Merchant Navy Lodge, No. 781.

Master was proposed , in a neat little speech , by Bro . Scheerboom , the I . P . M ., and suitably acknowledged by Bro . Rawo . Tho health of tho Visitors followed , and was responded toby Bro . Turqnand and several others , Bro . J . Keable concluding his remarks by reading tho following lines : —

We meet around this fostive-board , where oft we ' ve mot before , To celebrate tho birthday of our Master , Brother Rawe . May happiness attend his path , and heaven his life long spare , To meet with brethren whom he loves with upright lives and sqnaro ^ We know his kindliness of heart , his liberal hand and free , To benefit whene ' er he can tho cause of Masonry .

Tho Merchant Navy Lodge can boast of names a long array , Who have good suit and service done in their Masonio day . There's Reid and Wright , and Neville too , —there ' s Scheerboom , Daniels , Reeves , And others , too—an honoured line—of brethren such as these .

Then while we drink to Brother Rawe , in this we all ooncnr , That in his office he may have a prosperous , happy year . May candidates come forth to join , and his the privilege be , Of shewing them tho mysteries of our old Freemasonry . And when his year comes to its close , and he has ran his i * ace ,

We hope the " Ould ' un " sitting there may come to tako his place . W . M . then proposed the health of tho Installing Master , and Bro . Terry responded in eloquent terms , and took the opportunity of making an earnest appeal on behalf of tho Masonio Charities . Tho

Treasurer and Secretary was tho next toast , and Bro . E . T . Reid , tho highly esteemed Secretary of the Lodge , replied for himself and for Bro . Wright , who wo regret was unavoidably absent through domestic affliction . The Officers of the Merchant Navy Lodge followed , and the Tyler ' s toast concluded a very pleasant and profitable ovening .

Dalhousie Lodge, No. 860.

DALHOUSIE LODGE , No . 860 .

THE annual meeting of this popular and ably-conducted Lodge took place on Thursday , the 14 th instant , at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street . Beyond the event of the day—the installation of Bro . W . J . Smith—there was but little work to be done . The brethren assembled at four o ' clock , when Lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . W . G . Dickins , who was well supported by Past Masters W . H , Wallington ( Treasurer ) , L . F . Littell ( Secretary ) , T . B . Dodson (

Direotor of Ceremonies ) , John C . Bates , H . W . Dal wood , and George Weige . Among the visiting brethren we noticed Bros . Thomas Clark J . D . 1178 , John Hattersley 1366 , Henry Evans 144 , F . W . Farmer 25 , R . J . Tavlor W . M . 144 , James Kift 1791 , A . W . Herzog 902 , J . S . Easey 511 , T . Underwood 1679 , C . J . Burnett 1624 , W . Watkins 1076 , W . W . Morgan Secretary 211 , T . Scowcroft 467 . After

reading and confirmation of the minutes , the Auditors' report was received and adopted . Bro . Dickins then proceeded with the installation ceremony , which he performed in a very satisfactory manner . The W . M . invested the following brethren as Officers for the ensuing twelvemonths : — R . Burleton S . W ., J . Barker J . W ., W . H . Walling . ton P . M . Treasurer , L . F . Littell P . M . Secretary , Jos . Pavitfc S . D .,

Christian J . D ., Saunders I . G ., Tomkins D . C , Cornu W . S ., Marsh Tyler . The W . M ., in investing the several Officers , addressed thorn most fnlly as to what was expected of them in the due fulfilment of their several trusts ; and then the Installing Master gave a forcible rendering of the customary addresses . Routine work followod , hearty good wishes wero tendered , and Lodge was closed . A capital

banquet was served by Bro . Clemow , the spirited proprietor of this popular Masonic establishment , and on the removal of the cloth Bro . Smith proceeded with the toasts . After " The Queen and the Craft , " the National Anthem waB sung by Bro . W . H . Wallington , with Bro . Kift at the piano . " The Prince of Wales , Most Worshipful Grand Master of English Freemasons , " was next honoured , and Bro . Past

Master Weige sang , " God Bless the Prince of Wales . " After the toast of the Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and Grand Officers , Bro . Kift gave the amusing song , " Proverbial Philosophy , " and then Bro . Dickins proposed the health of tho Worshipful Master . Bro . Smith had been an assiduous worker in every post he had held in the Lodge , and as W . M . all felt convinced he

would not relax in his zeal for its welfare . He ( Bro . Dickins ) had great pleasure in asking the brethren to do honour to the toasfc . After a capital song by Bro . Farmer , the W . M . replied . From the first moment he had entered the Lodge he had been actuated by but one feeling—the welfare of its members . He meant well , and would do all he conld to promote the happiness and comfort of the brethren .

In proposing the health of tho Immediate Past Master , the Installing Officer of the evening , tho W . M . spoke in the highest terms of praise of the way in which Bro . Dickins had carried out his duties , and of how he had consummated his year ' s work by performing the ceremony of installation . The jewel it was his privilege to be the medium of presenting from the members was well deserved , and he trusted

might long be appreciated by the wearer . Without farther remark , he wonld call on the brethren to drink the toast . After a song by Bro . Weige— " The Old Bottel" —rendered with that worthy brother ' s wonted vigour , Bro . I . P . M . Dickins replied ; he was much indebted to Bro . Smith . He had tried to do his best for the Lodge during tbe term of his Mastership , and had received every kindness at the hands of the members . He was sincerely grateful for the Past Master ' s

jewel , which it would over be his pleasure to wear , and he had specially to thank some of the brethren who had thought fib to supplement tbe gift made by the Lodge . In proposing the health of the Visiting Brethren , the W . M . said that if there was one toast more than another they desired to honour in the Dalhousie Lodge , ifc was that of those who favoured them with thoir company as guests . With the toasfc he would associate the names of Bros . Taylor , Farmer , and Morgan . At this stage of the evening Bro . Herzog played a se-

Dalhousie Lodge, No. 860.

lection on the zither , discoursing most exquisite music from this little instrument . Tho several brethren named then replied for the Visitors , and boro testimony to the happy feeling pervading tho Lodge , and tho ability displayed by ono and all in the conduct of its affairs ; at tho samo time expressing a hopo that during the present Master ' s roign still furthor prosperity might bo the result of

tho year . In replying for tho Past Masters , Bro . Bates spoke of tho gratification felt by thoso who had passed the chair at seeing the continued prosperity of the Lodge . The members seemed united as one man , and so long as this continued , tho result would be all that could bo desired . In proposing tho health of the Treasurer and Secrotarv , reference was made to the zeal displayed by each in con .

duoting the business of the Lodge . The members fully appreciated the exertions of thoir esteemed Secretary , who , on account of hia official duties , had felt almost constrained to resign his post . How . ever , Bro . Littell had once again consented to place his services afc the disposal of the brethren , and one and all trusted it might be many

years ere his association with tho Lodge , in his present oapaoity , came to a termination . " The Offioers , " and other toasts in due course followed , and adequate responses were elicited . The musical abilities of the brethren were well displayed throughout the evening , and the arrangements throughout seemed to give unqualified satisfaction .

Lodge Of Union , No . 414 . —A meeting was held on Tuesday , 19 th inst ., at tho Masonio Hall , Reading . Present : —Bros . C . Stephens W . M ., S . Bradley I . P . M ., R . C . Mount S . W ., F . J . Ferguson J . W ., Rov . N . T . Garry Chaplain . S . A . Pocock P . M . Treasurer , M . J . Withers Secretary , S . Wheeler S . D ., A . W . Parry J . D ., Butler Acting D . C , F . Blackwell Acting I . G ., Haywood Organist , Hemmings

Tyler ; Past Masters Bros . J . Morris , Oades , Baker ; Bros . Higgs , MofFafct , Grant , Hart , George , Rayner , Hawkes , Chamberlain , G . Webb , Dodd , Sherwood , J . F . Stevens . Visitors—Bros . W . Ferguson W . M . 1101 , E . J . Blackwell S . W . 1101 , Tench 1225 , Hodge 357 , Watts and Hunn 1533 , W . P . Ivey P . M . Secretary 1101 . The Lodge was opened , and the minntes of the last regular meeting were read

and confirmed . Bro . J . F . Stevens , a candidate for passing , answered the usual questions , and retired . Lodge was opened in the second degree , and Bro . Stevens was pnssed to the degree of F . C . Bro . Rayner , having satisfactorily answered the questions leading to the third degree , was entrusted , and raised to the sublime degree of

M . M ., the ceremony being performed by the W . W . in a very admirable manner . The absence of music , both instrumental and vocal , whioh would have given an additional effect to this beautiful ceremony , waa very apparent . We understand that for the future this omission will be remedied . After the proposal of candidates and the usual ceremonies , Lodge was closed according to ancient form .

La Tolerance Lodge of Instruction , No . 538 . —At the Green Dragon , Maddox-street , on Wednesday , the 20 th inst . Bros . J . Hurdell W . M ., VV . H . Richardson S . W ., J . Paul J . W ., J . Hnrdell Preceptor , L . G . Langdon Hon . Sec . The Fifteen Seotions were

worked as under : —First Lecture : —Bros . L . G . Langdon , W . 0 , Smith , H . Candy , J . Birrell , W . C . Smith , E . Child , and J . Paul Second Lecture : —Bros . T . C . Pratt , W . J . Burgess , J . Hemming , J . Paul , and J . Winterbottom . Third Lecture : —Bros . W . H . Riobardson , W . Berrell , and J . Paul .

West Middlesex Lodge of Instruction , No . 1812 . — A meeting was held at tho Feathors' Hotel , Ealing , W ., on 21 st inst . Present—Bros . A . Jones W . M ., J . Green S . W ., J . Wells J . W ., C . Bellerhy S . D ., T . Smith J . D ., Owen I . G ., and Bros . H . Stephens , Geflowski , and Tucker . The Lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of previous meeting were road , confirmed , and signed .

Lodge was opened up to third degree , closed in third , and resumed to first degree . Bro . T . Smith answered the questions leading to degree of F . C , and the Lodge wa 3 resumed . The W . M . rehearsed tbe ceremony of passiug , Bro . Smith candidate . The W . M . next rehearsed the ceremony of initiation with the same candidate . Bro . J . Green was unanimously elected W . M . for the next meeting .

We beg to remind our readers that the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of North "Wales and Salop will be held afc the Town Hall , Newport , on Tuesday next , the 26 th instant . The business will include , among other matters , the election of a Provincial Grand Treasnrer , and the

appointment and investiture of the Provincial Grand Officers for the year . At one o ' clock will be consecrated the Audley Lodge , No . 1896 , and the Provincial Grand Lodge having * been closed , the brethren will march in procession

to church . A banquet will be held at half-past three o ' clock , and those desirous of attending must send in their applications on or before this day ( Saturday ) , the 23 rd instant .

A Meeting of the Metropolitan Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees will be held at the Masonic Rooms , 8 A Red Lion Square , this day ( Saturday ) , at three o'clock p . m ., to confer the degrees of St . Laurence the Martyr and Knight of Constantinople on approved candidates , and to elect the W . M . and Treasurer .