The Lodge Of Benevolence.

initiated , and the other lodges , if any , which he may have since ioined . The applicant , unless disabled hy disease or accident , must sign his name to the petition . To every petition must be added a recommendation , signed in open lodgo by the Master , Wardens , and a majority of the

members then present , to which the petitioner does or did belong , or from some other contributing lodge , certifying , — according to the form given in the Pooh of Constitutions at pages 100 and 101 , —that they have known him to have been in reputable , or at least tolerable circumstances , and that he has been an actual contributing member of a lodge for the required

period , with such other observations as they may think proper ; and the Master or some member of the lodge ( except it be a country petition ) must visit the petitioner at his or her own residence , and afterwards attend the committee to speak to the truth of the statements set forth in the petition , and to certify that the signatures thereunto are genuine .

Petitions on behalf of the Widows or Children of Deceased Freemasons must be accompanied with the certificate of marriage and the Masonic Certificates of the deceased brother . Petitions on behalf of children only , must be made within two years of the death of the father . Petitions from brethren under tho Grand Lodges of Scotland

and Ireland , as well as Foreign Grand Lodges , must he recommended by some brother whose name is registered in the Books of the Grand Lodge of England , and be accompanied hy certificates from the respective Grand Lodges to which the petitioners belong , or other sufficient certificates and testimonials to the satisfaction of Lodge of Benevolence , and proof

of identity and distress . N . B . The meetings of the Lodge of Benevolence are held on the last AVeclnesday but one of every month , and xietitions must he sent in to the Grand Secretary , Freemasons Hall , London , AV . C , three clays at least previous to the meeting .

The Girls' School.

THE GIRLS' SCHOOL .

AA e have great pleasure in reminding the brethren that the annual Festival of this , the earliest of our Charities , will take place on AVeclnesday next , and that as arrangements arc heing made to increase tho number of children on the foundation from eighty to one hundred , more than usual support is required . AA e are requested to ask whether Grand Office has been

given to a Devonshire brother on account of the liberal support ivhich the province gives to the Charities , the whole amount of subscription to the Girls' School from the province , which contains twenty , six lodges amounting to SA 4 s . contributed bythree lodges ! 122 Lodge of Fortitude , Stonehouse 110 309 Lodge of True Love and Unity , Brixham 2 2 0 351 Bedford Lodge , Tavistock 110 No private subscriptions .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

EGVPIIAN LODGE ( No . 29 ) . —This lodge met at the George and Blue Boar , Holborn , on Thursday , the 1 st inst . Tho brethren present were Bros . C . B . Payne , W . M .,- M . Cooke , S . AV . ; D . H . Jacobs , J . AV . ; D . Berri , J . D . ; Tomlinson , I . G . ; R . P . Todd , P . M ., and Treas . ; I-I . G . Buss , V . U ., and See , ; Eves , P . M . ; Chidzey , P . M ., and several other members . The visitors were Bro . Chancellor , J . AV . No . 955 , and Bro . AValden , of No . 198 . The AV . M . initiated two gentlemen into the Order , performing the ceremony in an excellent manner . The brethren sat down to banquet , to the number of twenty-four , and the

Metropolitan.

usual loyal and Masonic toasts Avere drank and responded to with enthusiasm . The event of the evening was the presentation of a testimonial to Bro . Todd , P . M . and Treas ., being a massive goldhlbert chain with a gold medal attached . The W . M . in presenting the testimonial to Bro . Todd , observed upon his long and valuable services as Treasurer , and to his readiness at

all times to serve the lodge , and promote the objects of the Craft . He had already served the office of Steward to three Masonic charities , namely the Boy ' s School , tmd the Aged ancl Decayed Freemasons and their AA'idows , having acted as Steward for both branches of the latter , ancl doubtless he would yet make a complete round of those most excellent Masonic institutions . For a brother who had done so uracil , the lodge ought to do somethingancl he ( the AA ' . M . ) only regretted that the

, testimonial was not of greater intrinsic value , and that he was not possessed of talent and powers of eloquence sufficient to make it more acceptable . Bro . Todd Avas AV . M . of this lodge during the period of the Exhibition of 1851 , and it was a happy , though accidental coincidence that this testimonial should be made on the very day ofthe opening ofthe Great International Exhibition of 1882 . Bro . Todd returned his thanks in most appropriate termsstating his loA e and affection for Masonry

, , and that he ivas happy to say that the uhity of this lodge Avas such , that he could look upon every member as a friend , it gave him great pleasure to promote its interests and happiness , which he should always strive to continue . PYTHAGOREAN LODGE ( NO . 93 ) . —The last meeting for the season of this old and flourishing lodge took place on Monday , April 28 th at Bro . Moore's , Globe Tavern , Royal Hill , Greeu-Avich , Kent . Bro . J . C Peckham AV . M . presided over the lodge

and was Avell supported by Bros . Penny , P . M . Potter , P . M ., and Collington , P . M ., who acted as S . AV ., Tassell , P . M ., Hasler , J . W ., and the rest of the officers . The business of the evening was the initiation of a gentleman into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry . Bro . AA . Penny , the immediate P . M . performing the ceremony , in his well known beautiful and impressive manner . Bro . Collington acted as J . D . and Bro . Tassell , as S . W . during the ceremony which greatly contributed to increase the good effect ot this degree . The S . AV . and J . D . were both unavoidably absent ; apologies were read and accepted from them

respecting their absence . This was the first time we had the satisfaction of beholding' the new and renovated furniture of this lodge . AVe must confess it has far exceeded our most sanguine expectations . Every article now wears a new face . The three pedestals deserve especial notice—the W . M . 's is the original one , and tho AVardens are both new . They are white square Pedestals Avith mahogany tops , and each embellished ivith gold—the AV . M . 's having a deep border of gold , and the

appropriate emblems and No . 93 P . L . are inlaid in gold on each Pedestal . The cushion is made of a very superior crimson velvet with gold bindings and tassels . The Tracing boards are excellent and superior to any we have seen in this neighbourhood . In fact every article is now made perfect , and it would take too much space to notice the beauties of all the furniture , therefore we are content with this brief account of it . It is very gratifying to state that this renovation and addition

to the lodge furniture has been made entirely at the individual expense of the members of the lodge . Certainly St . George's Lodge , No . 104 . when under Bro . Collingwnod ' s rule sob the example to the Greenwich brethren of renovating lodge furniture , ancl the Pythagorean have nobly followed in their wake , and if possible exceeded their neighbours . Some of tho brethren were in hopes of hearing this lodge discuss the propriety of presenting a pattern to Grand Lodgeto enable them to have a

, centenary Jewel which they are entitled to , but Ave suppose in the press of business , this important matter was overlooked . The business being ended , the lodge was closed in due form . The brethren then sat down to an excellent banquet , replete ivith every comfort . The usual loyal and masonic toasts were afterwards given and . responded to . Amongst a very huge body of visitors we noticed Bros . Dr . Hinxman , P . M . Grand Stewards '

Lodge ; W . Scott , AV . M . 1173 and S . AV . 104 ; F . Duraut , P . M . 172 ; F . AValters , S . AA' " . 87 , Secretary 1173 and many others . ST . GEORGE ' S LODGE ( NO . IG 4 ) will hold a lodge of emergency on the third Wednesday of this month . TOAVER HAMLETS ENGINEERS' LODGE ( No . 1204 . )—The fourth meeting of this young lodge was held at the Ship and Turtle , Lcadenhall-street , on Monday , the 28 th ult ., at 3 P . M ., Avhen the AV . M ., Bro . Lieut . AVigginton , raised Lieuts . AV . J , Eraser , J . F . Brhr . es , and J . A . Coii ' ey , to the sublime degree of M . M . Each candidate ivas taken separately , and the whole