Provincial.

Bro . Cartwright intimated that there was not time for the other toasts now , but he would at once proceed to propose " the health of their R . W . Prov . G . M ., the Duke of St . Albans ;" and hoped his Grace would long live and reign over the Masons in this province . —His health was drunk in the most enthusiastic manner , with Masonic honours . His Grace said : Bro . Cartwright and brethren , I have to thank yon for the kind manner in which you have drunk my

health , and also for the many other kindnesses you have manifested towards me to-day ; and on my return home I shall very readily tell my wife how well I havo been received by the W . M . and the Prov . Officers and brethren . —I only have time to propose " the health of the Bishop and Clergy . " Bro . Nash , Prov . G . Chap ., responded , and bis Grace the Duke retired amidst the warm greetings of the assembly . Bro . Major SmythD . Prov . G . M . having taken the chair

, , , said the next toast was " the Army , Navy , Militia , and Volunteers , " ivhich was acknowledged by Bros . Waghorn and Fountain . The D . Prov . G . M . said the next was a Masonic toast , "the health of the M . W . G . M . of England , the Earl of Zetland ; the E . W . D . G . M ., Earl de Grey and Ripon ; and the Officers of the Grand Lodge . " He said this ought to have been the

toast of the day , for there was not a more suitable man in England "than the Earl of Zetland . Lord Zetland had devoted much time and trouble to the Craft during many years , and had gained great popularity by the example he had given to Masons . It had often been asked , " What is the good of Masonry ? " & c . To one thing he would point , and that is but one amongst the very great many—bo would call attention to the Masonic Charities . He said we are engaged

to the best of our abilities in various charitable objects , in maintaining an institution for the support and maintenance of the widows of destitute brethren ; for the maintenance , education , and promotion in life of both boys and girls ; and he hoped they were stimulated in their duties by a still truer charity , a higher charity than this , which consisted more in the giving from tbe abundance with which providence had blessed them , to support those who have unfortunately been left destitute ; but their ceremonies , laws , and constitutions

teach also those grand lessons of true charity towards one another which are so often forgotten in the world generally . With this toast he would couple the name of Bro . Binckes , G . Sec . to the Royal Masonic Institution . Bro . Binckes said , in the way in which the toast was proposed it was enough to make any modest man blush . Some were born great , some had achieved greatness , and some had greatness thrust upon them ; in this instance the latter was his case

, and certainly he had no right to the position he then occupied . He observed that too much could not be said of the Earl of Zetland ; he had been Grand Master for 25 years , and he had performed Isis duties in such a manner as to call forth general satisfaction from Masons all over the world . Of the D . G . M ., Lord de Grey , it was impossible to speak too highly , and with respect to the other Grand Officers , he might venture to say

that they were at all times ready to do their duty . He then referred to charities , and thought that the brethren had made a mistake with regard to their centralization ; it might have been objected to at one time , but now he could not see the least shadow of a reason for opposing the motion . Being secretary to one of these charity institutions , he was intimately connected with them , and though he might offend some of the brethren

hy the way iu which he spoke of these institutions , and the claim they had upon them , yet when duty is to be disharged , be would venture to run tlie risk , for lie felt he was spending time and devoting his energies to a worthy object . He strongly urged upon the brethren to support the Boys' Institution . Ho said not one of them had a boy at school where . be is more cared foror has imparted to him truer princiles

, p of morality , honesty , and prudence , and everything tending to promote bis interest in tbe world , than is received at the Boys ' School , which he commended to their notice and sympathy . The Girls' School is equally well conducted . They are not degraded by badge or distinction , or anything to show that they are other than what they really ought to be — their own nephews and their own nieces—the children of their brethren

who are either no more or in distress . And when they were asked to give , as he trusted they would be asked , let them not feel they were giving to a charity , that they were being asked to contribute simply from their superfluities for the support of some stranger in difficulties , but that they were giving money

Provincial.

for that which is one of their most sacred duties , viz ., the support of the children of their own deceased brethren , those who would doubtless have done as much in their lifetime for them . That was the light he wished them to view it in . He then referred to several boys who had been educated and brought up in the School now occupying first-class positions in society . He also referred to the debt on the School . This eloquent appeal of Bro . Binckes was nobly responded to

by the brethren on the suggestion of Bro . Cartwright , that the feeling of the meeting should be taken at once , and strike tbe iron while it was hot ; and nearly £ 20 was subscribed in a few minutes for the Boys' School . Bro . C . E . Lucas , the estimable Prov . G . Sec , consenting to undertake the stewardship from the province for the Anniversary Festival in March next . Bro . Watlunson , Sec , jin an able speech , proposed the " Health

of the D . Prov . G . M ., Major Smyth . The D . Prov . G . M . said tlie shades of evening were drawing in , and therefore he would not delay in responding to the toast so ably proposed by Bro . Watkinson . He had very little to do in having to impress upon the brethren the cardinal virtues of unity , peace , and concord ; brotherly love , relief , and truth . He would conclude by proposing the health of " The Provincial and Past Provincial Grand Officers in this Province , " and stated

that they were perfectly satisfied with the past , and hoped the new ones would not in the least fail of their duty . Bro . Hall , Prov . G . S . W ., responded , and said they felt the heavy responsibility resting upon them , but hoped , they would perform their duties in such a way as to merit the commendation ofthe Prov . G . M . and the D . Prov . G . M . The D . Prov . G . M . said be had one toast to propose not mentioned in the list . It was "The health of P . G . Sec , Bro .

Lucas . " Bro . Lucas said that as it was getting late he would not trouble them with a long speech , although he had many little matters to bring before them . He said he took great delight in attending to the duties of the Provincial Graud Lodge , when those duties were useful , and performed to the satisfaction of the Prov . G . L ., it was always a labour of delight . He was truly thankful for the kind and unanimous feeling they had expressed towards him . He quite thought twelve months ago that he

would have been obliged to resign , but by the mercy of the great Architect of the Universe his health was much better , and he still held office . The Prov . G . Sec . Bro . Lucas then proposed the '' Health of the W . Masters and Officers , " and said that he was quite certain that the officers of the several lodges would be ready to do their duties , and in due time even the lowest would be rewarded , not only in the Grand Lodge here , but also in the Grand Lodge

above , even by the great Architect of the Universe . He hoped that efficient secretaries would be appointed in the respective lodges , for it greatly lessened his duties and difficulties . The duties " of ° a' secretary were no sinecme—the many difficulties and trials they had to contend with and surmount justly entitled them to the thanks of the various lodges , and no doubt they would be rewarded and receive honours in the Provincial Grand Lodge . He congratulated the Hundred of Elloe Lodge on the

very efficient manner in which they had discharged their duties that day , and the truly fraternal greeting they had received ; it was a credit to Masonry , and in no place had the arrangements for the Prov . G . L . boon better attended to , and more complete ; and though they might have much opposition , yet if they persevered they would overcome all censure , and soon remove all opposition to tbe craft . With this toast he would couple the name of the W . M . of the Hundred of Elloe LodgeBro .

Cart-, wright , and added that that he was sure under bis auspices the lodge would go on and prosper . Bro . Cartwright returned thanks for the way in which their healths had been drunk , and the kind manner in which the proposer had spoken of him . He expressed his determination to do all he could to promote the interests of the lodge and the benefit of Masonry . He referred to the opposition shown by

cowans and the malignity heaped upon Masonry , and , therefore suggested that they should endeavour as much as possible to disassociate Masonry from public houses throughout the kingdom , and also the desirability of closing that day's work at an early hour . In the absence of Bro . Rnilley , Bro . Steven proposed the next toast . He said that as many of the brethren were obliged to leave , he would not detain them long . The railway arrangements had deprived them of the great pleasure of seeing many brethren from other provinces , but there were some who had .