Metropolitan.

in responding , after briefly thanking the AV . M . for the kind ancl complimentary way in which his name had been introduced , ancl a reference to Lord Pannmre's merits , said it hacl afforded him much pleasure to have rendered his aid in opening the lodge , which he must consider bore great promise of success ; ancl he concluded by wishing "Prosperity to the British Oak Lodge , " which he offered a ^ a toast . The proposal was received with acclamation . —Bro . V . JL 30 N" then saidthat from his position that clayand in a new

, , lodge , he should assume the place of P . M ., ancl propose "The Health ofthe IV . M . in the Chair . " The skill and ability Bro . Fairhairn had displayed in his first- appearance as a Master was an -augury of thc good work the lodge would perform . —The AV . M ., in reply , referred to the successful result of the efforts of himself and the other founders of the lodge , and by the numbers of gentlemen who bits means ht admission into the OrderHe ten

y soug . - dered his warmest thanks to all who had assisted in the matter , and especially to Bro . AVilson for his advice . —The AV . M . then offered n cordial greeting to the numerous visitors , especially alluding' to the Master and brethren ofthe Lodge of Sincerity , who had recommended the . petition . "The Officers" were then pledged , and the Senior Warden replied . —The W . M . said that he could not conclude the day without asking the brethren to join him in

-another toiu' . t , which had a double claim to their notice , it was wishing "Success to THE FBEEMASOXS MAGAZIXE ; " and , as its able editor was not present , he would couple it with the name of Bro . How , who was connected with the publication , and ivho had so kindly and ably assisted in tho celebration of the rites that cl \ y , being personally known to many present ; and , as Bro . How h . ul in another lodge passed his own son and their Treasurer to the second

- degree , he hoped that , on the return of Bro . Alfred How to his native land , he would not fail to visit the British Oak Lodge . — Bro . How , in reply , regretted that Bro . AVarron was not present to give expression to his gratification in finding the lodge acknowledged the literary organ of the Craft . For himself he could but sny that he was honoured in being invited by Bro . AVilson to assist in the work , aud that he should never forget the W . M . 's kind notice -of himself and his son . —The Tyler ' s toast concluded a very happy li-. eetinc .

RAXEIUOU LODGE ( NO . 1136 ) . —The second meeting of this lodge took place on Tuesday , the 11 th , at the Windsor Castle Hotel , King-street , Hammersmith . Tho lodge being opened in clue form , the W . M . Bro . Purbrook proceeded to pass Bros . Lee , Lines , Chryton , Emmanuel , and Stothers to the second degree . Messrs . Tilling , Ma . iseil , Alison , Toplin , ancl Crouch , were " admitted into the mysteries of the Order . The lodge was then called off , and the brethren retired to banquetserved in a nice manner b

, up very y Bro . Clayton . After the usual toasts , the W . M . proposed "The Health of the Initiates . " He said he trusted what they had seen of Masonry would convince them that they had not entered-any light or futile Order , for to boa good JIason wiis all the world could wish of the-. n . —Bro . Crouch replied in a very apropos speech on the part of the initiates . —Bro . Earwinder , P . M ., on the part of the visitors , proposed " The Health ofthe AV . M ., " highly complimenting h

:-. n for the admirable maimer in which ho had conducted the ceremony . He said , without the slightest egotism , be had never heard it better performed . The AV . M . then proposed the health of Bro . A'iscount Itanelagh ; also ™ thanking him for the kind manner iu which he had allowed the lodge to use his name . His lordship , ir . a very excellent speech , stated that nothing gave him greater pleasure than to see the Society flourish , for it tended to bring all

classes together in one friendl y brotherhood . Bro . Clark , S . AV ., replied for the Officers in a very neat speech , thanking tho brothers -for the high compliments paid them . The lodge was then closed in due form , after which Viscount Itanelagh proposed a toast , one which , he said , Masons generally neglected , which was ' ' The Press , " bis loi-dsmp p-. ming some very high compliments upon it , although , h " . s : < id , sometimes abuse , crept in its management . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . Amos , ofthe Crystal P-. il . icr-. ' J

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

BEI-IKS AMI BUCKS . Sroxy S-rnA-n--OM > . —Scientific Lodge ( So . 1112 ) . —Consecration . —A warrant having been obtained by some brethren connected with the railway interest , chiefly located at tbe great station at AVolv « rton . and of which lodge * Bro . James Edward M-Connell , the Superintendent of the Southern Locomotive Department oi the London and Xorth-AVestern Eailway , was named as the first Masterto be Leici at

, the Cock Hotel , in Stony Stratford , it was decided tj have the lodge opened on Saturday , ' December 15 ; but inasmuch as that the Hotel rooms were inconvenient for the purpose of the first meeting , a dispensation was granted by the

Grand JRegisfrar to have it holden in the Xational Schooi- _ . SolY )_ close by . Bro . John Hervey , P . G . D ., was the Grand ailaster ' s representative for consecrating the lodge . Bro . Daniel Goocl ) , T > Prov . G . M . of AVilts , ancl Prov . G . S . B ., acted as Deputy ; the Bev . Bro . J . AV . Laughlin , AA' . M . elect , of JS ' o . 201 , as Omqlsun , and Bro . Jeremiah How as Sec . and D . C . The interesting- ceremony was gone through , in Bro . Hervey ' s able manner , in the presence of twenty-two brethrenamong whom were Bros . Dr . Hinxnian and

, AA'illiam AVatson , P . G . Stewards , Bro . Chubb , AV . JL Xo . 38 ; Bro . Samuel Inns , P . M . Xo . 052 , P . Prov . G . W . of Xorfhr . nipton ; Bro . Tunnard , AA' . M . Xo . 652 ; Bro . Charles Davy , P . Prov . G . D . Herts ; Bros . Fothergill , Piatt , Figg , kc . The Bey . Chaplain beingcalled on by Bro . Hervey , addressed the brethren to the followingeffect : —AVere I required to defend the cause of Freemasonry before an audience prejudiced against it , I might perhaps need to use many

words . But it being my pleasing duty to speak of our noble Craft before those who from experience knowandappreciateits excellencies , I need but few words , and those only to stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance , so that your " mouths may be filled with arguments" to convince the outer world , and to recommend our system to those who have not already embraced it . Keniembc-r , then , the grancl foundation principles of our Order , —That the volume of God's law is our court of final appeal in all matters of

faith and practice towards our God , and towards all men . That brotherly love , relief and truth are our distinguishing characteristics . That our objects of research extend to the depths of natural and heavenly science , embrace the investigation of moral truth , instruct us how to live , and teach us how to die . AA'hen I remind you of all this , and of the fact indisputably proved by tiie records of history , that wherever there was light there ivas Masonry to be

found , ancl that where there was Masonry there was light ; that its time-honoured institutions carry with them all the external evidence of antiquity , and the internal evidence of beauty , tint-h , and adaptation to our wants ancl duties , then I know and fee ! persuaded that you will join with me in feeling that our right hands should forget their cunning , our tongues should cease to speak , our hearts to beat , ere we cease to love , to honour , and to promote thc extension and interests of our ancient , venerable , and noble

Order . —The solemn rite of consecration concluded , ancl the lodge resumed in the second degree , the R . AV . Bro . Daniel Gooch presented Bro . J . E . M'C'onnell for installation , and he was , with all the ancient rite and ceremony , duly placed in the chair by Bro .

Hervey , and saluted and proclaimed in the several degrees . , Bro . AA'illiam Smith was then invested as S . AA ' ., and Bro . David Stevenson , J . AA ' . ; the appointment of the other officers being deferred . The Bev . 11 . X . Bussell , M . A ., of Beec ' . iainpton , was initiated , and some joining members proposed . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren removed to the upper room , ivhere A very excellent dinner was prepared . A brief space was devoted to the dinnerand on the removal of tiie clothafter thanks were

, , offered to the G . A . O . T . V . by the Rev . Bro . Laughlin , the two first toasts to "The Queen ancl the M . W . G . M . ' '' were honoured . The AA' . M . said , the next toast in rotation was that of "The D . GAI . and the rest of the Grand Officers past and present ; " and among the honourable body was the brother who , as the representative of the G . M ., hacl done the Scientific Lodge the honour of consecration . They bad also been favoured with the presence of Bro . Gooch .

another Grand Officer , who had likewise assisted in the solemn rite of consecration , and to those brethren he tendered the thanks of the lodge for the important services given that clay . Bro Hervey , Prov-G . D ., in acknowledgment to this toast , said ifc gave him much pleasure to have been selected for the important duty of consecrating the Scientific Lodge , which he believed was destined to become one of the most considerable in the registry , and its first initiate being a clergyman of the Church of England might be

considered a guarantee of success . —Bro . Hervey , ere he resumed his seat , as time was wearing late , availed himself of the position he had that day assumed to propose the health of the AA' . M . ; and in alluding to the station of Bro . M'C'onnell in a large establishment as being in every way influential in forwarding the interests of the Craft , the members of the Scientific Lodge must consider themselves fortunate in having a brother so highly gifted as their iirst master . The AV . M . in responding brieflysaid he was deeplindebted to Bro .

, , y Hervey for the complimentary way in which he had proposed the toast , and he hoped that the Scientific-Lodge would be as prosperous as that eminent brother had prognosticated . —Thc AV . JI . then proposed "The Health of their newly-initiated Brother , " whom he trusted would prove the first-born of a large family . —The Lev . Bro . Bussell said , as far as he could judge , he was satisfied with the step he had taken in becoming a member of the institution . —The AA ' . M . then proposed "The Health of the A'isitors / '' which was acknowledged

by Bro . Dr . Hinxman . —The AA ' . M . then proposed " The Health of the two Brethren who had assisted in the important duty of consecrating the Lodge , Bros . Laughlin and How , " ivhic ' ivas acknowledged by the former , who , also , as a minister , assured Bro . Busssil that the