Provincial.

a Lodge with discretion . Aud therefore it is well for every Lodge that while the conduct of its working can bo entrusted to the junior members , there are those who from knowledge gained by experience are well able to render the AV . M . very great assistance in the discharge of his duties , aud well qualified to give valuable advice to the Brethren generally upon every question which may arise ; and is would be as unreasonable to look upon the P . Ms , of a Lodge as useless , or lest entitled to respectbecause they could not with verbal accuracy work our

cere-, monies and deliver our lectures , as it would be for the mariner to distrust the weathorbeaten experienced pilot , because forsooth ho might not be able to box the compass with the rapidity of a stripling fresh from some naval school . I have no intention of claiming for the P . M . s an exclusive right of deciding on all occasions what may or may not be the proper course for a Lodge to adopt ;—neither have they any wish to arrogate this prerogative to themselves—but brethren , we must remember that the P . Msof a Lodge do not owe their position to any chance

, , favour , or preferment—they rise from tho ranks , and by their own exertions and deserts gain the exalted position they hold ; and that , therefore , a weight must of necessity attach itself to their opinion , which does not belong to the opinion of the less experienced of tho Brethren ; nor let us forgot that while an honourable mind will at all times spurn dictation , a generous one is ever ready to listen to advice . " Bro . Lowdell , as the youngest P . M ., acknowledged the toast , assuring the Brethren that if he was not quite so perfect in all his working as he could wish , nothing

would give him greater pleasure at any time than to do anything in his power to promote the interests of the Lodge . A variety of other toasts followed , including the healtv of Bro . Pocock , Prov . G ., Sec ., the installing Master ; and the Brethren separated , well pleased with the proceedings of tho evening .

CHICHESTER . —Lodge of Union ( No . 45 ) The installation of Bro . Georeg Molesworth , the AV . M . elect of this Lodge , took place on the 30 th ultimo , before a board of regularly installed Masters . The AV . M . appointed and invested the following Brethren as his officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . George Smith , P . M . ; C . Goodeve , S . AV . ; R . Elliott , J . AV . ; C . S . Jones , Treas . ; AV . H . Cotfcell , Sec ; G . Collins , S . D . ; G . Holmes , J . D . ; R . Smith and F . St . Quiutin Bond , Stewards ; C . Adams , I . G . ; T . Benfbrd , Tyler . Mr . T . A . Kirkman , son of our esteemed Bro . KirkmanP . M . No . 45 having been unanimously ted a candidate for

Free-, , accep masonry , the AA . M . performed the ceremony of initiation and closed tho Lodge . A goodly number of Brethren assembled at the banquet provided by Bro . Purchase , the game and venison being liberally presented by Bro . His Grace the Duke of Richmond , Prov . G . M ., and a subscribing member of No . 45 . The AA . M . presided , supported by Bros , the Rev . AA . AVatkins , Prov . G . Chaplain ; J . Powell , jun ., P . M ., No . 45 , Installing Master ; Joseph Kirkman , G . Gambling , K . Poscott , G . Smith , P . Ms . No . 45 AV . R . AVoodP . M . Nos . 76 and 394 G . See . and Prov . S . G . D . ;

; , , Reuben Cherriman , P . M . No . 391 ; S . Ridley , No . 1034 , Prov . G . Sec . ; Joseph Ogbura , P . M . No . 428 , P . Prov . J . G . AV . for Hants ; Thomas Slade , P . M . No . 428 , P . Prov . Grand Reg . for Hants ; AV . R . Ford , the worshipful mayor of Portsmouth , AV . M . No . 319 . A very pleasant evening was spent , and not an useless one we hope , certainly the speech of our AVorshipful Brother , the mayor of Portsmouth , was in a tone and spirit calculated to make a lasting impression on his hearers . Bro . AVood ' s eloquent observations on the various charities of the Order , and his

energetic appeal in behalf of the Royal Benevolent Fund , will not , we think , be readily forgotten by those who heard and possess the power to help . Bro . Cherriman delighted the company with some excellent songs , and was in this department most efficiently aided by Bros . Goodeve , R . Smith , AVood , Holmes , & c , & c . The Brethren , mindful of the old adage , " early to bed , & c , " separated at an early hour , in hope of a speedy return of so fraternal a gathering . The usual monthly meeting of the Lodbeing unavoidablpostponed until FridayJanuary 14 thon

ge y , , that evening the AV . M . Bro . G . Molesworth presided and initiated two gentlemen into the Order . Bro . Smetham was also passed to the second degree . A . petition from a distressed Brother was read by the AV . M ., and the recommendation signed by a majority of the Brethren present . The next Lodge will be held on Thursday , February 3 rd , at seven , " ' N 2