Middlesex.

into Freemasonry , m accordance with the Antient Rites and Ceremonies of our Order . " Given at London , under my hand and seal this third day of March , A . L . 5865 , A . D . 1865 . ' " Signed , " DE GREY ANTJ RIPON .

" Seal . " That their lodge ( consecrated in 1865 ) had set a good example worthy of being followed b y their I . P . M ., installing his successor . These remarks were received with much applause , as well as the complimentary ones on the great

hospitality shown the visitors . The other W . M . ' s were also called on to say a few words . Other toasts were given and responded to , interspersed by good harniony r from the musical brethren , and a most agreeable evening was spent , when the Tyler ' s toast was given , and the brethren separated .

Scotland.

Scotland .

ROXBURGH . HAWICK . —St . John ' s Lodge ( No . in ) . — An emergency meeting of this lodge was held on Friday , the 12 th inst ., in order to overtake the rapidly accumulating business which has so unexpectedly arisen , and to pass the numerous candidates who have so patiently waited , for some

time , their last degrees . The R . W . M ., Bro . Noble , presiding , there were present : Bros . K y le , Thomas , P . M . ' s , & c , with all the officers , and about sixty of the brethren . Amongst the visitors we observed , the R . W . M . of 216 , Stow , and several of the brethren from St . James ' s , 424 .

Bro . Ky le , P . M ., officiated , and in his usually happy and masterly manner , gave more light unto fourteen expectant candidates . The scene was certainly impressive in the highest degree , and we may safely say unparalleled in provincial labours , affording a rare treat to those brethren

who were so fortunate as to be present . The representatives of H . A . B . were like a field of slain , though not with " martial cloaks around them , " yet having palpable evidences of the trying scenes they had undergone , in their search after Masonic knowledge . The " test

membership " motion of the M . W . G . M ., Earl Rosslyn , was again brought before the lodge , when a resolution was passed against it , expressing in strongest terms , their disapproval of contributing to Grand Lodge debt , when said debt and expenses might be put within reasonable bounds by the

means at present within their power . T his is quite in accordance , with the status , the brethren of Scotland hold , which the nominal fee has admitted , and the laxity of our laws induced . The Grand Lodge will herein reap as they have sown , much discussion ensued over this resolution , and

very general dissatisfaction was expressed with Grand Lodge , that copies of the annual citcular and abstract should not have been sent to this lodge for years , although specially stated to be done in Book of Constitutions . The brethren argue and reasonably so , that they will not contribute to a

cause , the result of which is kept hidden from them . Depute Master , Bro . Peden , moved that a lodge of instruction be held every alternate fortnight , during the summer , which was unanimously agreed to , the brethren look forward to D . M . Bro . Peden ' s promised night , with the

utmost pleasure , his great zeal for the Craft , his original productions , and well-known eloquence , demand more than ordinary notice ; and though our much loved bard is gone , ( late Henry Scott Riddell , Bard of Lodge St . John ' s , No . 111 ) , our romantic border land rich , in poetic lore , bids fair

to raise another son of song , to sing in endless strains , " Scotland ' s Hills and Scotland ' s Dales . " The lodge then took into serious consideration the projected hall , and it was determined to take steps towards its erection . The R . W . M . in his lively and felicitous manner gave a resume of

the Committee ' s labours , and the brethren may look forward with confidence to their future temple , and with some degree of certainty , to a comp letion of this great work . The lodge was then closed by the R . W . M . in due and antient form , when the Hall Committee met , to forward the work , details of which we expect soon .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

METROPOLITAN .

MACDONALD MARK . LODGE ( NO . 104 ) . — The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday last , at the head-quarters of the First Surrey Rifle Volunteers , Brunswick Road , Camberwell , Bro . Eugene Cronin , M . D ., W . M . presiding . There was a good attendance of

brethren , and among them were , Bros . Thomas Meggy , P . M . ; Jas . Stevens , P . M . ; Arthur Wolton , M . O . ; W . Worrell , S . O . ; Robert Berridge , J . O . ; Thos . W . White , Reg . of Marks ; E . IT . Finney , jun . D . C ; E . IT . Finney , John Strachan , C . Hammerton , Alf . Williams , L . L .

Atwood , 19 ; Thos . Homfray , Keystone ; and H . Massey . Bros . Vallance and Binnie were advanced to this antient degree , at the commencement of the evening , by Bro . Jas . Stevens ; after which Dr . Cronin resumed the chair , and the brethren proceeded with the election of W . M .

for the ensuing year . At the declaration of the ballot , Bro . Charles Hammerton was found to have been duly elected . It was announced in open lodge , Bros . Meggy , and Stevens , P . M . ' s , both being present , that in future it would not be a necessary qualification for the office of Master that : \ brother should be an installed

Master in a Craft lodge . Bro . Hammerton , on his election being communicated to him , acknowledged the compliment the brethren had conferred on him , but that it had taken him by surprise . Bro . T . Meggy , was then elected Treasurer , and Bro . Grant , T . The Audit Committee was

appointed , Bros . Alf . Williams , and Thos . W . White , being chosen the lay members of the lodge upon it . Bro . Alf . Williams moved , that in future , no money be voted out of the lodge funds without notice of the proposition being first entered on the lodge summons , and confirmed at

the next regular lodge meeting . The motion was seconded by Bro . Jas . Stevens , and carried . Bro . Jas . Stevens , moved , Bro . W . Worrell seconded , and the lodge carried unanimously , the vote of a P . M . jewel to Bro . Cronin . A candidate for advancement was proposed by Bro . W .

Worrell at next meeting , and the lodge was thereupon closed . The brethren afterwards sat down to supper , and when the toasts were proposed Bro . Meggy responded for the Deputy Grand Master , and W . M . elect , and the rest of the Grand Officers . In doing so , he said the Grand Officers

were very energetic and by a close attention to their duties in committee were seeking to advance the prosperity and well being of the order . The ritual , and the installation ceremony came under their observation , and it was after grave consideration and deliberation , that they

adjudicated on those questions . Bro . James Stevens fully endorsed what Bro . Meggy had said , and he believed that the ritual and the installation ceremony , as altered , would meet with the approval of the Mark brethren . Bro . Jas . Stevens proposed " the health of the W . M ., " and

referred to his year of office as one in which the lodge had steadily progressed . To the discharge of his duties , the W . M . had brought to bear , kindness and good feeling towards the brethren , and had the satisfaction of finding that his efforts to uphold the honour of the lodge and the dignity

of the order were appreciated . The W . M . in reply said , his year of office had begun in a very pleasant meeting , which was honoured by the presence of many Grand Officers , past and present . Since then too , the meetings of the lodge ' 00 had been graced by Masters , and I . P . M . ' s , of

standing in the 'Mark Degree . Both these circumstances he felt as a great compliment to himself , and he should not forget the invariable kindness which had been manifested towards him . The W . M . next proposed '' The Advancees , " Bro . Binnie responded , and the brethren shortly

afterwards separated . GROSVENOR MARK LODGE ( NO . 144 ) . —The first meeting since the consecration of this lodge was held on the nth inst ., at the Caledonian Hotel , Adelphi , under the presidency of Bro .

Charles Hammerton , Prov . G . Sec . for Middlesex , and Past Grand Steward , W . M . Among the brethren present were , the V . W . F . Davison , Dep . G . M ., Middlesex and Surrey ; Bros . Jas . Stevens , P . G . O . ; Ward , S . W . ; Parker , J . W . ;

Mark Masonry.

Loewenstark , Brighten , Org . ; and several others . Brethren were advanced to this degree with full ceremony , and musical accompaniment , and after some other Masonic business had been conducted

a supper well-provided by Bro . G . S . States , was partaken of . Prior to the lodge meeting , a lodge of instruction was held under the direction of Bro . Jas . Stevens , to perfect the officers in their work .

DURHAM . SUNDERLAND . —United Lodge of Mark Masters ( No . 124 , E . G . )—The first annual meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , Sunderland , on Tuesday , the 2 nd inst ., for the purpose of installing the W . M .-elect , Bro . R .

Dixon , J . W ., and appointing the officers for the ensuing twelve months . Bro . T . Y . Strachan , Prov . G . S . for the Province of Northumberland and Durham , ably officiated as Installing Master . The following is a complete list of the officers

appointed , viz .: —Bros . R . Dixon , W . M . ; B . Levy , I . P . M . ; J . J . Clay , S . W . ; P . Hvestendahl ' , J . W . ; W . Liddell , M . O . ; R . Humphrey , S . O . ; Jas . LI . Coates , J . O . ; J . Riseborough , Treasurer ; J . Davidson , Secretary ,- F .

Maddison , Registrar of Works ; R . Hudson , S . D . ; R . Giesecke , J . D . ; and J . S . Pearson , I . G . The annual festival was held the same evening , in the banqueting-room of the hall , the newly

installed W . M . ( Bro . R . Dixon ) in the chair , supported by Bros . A . Clapham , D . P . G . M . ; B . Levy , Prov . S . G . W . ; T . Y . Strachan , Prov . G . J . ; & c .

LANCASHIRE ( EAST ) . HASLINGDEN . —Stamford Lodge ( No . 148 ) . — On Wednesday the 10 th of April , the Stamford Lodge of Mark Master Masons , No . 148 , held a preliminary meeting , previous to consecration ,

( by virtue of a dispensation from the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , ) at the Unicorn Hotel , Altringham . Bro . Thomas Hargreaves , P . M . M . 113 , P . Prov . G . D . L ., occupied the chair , assisted by the following brethren . Bros . John

Chatlwick , Prov . G . Sec . ; J . Gibb Smith , P . G . S . O ., as S . W . ; James A . Birch , the W . M . elect , as J . W . ; R . AIcDowell Smith , the S . W . elect , as W . O . ; Captain Watson , as S . O . ; and other officers . The lodge was opened at 4 o ' clock . After

reading the dispensation , the ballot was taken for two brethren to be affiliated , and twenty-two , to be advanced , which proved to be unanimous in favour of their election . Seven of the brethren being in attendance , they were introduced and

advanced to the degree of M . W . M . At five o ' clock the brethren were called off from labour to refreshments , and sat down to a most excellent tea . At six o ' clock the lodge business was resumed , and eight other brethren having made their

appearance , they were accordingly advanced to the degree of M . M . M , making a total number of eighteen members at the first meeting . At the close of the business the proposition of the W . M . elect , seconded by the S . W . elect , a vote of thanks

was accorded to Bro . Ihomas Hargreaves , for the trouble he had taken in coming to work the lodge , and the admirable manner in which he had

performed the ceremony , the resolution to be entered on the minutes of the lodge . Bro . Thos . Hargreaves suitably responded , and the lodge was closed in peace and harmony at 7 . 20 .

HASLINGDEN . —Blair Lodge ( No . 113 ) . —On Thursday the nth inst ., the Blair Mark Lodge , No . 113 , held their usual quarterly meeting . Bro . Thomas Hargreaves , P . M . M . acting as W . M . in the absence of Bro . Thos . Nuttall , the W . M .

The lodge was opened at 7 . 30 . The minutes of last lodge were read and confirmed and several candidates ballottcd for . Afterwards Bro . John Duckworth , of Sheep-Hey , and Bro . Miles Aernley , of Shipton , were advanced to the

degree of M . M . M . in ancient form . The special feature , however , of the evening , was the attendance of Bro . R . 1 . C Duckworth , and the other

four brethren from Blackburn , to be affiliated as members , previous to their appl ying for a warrant , to work in lodge in Blackburn . Business beinsr finished , the lodge was closed at nine o ' clock .