Metropolitan.

formity in working , as it was desirable that it should be so , and he had no doubt that Bro . John Hervey , their Treasurer , would also lend his aid to promote such an object . He thanked them for drinking the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , and trusted that he should have the pleasure of seeing them all , and many more brethren present at their anniversary . Bro . STETOTNG , P . G . D ., said it was too late in the evening for him to do more than utter two or three sententes in

proposing the toast whicli he had the honour of giving . He was delighted to see such a splendid demonstration to Bro . Muggeridge , and he could say that lie ( Bro . Stebbing ) had travelled 160 miles that day in order to be present . He was in favour of an accurate system of working , maintaining the landmarks ; but in the ritual there ought to be no difference as to their ceremonies . Timehoweverdid not permit him then to

, , touch upon that , but to the toast before him , whicli was their Charities . What would Freemasonry be without the groat ruling principle of Freemasonry . Charity united men together —it soothed the dying—it instructed their infant sons and daughters , and from the very ashes of the dead it produced other worthy members to recover and unfold the banner and genius of Freemasonry . He gave them with all his heart their

embodiment of Charity , and with it the names of Bros . Patten and Binckes . Bro . PATTEN , Secretary to the Girls' School , thanked Bro . Stebbing for the terms in which he had proposed the toast , and the brethren for the manner in which they had responded to it . As he had said at the Grand Lodgo , his charity festival was the one that had not yet taken place . The Earl de Grey and Ripon was to have taken the chair , but in consequence of a domestic

affliction he was compelled to be absent on that occasion . However , he had induced the Earl of Limerick , after about five minutes' conversation , to take the chair , and he hoped the brethren would support him upon that occasion . lie believed it would be a most successful festival , there being ISO stewards , which was the largest number that had ever attended . He hoped that they would all come , and lie would endeavour to find a place for all . He thanked them for what they had

already done , and also for what they intended to do . He was obliged to them for the kind manner in whicli they had received the toast , and could assure them that as long as he lived he would endeavour to deserve their kind support . Bro . BINCKES then briefly returned thanks for the Boys ' School , expressing his thanks for the support that institution had received .

This terminated the proceedings , the whole of the brethren having spent a most agreeable evening , conducted in the true spirit of Freemasonry . ROYAL OAK LODGE ( No . S 71 ) . —On Thursday , the 16 th idt . at the Eoyal Oak Tavern , High-street , Deptford , this young lodge met . Bro . W . Andrew ? , VOL , presided , and there were present Bios . J . Hawkes , S . W . ; W . H . Truelove , as J . W . ; II A . CollingtonP . M . Treas . ; F . WaltersP . M . Sec . JTruelove

, , , , ; . , S . D . ; I-I . Whittle , J . D . ; J . Barrett , I . G . ; W . J . Honey , W . S . j G . S . Ditton , G . F . Honey , and many others . Bro . F . Walters , P . M ., Sec , did the two raisings . Bro . W . Andrews , in an admirable manner , passed three , and initiated one . The lodn-e furniture , & e ., was draped iu deep mourning in consequence of the lamented death of Bro .- John Stevens , P . M . Business being endedthe lodge was closed . Visitors : Bros . J . Whiffen

, , J . D . 147 ; C . G . Dilley , 147 ; A . L . Dussek , 73 , & e . PYTHOGOEEAN LODGE . —This old lodge was held on Monday , the 29 th ult ., at the Lecture Hall , Greenwich . Bro . Trill * W . M ., presided , supported by nearly all his officers . The business done was passing two brethren . The lodge was closed . There was an average attendance of visitors .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

LANCASHIEE ( WEST ) . WASHINGTON . — -Lodge of Lights ( No . 148 ) . —Tho regular meeting of this lodge was held on Monday evening , the 29 th ult ., at the Masonic Booms , Sankey-street , at 6 . 30 p . m ., Bro . Eobert Stevenson , W . M ., in the chair of K . S . The W . M . was supported by Bros . D . Finney , J . W . ; W . Mossop , S . D . ; W . Richardson , J . D . ; C . Ekkert , Org . ; H . B . White , P . M ., Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; John Bowes , P . M ., Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . Cumberland and Westmoreland ; W . Woods , P . Rylands ; Capt .

Provincial.

Cartwright , W . Smith , E . Talbot , II . Syred , John Laithwaite , Robert Richardson , Rev . S . C . Herbert , Rev . J . Nixon Porter , A . Leonhardt , James Hepherd , R . F . Coxon , C . E ., Dr . Pennington , M . Walker , Thomas DomviHe , James Wood , Capt . Reynolds , Jos . Bancroft , Jabez Plinstnn , Thomas Jones , P . Pearse , W . I-I Spring , John Pierpoint , W . Savage , Thomas Morris , J . E . Goodreid , Jos . Robinson , James Johnson . Visitors—Bros . Dr . Cooper 75 S ; J . MorrisW . M . 897 ; and Peter RobinsonJ . W .

, , , 897 . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed . The ballot was then taken for Mr . Thomas Morris and Mr . Goodreid as candidates for initiation , which proved unanimously in their favour , and being present , wero duly introduced and initiated by the W . M . The lodge was opened in the second degree , and Bro . Laithwaite having requested prefermentand having given proof of

pro-, ficiency , was entrusted , and retired . Tie lodge was opened in the third degree , Bro . Laithwaite admitted , and raised to the sublime degree of a M . M . The lodge was lowered to the first degree . Bro . Smith then proposed his motion , of which he had given due notice in writing , that the initiation fee be raised from four to six ' guineas , which having been duly seconded , was carried . Bro . H . B . White then proposed , he having previously

given notice , that one guinea of every initiation fee bo divided among the three principal charities , viz ., the Royal Benevolent . Institution , the Boys' School , and the Girls' School . This motion was also carried . Bro . Pierpoint proposed that the snm of five guineas be given to a P . M . of the lodge who was in distress ..

This was agreed to . The W . M . then said they were all aware that their esteemed I . P . M ., Bvo . Gilbert Greenall , M . P-, Grand Senior Warden of England , had been blessed by the biith of a son and heir ; he therefore proposed that the following congratulatory address be presented to him : — " To Bro . Gilbert Greeuall , M . P ., & c—Right Worshipful Sir and Bro ., —We , the undersigned , being the YVorshipful Master , Wardens , and members of the Lodge of Lights ( No . 148 ) in regular lodge

assem-, bled , beg to offer you and Mrs . Greenall our most hearty and fraternal congratulations on the occasion of the birth of your first-born son-. We earnestly supplicate the Great Archictect of the Universe that . He may spare you both to see the young-Lewis grow up a comfort and a blessing , and in due time become a worthy member of our ancient and honourable institution , and may the Most High ever dispose his heart to revere his

father's character and imitate his virtues ! So mote it be . ( Signed on behalf of the lodge ) , Robert , Stevenson , W . M . ; W . Smith , as S . W . ; D . Finney , J . W . ; > J < H . B . White , IS" P . M ., Prov . G . Dir . of Cers ., Treas . ; John Bowes , P . M ., Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . Cumberland and Westmoreland . Masonic Rooms , Warrington , 29 th April , A . L . 5867 , A . D . 1867 . " The address was very beautifully executedhaving the " Three Great though

, emblematic Lights" in the centre , with the five points , and interlaced triangles on either side , the whole artistically blended . Messrs . Hine aud Marsh were the artists . There being no further business , the lodge was closed , and the brethren separated in perfect harmony .

LEICESTERSHIRE . LEICESTER . —John of Gaunt Lodge ( No . 523 ) . —A monthlymeeting of this lodge took place , at the Freemasons' Hall , on Thursday , the ISth ult ., under the presidency of the X > . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Kelly . The following , among other brethren , were present : —Bros . G . H . Hodges , S . W . ; Barfoot , Sec ; Atkins , S . D . ; Buzzard , J . D . Visitors—Bros . Wibbarley , W . M . of the

Etruscan Lodge ( No . 803 ) , Longton ; L . A . Clarke , W . M . St . John's Lodge . ( No . 270 ); Charles Johnson , P . M . 491 , and P . Prov . S . G . W . for Jersey ; Herr Ptacek , Prov . G . Org . ; Ride , J . W . ( No . 279 ) , & c . The lodge was opened in the first degree , and the minutes of the last lodge duly read and confirmed . Bro . Charles Johnson , P . Prov . S . G . W . for Jersey was unanimously elected an honorary member of the lod A raising

ge . and a passing were done , but neither of the candidates being in attendance , the lodge was opened and closed down in the second and third degrees . Two gentlemen having been proposed for initiation at the next meeting , the lodge was closed at an early hour , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment , and spent a . pleasant evening , which was enlivened by the musical skill of Bro . Herr PtacekCharles Johnsonand others

, , . MELTON MOWBHAY . —Rutland Lodge ( No . 1 , 130 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 25 th ult ., the W . M . presiding . Bro . Fast was passed to the second degree by Bro . Morris , P . M ., and Mr . Claude Teneby . a candidate for initiation , was received into Masonry by the j ! w .