Provincial.

at last invented the following tale to preserve his fidelity : — Madam , he said , it seems necessary to the senate for the increase of people and the public good tbat every senator should be allowed two n ives , or otherwise their wives two husbands . For my own part I shall hardly incline to call tinder one roof two men my father , and would rather salute two ladies by the name of mother . This is the question , madam , ancl to-morrow it is to be determined . The lady took this ridiculous tale for truth

, and became violently enraged ; she sent messengers to all fche other ladies and matrons in Rome , and the next day , headed by her , they all rushed clown to the Senate house ancl demanded or rather forced admission . She proceeded to address the assembly , asserting the injustice of a husband having twcTwives when he coulcl scarcely please one , that she ancl her companions were determined to resist such an alteration of the laws , but afc

the same time confessed thafc they , one and all , hacl no objection to two husbands . The lady and her friends , after tbis little exposure , were suffered to depart ( the Senate having gained information of the scheme of the young Papyrus to preserve his fidelity ) . With blushing cheeks ancl downcast looks they returned to their homes with the just reward of their curiosity , while for his attachment to his word and discreet policy many honours ivere conferred on the youth . " This little anecdote ,

ivhich will at least amuse , is not devoid of instruction , nor is it devoid of significance towards those ivho Avould endeavour clandestinely to penetrate our mysteries , ancl AVIIO , like the Roman ladies , are sure to stultify themselves in the attempt . But I must pass on to other duties which move particularly characterise our Order . Freemasonry teaches us the inviolability of our neighbours' property and reputation , whicli it binds us to protect as if they were our own . It is not enough that no

actual encroachments are made on it by violence on our part , or connivance when it is invaded by others . The worthy Mason , who acts according to the instruction ivhich he receives in the lodge , will not endeavour to profit by his brother ' s ignorance or inexperience in any worldly transaction , but , so far from injuring him , he will protect him from danger by giving him notice of any attack ivhich may be meditated by others ; thus showing to the uninitiated world tbat we are united by a chain of indissoluble affection which cannot fail to cement

us by its bond while ive continue to practise the distinguishing duties of our Order— "Brotherly love , Relief , and Truth , "—and further ive are taught tbat it is our duty to support a brother ' s character in his absence more energetically than in his presence , because it is presumed that when present he will be able to vindicate his own reputation—" we are not wrongfully fco revile him , or suffer him to be reviled by others if it is in our power to prevent it . " An offence against this precept is committed

bmisy representing the conduct of a brother , or passing unkind remarks and uncharitable reflections on him , by whispering , backbiting , or circulating injurious reports—all approaches to such conduct are offences against the " tongue of good report , " and should be carefully guarded against by every true Mason . Such offences are a breach of the stringent injunction of the Grand Patron of Masonry—St . John the Evangelist—who , in imitation of his

divine Master , frequently directs us " to love one another , " and for this reason , because , if the love of God ancl man be the ground of our actions , it will promote our own happiness and spread the blessings of peace and unanimity amongst all ranks and conditions of men—this is the true spirit ivhich Masonry ndicates—it is the disposition of angels , and the practice of every faithful brother . The symbols of Masonry the qualit

possess y above those of any other society of exciting by the sublimity of their nature and the aptitude of their applications , the character of the Order to its highest points of beauty and utility—in a tvord , _ Freemasonry differs essentially from all other human societies in its moral organisation and benevolent character . The pillars of our temple are "Faith , Hope , and Charity , " and to this I add in the words of an inspired apostle "the greatest of these is

charity , and Masonic charit y is that of the heart . The Mason thinks no evil of his brother , he cherishes no designs against him . It is charity upon the tongue also ; he speaks no evil , bears no false witness , defames no character , blasts no reputation ; he knows that to take away a good name is to commit an evil , the damage of which no wealth can repay , for ifc is of more value than great riches—rubies cannot re-purchase itthe gold

, of Ophir cannot regild ifc fco ifcs pristine beauty . It is charity of tbe hand for it relieves a brother ' s wants—thus the heart , the tongue , tho hand of the really free and accepted Mason are ever engaged and diligently exercised in carrying out the grand principles of their ancient and illustrious Order . Such are our

leading tenets , and these need be no secret , act up to these and even if our " good be evil spoken of" we shall not smart under the slander ; our vindication and the vindication of our pure and Royal Order , like Christianity , itself is better effected by the practice of its professors than by all that could be said or written in ifcs favour . There remains yet ons consideration , brethren , which must not be passed over amidst this day's solemnities . Ifc has pleased the Great Architect of the Universe

fco establish , in His strength , this lodge for tbe space of 100 years , a period of time which , though as nothing in tho ages of Masonry , is far more than is allotted to ordinary men . AVe shall never see , and most probably our children will never see , another centenary of the Palladian Lodge ; while then with gratitude we bend before the Most High for the preservation of our Order , and of this lodge in particular , and the many blessings we have individually received at His hands ,- may we

prepare ourselves for that last hour when time itself must cease with us for ever , with hope for our beacon , faith our guide , and charity our aid ; may we so pass through the valley of the shadow of death that hereafter through the merits and for the sake of our only Lord ancl Saviour we may shine as the stars for ever . The oration was received in a fitting manlier , and , £ 5 having been voted to the Lancashire Fund ( afterwards made up by tbe members of the Lodge ancl the visitors to £ 15 ) , the lodge was closed in solemn and ancient form , and the brethren adjourned to the banquetting room .

THE BANQUET . A varied and superb display of the choicest viands , was in the best style of the new regime of the Green Dragon Hotel Company , under the superior management of Miss Jermyn , upon whose judgment ancl taste it reflected great honour . The R . W . PROV . G . MASTER presided , supported by the R . AV . D . Prov . G . M ., and there were also present—Bros . J . W . Lacey , W . M . 141 ; James AVilliams , P . M . ; T . G . Peyton ,

P . M . 1058 ; H . Clarkson , P . M . ; Charles Geary , 19 ; J . AV . Gardiner , J . AV . ; Charles Allen , Chap .,- II . C . Beddoe , Treas . ; W . J . Burvill , Sec ; AV . H . Gretton , J . D . ; 0 . Shellard , I . G . ; Stephen Broad ; R . F . Knight ; A . G . AAllliams ; A . Myer ; AVm . Russell ; J . AV . Russell ; H . D . Martin ; AV . Prosser ; J . H . Hustwick ; AV . Phillips ; J . H . Stephens ; H . Vevers ; John Bosley ; J . Cheese ; — Baker ; Edwin Cowtan ; C . Gwatkin Hill ; T . 'Duckham ; T . A . Court ; H . Carless ; Frederick

Bodenham ; James Phillipps 141 ; Walter J . Sawyer , Chap . ; R . H . ; Luckes , P . M . ; H . Atkins , Salopian Lodge , P . M . 138 ; Thomas Locketfc ; Henry A . Bennett , P . G . R . Cheshire ; T . AV . Garrold ; A'itruvian ; T . AV . Purchas , ( 423 ); J . H . Skyrmo , J . W . 423 ; H . Eldred [ 423 ; R . Spencer , G . S ., London ; F . Binckes , AV . and R . S . ancl Sec . of Boy ' s School , P . M . ; J . G . Gregg , J . W . 1053 ; L . L . Demay , J . AV . C . 1194 ; E . S . Cossens , P . G . S . AV . Gloucestershire ; AV . J . Palmer , F . G . S . 418 ; J . E . Pen-is , Sec . 423 ; AV . Page , semper fidelis 772 ; J . Roden ; Jabez Jones ; — Brookes , & e . Bro . AEKEN offered thanks .

The R . W . PEOV . G . MASTEE , on rising , ivas received with a perfect ovation of applause , ou the subsidence of ivhich the venerable and esteemed gentleman said : —Brethren of the Palladian Lodge , on this most memorable occasion , Avhen you are assembled to celebrate your centenary and to commemorate the ancient fathers of your lodge , I should have preferred a seat on the right of your AVorshipful Master , and the members of the centenary festival committee to make a different arrangement j

and therefore , in accordance with their special request , strengthened by your approval , I have consented to occupy tbis chair . ( Great applause . ) As we are members of the most loyal as well as the most ancient fraternity in the world , my first duty is to propose the health of the Royal Lady who sivays the sceptre of these realms—a Sovereign whose influence consists , not only in the vast extent of her dominions , but in her worth , and the

lustre of whose imperial diadem is eclipsed by her virtues . ( Loud cheers . ) Brethren , in honouring the Queen we profoundly reverence tbe woman , and with heartful aud devoted loyalty I propose " The Health of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen . " ' ( Prolonged cheering . ) THE R . AV . PEOV . G . MASTER again rose and said : Brethren , in changing the order of the toasts as they appear on the list before me , I am only paying a proper compliment and giving

that priority whicli , on this memorable occasion , is so pre-eminently due to the brethren of the Palladian Lodge on the holding of their Centenary Festival . I therefore pass over , for the present , the intermediate toasts to propose that which is