Provincial.

by Bros . John Heath , I . P . M . ; Pridham , S . AA . ; AV . Cuming , j ' . AA " . ; Adams , Sec ; AVatson , P . M ., Treas . ; Niner , S . D . ; Stafford , . l . D . ; and other brethren . A letter from Bio . G . Heath , AV . M ., was read , explaining his inability to attend , on account of urgent business , and requesting Bro . Dr . Hopkins to perform his duties . Tiie minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The lodge being subsequently opened , in

tho second degree , Bros . Northam and Shopland were presented as candidates for the rank of M . M . They were thou examined , entrusted , and dismissed for preparation . The lodge was opened iu tho third degree . These brethren were then re-introduced , and duly raised hy the acting W . M ., who also gave them the traditionary history , at tiie same time promising on the next occasion to give them the charge and a lecture in further elucidation of the chief characteristics of the degree , for which

there was not time on this evening . The lodge was closed in the third , and afterwards in the second degree . Bro . Niner then brought forward a proposition , of which due notice had been g iven , lor an addition to the by-laws , with a view to define clearly the manner in which the ballot for the A \ . M . should be conducted at the annual election , pointing out that the clause is at present so ioos-.-l y worded , that each successive occupant of the chair might put a different construction upon it , and that a

W . M . might be elected by a small number of I hose who voted , as "had been the c ise on one occasion , when he received only seven votes oat of eighteen . This was seconded by the acting AV . M ., who strongly urged its adoption , us tending to increase the influence of tJie A \ . M ., aud to prevent dissatisfaction at the ruling from the chair at each election . The S . W . and Treas , argued in oppo .-ilion to it , the latter stating his objection to any alteration in a set of laws which , on the whole , bad worked

well . After a warm discussion , on a show of hands the proposition was lost b y one vote . Bro . Niner had a change iu another by-law to propose , which , owing to the protracted proceedings , he deferred till the next meeting . Consideration of proposals for grants to tbe two Masonic schools , and to the Lifeboat Fund was deferred for the present , in consequence of the Treasurer ' s statement as to a low financial condition on account of tho expenses recentl y incurred in decorating tho lodge room , adding , however , that most of the subscriptions for the current year are

due . The lodge was closed at about a quarter past eight . TEIGNITODTII . —Benevolent Lodge ( No . 303 ) . —Onthe 1 st inst ., this lodge met for the second time under its new W . M ., Bro . H . M . Bartlett , who opened tbe proceedings with tho customary forms ot the lirst dfgree , at a quarter to seven o'clock-, as-isted by Bro . AA ard acting as I . P . M . ; Bros . G . Burden , S . A \' . ; Hallett , J . AV . ; Blanchford , Sec ; Coles , S . D . ; Taylor , J . D . ; Toms , I . G . ; Richards , Steward ; H .-iggerty , Tyler . Other members of

the lodge were present , and also as visitors , Bros . Beechev , AV . M . 1 , 138 ; Luinble , P . S . W . 1 , 138 ; Lakeman , 156 ; Dr . Hopkins , P . Prov . S . G . W ., and P . M . 43 and 958 , & c . The minutes of tbe two previous meetings were read and confirmed . A ballot was then taken for Mr . Charles Lucius dry , a candidate for initiation , which was unanimous in his favour . A ballot was also taken lor another gentleman , to whose character as irreproachable , the highest testimony was borne ; nevertheless it

proved adverse , as it was generall y understood on the ground that he resides at another town in which there is s ; lodge , and thus the caution recommended in circulars from the M . W . tho Grand Master and the Prov . G . Master was fully observed . The chair was then taken by Bro . Dr . Hopkins . Bro . Newman was presented as a candidate to bo passed to tho rank of F . C , examined , entrusted , and dismissed for preparation . The lodge was opened in the second degree . Bro . Newman was re-admitted

aud duly passed to the second degree b y the acting W . AL , who also gave the charge appertaining to it . The lodge having been closed in the second degree , Bro . Bartlett , AV . M ., resumed his place iu the chair . Mr . Thomas Morris , previou-ly balloted for , was admitted , properly prepared , and legall y initiated by the AA ' . M ., the closing part of the ceremony being- administered by Bro . Beeehoy , W . M . 1 , 138 . The same course was afterwards adopted with regard to the second candidate , Mr . C . L . Gary .

Both of these brethrtii were then placed before the pedestal , and from the chair of I . P . M . Bra . Dr . Hopkins delivered the usual charge on the lirst degree . It was intended tint he should also give both lectures on the two degrees administered , but the length of the proceedings prevented . Several matters of routine were discussed , and circulars were read in reference to the Commemoration Fund in honour of the Earl of Zetland , and tho Masonic schools . Bro . Dr . Hopkins presented to the lodge a hi ghl y finished Masonic diagram , of his own

construction , on which a unanimous resolution was passed , that it be gratefully accepted , suitably framed , and that the best thanks of the lodge be presented to him . The lodge was finally closed at nine o ' clock , and the brethren adjourned to the Queen ' s Hotel , where a banquet was prepared b y the liberality of tho newly-initiated brethren . After the cloth had been drawn , the usual Masonic f oasis were proposed and honoured , and a -very pleasant evening was spent , with which , however , it shou'd be

stated that much regret was mingled at one of tho proceedings , namely , the rejection of a candidate who was admitted by all to be well ( pv . ililied sociall y and morally for tho privileges of the Craft , in obedient- ;) to the injunctions ot' higher authorities .

DURHAM . DURHAM . —Marquis of Granby Lodge ( No . 124 . ) — On Tuesday evening the 2 nd inst ., the regular meeting of this lodge was hold at the Freemasons Hall . The lodge was opened shortly after 7 o ' clock by the W . M . Bro . 0 . RowlamUon , assisted by tbe following officers , viz ., Bros . AV . C . Blackett as S . AV . ; AV . Briguall jun ., as J . W . ; W . Can-, Sec ; J . Wortley , S . D . ; R , Cooke , J . D . ; J . Sewell , I . G . The minutes of the

previous general Iodic were read and confirmed Bros . J Robson , E . llefl ' evnau and A \ . Fairbaivu Hull , being candidates for the F . C . degree , were interrogated iu the usual manner , and having satisfied the brethren that they were duly entitled to receive higher privileges iu Freemasonry , they were regularl y entrusted by the W . M . and withdrew . During their absence the lodge was opened in the second degree , when they were separately readmitted and passed according to ancient form . Bro . P . Forster

who was a candidate for the degree of M . M . was also raised . Several matters of a private nature were brought before the lodge , and the circular from the Grand Secretary read , announcing the festival on the 14 th April next , when Bro . W . Briguall jun ., was nominated by the lodge to represent it as a steward at the same . In consequence of the advanced hour of the evening , tho brethren decided ou not adjourning to refreshment ; the lodge was accordingly closed in solemn form .

LEICESTERSHIRE . LEICESTER . — St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 279 . )—A regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hal ) , ou AVednesday the 3 rd inst ., when there was present—Bros . AV . Kelly , Dep . Prov . G . M . and W . M ., in the chair , P . M . 's Pettifor , P . P . S . G . W ., Dr . Buck , P . P . G . AV ., Kinder , P . P . J . G . W ., AA ' oare , P . P . G . D . ami ' Treas ., and Clarke , P . G . D ., Stanley , S . AV . ; .

Stretton , J . AV . and about thirty other brethren . The visitors were Bros . Duff , W . M ., Toller , S . W .. Seultliorpe , Sec , Partridge , Baines , and other members of No . 523 . The lodge having been opened in the first degree , and the minutes of the last lodge read and confirmed , a ballot was taken for Air . Jno . Edw . Montague Finch ,. M . A . Cantab , AI . R . C . S . & c , of the Leicestershire and Rutland Lunatic Asylum , and Mr . Joseph Heliaby Skevington of 1 ' olhley , as candidates for initiation , and

for Bro . Leoi Lincoln Atwood , of Garden City Lodge , Chicago , U . S . as a joining member , which passed to ho unanimous in their favour . The lodge was then opened in the second degree , and Bros . Jacobs and Palmer , having been called to the pedestal passed a sitisfnctoi-y examination as F . C . ' s after which they retiral , and a M . M . ' s India' having been opened , they were

severally raised to that sublime degree , the lodge was then resumed in the first degree , and Bros . Pegg and Widdows , were examined as to their proficiency in that degree , alter which they were passed to the degree of F . C . Mr . James Astill of Anstoy , elected at tiie last lodge , aud Messrs . Finch aud Skoviugton were then severally initiateel into our mysteries , letters were read from Bro . the Marquis of Hamilton , ALP ., and Col . the lion . Leicester Smyth , CH ., etc ., ( Son-in-law , ) and

Sou of the Senior- P . M . of the lodge , and Prov . G . M ., the Earl Howe ) expressing their great gratification at the honour conferred upon them in being elected honorary members of the lodge , and which were ordered to be entered on the minutes . The AV . M . announced , that on Monday the 8 th . inst ., the young K . irl Ferros would be initiated into Alasonry , in the Forres and Ivanhoe Lodge , Ashbcy-de-la-Zouche , an event which would possess an additional interest to the brethren of St . John ' s

and tbe John of Gaunt Lodges , from the fact that , the last Earl but one was a member of the former lodge , and that the late Earl was a member of the latter lodge , as well as one of the founders of the lodge at Ashby . He added that , as Dep . Prov . G . AL , he should pay an official visit to Ashby on the