Metropolitan.

present . He only did what was still common in their colleges and guilds , for he feasted his brethren . Now , Bro . Watson , by the badge he wears , showed that he had feasted the brethren when he was admitted as a Grand Steward , a principle which had come down to them from Elias Ashmole , and it had gone upwards as far as Antrasian , who was one of the rulers in the land of Ham . He was not there to tell every well-read Mason what he should do , but he hoped the lodge would not be content

with the husks and shells of their ceremonies , and that every man who had a desire for knowledge would act as Longfellow had put it in verse , which was " Excelsior . " They had taken that title , and they were bound to follow it up in their living , and go even beyond it . TheW . Master then proposed "Tbe Health of Bro . Thompson , " and alluded to his connection with the press . Bro . ThompsonP . M . 177 returned thanks for the cordial way

, , in which his health had been drank , considering it to be a great honour to have it associated with the press , with which he had been connected for many years . The press was at all times a powerful instrument , hut its influence was very rarely ever employed except in promoting the welfare and happiness of mankind . The Tyler ' s toast was then given , and a truly interesting meeting was brougnt to a close .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) . LANCASTER . — Rowley Lodge ( No . 1 , 051 ) . — The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Monday evening , the 6 th inst ., at tbe Masonic Rooms , Athenamm , Lancaster . There were present : Bro . Dr . Moore , W . M ., in the chair of K . S . ; Bros . Hall , I . P . M . ; Mason , S . W . ; Hall , J . W . ; Dr . Mercer , S . D . ; Bagnallas J . D . ; W . BarkerTreas .-Howitt and PaleyFC

, , , , .. Visitors : Bro . Busher , P . M . 129 , G . Sword Bearer of England , & c , & c . ; Bro . Mott , P . M ., Prov . G . Sword Bearer for West Lancashire ; Bro . J . Levison Douglas Stewart , of St . John's Lodge 252 , Scotland ; Bros . Nevatt , P . M . 281 ; Hatch , P . M . 281 ; Simpson , P . M . 281 ; Stanton , P . M . 281 ; Jesse Banning , 343 . Serving Bros . Taylor , Beeley , and Watson . The lodge was opened in due form , and the ordinary business having been

transacted , Bro . Paley , F . C , was raised to the degree of a M . M . in an able and impressive manner by Bro . Captain Mott , and the Master having resumed the chair , Bro . Ball , I . P . M ., proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . Mott for the very able manner in which he had undertaken the arduous duties of Master in conferring the degree that evening . This was seconded by Bro . Mason , S . W ., and earned unanimously . Bro . Mottin lthanked

, repy , the brethren for the resolution they had just passed , and stated that although he was always ready and willing to take his share in the duties of Freemasonry , that on tbe present occasion he had double pleasure in officiating from tbe great interest he took in the Rowley Lodge , at the consecration of which he had taken

part ; and he considered himself much indebted to the W . M . for his kindness in acceeding to his request , and allowing him to take possession of the chair on that evening in order to confer the third degree on one of the friends of his boyhood , and -whom he had not seen for many years . Tbe W . M . then stated to the brethren of the Rowley Lodge that they had the pleasure that evening of the company of a worthy and distinguished hrother of a neihbouring province who had just attained the

g high dignity of becoming an office bearer in the Grand Lodge of England . He , tbe W . M ., had the pleasure of being well acquaintedwith Bro . Busher , who was well-known in this and other provinces as a most able and persevering Mason , and one who had devoted considerable time and energy in the cause of Freemasonry , and especially in his support of the charities . He therefore had much leasure in asking the brethren to award

p a vote of congratulation to Bro . Busher on his being invested as G . Sword Bearer of England , than whom he knew of none more deserving the honour , and he trusted he might long continue to occupy a prominent position in the Grand Lodge of England . The resolution was seconded by Bro . Ball , I . P . M ., who also alluded to the zeal and ability displayed at all times by Bro . Busher in the service of the Craft . The vote having

iieen carried unanimously , was briefly acknowledged by Bro . Busher . The labours of the evening being ended , the lodge was closed according to ancient custom , and a few of the brethren afterwards accepted the hospitality of the W . M . in

Provincial.

adjourning to refreshment prepared for them at the house of Bro . Sly . On Thursday evening the brethren of the Rowley Lodge met as a lodge of instruction under tbe direction of the W . M . LEICESTERSHIRE . LEICESTER . —St . John's Lodge ( No . 279 ) . —A regular monthly

meeting of this lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday , the 1 st inst ., when , in the unavoidable absence of the W . M . in Lancashire , the chair was taken by Bro . Kelly , D . Prov . G . M . Among the brethren present were Bros . J . Adlard , S . W . ; W . Weare , P . M ., as J . W . ; C . Stretton , Sec ; E . Gosling , J . D . ; T . Thorpe , I . G . ; & c . The visitors present were Bros . L . L . Attwood , 141 , Illinois , America ; J . J . Fairfax

Scott , 1 , 007 , Loughborough ; Betbrey , Wardle , Tollax , Sergeant , Rowe , Atkins , Seulthorpe , Baines , and J . C . Clarke , 523 . The lodge having been opened in the first and second degrees , Bros . Burton and Checkland were called to the pedestal , and examined as candidates for the third degree , after which , having retired , a M . M . ' s lodge was opened , and they were duly raised . The lodge was then closed in the several degreesand the brethren

, adjourned to refreshment . The pleasure of this portion of the evening was greatly enhanced by the harmony contributed by several of the brethren , and especially by Bro . Attwood , of America . Bro . Scott also recited in admirable style Wolsey's speech to Cromwell— "Farewell ! a long farewell to all my greatness ! " The brethren separated at tbe usual hour , much gratified by tho proceedings of the evening .

MONMOUTHSHIRE . NEWPORT . —Silurian Lodge ( No . 471 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of the members of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Great Dock-street , on Wednesday , the 1 st inst ., at seven p . m . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last lodge and lodge of emergency having been read and confirmed , the following gentlemen wero balloted for aud admittedviz . Messrs . John Alfred HallFerdinand Fornacon ,

, , , and George Fothergill , and they will be initiatiated at the next lodge meeting . Bros . Scott , Rowe , and Phillips were then raised to the sublime degree of M . M . ' s , tbe ceremony being most ably performed by the W . M . The Secretary reported that the petition of Bro . Zouch , backed at the last meeting , had been presented to the Board of Benevolence , who had granted relief to the extent of £ 10 , and that Bro . R . B . Evans , P . M ., had collected

in Newport ( with the donation of £ 2 2 s- from this lodge ) , £ 5 , which had also been sent to Bro . Zouch , and a letter from Mrs . Zouch was read , thankfully acknowledging the same . The Secretary also reported that all the by-laws had been used , and a further supply of 100 copies was ordered to be printed . The librarian was directed to order , through Bro . Oliver , the FREE - MASONS' MAGAZINE , in monthly parts . Bro . Fox gave notice

that he would at the next meeting move that the sum of £ 10 be provided out of the funds of tbe lodge to purchase three P . M . 's jewels , to he presented to P . M . ' s Evans , Griffiths , and Hellyer , as a small acknowledgment of their very valuable services whilst presiding over this lodge . It was then proposed by Bro . Pickford , P . M ., seconded by the W . M ., and carried unanimously , that the cordial thanks of the brethren be given to Bro . Hellyer for the very great trouble taken by him in the purchase and erection of the organ , which having been suitably and feelingly acknowledged by that worthy brother , the lodge was closed in harmony at 9 . 25 p . m .

Channel Islands.

CHANNEL ISLANDS .

JERSEY . LODCIE LA CESAREE ( No . 590 ) . The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Temple on Thursday , the 25 th ult . The lodge was opened in due form by Bvo . H . L . Manuel , W . M ., supported by Bros . Jn . Oatley , S . W . ; Abr . Viel , J . W . j J . T . du Jardin , acting as I . P . M . ; A . SchmittP . M . Sec . ; N . Le Goupillot

, , , Treas . ; and about forty other brethren , including the members and visitors . The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed , the lodge was opened in the second degree . At the request of the W . M ., the chair was then taken by Bro . J . T . du Jardin , in order that he might confer the third degree on Bro . N . W . Moyse in English . The candidate , after