Provincial.

course of the evening the healths of the retiring W . M ., Bro . Townsend , and the newly-elected AV . M ., Bro . King , were given with full masonic honours and gracefully acknowledged . The toast of the worthy and excellent Prov . G . Chaplain , Bra . R . N . Saunderson , followed , and met with a hearty response by the company , as also did that of the visiting hrethren . Several excellent songs were given during the evening , which added much to the pleasures of a most harmonious meeting . Before

closing our report , we beg to refer to one feature in the lodge , which we feel deserves especially to be recorded , and that is its private benevolent fund . The subject originated some twelve months since with Bro . John Head and Bro . Findley , and ive are glad to see that the practice of contributing has been carried out in the lodge by the AV . M ., Bro . Townsend , daring his year of office . A very neat pedestal box is used to receive the contributions , and which is handed round after the banquet

and each brother drops in what sum he feels disposed to give . On Wednesday evening tbe brethren were informed by Bro . Dorling , the lodge Secretary , that the amount collected during the year by this means amounted to upwards of £ 10 . This little reserve fund enables tbe lodge to dispense timely aid to those of its suffering brethren or their families who are considered worthy recipients of the charity of the lodge . It is an admirable plan of raising a fund , and one deserving of commendation , as it places funds at the disposal of the lodge for dispensing temporary aid to deserving cases , without tbe necessity of applying to the Grand Lodge .

Poetry.

Poetry .

THE FROZEN FLOWER . Br THE EATE BEO . DE . JOHN TAYIOR , AYE . [ During the very severe winter of , a carnation was plucked in a greenhouse early in December , and placed in a wine-glass of water . Next morning the water was frozen , and the glass was put into a cellar , where it remained till early in

February , the flower remaining all the time fresh and beautiful , but viithoxit any perfume . In February , the ice being thawed , the flower was taken out to form the bouquet of a beautiful girl at a public assembly , and sent to her with the folloiving lines ivrappecl round the stem , having recovered its perfume . ' ]

Sweet flower ! retaining all thy grace Amid the Avintry blast , While others of thy fragile race , AVith summer smiles have passed . AA'hat keeps thee here , when all are gone , Thafc blossom'd for a day , As if 'twere left for thee alone ,

To triumph o ' er decay ? Though nursed in summer ' s genial hour , By gentle zephyrs kiss'd , Still dost thou show IIOAV Virtue's power , Can Avintry storms resist . And brighter now thy colours seem

Than ' mid the gorgeous throng ; Fit emblem of a poet ' s theme , Fit subject of his song ! For , all alike to worldly truth , How pure a faith is thine ! Brilliant alike in age aud youth , And lasting still as fair \

As , placed in a more genial air , Thine icy chains are gone , And , blushing o ' er that bosom fair , Thy sweetest breath is shown—So should each holier feeling still , Tbat long unmarked had lain , Touch'd by affection , fondly thrill With love and joy again .

Isabel.

ISABEL .

( From the French of Mov . ssage . ) Beside the lake of Aignes-belle , AAlien May , to clothe the earth began , I saw the slender Isabel With the son of the old fisherman . Her brow of anger seemed to toil :

Yet from her hand he took , in play , A flower gathered by the way . Ah ! she was fair , I marked her well , Beside the lake of Aignes-belle ! Beside the lake of Aignes-belle , Her sweet face covered with her band ,

In Autumn , saw I Isabel , Sitting alone upon the strand . Her brow of shame did seem to tell , And he , Iter love , had left her there , Ah , me ! how deep was the despair Of the heart of tender Isabel ,

Beside the lake of Aignes-belle , AVhen snow lay deep upon the ground , I sought the slender Isabel—I sought , but never more I found Some tale the wild wind seemed to tell , Low moaning iu the leafless wood , Thafc round the ancient convent stood : Ancl ivhere was slender Isabel ?—Beneath the lake of Aignes-belle !

The Guardian Angel.

THE GUARDIAN ANGEL .

From Heaven , what fancy stole The dream of some good spirit , aye at hand , The seraph whispering to the exiled soul Tales of its native land ? Who to the cradle gave The unseen Watcher by the mother's side , Born with the birthand journeying to the grave

, . The holy Angel-guide ? Is it a Fable ?—No ! I heard Love answer from , the sunlit air , " Still when my presence lights the darkness , know , Life ' s Angel-guide is there !" Is ifc a Fable ?—Hark !

Faith answers from the blue vault's farthest star " I am the Pilot of thy wandering bark , Thy Guide to shores afar ! " Is it a Fable!—Sweet From wave , front air , from every forest-tree The murmur spake , " Each thing thine eyes can greet ,

An Angel-guide can be !" From myriads take thy choice , In all that lives a guide to God is given . Ever thou hear'st some guardian-angel voice AVhen nature speaks of Heaven . —BEO . SIR EDWAED BUIWEE LYTTON .

CHRISTY MINSTEELS . —Our talented Bro . W . P . Collins , "bones" of the Christy Minstrels , takes his benefit afc St . James's Hall , on Friday next , when we are sure he will be happy to see a great assembly of his brethren in Masonry .