Metropolitan.

Tho lodge was then closed m tho third degree , and Bro . Lamplough passed to tho degree of F . C . The lodge was then closed in the second degree , ancl on the W . M . rising for the first time , the sum of ten guineas was most unanimously voted to the Royal Masonic Benrro' . cnt Ins ' . iisiion . Ail sihtsonia business being ended the brethren , about 40 in number , adjourned to the festive board , which v .- . -j r . iosi amply furnished by tho worthy hostProT . Walters . After the banquet a

, , collection was made in behalf of the before-mentioned institution , which realised a further sum of five guineas . The usual toasts having been given the brethren dispersed at a seasonable hour , their enjoyment having been materially aided by tho vocal powers of Bros . Stevens , Morrison , and other o ' olieriiisr ' bvethrcn .

PAJTJIUEE LODGE ( No . 720 ) . The annual Festival of this lodge and installation of Master for the ensuing year took place on Monday hist as the Loughborough Hotel , Brixton , awl was attended by aVavsie number oS members and visitors . The W . M ., livo . J . Thomas , presided and in a verv effective manner installed his successor , liro . 51 W . Hodges , P . M ., P . Prov . G . . Sec , etc . ; who had been unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year . The ceremony was

witnessed by a very numerous body of members , and the Hoard of Installed Masters consisted of no less than fifteen brethren who had passed the chair . The newly installed W . ? , f . appointed Ms officers as follows-. —Bros . Osivin , S . W . ; Hare , J . W . ; Thomas , Treas . ( unanimously elected by fche lodge ); Stevens , Sec ; Smith , Org . ; Taylor , S . D . ; Gates , ' J . D . ; Ramsay , Dir . of Cers . ; Smetzer , I . G . ; Burgess , W . S . ; Moore , C . S . ; Bradley , Tyler elected bthe lod

{ y ge ) . The W . M . having invested his officers , said thafc the most pleasing duty devolved upon him on commencing his labours in being the medium of communication between the members of the lodge and the retiring W . M . who had deserved so well thoir warmest esteem . By a most unanimous vote the brethren had agreed to present Bro . Thomas with his portrait , taken upon a large scale and in full Masonic costume , and also to secure to

the lodge a copy of the same as a momentoof that most worthy Mason , and as an example to all future Masters . Tbe W . M . then gave a retrospect of the services rendered by Bro . Thomas in the . formation , consecration , and progress of the lodge , and begged his acceptance of the portrait voted by the lodge . The portrait in question is an enlarged coloured photograph representing Bro . Thomas in his clothing as a P . M ., and is considered an excellent likeness . The portrait was executed by Bro . Fox of Clapham , and has been mounted in a very handsome frame supplied by Mr . Percy of Brixton . A fac simile with

an inscription will be permanently bung in the lodge room . The presentation was hailed with considerable acclamation . Bro . Thomas thanked the lodge for tho kind feeling exhibited towards him and congratulated the lodge on its present satisfactory condition and on having a brother to succeed him so well qualified as tbe present W . M . The S . W . then presented to the lodge as a contribution from tho newly appointed officers a beautiful set of working tools iu silver and ebonyand Bro .

, Stevens , Secretary , also presented , on behalf of a few brethren who had subscribed the necessary funds , a beautifully bound album , containing the photographs of the W . M . officers and brethren of the lodgo , and for the reception of the eartes-devisite of visitors . The Worshipful Master said he took the opportunity of presenting aboardon which Was inscribed the date of consecration and

other particulars relating to the lodge , as well as a register ofthe names of brethren who had passed the chair . He also presented a brass-bound charity box , and a monster goblet , engraved with Masonic emblems , and a set of Masonic glasses to correspond . The I . P . M . Bro . Thomas , proposed that these several presentations be duly recorded on the minutes , with thanks to the donors ; which , being seconded hy Bro . Read , P . M ., was

unanimously agreed to . On the motion of the W . M ., seconded by Bro . Nott , P . M ., a vote of thanks to tbe I . P . M ., Bro . Thomas , was also passed for his valuable services as Installing Master . After several propositions of candidates the lodge was closed and the brethren afterwards adjourned to the banquetting table . The W . M . Bro . Hodgespresided at the banquetsupported

, , , by several present and past Grand Officers , present and past Provincial Grand Officers and brethren of distinction , including Bros . W . Farnfield , Assist . G . See . ; W . Smith , C . L ' ., P . G . S ., P . M . 26 , 33 , 840 , & e . ; the Hev . 0 . F . Owen , P . M . ; P . Prov . G . Chap ., Leicestershire and Surrey ; N . B . Allen , P . M ., G . Treas .,

E . D . South Wales ; F . F . Toole , P . M ., Prov . G . S . W . ( Essex ); Levander , P . M ., P . Prov . S . G . D . ( Wiltshire ) ; Past Masters Thomas Reid , Gardner , Stevens , Warren , Nott ( all of 720 ); Nunn . 72 ; Asbwell , 23 ; Caldwell , 25 ; Hope Kirk , 170 , & c . ; Bros , the 7 » ev . W . P . C'barch , 16 $ ; the Rev . Horace Roberts , M . A . ; Dr . 0 Connor , S . W ., 28 ; Marthin , Charge d'Affaires for the United States of Columbia , of Lodge Filanthropia Bogota , New Granada ; W . II . Farnfield , jun ,, S . W ., 907 ; Dr . Wilmshurst ,

220 ; Shaw , Ord , J . W . Anson , Harvey , S . D ., 002 , and several other visitors . Nearly seventy brethren sat down to dinner . Grace before meat was said iu Latin by the Eev . P . G . Chap , for Leicestershire . The bill of fare comprised most of tho delicacies of the season , and the wines were of a first-class character . On the withdrawal of the cloth , grace after meat was said by Bro , the Rev . Horace Roberts , M . A . The W . Master proposed "The health of the Queen" coupled

, wifch "Success to the Craffc . " National Anthem by Bros . Brady and Perrot . The W . Master next proposed " The Health of fche Most Worshipful the Grand Master of England , tbe Right Hon . tbe Earl of Zetland , " remarking that he had entered upon bis twenty-third year of office , and that the Craffc had been ruled by himself and his royal predecessor ( H . E . H . the Duke of Sussex ) for a period exceeding half a century .

An original and impromptu song by Bro . Harry Sydney , introducing the names of the W . M . aud several other members and visitors , was here introduced . This effusion , which was really exceedingly clever and free from the slightest objectionable or frivolous feature , was bailed wifch rapturous applause . The W . Master next proposed "The Health of tbe Right Worshipinl DeputGrand Masterthe EarlDe Grey and Ripon

y , , and the rest of the officers of Grand Lodge , past and present , coupled with the names of Bros . Farnfield and W . Smith , C . E . " Bro . Farnfield replied , endorsing the observations of the W . M . as to the many excellent qualities of the D . G . M ., whose great administrative powers were always applied with advantage to the interests of the Craft . Bro . W . Smith , P . G . Steward also responded in brief and appropriate terms .

The W . Master read a letter from Bro . Emmens , whose absence , on account of ill-health , was much regretted . Song by Bro . Brady . The W . Master next proposed " The Provincial Grand Masters and their Officers , past and present . " He remarked that as an old Provincial Grand Officer himself , he was gratified at being supported on thafc occasion by so many brethren of distinction from Provincial Grand Lodges . Ho had hoped to have

had the honour of seeing present some brethren who had held the highest positions in the Provincial Grand Lodges of Worcestershire , Hertfordshire , West Yorkshire , and Jersey , but he had received communications from those esteemed friends regretting their inability to attend . He was , however , proud to see such distinguished brethren on his right as those who represented the Provincial Grand Lodges of Essex , Surrey , LeicestershireWiltshireand his own relativethe Grand

Trea-, , , surer for the eastern division of South Wales , who had come to town expressly to do him ( tho W . M . ) honour . The Rev . Bro . Owen , P . Prov . G . Chap ., returned thanks in an excellent speech , in which be illustrated the connection of the Craft with art and science , and concluded by expressing the gratification he had experienced in witnessing the installation of so worthy a brother as the W . M ., on whose account he had attended expressly alter a somewhat prolonged absence

from lodge . Bro . Allen , P . G . Treas . ( Wales ) whose rising was hailed with applause , also returned thanks , congratulating bis nephew , the W . M ., on being so well supported that day . Bros . Toole and Levander also returned thanks . Song , by Pro . Perrot . The W . Master next proposed " The Health of the Immediate Past Master ( Bro . Thomas ) " on whom be passed a deserved

eulogium . Bro . Thomas replied , thanking the brethren for their kindness , aud assuring them of his ever continuing interest in the lodge . Bro . Thomas also gave a brief resume of the past history of the lodge , and expressed his satisfaction at its present favourable condition . Song by Bro . Read . The LP . Master , in highly complimentary terms , called upon the brethren to drink " The Health of the Worshipful Master , " who bad that day so auspiciously commenced his duties . To