Metropolitan.

VICTOWA RIFLES' LODGE ( NO . 112-1 . ) COXSECP . ATIOS—On the first of this month the above lodge was formally opened at the Queen ' s Arms , Kilburn Gate . The business of the first meeting consisted in the consecration of thc lodge , and installation of the AV . M . by Bro . Stephen Barton AViison , P . G . D . After some accidental delay , Bro . S . B . AViison proceeded to consecrate the lodge , in Avhich he was assisted by Bio . Fenn , who performed the duties of Chaplain in a very efficient manner , and Bro . Matthew

Cooke , who undertook the musical portion of the ceremony , Bro . Watson acting as S . AV ., and Bro . G . Barrett , as J . AV . The petitioners named in the warrant , and who were present , were Bros . AAllliam Lewis Collins , AV . M elect ; Capt . John A . Campbell , S . W . elect ; Lieut . Booth Scott , J . AA . elect ; James Burton , Hon . Sec ; James A . Abbott ; Joseph Braithwaite ; and A . Crossly . There were several visitors present amongwhom may be mentioned Bros . AVilliam AVatson , G . Barrett , G . Lambert , Nutt , Croft , Fry ,

Fenn , and others . After the board of installed masters had placed the AV . M . in the chair of King Solomon , he invested the following brethren bis officers : —dipt . Campbell , S . AV . ; Lieut . Booth Scott , J . AV . ; — Croft , M . D . Treas . ; Burton , Hon . Sec ; Braithwaite , S . D . ; Abbott , J . D , ; Achilles , I . G . Seueral members of the corps Avere proposed as joining members , and there was a large list of candidates for initiation at the next meeting . The lodge having been closedthe brethren adjourned to the banquetafter which the

, , W . M . gave the first toast of the evening , that loyal demonstration of attachment to the sovereign that always meets a warm response amongst masons and no less so amongst the A ictoria Rifle brigade "whose very name was that of the august lady whose health he proposed , coupled with her loyal subjects , the Craft . The toast- was drank with enthusiasm and Bro . G . Lambert sang " God save the Queen , " capitally . The W . M . next gave the M . AV . G . M" . the Earl of Zetland , and said he had been so long absent from the Craft

that he quite forgot his Lordships qualifications and he regretted this was owing to himself . The toast of the D . G . M . Lord Panmure and the Past , and Present , GrandOfficers followed , coupled with the name of Bro . S . B . Wilson , whom the AV . M . had not known till that day , but from his readiness to assist them , as strangers , he regretted he had not made his acquaintance before . He was not given to flattery hut he must call Bro . AVdson both kind and amiable , feeling sure that he was both a good man , and a good Mason , and hoped to have the pleasure of his company for many years , for he felt that the lodge must last for a very many years , and be a bond of union in

the corps . Slight checks , such as they had experienced , were useful in making them all cautious , and in his own case he could but express his thanks to all for their ready aid . He acknowledged his deficiency in really knowing next to nothing of his duties , but promised to make himself as competent as he could , and he believed his brethren of the corps would take the will for the deed . Again , he would thank Bro . Wilson for his aid , and hoped to see him for many years , in which he was sure he should be backed by the lodge ,

who would show their appreciation of his kindness by drinking his health iu conjunction with the toast . Bro . S . B . Wilson said , a . ? a Past-Grand Officer , it gave him great pleasure to bo enabled to return thanks for so excellent a brother as Lord Panmure , and he had but one regret that it should fall to his lot to do so , for had their D . G . M . been present , he felt certain , well knowing his feeling towards everything military , that he would have been happy to have been amongst them . For b . isown partonly a portion of their AV . M . ' s

, enconiums were just , for he attended to do his duty , in which he always took a pride , and it was a proud occasion to be instrumental in adding one more lod ^ e to the roll of the Graud Lodge . He saw one before him who was also anxious to do the same , but as lie would have an opportunity of speaking for himself , lie ( Mr . AViison ) would not say all he could in his favour . On any , and every occasion , his assistance was theirs ; he was happy to render it , and always hoped to be ready aud at the service of the craft . Bro . S . B .

AViison , rose again and addressed the lodge , stating that he wished to propose the health of the AV . M ., and in so doing , he felt proud it had fallen to his lot . Although their W . M . knew " much less of his duties than he had anticipated , yet his abilities would soon carry him over that difficulty-, for however rusty he was at present , there could be no question that he would soon make an efficient member of the craft , and those that nominated him would have no cause to regret his appointment , but feel gratified they had been enabled to

place him in that onerous position . The name of the lodge was a sufficient guarantee that all would be well . The Alctoria Rifles ranked A . I ., and their AV . M . was not the least distinguished in that corps . And as they ranked in patriotism , so he hoped they would rank masonically and become second to no lodge in the universe . Wishing the AV . M . long life and prosperity , he called on every hrothcr to do honour to the toast in a bumper . —The AV . M . returned thanks very sincerely for the kind way in which his health had been received . Bro . S . B . AViison had spoken very properly , aud given him good advice . AA'hen first he was asked to become their AV . M . he objected , as he had but little time to make himself efficient , and

his cmef aim was to make himself a thorough officer of tiie victoria Rifle Corps . However , they wished to have one of the officers for their first AA . M ., and as he was already a mason of some standing , he c-juld not very readily back out . If he could find time , lie would do his best to become efficient , and with gratitude for their kindness , and a hope that they Avould overlook his imperfections , he resumed his seat . The AA . M . said there were always tiro toasts of importance at meeting of

Masonsevery ' ' The Alsitors and Initiates . " They had the first but not the second there that evening , and , what was more pleasing , they were numerous . Bro . AA . AVatson was a first-rate Mason , and the AV . M . had known him from Queen Anne ' s time , or some antedeluvian period . Dr . Croft was also well known ; Bro . Lambert at all times ready to tell what he knew , and afford every assistance ; Bros . Nutt and Barrett both well known and estimable brethren .

Bro . Fenn was a stranger to him , but he had done his portion of the ceremony so properly that he ( the AA . M . ) had enquired if he was a cleric ? for no clergyman could have done it better , and he must say that never , for his own part , during the seventeen years lie had been a Mason , had he thought so well of Masonry as during Bro . Fenn ' s address . Bro . Barrett had been known to him a long time , indeed ever since he went and kicked up a row in the Bon Accord Lodge . ( Laughter . ) He did not know he could say more , and so

would couple with the health of the visitors Bro . AVatson and Fenn's names . —Bro . AA ' ATSO >" , on behalf of all the visitors , was much pleased with the hospitality the lodge had shown them . The South Middlesex had set the example of having a lodge attached to its corps , and he thought it one of the best movements that had been macle for a long time . The volunteers were an honour and service to the country ; and , if anything could further add to their union , it was to find comrades and brothers in their corps . He

felt sure the Aletoria Pities Lodge must prosper , and , in the name of the visitors , wished it every prosperity . —Bro . FEIST . " said he felt called upon to confess he did not please himself in his part of the ceremony , but it was only due to Bro . S . B . AAllson to say that he ( Bro . Fenn ) was indebted to him alone for the words they so much admired , they were Bro . S . B . AAllson ' s own , and he ought to reap the credit . —The AV . M . then proposed " The Health of the S . W . Captain Campbell , " late of the 1 st Royals , and now of the Alctoria Rifles , in both of which he was held in the most deserved esteem , as he was a universal favourite , and would , no doubt , prove the same in the lodge . He had been very anxiovs to establish it , and

had attended the preliminary meetings at great self denial ; and , as a personal friend of the AV . M . ' s and most of the members , as Avell as their first S . AA ., bis health was proposed by the W . M ., and warmly received by the brethren . —Captain CAAIFBEM , , S . W ., did not know what he was to say , after such praise . He owed his position to the AA . M . and JAA ., and was very rusty , for he belonged to a lodge when in the 1 st Royals , which lodge had been shut up by an old general when they were quartered in

Cork , anil , if it had bean at work , why he might have been more efficient , but he felt prouder to be in the Alctoria Rifle Lodge , aud much more so at being in the corps than in . any regiment in the service . He had but to assure them the compliments paid him were quite unmerited , but he should study to deserve some portion , in future , by doing his best to work well . —The AA \ M . said he liked to praise talent where it was exhibited . Bro . Scottthe JAVwas indefatigable in all he

under-, .., took , he hunted up the Masons , and kept all going . He was a punctual man , and that was of great service . Indeed , the AA ' . M . could not say what he was not—and , to be brief , summed it up as the Rifles knew him , the Masons respected him , and their A-isitors , when they came to know more of him , must appreciate him . After which the AA . M . gave the health of the J . AV . Bro . Scott . —The J . A \\ , Bro . SCOTT , said he was anxious to see that brethren in arms were also brothers in Freemasonry . He felt

great satisfaction at seeing the lodge started , and believed it would , in course of time , rank as one of the best in the metropolis . —The AV . M . had one more toast to propose , which v . ss the health of Bro . George Lambert , who had taken a great deal of trouble on behalf of the lodge , and did many acts of kindness to ( the A \ . M ., ) he was considered a first-rate sort of Mason , and warmly esteemed as a friend and a Mason , ever ready to do a service , cheerful , and jolly . — Bro . LAAIUEUT , as a member of the Queen's corps , was very happy

to meet their companions of the Alctoria Rifles , more particularlyou that day . He knew the advantages of Freemasonry ; for , being blessed with a polyglot language , he had seen its spread on the Continent ; but , unfortunately , there it was mixed up with all sorts of wild dreams of liberty , and that was its ban amongst the welldisposed . To counteract this , he had endeavoured to establish a lodge in France , in which he had been successful , and also to establish a charity in connection with it ; and it was a strange liict , that through the Freemason ' s fund , the papal brigade had been relieved and assisted in returning home . He was much gratified at what he had witnessed that dav . He had a great respect for the movement