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the principal signatures being sure warranty for a grant of the parchment ) are as follows : —Bros . Donaldson , AV . M . ; Farr , S . W . ; Daly , J . AV . ; Smith , S . D . ; Coates , J . D .: Farnham , Chaplain ; Hooper , Treas . ; Dato , Sec . It was resolved , very prudently we think , to give the lodge ' s advent some eclat by arranging a banquet . This banquet , the subject of our remarks , came off on the evening of Monday , December 1 st , the Anniversary of St . Andrew falling on the Sunday .

Principal among the guests ( all Masons ) being ( one highly respected by brethren in the East ) , Uro . Rawson , P . Prov . G . M . for China ; Bros . Col . Yonge , of H . M ' s . 67 th Regiment ; Underwood , W . M . of the Northern Lodge China ; Lourciro , AV . M . elect of the Royal Sussex ; and Gould , P . M . The feast was held in the New Hall , formerly the site of Miller ' s Hotel . " The hall was most tastefully decorated with the flags of all nations , those of EnglandFranceand America being the most

con-, , spicuous . The tables were beautifully decorated with pyramids of sugar works wreathed with artificial flowers , patasserie of the most delicate description , plate glass , & c . On entering it was quite a fairy scene , and was much admired , as reflecting great credit on the efforts of the Stewards , who must indeed have spared no pains . The band of H . M . 67 th Regiment was by the kind permission of Colonel Yonge and Officers ( ever ready to oblige ) present , and formed a very prominent and

pleasing feature during the evening . The band having announced dinner to the good old tune of the "Roast Beef of Old England , " the Rev . Bro . Farnham said a Masonic grace , after which the serious business of the evening commenced , and soups , fish , sucking pigs , turkey and ham , pies , patties , gelatine , game , & c , soon disappeared with wonderful rapidity , under the masticating process of nearly 100 hungry members of the Craft . Dinner overwith a few appropriate remarksthe W . M .

, , elect , Bro . C . 31 . Donaldson , gave " The Queen and the Craft , " air " God save the Queen , " which was received with enthusiastic applause . The Supreme Masonic Rulers of our respective countries quickly followed , as well as the Grand Lodges—the W . M . elect enlarging upon the fact that about at that very hour the Grand Lodge of Scotland was sitting in conclave , and very probably considering their application for the warrant for the proposed Lodge Cosmopolitan of Shanghai . The toast was

drunk with the usual honours and enthusiastic applause . Bro . Farr was called on to propose the next toast as Senior Warden elect , which was " The Masonic Lodges in China , " with which he coupled the name of the present Master of the Northern Lodge of China , Bro . P . II . Underwood , who returned thanks very appropriately . Bro . Rawson , P . Prov . G . M ., took the opportunity of proposing a toast which lie felt ought to be brought forward , and which would fill a hiatus in the programme .

He proposed success and a speedy formation to the proposed new Lodge Cosmopolitan ; and he should for one truly rejoice to see the banners of England wave in Masonic unison with those of Scotland . He felt sure that the warrant would be granted , from the numerous and respectable names which were attached to the memorial for the warrant , and was equally sure that the lodge would be well and efficiently ruled under the authority of such an experienced a Mason as Bro . C . 31 .

Donaldson . He concluded a speech replete with Masonic feeling and experience , amidst unusual applause . Bro . Donaldson returned thanks in a brief speech . " Our absent Brethren " was then given by Bro . Daly , Junior AVarden elect , the band playing "Auld Lang Syne , " as if their own hearts were in the melody , as very likely was the case . " Our Guests of the evening" was given by Bro . Hooper , Treasurer elect , prefaced by a few remarksand alluding more particularlto BroColonel

, y . Yonge , of H . M . 67 th , who had not only cordially joined in their evening ' s festivities , but had so much promoted the harmony of the evening , by permitting the attendance of the excellent band of the regiment . Colonel Yonge responded ( all the other guests of course standing at the time ); he thought if any thanks were due for the harmony it was to tho band itself ; he enlarged upon the boundless hospitality the guests had experienced ,

spoke much to the point , and , introducing an apt quotation to suit the occasion , sat down , having well and worthily responded on Ms own and the guests behalf . "The Ladies" fell to the lot of Bro . II . Twyford Smith , who is , from the whole tenour of his remarks , unless we are much mistaken , a thorough ladies' man ; whilst Bro . Nutt , in returning thanks , expressed so much modesty of sentiment and feeling , that we shall be glad to see or hear of bis luffing up and buckling to on the first eligible opportunity . The last toast of the evening , " The Press , " was given by Bro . Dato , Sec . elect , who

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coupled with the toast the names of the three local editors , Bros . Jamieson , Bowker , and Tarrant . The toast was drunk with enthusiasm . Bro . Jamieson , as the editor of the senior journal , returned thanks , and alluded to the singular fact that all three editors in Shanghai were Masons ; he regretted that Bro . Tarrant was unavoidably absent , as otherwise , as the editor of the oldest paper in China , it would have devolved upon him to return thanks . Bro . Bowker being called on , said that to

Britons the voted Freedom was always dear , and whenever a few of the Anglo-Saxon race got the wedge in , Freemasonry and a free Press always quickly followed , and went together hand in hand . It had been his lot to chronicle many a festive Masonic banquet in many parts of the world , but lie bad never attended a more happy or a more successful one than that of to-night . He had been many years connected with the press , and cordially thanked them for the toast . This they might

rely on , that as long as he was connected with it in China , his best efforts would be always given to assist Masonry in every fair and legitimate maimer . The chairman then gave the Past Masters at the banquet , coupled with Bro . Gould , P . M ., and the Masters elect of the English lodges in Shanghai , coupled with Bro . Parker , which was happily responded to . Vocal amusements then commenced , aud some excellent songs were sung , the party breaking up at about half-past twelve , sorry to part , hut looking forward to many more happy reunions .

Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

METROPOLITAN . OLD C ' OSOOBD LODGE ( NO . 172 ) . —The annual ball of this lodge took place at the Queen's Concert Rooms , Hanoversquare , on Thursday , the 28 th . ult ., which ( as usual ) was attended by a numerous and elegant company , the officers of the lodge and many of the visitors appearing in their collars and jewels . Dancing commenced soon after nine o'clock to the enlivening strains of Coote and Tinney ' s band of twenty

performers , conducted by Bro . Coote , who introduced most of the new and fashionable music , AVhen the supper rooms were thrown open more than three hundred ladies and gentlemen partook of a very excellent supper . As usual , the proceeds ot this very excellent and successful ball will be devoted to Masonic charity , and we make no doubt the surplus will again be considerable .

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BEO . GEOBGE MAEKHAM TWEDDELL . —The Stoclclon Herald of December 25 th remarks : — " AVe are glad to know that this industrious , plodding author has lately come under the favour of the very fickle dame Fortune . A distant relative has died and left him an annuity for life which will make him comfortable , and also a reversion to bis widow should she survive him . Mr . Tweddell has long been in harness as an author and a popular writer from his boyhood , having been many years connected

with a newspaper , and the author of " Tweddell ' s Yorkshire Miscellany ; " " Bards and Authors of Cleveland and South Durham ; " " History of Cleveland ; " "Shakespeare : His Times and Contemporaries ; " and "Visitors' Handbook to Redcar , Coatham , and Saltburn-by-the-Sea . " The life of an author , who depends upon his brain and literary labour for bread is not often a rosy one ; is most frequently beset with thorns ; and often ends in disappointmentpenuryand want . Mr . Tweddell

, , has not escaped the author ' s lot . AVith a wife and eight children , and not above forty years of age , he has had to struggle with difficulties which would have overwhelmed any other man ; but while , with the most pinching economy , he has scarcely provided his family with the real necessities of life , our author has been diligent in the most unceasing use of his pen , and has been received favourably in the world of literature by his contemporaries and the critics . He is of ancient family , being

descended through the Markhams from Oliver Cromwell . Dr . Mavkham was Archbishop of York , who died in 1808 , Frederica , relict of Captain Haviside , and daughter of Dr . Markham , DeaD of York , included Mr . Tweddell in her will , by which he will be in receipt of the annuity spoken of . AVe congratulate him on his good fortue , and hope he will live long to enjoy it . " [ AVe are happy to be able to add our congratulations to Bro . Tweddell , who has been a valued contributor to our pages , on the favourable change in his circumstances , and heartily reiterate the closing prayer of our Stockton contemporary . —ED . F . M . and M . 31 . ]