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then gave "The Initiates . " This important toast having been duly honoured , Bro . Davis , in the absence of his coinitiate , responded for both in a well set speech . The toast of "The Visitors" followed . Bros . Martin and Price having each said a few words in reply , "The Past Masters" came next in order . In giving thc pledge the VV . M . paid a very high compliment to the members composing that body . He said that it was very gratifying to notice that with one exception all the Past Masters of the lodge were present that evening , which was the best proof that could be adduced that the interest of the Past Masters

in the Kennington Lodge continued unabated . In conclusion , he particularly thanked Bros . Mann , the Treasurer , and Stuart , the Secretary , for the kindness and assistance hchad hitherto received from them both in their official and private capacities . The I . P . M . and Bros . Mann and Stuart having acknowledged the compliment , "The Health of the Officers , " coupled with the names of Bros . Webb and Marsden , brought the proceedings to a termination .

METROPOLITAN LODGE ( No . 1507 ) . —The largest attended meeting since the formation of this successful lodge was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Wednesday , the 19 th inst ., upwards of 120 brethren being present . The object of so numerous an assembly was to do honour to our popular Bro . VV . M . Stiles , the VV . M . elect . The brethren present included : Bros . VVm . Side , VV . M . ; William Mason Stiles , S . W . ; Henry Stiles , I . W . ; Jas .

Willing , P . M ., Treas . ; J . J . Michael , P . M ., Sec ; Henry Lovegrove , P . M . 1777 , Past G . S . of VV . Middx ., J . D . ; George Edwards , D . of C . ; Thos . Raney , W . S . ; C . J . Scales , LP . M . ; R . T . Kingham , P . M . ; R . Fraser , G . W . Knight , W . B . Jones , R . Alaway , George Colls , VV . F . Bates , D . Hatch , H . Connolly , J . Barnard , VV . Davey , P . Aspinall , jun ., I . H . Grant , Lewis Solomon , T . C . Edmonds , T . Fortescue , f . VV . Tubby , John Jones , Charles Carter , C .

Sheath , A . Ransom , XV . Wiltshire , H . H . Child , J . Burton , AI . J . Rowley , J . B . Clarke , J . Gawith , and many others . Among the visitors we noticed : Bros . John Mason , P . M ., Past S . G . D . Middx ., Collector Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ; John Osborne , VV . M . 1602 ; E . Rivington , I . P . M ., S 77 ; J . T . Briggs , P . M . 157 ; Thomas Carter , P . M . 42 ; C . E . Walter , P . M . 87 ; Thomas Walton , P . M . 157 ; Thomas Hyland , P . M . 201 ; VV . G . Atkins ,

P . M . S 57 ; Bird , 1567 , 1 S 97 , P . G . D . Middx . ; VV . J . Ferguson , P . M . 177 ; Thos . E . Purdy , P . M . S 61 ; A . J . Thomas , P . M . 1 S 03 ; VVm . Hollingsworth , P . M . 11 S 5 ; lames Lewis , 'P . M . 1261 ; E . E . Barrett Kidder , S . VV . 12 ; VV . Cleghorn , S . W . 1287 ; J . E . Humphry , J . W . 167 ; XV . XV Morgan , Jun ., J . W . 1107 ; C . B . Carter , J . VV . 1662 ; S . Hollidge , Treas . 1602 ; S . R . Walker , Sec . 733 ; Henry Baldwin , 1632 ; F . Perl , S 13 . U . P . Vallentine ,

1017 ; F . P . Bucle , 1621 ; John Johnson , 1777 ; E . S . Gibson , 3 ; J . G . VV . Gwyer , 12 SS ; B . Kauffmann , 1732 ; James B . Colwill , 1791 ; Henry Charlton , 1101 ; Thomas Wilson , 132 S ; VV . G . Reynolds , 1441 ; C . Clifford , 1345 ; W . Dunk , 55 S ; J . Levy , 18 . ;; John Worth , 703 ; M ; Carpenter , 1 S 91 ; G . Dickenson , 16 S 1 ; J . Irvine , 1 S 62 ; James C . Smith , 1744 ; C VV . Bond , 1425 ; Leon lacobs , 1732 ; James Simpson , 1076 ; Edwin Storr ;

James Holliday , Jun ., 1777 ; Thos . Cook , 959 , and F . A . Kelly , Freemason . Lodge was opened punctually at half-past fouro ' clock by W . M ., Bro . VVm . Side , when the minutes of the previous meetings were read and confirmed , and the report of the Audit Committee adopted . The principal business of the evening , namely , the installation of Bro . VV . M . Sliles , was then proceeded with ; the chair of S . VV . and J . W . being

occupied respectively by Bros . Henry Lovegrove and Briggs . The ceremony was performed by Bro . Side in a masterly manner , and the addresses were delivered in a style seldom equalled . Bro . Stiles appointed the following brethren as his officers for the coming year : Bros . Henry Stiles , S . W . ; George Clark , J . VV . ; James Willing , P . AL , Treas . ; 1 . J . Michael , P . M ., Sec . ; Henry Lovegrove , P . M . 1777 , tast G . S . of VV . Middx ., S . D . ;

George Edwards , | . D . ; Raney , I . G . ; Knight , D . of C . ; C . F . Edmunds , VV . S . ; F . VV . Dimsdale , Org . ; Davey , Asst . VV . S . and Asst . Sec ; and John Daly , Tyler . The efficient manner in which Bro . Side performed the onerous duties of I . P . M . gained for him the admira'tm of all who were fortunate enough to witness its execution , and subsequentl y Bro . Side received a special vote of thanks for his ability—proposed by Bro . J . J .

Michael , and seconded by Bro . C . J . Scales—which was carried unanimously . This compliment was conveyed in suitable terms to Bro . Side by the newly-installed VV . M ., Bro . Stiles , who at the same time presented the I . P . M . with a very handsome Past Master's jewel , awarded him by thc lodge , in recognition of the many valuable services he had rendered to the lodge since his connection with if , the great success that had attended the Metropolitan lodge being

mainly due to Bro . Side . The next business wss the initiation cf Messrs . Henry Hawthorne , David Raphael Bryce , John Rogers , Thomas Rapson , and James Jay , which ceremony Bro . Stiles performed in a most able and efficient manner , highly creditable for his first atttempt in the " Metropolitan . " Ihe lodge was then closed and the brethren subsequently partook of an excellent banquet in the Pillar-room . At its

conclusion , the usual toasts were proposed , but owing to the lateness of the hour , they were very brief . The toast of the " Queen and the Craft" was , as usual , very loyally received as also was that of" H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . " The next toast that of "Thc Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , M . VV . Pro G . M ., the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , R . W . Deputy CM ., and the rest of the Grand Ofiicers , Present and Past , " was

next given and heartily received . Bro . Side then in glow'ng terms proposed "The Health of the VV . M ., Bro . VV . M . Stiles . " He felt great pleasure in proposing this toast , as Bro . Stiles was so worthy and eminent a Mason . He was second to none in the Craft as regards his working £ nd attention to the Order . Bro . Stiles , in reply , expressed the great pleasure he felt in being installed that evening VV . M . of the Metropolitan Lodge , more particularl y as he was one of its first initiates .

He begged to thank Bro . Side for the very excellent and able manner in which he had installed him . , ? highly gratifying to be W . M . of so distinguished a lod ge , and he would endeavour to emulate the good work'" ¦? pf the W . M . 's , who had preceded 1 im , in the hope of f ?' '" B 'he same good opinion of the brethren as those 'P f iu s ° Jeforc - ' lnc next toast wa = that of " Thc ( J *) , Masters , " proposed by Bro . Stiles , who , in mention"» . '" e various Past Masters , paid some graceful tribute to < -acn , hiS remarks being loudly applauded by tlie brethren .

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Bros . W . Side , J . J . Michael , R . T . Kingham , and C . J . Scales having replied , the toast of "The Initiates" followed , to which those newly . enlightened brethren responded . Bros . Osborne , Rennington , Edwin Storr , Ferguson , and Thomas having responded for " The Visitors , " the toast of '" The Masonic Charities was given , to which Bro . John Mason made a most forcib ' e and practical reply . Several other toasts were given , that of the Tyler bringing a most enjoyable and successfule evening- to a close .

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT LODGE , ( No . 1558 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Surrey Masonic Hall , on Thursday , the 13 th inst ., when Bro . Charles E . Power was installed VV . M ., the ceremony of installation being performed in a very effective manner by Bro . j . Dann ; P . M ., Secretary of the lodge . The following brethren were invested with the collars of their

respective offices , viz .: Bros . J . Taylor , S . W . ; C . Sims , I . W . ; T . C . Corpe , Treas . ; J . Dann , P . M ., Sec . ; J . Evans , S . D . ; ] . R . Smith , J . D . ; G . S . Stokes , I . G . ; VV . B . Briscoe , D . C . ; T . Nettlefold , VV . S . ; and A . A . Stroud , A . W . S . Among the visitors present were : Bros . J . G . Marsh , P . M . 2 S and 192 , P . G . P . Middx . ; J . Dix n , P . M . 172 S ; W . E . Bott , VV . M . 1 S 39 ; George J . Dawson , W . M . 1 S 53 ; A . J . Martin , jun ., iSS , S . D . 1520 ;

VV . H . Stewart VV . S . 16 41 , and others . After the business of the lodge was concluded , the brethren adjourned to the banqueting-room to partake of a very excellent banquet , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and the proceedings enlivened by some excellent singing and a very effective rendering of Hood ' s beautiful poem of "The Bridge of Sighs , " by-Bro . Geo . J . Dawson .

ECCLESTON LODGE ( No . 1624 ) . —This lodge held its installation meeting on Wednesday , at the Criterion , Regent-circus , when there was a large attendance of members and their friends . Bro . Jones , the VV . M ., opened the lodge at four o'clock p . m ., when the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed , and the auditors' report was presented and received . The ballot

was taken for Mr . Samuel Bruce , proposed by Bro . Coulthard , and seconded by Bro . L . Jones , VV . M ., and was declared unanimous in favour of his admission ; after which Bro . Smith , initiated at the previous meeting , was passed to the Degree of F . C . This ceremony concluded , the Master's chair was taken by Bro . Vincent , P . M ., to whom Bro . John Gait Fisher was presented , to receive at his hands the

benefit of installation ; and having signified his assent to the laws , read by the Secretary from the Book of Constitutions , was duly obligated by the presiding Master . The lodge was then suspended , and a Board of Installed Masters formed , and Bro . John G . Fisher was formally installed into the chair of K . S . The lodge was then resumed , and the brethren re-admitted , and the newly-installed Master

saluted in all due form . The officers for the year were appointed as follows : Bros . Powell , S . VV . ; Fisher , J . VV . ; Isaacs , Treas . ; Beckham , Sec ; Johnson , P . M ., S . D . ; Tapp , J . D . ; Bottle , I . G . ; Effingham , Org . '; Burnham and Coulthard , D . C . ' s ; Bennett and A . Johnson , W . S . ' s ; Thomas , Tyler ; and Webb , Asst . Tyler . Then followed the customary orations , which were very impressively

delivered by Bro . Vincent , who , indeed , performed the entire ceremony of installation with intelligent care and perfect accuracy . In Bro . J . G . Fisher , the newly-installed VV . M ., the lodge has the good fortune to have acquired another Master well up to his work . It is often the case that the little extra excitement of an installation meeting temporarily impairs thc working ability of some of the most practised Masons , but it had no such effect on Bro . Fisherwho

, immediately after his installation initiated Mr . George Messenger and Mr . Samuel Bruce without a hitch or slip in his performance of the ritual . A notice of motion , by Bro . Fisher , S . VV ., relating to an alteration in the times for paying portions of the subscriptions , concluded the business , and the lodge was then closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to thc banquet-room , with the most praiseworthy punctuality , at seven o ' clock , the time set down in the

summons . There was a very large number of guests , among whom we noticed Bros . J . Bevan , from Westland , New Zealand , D . G . M . N . Z . ; Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; Capt . Blakey , Royal Naval College ; Cantle ; Scawcroft , 467 ; Berry , P . M . 5 S 4 ; Hickhn , Golden Rule ; Jas . Gourley , P . M . 160 ; T . Crow , VV . M . 1194 ; Bray , 1155 ; Besant , VV . M .

1194 ; Duncan , 907 ; Steven , P . M . 1426 ; Levy , P . M . iSS ; May . P . M . 1 S 0 ; T . Davies , 87 ; Knight , 749 ; Snook , 1604 ; Burficld , P . M . 35 ; and Ladd , 619 . Upon the cloth being withdrawn , the time-honoured custom of proposing loyal and Masonic toasts was duly observed . After "The Queen and the Craft" had been duly houourcd , the Chairman proposed " The Health of the Grand

Master , " remarking upon the good fortune of Masons of the present generation in possessing the best Royal Grand Master that had ever presided over the Craft , adding that H . R . H . was the best possible supporter of the Craft , not only lending his name , but aiding it with his personal presence and his purse . After an interval , occupied in singing " God Bless the Prince of Wales , " the Chairman rose and

said : I now come to a toast scarcely less important than the last ; and jt affords me special pleasure to propose this toast , as the Grand Lodge is represented here to night by one of . its ofiicers . I should like to say a good deal about Grand Lodge , but Bro . Cottebrune knows much more about it than I do . While what 1 might say would be merely blind praise , whatever he may say will have the weight of

experience . I give you " The Health of the M . W . Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master and the rest of the Grand Ofiicers , Present and Past , " anel with that toast I couple the name of Bro . Cottebrune , P . G . P . Bro . Cottebrune : I rise with very great pleasure to return thanks for the Grand Ofiicers . I am myself a very humble representative of that august body ; but it

gives me great pleasure to be present here this evening , and I am certain that if the more important Grand Officers had been here to-day they could not fail to have been very much pleased with the manner in which your affairs were transacted . The manner in which the installation ceremony was performed by the Past Master was admirable and most impressive ; and the manner in which you initiated two

members proved conclusively your fitness forthe honourable position to which you have obtained . I have never before had an opportunity of visiting your lodge , but I have been very much pleased with what I have seen to-day . Chairman : Brethren , I am going to depart from the list of toasts set down on the card , for we have had unexpectedly the honour of a visit from a distinguished brother from

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abroad , and it behoves us as loyal Masons , and as hospitable Masons , to extend to him a cordial welcome . Thc District Grand Master of New Zealand , Bro . Bevan , has done us thc honour of visiting us ; he has , as I said , come unexpectedly , or we should have inserted this toast in the toasts of the evening ; but being amongst us I wish you to show him by your reception of this toast that we feel as cordially for brethren from distant colonies as for those of our own country . 1 have been in some of the English colonies , and 1 wish I had bean a Mason at that time ; if I should ever visit them again I feel that I shall be received there with the very same cordiality that I wish to

express to Bro . Bevan on the present occasion . Bro . Bevan : I can hardly find words with which to express my delight at the warm reception I have met with to-night . Vou say that I came unexpectedly tonight , and , I reply , that is just the way that I would wish to come among you . When I entered this half to-night 1 knew that there was the same tie between you and me as there is between me and my brethren on the West Coast of

New Zealand . Masons are the most loyal of subjects . They honour the Grand Master , and abide by law , ar . d order , and good government of society ; and when we look upon the deplorable events occurring in this ninteenth century of ours , we have reason to wish that there were more Freemasons , because then there would be less disorder . It is a delight to me to-night , after an absence of about twenty-five years , to meet on my return a band of

brothers ; I feel no restraint or diffid nee in speaking to you , simply because we are brothers , and sink all differences . And what is the cause of that but that the tenets of Freemasonry teach 113 to love one another ; to pause and think of the grand realities of life . Masonry is the great stepping-stone to everything that is beautiful in life ; and undefiled Masonry is one ot those goodly trees that spread their branches over the length and breadth of the

land , exerting a good influence on all . I was pleased to observe that our working in New Zealand corresponds even in every detail with your own ; it is very pleasing to me to say this , to show you how well the ritual is carried out on the other side of the globe . I thank you very heartily for the cordial manner in which the toast of my health has been proposed and responded to . Bro . Jones , I . P . M .: Brethren—I rise to exercise

my prerogative , which allows me to propose the most important toast on this particular evening of the year . 1 give you the toast of your "W . M . ' s Health . " He has this day attained an eminent position—the highest honour you can confer upon him . May he have a prosperous and happy year of office . We know what a genial brother he is ; may he long shine upon us , and may the Great Architect give him health to go through the duties

appertaining to his position with credit and honour . Ihe Chairman : Bro . Jones , P . M ., P . M . ' s of the lodge , and brethren—I am very pleased to have the opportunity of responding to such a toast . Any brother would be pleased who has had the ambition to occupy thc Master's chair and had at length attained to it . I have had that ambition for seventeen years , and only this evening have 1 arrived at that happy moment ; and lam naturally happy in having

attained my object . 1 shall not , however , abandon you now I have attained it ; I shall still cling to the lodges I belong to and attend , as are not at too great a distance . As long I can remain a member I will do so . There is so much in Masonry that leads us into right paths , whether we are abroad or at home ; and if brethren will only follow them will make them better men . Having by your selection arrived at this chair—the object of my ambition—I will

hold out the right hand of fellowship to all who come , whether from abroad or from other parts of this metropolis , and I will give my whole time to further the interests of this lodge . As I am on my feet , I will now ask you to drink "The Health of Bro . Jones , " regarding whom I have a pleasant task to perform . His conduct in the chair has been a course of uniform kindness to every brother in the lodge . ( Hear , hear . ) I am not here to

pronounce him one of the brightest stars of Freemasonry , but a good Mason is not necessarily a man to throw every one else in the shade . Bro . Jones has performed his duties in the chair in such a way as to endear himself to every member of thc lodge , and I have a happy office to perform in presenting him with the jewel which you voted him at the last meeting , and to hope and express the wish of every brother present , that you , Bro . Jones , will long

wear that jewel , and trust that you will look upon it as the expression of the goodwill of the whole lodge , and the wish of every brother for good health , and long life , and happiness to Bro . Jones and every member of his family . Bro . Jones : W . Master , Grand Officers , Past Masters , and brethren of the lodge—In accepting this testimonial 1 must express my sorrow that f havc not got thc eloquence of the Prime Minister or our friend that has visited us from New

Zealand . I feel very grateful to the brethren for electing mc to that chair , and 1 thank you for the honour of giving mc this jewel . 1 cannot boast of having a lewis to hand it down to , but can hand it down to near relatives , who will doubtless pass it on . Thatchair is a very elevated position , and I must acknowledge that I am very glad to get out of it . Pray accept my best thanks for all your kindness . Chairman : Brethien—I have now arrived at a

toast on the list which claims the attention of every brother , because there is not one of us who does not remember the time when he was initiated into Freemasonry . We have to-night to drink the health of three initiates , two who were admitted this day , and one who was initiated at our last regular meeting , when we were not rich enough to entertain him . I am now going to propose " Tbe Health of the Initiates , " and to address a few words to them . It

is impossible for them in their embryo state to appreciate the grandeur of our institution , but enough has been said to them to-night to lead them to think that it is a grand institution . But 1 would ask them to prepare themselves for the chair , although there may be but small chance that , in this lodge at least , they will be able to reach it for many years to come . And in this connection I may tell them that wc have a lodge of instruction affiliated tothe Eccleston Lodge , where they may acquire perfect instruction lhat lod

. To ge of instruction 1 am indebted for my liltle knowledge of the work I possess . We have , 1 regret , recently sustained the loss by death of our late instructor , but wc have acquired a very able successor to fill his place . The iniliates will there obtain explanation of anything they have beard to-night , but they will nut obtain explanation of many of ( he tenets they havc heard referred to . They will doubtless learn all in due time ; and meanwhile the lodge of instruction will enable them to advance , in knowledge in proportion to their advances in the Craft ,