Masonic Intelligence.

subscriptions of the metropolitan brethren , yet that in the election of children no difference was made between those coming from the London , and those from the Provincial Lodges . He wished this fact to be understood by the Craft , as he was afraid that the country Masons were of opinion that the opposite was the case . At almost , every one of the recent elections , the majority of the children admitted came from country Lodges . Some conversation here arose with respect to the case of a child who had been after electionrefused admission on the authority of the medical officers

, who certified that she was labouring under a scrofulous affection . She had been sent to Margate , for sea bathing , and would in the event of her recovery be at once taken into the school . The consideration of the bye-laws was then proceeded with , and the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman .

NEW JUNIOR UNITED SERVICE CLUBHOUSE

On Thursday , March 29 ( briefly noticed in our last ) , the Right Hon . the Earl of Orkney , assisted by the committee , performed the ceremony of laying the first stone of the new Club-house , in Regent-street , Waterloo-place , numerous members of the club heingin attendance . His lordship explained , that the first stone of the old Club-house was found in the south-west corner of the building ; but the present stone was to be laid in the north-east corner , that being the recognised Masonic position for placing a foundation-stone . He then read the inscription on the plate as follows : —

" The Club-house , built by the United Service Club in the year 1817 , was purchased by the Junior United Service Club , on its formation in 1827 , and occupied by the latter Club until 1854 , when the original building was taken down , and a new Club-house erected on the site . " The stone bore the following inscription : —• " * The first stone of the new Club-house was laid by the Right Hon . the Earl of Orkney , late of the 9 th Lancers , and the committee of the Junior United Service Club , on the 29 th day of March , in the 18 th year of the reign of Queen Victoria ,

1855 . '" A series of coins of the present year were deposited under the stone , and the mortar having been spread with a silver trowel , presented by the Club to Lord Orkney , the stone was lowered into its jiosition . The ceremony was invested with more than usual interest , by its being known that the celebrated mallet which ori ginally belonged to Sir Christopher Wren , and had been used b Charles II . in 1 G 73 in laying the firs ; stone of StPaul ' s Cathedral

y , , . , would be made use of on this occasion . In alluding to the mallet , his Lordship stated that it had never been used since the death of the Duke of Sussex , who was master of the Lodge of Antiquity ; and after passing a ouiogium upon his late Royal Highness , and thanking the Lodge for their kindness in lending it , he proceeded to announce to the workmen that it was the intention of the committee to give each man a day ' s wages instead of a dinner . His lordship , in the course of his speech , expressed a hope that the good understanding

now so happily existing between masters and workmen in this country would always continue ; and that there might never be a scarcity of labour for those willing to work , and a fair remuneration as the reward of their exertions . Mr . Foudrinier , Past Master of the Lodge of Antiquity , acknowledged the compliment that had been paid to the Lodge , and said that although it was unusual to lend the mallet , they had on this occasion unanimously agreed to do so , in recognition of the eminent services lately rendered to the country by members of the Club . Three cheers were given by the workmen , and Lord Orkney having struck the stone three times with the mallet , declared it to be well and duly laid , and the ceremony concluded .

LONDON LODGES

GRAND MASTERS LODGE ( No . 1 ) . —This Lodge held its meeting at the Freemasons' Tavern , on Monday , the 16 th April , under the presidency of the W . M . Br Geo . W . K . Potter , who is now performing the duties for the second year . The business , which were merely of a former nature , having been transacted , upwards of thirty of the brethren adjourned to dinner . Amongst the visitors were Brs . John Hervey ,