Provincial Lodges.

Br . Boardman was again elected , and Br . Pilkington to the office of Treasurer . After the discussion of other minor matters , the Lodge was closed with prayer , and the brethren partook of an excellent supper provided by Br . Sansom . KEYSTONE LODGE ( No-409 ) , FACIT . —The brethren of this Lodge held their monthly meeting on Wednesday , the 6 th inst ., at the Bay Horse Inn , under the able presidency of Br . A . Shackleton , tho W . M ., who passed Br . E . Law to the second degree in a very efficient mannnor . At the conclusion of the Masonic business the Lodge was closed

in due form and with prayer , at half-past 9 o ' clock . The brethren afterwards adjourned to refreshment , and spent a very pleasant evening . AFFABILITY , LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , MANCHESTER ( NO . 399 ) . —On Saturday evening , June 16 th , several of the members of this flourishing Lodge of Instruction met at the Spread Eagle hotel , to bid a formal adieu to one of their Members , Br . J . B . Hide , Quarter-Master Serjeant , 51 st King ' s Own Light Infantry , now under orders for the Crimea

. Br . Lyons Wright , W . M . of the Lodge of Affability , No . 399 , in the chair . After the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts , the chairman , in proposing the health of Br .. Hide , took occasion to refer to his regular attendance to his Masonic duties , and to the rapid progress he had made in the science ; and assured him that , however far he might be removed by the exigencies of the service , he would always be remembered by those amongst whom he had studied Masonry , with feelings of the warmest friendshin , in token of which the Brethren present had placed in his bands a ring engraven

with the sacred emblems of the Craft , which he now placed upon Br . Hide ' s finger , wishing that he might wear it through many happy years , and that it might serve hereafter to recall to his memory the few sincere friends who then sat around him . Br . Hide , who was very much overcome , having returned thanks , said that the short period which he had spent in Manchester , during which he had regularly attended to Freemasonry , since his visit , had been the happiest period of his existence : that the only regret with which he departed to the field of battle was caused by his being

obliged to leave such sincere friends as he had obtained through his connection with the Craft ; and assured them that , wherever his lot might be cast , ho could never forget the happiness of the present moment , and when he returned ( for he never contemplated the chance of falling in battle , after the numerous engagements through which he bad , by the mercy of the Architect of the Universe , already passed in safety ) , he should lose no time in making his way to Manchester , to spend another hour amongst them .

The remainder of the evening was spent in hilarity andharmony , to which Brs . Hide , Bold , and Hammond mainly contributed , and the meeting separated in excellent humour shortly before midnight . - The ring is of massive gold , elegantly chased , and bears on a Sardonyx the square and compasses , and on the interior is engraved the following inscription : — "To Br . J . B . Hide , as a mark of the fraternal regards of a few Masonic friends on his departure for the seat of war . "

LINCOLNSHIRE . PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE . —On Thursday , June 1 , the Provincial Grand Lodge of Lincolnshire , held the annual meeting in the Old Hall at Gainsbro ' . The Yarborough Lodge was opened at twelve o ' clock , ancl the Provincial Grand Lodge at half-past twelve . Amongst the brethren present from the various parts of the province were the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Yarborough , D . G . M . of England , and P . G . M .

for Lincolnshire ; the Rev . Chas . Nairne , D . P . G . M . ; the Rev . W . N . Jepson , P . G . C ; the Rev . Edmund R . Larken , P . P . G . C ; E . F . Broadbenfc , P . G . T . ; R . C . Moore , P . G . R . ; tho Rev . B . J . Wood , P . P . G . S . ; J . W . Pashley , P . P . P . J . W . ; Joseph Guy , P . P . S . G . W . ; T . Wood , P . G . J . D . ; E . R . Cousans , P . G . S . ; J . Moxon , W . M . ; J . F . W , Bowden , J . Laughton , B . Box , R . L . Farley , C . R . Worsley . The ordinary business was then transacted , after which the P . G . M . made the various appointments for the ensuing year . The Lodge being closed , about forty of the brethren partook of a sumptuous banquet prepared at the White Hart Hotel . The