Metropolitan.

token than those which already adorn his breast . A P . M . 's iewel was presented by the W . M . to the I . P . M ., Bro . J . A . Green , as a small mark of esteem for his able services -while presiding as W . M . Bro . J . A . Green returned thanks for the honour conferred upon him , and said he should ever look with pride upon that token of the good-will of the brethren , and of the happy hours he had spent in the Lodge of Justice . Bro . Geo . Bolton , P . M ., in a neat telling speech , for the last time

appealed to the brethren to support by their contributions the already well-filled list for the Aged Freemasons . He cordially thanked those who had so very liberally responded to his previous calls , for he had the pleasing satisfaction of receiving the support of every lodge in the neighbourhood , which added a zest to the pleasure he already felt at the high honour of being the steward of this noble institution . The lodge then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet , to wliich

about 40 of the brethren sat down . It was furnished in Bro . Porter's best style . The usual loyal toasts were given and received . After a very happy evening , the Tyler's toast brought the proceedings to a close . Visitors—Bros . C . T . Spreight , P . M . 27 ; F . AA alters , W .-M . 73 , 871 ; AV . Orchard , AV . M . 79 ; R . Boncey , 79 ; Doughnev , 79 ; E . W . Pook , 140 ; G . Brown , W . M . elect 169 ; Ii . Bagshaw , W . M . 548 ; A . D . Loewenstark , P . M . 548 and P . M . 733 ; J . Liddiard , S . D . 548 ; G . AVilton , W . M . 871 , & c .

DOMATIC LODGE ( NO . 177 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Monday evening , Jan . 11 , at the Masonic Hall , Fetter-lane . Bro . Henry Thompson , AA ^ . M ., presided ; Bros . W . F . Smith , S . W . ( pro tern . ); Meekham , J . W . ; Simpson , S . D . ; and Pryor , I . G . There were several visitors , amongst whom were—Bros . H . T . Thompson , P . M . of the Crystal Palace Lodge ; Dyer , W . M . Strong Man Lodge ; Bruton , & e . The lodge having been opened and the minutes read , it was opened

in the second degree , when Bros . Llewellyn and Rowell were introduced and questioned as to the progress they had made , which being considered satisfactory , the lodge was opened in the third degree , and they were raised to the sublime degree of M . M ., the AV . M . closing the ceremony with the traditional history . The lodge having resumed , Bro . Wilson was passed to the second degree . The lodge was then resumed to the first degree , and an unanimous ballot taking place for Mr . Richard

Tanner , lie was introduced , and impressively initiated into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry . Bro . Marshall , P . M . of the lodge , brought under the notice of the brethren the many years that Bro . Smith , P . M ., and father of the lodge , had acted as their Treasurer , and thought , as he was absent , that that would be a fitting opportunity to pass a compliment upon him , which was by making him an honorary member of the lodge . The motion liaving been seconded , was put

and agreed to unanimously . There being no further business , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned for refreshment , which was provided in Bro . Ireland ' s usual satisfactory style . After the cloth was drawn , the AV . M . gave the formal

toasts , which were very cordially responded to . The AV . M . said the next toast he had to propose was a most agreeable one , as it was the health of a gentleman whom he had that evening the pleasure of initiating into the noble and ancient Order of Freemasonry . He had had the pleasure of Bro . Tanner's acquaintance for some time , and he now congratulated him on the bond of union which would henceforth exist between them by his admission into their Order . He had no doubt whatever but

lie would prove a worthy member ; and he strongly advised him mow that he had passed the threshold , to attend as often as he ¦ could lodges of instruction , in which he would have explained to him and illustrated the meaning of all he had passed through that evening , and at the same time he would be assisted in qualifying himself for any duties that he might hereafter be ¦ called upon to perform . It was too much the habit of some personsns soon as they had passed through the different

cere-, monies , to consider that they were then what might be called Freemasons , and that was all that was required of them . Now nothing could be a greater mistake . It was true they might he Freemasons in name , but that gave them but a small pretension to that honourable title unless they made themselves thoroughly conversant with the sublime principles upon which their Order was foundedand became reallFreemasons in practice as well

, y as in name . He did not think that Bro . Tanner would prove like those persons to whom he had referred , and he hoped by diligence he would at no distant period arrive at the proud position which he had then the honour to fill as W . M . of the Domatic Lodge . The toast was very cordially drank . —Bro .

TASKEE , m acknowledging the compliment , said it was his determination to become a good Mason , and he hoped some day to arrive at that high position to which the W . M . had alluded . He thanked the brethren for the very kind way in which they had drank his health . —The AV . M . said the toast he had then to

give was alwaj'S one that was well received by the Domatic Lodge , as they delighted to honour the brethren who , visited them . They were that night honoured hy the presence of Bro . Thompson , P . M . of the Crystal Palace Lodge— -a brother for whom he entertained the highest feelings of regard , from his long acquaintance with him — and several other brethren , and to one and all he gave a hearty welcome . He gave " The jHealth of the Visitors . "—Bro . H . T . THOJEFSOU , P . M . of the

Crystal Palace Lodge , returned thanks on the part of the visitors , not only for the satisfaction they had derived from , witnessing the working of the lodge , but for the great hospitality with which they had been received . —Bro . CARPENTER , P . M ., in one of his happy and characteristic speeches , proposed " The Health of Bro . Henry Thompson , WM .., " and said he had great pleasure in witnessing the manner he had performed the ceremonies that evening , and he was pleased to

find that he had . given , what was very often omitted , the traditional history in the third degree . Having alluded , in very complimentary terms to their early acquaintance , he said it gavehim peculiar pleasure , in the absence ofthe I . P . M ., to propose the health of their AV . M . —The W . M ., in reply , said he attributed to the kindliness of heart and the generous construction that he always put upon any one's actions , the very complimentary way in which Bro . Carpenter had spoken of

him rather to any merits of his own ; but , at the same time , he thanked him for them , aud the brethren for the way in which they had endorsed them . He could assure them that he highly estimated their good opinions , and would do all in his power to do his duty , and if he could do so to their satisfaction that would he his highest reward . Their Bro . Carpenter had spoken of their early association , which was an event which had almost escaped his ( the AV . M . 's ) recollection , hut he felt obliged to

him for having reminded him of it . As to the way in which he had gone through the ceremonies he had done his best , and as regarded the traditional history he had spoken of , he thought that it ought always to form a portion of the ceremony of the third degree . He thanked them sincerely for the way in which they had drunk his health . —The " Health of the Past Masters of the Lodge " was then given , for which Bros . Marshall and Brett returned thanks . " The Officers of the Lodge " was next

given , for which Bro . Meekham returned thanks . The W . M . gave " Our Worthy Host , " who had , in so satisfactory a manner , catered for them , for which Bro . Ireland returned thanks , and said it would always be his study to give satisfaction to the members of the Domatic Lodge . Some other toasts were given and responded to , and the proceedings were brought to a close . During the evening Bros . Bruton , Vernon , and several other brethren delighted the company with their vocal abilities , and the Dihdin revivals by Bro . Vernon were greatly admired .

WELHNGTOif LODGE ( NO . 548 , late 805 ) .- —On Tuesday , January 12 th , at the Clarendon Arms Tavern , Upper Lewishamroad , Deptford , this prosperous lodge held its installation meeting . In the unavoidable absence of Bro . John Stevens , W . M ., caused by a business appointment , Bro . R . Welsford , P . M ., by his request , opened the lodge , assisted by Bros . H . Bagshaw , S . W . ; AVakefield , J . W . ; Raraty , Treas . ; Bumsted , Sec ; GWiltonS . D . ; BumsteadJ . D . ; GaleI . G . ; A . D .

. , , , Loewenstark , Owden , Bentley , Hay , P . M . ' s ; J . Liddiard , E . Skinner , Henderson , Savage , Jones , and many others . Amongst a very large number of visitors , almost mustering as numerous as the members , we noticed Bros . F . AValters , W . M . 73 , Sec . 871 ; AVE . Jackson , P . M . 73 G . S . L . ; W . R . Orchard , AV . M . 79 ; Doughney , 79 ; Pook , 140 ; H . A . Collington , P . M . 140 , J . W . 871 ; J . StevensTreas . 871 ; J . W . WeirP . M . 25 ( I . C . ) 871

, , ; J . H . Pembroke , S . D . 871 . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and unanimously confirmed . A ballot was taken for Mr . William Billington , wliich was declared to be in favour of his admission . No candidates presenting themselves for some time , Bro . Welsford proceeded to work some of the sections of the first degree in which he was assisted by all the brethren . Mr . William Billington then presented himself and was duly

initiated into the secrets and privileges of ancient Freemasonry . AA e were sorry to find our esteemed P . M . was a little rusty , as it somewhat marred the beauty of the ceremony , more especially as the newly-initiated brother is a distinguished member of some other secret societies . Bro . John Stevens , W . M ., then