Metropolitan.

LODGE OP CONFIDENCE ( No 193 ) . —This lodge held its regular meeting at Andertoir ' s Hotel on Monday , the 11 th inst . The chair was occupied by the W . M . ' ., Bro . B . T ) . Kershaw , supported by Bros . Robert Lee , S . AV . ; Williams , J . W . ; Rogers , Sec ; and several other brethren . Tho business of the evening was to initiate Messrs . Herman Mornbcrt , Julius Mctylcr , Frederick J . Benuet , Thomas Heath , and E . E . W . Fitlv . iuu . One brother was raisedandthere being no other businessthe brethren

, , , adjourned to the banquet . BEADON LODGE ( No . 619 ) . —On the 20 th inst . the brethren J this lodge met at the Greyhound , Dulwich . The AV . M . Bro > Alfred Avery , presided , and in an excellent style passed Bro . WJ . Edwards , aud raised Bro . Barret , -If . X ) . A . brother offered his services to the lodge as Steward for the April Festival of the Royal Benevolent Asylumwhich was acceptedThe lodge was

, , closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment . WHITTINGTON LODGE ( NO . 862 ) . —On Monday , IStb inst ., this lodge met at Anderton ' s Hotel . Bro . Davis , AV . M ., occupied the chair , supported by the following : —Bros . Henderson , P . M . ; AV . F . Smith , P . M . ; AVenvcr , S . W . ; S . Davis , J . W . ; Quinton-Dix , J . D . Taylor , T . Kyston , E . Kerry , G . Payne , and H . •MasseyP . M . 619 . Bro . James AVcnver was elected as

, , AV . M . for the ensuing year . Bros . Thompson and Gilbert were re-elected Treasurer and . Secretary , and in consideration of their services to the lodge it was proposed and carried that they be allowed a free visitor at each meeting of the lodge . A P . M . jewel was voted to the retiring AV . M . During the evening Bro . Schinelsburg was passed , and Bro . A oight raised .

Provicial.

PROVICIAL .

CHESHIRE . EGEHIONT . — Consecration of Hie Warren Lodge ( So . 1 , 27 ( 1 ) and Installation of the W . M . designate . —A new lodge , called tbe Warren Lodge , intended to be held at the Workmen's Institute , Tobin-strect , was consecrated on Friday , the 22 nd inst . In the absence of Bro . the Right Hon . Lord de Tabley , R . W . '

Prov . G . M . of Clicshiio , Bro . dipt . Cope , Past G . s . Ii . oi England and Prov . S . G . W . of Cheshire , performed the ceremony . Among the brethren present were—Bros . Henrv Uulley , J ' rov . J . G . AV . ; J . P . Phi it , V . Prov . J . G . W . ; E . H . Griffith ' s , Prov . G . S . ; William Bulley , P . Prov . G . J . D . ; . lulni Twiss , Prov . G . Org . ; James Hiimer , Prov . G . Treus ., West Lancashire ; Robert AVylieProv . G . Dir . of Ours . West Lancashire ; J . II . Johnston

, , , Prov . G . Steward : Joseph Sillitoe , Prov . G . Steward : dipt . W . C . Bathgate , 48 ; R . Williams , 1 , 094 ; J . T . Lea , P . M . 605 -. J . AV . Baker , P . M . 220 ; Healing , P . M . 240 ; K . Wilson , P . M . 241 ; T . Shepherd , P . M . 1 , 035 ; H . Thornton , W . M . Z , 1 S 2 ; Edward Friend , P . M . 1 , 013 ; J . B . Robinson , P . M . 1 , 013 ; Chesworth , AV . M . 724 ; Cain , S . W . 724 ; . T . C . Baker , See . 241 ; Bros . Speck , J . J . KnightJames ThompsonHaltonPurcolland Nash 241

, , , , , ; AVenslcy , S 23 ; Peinbcrton , S . W . 1 , 264 ; AVilliiims , 605 ; Ball , Prov . G . Tyler , AVcst Lancashire , and others , numbering upwards of 50 brethren . The wan-nut having been read , theeeremony was proceeded with in due form , after which the following brethren were invested as the first officers of the lodge : —Pros . C . II . Hill , AV , M . ; James P . Jones , S . W . ; Matthews , J . AV . ; AV . P . Mills , Treus ., and Bro . C . Dilworth , See . Twenty-one

brethren were proposed as joining members and three candidates for initiation , so that the lodge will start at its first regular meeting with 35 members and every prospect of a steady increase . After the lodge was closed an excellent banquet was served at Stoke's Hotel , Seacomhe , attended by all the provincial officers and a numerous company of the brethren , who cordially united in wishing prosperity to the new lodge . Bro . Hill , W . M ., ably occupied the chair .

CUMBERLAND AND AVESTMORELAND . CABHSLE . — Diiion Lodge ( No . 310 ) . —A festival meeting of this lodge ( at which the wives , daughters , and female friend ' s of the members n ere invited ) was held at the Freemasons' Hall , on Tuesday evening , the lDth inst . After the repast the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and the evening ' s enjoyment was enhanced by the vocal abilities of several of ' the brethren . The chair was ably occupied by Bro . Johnston , the AV . M ., and there were present Bros . Slack , G . Hayward , P . W .

Hayward , Murray , Robson . Molbourii , AVoodhouso , Roberts , Blacklock , Somerville , Barnes , J . E . Haddon , Elson , AVeatherall . and several others , the most of whom were accompanied by theirwives and daughters . Tbe company separated at a late hour , having expressed themselves highly delighted with the evening ' s entertainment . ESSEX .

Cor . ciiF . 3 iF . ri . — United Lodge ( No . G 97 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge took place at the Gsorge Hotel , on Friday , the Sill inst . Present : —Bros . Newman , AV . M . ; G . H . Rav , See . prolem ., S . W . ; J . S . Smith , J . W . ; C'altliorp , S . D . ; Eustace . J . D . ; Rix , Treas . ; Fruin Woodland , P . M .: Piper , Saunders , and Jenkinsoii . A'isitors : Bros . Clulib , Miller , T . R . Quilter , AV . M . 51 . The lodge was opened in due form in the lirst degree , and the summons convening the ineetiug was read . The minutes

of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed . Sergeant Samuel Dunn , of the 53 rd Reg ., was proposed as a candidate for initiation . The ballot proving unanimous , he was initiated , and tbe lecture in the first degree was most ably delivered by Bro . J . S . Smith , J . W . It was proposed that Bro . G . King , P . M ., having retired from the lodge on account of ill-health , he received as a member on the commuted list . Pro . Bro . Jcnkmson was also rcceivod as a member on the commuted list . Nothing further having been offered , the lodge was closed in peace harmony , and brotherly love .

LANCASHIRE ( EAST ) . BLACKBURN . Laying the Foundation-stone of the Hijle Volunteer Barracks . A Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the Assembly Room . , Town Hall , Blackburn , on Saturday , the 2 nd inst .. by virtue of a dispensation from the R . W . Prov . G . M . of East Lancashire ,

for the purpose of meeting and assisting the R . AV . Bro . Le Gendiv Nicholas Starkie , Past G . W . of England , and other distinguished brethren , to lay the foundation-stone of tho Rifle A ' olunteer Hun-ncks , Canterbury-street . The Craft mustered in large numbers , the following lodges being represented by an aggregate of 104 brethren , exclusive of Prov . G . Officers : —Bristol , 103 ; Burnley , 126 ; Haslingden .

215 ; Cheltenham , 216 ; Koisrhlev , 205 ; Blackburn , 269 ; Clavton-io-I ) : ile , 346 ; Clitheroe , 369 ; Over-Darwen , 3 S 1 ; Hanley ( Stiilibrdsliu-e ) , 41 S ; Accrington , -462 ; AVorksop ( Notts ) , 039 ; Workington ( Cumberland ) , 062 ; Manchester , 399 ; Cockermouth ( Cumberland ) , 1 , 002 ; Burnley , 1 , 064 ; Rochdale , 1 , 129 ; Accrington , 1 , 145 . The lodge was opened in due format 2 . 30 p . m . hi the first

, , degree , Bros . Thomas Clough , P . M . & 345 acting as W . M . ; James Spencer , W . M . 269 , as S . W . ; and John Rigby , AA . M . 345 , as J . W . It was then opened in the aecond degree , and immediately afterwards in the third degree , after which the W . M . called upon the S . AV ., who read the dispensation authorising the proceedings .

The Prov . G . Officers then entered the lodge-room in procession , and the Prov . G . Lodge was opened in form . The following Prov . G . Officers were present : —Bros . Le Gendre N . Starkie , Past G . W . of England , as Prov . G . M . ; J . M . Wike , Prov . S . G . AV ., as P . G . S . AV . ; Thos . G . Parker , Prov . G . J . AV . ; AV . J . Piclcup , P . Prov . J . G . AV ., as Prov . J . G . AV . ; J . I ) . Kennedy , Prov . G . Treus . ; Charles Hey wood , Prov . G . Rec . ; John Tunnah , Prov . G . Sec . ; W . II . PrinceProv . S . G . D . " ; John Dufficld

, , Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; Samuel 'litmus , Prov . G . Div of Cers . ; C . M . Jones , Assist . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; John Dill , Prov . G . Purst . ; Jesse Firth and AV . H . Shaw , Prov . G . Stewards ; J . E . Wovsley , Prov . G . Standard Bearer ; Franklin Thomas , P . Prov . G . Reg ., Oxon ; Thomas Clough , P . Prov . G . Reg ., Lancashire ( East ); and John Starkie . The brethren being marshalled by Bro . S . Titmas , assisted by '

Bro . Richard RndcliiVe , P . M ., Dir . of Cers . 345 , and Bro . Thos . Berhvistle , P . M . 345 , the procession was immediately formed and proceeded to the site of the intended building , where the interesting and impressive ceremony of laying the foundationstone , in conformity with tho ancient usages of Freemasonry , was at once commenced . The Hundredth Psalm was first sung , after which the Chaplain , Bro . the Rev , C . Hughes , offered up a prayer invoking tbe blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe on the future building and all connected with it . The inscription on the