Provincial.

that in this province it may be so , as it is surrounded by Staffordshire and Cheshire , in the latter of which provinces there are more lodges and more Masons than iu any other province in the kingdom , considering the population . I hope and trust that Shropshire will not be behind the rest with everything going on so prosperously . It is a great satisfaction to me to see lodges increasing , anel those lodges , though small , carried on so well and in such good order as they are now . I beg to

drink all your very good healths . Sir AA ATKIN then said : The next toast I have to propose is "The Health of Bro . Dymock , and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers . " Of course , I own that I have several other avocations , and there are a groat many things I have to elo for other people , anel I am excessively obliged to those here pre ~ - seut for the trouble they take in the management ofthe affairs of this Provincial Grand Lodge . I hope and trust that you ,

brethren , will have the same feelings towards them as I have , and will join with me . in drinking their health . Ol course , Bro . Dymock is a neig hbour and an old friend—you all know the character he boars , and how uracil he is looked up to . I propose his health as a Mason . He it was who first brought me to the Shrewsbury loelges , and through him you kindly elected me your Prov . G . M . It is a proud position , and I am very much obliged to you . I must return thanks to him

for having introduced me so much amongst you . Bro . DYMOCK , in . reply , said : Brethren , it was a very happy thing for the Craft if I induced Sir Watkin to be the Grand Master of this province—it is the very best thing for the province I ever did . 1 thank you all for the kind way in which you have received my health . Sir AY ATKIN saiel : The next toast , brethren , is one that though we all at this end of the table will be able to drink , all you at the other end will be unable to elo , because it is your noble selves . It is a very great source of satisfaction to see this new lodge opened and so many members of it belonging to that class that

it is likely to go on . As I said before , we are now in the borough of AVenlock , a borough in which I had for many years great connections , and I hope and trust that those connection for my part may go on . It does not do to talk politics here , but I may say that next year there will be some alteration in the distribution of seats . I trust , whatever alterations may be made , that nothing will be done to injure the importance of the borough of Wenlock . I think 1 cannot do better with this

toast than to couple with it your AVorshipful Master , Bro . Brice . Smith , and his two Wardens , Bros . Woollier and Procter . I have known your Worshiplul Master for a good many years as a good Mason , and I hope and trust he will keep you up to your work , as well as I have seen him work in Shrewsbury . Bro . BRICE Sunn , W . M ., in reply , said : lam sure I cannot adequately say svhat I should like to do on this occasion . Some men have a wonderful facility in making speeches , I never

possessed it , but I could wish that I now had the gift to acquit myself with credit to myself , and with honour to the lodge . I can only say Hint it is a great thing to be a member of a Craft lodge , one of the greatest institutions that man ever put together , and if it be a great honour to be selected by his brethren to preside over a newly-formed lodge . The members of this lodge have conferred tiiis honour upon me , and I feel grateful to them . I can only say that I will endeavour to

discharge my duly as Master of this lodge . On behalf of myself , my brother Wardens , officers , and brethren of this lodge , I tender you our must hearty thanks , and we feel exceedingly complimented by you , Rig ht Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , presiding on the occasion . Brethren , one of the most pleasing duties performed by a Master of a lodge is to give the toast of " The Newly-initiated Brethren . " I have no doubt that our two newlj-initiated brethren recollect what

they heard to-night , and will never forget the import of the charge , and that they will eventually become good Masons . I propose "The Healths of Bros . Crooks and Oakley . " " Song of the E . A . " with the usual time-honoured

observances . Bros . CROOKS and OAKLEY respectfully returned thanks for the last toast , and expressed their gratification in being admitted members of the Order . V . W . Bro . J . P . WHITE , Prov . Grand Treasurer , said : — Brethren , a toast falls to my lot , and it is the most delightful one of the evening . I cannot , g ive it as I should like to do . It is ¦¦ The Health of Lady Williams Wynn , and the Ladies . " There is an old legend ; that all Masons make good husbands , and all those husbands deserve good wives . In the case of the

lady who stands at the head of this toast , our R . W . Prov . Grand Master is most truly provided with an excellent partner , and one who takes great interest in . Masonry . I have the great pleasure of proposing her health , "Lady AA'illiams Wynn and tlie Ladies . "

Ihe V . W . Bro . ANSLOAV , P . M ., said : —I have been called upon to propose the next toast , it is that of a most worthy Mason , not o-ily worthy by private character , but worthy as we esteem him as a Mason by his extraordinary good working . I heard of our Bro . Goldsbro ' , who , for the first time came under our notice , by the admirable way in which he fulfilled his duties as Master of the Welchpool Loelge . I a in exceedingly sorry that other important duties kept me away ,

but the way in which he conducted the ceremonies and duties to day I can easily understand . I beg to propose " His very Good Health , and I hope that when he has an opportunity he will pay us a visit to AVellington . " Bro . GOLDSBRO' said : —I beg to express to our Bro . Anslow my grateful thanks for the very kind and complimentary terms in which he has been pleased . to propose my health , and to the brethren of the Saint Milburga Lodge for their

cordial reception of the toast . If there be one pleasure greater than another in Masonry , it is that of meeting with such good brother Masons as those now present , and of assisting in the duties of a newly formed loelge . I have had the pleasure this evening of investing , amongst the number of the officers , a member of a family with which I have been intimately acquainted for many years , viz ., Bro . James Procter , anel I feel sure that so long as such zealous Masons as he

and Bro . Woolner are to be found in office as AVardens the lodge of Saint Milburga will never lack good Masters . 1 beg to drink " All your very good Health and Prosperity to the Lodge of Saint Milburga . " Bro . BRICE SAIITH said : —The next toast I have the honour of proposing is that of " The Worshipful Masters of the Province . " I elo not know anything of the working qualities of the Masters of North Wales , hut I do of Shropshire , and for

some half a dozen years the Worshipful Masters of this province have been a credit to the Craft ., There are some of them at our board this evening . I have the greatest pleasure in proposing their health . " The AVorshipful Masters of the Province of North Wales and Shropshire . " \\ . Bro- TIPTON , AV . M . No . 262 , replied to the last toast ,

and said : Worshipful Master and Brethren , —In the name of the Masters of the Province I have the pleasure of thanking you for the toast which has been received so cordially . I assure you nothing gives masters of lodges more satisfaction than in being at the inauguration of new lodges . It was my misfortune not to arrive earlier to see the consecration . If anything could be gratifying that must have been to the brethren of the St . Milburga Lodge , as it was to the brethren who were

at-Llangefni , anel also at Oswestry . I think that Sir Watkin had us all to accompany him from Anglesea to Troubridge . I again thank you for your kindness in drinking our healths . V . W . and Rev . Bro . BENSON , Prov . G . Chap , proposed , - 'The Health ofthe Visitors , Bros . Cock , Needham , Blakeway , Gardiner , AVhite , and Heathcote . " V . W . Bro . HEATHCOTE , P . Prov . J . G . W ., said : I cannot help feeling flattered by having my name coupled with the

toast of the Visitors . 1 had great satisfaction in coming here this evening , as I always have when Sir Watkin—who is such an excellent Grand Master—is with us , and also to support anything for the good of Freemasonry in the country of my adoption , and where I have passed so many happy years . I am happy to see Masonry increasing . I assure you that it is a very great pleasure and honour to see such a phalanx of R . W . Bro . Masons , who have borne the burden anel heat of the day

for a number of years , and who are present at this moment to accept the very gieat honour done us in proposing our healths . The Shrewsbury Lodge No . 262 , which holds its head up , is number two of the lodges out of London . I trust that your lodge will flourish as ours , and I can wish you no better feeling from my heart . Bro . COCK said : I feel very much obliged to you for drinking the "Health of the Visitors" and coupling my name also with

, tire toast . It is a peculiar pleasure to rue to attend here today . I came from a long distance to be present at the consecration of the lodge in my native town . I never expected to havo so much pleasure as £ have had this day , and if within the length of a C ' . T . 1 shall always be glad to visit you . Bro . F . G . Yates , S . D ., in a very warm-hearted anel eulogistic