Metropolitan.

everything that lay in his power to promote the prosperity of the lodge , so that under no circumstances should it suffer while in his . hands without his making a gigantic effort to prevent it . He thanked them sincerely for the unanimity with which they had elected him to that office , and he hoped at the termination of it he should meet with the same cordiality as he did at that moment . ( Cheers . )—The W . M . then gave " The

officers of the lodge , " for which they severally returned thanks , Bro . Wreford , the J . D ., expressing a hope that the brethren of the Fitzroy Lodge would rally round him as steward at tho festival for the Royal Benevolent Institution for Freemasons aud their widows . The Tyler ' s toast was given , and the proceedings were brought to a close in the most harmonious manner .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

CHANNEL ISLANDS . PROVIKCIA . ! GRAXD LODGE . At tho close of the proceedings , on laying the foundation stone of the New Masonic Hall , Jersey , on Wednesday , December 17 , as reported in the MAGAZINE last week , the brethren returned to the Hotel de Ville , and the large room having been close tyled , Provincial Grand Lodge was resumed . The

B . W . the Prov . G . M . expressed his great satisfaction at the favourable issue of the proceedings , and stated that after many inquiries , he found that his sentiments were shared by all , not a single incident having occurred to interfere with the precision of the arrangements and exactitude in carrying them out . So much kind assistance having been afforded by others not connected with the Masonic body , by which the effectiveness , solemnity , dignity , and order of the ceremonial

had been greatly enhanced , he felt that they could not separate without performing an imperative duty in reference to them . He therefore proposed seriatim the following resolutions , which , having been seconded by Bro . Eobert Crosse , D . Prov . G . M ., were carried unanimously with loud acclamations . " That the thanks of the Grand Officers and members of Provincial Grand Lodges be tendered to his Excellency Brother Sir Robert Percy DouglasBart . Lieut . Governorfor his

pre-, , , sence and assistance in Provincial Grand Lodge : also for his eloquent and truly Masonic and paternal address at the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Masonic Temple . "To the Bailiff , Lieut . Bailiff , aud Magistrates of the Royal Court , to the Very Rev . the Dean of Jersey , Col . Chapman and officers of the 18 th Regiment ( Royal Irish ) , and other authorities for their assistance .

"To the choir of St . Simon ' s district and the ladies aud gentlemen of other choirs in the island , who , in the most kind and courteous manner , tendered their services in the choral department , and added so much to the solemnity of the occasion . "To Col . Hpmmery , officers , non-commissioned officers , and privates of the rifle company and band of the 4 th or Town Battalion of Royal Jersey Militia . " "To Herr Bergmanu for the able and efficient manner in

which he conducted the band kindly lent by Col . Chapman and officers of the 18 th Regiment ( Royal Irish ) . " His Excellency , Bro . Sir R , P . DOUGLAS , briefly , returned thanks for the compliment paid to him . The R . W . the PROV . G . M ., then introduced to the notice of brethren Luc Bout , Esq ., who had kindly come over as a deputation from the lodge at St . Malo on the coast of France . He proposed a vote of thanks to that brother and his lodgewhich

, , having been seconded , was carried , and the usual salute given as a mark of respect to him . The Prov . G . M . then addressed Bro . Boue , who had been placed in front of the pedestal , communicating the vote in terms expressive of a hope that he was pleased with the ceremonial , and if so , that on his return home he would convey not only kindly feelings from the Jersey brethren , but also his own impressions on what he had witnessed . Bro . Luc Born offered his thanks for his'truly fraternal

reception , as well as for the coivli . il expressions of regard for his French brethren at S . Malo ; he regreted that he had been alone in his mission , as when the letter of invitation arrived , the W . M . was at Lorient attending a Masonic celebration there , and consequently delay occurred iu opening it ; he professed his belief that Freemasonry is the grandest of all social institutions , and the most important and effective bond of union among its

members ; lie declared his satisfaction at the admirable address of the Lieut . Governor , and his conviction that the principles of the society , liberty , equality , fraternity , are those of all good men . He concluded with hearty thanks for the honour paid , to him . The PROV . G . MASTER remarked that there were other duties to those who were nearer home . Among those present was Bro . GallienneP . Prov . S . G . W . with other brethren from

, , Guernsey , to whom he proposed a vote of thanks , for their interest in the Masonic affairs of this sister province . The motion having been duly seconded , was carried with acclamation , and the grand salute was given . Bro . Gallienne , having been placed before the pedestal , received a congratulatory address from the R . W . Prov . G . M ., who remarked that , holding the same exalted position in both

islands , he had long been acquainted with his merits and sterling qualities as an old friend and a Mason ; that by his presence on this occasion the bonds of union were drawn still closer . He assured him of reciprocation in this province of kind feelings towards the members of the Craft in Guernsey , and begged him to communicate it with an account of the opinion he had formed of the recent ceremony on his return home . '

Bro . GAELIENXE briefly responded in acknowledgment of the compliment , expressed his regret that so few of the brethren had accompanied him to join in this important celebration , and said that the Guernsey Freemasons would unite with him in prayers for the rn'Osperity 0 f yle undertaking so auspiciously commenced . Votes of thanks were passed to the Prov . Dir . of Cers ., for his unwearied exertions in preparing and superintending the

arrangements ; and also to Bro . Watts , the donor of the trowel . On the proposition of the Prov . J . G . W ., seconded by the Prov . S . G . W ., a cordial vote of thanks was given to the R . W . the Prov . G . M . for the admirable manner in which he had conducted the ceremony . This having been put by the D . Prov . G . M , was carried by acclamation . The R . W . the Paov . G . M . briefly expressed his gratitude and his delight that his services had met with the approval of the Craft . The Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed in due form at about half-past three .

THE BAKQUET . After the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of the Masonic Temple at St . Helier , Jersey , Dec . 17 , 1 S 62 , the dinner to celebrate the event took place at the Pornme tl'Or Hotel at half-past five . The R . W . Prov . G . M . presided , supported on his right at the cross table by his Excellency Bro . Sir R . P . Douglas , Lieut-Governor ; Bro . Dupre , Attorney-General of

Jersey ; Bro . Dr . Le Crouier ; Bros . Gabourel and Mallet De Carteret , Aides-de-Camp to the Governor ; and on the left by Bros . Crosse , D . Prov . G . M . ; Vickery , Advocate ; Charles Johnson , Prov . S . G . W . ; Dr . Hopkins , P . Prov . S . G . W . for Warwickshire , and J . Johnson , P . Prov . S . G . W . The Vice-Presidents' chairs occupied by Bros . Du Jarclin , E . D . he Couteur and Peagam . About 110 brethren sat down in the large roomand a party of upwards of 40 more in an adjoining

, one , under the presidency of Bro . Binet , P . M ., the latter joining those in the principal room , after the loving cup had gone round at the close of the dinner . It was carried round , escorted by tho Stewards , at a quarter past seven , after a toast had been given from the chair , "Prosperity , Concord , and Brotherly Lovo throughout the world . " With a few words of preface , expressive of love , respect , and veneration for the lad ing the hihest position in the

y occupy g land , sentiments entertained by none more than by Masons , the Rt . W . P . G . M . gave as a toast "The Queen and the Craft , " which having been duly honoured , His Excellency Sir R . P . DOUGLAS gave " His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Royal Family . " He remarked that lie naturally , and by his high qualities , commands the warmest feelings of the heart ; that in him are centered our highest

hopes and expectations ; that these afford the most exalted promise , from the greatness and virtues ot his mother , no less than from the wisdom , the judgment , the enlightenment , the counsels of his father ; whom the Queen still , with reason , recognises as one of the greatest of men , one of the best of husbands , as one of the purest illustrations of the illustrious position of princes , one of the brightest ornaments of society , however exalted . His Excellency stated his conviction that the