Metropolitan.

During and after dinner some talented artistes rendered several beautiful songs , whilst Bro . Hopkins the " Silver Bell King " gave some excellent pieces , for which he was deservedly several times encored . Some fine selections were also played by Mr . J . Carrington's Band . In the Pillar Hall an excellent concert was given . Mr . Bob Dredge , from

the Mohawk Minstrels , sang the Blind Boy , and Come back to Erin , in magnificent form . Bros . Frank Lloyd , H . Cohen , W . Perrin and others rendered also soma pleasing songs , whilst the Misses Ethel Hunt and Kate Temple were in perfect voice . Messrs . Jackson , Robens , and other gentlemen added greatly to the enjoyment of the evening .

In the banquet room , which had been transformed into a magnificent ball room , decorated with various plants and ferns , the excellent band of Mr . Carrington played soma cheerful dance music . Tha ball was opened by the W . M . Bro . Croxson and his wife ( who was most charmingly dressed ) , the good example being soon followed by scores of couples . The party separated at an early hour in the morning , to retire to their homesteads and no doubt to dream of the very pleasant and enjoyable time they had spent among the members of the Skelmersdale Lodge .

Great compliment is due to Bro . J . Thorneloe , the I . G . of the Lodge , who acted as Master of Ceremonies , for the ability he displayed in securing partners for the fair sex , also to the undermentioned Brethren for the able manner they acted as Stewards and Committee : J . Cox P . M ., H . Cohen P . M ., J . Letchford P . M ., R . Rowlands P . M ., H . Buckrida ; e P . M ., J . Farmer S . D ., S . E . Rice J . D ., J . B . Thorneloe I . G ., W . Bennett D . C , A . Logette A . D . C ., J . Sandell and Frank Lloyd Stewards , W . 'J . Perrin , H . Briggs , Frank Nilen , B . Cohen , W . Biles , J . Hammerston , S . Morris , J . Gibbs and F . Marlow , and J . Davies .

Amongst the numerous party we had the pleasure of seeing were Bro . William Croxson the W . M . of the Lodge , in company with Mrs . Croxson , Mrs . Croxson jun ., Master Croxson , and Miss A . Croxson ; G . White P . M ., Mrs . Vincent , Mr . and Mrs . Davidson , Mr . and Mrs . Woolwich , Mr . and Mrs . C . White , Mr . Riley , Misses A . and E . Cox , Mrs . H ; Cox , Mrs . Harris . Bro . R . Caboll W . M .-elect and Mrs . Cabell , Bro . T .-J . Rawlings J . W . and Mrs . Rawlings , Bro . W . Perrin , Bro . and Mrs . Smith , Bro . and Mrs . Charles Cook , Bro . and

Mrs . Penny , Bro . Cobley , Mr . and Mrs . W . Rose , Miss Day , Bro . Frank Lloyd , Mr . and Mrs . W . Lloyd , Bro . and Mrs . J . Gibbs , Miss Gussie Scarlett , Bro . and Mrs . J . George , Bro . W . M . Foster , the Misses M . and A . Foster , Mr . A . T . Foster , Bro . and Mrs . J . Farmer , Bro . and Mrs . Frank Nilen , Bro . and Miss Buckridge , the Secretary Bro . H . Boys P . M . with his wife and daughter ,, Bro .. E , D . Side I . P . M . and Mrs . Side , Bro . A . O . Side P . M . and Mrs . Side , Mr . R . H . Side , Mrs . Louis Side , the , Misses A . and F . Side , Bro .

and Mrs . Humphrey Cohen , Bro . and Mrs .-Hammerston and daughter , Bro . Butler , Bro . and Mrs . Logette , Bro . H . Ledy , Bro . and Mrs . Williams , Bro . and Mrs . Coleman , Bro . Hewlett P . M . and Mrs . Hewlett , Bro . and Mrs . Shaum , Bro . and Mrs . Rawlings , Bro . and Mrs . Knapman , Bro . and Mrs . Lubbock , Bro . and Mrs . Perrin , Bro . J . C . Davids , Bro . and Mrs . J . R . Papworth , Bro . and Mrs . Stanton , Mr . and Mrs . Charles White , Bro . R . B . Hopkins , Mr . Riley , Bro . D . Gunton , Bro . Kipps . Bro . W . B . Bennett , Mr . G . A . Hurst ,

Mr . H . Hurst , Bro . Mark Attwood , Bro ., Mrs . and Miss Biles , Bro . Danson and brother , Bro . and Mrs . W . J . Newstead , Bro . I . Morris and friends , Bro . and Mrs . Bradford , Bro . J . Hibble , Bro . A . Davis and Miss Cuming , Bro . J . Cockerill and brother , Bro . D . Shaul . Bro . G . Tavener , Bro . G , Emmett , Bro . W . H . Greenfield , Bro . L . G . Bell jun ., Bro . G . Bell sen ., Mr . and Mrs . W . J . Bishop , Mr . and Mrs . W . J . Croxson jun ., Bro . J . Wynman . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . Kipps Organist of the Lodge .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193 . QUITE a large muster attended the weekly meeting at the Bunch of Grapes , Lime Street , on Wednesday evening . Bro . P . M . Davey was in the chair , with Bros . Baillie S . W ., Goodchild J . W ., Haughton S . D ., Done J . D ., Owen I . G ., J . K . Pitt P . M . Secretary , Metcalf Baillie Assist . Secretary , Spice I . P . M Preceptor , J . W . Simeons , Elvin Treasurer , & c .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Green as the candidate . The ritual was eloquently expounded by Bro . Davey , who made the ceremony very impressive . Bro . Green afterwards answered the questions leading to the second degree . Bros . Spice P . M . Preceptor , and Baillie Assistant Secretary were unanimously elected Honorary Members . Bro . Green was elected an ordinary member .

The new bye-laws were read and finally approved . General business relating to the welfare of the Lodge Benevolent Fund—for which a dozen members were enrolled and Officers appointed—with other matters kept the meeting beyond the usual time .

Next Wednesday being Officers' night a very large attendance is anticipated . Members are reminded that the Lodge will open punctually at seven o'clock . The Brethren adjourned to the little social supper whioh has now become an institution in connection with this Lodge .

ROYAL ALFRED LODGE , No . 780 . ON Thursday , at the Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , Bros . F . M . Ridley W . M ., B . Wilcox S . W ., Justin Allen W . M . of the Mother Lodge J . W ., H . R . Williams P . M . Prec , F . Larkman P . M . Treas ., A . H . Bridger Sec , G . Cursons S . D ., E . C . St . Aubyn J . D ., 0 . E . Dowling I . G ., D . Heath W . M . Chiswick Lodge Steward , H . R . Worth , J . Wynman , Fisher P . M ., Dr . Finch am .

Bro . Heath answered the questions and was entrusted . The Lodge was further advanced and the third ceremony was gone through . The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and Bro . Williams worked the first sectionf Bro . E . Wilcox was elected W . M . for Thursday next .

ALEXANDRA PALACE LODGE , No . 1541 . ON Saturday , 27 th ult ., the Fifteen Sections were worked by the members of this well known Lodge , at Bro . 0 . Sisman ' s , the Station Hotel , Camberwell New Road , 8 . E . Bro . Charles Johnson J . W . 2206 Preceptor of several Lodges and Secretary of the Alexandra Palace Lodye of Instruction , acted as Worshipful Master , and received the assistance of Bros . W . S . Whitaker P . M . Preceptor of the Lodge as I . P . M ., C . L . Plant P . M . S . W ., T . W . Trotter J . W ., W . Hill S . D .

Instruction.

1502 Sec , W . C . Hurley S . D ., W . Willshire J . W . 1602 J . D ., F . G . Macgregor I . G ., C . Sisman Steward , & c . Bro . W . M . Stiles P . M . P . G . Treas . England honoured the W . M . and Brethren with his company , as also did Bros . Walter Downing P . M . 20 , Herbert Frank Singer , J . Wynman , and several others . The Lodge being duly formed was opened in the three degrees , and resumed to the first , when the Sections of that degree were worked by Bros . L . Shipton ( in the absence of Bro . C . Randall S . W . 72 ) , F . C . Macgregor , W . Willshire , F . W . Trotter , W . C . Hurley . R . Whiting , and C . L . Plant .

Those Sections being ended tho Lodge was called off . On resuming , the Lodge was opened in the second degree , and the Sections worked by Bros . C . H . Randall , M , McVey W . M . 1310 , W . Hill , W . S . Whitaker , and J . Hooper . The remaining Sections—those of the third degree—were rendered by Bros . E . J . S . Ware W . M . 1922 , W . Hill ( in the absence of Bro . I . R . Cass ) , and T . H . Hobbs P . M . 177 . The working of the different Brethren was all that could be desired , and was highlyappreciated by the assembled company .

, The W . M . having resumed the Lodge to the first degree , Bro . Whitaker P . M . Preceptor proposed that a hearty vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes for the excellent manner in which Bro . Johnson had fulfilled the duties of the chair , which vote was carried unanimously . Bro . Plant as S . W . announced the same to the W . M ., and also congratulated him on his perfect

working . Bro . Johnson said he was very pleased , and proud of having occupied the honourable position of Master ; that evening . He most sincerely thanked the Brethren for the compliments paid him , and also those Brethren who had worked with him in such an able manner in rendering the Sections . More especially was he indebted to those who had been called upon unexpectedly to fill the places of Brethren who were absent . He also thanked the Officers for their excellent assistance .

Bro . Johnson also thanked Bro . W . M . Stiles Past Grand Treasurer of England , in the name of the Lodge , for having honoured them with his presence . The W . M . was deeply indebted to Bro . Stiles , because what he knew of Freemasonry he had to thank that worthy Brother for . He proposed that the compliment of honorary membership should be conferred on Bro . Stiles , and at the same time hoped the Lodge would be favoured with his company as often ' as his Masonic duties would allow him . The vote was unanimously agreed to .

Bro . Stiles in his usual eloquent manner thanked the W . M . and Brethren for the compliment paid him . It afforded him a great amount of pleasure to accept the honour they had offered him , as it also did to see Bro . Johnson in the chair . He was only a young Mason , but his working had been perfection . Bro . Johnson had worked very hard , and his performance was a great credit to him . He ( Bro . Stiles ) would do himself the pleasure of attending as often as opportunity offered .

Bro . Plant , on behalf of himself and the other Officers , thanked the W . M . for the compliment paid them , and also sincerely congratulated the W . M . on his really perfect working . Bro ^ Walter Downing P . M . 20 and Herbert Frank Singer were elected members .

WARNER LODGE , No . 2256 . ON Friday , 26 th ult ., this Lodge of Instruction , held at the Royal Forest Hotel , Chingford , reached its 100 th meeting . The chair was occupied by Bro . T . Stacey W . M . 2472 , with Bros . F . Small S . W ., S . Fortescue J . W ., S . C . Rhodes Preceptor . C . T . Papworth Sec , A . Oakden S . D ., J . P . Watts J . D ., G . R . Brown P . M . 2467 I . G ., L . Hayden , F . C . Gooding , and Ives P . M .

The ceremony of initial-ion was rehearsed , Bro . Hayden acting as candidate . The Lodge was opened to the third degree , and the ceremony of raising rehearsed , Bro . Gooding candidate . Bro . Small S . W . was elected to preside at the succeeding meeting , to be held yesterday ( Friday ) .

V J Eoyal Aech.

v J EOYAL AECH .

ZETLAND CHAPTER , No . 603 . THE festival meeting of this Chapter was held at the Masonic Hall , Tofts , Cleckheaton , on Friday , 26 th ult ., when the following Companions attended : J . T . Last M . E . Z ., S . Law H ., J . Clough J ., H . E . Hodgson S . N ., Dr . Parke Treas ., Sydney Mortimer P . S ., Dr . Chas . F . Forshaw ( FBEBMASON ' S C HBQNICI / G ) First Assist ., W . Parker Second Assist ., Stocks P . Z ., Sharpe P . Z ., Powell , Shelley , and Blackburn .

Visiting Companions Butterworth P . Z ., Wilson P . Z ., Matthewman P . Z ., Monckman P . Z ., Walker Dysou P . Z ., Hird , and others . The Principals and Officers for the year were installed , viz : Comps . S . Law Z ., James Clough H ., Sydney Mortimer J ., John Thos . Last P . Z . S . E ., George Blackburn S . N ., S . Halliday Treas ., Dr . Chas . F . Forshaw P . S ., Robert . F . Rogerson Assist . Soj ., Jas . H . Shelley Assist . Soj ., W . H . Hudson Janitor .

After the business of the Chapter had been concluded the Companions sat down to a sumptuous dinner , and later the usual uaot list was gone through . Songs and recitations concluded a most enjoyable gathering .

Garrick . —In consequence of arrangements that were completed some time ago the successful pantomime of " Puss in Boots " must now necessarily enter into the last weeks of its run at this Theatre . To-day ( Saturday ) several new features , including new songs , new dances and fresh imitations will be introduced , that will have the effect of making the pantomime quite a revised edition of •¦ Puss in Boots . " Miss Ethel Sydney has been making studies of some very popular artistes of whom she intends to give imitations .

She has made a wonderful hit on those lines , and her dainty good natured illustrations of tho methods peculiar to some of her fellow actors and actresses have pleased the Garrick audiences . Mr . George Gray and Mr . Robb Harwood have also been making notes , and will from this evening right on to the end of the run of the pantomime give yet more of their hugely funny imitations . Bellonini , who plays the International juggling waiter , will , in addition to fresh juggling feats , introduce in the Palace ' scene his celebrated troupe of trained dogs und cats , and Mr . Edward Lauri has a naw

song as well as " Dame Elastique . " Mr . Charles Lauri , who plays the cat , will give another of his extraordinary animal types—tho black poodle , and Miss Florence Lloyd has been provided wth two now and charming songs . In fact the pantomime of " Puss in Boots , ' . ii .: . ; universally admitted to be a huge success , will under those elaborate condition * take a new loase of life , strong enough to carry it f'jr weeks beyond the time that it can remain at the Garrick .