Provincial.

time , he governed the province , and under his jurisdiction tho lodges had increased from 28 to 75 , and the number of subscribing members from 1 , 020 to 3 , 867 . The toast was drank in solemn silence . The Earl of Carnarvon next gave the health of Lieut .-Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , R . W . P . G . M . He said that they often heard Freemasonry spoken against by those who were beyond , the charmed circle of the initiated . He would ask those sceptics

if it was likely that any system would have endured so long had it been founded upon imposture , and not upon truth ? A writer had said of the greatest public buildings of Europe , built long since by their own Masonic forefathers , that they owed their decline to three causes—to the effects of time , to revolutions in political or religious thought , aud to fashion or bad taste . That was a perfectly true statement ; but he asked how was it

the Masonry which had been exposed to all three influences had not succumbed to them as their handiworks had done ? In every part of the world Masonry was increasing . In war men owed their lives to it ; iu sickness they received care and attention ; and in desolate and distant countries they were rescued by it . He knew himself of a case where a mission of high importance to the north of India was attempted , and attempted in vain , until at last the officer in command of it gave certain signs and

symbols known to them , wdiich at once secured a free passage through a hostile country . If there was one part in the whole habitable world more than another where Masonry had taken a deep and firm root , that part was England ; and if there was one corner in England where it had taken firmer root than elsewhere

he thought he might claim for Lancashire . Let him indicate what he believed to have been the cause of this . It was said three hundred years ago , by one of the wisest writers of the time , that England was the place above all others where a love of truth prevailed in conjunction with a reverence for that which was old , and he believed that which was said about other matters was equally true when said of Masonry . It had shown that it was true in its wonderful adaptation to modern requirements

and the wants of the present time , and it was only institutions that were good , true , and genuine iu themselves , which would stand this test and come out like gold from the furnace , purified and refined by the ordeal . Masonry might gladly stand that test , for she would , be was convinced , come out of it , and the lessons of Masonry were not likely to grow old in our days , for they were as applicable to us as to our forefathers . They could nover tire of the great cardinal principle of Masonry—¦

charity—and should never forget that great bond that united them together . Lastly , they should never forget how Masonry represented the principle of good citizenship and social order . In other countries Masonry unfortunately had too often lent herself to other societies , who had taken advantage of her , aud , under the shadow of her great name , had dared to foist upon society ' their own miserable doctrines and theories . The toast was duly honoured , and was acknowledged by the

Provincial Grand Master . A number of other toasts were afterwards given . . The proceedings were enlivened by an efficient glee . party , Bro . W . Couldthorp , P . G . O ., presiding at the pianoforte .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST . ) J ^ L ANCASTEE . —Lodge of Fortitude ( No . 281 . )—The regular meeting of this old established lodge was held on Wednesday evening last , the 9 th inst ., at the Masonic Eooms Athenamm . The W . M ., Bro . John Hatch , presided , and was supported by W . Bro . Stanton , as I . P . M . ; Bros . C . Hartley , S-W . ; J . Barrow , J . W . ; W . Bro . Edmund Simpson , P . M ., and Sec . ; Bros . W . Heald , S . D . ; B . Mills as J . D . ; W . Hall , I . G . ; Bros . Beelcy and

Watson Tylers . Past Masters G . Kelland , W . King , W . H . Bagnall , and J . D . Moore . P . Prov . G . S . of \ V ; Bros . E . Airey , J . Dickenson , F . C . ; J . Harrison ; E . Taylor ; Tilley , F . C . ; and J . Stanley . The lodge was oponed , minutes confirmed , and other business transacted . The ' .-allot was taken and proved to he unanimous in favour of the following brethren as joining members of the lodge : —Bros . Bobert S . Bateson , Surgeon in the Indian Armyof the CharitLod No . 563 UmbaUaBengal : Eichard

, y ge , , , Coupland , of Lancaster ; the Eev . T . B . Hinde , M . A ., of Bradfield ; and Bro . the Eev . Adam Wright . M . A ., of Gilsland Vicarage , Carlisle . The ballot was then taken for W . William Hayes , of Lancaster , Licensed Victualler , as a candidate for initiation who was duly elected . The W . M ., in accordance with notice given at the last meeting , proposed that the stun of ten guineas be voted from the lodge funds for the Institution for

Provincial.

Aged Freemasons and their Widows . This was seconded by Bro . E . Simpson , P . M . and Sec , and carried unanimously . Applications for votes for admission into the Eoyal Albert Asylum for Idiots at Lancaster were presented , and the appropriation of the votes deferred until the publication of the list of candidates , and then vested in a committee to consist of the W . M ., Wardens and Past Masters in the lodge . Bro . D 2-. Moore ,

P . M ., presented to the lodge a handsome album to contain portraits of the Past Masters , and an unanimous vote of thanks was awarded to him on the proposition of the W . M ., seconded by Bro . E . Simpson , P . M . aud Sec . A meeting of Emergency was announced to be held on Friday next , when the first and third degrees ^ would be conferred , and the lodge was closed in due form . LANCASTER . —Lodge of Fortitude ( No . 2 S 1 ) . —An emergency

, meeting of this lodge was held on Friday Evening , 11 th November , at the Masonic Boom , Athenann , Lancaster . There were present Bros . John Hatch , W . M . ; Edward Store , I . P . M . ; C . Hartley , S . W . ; John Barrow , J . W . ; Edmund Simpson , P . M . and Sec . ; John Harrison , as S . D . ; J . Budd , as J . D . ; William Hall , J . G . ; Past Masters : Whimpray , and Moore , P . Prov . G . S . of W . Bros . Greenall , B . Wills , Jacob Stanley , J . Dickenson ,.

F . C . ; J . Tilley , F . C . ; E . Taylor , and J . Watson . The lodge was opened , and circulars convening the meeting of emergency read . Bros . Dickenson and Tilley having given full proof of their proficiency as Craftsmen were raised to the degree of M . M . by the W . M . Bro . William Hayes who had been elected at the proceeding meeting of the lodge was also duly initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry by the W . M ., the working tools being presented by Bro . Hartley , S . W . Their being no other business befsre the lodge , it was closed in due form

SUFFOLK . IPSWICH . —Prince of Wales' Lodge ( No . 959 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge took place at the Masonic Hall , on Monday , the 7 th ult ., when a large number of brethren were present , amongst whom were Bros . VV . T . Westgate , W . M . ; W . Cuckow , S . W . ; Oliver , J . W . ; E . Dorling , P . Prov . G . Sec ; Emra Holmes , P . M . ; and C . T . Townsend , P . M ., Secretary , & c . The lodge having been duly openedwas raised to the third degree

, , when Bro . Abbott received the sublime degree of Master Mason , the ceremony being performed by the W . M . with his accustomed ability , assisted by Bro . Townsend . Bros . Osmond and Dennis were afterwards passed to the second degree , and the lodge being , closed down , Mr . Jeffries was duly initiated an Entered Apprentice . A communication was then read from Sir Shafto Adair , Prov . G . M ., of Suffolk , urging the brethren to subscribe to the " Captain " Belief Fundwhen after some remarks from one or

, two of the brethren , it was moved by Bro . Emra Holmes , seconded by Bro . W . Cuckow , and carried unanimously , that the W . M . instruct the Secretary to acknowledge the receipt of Sir Shafto Adair ' s lcttor . Bro . Dorling took exception to the report just published by the Prov . G . Sec . of the last Prov . G . Lodge , and which reflected , upon himself as late Prov . G . Sec . He had sought an explanation from the Prov . G . Master , who promised to look into the matter . Other business having been

transacted , and several propositions taken , the lodge was finally closed , and the brethren retired to an excellent repast provided by Bro . Spalding , the keeper of the Masonic Hall . The evening , closed in harmony .

New Brunswick.

NEW BRUNSWICK .

GRAND LODGE . The third Annual Communication of the M . W . Grand Lodge of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted . Masons of New Brunswick , was opened at St . John's , in the Masonic Hall , on . Wednesday , the 29 t , h ult ., at 10 o'clock a . m There was a large representation present , including dolcgates from all the lodges in this city , and from almost every district in the province . The following grand officers were present : —

M . W . Bro . B . Lester Peters G . M . E . W . Bro . Win . Wedderburn ... D . G . M . R . W . Bro . B . E . Stevenson G . S . W . R . W . Bro . John Richards G . J . W . V . W . Bro . W . H . A Keans G . Treas . V . W . Bro . Wm . F . Bunting G . Sec . V . W . Bro . Eev . Dr . Donald G . Chap . W . Bro . David Main G . S . D .