Craft Masonry.

pair of vases of splendid workmanship were presented with the unanimous voice of the lodge to Bro . Joseph Smith , as a mark of the high estimation in which his services to the lodge as first AV . M . were held by the brethren . LEBANON LODGE ( NO . 1 , 326 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on the 31 st ult ., at the Red Lion Hotol , Hampton—the chair being ied bBro . FWaltersP . Mancl Secretary

occup y . , . , who performed the duties of the office in a manner which gave satisfaction to all concerned . Bros . Jackson and Clair were raised to the third degree ; Bros . Dalby , Gill , ancl John Thomas passed to the second ; and Mr . Saville received the benefit of initiation . A cold collation succeeded the closing of the lodge , and the brethren returned to town at an early hour , the loelge having been called early in the afternoon . There were also

present : Bros . W . Hammond , P . M ., as S . W . ; H . Potter , P . M ., as J . W . ; D . D . Bee-k , Treas . ; J . F . P . Wooelley , J . D . ; aud G . Banks , I . G . Bros . G . Silcock , S . D . 157 , and Smith , were visitors on this occasion .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

LANCASHIRE ( EAST ) . MANCHESTER . —Blair Lodge ( No . 815 ) . —This lodge WES held on the 9 th inst ., after a vacation of two months , in the suite of rooms at the Town Hall , Hulma , which have been recently chastely decorated . There was a numerous attendance ; the members included Bros . Jos . Hine , P . Prov . S . G . W . ; J . D . Kennedy , P . Prov . G . Treas . ; J . Eltoft . P . Prov . G . Reg . ; and Dr . DillP . Prov . G . Purst . ; ancl the visiting brethren Bros .

, Reddish , P . M . ; Capt . Lathebury , R . A ., P . M . ; Davies , S . W ., & c . The lodge w as opened in clue form in the three degrees , and in proper order , examinations were undergone , Bro . Lowe was passed to the second degree , and Bros . Blum aud Pierce were raised to the sublime degree of M . M . by the AV . M ., Bro-Jarnes Bedford . The loelge was lowered to the first degree . Bro . Worthington , S . W ., was voted the W . M . elect , ancl other

business was transacted . The charity box showed a good subscription , which , with the addition of five pounds from the Charity Fund of the lodge , was set apart for the relief of a distressetl brother . Hearty good wishes were expressed by the visitors , the lodge was closed in peace and harmony , and the brethren adjourned to a substantial repast . After the loyal toasts and the health of the M . W . G . M . of England , and the V . W . D . G . M . were givenBro . James Bedfordtbe W . M . alluded

, , , to recent decease of the late M . W . Prov . G . Master of East Lancashire , and said the next toast , to his memory , was a sad one . Many changes had occurred since last they met at their social board—Europe , then in a state of tranquility and smiling with plenty , was now convulsed with war , and had some of her fairest land laid waste , and deluged with the blood of thousands

of God ' s noblest creatures . Thankful ought ive to be in our sea-girt isle we enjoyed the blessings of peace and liberty , that we could meet as we liked , and return to our homes ancl sleep there in quiet , without dread of the morrow , And yet in our peaceful land Death had been amongst us ; we wure wearing the garb of mourning and had to regret the loss of one that a few meetings back occupied that chair and cheered us with his genial face ancl kind advice and encouragement . Little did we

think then , when we drank to his health and wished him many years to preside over us , that we should never see him again , and that we should have by now stood at his graveside . The Craft , under his rule had increased enormously , for he had ever the cause of Masonry at heart , and prospered that cause not only by words but deeds ; amongst many acts of charity , he had given one thousand guineas towards relieving the Masonic Boys' School from its heavy debtand had bequeathed the munificent sum of

, £ 30 , 000 to further the great principles of our Order , by founding an infirmary in his native town of Bolton . The Blair Lodge was perhaps attached to him by stronger ties than any other lodge in his province : our charter was granted under his rule ; our P . M . Kennedy was his lust acting P . G . T ., and above all our lodge was called after him , and was the only one that bore his name in the provinceor indeed throughout

Kng-, land . We have every reason to be proud of that name ; may the Grand Architect of the Universe grant that the Blair Lodge may ever prosper , and be the means of perpetuating ancl handing down to future Masons of succeeding generations the memory of the late Stephen Blair , a good " Old English Gentleman , " a true friend , a kind employer , and a Prov . G . M . that will never

be surpassed or more beloved in his province . The toast was drunk in solemn silence . Other toasts followed , including "The M . W . Prov . G . M . elect of East Lancashire , Bro . Lieut .-Col . Nicholas Le Gendre Starkie , the W . M . elect of the Blair Lodge , " given by Dr . Dill , P . M ., P . Prov . G . P ., and suitably responded to by Bro . Worthington , S . W . 815 . The toasts were interspersed by songs and accompaniments given by Bros . Capt . Lathbury , Knight , Roylo , and Winning , and which in no small degree added to the enjoyment of an agreeable and fraternal meeting .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) . WAVERTREE . —Diike of Edinburgh Lodge ( No . 1 , 182 ) . — Installation . —The third anniversary of this flourishing lodge was held in tho lodge-room Coffee-house Hotel , Wavertree , on Wednesday , 17 th August . The lodge was opened iu clue form and solemn prayer by Bro . W . Woods , I . P . M ., W . M . pro . tern . The minutes of the previous lodge meeting having been read and

confirmed , Bro . Hamer , P . G . T ., then presented Bro . Samuel Cookson , S . W ., to Bro . Woods , for installation , assisted by Bros , Wylie , P . G . R . ; J . Thornton , P . M . ; T . May , P . M . 673 . The installation was then proceeded with , and upon re-admission of the brethren , under the direction of Bro . Woods , the full ceremony of installation was gone through iu a most perfect manner . The W . M . then proceeded to invest his officers for the ensuing yearwhen the following brethren were invested : —

, Bros . J . Thornton , I . P . M . ; P . R . Thorn , S . W . ; AV . Pughe , S . W . ; W . Brown , re-elected Treas . ; J . G . Bales , re-elected Sect . ; R . G . Luypton , S . D . ; J . AV . Williams , J . D . ; J . A . Edginton , I . G . ; A . Vaughan , Steward ; F . S . Parker , Steward ; AV . Crawford , Tyler . Business being ended , the lodge was closed in due form and solemn prayer . Tho installation banquet of this lodge took place in the lodge-room Coffee-house , Wavertree ,

on AVednesday , 31 st ult . The lodge was opened in due form and solemn prayer by Bro . Samuel Cookson , W . M . About fifty of the brethren assembled , amongst the visiting brethren were : Bros . Mott , P . G . D . ; H- Hornby , T . C . ; AV . May , P . M . 673 ; J . Scott , P . M . 594 ; and P . Larsun , 594 . Bros . Booker and Storywere then examined as to their proficiency to be passed to the degree of F . C . Free Masons , which was satisfactory . They were then passed to that degree in a very able manner by the AV . M .

The brethren were then called from labour to refreshment , when about fifty of the brethren sat down to an excellent banquet , provided by the worthy hostess , Mr . Thomas Wright . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given . Bros . F . Parry and T . Moabray added greatly to the enjoyment of the evening by singing several songs in their usual good style . The last toast of the evening having been given , the lodge was closed in due form and solum peayer by the AV . M .

SUFFOLK . IPSWICH . —Prince of Wales Lodge ( No . 959 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Hall on Moudav , the 5 th instant , wdien there were present : —Bros . Rev . R . N . Sanderson , W . M . ; AV . T . AVestgate , Pettit , C . T . Townsend , Emra Holmes , P . M . ' s ; A . J . Barber , W . M ., British Union Lodge ; J . Sheridan , W . M ., Phoenix Lodge , Stowmarket , & c .

At the last meeting , Bro . AVestgate hael been unanimously elected AV . M . for the ensuing year , ancl the installation took place on this evening , having been postponed from various causes since June , when the annual meeting is usually held . Previous to this ceremony being proceeded with , Mr . Geo . Abbot was balloted for , accepted , and initiated , the ceremony being performed by the AV . M . elect . Bro . Quick was passed to the degree of F . Ca Fellow Craft Lodge having been opened in

, another part of the building for that purpose , under the gavel of Bro . Sanderson . The installation was then proceeded with , Bro . Townsend , P . Prov . G . S . AV ., acting as Installing Master . The following brethren were appointed officers for the ensuing year : —Rev . R . N . Sanderson , I . F . M . and Chap . ; AV . Cuckow , S . AV . ; M . Oliver , J . W . ; C . T . Townsend , Sec ; G . S . Goldiug , Treas . ; Emra Holmes , M . C . ; E . Robertson , S . D . ; G .

Cresswell , J . D . ; F . Crisp , I . G . ; G . Spalding , Tyler . At the conclusion of tho business , Bro . Sanderson moved that £ , 1 Is . be given from the Lodge Benevolent Fund towards tho sick and wounded iu the war . Lodge having been closed , the brethren , numbering about forty , sat down to an excellent banquet , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and the evening was enlivened with a display of the vocal abilities of several of those present . Harmony , of course , prevailed , and the brethren separated at a late hour .