Metropolitan.

of the traditional history given in a masterly manner . It was finally decided that the lodge should meet on the fourth Monday in every month throughout the year , to get through the large amount of work that the W . M . had before him , there heing live raisings and three initiations for the next meeting in May ( this month ) . The members appeared in mourning for the S . D ., Bro . Alfred Richardson , M . D ., who died on the 14 th ult ., after a few clays illness from typhus fever , caught while in the

discharge of his professional duties . A resolution of condolence was framed , and ordered to be forwarded to the widow , with whom the brethren deeply sympathise in her melancholy bereavement ; the late brother being only 35 years old , and leaving six children . May the Father of the fatherless ever watch over and protect them . The AA . M . having invested Bro . J . AV . Tripe ( M . D . and Hon . Assist . Surg , to the Tower Hamlel Engineer Corps ) as Treasurer of the Lodge , it was closed

in due form , the next meeting being on the 26 th inst . The hrethren afterwards sat clown to a sumptuous banquet , the W . M . being supported by many others . Bro . Gregory , Junior Grand Deacon acted as the immediate P . M . After the customary loyal toasts and that of the M . AV . the the AV . M . gave that of the D . G . M . and the past and present Officers of the Grand Lodge , coupling with it the name of the Junior Deacon . He alluded more particularly to the' services Bro .

Gregory had rendered on the Board of General Purposes , in endeavouring to obtain fit ancl proper accommodation for the Masonic brethren , irrespective of the Tavern , whicli he considered should be a secondary consideration . He hoped that the Masonic body would be well provided for , properly housed , and that it would ultimately possess a Temple of wlr ch it might

well he proud . The toast and remarks Avere most warmly received by the brethren . Bio . Gregory , J . G . D ., in responding to the toast , alluded to the labours of the Board of General Purposes , and to the share he had taken in endeavouring to forward the views that had been expressed by the W . M . They had yet accomplished hut little , but he did hope that the stigma of being too careful of their pecuniary affairsof valuing income ( which they could dispense with ) above

Masonic dignity would soon be removed . He did hope that they would shortly he able to point with pride to a Masonic home where they could welcome , provincial brethren , and feel a pleasure in taking visitors hailing from foreign lodges . He fully shared in the feelings of the AV . M . upon this subject , but reminded the brethren that the matter was one which depended not solely upon the Board of General Purposes , but upon the decidedly expressed opinions , and united action in Grand Lodge

of the brethren generally , brought to bear through those members of lodges who were entitled to a voice in the House of Masonic Legislature . To them he looked for assistance in disposing of this question . Bro . Gregory concluded by proposing " The Health of the AA ' . M ., " eulogising his conduct in the chair of the lodge , and his proficiency in the Masonic working . Bro . Wigginton having briefly replied , proposed those who were initiated since the last banquet ; which was responded to b

y Serjeant C . Bond . The health of the officers was most cordially received , and acknowledged on their behalf by Bro . Gvumbridge , P . M ., the S . D . The evening was enlivened be several' songs , & c , sung by Bros . AVasskitt , Scotcher , Brinjes , & c , and the brethren separated at 10 o ' clock , according to a good and wholesome rule provided in their by-laws .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

STABILITY LODGE ( NO . 264 . ) 'The forty-fifth anniversary of this excellent Lodgo of Instruction ivas held at Radley ' s Hotel , Bridge-street , Blackfriars , on Friday the 2 nd inst ., Bro . Mnggeridge , P . AI . 227 , presiding , supported by Bros . Havers , J . G . D . ; Mclntire , G . Beg . ; Boxburgh , P . G . Beg . ; Clarke , G . Sec . ; Evans , G . D . ; AVilson , P . G . D . ; Potter , P . G . D . ; Patten , P . G . D . ; Woods ,

G . D . C ; Jennings , P . G . D . C ; Symonds , P . G . D . C ; Le A eau , P . G . S . B . ; Daukes , G . Supt . of Works , and nearly 200 other brethren . The lodge having been opened , the lecture of the third degree was beautifully Avorked in sections by the following brethren , viz .: — 1 st Sec . Bro . Samuel G . Myers , P . M . 1017 2 nd „ ,, George Presant , J . AA . 264 : 3 rd „ „ : AV . Bowles Packwood 680

Instruction.

After which the lodge board of the first degree was excel , lently explained by Bro . Alfred Pratt . P . M . 22 . At the conclusion of the Avorking , Bro . Mnggeridge resigned the chair to Bro . Havers , J . G . AA ' ., when , Bro . MCINTYRE , G . Beg ., moved a vote of thanks to the brethren who had performed the work of that evening , including Bro . Mnggerid the preceptor of the lodge . He had never

ge , heard any portion of Masonry more beautifully worked , not onhy for precision of language , but excellence of intonation , reflecting alike credit on the preceptor and his pupils . Bro . EVANS , G . D ., seconded tbe resolution , the working being most perfect . He had ivatched with pleasure the progress of this lodge of instruction for thirty years , during which he had been a memberand could truly say ho had never heard any

, portion of the lectures more beautifully worked than on that evening , whilst the description of the tracing-board by Bro . Pratt shoAved him to be a thorough master of his work . Bvo . S . B . AA ' iLSON , P . G . D ., as a member of the lodge of twenty-eight years standing , and intimately connected ivith another lodge of instruction , also bore testimony to the beauty and excellence of the work .

The AV . M . hacl great pleasure iv \ putting the resolution , feehng assured that if Bros . Evans and A vilson did not know what good work was , nobody did . The resolution was carried by acclamation . £ 5 5 s . were then voted from the funds of the lodge in aid of the Girl's School ; £ 5 5 s . to the Boy's School ; and £ 5 to the AVidows' Fund of the Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Masons and their AVidows .

The following brethren were next elected joining members of the lodge , A . AVood , G . D . C ; Samuel Daukes , G . Supt . of AVorks ; Rev . J . AV . Laughlin , 201 ; Young , 72 ; Marrinor , 15 ; Betchie , 57 ; Newbon , 54 ; AA'illiams , 733 ; Binckes , 10 ; Hoby , 23 ; , Elgee , 54 ; Eshav , 78 ; Hudson , 3 ; 'Ford , 64 ; and O'Connor , 202 . The lodge having been closed , the majority of the brethren present adjourned to

THE BA - SQTJBT over which Bro . Havers presided . On the removal of the cloth , The AV . M . said that their first duty ivas to show their loyalty to their sovereign , by drinking to her health , and the toast presented peculiar claims upon them at that moment , when the sovereign was in mourning ivndaffliction . AVhen they mettwelve months since Her Majesty was mourning for the death of her mother , since which she had suffered a greater affliction , which

had shown how deeply , she possessed the affections of her people , for as they had shared in her joys so they deeply sympathised with her in aflliction . Loyalty was one of the peculiar characteristics of Freemasonry , and he called upon them to drink to " The Queen and the Craft . " The W . M . said that having drank to the sovereign of Great Britain , they had now as Masons to drink to the sovereign of their orderwho was beloved and respected by all its members .

, The noble Earl had long taken aw active part in the proceedings ofthe Order , having been succesively Grand AA arden , D . Grand Master , and Pro-Grand Master , and he had lately been re-elected and installed for the eighteenth time as Grand Master . During the time the noble Eurl had presided over the Craft , Freemasonry

had made enormous strides , both in numbers and importance . He would not say that Avas all due to the G . M ., hut it could not be denied that it had been a great advantage to the Craft to be presided over by so straightforward and right-minded a nobleman as the Earl of Zetland . ( Cheers . ) He did not wish to disparage others but he did not believe they could have selected in the whole peerage a nobleman more eminently fitted by his talents and courtesy than theEarl of Zetland for Grand Master .

( Cheers . ) He asked them to drink the health of the noble Earl , trusting he might long be spared to preside over them and participate in the deliberations of Grand Lodge . ( Cheers . ) The AV . M . said he believed it was not the first time that the remark had been made that a good master was of little use Avithout good officers . ( Laughter . ) Adopting it , however , as though it wore oriinal he would to them the " Health

g propose of the D . G . M . and the rest of the Grand Officers . Being one of the both- himself ; he did not ivish to descant at any length on the merits of the Grand Officers . " The D . G . M . assumed office under peculiarly difficult circumstances , for they could not forget the great interest which the Earl of Yarborough had ever displayed iu the prosperity of the Craft and of its charitable