Provincial.

by Bro . J . Darwcn , AV . M ., who opened tho lodge in the first degree , supported by Bro . Chirm , S . W . ; Bro . Wm . Hutton , J . AV . ; Bro . Dr . Hopkins , P . M . 43 and 958 , & c , acting as I . P . M . In the course of the evening Bro . Nelson , P . D . Prov . G . M . AA ' est Yorkshire , attended as a visitor . Tho minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . S . J . Hargrove was presented as a candidate for the degree of F . C , examined , ¦ entrustedand dismissed for preparation . The lodge was then

, opened in the second degree , the candidate was readmitted and duly jiassed by the AA' . M ., at whose request Bro . Dr . Hopkins afterwards gave him the charge appropriate to this degree , and also the lecture on the second tracing board , in a style which elicited expressions of approbation from the AA . M . and others , and a formal vote of thanks for the instruction thus afforded . The lodge was then closed in the second degree . The AV . M .

brought before tbe brethren a matter in which the acting I . P . M . has lately occupied himself , namely , tho construction of book markers bearing Masonic mottoes , quotations , and illustrative ¦ designs , executed with the pen , in great variety and of several kinds for various purposes , one set of them being intended for the lodge Bible , to show where it ought to be opened for each degree . Bro , Dr . H . made some remarks upon them , pointing

out his appropriation of the jjroceeds to tho Masonic Charities , to which he had thus been able to contribute twenty-five guineas , and hoped still to make farther donations . The lodge ordered ¦ one set , and several brethren purchased them for their own private use . The lodge was closed at eight o ' clock , and the brethren adjourned for refreshment , after which the usual Masonic toasts were duly honouredand addresses delivered b

, y the visitors , Bro . Nelson especially alluding to the efforts made in AVest Yorkshire for the Charities , and to the race for preeminence in that respect- between that province and AVarwickshire , also giving several interesting illustrations of the benefits thus conferred on brethren and their families , who , though at one time in aflluence , had been suddenly overtaken by calamity , misfortune , or tbe band of death .

BnuilXG-llAJr . —Bedford Lodge ( No . 925 ) . —This is one of the ¦ now and nourishing lodges which have sprung up in Birmingham during the last few years , deriving its name from a worthy and skilled brother , who has especially devoted bis time and talents

to the science of Freemasonry , as to the theory of the system , its history , its rituals , and the practical working of tbe lodges . Masonic visitors to the town will daily find this brother at the building in New Hall-street , which is exclusively devoted to the purposes of tbe Craft , will be sure to meet with a courteous reception , and , however experienced they may- be , cannot fail to acquire some valuable information by intercourse with him ; he isin facttbe chief authority in the districtto whom

re-, , , ference on Masonic matters may with confidence be made ; and , while strictly adhering to the established forms and usages , is not insensible to many reforms which might with advantage be introduced . The writer has the greater pleasure in bearing this testimony , because he originally introduced Bro . Bedford into the Craft . The members met on Monday , 19 th inst ., and Bro . C . Pembrook took the chair at a quarter past six , opening

the lodge , in the first degree , supported by Bro . Bedford , P . M ., acting as I . P . M . ; Bro . Worrall , P . M ., acting as S . W . ; and Bro . Johnson , P . M ., acting as J . A \ . The absence of the regular officers and of many of the members is accounted for by the season of the year , when many are from home . There were present , as visitors , Bros . Dr . Hopkins , P . M . 43 and 958 ; and Biber . The minutes of the previous meeting having been

read and confirmed , tbe lodge was opened in the second degree . Bro . Thos . Parkes ivas presented as a candidate to be raised , examined , entrusted , and dismissed for preparation . The lodge was opened in the third degree . The candidate was re-intvodnced , properly prepared , and received the benefit ofthe ceremony at the hands of the AV . M ., who also gave him -the traditionary history , tbe whole of the work being done

by the officers with great care and exactitude , ivhich has been the case in all the lodges in Birmingham recently visited by the reporter . Bro . Pursall presided at the organ . At the request of the AV . M ., Bro . Dr . Hopkins gave the charge belonging to the third degree to tho newly-raised brother , and also a lecture npon it , for the benefit of the members present , which was listened to with close attention . Tbe lod was

ge closed down to the first degree . The AA . M . read the circular on care in the admission of visitors who arc not vouched for , recently issued from the office of the Grand Secretary , the necessity for which was enforced by the A \ . M ., and also by Bro . Dr . Hopkins , who narrated some circumstances within bis

Provincial.

' experience having especial reference to the subject , and showing tbe results of a want of due caution . AVith permission from the chair , this brother then introduced the Masonic bookmarkers constructed by him , of which some were purchased by tiie lodge and by individual members , in support of the Charities . Several matters of business wero arranged , a gentlemen was proposed for initiation , and the lodge was finally

closed at a quarter past eight , the brethren retiring to the banqueting room for light refreshment . BiKjriXGHAM—Fletcher Lodge ( No . 1 , 031 ) . —A small muster of tbe members of this young but flourishing lodge took place at the Masonic Rooms , New Hall-street , the attendance being much affected by tbe hot weather and the absence of many from home . Business commenced at G . 30 p . m ., when the lodge was

opened in the first degree by Bro . J . C . Bland , AV . M ., supported by Bro . Partridge , acting as I . P . M ; Bros . Purnell , S . W . ; and Bedford , P . M ., & c , acting as J . AA . There wore also present as visitors , Bros . Dr . Hopkins , P . M ., & c , and Lee , of the Athol Lodge . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . Purnell , S . AA ., proposed , and the AA . M . seconded , a resolution that the sum of ; G 10 10 s . he presented from tbe funds of tbe lodge to the Masonic Girls' School , and that , as a mark of respect for Bro . Partridge , its founder and first W . M .. the donation be made in his nameso as to

confer upon him tbe privileges of a life governor . After some suggestions and discussion on tbe subject , on the part of several brethren , who all concurred in tho desire to do honour to Bro . Partridge , the proposition was carried unanimously . It was expected that there would be the ceremonies of the first and second degrees , but satisfactory explanations were given as to the causes of absence of the candidates . As

therefore , there was no work to be done , tbe W . M . pointed out that the brethren seldom had opportunities of hearing the lectures in e . vtenso , and called upon Bro . Dr . Hopkins to give that on tho first degree , for the instruction of the members , with which request he complied , and a vote of thanks to him was afterwards passed . The AA . iI ., having introduced tbe subject of the Masonic and other book-markers got up by the

visiting brother , it was determined to have a set of those appropriate for tbe lodge Bible , and most of the brethren present took some of other kinds for their own use , it being understood that tbe proceeds are banded over to the Masonic Charities , and Bro . Dr . Hopkins announcing that ho would be happy to execute any orders sent to bis future residence , at 3 , Plymouth-road , Totnes , Devonshire , by book post . The resignation of a member of tbe lodge was received and accepted with regret , and Bro . Owen proposed a candidate for initiation . The lodge was closed at 7 . 30 , and the brethren adjourned for refreshment .

Canada.

CANADA .

PROCEEDINGS OF GRAND LODGE . Condensed Report of the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Musons of Canada , held in the St- George ' s Hall , Kingston , commencinc on Wednesday , the 10 th dag of July , A . D . 1 SG 7 , A . I .. 5 S 67 . " The following Grand Officers were jiresent : —M . AA . Bro . AA . M . Wilson , Grand Master : on the

throneBrosAASteven-, . . . son , D . G . M . ; J . Kerr , S . G . AV . ; I . H . Stearns , J ' . G . AV . ; Rev . X . Clementi , G . Chap . ; F . C . Draper , G . Reg . ; T . B . Harris , G . Sec ; J . E . Brooke , S . G . Deacon ; W . W . Pringle , J . G . Deacon ; E . M . Copcland , G . Supt . of Works ; J . K . Clare , G . Dir . of Cers . ; J . W . Fergusson , Assist . G . Sec . ; J . AVilson , Assist . G . Dir . of Cers . ; J . Clarke , as G . Sword Bearer ; T . Matheson , G . Org . ; E . McKay , as Assist . G . Org . ; S . H . Blondheini , G . t Graham

Purs . ; T . , as G . Tyler ; F . F . McArthur , J . SegswortU , T . King , and T . Winter , G . Stewards ; District Deputy Grand Masters , Bros . F . AVestlake , London District ; C . Kahn , Huron District ; J . Seymour , Hamilton District ; A . Do Grassi , Toronto District , D . Eraser , Prince Edward District ; , 1 . H . Graham , Eastern Townships District . Grand Representatives , Bro . AV . XI . AVilson , Representative of Grand Lodge of Illinois , tho Grand Orients of

Cuba and St . Domingo ; A . Bernard , Representative of A ermout ; T . D . Harington , Representative of Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia ; T . B . Harris , Representative of Grand Orient of Portugal , and tbe Grand Lodge of Kansas ; J . H . Graham , Representative of Grand Lodge of Maine ; T . Drummond , Representative of Grand Lodge of Scotland . Past Grand Officers , Bros . T . Douglas , A . Bernard , and AV . B . Simpson ,