reception invariably extended to English bretliren when visiting the sister kingdoms , the toast deserved a grateful recognition by the company . They had among them good and worthy representatives of both countries , one of whom ( Dr .

Burton ) had performed valuable services to this lod ge , and in proposing tlie toast he would couple with it the names of Bros . Dr . Burton and Colonel Hogg . Bro . Dr . Buirroy , P . Prov . D . G . M ., in responding , spoke in terms of praise of the Grand Master of Scotland , and confirmed the observations of the proposer of the toast as to the hospitality of Scotch Freemasons to visiting brethren , recommending some of his English friends to go and prove the matter for themselves .