Provincial.

Bro . JOHN STANSFIELD responded , and said if the brethren derived as much pleasure from the attention paid to them as the stewards had in attending to them , they were amply rewarded . Bro . A . G . EASTWOOD , proposed the last toast— " The Ladies , " remarking that they , as Masons , began by paying respect to a lady , and should finish by drinking the health of the ladies , who had adorned their proceedings that night and during the day . He thought that they would homeafter what they had seenivith

go , , a favourable opinion of Freemasonry . Of all people Freemasons were the most loyal , and admired tlie ladies , who were essential to their comfort . They needed only to he without them a short time to appreciate them . The Rev . Bro . PHILLIPS responded to the toast , and , in the course of his remarks , said he maintained that bachelors did not do their duty—if they did they would get married . He was a married man ,

and could therefore return thanks better than any bachelor , It had ever been a custom with the Masons of England never to forget those who could not participate in their enjoyments , They knew that in the height of their prosperity , adversity might come ; and lie wished them always to remember there wore those amongst them

ivho could not share their pleasure . Such he was sure , were dear to them if they were true Masons ( hear , hear ) . He was certain , from what he had seen iu that province , that ; they did their part well . Although they might wish to improve their circumstances , still it was a blessing to have the poor amongst them . It reminded them that , though by their circumstances they were enabled to raise themselves above their position , it was their duty to recognize God in his works . AVithout them they would not have an

opportunity of exercising that charity ivhieh they professed to be one of the highest ornaments of their craft- ( Loud applause ) . After some further remarks , the reverend gentleman sat down amid great cheering . Bro . HOLMES P . M . 26 S , made a few observations relating to the nail ; after which , the Chairman said he hoped they would in due time and in strict propriety return to their homes , and when they retired to rest ask God's blessing on the proceedings of the day .

The proceedings closed by singing the National Anthem . AA'e must express our appreciation of the very efficient services rendered by the Harmonic Society , ivho gave several pieces of music during the day .

A correspondent writes : — " Todmorden is situate partly in the county of A ork and partly in the county of Lancaster , in a sort of amphitheatre , from ivhieh diverge the four roads to Rochdale , Bacup , Halifax , and Burnley ; and whichever direction the traveller takes , particularly in the two last , the scenery is picturesque in the extreme—or at least , is so by

nature— -and the observation would still be true in its fullest sense , but for the greediness or want of taste for natural scenery in some of the landowners , ivho have felled many of the trees on the hill sides , in situations which cannot well be made available for other purposes , without planting afresh . The road to Bacup is through a deep gorge , where there is just room for the road and rivulet .

The intended Hall is of a very neat and chaste design , and does great credit to the architect , who , however , does not need the credit of this to add to his reputation , as he has xireviously designed buildings of far higher pretensions , including the Burnley Mechanics ' Institution and the Peel Institute at Accrington ; but this one will be superior in its style to anything we have had here before

and it is to be hoped it will create a taste in the neighbourhood . The ground floor will be occupied as offices , and on the next and only other floor will be the Lodge and refreshment rooms ( which can be made into one ) , preparation room , steward's room , and closets . Although situate in East Lancashire , it is not a half stone throw from AVest Yorkshire , or from the railway station , and it is the first building of the kind started in the province , if not in the county . "

MONMOUTH SHIR E . AOT-RGAA-ENNY . —Philanthrophic Lodge ( No . 1120 . )—On Friday , the 6 th inst ., a regular meeting of this Lodge was held , when the Brethren assembled by permission of the Prov . G . M . in the old Roman Catholic Chapel , which has been rented for a Masonic Hall , and will , when properly furnished , from a very suitable place for the purpose . Brothers Dcnter , J . A ' . Morgan , and P . Morgan having been examined , and having shown their proficiency , were advanced to the second degree by the AV . M . Bro . IT . . 1 . Higginson . Several gentlemen were ballotted for to bo initiated , and Morgan Davics

was initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry , by dispensation , as an assistant Tyler . The lecture on the tracing board in the first degree was given by the AA ' . M . It was afterwards proposed by the AA ' . M ., and seconded by Bro . Pearce , S . AV ., and carried by acclamation that Bro . Henry Bridges , G . S . B ., of England , who so kindly attended at the first Lodge , to consecrate and open the same , and had evinced the deepest interest in the welfare of the Philanthropic Lodge , should be made an honorary member of the same . After

some further business had been transacted , chiefly with respect to the furnishing of the Hall , which the brethren are determined shall be done both masouicaUy aud elegantly , the Lodge was closed , with solemn prayer and in perfect harmony .

SOMERSETSHIRE . lEOAUNCIAL GRAND LODGE . The Right Ai orshipful the Prov . G . M . Col . Tynte , having signified , his intention of holding his Prov . G . Lodge for this province for this year at Bridgewater , a large gathering of the brethren from the various Lodges in the province took at the Lamb Hotel there on Thursday , the 26 th ult ., when they found that in consequence of the

indisposition of their venerated chief , they were prevented the pleasure they had anticipated of being once more presided over by him , and the duties therefore devolved upon his Deputy , Bro . Randolph , amost efficient Master and exemplary Mason . The Prov . G . Lodge having been formed , they proceeded to visit the Lodge of Perpetual Friendship ( No . 157 ) , where they were received by the W . M . Bro . Lovibond and the members of' his Lodge , with due honours-The D . Prov . G . Master opened the business of the Prov . G . Lodge

by remarking upon the absence of their Prov . G . Master from their Lodge on that occasion , and said he was requested by him to convey to the Prov . G . Lodge his regret at not being able to he amongst them on that occasion . Up to the day previous to the . meeting he , had expected to have been well enough in health to attend , but he ( tho D . Prov . G . Master ) , was quite sure that the brethren fully sympathized ivith the Prov . G . Master in his infirmity , and well knew that his heart was with them on all occasions , although from age and infirmity he could not so often , meet them as he had heretofore , and as he still wished to do .

The routine business of the Lodge having been gone through pecuniary relief was unanimously voted to an aged brother . The sum of twenty guineas was likewise voted to the Royal Freemason ' s charity for Female Children . The Prov . G . Treasurer , Bro . Dr . Falkner , produced his accounts , ivhieh were taken as read , and unanimously passed , after which that estimable brother unexpectedly tendered his resignation of the office of Prov . G . Treasurer , assigning as his reason for so doing increasing professional duties ;

he was strongly urged by the Brethren to recall his resignation , but most respectfully declined doing so . The Brethren then proceeded to the election of a brother to fill the office of Prov . Of-Treasurer for the year when Brother Turner Payne , of Royal Sussex Lodge ( No . 61 ) , Bath , was unanimously elected to ( ill that important and responsible office . The other Prov . Grand offices for the year were thus disposed of , viz : — Bros . Oliver , S . G . AA " ., 61 ; Bluett , Prov . J . G . AAR , 327 ; Rev . G .

Thomas , Chaplain , 412 ; Babbage , G . Secretary , 157 ; Newton , G . Registrar , ' 157 ; Yoeles , S . G . D ., 528 ; Hulmuller , J . G . D ., 412 ; - MeMtllan , G . Sup . AV ., 157 ; King , G . Dir . Cer ., 61 ; Phillips , Assist . Dir . Cir ., 367 and 157 ; Pyne , Grand Grand Organist , 61 ; Marshall , G . S . Bearer , 61 ; Mitchell , Of . Pursuivant , 327 ; Hopkins , Tyler , 48 . The Prov . G . Lodge was afterwards closed in due Masonic form . At four o ' clock the Brethren sat down to a capital dinner , presided over by the D . Prov . O . Master , when a most agreeable evening was spent .

SUSSEX . BRIGHTON . —Royal York Lodge ( So . 394 ) . —The monthly meeting of this Lodge took place at the Old Ship Hotel , Brighton ,, on Tuesday the 7 th inst ., the AA . M . Bro . Freeman presiding , supported by the whole of his Officers . An initiation took place , and a successful ballot for a candidate . Owing to the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex on the 2 Sth inst . —to be followed by a banquet at which the "Pocock Testimonial" will be presented , and the inauguration of the Yarborough Lodge the following week •—the Royal York Lodge banquet has been postponed until the first Tuesday in October .

AYARAVICKSHIRE . PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE AT COVENTRY . On A \ ednesday the 25 th ult . tlie annual Prov . Grand Lodge was held at the Castle Hotel , Coventry , the Right Hon . tho Lord Leigh presiding , supported by Bros . Chandos Wren Hoskyns , I ) . Prov . G . Master ; Hyde Pullen , D . Prov . G . Master , Isle of Wight ; Chas . AV . Elkington , Prov . G . S . B . ; Harry AVinton , P . AL , 45 P . Prov . Cf . D . C , Sussex ; Bobbins , Blenkinsop , Empson , Machin , Clarke ,