Metropolitan.

and received , he never felt himself in greater difficulty , and he was quite sure that anyone then sitting round would feel as he did if they were placed in a similar position as he was at that moment . However great might be his eloquence or his powers of speech , he would find himself in almost an unpleasant position : while on the other hand it was exceedingly gratifying and pleasant to him to receive that handsome compliment from the

brethren , he felt he was unable to return thanks in an adequate manner for their kindness towards him . Therefore as he could not return thanks in an adequate manner in the way he coulcl wish , all he coulcl clo was simply to thank them for the honour they had done him in drinking his health , and for the splendid testimonial by which it was accompanied . He coulcTclo no more , but if he could he would . As to the position he had taken in

the lodge , he must say that although he entered it while it was in difficulties he had never left it , and as the lodge was then in a prominent-position , he believed that eventually , and not many years hence , it would become one of the hi ghest in the Craft . They had then amongst them many members distinguished for very high qualifications in the Craft , and there could be no doubt that they would assist in placing the lodge in the highest in

position Freemasonry . There was one brother who had just joined them—he meant Bro . Binckes—who , had ho been in his position , would have expatiated in eloquent terms , and he only wished that he ( the W . M . ) had been gifted with his powers sufficiently to thank them for the testimonial they had presented to hiiii . ^ AVhile he had been in the lodge he had endeavoured to do his duty , ancl that was all that was required of every Mason , matter what

no was his position , whether it was Inner Guard or AVorshipful Master , or any of the officers between them . Let all clo their duty , ancl then a good feeling would always exist . That he had clone his duty , the handsome testimonial they had given him afforded ample and satisfactory proof . He heartily thanked them for it , and he hoped it would be handed down to his successors from generation to generation , ancl till time should be no more .

Some excellent songs were sung by Bro . Charter , Sloman , Exall , and at the latter part of the evening the company were delighted by some choice ballads by Miss Ransford . The proceedings of the evening gave general satisfaction . _ LODGE OE TEMPEEAXCE ( NO . 169 ) . —At the Plough , Rotherhithe , the meeting of this lodge was held on the 18 th ult . Bro . J . Searle , AV . M . presided . The minutes of the last meeting

having been read and confirmed , one brother was passed to the second degree . Bro . G . Belfcon , P . M ., then took the chair , and the W . M . presented Bro . N . AVingfield for installation . A board , consisting of fourteen installed Masters , was formed , and tlie installation was completed . The following brethren were appointed officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . J . Searle , I . P . M . ; PayneS . AV . ; MossJAVGBrownPMTreasTibbals

, , . ; . , .., . ; , P . M ., ; Sec ; Marriott , S . D . ; Pulling , J . D . ; AVilliams , I . G . ; Parrett , P . M ., AA ' . S . ; B . Holt , P . M ., Treas . Bro . J . Searle , was presented with a five guinea P . M . 's jewel , for which he returned thanks . A vote of thanks was passed to Bro . G . Bolton , P . M ., for the admirable manner in which he had performed the ceremony of installation , and for the willingness with which at all times he served the lod BroBolton made suitable

ge . . a reply . The AV . M . made his final appeal to the brethren on behalf of the Benevolent Institution , which was liberally responded to . The lodge was then closed .- An emergency will be held on the 29 th , to initiate three gentlemen ' before they leave England . Visitors : —H . Moore , P . M . 73 ; F . AA'alters , P . M . 73 ; Bavin , P . M . 147 ; Patte , J . AV . 147 ; Stahr , P . M . 871 ; and Bumstead , AV . M . 548 .

FITZEOT LODGE ( NO . 569 ) . The anniversary ancl installation meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday evening , Jan . 28 th , at the head-quarters of the Hon . Artillery Company , City-road . Bro . Thomas AVilson , W . M ., presided ; Bros . AVatson , S . AV . ; and Maddick , J . W . Bro . Meggs , S . D ., and the rest of the officers were present . The P . M . ' s present were Bros . Peter Matthews , Treas . ; Egleso , Newton

Sec ; , Dir . of Cers . ; May , and Helsham , and the following long list of visitors : —Bros . Patten , P . G . S . B ., ancl Secretary ofthe Girls' School ; Binckes , P . M . 65 , ancl Secretary to the Boys' School ; Tolley , 771 , Prov . G . Org . Berks ancl Bucks ; Joseph Devereux , ' Prov . G . Sec . Berks and Backs ; Southgate , AV . M . 136 ; Marriott , 771 ; AVhitehouse , 77 l ; Mundy , 166 ; Jundy , 859 ; Mitchell , AV . M . 69 ; Captain Boswell ( Royal Horse Guards Blue ) , 771 ; Harrison , 857 ; Marget , 7 ; Jackman , 8 ; Bartlett , 201 ; Eastlake ( Canongate ) , 2 ; Potter , P . M . 11 ,

281 , 307 ; Mark , S 3 ; Oskernetzler , St . Christopher ' s , Sweden ; Cusburgh Jectle , 141 ; Ellerton , 812 ; Gurney , 28 ; Percival , St . Peter's ( No . 442 ); Paas , P . M . 28 ; Browne , AV . M . 176 ; C . Browne , P . M . 176 ; Gilbart , 527 ; C . E . Thompson , 177 ; Galland , 66 ; Badger , AV . M . 140 ; Booth , P . M . 140 ; Lourie , 179 ; H . Thompson , P . M . 177 ; Beard , AV . M . 449 ; Nicholas , S 90 ; and Mimfcon , 60 . The lodge having been opened in clue form , and the minutes

read , the only business before it was the installation of Bro . AVatson , AV . M . elect , into the duties of AVM . for the ensuing year . He was presented in the usual manner , when Bro . Wilson , the retiring Master , in a very able manner installed his successor . The brethren below the chair having been admitted , and saluted the new AA ' . M ., he appointed his officers , as follows : —Bros . Maddick , S . AV . ; Meggy , J . W . ; Peter Matthews , Treas . ; Eglese , Sec . ; Crosthwaite , S . D . ; Higgins , J . D . ; Adams , I . G . ; Holt , Tyler ; Newton , P . M ., Dir . of Cers . The rest of the business of the installation having been goner

through , Bro . PETER MATTHEWS , in a very appropriate speech , presented Bro . AVilson , I . P . M ., with a jewel which the brethren of the lodge had voted to him as a recognition of his services during the two years he had presided as W . M . of the lodge , during which time the lodge had enjoyed a vast amount of prosperity , and for the very liberal way in which he had supported the Masonic charitable institutions . The jewel

, which was a very handsome one , manufactured by Bro . Eglese , bore the following inscription : — "Presented to Bro . Thomas AVilson , P . M ., by the members of the Fitz Roy Lodge ( No . 569 ) , in appreciation of his zeal for Freemasonry , and the talent he displayed during tho two occasions , consecutive years , he served as W . M . —1864 and 1865 . " BroWILSOXIPMin feeling termsexpressed his

. , ..., very , thanks to the brotherhood for the honour conferred upon him . Bro . EGLESE , P . M . and Sec , who will represent the lodge at the Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , addressed the brethren , hoping that he should receive their support _ at the approaching Festival , so that the subscriptions of the Fitzroy Lodge should be larger than they had been on any former

occasion . There was a very good response , and the brethren of this lodge will all appear in uniform . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a banquet , most bountifully furnished by the sutler to the corps . The cloth having been drawn , The AV . MASTEE gave the first toast , "Tlie Queen and the Craft , " which was followed by the National Anthem , the solo parts ,

being sung by Bros . Marriott , AA'hitehouse , and Tolley , from the Chapel Royal , AVindsor , the latter brother presiding at thepianoforte . The AV . MASTER next gave " The Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland , the Most AA ' orshipful Grand Master of Masons , " and said that the way in which lie discharged his important duties was most satisfactory to every member of the Craft . Bro . AVniTEEOUSE here sung in an excellent manner , " Speed

on my barque , " which was heartily applauded . The AA' . MASTER said the next toast he had to propose , was " Deputy Grand Master , the Earl clo Grey and Ripon , ancl therest of the Grand Officers , Past and Present , " and coupled with it the name of Bro . Patten , Sec . of the Girls' School . The toast was well receiveci . Bro . PATIEX thanked the brethren kindly for the manner in which the toast of tlie D . G . M . and therest of . the Grand .

. Officers had been received , and as he was the only Grand Officer present , he begged to return thanks on their behalf . The D . G . Master , notwithstanding his arduous duties to his Queen , as Minister of State for AA ' ar , did not neglect his duties as-D . G . Master . He was always present at the right hand of _ the Grand Master , and indeed he was the right man in the right lace . He thanked the brethren also for the way in which his

p ( Bro . Patten ' s ) name had been received , and he hoped the Grand Officers would long deserve the affectionate regard with which they were always welcomed in the different beiges they visited . Bro . AA ' lLSOX , I . P . M ., saicl , the P . M . ' s and most of thebrethren knew no doubt why the gavel had been placed in his hands , . and that was to propose " The Health of their AA '

orshipful Master . " They had -already seen how he had gone through the working of " the lodge for the first time , which had been done in a most admirable manner , and he was sure that he would do credit to the Fitzroy Lodge .