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being a pretty little Scotch ditty . This young lady is , without a doubt , a gem ot the first water , of whom the W . M . may well be proud . Later in the evening Miss Williams sang " Love's sweet song , " and vvas again encored . Bro . Olliver , the Organist , very kindly and ably presided at the piano , and also sang " 1 Love my Love , " and for the encoie sang "True till Death . " Bros . Barker , Olliver , and Mackey , very nicely rendered the trio " Ye Shepherds tell

me , " the accompaniment being played by Miss Williams . The toast of "The Initiate" was proposed by the W . M ., and the Initiate ' s song vvas sung by Bro . Vassie . Bro . Turner , the Initiate , gave a humorous recitation , entitled , " The Quack Doctor . " A few other songs followed and brought this very pleasant evening to a close . This being the first ladies' banquet held by this lodge , many of the guests expressed a wish that it may be soon repeated .

GATESHEAD-ON-TYNE .-Lodge of Industry ( No . 4 S ) . —The first meeting of this good old lodge for the present year was held on Monday evening , the 23 rd inst ., when there vvas a splendid assemblage of members and visitors . Thelodge was opened by theW . M ., Bro . E . Shrewbrook , assisted and supported by the following brethren : Bros . W . M . Pybus , I . P . M . ; A . Rhagg , P . M .,

D . C ; John Moult , P . M . ; I . G . Smith , P . M . ; John Wood , P . M . ; Robt . Whitfield , P . M . ; M . Corbutt , P . M ., Treas . ; R . F . Cook , P . M . ; R . Wightman , P . M . ; W . Dalrymple , S . W . ; Wm . Brown , J . VV . ; VV . F . Raeburn , Sec ; Tom Spedding , as S . D . ; M . R . Wright , as J . D . ; Jas . Shaw , as I . G . ; Robt . Ferry , Org . ; E . Carr , Stwd . ; and Joshua Curry , Tyler . Amongst the

numerous company vvere Bros . R . Swanson , J . T . Corking , W . H . Tiller , G . C . Potts , W . F . Brown , Jeejeebhoy Nowrojie , J . Patterson , A . Dodds , G . H . Dexter , J . D . Murton , VV . J . Jobson , W . Stafford , T . Wright , VV . H . Denton , G . Hibbert , C . Green , R . C . Tate , A . Simpson , J . C Gardner , and W . J . Campbell . The large number of visitors included Bros . John Spearman , W . M . 1712 ,

P . M . 481 ; I . G . Greener , S . W . 424 ; Jas . Shaw , I . G . 424 ; G . L . Patterson , Sec . 424 ; J . Turnbull , Stwd . 1274 ; Wm . Clarke , S . W . 1274 ; W . J . Brown , S . D . 1274 ; J . F . Nilsson , ( Acacian , Sweden ); W . M . Lyon , I . P . M . 406 ; R . J . Milburne , S . VV . 406 ; E . Turnbull , S . W . 4 81 ; W . F . Carmon , P . M . 4 S 1 ; T . R . Short , S . D . 424 ; R . Burkitt , 1692 ; J . Crabtree , S . D . 377 ; T . R . Jobson ,

J . D . 1664 ; VV . J . Brown , P . M . 541 ; J . T . Schollar , J . W . 1342 ; and others . The ballot box having done its work , Messrs . T . W . Bagnall , W . H . Knowles , and Wm . Douglass were duly initiated into the mysteries by the W . M ., and the J . W .

gave the charge and the working tools . Bro . Jeejeebhoy Nowrojie afterwards took his Third Degree , the work being performed by Bro . E . Shrewbrook , W . M . Oiher duties having been completed , the proceedings closed , when an adjournment vvas made to the refreshment board .

BIRMINGHAM . —Athol Lodge ( No . 74 ) .-On Wednesday , the 4 th inst ., Bro . C Joseph Collins was installed in the Freemasons' Hall , Severn-street , as W . M . for the ensuing year . There was a large gathering of brethren , including a goodly number from other lodges , who had come to do honour to the W . M . elect . The occasion was one of high fistival , and the fine lodge room showed to great

advantage . Bro . W . H . Johnson , the retiring VV . M ., very efficiently performed the installation ceremony , and he was ably supported by his brethren , among whom are many excellent workers , whose pride it is to conduct the business of the lodge with undeviating Masonic integrity . Great interest vvas excited in the lodge by a communication being read referring to Burns , and a sketch of his history as a brother

of the Craft vvas given . Additional interest was given on Bro . W , H . Johnson announcing that the gavel which he held in his hand had been made of a piece of wood cut from a holly tree growing on Burns' grave in St . Michael's Churchyard , Dumfries . The wood had been sent by Bro . Geoige Crawford , of Dumfries , accompanied by a certificate from the sexton and custodian of Burns '

mausoleum , vouching for the genuineness of the statement . In his name and that of Bro . George Crawford the gavel was presented to the lodge , to be reckoned among its Ciaft treasures . It seems that Burns vvas initiated into the secrets of Freemasonry on 4 th July , 1781 , by one Alexander Ward , in the St . David ' s , Tarbolton and Mauchline Lodge ( No . 133 ) . On ist October , 17 S 1 ,

he was passed and raised . This lodge split , and Burns held with the dissentients , and formed , or re-formed , the old Lodge St James , Taibolton , then No . 178 , now No . 135 in the Grand Lodge of Scotland . In July , 17 S 4 , Burns was elected Deputy Master of St James ; re-elected July , 17 S 5 ; signed tbe attendance book as D . M . 29 th June , 20 th July , 2 nd and iSth August , 15 th September , 26 th October ,

ioth November , and ist and 7 th December , 1785 , and 7 th January , ist March , 25 th Alay , 7 th and 15 th June , 17 S 6 . At the last named lodge meeting "It was proposed by the lodge lhat , as they much wanted a lodge-room , a proposal be laid before the heritors who intended to build a Steeple here , that the lodge will contribute to the building of a lodge-room as the basis of that Steeple , and that from the

funds of the lodge ihey offer £ 15 . " A deputation of five heritors vvas sent to the meeting , Burns being one . In December , 17 S 6 , he attended a lodge meeting of Canongate Kilwinning ( No . 2 ) , and , from a minute , he is said to have been affiliated there as an honorary member . On 2 ; th December , 17 SS , he attended the annual celebration ot St . John , in Lodge St . Andrew , Dumfries ( now defunct ) ,

and in the minute book , still extant , the following appears : "Thebrethren having celebrated the Anniversary of St . John in the usual manner , and Bro . Robert Burns , Ailliesland ( Ellisland ) , of St . David ' s , Slrabolton , Lodge ( No . 178)—should have been St . James , Tarbolton ( No . 17 S)—being- present , the lodge unanimously assum'd him a Member of the lodge , being a Master Mason , and he subscribed

the regulations as a Member . " He held the office of Poet Laureate to Canongate Kilwinning ( No . 2 ) , from 17 S 7 to 1796 . He attended Lodge St . Andrew from 27 th December , 1791 , to 14 th April , 1796- 11 meetings out of a possible 15- The following are among the reminiscences of the gifted poet ' s muse : —

" Then fill up a bumper and make it o ' erflow , And honours Masonic prepare for to thtaw ; May every true brother of the compass and square Have a big-bellied bottle when harrss'd with care . "

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REWELL TO THE BRETHREN OF ST . JAMES LODG TARBOLTON . " Adieu ! a heart ' s warm fond adieu ! Dear brotheis of the mystic tie ; Ye favour'd , ye enlighten'd few ,

Companions of my social joy ; Tho' 1 to foreign lands must hie , Pursuing Fortune ' s slidd ' ry ba , With melting heart and brimful eye , I'll mind you still tho' far awa ' .

Oft have I met your social band , An' spent the cheeiful festive night ; Oft , honour'd with supreme command , Presided o ' er the sons of light ; An' by that hieroglyphic bright , Which none but Craftsmen ever saw , Strong mem ' ry on my heart shall write Those happy scenes when far awa' .

May freedom , harmony , and love Unite you in the grand design , Beneath th' omniscient eye above—The glorious Architect Divine ! That you may keep th' unerring line , Still rising by the plummet ' s law , Till order bright completely shine , Shall be my prayer when far awa ' . And you , farewell I whose merits claim

Justly that highest badge to wear ! Heav ' n bless your honour'd noble name , To Masonry and Scotia dear ; A last request permit me here , When yearly ye assemble a ' , One round—I ask it with a

tear—To him , the Bard , that ' s far awa ' . " The business proper being over , the brethren to the number of SS sat down to a sumptuously prepared banquet , presided over by the VV . M ., supported by Bro . James T . Collins , J . P ., Deputy Prov . Grand Master of Warwickshire , Bro . W . H . Johnson , I . P . M ., and other well known brethren of the province . A pleasant evening vvas

spent ; song and speech alternated , and the greatest harmony prevailed . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts vvere given and enthusiastically responded to . Nor vvas the evening spent merely in festive mirth ; the Charities were not overlooUed , the Charity box containing £ 12 . This has always been a

prominent feature with the Athol Lodge , and it was announced that already 15 members have promised to support the Girls'Centenary , and no doubt the number will reach 20 before April . The charms of choice music lent their potent aid to the pleasures of the evening , the memory of which will long remain .

LIVERPOOL . —Antient Union Lodge ( No . 203 ) . —A meeting was held on Thursday , the 19 th inst ., at the Masonic'Temple , Hope-street , the W . M , Bru . J . Galloway , in the chair , supported by hisolficers . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . This b'iing the day for installing the W . M . elect , Bro . R . Ashton , S . W ., was presented by Bros . B . W . Rowson , P . P . G . S . of W ., and

H . James , P . M ., P . S . G . D ., to Bro . J . Galloway , who installed his successor into the chair of K . S . most impressively . Bro . J . N . Hounsell , P . M ., delivered the charges to the officers and brethren very effectively . The following officers were then appointed and invested , viz .: Bros , James Galloway , I . P . M . ; E . Djnnelly , S . W . ; T . VVood , J . W . ; C . Bromley , P . M ., Treas . ( by proxy ); J . W . Baker , Sec . ;

G . J . Clough , S . D . ; J . C . Ashton , J . D . ; J . Clarke , I . G . ; J . McEwan and F . R . Tester , Stewards ; J . T . Alston , U . of C ; and P . Ball , Tyler . Mr . F . F . Fisher vvas initiated by Bro . R . Ashton , VV . M ., who , with his new officers , performed their several parts to the satisfaction of all present . There was a large muster of members and visitors , amongst whom vve noticed Bros . C . J . Banister , P . S . G . D . Eng ., P . P .

G . D . C . West Lancashire , P . P . S . G . D . Durham , P . P . G . P . Northumberland , & c ; T . H . Sergeant , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; E . Johnson , P . P . G . D . ; G . Birch , P . M . ; J . T . Alston , P . M . ; J . Lunt , P . P . G . D . C ; C Bargery , P . S . G . D . ; T . Callow , P . P . G . T . ; J . M . Smyth , Bushell , Brotherton , Guile , Chatham , Gow , Round , Maddox , Rawstrone , Forgher , and others .

The brethren dined together under the presidency of the W . M ., who proposed "The Health of the Queen , " " H . R . H . the Prince and Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " " The Grand Officers , Present and Past , " responded to by Bro . Banister ; and "The Prov . Grand Master and Prov . Grand Officers , Present and

Past , " responded to by Bros . Rowson , James , and Johnson . "The W . M . ' s Health " vvas proposed by Bro . Galloway , which vvas received most enthusiastically . Other toasts followed , and the brethren spent a happy evening , nearly 70 attending the banquet .

TAUNTON . —Unanimity and Sincerity Lodge ( No . 261 ) . —The Festival of St . John , in connection with this Iodge vvas celebrated at the Masonic Hall , on the iSth inst ., and the occasion vvas regarded by the Freemasons of the province as one of unusual interest , this being the centenary year of the lodge . There was a large gathering from all parts of the county , nearly every lodge in the

province being represented . Ordiniry routine business having been transacted , Bro . Arthur Steevens ,. ! . P . M ., impressively installed the VV . M . elect , Col . A . W . Adair , P . P . G . M . Somerset , and a P . M . of Lodge 261 , into the chair of K . S . The newly-elected Master then appointed and invested the following as his officers for the ensuing year : Bro . A . Steevens , I . P . M . ; J . Saundeis , S . W . ; Rev . F . W . Aveling , J . W . ; Rev . H . L . Banwel ) , Chap . ;

A . Hammett , Sec . ; J . Showers , Treas . ; G . C Strawbridge , S . D . ; W . H . Wake , J . D . ; J . Lewis , l . G . ; T . H . Caffin , Org . ; C . Barrett , W . Potter , Flower , and ] . G . Loveday , Stwds . ; R . M . Hartnell , D . C . ; W . Jones , S . B . ; and T . Tidbury , Tyler . Lodge having been closed , the brethren dined together under the presidency of Bio . Col . Adair , W . M ., and there was a large company of brethren present .

LEWES . —South Saxon Lodge ( No . 311 ) . — The annual lodge meeting and banquet took place on Wednesday , January iSth . The brethren assembled at Freemasons' Hall in the afternoon in considerable numbers , the chief business being the installation of Bro . S . Peters

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as W . M . for the ensuing year . The ceremonies were ably performed by Bros . G . Holman , the retiring Matter ; S . Tanner , P . M . ; andJ . H . livery , P . M . The following officers were appointed : Bros . S . Stone , S . VV . ; J . W . Broad , J . W . ; K . Crosskey , P . M ., Treas . ; G . Lloyd , Sec ; A . Russell , jun ., D . ot C ; W . Stone , S . D . ; J . Bull , J . D . ; J . Peters , l . G . ; S . Starnes , Org . ; H .

Hall , Tyler . A Past Master's jewel ( manufactured by Bro . George Kenning ) , vvas presented to lhe retiring Master in a few giaceful words by the W . M . In acknowledging this gift Bro . G . Holman presented the lodge , on behalt ot his wife , with a very handsome silk banner , suitably inscribed , the joint work of Mrs . Holman and Bio . K . Weston .

The banquet took place at the White Hart Hotel and was largely attended . Among those present vvere Bro . the Mayor of Lewes , Bros . J . C . Lucas , J . Adames , T . R . White , S . Tanner , J . H . Every , A . Holman , G . L . Chapman , G . Holman , and H . Freeman , Past Masters ot the loage ; all the newly-elected officers with the exception of Bru . Crosskey ; Bros . K . H . hitman , N . C . dull , G .

Wilson , R . Weston , J . Kennard , and li . G . Hales . Among the visitois were Bros . V . P . Freeman , J . G . D ., Prov . G . Sec . for Sussex ; Kev . F . F . J . Greenfield , Prov . Grand Chap . ; B . Burfield , Assistant G . Sec , VV . M . 1821 ; C . b \ Lewis , P . S . G . W ., W . M . 2187 ; F . H . Humphreys , VV . M . 1 S 42 ; VV . M . Caffyn , W . M , 1110 ; G . D . Woolgar , VV . M . 1619 ; R . Peaice , W . M . 1821 ; R . E . Stuckey , W . M . 916 ; K . Willard , W . M . 732 ; N . VV . Dalbiac

W . M . 1466 ; W . Balchin , jun ., W . M . 1636 ; R . B . Y . Powell , VV . M . 1 S 29 ; K , Hughes , W . M . 11 S 4 ; A . J . Lewis , T . VV . Clowser , G . A . Evett , S . Denman , W . Butting , and others . During the evening some excellent songs and glees vvere given by brethren of the lodge , Mrs . J . H . Every kindly acting asaccompanist . Mrs . George Holman gave a recitation , which vvas greeted with the hearty applause it so well deserved . The gathering was a very enjoyable one .

WHITBY . —Lion Lodge ( No . 312 ) . —On Monday afternoon , the 16 th inst ., the brethren of this lodge assembled at the Masonic Hall , on the occasion of the installation of Bro . J . Timey Stewart as W . M . fur the ensuing year . The assemblage was a numerous one . The ceremony of installation was performed in an exceedingly impressive manner by Bro . John Stevenson , P . M ., the

Installing Master , lhe following vvere also duly appointed and invested as officers of the lodge for the ensuing year Bros . W . H . Att . ay , S . W . ; Thos . Atkinson , J . W . ; J . Stevenson , Chap . ; J . N . Lawson , P . M ., Treas . ; Burton Newbold , Sec . ; G . Llliott , S . D . ; J . Oliver , J . D . ; E . bmithson , l . G . ; T . Claikson , D . C ; W . T . Kennison , Org . ; VV . tidwards and H . Walker , Stewards ; and'T . H .

Trueman , Tyler . Before the lodge was closed , Bro . Stevenson said he was commissioned by Bro . John Corner , of London , to make a presentation to the lodge of a portrait of the late Eail of Zetland , tormeily for many years M . W . G . M ., and also R . W . P . G . M . tor the North and East Ridings Province . The poitrait vvas not only valuable on account ot its merits

as a work of art ; it vvas also interesting lrom the fact that the deceased nobleman performed the ceremony of laying the toundatiun-stone ot the Masonic Hall in which tney were assembled . It was thetetore fitting that the portrait should adorn that hall , to which he hoped it would be an enduring ornament . It was a very pleasing duty to him ( Bro . Stevenson ) to make this presentation on behalf of

Bro . Corner , who thus evinced his unabated interest in his mother ludge , with which he had been so long connected . We may add that the portrait vvas in the hall during the presentation , and was much admired by all present . It is a tine oil painting of large size , and pronounced a faithful likeness by the "elder urethren " who remember the late Earl , who vvas so justly popular in Masonic circles . He is

represented wearing tne robes and ornaments belonging to the exalted offices , the duties of which he fulfilled with sucb conspicuous success . The portrait is by Mr , Waterhouse , K . A ., and is elegantly and suitably tramed , and is undoubtedly an acquisition to the pictorial treasures ot the Lion Lodge , which any lodge in the province may envy it the possession of .

Ihe gilt vvas gratefully accepted , and a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Corner for his kindness and liberality in presenting it . In the evening the brethren , numbering over 30 , sat down to a sumptuous installation banquet at the Crown Hotel , also to celebrate the Festival ot St . John . The menu was choice and varied , and everything was served

up in a superior style , which reflected credit on the worthy host and hostess , Mr . and Mrs . Walker . The W . M ., Bro . Stewart , presided , and was well supported by the Past Masters , and Bro . Attlay , S . W ., occupied the vice-chair . During dinner , a telegram of congratulation vvas received from Bro . George VV . Smales , P . M ., wishing the newlyinstalled Master and the brethren assembled a pleasant

celebration and a happy new year . Atter the toasts ot " The Queen and Craft" and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " had been drunk , the Cha ' uman gave the succeeding toast , " The Right Hon . the Earl ot Zetland , R . W . P . G . M ., the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , D . P . G . M ., and the other Provincial Grand Officers , " which was heartily received ; and Bro . J . Brooks ,

P . M ., responded . Bro . J . S . Moss , P . M ., proposed "The Army , Navy , and Auxiliary Forces , " which was responded to by Bto , Sergt . Wright ior the Army , and Bro . Col . T . N . Marwood , P . M ., for tne Auxiliary Foices . 'The principal remaining toasis were " The W . M ., " proposed by Bro . Tate , P . M . ; "lhe Installing Master , "

' •Prosperity to the Lion Lodge , " by Bro . 1 . Smailes ; " The rase Masters , " by . the Vice-Chairman , and acknowledged by Bro . Tate ; "All Poor and Distressed Masons , " by dro . otevenson , P . M . ; "lhe Officers of thi Lodge , " given by the Chairman , and responded to by Bro . T . Atkinson , J . W , ; " lhe Visiting brethien , " coupled with the names of Bros . Beckwith and W . H . Rhodes , the former responding ; "Absent Brethren , " proposed by Bro .

Stevenson ( who made special and appropriate mention of Bros . J . Corner and G . W . Smales ) ; " The Ladies , " by Bro . Major W . H . Marwood , P . M . ; "lhe Host and Hostess , " & c ; winding up with "Our next Merry Meeting " and the singing of " Auld Lang . Syne" in true Masonic style , " as in the olden time . " Songs vvere interspersed at intervals by Bros . J . N . Lawson , P . M ., T . N . Marwood , P . M ., Sergeant Wrig ht ; G . Elliott , J . Oliver , W . T , Rennison , J . Ball , H . Robson ,