Metropolitan.

Benevolent 1 unci . He was a very active Mason , and the AV . M . had the pleasure of reckoning him as one of his particular private friends . The AV . M . then gave the toast , which was warmly received . —Bro . JOSEPH SMITH , P . G . Purst ., on behalf of the D . G . M . and Grand Officers , rose to reply . He was proud they had such a nobleman as the Earl de Grey ancl Ripon in that exalted office . His lordship was a most worthy and zealous Mason , and would preside at the Festival for the Benevolent Fund for aged

Masons and their Widows , in January , and he hoped that all those brethren who could spare the time would be present in honour to so worthy a nobleman . On his own behalf , their AV . M . had been pleased to say a great deal of what , from his modesty , he could not flatter himself he deserved . They were old and sincere friends , and to that must be attributed much of what had fallen from the AV . M . Nothing , however , gave him greater satisfaction than to visit where the AV . M . was , and he had no greater pleasure

in attending any lodge than the Egyptian . He always saw true brotherly love amongst them . They were in a happy and prosperous condition , numerous enough for their own comfort , and strangers to the difficulties and differences in larger lodges . He hacl heard that night how well they took care of their funds , and it was creditable to them to have money in hand to vote to the Charities and support their Stewards . He congratulated them on the good management of the lodge , and their own good sense iu being willing to leave it in such hands . He felt sure tiie W . M . must feel it an honour to be Secretary to such a lodge ; and their Treasurer was such a capital officer that , so long

as tue lodge reposed the same confidence in him , it would never go wrong . This was not his first visit b y many to No . 29 , and it would not be the last , because , when he came amongst them , he was sure of three things—a hearty welcome , a united feeling , and happiness diffused equally among them all . With thanks for the toast , and . wishing them the same amount of prosperity , union , and brotherly love he had hitherto witnessed in the Egyptian Lodge , he resumed his seat amidst general applause . —The W . M .

next gave the toast of " The Visitors . " Bro . Samuel Hill , P . M . 955 , was well known to most of them , and they had had the pleasure of seeing Bro . Grattan there before . —Bro . HILL said it had fallen to him to return thanks , which ivas a very pleasing duty . The AA' . M . had complimented him on doing his duties in 955 , where he certainly believed himself to be a favourite , and seeing such friends as Bros . Buss , Todd , and Cooke in No . 29 , he was sure that the lod had those kindlfeelings towards their

ge y visitors as the latter entertained towards the Egyptian lodge . —¦ The toast of " The Masonic Charities" was responded to bv Bro . Todd . " The Health of the AV . M . pro tem , " Bro . Buss , ivas received with that cordiality which his name always ensures throughout the Craft , and which he briefly acknowledged . —The P . M . ' s were not forgotten , Bvo . TODD replying , who said there were verymany of themthough but few attendedbecause they always got

, , something good in the country , or something bad in London . " The Health of the AV . M . elect , " Bro . Payne , G . Tyler , was given and responded to , and the toast of "The Officers of the Lodge , " followed , after which , " The T yler ' s " toast brought an agreeable evening to a close .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST . ) ROBT . —Alliance Lodge ( No . 965 ) . —This lodge held its monthly meeting at the Stanley Arms Hotel , Roby , on Tuesday , the 3 rd December , the W . M . Bro . Smith , presiding , supported by the officers of the lodge . One gentleman was initiated into Freemasonry ; the J . W . presented the working tools , and the S . AV . delivered the charge . Bro . Urmson , the S . W ., was unanimously

elected to the chair for the ensuing year , and was congratulated byall present . Three gentlemen were proposed for initiation , and two brethren for joining , when the lodge was closed ; and the brethren retired to the banquet room , when glee , sentiment , and song , good will , harmony , and peace ruled uninterruptedly until the time of departure . Nothing could excel the comic humour of Bro . Wilier , who literally kept the table in a roar . Among the visiting brethren we observed Bros . SharpAV . M . of 363 ; BewS . D .

, , 310 ; ancl Mott , 294 . GAESTO-S ' . —Lodge of Harmony ( No . 267 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the Wellington Hotel , onjMonday , Dec . 2 . The lodge was opened by the AV . M . " Bro . JamesHamer , Prov . G . T ., assisted by the officers of the lodge and a good attendance of brethren . The minutes of last regular meeting were read and confirmed . Bros .

Thomas Carter and Jacob Cohen were passed to the second degree by the AA ' . M . Bro . C . Leedham , explained the working tools , and Bro . J . E . Thompson , S . AV ., delivered the charge . Mr . Robert Johnson was unanimously elected as a candidate for initiation ancl being in attendance was presented aud made in due form . Bro . C . J . Banister , P . M ., Prov . G . D . C , acting as Deacon in both ceremonies . Two guineas were voted to the fund for erecting a Masonic monument to the memory of the late Bro . Joshua WalmsleyP . Prov . G .

, Treas . Mr . Peter Pilkingtoii ivas proposed for initiation . Other business over , the lodge was closed . At refreshments the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given by the AV . M . and responded to in a hearty manner , also "The newly initiated Brother , " "Bro . Thomas Rodick , W . M . of the Union Lodge , Kendal , " who replied in suitable terms . "The AV . M ., " proposed by Bro . C . , 7 . Banister , who stated that he hacl made a beginning as Steward for the Royal Freemason ' s School for Girls , and hoped that all would give him their

subscriptions and support , as their W . M . had set them a good example . Other toasts brought the meeting to an end , the proceedings beinginterspersed by songs from Bros . Aldrich , Thompson , Williams , AVilmer , & c .

LEICESTERSHIRE . LEICESTER . —St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 34 S ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the Freemason ' s Hall , on Wednesday the 4 th inst ., when there were present : Bros . AVeave , AV . M . ; Kelly , D . Prov . G . M . ; Crawford , P . M . and Treas . ; Gill , P . M . and Sec . ; Man-is , J . AV ., & c . A isitors : Bros . Sheppard , AV . M . ; Brewin , P . M . ; Millican , P . M . ; Johnson , S . AV . ; Bithrey , and Knight , of

the John of Gaunt Lodge ( No . 766 ) . The lodge having been opened and the minutes of the previous lodge read and confirmed , a F . C . ' s Lodge was opened by the D . Prov . G . M ., ancl Bros . John Law , ancl S . Selby having been called to the pedestal and examined in that degree , were duly raised . The lodge was then lowered to the first degree for the election of AVorshipful Master for the ensuing year . A communication was received from the Senior AVarden , Bro . Dr . Sloane , stating ; his inability to undertake the duties of the chair at

present owing to his professional engagements . A ballot having taken place Bro . AVilliam Henry Marris , the Junior Warden , an active and zealous Mason , was unanimously elected . A proposition was brought before the lodge that the brethren give their patronage to Bro . Harrison , the manager ofthe theatre , by a Masonic bespeak , in conjunction with the John of Gaunt Lodge , which , after some discussion as to the expediency of so doing , was carried in the affirmative . It having been resolved to hold the annual festival on the second AVednesday in January the lodge was closed and the brethren adjourned to refreshment .

SOMERSETSHIRE . * BATH . —Poyal Sussex Lodge ( No . 61 ) . —The annual meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Bath , on the 2 nd inst ., when Bro . C . F . Marshall ivas installed AV . M ., and the followingofficers appointed for the ensuing year : —R . King , S . AV . ; E . T . Payne , J . W . ; C . K . Davy , Chap . ; W . Smith , Treas . ; AV . F . Bennet , Sec . ; J . L . Stothert , S . D . ; J . Holloway , J . D . ; C . AV . Oliver ,

Dir . Cer . ; AV . Gibbs , I . G . ; J . K . Pyne , Org . ; AV . Parham , and J . M . Shum , jun ., Stewards ; H . Hopkins , Tyler . The brethren afterwards adjourned to Amery ' s Hotel , where an elegant dinner was served , ancl a pleasant evening passed .

SUSSEX . CHICHESTER . —Lodge of Union ( No . 4-5 ) . —The usual meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , December 5 th , in the Lodge-room in the Council House . In the unavoidable absence of the AV . M ., Bro . AV . H . Cottell , the chair was ably filled by Bro . James Powell , jun ., P . M . 45 ; Bro . George Collins , S . AV . ; Bro . C . C . Jones , J . AV . ; Bro . G . Smith , P . M ., 45 , Treasurer ^; George Molesworth , P . M ., 45 ,

Secretary ; Bond and C . Adames , Deacons . The first business was to elect the AV . M . for the ensuing year , and the Secretary having read the list of members eligible for election , a ballot was taken and resulted in the unanimous choice of Bro . Collins , S . W ., a very worthy , hardworking Mason , highly respected by his brethren , and who , we hope , will be ivell supported during his year of office . Bro . George Smith Avas re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Benham , Tyler . Mr . Henry Pratthaving been accepted as a candidate for initiation

, , was then admitted , and the ceremony of initiation performed b y Bro . James Powell , jun . Bro . James Powell , jun ., proposed and Bro . Molesworth seconded a vote of thanks to the retiring Master , Bro . AV . H . Cottell . The usual Christmas gifts to poor brethren formerly connected with the lodge were voted , and the lodge closed iu harmony .