The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

MASOXIC MEM . Afc tho Loelge of Benevolence , on the loth inst ., Bro . J . IT . Tomkins , P . G . D ., in the chair , thirteen petitioners were relieved with various sums , amounting in the aggregate to ; 8132 , anel a brother recommended to Grand Loelge for a grant of LGIOO .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

ROSE or DE-niAinc LODOE ( NO . 975 ) . —A regular mooting of tlie above lodge was held at tlie AVhite Hart , Barnes , Surrey , on Saturday , tlie 11 th inst . The lodge was opened by liro . Ii . AV . Little , AV . M ., assisted bv Bros . H . G . Buss , P . M ., as S . W . J . Cockburn , J . W . ; G . IT . Oliver , S . D . j C . Page , J . D . ; P . Ken-ens , I . G . ; Sutherland , Tyler ; Goodall , E . Goodall , Samels , Squire , Barnes , Dixon , Beamish , & c . The minutes having been duly confirmedballots were taken for three gentlemen to be

, initiated , and for one joining member , all of which proved favourable to the candidates . Tlie lodge was then opened in the third degree , and Bro . Beamish raised to tlie sublime degree of a M . M . Tlie next ceremony was the initiation of Mr . AV . Harrison , after which Bros . Dodd , Graham , and Bnsvrell were passed to tlie second degree . Thc lodge was then closeel in peace and harmony , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . After

the usual formal toasts , tho W . M . proposed the health of the initiate , to which Bro . Harrison macle a suitable response . Tlie AV . M . then introduced the toast of "The Visitors , " and , in doing so , reminded the brethren that Bro . Brett , P . ST . 177 , the . First Principal designate of the Rose of Denmark Chapter , was one of the guests at their festive board . He ( the W . M . ) would not dilate too much upon the Masonic abilities of Bro . Brett , as

they were known so widely , but must bear testimony to tlie many genial qualities by which he was distinguished . Any brother who had the good fortune to be exalted into Eoyal Arch Masonry under Bro . Brett ' s auspices would never regret the step he had taken . Bro . Brett , in his reply , said that he had been present at tho consecration of tho Hose of Denmark Lodge , and had often since heard not only of its prosperity , but of the harmony and brotherly feeling which existed among its members . It was , therefore , with great pleasure that he accepted the W . M . ' s invitation to be with

them that evening , the more especially as lie was one of the heads of the new chapter at Barnes in conjunction wiih tlie AV . M ., Bvo . Little , and Bro . Hubbard , AV . M . 173 ; and he hoped to see every member of tho lodge a member of tlie chapter . The ceremonies of Royal Arch Masonry were very beautiful , and when correctly rendered , as he was sure they would be by tlie officers of tlie Hose of Denmark Lodge , could not fail to make a deep impression on tire minds of every lover of the

mystic art . Bro . Potter , P . M . and Treas ., then proposed the health of the W . AI ., of whom he said he could not speak too highly . Every one present had seen tlie efficient manner in which he had performed tlie arduous duties of the chair that evening , initiating , passing , and raising candidates in a faultless manner ; and he was sure the brethren would heartily respond to the toast . The W . M . 's health having been drank

with Masonic honours , Bro . Little rose and returned thanks . He was extremely obliged for the compliment paid him , but felt that , without the assistance of the P . M . 's and officers , he could not have performed his duties so well as they wore pleased to sny lie had . Ho , therefore , tendered his warmest thanks to one and all for the cordial support lie hael received , and concluded by proposing tho . health of the PM'seulogising

.., the services of Bros . Smith , I . P . M ., anel Buss , the respected Secretary of thc lodge , who hael so largely contributed to its present flourishing and happy condition . This toast having been cordially responded to , Bro . Potter , Treas ., rose and expressed his gratitude for the good feeling evinced by the reception ofthe toast . Ho regretted equally with the W . M . that he was the only representative of tlie P . M . ' s present , but thoy

all knew that Bro . Buss had been present at his post in tlie lodge , although he was unable to remain to banquet . For his own part , lie was always ready to relieve tlie brethren of their spare cash—( laughter)—hut lie trusted only to make a good

Metropolitan.

use of it . "The Officers" having been given and heartily responded to , Bro . AV . H . Farnfield , S . AV ., thanked the W . M , and brethren for their kindness , and stated , on behalf of himself and the ofiicers , that they would continue to do their best , and to support Bro . Little during his year of office . The Tyler ' s toasfc brought the proceedings of this leasant

very p meeting to an end , anel the brethren separated . The visitors were Bros . Brett , P . M . 177 and ; 862 ; Jager , P . M . Chigwell Loelge j Lacey , and Cramp , 780 . AVe may mention that the brethren of this lodge have presented Bro . J . Smith , P . G . Purst ., with a handsome silver claret cup , value ten guineas , n recognition of his services as first Master of the lodge .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

GLOUCESTERSHIRE . TEAVKESEUKY . —St . George's lodge ( No . 900 ) . — The installation of the WM . , Bro . Nathaniel Treasure , and the Festival of St . John , were celebrated on tbe 3 rd inst . with equal attention to Masonic , discipline which distinguished this lodge in the three previous years . The lodge was openeel at four o ' clock , in due form and with solemn prayer . There was a full attendance

very of tlie brethren , who unanimously confirmed the election of Bro . Treasure as their W . M . for the ensuing year . The ceremony of installation was solemnly and impressively performed by Bro . W . S . AA-allace , P . Prov . G . S . AV ., and P . G . S . for Charities , Gloucestershire . The AA . M . having received the greetings of his brethren , commented very happily upon tbe dignified manner in which tlie I . P . M ., Bro . T . W . Swinburne , had performed trie

duties of AA . M . during the past year , and proposed a vote of thanks to him , with a P . M . 's jewel , which was unanimously carried . Bro . Swinburne thanked the lodge for their kindness , and drew a very lively picture of Freemasonry , which had so longwithstood the invasion of anarchy , and which , in the present day , maintained its purity among the enlightened nations of the world . The AV . M . then addressed his brethren on his installation to tlie important office , and emphatically called upon thein to support him during what , to him , would prove an eventful year . The loelge was then closed in clue form and solemn prayer ,

and the brethren adjourned to the banquet , which was supplied by Bro . Trotman in his usual elegant style . ** l * Ton nobis Domiue " preceded the toasts of the evening . The W . M ., in the course of the evening , delivered his sentiments with much propriety and taste . The Wardens ( Bro . Frederick Moore in particular ) and tlie other ofiicers displayed considerable knowledge of their Masonic duty . Bro . AVallace proposed " The Health of the AVorshipful Master , and Prosperity to the St . George ' s Lodge , "

adverting very concisely to the merits of the presiding officer , tlie character of the lodge , anel the respectability of its members . The W . M ., in reply to the compliment of his distinguished guest , for his own part felt how needful it was to solicit indulgence upon the present occasion , when , although pledged , from the peculiar situation in which lie was placed , to maintain the character of tho lodgo and its members , still he was also warranted in relying upon them allas Freemasonsto overlook on his part

, , any want of oratory . Bro . Wallace might be safely trusted to exercise his indulgence on this evening , but lie could assure the visitors collectively that lie was but thc organ of every individual member in sincerely bidding them a hearty Masonic welcome , and also in expressing towards them the high sense of gratitude felt by the lodge at the fraternal manner in which their invitation had been accepted . He concluded by wishing prosperity to all other lodges .

HAMPSHIRE . Wi-s'CnESTEE . — Lodge of ( Economy ( No . 76 ) . —The celebration of tho Festival of St . John was observed by the Lodge of ( Economy , Winchester , on AVednesday , the 7 th inst . The importance of this assembly ivas greatly enhanced by the visit of Bro . Stephen Barton AA ilson , P . G . Deacon of England , who presided , and several other distinguished members of the Emulation Loelge of ImprovementLondonfor the ' purpose of

in-, , stalling Bro . Edward Shoppard , the AV . M . elect , and also for working the lectures embracing the three degrees of Craft Masonry . There were present at tho lodge on this occasion the following installed Masters : —Bros . J . P . ankin Stebbing , S . G . D . of England , W . M . 76 ; Stephen Barton AVilson , P . J . G . D ., P . M . ; Thos . W . Fleming , M . P ., P . G . M . Isle of Wight ; Hyde Pullen