Metropolitan.

Loclge , met at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street , at 4 P . M . They were presided over by their W . M . Bro . "W * A . Tharp , assisted by his principal officers , Bros . J . Miles , S . W . ; E . H . Tipton , J . W . ; and the assistant officers Bros . A . D . Peacock , S . D . ; S . Smith , J . D . ; H . Venn , I . G . The treasurer Bro . XV Monnery , P . M ., and the able and indefatigable secretary Bro . J . H . CoxP . M . were also at their posts . The stewards were

, , Bro . A . Williams , Bro . T . Cargill . As this was tho penultimate meeting of the lodge for the season , there was no work on hiincl , —a rare occurrence with the Gihonites . The lodge was opened np consecutively to the sublime degree , the lecture on the lodge board recited by Bro . Henry Muggcridge , P . M . This practice of having a " section" worked when there is time to permit of itcannot be too much commended . It ives the

, g novitiate , and in fact many old masons , an insight into the truly hidden mysteries of our ancient and honourable Institution . It teaches them that Masonry does not consist of a mere parrotlike gallop through" the ceremonial routine of the tliree degrees , and that the mere possession of a P . M . jewel does not in any sense really constitute a brother a Master in the Craft . The section of the lodge board was given by Bro . Mnggeridge in a

manner , that fully brought home to his audience , the peculiar solemnity and pathos of the objects of the sublime degree . What rendered the delivery of the oration still more impressive , was that the orator felt ancl believed iu the great moral truths he was enunciating to the brethren . Bro . Muggcridge having resumed his seat , some unimportant motions were mooted , discussed by Bros . Lacy , P . M ., Linom . P . M ., Monnery , P . M ., Cox , P . M ., A . Williams , and T . Cargill , stewards . The lodge was then resumed to the first degree . A sum of £ 5 was granted from the loclge funds for the benefit of the Tyler ,

Bro . Longstaff , who had the misfortune to fracture the small bone of his leg while attending his duties at another lodge . It is to be hoped that this example will be followed by other lodges to which Bro . Longstaff acted in the capacity of Tyler , so that he may be able to support himself and family until he is able to resume his duties . The visitors present were Bros . V . Pendred , Moira , 92 , AV . Wrenn , P . M ., Victoria , 1056 , J . B . MurielBritannic 33 B . SmithCadogan 142 H . Mnndelkam ,

, , , , , , ditto ditto ; J . B . Yeoman , Panmure , 715 . Amongst the members present were Bros . J . Hillwell , P . M ., AVaterwith , P . M ., N . Mills , I . P . M ., Wolff , Roach , Steib , Baker , New ' mgton , Lane , Keigbley , etc . After a pleasant evening , the brethren separated at an early hour . ST . GEORGE ' S LODGE ( NO . 140 ) . —This lodge held its usual monthlmeeting on the 10 th inst . at the Trafalgar Hotel

y , , Greenwich , the W . M . Bro . Pook , was in his chair punctually , supported by his officers . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , the only business to be transacted , tbe raising of a brother , was then gone through , the ceremony being most impressively rendered . It was unanimously agreed that there should be one or two summer meetings , the first to take place on the llth June , at Bro . Edgingtons , Royal

Standard , Iflackheath . Some minor business having been got through , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to thebanquet . CANONEURX LODGE ( No . 657 ) . —A meeting of this lodge took place at Haxell's Hotel , Strand , on the llth inst . Bro . Roberts the AV . M ., in the chair . The only business consisted of one initiation , which ceremony was performed by the much respected treasurer . The loclge was then closed , and the usual good banquet followed .

ROYAL ALT-RED LODGR ( 7 & 0 ) . —This excellent working lodge met on Friday , the 19 th inst ., as an emergency , instead of the 26 th inst ., that date being Good Friday , at the Star and Garter , Kow Bridge , Bro . Samuel May ocupying the chair . The lodge being opened in clue form , and tbe minutes of the last regular lodge and the emergency of Nov . lust having been read and confirmed , the W . M . raised Bros . Brown , and C N . Abbott , Bros . J . 11 . AVood and L . F . Cliapny having answered the

necessary questions in a satisfactory manner retired , and on their return to the lodge were passed to the second degree . A ballot having been taken for the admission of Messrs . AV . F . Thacker , T . Burford , J . 'furling , ancl XV . R . Allcroft , which being unanimously in their favour , they were duly initiated in the Order by tbe W . M . in a very solemn and impressive manner . Bro . A . A . Box being proposed as a joining member , was balloted for ancl admitted . The brethren sat down to a very sumptuous banquet . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , that of the W . M . was reponded to by him in his usual eloquent maimer ; in fact Bro .

Metropolitan.

S . May ' s working and presiding are too well known to require any special comment . Tbe harmony on this occasion deserves especial notice . Bro . Gough played a capital selection on the violin ; Bro . Reeves sang a comic song that received great applause ; Bros . Burford and AVillson contributing to the harmony with a very excellent accompaniment by Bro . Gough . The brethren after spending a delightful afternoon returned to town .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

DURHAM . HARTI / EPOOD . — St . Helen ' s Lodge ( No . 531 ) . —A lodge of emergency and Master ' s loclge was held at tbe Masonic Hall , Regent-square , on Thursday , the 18 th inst ., when there were present Bros . T . Forbes , AV . M ., Emra Holmes , I . P . M . ; Jas . Groves , J . P ., P . Prov . S . G . D . ; Simpson Armstrong , P . M . ; XV . J . Sivewright' P . M . ; J . J . ArmstrongS . AV . ; . R . RopnerJ . W . E .

, , ; Alexander , Sec ., < tc , & c . The lodge having been opened in ancient form and with solemn prayer , Bros . King , Pearson , and Atley , who were candidates for the second degrcej were examined and entrusted , and retiring for preparation the lodge was raised to the second degree . On their re-admission , they were severall y passed to the degree of Fellow Craft . It was resolved , on the motion of Bro . S . Armstrong , P . M ., that £ 3 3 s . should be voted

from the funds of the lodge towards the Zetland Testimonial Fund . Private subscriptions amongst the members wore also collected towards the same object . There was an animated discussion as to subscribing towards the restoration of the church of St . Hildas , the grand old parish church of Hartlepool ( founded by the cle Brus family circa . 1120 A . D ) , ancl on the motion of Bro . Groves , P . M ., seconded by Bro . Emra Holmes , I . P . M ., tbe sum

of £ 10 10 s . was generously voted towards that noble object . Two years ago the nave and aisles of the venerable collegiate church were restored at a- cost of £ 2 , 500 , and it is stated that the restoration and enlargement of the chancel will cost at least £ 1 , 500 , towards which sum nearl y £ 900 has been already subscribed . A worthy object , and worthy of the support of the descendants of the builders of a noble edifice . No other business being before the lodge , it was closed , and the brethren retired for refreshment .

ESSEX . COLCHESTER . —United Lodge ( So . 697 ) . —An emergency meeting of tills lodge took place at the Royal Hotel on tlie 22 nd ult . Present , —Bros . Newman , AV . M . ; Rix , S . W . ; Bigley , J . AV . ; Geo . H . Ray , Sec . ; Culthorpe , Eustace , Richardson , Coast , Kain , Buckwell , Middleton , Smith , Everett . The loclge being opened in the first degree , and the summons convening the meeting read , Colour-Serjeant Craig was proposed as a fit and for

proper person initiation . The ballot being taken , which proved unanimous , he was afterwards initiated , and signed and received a copy of the bye-laws of the lodge , ancl then retired . The lodge was then opened in the second degree and afterwards in the third , when the questions appertaining to that degree were put round for the information of the brethren . The lodge was then closed to secondand afterwards to first degreewhen BroRidley kindly

, , . gave a lecture on the tracing board . The AV . M . then put round the questions appertaining to the first degree , and nothing further having been offered for the good : > f Freemasonry in general , or the lodge in particular , it was closed in peace , harmony , and brotherly love . COLCHESTER . —United Lodge ( 697 ) . —The regular meeting of this loclge was held at the George Hotel . Present , —Bros .

Newman , W . M . ; Rix , S . AV ., . pro tern . ; J . S . Smith , J . W ., pro tern . ; Geo . H . 'Ray , Sec . ; Calthorpe , S . D . ; Eustace , J . D . ; Middleton , Coast , Kain , Richardson , Buckwell , Kinloch , Curry , Gilh A'isitors , —C . Saunders , No . 64 , Killwinning , Canada ; C . 0 . G . Becker , M . D ., Angel , 51 ( P . M . ) . The lodge was opened in due form in first degree , and the summons convening the meeting as also the emergency was read . A report was read stating the Board of General

purposes had inquired into the character of Bro . Baxter and found it satisfactory . The ballot was then taken for Bro . Baxter and proved unanimous . The brethren next proceeded to the election of the AV . M . for the ensuing year , ancl the AV . M . was for the second time elected to fill the chair . Bro . Rix was elected Treasurer , and Bro . Witten , Tyler , 'flic questions appertaining to tho first degree were then put to Bro . Kinloch prior to being passed to second degree , which being