Metropolitan.

and installing masters respectively , and tbo W . M . was also p loasod to proposo that tbo first-namod brothor bo oloctod an honorary monibor of tbo lodgo , which was carried by acclamarnation . Bro . Carponter , W . M ., also callod attention to the fact that Bro . W . Gray Clarke , Grand Secretary , had honoured the lodge with his presence upon this auspicious occasion , and , in the name of the lodge , he ( the W . M . ) thanked the Grand Secretary for his attendanceas he conceived it added

, a zest to the ordinary ceremonial . Bro . Gray Clarke , G . Sec , thanked the brethren , but disclaimed any special merit for having attended the opening meeting of the lodge , to which he wished every prosperity . Several propositions having been made , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet , but we really cannot do justice to the " feast of reason and the flow of soul " which followed . So happy a meeting has

seldom been held within the walls where the ancient Knights of St . John so often met in solemn conclave , and where in later days were heard the oracular utterances of "Dictionary " Johnson . The W . M ., Bro . Carpenter , was a "legion , " not a "host , " in himself , and delighted tho brethren with one of his own niirth-compelling songs—Masonic , too , by-the-bye—and sung , moreover , in a style that is not often heard . Bro . Braid , J . D ., also favoured the assembly with some excellent selections , accompanying himself on the pianoforte , and was followed by Bro . Colston , who is similarly sifted . The most facetious

speech of the evening was decidedly made by Bro . Dr . Burton , P . M . 63 , who said he would travel 100 miles to enjoy such a "jolly cram" of literary talent , being , as he confessed , a non-literary man . Bro . Little ' s name , as consecrating Master , was most cordially received , more especially when the W . HI . alluded to his being so young a Mason , as many of the members—Bro Carpenter , W . M ., observed—expected probaby to see a " grey-headed Saturn" occupying the chair at their

opening meeting . Bro . Little , on rising , was greeted with enthusiasm , and in a vigorous speech enlarged upon the pleasure he had experienced at the kind reception accorded to him throughout the entire proceedings . Bro . Terry , as the Installing Master , returned thanks for the fraternal manner in which his health was received . Various other toasts and songs followed , and the brethren separated in the full conviction that not

only was the inauguration assembly a complete success , but that the brightest prospects were in view for tho new lodge , to whichjwe cordially wish every prosperity . Among the brethren present , besides those mentioned , were Bros . Todd , P . M . 27 ; "Frost , P . M . 228 ; Harris , S . W . 22 S ; Wearing , J . W . 22 S ; Morton , J . D . 228 ; Barrington , P . M . St . Paul ' s ; S . May , S . W . 101 ; Lamb , 101 ; Wickens , 22 S ; Massey , S . W . G 19 ; Dr . Richardson , JF . E . S ., P . M . 231 ; Purdy , P . M . SGI ; Leach , W . M . 861 ; Boys , 704 ; Sheppard and Poole , 27 ; and Kershaw , S . W . 193 .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

COENWALL .

ENTIIHOXEJIENT or HIE PROVINCIAL GRAND OomiAXDEit . The province of Cornwall has hitherto been incorporated with Devonshire , and , in accordance with an accepted rule of the Grand Master , could not be constituted a separate province so long as it contained but one encampment . Latterly , however , another has been constituted , " the Eestormel , " in the village of

Tywardreath , taking its designation from an old feudal ruin of that name . Under these circumstances SirKnt . Huysbe , the D . G . Master , who had heroto oro held tho command of both provinces , actuated by that proper feeling for ho advancement of the Order for which ho has been distinguished , suggested to tho Grand Master that tho severance of tho two provinces would be to the advantage

of the Order , and tendered his resignation of tho Cornish district . The honour of holding this distinguished post was desired by two gentlemen , Bros . Williams , of Truro , and Lord Eliot , of St . German ' s . The Grand Master , setting aside all political feeling , appointed Bro . Lord Eliot to the office , and Tuesday , the 2-tth ult ., being appointed for his enthronisation at Tywardreath , tho Grand Chancellor of the Order , Sir Patrick Colquhoun , proceeded to that place to perform that important

ceremony in the Magistrates' Hall of the district , which is within the curtelage of Bro . John Polsne , landlord of the New Inn . The D . G . Master and Prov . G . Commander elect arrived by the mid-day train , and after halting at the vicarage for refreshment proceeded to the New Inn , where after settling the preliminaries with the Grand Chancellor

and Sir Knt . Tinkler , who acted provisionally as Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies , aud the Eev . G . Eoss , the actual E . C . of the Eestormel , the Eestormel Encampment was opened , and the Prov . G . C . elect raised to the rank of an E . C . by the D . G . Master . The encampment was then declared opened in ample form by the Grand Chancellor who assumed the throne , and the usual

ceremony having been performed to a- certain point the Grand Chancellor pronounced the following address : — "Tho Provincial Grand Commander of the United provinces of Devon and Cornwall , Deputy Grand Master of the Order , having found it convenient to propose the severance of the provinces , and the constitution of Cornwall as independent of Devon , the M , E . and S . G . M . has

nominated Sir Knt . Lord Eliot of Port Eliot St . German ' s , in this county , to that charge , an appointment upon which he will be congratulated by the Order . It is always most desirable that men of local standing and position should be selected for these offices , when they combine with that qualification the indispensable character for zeal for which tho P . G . C . Eliot is

distinguished . The G . M . has directed me to attend here for the purpose of installing him into his office , a duty which I perform with pleasure . It would be a work of supererogation were I to presume to inform the knights here present who their present chief is , or what his career has been . Localised here for centuries , but deriving its origin from the neighbouring county of Devon , the family has ever enjoyed the respect of all parties by strict adherence to the same line of policy in public life , and that judicious moderation tho ne quid nimis ' . The

father of tho P . G . C . elect has been the direct representative of his sovereign in that important branch of the United Kingdom—Ireland . The son has followed in his footsteps , having been engaged in the higkestbranch . of the public service—diplomacy—and during a career extending over several years , has gained experience of men and manners in varied and distant portions of the globe , in the

newas well as in the old world . North and South America he has visited in the execution of his office , aud has been able to judge of the American continent in Bio Janeiro as well as in New York . In Lisbon he has studied a counury which , in its day , sent forth , colonies nearly as actively as ourselves ; and in Constantinople ho may be said to have stood with his feet on two

coniiuents . From that semi-barbarous people he has passed tv Athens , tho cradle of classical civilisation , now , alas ! moi - e barbarous in fact than its former masters , reminding us of tho ancient inhabitants of the counory in nothing but their political turbulence . In those countries I first met your P . G . C , aud was struck with the zeal be displayed , and the interest be evinced in Masonry . Ho

has now quitted that official position to prepare himself , in that strictly legislative body , the Bouso of Commons , for the quasi-judicial assembly , the Lords , to which , in tho fulness of time , he must succeed . I will now take the liberty of inviting your attention to the importance of the Order of which wo are all members , and of expressing my opinion that it bears the marks of far

higher antiquity than the Graft , or tho degrees between the 18 th and 30 th , in short , it is inferior to none in this respect except , perhaps , the Eose Croix , formerly called the ne p lus ultra . The Templar ' s degree should be reserved for those who have really the interest of the science at heart , and held forth as something more select . By following this rule there will bo something retained and held back which cannot be attained by mere routine , but requiring substantial proof of merit . Its origin is , doubtless , well known to you all . It took its rise from