Provincial Lodges.

Song , "lama roamer bold ancl gay . " The R . W . P . G . M ., in returning thanks , said that without alluding to the circumstances which first brought him into their neighbourhood , he felt bound to state that having resided there for upwards of 34 years , he had always received the greatest kindness from his townsmen . He regretted that the weather had been so unfavourable , as bad it been finer , probably the last speaker , having less cause to complain of umbrellas , might have had even a greater inducement to become a Freemason . He

could only assure him that he should have very great pleasure to admit him into the Order , and he hoped he would afford him that pleasure very soon . Glee , " Maying . " Mr . Ward rose to propose the next toast . It seldom fell to his lot to propose a toast ? n the presence of such a very brilliant assembly , especially of ladies ; however , he would not shrink from the pleasing task which the committee had set him . He had great pleasure in proposing " The health of the Clergy of the Province . " He

felt sure they must all have been not only gratified , but delighted , with the feeling and appropriate discourse delivered by Mr Owen , Prov . G . Chaplain . for Surrey , in their old church . The eloquent manner in which he bad treated on the various topics in his sermon , but more particularly his allusions to the miseries of war , and the blessings of peace , were such as could not have failed to reach the hearts of all who were so fortunate as to hear him . The people of Watford had the greatest respect for their Clergy , and a very large proportion of them felt , that so long as a religious feeling actuated them in their business , they were in a sure way to prosper . He concluded by proposing , " The Clergy of the Province , " coupling with it the name of "The Rev . Mr . Owen . "

Mr . Owen returned thanks for the compliment by observing that , no one could imagine how unfortunate it was to have what was commonly called " the gift of the gab . " He was always expected to make a speech , although the subject might be a very meagre one indeed . He had a very great admiration for Freemasonry , for as much as he had seen of the world , and as much as he was acquainted with human nature , and its prejudices , yet he was bound to say that Freemasonry was the only real antidote he had been able to find for selfishness—( applause ) . That , however men

craved after gold and silver , and in proportion as the country increased in wealth , so Masonry kept pace with it , and as one advanced , so did the other . For wealth was not always a sign of success . Suddenly acquired wealth too often led to sudden ruin . When unforeseen misfortunes came upon a Mason , wherever he might be , there was the hand of the Brotherhood ever ready to afford him succour . It was this centralisation of system that rendered Freemasonry so worthy of its professions . Of what use would be fifty of the best five engines ever made , if they were at Exeter when a fire

broke out in the Seven Dials ? Masonry on the contrary , was centralisation , both in theory and in practice ; in a word , it was the perfect union of Brotherly Love , Relief , aud Truth . In Masonry all might meet who acknowledged the existence of that mysterious and all-powerful Deity , who is the Creator and Governor of all . The more he was acquainted with Freemasonry , the more certainly he could affirm that he never knew a bad Mason who was a good man .

The Rev . Mr . James , Vicar of Watford , briefly expressed his thanks . He confessed he was not a Mason , but he was glad to find , that on these occasions he could mix with Masons , who devoted their first acts , as Christians , to God , and on that alone he must ever hold Freemasonry in the highest respect . Song , " Annie Laurie . " Mr . Wm . Sedgwick proposed as the next toast , " The Trustees of the Corn Exchange . " He assured the Company that it was from no wish to make a profit of

the undertaking , but solely for the good of the town and district that they had in the first instance promoted it . He fully agreed' . with a former speaker , that success would best be attained by carrying religion into the business of every day life ; not to cram a Bible-text constantly into the ear of one ' s customer , but to practise charity to one ' s neighbour , and to leaven our whole daily affairs of life with the spirit of religion . In asking them to do honour to the toast , he could assure them that , but for the untiring energies of the trustees , but particularly the Messrs . Clutterbuck , they