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necessary examination , and was passed to the second degree . Bro . S . Holliday , the Junior Warden , was then presented to Bro . Swallow to recoive at his hands the benefit of installation . P . M . 's C . Davis and E . C . Woodward were requested to take tho Wardens' chair , and Bro . Holliday was obligated . A Board of Installed Masters opened , and tho ceremony was completed . On tho re-admission of the

brethren , and tho salutations formally carried out , Bro . Holliday appointed his Officers : —Bros . T . C . Swallow I . P . M ., William Webb S . W ., G . E . Cook J . W ., William Coombes P . M . Sec ., J . L . Coulton P . M . Treas ., Charles Russ S . D ., Lousdale J . D ., Eowles D . C ., Cooper and Garrod Stewards , Cobley I . G ., Longstaff Tyler , Stacoy P . M . P . G . O . Organist . A notice of motion , by Bro . J . L . Coulton P . M .,

"That £ 5 be paid annnally to each of the Funds of tho Bonevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows until this Lodge becomes Vice-President to each of those Charities " was thin brought forward and thoroughly discussed . Our worthy brother Coulton urged the claims of tho Charities , and of the R . M . B . I . in particular , on tho brothren most forcibly , and pointed out the advantages the

Lodge would dorivo if tho members passed his proposition . He was ably supported by several others , and on the motion being put it received unanimous confirmation . Routino work fnl - lowed , and tho Lodge was closed . The brethren thon adjourned to the Grapes Hotol , whore tho banquet was hold . After they had partaken of tho substantial repast provided , which

Bro . Drinkwater placed on the table in admirable style , Bro . Holliday proceeded with tho toasts . Tho first four on tho list—the Queen and the Craft ; H . R . H . the Princo of Wales M . W . G . M . ; the Earl of Carnarvon Pro G . M . ; Lord Skelmorsdalo D . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers—were speedily dismissod . With the fifth toast—tho Provincial Grand Master of Middlesex , Bro . Colonel

Bnrdett ; the Deputy P . G . M . and tho rest of the Provincial G . Officers —was coupled tho name of Bro . Coombes , but Bro . Chas . norsley , in his usual irrepressible manner , wished to say a few words , and Bro . Coombes most courteously gavo way . Bro . Horsloy referred to the kind invitation he had received , and the pleasuro ho folt at meeting so many old friends . He regretted his duties that day had

prevented his being present in the Lodge so soon as he could have desired , but he was much satisfied with the way the work which he had witnessed had been performed . Bro . Coombes thanked the brethren sincerely for tho hearty way in which they had received his name in connection with the toast . Col . Burdett most strenuousl y exerted himself at all times to promote the welfare of the Province .

Ho was sorry that the Colonel ' s engagements did not permit his being present , as ho felt convinced it would have afforded the Prov . G . M . pleasuro to take part in the successful meeting they had had . Bro . Coombes concluded his remarks by gracefully acknowledging the kindness and support tho brethren always accorded him . Tho health of the W . M . was proposed in felicitous terms by Bro . Swallow ,

and Bro . Holliday thanked the brethren . It was a great honour they had conferred on him in electing him to the chair , and ho trusted ho might be able to give them satisfaction . He was sure ho should receive overy assistance from tho Past Masters aud Officers . Before resuming his seat ho had a pleasing duty to perform ; to present Bro . T . C . Swallow with tho P . M . ' s jewel which had been subscribed by the Lodgo . Ho trusted he might live long to wear it , and have

health and strength to attend the gatherings of the brethren . The remaining toasts comprised tho Visitors , tho P . BI . ' s of tho Royal Union Lodge , tho Officers , & o ., and able replies wero mado by Bros . Lucy , Morgan , Fehronbach , Conlton , Davis , Coombes , & c . The proceedings were enlivened by songs and recitations , Bros . Lnoy , Davis , and others rendering good service . The summons for tho Tyler just enabled tho brethren who had to return to town to catch the last train .

Portsmouth Lodge , No . 487 . —Thore was a largo attendance at this Lodge on Thursday , tho 14 th inst ., when Bro . H . Threadingham who had been elected as W . M . for tho ensuing year , was installed by Bro . M . E . Fro 3 t P . M . and Prov . Grand Treas . Thero was an exceptionally good muster of installed Masters , among thoso present being Bros . G . Rake P . J . G . Warden , T . Batchelor P . P . G . Supt . Works , A .

Cudlipp , G . Bond , G . S . Lancaster P . P . G . W ., J . Maltby , Ubsdoll , E . Groves , T . Moore , E . Bunting , P . J . Hyams P . M . 487 , Dr . O'Connor W . M . 257 , G . H . DeFraino P . M . 257 , W . Payuo W . M . 342 , H . J . Guy P . M . 342 , S . S . Pearco P . P . G . D . Southampton , H . Sleeman P . M . 903 , G . F . Laucaster P . M . 903 , E . G . HolbrookP . P . G . Reg ., J . Clay W . M . 804 , Dyson P . P . G . Supt . Works , H . Townsend W . M . 1428 , C . B .

Whitcomb WM . 1705 . The other brethren , in addition to the Officers of the Lodgo , included Bros . R . J . Mnrrell S . W . 10 G 9 , J . R . Hayman Sec . 257 , J . Read Grant J . W . 1705 , Stroud Sec . 1705 , Creber 10 B 9 , J . Astridge , G . F . Sherman , W . Tuck , E . Beale , W . E . Atkins , C . Groom , T . B . Johns , G . Whitehall , W . L . Smith , Arney , & o . At the conclusion of the installation ceremony , which viaa ably conducted

by Bro . Frost , the W . M . appointed his Officers as follow : —Bros . G . Bond I . P . M ., E . Osborne S . W ., Loader J . W ., G . S . Lancaster P . M . Treasurer , M . E . Frost P . M . and J . Astridgo Sees ., Palsgrave S . D ., 11 . T . Cecill J . D ., Ontridgel . G ., E . Groves P . M . Dir . Cer ., H . Holley aud G . F . Bell Stewards , Exell and Smith Tylers . A capital banquet followed , at which the W . M . presided .

Polish National Lodge , No . 534 . —This Lodge held its regular meeting on Thursday , the 14 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , W . C . Present—Bros . J . II . dimming W . M ., J . F . Ebner S . W ., W . Paas P . M . Sec , John Boyd P . M . P . G . P . Treas ., J . Taylor S . D ., Dr . A . V . Jagielski J . D ., J . Lancaster D . C ., Dr . Corrie

Jackson I . G ., Beckett Tyler ; Past Masters flros . W . G . Moore , Nowakonski , F . Rath , & o ., & c . Visitors—Bros . Saegart , Moore , J . G . Marsh , Morgan jun ., & c . The chief business of the evening was the election of W . M . for tho ensuing year . The choice of the brethren wa 3 unanimous in favour of tho S . W . Bro . Ebner . Bro . J . Boyd was re-elected Treasurer , aud Bros . Croucher , Bieling , and Haselden

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Auditors . Lodge being closed , the brethren adjourned to banquet , after which tho W . M . cave tho usnal Loyal and Masonic toasts . With that of the Grand Officers he co * vpled the name of Bro . John Boyd , who , in replying , thanked the brethren for tho kind sentiments expressed . Bro . Rath next assumed the gavel , and hoped tho brethren wnnld forsrivo him if , in his remarks , ho appeared more

solemn than nsnal ; they must attribute it to tho circumstance of its being tho last titno that tho duty would devolve on him . Ho con sidorod that to-night ho was , so to speak , singing " Tho Song of the Swan . " This song is an allegorical and highly poetical expression of tho departure of tho soul into higher and pnrer regions . It is lifo fading away into eteruity after it has worked out its destiny hero

below . If you happen to walk on tho quiet shore 3 of a still lake on a summer ' s evening , and listen with attention , yon may hear , rising among tho whispering willow trees , tho flapping of the wings , and tho waning breath of tho spirit in a song , tho sweotness of which surpasses all tho sensations over felt on earth . That is tho felicity of tho soul , conscious of having performed its task whilst in tho body ,

and taking its rapt ascent to that abode where eternal reward is waiting . But to return . Many of tho members thought their present Master , when ho was approaching the chair , might not feel equal to its bnrdeng , or so much of thorn as they could wish ; there , fore , a donbt passed over their minds as to what the year mi ght turn out to bo . But , so snro as tho laws of nature cannot err , so sure H it

that a generons and gonuino mind never fails to be elevated to tho high duties which it may be called upon to fulfil , and thus it is they wero able to look back on tho past year with pleasure , when they considered tho way in which their Master had performed his duties . Bro . Rath trusted that when their present Master surrendered the government of the Lodge , that thoy would hear "The Son ? of the

Swan , " as a token of the felicity which is the true roward of tho 30 who havo zealously and conscientiously fulfilled their duties towards their fellow workers . The WM . suitably acknowledged the toast ; if his exertions had proved successful , ho should be ablo to retire with satisfaction . He had U 3 ed every effort to mako them comfortable . Beforo sitting down , he would propose the health of tho

I . P . M ., which toast having been honoured , Bro . Rath roso to reply . It was but in accordance with the well-known kindness of the W . M . that ho shonld speak favourably . The W . M . had said that he ( Bro . Rath ) had rendered somo servico to tho Lodgo . He could but remember with what slender means ho began his duties , and how everything was wanting to enable him to prosido with advantage

over the Lodgo ; ho was now astonished how ho had got through his dutios . To begin with , ho was a stranger in the land , but that fact is not a serious one in connection with Masonry , particularly in the Polish National Lodge . His very speech had seemed a freezing impediment , but he sot to work with a will , first to master tho duties of the Lodge , and he thought that no ono conld say that he , as a

Hungarian , had not performed that part of his work . When ho had satisfied himself , ho felt that ho could swim , and counting on the indulgence of the brethren ho had struck out boldly , hoping that zeal , honesty of purpose and purity of intention might carry him through , howovor arduous the task might provo to bo . He had ever aimed at tho elevation of their work from the humdrum of rontinn

into the real moaning of our Masonic principle . How far ho had sneceodod ho would leave to tho members . He could point with prido to tho present Officers of tho Lodge , whom ho felt were indivirtually able to perform their duties creditably . Who conic ! look on such a progeny and not feel proud ? Each , ho was sure , would bo able to givo a good account of himsalf when his day for action came .

It was to this he wished to draw their attention ; ho was sure that if they continued with such workers the glory of tho Polish National Lodge would continue to shine to the cud of time . Tho W . M . next called upon tho brethren to drink the health of tho Past Masters ; it was a toast always honoured in their Lodgo , and one he folt suro tho brethren would never neglect . They were favonred that

evening with tho presenco of several of their Past Masters ; he gavo them , on his own behalf as well as on that of the members , a mo 3 t cordial welcome . Bro . Nowakonski responded . The Past Masters wero pleased to seo so influential an assembly of brethren . Their present Master had proved himself an able leader , aud shown himself worthy of tho confidenco reposed in him . Ho ( Bro .

Novvakouski ) could look back with pleasure to tho time when tho Lodgo was formed ; it was then thought that it would bo bettor to work the ceremonies in the mother language of tho Polos , but as tho founders were so ably supported by English brethren , they decided to work in the English language . Since that timo they had been indebted to English brethren for much of their prosperity . Ho was pleased to

know that many of tho Hungarians who lived in London were members of their Lodge , and regretted that , from causes beyond their control , many others were prevented from joining them . Whenever ho came to tho Lodge ho was gratified at its ever increasing prosperity , and ho felt this was the feeling of all tho Past Masters : in whose name ho thanked the Lodge . Tho

toast of the Visitors , proposed from tho chair , was acknowledged by each , after which tho W . M . gavo that of the W . M . elect , Bro . Ebner . This toast ho felt might almost bo considered the principal ono of the evening , and he folt sure that members would join him iu wishing their present S . W . a happy and prosperous year in the chair to which ho had that nicrht been elected . Bro . Ebner thanked tho

brethren most heartily . He feared tho duties were much more than he had anticipated , but the fact of his having been elected unanimously had shown him that ho might reckon on the support of tho members , and with their assistance he hoped to he ablo satisfactorily to perform his duties . The next tnast , that of the Officers , was duly honoured . Tho W . M . thanked each for their assistance duriiij '

his presidency . Bro . Taylur the S . D . trusted tho Olhccv .-i would continue to merit tVic eu ! o » imns which had that evening been bestowed en thotn ; he was in ill health , and hoped the brethren would excuse him making further remarks . Bro . Dr . Jagielski regretted to lose their present Master ; ho had always spoken in a kind manner to the Officers . He then referred to the steps taken by Grand Lodge