Provincial.

JIarploy , W . M . 76-1 ; D . 60111-105 ' , & o . Tho lodge being opened in aiicient form and with solemn prayer , and the minutes road rend confirmed , it was raised to the second degree , when Bro . John Hyslop Bell , who was a candidate for the third degree , having passed the necessary examination , was raised to the sublime degree of M . M ., the beautiful and impressive ceremony being conducted by Bro . Stonier Leighby the special

per-, mission of the WM . At its conclusion , there being no other "business , tbe lodge was closed down to the first degree , when Bro , Emra Holmes presented the lodge with a copy of Bro . Dr . Bell ' s "Stream of Freemasonry , " prefacing tho presentation with a few words eulogistic of this admirable and comprehensive chart of Masonry . The lodge was then finally closed , and the brethren retired to refreshment . Tho usual loyal and

Masonic toasts having heen given with all the honours , the W . M . proposed "Our Newly-raised Brother" in a neat ancl appropriate spesch , when Bro . Boll responded , expressing the pleasure he had derived from joining the Craft , and hoping that he might be able to become in time what it was his ambition to be—in every sense a good Mason . The W . M .

having proposed "Our Visiting Brethren" in his usual pleasant , cordial manner , Bro . Harpley responded in equally courteous terms . Bro . E . Holmes then proposed the name of Bro . Stonier Leigh , speaking in high terms of his abilities as a Mason , and praising the manner in which he had conducted the ceremony of the evening . At tho same time he deprecated tho system of a brother who had not yet passed the chair undertaking to perform any of the ceremonies which appertained of riht to

g the Master or his representative tho P . M ., and hoped the procedure of this evening would not be allowed to form a precedent which might have a dangerous tendency . Bro . Leigh , in responding , admitted that it would not do to establish a precedent on the evenings proceedings , although the Board of General Purposes had declined to legislate on the subject , or to say that ceremonies conducted by a brother who was not an

installed Master were illegally performed . Several brethren contributed to the harmony of the evening by the exercise of their vocal abilities , and the evening was spent in that harmony and good-fellowship which always characterises the meetings of the brethren of this lodge . LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) . GARSTON . — Lodge of Harmony ( No . 230 ) . —This numerous

and well-attended lodge was held on the 27 th ult ., at the Wellington Hotel , Garston . Present—Bros . C . Leedham , W . M . ; J . Hamer , P . M . ; J . Baker , S . W . ; James Cook , J . W . ; 0 . Roylanee , Treas . ; Sewell , S . D . ; Cook , I . G ., and a large muster of members . Among the visitors were— Bros . W . Bainbridge , S . W . 721 ; Fozzard , P . M . 1 , 035 ; Evans , 1 , 035 ; Dihvorth and Chr . pler , 5 S 0 , Ormskirk ; Stevenson , J . W . 537 ; Kirkpatrick , 249 , etc . The minutes having been read and confirmeda ballot

, was taken for Mr . Daniel Lowry and Mr . James Glover , and duly declared unanimous . Mr . Kenneth Annat having been proposed by vote , was also balloted for and elected . D . Lowry and K . Annat were then duly admitted to light by the W . M ., and declared themselves subscribing members . The working tools were then explained by the J . W ., Bro . Cook . The lodge was then opened in tho second degreewhen Bros . Dagleish

, , Warhurst , Platts , and Clegg wore examined , and proving proficient , were entrusted and prepared ; and the lodge being opened in the third degree , they were severally raised to the sublime degree of M . M . The lodge having been closed down , tho brethren adjourned to refreshment . LEICESTERSHIRE .

LEICESTER . —Johi of Gaunt Lodge ( No . 523 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Freemasons ' Hall on Thursday , the 21 st ult ., under the presidency of the D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Kellv . Amongst those present were Bros the Rev . John Spittal , I . P . M ., as S . W . ; J . M . Duff , P . M . ; W . Johnson , P . M . ; Sheppard , P . M . and Treas . ; I . E . Hodges , J . W . ; Barfoot , Sec ; Buzzard , J . D . ; Watson , I . G ., and others .

Tho lodge having been opened , ancl the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed , and no candidate being in attendance , a portion of the lecture was omitted . The lodge was then opened and closed down in the second and third degrees . Bro . Duff , P . M ., drew attention to the loss which Masonry had sustained in tho decease ofthe Venerable Bro . the Piev . Dr . Oliver , the learned historian of Masonry , and who , on the formation of the library in this building , had presented

copies of many of his Masonic works , from the interest he felt in the sister lodge of St . John ' s , in which his father , the Rev . Samuel Oliver , it appeared , had been initiated in the year 1797 . He moved that a resolution expressive of the regret of the lodge at tho loss which the Order had sustained , be entered on the minutes . The resolution was duly supported , and carried unanimousl- It was proposed btlie D . Prov . G . M . and seconded

y y , by the J . W ., that Bro . Charles Johnson , P . prov . S . G . W . for Jersey , bean honorary member of the lodge . There being no further business , the lodge was closed , ancl the brethren adjourned to refreshment , under the presidency of Bro . Duff , P . M .

LEICESTER . —St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 279 ) . —On Wednesday , the 3 rd inst ., the brethren of this lodgo assembled in due course at the Freemasons' Hall , the W . M ., Bro . L . A . Clarke , in the chair . There were also present—Bros . Kelly , P . M . and D . Prov . G . M . ; Pettifor , P . M . ; Weave , P . M . and Treas ., as S . W . ; Ride , J . W . ; Strctton , Sec ; Gosling , J . D . ; Thorpe , I . G . Visitors—Bros- Barfoot , Bithney , Toller , Sculthoi-pe , ancl J . C . Clarke , of the John of Gaunt LodgoNo . 523 . The lodge was opened in

, the first degree , and the minutes of the last lodge were read and confirmed . A letter was received from the Rev . Bro . Anderson , S . D ., stating that as he had a service at his church on Wednesday evenings during Lent , he was compelled to be absent from his post in lodge . The Secretary reported that the votes of condolence passed at the last lodge on the decease of the Rev . Bro . Oliver , D . I ) ., an honorary member of the lodge , and of Bro .

Joseph Uunderwood , for many years an active P . M . of the lodge ,, had been forwarded to the families of those deceased brethren , and letters were read from Mrs . Pears , daughter of Dr . Oliver , ancl from Mrs . Underwood , acknowledging , in feeling terms , the kind expressions of regret and sympathy on the part of the members of the lodge , ancl which were ordered to be inserted in the minutesBrosCheckland and Burton being candidates

. . to be passed to the second degree , were called to the pedestal ,, and having given the necessary proofs of their proficiency as E . A . 's , retired , when a F . C . 's lodge was opened , aud the W . M . proceeded to pass them to that degree in an efficient manner . No further business offering the lodge was closed , ancl the brethren adjourned to refreshment , passing a few hours very pleasantly .

NORFOLK . NORWICH . —School of Instruction . —The school of instruction : in connection with tho Perseverance ancl Cabbell Lodges of this province has just finished its meetings for the present season . They have been held weekly since October , at the house of Bro . Colsey , the Exchange Hotel , and the largeness of attendance of members belonging to both lodgescombined with the systematic

, character of the work invariably practised , has been productive of the utmost possible benefit . A very good example has thus been sot to the brethren of Norwich and the province , and if it were only followed by other lodges , a great improvement would soon manifest itself in the working part of the degrees . To celebrate the closing meeting of the season , the members of tho schoolto the number of twentypartook of dinner at the

, , house of Bro . Colsey , on Friday evening , the 5 th insfc . Bro . B . W . Ilarcourt , AV . M . of Lodge Perseverance , presiding , Bro . T . Campling , W . M . ( Cabbell ) being in the vice-chair . A variety of Masonic toasts were proposed , including "The Health of the Venerable Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Benjaraan Bond Cabbell ) , who , notwithstanding his advanced age , continues to take the liveliest interest in the prosperity of the Order . The

other toasts comprised the healths of Bro . Harcourt , W . M . ; Bro . Campling , W . M . ; Bro . Colsey , P . M . ; Bro . Dunsford ,, P . M ., & c . The brethren separated at high twelve , after having enjoyed a very pleasant and harmonious meeting .

SUFFOLK . IPSWICH . — -The Lodge Prince of Wales ( No . 959 ) . —This lodge held its regular monthly meeting at the Masonic Hall , on the 1 st inst . There was a very large attendance of the members of the lodge , including several visitors . Three brethren connected with the Phoenix and Franklin Lodges were balloted for as subscribing members . The lodge business was unusually heavy . At its conclusion forty brethern sat down to a

wellserved banepiet , under the presidency of the W . M ., Bro . T . B . Jennings , supported by his warders—Bros . J . Helms and E . 0 . Tidd . The proceedings of the evening were rendered more than usually interesting by the presentation of a handsome gold ring ,