Metropolitan.

again to the first , Avhen Bro . Starkie was ably taken through the ceremony of initiation . The fourth section of the first lecture followed , at the end of ivhich the bretliren were called from labour to refreshment , and on business being resumed , the fifth , sixth , and seventh sections of the same lecture were excellently worked . The visiting brethren were elected members , subject to the ballot and confirmation at next meeting , and the Lodge was closed shortly after ten o ' clock . The resuscitation of the above Lodof Instruction is mainldue to the exertions

ge y of Bro . Hewlett , the Treasurer , well seconded by the indefatigable exertions of Bro . NewaU , the Secretary , and ifc now bids fair to become one of the most' influential Lodges of Instruction in the Craft , numbering as it does , some of the foremost brethren who are good Masonic workmen .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

DEVONSHIRE . STONEHOUSE . —Lodye of Sincerity ( No . 224 ) . —At a regular meeting , held pursuant to notice , at Sfc . George ' s Hall , on Monday , 13 th instant , afc seven o ' clock , Bro . Rodd , AV . M ., in the chair ; present , Bros . Kuowling , S-AV . ; Cane , J . AV . ; C . Spence Bate , Sec ; Rae , S . D . ; Barton , J . D . ; AValker , I . G . ; Risk , Chaplain ; Ellis Batten Narracott , P . M . ; Down , P . M . ; ! wid several visiting brethren , the Lodge having been opened in the first degree , one of the antient charges was read , and the minutes of the

preceding meeting were confirmed . Bro . AA'liitmore , Chaplain of H . M . S . Impregnable , ivas balloted for and elected a joining member . Bro . Thomas having been duly examined was passed to the second degree . Bro . Knowling explained the working tools , and a lecture of the tracing board was given by the AV . M . The Lodge was then worked doivn to the first degree , when the Secretary read the report of tho General Purposes Committee , and was adopted . The Lodge then closed in peace ancl harmony at half-past nine o ' clock .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

METROPOLITAN " . ST . JAMES ' S UNION C ' IIAI ' ( No . 211 ) . —The Companions of the above Chapter assembled at Freemasons' Tavern , on Tuesday last , the officers being punctual in their attendance on their various duties , as follows : —Comps . John Gurton , M . E . Z . ; Stacey , H . ; Woodstock , J . ; AValkley , Scribe E . ; Sedgwick , Scribe N " . ; Cockcraft , P . Soj . ; Jackson and Smith , Asst . Sojs . ; and Hammett , janitor . Tho business of the evening principally consisted in exalting Bro . Jeffs to this sublime

degree , which was worked Avith groat care by every officer , all being emulous of doing their duty with zeal and ability . After the exaltation the M . E . Z . rose to propose that theiv esteemed Companion AVilliam AVatson , ivho had laboured hard iu the formation of the Chapter , and had proposed its being granted in Grand Chapter , and who was not present at the consecration , should , as a mark of respect from the Companions , be elected an honorary member , which being seconded by Comp . Staceywas carried unanimousl . The M . E . Z . then proposed a like

, y honour fco Comp . Matthew Cooke , ivhich was seconded by Comp . Stacey , and also carried unanimously . Comps . AVatson and Cooke severally returned thanks . The appointments of the Chapter showed to great advemtago in the "Sussex , " where it was held , and the Companions who could now inspect them closer than at the consecration , were unanimous in praising Comp . Piatt ' s execution . Tho next meeting , in May , is likely te > be very fully attended , as there is a long list of candidates for exaltation .

PROVINCIAL . BAILDOI-I . —Chapter of Moravia ( No . 543 ) . —At a regular meeting of fche above Chapter , on tho " 23 rd ult ! , Companions Henry Smith , M . E . Z . ; Jno . AValker , 11 . ancl P . Z . ; J . AValker ; as J ., and others—the accounts of the Chapter were examined , and Comp . AVammau Holmes congratulated on their clearness , and the balance , although small , still progressing . Comp . AV . AVaiid being absent , afc an Encampment , he was unable to present his draft of new by-laws , fche consideration of them ivas therefore postponed ; after working a short time the business was closed , and the Companions retired to refreshments , on ji frugal scale , at nine o ' clock .

AIAIDSTONR . —Belvidere Chapter ( No . 741 ) . —Ou Wednesday , the annual convocation of . this Chapter was held at the Star Hotel , Maidstone , when the impressive ceremony of installing the officers for the ensuing year took place . Comp . Keddell , P . Z ., one of the most eminent Masons in Kent , was the celebrant , and the proceedings might be said to make this a red letter day in the local Masonic annals . The principal officers installed were Companions Cooke , Z . ; Sai'geant , li . ; and Cruttondon , jun ., J . The following Companions AVOI-C then invested : Pearson , Scribe

E . ; Day , sen ., Scribe N . ; Day , jun ., Asst . Soj . Tli 3 neAvly installed First Principal then said that the first duty which devolved upon him in the exalted position to Avhich the favour and regard of the Companions had elevated him was one of a most agreeable nature . It ivas , in their name , to present to his immediate predecessor , Comp . Ci-iittenden , sen ., a valuable P . Z ' s . jcAvel with a gold chain , as a mark of esteem for him as a man ancl a Mason . Many years ago , when the Belvidere Lodgo was established , three brethren took an active and dis-

Royal Arch.

tinguished part in the work . They were Bros . AVhittaker , Pike , and Cruttenden , sen . ; and those three brethren , in rotation , were the first three Masters ofthe Lodge . The expenditure of time , money , and mental exertion ivhich they had lavished upon the Lodge had won for them the highest respect and esteem of the brethren ; and so when three years ago the cope stone was , as it might he said , put upon their good work by the establishment of a Chapter , those brethren became naturally and properly the three Principals . The same earnest devotion

they had originally bestoived upon the duties of the Lodge followed them to the Chapter ; and it ivas no small honour to them to say that they had each fulfilled every duty devolving upon tho offices they held . Age had its privileges as well as its honours , * but ifc was most gratifying to the Chapter to find that although tbe snows of the winter of life had begun to shed their soft and feathery showers upon Comp . Cruttenden , he did not shelter himself under the privileges of advancing years . He devoted himself to the duties of his positionand the manner in which

, he had ruled the Chapter , and the impressive ancl perfect way in ivhich he gave " the mystical position " had won the admiration of the Chapter , ancl proved how good and true a Mason he Avas . This presentation jeAA-el Avas then no formal compliment , bufc a simple anel heartfelt recognition of Masonic and manly virtues which they were proud to render , ancl ivhich he ( Comp . Cruttenden ) might be happy to receive . The

excellent First Principal concluded by praying the Most High to continue the blessings of health to Comp . Cruttenden for many years , that he might enjoy the tribute of affection and esteem ivhich the Companions now begged him to accept and wear for their sakes . The address of the M . E . Z . was received with loud applause , and having placed the gold chain around Comp . Crtittenden ' s . neck , that much loved Companion returned thanks hi language ivhich showed how much this testimony of regard of the Chapter affected him . The Chapter was soon

afterwards closed , and the Companions sat down to an excellent dinner served by Comp . Pine , the worthy host . Amongst the guests were tho chief officers above enumerated ; Comp . AVhittaker , a magistrate of the county , and the first Z . of the Chapter at its opening ; Comp Pike , tho second Z . ; Comp . Cruttenden , sen ., the third Z . ; Comp . Keddell , P . Z ., and a large party of Companions . A most interesting evening ivas spent , the only drawback to tho enjoyments of the evening being the cloud which at the present moment appears to loiver over the chief officers of

the province , and which it AA'as fervently hoped might soon pass aAi'ay . AVe are glad to find that this Chapter , although so young , not only has in ifc an abundance of Arch Masons fully qualified to conduct all the ceremonies , but that it is not embarrassed by debt , although the furniture and paraphernalia of the Chapter are of a suitable , we ought to say of a superior , character .

France.

FRANCE .

PARIS . The bibliography and literature of Freemasonry has received a groat impetus by the sale of a largo collection of books and manuscripts , about one thousand , relating to Antient Freemasonry , the Rod Cross Knights , Mesmerism , Occult Sciences , & c . The greater part of them are dated towards the end of the former ancl the commencement of the present ; century , and throiv a great light , as a Avholo , on the state of secret societies , OA'cr that interesting period , in which assistance is rendered by works published in England , France , Germany , Holland , Italy , and elsewhere .

Germany.

GERMANY .

HAMBURGH . A letter from this city states that at tho last election of Grand Master , Bro . Buck , of the Grand Lodge of Hamburgh , was reelected for the next three years . He nominated in the place of Bvo . Dr . Asher , who was necessitated to resign office , Bro . Grapengiesser , as his D . G . M ., the other chief officers being allowed to continue as before . The Lodge Brotherly Chain , has lately suffered the loss of one of its most valuable members after a severe and lingering illness , viz ., lato

Master , Bro . Jacob H . Sander . The present Master , Bro . Buthuiaim , and associates , Avho were long attached to the deceased from an intimate knowledge of his good qualities as a Mason , took every precaution to testify their respect by a magnificent funeral , which feeling' was participated in by the society . Amicitia and Fidelitas , of which the deceased was for many years Vice President and Associate . Seven of the brethren of the Lodge preceded by tho AVorshipful Aiaster , Bro . Buthmann , and his Deputy , Bro . Bluhm , bore the coffin to the grave ,

whore—after the funeral rites wore performed with much solemnity , and which made a profound impression on the assembled brethren , the excellent qualities of the deceased having beeu pouvtvayed in a very forcible manner—the whole of the brethren at the command of the Master , surrounded the grave in a circle , and sung a funeral requiem for the soul ofthe deceased . "Honour be to the memory of the deceased and peace be to his ashes . " On the 1 st of February , the Lodge of Fraternal Chain paid homage to

the funeral of the late Master , Bro . . loach . H . Sander , which was attended l > y a numerous eoncuurso of visitors , on whom tho solemn words of : the ritual seemed to make a great impression . Our most worthy Master and Bro , Buthmau dwelt on the unshaken faith of the deceased