Metropolitan

Lodge OF CoNFlDElyrCE ( No . 228 ) . —On Monday , April IS , this Lodge resumed its Masonic functions at Anderton ' s Hotel . Mr . Clayton was balloted for , and initiated into the Order , the ceremony being well performed by the W . M . Bro . Jackson , assisted by PiM . Bro . dFootit . Two gentlemen , viz ., Messrs . Gabb and Lawson , were proposed as candidates for the next meeting ; after which the Brethren supped together , highly gratified with th e arrangements of Bro . Olemow .

Lodge of "United Pilgrims ( No . 745 ) . —On the 25 th ult . the regular monthly meeting of this excellent Lodge was held at Bro . Wale ' s , Manor House Tavern , Walworthi It was the installation , and there was a very numerous attendance of members as well as visitors ; At four o ' clock Bro . JY W . Warren , the W . M ., opened the Lodge in due form , and terminated his official duties by raising a Brother , after which he was unavoidably called away until a late hour in the evening . It is due to him to say that his ability , zeal , and earnestness in presiding

over his Lodge have not only increased its popularity and '' usefulness , but have been alike gratifying to his friends and creditable to himself . Bro . Farmer then , as the Immediate P . M . present , proceeded to instal the W . M ; elect , Bro . W . Neats , of the " Clarence , " Southampton Stree t , Camber well Boad ; and it is not too much to say that that sublime and ancient ceremony , so revered amongst Masons , lost none of its wonted interest in his able and impressive delivery . He was assisted by P . Ms . Bros . Luckins , Thomas , Collins , Watson , Stroud , Gardner ,

Bean , Harris , and Drysdale . The ceremony being completed , the W . M . appointed as his officers for the ensuing year , Bros . Ellis , S . W . ; J . T . Warren , J . W . ; G . Harding , wine steward ; P ;;'; WV Eunnel , collecting steward ; Treasurer , Bro . Luckins , P . M . ; and Secretary , Bro . Thomas , P . M . ; Tyler , Bro . Rice . After the business of the Lodge , the Brethren partook of a very sumptuous banquet to the number of about forty-five , served in most excellent style by Bro . Wale , whose liberality was much esteemed , especially in the choice of his wines .

Amongst the visitors whose presence graced the W . M . ' s table , we noticed Bros . J . Phunn , 15 ; J . Wilcox , 22 ; W . Watson , 25 ; J . Pearson , 76 ; T . Onslow , 165 ; J . Saqui , 247 ; D . Drysdale , 225 ; J . Ganard , 206 ; L . H . Bromley , 276 ; and . H . Potter , 281 . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were responded to most enthusiastically , especially the health of the W . M ., in speaking to which Bro . Watson complimented the Lodge upon the choice they had made in the selection of Bro . JSTeats , whose social position and high Masonic reputation pre-eminently

qualified him for the honourable position in which they had placed him . In his reply , the W . M . promised the most devoted attention to the interests of the Lodge and the Order . And although he did not possess the oratorical capacity for which some of his Brethren were remarkable , there were other qualities equally indispensable in discharging the Masonic duties of such a position : in these he would endeavour to excel . Andwhen proposing "The Past Masters of the Lodge , " he said they were a body of men of which any Lodge might be justly

proud . He had frequently heard with pleasure their professions of friendship for the W . M ., and his elevation to" * that chair would put their good professions to the test ; and he had no doubt that he should always find them by his side , and ready to render him all the assistance he required . Of this they severally assured him in their replies ; and the remaining toasts of the evening were rapturously received in their proper order . The intervals were most agreeably filled by some excellent singing , accompanied on the pianoforte by Bro . Saqui ,

who kindly officiated on the occasion . As a whole , the meeting was one of the happiest and most enthusiastic Masonic efforts it has ever been our happiness to witness . In conclusion , we may add that the Lodge had , in this instance , as had been their custom , acted upon the rotation principle . To this , however , some half-dozen young members , more remarkable for their misdirected

zeal than their progress in the Masonic virtues , objected . In their estimation , the eloquent delivery of a charge , and the flippant repetition of the sections , were the great indispensable requisites in tho Worshipful Master ; his reputation might be high , his social position excellent ; ho might be a pattern of charity , of prudence , of zeal , of temperance , and indeed of every Masonic virtue : but lacking yol . in . 3 ; o