Metropolitan

for them by Bro . Richardson , of the Grey Horse . The following visitors supported the W . M . from the Province of Northumberland : —R . W : Bros . R . Medcalfe , Dep . Prov . G . M . ; Henry Bell , Prov . J . G . W . ¦" ; , f , Punshon , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; John Barker , P . Prov . G . S . B . ; W . E . Franklin , W . M . No . 919 , and P . Prov . G . S . B . ; E . D . Davis , W . M . No . 793 , and Prov . G . S . D . From the Province of Durham , — "V . W . Bros . Crosby , P . Prov . G . B . W . ; H . Crooks , W . M . No . 95 ; and Prov . G . Sec . ; R . Saville , P . Prov . G . J . W . and P . M . No . IH ; Brooks , P . M . No . 114 ; F . P . Jonn , P . Prov , G . S . D . ; H . L . Monro , P . Prov . G . S . D . ; R . B . Ridley , W . M . No , 292 , and P . Prov . G . J . W ., & c . & c .

South Shields .. — -.. St .. Hilda ' s Lodge ( No . 292 ) . —A Lodge of Emergency was held on Wednesday , April 8 th , on which occasion a beautiful P . M / s Jewel and Apron was presented to Bro . Henry Johnson , P . M . The Jewel was inscribed as follows : —" Presented to Bro . Henry Johnson , P . M .., by the Brethren of St ; Hilda ' s Lodge , No . 292 , South Shields in testimony of sincere esteem and regard , " and was supplied by Bro . Jonn , of Gateshead . The Lodge having been opened in due form , and the ceremony of initiation havin g been disposed of , the W . M ., Bro . Henry Hewison , having given the usual preliminary loyal and Masonic toasts ,

which were duly responded to , called upon Bro . J . Toshach , P . M . ( an ex-mayor of the borough ) , to make the presentation , and in an admirable address , replete with Masonic sentiment and brotherly feeling , the worthy Brother invested Bro . H . Johnson ^ P . M ., with the Jewel , amidst the congratulations of the Brethren upstanding , and cordially wishing him health and long life to wear his honours . Bro . Johnson returned thanks with his accustomed ability . The addresses of the various Brethren during the evening were neat and appropriate , and the intervals between the toasts were filled up by the exquisite singing of Bros . Oliver , Stock

dale , and Buckland , and the masterly execution of Bro . Redshaw on the pianoforte . It has rarely been our lot to witness such a gathering . -About eighty Brethren attended , and amongst the visitors , of whom there were something like twenty present , we noticed Bros . J . Crossley , Prov . J . G . W . for Durham , wearing amongst others the Jewel lately presented him hy the Brethren of the Fawcett Lodge , No . 957 , Seaham ; F , O . Jonn , P . M . Nos . 56 and 614 ; H . L , Monro ,

P . M . No . 56 ; B . Levy , S . W . No . 114 ; E . Evans , S . W . No . 959 ; and the W . M . of St . George's Lodge , No . 624 , North Shields . P . M . Potts was also present , and was most fraternally greeted , and expressed himself highly gratified with his visit ; P . M . Ridley , in full Prov . G . M . ' s costume ; P . M . Tashach , P . M . Bennison , P . M . Boulder , and others . The meeting was a most harmonious and gratifying one . The new furniture - of the Lodge was much admired for its elegance

and propriety . ESSEN . Booking . —North Bssecc Lodge ( No . 817 ) . —The annual meeting of this Lodge was held at Booking , on the ^ 20 fch inst ., when Bro . Cunningham was installed W . M . for the ensuing year , after which he invested his officers . The members then adjourned to a banquet provided by Bro . Durrant , in his usual liberal style ,

-m . 1 * 1 ? 1 1 I * (* J _ _ . „ A ~ ^„~ i- . i . L , v ,. « ,. ^ and the evening was passed in a happy and satisfactory manner . Amongst the visitors wereR . J . Bagshaw , Esq ., Prov . G . M . ; Major Skinner , B . A ., D . Prov . G . M . ; Joseph Burton , P . Prov . G . S . W . ; Peter Matthews , Prov . G . S . W . ; Lieut . Gutzmer , Prov . G . S . B . ; Major May dwell , W . M . ; Rev . Arthur Roberts , Rev . M . Margoliouth , Sir William O'Malley , Captain Burney , Major Branclcley , J . Austin , & c .

Romfoud . —Lodge of Hope and Unity ( No . 259 ) . —The quarterly meeting of this Lodge was held at the White Hart Tavern , Romford , on Thursday , 23 rd of April , Bro . Hugh C Trevanon , W . M ., presiding , by whom two Brethren were duly entrusted and raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M . Three Brethren were proposed as joining members , and a resolution with reference to the visiting fee was unanimously adopted , about which we shall speak more fully on a future occasion , —simply now remarking that , in our opinion , the movement is one in a right direction , and one that will he productive of much advantage . Sixteen Brethren sat down to a banquet , the catering for which reflected unqualified credit on all concerned in its preparation . The " Lodge of Hope and Unity" has