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appointment of snch good Masters in the past as wo seo in its presen * popular and gifted W . M . Tlio Avholo tone and management of thi Lodge aro in harmony Avith its past history , and all tho brethren work with one object in view—i . e ., Freemasonry . On the Lodge being reduced to tho first degree , tho Secretary read a letter from Bro . Williams , to tho effect that he was in a fair way of recovery to health

aud hoped to be with them soon again aud at his post . The messagf was recpived by tho WM . and brethren with great satisfaction , a ? Bro . Williams had been in a very precarious condition . Tho Secretary then road the cirenlar from Grand Lodge with regard to the action taken in reference to tho Grand Orient of France , and the samo was copied into tho minutes . Bro . Broadbridge proposed that

tho sum of five pounds be devoted to a benevolent object , which was seconded by Bro . Secretary , and carried unanimously . Thero being no further business , tho Lodge Avas closed in harmony at 8 . 30 , and tho brothron adjourned to supper . After each brother had dono justice to the ropast , the W . M . rose to propose tho first and customary toast of the Queen , which was dnly honoured , the brethren singing the

National Anthem . Tho interval between tho first and second toastswhich is tho last on such occasions—was occupied with good music from Bros . Cooke and Win sov . These gatherings round the festive board aro productive of much fraternal intercourse among the brethren , as there is an absence of stiff formality , and many a pleasant recollection of the past and anticipation of the future is gone into which

otherwise would never be observed . Dnring a chat with Bro . Broadbridge , tho names of Bros . Constable and Binckes camo up , and Bro . George Broadbridge requested that a fraternal greeting bo conveyed them through the representative of tho FUEEJIASON ' S CHKOXICT . E . The W . M . proposed tho health of tho Visitors in a very cordial manner , and expressed his conviction that tho brethren of the Merchants

would to-night , as thoy at all times havo done , accord their Visitors a hearty welcome . He Avas always pleased to see brethren pay the Lodge a visit , and the great kindness shown him Avheuever ho visited a Lodge made him doubly anxious that their guests should fully enjoy themselves . He spokoof tho pleasure he felt nt seeing a distinguished brother among them to-night , who , from his connection with the

FREEMASON s CHRONICLE , and his experience ns a Mason , acquired by seeing so many Lodges work , must be great ; he could assure Bro . Davies that the Merchants stood very In ' trli in the Charities , and the Lodgo Avas in a very happy condition . Ho alluded to tho presence of Bro . P . M . Newman in a happy manner , also to Bro . Kisch , whoso presence put him in recollection of his early Masonic days , and

informed the brethren , in a very genial manner , that Bro . Wright , Avho had visited them that evening , would soon occupy the chair of another Lodge . In conclusion , he mentioned that there Avore other visiting brethren present , whose names ho did not know , but offered each and all a hearty welcome , and hoped thoy would come again . The toast was drunk Avith enthusiasm . Bro . Davies briefly responded to the

toast for the Visitors , and expressod thanks for tho kind manner in which the toast had been proposed by the W . M . and received by tho brethren . With reference to tho oxperionco procured by visiting , his had been considerable . He exhorted tho brothren to visit Lodges as much as possible . He assured the brethren that he had heard of tho good deeds done by tho Merchants' Lodge , and knew the beneficial

effect their noble example produced in tho Proviuce , and far beyond it . Ho congratulated the Lodge on its great prosperity , and tho W . M . and Officers on thoir capital working . With reference to the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , with Avhich he was connected , tho brothren had fnll opportunities of jndging of its value to the Craft , and tho highly important duties such a journal discharged . Bro . Newman

followed , with a few well-chosen remarks , and Bros . Wright , Kisch , and Keet also made appropriate replies to tho toast . Bro . Cooke tnrned his speech into a melody , for Avhich task ho is highly capable . Bros . Cooke , Kisch , Winsor , Jacobs , and Wooh'ick enhanced the pleasures of the evening with sweet harmony , and Bro . Salter gave a very touching recitation ; Bro . Lotta was very humourous in a sketch from life . The brethren dispersed at a reasonable hour .

Royal Alfred Lodge of Instruction , No . 780 . —On Friday , 10 th May , at the Star and Garter Hotel , Kew-bridge . Present—Bros . Acworth W . M ., Costelow S . W ., Gunner ( Hon . Sec ) J . W ., Gornm S . D ., Franckel J . D ., Talbot I . G ., Bro . Roe I . P . M . 780 Preceptor . Visitors—Bros . Phillips W . M . 975 , Alais P . M . 831 , Josey 834 , and Bros . Kyezor , Botley , and Blasby . Business—Lodgo having been duly

opened , the minutes of last meeting were confirmed . The W . M . opened up to the sublime degree , and having closed down ho vacated the chair in favour of the worthy Preceptor , who treated the brethren to the rehearsal of the ceremony of initiation , Bro . Botley candidate . Bros . Alais and Josey wero elected members , and returned thanks in

felicitous terms ; the W . M . having been congratulated upon his first occupancy of King Solomon ' s chair , and tho W . M . for meeting on 31 st May elected , the Lodge was closed in due form , until the 17 th , when tho Officers of the Mother Lodge will take their respective positions , the 21 th being the regular meeting of the Royal Alfred .

Dalhousie Lodge of Instruction , No . 860 . —Held its weekly meeting on Tuesday evening last , at Bro . Smyth's , Sisters ' Tavern , Pownall-road , Dalston . Bros . Bonner W . M ., Slaiter S . W ., Forss J . W ., Carr S . D ., J . Lorkin J . D ., Gilham I . G ., Dallas Secretary , Smyth Treas ., Wallington P . M . Preceptor ; and Bros . Ward ell , C . Lorkin , Bigg , Dignam , Brown , M . Christian , Brasted , Polak , Tnrquand , Bedwell , Finch , and Allen . The Lodge was opened and the minutes

Avere read . The ceremony of initiation Avas rehearsed , Bro . Weigo candidate . The Lodge was called from labour to refreshment , and after resuming Bro . Wardell answered the qnestions leading to the second degree , and that ceremony was rehearsed . Bro . McMillan , of Lod ge 13 G 5 was elected a member . Bro . Slaiter was elected W . M . for the ensuing week . The Fifteen Sections will bo Avorked in this Lod ge on Tuesday evening , the 28 th inst .

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whittington Lodge of Instruction , No . 862 . —This Lodge held its weekly meeting on Wednesday , 15 th May , at Bro . Hyde ' s , Red Lion , Poppius-court , Fleot-street . Bro . Abell presiding . Bros . Marston S . W ., Thompson J . W ., Hallam S . D ., Bull I . G ., Long Preceptor , and a numerous assemblage of brethi-en . The third cerenony was ably performed by tho W . M ., and tho soctions of tho

lee--uro wero worked by the brethren . Fivo new members were pronosed and accepted , after which Bro . Marston Avas elected W . M . for next assembly . On the proposition of Bra . Tate , tho date for working the Fifteen Sections by this Lodge , in conjunction with the Metropolitan Lodgo of Instruction , Avas altered to tho 12 th June . By mistake , last week , tho name of tho Constitutional was given instead of tho Metropolitan . The Lodgo was then closed .

Upton Lodge of Instruction , No . 1227- —At the King and Queen , Norton Folgate , on Friday the 10 th instant . Present—Bros . Simmonds W . M ., Andrews S . W ., Peall J . W ., Fenner Preceptor , Townsend Secretary , A . W . Smith S . D ., Crouch J . D ., Hino I . G ., also Bros . Stroud , Moss , Bolton , Lano , Kent , and others . Lodgo opened and tho minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Moss answered tho questions leading to the second dogree , and wasentrnsted .

Lodge was advanced and the W . M . rohearsed the ceremony of passing in a very creditable manner . Bro . Fenner worked tho two first soctions of tho lecture , assisted by tho brethren . On tho resumption of tho Lodgo to tho first degree , Bro . Fenner workod tho fourth section , assisted b y Bro . Crouch . Bro . Peall of the Burdett Contts Lodge , No . 1278 , was elected a member . Bro . Andrews was appointed W . M . for tho ensuing week , after Avhich Lodge was closed .

Fermor Hesketh Lodge , No . 1350 . —This Lodgo held its monthly meeting at the Masonic Hall , Liverpool , on Monday , tho 13 th inst . Present—Bros . W . H . Cooper W . M ., T . A . Collinson P . M . as S . W ., W . P . Evans J . W ., T . F . Cooper Secretary , T . A . Collinson P . M . Treasurer , C . P . Titherly S . D ., T . II . Johnson D . C , J . H . Cooko Steward , R . Montgomery a 3 I . G ., W . H . Ball Tyler . Past Masters

Bros . Collinson and Johnstone ; also Broi . M . Jones , W . Gallop , J . Hodson , J . R . Storey , E . A . Sanxay , T . H . Allbnfc , John Fraser , T . Volk , Geo . Gordon , E . C . Grundy , & e . Tho minute 3 of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , tho circular from Grand Lodge Avith reference to tho Grand Orient of Franco was road by the Secretary , and by command of the WM . tho same was entered in the

minnto book , The Lodgo was then advanced to the second degree . Bro . T . H . Allbnt having answered the necessary questions was passed to tho degree of Follow Craft , tho ceremony being very ably performed by the W . M . The Lodge was further advanced for the purpose of raising Bros . W . 0 . Blott and Wm . Halsall to tho degree of Mastor Mason , which ceremony was undertaken by Bro . J . A .

Collinson P . M . P . Prov . Grand D . C . It is very pleasing to record the energy and efficiency with which tho affairs of this Lodgo are carried on . No . 1330 has undergone in its brief career of existence a strange and eventfnl history , and to-day it lives , is prosperous , and happy . Theso pleasing symptoms aro duo to tho efficiency of its Officers , Past and Present , and it is no exaggeration to say that a more thoroughly

genial Master cannot preside over any Lodge than thejnstly esteemed Brother who holds the exalted position of present W . M . Tho Avorking of Bro . Collinson was done remarkably well when we consider ho has been out of office for a long timo . Tho W . Brother , although a young man , and a young Mason , has made great progress in Masonry , and has held moro than ono position in Prov . G . Lodgo . With such

talent ns Former Hesketh Lodgo possesses in its present and past Officers , and , what is of paramount importance , such vitality and earnestness among all its members , it mnst become a Lodgo of great power and influence . It is to be hoped that no cloud will over for a moment darken tho prosperity Avhish Fermor Hesketh so deservedly

enjoys . Tho Lodge being worked down to tho first dogree , tho VY . M . gavo notice of motion that on tho next meeting he would propose that the sum of £ 10 be devoted from the funds of tho Lodge towards forming a Benevolent Fnnd in connection Avith tho Lodge . The Lodge was afterwards closed iu harmony , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment .

Duke of Connaught Lodge of Instruction , No . 1524 . —At the Havelock Hotel , Dalston , E . Present—Bros . J . Lorkin W . M ., McMillan S . W ., II . Mayer J . W ., C . Lorkin S . D ., R . Olley J . D ., Martin I . G ., Fieldwick Preceptor , G . Ferrar Treasurer , E . Dietrich Secretary . The Lodgo was formally opened , and the minutes read and confirmed . Bro . Freeman , who had answered the questions , was

raised in a most ablo manner by the W . M . The Lodge was closed down , and Bros . Fiekhvick and McMillan Avorked the third section of the second lecture ; and Bros . Fieldwick and C . Lorkin worked the fourth section of the first lecture . Bro . Stokes ( 1364 ) was elected a member , and Bro . McMillan was appointed W . M . for 29 th inst ., as on Wednesday next it has been arranged to work the Fifteen Sections .

Eboracum Lodge , No . 1611 . —The regular meeting of this Lodge was held at York on Monday . Present—Bros . T . B . Whytehead W . M ., J . S . Cumberland S . W ., C . G . Padel J . W ., H . Jackson > a 3 S . D ., J . T . Seller J . D ., M . Millington I . G ., A . T . B . Turner as Org ., T . Cooper I . P . M ., G . Balmford Treas ., J . Kay Secretary , T . Humphries Asst . Secretary , P . Pearson Tyler , and other members and visitors .

A successfnl ballot was taken for three candidates , and Bro . Husband was passed to tho degree of Fellow Craft . The W . M . read a telegram just received from the Masons belonging to the Scots Greys Regiment at Dundalk , lately quartered at York , conveying hearty good wishes to the Eboracum Lodgo . A pleasant evening was afterwards spent , enlivened by the singing of Bros . Cumberland , Lee , and Wilkinson .