Provincial.

The appointments of officers were as follows : —Bros . C . II Perrot , S AV . ; AV . Savile , , LAA . ; F . AV . Hoyle , P . AL , Treas . ; IT Hntcheson , Sec ; J . Goodhall , S . D . ; E . Firth , J . D . ; T . Swann ' I . G . ; and the Rev . Peter Browne , P . AI ., Chap . The lodge ' closed , the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , at which the usual Alasonic and loyal toasts were duly honoured , and a happy evening was passed .

SHEFI-IKLD . —Wentworth Lodge ( No . 1 , 239 ) . —This newlodge—only consecrated two months since—bids fair to hold a high a position in the locality as any of its predecessors , without aiming at rivalry . It was considered by the projectors that there was room for an additional lodge in this district , only two being then in existence in Sheffield , hence the reason of founding a new lodgeand if anything could show the unanimity of

, feeling on the subject , it was prominently evinced on Monday last by the large attendance of visitors high in the Craft , among which we may mention Bros . Drury , P . AL , No . 139 ; Alox . Hay , P . AI ., 139 ; Longden , P . AL , 139 ; Brennan , 344 , etc . Bro . Garnett . the AV . AL , opened the lodge , assisted by Bro . Matthews , S . AV ., and the oflicers , upon which the worthy secretary , Bro . John A \ ard , read the minutes of the previous

meeting ; , which received unanimous confirmation . After which , Bros . J . B . AA olstenholme and Gibbs were introduced , and being found worthy , were entrusted with the high degree of M . M . This was followed by a ballot being taken for the admission of two gentlemen for the honours of Freemasonry , viz ., Messrs . White and John Young , M . D . The result of the ballot being unanimous in their favour , the degree of Apprentice was conferred upon them , for w-hich they expressed their great gratification . Lodge closed , the brethren partook of refreshment , and passed a pleasant musical evening , separating soon after ten o ' clock .

Turkey.

TURKEY .

CONSTANTINOPLE . OMENTAL LODGE ( NO . 687 ) . —At the installation of Bro . H . Arnold as AV . M . of this lodge , held on the 29 th ult ., there , was a very numerous attendance of Turkish , English , French , Italian , Armenian , German , Persian , and Greek brethren of the different lodges of the Ottoman capital , the AV . M . invested as his officers for the ensuing —BrosAA BHopperSAV

year , . . . , .. ; J . L . Hanly , J . AV . ; A . AV . Alountain , Treas . ; R . A . Carleton , Sec ; B . Hadly , S . D . ; H . Graham , J . D . ; Cuehett , I . G . ; Cipristi , Tyler . The E . AV . Bro . Halim Pasha , D . G . M . for Egypt , who was present as a visitor , was received with the customar honours . The AV . AL , in appropriate terms , addressed the R . W . visitor , and expressed the pleasure it afforded the brethren to have amongst them one who had in every respect proved

himself so worthy a Master of their Order , and who had done so much in the neighbouring district of Egypt to make Masonry well thought and spoken of . The R . AV . His Highness Halim Pasha , in reply , said , —If my first words should have for their object to thank this respectable lodge for its very cordial reception , tho second must be to celebrate with you tho festival of the Patron of Freemasonry . Like him , my brethren , I find myself in the face of truth , and feel iu mv conscience the

necessary courage to maintain my dignitv . Separated hy long distance from my country , and the seat of tho District Alasonic authority which the Grand Lodge of England has done me the honour to confide to me in Egypt , I have addressed to our illustrious Grand Alaster , Lord Zetland , a solemn declaration which can leave no doubt on my Alasonic conduct , and the loyalty of all my Alasonic acts . Superior in many things to others , tbe English people rank hihest in their self and

g -respect , justice , sense of right , and this protecting trinity guards it ' s liberty as well as its domestic well-being . District Grand Alaster of English Alasonry , in my own country , I can , better than any person , appreciate those elements of progress and civilisation which are embraced in the Order of which we all have the honour to form part , and this , to me , is no less a duty than a pleasure to proclaim . Intended bits nature to bo the indis

y - soluble tie which binds people together , our Order , of which the origin is lost in the depths of time , while its history is mixed with that of all nations , such an institution can be but little affected by persecution . If there are still governments which fear us , because they do not understand us ; strangers to this policy and administration with which our constitutions make it a dut y never to occupy ourselves with , we do them good , in

Turkey.

spite of themselves , in elevating their people , by teaching them in our lodge the great civil virtues—liberty and courage—not the liberty which rises rampant , and terminates in disorder ; not the courage which braves useless perils ; but that libert y and courage like John ' s , which asserts , when it must , by its life , the dignity of truth , and the utterances of a pure conscience . Let us raise oursulvcs thenmy brethrento the heiht of the

, , g noble mission that we have truly accepted , and faithful to our obligation , let us persevere in its accomplishment without being discouraged . Having placed our hands to the plough , let us never look back , but work with head and heart earnestly Let us raise our eyes on high unto Him from whom emanates all power , all virtue , and pray Him to bless universal AlasonryIn conclusionI can onladd best

. , y my fraternal greeting to the AA orshipful Master and brethren of this respectable lodge . " After the business of the evening was concluded the brethren adjourned to a sumptuous banquet , the W . M , presiding . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and the fare was done ample justice to .

British America.

BRITISH AMERICA .

A'ICTORIA . PLEASANT CREEK . —Huroka Lodge , ( No . 987 ) . —The anniversary of St . John was celebrated Dec 23 rd last , by the brethren of the above lodge . The ceremony of installing the AV . M . Bro . Nicholas Dutfielcl , was gone through , Bro . Thomas Stubbs , P . Prov . G . S . D ., I . C ., acting as Installing Alaster , ably assisted by Bros . Ronald CampbellII . G . Freame , and AV . Matthewsof

, , Moyston . At the conclusion of the ceremony , a vote of thanks to the retiring AV . M . Bro . Thomas Brown was ordered to be placed on the minutes , congratulating him on the very prosperous condition of the lodge at the termination of his period of office . A brief discussion took place relative to the disposal of a portion of the lodge funds amongst the local charities , the subject being adjourned to a future meeting for further consideration .

The lodge was then closed in due form , and the brethren partook of a collation , which was got up in the most elegant style , and for whilh Bro . Sauerbrey deserves great credit . The wines supplied were of the first quality , and were fully appreciated by the assembled guests . The usual loyal and Alasonic toasts commencing with "The Queen and the Craft , " and "The Three Grand Masters ' and their Officers , Past and Present , " were drunk

with enthusiasm , and briefly responded to by Bro . Stubbs ; but the great toast of the evening was " The AV . M . Bro . N . Duifield , " ' which was enthusiastically received , accompanied by Alasonic honours . Bro . Duifield , in a neat speech , returned thanks for placing him in the high and honourable position he then occupied . " The Visiting Brethren " and several other toasts were given and responded to . It is evident the lodge is sharing in the

increased prosperity of the district , being now in a flourishing condition , especially taking into consideration that it did not meet in session for nearly two years after the calamitous fire which occurred three years ago . The lodge has paid off a large amount of arrears of dues which accrued during that period , and will shortly have a good balance at its bankers . There was a tolerably good muster of brethren , considering that the thermometer was at 105 degrees in the shade only a few hours previous .

India.

INDIA .

BENGAL . DISTRICT GRAND LODGE . A Quarterly Communication of Ihe District G . L . of Bengal , Calcutta , was held on Monday , the 28 th December , 1868 . There were present the following District G . Officers : —Bros . IltighD . Sandeman , D . G . M . ; William J . Judge , D . G . AL ; . lohn B .

Roberts , P . D . G . AL ; J . B . Knight , D . S . G . A \ . ; F . Powell , D . J . G . W . ; J . E . Cooke , as D . G . Sec ; J . H . Linton , D . G . Treas . ; J . Mackintosh , D . S . G . D . ; C . H . Wilson , D . J . G . D . ; D . M . Folkard , D . G . Dir . of Cers ., AV . B . Farr , P . Assist . D . G . Dir . of Cers . ; AV . Stansfield , as D . G . S . B . ; C . Halford , as D . G . Purst . ; L . A . Good eve , J . Conway , G . M . Goodricke , AV . G . Amos , D . G . Stewards ; D . J . Daniel , D . G . Tyler ; and the following representatives of lodges : —Bros . JIcKelvey , J . W ., as