Provincial.

No . 157 , Prov . G . Sec ; J . G . L . Bullenl , No . Wi , Prov . a . Reg . ; T . it . Roach , No . 1074 , Prov . S . G . D . ; J . J . Clapcott , No . 412 , Prov . J . G . D . ; J . Lovibond , No . 157 , Prov . G . Supt . of AVorks ; AV . Smith , No . 61 , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; F . C . George , No . IS , Prov . G . Asst . Dir . of Cers . ; T . Moyler , No . 327 , Prov . G . S . B . ; R . Mitchell , No . 327 , Prov . G . Purs . Bro . Peach wished to bring forward a resolution condemnatory of the proposed alterations in the property of tho Craft in Great Queen-street , so as to give greater accommodation for the transaction of Masonic

business , on the ground that it would be a misappropriation of the funds of the institution , but the R . W . D . Prov . Grand Master refused to allow it to be put , on the ground that the Prov . Grand Lodgo was uot asked to give an opinion on the matter , the circular of tho Board of General Purposes having been seut to each private Lodge , where the members had had an opportunity of expressing their opinions . After some further business was transactedthe ProvGrancl Lod

, . ge was closed in ample form . At four o ' clock the brethren re-assembled at a banquet , distinguished alike for its elegance and abundance , and the kind attention given by Bro . Poaehey to the assembled guests . The usual Masonic toasts were given and drunk with enthusiasm . Among them was that of Bro . Dr . Pope , tbe AV . M ., ancl founder of tbo Pilgrim ' s Lodge , which was received with rapturous applause , aud drunk with Masonic honours .

Bro . Pope having thanked the brethren for the high eulogiuru they had paid him that day , and for their kindness in drinking his health , said lie hacl long been warmed with a desire to see a Masonic Lodge established in the ancient Isle of Avalon ; for when he considered the antiquity of the place , and tho high historic associations connected with it—celebrated as the cradle of Christianity , and the world-renowned monastery that flourished here for centuries , inasmuch as it is recorded in history that the first Christian church in Great Britain was hero

built—he naturally concluded that such a spot was most suitable for a Masonic Lodgo , that those who were in a state of darkness might behold tho light , and enjoy the blessings of brotherly lovo . The popular world , ivho were ignorant of its advantages , and could not participate in its blessings , must- ever remain strangers to those inestimable secrets which wore the peculiar and characteristic glory of the Craft . For as the renowned Benjamin Frankliu said : " FreemasonryI admithas its

, , secrets ; it has secrets peculiar to itself . These are of no small value ; they speak a universal language , aud act as a passport to the attention and support of the initiated in all parts of the world . They cannot be lost so long as memory retains its power . Let the possessor of them bo expatriated , shipwrecked , or imprisoned ; lot him be stripped of everything ho has got in the world , still those credentials remain , and are available for use as circumstances requireThe good effects which

. they have produced are established by the most incontestable facts of history . They have stayed the uplifted hand of the destroyer ; thoy havo softened tho asperities of the tyrant , they have mitigated the horrors of captivity ; they have subdued the rancour of malevolence , and broken down the barrier of political animosity and sectarian

alienation . On the field of battle , in the solitudes of tho uncultivated forest , or in the busy haunts oi the crowded city , they have made men of tho most hostile feelings , the most distant n-gion , and the most diversified conditions , rush to tho aid of each other , and feel special joy and satisfaction that they havo beon able to afford relief to a brother Mason . " He then concluded his speech b y expressing a hope that when future generations had passed away , tho Pilgrims' Lod Glastonburywould bo found in the ascendant and

ge , , that its festivals would be honoured by tho presence of as numerous and distinguished an assemblage as was then met to celebrate its natal day . . All the furniture is in thorough keeping ivith the name of the Lodge , with the monastic architecture of the town , and the antiquity of tbo "Pilgrim ' s Inn , " in which the Lodge is held . The chairs of the AV . Master , tho Warders and Deacons , are copies of tho celebrated Glastonbury monks' chairelaborately carved in oakand enriched with shields

, , bearing gilt emblems and devices of the intended occupants . The canopy and drapery of the room are blue and gold , the curtains of finest velvet and bullion fringe . Near the entrance to tho room are two massive Corinthian columns , imitating white veined marble , with elaboratel y carved and gilded capitals , surmounted by terrostial and celestial globes . The Bible used in the Lodgo room is one of the old " Breeches " uiiifcions curiouslbound with heavy brass claspsand'kindlpresented

, y , y > y Br . John Cornwall , of Ashcott . Tho working implements are partly made from the root of the Glastonbury Holy Thorn , partly of rich black hog oak , imbedded for countless centuries beneath the site of the present gaol of Taunton . Evidently the furnishing of the Lodge has been a labour of love , as unquestionably it is a work of taste and beauty .

STAFFORDSHIRE . H'OLVi . iuiAjtrTONv-Lodqc of St . Peter ( No . 607 b—Tho monthl y meeting of this Lodge was held on Thursday , the 7 th of July , Bro . Chas . buig , P . M ., in the chair . There was a good attendance of brethren , who wore crape on their badges , jewels , & e ., for the late AV . M ., ancl tho bod ge room was also in mourning . After the Lodge was opened by tho , V -M . presiding , a ballot was taken for Mr . Harrison Fendelow , who having been unanimously elected , the ceremony of initiation was perlormerl l the

, y AV . M ., Bro . King , ivho also gave tho charge to tho candidate in an impressive maimer . A circular from the Prov . Grand secretary was then read , summoning the members and inviting the m- cthren to attend the next Prov , Grand Lodge , at the Shire Hall

Provincial.

Stafford , on tho 2 nd o £ August . Ihv . Henry Gibbons , lato of No . GOG , Menturia Lodge , Hanley , was admitted a joining member . An address , couched in feeling and appropriate terms , on the death of the late AA ' . M . of the Lodge , Bro . T . Stanway , was read by Bro . King , P . M ., ivhich was listened to with deep attention by the brethren , ancl created au impression which will be long ere it bo effaced from their recollections . In January last , this young and promising brother was installed AV . M ., but ivas compelled at au early hour to leave tho Lodge , from illness ,

ivhich was protracted until Juno , when he sank under it . His zeal for the Craft , and the deep and earnest interest he always evinced for Masonry , even in his hours of illness , added to his kind and genuine good disposition , much endeared him to bis brethren . It was proposed by Bro . King , seconded by Bro . Betts , and passed unanimously , " That a letter of condolence be sent by the Lodge to the widow of the lamented brother . " The concluding business of the Lodge consisted in a proposition by Bro . T . AA ' . Cooper , seconded by Bro . Betts , and confirmed ,

that a Lodgo of Instruction be held under the auspices of St . Peters . This has been since commenced , and promises to be a great and useful auxiliary to St . Peter ' s Lodge . The meetings of the Lodge of Instruction are held every third 1 'Yiday evening .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

i SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER , TUB quarterly convocation of the Supreme Grand Chapter Was held in tho'Templc , on AVednesday evening , there being present Comus . J . LI . Evans as M . E . G . Z . ; H . L . Crohn as H . ; AV . P . Scott as J . ; AV . G . Clarke , E . ; Jos . Smith as N . ; N . Bradford as P . Soj . ; J . Udall and Gole as Asst . S'ojs . ; Com |) s . Havers , Roxburgh , Poeook , Pattison , and about a dozen other Companions .

Grand Chapter having been opened in clue form , the report of tho Committee of General Purposes was read . It stated that a petition had been received , praying for a charter for a now Chapter , to be called the Northumberland' Chapter , to be attached to tho Maitland Lodge of Unity , No . 804 , held at Maitland , New South AA ' ales , with Comp . J . Garrick as First Principal ; AVm . Briggs , Second Principal ; and James Ephraim AA'olf , Third Principal . The petition was in every way regular , with tho exception that some of the Companions signing it were not

registered in the books of the Supreme Grand Chapter . The accounts showed that since the last Grand Chapter there had been received . £ 152 3 s ., making , with the balance then in hand , .- £ 559 10 s . 6 d . ; and expended , . ¦ £ 295 Vis . 2 d ., including tho purchase of £ 200 three per cent , consols . There were now in the Grancl Treasurer ' s hands £ 204 is . id ., and tho amount of stock standing to the credit of tho Grand Chapter was . i' 2 , 4 00 . The report was received and adopted , after which , the charter prayed for was grantedsubject to the registration of the Companions not

, already registered . Comp . Smith then rose to propose that tho sum of . £ 300 consols bo trausfei-red from the account of the Grand Chapter to that of tho Girls School ; £ 300 to tho Boys School ; . £ 300 to the Aged Masons' Fund , and £ 300 to the AA'idows' Annuity Fund , making . £ 1 , 200 consols to be so transferred . Comp . Smith supported his motion by showing that the Grand Chajiter had . £ 2 , 400 in consols , without any claims upon it , and that the amount was annually increasing ; and ho thought that there could be no better application of their surplus funds

than the support of their Masonic charities . Comp . Carpenter , of No . 200 , seconded tho resolution . Comp . Crohn opposed the resolution on the ground that they ought not to vote away so large a sum in a Chapter at which so fow of tho Companions were present ; and , therefore , moved as an amendment that the sum of £ 100 be granted to each of the charities . Comp . Nicholas Bradford seconded the amendment . On the motion and amendment being put ,

Comp . Roxburgh stated that be could neither agree with tho original motion or tho amendment . He thought that they should not go to tho extent proposed by Comp . Smith , as they might require some portion of their funds for contemplated alterations iu tho property , when tho Grand Chapter might perhaps be asked for their assistance in carrying them out ; neither did he see any ground for voting so small a sum as that proposed by Comp . Crohn , ancl he should bo glad if the last named Companion would alter his amendment by substituting £ 200 for £ 100 .

Comp . Ciobi ! having signified his assent to the proposed alteration , Comp . G Io at some length opposed all the propositions . Ho complained thai Comp . Smith had not made out any case for tho proposed vote , or sho -m that the charities ivere in want of this additional support . In like ma' . nor , Comp . Crohn had altogether failed to make out any case in supj > rt of bis amendment ; ivhilst he was altogether at a loss to understand ; he ground upon ivhich the Grand Registrar proposed the middle com ethough he urged the time might como when they miht

, g want their f ' . nds for some other purpose . He trusted Grand Chapter would not amotion the motion without further and much stronger reasons that any hitherto advanced . Comp . S'n ith briefly replied , and with the consent of the seconder of the original resolution , expressed his willingness , for the sake of unanimity , t > substitute £ 200 to each of the funds for £ 300 . Comp . Golo appeal id equally to find fault with everybody and everything , and as he had ei dently got into a fog , there they had better leave him .