Metropolitan.

be deferred to a future occasion . He thanked the brethren for the manner in which they had received the toast of the P . M . ' s ofthe lodge . The AV . M afterwards gave "The Health ofthe Immediate Past Master , Bro . Thompson , " who briefly returned thanks , and acknowledged the kindness he had received from the brethren during the year he had had tbe honour of presiding- over them . The health of the officers of the lodge and some other toasts having been given the proceedings were brought to a close . Bro . Vernon during the evening delighted the brethren with some of Dibdin ' s favourite songs , which were received with great applause . The brethren separated at eleven o'clock .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

DURHAM . HARTLEPOOL . —St . Helen ' s Lodge ( No . 531 ) . —A Master ' s Lodge , or Lodge of Emergency , was held on Thursday , the loth inst ., at 7 o ' clock . There was a good attendance of the brethren anel several visitors . Messrs . Clarke , Toze , and John Parker were initiated , the ceremony being ably performed by Bro . Moore , P . M . and P . Prov . J . G . W ., assisted by Bros . Emra

Holmes , S . W . and Prov . G . Sec ., and Stockill , as J . W . The lod ge was then opened in the 2 nd and 3 rd degrees , and Bros . Hart and Stonier Leigh having previously proved themselves qualified , were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason by Bro . J . Groves , W . M ., who conducted the ceremonies in his usual impressive manner . The lodge was then resumed in the 1 st degree , anel the brethren were called to refreshment for a short time . On returning to labour a few matters of ordinary business were transacted , and the lodge was closed in due form and with solemn prayer .

KENT . GEAVESEJS ' D . —Lodge of Freedom ( No . 77 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodge , under the presidency of Bro . John Russell , W . M ., was held at the Town Hall on Monday evening last , at seven o ' clock . After the minutes of the previous lodge were confirmed , Bro . Raine , having proved his proficiency , was passed to the F . C . degree . Messrs . Limbert and

Solomon were balloted for and accepted , and were initiated into the mysteries anel privileges of ancient Freemasonry . The work' was well performed by tbe AV . M . There was a gloom cast over the lodge by the death of one of its oldest members , Bro . J . Gardner , P . M . and P . Prov . J . G . W . ofthe province of Kent . He was one of the most liberal supporters of Freemasonry ; the Order , therefore , has sustained a very great loss . Bro . Gardner filled the office of Mayor of this borough in 1 SG 0 and performed

, the duties with so ranch dignity , honour , and integrity , together with tho greatest affability and kindness , that the greatest degree ot satisfaction was evinced towards him at the close of his year of office ; and , as Masons as well as neighbours , we can say of him , he lived respected anel died regretted . After some other business was completed , the loelge was closed in clue form . The brethren then adjourned to the Prince of

Orange Hotel , and sat down to an excellent banquet , provided by Mrs . Doughty in her usual superior manner . Among the brethren present we observed Bro . Russell , W . M . ; Bro . Hart , P . M . ; Bros . F . B . Nettlingham , Hills , White , Johnson , Silke , Cleveland , Vassale , Bennett , Barrett , Matthews , and several others . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , " The Healths of the Initiates" was proposed , and responded to by the brethren in a very neat and able manner , and the brethren separated . *

OXFORDSHIRE . C ' OXSECBATIOX OF THE BOWVER LODGE ( NO . 1 , 03 G ) AT Currr-rsQ NOHIOX . The want of a Freemason's lodge in the north-west portion of Oxfordshire has long been felt , and the propriety of establishing one has , in the Inst year or two , been fully discussed and considered . The success which has attended the

establishment of a Masonic lodge in the neighbouring town of Stow-onthe-AA old has served to put the Masons of Chipping Norton on their mettle , and incited them to follow so good an example . By means of the lodge at Stow the number of Masons at Chipping Norton has been so increased that they felt themselves

strong enough to lay the foundation of a lodge in their own town . Accordingly , a few energetic and zealous brethren met , and resolved to petition tlie Grand Master of England , the Earl of Zetland , for forming unci holding a lodge there . In this movement they received assistance and support from the Prov . G . M . of Oxfordshire , Bro . Colonel Bowyer , of Steeple Aston , and his deputy , Br . Alderman Spiers , of Oxford . Iu oreler to testiftheir respect for the Prov . G . M . and to

comy , memorate his presidency over this province , they unanimously agreed to associate his name with the new lodge by calling it the Bowyer Lodge . The ceremony of consecration took place on Tuesday , Nov . 29 , in the spacious Market-room of the AATiite Hart Hotel , which had been fitted up expressly for the occasion , and made a very appropriate and excellent lodge room . The furniture

necessary for the lodge is of a substantial and most appropriate character , and has been recently purchased by the lodge . The Master anel Wardens' chairs are very handsome , and fine specimens of old carving , so that altogether the Bowyer Lodge maybe said to bo most complete as regards its fittings and furniture . The members of the lodge and visiting brethren assembled in the lodge room about half-past five in the afternoon , and shortlafter the Prov . G . M . was accompanied by the D . Prov .

y G . M ., Alderman R . J . Spiers , and the Prov . G . Officers to the lodge room , when he took the chair . The other brethren present were Captain J . AA . A . Bowyer , M . M . ofthe Chewell Lodge and Prov . S . G . AV . ; T . AVheeler , P . Prov . S . G . W . for Leicestershire ; Rev . T . G . Mortimer , Prov . G . Chap . ; Bros . T . C . Hawkins , W . M . of the . Alfred Lodge , Prov . J . G . W . ; D . G . Bruce Gardyne , Prov . G . Sec ; B . A .

Galland , Prov . G . S . B . ; A . S . Hurfoi-il , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; E . Hundley , Prov . G . Org . ; II . Houghton , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; AV . W . Harrison , "P . Prov . S . G . W . ; Joseph Plowman , P . Prov . G . S . B . ; J . Scroggs , P . M . ofthe Cherwell Lodge ; A . Summans ,

F . A . Stackpoole , P . A . Latham . W . A . Barrett , J . Gallop , C , Gardiner , J . Bullock , W . Thornbury , R . J . Brookes , J . AValker , E . Estridge , A . AVinkfield , P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; J . T . Bennett , of Worcestershire , Rev . J . Harvey Ranking , Rev . AA " . H . Marah , W . Josiaii Smith , H . Hartley , W . Bower , T . Alcock , T . A . Hieatfc , J . Nickels . The Prov . G . Ollicers present were directed to take their respective chairs . The lodge was then opened in the three

degrees , and the Prov . G . M . then addressed the brethren on the nature of the meeting , and called on the Secretary to read tho warrant constituting the new lodge under the title of the Bowyer Lodge . . In that warrant the Rev . J . Harvey Ranking was nominated as the first W . M . ; Josiah Smith , S . W . ; and H . Hartley , as J . W . ; and the brethren of the lodge having signified their approval of the same , the Prov . G . Chap ., Bev . T . G . Mortimer , delivered the oration .

The choir , consisting of Bros . Handloy , P . Latham , Houghton , and Barratt , then sang an anthem from the 133 rd Psalm , "Behold , how good and joyful a thing it is , brethren , to dwell together in unity . " Bro . W . AAs Harrison officiated at the harmonium . The W . M . elect , Rev . J . Harvey Ranking , offered up the first portion of the consecrating prayer as follows : — " 0 Thou A . A . and G . G . of the Universe , Thou Most High

and Holy God , ' at whose creative .... made , ' condescend from that throne where Thou reignest supreme to pour down upon this assembly , gathered together iu Thy Name , the clew of Thy divine blessing . AVe humbly beseech Thee to give us wisdom from above to conduct us in all our undertakings , strength to support us in every kind of difficulty and danger , and beauty to adorn us in all our thoughts and communications . And grant that we maybe enabled to erect this lodge , and solemnly consecrate it to Thy service , so that in all that takes place therein we may seek the honour and glory of Thy Holy *\ - ; ime . So mote ifc be . "

The Prov . G . M . then gave the invocation . The lodge board was then unveiled , and three Past Masters , Bros . T . Wheeler , Houghton , anel J . Scroggs , took the vessels of corn , wine , and oil , and sprinkled the elements of consecration on the lodge , after which the Prov . G . Chap , took the censer and scattered incense according to ancient custom . An anthem , " Glory be to God on high , peace ou earth , goodwill towards men , " was then sung by the choir . The Prov . G .

Chaplain then offered up the second portion of the consecrating prayer as follows : — "Grant , 0 God , that those who are now about to be invested with the government of this loelge may be eudueel with heavenly