Colonial Masonry.

A-L-DT-RSIXOT—Aldershot Lodge ( No . 5-1 ) . —This lodge , established to meet the requirements of a large number of military brethren , many of lvhom had experienced in certain of our colonial possessions the advantages of the Mark degree , and appreciated its beauties , was formally consecrated and opened afc the Royal Hotel , Aldershot , on Monday , 9 th ult ., by V . AV . Bro . Frederick Binckes , Grand Sec , by whom the W . JI . was afterwards installed , and five brethren advanced as Mark Masters

, ten others having been advanced afc a preliminary meeting by the AV . M . designate , Bro . Iras G . Irwin , P . M . of the Gibraltar Lodge of Mark Masters , Jtf 0 , 43 , under whose auspices the Mark degree attained great success afc the " Rock , " who lias been mainly instrumental in organising the lodge now under con" - sideration . At the conclusion of the various ceremonies , the AV . M . proceeded to the appointment and investiture of the officersthe Wardens

, named in the Warrant of Constitution being Bros . Eraser , of Aldershot , and H . J . Thompson , of London , both of whom rendered material service in conducting the business of tbe evening . The lodge having been closed , the brethren , to the number of nearly thirty , adjourned to refreshment , a most excellent banquet having been provided , which in quantity and quality reflected great credit on the worthy host , Tbe

Bro . Tilbury . customary loyal and Masonic toasts were all duly honoured , and tho evening , enlivened by a variety of songs , was passed in a trul y , harmonious , ancl agreeable manner , the proceedings being characterised by a heartiness ancl bonhommie peculiar to our brethren in arms . The company separated at a lato hour , all evidently pleased that another keystone had been that ni ght properly and successfully raised to its place .

OXFORDSHIRE . _ Oxvoiu .. —Universit y Lodge ( No . 55 ) . —To the seat of learning so pleasantly situate on the banks of the Isis , Masonry is under great obligations for the support extended to ifc by the alumim of the Universit y , and by a large number of the ' leading residents of the city , regard being had to tho former especially , on account of the opportunities afforded them to dissemmmate its tenets and

principles in their various careers in after life . AVe question if in any other locality a K . T . Encampment , R . A . Chapter , and Craft Lodges can be ' found in a more prosperous condition than those established under tho shadow of the "Academic groves" ot Oxford . To many earnest members of the Craft , and particularl y to those in any way associated with jurisdictions , by whom the Mark Degree is recognised as an inancl valuable

tegral part of Ancient Freemasonry , it has long been a matter of regret that they should be debarred from the means of acquiring a knowledge of its teaching and mysteries , and accordingly steps have recently been taken with a view to remedy the want complained of resulting in the application to the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters for a warrant of constitution . The application having been granted , Friday , 27 th ult ., was fixed for the inauguration of the lodge , which took place afc the Masonic Rooms , Alfred-street . The ceremony of consecration was performed hy R . AV . B . \\ r \ . ] jeachM . P . Prov . G . M .

. y , , Hants and Berks , who was subsequently installed as AV . Master by A-. AY . Bro . Frederick Binckes , G . See ., ancl proclaimed ancl saluted in ancient form . 'Ihe AA ' ardens nominated in the warrant , Bros . Rev . G . R . Portal and Wm . Thompson , were duly placed m thoir respective chairs , and tho other officers appointed and invested . Fourteen brethren were advanced as Mark Masters , viz .: —Bros . Account Newry . Rev . J . T . Ravenshaw , Uruce Gard

- yne , George Gary , T . J . Dallin , E . R . Everington , II . Jones , O . Lodge , A . J . Mellior . J . H . Arathoon , Newton Davis , vi . Ramsay Ramsay , AV . Savile , and J . G . Sebright , all of the Apollo Lod ge ( No . 400 ) . The following brethren were admitted ayoinmg members ^—Pros . R . j | . AA ' . Norman , AV . E . Gumon , and A . II . Pearson . file proceedings were necessarily protracted and it was somewhat late when , the lodge having neen closed the brethren

, adjourned to tbe banquet . After the ciotn Had been removed , the AV . M . rose and gave the first toast , ine Ciueen and Mark Masonry , " which having been duly honoured , was followed by that ofthe " M . AV . G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon , m connnection with which the W . M . alluded to the recency-announced resignation by the noblo Earl of the office he held amongst them

, regretting , as he felt sure they would all do , the loss ot Ins services , but at the same time bearing testimony to the consistency of conduct which hacl mainly dictated s lordship ' s res . gn _ . tion j h » views with reference to along du « u : oa oi high office m the Order being well known , vi * .:-

Colonial Masonry.

that from its tendency to defeat that emulation in the attainment of preferment , which was a legitimate object of ambition , many brethren of position aud influence held themselves aloof who would otherwise afford them their active co-operation ancl assistance . In reply to the toast of the " Deputy Grand Master , A'iscounfc Holmesdale , M . P ., ancl the Grand Officers , " whose zeal and attention the AA ' . M . warmly eulogised , with which toast he coupled the name of the Grand Secretarywho was present

, with them that evening , —Bro . BIXCKES said that he could assure them positively of the desire by which the Grand Officers were animated to do all in their power to promote the prosperity of the Order , and of the earnest and hearty spirit with which they had this year undertaken the duties of their respective posts . It was with feelings of considerable pride ancl gratification that he found himself participating in a

work which he could not but regard as one of the most important events which hacl occurred in connection with Mark-Masonry since the constitution of tbe present Grand Lodge of Mark Masters—the founding a lodge in this university where everything associated with Preemasonry was held in such high estimation . He had great regard for the Mark Degree , and the more ho knew ofthe mora he investigated itthe more afc

, , a loss was he to understand the circumstances under which it was lost to English Masonry at the union in 1813 . Under their present organisation , however , he trusted it would gain more than its former importance , as an earnest of which he looked npon the establishment of the University Lodge . After expatiating at length upon the object of their meeting , and upon matters interesting to Mark Masons , Bro . Binckes resumed his

seat , but rose again almost immediately to propose , by permission , the next toast , which they would readily anticipate . Grateful as he felt for the kind reception just accorded him , he should feel disappointed if the subject of the present toast did not receive an enthusiastic welcome , however imperfectly lie might acquit himself in commending it to their notice . In Bro . Beach , their present AA ' . M ., he honestly believed ivere

united all the qualifications requisite for the satisfactory performance of the duties of the office to which he hacl been nominated . In this country Bro . Beach was extensively known as a most zealous and accomplished Mason—nowhere , perhaps ,

better known or more appreciated than in that and neighbouring counties . In a distant land , too , his name was honoured as a worthy , though unofficial , representative of English Masonry . He was confident that no more sure guarantee could be found for the prosperity and efficiency of the University Lodge of Mark Masters than that its destinies were entrusted to the care of Bro . Beach . He felt that the graces of oratory were not needed to induce such a welcome as he wished to the

name of one so universally respected , believing that its mere mention would be sufficient to ensure their rapturous applause . He proposed to them "The Health of their first AV . M ., Bro . Beach . " Bro . BEACH , who on rising received a most hearty demonstration of merited favour , returned his best thanks for this most kind and flattering testimony of regard in a locality with which so many of his Masonic associations were entwined . He hailed

with great pleasure this establishment of a lodge connected with a branch of the Order , to the interests of which he was warmly devoted . Bro . Beach then detailed the circumstances under which the present JIark Grand Lodge was established , arising out of tho failure of the attempt made some few years since to induce the United Grancl Lodge of England to recognise the degree , ancl communicated his own experience of the estimation

in which the Mark degree was held in other countries , concluding an elegant address by urging the members present , to use their best exertions in developing the prosperity of the body to which they hacl just united themselves . —To the toast "The Officers ofthe Lodge , " the Rev . G . R . PORTAE , S . W ., responded , reminding his brother officers of the importance of speedily accpiiring a knowledge of their duties , and of the responsibilities

they had all undertaken . For his part it was his full determination to do everything in his power to assist their AV . M ., in perfecting the work they had so auspiciously commenced . The remaining toasts were proposed , separate and special mention being accorded to Bro . AV . Thompson , by Bro . Dalbin , in a speech replete with the kindest and most thoroughly deserved complimentsfor his exertions in connection with the establishment of

, the Lodge , and with grateful acknowledgment of his indefatigable labours for tho goocl of Freemasonry generally , and in promoting tho comfort and happiness of all with whom ho is associated in his various spheres of usefulness , to which Bro . Thompson replied by stating the unalloyed pleasure he always