Metropolitan.

Bro . Harris trusted thafc the brethren would more generally than had hitherto been done , visit our different charitable institutions as he felt assured they would thereby be induced to take an increased interest in their prosperity . Bro .. Harris concluded his remarks by proposing , with the consent of the AV . M ., the toast of "The Healths of Bros . Binckes , Patten , and Farnfielc 1 , the Secretaries of our three great Charities , " and in doing

so he passed a very high eulogium upon the zeal aud energy which distinguished Bro . Binckes ancl the Secretaries of the other two charities , in all appertaining to the welfare of the respective institutions which they represented . Tho W . Master then proposed in very suitable terms , the toast of the press of the Craft . " The FBEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIKEOE , " coupling therewith the health - of Bro . James Stevensonthe representative of the MAGAZINE

, , Avhom the W . M . was glad to see amongst them this evening . Bro . Barnes pointed out to the brethren the importance to the Craffc of being thoroughly represented by an organ devoted as is this journal to the interests of the Order . The toast having been most cordially received—Bro . Stevenson briefly returned thanks in acknowledgment of the compliment Avhich had just been paid , through him , to the journal which he had the honour to representand he could

, assure the brethren that so long as he AVUS connected with tho FEEEAIASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEEOE , no pains should be spared to render ifc worthy of the increasing support of the Craft , and that ifc should remain , the firm unflinching exponent of the interests of the Order , and the faithful MIKEOE of its proceedings . Bro . Stevenson regretted the hour Avas too far advanced to permit of his saying Avhat he coulcl have wished in reference to the

important bearing of Lodges of Instruction upon all appertaining to fche prosperity of the Order . He proceeded to make a few remarks upon the subject , and , in alluding to the recent circular issued by the M . W . the Grand Master , as to the exercise of caution in the selection of candidates for initiation , he showed how necessarv ifc ivas that brethren should , bv a regular

attendanceataLodgeof Instruction , become fully conversant Avith the truths of Freemasonry , so as fco enable fcliem to become fully competent to judge of a friend ' s adaptability or Avorfchiness to be introduced into our Order . Aud , moreover , many dormant brethren might probably be now active members of the Order if they hacl had the opportunities of instruction afforded them ; that they might become conversant with the real truths ancl teachings of Freemasonry , so as to attach them more strongly

to the Order , they required " more light , " and lodges of instruction formed tho desideratum . Bro . Saqui then proposed in justly deserved eulogistic terms , the toast of " The Health of the Worshipful Master , Bro . Barnes , senior , " and in doing so , paid a Avell merited tribute to the many excellent qualities which distinguished their esteemed W . M ., and which pre-eminently entitled him to be worthy of the appellation of Freemason . The toast having been most warml

y received , Bro . Barnes responded iu his usual terse manner , and assured the brethren if , as Brc . Saqui hacl jnsfc stated , the brethren considered that he—Bro . Barnes—had rendered them services by instruction in Freemasonry , he coulcl only say that ifc always afforded Bro . Barnes much pleasure to give this instruction upon every occasion possible . The W . MASTEU then proposed " The Health of the esteemed and ever attentive hostBro . Seurr , " coupling with the toast

, " The Health of ' Sister' Seurr , " and in very appropriate terms alluded fco the handsome manner in which , through the combined exertions of their worthy host and hostess , every provision hacl been made for the comfort and enjoyment of the brethren . Tlie toast having been most enthusiastically received , Bro . SCUER responded briefly in acknowledgment of the compliment paid bthe W . M . He assured the brethren that

y he took ifc as a . great kindness and compliment on their part , to find the humble exertions of himself ancl Mrs . Seurr so well appreciated . It would be his constant aim to continue to prove worthy of that approval . The customary Tyler ' s toast brought tho proceedings of this happy meeting to a timely close .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

CUMBERLAND . CAEEISLE . — Union Lodge ( No . 310 ) . —On Tuesday , the 30 th ult ., the regular monthly meeting Avas held in the Freemasons '

Hall , the Eev . Bro . W . Cockett , W . M ., P . Prov . G . Chap , in the chair of K . S ., supported by Bro . G . G . Hayward , S . W . ; J . Slack , J . W . ; G . T . Clark , Sec . ; W . H . Pulford , S . D . ; G . Turnbull , J . D . ; A . Woodhouse , I . G . ; G . Somerville , Steward ; J . Barnes , Tyler ; J . Sherrington , P . M . ; R . S . Dixon , J . Atkinson , W . Court , M . Fisher , J . Rodney , J . Gibson , and R . M . Hill , No . 412 , visiting brother . The lodge Avas opened with solemn prayer . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The

ballot was taken for Mr . Morley , the city surveyor , which ended in his favour , Bro . R . Metealf AVUS tested as to his proficiency to pass to the second degree , by Bro . F . W . Hayward , P . M ., Dir . of Cers ., Prov . G . S . W ., and ivas intrusted and retired . The lodge was then opened in the second and third degrees , for the purpose of obligating Bro . T . Coekbain , 26 , S . C , who is a joining member to this lod under the English Constitution .

ge , The lodge being closed fco P . O ., Bro . Metealf ivas admitted in . clue form and passed , by Bro . G . G . Hayward , S . W ., the W . M . read a letter in the E . A . degree , from AVhitehaven Lodge , No , 872 , notifying the death and interment of Bro . Thompson , M . D . Prov . G . Treas . of Cumberland and Westmoreland ; also a letter ivas read by Bro . A . Woodhouse , from a friend and brother Mason , that a man representing himself as a Junior SteAvard

and P . M . of the Longtown Loclge , No . 412 , did apply for and obtain relief ( so he saicl afc a loclge at Keighly , somewhere in Yorkshire ) . The brethren of thafc lodge called on him to open ancl close the lodge , ifc being lodge night ; ancl this he did ( he said ) to their satisfaction . Since being relieved afc Kirby Lonsdale , Bro . Woodhouse's friend , above referred fco , had Avritten to the Secretary of Loclge No . 412 , ivho replies that he must be an

impostor , as no one of thafc name is ou the list of members , — he is a weaver by trade , —and is making his Avay back to Longtown . The thanks of the meeting were given to Bro . A . Woodhouse and friend , for their timelv notice . The lodge Avas finally closed by Bro . Cockett , AV . M-, and the brethren retired to the refreshment room to spend an hour in toasts , speeches , and test questions in the second degree , for the benefit of Bro . Mefccalf . The brethren parted afc a convenient hour in harmony .

GLOUCESTERSHIRE . ROYAL LEBANON LODGE ( NO . 493 ) . The annual festival in connection with this Lodge , and the re-election of the WM . , Bro . Henry Jeffs , P . Prov ., G . S . B ., ancl P . G . Supt . of Works , took place afc the Spread Eagle Hotel ,, on Monday , the Sth inst . There Avas a large muster of the Craffc .

The lodge Avas opened at 5 . 30 p . m ., Avhen the W . M . Avas duly installed by Bros . Skinner and Brown , P . M . 's . The banquet which followed did credit to the hotel and catering of Mr . Ellis , and afforded general satisfaction to the brethren .

On tlie removal of the cloth , amongst the toasts proposed were , "The Queen and the Craffc , " "The Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master , Lord Sherborne , and his Deputy Bro . Newmarch , ancl Officers . " In proposing the toast of " The Grand Lodge of England , " the W . MASTEB complimented the province upon Sir Michael Hicks Beach occupying fche position of Senior Grand Warden ,, ivhose intellectuality and urbanitancl tbe interest he took in

y , Masonry , ifc Avas remarked , Avould render him very popular amongst the Craft . In introducing the toast of " The Queen and the Craft , " the W . M . said that , agreeably with the timehonoured custom , the leading toast at their tables of refreshment was expressive of loyalty to the throne and attachment to their Masonic institutions . Afc their previous annual meeting , in alluding to the allocution which had shortly before been

published by the Pope , in which Masons were stigmatized as disloyal to Princes , ho ( the W . M . ) , on behalf of the brotherhood in England , had denied tho imputation , and as far as his humble reach permitted , ho gathered a few flowers , interweaved them into a chaplet , ancl laid them upon the memorial erected to Masonic loyalty . To eulogise the virtues of Queen Victoria , Avas like an attempt

to gild refined gold . With the exception of Mary Avho to the cruelties perpetrated upon some of hor unfortunate subjects , added the disgrace of the loss of Calais , England had acquired high renown under her female sovereigns . Elizabeth shed lustre and glory upon the English name ' When threatened ivith Spanish invasion , Sir Francis Drake scoured the sea ancl made a clean sweep of the enemy ' s ships , ivhich culminated in tho defeat and destruction of the Spanish armada .