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tuous banquet which gave thc greatest satisfaction to all assembled , and highly creditable to thc new proprietor of this well known tavern . Full justice being done to this well spread board , and grace having been said , thc W . M . instructed the Wardens as to seeing their columns charged in the West and South , proposed "Thc Health of Her Gracious Majesty thc Queen , "

coupling with it prosperity to thc Craft , as usual in this old lodge . This was . most heartily received and respondeel to . Thc National Anthem followed by Bro . Thurky Beale , and given in his able style , elicited great applause . Thc usual loyal anti Masonic toa ? ts were effectively ami briefly given by the W . M ,, and duly honoured . "The Visitors" is at all limes a welcome toast in this lodge , and was most

eloquently and feelingly responded to by Bro . C . Walker , P . M . Whittington , who after alluding to thc ability of thc officers in having got through the great amount of blessings in thc lodge , then thanked the W . M . and the lodge generally , for the liberality and hospitality at all times extended to thc visitors of ihe Jordan . Bro . Leigh in an very effective speech returned thanks for "The Initiates . "

The Secretary in a few words , thanked the W . M . for the confidence rcposeel in him by the lodge , and referred to the great labours of his fellow officer , Bro . Davage , Treasurer , D . C , and Third Steward , and to the gre . t interest he takes in seeing to thc wants and comforts of the brethren . Bro . Davage in reply , assured the lodge that it was a source of pleasure to see them so satisfied . The Wardens ,

Bros . Summer , Smith , and Anelrews , severally responded , and during these proceedings Bros . Ueale , Read , Mander , Yardley , Wcttenhall , Smith , and Andrews , sung several songs—accompanied on the piano—amongst others . Bro . Spooner having finished the " Entered Apprentice , " in company with '' A Jolly Old Miller whose name was Bob Bell , " were taken by a well known brother " To the West ,

to the West , " and passing along met Bros . Brewer , Hawkins , and Bacquan , sympathising friends of "Tom Pearce , " and being attracted by the " Bells of Chandon , " found their way to thc " Grove of Blarney , " where , either from " The Bells , " or thc cxhilirating influence of Moet and Chandon all stemed really happy , so there leave them to enjoy favourable recollections of the old Jordan , No .

201 . WANDSWORTH LODGE ( No . 1044 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the Spread Eagle Hotel , on Wednesday . The W . M ., Bro . H . R . Jones , presided . The following officers anel brethren were amongst those present : Bros . W . A . Morgan , S . W . ; Bro . E . H . Boddy , J . W . ; J . Frost , Sec . -, P . Cook , P . M . ; J . G . Kcwncy ,

P . M . ; Wardroper , J . J . Holland , S . C . Landon , W . Price , G . Clark , H . E . Goodchild , G . Fortescue , R . Neal , and A . A . Denham . Mr . John Saunders , a well-known solicitor in the district , and Clerk to the Wandsworth Board of Guardians , was ably initiated by the W . M . Bro . Price was afterwards passed to the Second Degree . Upon the motion of Bro . P . Cooke , P . M ., who spoke in feeling

terms , it was unanimously decided lhat a letter of condolence be sent to Bro . G . Howick , P . M ., who has lately sustained a severe loss in thc death of his wife . The names ' ot Messrs . J . W . Marshall , and P . V . Denham ( the former proposetl by the W . M ., and seconded by Bro . E . H . Boddy ; and the latter proposed by Bro . A . A . Denham , and seconded by Bro . J . J . Holland ) , were given in

to the Secretary , and will be balloted for at the next meeting . Other formal business was transacted and the lodge was closed . METROPOLITAN LODGE ( No . 1507 ) . —A meeting of this loelge was held on Wednesday , at Anderton ' s Hotel , when there were present Bros . R . T . Kingham , W . M . ; John Douglass , S . W . ; C . J . Scales , J . W . ;

J . Willing , jun ., P . M ., Treasurer ; W . M . Stiles , Sec . ; W , Side , S . D . ; H . Stiles , D . ot C ; H . Lovegrove , Steward ; | . Colls , I . G . ; J J . Michael , P . M . Visitors : Bros . J , Shilcock , P . M . 449 , P . P . J . G . W . ; W . Roach , 49 ; . 1- 'I ' . Briggs , P . M . 159 ; E . F . Pierdon , 948 ; H . Webb , P . M . 11 , iq-t , 8 qo ; J . H . Bedwcll , I . G . 861 ; J . D . White , J . W .

190 ; and A . Clemow , 858 . Bros . W . Garrett , and J . Ford were raised ; Bros . R . Kearns , S . Ward , C . C Cruikshanks , and J . H . Grant , were passed , and Messrs . W . G . Smith , W . Davey , F . W . Dimsdale , and H . A . Dimsdale , initiated . The brethren afterwards banqueted together and honoured the usual toasts .

WEST SMITHFIELD LODGE ( No . 1623 ) . — At the New Market Hotel , King-street , Snow Hill , West Smithfielil . on Thursday , January 17 th , the regular meeting of this well established lodge was held . In the unavoidable absence of the W . M ., Bro . T . W . Adams , who was out of town , the I . P . M ., Bro . J . Smith , P . G . P ., Treas ., presided , and he initiated Mr . Samuel Hume , raised Bros .

W . McCluer Butt , C Goodwin , J . Chapman , and W . Marlon , and passed Bros . Howard , all the work being well done . Some candidates were proposeel for initiation and a brother for joining . Business ended , the lodge was closed , and adjourned to meet on Thursday , March 21 st ., at three o ' clock p . m . The banquet followed , well served by the host , Bro . T . Butt , and his two sons , who were

unremitting in their attention to the comfort of all . There were present Bros . G . S . Elliot , S . W . ; ] . J . Howes , P . M ., f . VV . ; F . Walters , P . P . G . D . Middx ., P . M ., Sec . ; J . Johnson , S . D . ; A . Black , W . M . 186 , I . G . 5 W . Pennelather , P . M ., D . C . ; W . Malthouse , Stwd . ; T . McButt , W . S . j E . Mallett , W . M . 141 , acting as J . D . ; and several others . Visitors : Bros . E . Clark , 1587 ; W . Malton , 1423 ; and

others . EVENING STAR LODGE ( No . 1719 ) . —An emergency meeting of this lodge was helel on Tueselay evening at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . A . J . Duff Filer , W . M ., presiding . There were also present Bros . Hartley , as S . W . ;

Kirkham , J . W . ; James Glaisher , P . M ., P . G . D ., Treas . ; Magnus Ohren , P . M ., Sec . ; William Sugg , S . D . ; f . A . Greene , J . D . ; J . W . Sugg , D . C . ; I .. Greene , G . C . Trewby , Joseph Mainwaring , K . W . Hartley , Samuel Cutler , Edward Hide , and John Johnson . Visitois : Bros . E . Crombie , 1623 ; W , Miller , 1326 ; Hyde Pullen ,

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P . G . S . B . ; John Methuen , 452 ; H . Massey , P . M . 619 , ( Freemason . ) Messrs . John West , anil Thos . Henry Martin were initiated , and Bros . J . W . C . Holmes , J . Manwaring , E . Hiele , and G . C . Trewby were passed . The ceremony of passing was performed by thc W . M ., and that of initiation by Bro . Magnus Ohren . This being an emergency meeting , there was no other business before

the lodge , and the brethren after closing loelge dined together at Freemasons' Tavern . The toasts were afterwards proposed , and Bro . Hyde Pullen , P . G . S . B ., responded for "Thc Grand Officers , " of whom there are no less than three who are members of this lodge , the W . M ., Bro . James Glaisher , and Bro . Hyde Pullen . The W . M . next proposed "Thc Initiates , " and included in that toast

the four candidates for passing , who when initiated at last emergency meeting , had not an opportunity of replying to thc toast , as the brethren separated without dining together . The W . M . said that he had the pleasure of welcoming all these brethren as members of the Cralt , and hc hoped that though young in Masonry , they would find in their progress that Masonry was much to their

satisfaction , and that they would never regret joining it , and especially in that particular lodge . They were placed that evening in the seat of honour , and unlil they advanced to the post of Master or P . M ., they would never have so distinguished a post again . Bro . West , in responding said that of course as he was only an initiate hc hardly knew how to begin , but he could only say that

he was very pleased to be there that evening , and to have had the special privilege of being initiated in that particular lodge . He felt that it was a particular favour , and a special privelegc because there were so many kind friends of his in it . Although he had been many years in a provincial town in England , he found himself a stranger there , anel in an isolated positior .. If Masonry

was what he imagined it was , it was a matter which must be very comfortable on that account , because there must be a brotherly feeling existing between the members of the Craft , which men did not get at in an isolated position in a provincial town . Thc isolation of men who were not Masons might perhaps arise from their not putting themselves forward , to mix with people they came in

contact with . Perhaps it might not be prudent on all occasions to do that , but going back to some eighteen years ago , he was impressed with the importance of Freemasonry . His grandfather was a very energetic Mason at Northampton in a very old lodge there , shortly before his death , intimated to him in an indirect way thc advantages of Freemasonry , saying that its principles were sounel anil

founded upon a rock , and that therefore they ought to be what every human beingshould desire and wish for . He had never forgotten the remarks the old gentleman made to him on a special occasion a shoit time before he died , and he ( Bro . West ) gathered from it that Masonry was founded on a sure and firm basis , anel seeing that he had to go in thc world he thought it would be a nice

thing to be a Mason and to know the people with whom he had to do . He had never been able to know these people so much as be had that night , and hc felt already now that he had gone through a portion of the ceremony safe , and very pleased that he had had the privilege of joining a body who met together as brothers , especially in connection with the special line of life which

he followed . This must make them feel a deeper interest in each other than they had felt heretofore . Being isolated as they were they felt they would like to know each other better than they had . He did not know whether he was going astray , as he was young in Masonry -, but he could not help expressing himself although in a very rude and rough way , because he did not expect to be called upon to

say anything . Still , he could not help expressing his feelings and how much indebted he was , not only for the brotherly kindness he had received that evening and before hand . He hoped and trusted that Bro . Martin and himself would strive to make themselves efficient . He was very anxious already to know what all the stars and stripes , and diamonds , and collars , and everything the

brethren wore meant , and hc felt that he and Bro . Martin were very desirous of getting some of them upon them . Bro . Trewby wished that when he was at Constantinople hc had had an opportunity to join the Freemasons . All his friends there were Masons , but hc was at that time only nineteen years of age , and he iliel not like to tell them he was so

young . He held a very good position there , but it would have added very much to his enjoyment of thc country if he had joined a Masonic lodgt . Now that he had joined he should make up for lost time , and prove himself worthy of being admitted to the Order . Bro . James Glaisher proposed " The Health of thc W . M . " The brethren were all exceedingly anxious about his health . At

the consecration of the lodge he was ill , but he had been to the seaside for sometime , anil when he came back to London he said he was a good deal better . The brethren hoped that that better health would continue , and become better and better . The toast having becn enthusiastically honoured , the W . M . replied , and said this was the first occasion that he had had the pleasure of meeting the

brethren at banquet , where they could give utterance to their sentiments as they had been able to do that evening , since the memorable occasion when thc lodge vvas consecrateel , and when , the brethren would remember , hc cut rather a sorry figure . ( No , no . ) He bore up against it as well and as long as hc could , but he was obliged through positive suffering to leave at last . As Bro . Glaisher had said , he went out of town , and he hoped by the care he

had taken of himself since , he had laid the foundation of better health . The brethren could not imagine how much he regretted being ill on the occasion of the consecration , because anything like that on the inauguration of a new era , threw a damper on the brethren , and was not consonant with those agreeable feelings which the brethren should then have . But the brethren were all very kind

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and gracious to him then , and he vvas sure they felt , as 1 hail been expressed by the Treasurer and responded to by the brethren that they were very pleased he was among them again . As hc had said at the consecration , it was acinous thing that after thirty-five years of Masonry , after having received the honours of Masonry , he should be performing the duties of W . M . of a lodge ; but

they all knew the cause . They seemed to be looking round for a W . M ., and they thought it best to look on the oldest man in the profession of gas engineeiing in England , or at all events in thc Metropolis . He accepted the office , thinking that having made his mark in the profession and having secured a competency in his pocket that it would be ungracious to turn his back on old friends .

It was with that view he accepted the office , and he had never regretted it , because he had the brethren ' s support in the excellent manner in which he knew most of them could perform the ceremonies . He had been supported that evening by Bro . Ohren , who thought that hc ( the W . M . ) would be fatigued if he went through the whole of the ceremonies . It was a very kind offer , and hc felt that an

offer so kindly made should be accepted . He had also to thank Bro . Sugg who kindly acted as P . M ., and Bro . Hartley as S . W . This meeting had been a very happy meeting both in lodge and out of lodge . He had to thank Bro . Treasurer for his kind expressions towards him , and the brethren for adopting those sentiments in the way they had done . Thc W . M . then proposed "The Visitors "

to which Bro . Crombie replied . The W . M . then proposed " The Masonic Institution , " and said that no lodge ever separated without thinking to the success of the glorious charities of the Order . The younger members of the Ciaft were not suppr-seel to know much about them , and therefore we would inform the initiates that Freemasons had three very noble Institutions , the Benevolent Institution

the Boys' School and the Girls' School . Bro . J . W . Sugg was steward of another loelge for thc Girls' School , and any support to members of this lodge might be disposed to give him he would be veiy glad to accept . Bro . j . W . Sugg replied and told the brethren that he thought no greater proof of thc value of Masonry , not only in its profession , but in its practice , than" the Masonic Institutions .

There were two sides to everything , and in Masonry there was a pleasurable side in the latter case , and the pleasure consisted in being able to relieve him . On behalf of the charities , he thanked Masonry generally for the noble efforts made for some years past to support the Institutions , when he passed the chair of his lodge , and had a jewel presented to him , hc thought , pleasurable as it was ,

there were something on the other side ; if there were pleasure , there was suffering ; and if there was suffering , he ought to do something for its relief . He could not do it all at once , and therefore he had taken up the cause of the Girls' School . He became Steward for the lodge of which he had been the Master , and he hoped for the support of the brethren of the

Evening Star Lodge , which woulel be thankfully received and faithfully applied . The W . M . proposed "The Health of the Treasurer anel Secretary , " to which Bro . James Glaisher responded , and the toast of " Thc Officers , " having also been proposed and responded to , the brethren separated . Bros . Ohren , Combic , and others contributed to thc harmony of thc evening by singing some capital

songs . WOOLWICH . —Union Waterloo ( No . 13 ) .-The regular monthly meeting of the above lodge took place on Wednesday , the 9 th inst ., at the Freemasons , Hall , William-street , Bro . G . W . Reed , W . M ., presiding , The following officers were present : —J . Primus Moore S . W . ; T . Hutton , J . D . ; H . Syer , Sec , N , Brown , S . D . ;

G . H . Masters , J . D . ; T . Hosgood , I . G . ; T . E . Hassel , D . C . ; and B . Norman , Tyler . Among the visitors were H . J . Wetherill , P . M . 166 , I . C ; H . Harding , 153 6 ; W . Lacy , 700 ; J . Davis , 1437 ; C Jolly , 913 ( Freemason ); and others . After raising Bro . Akers to the Sublime Degree , the W . M . closed the lodge in due form , and at the refreshment board , Bro . Moore , in the absence of a

P . M ., proposed " The Health of the W . M ., " regretting that it should not have fallen into abler hands , though none could do it more willingly and heartily than himself . Bro . Reed in reply said no one regretted the absence of a Past Master more than he did . Of course they could not expect to see their I . P . M ., Bro . Pownall , who was now at Dover , and unfortunately Bro . G . Davies , who was

the " backbone " of the lodge , was unavoidably absent . He felt nervous in their absence , and that had prevented him from carrying out the work to his own satisfaction , He was young in the chair yet , but he trusted at theii next meeting to be able to get over that feeling . In proposing the toast of " The Visitors , " he paid a high compliment to Bro . Jolly for his excellent reports of their

meetings in the Freemason , and strongly advocated the claims of that paper to their support . In it they would find a rich fund of Masonic lore , that would be of inestimable value to the student , and yet not one word that the most fastidious could find fault with , so far as regarded the exposure of their secret arts to the uninitiated . ( Applause ) . For himself he was always glad to sec it on his table , and

his friends and family perusing it , for in it one of the most beautiful articles he has ever read had shown what a " Freemason " really was . He alluded to one entitled " What is a Freemason , " in the last issue ? and advised them all to read it . Bro . Wetherill , who had lately come home from Constantinople , responded , and said he found a little difference in the working here and in the East . He had seen it in Turkish , Armenian ,

Italian , French , Irish , and Scotch lodges , but whatever the difference the principles inculcated were thc same . He then alluded to the action of thc Grand Lodge of Ireland , and its repudiation of the Grand Orient of France , and said that action would be endorsed by every true Mason . Bro . Jolly as well briefly replied . "The Officers of the Lodge , " was responded to by Bro . Hutton , and then the Tyler's toast concluded the business ofthe evening .