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will thank him for the honour and kindness he has done in presiding . Brethren , I most cordially and fraternally propose to you " The Health of our Noble Chairman , the Duke of Manchester , " ( Drunk with Masonic cheering , with one cheer more . ) Bro . the DUKE of MANCHESTER , who , on rising , was most warmly received , said , —Brethren , I am sincerely thankful to

you for the cordial manner in which you have received my health , and especially for that last cheer , which was given spontaneously , and without a leader . ( Hear , hear , and applause . ) Certainly it amply repays me for any little trouble it has given me , for the honour of presiding here has sufficiently repaid me . 1 trust I may on all occasions , when similar duties call me into

fellowship and association with my fellow countrymen , always equally deserve their good wishes . ( Hear , hear . ) I need not say that it is gratifying to any ono to earn the good feelings of his countrymen ; but it is especially gratifying for an English nobleman to see the hearty way in which he is received by his fellow subjects , and compare it with the feelings which I am

afraid do not exist in other countries . Wo are proud aud delighted , because wo arc fellow countrymen and fellow subjects in every sense of the word . AA e have no privileges for anyone to be jealous of , and I am sure all English noblemen are anxious to do their duty ( hear , hear , and applause ) , and legitimately and honourably to fill the position iu which birth has placed them ;

but whatever the circumstances , I am very grateful for the way in which you have received the toast of my health . ( Cheers . ) Bro . the Duke of MANCHESTER then rose and said , —Brethren , I have now to propose to you the toast of the evening , and I am sure , in tho presence of the hoys brought up in our Institution , it will require very few words from me in order to secure for the sentiment a cordial greeting ; for I am sure you all desire the prosperity of the Institution which has

now for some years nurtured and educated these youths . ( Hear , hear . ) I must say that the appearance of the boys does great credit to the Institution , and I trust that the interesting spectacle before you will alike open your hearts and your purses . ( Cheers . ) I am sorry to say that , personalty , I am unacquainted with the merits of your Institution , except from

beholding tho boys that are educated in it ; but I take leave to say that , from all I have seen and heard , it appears a most admirable ono . ( Applause . ) Tho system of education is evidently good , and I am glad to see that classics and mathematics are equally balanced , for I am one of thosa who think that , in some schools too great a preponderance is given to classics , for I

do not think that classics strengthen the mind to the same extent as mathematics . But I have , at the same time , no douufc that some minds are better qualified for classical tiiau mathematical learning , and , in such cases , the special qualities of the mind should be encouraged and promoted ; but still , for the general business of life , I should think mathematics

preferable to classics ., I confess that I know almost nothing of Roman history , and nothing of Latin , and , indeed , nothing of Greek cither , except what I may have learned during the last few years , and which I set about acquiring in order to enable me to read Homer iu the original text . ( Cheers and laughter . ) I did very well without such knowledge previously at the same

time a man cannot become a distinguished orator or writer except ho has become familiar with the great models of antiquity ; but unless a man wishes to follow literary pursuits or to tako a prominent position in the debates iu Parliament , the class of education I have ventured to indicate is , in my opinion , tho best ; and , therefore , any boy will find it more

to his advantage to have his mind strengthened by mathematical and geometrical studies . ( Hear , hear . ) I believe , and I daresay you are all better informed on the point than myself ,

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that the sum of £ 15 , 000 is required before the new building can be started , clear of debt . I have no doubt that it must be the wish of all Freemasons that the noble School for Boys should be free from debt . ( Loud cheers . ) This is , doubtless , one of the principal objects of the fraternity—one of the three principles you have in view in associating together ; and I

earnestly trust that by the exertions of the fraternity it will be freed from debt as soon as possible . ( Cheers . ) I am sure all must be anxious to do all in their power to assist in so worthy an object . Aud now , having seen the boys educated in the school , and having enjoyed , I hope , a very good dinner , and a pleasant evening , let me venture to make one suggestion , that

every one present should , on the spot , give the school , in addition to their subscriptions , half as much as the price of tho dinner ticket . Thatwould , Iapprehend , yield aboutfilOO additional to the Institution . ( Cheers . ) At any rate , whether you adopt my suggestion or not , permit me to ask you to drink " Prosperity to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . " The toast was very cordially received , and responded to with all the honours .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

Si-Eoxa MAN LODGE ( NO . 45 ) . —This ancient lodge held high holiday ou Thursday , the 2 nd inst ., at their usual place of meet- * ing , the Falcon Tavern , Fetter-lane . There was a large muster of the brethren and a numerous assemblage of visitors , amongst whom might be recognised some of the most distinguished members of the Craft . After raising to the sublime degree of M . M . Bros . Briant , Tunstill , and Alexander , the retiring Master , Bro . AA . Y . Laing , proceeded to iustal his successor , according to

ancient custom , into the chair of K . S . The newly-installed Master , Bro . J . E . Booser , next appointed , invested , and ably addressed his officers as to their various duties . His staff stands as follows : —IBros . F . Jacob , S . AA . ; II . Hales , J . AA . ; Campion , S . D . ; Vass , J . D . j T . Claisen , I . G . ; Bradley , Tyler . The Master commenced his year of office most felicitously . His first act was to initiate Mr . Ivoluistamm into the mysteries of Freemasonry , which he did most- ably . An excellent banquet , exquisite vocal displays , aud affectionate farewells closed a delightful gathering .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

DEVONSHIRE . MOIIICE Tows , DETONPORT . —Lodge SI . Aubi / n ( No . 95-4 ) . — EAIEROEN ' ' . — In pursuance of the desire of several brethren of the lodge , proposing candidates under the emergency clauses of the constitution , the AA . M . convened a lodge on Monday , the 27 th ult ., at seven p . m ., when , on approved ballot , three of the four candidates wero regularly introduced and initiated into the

mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry , requesting to be enrolled as members of tho lodge . The AV . M . passed two E . A . ' s to the second degree , aud having brought forward some matters of business , named on tho summons , which were discussed and disposed of , the lodge was closed with prayer . A large number of visiting brethren were present , and returned thanks for the reception they had met with at the hands of the brethren of 95 ' 1 .

LANCASHIRE (\ A EST ) . LANCASTER . —CONSECKATION OE THE ROWLEY LODOIE ( No . 1051 ) . This beautiful ceremony took place on Friday , the 3 rd inst ., under tho presidency of the V . W . Bro . Captain Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie , Prov . S . G . AA ., who had most kindly undertaken the dutiesin the unavoidable absence of the R . AA .

, the D . Prov . G . M ., Sir Thomas George Hesketh , Bart . For fifty-five years there has been but one Masonic lodge in Lancaster— -the Lodge of Fortitude , now No . 281 ; and of late years the roll of its members has been very lengthy , so lengthy that it seemed desirable to some of the brethren that some of the younger branches of this Masonic family should migrate ,