Metropolitamt.

P . M ., in his usual emphatic ancl terse manner . He said that the ; Doric had a Master who had been trained well in Freemasonry ; who had served all the inferior offices , and was a proper and duly qualified Master to preside over the lodge , ancl he ( Bro . Scurr ) was very happy to say so , and ho called upon the brethren to drink his health . Song— " The Englishman , " Bro . Scurr . The W . M . in returning thanks , said he was deeply grateful for the compliment paid him , and especially for the

way in which Bro . Scurr had proposed his health . It was true that he had filled all the inferior offices in the loclge bsfore ho was Master , which fact he considered not only necessary , but in every case should be tho standard of a good working Mason , fit to preside over the business of a lodge . He was proud of being the Master of tlie Doric , ancl particularly upon this occasion being honoured as ho was by so very smiling ladies ; and in conclusion he hoped to be with the brethren upon many

occasions , both at tho lodge and at the banquet table , and he trusted he should always have tho same good feeling extended towards him as upon the present occasion . Song— " Bonnie Dundee , " by Bro . Robottom . The health of the P . M . 'a , Bros . Hawkins and Scurr , was next proposed , and in doing so the W . M . was sorry that Bro . Hawkins was unavoidably absent . The brethren all knew and appreciated Bro . Hawkins as a worthy brother ; but he ( the W . M . ) was happy to say he had

Bro . Scurr sitting smiling between two ladies , looking the very picture of enjoyment . The brethren all knew Bro . Scurr , and what lie had achieved for the Doric during his Mastership ; for Bro . Scurr he had the most sincere and brotherly regard it was possible for one man to have for another . He had no hesitation in saying that the difficulties Bro . Scurr had gone through iu the lodge , and ultimately surmounted , had entitled him to the esteem and respect of the whole of the brethren of

the lodge , and to him the W . M . in particular , as he was Bro . Scurr's successor in the chair , and he was glad upon the present occasion of saying this of Bro . Scurr , and to wish him long life and prosperity . Song— "The wolf , " Bro . Lea . Bro . Scurr thanked the W . M ., and the brethren on behalf of Bro . Hawkins and himself for drinking their health , and stated , as the reason of Bro . Hawkins' absence that he had to attend a funeral , and hoped as the AV . M . had saidto be with them many years to

, come . The health of Bro . Bennyfield was next drunk , and responded to . The health of the officers of the lodgo was responded to by the S . AV ., ancl he hoped that the officers would be always well up to the mark , and endeavour to merit the encomium of the W . M . It should be added that the ladies , among whom wero Mrs . Lea and Misses Barnes and Stevens , contributed greatly to the enjoyment of all present by the exercise of their vocal powers .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

CUMBERLAND . IUSTKUCTION " . CABIISEE . — Union Lodge ( No . 310 ) . —On Tuesday , the 11-th inst ., a loclge of instruction , in connection with the parent lodge , was held at the Freemason's Hall . Brethren present : Bros . G , Somerville , as W . M . ; F . W . Hayward , P . M ., as I . P . M . and Dir . of Cers . ; W . II . Pulfordas S . W . j J . BrownP . M . J . W . ;

, , , B . II . Southcott , 123 , as S . D ., J . B . Paisley , as J . D . ; G . G . Hay . ward , I . G . ; T . Storey , Tyler ; also Bros . W . Irwin , J . Gibson , A . Woodbouse . The lodge was opened in due form by the W . M ., after which he put round the test questions in the first degree , ancl Bro . W . II . Pulford worked the first section of the same degree . The evening was enlivened by the vocal powers of Bros . Southcott , 123 , J . Gibson , and J . B . Paisley . The usual Masonic and

loyal toasts were given ; the health of Bro . Southcott , as visiting member , was proposed , and he returned thanks in a feeling manner . Tlie Tyler ' s toast brought this happy evening to an end , and all parted in harmony . DURHAM . BISHOP AUCKLAND .

Opening of Wear Lodge Valley ( No . 1 , 121 ) . This lodge was opened on the 6 th inst ., in the Savings' Bank by the R . W . Prov . G . M . Bro . John Fawcett , Bro . Sir H . Williamson , Bart , M . P ., acting as D . Prov . G . M . ; Bros . Rev . John Cundill as , Prov . G . Chap . ; Joseph Dodds , of Stockton as

Prov . G . S . W . ; E . Waldy , Prov . G . J . W . ; B . Levy , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; George Greenwell , Prov . G . S . as I . G . Tho ceremony of consecration was most beautifully and solemnly gone through by the R . W . Prov . G . M ., ancl Bro . Candill delivered a most excellent and eloquent oration on the principles and practice of the virtues which Freemasonry teaches . Bro . Joseph Nicholson , of Durham , the W . M . designate was duly installed as first Master and he appointed ancl invested

the following brethren officers for the ensuing year , viz .: — Bros . G . Carey , S . W . ; T . B . Thwaites , J . W . ; J . M . de Lacy , Treas . ; Geo . Stillman , Sec . ; John Proud , S . D . ; Henry Kilburn , J . D . ; Pickarcl , I . G . Tiie musical part of the programme was very efficiently rendered by Bros . J . Walkes , D . Lambert , ancl C . J . Simpson of Durham . The loclge was comfortablfilled with brethren from various

y parts , every seat that had been provided being occupied . The whole of the Masonic paraphernalia are of first class workmanship ancl design . The carpet , which is of Masonic device was mamifuctured by Messrs . Henderson ancl Co ., of Durham . After the lodge was closed the brethren adjourned to the Town Hall , where upwards of sixty sat down to a sumptuous banquet . Tha W . M . Bro . J . NicholsonP . M . 124 and P . Pov .

, , J . G . D ., in the chair , supported right and left by Bros . J . Fawcett , Prov . G . M . ; Sir H . Williamson , Bart , M . P ., Prov . G . W . j Rev . J . Cundill , P . M ., Prov . G . Treas . ; James Dodds , P . M ., P . Prov . G . S . W . ; Wm . Stoker , P . M ., P . Prov . G . S . W . ; E . Waldy , P . M ., Prov . J . G . W . ; B . Lew , P . M ., Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; Dr . Kirk , P . M ., P . Prov . G . J . W . ; Rev . F . Thompson ,

P . Prov . G . Chap . ; G . R . Bulman , Chap ., 124 ; George Greenwell , of Durham , Prov . G . Sec . ; R . Farrell , of Richmond , & c . Bro . Dr . Canney , S . W ., 1 , 1 * 21 , occupied the vice-chair . After dinner " Non Nobis Domine " was sung , and tbe toasts followed interspersed with song and and glee . The brethren dispersed about seven o'clock , highly gratified with the day's proceedings . DTJEIIASI . —Marquis of GranbLodge ( No . 124 ) . —This lodge

y held its usual monthly meeting at the Freemasons' Hall , on the 7 th inst . under the presidency of Bro . W . R . Fitz-Gerald , 18 ° . Amongst the officers present were Bros . W . Stoker , P . M ., P . Prov . S . G . W . ; W . Brignall , P . M ., P . Prov . G . Reg . ; J . Nicholson , P . M ., W . M . 1 , 121 , P . Prov . J . G . D . ; Rev . ' G . R . Bulman , M . A . Chap ., & c , & c . The lodge was opened in the first degree ancl tlie minutes of the last general lodge read and confirmed . Bro . W . Howe , having duly served his term of

apprenticeship , underwent the usual examination , ancl having acquitted himself satisfactorily he withdrew . The lodge was then opened in the second degree , when he was re-admitted and passed to a F . C . Bro . W . Carr , being a candidate for raising , ancl having been examined in the usual manner , ancl shown his proficiency retired fur preparation . The loclge was opened in tlie third degree , after which lie was introduced and raised to the sublime degree of M . M . In consequence of

several brethren failing to present themselves in due course , tho last-mentioned ceremony concluded the business of the evening . The lodge was closed in the several degrees with harmony ancl with prayer , after which the brethren adjourned to refreshment and speiit t . ae remainder of the evening very agreeably .

HAMPSHIRE . LY . AiDrGTOsr . —New Forest Lodge ( No . 319 ) . —The annual meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 14 th inst . Bro . Rankin Stebbing , W . M ., in tho Chair , who having initiated the son of the then immediate P . M . Bro . John Milner , proceeded to instal his successar , Bro . William Waterman as W . M . for the ensuing year , the lodge being honoured with the presence

of Bro . A . H . Weston , W . M ., of the Loclge of Peace and Harmony , the Rev . Dr . Bradshaw , D . D ., and other brethren from Southampton . Bro . P . M . Stebbing , on his retirement from the chair , received a special vote of thanks for his past services and also for the present to the lodge of a valuable old Masonic snuffbox , formerly belonging to some distinguished Lymiiigton Masons , and now nearly 100 years old . KENT . It will be very satisfactory to the brethren generally to learn of the progress which Freemasonry continues to make in this province . Not only have three new lodges been consecrated in