Provincial Lodges.

Lodge was held on Monday , the 6 th of May , Br . C . Boardma-i , W . M ., and Brs . AV Harrison and J . Yates as AVardens , presiding . After the transaction of business the brethren present , among whom was Br . Hanley , G . S . W ,, Cumberland , adjourned for refreshment , and spent the evening in harmony , to which Brs . Hanley , H . Backhouse , and Pearson ably contributed . KEYSTONE LODGE , FACIT ( 469 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this Lodge was held at the Bay Horse Inn on Wednesdaythe 9 th instantunder the presidency of

, , the AV . M ., Br . A . Shackleton . The minutes of the last meeting having been confirmed , Mr . E . Law was duly ballotted for , and initiated into the Order , the ceremony being ably performed by the AV . M . and the different Officers . At the close of the Masonic business the brethren adjourned to refreshment , and the remainder of the evening was spent without the usual songs or toasts , owing to the sudden death of the hostess's father .

LEICESTERSHIRE . ST . JOHN ' S LODGE , LEICESTER ( No . 348 ) . —AVe hear with pleasure that Mr . E . Galer and Mr . H . Com ' , the popular vocalists , members of the Kilwinning Lodge , Glasgow , were ballotted for and elected as joining members on Wednesday , May 2 nd . A large number of the brethren of the Lodge , as well as many belonging to John of Gaunt ' s , were present at the reception . SIR FREDERICS : FOWKE , Bart ., P . G . M . for Leicestershire , having been suffering

from a severe attack of illness during the past four months , from which he is only now slowly recovering , the members of the John of Gaunt Lodge of Freemasons have presented him with an address , expressive of their high estimation of his Masonic services , and of their wishes for his speedy recovery ; and in these wishes we are sure all our readers will cordially unite . The address , which has been beautifully executed upon vellum , with illuminated capitals and appropriate devices , was presented to Sir Frederick on Monday last by the AVorshipful Master of the Lodge , accompanied by the Provincial Grand Secretary , and was as follows : —

" To Sir Frederick Gustavus Fowke , Bart ., & c , & c , Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Leicestershire . " Right Worshipful Sir and Brother , —We , the Master , Past Masters , AVardens , and Brethren of the John of Gaunt Lodge of Freemasons , No . 766 , Leicester , having learned with great regiet the long and severe indisposition with winch you have been afflicted , avail ourselves of this , the earliest opportunity , of approaching you with our sincere expressions of condolenceand of deep sympathy for your sufferings .

, " Although we , in common with every brother in the province , can never be unmindful of the benefits conferred by you , Right Worshipful Sir , on Masonry in general , and on this province in particular , it is at such a time as this , when sickness has unfortunately deprived us of your presence and assistance for an unusually long period , that those benefits are more peculiarly impressed upon our minds . " We cannot forget that the record of those services extends over a period of nearly forty years , during which , whether as a private member of the Craft , as the Master

of a Lodge , as Deputy Provincial Grand Master , or as holding that high and most important office of Provincial Grand Master ( to which , unsolicited , and prompted by your merits alone , it pleased the Most Worshipful Grand Master to appoint you , to the heartfelt gratification of the brethren ) , your best exertions have ever been used in supporting the cause , and extending the principles of Freemasonry ; and that by your urbanity , fraternal kindness , and readiness at all times to impart those instructions in om- mysteries which your hih attainments therein so pre-eminently qualif

g y you to convey , you have endeared yourself to the fraternity ; whilst by the manner in which you have displayed the virtues of Freemasonry in your daily life , you have rendered yourself esteemed and respected by all classes of the community , and thus , by a reflected light , you have conferred an additional honour on the Order in popular estimation . " AVe hail with delight , Right AVorshipful Sir , the pleasing intelligence of your