Metropolitan.

who ivere more willing to sacrifice their time than they were to learn . In reply to the health of Bro . P . M . AVatson , he gave the brethren a beautiful description of Masonry from its earliest period to the present time , for which every brother appeared highly delighted . — " The Health of the Officers" having been given , Bro . Rowley replied , expressing himself in a very feeling manner , urging bis fellow-officers to fit themselves in every way to fill tbe Master ' s chair , ancl in such a manner as would bring success

to the lodge . — " The W . M . Elect" was proposed and responded to in a very nice speech . —The lodge was then called on , ancl closed in due form and solemn prayer , every one appearing delig hted with the happy evening they hacl spent in Masonry .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

DEVONSHIRE . PLYMOUTH . —St . John's Lodge ( No . 83 ) . —This lodge held its usual monthly meeting at tbe St . John ' s Masonic Hall , Courtenaystreet , on Tuesday , the 2 nd inst . Amongst the members we noticed Bros . F . P . Holmes , W . M . ; Harfoot , S . AV . ; Dupre , P . M . ; Ash , P . M ., P . Prov . G . A . D . C . ; Gover , P . M ., Prov . G . S . ; Maynard , P . M ., P . Prov . G . Treas . ; Thomas , P . M ., P . Prov . G . Supt . of AVorks ; BrewerP . M . Sec . ; FinemoreS . D . ; TarrattJ . D . ; HawkeS . ;

, , , , Dyer , Hooper , Condy , Avery , Martin , O'Dogherty , with several visiting brethren from Lodges 8 , 182 , 238 , & c . The minutes having been confirmed , the lodge was passed to the second degree , when Bro . O'Dogherty was examined , and having been found proficient therein , the lodge was raised to the third degree , and he was admitted to the mysteries restricted to this sublime ancl solemn rite . Having resumed the first degree , Messrs . Fey ancl Matthews , who

had been elected unanimously , were duly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Masonry . We have pleasure in recording how well these ceremonies were conducted by tbe Worshipful Bro . Holmes and his assistants ; evidently their hearts are enlisted in the service , and where this is the case , good working cannot fail to follow . The brethren were afterwards employed in the work of charity , and some routine business having been disposed of , tbe lodge was finally closed with solemn and accustomed prayer . Having adjourned to

refreshment , " The Queen , " " The M . AV . G . M ., " " The R . W . Prov . G . M ., " and " The R . W . D . Prov . G . M . " were duly honoured . —Bro . Thomas , P . M ., P . Prov . G . Supt . of AA'orks , proposed , in a short but effective speech , " The Health of the AV . M . Bro . Holmes . "—The AV . M . returned thanks , and said , he always had endeavoured first to know his duty , ancl then to carry it out efficiently . His energies bad been and woulcl be devoted to the best interests of the lodge , and whilst he thus strove , for their mutual benefit , to do his utmost , ancl could

command such valuable assistance from his officers , such courtesy and kindly feeling from bis brethren , he did not think he should fail . —Bro . GOVER , P . M ., proposed the healths of two brethren , whose Masonic careers might be measured by minutes— " The

newlyinitiated Candidates . " He was perfectly satisfied that tbey were good men , ancl trusted therefore they woulcl become good Masons . He would remind tbem that they had as yet seen or heard very little of the beauties of the Order , but which they would have many opportunities of learning , and they would best consult their own interests by studying deeply the important truths of Masonrybearing always in mind that tbe ceremonies and symbols used therein , beautiful as they are , were after all but the key to a

knowledge far more important . They had taken a step that evening which , for weal or woe , must make an impression on the future course of their existence . If they were actuated by a true ancl sincere desire to improve themselves , to benefit their fellow man , to live as they were taught in that volume which is never closed in a Masons' lodge , then Masonry woulcl be for them a great fact . But if they were influenced by unworthy motives , such as social enjoyments , or an idea that tbeir business pursuits woulcl be

benefited thereby , then Masonry would be for them a sham , a delusion , ancl a snare . He trusted that they did and always would appreciate the dignity and high importance of the institution , ancl was very sure that the more they saw of it the better they would like it . —Bro . MATTHEWS thanked tbe brethren for the honour they hacl done him . He was highly gratified at what he had seen and heard , and ivould do everything in his power to acquire Masonic knowledge , ancl endeavour so to act that they might never regret

admitting him . —Bro . FEY was very much pleased with the Order . It would be bis study to live according to its precepts , ancl he also thanked the lodge for receiving him amongst them . —Bro . ASH , P . M ., P . Prov . G . A . D . C , proposed "The Healths of the S . AV Bro . Harford and Bro . Phillips , J . W . —The W . M . proposed " The Visitors ; " the lodge ivere never happier than when there were many , and he trusted they hacl been sufficiently pleased to come again , and come often . —Bro . WATTS ancl BMMETT responded . — Bro . GOVER proposed "The Healths of Bros . Maynard , P . M . ; and Ash , P . M . " The lodge owed a great deal to these brethren ; in fact

their present success , their present comfort , might be mainly attributed t" their exertions . He was very sure the brethren woulcl be only too gratified to join him in this marl : of respect to two brethren , who had clone so much , ancl had deserved so well . — Bro . MAYNARD , P . M ., P . Prov . G . T ., returned thanks for the honour ; he was always happy when he could be cf service , ancl was glad the brethren were pleased with what he had been enabled to do . —Bro . ASHP . M . P . Prov . G . A . D . Calso thanked

, , , tbe brethren , and assured tbem that his bad always been pleasurable duties , performed for this , his mother lodge for a long series of years . —The health of Bro . Hawke , ancl the best thanks of the lodge , for a very handsome ancl unexpected present , followed , ivhich was suitably acknowledged by Bro . Hawke . The sympathetic toast closed the proceedings of a very pleasant meeting .

DURHAM . GATESHE . AD . —Lodge of Industry ( No . 56 ) . —Monday , March 25 , being the clay for installing tbe new AV . M ., the lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . John Dobson , and his officers . After theminutes had been confirmed , the AV . M . elect , Bro . AVm . Bryden , S . AV ., was presented by P . M . Jno . Dobson and P . M . A . Gillespie to Bro . C . J . Banister , P . M . 56 , ancl P . Prov . G . S . D ., who performed the ceremony of installation in his usual earnest manner ; after which the

following officers were invested ; Bros . R . J . Banning , M . D ., S . W . ; J . Ward , J . AV . ; P . P . Ionn , Treas . ; J . Heaward , Sec ; Temperly , S . D . ; Bagnall , J . D . ; Buckhan , I . G . ; A . Dixon , Tyler . Four proposals for candidates were received , the lodge was closed , ancl the brethren adjourned te the banquet , which was most excellent . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given by the AA . M ., and responded to in true Masonic style , and the brethren separated at ten o ' clock .

HAMPSHIRE . WINCHESTER . — Lodge of ( Economy ( No . 90 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge took place on tbe 27 th ult ., at the Masonic Rooms , adjoining the Black Swan Hotel . There was a good attendance , tbe following brethren being present : —Bro . J . L . Halesliam , AV . M . ; Bros . A . Smith and H . Huggins , S . AV . ancl J . W . ; Bros . P . Ms . La Croix , Durant , Sherry , Naish , Everitt , Jacob , Biggs , Russ ; and Bros . Adamson , Mundy , Higgs , Sheppard , Butcher ,

AVaterman , and E . Carter . Bro . E . Carter , F . C , was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason , the ceremony being most correctly worked by the AA . M . Some correspondence from Manchester and London , the latter through Bro . F . Binckes , was read , treating on benevolent objects , ancl the necessary business thereon transacted . —The W . M . then introduced his motion ( according to notice ) for establishing a permanent Fund of Benevolence in connection with Lodge No . 90 , for the benefit of members , their widows , and

orphans ; ancl submitted a series of rules and regulations for the management of the same . The W . M . only intended this as a preliminary introduction of tbe subject , as he wished the brethren to peruse the suggested rules and regulations , and express then ? opinions thereon at a future meeting . It was resolved that copies of the proposed rules should be printed for circulation among the members , and tbe matter was then adjourned . —AVhile on tbe subject of charity , Bro . C SHERRY , P . M ., introducedamatter Apropos . He communicated to the Iodge that , upon readingthereport ofthe Grancl Lodge Meetinsin the FREEMASONS MAGAZINE ofthe 9 th March , he

much regretted that the highly-esteemed ancl deservedly-respected M . W . G . M . had expressed a wish , while speaking of the motion proposed by Bro . Smith , P . G . P ., for voting from the Fund of Benevolence ( which had now reached to no less a sum than £ 20 , 000 ) , £ -1000 , to be equally divided between the Masonic Charitable Institutions . The M . W . G . M . hacl said " he hoped Grand Lodge would negative the motion by a large majority , " on the ground that he believed it woulcl be throwing cold water on the

spontaneous efforts of the brethren . Now , looking at the assembly as a legislative body , and the M . AV . sitting on the throne as President , he ( Bro . Sherry ) thought it woulcl have been better if the matter hacl been fully discussed , and Grand Lodge hacl divided without so strongly expressed an opinion from the chair . He differed very much with bis lordship in the view be hacl taken of the matter . He believed , although the committees hacl not asked for it ,,

the charities required the money ; and he believed that if Grancl Lodge had been so liberal as to have voted it , they would have found the Masonic body generally more energetic , and more liberal in their contributions , and that the charities woulcl be raised to a far higher standing . Bro . Symonds remarked he was strongly opposed to the motion , as it was ill-timed ; the charities had not asked for it , as they hacl entered upon a career of unexampled prosperity . " He ( Bi-o . Sherry ) thought a spontaneous vote of £ 4000

could not have been ill-timed , especially when there were ample means now at Grand Lodge ' s disposal to free the lists of candidates for the charities , and make their unexampled prosperity still more prosperous . 'The Benevolent Fund hacl increased on an average