Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

LODGE or JUSTICE ( NO . 147 ) . —The opening night of tho season was held on Wednesday , tbe 14 th inst ., at the White Swan Tavern , High-street , Deptford . Bro . J . Patte , W . M ., opened the lodge , and the minutes of the preceding lodge meeting were read and confirmed . liro . G . Chapman , P . M ., took the chair , and in his usual able and impressive manner , raised Bros . Bacon and G . Gilbert to the third degree . Bro . J . Patte , W . M . in n superior mannerpassed Bro . C . Porter to the second

, , degree . All the work was beautifully rendered and correctly done , which reflected the highest credit upon the occupants of the Solomonic chair . On the notice of motion previously given by the much-respected and highly-esteemed veteran P . M ., Bro . G . Bolton , the sum of two guineas was unanimously voted to the Masonic Lifeboat Fund , which in his absence was brought forward by Bro . N . WingfieldP . M . It was announced in

, response to the circular soliciting Stewards for the Aged Freemasons and their Widows' Festival , thafc three members of this lodge had sent in their names to represent that Charity afc the forthcoming festival , viz ., the W . M ., the S . W ., and Bro . Wingfield , P . II ., so , no doubt with their united exertions , and knowing the high esteem in which they are all held , a large list of eontiibutions must and will be the result of such an excellent

combination . These three members of the South-eastern Masonic Association for promoting the support of the Masonic Charities will add , if possible , to the fame of usefulness of that institution which has done so much to further the support so cheerfully given to all the Masonic Charities . Ifc is an association well worth the attention of all zealous Masons who wish

success to our Masonic Charities , hy establishing similar affairs in all parts of the metropolis and in every town in England . ¦ One esteemed brother during the recess ( who had once been a member of this lodge ) being in reduced circumstances , caused by events entirely beyond bis own control , having solicited aid to assist him to emigrate to America in a very few days , had the sum of £ 10 7 s . given to him from the voluntary contributions of members of the Deptford lod who bad known him in his

ges prosperity , proving in practice how well in this town charity is carried out . He only asked for £ 10 , and tho sum was immediately given him . No lodges being open at the time , and he not being not able to wait for the Lodge of Benevolence meeting caused the affair to he taken up in the liberal manner it had been done . The lodge was duly closed . There were present , besides those mentionedBrosBatfcSW : PercivalJWJ

, . , .. , .. ; . Lightfoot , P . M ., Treas . ; G . Chapman , I . P . M ., as Sec ; J . Whiffen , S . D . ; Sadler , J . D . ; C . G . Dilley , as I . G . ; G . Hall , F . Durrant , N . Wingfield , and F . Walters , P . M . 's ; Chappell , Bullock , Bartlett , and many others . Amongst a large number of visitors were Bros . T . Smith , Nash , Griffin , Watson , and -others , whose names we were unable to ascertain .

BELGEAVE LODGE ( No . 749 ) . —The first regular meeting of the season of this well-known lodge took place on the 14 th inst . In the absence of tho W . M ., Bro . Potter , the I . P . M ., took the chair at half-past four precisely , surrounded ( as is always usual with the Belgrave ) by all the officers , Bros . W , Bourne , S . W . ; H . Watkinson . 'J . W . ; J . G Frond , P . M ., Treas . ; H . Garrod , P . M ., See . ; W . Ongli , P . M ., Assist . Q . Purst . ; W . Hunting , P . M . ; J . N . GroganP . M . ; WoodstockP . M . G . P S . D . W .

, , ; yram , ; Hester , J . D . ; P . Parsons , I . G . ; S . Homewood , Steward ; T . Strip , E . Harper , W . E . Mv . ckrill , E . J . Scott , A . Lefober , W . Wickham , and near fifty brethren . The lodge was opened in duo form with solemn prayer , and after the confirmation of the minutes , Bro . W . J . Marchant was examined , and his fitness for an advanced position made palpable to the brethren bhis complete mastery of tho

y examination to which he was subjected . The chair was then by express wish taken by Bro . Ough , who opened the lodge in the second degree , and passed Bro . . Marchant to the degree of F . C , in a masterly manner , after which Bros . Wilson , Halletfc , Hoare , and Elliott were submitted to the usual questions , and having answered in a satisfactory maimer , retired for the purpose of being preparedand liro . Potter resumed the chair

, , and raised the four brethren in the style for which ho is so well-known . The lodge was lowered to tho first degree , and the ballot was taken for Mr . H . E . Forscot , which having proved unanimous , be was regularly introduced and initiated in a very impressive manner into the mystic rite . The ¦ ballot was then taken for AV . M . for the ensuing year , and Bro . Bourne , S . W ., unanimously elected to the coveted honour .

Metropolitan.

The election of Treasurer then took place , and Bro . J . G . Proud again had the proud satisfaction of being , with the Tyler , Bro . Daly , likewise unanimously re-elected . Notice was given of motion for grants to the Palestine Exploration Fund and the Zetland Testimonial , to be discussed afc the next meeting . Bros . G . Pymm and W . Hester were elected auditors , and this being all the business the lodge was closed in clue form with solemn prayer . The brethren adjourned to the banquet tableand the

, cloth being removed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been done justice to , the W . M . proposed "The Initiate" in a few appropriate remarks , and Bro . Forscote returned thanks . The W . M . said the next toasfc , "The Visitors , " was one thafc always gave the Belgrave Lodge the highest satisfaction . This was also done with all honour . That of "The P . M . ' s of the Lodge" followed , and Bro . Potter remarked , in a most able

speech , thafc as thafc would be the last time he should have the pleasure of oeeupying the chair , he would say again from his heart thafc tbe P . M . 's had the proud satisfaction of seeing the reward of all their " labours of love " by looking around at tho noble company fchey saw before them that evening . Bro . J . Q . Frond , P . M ., replied on behalf of the P . M . ' s , and said that they should always be happy to give any and every assistance in their power to promote the interest of the Belgrave Lodge

, and they were ever ready to give their time to afford instruction to any of the members who might solicit ifc . Bro . Frond proposed the W . M ., and said that every brother in the lodge could bear testimony to the ability , to the kindness , and to the punctuality that Bro . P . M . Potter , in the absence of the W . M ., had shown by always being afc his post fco do anything that might be required of him by the lodge . Bro . Potter said that if the members of the lodge were satisfied with his humble effortshe

, was more than compensated by having met with such a cordial reception that evening , and he hoped that as they all knew and loved Bro . Bourne , the W . M . elect , they would give him as cordial a reception as had been awarded to himself , for they all knew Bro . Bourne ' s ability from meeting him so repeatedly at lodges of instruction , and he was sure he was not mistaken when he said that Bro . Bourne would make one of the best Masters

the lodge had known . Bro . Bourne , W . M . elect , in replying , thanked the W . M . for the kind way he had been pleased to speak of him , and to the brethren for the kind manner tbey had responded to the W . M . ' s call , and he should try his utmost to give the lodge , every satisfaction during his year of office , and he hoped and trusted that this he should be able to do to his own credit , ancl to the honour of the Belgrave . The " Officers " was responded to by Bro . Watkinson , J . W ., and the Tyler's toast brought a happy meeting to its termination , some excellent harmony during the evening from Bro . Parsons , Pymm , Hester , Herbert , & c , served to enliven its proceedings .

INSTRUCTION . DOMATIC ; LODGE OP INSTEUOTION ( NO . 177 ) . —This old lodge of instruction hos resumed its meetings for the season at the Palmerston Arms Tavern , Palmerston-street , Cainberwell , every Tuesday evening , at half-past seven punctually , and all Masons living on tho southern side of the river are invited to attend , inasmuch as there is no other lodge of instruction held for a considerable distance from it . On Tuesday lastBro .

, Stevens , S . W . of the Macdonald Lodge , held at the headquarters of the 1 st Surrey at Camberwell , took the chair , and somo very good working was got through , and several proficient Masons are in the habit of attending it to give instruction to their younger brethren . Bro . Marshall is the worthy host , and any brethren who will favour the lodge is sure to receive a cordial and hearty welcome .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

MONMOUTHSHIRE . NEWPORT . —Silurian Lodge , ( No . 471 ) - —On Wednesday the 14 th inst ., a lodge of emergency was held at the Masonic Hal ] , Dock-street , for the purpose of balloting for aud initiating , it ' accepted , Capt . Samuel Vine , master of tbe ship Forest King , of this port , aged twenty-nine . Bro . C . II . Oliver , W . M ., presided , supported by Bro . It . B . Evans , P . M ., and Prov . G . Dir . of Cers ., Bro . Williams , Prov . G . Sec , and several foreign brethren of distinction . The candidate was proposed by Bro . Gratte , S . D . ; and seconded by Bro . Terry , aud on the ballot