Provincial.

brethren . Bro . Kennedy , P . Prov . G . T ., in asking the brethren to honour "the LP . M . and P . M ' s of the Blair Lodge , " lavished much praise ou Bro . James Bedford for his zeal during the past Masonic year , ancl observed that he had gained t' -e admiration aud confidence of all the member .-, and in their mine presented and affixed on his left breast a tastefully engraved P . M . 's gold jewel . The toast was received with much enthusiasm Bro .

Redford , I . P . M ., replied that his year of office had been the sunniest of tho sunny , and he should always recall it with pleasant recollections ; he should esteem the jewel that had been presented to him as of inestimable value ; the diagram upon it delineating the useful 47 th proposition of the 1 st book of Euclid , —that of the " squares , "—would be to him a lasting remembrance that tbe brethren had approved his efforts to act on the " square " and do his duty in a conscientious straightforward manner . In

conclusion , he thanked the P . M ' s ., Officers , and Brethren , for their advice , support , and assistance , in ihe discharge of his important duties ; if he were to particularize , he should mention Bro . Gillman , as a member , for his punctual attendance had enabled him to open the lodge lit the hour appointed ; as officers , Bros . Norris , Treasurer , and AA ' . J . Towle , Secretary , had done a large amount of work quietly and unobtrusively ; Bro . Towle , bis I . P , M ., had never been absent from his duty , and he should endeavour to imitate his good example . Iu taking leave of them as W . M ., he trusted that he would often meet them again as a

P . M . The "A'isiting Brethren" were welcomed by Bro . Towle . Bro . Davies , S . AV . of No . 1218 , iu response stated that he had spent so many pleasant hours at the " Blair " chat he had almost ceased to feel as a visitor . He was happy in being accompanied that evening with his father-in-law , Bro . Goddart , a P . M ., of thirty years standing , of the Moira Lodge , in the neighbouring province of Cheshire . Bro . John Baker , P . M . No . 163 , also relied to the toaststating he had felt so much at home that

evenp , ing , and was so satisfied with the high rank of the " Blair , " that be had decided , if they would permit him , to become a joining member . Tlie toast of tho Masonic Charities was placed in the care of Bro . Sidgreaves , J . D ., and responded to by Bro . Pochin , S . AV . The AV . M . gave "the ' Officers of the Lodge , " and Bro . Stanley , I . G ., in reply , promised they would rally round the W . M . ancl give him all the support in their power . " The

Stewards , " by Bro . Redford , I . P . M ., was acknowledged by Bros . Croale and Deakin . "Success to the Blair Lodge , " proposed by Bro . Baker , P . M . No . 163 , was replied to by tbe AV . M . Bro . AA' . F . Norris , the J . AA ' ., gave the " last toast , " aud it was honoured as is customary . Bro . Gillman , M . C ., performed his duties in a praiseworthy manner , giving the correct honours to every toast , with a precision that an old practitioner might envy . The evening was enlivened by a choice selection of songs , glees , and pianoforte solos , by Bros . Dumville , AA . Dumville , Edmondson , Standen , and Irvine .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) . LANCASTER . —Lodge of Fortitude ( No . 281 . )—The regular meeting of this lodge was held on AA ' ednesday tlie 12 th inst ., at the Masonic Rooms , Athenamm , Lancaster . The AA' . M . Bro . J . Hatch presided , and wis supported hy tho following officers and brethren : —AV . Bro . King , as I . P . M . ; Bro . C . Hartley , S . W . ; J . Barrow , J . AV . ; E . Simpson , P . M ., Sec ; AA ' . Ileald , S . D . ; AA ' . FlemingJ . D . AV . HallI . G . ; John AA'atsonand John Bceley

, ; , , , Tylers ; AV . Bro . J . Daniel Moore , P . Prov . G . S . of AV ., P . M . ; AV . Bro . AV . Hall , AV . M ., 1051 ; Bros . E . Airoy ; J . Bell ; J . Build ; AV . Bradshaw ; James Beesley ; John II . Charnley ; John Dickenson , E . A . P . ; R . R . llatbornthwaitc ; B . Mills ; AV . J . Sly ; H . Sumner ; J . Stanley ; J . Tilley , E . A . P . The lodge was opened , ancl the usual business transacted . The ballot was taken and proved unanimous in favour of Bros . C . E . Dodson ; E . D .

do Vitro , M . D . ; Capt . T . II . Rossall ; and Lieut-Col . It . AVhitle , all of the Rowley Lodge as joining members . Bros . Dickenson , E . A . P . ; and John Tilley , E . A . P ., having given proof of their proficiency were duly passed to the degree of Fellow Craft by the AV . M . ' , and Bro Hall , AV . M ., 1 , 051 , who afterwards in an admirable manner gave the lecture on the tracing b itircl of the first degree for which a unanimous vote of thanks was awarded by tbe lodge . The AV . M . read a circular from the Institution

for Aged Freemasons and their AA'idows , asking for a steward to be appointed for the festival in January , and Bro . Dr . J . D . Moore , P . M ., offered to undertake that duty . The AV . M . have notice that at the next regular meeting of the lodge go should propose that a sum of money not exceeding ten

guineas be voted for that charity from the funds of the lodge . Bro . Simpson , P . M ., and Secretary who has also for many years acted as Almoner to the Lodge in Lancaster , stated that he bad heard of several begging Masons complaining that he bad refu . sed to give them the assistance that they required . One case especially have occured within the last few weeks to which he desired to direct the attention of the lodge . A man calling himself Bro . C . H . Couch also stated that he was a member of

tbe Prince of AVales Lodge , Kirkdale applied for relief . He ( Bro . Simpson ) being very doubtful of the truth of his story , hesitated to grant him assistance , and on communication being held with the AVest Lancaster Masonic Relief Committee , it was found that the applicant was not a member of the lodge to which he said that he belonged , but was one of tbe many who make their living in part by levying contributions upon

members of tbe Craft , and do not hesitate to threaten if they are not relieved to the extent that they desire . He mentioned tbis ease , which was one unfortunately but one out of many , in order that the brethren of this lodge might know how far their charity frequently was imposed upon , and to show the difficulty attending the distribution of alms to wandering Masons . Four gentlemen were then proposed as joining members of th * lodge , one candidate for initiation by the AA' . AL , and Past Masters Simpson and Moore , after which thelodgo was closed in due form .

MIDDLESEX . AVAIHAJI GREEN . —Hervey Lodge ( No . 1260 ) . —A meeeing of tbe above lodgo was held in the Iron School , adjoining St . James's , Moore Park , AA ' alham Green , on AA ednesday , 12 th inst . Present : —Bros . King , AA' . M . ; P . H . Jones ; S . W , ; J . AA ' ay , J . AA ' . ; Ayshford , Treasurer ; King , Junr ., P . M ., and Secretary ; Wygiuore , S . D . ; Mallyon . Agar ; Davidson ; Dr . T . Godrch ; ancl others . Visitors : —Bros . T . HollandP . M . 1244 ; P . O .

, Brewster , 755 ; and T . Farrell , 975 . The lodge was opened in clue form , with solemn prayer , when the minutes of the hist lodge were read and confirmed . The ballot was then taken for Messrs . J . H . Burton , and F . Derrick , both of AA ' alham Green , and being unanimous in their favour , they were prepared and initiated into Freemasonry according to ancient custom , each candidate being taken separately . The evening was worked with that

accuracy for which this lodge is so celebrated , every officer discharging his duties perfectly . None of the other candidates being present , and after two or three propositions for initiation and joining had been made , the lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to the Brittania , where they sat down to a capital repast supplied by Mr . Smith , and after a very pleasant evening , interspersed with some capital singing , the brethren separated at an early hour .

SOUTHAIE . —Oooch Lodge ( No . 1 , 238 ) . —A regular meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 17 th inst ., at the Prince Alfred Hotel , Southall . The chair was occupied by Bro . G . King , jun ., AV . M ., supported bv Bros . AVm . Smith , O . E ., P . M . ; Baber , S . AV . ; Lonsdale , . LAV . ; Laxton , S . D . ; Honeymoon , I . G . ; Capt . Avery Tyrrell , AA . S . ; Joseph Freeman , " Cornish , and other members . Tho lodge was opened

at fivo o'clock . The minutes were read and approved . Bro . G . Gibson was raised to the sublime degree of M . M . Tbis being the only business on tbe summons , tho lodge was closed clown in three degrees . The consideration of several matters of business was deferred in consequence of the smallness of the meeting . A banquet closed the proceedings the usual loyal and Masonic toasts being given and responded to .

MONMOUTHSHIRE . PONTTPOOL . — Kennard Lodge ( No . 1 , 253 ) . — The usual monthly meeting of the members of tbis lodge , took place at the Clarence Hotel , Pontypool , on Monday last , and was very well attended . The W . M . Bro . Henry Martyn Kennard , Esq . . was in the chair , supported by several Prov . Grand Officers , AVMastersand Past Mustersof other lodges . The minutes

. , , of the last lodge having been read and confirmed , the AV . M . introduced the subject of purchasing or renting the old industrial stores in High-street , for a Masonic Hall ; and the S . AV . having stated that llro . William Henry Lloyd , Solicitor , who had conducted tho negotiations hitherto , was unexpectedly called away to-day , and would not return in time for that meeting . He proposed that the S . AA ' . the J . AV ., Bros . Lloyd , Greeuway , aud