Provincial.

. visit to the West . Other toasts and speeches followed , the toasts concluding with that of an earnest hope for speedy relief ¦ to all distressed Hasons wherever they may be . HERTFORDSHIRE . WATFORD . — Provincial Grand Lodge . — This Provincial Grand Lodge was held on the 15 th inst . at the handsome Masonic

Hall of the Watford Lodge , No . 40-1 , which , having recently undergone a thorough repair , presented a very chaste and elegant appearance , decorated as it is by so many excellent portraits of departed and present distinguished members of that lodge . On the present occasion more than usual interest was felt by the brethren , it having been understood that an additional portrait—viz ., that of Bro . George Francis , P . M ., D . Prov . G . M .,

and S . G . D ., painted by Bro . Westcott , of Cavendish-square , a member of the Watford Lodge—would be inaugurated ; the meeting was consequently very numerously attended . The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in ample form by the R . W . Bro . Stuart , Prov . G . M ., supported by Bros . Francis , D . Prov . G . M . ; Obey , Prov . S . G . W . ; Lambert , P . Prov . J . G . W ., acting as Prov . J . G . W . ; Rogers , Prov . G . Treas . ; H . C . Finch , Prov . G .

¦ Reg . ; Sedgwick , Prov . G . Sec . ; Thomas and Heath , Prov . G . D ' s . ; Wilson lies , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; Burchell-Herne , jun ., Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; Steavenson , Prov . G . Purst . Amongst the Past Grand Officers present wero Bros . Barriugev , BurelieUHerne , sen ., Tortch , Brett , Lane , Copoland , and others . From the 'Treasurer ' s statement it appeared that he had a very substantial balance in hand , indicating that Masonry in this

province , by the large increase of the amount of quarterage and -fees , was largely extending . On the proposition of Bro . Francis , seconded by Bro . Lambert , Bro . Rogers was unanimously reelected Prov . G . Treasurer . Tho ll . W . Prov . G . M . then made the following appointments for tho ensuing year : — Bro . Captain Laytou , 40-t S . G . W . „ Thomas 449 ( son of the late

Lloyd Thomas , l > . Prov . G . M . ) J . G . W . „ Rev . G . Finch , 404 G . Chap . „ H . C . Finch , 404 G . Reg . „ Sedgwick , 401 G . Sec . „ Johnson , 504 ,... S . G . D . „ T . F . Halsey , 404 J . G . D . „ Warr , SG 9 G . Supt of Works . „ Wilson lies , 404 G . Dir of Cers . „ Wright , 504 G . Purst . „ Adam , 304 G . S . Bearer . ,, Foord , 40-i ' . G . Steward .

.. After some further routine business the Provincial Grand Lodge ¦ wa s closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . It is only justice to tbe landlord of the Essex Arms , Mr . Morgan , to -. say that the supply of viands as to quantity and quality was unexceptionable , and the wines from the private cellar of the Watford Lodge gave general satisfaction . At the close of the banquet the Prov . G . M . gave the usual toasts , "The Queen and the Craft" "The MWGMthe Earl

, .... of Zetland , " and " The D . G . M . and G . Officers , " responded to by Bro . Francis , S . G . D . Bro . Burchell-Ileriie , P . Prov . S . G . W ., then proposed the health of tho Prov . G . M ., a toast which was received in tho usual cordial manner by the brethren . After thanking them for their kind wishes so often evinced towards him , the Prov . G . M . proposed the health of Bro . Francis- He said that he had peculiar satisfaction in

proposing it on that occasion , because , if any proof were wanting as to lira . Francis ' s qualification for the office to which it had been his privilege to appoint him , tbe evidence of his fitness was amply shown by tbe estimation in which he was held b y the brethren of the Watford Lodgo in so unanimously sub--ecribing to have bis portrait painted and placed in their ball •{ at this moment the covering ofthe portrait was removed amid

the enthusiastic cheering of the brethren ) . Bro . Stuart then called upon the brethren to drink long lifo and happiness to his distinguished deputy . As soon as the excitement consequent on the toast had subsided , Bro . Francis , whose feelings were evidently quite overpowerel , rose and said : R . W . Prov . G . Master and Brethren , —In endeavouring to express , as it is now my dutymy feelings on the present occasionI fear that I

, , shall very imperfectly do so . I must first say that since my ¦ initiation into Freemasonry , thirty-three years ago , whatever I have done for the benefit of it , like the doing of all good deeds , has brought its own reward . With regard to the Watford Lodge , in which I was initiated—and among the members

have been and are some of my oldest and most esteemed friendsif in co-operation with them I have been able to do anything for the advantage of the lodge , I have been fully rewarded in enjoying their continued esteem and regard . Brethren of the Watford Lodge , I can assert truthfully and sincerely that I never expected , never hoped for , never contemplated the event of this day . Still , I am thoroughly conscious of the great

honour conferred upon me . In fact , it is the highest honour I ever received during tbe whole course of my existence , that you have placed my portrait in this hall , under all the circumstances ofthe case , to go down to futurity among the worthies of the Watford Lodge . Before to-day there were on those walls three portraits of three distinguished brethren . Two of them are gone for ever , but , thank God , the other still remains

among us , with all tho virtues that adorn a man and a Mason ; and I express tho universal and forvent hope of all now present that bo may bo long spared to preside ovor this province . Of tho two doceasod , ono—Bro . Stewart Majoribanks—was an eminent Mason , a man of tho manliest character , from largo moans gave with a bountiful hand , and was a munificent benefactor to tho Watford Lodgo . The other , Bro . T . A . Ward , had not thoso moans , but gave liberally his precious time , aud , from his groat acquirements in Freemasonry , in working tho lodgo , aud iufusins into it that harmony which is tho vitality of our Order ,

his death was deeply mourned by all who know him . Brethren of tho Watford Lodgo , I cannot thank you as I ought ; I cannot thank you a 3 I would ; I can only ioobly thank you in comparison with what I now l ' oel ; hut thoro is this slight consolation in believing that if a man of eloquence wore in my present position , ho would fail to find words to convoy the sontimonts such as are now mine—sentiments of tho doo ] . ost gratitude , of pardonable pride , of esteem and brotherly love , and all thoso

generous sentiments that aro responsive to so generous an act on your part . I regret that our brother , tho artist of tho portrait , is unavoidably absent . I should havo been ploasod to havo offered to him my grateful acknowledgments for having displayed bis distinguished talent , and produced a first-rate work of art . Brethren of tho other Hertfordshire lodges , I fancy our R . W . Prov . G . Master summoned bis annual Grand Lodgo to Watford to-day to afford moro honour and gratification to tho brother

who is now addressing you—that aftor discharging your duties in bis Grand Lodgo you might now join iu tho proceedings relating to myself . For tho countenance you havo given to , . md tho interest you havo takou in them , pray accept my kindest thanks . Other toasts followed , and tho brethren , who had passed a most joyous aud social evening , broke up at rather : i lato hour . . It is only duo to Bro . Westcott to add that it was tho unanimous opinion of tho brethren that tho portrait was not only a very duo painting , but an excellent likeness of Bro . Francis .

KENT . BEI . VIDI . BE LODGE . —Presentation lo Bro . Savage . —At the conclusion of the usual lodge business on the 13 th instant , the members of the Belvidere Lodge sat down to an elegant banquet in their i-oom at the Star Hotel . Tiie special object of the gathering was to present to Bro . Savage , of London , his portrait , in grateful recognition of bis having , for the long period of

twenty-one years , without any intermission , installed the Worshipful Masters of the Belvidere Lodge . Such an unbroken series of installations by one brother is probably without parallel . The W . M . of the lodge , Bro . J . Grundy , presided , Slaving on his right the guest of the evening , Bro . Savage , and on bis left the D . Prov . G . Master for Kent , Bro . XV . F . Dobson . There were also present , as visitors , Bros . Rev . R . Garland , Dr .

Davies , Hughes , E . B . Smith , and tbe following members of the lodge : —Bros . Pike , Vale , Page , Cruttenden , sen ., C . Philpot , Sergeant , Couper , Hartnup , F . W . Dav , P . M . 's ; Ker , S . W . ; C . Foord , J . D . ; Corke , I . G . ; Webb , ' S-V > . ; Anscomb , Briggs , Martin , Goad , R . Foord , Goodwin , Burtenshaw , and Hubbard . The banquet was prepared with the usual good taste of Bro . Hubbard , tbe dessert and wines being especially choice . After

the removal of the cloth the XYM . gave the usual loyal arid Masonic toasts , which were duly honoured . In making the presentation to Bro . Savage tbe W . M . alluded , in graceful terms , to the obligation which the members of the lodge , and especially the Past Masters , were under to him . Tbe likeness , he observed , was a ' most faithful one ; and , whilst one copy was handed to Bro . Savage , another would be retained by the lodge . In returning thanks , Bro . Savage said it always gave him great pleasure to visit tbe Belvidere Lodge , and be hoped he might be spared many years to perform the ceremony of installation .