Masonic Intelligence.

The Chan-man then gave as the finishing toast , " The Press . " Br . H . G . Warren acknowledged the compliment , and stated that of the eight gentlemen who attended that banquet as representatives of the Press , no fewer than five were Freemasons—a fact which could not be otherwise than most gratifying to the Craft- as evincing the interest the Members of the Press took in its prosperity . He had been the means of resuscitating a Lodge , which , three years ago , was almost in a dying condition , but which now numbered upwards of thirty members , nearly half of whom

were gentlemen connected with the Press . For those gentlemen , he would say that they were ever anxious to promote the cause of charity , whether Masonic or otherwise , and actuated by the same motive , he had himself taken part in establishing a Masonic journal ( The Masonic Mirror ) which should ever maintain the welfare of the order , and advocate the cause of all useful charities which were felt to be honestly conducted . —( Cheers . ) Dr . Marsden then took the chair , and under his rule , the festivities of the evening

were kept up until a late hour , when the company separated , delighted with all they had witnessed and partaken of . The musical arrangements were conducted by Br . Donald King , who was assisted by Br . Francis , Mr . Montem Smith , ancl Mr . Weiss . Mr . Benjamin Banks , jun ., was an efficient toastmaster . The following is the prayer delivered by Br . Cox , the G . Chaplain , on the occasion

of the opening : — " Great Architect of the University , at whose creative fiat all things sprung into existence , and without whose mercy and loving kindness , the wants and distresses of Thy Servants can meet with no alleviation , deign to bestow a blessing upon the work of our hands , and grant that when the superstructure is raised , of which we have made this beginning , it may he the means greatly to relieve the sorrows , and to assauge the sicknesses of those inmates , who shall seek for medical treatment within its walls . We desire to lay this foundation-stone , upon which a

house , perfect in all its parts , and honourable to the builders , may be reared to carry forward , in obedience to Thy command , that most excellent of all virtues—charity , upon which our laws are based , and our actions regulated . We likewise perform this work in memory of one , honoured as a ruler of our Craft , who in his day and generation was foremost in good deeds , based upon the precepts of the Volume of Thy Sacred Law ; and humbly do we supplicate that Thy choicest blessings may be with us , not only in the work itself of this day , but in its completion , and that , so long as

this hospital shall stand as the means of doing good and distributing to the necessities of our poorer fellow-creatures , it may have the favour of Thy presence , and the light of Thy countenance . Hear us , 0 Most High , in these our humble supplications , and grant an answer in accordance with these our petitions , and after the counsel of Thine own Will , that we may have the assurance of Thy presence , both now , henceforth , and evermore . "

London Lodges

LONDON LODGES

BRITANNIC LODGE ( No . 38 ) . —At the usual monthly meeting of this Lodge held on ihe 10 th of August , Brs . Watkin , Hawkins , and Craven , were passed to the second degree , and Mr . John Massey and Mr . George Foster were initiated into the mysteries of the Order . THE BEA - LODGE ( No . 902 ) . —This Lodge held the usual monthly meeting on the 15 th ult ., at the Star and Garter ( Br . Adams ) , Ke < Bridge , on which occasion the W . M . Br . William Watson with his well known ability , installed Br . Mathew

Tiley as his successor , for the ensuing year , whereupon that worthy brother made the following disposition of the subordinate offices , Br . Goodman , S . W ., Br . T . Scott , J . W . ; Br . Haywood , Sec . ; Br . Murray , S . D . ; Br . Supp , J . D . ; and Br . W . Adams , J . S . The newly appointed officers having taken then- proper positions in the