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affirmed that the people of Canada , were loyal to the British Crown , but if time should warrant a separation they ivould much prefer a kingdom ruled over b y a British Prince than annexation to the Republic of the United States . The rev . brother took occasion to refer to the universalit y of Freemasonry , and also combatted the statement that it could be traced to the pyramids of Egypt , expressing his belief that Freemasonry was instituted at the building of Solomon ' s Templeso that all

, nations might erect a temple to the Ono God , and join in His woruhip . The toast "The Masonic Charities" was given by Bro . Smith , who mentioned that their AV . M . had undertaken the office of Steward at the Festival of the Masonic Benevolent Institution in January , and asked tho brethren to aid him with a good subscription list , as Bro . Chard had started his list with a handsome donation from himself .

INSTRUCTION . DOMATIC LODGE or INSTRUCTION NO . ( 177 . ) A highly interesting meeting of this old-established lodge of instruction was held on the 22 ud ult ., at the Palmerston Arms , Pnlmerston-street , Walworth , on which occasion there were about thirtmembers jiresent . Thoy were Bros . AslmallPAI

y , .. 22 ; Hughes , Sec . 22 , and A \ . Af . Elect of the Stability Lodge , No . 217 ; AVhite , S . D ., 22 ; Speed , . T . W ., 141 ; Dami , 72 ; ' Stevens , P . AI ., 720 , and S . AA . Alacdonald Lodge ; Larlham , Hammond , Allen , and Kethro , all of the Alacdonald Lod ere ; Gluekstcin , P . AI , 51 and 141 ; Wingham , 25 ; Wright and Dodson , 72 ; Taylor , 87 ; Pulsford . W . AI . of the Southern Star , 1158 ; Hnddlestone , of 975 and 1158 ; Matthews , 508 ;

Zetland-in-the-East , Singapore ; Flood , 87 ; Macrae , 35 ; Hench , 975 ; Pooro , 720 ; Squires , 72 , & c . The evening was set npirfc for the working of the ceremonies of consecration and the installation of W . AI . The first ceremony was placed in the hands of Bro . H . Wentworth Little , P . M . of 975 , SG 2 . 1191 , & e ., which was performed in a faultless style and with an impressiveness rarely witnessed . It elicited the warmest approbation from many old Masons present , who expressed

their opinion that they hud never seen that beautiful ceremony so well performed , and had they even enjoyed such a Masonic treat as they had done that evening . At the conclusion of the ceremony of consecration , Bro . Henry Thompson , Hon . See . and P . AI . of the Parent Lodge , and also of the Southern Star Lodge , No . 1158 , took the chair , and performed the ceremony of installation , placing Bro . Stevens in the chair of K . S . as AV . Af . of the lodge . The usual officers being appointed and invested by the acting W . AI ., Bro . Thompson now proceeded with the rest of the ceremo / iy , concluding with the usual addresses to the AV . M ., officers , and brethren ,

and on resuming his seat he was not only greeted with loud applause , but received the hearty congratulations of every member present . Bro . Thompson rose to submit a motion , and in doing so said that it was one that he was sure would commend itself to every brother present , as he believed that he might say in their name that he had received a trul y Masonic treat in the manner in which Bro . Little had performed the ceremony of consecration .

It had been his ( Bro . Thompson ' s ) privilege ti see that cere mony performed several times , but he must say that he never saw it gone through with more care and impres-dveness than it had been done that evening by Bro . Lil tie ; indeed , he doubted whether he had ever seen it done so well , for every part of it wa * perfect , and from the attention the brethren had paid to it he believed that they had been equally pleased as he had been with it . The motion he had to submit wasthat Bro . Little be

, elected an honorary member of the lod ge , and that his motion should be accompanied with the addition that the thanks of the lodge be recorded to him on the minutes for his kindness in coming amongst them , and for the very able and impressive manner in which he had performed the ceremony of consecration that evening . Bro . Stevens seconded the motion , which was put aud carried unanimously .

Bro . Little returned thanks for being elected an honorary member of the lodge , and said it gave him great pleasure if he could render any assistance to the lodge , and he would attend as often as his engagements would permit . He also took occasion to compliment Bro . Thompson upon the very able way in which he had gone through the ceremony of installation . Six new members having been elected , a vote of thanks was ordered to be recorded on the minutes to Bro . Thompson on

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tho motion of Bro . Gluckstein , who said that although a P . M . of a lodge he had never seen so much or enjoyed so great a treat at Freemasonry as he had done that evening . Bro . Thompson returned thanks , and said he would do all in his power to promote the prosperity of the lodge . The lodge was then closed in due form and with solemn prayer , and the brethren adjourned for refreshment , a very bountiful repast { having been prepared by tho worthy host ,

Bro . Marshall , who is the W . M . of the Neptune Lodge . This part of the proceedings was not less satisfactory than what had gone before , and ample justice was done to the faro provided . On the withdrawal of the cloth tho usual toasts were given and responded to , the same being specially diversified by songs and two recitations by Bro . Hughes , the W . AI . elect of the Stability Lodge , elicited roars of laughter . Concurrent

testimony proved that this was one of the most agreeable evenings ever spent in Freemasonry , and there were ardent wishes expressed for the time when thoy would have their next merry meeting . The lodge meets every Tuesday evening for working the ceremonies and lectures at half-past seven o ' clock , when tho attendance of Masons is solicited .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

CUMBERLAND AND AVESTMORELAND . CAELTST . E . — Union Lodge ( No . 310 ) . —At a lodge of emergency , held on the 23 rd ult ., under the presidency of Bro . J . Slack , W . AI ., Prov . S . G . D ., the ballot was taken for 51 . Kyle , Colour-Sergeant , R . H . Jackson , Sergeant , and G , Roberts , Armoury Sergeant , all of the -10 th Regiment , now stationed in Carlisle ; also for Bros . G . W . Jackson , of No . 5 G 1 , and Colour-Sergeant G . Murray , of Wo . 318 S . C ., as joining

members , which proved unanimous in each case . Bro . A . Taylor was then passed to the F . C . degree . The lodge was again closed to the E . A . degree , and Bro . G . Murray was O . B ., in the 1 st degree , after which Sergeants R . II . Jackson , and G . Roberts were initiated into Alasonry by the AV . M . Bro . Jefferson , a candidate for the 3 rd degree , presented himself for that honour , but , in consequence of pressure of business , he was deferred until'Wednesdaj-, the 30 th ult ., which was the annual

meeting and installation day cf the AV . AI . Two propositions were received from gentlemen of Carlisle , and one from a noncommissioned officer of the dOth Regiment . No other business of importance offering itself , the lodge was closed , and the brethren parted in harmony , after spending an hour or two in social enjoyment . The evening ' s entertainment was enlivened by the vocal strains of Bro . AV . Johnston , T . Cockburn , J . Slack , and others .

DI'WONSIIIUE . TOKQUAT . —St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 328 ) . —The annual festival of this lodge , which usually occurs on St . John ' s Day , was held at the Alasonic Hall , on Monday the 28 th ult . The brethren were summoned for 3 p . m ., but here , as in many other places , punctuality seems not to be the rule , and it was nearly ' 1 before business was commenced . In a subsequent part of the proceedings , the new W . M . commented on this failing , and

expressed his determination to endeavour to remedy it , in which it is to be hoped that he will succeed , if only as an act of justice to those who are to the time , for it is often the case that the delay at the commencement leads to indecent haste in the performance of solemn ceremonies , which thus fail in producing a serious effect on cauditatcs , and sometimes renders an abrupt closing of the lodge necessary , leaving a considerable amount of business not completedin order to proceed to

, banquet , which should never interfere with Masonic duties , or to accommodate members who have to return home by train . The chair was taken b y Bro . Glanfield , P . AI ., in the absence for some time of the Rev . Bro . Bowden , the retiring P . M ., for whom every allowance must be made , as he resides at a distance of seven miles , in a district not reached by any public conveyances , especially as the wind and weather were most boisterous on tho coast . On the contrary the greatest credit is

due to him , since the lodge meets once a fortnight , and out of the 26 occasions during the year , be has been present at 23 . Besides the members of the lodge , several visitors were present , among whom were Bros . Old , AV . M ., of a lodge at Reading ;