Metropolitan.

about Freemasonry , as those who knew nothing whatever about it . He had had pamphets sent to him until he had been vexed , stating that it was irreligious to belong to such a body , but he had invariably said that they were either children or fools , and knew nothing about it . Wherever Freemasonry was , there was love and goodness , and if lie wore to go to a town ivhere there was no Freemason ' s Lodge , —as a means of bringing friends together , —he should advocate the establishment of a

Freemasons' Lodge . Some of the best of his friends iu the hour of trouble , had been Freemasons , which lie should never forget , and for which he should be grateful to the Great Architect of the Universe , for the rest of his life , and would endeavour to the utmost of his power to carry out the great principles of " brotherly love , relief , and truth . " The worth y and rev . brother was frequently cheered during this address . Tiie AV . MASTEE said the next toast was a very pleasing ono

to a JIaster of a lodge , as it was "The Health of their Brother Initiates , " and he was glad that they had selected the New-Concord to he their mother lodge . The several initiates returned thanks . The W . MASTER next gave " The Health of the Visitors , " coupling with the toast the names of Bro . Hodges , Prov . G . Officer for Essex , and Bro . Captain Eglese , P . M . of the Fitzroy Lodge . Bro . HODGES , in returning thanks , brought forward several incidents to show the value of Freemasonry , and particularly an

accidental meeting of half a dozen Masons at a public dinner , at which the loss of the London was made the subject of conversation . It was then suggested that they should get up some memorial for their respected brother , Gustavus Vaugiian Brooke , aud a subscription was at once commenced , which , be was happy to say , had since increased to upwards of £ 300 , for the purpose of pur chasing a lifeboat which should hereafter bear his name . BroEGLESE also brieflreturned thanks .

. y Bro BOYCE , I . P . JL , proposed ' ' The Health of the AVorshipful JMaste , " and trusted that he would leave the chair with the same kind feelings for the brethren as he ( Bro . Boyce ) had . The AV . JIASTEE returned thanks for the too flattering manner in which Bro . Boyce had proposed , and the brethren for the cordial manner in which they had received , tho toast . Having taken the office of JIaster , he could assure them that he would

do the duties of it to the best of his ability , and if he erred it ivould not be of the heart but of the head . He ivould be punctual in his attendance to see the duties carried out properly , and when the time should come for him to leave the chair ho hoped the honour of the lodge would have lost none of its lustre . As it was getting late , he proposed * ' The Health of the Past JIasters of the Lodge . " Bros . OSMOND and EMMENS returned thanks .

Some other toasts were given , which were responded to , and the pleasures of the evening were greatly enhanced by some excellent songs of Bros . Woollams , Granger , and others , and the proceedings terminated at twelve o ' clock .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

CUMBERLAND . CARLISLE . — Union Lodge ( No . 310 ) . —On Tuesday , the 20 th inst ., a lodge of instruction was held in the refreshment room of the Freemasons' Hall , Castle-street , at 8 o ' clock p . m ., when the chair of K . S . was occupied by Bro . G . Armstrong , supported by Bros . G . G . Hayward , S . W . ; J . 13 . Paisley , 371 , asJ . YA . ; E . CalvertS . D . ; AA . 11 . HaywardJ . D . ; F . AV . HaywardP . JI .

, , , , as Dir . of Cers . ; W . Murray , I . P . M . ; G . Somerville , Steward ; A . Woodhouse , Sec ; T . Storey , Tyler . There were also present Bros . W . Johnston , J . Slack , R . Nixon , and J . Dee . The visitors were Bros . JI . Joseph , P . JI . St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 80 ) , and R . H . Ireland , of the same lodge . The lodge was opened in due form , after which the test questions of the first degree were put round a few times , so as to enable two E . A . 's to be

conversant with them prior to next- lodge night . Bros . AV Johnston and X B . Paisley sang a duet and a few songs . The W . JI . requested Bro . G . G . Hayward to give the lecture on the first tracing board , which lie did in first-rate style , and , whilst he was resting , other songs , toasts , and speeches were given . Bro . G . G . Hayward , assisted hy Bro . G . Somerville , next put round the sections of the first degree , for which they received the thanks of the meeting . Bro . F . AV . Hayward , in a very

appropriate speech , proposed " The Prosperity of the St . John ' s Lodgo , Sunderland ( No . 80 ) , " and "The Health of the Visiting Brethren , " coupling wiih the latter toast the name of Bro . MJ . Joseph , P . JI ., thanking him for a handsome present consisting of a tobacco box . The toasts were drunk with musical honours . Bros . Joseph and R . II . Ireland each returned thanks very feelingly . The lodge of instruction was then duly closed by Bro . W . Murray , I . P . M ., and all retired home at an early hour .

DURHAM . LODGE OF PKILANTHEOPHY ( No . 940 ) . —This lodge met on Thursday , the 15 th inst ., at Stockton-on-Tees , when the followiii £ Tbrethren were present , J . Bowron , AV . M . ; J . Dodds , P . Prov . S . G . W . ; A . C . EJnowles , P . Prov . S . G . D . ; S . AVelsb , S . W . ; R . Tinkler , J . AV . ; J . H . Hart , Sec . ; J . H . Jackson , S . D . ; E . Cass , J . D . ; AV . G . Pearson ; J . Hiuton , P . M . ; M . Cadell , AV . M . Tees Lod JAValtonOrg . & c . Messrs . J . C .

AdamsAssoge ; . , ; , ciate of the Royal Institute of British Architects , and S . Wilkinson having been ballotted for and duly elected , and being properly prepared they ivere initiated into the secrets and mysteries oi ancient Freemasonry . The W . M . conducting the ceremony and Bros . Knowles delivering the charge . The lodge being then closed with solemn prayer , tiie brethren retired to refreshment . The usual toasts were proposed and duly responded to

Bro . Dodds acknowledging that of the Prov . G . Officers , and the AV . M . in giving the toast of the evening , " Our newly initiated Brethren , " said , he hoped that from the foundationlaid that evening they would raise a superstructure perfect in all its parts and worthy of the builder . Bro . Adams briefly replied ^ Several ' of the brethren added to the harmony of the evening by the exercise of their vocal abilities . Bros . Hart , Tinkler , liinton , and Pearson being particularly conspicuous , whilst Bro . AA ' alton accompanied in admirable style .

OXFORDSHIRE . Aron . 0 UHIVEESIT - : "LODGE , OXBOUD ( No . 357 ) . On Monday , Feb . 12 th , the annual festival of this lodge was celebrated at the New University Masonic Hall Clarendon Hotel . The proceedings commenced with the initiation of Lord Warkworth of Christ Church ( grandson of the Duke of

Northumberland ) , and three other members of the University , the ceremony being performed by Bro . the Rev . George R . Portal , ivho officiated , in the absence from illness of the AV . M . Bvo . Cave Browne Cave . The next business was the installation of the AV . M . elect , Bro . the Rev . AV . F . Short , P . Prov . G . Chap ., and Fellow , Tutor , and Bursar of New College . The ceremony of installation was performed by the Rev . Richard Whitmore NormanM . A . Warden

, of Radley College in a most impressive and able manner , who was assisted by the Prov . G . M . Co ' . Bowyer , the Deputy Prov . G . M . Bro . Alderman Spiers , the officers , and au unusually large number of the brethren . The choral portion of the installation ceremony was admirably sustained by Bro . AV . Fielding , the well known leader of the Orpheus Glee Union , Bro . E . Ransford , P . G . Org ., and Bros . F . Kingsbury and Sliouhridge .

Ou tho conclusion or the ceremony the AV . M . appointed Ins officers for the year as follows : —Rev . F . A . Cave Browne Cave , Brasenose College , P . JI . ; B . A . Galland , Lincoln College , S . AV . ; J . Bradford , New College , J . AV . ; Rev . C . Eddy , Queen ' s College , Chaplain ; H . Latham , Brasenose College , Treasurer ; AV . Thompson , Secretary ; P . B . Bernard , Oriel College , S . D . ; A . E Hardy , Biilliol College , T . D . ; R . T . Raikes , Merton College , S . Dir . of Cers . ; G . F . LamertWorcester CollegeJ . Dir .

, , of Ceis . ; II . S . G . Stephenson , Queen's College , I . G . ; G . . Guuibleton , Org . Steivards—AV . H . Allsop , University College ; J . J . Atkinson , Exeter ; M . 'Brown , Trinity ; N . P . Gepp , New ; A . Gurney , Exeter ; Earl of Jersey , Balliol ; the Rev . Lancelot Lee , New ; G . I-I . Lambert , Magdalen ; J . F . Scobell , Lincoln ; F . Stewart , Brasenose ; C . R . Tottenham , Christ Church ; and H . J . Williamson , Christ Church .

In the evening the annual banquet was served in the Assembly Room , when about 100 of the brethren were present . The banquet was of the most sumptuous character , and there was not a single omission of the slightest thing which could in any way conduce to the comfort and happiness of the guests . The dinner , desert , and wines were all that could be desired , and the wait , ing , a very material point in all large gatherings could not well he surpassed . Under such circumstances it is no matter of surprise that the festival was iu every point of view a most decided