Provincial Lodges.

PROVINCIAL LODGES .

CHESHIRE . ( FROM OUR OWN REPORTER . ) ON Wednesday , September 2 fith , the Provincial Grand Loclge of Cheshire assembled at Congleton , under the presidency of the Right Hon . Lord Viscount Combermere , R . W . P . G . M ., for the transaction of the annual business of the province . The Craft Lodge was opened at the Lion and Swan Inn , and at twelve o'clock the Grand Loclge

entered the room , which was much too small for the brethren present , and was consequently most inconveniently crowded . The V . W . P . G . M . of course occupied the throne . Brs . Cruthenden , as V . W . P . S . G . W . ; Smith , as V . W . P . J . G . W- ; Br . Gibbs Crawford Antrobus , acting as R . W-D . P . G . M ., in the absence of Br . J . Fincheff Maddocks , who was prevented attending from indisposition . All the Grand Officers were re-elected , and the business being over , the Grand Lodge was closed , after which the brethren formed in procession , and , preceded by a band of music , marched to St .

Peter ' s Church , where full cathedral service was performed , and a sermon preached by the Rev . J . W . Newell Tanner , V . N . P . G . Chaplain , and a collection made , amounting to upwards of i ? 22 , in aid of the Provincial Masonic Fund of Benevolence . The choir consisted of Br . Twiss , N . P . G ., organist ; Brs . Edmondson , of Stockport ; Scarisbrick , of the Philharmonic Concerts , Liverpool ; Gee and Hayter , of Macclesfield ; S . Pearsall , Vicar Choral , of Lichfield Cathedral ; and Miss Shand , of the Manchester Concerts—a choir which for musical talent would hardly be surpassed , and whose performances , both in the church and during the bancpiet , gave the

greatest amount of satisfaction . After service , the brethren again formed in procession , and proceeded to the Town Hall , which had been kindly lent for the purpose by Br . J . Dalrin , Esq ., Mayor of the borough , where a substantial banquet was provided by Br . Ullivero , of the Bull Hotel . The R . W . P . G . M . occupied the throne , supported on his right by Brs . G . C . Antrobus , as D . P . G . M . ; Cruthenden , P . S . G . W . ; Moss , P . P . J . G . W . ; Samuelson , P . S . G . D . ; Bland , P . G . Treasurer ; Smith , P . J . G . D . ; ancl , on his left , by Brs .

Tanner , P . G . C ; Folliott , P . P . G . C ; Dutton , P . P . J . G . D . ; Billinge , P . G . M . C . of West Lancashire ; Butterworth , P . G . S . W . ; Abel Hyde , P . G . Pursuivant ; Griffiths , P . G . Sec . And amongst the company , we noticed Brs . Edwards , 403 ; H . Lloyd , W . M ,, 615 ; Wedgewood , W . M . ; Griffith , P . M . ; Homly , as S . W . ; Herdman , as J . W ., 701 ; Howard , W . M ., 782 ; Bully , S . W ., Plat , J . W ., Marshall , I . G ., also of 782 ; Cooper , Sec , 782 ; Pickering , W . M ., 880 , & c , & c . Nearly 200 of the brethren joined the banquet . On the removal of the cl ; thNon Nobis was b

, sung y the choir . The noble lord , R . W . P . G . M ., then rose , and said , he had the honour to propose " The health of her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria . " ( Cheers ) . He need not ask his brother Masons , especially Cheshiremen , to fill a bumper to that toast . He knew they would do it , and therefore he would simply propose the health of Her Majesty . The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm , and followed by the Masonic version of "God Save the Queen . "

His lordship next gave the toast of " Prince Albert , the Prince of Wales , Earl of Chester , and the rest of the Royal family , " which was drunk with the like enthusiasm . Glee , " When Winds Breathe Soft . " The noble lord next gave " the Army and Navy , " which was drunk with three times three , and long-continued cheers . Song , " The Queen ' s Letter . " The next toast was "The Town and Trade of Congleton "—drunk with three times

three . Glee , "The Breath of the Briar . " The Worshipful the Mayor , Br . Dakin , P . M ., responded , and trusted the Craft would for many years to come enjoy the advantage of having Lord Combermere amongst them . ( Loud cheers ) .