The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

MASOKIC MEMS . The number of Annuitants to be elected , in May next , on the Funds of the Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Masons anel their Widows , is twelve men out of tiventy-five candidates , and eight widows out of seventeen candidates . The reason why not more than eight lvomen az-e to be elected is , in consequence of the

notice of a motion for increasing the pensions of all them at present only receiving £ 15 a year to £ 20 a year , ivhich will increase the charge on fhe fund to £ 110 . AA e hear it reported that the Earl cle Grey and Ripon is to be the new Deputy Grancl Master , in the room of Earl Dalhousie , who retires in consequence of ill-health .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

CONSECRATION OF THE ST . MARK'S LODGE ( No . 1159 ) . On Thursday , the 21 st inst ., a new lodge was opened at the Horns Tavern , Kennington . The ceremony of consecration was performed by Bro . Stephen Barton AVilson , P . J . G . D ., assisted by Bro . Matthew Cooke , who presided at the pianoforte . The consecrating brother issued a programme which was extensively circulated among the brethren , anclivhiclfis too ivell knoivn to need insertion here . The lodge

being constituted , the folloAving members were invested as officers * . — Bro . John Thomas , AV . M ., P . M . -715 , 1022 , 1014 ; Lilley , S . AA ., 152 ; E . J . Ball , J . AV ., - 745 ; Orford , Sec ., 70 , and P . M . -741 . ; Muri * , S . D ., 745 ; Hammond , J . D ., 237 , and Smith , I . G ., with Bros . E . C . Ball , 1022 ; Sankoy , and Cole . The visitors on the occasion were , Bros . S . B . AVilson , P . G . D . ; D . R . Farmer , A . G . P . ; Me . ymott , AA . M . 14 ; Else , P . M . 14 ; Field , 14 ; Matthew Cooke , Sec ' 23 ; Fenn , S . AA ' . ISS , and 324 ; Stroud , P . M . 12 , 85 , 745 ; Nesbit , 212 , 228 ;

E . D . Cooke , and AVheeler , American brethren ; JSTumi , James , anel Brandon , 85 ; Barrett , 33 ; Bowles , 186 ; Frances , J . W . 211 ; Hammond , 237 ; AVaite and Mason , 745 ; and Soper , P . M . 1006 . — The furniture of the lodge was very handsome , and the pedestals substantial and commodious . There ivere also three novel and exceedingly chaste tracing-boards , very superior to the conventional daubs so frequently seen in our lodges . These are the productions of Bro . H . E . Francesandas works of artare more than merel

, , , y creditable to his skill , rising , as they do , into high artistic excellence . There ivas one gentleman—Mr . A \ . H . Millett—initiated , Avliich ceremony was performed with all the care and excellence for which Bro . Thomas's working is so Avell-knoAvn . The lodge was af'ter-Avards closed , and the brethren partook of a very elegant banquet . After the cloth had been removed , the AV . AI . gave the usual loyal

and Masonic toasts , coupling that of the Grancl Ofiicers ivith tho name of Bro . S . II . AVilson . Bro . AAltso :- * " , in returning thanks , alluded to his many opportunities of responding to that toast . On behalf of the D . G . M ., it was impossible to say too much in his praise . If his information was correct , and he only gave it on the authority of the celebrated Miles's Boy , some one else was likely to succeed the Earl of Dalhousie as D . G . M . very shortl butbe his successor ivhom he mihthe

y ; , g , -arald never conduct himself better than the present holder of that important office . He had done his duty ivell , and in a truly Masonic spirit . On that occasion he ivas supported by another Grancl Officer , Bro . Farmer ; and for himself and Bro . Farmer lie could assure them they had done their best , anel hoped to visit the loelge on many future occasions . He felt sure that Bro . Farmer ' s energy in Masonry was so deservingthat he would possiblbo

, y advanced a step in office . On behalf of the D . G . M . and tbe Grand Officers , past and present , he tendered his thanks . The AV . AI . had much pleasure in proposing " Tire Health of the Visiting Brethren . " They had present Bros . AVilson , Farmer , Matthew Cooke , Stroud , Frances , Soper , Hammond , and two American Masons . He could not say on that occasion that they were always happy to receive visitors , because they had never yet

done so , but he would take upon himself to say they ahvays would , for the future . Bro . S . B . AAli-SOU was almost ashamed to speak again , but he must express how extremely gratified he was in visiting the loelge , and as no one seemed disposed to respond , he felt it must he done without hesitation . Bro . FAIOIEE wanted to know if they required a speech from the lower , as ivell as the upper house . He refrained from tendering his thanks for their hospitality before , because he thought the senior

should do so . To Bro . Thomas , AA . M ., who was a Alason of tried industry , they were under great obligation , anel he felt sure that ivith such a AV . M . the St . Mark's Lodge ( No . 1159 ) must progress and prosper . Bro . Soper also , in a very happy and fluent vein , bore his testimony to the kindness of the lodge , and expressed a hope , On behalf of the i-isitors , for its permanent utility and success . The AV . AI . next gave " Thc Health of the Initiate . " He hoped

he had been satisfied with his first reception , and that as he progressed in the science , he would find out its beauties , and become deeply attached to the Order ; anel , after strongly exhorting him to attend a lodge of instruction , to perfect himself in the art , he concluded by proposing " The Health of Bro . Millett . " Bro . MILLETT said he did feel much gratified at being made a Freemason , and he should adopt the W . M . ' s advice , for he was willing to receive instruction on that which he should better

appreciate at a future time . The AV . M . next said the S . AV . did not forget Bro . AVilson in lodge , and he must not elo so at the banquet . It was in accordance with Bro . AAllson ' s kind manner to render his assistance to them on that important occasion . All acknowledged his name as preeminent in the Craft , and although he might make some feiv differences , and was at times crotchetty , yet he had a peculiar mode of his ownand few brethren were more conversant with the general

, working . He was a great authority , and had been so for thirtythree or thirty-five years , and ivas always ready to teach others ; indeed , he was doing so to the extent of being out four , five , and even six nights in the Aveek , and crotchetty as he might be , his mode of working was genuine and right . He , the W . M ., had watched him for some time , and the more he saiv of his Avork , thc more he was pleaseddespite of their heing some deviations from the strict

, system of Peter Gilkes , but they AA-ere improvements , and reflected their credit on Bro . AVilson . The AV . M . thought there were many more improvements that could be made , and that the working should be uniform throughout the Craft . He would not say which system was right , but S . B . AVilson ' s was the best , and he gave " His Health , " which he hoped would be extended for many years . Bro . S . B . AVixso-s' said he hardly know in what way to take the

AV . M . 's speech . He had alluded to his alterations anel deviations from Peter Gilkes . He begged to say that he had made none in the rituals , and but three or four in the lectures . Here Bro . AVilson explained the differences alluded to , ivhich are not proper

to be inserted . Bro . AVilson said he agreed in all that tire , AV . AI . had said about there being one standard of working , anel at the time of the the union there was but one method . 'The G . M . appointed Dr . Hemming to concoct a system , but he never finished it , for his mind failed . Bro . AVilliams , Prov . G . AI . of Dorset , was next appointed , and he concocted the Gilkes-AVilliams Avorking AA-hich he chiefly derived from Bro . Gilkes , but the reviser never got beyond the fourth section of the first lecture , as might be seen

by a reference to THE FmiEMAsoxs MAGAZISJS for 1819 . He would not take up more of their time , but thanked them for their kind expressions towards himself anel concluded by proposing "The Health of Bro . Thomas , AV . M ., " on ivhom he passed a warm eulogimn . Bro . 'THOMAS , AV . AI ., AA-HS very much obliged to them all for the manner in ivhich his name had been received , and for placing him in the chair . He hoped the lodge ivould prosper and become a

good working lodge , holding but one feeling of unity and brotherly love . He urged the necessity of having a benevolent fund attached to it , and suggested the desirability of eating and drinking less , anel helping the charities the more , lie cordially thanked them for tire honour tliey had clone him in making him their first Master , anel hoped to be enabled to render them every assistance they required . After which the usual toasts followed , and the first meeting of the St . Mark's Loelge broke up at a lute hour .

BiiiTisn OAK LODOE ( IVo . 1133 ) . —At the regular monthly meeting , held on Monday , March 25 , at Bro . Gurney ' s Hotel , Stratford Bridge , attended by Bro . Richard Fairbaims , AV . M ., his officers , and several other brethren , a ballot AVUS taken for tho folloAving gentlemen : —AV . R . Bockes , G . K . F . Ulrici , and C . F . K " . Arnold . Air . Ulrici being in attendance , he ivas introduced anel initiated into Masonry . Bro . Brctz ivas passeel to the second degree , and Bros , lliiulmarsh anel S ' mgdahlsen raised to the degree of M . M .

Previous to closing the lodge , the AV . AI . said ho hael to perform the pleasing duty of offering to Bro . Stephen Barton AVilson a testimonial ofthe gratitude of the members ofthe British Oak Lodge for the services ho had rendered the founders at the formation of the lodge , and in solemnly consecrating it . After referring to the difficulties he ( the AV . AI . ) anel the four other brethren had met with in the endeavour to form the lodge , he said that accident threw him into the company of Bro . AVilson , and on mentioning the subject , Bro . AVilson spontaneously tendered his assistance , all embarrassments were at once removed , and the warrant obtained . Seeing the state the lodge had reached , twenty new members