Untitled Article

of the Brethren , because that which he was about to propose to them was-eraphA * ticaliy the toast , the chief pleasure of the evening . It was , he said , the health of one who had at all times , in season and out of season , proved that he had the welfare of Freemasonry at heart . As a Mason and a citizen the W . M . was worthy of their esteem , and it was to give a demonstration of their regard for him that they

were assembled around this festive board . In the name of the P . Ms , he congratulated him and the Lodge on his accession to the chair . Tkey felt assured that under his guidance the Royal Clarence would continue to prosper , and to be the means , through its worthy and faithful members , of still further developing the sound and genuine principles of Freemasonry . He would therefore propose the health of their W . M ., sincerely wishing him health , long life , and happiness .

The W . M . returned thanks in a most feeling manner for the enthusiastic way in which the Brethren had responded to the toast proposed by their immediate P . M ., and assured them that his best energies should be given to the promotion of Masonry in general , and of the B , oyal Clarence Lodge in particular . Other toasts followed . The Brethren having passed a most pleasant evening ; the Lodge was closed , and the meeting adjourned until Friday , March 21 , when Bro . Smithers , the W . M ., initiated two gentlemen ( a son and a nephew of Bro . Folkard ^ the Prov . G-. Beg . of Sussex ) into the mysteries of the Craft .

The P . Ms , and the Brethren present felt highly gratified at the very able and efficient manner in which Bro . Smithers performed the ceremony ; it certainly augurs well that the working of the Lodge will be admirably sustained under his rule . Bro . Folkard then addressed his son and nephew on the excellencies of Freemasonry in his accustomed impressive style .

WOBCESTEBSHIBE . Dudley . —Harmonic Lodge ( No . 313 ) . —The Brethren of this Lodge assembled at the Freemasons' Tavern , Stone-street , Dudley , on Tuesday the 4 th , and Lodge was opened in due form by Bro . Cooper , the W . M ., assisted by the officers . Bro . Hervey ' s letter , advising the raising the donation to the building fund of the Boys' Institution from five pounds to guineas , was read by the Secretary , and , upon the motion of Bro . Shedden , P . M ., seconded by Bro . Bristow , P . M ., was

unanimously agreed to . The Secretary read the proceedings of the Board of General Purposes respecting the arrears due to the Lodge from subscribing and non-subscribing Brethren , when their resolution was agreed to . The Lodge was called off for fifteen minutes , and upon resuming labour , Bro . W . Thomson , of 838 , was balloted for , and unanimously elected as joining member . Mr . Joseph Timmins was proposed as a candidate for initiation . The Lodge was closed in due form . The visitors present were the Bev . Bro . E . A . Gvvynne , W . M ., 435 , and Bro . Williams , 730 .

lloyal Standard Jjodge ( No . 730 ) . —A portion of the business announced in the circular convening this Lodge was postponed to the second Tuesday in the month of April , the candidate for raising ( Bro . Saunders , ( Solicitor ) being absent at Worcester on Assize business . On Tuesday , the 11 th , therefore , but one ceremony was gone through , that of initiating Wm . Edward Marcus Warrington , Solicitor , who had been regularly balloted for and elected . Mr . David Johnson , Surgeon , M . R . C . S ., & c , of Dudley , and Mr . William Pinch , Paper-manufacturer ,

of Dudley Port , were proposed as candidates by Lro . Wigginton , I . G ., and respectively seconded by Bros . E . Dudley , J . W ., and M . Demiisoii , S . W . Bro . Wiggiiigton drew the attention of the Brethren to the letter of Bro . Thearle ( which appeared in tlie March Number of the Free / masons'' Monthly Magazine ) , respecting Masonic Charity v . Self-Denial , and which elicited some little

discussion . Bro . Wiggington suggested a modification , in the shape ol a vacation for the summer months , but tlie Brethren thought the olliccrs would be apt to get rusty ; and as for meeting without banquets , the present condition of Lodges , as held at Taverns , presented an insuperable difficulty . The subject then dropped ; the Lodge was closed in duo form . The chief feature of the buio ; uet was the acknowledgment by the candidate of the toast of the evening , which , considering he thought himself in a state of darkness a , s yet respecting his knowledge of