Metropolitan.

possess , and had spoken of him rather as to what he ought to be than what he was , but at the same time he felt deeply indebted to them for thus noticing any slight service he might be able to render . That was the second time he had performed the ceremony of installation , and he knew his deficiencies , hut he would endeavour to improve upon some future occasion . The first time he went through the ceremony and without even a

rehearsal , was at the installation of his Bro . Pulsford as AV . M . of the Southern Star Lodge , and the second time was that evening , and if what he had done had given them satisfaction he felt delighted in having come amongst them and would on any future occasion be most happy to render any services in his power to promote the prosperity of the lodge . Bro . Pulsford proposed that Bro .

Louis , of the Lodge of Israel , and Bro . Smith , of the Robert Burns Lodge , he elected members of this lodge of instruction , which was carried unanimously . Bro . Louis , in an eloquent address , returned thanks for the honour of being admitted a member of the lodge , and expressed the delight he had experienced in being present at the ceremony of installation that evening , and the way in which it had been worked by Bro .

Thompson , had made not only a deep impression on his mind , hut had awakened a desiro to know more of the principles of Freemasonry than he had known before , and he should use his ntmost exertions to be a constant attendant at the lodge , for the beautiful precepts he had heard would not easily be erased from his memory . A motion was then made by Bro . Homewood , that a vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes of the lodge

to Bro . Thompson , for the very able manner in which he had performed the ceremony of installation that evening . The motion was seconded and carried unanimously . Bro . Thompson returned thanks for that renewed mark ot their kindness , and said , on any future occasion , in the absence of a better exponent of the duty , lie should be again most happy to go through the ceremony or in any way add his mite to towards promoting the efficiency of tho lodge . There being no other business the lodge was closed in due form , and with solemn prayer .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

ESSEX . COLCHESTER . — United Lodge ( No . 697 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the George Hotel , on Wednesday , 10 th inst ., at 7 . p'm . Bro . J . Newman , W . M ., occupied tbe chair of K . S ., and was supported by Bro . C . Carnegie , P . M ., P . Prov . G . Supt . of Works , Essex , as I . P . M . ; Bros . Rix , S . AV . ; G . H . Ray , J . W . ; Shaw , S . D . ; Crick , J . D . ;

Eustace , J . G . ; & c . The lodge was opened in due form in the first degree . The summons convening the meeting was read , and the minutes of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed . The secretary read the quarterly communication of Grand Lodge , a summons to attend the meeting of Grand Lodge and the business to be transacted thereat , and a summons to attend an especial Grand Lodge at Lancaster on the 17 th inst ., on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the Royal

Albert Asylum for Idiots of the Northern Counties . Bro . H . Crick , 16 th Regt ., signed his Grand Lodge Certificate , and received it from the AV . Master . Proposed by Bro . C . Carnegie , P . M ., seconded by Bro . G . H . Ray , and resolved , " That one pound be granted to the Masonic Lifeboat Fund . " Bro . W . Gill , 41 st Regt ., was proposed as a joining member by the AV . Master , seconded by Bro . Ray . Bro . Ray presented a handsome sword to the lodfor the use of the I . G . Proposed b

ge y Bro . Carnegie , P . M ., seconded by Bro . J . Newman , AV . M ., and resolved , " That a vote of thanks be given to Bro . Ray for his kind donation to the lodge . Some further business having been transacted , the lodge was closed and adjourned , and the brethren retired to refreshment .

KENT . GRAA'ESEND . —Lodge of Freedom ( No . 77 . )—The election meeting of this ancient lodge took place on Monday evening , the 15 th inst ., at the Clarendon Hotel , a large number of brethren being present . The AV . M . Bro . Wright opened the lodge precisely at seven o ' clock , assisted by his officers Bros . Sheen , S . W . ; J . T . Bennett , J . W . ; Barcinzsky , S . D . ; W . Holl ' mgum , J . D . ; and Taylor , I . G . The lodge being duly formed the minutes of

Provincial.

| the last meeting were read and received unanimous confirmation . After which the election of W . M . for the ensuing twelve months [ took place , which fell upon the S . W . Bro . Sheen who it is confidently expected from his attention to Masonic duties and his urbanity , will make a good Master . Bro . W . F . Dobson , Deputy Prov . G . M . for Kent was , we need scarcely say , unanimously re-elected Treas . Among the brethren present wo

noticed Bros . Hilder , P . Prov . S . G . W . ; T . F . Nettleingham , P . P . G . S . W . ; White , P . Prov . Assist . Dir . of Cers . ; Hills , P . Prov . G . S . D . ; also Bros . Dunn , Forsdick , Cleveland , Allen , Hallingum , Andrews , Collins , Armstrong , Hart , Hon . Sec . Bro Martin was re-elected Tyler .

LANCASHIRE ( EAST ) . ARDWTOK :, MANCHESTER . —De Grey and , Zipon Lodge ( 1161 ) . —The St . John ' s festival in connection with tho installation of Bro . AVilliam Wayne as W . M ., took place on Wednesday , the 20 th ult . There was a largo assemblage present , amongst whom were Bro . AV . 11 . Callender , Jun ., the newly appointed D . Prov . G . M . ; Bro . LeesHI . Dof Ashton-under-Lyiie

, , , P . S . G . AV . ; Bro . the Rev . J . L . Figgins , P . P . G . C . ; Bro . H . Cairigg , P . Prov . G . Supt . Works ; Bro . J . L . Bowes ( of Warrington ); Bro . S . P . Bidder , P . M . ; Bro . Bibb ) -, W . M ., 993 ; Bro . Abbey , P . M . ; Bro . GuHeridge , W . M . ; & c , & c . After the banquet the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and received in the usual cordial manner . The health of the newly appointed D . Prov . G . M . was proposed by the immediate P . M .,

and on rising to respond , Bro . Callender was very warmly received . He said he thanked the brethren sincerely for the unexpectedly hearty welcome they had given him . Although he could not urge that he was " unaccustomed to public speaking " he assured them that he felt unwonted difficulty in clothing the sentiments which he experienced in sufficiently expressive words . He had heard of the excellent working of this lodge and he believed that

good working tended to attract closer attention to the great Masonic principles . He believed that Masonry presented valuable means of usefulness to the world at large . It was not a talent to hide in a napkin , but it should be developed by the dealing of its professors with society throughout the world . He was glad to bo present that evening and he would not omit to the lodanother and an earl

pay ge y visie . Bro . Edwin Simpson , W . M . 615 , and S . W . 993 , proposed the health of the newly installed W . M ., Bro . Wayne . He said he had been present at Bro . Wayne ' s Masonic birth , and had watched his career from that time to the present . Bro . AVayne had always conducted himself in conformity with the rules of

the Craft , and richly deserved the high honour which the brethren of the De Grey Lodge had conferred upon him . He prophesied for Bro . Wayne and the lodge a year of uninterrupted prosperity and success , because whero W . M . and his officers were all actuated by the deep Masonic feeling which characterised that lodge no other result was possible . Bro . Wayne , who was cordially received , said he would , during his term of office inuintain

Masonry in all its purity , its dignity , and its entirety . He had gained his position by hard work , and he would not bo candid if he did not say that he was proud of the occasion . He promised that no effort should be wanting to render the lodo-e prosperous . The V . AV . the D . Prov . G . M ., at the request of the brethren , presented to Bro . S . P . Bidder , the retiring AV . M ., a very handsome and costltimepiecerichlinlaid with various '

y , y coloured marbles and surmounted by a bronze figure of Virtue . He spoke in flattering terms of the services which Bro . Bidder had rendered to Masonry , and his remarks were received with frequent applause . Bro . Bidder , in accepting the testimonial thanked the brethren very warmly for their kindness . He had been now more than fourteen years a Mason , and it might be interesting to the brethren to learn that the R . W . P . G . M . had intimated to him that his

services would shortly be required in the Provincial Grand Lodge . He was glad to say in retiring from the chair that there was not a brother in the lodge with whom lie was not on the best terms , and he was happy that his successor was so calculated to carry on prosperously the future of the De Grey and Ripon . The timepiece bore the following inscriptien : — Presented to BroSamuel Parker Bidder

. by the brethren of the Dj Grey and Ripon Lodge of Freemasons , No . 1 , 101 , in acknowled gment of the eminent and valuable services rendered by him as first AV . M . May 20 th , 1 S 6 S . " The proceedings throughout were marked by the most complete harmony , and a ploasant evening was brought to a close by the usual " last toast " proposed by the J . W . °