Craft Masonry.

of Ripon , " " the Earl of Carnarvon , D . G . M ., " " the Initiate , " "the W . M " ., " "the Past Masters , " and "the Officers . " The brethren separated shortly after 11 o ' clock . CLAPTON LODGE ( NO . 1 , 365 ) . —A new lodge called the Clapton Lodge and numbered 1 , 365 in the register of the Grand Lodge of England , was appointed to be consecrated and constituted on Wednesday , 20 th inst ., by Bro . James Terry , P . M . ( No . 228 ) , and P . Prov . G . S . B . Hertsat the White Hart

, , , Clapton , but the W . M . Designate , Bro . J . D . Taylor ( No . 862 ) , being dangerously ill the ceremony had to be postponed . Hoping down to the last minute that Bro . Taylor might recover bis health in time a large number of members of the Craft assembled at the hour of three to assist in the dedication of this new Masonic Temple . The arrangements were of a costly aad elegant description , and the greatest taste was exhibited in the preparatiou of the lodge-roomas if to show what the brethren

, had lost by the non-performance of the ceremony . Bro . Terry rehearsed before the brethren the consecrating officer ' s dutias , and delivered a most able oration on the mysterious science . Bro . Henry Thomas ( No . 1 , 196 ) had the direction of the musical portion of tbe service , and with tbe assistance of Bros . Hunt , M'Davit , and Hubbard , with Bro . Limpus at the harmonium , showed the perfection with which the anthems and chants usual in tbe ceremony of consecration can be given . Tho time having

arrived when tbe banquet was announced to be ready , the coro-X > any assembled in the dining room aud enjoyed one of the best repasts that Bro . Bryan could have possibly produced . Masonic toasts did not take their regular place , though of course loyalty and Freemasonry were not forgotten ; but harmony was largely provided , and some excellent glees and songs were executed with consummate skill by the musical brethren above named and the brethren enjoyed these entertainments to a late hour .

[ Wo ereoneousl y in last week ' s number stated that the consecration was performed . Due notice will be given of the consecration , which , we are informed , will not take place until the recovery of the W . M . designate . ]

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

BERKS AND BUCKS . MAIDENHEAD — Maidenhead Lodge ( No . 916 ) . — The regular meeting of this summer lodge took place on Tuesday , the 5 th inst ., at the Orkney Aims , Maidenhead , when there were present : —Bros . W . Worrell , W . M . ; T . A . Carr , S . W . ; C . N . Harvey , J . W . ; C . Gammon , P . M ., and Treas . ; H . N .

Hodges , P . M ., and Hon Sec . ; L . II . Isaacs , P . M . ; Spangiolletti , P . M . ; and W . E . Goodey , P . M . The lodge was opened and the minutes were confirmed . There being no business before the lodge , and this being tho night for the election of tho WM . for the ensuing year , the choice of tho brethren was unanimousl y in favour of Bro . T . A . Carr , S . W . Bro . C . Gammon , P . M ., was re-elected Treasurer . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren sat down to one of Bro . Skindie ' s celebrated banquets ,

which gave great satisfaction . The W . M . proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , including that of the Prov . G . M ., Sir Daniel Goocb . Bro . Gammon proposed tbe toast of the W . M ., who appropriately responded . Bro . Spangioletti roturned thanks for the Past Masters . The W . M . tlieu proposed the toast of the W . M . elect . Bro . T . A . Carr , in a few well-chosen remarks returned thanks . Bro . C . N . Harvey , J . W ., responded for the officers . Bro . C . Gammon , P . M ., and Treasurer , in his usual happy and genial manner , returned thanks for the toast . The Tyler ' s toast followed , and the brethren returned to town by an earl } ' train .

CHESHIRE . PBOVINCIAL GBAND LODGE . By command of the Ri ght Honourable Lord De Tabley , R . AV . Prov . G . M ., a Provincial Grand Lod ge of the Province of Chester , was held on Friday the 22 nd inst ., at the Castle Hall School , Staleybridge , at which an unusuall y large number of rethren from every corner of the division assembled . The talcybridgers made their rather uninviting town as pleasant

and lively as possible by a diffuse display of bunting in the principal streets , aud crowds lined the principal thoroughfares when the brethren of the mystic tie turned out as a body to attend church . The Birkenhead contingent , about thirty strong , started from Lime Street about 11 o ' clock , and arrived at Staleybiidge shortly after twelve . With one exception , the whole of the 35 lodges in tbe provinces were represented , there being -about 270 brethren present , exclusive of visitors .

Amongst tho distinguished brethren present were Bros . H . Bulley , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; S . E . Ibbs , Prov . G . S B . ; J . P . Piatt , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; J . F . Jones , W . M . 1276 : Thomas Piatt , P . Prov . J . G . D . ; E . Friend , P . M . 1013 , W . M . 12 S 9 ; F . K . Stevenson , P . M . 537 , and 1289 ; J . H . Johnston , P . Prov . G . S . , S . W . 477 , W . M . 1350 ; T . K . Hughes , P . M . 477 , W . M . 1013 ; W . Little , Sec . 477 ; E . Harbord , P . M . and W . M . 477 ; Thos , Dixon , S . D . 477 ; John Griffiths , J . W . 477 ; J . Sillitoe , W . M .

605 ; John Horbury , P . M . 605 , and W . M . 1325 ; R . Ridyard , 477 ; J . Buckley , S . W . 1322 ; T . J . Lancashire , W . M . 1354 ; W . Davies , W . M . 1218 ; James D . Buerley , P . M . 10 S 8 ; W . Emmett , W . M . 10 SS ; J . D . Kennedy , P . Prov . G . Treas . E . L . ; F Gaskell , W . M . 267 ; J . H . Hartley , S . W . 1126 ; R . Gracie , P . M . 477 ; John Clayton , W . M . 89 ; G . Seddon , P . M . 830 ; J . R . France , W . M . 830 ; J . Drinkwater , W . M . 361 ; C . Hadfield . P . M . 830 ; J . Ashton , P . M . 320 ; S . Warhurst , P . M . 89 ; J ,

Bowden , W . M . 336 ; T . H . Fleming , W . M . 10 S 8 ; J . M'Envoy . W . M . 721 ; P . Wills , P . M . 1088 ; W . S . Astle , P . M . 267 ; S , Drury , P . M . 89 ; J . E . Williams , W . M . 425 ; J . Howard , P . M . 1003 ; W . Bradley , P . M . 89 ; C . H . Hill , P . M . 1276 and 321 . James M . Radeliffe , S . D . 605 ; C . Staley , J . D . 605 ; C . Dutton ; Prov . G . S . B . ; S . W . Wilkinson , P . Prov . J . G . D . ; T . Smith , P . Prov . J . G . D . ; J . Brattan , Prov . G . S . of W . ; E . J . WilloughbyP . Prov . J . G . W . ; and R . Beales , P . Prov . GJ-W .

, About an hour after the specified time , the R . W' . Prov . G . M . and tbe other Grand Officers entered the lodge room , and were received in true Masonic manner . The lodge was then opened in due form , after which tho roll was called . The Prov . G . Secretary read tho minutes of tho last annual aud special Provincial Grand Lodge meetings , which were confirmed unanimously . The minutes of a meeting of the committee of the Fund of Benevolence on the 29 th March last were also

read aud confirmed without comment . Tho R . W . Prov . G . M . read a letter from the Prov . G . Treasurer apologising for , and regretting his absence from ill-health , and afterwards expressed a hope that be would be restored . When it was considered that only 18 years bad elapsed sine ; they had only £ 300 invested and contrasting that with the preseut financial position of the Fund of Benevolence , he thought th & y ought to congratulate themselves on the progress which had

been made in the cause of charity . The Deputy Treasurer read the statement of accounts of tho Fund of Benevolence , from which it appeared there were - £ 1200 invested , and £ 70 Gs . 4 d . in hand , aud the Provincial Grand Lodge Fund amounted to £ 145 14 s . Id . The R . W . Prov . G . M . said he doubtless expressed the cordial feeling of that numerous mid influential meeting when he rose to propose that Bro . Bland be re-elected Prov . Grand Treasurer

for the next twelve mouths . This re-election was fully waranted by the health y state of the funds . He again expressed a hope that Bro . Bland might soon be restored to health . Bro . Cope said he had much pleasure in seconding the nomination , especially as it was now made for the eighteenth time . Tho proposal for the re-election of Bro . Biand was then carried . Tbe H . W . Prov . G . M . then invested the following Grand

Officers , the investiture by his lordship being made with that suavity and kindness of manner which made him popular in his province :- — Bro . Charles Duttou Prov . G . S . W . " Capt Fearnlcy Prov . G . J . W . " Rev . R . Hodgson Prov . G . Chaplain . " J . Wood Prov . G . Registrar . " C . H . Griffiths Prov . G . Secretary .

" T . Wainwright Prov . G . S . Deacon . " AV . 1 . Bates Prov . G . J . Deacon . " J . T . Lea Prov . G . Sup t . of Works " ¥ . Jackson Prov . G . Dir . of Cera . : ' T . Bowers ... ... ,.. Prov . G . Assist . Dir . of Cers . " B . Cooper Prov . G . Pursuivant . " Fentou Prov . G . Steward .