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Schools during the present year , besides other donations , ancl he hoped in another year to double the amount to all the four Charities ; and he called upon the brethren to give their attention to this lodge , ancl support those who were at all times willing to impart the knowledge they possessed . The portrait he accepted with feelings of gratitude , not simply for its intrinsic value , but for the sentiments it was intended to convey ; and he could only say it should be held by him and his family

as an heirloom , and he hoped hereafter , when that was looked upon by his sons , it would be with that feeling that might say to them , go and do likewise . —The inscription on the portrait is as follows : — " Testimonial presented to Bro . Henry Bradley , S . D . 264 , J . W . 1133 , by the members of the United Mariners ' Lodge of Instruction , as a slight token of their appreciation of his constant zealous and indefatigable exertions , and in recognition of his services jn furthering their improvement in the Masonic ait as Preceptor to this lodge . "

' ROSAD OAK LODGE ( NO . 1173 ) . —On Thursday , December 4 th , Bro . Dr . Scott—assisted by Bros . Weir , P . M . ; G . Brown , J . H . Pembroke , R . Mills , J . Serle , W . Simmons , P . M . ; J . S . Blomeley , J . Rosenstock , G . S . Hodgson , J . Gjertsen , C . Stahr , G . Wilton , J . Stevens , & c . —opened this Lodge of Instruction at the Royal Oak Tavern , High-street , Deptford ( Bro . Stevens's ) . The business of the evening was an initiationwhich Bro . Dr . Scottwith Bros . J . AV . WeirS . W . ;

, , , G . Brown , J . W ; J . H . Pembroke , J . D . ; and R . Mills , I . G ., went through , in their usual faultless style . The time devoted to business being very short , the W . M . was not able to give the sections as he usually does , very much to the regret of all the brethren . The brethren of the neighbourhood must be pleased to know that their is a lodge of instruction opened in the centre of this town , and there is reason to believe it will be well

supported . There are three lodges of instruction supposed to be held here , viz ., Lodge of Justice ( 172 ) , meeting on Mondays , Lodge of Temperance ( 198 ) , meeting on Fridays , and Wellington Lodge ( 805 ) , meeting on Thursdays . But out of the three only one , Lodge of Temperance ( 198 ) , virtually holds any meeting , and as this lodge is held nearly at the extreme end of the town , it has been thought necessary to establish one nearly central , so as to be convenient to all . It is considered it will

be a useful addition to the other lodges of instruction by causing a more frequent assemblage of the brethren , ancl by that means diffusing the knowledge which is so essentially necessary to work a lodge well . The brethren are oftentimes pained to witness the slovenly manner some of our younger brethren go through the work of those offices which , on the installation night , they undertake to perform . It is now to be hoped that one ancl all will unite in endeavouring to give and obtain the

instruction which is so generally needed , lt is to be hoped the time will come when all the lodges meeting in this town will have at least one or two installing masters—members of their own lodge—and not be under the necessity of getting brethren from London to perform the ceremony of installation year after year . Our correspondent noticed with sincere pleasure , in his visit to a neighbouring town , that a AV . M ., in an able ancl very superior manner , installed his successor . This is what is

required here ; and when it is recollected that in Deptford lived that most excellent and our deeply lamented brother , the late Bro . Leigh , P . M . ancl P . Z ., who for more than half a century was the star of the Craft , and who could work every ceremony in the lodge and chapter ; when we recall back the memory of the past , it causes us to feel that as yet there is not any brother who is able to fill his place , yet why should not some younger brother tryancl use his besfc exertions to acquire sufficient

, knowledge at least to be able to install his successor , so that Deptford may once more be able to point out a brother who has set a good example well worthy to be imitated . Now , as the Lodge of Instruction ( No . 198 ) is well supported all the yearround , and is gradually and surely spreading useful knowledge in one of the extreme limits of Deptford , thereby benefitting Rotherhithe and Bermondsey , ifc is trusted this new lod ^ e of

instruction will be well supported , so that knowledge issuing from the centre may be felt useful in this and neighbouring districts . The brethren have a right to be sanguine of its success , when such first-rate Masons as Dr . Scott , W . Simmons , P . M ., J . Searle , Gc . Brown , and very many others have promised it their support . It is also to be hoped , as soon as necessary regalia and furniture is obtained , that our Masonic Charities will receive that support which is justly due to them . This lodge of instruction will meet every Thursday evening , at

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half-past Seven , all the year round , at Bro . Stevens ' s , Eoyal Oak Tavern , High-street , Deptford . After the lodge was closed , the brethren sat down to an excellent Banquet , replete with every comfort . The usual loyal toasts were given and received . The brethren separated , well pleased with such an agreeable meeting .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

GLOUCESTERSHIRE . TEWXESBUEX . —St . George's Lodge ( No , 1202 ) . —The annual meeting of this excellent lodge for the purpose , of electing the W . M . and the Treasurer for the ensuing year , was held on Friday , the 5 th inst ., when the brethren , with one exception , unanimously re-elected Bro . E . S . Cossens , Prov . G .

Supt . of Works , who , previous to the ballot , urged them not to do so , but allow him to retire once more to the equally useful , but more comfortable position of Past Master , but so strong a feeling was entertained towards him in consequence of his government being so approved , and the manner in which the several ceremonies have been , during the past year , rendered by him , thafc his urgency was of no avail . Bro . Win . Bridges was put in nomination for the office of Treasurerancl no other being

pro-, posed , the W . M . declared him to be duly elected . During the proceedings , the W . M . after a unanimous ballot in his favour , duly initiated Mr . John Livesey , into the arts and mysteries of the Craffc , in his usual talented and easy manner . Bro . Frederick Moore most eloquently addressed the lodge on behalf of the distressed operatives of Lancashire , and proposed that the sum of £ 5 should be offered to His AVorship the Mayor of Tewkesbury , in aid of the borough fund for their relief , which having been

warmly seconded by the AV . M , was most heartily voted . The AV . M . has since enclosed that sum to his worship the Mayor . Three gentlemen of position iu the immediate locality were proposed and seconded , as candidates for initiation , and one eminent gentleman to become a joining member at the next lodge , and from the applications iu perspective , there appears to be little chance of the W . M . having much rest during the year 5863 . The festival of St . John will be held on Friday , the

2 nd January next . The brethren have unanimously consented to give another Masonic ball before the next month expires , ancl as they have taken time | by the forelock , the arrangements will be complete .

KENT . MAIDSTONE . —Belvidere Lodge ( No . 741 ) . —On the 2 nd inst . the anniversary of this lodge was celebrated with the usual festivities , The ceremony of installation was performed by Bro . Savage , P . G . D . of England , in the presence of an unusual number of brethren , owing to the high estimation in which the new

W . M ., Bro . Garrison Serjeant-Major Harper , is held here . The newly-installed Master then appointed his officers for the year as follows : —Bros . Page , P . M ., Toiputt , and Titus , AVardens ; — Gibson and Cowper , Deacons ; — Goodwin , I . G . ; ancl — Stephens ancl F . N . Spencer , Stewards . There were an unusual number of brethren present , amongst whom were the Bro . Dobson , D . Prov . G . M . ; the Rev . AV . A . Nill , Prov . G . Chap . ; Bro . G . Edmmett ( Mayor of Maidstone ); Bros . C . G . Whittaker

, P . Prov . G . S . AV . ; Lieut-Colonel Scott ; —Savage , P . G . D . ; B . T . Nettleingham , P . G . AV . 91 ; — Cooley , P . Prov . G . W . ; — Blandford , I . G . 999 ; — Bathurst , P . Prov . G . Reg . 155 ; — Woolcott , Hart , ancl Everist , 20 ; J . Blundell , 432 ; — Webster , 343 ; McEvoy , 216 ; Madden , 160 ; Foord , Vale , Field , Pike , Cruttenden , senior , and S . B . Swinfen , & c , of 741 . Bro . Dobson , D . Prov . G . M ., presided at the banquet , having on

his right the AV . M ., Bro . C . G . AVhittaker , P . Prov . S . G . AV ., and Bro . Col . Scott ; on his left , Bro . B . G . Edmett , Mayor , Bro . Savage , P . C . D ., and Bro . AV . Page , late P . M . The usual toasts were gone through , and . several good songs were sung hy Bros , Vale , Swinfen , Blundell , and Morgan . The banquet was all that could be required by Bro . Pine , the host . A motion that £ 10 should be subscribed , from the lodge funds , towards the Lancashire distress , was postponed until regular lodge night . Bro . Dobson presided with his accustomed geniality and success at the banquet .