Metropolitan.

and Bro . J . B . Scott having answered the questions in a most satisfactory manner retired , when the lodge was opened in the third degree , and Bro . Seott was raised to the sublime degree of M . M ., the ceremony being performed by Bro . Kindred in a most impressive and efficient manner . The lodge was then resumed to the first degree . The minutes were read by the Secretary and confirmed , and the ballot taken for Mr . Manuel Garcia Martinez , C 7 E ., who was unanimously elected , and was

initiated into the Order by the W . M ., the ceremony being performed with great feeling and exactitude . Bro . Cousens then answered the usual questions entitling him to he passed to the second degree , ancl withdrew . The lodge was re-opened , and the brother passed to the degree of F . C . All business being ended , the lodge was closed at half-past eight . The brethren then partook of refreshments , aud after the usual toasts , the health of the visiting brethren was proposed bthe W . M . ancl

y , responded to by Bros . Thompson , P . Prov . S . G . W . for Yorkshire ; Boron , 993 ; Pozner-, 25 ; and Stevenson , 810 , in most appropriate speeches , each brother expressing his delight at the excellent working of the ceremonies , and the highly Masonic feeling exhibited by every member of the lodge . Some excellent songs were sung by Bros . Thompson , Scott , Stevens , Stride , StevensonGrayancl Kindredancl the masterlmanner

, , , y in which Bros . Stevens sang " The Slave Ship , " Scott , the " Maid of Athens , " and Stevenson "Auld Lang Syne , " called forth bursts oi applause ; also Bro . Stevens's recitation from Tom Hood , highly amused the brethren . The Tyler ' s toast being given , the brethren separated at eleven , after spending a most delightful evening .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

MONMOUTHSHIRE . NEWPORT . —Silurian Lodge of Instruction . —The brethren of this lodge met , on Tuesday , August 30 th , for the purpose of presenting Bro . Whitechurcli , P . M ., with a testimonial as an appreciation of the services he has rendered as M . C . The presentation took place at the King ' s Head Hotel , and a large number of brethren assembled to take a farewell of Bro .

Whiteehurch , who is about to leave this town for Southampton . Bro . B . B . Evans was unanimously voted to the chair , ancl in a neat speech presented Bro . Whiteehurch with a handsome P . M . ' s jewel and a massive silver teapot . Bro . Whiteehurch feelingly responded , and after several other toasts , and a very pleasant evening , the brethren separated .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

METROPOLITAN . SOUTHWARD LODGE ( NO . 11 , S . C . ) — This flourishing and prosperous lodge held its regular meeting on Monday , September 5 th , at Bro . C . A . Cathie's , Green Man Tavern , Tooley-street , Southwark . The lodge was opened by Bro . 0 . N . Levy , P . R . W . M . ( in the unavoidable absence of Bro . II . A . Collington , R . W . M . ) , who was assisted by Bros . A . D . Loewenstark ,

D . R . W . M . ; C . H . Murr , S . W . ; W . Y . Laing , J . W . ; F . Walters , See . ; B . Harris , R . of M . ; F . J . Lilley , S . D . ; G . Morris , J . D . ; A . Avery ; G . J . Love , C . A . Cathie , J . Avery , J . L . Vallentin , E . Smith , T . E . Tout , R . Welsford , J . Hawker , G . E . Lane , and many others . The only visitor was Bro . T . Moore . Bro . H . A . Collington , R . W . M ., then took the chair , and presided over the lodge for the remainder of the evening . Ballots were taken for the following brethren to be advanced into Mark

Masonry , and to become members of this lodge , viz ., for Bros . I * . E . Ebsworth , 73 , G . C . Fraser , 134 , Clements and G . Beckett , 619 , all of which were declared to be unanimous in favour of their admission . Bro . Julius ltosenstoek , I . G ., 871 , being the only candidate who presented himself for advancement , the R . W . M . Bro . H . A . Collington , in his usual superior manner , advanced him to the ancient ancl honourable degree of a Mark

Master Mason . This being the election night of officers for the ensuing year , a ballot was taken for R . W . M ., when the votes were declared to be in favour of Bro . C . H . Murr , S . W ., who , when the result was declared to him , in a fluent speech expressed his thanks for the honour conferred on him . A ballot was also taken for Treasurer , which proved in favour of the ¦ treasurer , Bro . W . Y . Laing , be being now for the third time successivel y elected to that distinguished position . Bro . W .

Mark Masonry.

" AlcTite __ . e was unanimously re-elected Tyler . It was proposed , seconded , and carried , that a life membership of any of the Masonic Charities be presented to Bro . H . A . Collington , R . W . M ., as a mark of respect and gratitude for the able ami efficient manner he presided over the lodge during his year of office . All business being ended , the lodge was closed . The brethren then partook of a cold collation . The usual loyal toasts were given ancl received , ancl some excellent songs and recitations brought this pleasant reunion to a close .

Ireland.

IRELAND .

GRAND LODGE . The Dublin TEveniny Mail says : " We are requested to state that the observations made by the Marquis of Donegall , at the Masonic assembly recently held at Belfast , in reference to the late riots there , have attracted the attention and drawn down the animadversion of the Grand Lodge of Ireland , as being altogether at variance with the fundamental rule of the Order , which specially prohibits the discussion of any matter of a

political or sectarian tendency at Masonic meetings . We trust this step will be followed by a grave caution against the introduction of reporters into such assemblies . " —[ We should rather think that the proceedings show the necessity of allowing reporters , always presuming that they are members of the Craft , being allowed to be present , in order to put a check on the violation of our rules . According to our Dublin contemporaryit would appear that it don't matter how far our laws are transgressed if we can only keep the fact from the public . We cannot agree to any snch proposition . —ED . F . M . ]

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JOHN RATCLIFF , KNIGHT . It is with great regret we have to accord the death of our esteemed Bro . Sir John Ratcliff , of Birmingham . Our deceased brother , though not a very active member of the Craft , had attained the eminence of P . M . in his mother lodge , the Faithful ( No . 473 ) , and was at the time of his death J . G . W . of England . Sir John was born at Birmingham in 1798

, ancl commenced business at a very early age , in which he was eminently successful . He was elected a commissioner under the Local Act for the Government of tbe town , thepowers of which were in force until 1851 . In 1852 , he was elected a member of the Birmingham Town Council , and was re-elected in the following November . He was subsequently elected to the honourable post of alderman of the borough of Birmingham ,

and in 1856 , he was elected mayor . During the first year of his mayoralty , he induced his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge , to visit Birmingham on June 1 st , 1857 , to assist in the inauguration of a piece of land , thirty acres in extent , presented by Lorcl Calthorpe , as a place of recreation for the inhabitants . Sir John was also instrumental in inducing the promoters of the National Association for Advancement of Social Science , to hold their first meeting in Birmingham . On that

occasion , Lord John P-ussell and Lord Stanley , were the guests of Sir J . Ratcliff . His liberality in entertaining not only the distinguished visitors on these occasions , but providing liberal repasts for the working classes of the town and his poorer brethren , rendered him exceedingly popular ; and at the end of his first year of office , he was unanimously re-elected mayor . On the 2 oth of January , 1858 , on the occasion of the marriage of the Princess Royal , he gave a banquet to one thousand of

the poor and aged of the town , and also feted the municipal authorities in celebration of the event . Another occurrence in the life of Sir J . Ratcliff of a very important character took place in this year . He took the initiatory steps in soliciting her Majesty to visit Birmingham and open the People ' s Park at Aston , which was performed in person on the 15 th of June . On that occasion the honour of knighthood was conferred upon Sir J . Ratcliffand her Majesty

, was graciously pleased to remark to him : " I am delighted with all the proceedings of the clay . It is the finest reception I have ever received . " In the evening of that day Sir John gave an elegant banquet to about 400 guests at the Town Hall , and the health of the newly made Knight was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm . The subject of this short sketch was taken suddenly ill about