Metropolitan

No . 45 ; James Powell , P . M , No . 45 ; EL . Pescott / P . M . No . 45 ; with about thirty subscribing members of the Lodge . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been introduced by the W . M . with his accustomed ability , Bro . Halsted , who , in the unavoidable absence of the J . W ., most efficiently throughout the day discharged the duties of that chair , proceeded to the feature of the evening , a duty devolving on him , owing to the inability of Bro . Kirkman , the Immediate P . M ., to

be present . Bro . Halsted , in a speech which we regret our limits will not permit us to give inextenso , paid a high and deserved tribute to the zeal and ability with which the W . M . had discharged the duties of the Chair during the past year , and congratulated the Lodge on having secured his services for a second year , thereby insuring a continuance of the avowed prosperity of the Lodge . Bro , H . in presenting the P . M . 's Jewel , which was very chaste and elegant , expressed a hope that as it was presented by an unanimous vote of the Lodge > the W . M . would consider i t not only as an acknowledgment for past services , but also as a retaining fee for services yet to be rendered .

The W . M . with great feeling and some emotion , acknowledged the compliment , and pledged himself to be ready at all times and in any way to promote the interests of the Order . Bro . Gambling , P . M . No . 45 , gave " The Provincial Grand Officers of Sussex , " which toast was acknowledged by th # P . G . T . Bro . W . Yerral . Bro . G . Smith , S . W ., proposed " The Visitors . " Besporided to by Bro . Holman , No . 390 . Bro . "Verral then said , that whilst there were a good many young Masons round the

table , he thought it right to remember the old ones , and he had therefore much pleasure in proposing " The health ^ oMBro . Geo . Eogden , P . M . No . 45 " ' Bro . Geo . Fogden , in returning thanks , said he was initiated in the Lodge of Union forty-five years ago , and although for a few years past he had been unable to take any part in the business of the Lodge , still on learning that the . " fire which never dies" had lately burnt with greater brilliancy , he had made an effort to once more assist at what he deemed one of the most enjoyable sublunary pleasures , a Masonic

festival . Bro . Halsted ) in proposing " The health of the Past Masters of the Lodge , " coupled with it the name of P . M . Jas . Powell , No . 45 , father of the W . M . Bro . Powell acknowledged the compliment in a very admirable speech , replete with Masonic sentiment . The Brethren were called to labour , and the Lodge closed in harmony .

During the evening , Bro . Gambling , P . M . No . 45 , made graceful acknowledgment of the courtesy and kindness of the Mayor and Town Council , in permitting the Lodge to be regularly held at the Council House ; and observed , that to the fact of the Lodge being now held away from a tavern , much of their present prosperity was to be attributed ; as during the two years the Lodge had been held in the present rooms , upwards of thirty highly respectable gentlemen had been initiated . The worthy Brother also alluded to the claims for support on the Brethren , of The Freemasons' Magazine .

During the evening , Bros . Hoblyn , Goodcoe , Chase , and Holman , enlivened the Brethren with sweet warbling , and at an early hour the happy party broke up , in the hope of happily meeting again at no distant day . The banquet did credit to the worthy host , and the arrangement of the table was much enhanced by the beautiful contribution of flowers from the garden of Bro . W . J . G . Souter .

WILTSHIRE . Devizes . — Wiltshire Lodge of Fidelity ( No . 961 ) . —This Lodge celebrated its first anniversary at Devizes , on Tuesday , the 14 th April , having been consecrated in April last year . The members assembled in the splendid ball-room of the Town Hall ( where the Lodge is held ) , at three o ' clock , when Bro . Simon Watson

Taylor , the newly-elected M . P . for the borough , was balloted for as a joining member , and afterwards raised to the Sublime Degree of a M . M . The Brethren then proceeded to the installation of Bro . Jos . Burt as W . M ., which ceremony was most ably performed by the D . Prov . G . M . of the province , Bro . Gooch . The Lodge adjourned to the Bear Hotel , where about forty Brethren sat