Metropolitan.

impressive manner initiated into the mysteries of Ancient Freemasonry . Bros . Palmer , Routledge , J . Thomas , C . Hart , L . Hart , and AVilliams , were elected as joining members of this lodge . There being no further business , the loclge was closed , and the brethren adjourned for refreshment , about fifty sitting down . The AA . M . in suitable terms , gave "The Queen , " and "The Earl of Zetland , M . AV . G . M . of Masons . " In giving "The Health ofthe Earl of Dalhousie , MW . D . G . M ., " he saicl , that as their lodge was

named after the Deputy Grand Master , he trusted that it would do honour to the name . They had present one of the Granci Officers , their esteemed brother ivho had performed the ceremony of consecration and installation , and , therefore , he should give fchem "The Health of the Earl of Dalhousie , and the rest of the Grand Officers , " coupling with it the health of Bro . Farmer . The toast was most cordially received . Bro . FARMER returned thanks for the ivay in which the AA . M .

had proposed tbe health of the Grand Officers , and for the manner in which ifc had been responded to b y the brethren . AVith respect to the Earl of Dalhousie , he was sure that too much could not he said in his praise , for his excellence ivas known to the world at large . He was about to retire on account of ill health ; but whoever might be the Deputy Grand Master in future , he trusted that he would be as much respected as the present one . As fco the Grand Officers , lie believed that the M . AV . G . M . had found they had done as much

as he expected uf them , when he appointed fchem to their offices . The AV . M . saicl , as thafc ivas the first meeting of their lodge , he ivas proud to see so large a number of respectable brethren around him , and it was with equal pleasure that , on their first meeting , he had initiated two gentlemen into the Craft . He gave "The Health of their newly initiated Brethren . " Bro . HATWAED returnedthanks for the honour of being admitted into their honourable societand trusted that fchey would never

y , disgrace it . The AV . M . then gai * e "The Health of the Visitors ; Happiness , long Life , and Prosperity to them . " Bro . AA ' ATSON , P . M ., on behalf of the visitors , thanked fchem for the hospitality ivith which they had been received ; but that ivas scarcely the language he ought to use , as hospitality was proverbial amongst Masons , ancl was sure to follow the business of the day ; but this was more than an ordinary occasion , for they hacl on thafc

day added another branch to the great Masonic tree . Brethren ivho attended lodges could not fail to observe the rapidity with which its brunches had spread round the suburbs of London ; and although , seventeen years ago , ivhen the United Pilgrims' Lodge ( No . 745 ) was founded , ifc was considered to be a very great number , at the present time they had No . 1162 , ivhich showed the rapid strides in Masonry ivhich hacl taken place . Nothing more than that proved the excellence of its princilesand although they added

p ; new lodges , every loclge ivas in full operation , ivith a desire ancl intention to carry out the great principles of Freemasonry . He ivas happy to say that he had done something towards reviving lodges ivhich hacl gone into abeyance , which were now in good working order , ivith a full number of members—ivhich proved the excellent way in which the foundation of Freemasonry were laid ; ancl the granting of new lodges redounded to the honour of the

Grand Master , who showed how desirous he was that every brother who aspired to office should have an opportunity of carrying out the principles inculcated upon him on his entrance into _ Freemasonry . As an old Mason , it ivas most gratifying to him to find that the energy and time he had spent in spreading the principles of their Order hacl been so ably seconded by the brethren themselves , and that the labours of Bro . Thomas , which

hacl been distributed on that side of the Avater ( for Bro . Thomas was considered the father of Freemasonry on the South side of Thames ) had been so well rewarded . As to himself , nothing gave him greater pleasure than to see Freemasonry flourish ; and , believing thafc every new lodge consecrated added respectability to the Craft , he wished them happiness , and the lodge every prosperity that they could wish for it themselves . Bro . FARMER , P . M ., said , —Brethren , the AV . M . has allowed me the of his

use gavel , ancl I have no doubt that you know how I shall use it , for it is to propose the health of our newl y installed WM . I cannot say more of his ability than yon are all acquainted with , for every one who knows Bro . Ireland knows his zeal in Freemasonry—whether North , South , East , or AVest , his ability is especially well known . I clo not think that if you were to search through the Craft you could find a more zealous Mason than Bro . Ireland ; for , whether afc home or abroad , his heart is "iven fco Freemasonry . Having such an excellent AV . M ., you cannot refuse to join me in drinking his health , ancl long may he continue to be an ornament to the Craft .

The W . M . said he rose ivith' great pleasure to return thanks for the compliment paid to him by Bro . Farmer , who was now the Treasurer of the lodge . He hacl spoken of his delight in Freemasonry , which lie should always continue to feel ; and , having promoted

the lodge in that house , he should do his best to advance its prosperity , ancl that of all connectedwifch it . It was ivitlipeculiar pleasure that he was placed in that chair , and he ivould clo his best to promote the prosperity of the brethren , for he ivas surrounded by a very able band of officers , and they were gentlemen of too high standing not to attend to their duties . He should always be afc his post , so that the business of the loclge might be carried on harmoniously , both for the satisfaction of the members of the loclge , ancl

those who might honour them with a visit . He trusted , during his year of office , that he should see a great number of visitors , ancl afc the end of the year they should find that no lodge had prospered so well as the Dalhousie , so that it niightproveacomplimont to thenobleman whose name they acted under , and gratifying to him by the support fchey would afford to their Charities . He would attend punctually to his duties , and nothing should be Avanting on his partto promote the interests and good fellowship of the lodge . The W . M . then

saicl , although he had giA'en the name of Bro . Farmer in connection ivith the Grand Officers , yet he considered , from the gratification he had afforded them in performing the ceremony of consecration , he ivas entitled to a special notice . He therefore gave "The Health of Bro . Farmer . " Bro . PARMER , in reply , saicl the AAOl . seemed determined to load him with compliments that evening , as that was the second time he had to return thanks . He could only say thatif he had clone

any-, thing to please them , it was not his own , but what he hacl learned from other brethren . He was proud of the honour that eveningof having consecrated the lodge , ami with regard to what the W . M . had said about him , he should ever have the same feelings as respected Freemasonry , for ifc inculcated morality aud idrtue ; and he trusted , as long as he lived , he should find it flourish and continue , as ifc ever had been , pure and unsullied . The next for ivhich the

VOL gave " The Officers of the Lodge , " S . AV , ( pro tern . ) returned thanks . The W . M . said the next toast he had to propose was the health of an officer whose position was equally important as his own , ancl thai was their Secretary . He requested Bro . AA nrren , who was a P . M . on more than one occasion , to do him the honour to accept the office of Secretary , and he consented to do so . He hoped he would hold that office permanentlfor a better man and a better

y , Mason did not exist . Bro . J . R . AARARREN said he was exceedingly obliged to the AV . M . for proposing his health in such flattering terms , and he would do all he could , ancl endeavour to deserve it . As a young Mason , he might tell those he saw around him they could not become good Masons by merely attending lodges of instruction , as a comprehension to carry out the principles of Freemasonry was more important than

any other consideration . He hacl endeavoured to do so , ancl ifc ivas from their brother in the East that he hacl taken his instruction , and he thanked the AV . M . for the position he helcl . He should not have attempted to become the Secretary of a lodge , as he hacl given up the idea of making any further progress in Freemasonry , had lienot known how badly they were in want of officers in thafc district , and in accepting the office of Secretary he hoped to fulfil the duties to the satisfaction of the brethren and with credit to himself .

The AV . M . saicl there was one toast most gratifying . The press ivas a mighty engine , and he was happy to say that they could boast of a Masonic Press . He ivas pleased when any one was present to take an interest in what might occur ancl record it . He gave " Prosperity to the Masonic Press , " coupling with it the name- of Bro . Thompson . Bro . THOMPSON returned thanks , ancl hoped the Masonic Presswould ever reflect the sentiments of the brethren . The Tyler's toast was given , and brought the proceedings toa close .

lhe fittings ot the loclge , ivhich are of a very superior description , ivere furnished hy Bro . Piatt . ENOCH LODOE ( NO . 11 ) . —The last meeting this season took place on AVednesday , the 10 th inst ., afc Freemasons' Tavern , when the AV . M ., Bro . Charles J . Watson , most ably passed Bros . Griffiths , Kafiininmn , ancl Newman ; he also , with more than usual effect , afterwards raised Bros . Hitchin and Honey . The lodge closed , the

brethren retired to banquet . The visitors were , Bros . Ward , No . 1 G 5 5 AVaters , No . 201 ; and C . Sloman , No . 25 . The latter delighted the brethren with some clever extempore songs . The vocal abilities of Bros . Edney , Watson , Lewis , and Bruton also added much to the pleasures of a most happy evening . AA e must nofc omit to mention that Bro . Peter Matthews delivered an admirable address upon the last meeting of the loclge this season , ivhich had its clue effect . MERCHANT NAVY LODOE ( NO . 1133 ) . —The anniversary festival

was held on Thursday , April 11 , at the Jamaica Tavern , AVest India Docks , Bro . Gibson Manton , AV . M . Messrs . Levy and Hamonson were initiated . The AV . M . elect ., Bro . George Yabsley , was then presented for installation to Bro . D . J . Patts , ancl duly inducted into the chair . Among the Past Masters present were Bros .