Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

LEICESTERSHIRE . LEICESTEE . —The working of the Mark degree having for some few years been in abeyance in this province , a meeting of the Masonic brethren was held at the Freemasons' Hall , on Thursday , the 20 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . Kelly , P . Prov . G . Mark Master , to consider tbe expediency of reviving itand which was numerously attended . Bro . Kelly read a

, sketch of the history of the Mark degree and of its position with respect to the other Masonic degrees , as well as the circumstances attending its re-introduction , and its again falling into abeyance in the province , which will be published in our next . It was unanimously resolved , on the motion of Bro . Duff , and seconded by Bro . G . H . Hodges , that the best thanks of the meeting be given to Bro . Kellyfor his kindness in preparing

, so able and interesting an address on tbe subject . It was also unanimously resolved , on the motion of Bro . AV . Beaumont Smith , and seconded by Bro . Charles Johnson , that steps be immediately taken for re-opening the Mark Lodges iu the town . Sixteen brethren having given in their names as candidates for the degree , the brethren separated .

DURHAM . WEST HARTLEPOOL . —The Eclectic Lodge of Marie Masters ( No . 39 ) . —The annual meeting of this lodge was held in the Freemason's Hall , on Tuesday , the 28 th ult . The brethren assembled at two p . m ., and the lodge was opened by Bro . Geo . Moore , M . D ., AV .. M . Bro . W . W . Brunton was installed the W . M . for the ensuing year . The ceremony of installation was

performed in a masterly style by Bro . C . J . Banister , P . G . M . 0 ., 31 ° , and the following officers appointed by the W . M . Bros . Geo . Kirk , M . D ., S . W . ; R . B . Harpley , J . AV . ; S . Gourley , M . D ., 31 . 0 . ; W . C . Ward Jackson , 30 ° , S . O . ; Emra Holmes , 30 ° , J . O . ; Rev . H . B . Tristram , M . A ., Chap . ; M . Rickinson , Treas . ; Edwd . Hudson , Sec . and Regstr . ; J . W . Cameron , S . D . ; Geo . Carter , J . D . ; J . MillerI . G . and Strd . ; James MowbrayTler . The

, , y appointment of officers being completed , the lodge was then closed , and the brethren retired to Bro . Gallon's , the Royal Hotel , and partook of a most sumptuous dinner , complete in all its appointments , and served in Bro . Gallon ' s very best style , at the conclusion of which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were ably given .

Knights Templar.

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR .

SURREY . PEOVINCIAL GRAND CONCLAVE . The Provincial Grand Conclave was numerously attended by the Prov . G . Officers and Knights of the various encampments of the province under the banner of the V . E . Sir Knt . George Harcourt , 3 f .. X > , Prov . G . Commander , at the Horns' Tavern , Kenningtonon Mondaythe 27 th ult .

, , The Temple Crossing Encampment having been opened by the C . E . Sir Knt . F . W . Mitchell and his officers , the Prov . G . Commander and his G . Officers demanded admission , entered the encampment in procession , and were saluted with the usual honours . The Prov . G . M . then ascended the throne , and opened the Prov . G . Conclave ; the customary ceremonies took place , and

the business of the province transacted , when the E . Sir Knt ., Blenkin , D . Prov . G . M ., was elected . Sir Knts . prince , Prov . G . Treas . ; Lilley , Prov . G . Prior ; Mitchell , Sub Prior ; Leman , Prelate ; Biron , 1 st Captain ; Rudge , 2 nd Captain ; Harrison , Chancellor ; Parran , Registrar ; Greenwood , Dir . of Cers . ; Prince , Prov . G . Almoner ; Smith , Expert ; Gower , Standard Bearer ; Rosenthal , Captain of Lines ; Stuart , Herald ; and VesperProv . G . Equerry .

, Various matters of moment were discussed , and the alms collected , when the Prov . G . Conclave was closed in form . The Temple Cressing Encampment \ vas then adjourned to the second Thursday in February , and the numerous Knts . present retired to the splendid banquet-room of the Temple Cressing .

NONE are so fond of secrets as those who do not mean to keep them ; such persons covet secrets as a spendthrift covets money , for the pu rpose of circulation .

Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

GUILDFORD . On AVednesdny evening the 29 th January , a bright and festal scene was presented in this ancient borough , in its fine handsome AVestern Hall , and the adjacent capacious rooms . Many a time before had the same building witnessed a Ball , and all its attendant attractions ; many a time had it re-echoed to the voice of mirth and pleasure ; but never perhaps since it arose to

look over the charming scenery of the Wey , and to take its place by the pleasant Surrey Hills , had it seen so bright a gathering , or wore so good and attractive an air as it did at the ball given by the Royal Alfred Lodge . The room was conveniently and well filled ; the dresses of the ladies , one and all , were handsome , rich , aud in fine taste , and were highly admired . Many rare jewels glistened amongst the

brethern present , one in particular being noticable , worn by Bro . W . Wells , P . M ., a magnificent jewel , value £ 300 , presented ! , by a lady to the Royal Alfred Lodge . Many of the grand officers , who had signified their intention of being present , were prevented by their attendance at a Grand Festival held in the Freemason ' s Hall , London , the same evening .

The general arrangements were carried out by a committee-, of which Bro . Henry Botting was lion . sec . The following is a list of the ball stewards— : Bros . G . Harcourt , P . Prov . G . M ., Surrey , P . M ., & c , AV . E . Elkins , AV . M ., P . Prov . G . S . AV ., Surrey , & c , E . Drewitt , P . M ., P . Prov ., G . S . W ., & c , AV . Wells P . M ., P . Prov . G . J . D ., J . Brown , AV . M ., 723 , R . Eve ., P . M ., 723 , P . G . P ., S . Wales , J . Nealds , T . and S ., P . AV ., T . White , S . AV . ' ,

& c , J . W . M . Piggott , J . W ., W . Vine , S . W ., 1046 , J . T . Maybank , P . G . S ., G . M . E . Onslow , M . P ., E . Burge , AV . Cutbush , H . Jeffries , R . Mason , and H . Botting . It is a difficult thing to particularise any gentleman among those who actively aided the arrangements , but Bros . Wells , Piggott , Burge , Jeffries , and Botting appear to have thrown all their energies towards

making the affair the brilliant success it was . At half-past twelve the company sat down to a splendid supper , provided by Bro . Michan , of the Angel Hotel ; after which they adjourned to the ball-room . This ball will long be remembered as one of the most successful undertakings of the sort ever witnessed in Guildford .

WILTSHIRE . MASONIC BALI AT SWINDON . The much talked of Masonic Ball took place at Swindon , oa Thursday tho 6 th inst ., in the spacious Corn Exchange , andmust be characterised as a decided success . The spacious hall ,, which usually wears a somewhat dull aspect , had been completely metamorphosedand a strangernot knowing the

build-, , ing , on would never have believed that not many days before ti was a kind of Rialto in which corn " merchants most do congregate . " The decorations of the building bad been entrusted to the experienced hand of Bro . G . T . Dicks . If Bro . Dicks' ability asa decorator was well known before , it must decidedly be better known now . What was before a room make for businesswas

, , through the taste displayed by Bro . Dicks , converted into an Elysium . The only regret is , that such a transformation , should be but for the once . Everyone in Swindon is , or ought to be , well acquainted with the interior of their Corn Exchange , but certain we are , if they had been taken into it on Thursday night , the result would have been that they would have thought themselves suddenly transferred to , perhaps , Aladdin's palace .

Entering in the usual way to the Corn Exchange , but under a corridor , the scene was at once beautiful in the extreme . At the upper end of the room was erected a grand masonic trophy . It looked what it professed to be—a trophy , and if one trophy on such occasions is more beautiful than another , surely the taste displayed by Bro . Dicks had rendered this trophy far more imposing than many we have seen . The base of the trophy

represented the four steps of Masonry , the pillars represented the Royal Arch . The summit of the trophy itself was adorned with bannerets , each displaying a symbol of tho various degrees of the order . Over the Arch were suspended the most elaborate emblazonments , peculiar to the order of Masonry , while above was the emblem by which Masons are known as loyal men—the " Queen and the Craft . " The back ground of the trophy was formed of drapery of different colors , and a large number of