The Provinces.

PROVINCIAL GE ' XODGES have been held during the past quarter in KENT , LINCOLNSHIRE , NORFOLK , SOUTH WALES , and SURREY , at which the proceedings were of the ordinary character , and call for no especial notice . YORKSHIRE ( WEST ) . —A very interesting Meeting was held at Saddleworth , on the 12 th of June , when the worthy D . P . G . M ., Dr .

Fearnley , laid the foundation stone of a Mechanics' Institute . The P . G . L . of the ISLE OF WIGHT was as usual well attended ; and the banquet graced as heretofore with the presence of a numerous assembly of ladies . The P . G . M . and his excellent Deputy , Bro . HYDE PULLEN have reason to congratulate themselves upon the satisfactory state of . Masonry in this Province .

At the P . G . L . of HAMPSHIRE , it was agreed that a Committee should be formed to promote the interests of the Charities . The first meeting of the Charities Committee was held at the house of the D . P . G . M ., on the 7 th , when it was agreed to recommend to the several Lodges in the Province , that a charity box should be sent

round at the banquets , half of the proceeds of which should , aided from the Lodge funds , constitute the Lodge , an annual governor of each of the Four Charities ; and that the other half should go to form a sinking fund , by means of which , each Lodge would , in time , become a Governor of the Charities during its existence . It was also agreed that the Secretary of the Committee should correspond with other P . G . L ' s ., so as to secure co-operation in the election of

Provincial Candidates . It seemed to be the opinion of several of the Committee , that much of the lukewarmness of Provincial Brethren in the cause of the central Charities , arose from the monopoly in the government of the Craft , enjoyed by the London Brethren ; as well as from the very discreditable conduct of some among the latter , on various occasions , at the festivals .

HAMPSHIRE—Lodge of Economy , ( No . 90 ) , WINCHESTER—At the regular meeting of this Lodge , August 25 th , it was proposed by Bro . Russ , P . M ., seconded by Bro . La Croix , and carried unanimously : — " That in the opinion of this Lodge , the funds of the Masonic charities would be considerably improved , and the general good of Freemasonry advanced , by an increased interest on the part of the Country Brethren in the proceedings of Grand Lodge , and in order to promote this

important object , they would suggest that it is highly desirable that all country Lodges should take steps to ensure their due representation at the quarterly communications and other meetings of Grand Lodge ; and that prior to such meetings , the motions intended to be then brought forward should he laid before and discussed in open Lodge , in order that the opinions of the Brethren he elicited and properly represented in Grand Lodge . "

STONEHOUSE—Lodge of Sincerity ( No . 224 ) . —According to ancient custom the new W . M . of the Lodge was installed on Monday , the 24 th of June . The election of the W . M . took place at the previous meeting , when the choice of the Brethren fell npon Brother Lord Valletort , S . W ., who is justly held in the highest estimation in the neighbourhood , and regarded by the Brethren as a most zealous and

able Freemason . It was not surprising , therefore , that the ordinary Lodge room was found too small to accommodate the Brethren desirous of witnessing the installation . The difficulty was , however , easily remedied by removing the furniture to the large room in St . George ' s Hall , in which building the usual Lodge room is also situate . The large room is one of the most extensive and best proportioned in the West of England , and was upon this occasion well filled by the Brethren . The Lodge having been regularly opened , the R . W . D . P .

G . M . for Devon , the Rev . J . Buyshe , and the Y . Vf . P . G . Secretary , Wm . Dennis Moore , accompanied by a number of Provincial officers , past and present , were announced by the I . G . The D . Prov . G . M . was received with every mark of respect , and the W . M . Bro . Wm . Hunt , handed him the gavel , which he was pleased to accept . The W . M . subsequently introduced Bro . Viscount Valletort , as W . M . elect , to the D . Prov . G . M ., who duly installed his Lordship in the

chair as W . M . for the coming year ; the R . TV . D . Prov . G . M . admirably performed the ceremony , being most ably seconded by the V . W . P . G . Secretary , aud the effect being enhanced by a suitable accompaniment on the organ by Bro . E . Eovre , P . M . , and P . G . Organist . The newly . installed W . M . then invested , with their respective collars and ensigna , Bro . TV . Hunt , as P . M . ; Bros . R . Robinson Rodd , S . W ., and Lord Graves , J ., W . ; Bro . the Rev . George Knowling , Chaplain ;

Bros . Lorenzo B . Tripe , ( P M . ) Treasurer , John Cree Hancock , ( P . M . ) Secretary ; Bros . Robinson Ridley , S . D ., and H . Evelyn Barton , J . D . ; Bro . Samuel Cater , I . G . ; Bros . James Hughes , P . M ., and John Honey , Stewards . After the installation , about fifty of the Brethren dined together at Bates' Royal Hotel , Plymouth . Bro . Lord Valletort was supported by the D . Prov . G . M ., the Prov . G . Sec , Bro . Evens , Prov . S . G . D ., and Bro . Darnant , Prov . G . Sup . of Works , and a number of other Past Provincial officers ; Bro . W . Hunt , the P . M ., Bro . the Rev . G . Knowling , Chaplain , and the newly appointed officers . The W . M . gave the toasts with short but very apposite

. and telling speeches . His declarations as to the estimate he formed of the principles of the Craft , while showing that he had given considerable and earnest attention to the subject , were such as to encourage all who heard them to hope that his active interest in Freemasonry would not be of a mere . temporary character , but for many years continue to add to its prosperity , not in this particular Lodge and province , but throughout the country . In proposing the

health of the P . M ., the W . M . paid a tribute of respect to the zeal , attention , and ability of Bro . Hunt ; who , in acknowledging the compliment , detailed some interesting facts connected with the doings of the Lodge during his year of office . During the past twelve months there had been 21 meetings , all of which , as well as the meetings of its Committees , he had personally attended . There had been 10 initiations , 12 passings , and 29 raisings , and the whole of the work he

had personally performed , except one initiation and one raising . During the same period the Lodge had dispensed , in casual charity , about £ 14 ; voted to Masonic and local charitable institutions , a further sum of about £ 21 ; and paid for dues and fees to Grand Lodge and Prov . G . Lodge , some £ 23 or £ 24 . It may be interesting to add , that amongst the initiations was that of a Turkish officer , Colonel Kadri Bey , who was present at the installation , and some seven or eight officers in the army and militia . The Treasurer begins the year of office of the present TV . M . with a balance in hand of more than £ 30 in favour of the Lodge . —Abridaed from the "Masonic Mirror . "

KENILWORTH . —Sioneleigh Lodge . ( No . 1027 . )—This Lodge , having resolved on celebrating the festival of St . John in a becoming manner , invited the Prov . G . M ., Lord Leigh , to honour them with his presence . His Lordship having accepted the invitation , Wednesday , the 30 th nit , was fixed npon as the day , and a large number of Brethren signified their intention of being present . The Lodge was opened at the King's arms hotel , Kenilworth , at 4 o ' clock , Bro . Chas . Elkington ,

P . G . S . B ., as W . M ., Bro . Chandos Wren Hoskyns , S . W ., and Bro . Fred . Dee , P . G . J . TV ., J . W . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes of the last meeting , 'the Prov . G . M . was announced , and on entering the Lodge was received with every mark of respect . Nothing more than routine business was disposed of , and the Lodge , at 5 o ' clock , adjourned for the purpose of refreshment , about 100 Brethren sitting down to a banquet which was served by the host , Bro . Bun-ell , in a style that elicited universal praise . The chair was