Provincial.

Avorkmen employed at the erection of the Temple of Solomon , the lecturer incidentally narrated the following curious practice : " I dare say you ave acquainted with tbe Masonic tradition of the method by which the fellow-crafts received their wages at the building of the Temple , and the precaution used to prevent the brethren of an inferior receiving the wages of a superior degree . It Avas thus : On tbe sixth hour of the sixth day of every Aveel" the fellow-crafts 80000 in numberrepaired to the

, , , office of the S . G . W . for that purpose , each craftsman putting his band through a lattice window , giving the token , and presenting a copy ofhis mark . The S . G . AA * ., referring to the corresponding mark in his ledger , saw at once the sum due to that mark , and placed it between the thumb and two fore ringers of the Craftsmen , who then Avithdrew his hand and passed on ; and so on until all the men w-ere paid . [ We presume the

S . G . W . must have had many assistants when lie thus paid the wages of 80 , 000 men . ! If . any person attempted to receive the wages of a F . C . without being able to give tho tokens , the S . G . AV . seized him by his hand , drew his arm through the window , exclaiming , 'an impostor ; ' upon this signal an officer , Avho Avas stationed there for the purpose , immediately struck oft the impostor ' s arm Avith a sword . " After referring to several

interesting matters and remarking that many Masonic fables and legends " were concocted in that prolific source of Masonic innovation , the Continent of Europe , Avlien the field of frivolities was in possession of the charlatans Hand , Beiimcn , Pernetti , Cagliostro , Mesmer , and their Masonic compeers , whose name was legion ; and even our English brethren of tho last century , after the introduction of the Jewish element into the Order ,

were very fond of resorting to the Talmud for fabulous coincidences , and introducing them into Freemasonry in the name of ancient tradition , " —he proceeded : "I shall conclude this lecture Avith a few references to some particulars connected with the degree under consideration , which have not hitherto been noticed . Tho foundation stone of the Temple AVUS described in the lectures of Bro . Dunckerley as a block of pure

white marble Avithout speck or stain , alluding to the chief corner-stone on Avhich the Christian Church is built ; and which , although rejected by the elders , afterwards became the head stone in the corner . It Avas in the form of n double cube .

Avhich figure Avas always considered to be a lively representation of the chief attributes of divinity , and still constitutes one of the most capital problems in geometric Masonry , viz ., doubling the cube . Jesus Christ was tho grand and living representation of this stone when He came in the flesh to conquer sin , death , and hell , thereby proving himself to be the immaculate Corner-stone of man ' s immortality . ... I cannot close my address without encouraging to use all

you diligence to become proficient ; iu tho science of Freemasonry , in order that you may know how to discharge your Masonic duties to God , your neighbour , and yourself ; for many there are , as I am bound to acknowledge with deep regret , who know little more of real Masonry than the signs , Avords , and tokens , and often not even that , which is the reason why some persons are induced to place Freemasonry on no higher scale than the

ephemeral societies of the day . And it is to be feared that many intelligent men forsake the Masonic institution rather than be at the trouble of investigating its merits . But I trust that the brethren of the AVitham Lodge -will endeavour to keep up the prestige which it always formerly sustained of being the best Avorking lodge in the province . And the lodge is the only proper place where any brother can expect to arrive at a

proficiency in this noble science , and it is only by a constant and regular attendance that he may rationally expect to become master of the Royal Art . " Tiie brethren present expressed themselves highly gratified Avith Dr . Oliver ' s contribution , and earnestly solicited another lecture ; but this the venerable doctor could not promise , owing to his advanced agehe having alreadnumbered upwards of

, y eighty years . AVere he spared to another summer lie might then possibly carry out his original intention , that of giving a course of three lectures , one on each of the degrees . The following vote of thanks , proposed by " " Bro . Hellcrnan , and seconded by Bro . Tophani ( Dublin ) , was unanimously carried : — " That the cordial thanks of this lodge , and especially of the brethren now presenthe aud are herewith tendered to

, Bro . Oliver for his second instructive and highly interesting lecture on the Ancient Rituals of Freemasonry , delivered by liim ou this occasion , and also for his great kindness in quitting his retirement at so advanced a period of his life , and at so much personal inconvenience on bis part , to meet and instruct

the brethren in the history and antiquities of their fraternity . Long may the truly venerable and learned doctor bo spared to enjoy bis dignified retirement , and to still further add lustre to the noble Order of which he has been for so many years tiie invincible exponent and so distinguished an ornament . " Bro . GEOIIGE RBOAVX , the AA' . M ., who presided , also thanked Bro . Oliver for bis lectures , remarking that he bad noticed oneor two things during their delivery , and also in the later

published Avorks of the learned doctor , which he Avould take tlle opportunity of mentioning . One Avas that cither Bro . Oliver ignored altogether some of the mere traditions and legends of tiie Order , or estimated them at their real value and no more . Tin ' s he considered a very excellent quality in tho doctor ' s Avritings , and it led him to the second suggestion , and that ivas that though Masonry Avas held by most . Masons to be fixed and unalterableit yet appearedlike other institutionsto have

un-, , , dergone considerable change and alteration , some landmarks being comparatively modern additions , and many , once considered important landmarks , being now altogether exploded . For his own part , though he would Aveed and prune with a careful hand , he did not believe in stagnation , and thought there Avas much still considered essential adjuncts of Masonry that might be very AVCII dispensed withand that the Order AVOUII ! he

, all the better for it . The meaning of some observances had become lost , or their necessity and utility had passed away ; and that being so , he thought it would be better if the ritual and . ceremonies of the fraternity underwent a complete revision , as it would thereby be placed on a more rational , and consequently sounder basis . One candidate was initiated during the eveningand two

, gentlemen of the city Avere proposed fur initiation . The lodge was then closed in form Avith solemn prayer ; after ivhieh , tho brethren and visitors partook of refreshments , and devoted tlle remainder of tiie evening to social and rational enjoyment . The lodgo is in a prosperous and flourishing condition .

SUFFOLK . Irswicn . — Lodge of Perfect Friendship ( No . 370 ) . — Themonthly meeting of this lodgo Avas held on AA ' cdnesday evening , the lGth inst ., at the Great White Horse Hotel .. The AA ' . M ., Bro . S . B . King , occupied the chair , supported by Bros . H . Luff , S . AV . ; G . Turner , J . AV . ; Mills , Treas . ; A . Pettitt , J . D . ; Findlay , Dir . of Cers . ; P . B . Jennings as I . G . ; and J . Franks , Sec . There were also nresent the following Past "Alasters : —Bros .

C . T . Townsend , Prov . S . G . AV ; R . Girling , John Head , AA ' . M . 959 ; AA . C . Randall , J . Pitchers . J ' . A . Pettitt , I . Crispin , S . Davy ; also Bros . R , N . Green , W . West-ate , K . C . Tidd , K . C . Churchman , Eiliston , I . Helens , J . Godball , Edward Mills , 13 ; 11 . AA'ehb , 13 . The lodge having been opened in the first degree , Bros . J . H . Staddon , It . Lidstone , and J . E . Ilarwood Avere raised to the degree of F . C . After the performance of the

interesting ceremony by the AA ' . M ., the lodge was closed in due and solemn form , and the brethren adjourned from labour to refreshment . The banquet was presided over by tho AV . M ., and song and sentiment went merrily round , until the time of high twelve was announced , Avhen the party broke up , after drinking the last Masonic toast , " To all poor aud distressed Masons . " Lodge Prince of Wales ( No . 057 ) . —This lodge field its

monthly meeting on Monday , the 7 th inst ., at the Golden Lion Hotel , Ipswich , Avlien Bro . John Read , the AV . AL , presided . The S . AAVs chair Avas occupied by Bro . W . Butcher ; and that of the J . AV by Bro . Geo . Farrow ; Bro . F . P . Jennings , J . D . ; Bro . C . T . Townsend , Prov . S . G . AA . Sec . ; Bro . J . Alloway , Treas . ; and Bro . J . T . Helens , I . G . Also Bros . Jas . Durrani , J . Lurridge , E . C . Tidd , AV . A . Ward , D . YV . Booth , E . Dorling ,

Prov . G . Sec ; and , as visitors , Bros . E . Mills , 13 , and II . AA ebb , 13 . The lodge ivas then opened in solemn form . Bros . Shrapnell , John Townsend , and Thos . Taylor having been duly prepared , Avere raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason . The ceremony was most effectively and impressively performed by the AA . M . All Masonic business having been disposed of , the interesting proceedings closed Avith solemn prayer . The brethren afterwards sat down to a well spread banquet , under the presidency of tho AV . M . and his respective officers . A most pleasant and agreeable evening was spent by the brethren .

AVILTSHIRE . PROVINCIAL GRAND LODOE . The Provincial Grand Lodge held its annual meeting at the Victoria Rooms , Old Swindon , on AA'cdnesday , the 16 th instant , Avhen a goodly number of brethren assembled from all parts of