Royal Benevolent Institution For Aged Freemasons And Their Widows.

glorify himself or his own province , but he merely mentioned it to show wdiat might be done to obtain the support of their great charities . This charity was situated near to London , and half its support was obtained from the Masons of London alone , and it was only right that he should say that more than half the recipients were from the provinces . He was happy to be present on that occasion . He had presided twice for the Girls' School ,

once for the Boys' School , and he then presided for the Aged Freemasons , and on all occasions be was most grateful for the support he had received , considering the great commercial and financial distress that the country had passed through ; and coming from the country , as he did , he knew the ravages of the cattle plague ; he thought the sum of £ 2 , 584 , with some

otherlists to come in was a very satisfactory subscription . He concluded by again thanking the brethren for the honour they had conferred upon him . Bro . LLEWELLYN EVANS , President of the Board of General Purposes , said he had been requested to propose the next toast , which was , " The Right Honourable Lord Southampton , Past

President , the Trustees , Vice Presidents , Treasurer , Committee , and Officers of the Institution . " He coupled with the toast the health of its distinguished Treasurer , Bro . Tomkins . The toast was well received .

Bro . [ OMKns'S thanked the brethren on behalf of the officers for the kind notice that bad been taken of him . He was happy to find that although there had been a financial difficulty , the funds of the charity were in a satisfactory state , and he hoped they would continue to increase . On behalf of the officers of the institution he begged to thank them . Bro . HOPWOOD said the duty of proposing the next toast had

devolved upon him , which in their programme was stated to be * ' The other Masonic Charities . " In a few minutes he should have something to say about them , but he could not refrain from offering a few remarks upon the charity they were met to celebrate . He was free to confess that he was a eon vert to

this charity , for he was of opinion that the festivals for the Girls' School and the Boys' School were as much as the Craft could bear , and he was now very glad to confess his error , for while this charity was now firmly established , the income to the others had not diminished . He confessed that he should have been glad to have seen a larger amount of subscriptions than that announced that day , but as their noble chairman had said ,

they had passed through a period of great financial pressure , and therefore the result must be considered satisfactory . It must also be borne in mind that their charities were supported by Freemasons , and Freemasons alone , unless indeed they sometimes received assistance from the ladies they saw in tho gallery , who belonged to them or they would not subscribe to their

funds . As to the Girls' School , it was the most ancient of their Order . It was hardly necessary for him to say one word in order to obtain their support under all circumstances to that valuable institution , for tho brethren felt that the Girls' School was the darling aud pet of their institutions . As to the Boys' School , it was formerl y

inefficient for the purpose for which it was instituted , but it was now a perfect institution , in giving the boys an education that would fit them for any purpose that might be required . He felt sure that they would give their cheerful support to the Boys'Festival , that took place on the 13 th of March , and that for the Girls' School , on the Sth of May . It was their duty as

Masons to support these institutions , for they should bear in mind that the bri ghtest jewel with which a Mason could adorn his breast was charity . The toast was most cordially received and responded to . Bro . BISCEES , Secretary to the Boys' School , said that he

was proud to find that while celebrating one charity the others were not forgotten ; aud he thanked the brethren for the kind way in which the toast had been responded to . One source of regret to him was , that through domestic affliction , Bro . Patten , the Secretary to the Girls' School , was prevented from beingpresent there that evening . Had he been there , on behalf of

the Girls' School , he would have addressed them far more feelingly and eloquently than he ( Bro . Binckes ) could do ; but , at the same time , he hoped to interest them for the Girls' School so that the institution should not suffer from the absence of Bro . Patten . An incident here occurred which , for the honour of

Freemasonry , and to the disgrace of all parties concerned in it , wegladly draw a veil over , and the proceedings were brought to a premature close . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . W . J . Fielding , supported by Miss Rose Hersee , Miss Eyles ,. Bro . Wilbye Cooper , Bro . Montem Smith , Bro . W . Winn , and . Bro . Lawler . Bro . Belmore presided at the pianoforte . Bro-Turner was thntnastmastev .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

DOATATIC LODGE ( NO . 177 ) . —On the 11 th ult ., a numerous and brilliant meeting of this lodge was held at Bro . Clemow ' s ( Anderton ' s ) Hotel , Fleet-street . Bro . Frederick Smith , W . M ., presiding . The lodge having been opened in due form and with solemn prayer , Messrs . G . Hooker , D . A . Chudley , R . Montague , and John Bouts were introduced and initiated into the secrets and privileges of ancient Freemasonry , and were much impressed with what they went through . The lodge was then opened in

the second degree , when Messrs . Silverton , Green , Murray , Giles , and Cruss were passed to the degree of F . C . The lodge was then opened in the third degree , and Bro . Hodges was raised to the sublime degree of a M . M ., all three degrees being worked in an admirable and praiseworthy manner by the W . M . After an alteration had been proposed and carried in the amount , of the visiting fee of the lodge , Bro . Tanner , J . D ., said as

the Domatic Lodge was one of the largest lodges in London in point of numbers , be thought there ought to be a corresponding amount of support given to their Masonic institutions , and he would therefore propose " That the sum of twenty guineas be voted from the funds of the lodge , to be placed in the hands of Bro . Brett , P . M ., to represent this lodgo as Steward at the next festival for the benefit of the Boys' School . " The resolution was carried unanimously , and in the course of the evening a subscription was also commenced among the members for the same object . The lodge having been closed the brethren

adjourned to the banquetting hall , where an excellent dinner was provided , to which they did full justice . The cloth having been removed , the usual loyal toasts were proposed and responded to in right good style . The W . M . proposed "The Health of the Newly-initiated Brethren , " and said he hoped they would all become good and true Masons , and he was sure they would never regret the step they had taken that evening . The toast was enthusiastically responded to . Bro . Montague in returning

thanks , said he hoped that by square conduct and upright intentions to merit their good opinion , and that if he served his master as he ought he had no doubt he should turn out a faithful and a good Mason . Ho thanked the brethren on behalf of himself and his brother initiates for the honour they had conferred upon them . Bro . Smith , P . M ., in the absence of the W . M ., proposed the toast of "The Health of the Worshipful

Master . " He was quite sure the brethren would drink the health of their Master with a great deal of pleasure . They had all seen the exemplary manner in which he had gone through his duties that evening , which reflected great credit upon him , especially as the duties were of so important a nature . The toast was very well received . Tho W . M . then briefly responded in suitable terms . The W . M . said the next toast he had to propose was " The Health of their Visiting Brethren , " and he was very pleased to see so many present . Whenever they came to see the Domatic Lodge they might always reckon upon receiving a hearty welcome from its members . A