Provincial.

A procession was then formed , and proceeded to the Masonic Hall , the brethren numbering about 170 . The corner stone of the new Masonic Hall was laid on the 20 th April , I 860 , with Masonic honours , by the W . the Rev . Bro . Nairne , D . Prov . G . M . The portico is pure . Egyptian , and the design for it was taken from the Temple of Dandour , one of the smallest temples in Nubia . The two cylindrical pillars were ied from the grand porticoes of temples at Edfou and Philre .

cop The base of the pillars is formed of leaves , and the capitals of palm leaves and fruit . The shafts are decorated with symbols , five pointed stars , and crosses , ancl the abacus of each column , and the tablature are enriched with hieroglyphic decorations . Overspreading the entrance , as well as the cove of the cornice , is the winged sphere and serpents . The building consists of a spacious entrance hallbanquet ancl other rooms ancl conveniences

, on the ground floor , ancl a lodge-room on the first floor , 40 ft . by 20 ft . Bro . George Hackford is tbe architect . The interior of the ball bas just been decorated , under the direction of a committee , consisting of Bro . Snart , W . M ., and Bros . Pocklington , Clegg , and Bailes , P . Ms ., ancl is most chaste and elegant . The walls of the lodge-room are of a chocolate colour , with ornaments in golden bronze , and symbols in gold , from Edfou ,

Karnac , & c . The ceiling , which is domed ( like that of the temple at Phila )) , is of a royal blue , studded with stars , and a burnished gold symbol of the sun in tho centre . The centre of the floor is ornamented with a Mosaic pavement , and covered with a crimson carpet . The brethren entered the hall in procession , to solemn music , the musical portion of the service there being conducted by Bro . BurlandOrganist of the Lodge of Harmcny . The vessels

, containing incense , corn , wine , oil , and salt were placed on a table in front of tbe Prov . G . M . ' s pedestal , covered , and encompassed by the three luminaries . The D . Prov . G . M . ( Bro . HARVEN ) informed the Prov . G . M . that the members of the Lodge of Harmony had , at great pains , ancl very considerable expense , erected a Masonic Hall , for the convenience of tho Fraternity , and were desirous that the same

should be solemnly dedicated to Masonic purposes , agreeably to ancient form . The Prov . G . M . gave his assent , and directed the Prov . G . Chaplain ( Bro . Larken ) to jwoceed with the ceremony . Tbe Prov . G . Chaplain read a passage of Scripture taken from the 1 st Kings , 1 th chap ., 1 st to 6 th verses , and the following anthem was then sung : —

Hail I Great First Cause , Eternal God , Supreme , Unbounded , and Alone ! Earth rose at Thy creative nod , And clouds of glory veiled Thy throne I Thou , who for ever art the same , Hear us invoke Thy Sacred Name . ' LordThou hast been our dwelling-place ,

, Through years of old , and ages past , And still Thy laws wo seek to trace , On Thee our trust we humbly cast . Father of Light ! Builder Divine ! Behold our work and make it Thine 1

The architect of the building , in the absence of tbe Prov . G . Supt . of Works , delivered to the Prov . G . M . the implements ot his profession , entrusted to him for the erection of the building , and announced that the work had been completed according to tho plans and specifications . Ihe PROV . G . M . then , in highly eulogistic terms , congratulated the Brethren on the completion of the work . Tbe PROV . G . CHAPLAIN then taking up the censerdiffused

, , incense over tbe room , and the Prov . G . Officers having formed in procession , made tho circuit of tbe lodge to solemn music , and the Prov . G . M . having reached the east , Bro . Smart , the W . M . of the Lodge of Harmony , presented the cornucopia of corn to the Prov . G . M ., who strewed the lodge with corn , saying — " We strew this corn as an emblem of plenty . " The PROV . G . CICAP ., then read the ' jlltb verse of tho 72 nd

psalm , and the Prov . G . M . said , " I declare this Hall duly dedicated to Masonry , in the name of the Great Jehovah , to ' whom bo all glory and honour . A second circuit of the lodge was then made , and Bro . Close the immediate P . M . 339 , presented the chalice of wine , to the Prov . G . M . Whilst the lodge was being sprinkled with wine , the Prov . G . M . said— " We pour this wine as the emblem of cheerfulness and joy . "

A third circuit of the lodge was made , the Dep . Prov , G . M . presented the cruet of oil to the Prov . G . M ., who said , " We pour this oil as the emblem of prosperity and happiness . "—The Prov . G . M . strewed salt , saying— " We strew this salt as the emblem of wisdom , fidelity , and prosperity , " and the Prov . G . Chap , having read the 25 th and 26 th verses of the 30 th chap , of Exodus , the Prov . G . M . said , " I declare this hall duly dedicated to universal benevolence . "—Tbe brethren then sang ,

" Glory be to Thee 0 God . " The Prov . G . M . further said , " May the all bounteous author of nature , bless this ancient borough , the county , and the kingdom at large , with abundance of corn , and wine , and oil , and all the necessaries , comforts , and conveniences of life , and may the same Almighty Power , preserve the brethren in peace , unity , and brotherly love . " The following anthem was then sung : —

The Heavens declare Thy glory Lord , The stars thy bandy work display To Thee , the Truth , the Living Word , — Creator God I to Thee we pray I This symbol'd wall and graven stone , Will be , when time with us is o'er Oh I Thou , Most High , when life is done ,

Raise us to life for ever more I Bro . CLEGG then illustrated the various symbols depicted in the lodge , prefacing his remarks by an explanation of the hieroglyphic inscription over the portico . The centre symbol of the sun , he remarked , was from the Temple of Tantira , and had been adapted to his present purpose by introducing an equilaterial triangle in pure white in its centresymbolical of the true God .

, The Master ' s symbol was from tbe temple of Edfou , and represented tbe triangle upon rays of light , ivith tho Master ' s band in the centre , holding the key of life and knowledge . The northern symbol represented a plant ofthe poppy , resting upon a triangle , surrounded by an endless serpent , and beyond all , rays of glory—the poppy representing , in the various periods of its growth , infancy , youthmanhoodand old age ; whilst the

, , serpent represented eternity—the symbol being Eleusinian . The winged globe over the entrances was from the Temple of Karnac , and represented the world Hying through space , and bearing death iu the form of twisted asps around it ; but , beyond all , immortality , represented by the rays of glory . Galileo , 30 O years ago , was sentenced to the stake for saving the earth moved ;

and yet , centuries before Christ , tho Egyptians had discovered that it not only did move , but depicted illustrations of it over all their entrances , ancl upon many of the ceilings of their temples . The beetles over the doorways were also from Karnac , and represented the sacred Scarabeus of tbe Egyptians , which signified secresy , patience , and industry . It would be remembered that tbe Prince of Wales brought with him from Egypt a Scarabeus , in the form of a broochwhich he presented to bis bride

, , and which she lvore on her wedding day . The brethren , having re-formed in procession , returned to the Assembly Rooms , where the Prov . G . M ., the Duke of St . Albans , appointed ancl invested the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year : —R . S . Harvey , D . Prov . G . M . ; Captain Smyth , Prov . S . G . W . ; Walter Clegg , Prov . J . G . W . ; Rev . E . R . darken , Prov . G . Chaplain ; G . H . Shipley , Prov . G . Treasurer ;

R . C . Moore , Prov . G . Registrar ; R . Hall , Prov . G . Secretary ; Cupiss , Prov . S . G . D . ; ' Wnite , Prov . J . G . D . ; Fowler , Prov . G . Supt . Wks . ; Greenwood , Prov . G . D . C ; Jacobson , Assist . Prov , G . D . C ; Noonan , prov . G . S . B . ; Keller , Prov . G . Organist ; G . M . Fox , Prov . G . Purst . ; Cotton , Prov . G . Tyler ; Major Taylor , Capt . Grantham , T . Oldinan , R . Payne , W . Snart , and W . L . MasonProv . G . Stewards . The remaining business of the

, province was then disposed of , and after singing an appropriate hymn the Grand Lodge was closed . The several hymns were written for the Lodge of Harmony ( No . 339 ) , expressly by Bro . Clegg , of Boston , P . M . of that lodge .

THE BANQUET . At three o'clock , at the Assembly-rooms , the brethren , to the number of about 120 , sat clown to one of the most sumptuous and elegant banquets which has ever been served in the borough , and for which the most unbounded credit is due to Bro . Jackson , of the Peacock Hotel . His Grace the Duke of St . Albans presided , being supported on tbe right by Bros . Cooke , Coltman , Smyth , Hall , Shipley , & c , and on the left by Bros . Harvey , D . Prov " . G . M ., Larken , Dr .