The Masonic Mirror.

to say a few words relative to the incident which had just occurred . It had been suggested to him , as the Chairman , that Bro . Toole , who hacl come here at great inconvenience , would give a short recitation , and that , perhaps , he hacl better do so whilst the boys were in the room , as it might tend to their enjoyment . It happened , however , that when the boys were placed four deep on the dais , surrounded as they were by a great mass of people , the heat was so great that they could not enter into the enjoyment that was

intended , neither could the company properly appreciate the talents of Bro . Toole , as he could assure them the heat around the table at which he ( the Chairman ) was sitting , had been most uncomfortable ; and it was , therefore , thought it would be best to dismiss the boys first , and then hear Bro . Toole . He had now to express his deep regret that Bro . Toole had not been allowed to finish his recitation , and he could assure him that it was from no want of respect , but only the great inconvenience to which they hacl heen subjected ,

that led to the interruption , and he felt bound to offer the best thanks of himself and of the company to Bro . Toole , for his kindness in coming amongst them , and endeavouring to add to their amusement . He would now proceed to what was really the toast of the evening , "The Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and Bro . B . B . Cabbell , the Treasurer . " He held the highest opinion of the value of this charity , and the healthy ancl happy appearance of the boys that evening spoke well for the manner in which they were

brought up . He believed this Institution to be one of the noblest works of the Craft , and it was impossible to regard it otherwise than with pride and satisfaction . He hoped it would go on prospering , ancl , assisted by the efforts of the Craft , it would continue to improve until it stood equal , if not superior , 'to any similar institution . Every now and then they met with men with princely means , who devoted themselves to promoting the good of society—ancl no man had clone more so than their distinguished Bro . Benjamin Bond

Cabbell . ( Cheers . ) They were proud to have such a man as a member of the Craft—and certainly he had devoted his ample means most liberally in carrying out the sublime principles of brotherly love , relief , and truth . ( Cheers . ) Heliad ever proved that pity flowed from his heart , and that , lie was always ready to relieve the distressed , and assist the orphan children of the brethren .

( Cneers . ) He gave them " The Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and Bro . Benjamin Bond Cabbell , the Treasurer . " ( Cheers . ) Bro . B . B . CABBELL , who was received with loud cheers , thanked the brethren for the compliment , which he assured them he deeply felt . He had held the office of Treasurer now for more than twenty years , [ and it gave him great pleasure to observe the continued prosperity of the Institution . Since he first hacl the honour of belonging to this charity , its scope had been much extended ; and

whereas they formerly only educated the hoys , they now also housed and clothed them ; and he was sure _ it was the endeavour of the committee to promote their happiness , ancl he hoped that virtue would be planted in every heart . He was pleased to see their right hon . brother in the chair that evening , sparing time from his multifarious public duties to come amongst them , and in the kindliest feeling endeavour to promote the prosperity of the Institution . ( Cheers . )

The CHAIBITAN next gave the Vice-Presidents , Trustees , General Committee , House Committee , and Auditors of Accounts , all of whom he felt were deserving of the thanks of the brethren , for the time they devoted to the interests of the Institution . Bro . HOPWOOD , P . G . D ., Chairman of the Committee , acknowledged the toast . The Royal Freemasons' Girls' School , the Festival on behalf of which is fixed for the Sth Mayand the Benevolent Institution for

, -Aged Masons , wero next drank , the Chairman again expressing his regret that Bro . Crew , the respected Secretary of the Girls' School , was lying dangerously ill . "Ihe Ladies , " responded to by Bro . Meymott , P . Prov . G . D . C ., Surrey ; " Grand Steward , and the Board of Stewards , " acknowledged by Bro . Capt . Creaton , P . G . Steward , having been drank , the company separated . The subscriptions announced in the course of tho evening

amounted to - £ 1564 , of which £ 121 came from Bri ghton . The musical arrangements were entrusted to Bro . George Tedder , who was assisted by Bros . T . Young , Wallworth , and Smithson , and the Misses Poole , Susan Pyne , Harriette Lee , Jane Palmer , ancl Rebecca Isaacs , very few of whom we had the pleasure of hearing , the programme being made so ridiculously long that it was impossible to get through " it .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

STBONG MAN LODGE ( NO . 53 ) . —This lodge held its usual monthly meeting at the Falcon Tavern , Fetter-lane , and was most numerously attended . Amongst the visitors were Bros . Farnfield , Assist . G . Sec ; Smith , P . G . P . ; Piatt , W . M . St . Luke's , 168 ;

Watson , G . Stewards' Lodge ; Exall , and many other brethren . The loclge was opened af four o'clock ; Bros . Dickie , W . M . ; Boag , S . W . ; Ditchman , . J . W ., ancl W . M . elect . The business of the evening consisted of three raisings , three passings , and installation , the whole of the arduous duties being discharged by Bro . Dickie , the retiring W . M ., in an able manner , the ceremony of installation more especially calling forth the highest encomium ; . The new W . M . appointed his officers as follows : — Bros . White , S . W . ;

Dyer , J . W . ; Lang , S . D . ; Ingle , J . D . ; Richards , I . G . ; Bradley , Tyler , who , by the way , after being invested with his jewel (?) of office , made a display to the brethren , which fully convinced them that he was thoroughly acquainted with its management . It was proposed , seconded , ancl unanimously agreed to , that a vote of thanks to Bro . Lewis be recorded on the minutes , ancl a copy thereof be engrossed on vellum , and presented to liiin as a testimonial of esteem , and an acknowledgment of the satisfactory

manner in which he had discharged the duties of Secretary . The lodge was closed in ancient form , ancl the brethren adjourned to a most excellent banquet , served up in a manner which spoke volumes as to the resources of Bro . Ireland ' s " victualling department . " After the removal of the cloth , the W . M ., Bro . Ditchman ,. called attention to the usual toasts— " The Queen ancl the Craft , " "The Earl of Zetland , M . W . G . M ., " "The Earl of Dalhousie , D . G . M . and the rest of the Grand Officers" coupled with the

, , names of Bros . Smith- ancl farnfield . —Bro . FABS FIELD , in reply , said he was sure Bro . Smith would join him in thanking them heartily for their hospitality . He was glad to see tbe loclge in such a prosperous condition , ancl could assure them that although the D . G . M .,. through illness , was not often with them , still his hearty good wishes always attended them ; in addition to which , the whole of the Grand Officers , as well as himself , had really the interests of the Order at heart . ( Cheers . )—The W . M . said , the next toast was

"The Visitors ; " they were that evening of a . very exalted character , and he felt sure that the rest of the brethren , as well as himself , fully ' appreciated the honour of their presence . —Bro . WATSOS said , in reply , on behalf of himself and brother visitors ,, that , they were highly gratified by the kind manner in which the W . M . had proposed the last toast . He tendered the sincere thanks of the visitors , and hoped that the W . M . would have a happy and prosperous year of office . —Bro . Sunn , P . G . P ., said he would only mention one small matter which Bro . Watson had too much modesty to speak of , and that was , the highly satisfactory manner

in which the ceremony of installation had been performed by Bro . Dickie , which was an honour to himself , ancl a credit to the lodge , and an instance of what benefit might be derived by an apt scholar from a talented tutor . —The W . M . then said , the toast he was about to propose might justly be considered the toast of the evening ; it was , "The Health of Bro . Dickie , the immediate P . M . " It hacl fallen to his lot to present him with a jewel , as a testimonyof the unanimous good wishes of the brethren of the Strong Man

Loclge . It afforded him additional pleasure , as they hacl been boys together , young men and Masons together ; and now , while one hacl already filled the honourable position of W . M ., he had installed the companion of his youth into the chair . Without further preface , he would present him with tho jewel , and hoped the G . A . O . T . U . would grant him health and length of days . —Bro . DICKIE said , he feared he should lack words to express the feelings of gratitude he felt for their kindness . He had striven hard to

qualify himself for the duties of W . M . ; ancl if , during his year of office , he had given satisfaction to the brethren , he was contented . The jewel he would always esteem and prize , and he hoped to be spared to wear it , ancl be amongst them many years . —The next toast was " The P . Ms ., " which was replied to by Bro . Lewis . —Bro . DICKIE said ho was entrusted with the next toast , which was that of " The AV . M . " He felt highly gratified at liaving been enabled that day to place his old schoolfellow in the chair of K . S . ; he

assured the brethren that they would find that the W . M . was able to fill the chair , and fulfil its duties in an efficient manner . —Bro . DITCIIST A-T said , the P . M . had been pleased to speak of him in high terms , and he could assure the brethren that nothing would be wanting on his part to gain the esteem and respect of the loclge . — The next toast was that of " The Officers . " The W . M . saiclyhcy all desire , and require , ancl deserve support ; without good officers no loclge could prosper , and he hoped to receive their cordial

support , as well as that of the brethren . —The officers having replied ,, the W . M . then said he was sure that the next toast would be acceptable to every one ; it was , " THE FEEEIUSONS MAGAZINE , " coupled with the name of Bro . Stewart . He spoke highly of the usefulness of THE MAGAZINE , and its claims on every brother , as being the true exponent of the principles of the Graft . —Bro . STEWART thanked them for the honour they had done him in coupling his name ivith that of THE MAGAZINE , and was glad that it was appreciated , and its true value so well-known to the brethren . —The Tyler ' s toast ended the proceedings , and the brethren separated . The enjoyment of the evening was much