Provincial.

of tho lodge , among whom were Bros . Roden , Brattan , Griffith , Blew , Meacock , Liddell , Ralph Langley , Jones , & c . Punctuality being a Masonic virtue , tlio lodgo was opened at the appointed hour in clue form ancl with solemn prayer hy Bros . Meacock , WM . ; Lewhi , as S . AV . ; and Liddell , as J . AV . The requisite minutes having bean reacl ancl confirmed , ^ ancl the lodbavinsheen opened in the second degree . Bro . Newthe

ge : , Installing Master , assumed the chair , ancl Bro . Wade duly inducted in King Solomon ' s chair . On the return of the brethren , tho WM ., Bro . Wacle , was proclaimed , saluted , and honoured according to ancient custom , and appointed his officers as follows : —Bros . John Horbury , S . AA ' . ; James T . Lee , J . \ A . ; Henry Langley , S . D . ; Leighton , J . D . ; and AV . Theobalds , See . and Treas " The brethren having been called from labour

ad-. journed to the banquet , which was prepared ancl served in Bro . Stokes' accustomed stylo . After the usual loyal toasts—in which the W . Master referred to tho rumour of the Prince of AA ' ales having been proposed at the Apollo Lodge , Oxford , ancl tho possibility of his becoming the Grand Master—he proposed "The Health of the Most AA ' orshipful Grand Master , Lord Zetland , " and spoke of his personal experience of his lordship's

urbanity in Grand Lodge during his many visits there . The health ofthe Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Lord Combermeve , was responded to by Bvo . Brattan , Prov . G . Supt . of Works for Cheshire , in an able and eloquent speech , during which lie expressed his surprise that so great an honour had been conferred upon him , though older P . M . ' s still wore the blue . He stated that the rank had been entirely unsolicited , and he coulcl only account for it as a reward for the energy ancl zeal

which he had , as Car as his capability went , always displayed in the cause of Masonry in general , and this province in particular . On the health ofthe AA , M ., Bro . AVade , being proposed , in feeling terms , by Bro . Meacock , he expressed his appreciation of the honour conferred upon him by the unanimous consent of the members , and promised to use his strenuous efforts to place the lodge in the first rank among the lodges of the province —feeling assured that an active co-operation on the part of his

officers would necessarily insure so desirable a result , being the sure concomitant of active exertion . The other toasts having been duly acknowledged , the brethren resumed labour , and parted in the hope of a speedy reunion . The evening was enlivened by the humorous songs of Bros . Roden and Lee , and the more pathetic strains of Bros . Brattan , New , and Liddell .

DORSETSHIRE . POOLE . —Lodge of Amity ( No . 137 ) . —At the regular meeting on tho 18 th inst ., L ' ro . Richard Sydenham was duly installed W . M . for the ensuing year , the ceremony being most impressively performed by Bro . R . Hoskins , P . M ., ancl P . Prov . J . G . AV . The following officers -were appointed and invested : —Bros . E . Edsall , S . AV . ; G . II . Milledge , J . AV . ; J . B . Halford , S . D . ; J . Harris , J . D . ; AV . Greenslade , I . G . ; and E . J . King , Sec . Bvo .

J . AVhite was re-elected Tyler , ancl Bro . Benjamin Mcores , P . M ., Steward . A number of visiting brethren were present , and a most agreeable evening was spent in a truly Masonic manner . The present promises to be a red letter year in the Masonic annals of Poole , as tin ' s lodge will have attained its centenary in April next , ancl tho brethren aro unanimous in determining to celebrate that event in a manner suitable to the occasion . The Provincial Grand Lodge of Dorset will also be holden at Poole in the course of the summer .

GLOUCESTERSHIRE . TEWKESBURY . —St George ' s Lodge ( No . 900 ) . —A lodge of emergency will be held by the members of this aristocratic lodge on Friday , February the 3 rd , to celebrate the festival of St . John the Evangelist , and install Bro . Nathaniel Treasure , the AV . M . elect for the ensuing year . A large attendance of brethren from the neighbouring Provinces of Hereford , Gloucester , ancl AA ' oi-cester is expected to attend to give our Bro .

Treasure—so long known ancl respected by the Craft in the Provinces of Berks , Hants , and Gloucestershire , ami tho founder of the St . George's Lodge in connection with the late Bvo . Cossens , a truly Masonic greeting .

HAMPSHIRE . PORTSMOUTH . —Hoyal Sussex Lodge ( No . 342 ) . —On AVednesday evening , the 18 th , Bro . George AVilkins was installed as W . M . of this flourishing lodge for the ensuing year . The installation ceremony was performed by Bro . ' Ogburn , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., in the presence of fifteen AV . M . 's and P . M . ' s . Tlie

AV . M . appointed his officers as follows-. —Bros . Itedward , b . \ A . ; J . S . Dyer , J . W . ; AVilson , S . D . ; 1 . 1 . Barber , J . D . ; and Kenvpster , I . G . Bro . , T . R . Barnes was re-appointed Treasurer , and Bro . AV . A . AA olfe , Hon . Sec ; Bros . Cawtc and West , Stewards A well-deserved mark of respect was paid to the retiring AA' . M . ( Bro . H . M . Emanuel ) previous to Ids leaving tho chair , the brethren having subscribed to present him with a testimonial , consisting of an elegant PM ' s jeweland tho following

resolu-.. , tion written on vellum , and enclosed in a handsome walnut frame : —Extract of minutes of proceedings of the Ivoyal Sussex Lodge , No . 343 , held at the Freemason's Hal ! , St . George ' s square , Portsea , on AA ednesday , 21 st of December , 1 S 64 . Reserved unanimously , "That tho members of the Royal Sussex Lodge , 342 , highly appreciating the inestimable services of Bro . II . M . Emanuel , P . M . and W . M ., P . Prov . S . G . AV ., Hants , during

the time he has presided over them , beg to tender him their sincere ancl heartfelt thanks for his regular attendance to his duties , his kind and courteous disposition , and above all his zealous ancl persevering endeavours to raise and maintain the character and dignity of the lodge , ancl further to promote and extend the principles of Freemasonry . This and the many virtues which he possesses have so endeared him to them that ,

although the time has now arrived for bis vacating the chair , they assure him they shall always look back with pride and fond remembrance to this tho jubilee year of the lodge , which has been so distinguished by his presidency , ancl their earnest prayer will ever be that tlie Great Aichit ' ect of the Universe will long spare him amongst them . " The jewel bore the following inscrition : — " Presented with the testimonial on vellum ,

p by the members of the Royal Sussex Lodge , No . 342 , to Bro . H . M . Emanuel , P . M ., P . Prov . G . S . W ., Hants , ancl AV . AL of the lodge during its year of jubilee , 1884 , in token ofjheir fraternal regard and esteem . January , 1 S 85 . " Bro . H . M . Emmanuel responded in a feeling and appropriate speech . About sixty of the brethren afterwards partook of a sumptuous banquet . The newly installed AA ' . M . presided , ancl was

supported by a large number of W . M . ' s of tbe Phoenix , Portsmouth , Gosport , and Carnarvon ( Havant ) lodges , and the Mayor ( Bro . R . AA ' . Ford , P . M . ) . The usual toasts were drunk , ancl the evening was spent iu a very agreeable manner .

MIDDLESEX . UxBiiiDGE . —Poyal Union Lodge ( No . 3 S 2 ) . —The bi-monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , at Bro . Line ' s , the Chequers Hotel , Uxbridge . As usual , the brethren from London mustered strong . At five o ' clock the lodge was duly opened by the AV . M ., Bro . W . Coombes . Bros . Fenn , Wilkes , and Coulter passed to the second degree . There were three raisings to take placebut as the brethren did not attend in

, time they are postponed till next meeting . Bro . Glaisher , of the Royal Observatory , Greenwich , and of Britannia Lodge ( No . 33 ) , was admitted a joining member . The election of officers then took place , when Bro . C . Herring , S . AV ., was unanimously voted to bo the AV . M . for the year ; Bro . AV . Coombes , Treasurer and Hon . Secretary ( Bro . Gawthrop kindly affording assistance ) . The Auditors were Bros . WuvfieldIrvingaud Besant . A Tiler

, , was also elected . Bro . Hugh Gawthrop then passed a high eulogium upon the AV . AL upon his retiring from that office , and said no one had with more zoal and energy performed the duties than Bro . Coombes , and ho proposed that a P . M . ' s jewel should bo presented to him . This being duly seconded , it was unanimously carried . A \ . M . Coombes made a graceful aud feeling reply . Business being ccncludedtho brethren adjourned to

, banquet , Bro . host Line catering in his usual excellent style . Among those present we observed Bros . AA eedou , P . M . ; C . Herring , S . AV . ; J . AA . Chegwiclden , J . W . ; E . H . Hicks , J . D . ; J . D- Mills , AV . S . ; J . W . Claisen , & c . The repast being over , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and a very pleasant evening was passed .

MONMOUTHSHIRE . PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE . At high noon , on AVednesday , December 28 th ,. the annual meeting ofthe Grand Lodge of the province was held . Owing to the illness of the R . AV . the Prov . G . M ., Bro . John E . Welch Rolls , of the Hendre Lodge , the chair was taken l ) 3 the D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Major Lyne , who read a letter which he had received from Bro . Rolls , full of fraternal feeling and of solicitude for the prosperity of Masonry , and also announcing his intention to present each W . AL of the two Newport lodges