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Meridian Lodge , No . 743 , 31 st Huntingdonshire Regiment . —Tho brethren of this Lodge met in the Assembly Rooms , at Aldershot , at 6 . 30 p . m ., on tho 18 th March , to instal Bro . Lieut . Montagu , 31 st Regiment , P . G . S . B . Dorset , as W . M . for the ensuing year . Tho brethren present wero Bros . II . Wilkinson W . M ., P . Montagu S . W ., W . Barron J . W ., J . Herbert Treas .,

W . Vines Sec , C Ncwington S . D ., W . Fruiklin J . D ., J . Magillagan I . G . ; P . M . ' s W . Deverell , F . Fisher , W . Woodward ; and Bros . II . Rowe and W . Foss . Visitors—Bros . R . Eve P . Prov . S . G . W . Hants , II . N . C . Smith P . Prov . G . W . Oxford , H . nacken P . P . G . J . D ., A . E . Richardson P . P . G . S . D ., Robt . F . Gould P . M . 92 ; Captain H . Burton W . M . 1724 Kaisar-i . Hind , W . Sheldrake P . M . 723 Panmuro , F . Adnett

723 , J . Wisham 1331 Camp Lodge , W . Hill late 743 , J . Pomeroy P . M . 723 , T . Benham W . M . 723 , G . Godfrov S . W . 723 , J . Ingnelcl St . John 434 Madras , T . Chesterton 1331 . G . W . Hyatt 1331 , T . Adams 1331 , G . Douglas P . M . 395 , J . Williams P . M . 215 , W . Burns 723 , II . Whale P . M . 723 , D . Phillips S . D . 723 , A . Paterson W . M . 322 , R . Featherstono 723 , W . Douglas 322 , H . Asnto W . M . 434 St . John , W . Sellwood 723 .

The Lodge presented a very animated appearance , tho scarlet uniforms of the Military contrasting vividly with the sombro dress of the Civilian brethren , many of whom wore tho insignia of Provincial Officers . The Lodgo haying been opened in ancient and solemn form by tho Worshipful Master , Bro . Wilkinson , tho installation ceremony was impressively performed by Past Master Bro . R . F . Gould , the

"Founder of the Lodge , " who kindly attended at tho express invitation of tho members of Meridian Lodge . It has been our happy lot to havo witnessed many such ceremonies , hut never have we seen such fervonr displayed , nor can wo sufficiently describe the firo and enthusiasm engendered in tho bosoms of the hearers at the eloquence of tho skilled Master who indelibl y impressed that reverence which

should always be felt by tho performance of this truly religious ceremony . Wo venture to predict that many years will elapse ere the solemn thoughts experienced on this occasion will bo effaced from the memory of thoso who listened to tho inspired words . Tho newly installed Master having appointed his officers for the year , the Lodge was closed in ancient and solemn form , with prayer , and tho brethren

adjourned to the Wellington Hotel , where a vCcherch 4 repast awaited them , to which ample justice was clone , the catering of Bro . Sellwood being highly satisfactory . The health of the Installing Master was proposed by Bro . Deverell P . M ., and was received in the warmest manner . Bro . Gould , in an able speech , commented on the great falling off in the number of Military Lodges which had occurred since

1814 . In that year , as appeared from a list of Lodges at the Union , which had been presented to him by the compiler , Bro . W . J . Hughan , out of a total of about € 00 Lodges on the Roll of the Grand Lodgo of England , 50 , or ono in twelve , wero Military Lodges ; whereas , at tho present time , though the aggregate of Lodges had increased to nearly 1 , 800 , instead of 150 of these being worked under Military

warrants , as would have been the case had the progress of Military Masonry kept pace with the general prosperity of the Craft , the num . ber of Military Lodges altogether in existence only amounted to six , or one in three hundred , amongst which , moreover , none of the fifty existing in 1814 were now to bo found , these being all defnnct , except six , each of which was now working under a Civil warrant .

No Military Lodges whatever woro now in existence under tho registry of Scotland , although in 1816 Lodgo St . George was at work in the 31 st Regiment . Under the Irish registry there were now ten Military Lodges , but one very distinguished Lodge under this Constitntion , No . 227 , in the 46 th Regiment , seemed to have died out . It was during the servico of this corps in America that the celebrated

General Washington was initiated into Masonry , in No . 227 . Tho 46 th Regiment twico had the misfortune to lose its Masonic chest . On the first occasion it was captured by tho Americans , when General Washington sent it back , escorted by a guard of honour . Secondly , in Dominica , in 1805 , it fell into tho hands of a French force , and three years afterwards the French Government , at tho earnest request

of the Officers who had commanded the Expedition , returned tho chest , with several complimentary presents . Bro . Gould deeply regretted the gradual decay of Military Masonry , as he thought its continuance went a great way in cementing tho good understanding which should exist between the Military and Civil population cither in England or the Colonies , and he was quite at a loss to attribute it to any

cause except tho prohibition of Military Lodges to initiato Civilians . The speech of Bro . Gould was replete with edifying matter regarding Freemasonry , and was intently listened to by the brethren . The Worshipful Brother took occasion to enlarge on the excellent manner in which the duties were conducted by the Officers of the Meridian Lodge , but expressed his regret at being ablo to recognise only ono

face amongst thoso present of the old members with whom he had been associated , aud this was Bro . Woodward , concerning whom he related an anecdote of having ridden with him and Bro . Swettenham a distance of 40 miles , in a terrific snowstorm , to attend a meeting of the Meridian Lodgo at Tien Tsin , during the campaign in tho North of China . Bro . Gould concluded by warmly praising the young members ,

and wishing prosperity and happiness to all present . Bro . Evo replied to the toast of the Visiting Brethren . He also offered some able remarks on Military Lodges , and surprised all present when he stated that the Bible on which General Washington was obligated in the 46 th Regimental Lodge , was now in the possession of the Colonel of that regiment , who recently lent it to tho Panmure Lodgo to

obligate three officers of the 4 ( ith , and that duty was performed by Bro . Evo in his capacity of W . M . The brethren having once more thanked Bro . Gould for his kindness in coming so far to attend the meeting , expressed a desire that they might havo tho pleasure of seeing him at future installations . Several of the brethron enlivened

the proceedings by singing some excellent song ; - ' . Wo mnst not omit to mention the sweot voice of Bro . Rurroii . in "Kitivof Colernine : " and the superb voice of Bro . Evo , in the " Miller of the Dee . " Altogether , ono of the most pleasant evenings wo havo ever passed in Freemasonry was tho resnlt of our visit to the Meridian Lod" -c .

"William Preston Lodge , No . 766 . —This Lodge held its

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regular meeting on Thursday , tho 28 th inst ., at Cannon-street Hotel . Piosent—Bros . S . D . Ewins W . M ., C . R . Cutmore S . W ., E . Kidman J . W ., W . Worrell P . M . Sec , Capt . G . J . Kain P . M . Treas ., W . Drake S . D ., W . J . Collens D . C , G . Newman P . M . Steward , W . F . Smart I . G ., W . Grant Tyler ; P . M . ' s Bros . Newton , B . Abbott , A . Brann , J . Pringle , and several Visitors . Business—After tho formal opening

of tho Lodgo , the W . M . proceed to raise Bros . Charles Pay , Eugeno Wood , and William J . Heath , which ceremony he performed in a most impressive manner . Tho members now proceeded to tho election of an Audit Committee . After which the Committee appointed at the last meeting , for the purpose of revising tho Bye Laws , handed in their report , which was freely discussed by the brethren . The

members of the Lodge appeared in mourning , in token of respect to tho memory of Bro . George John rauVi . On tho motion of Bro . P . M . G . Newman , a vote of condolence with tho family was passed , and ordered to be recorded on tho minutes of tho Lodgo . After other business tho W . M . closed tho Lodgo , and the brethren adjourned to banquet . On its conclusion , the nsual toasts were given and

responded to . Tho W . M . specially referred to the Past Masters , complimenting the Lodge on having such good Masons among them . Bro . Capt . Kain responded , on behalf of himself and the other Past Masters , thanking the W . M . and brethren for the cordial way in which thoy wero received . Several songs wero sung during tho evening , and all present appeared to thoroughly enjoy tho meeting .

Royal Alfred Lodge , No . 780 . —Tho rogular meetiug was hold on Friday , 22 nd inst ., at tho Star and Gaiter , Kew Bridge . Present—Bros . Walter Goss W . M ., Charles May S . W ., W . Gomin J . W ., W . Hilton P . M . Secretary , J . Smith P . M . P . G . P . Treas ., Tarling D . C , Costelow I . G ., Gilbert Tyler ; P . M . ' s Bros . J . Chambers Roe , Gardiner , Beasley , Halo , Brown , Potter , & c . Visitors—Bros . H .

Stephens 73 , J . Whiffin 147 , N . W . Hammond 163 , G . Phillips 186 , W . W . Morgan 211 , Rov . T . W . Morris 300 , G . W . Lay 569 , Thoma 3 Butt 907 , R . E . Clarke P . M . 1158 , Neville Parker 1428 , H . Day , Acworth , and W . Nye 1612 , and McC . Butt 1623 , & c . It has become proverbial that , at the regular meetings of this prosperous Lodge , those who attend should bo prepared for a heavy's day ' s work , and on this

occasion the rule was fnlly observed . Tho brethren assembled at Two o ' clock , when Bro . Goss proceeded to open his Lodge . Thominutesof the last regnlar meeting , and those of tho emergency hold in February , wore read and confirmed . Thero wero present two candidates for raising , and ono for passing . The two former , Bros . Thomas Talbot and Charles Coombes , passed a satisfactory examination , and

duly received their third step in Freemasonry . Previous to this cere , mony being performed the ballot was taken for Bro . Arnold , of the Royal Union Lodgo , No . 382 , who was proposed as a joining member by Bro . Woodward P . M ., and who had for a seconder Bro . Tarling . Bro . Arnold was unanimously accepted . Bro . William Eydmann was tho candidato for tho second degree , and this brother , by the way in

which he answered the questions , evidenced that ho had lost no time in making himself conversant with tho preliminary knowledge required of brethren ero they seek advancement . Bro . Eydmann informed us that ho was indebted to Bro . Clarke P . M . for the knowledge ho was enabled to display , and wo must congratulate tho master on having so apt a pupil . The ceremony of the second degreo

was then carefully and correctly performed by Bro . Goss . The ballot was taken for three candidates for initiation , Messrs . A . T . Seeker , Frederick Botley , and E . H . Collett ; tho resnlt was favourable , and Mr . Botley took his first step iu tho Ordor . There were three notices of motion on tho paper , and these wero now brought on for discussion ; tho first , by Bro . Tarling , " That no moneys be voted from the funds

of tho Lodge without notice being previously inserted in the summons calling the meeting , " was calmly and fairly argued by the proposer , who stated that ho did not wish for a vexations application of the rule , should it be carried . He knew they had a careful Treasurer , who would not let tho moneys of the Lodge be squandered ; still , they had members who wero more lax in their attendance than ho thought

desirable , and this would not give such as ho referred to an opportunity for complaining about what might be done in their absence . He assured tho members he did not bring the motion forward in a spirit of hostility , but solely for the best interests of the Lodge . Bro . Smith addressed tho brethren ; ho suggested that circumstances might arise where immediate relief was necessary , and then the delay that

must occur would bo most regrettable . He , at the same time , held with the spirit of tho proposition , and would ask Bro . Tarling to add to his motion the rider , " Except moneys for charitable purposes , or for providing tho customary P . M . ' s jewel . " After a few words from Bro . Atlee , Bro . Tarling adopted the suggestion of Bro . Smith , and tho motion in its amended form was put and carried . Tho next

questian for discussion was in reference to tho future quarters of the Lodge . Bro . Hale P . M . explained his reasons for having placed his notico on the paper , but as it seemed to be the almost universal wish of the members , he would withdraw it . The third motion referred to tho incrense of the fees for initiation and joining , and thi 3 was fully discussed pro and con . It , however , resulted in an advance being

made in both cases . Rontine business was then proceeded with . Bro . Tnrling announced tho death of an old and respected member of the Lodge , Bro . Barnes , and on his suggestion the Secretary was requested to send a letter of condolence to tho widow . Tho Lodge was then closed , and after a short interval the brethren sat down to a capita ! banquet , provided and personally superintended by

Host Stanbury . The good things provided were ably discussed , and thoroughly enjoyed . Tho toast list was fully honoured , bub brevity with tho several speakers was the rule of the evening . Tho proceedings were enlivened by some capital songs , & c , and when tho hor . r for parting cain-3 , felicitations wero expressed as to the sciccc 33 of the meeting .

Merchant Navy Lodge of Instruction , No . 781 . -On Wednesday , the 20 th inst ., at tho Silver Tavern , Burdett-road , Lime , h OUHC , Preaeut—Bros . Scbocrboom W . M ., Robinson S . W ., Maxwell