Metropolitan

Anslow , P . M ., No . 165 ; Carpenter , P . M ., No . 206 ; Brewer , J . W ., No . 228 , and a very large number of other Brethren ; in fact , the room , large as it is , was filled . After the banquet ( which was in Bro . Wadeson ' s usual liberal style ) , the usual Masonic toasts having been disposed of , the W . M . proposed " Prosperity to the Confidence Lodge of Instruction . " After enumeratingthe advantages gained by attendance at Lodges of Instruction , he alluded to the various difficulties

attending the formation of this Lodge , and showed how , by the energy and perseverance of the younger Brethren , combined with the kind care and instruction of the elder Brethren , those difficulties had entirely been conquered . This toast , which was received with great applause , was responded to by P . M . Bogers , Secretary of the parent Lodge , in the most feeling manner , entering more fully into the necessity of constant attendance on the part of those Brethren who were placed in the position of officers in their respective Lodges . Bro . Anslow proposed ,

and Bro ; Brett responded to , V The Pounders of the Lodge " in a most effective manner . And here it is necessary to remark that these Brethren have played a most distinguished part in the formation of this Lodge . Their M : asonic knowledge , added to their power of imparting that knowledge , has been most especially beneficial to the prosperity of this Lodge . This toast was received and honoured with great applause . " The Visitors of the Confidence Lodge of Instruction , " proposed by Bro . Haydon and seconded by Bro . Anslo win their usual efficient manner , met , ¦

of course , with a warm reception . To this succeeded ' " The health of the W . M ., Bro . Jackson , ' proposed by P . M . BogerS ; and responded to by the W . M ., who , after expressing his thanks to the Brethren , stated that he felt his position of W . M . of the Lodge a most desirable and honourable one , and one that he had worked hard to qualify himself for ; but that , had he not been able to perform that duty efficiently , it was one he would not have accepted . The toast of

" Prosperity to the Press " was proposed by the W . M ., and responded to by Bro . Carpenter in his usual eloquent and felicitous manner . The toast of " The worthy Host and Hostess " then followed , and was replied to by Bro . Wadeson inexpressive terms . All the above toasts were received by the Brethren with great enthusiasm . Some excellent singing took place during the evening , and the Brethren then separated , all highly pleased with the first anniversary banquet of the Confidence Lodge of Instruction .

Lodge of Stability ( No . 264 : ) . —The fortieth anniversary of this Lodge was held on the evening of Friday , the 24 th of April , at Badley ' s Hotel , in New Bridge Street ¦; Bro . Henry Muggeridge , the Preceptor of the Lodge , presided . The Lecture of the 2 nd Degree was worked in Sections as follows : —1 st Section , by Bro , Joseph Athwell , W . M . of No . " 22 ; 2 nd Section , by Bro . John Boughey , J . B . of No . 22 ; 3 rd Section , by Bro . Bobert Farran , J . W . of No . 22 ; 4 th and 5 th , which describe the Lodge Board , by Bro . E . It . Bowman , W . M . of No . 125 .

The principles of this beautiful and instructive Lecture were fully drawn out by the admirable manner in which they were delivered by the Brethren we have named ; each was entitled to the praise bestowed by the numerous auditory assembled , and there was present a large attendance of the elder Masons—more than we ever remember to have seen on such an occasion—especially the President and leading members of the Lodge of Emulation , who attended to contribute by their presence to Bro , Muggeridge's honours .

At the close of the Lecture , Bro . John Havers , P . S . G . I ) ., took the chair , and announced that the surplus funds of the Stability Lodge of Instruction , amounting to £ 20 , were proposed to be distributed equally to the four charities , viz . — the Girls School , the Boys' School , the Annuity Bund , and the Asylum ; which being duly moved , and seconded , was carried by acclamation . A vote of thanks to Bro . Muggeridge and the other Brethren who had worked the Lecture was

moved by Bro . Jennings , G . D . C ., who said he was sure every Mason present must have received benefit from the instruction of that evening . In proposing this motion , it might seem invidious to particularize any one individual , but lie would notice the S . W ., whoso vast powers of mind and memory enabled him to deliver that beautiful explanation of the Lodge Board in a manner that , by the attention ail bestowed upon it , could not fail to have impressed every one that