Metropolitan.

trusted , ere the year was closed , they would exhibit a still greater increase . In conclusion , he hoped the new "Concord" would tread in the steps of its Mother Lodge , and become one of the most numerous and best worked of Lodges in the Order . The AA . M . next called the attention of the Brethren toanother toast , which , following the precedent of the old Concord , wasneveromittedattheirboard . lie therefore proposed "The Charities" and , connected with it the name of Bro . Crew whose presence on that occasion , he was sure all most cordially

hailed . BBO . CBEW replied , and dilated at some length on the value and excellence of each of the charitable institutions . He said many instances had occurred where the children of Brethren who had worn the purple as a Brother near him , or the red which he wore himself afterwards , by the bounty of the Brethren , received culture and protection through their excellent institutions . The AA . M . then proposed "The Health of Bro . Muggeridge , " whoas consecrating master might be considered the Past Master of the Lodge . Bro . Muggeridgein

, acknowledging the compliment , expressed his pleasure at seeing the Lodge thus prospering , and as Collector for the Girl ' s School , noticed the contributions made to that institution , by No . 1115 , so well following the example of the " Old Concord . " As the AV . M . was somewhat exhausted by the labours of the day , the duty of proposing "The Officers of the Lodge" was entrusted to him , and having witnessed the performance of the duties devolving on each , he was quite sure as they advanced in Masonry , every

office would bo well filled . Bro . AVild , the Treasurer , as representing the officers , said it was their wish and intention to discharge the duties entrusted to them with fidelity , and he was sure that , under the guidance of the AV . M ., the Lodge would be second to none in the Craft . In conclusion , he recommended all the young members to attend the Lodge of Instruction , and thereby fit themselves for any duty- they might be called upon to undertake . The time for the departure of the last train now approached , and the pleasant meeting was brought to a close , the proceedings having been enlivened by the vocal powers of the Brethren already named .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

BERKSHIRE . MAIDENHEAD . —St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 1 , 097 ) . —On Monday last this Lodge met for important business at the Orkney Arms Hotel , when Bro . Henry Garrod , P . M ., 1 , 090 , was balloted for , and elected unanimously , as a joining member , as was also Bro . F . G . Hall , S . D ., 839 , and Bro . Francis Thomas , S 39 . Mr . Joseph Slopor was , by fiat of the AV . M ., a candidate for initiation at this Lodge , and

having been ballotted for , was unanimously approved . The ceremony of initiation was then performed by the AALM . ( Bro . E . S . Cossens ) with his aecustomed impressiveuesss . Bro . Rutland was examined as to the progress he had made , and afterwards received from the AA . M . the degree of M . M . This being the Lodge appointed for electing the succeeding W . M ., there was a full attendance of members ; and Bro . Langton having resigned the office of J . AA . the AV . M . promoted Bro . R . Nichols ; S . D . to the

, , vacant office , Bro . H . H . Hodges , J . D ., to the position of S . D ., Bro . G . Boyer to that of J . D ., aud Bro . H . Duvrant to that of I . G ., Bro . Rutland being appointed the O . G . All the officers on their appointment were presented by Bro . Williams , B . C ., for investment , and afterwards placed by him in their respective positions . The election of the AA . M . for the ensuing year was then proceeded with , led by the AV . M . by an address not to re-elect him which

several Brethren had intimated their intention of doing , but to permit him to retire into the equally serviceable and honourable position of the first P . M ., and thus provide for the promotion of Brethren who had by their constant attention and close application to their respective duties , shown themselves worthy of advancement . Bro . Henry Garrod also addressed the Lodge in an eloquent speech , on the same principles , which convinced all the Brethren of the propriety of the motto"Non progredi est regredi "

, , which resulted in the election of Bro . Charles Yenahles , tho S . A \ ., as the AA . M . elect , who addressed the Lodge on the merits and abilities of the present AA . M ., and the perfect maimer and constant care with which he had , from the foundation of the Lodge , performed all the ceremonies , and successfully the arduous business which devolved on him ; and proposed that the members of the Lodge should present the present AV . M . on his retirement from that

elevated position , with a P . M . ' s jewel to mark the high appreciation , esteem , and regard which every member of the Lodge entertained towards him . This was seconded , with the most fraternal expressions , by Bro . Henry Garrod , and unanimously carried . The Brethren then retired to refreshment . The installation of the AV . M , elect is expected to be unusually attractive , from his being so well known as a most zealous and efficient Officer .

Provincial.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE . BERKELEY . —Lodge of Faith and Friendsldp ( No . 337 ) . —This Lodge held its usual monthly meeting at the Berkeley Arms Hotel , on Monday , August 6 th . Bro . C . PartridgerAV . M ., No . 1063 , ( in the absence of Bro . AV . Gaisford , AV . M ., ) in the chair . The Lodge was opened in the first and second degrees , when Bro . G . Holbrow was jiassed as a P . C . The Lodge was then opened in the third degree when Bro . Francis Geo . Thurlow Cunningham was raised to the sublime degree of a M . M . The Lodge was closed in peace and harmony , and the Brethren retired from labour to refreshment .

Yorkshire (North).

YORKSHIRE ( NORTH ) .

SEECrAL GEAND LODGE . —LATINO- THE FOUNDATION- STOHE OB THE NORTH XOBK INErRllABY . The necessity for the establishment of an hospital or infirmary for the North-Riding of this county had long been felt , and some time ago an influential meeting was held at Middlesborough for the purpose of advancing the contemplated scheme . That town was considered the most suitable place at which to erect the infirmary ,

and a liberal subscription w-as entered into , —the Earl of Zetland , the Stockton and Darlington Railway Company , Joseph Pease , Esq ., Messrs . Bolehow and Yaughan , the great iron-masters , and a number of other influential firms in Middlesborough , and the neighbourhood , put down their names as subscribers , and up to the present time we believe about d £ ' . l , 000 has been obtained towards the carrying out of the undertaking . The preliminaries having been arrangedit was determined to

, offer a prize for the best plan of the new building . No less than twenty-eight designs were sent in , and after they had been carefully examined , the plan of Messrs . Oliver and Lamb , of Newcastle , architects , was selected as the most suitable , and that firm was engaged to superintend the erection of the building in , accordance with their design . The arrangement of the plan is that of two corridors , open at the ends , of the shape of an inverted T , with wings at each end . The principal wards are designed to hold ten

patients each , and the smaller wards four each , 2 , 000 cubic feet of air being allowed to each patient . The windows are to be placed opposite to each other , with single beds between . The wards will be lofty , sixteen feet in height , and the building will be thoroughly ventilated throughout by natural means , as recommended by the Crimean commissioners and Miss Nightingale , and in every ward there are to be two large open fire-places , a method of warming deemed superior to all scientific systems of heating . The wards will face

the north-east , a position which is considered advantageous , for during the whole of the day air and sunshine will be secured on the several sides ofthe building , a matter of importance in the erection of an institution of this character . The style of architecture of the

infirmary will be Italian , and the structure , which will have an elegant facade , will be of brick , with stone dressings . The houses for the matron , surgeon , & c , are to be placed in the centre of the corridor parallel with the road . The operating room , with a ward for the reception of patients after operations are performed , will be in the middle of the cross aisle , and the extension wards are intended to be built at the end of the cross corridor . The proposed cost of the present buildingswhich will comprise the erection of

, wards and accomodation for forty patients , out-door dispensary , and surgeon ' s and matron's apartments , will be from £ 3 , 000 to £ -1 , 000 . The building , however , will be so arranged that it can be easily extended so as to accomodate 120 patients , the maximum number , and the infirmary then will be two hundred feet in length . Tuesday , the 7 th hist , having been appointed for laying the foundation-stone , the improving town of Middlesborough was the

scene of great gaiety and rejoicing . Flags and banners flaunted from the windows of the houses in every street , and shortly after breakfast the tradesmen of the town closed their shops , and business was almost entirely suspended for the remainder of the day . The artizans , workpeople , and the inhabitants generally appeared in their holiday , attire , and the streets , long before the hour appointed for the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone

, presented the characteristics of bustle , activity , and rejoicing . Fortunately , the weather was beautifull y fine , and , considering the cold and rain which have for some time prevailed , the day was the more enjoyed , a sunny sky being additionably agreeable . The Earl of Zetland , M . AA . Grand Master of Freemasons , had been requested to lay the foundation-stone with Masonic form ; and his lordship at once consented to do so , summoning for the purpose an

especial Grand Lodge to he held in Middlesborough . In obedience to the summons of their respected chief , the Brethren assembled in great numbers at the Town-hall , where Grand Lodge was opened at "high Twelve . " The Grand Officers present were—the Earl of Zetland , M . AA . Grand Master ; Bros . T . H . Hall , Prov . G . M . for Cambridgeshire ( acting as Deputy Grand Master ); Algernon Perkins , J . G . AV . ( acting as S . G . AV . ); Henry Bridges , G . S . B . ; Albert AV . AA oods , Lancaster Herald , G . D . C . ; AVilliam Gray Clarke , G .