Metropolitan

* ... - ¦ . ' . ' ¦ « y .... . t . always ranked high in the estimation of the Craft , and has done much to uphold the best interests of Masonry in the province of Essex . The propinquity to the metropolis of its place of meeting naturally affords it considerable benefit , so many of its members being Brethren of rank and position in the London Lodges . Indeed , it is quite delightful to leave the smoke and turmoil of London ten miles behind you , and yet to find yourself in the company of so many "familiar faces ,

from whom you receive the same friendly greetings as those to which you have been accustomed during the labours of the Masonic season in town ; not the least of these pleasures being that of having your wants attended to , and your comforts provided for , by so urbane and courteous a D . C . as Bro . F . Adlard , who here discharges the duties which so many have thankfully recognized in their visits to ^ No , 7 . At the hands of Bro . Thisselton ; it is superfluous to say , the secretarial requirements receive ample justice , while the officers , generally speaking , are efficient . The only visitor was Bro . F . Binckes , P . M . No . II .

HERTFORDSHIRE . BERKHAMPSTEAB .-- ^ e ^ am 255 ^ a ^ Lodge ( No . 742 ) . —The quarterly meeting of this Lodge was held at the King ' s Arms Hotel , on Wednesday , April 2 % Bro . Law , P . M ., presiding ( in the absence of the W . M ., Bro . Thane ) 5 when Bros . Burton , Norman , and Sugars , were elected joiniog members . Bro . Henry Isaacs was proposed , and will be balloted for at the next meeting . TheBrethren afterwards dined together , the harmony of the evening being much enhanced by the vocal exertions of Bros . Isaacs , Webber , and Burton .

ISLE OF WIGHT . CowES . — -Medina Lodge ( No . 4 ) . —One of the handsomest Craft banners we have seen for some time , has been exhibited during the last month by Bro . John Mott Thearle , the Masonic jeweller of 198 , Fleet-street ; it is of superb sky-blue silk , With deep white and blue silk fringe around it , and tassels of the same . The pole

nine feet high , and block of Honduras mahogany ; in the centre of all , a massively embroidered silver square and compasses about two feet long , with Medina Lodge , No . 41 , in large silver letters around . The intention is to place it behind the W . M . ' s chair , and it will add very greatly to the excellent effect so wellappointed a Lodge as the Medina presents .

KENT . Canterbury . —The Provincial Grand Lodge Festival for Kent will be holden in this city on Monday , the 15 th of June . The P . G . M ., Bro . C . Purton Cooper , Q . C ., will preside . A preliminary Lodge meeting to arrange details is fixed for Monday , the 11 th of May . LANCASHIRE ,

Blackburn . —Lodge of Berseverance ( No . 432 ) . —This energetic and prosperous Lodge celebrated its regular meeting on the evening of Tuesday , the 7 th of April , when Bros . Shepherd and Morley , from No . 336 , favoured the Brethren with their presence . The W . M ; presided during the regular business of the Lodge , after the conclusion of which Bro . Clough , P . M . and P . Prov . G . B-eg ., most impressively raised Bros . Butterfield and Peel to the Sublime Degree of M . M . The Brethren separated in the usual good harmony , after spending a delightful evening . After the interval of nine days , the Lodge met as an emergenc 3 , when

Bro . Clough performed the ceremony of raising Bros . Parkinson and Paterson to the Degree of M . M . On the same evening Bro . Paterson presented the Lodge with a superbly-bound volume of the Sacred Writings , which will , at the next regular meeting of the Lodge , no doubt draw a cordial and deserved vote of thanks from the Brethren . Since our last report of the proceedings of the Lodge , Bros . Walsh , No . 350 , Chatburn and Dickinson , No . 33 ( 3 , and Jackson , No . 130 , J . B ., have been elected joining members ; Bros . Tattersall and Gillibrand have been passed and raised in the two Degrees ; six gentlemen have been initiated ; Bros . Pertwistle , Parkinson , A . W . Paterson , . and Tiplady , passed to the Degree