The Provinces.

filled by Bro . Right Hon . Lord Leigh , Prov . G . M . and W . M . of the Lodge , supported by Bros . Chas . W . Elkington , P . G . S . B . and J . W ., C . Wren Hoskyns , S . W ., Dee , Mechin , Kettle , Empson , Goode , J . Goodo , Lingard , Boddington , Isaac , Briggs , & c , & c , & c . ; members of various Lodges in the Provinces , Bro . Joy ( 425 ) , Prov . of Oxford , and Bros . Shrewsbury and Binckes , London . The cloth having been removed and grace said , the usual loyal toasts were given , the Prov

G . M . prefacing them with a few admirable observations . In giving "the Visitors , " his lordship said : "They were honoured by the presence of many visitors , the great majority of whom were connected with the Province , whom they were delighted to see , and to whom they accorded a hearty welcome . In addition to these wore Brother Joy , from the neighbouring Province of Oxford ; aud from London , Bros . Binckes and Shrewsbury ; the latter , nearly connected with

their excellent Bro . Elkington , and therefore especially welcome : the former , connected with a highly-distinguished Lodge , presided over by the Earl of Carnarvon , a member of the present Government . Politics were wisely eschewed at Masonic meetings , but this he must be permitted to say , that whether they approved of Lord Derby ' s policy or not , it was admitted on all sides that the Earl of Carnarvon was one of the most rising men of the day . He should give them the

toast of " The Visitors , " coupling with it the name of Bro . Binckes . " Bro . Binckes considered it a signal honour , in the presence of so numerous and distinguished a company , to have his name coupled with a toast so kindly proposed , and so very cordially received . He would not speak of himself , nor would he touch upon the justly forbidden ground of politics ; nay , at a convivial meeting like that , not even on Masonic politics . He would , however , avail himself of the

opportunity afforded by the mention of Lord Carnarvon ' s name , to assure them that no one could possibly have the good of Masonry more at heart than that noble Brother , to whom he was delighted at all times to render his humble support . The part that he , and those who acted with him in Grand Lodge , took in support oi Lord Carnarvon , exposed them , at times , to odium and animadversion , and interested and unworthy motives were imputed to them ; but their

sole object was , by endeavoring to introduce something of vigour into the government , and improvement in the management , to further , to the utmost of their ability , the success of our noble institution-They wished to see the Provincial Brethren become a more integral portion of Grand Lodge , aud that they should have a more active share in the elections and ruling of the Order ; and it was hoped that some scheme would be devised by which this would be effected . —Ibid .

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OE ST . MAKYS , TAUNTON . — The foundation stone of the new tower of the parish church at Taunton , St . Mary Magdalene , was laid on Tuesday , August 3 rd , by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Somerset , Col . K . K . Tynte . It is impossible to imagine a more imposing ceremony . The morning was ushered in by the firing of the Sebastopol gun , in Vivary Park , and the bells of the neighbouring churches sent forth

merry peals . The Lodge of Unanimity and Sincerity , No . 327 , assembled at eleven o ' clock on Tuesday mormng , in the Grand Jury Room at the Shire Hall , ( the use of which had been kindy granted by the County Magistrates ) , when the Lodge was- opened , ' and the Grand Lodge proceeded to visit them at Twelve . Among the Brethren were the R . W . Bro . Vernon , Prov . G M ., Worcester ; H . Shuts , Prov . G . M ., Bristol ; J . R . Randolph , D . Prov . G . M . of Somerset ; Dr .

Falconer ( Mayor of Bath ) , Prov . G . Treasurer ; Major A . P . Browne , Prov . G . Secretary ( whose indefatigable and courteous services in connection with the entire proceedings have earned for him the wannest thanks of the Craft ); Dr . Pope , " of Glastonbury ; R . E . Peach , S . G . W . ; the W . M . and officers of the Lodges of the Province ; with the Prov . G . Lodges of Dorset , Devon , and Bristol ; the

representatives of the Grand Lodge at Switzerland , and many others ; in all , about three hundred . —Ibid . LEICESTERSHIRE—Provincial Grand Lodge—A P . G . L . of this province was held at the Town Hall , Hinckley , on Thursday , the 29 th July , at one o ' clock , by Right Hon . Earl Howe , G . C . H ., Provincial Grand Master .

WILTSHIRE—A P . G . L . was held at Trowbridge on the 24 th Aug ., and was presided over by Bro . Gooch , D . P . G . M . Bro Biggs , in proposiug the health of Bro . Maundry , the worthy host , and thanking him for the handsome banquet he had provided , took occasion to congratulate the Brethren on the result of their meeting that dayfeeling sure that it augured well , not only for the prosperity of their

province , but also for the whole Craft . He would have them ever recollect that Masonry was to be compared to one vast machine , and that each Lodge and each province was but as one of the wheels by which it was kept in motion ; and that , while conducting their own affairs , they were never to lose sight ot what was transacting beyond their own circle . They had that day appointed a committee of Masters and Past Masters to dispense their benevolent vote to the

different charities , and otherwise increase the sum subscribed . He felt sure that very many other subjects connected with the Craft would be discussed amongst what might be very properly called the Provincial Board of General Purposes ; and he-hoped the first subject would be our representative system . They had voted a sum of money to be placed at their disposal for the benefit of the charities—and did it not necessarily follow that those who subscribed the funds should have a

prominent voice in its disposal . In Hampshire ( and he would appeal for the accuracy of his statement to Bro . Sherry ) he understood that each Lodge subscribed from its funds a certain sum to defray the Master ' s expenses to attend every quarterly communication of Grand Lodge ; and if he , the Master , was prevented from so doing , he was pledged to provide a substitute . Now , that was a move in the right direction ; it not only caused the Lodges in that province to take a greater degree of interest in their Masonic legislation , but gave them a position in Grand Lodge , which must of necessity be of great benefit to the province . —Masonic Mirror .

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NOTICES OF MOTION . —In Grand Lodge on December 1 st , the Earl of Carnarvon , W . M ., No . 10 , will move , "That this Grand Lodge views with great regret the tone of the letters dated the 10 th June and 12 th August respectively , and addressed by the Grand Secretary to the R . W . Bro . Harington , late P . G . M . of Quebec . " Motions will also be brought forward condemnatory of the unfairness of the official version of G . L . proceedings , and in favour of recognizing the Grand

Lodge of Canada . THE FIRST STEF . —The first step in Freemasonry is the most important , and should not only be so considered by the candidate , but he should be so instructed by the Master in his charge . The obligations of all future teachings in all the succeeding degrees are based upon the lessons taught in the initiatory degree . It is for this reason that the Master should be particularly careful to impress

upon the candidate the exalted privileges to which he has been admitted by having the honours of Freemasonry conferred upon him . In receiving this degree he is made a link in the great chain of Masonry , which binds him with good and true men in every part of the world . He becomes one of the great brotherhood . He is for the first time admitted into a Lodge of Freemasons , and becomes acquainted with some of the mysteries of the Order . Before his admission he is like all the world , in darkness as regards the secrets of Freemasonry . Having entered , he is brought to light , and beholds that which to the uninitiated must ever remain a secret .