Metropolitan.

for , and unanimously elected as a candidate for initiation , this ceremony being performed by Bro . John Compon , the S . W . ( W . M . 63 ) . Lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned to the supper room , where a couple of hours were well spent in well-earned " pleasure and relaxation . " INSTRUCTION .

WniiiiNGTON LODGE ( NO . 1164 ) . —AVe lately had the pleasure of attending this flourishing Lodge of Instruction , held at the Old Kent Hotel , Brownlow-street , Holborn , every Thurssday evening , at eight o ' clock , and were agreeably surprised at the unusually large attendance ; we attend many lodges of Instruction but do not know that 11 e were ever more gratified than witnessing the excellent working of this lod . Well brethren

ge may who are anxious and striving for office attend this Lodge of Instruction , to learn the duties of the several offices , also the lectures , where they can receive the benefit of wisdom from those able and well skilled members of the Craft . Bros . Stephen Barton AVilson , J . Brett , Francis , and Terry , who are invariably present , and many other brethren who feel the greatest pleasure in communicating Masonic knowledge to those desirous of

learning can hardly speak too highly of this Lodge of Instruction , and strongly commend it to the brethren generally of the Craft , also to Provincial brethren visiting London . AVe learn with pleasure that since the establishing of this Lodge of Instruction in May last , the whole of the furniture , & c . ( which is very good ) , has been paid for , that the lodge is out of debt , and a good sum of money in handwhich ive hope to hear has been

, given to one of the Masonic charities . The lodge-room is all that can be desired , every comfort being afforded . AVe have also to congratulate the founders of this Lodge of Instruction ( nearly 120 brethren liaving become members ) , that by their energy and perseverance , they have succeeded in making the lodge second to none in the Craft . On Thursday next , the 9 th inst ., we are informed that the whole of the fifteen sections will

be worked under the able assistance of Bro . S . B . Wilson , who will preside as W . M ., and all brethren who can attend , are particularly invited to do so , as our excellent and esteemed brother will , we are confident , feel much honoured by a large number being present on that occasion .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

CHANNEL ISLES . ( From the Jersey Morning Express . ) Rarely does it become the duty of a local journalist to record a series of successes so great as those manifested by the body of Freemasons during the past year . Notwithstanding the limited population of St . Helier , we are given to understand that the number of lodges in full "

work equals that in English towns containing from five to ten times the number of its inhabitants ; nor are these bodies deficient in members , for we understand that La Cesaree contains more than a hundred , or about double the average , while the others not onl y fully maintain their position , but are steadily increasing . No doubt an impetus has been given to the Craft by the erection of

a temple to be devoted exclusively to its use , the laying of the first stone of which was attended by an impressive ceremonial , joined in by all the authorities of the island , civil and military , as was recorded in our pages of December last . The nature of the proceedings was such as to dissipate the prejudices of those who are in the habit of decrying what they do not , or will not take the trouble

to understand , for secret as we know tbe work of Freemasons is , we had on that occasion ample proof that its objects are good , and that it is at least worthy of our respect , even if the nature of its constitution prevents some scrupulous persons from joining its ranks . Slow as many matters proverbially are in Jersey , we must exempt the Freemasons from this chargeand they

, seem to have infused some of their energy into the contractors for the erection of the temple , which is now rapidly progressing . Those who visit the spot occasionally are surprised at the change effected in a week or two . The lower rooms are now completel y formed , so far as the

masonry is concerned , the joists for the first floor are laid , above which the walls have been raised some feet ; and as the most tedious and heavy portion is done , we may expect advancement to be still more rapid . But little more than a year has passed since we mentioned the formation of a new lodge , the Eoyal Alfred . On Wednesday , March 25 th , the brethren assembled to

instal Dr . Kitchener as Master for the ensuing year , tho ceremony being performed by the Provincial Grand Master , whose term of office in the lodge as its ruler has just expired . Though not ourselves having the privilege of entree on such occasions , we are informed that this lodge has developed itself much more rapidly than could have been anticipated , and has attained a high position in

point both of numbers and of influence . It is usual on these annual occasions of change of officers to celebrate the event by a banquet , to which this proved no exception . The brethren dined together at the British Hotel , nor were the numbers present any disgrace to the character of the Craft for want of energyin whatever they undertake . The host , Mr . Green , seemed fully aware of the class with

which he had to deal , and therefore exerted himself to make his share in the proceedings of the day a success , nor did he fail in this . The evening was spent , after the cloth was drawn , in expressions of gratitude for favours received , of acknowledgments and the outpouring of reciprocal sentiments on the part of those who had conferred benefitsin interchange of kindly feelings

, between members of the " Eoyal Alfred Lodge" and their visitors from other lodges , in mutual congratulations on their present prosperity and future prospects , in incitements to further progress and more extended usefulness . Of the latter , proof was given by the favour with which an announcement was received that preparations

are in a forward state for carrying the advantages of the Order into another district of the island , by the formation of a lodge at St . Aubin ' s , which , we hear , was the original place where the mysteries of the Craft were

carried on , and -where doubtless they will again flourish , under the Mastership of a gentlemen well known in our columns , supported by officers , whose high social position and ability are a guarantee for energetic support ancl co-operation . We cordially wish them every success . JERSEY . — Royal Alfred Lodge , ( No . 1179 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on WednesdayMarch 25 that four p . m .

, , The AV . M ., Bro . J . J . Hammond , P . G . M ., assisted by the S . W ., Bro . Dr . Kitchener , and by Bro . Dr . Hopkins , P . M ., acting as J . W ., opened the lodge in the first degree . The minutes of the last regular , and also of an emergency meeting , were read and confirmed , after which Bro . Advocate Gibaut arrived , and took his chair as J . W . The lodge was opened in the second degree . Bro . Crosse , D . Prov . GM ., then presented the W . M . elect , Bro .

Dr . Kitchener , to receive the benefit of installation at the hands of tiie R . W . Prov . G . M . as the retiring AV . M . The ancient charges / were read by the Secretary , and assented to . The other customary preliminaries having been gone through , the brethren who had not passed the chair left the lodge , and a strong board of Installed Masters was formed by the W . M . 's and P . M . ' s who had come as visitors from other lodges to assist at the first

anniversary of the Royal Alfred Lodge , a compliment significant of a good state of feeling in the province , and of the position which this young lodge has attained . In their presence the AV . M . elect was duly installed in the chair of K . S ., and subsequently saluted and proclaimed . The Board of Installed Masters was then closed . Bro . Charles Johnson , P . M ., officiated at the harmonium . The different grades of the brethren were

recalled in rotation , by each of whom the AV . M . was saluted , the Installing Master gave the usual proclamations , and the remainder of the ceremony was gone through , after which the following officers were appointed , and , with one excep tion , installed and'invested : —Bros . J . J . Hammond , Prov . G . M ., P . M . ; Advocate Gibaut , S . W . ; Francis Godfray , J . W . ; E . C . Mallet de Carteret , S . D . ; Dr . le Crouier , Treas . ; Advocate Westaway , at

Sec . ; Stratton and Bellew , Stewards . The lodge was closed half-past five . At half-past six the brethren re-assembled at the British Hotel to partake of a banquet , the arrangements for which did great credit to the Dir . of Cers . and Stewards of the