Provincial.

NORTHUMBERLAND . NEWCASTLE . —Newcastle Lodge of Instruction ( No . 24 ) . —A meeting AA'as held at the Freemasons' Hall , Blackett-street , on the 24 th inst . The lodge ivas opened by JBro . J . Heaivard , W . M . Lodge 56 , assisted by Bro . C . J . Banister as Lecture Master , and a full attendance of members . The ceremony of the first degree was worked , Bro . Mann acting as the candidate , Bro . Loadesas Deacon . Bro . Smith delivered the charge and

, the W . M . performed the ceremony , for the first time , very creditably . Bro . Banister explained the whole of the ceremony to the brethren , and expressed a hope that the P . M ' s . ivho assisted him , as founders of the lodge , ivould give their aid in the good work by delivering lectures at stated periods . The lodge was close in due form .

SHROPSHIRE . SHEEWSBUET . —Salopian Lodge ( No . 328 ) . —On Monday , the 9 th inst ., this lodge , held at the Raven Hotel , Shrewsbury , during the business of the evening , presented Bro . Brightwell with a costly jewel of office , bearing the following inscription : — "Presented by the brethren of the Salopian Lodge ( No . 328 ) , to Bro . W . Brightwell , P . M ., P . Z ., and P . Prov . S . G . W ., as a mark of their high esteem for the zealous performance of his

duties as Treasurer during the past five years , 9 th March , 1863 . " The jeivel Avas presented by Bro . B . Given , W . M ., in a very complimentary speech , to Bro . Brightiveli , as to the manner in which he had performed the duties of all the offices he had passed through up to the present period . Bro . Brightwell then replied— " Worshipful Master , Bros . Senior and Junior "Wardens , and Brethren , I receive this splendid proof of your esteem and regard with sentiments of the deepest gratitude . I

regret I have not the command of language sufficiently adequate to express my feelings for the very high and distinguished compliment you have this evening paid me , the remembrance of which , I assure you , brethren , ivill never be effaced from my memory . The consciousness of having diligently fulfilled a duty is , in itself , a very satisfactory compensation to every man , more especially to every Mason , and is too frequently the only reward ; but I , brethren , have been more fortunate , as it is my privilege to learn , from this testimony of your fraternal respect , that my ivell intended exertions have been accepted in the true Masonic spirit in ivhieh they have been offered . It is

noiv nearly tiventy years since I ivas initiated into Masonry , ancl had the distinguished privilege of becoming a member of Lodge 328 during the membership of Bro . Samuel Wooll , to ivhom the lodge was much indebted both for the able and efficient manner in ivhieh he conducted the ceremonies and the Masonic instruction ivhieh he imparted to the initiates . The duties of the various offices to AA'hich I have had the honour of being appointedfrom that period to the present timeI have

, , endeavoured faithfully and zealously to discharge to the utmost of my exertions , and I am happy to find that my efforts have been crowned with the approbation of the brethren of my mother lodge , by the presentation of this handsome jewel , ivhieh shall travel life's journey with me , and be forgotten only at the brink of tbe grave ; ancl should adversity ever overtake me , this ivill prove the green spot to cheer and comfort me . Brethren , ivith

every sentiment of Masonic respect I again express my grateful acknowledgments for this token of your favour and kindness . " Bro . Brightwell is one of those old Masons ivho had the advantage and pleasure of sitting under the mastership of that good old Mason , Bro . Groves ( one of our late Mayors for the borough ) , and to ivhose , family the lodges presented his portrait in his Masonic costume a short time ago , in consideration of the eminent services he rendered to the lodge during the many years he took

a very prominent part in conveying the Masonic knowledge to the brethren generally . The jewel Avas manufactured by Bro . Rd . Spencer , Great Queen-street , London , and a more beautiful specimen of Masonic art it is impossible to imagine . The lodge ivas closed in brotherly love and harmony .

Scotland.

SCOTLAND .

GLASGOW . — St . Mark's Lodge ( No . 102 ) . —On Monday evening , March 16 th , this lodge held its ordinary bi-monthly meeting in their own hall , 213 , Buchanan-street . This being the occasion of the annual visitation of the Prov . Grand Officebearers , there was a very full attendance of members and visiting brethren ; indeed , the magnificent lodge-room , spacious as it is , ivas filled to overflowing . Deputations were received from Lodges

Scotland.

Nos . 34 , 27 , 103 , 117 , 125 , 275 , 333 , 354 , 360 , and 419 . Nos . 5 and 8 , Edinburgh ; 125 , Dublin ; aud 426 , England , were also represented by visiting brethren . After the usual business of initing , & c , the Provincial Grand Lodge deputation ivas received ivith the customary ceremonies , especially as this was the first ex officio visit to this lodge of Bro . Cruiekshanks , the newlyelected D . Prov . G . M . As this evening ivas the first meeting of the lodge after the marriage of the Prince of Wales , the W . M .,

Bro . Pritchard , proposed his health , and that of the Princess , in happy ancl elegant terms . The toast ivas most enthusiastically received , the National Anthem being played on the harmonium , and cake and ivine being plentifully provided . Bro . Cruiekshanks , D . Prov . G . M ., addressed the brethren , commenting upon the exceedingly satisfactory condition of the lodge , and praising the regularity of the Treasurer ' s and Secretary ' s books . He dwelt upon the lofty position of the lodge , and concluded by wishing it as illustrious a future as its past . Bro . Duncan Campbell then gave his lecture on John Milton , and the remainder of the evening was spent in a most cordial ancl harmonious manner .

India.

INDIA .

( From the Indian Freemasons' Friend . ) TESTIMONIAL TO BEO . J . J . L . Hon .. It had been announced in the Agenda Paper that the presentation of a testimonial from the Masonic brethren of Bengal to Bro . J . J . L . Hoff , P . Dep . Prov . G . M . and P . J . G . W . of the Grand Lod of landivould form a part of the

ge Eng , business of the District Grand Lodge on St . John ' s Day . » Bro . Hoff being ill and unable to attend , the Prov . G . M ., Bro . Sandeman summoned Bro . William H . Hoffto the eastern pedestal , and addressed him as folloivs : — " Bro . Hoff , —It is with feelings of great regret that I find myself unable to address your excellent father on this occasion , especially because his absence is in consequence of severe

sickness . Had he been here , it ivas my intention to receive him ivith Masonic honours suited to his high position and | long services in the Craft . " It ivas as yon are aware , recently announced in this room , that R . W . Bro . J . 3 . L . Hoff had resolved to retire from active connection ivith the Craft , and also that a scheme had been set on foot to prepare for bis acceptance a substantial testimonial , AA'hich , although not forming any fair representation of the

esteem in which he is held by his brethren in Freemasonry , might still enable him to carry into his retirement an outward and visible sign of their affection , as well as of their high regard for his irreproachable character , both as a man and as a Mason . " You will remember , Very 'Worshipful Sir , that the announcement of your father ' s retirement ivas received by the brethren in District Grand Lodge with profound regret , as ivas the proposition to ask him to accept of a testimonial received with acclamation . The Committee which has sat to receive

communications on the subject has been formed solely of the principal ^ Officers of the District Grand Lodge—Masons of high standing aud experience , ancl possessing wisdom to appreciate the difficulties which beset the path of a Masonic ruler in the impartial performance of his duties , which your father has practically performed in this Province for a number of years ivith untiring energy , assiduity , and care . The Committee , having been requested to prepare a testimonial with ah speed

, in order that it might be presented to our R . W . Bro . on this , the greatest Masonic day in the year , have very fairly pleaded that the shortness of time has not- enabled them to obtain a more elaborate offering for his acceptance ; but at the same time , they feel ( and I heartily concur with them in the feeling ) that this is a matter as much for congratulation as for regret , for they are aivnra that Committees may not always be quite

felicitous in their selections , because the rules of etiquette forbid their communicating with the person whom they intend to honour as to his wishes and his taste , unci they might consequently be iinivittingly presenting to him a very valuable , yet , comparatively speaking , useless gift . "They hai'e therefore requested me to ask R . W . Bro . Hoff , which I now do through to t of this ilagon and

you , accep salver , suitably inscribed , as an immediate souvenir of the many happy years during AA'hich they have been associated ivith him in the Craft , ancl also of this purse , already amounting to about £ 250 , but not yet closed , owing to the continual influx of fresh subscriptions from bis many admirers in Freemasonry .