Metropolitan

the greatest pleasure in coming over to preside at their meetings at least once a year . ( Lcrud cheers . ) His lordship concluded by again thanking the Brethren for their kindness to him on this and other occasions , and hoped again to meet them and his Masonic Brethren for years to come . ( Qheers . ) The Earl of Mexborough then proposed as the next toast , " The health of Bro . Fearnley , D ; P . G , M . of West Yorkshire . " The toast was received with loud and hearty cheers .

Dr . Fearnley rose to reply to the toast , > and addressed the Brethren present at some length . He commenced by an expression of regret at the death of Brother Charles Lee ^ the late D . P . G . M . / whose position he now occ ^ handsome tribute to the memory of the deceased . He next adverted to the difficulties and responsibilities connected with the office which he had the honour to hold ; but trusted that by a determination to abide by the constitutions and the ancient customs of the prde ^ he shoul d overcome all difficulties , and that at the

same time he should show that degree of lenity which would perhaps have more effect than an undue course of harshness or severity could have . ( Hear , hear . ) By the khrdness of the noble earl in the chairj he had been placed in his present position ; hut if he could imagine that he was an object of envy to any one connected with Masonry , he was the last nian in the world to retain the office for a single day . ( Hear , hear , and loud cheers ;) He again thanked the Brethren for their kind indulgence , and hoped to give to every one that degree of satisfaction : which they had a right to expect from one in his position . ( Cheers . )

The next toast was , " The W . P . S . and J . G . Wardens , " which was responded to . This was followed by > The health of the Chaplaih . " The toast of " The Treasurer" was responded to by Bro . Dixen , who was loudly cheered . Beveral other toasts were drunk during the evening , and some excellent songs sung , especially by Bro . Carpenter ; and the Brethren spent a pleasant and happy evening . The next Prov . G . Lodge of this Province will beholden at the Holme Yalley Lodge , Hoimfirth , on the 1 st of July , when this new Lodge will be consecrated .

Do ^ caster . —St . George ' s Lodge ( No . 298 ) . —At the meeting of this Lodge , held at the Town Hall } on the 27 th March , Bro . Geo . Brooke , the W . M ,, initiated a gentleman into the Order according to ancient custom ; and another would also have been initiated , but was prevented by illness from attending . This Lodge is now in a flourishing condition , the number of Brethren being almost treble what it was a year ago . At the above meeting , Bro . Geo . Brooke , who has served the office

of W . M . for the last year , was unanimously elected to perform the duties for the next year , and was accordingly installed into the office on Friday , the 24 th of April . Some candidates were then initiated and advanced ; after which the Brethren sat down to the annual banquet , provided by Mr . Francis , at the Woolpack Inn . The chair was taken by the W . M ., and the Brethren spent a pleasant and harmonious evening .

Huddersfield . —On Thursday evening , April 16 , Bro . Karl Lammann , of the university of Hanover , delivered a very able and interesting lecture at Freemasons' Hall , on Cireassia—its People , their Customs and Poetry . The chair was taken by Bro . J . T . V . Hardy , B . A ., P . M ., P . G . J . D . There was a large and attentive audience of Brethren , and their lady friends . The Doctor first treated on the regions of the Caucasus in { heir relation to ancient history , and then gave

a geographical sketch of Cireassia , and a graphic and highly poetical description of its scenery . The political condition , manners , customs , and characteristics of the people , were next touched on in a very interesting manner . The peculiarities of the costume of ladies , so celebrated for their physical beauty , and the singularity of their wedding rites , afforded considerable amusement to the fairer portion of the company . The lecturer next spoke of the effects of Russian influence on the inhabitants of the Caucasus , and concluded his eloquent lecture by specimens of their poetry , and criticisms .