Provincial.

Bro . TnOMAS- AA ' ARD , P . D . Prov . G . M ., on rising to propose the next toast , was most cordially greeted . He said , however o-ratified he might feel at their kind reception of himself , he ivas sure they would also receive with pleasure the toast which he was about to propose . He thought that if anything could lessen the regret which they felt at the absence of tho R . AV . Prov . G . M ., and particularly the cause of that absence , it would be the admirable way in which the duties of his office had that

day been performed by his deputy . ( Applause . ) It was disagreeable to speak of a brother iu his presence , for there was always a danger of saying either too much or too little . His friend loved candour and honesty , and therefore did not expect any man to say more than he knew . He ( Bro . AVard ) might safely say that , so far as judgment , combined with kindness of feeling and sound Masonic knowledge went , they could not have had a better successor to the office which he ( Bro . AVard ) once

held than their friend and brother , Dr . Burton . ( Applause . ) He hoped that he would live many years to enjoy his honours . ( Applause . ) If he did live long and continued to hold his present office , he would find it impossible to please everybody on all occasions , for every decision would fall lighter upon oue than upon another ; but in his decisions the R . AV . D . Prov . G . M . would be guided by sound judgment , kindness , and true

Masonicfeeling . He hoped Dr . Barton might enjoy his post for many years . The toast was drunk with enthusiasm , and The R . AV . D . Prov . G . M . Dr . BURTON , on rising to respond , was again loudly cheered . After returning thanks for the compliment paid to him , he alluded to the worthy example set him by his predecessor in the office he now held , and said if he lived long he should try to merit their highest regard . They had acknowledged that his intention so far had been to do as well

as he eould , and he should always endeavour to merit their approbation . iNotwitlistanding the disagreeables , when they did come he discarded all personal feeling , and confined himself to the strict circle of Masonic conduct . ( Hoar , hear . ) If that did not please the brethren nothing could . ( Hoar , hear . ) He then observed that Bro . Binckes was present as an advocate of the Masonic charities , and was also one of the distinguished visitors . He ( the B . W . D . Prov . G . M . ) should not apologise for then

proposing " The Health of their Visiting Brethren , " as well as " Success to the Masonic Charities , " with which he would couple the name of Bro . Binckes . ( Applause . ) Bro . BINCKES , Secretary to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , said he felt obliged to the R . W . D . Prov . G . M . for the opportunity afforded him thus early to bring before their notice the claims of the Institution with which his name was more

immediately associated , and on behalf of which he appeared before the brethren that day . From what be saw in the Prov . G . L ., and from his conversation with the brethren during his short sojourn in Stafford , he felt confident that he should not appeal to them in vain , because ho had seen how the objects of Masonry and the Masonic Institution for Boys were estimated ; aud he was himself a living evidence of their hospitality . He had travelled from Plymouth to attend their annual lodso that they miht

ge , g judge from that circumstance that he was earnest in endeavouring to enlist their sympathies and support in achieving the objects nearest and dearest to hi 3 heart . He need not expatiate at any length upon the benefits of Masonic institutions , for they were appreciated by the brethren of the province , who had that day accorded a donation in support of the funds of all three of them . Suffice it , therefore , to say that they had three

great charities in connection with their order ; and it was somewhat paradoxical , but nevertheless it was perfectly true , that whilst Freemasonry was not a charitable institution , there was no gainsaying the fact , that there was no body of men who dispensed so much eleemosynary aid as the Freemasons . ( Hear , hear . ) The Benevolent Institution iu London administered aid to the amount of nearl £ 150 a monthand bits liberalit

y , y y Many a heart was cheered . There was in connection with the Royal Benevolent Institution a fund for aged Freemasons and their widows—one of recent formation , but well known to them all because of the peculiarity of its constitution , and deriving greater aid from the Grand Lodge than any of the other institutions . There was also a school for female children , in which eight girls w ere at the present time receiving education

y an not to be surpassed at any private school in the kingdom . Tho girls in that school were treated with kindness , and it would bo gratifying to any of the brethren to witness the way in which it was conducted . Works were : aow in progress for increasing the accommodation , so that 100 children could bo educated at a time , instead of only 80 . Then came the Royal

Provincial.

Masonic Institution for Boys , which had brought him ( Bro Binckes ) to Stafford that day . It had not occupied the position within a recent period equal to that occupied by other charities . Why this was the case he could not say , because no class more deserved the support of the brethren of the Order than the children of those Masons who had fallen in distress , and were not able to fight the battle of life . He was told about fifteen months ago that he should never make a boy as attractive as a

girl . ( A laugh . ) Perhaps in the abstract he never should he able to do so ,- and , seeing so many fair faces around him , he should be wanting in gallantry if he said anything in opposition to the remark in favour of the latter . ( Hear , hear , and a laugh . ) But if he appealed to their judgment , and regarded the matter in an educational point of view , the claims of the boys would stand before them rather differently . There were no institutions of which Englishmen were more proud than the schools of Eton , Harrow , and Rugby . And why was this so ? Because they were what might be termed the nurseries of those who would maintain the honour

ana greatness of the country in future days , as their fathers had clone in the past . ( Hear , hear . ) Now , he should like to know why the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys might not achieve a position / equal to the schools he had mentioned , and send forth men who -would distinguish themselves in promoting their country ' s welfare , and make every Mason feel a pleasure when he reflected that those great men were identified with their Order ? The institution clothededucatedand maintained

, , seventy boys . The demands upon the institution were increasing , day by day and month by month , till for October there were twenty-one candidates and only five vacancies . The house , standing on ground purchased by the liberality of the brethren , was ill-adapted to the accommodation of such a large number of boys , and it was desired that a new building should be erected , which would accommodate a hundred hoys , and in

which they would receive a first-class education . He was present then to ask some brother or brethren to assist him in that great and glorious undertaking . He was labouring incessantly day by clay in promoting the interests of the institution . On Friday he advocated its claim in Cumberland , on Tuesday in Devonshire , that day he was advocating it in Stafford , and a few days hence he should do the same in Yorkshire and otherplaces . It was a labour of love , and he looked to the brethren

for sympathy and encouragement , feeling confident that he should not appeal in vain . He was sure they would not allow him to go away empty-handed . He then alluded to the very kind manner in which he as a stranger had been received by the hrethren , and remarked that if even personally he bad not been welcomed , he should have felt certain that the motives hy which he was actuated would have had the effect of securing him a hearing . He reminded them that the boys on behalf of

whom he appealed were the sons of Masons , and expressed a hope that some of the brethren would give in . their names to represent the province at the festival of the Institution in 1863 , and to exert themselves in procuring local subscriptions in aid of the funds of the institution . He then concluded , amidst loud cheers , by returning thanks for the compliment which had been paid him . Bro . W . BRISTOW" then briefly returned thanks on behalf of

the visiting brethren , The R . AV . D . Prov . G . M ., Dr . BURTON , in complimentary terms , proposed "The V . AV . Prov . Grand Chaplains , Past and Present , " which having been cordially honoured , Bro . JAMES DOWNES , P . Prov . G . Chap ., made an appropriate acknowledgment . The R . W . D . Prov . G . M ., Dr . BURTON , then said they had

again amongst them one of the most distinguished brethren they had hitherto met , or ever would meet in tho xn-ovince . He was speaking to those who were well acquainted with the merits of Bro . AVard and the other past officers , and therefore he need not say any more than that he had great pleasure in proposing as the next toast " The Health of the R . AV . P . D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . AVard , and the other Past Officers of the Province of Stafford . " ( Loud cheers . )

Bro . AVARD , P . D . Prov . G . M ., returned thanks , and said that the appointments made that day were of a very promising character , but he hoped that the brethren now in office would not ho considered very much superior to the past officers , for the sake of the credit of the latter . ( " Hear , hear , " and a laugh . ) The D . Prov . G . M ., Dr . BURTON , then gave in succession "The Health of the Prov . G . Treas ., Bro . Howells , and the Prov . G . Sec , Bro . Frank James , " "The Ladies , " to which Bro .