Metropolitan.

As an acknowledgement of his kindness they begged his acceptance of a , P . M . ' s jewel , and although its intrinsic value might he slight , it was an expression of the brethren that there might always be a bond of brotherhood between them , that his cup of happiness might always be filled to overflowing and his garners well supplied . He had great pleasure in fixing that jewel to his breast—he might be assured that in making that gift it was the wish of the brethren that he might live many years

to wear it as Past Master of the St . Mark ' s Lodge . The jewel , bore the following inscription : — " Presented by the St . Mark's Lodge ( No . 1159 ) to Bro . Thomas , P . M . for his valuable and efficient services as first AV . M . of the lodge , March 12 th . 1862 . "—Bro . THOMAS , P . M ., expressed his gratitude to the lodge for the kind way in which the toast , proposedlby the W . M ., had been received , and as regarded the lodge it had progressed most favourably , and he trusted that it would go

on and prosper . He hoped their AV . M . would bring treble the number of members into the lodge , than he ( Bro . Thomas ) , had had the pleasure of initiating , feeling assurred that both as a man ancl a Mason he had a great desire to promote the welfare of the lodge in particular , and Freemasonry in general . Before the warrant for the lodge was granted , it was suggested that in such a neighbourhood , a lodge established in it , must he prosperous , and he trusted he should ) not be disappointed , not having so much regard to the number of members as to

the quality of them . He had during his year of office initiated nine gentleman , into their noble Order , and that those nine gentleman would be an honour to Freemasonry he had not the sliligfcesfc doubt . He hoped that those whom he had initiated would continue to be members of the St . Mark's Lodge , and that as their mother lodge they would entertain the same feelings of regard for it as they did for their maternal parent . The jewel they had that day presented to himas a

, mark of their favour , he should ever wear with peculiar pleasure ; inasmuch as that was his birthday , and the 12 th of March was also the day on which had taken place all the most interesting euents of his life . He thanked them cordially for the honour they had conferred on him , and would do everything in his power to promote the welfare of the lodge . The W . M . next gave "The Visitors , " for which Bros . Offerd , J . Avery , aud J .

Bell returned thanks . The AV . M . then gave " The Officers of the Lodge , " and said the W . M . would-be of little use in the lodge , -were he not well supported by his officers , and lie urged them to be early and punctual in their attendance to their duties . Bros . Ball , S . AV . ; Hammond , J . W . ; Harrison , S . D . ; Count de la More , J . D . ; and Anderson , I . G . ; severally returned thanks . Several other toasts were given and responded to , interspersed with vocal and instrumental music , and the brethren separated highly pleased with the truly Masonic feeling which had marked their procceedings .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

GLOUCESTERSHIRE . TEWKESBURY . —SI . George ' s Lodge ( No . 1202 . )—The members of this rising lodge met on Friday the 14 th inst ., when the minutes relating to a brother who was balloted for as a joining member at the last lodge , for reasons then stated , were not confirmed . On this occasion Messrs . S . AVooles , R . J . Brookes , H . L . Grove , AV . Rice , jvm ., and AVm . Godsall , having been regularly balloted for and approved in lod were duly

open ge , initiated into the mysterious secrets of the E . A degree , in Bro . E . S . Cossens' masterly and impressive manner . The lodge being opened in the higher degrees , Bros . F . Moore , D . Baskerville , E . Gillman , J . H . Lake , ancl J . Trinder passed a very satisfactory examination , ancl were duly promoted to the degree of M . M . with such impressiveness as those brethren will never forget , the AV . M . performiug the ceremony with greater

emphasis than he has ever been known to use before , and being in excellent voice , his mode of delivery of this beautiful degree gave the utmost satisfaction to every brother present . Bro . S . G . Noall , 408 , Bristol , being a visitor , very kindly discharged the duties of S . D . The lodge being resumed , Bros . W . Trotman and Henry Browett were | duly examined , and passed to the degree of F . C . Two gentlemen were proposed as candidates

for initiation , and after a very heavy duty for one lodge —the ceremonies occupying from 5 , P . M ., until 10-45—the W . M . invited Bro . Noall as his guest and retired with tbe brethren to that refreshment which all desired , the only one -who did not

appear fatigued being the AV . M . The brethren having obtained the AV . M ' s concurrence , purpose giving a Masonic Ball to celebrate the consecration of this rapidly flourishing lodge . Ladies related to brethren are to be permitted to wear any Masonic emblem within their command as a mark of distinction , and from the popularity of the principal officers of the lodge it is anticipated a very successful meeting Jwill be the result , especially as the AV . M . has sanctioned , the admission of gentlemen not of the fraternity escorting ladies . The Ball will be held at the Town Hall , and a band of first-class character will be engaged , the refreshments being supplied by Bro . Trotman , of the Swan Hotel .

LANCASHIRE ( AYEST . ) ST . HEEEITS . — -Lodge of Loyalty ( No . 1199 . )—On Monday , March 17 th , the solemn ceremony of dedicating to Masonic purposes this new lodge , took place at the Fleece Hotel . The brethren assembled at 2 o ' clock and the lodge was opened mi the three degrees . A provincial Lodge of Emergency was convened for this day to examine and pass the late Treasurer ' s

accounts , to receive petitions to the Fund of Benevolence , and . to dedicate the new lodge according to ancient form . In the unavoidable absence of the R . W . D . P . G . M ., Sir Thomas Hesketh ,. Bart ., the chair was taken by the Prov . G . S . AV ., Lord Skelmersdale , assisted by Bros . James Hauler , Prov . G . Tres ., as D . Prov . G . M . ; S . Bi-ahnev , P . Prov . G . S . W ., as Prov . S . G . AV . ; James-Billings , P . Prov . G . J . W ., as Prov . G . J . W . ; the Rev . John Dunkley , Prov . G . Chap . ; the Rev . W . A . Macotta , P . Prov . G .

Chap . : John Thorley , Prov . G . S . D . ; J . B . Lambert , P . Prov . G . S . D ., East Lancashire , as J . D . ; Mawdsley , P . G . Registrar ; P . Maddox , Prov . G . Sup . AVr . ; H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sword Bearer ; J . Moleneux , Prov . Org . ; C . J . Banister , Prov . G . D . C . ; John Pepper , Prov . G . A . D . C . ; W . May and John Smith , Prov . G . Stewards ; Evans , Prov . G . Tyler ; also Bro . Morris , W . M . 101 , W . M . and Wardens of lodges 181 , 245 , 263 , 267 , 310 , 711 , 845 ; 864 , 965 , 971 , 1125 . The late Provincial Grand Treasurers

accounts were audited and passed . Bro . Evans was elected Prov . G . Tyler in place of Bro . Carroll , deceased . Four petitions were relieved out of the Fund of Benevolence . The business ofthe Prov . Gr . Lodge over , it was closed , and the Prov . G . D . C , Bro . C . J . Banister , proceeded to address the presiding officers , explaining the wishes of the brethren of this town to be enrolled as a regular lodge and to dedicate the same to the purposes of the Order , presenting the Dispensation Warrant from the Grand Lodge of England , and the minutes of previous meetings which have been regularly recorded , the Prov . G . Secretary then read

them . The new W . M . and officers were presented by Bro . Pepper , Prov . G . A . D . C . Bro . Lord Skelmersclale , assisted by the Prov . G . Chaplain , and Prov . G . Treasurer , then dedicated the lodge in solemn form . Bro . Mocatta , P . Prov . G . Chaplain , delivered the oration , which was listened to by the brethren with great attention . Bro . Jno . Hammill , the new Master , was then duly installed , and the following were the officers appointed and invested : —Bros . Thos . Haddock , S . AA . ; W . AVebster , J . AV . ;

AV . H . Carter , Treasurer ancl Secretary ; J . AV . Wignall , S . D . ; John T . Trellfall , J . D . ; John ICnowles , Organist ; Thos . Sephton Tyler . Charges to each were delivered by the Prov . G . A . D . C , Bro . Jno . Pepper . Bro . James Hamer , Prov . G . Treas ., delivered the charge to the AV . M ., the AVardens , and to the brethren in his usual earnest manner . The two anthems were sung in good style by the musical brethren , Bro . J . Moleneux presiding at the harmonium .

The presiding officer , Bro . Lord Skelsmersdale , being obliged to leave by train , the Prov . G . Officers retired ancl the lodge was closed . The banquet was excellent , presided over by the W . M ., Bro . Hammill . On his right were Bros . Hamer , Prov . G . S . ; S . Brabner , P . Prov . G . S . W . ; Mawdsley , Prov . G . R . ; Maddox , Prov . G . Supt . of AVorks ; J . B . Hughes , AV . May , Smith , Prov . G . Stewards . On his left were Bros . Dunkley , Prov . G . Chap . ; Thos . Wylie , Prov . G . Sec ; H . S . Alpass ,

Prov . G . S . B . ; Dillings , P . Prov . G . J . AV . ; Thorley , Prov . G . S . D . ; C J . Banister , Prov . G . D . C ; Jno . Pepper , Prov . G . A . D . C ., and about fifty brethren , consisting of the W . M . and Wardens of the lodges in the province . AA'hen the cloth was drawn , " The Queen , " " The Prince of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family ; " "The M . W . M . the G . M . Earl of Zetland ; " "The D . G . M . Earl de Grey and Ripon ; " "The R . W . Prov . G . M ., Deputy , and Prov . Gr . Officers , " were proposed and responded . In reply to the toast of the Grand Officers , the Prov . G . Chap , gave the brethren sound advice in a truly fraternal spirit , which