Metropolitan.

The votes of this Lodge to the AVidows' Fund were agreed to he given to Mrs , Hicks , and those for the Men ' s Fund to Bro . Young , P . M . of this Lodge . CONFIDENCE LODGE ( N O . 228 . )—The monthly meeting of this Lodge was held on Monday , April llth , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street ; Bro . Brewer , AV . M ., presided , supported by Bro . Johnson , S . AV ., and Bro . AVaine , J . AV . Mr . AVebb was introduced , and initiated into the Order . A brother was passed and another raised . The Lodge was closed , and the brethren retired to banquet , which was presided over by the "W . M . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and the cause of charity was not forgotten . The brethren adjourned ' at an eariv hour .

AVELLISOTOS LODGE ( NO . 805 . )—The last meeting of this Lodge for the seasons was held on Tuesday , April 12 th , at the Lord Duncan , Broadway , Deptford ; Bro-AVadeson , the AA . M ., presided , supported by Bro . Owden , S . AV ., and Bro . AVelsford , J . AV . The Lodge having been opened , tlie AA . M . proceeded to raise Bros . Foster aud Parity to the third degree , the ceremony being performed in the most impressive manner . Some other business having been disposed of , the Lodge adjourned until the second Tuesday in September .

MERCHANT NAVY LODGE ( NO . 10 S 3 ) . —The removal of the Eastern Star Lodge from the East India Road to Mile-end being regarded as inconvenient to some of the members , particularly those connected with the mercantile navy , a new warrant was obtained , and the Lodge opened on Thursday , the 14 th of April , at the Jamaica Tavern , AA est India Docks . At two o'clock there were sixty brethren assembled , The Lodge room is spacious and of good proportions , the ceiling representing the clouded canopy of heaven studded with stars . The Lodge was opened in the three degrees by BroAVAA'ilsonPGrand Stewardassisted bBroAVPotts

. . , . , y . . . AV . M ., No . 1050 , as P . M .: Bro . Knihh , AA . M ., No . 203 ; Bro . Dr . Guest , P . M ., Noi 2-18 . Bro . AA atson then commenced the consecration ceremony hy an appropriate prayer , followed by an ode , the music of which was composed by Bro . I . Saqui , sung by Bros . Fielding and Percy , accompanied by Bro . Saqui on the harmonium . Bro . Potts then presented the brethren named in the warrant , which was read , and their approval of the AV . M . confirmed . Bro . AA atson then proceeded AA-ith the consecration , ivhich AA'as concluded ivith Psalm oxxii ., most ably sung by the brethren

we have named . Bro . Potts afterwards presented Bro . Johan Fred . Bliclifeldt , the neiv AA . M ., who was duly installed by Bro . AVatson , in the presence of tii'enty Past Masters , among whom were Bros . Kindred , Guest , Knipe , Saqui , Hon-, Payne , drivers , AVilson , Corner , Puller , & e . The W . M . appointed as his officers—Bro . Captain Gideon Manton , S . AV . ; Bro . George William Thomas , J . AA . ; Bro . F . J . Johnson , P . M ., No . 29 , Sec . ; Bro . R . Fairbairn , S . D . ; Bro . T . B . Daniell , J . D . ; Bro . G . Megget , I . G . The brethren elected Bro . James Tilley , Treas ., and Bro . HoareTyler . Five gentlemen were then balloted forbut onlone presenting

him-, , y self , Mr . Christopher Rook , he was initiated into Freemasonry . Two Crimean heroes were present , Major McDonald , whose right hand ivas shattered , and Capt . Stevens , of the 45 th regiment , both members of No . 203 . Some brethren were proposed as joining members , and the Lodge Ai-as closed . At six o ' clock fifty-tAVO brethren assembled at the banquet , which ended , the AV . M . rose and gave " The Queen and the Craft . " He next called } on the brethren to drink the health of

" Tho M . AV . Grand Master . " He remarked that the Order of Freemasons was the most peculiar society in the world—it AA-as democratic , it was the most aristocratic , and withal the most despotic . Although the Grand Blaster was a most despotic sovereign , yet at the end of the year they could displace him . Seeing that the Earl of Zetland had been for fifteen successive years elected to his distinguished position , it proved that the Masons considered he was the right man in the right place . After honouring in like manner the D . G . M ., Lord Panmureand the rest of the Grand OfficersBro . Potts rose and saidthat

, , , the numerous visitors who had attended to witness the couseeration of this Lodge , would observe it was founded especially for those whose lives , devoted to the maritime service , required tho benefits of Masonry in their seasons of peril . There were present brethren from far distant parts , some bearing marks of conflict , which would never be effacecUivho having seen the benefits of Masonry even in the