Provincial.

Durham ; " " The Right "Worshipful Henry Fenwick , M . P ., Lord of the Admiralty , Deputy Provincial Grand Master ot Durham , and the other Provincial Grand Officers . " Bro . Best then proposed in a eulogistic speech , "The Past Master , Bro . Dodds , " who responded Avith much grace and feeling , and then proposed with great good taste , "The Installing Grand Master , Bro . Knoivles , Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon ; " the Worshipful Master of the Tees Lodge , ancl the Officers of the Lodge , ivere

next proposed , and then Bro . Dodds , in an eloquent speech , proposed " The Visiting Brethren , " coupling with it the names of Bro . Dale , of the Lodge of Affability ( No . 317 ) , AVIIO had now been fifty ancl sixty years a Mason ; Bro . Ferry , of Sunderland , AA'ho hacl delig hted them with his great abilifcies " uuriiig the evening ; and Bro . Emra Holmes , of the St . Helen's Lodge , Hartlepool . " One of the great principles of harmony Avas its universality , " he said ; " we are all members of one Grand

Loclge below , as we hope ive shall bo members of one Grand Loclge above . " Bro . Dodcl's speech was truly Masonic , ancl Ave should have liked to have transcribed the Avhole of it , but neither time nor space are at our disposal . Bro . Emra Holmes , in responding , begged to thank Bro . Dodd for fche flattering Avay in Avhich his name hacl been mentioned , and the brethren for the kind Avay in which they had received it , but Avould venture to demur to being included amongst the visitors , as he happened to

be a member of both the Loclge of Philanthropy ancl the Tees Loclge , Stockton , as Avell as St . Helen ' s , Hartlepool . Various other toasts were proposed and responded to , and the harmony of the evening was contributed to by Bros . Ferry , Emra Holmes , Jordison , Settle , and Hart , AVIIO sang some of the best known and popular songs of the clay , Bro . Jewson accompanying on the piano with his usual affability ancl ability . Bro . Ferry rendered " The three ages of love , " and " The Village Blacksmith , " in splendid style . His singing of "Simon the Cellarer , " Avas also very effective . The brethren separated at a late hour .

ESSEX . COLCHESTER . — "United Lodge ( No . 697 ) . —At a recent meeting of this lodge , held at the George Hotel , Bro . Captain Boyce , W . M ,, proposed , and Bro . Quartermaster Anderson , S . W ., seconded , ancl the proposition was carried unanimously by the brethren present—that a subscription be set on foot for the purpose of purchasing a testimonial for presentation to Bro . P . Early , for some years secretary of the lodge , in

acknowledgment ot the very able and efficient manner in which he discharged his duties . An amount was immediately raised , Avith Avhich a silver tea ancl coffee-pot ivere purchased , and suitably inscribed . The articles Avere on view at the Lodge Room at the meeting of the lodge , on the 12 th ultimo , and the following day Avere forwarded to Bro . Early , afc present stationed in Glasgow , with a letter signed by the W . M . pro tern ., Bro . Carnegie , P . M ., and Bro . Wolverson , Secretary ,

requesting Bro . Early would be pleased to receive the articles from their hands , on behalf of the lodge , and ever look upon them as a token of the affection of the brethren Avith Avhom he so long and successfull y laboured , also conveying the earnest desire of the United Lodge that Bro . Early , his wife and family might live many , many years , to look with commendable pride on the mementoes of brethren AVIIO loved , ancl wero loved by him . Bro . Carnegie , P . M ., has since received a letter

from Bro . Early , un extract of which is as follows : — " Glasgow , 26 th January , 1866 . " W . Sir ancl Brother , —I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter , giving cover to an extract from the minutes of a loclge meeting , on ivhich occasion the thanks ot the loclge hacl been awarded me for my past services as secretary . Nofc having the least idea that such an honour had been contemplated , as Avell ns the testimonial therein mentioned , makes

me doubly appreciate the kindness manifested for my poor but willing services given to the loclge . The articles received Avill recall in after clays the many social meetings I have had Avith the brethren of the United Loclge ( No . 697 ) , and I trust that the Craft in general , but the United Loclge iu particular , AA'ill prosper and flourish through her members . I therefore beg of you to convey to the brethren of the lodge my best thanks for their kindness , and promise you that I will take the first opportunity of doing so personally . " ( Signed ) F . " BADLY , late Secretary Loclge 697 . "

LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) . ST . HEXES ' S . —Lodge of Loyalty ( No . 897 ) . —Tho monthly meeting of this loclge Avas held on Tuesday , the 30 th January ,

afc the Masonic Lodge Room , Fleece Hotel , at the usual hour , six o ' clock . The lodge Avas regularly opened according to ancient custom by Bros . Wignall , W . M . ; James Morris , S . W . ; Marsh , P . M ., J . W . ( protein . ); W . C . Seddon , S . D . ; P . Robinson , J . D . ; W . Butler , I . G . ; Jos . Robinson , Secretary ; Rev . H . J . Alcock ; AV . Harrison , etc . Visitors : —Bros . Hamer , Prov . G . Treas ., aud Swift , 81 , Preseot . The minutes of the last meeting Avere read and confirmed . The ballot Avas taken for

Bro . the Rev . W . A . Mocatto , of Lodge No . 6 i 3 , Southport , as joining member , and proved unanimously in his favour-. Captain J . G . Smyth Willcocks was announced as a candidate for the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry , and was regularly initiated by Bro . Hamer , Prov . G . Treas ., in his usual impressive manner . None of the brethren for promotion being in attendance , ancl no further business on hand , the loclge was duly closed .

SUFFOLK . NEW MASONIC HALL , IPSWICH . Agreeably to promise in our issue of the 10 th , we now give the description of the buildings , AA'hich occupy about 95 ft . in length of the land purchased by the promoters , and abut upon St . Stephen ' s-passage , nearest the Church , away from the noise and bustle of the public streets . AVith the exception of the grand entrance , tbe external building is of tbe simplest kind , the brethren desiring to direct all their efforts to the ornamentation of fche internal building-, and more especially tbe

lodge room . The ball is entered by a noble doorway , of the Grecian-Doric order , supported by two massive granite columns , caps , and bases . The architrave , Avhich is of Portland stone , bears the following inscription : — " Masonic Hall , " and underneath " Erected A . L . 5865 , A . D . 1865—Col . R . S . Adair , Prov . G . M . " Within the pediment are the arms of the P . G . Master , wrought in stoneA fliht of stone steps lead to the inner doorover

. g , Avhich is tho head stone , bearing tbe Avords " Quaerite efc Invenitis . " Over the same steps is placed , a handsome bronze globe lamp , and an ornamental moulding decorates the roof above . On opening the folding doors , which are fitted Avifch ground glass , bearing Masonic emblems , the scene presented is exceedingly effective . The entrance hall , Avhich measures 22 ft . 6 in . long , 7 ft . wide , ancl 10 ft . high , is paved with Mintorn's handsome

patent encaustic tiles of buff and black , AA'ith a coloured border in blue , Avhite , ancl gold , bearing tastefrAlly designed drawings of theAvbeat , vine , ancl olive , in white upon a blue ground , being emblematical of corn , wine , and oil . In the centre of the pavement is a diamond-shaped stone , bearing in illuminated letters the names of the donors . The entrance ball is lighted wifcli handsome bronze bracket burners . This elegantly designed entrance to the ball is the generous gift of the R . AV . Prov . G . M . of Suffolk , Bro . Colonel Adair . The mouldings of the ceiling of the entrance hall give an ornamental finish to the whole , the oak leaf and fruit pattern in

plaster being cleverly arranged . On the right , and nearest the main entrance , is the banqueting room , 45 ft . long by 17 ffc . wide , and lift , in height—a fine-proportioned and well-ventilated apartment , lighted by the patent sun light , which acts as an admirable ventilator , and ceiling lights of ground glass . The chimney piece is of Portland stone , the keystone bearing Masonic emblems , and the trusses the of the donorAVith the exception-of the loclge

monogram . room , the whole , of the chimney pieces are of Portland stoneembellished with Masonic emblems ancl monograms of the brethren by whom they Avere presented . The pattern of the carpet is most appropriate , and the furniture quite in keeping Avith the arrangements of the room . It is intended as soon as the walls permit , to paper this room with crimson flock paper of a similar pattern to that now in the committee and other

rooms . Next in order , on the right , is tbe lodge room , and here the brethren seem to have concentrated all their taste , as shown in their appropriate sty le of decoration and ornamentation . When properly completed , we doubt much if any provincial town will boast of such a nobly proportioned room as that Avithin the Avails of the Now Masonic Hall . The lenth of this room is 45 feet by 20 ftwide and l 7 ffchihCommencing at the eastern end Ave

. . g . find an elegantly designed apse or alcove , consisting of two Doric columns of Parian marble , supporting an elaborately enriched arch , cleverly devised with pomegranates , lilies , and emblems pertaining to the various degrees of Masonry , keyed in Avith a Masonic stone , in which is sculptured the All-seeing