Provincial Lodges.

pliment paid him in drinking his health . The D . P . G . M ., Br . Medcalf then rose and said—W . M ., and brethren generally , I esteem the privilege , a high one , in being permitted to propose to you the health of Br . Davis —( cheers ) , who is respected as a gentleman , and beloved as a Mason , and who is truly worthy of our respect and love . 1 would scorn to eulogise except in the sincerity of my heart ; Br . Davis is worthy of those expressions , for a more finished gentleman I have never met with , or a better hearted brother . Had I the eloquence of Cicero I could not say more . I give you ,

then , " the health of our much beloved brother , the S . AA . of this Lodge anel P . M . of Lodge 56 , Br . Davis "—( cheers ) . Br . Davis , in reply , said—For the flattering manner in which yon have responded to my health proposed to you by my friend and brother , the D . P . G . M . for this province , I return my most sincere thanks . Though I have no pretence to deserve the very complimentary remarks made upon me , I am grateful for your good opinion , and shall always endeavour to deserve it . I have , brethren , always been willing to give my services , and I trust I shall not see the day when the

inclination will be wanting . Before sitting down , I would make one remark "; I think young Masons should always be educated in Masonry , to be able to fill the offices , and 1 trust my younger brethren will exert themselves so as to attain to that position—( hear , and cheers ) . Next followed " the health of Br . Punshon the much respected treasurer , " by Br . Mork P . M . Br . Punshon rose to reply—brethren , said ho , I can scarcely express the pleasure and pride I feel on this occasion , after the handsome manner in which you have drunk my health . I shall always endeavour to discharge

the duties of my office faithfully . The Northern Counties Lodge is now , I rejoice to say , in a highly prosperous state , and I trust it may ever continue so ; may God ' s blessing be with us , and may we be happy , is the breathing of the inmost recess of my heart —( cheers ) . The AV . M . then gave " Prosperity to the various Lodges , whose prosperity had not already been drunk , " and coupled with the toast " the health of Brs . AVm . Berkely , P . M . 586 ; John Hopper , P . M . 614 ; John Cook , W . M . St Peter ' s Lodge , 706 ; Henry Bell , P . M . 706 ; and J . C . Gibson , P . M . 706 . " Br . John Cook , AV . M . St . Peter ' s , returned thanks and said—I am most happy to see the large muster to day , and it must be most gratifying to the AV . M ., Br . Dalziel . I rejoice that St . Peter ' s has mustered so well on this occasion to do honour to one to whom

honour is so justly due as to our well-beloved brother , the present AV . M . of this Lodge —( cheers ) . Br . AVynne gave " the other officers of the Lodge , " coupling in a graceful manner , " the health of Br . John T . M . Harrison , J . AV . " Br . Harrison made a neat and appropriate reply , and assured the brethren that he should exert himself to ' the very utmost to perform his duties to the satisfaction of the AV . M ., who had honoured him by appointing him J . AV ., and also to merit the approval of the other brethren of the Lodge . The health was next given of " Br . Hy . Bell , I . G . of the Lodge , and 706

P . M . , " whom the VOL said had conferred an honour on the Lodge by taking office—Drunk amid much enthusiasm . Br . Bell made a graceful and happy replysaying he did so with peculiar pleasure , and adding that to have office under the W . M . he considered an honour . Br . Berkely gave the " Army and Navy , " in a warm patriotic speech , coupling "the health of Br . Meade , " of H . M . Royal Sappers and Miners . Br . Berkeley said our gallant soldiers and sailors and those of our allies were suffering for us , and that the independence of nations should not be trampled downand

, that the progress of civilization should not be stayed . Br . Meade in a sensible speech replied , and said that he felt nothing would be wanting in the energies of the soldiers and sailors to merit the approval and everlasting admiration of posterity . " The health of Br . Miller" as a junior member of the Lodge , was given , and gracefully replied to Br . Hopper , in a warm and beautiful speech , gave "the Ladies . " Drunk amid tremendous enthusiasm , "The health of Brs . John Hodge , P . M . 24 , and Geo . Fenwick , P . G . S . B . for the province" were then drunkand lied to in appropriate terms

, , rep . "The health of Br . Challoner , P . G .. LAAV was given in complimentary language by Br . Davis , S . AA . Br . Challoner returned thanks and said it was his great aim to deserve the kind feelings of all with whom he became associated in life . Several beautiful- songs from Brs . Davis , Thompson , Hopper , Joel , and Meade , added much to the harmony and enjoyment of the occasion . The W . M . gave " the next merry meeting , " and the brethren retired highly pleased with the days proceedings .