Metropolitan.

diture of the funds , so that the lodge should always be in a satisfactory condition . The toast was very cordially responded to . The W . M ., in reply , thanked the brethren for the cordial manner in which they had drank his health , and assured them that he would do nil in his power to secure the prosperity of the lodge . The health of the P . M . ' s was then given , and Bro . Thompson took occasion to congratulate the lodge in having

such a W . M . to preside , over them , and it was a special pleasure to him as he had the privilege of initiating Bro . Tanner into Treemnsonry . He had done good suit and service in the lodge , and , at the end of his year of office , ho hoped the brethren would show it by some substantial mark of their appreciation ¦ of what he had done for them . "The Officers" was the next ¦ toast , for which Bro . Foulger , S . W ., returned thanks . Some mother toasts were given , and a very happy evening was spent ' by the brethren in the true spirit of ' Freemasonry .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

DEVONSHIRE . DEVONPORT . —St . Aubyn Lodge ( No . 954 ) . The brethren of this lodge assembled at tho Masonic Rooms , Moon-street . Moriee-town , on tho 21 sfc ult ., to instal the W . M . elect , Bro . James Hawton . The ceremony was ably performed by Bro . Chappie , P . M . The W . M . then invested the following brethren in office for the ensuing year : —Bros . Gudrid I . P . M .

gc , ; H . Smith , 8 . W . ; M . Paul , J . W . ; Vincent Bird , Treas . ; Baxter , Sec ; Watson , S . D . ; Flanagan . J . D . ; Rickard , I . G . ; Masters , Dir of Cers . ; Pote , Creber , Thacker , and Roberts , Stewards ; Rashbrook , Tyler . The lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to ' the Odd Fellows' Hall , Ker-street . The W . M . presided , and was supported on his right by Bros . Metliam , D . Prov . G . M . ; ElliotProv . G . S . W . RadfordP . Prov . G . D .

, ; , ; Briggs , P . Prov . G . S . B . ; and on the left bv Bros . Gudridgc , I . P . M . ; Clemens , P . M . ; Bird , P . M . ; Chappie , P . M ., P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers .. and Murch , P . Prov . G . Org . There were also present Bros . Harris , W . M . No . 1 , 091 ; Pox well , P . M ., 1 , 071 ; 'Littleton , P . M ., 1 , 091 ; Price , P . M ., 202 ; and Welch , P . M ., 202 . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and the

musical portion of the programme was ably sustained by brethren of the lodge . Bro . Holt presided at the pianoforte . The W . M . proposed the toast of the " Prince of Wales and the Craft , " which was drank with the greatest enthusiasm . Bro . Chappie , P . M .., P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers ., then proposed the toast of " tho Grand Master of England , " observing that though they had not a personal acquaintance with the Grand Master , yet that his actions were of a character that all lodges

might well be proud of him . The W . M . then gave the . next toast " the Prov . G . M ., Rev . "J . Htiyslie , and IX Prov . G . M ., Bro . L . P . Metliam , and officers of Prov . G . L . " Bros . Metliam and Colonel Elliott , P . G . S . W ., responded to the toast . Tho D . Prov . G . M . then proposed the toast of the W . M ., and observed that it was the toast of tho evening , " the health of the W . M . then presiding" who woulddoubtless- preside on

, , more important occasions during the coining year , when they were assembled together for the purpose of transacting the business connected with the lodge . For the good of tho lodge he hoped the W . M . would have a happy and prosperous year ; but to ensure that , the lodgo must have a good Master , and in the choice made he believed the brethren had found

one . The W . M ., in acknowledging the compliment paid him , said he thanked the brethren for the high honour which had been conferred in electing him the W . M . of such a large and prosperous lodge . In the next place he would thank the D . Prov . G . M . for the way in which be had proposed the toast , and observed that it would be his study , aided by his P . M . ' s and other officers , to conduct the lodge in a way as that it should be second

to none in good order . The next toast was " tho Treasurer and other officers of the lodge . " This was responded to by Bro . Vincent Bird , P . M . and Treas ., who after acknowledging the many kind things tho W . M . had said of him and the officers , proceeded to say that on some former occasions it had fallen to his lot to indicate the progress of Lodge St . Auhyn , he , therefore , accepted the present position rather as a pleasure than a duty . He then said : Permit me ,

Worshipful sir , to remark that as the glorious sun rising in the east and opening' the day adds another line of shadow to those already on the dial plate of time , so does your rising in our Orient to-day mark another period in the history and existence of Lodge St , Anbyn . And this thought carries me back to tho time when a few Masons met ( and with perhaps more zeal than prudence or discretion ) determined to establish this lodge . It would effect no good even were I able to penetrate

purpose their motives , nor will I follow their mutations , suffice it to say one of their resolves has culminated to-day , namely , the entrance of the founders into the chair of King Solomon . In you Worshipful sir that point has boen reachad . The will of the founders has been accomplished . Henceforth seniority may give place to merit , and the line of the constitutions followed without a breach of tiiitli . YouWorshiful Muster be regarded as the last

, p , may of the Barons . They were tho last of a fading dynasty ; although you are the last of the founders you will have the high honour of conveying your authority to some one of the sons of Lodge St . Aubyn , who I trust will commence a long line of illustrious masters , whose termination will commence with eternity . Among our ancient Hebrew brethren the number seven was regarded as a sacred number . That , same veneration has been

transmitted to us . Three rule a lodge , five form a lodge , seven make it perfect or complete . You , Worshipful Sir , being the seventh Master of the [ lodge , I accept it as an augury for good , that , having passed round the six periods of our existence , wo are about to enter a year , the labours of which I hope will make the lodge perfect in all its parts and honourable to its founders . Don't let me bo mistaken in what I say about perfection ; I don't expect angelic perfection in a human institution ; but I do hope and expect the lodge will attain that perfection included in the triad—just , perfect , and regular . Look at our premises ';

can anything be desired to make it more complete for Masonic service ? Look at our fittings and furniture ; what more is wanted ? Look at our workings ; they have on many occasions been the subject of eulogistic praise ; still , I think there is room for improvement . Lastly , look at our finances , they are rapidly approaching that diminishing' ' point when the balance will bo carried to the other side of the account , aud Saint Aubyn shine , not with borrowed lustre , but with that charity which is

the perfection of Masonry aud without which all our professions are as sounding brass and as tinkling cymbals . Worshipful Master , on behalf of myself and brother officers , I promise you willing and perfect obedience in the coining year . Numerous other toasts followed and were appropriately responded to . The utmost harmony prevailed and a very pleasant evening was spent , and the brethren departed in peace , the lodge being closed at 11 p . m .

STOKE . —Hnyshe Lodge ( No . 1 , 099 ) . —A meeting was held at the Hnyshe Masonic Hall , Home Park , Stoke , on Monday , the 21 st ult ., to instal the W . M . elect Bro . John Brown . The ceremony was impressively performed by Bro . S . Willoughby , P . M ., assisted by Bros . Chappie , Lose , and Austin , P . M . 's . After the installation the W . M . appointed as his officers Bros . S . Willoughby , I . P . M . ; E . A . Davies , S . W . ; E . Roseveare , J . W . ; S .

Chappie , P . M ., P . Prov . Assist . Dir . of Cers ., Treas . ; W . H . W . Sargent , Sec ; W . H . Gilliam , S . D . j A . Blacked , J . D . ; J . Allen , I . G . ; J . Lang , Dir . of Cers . ; W . H . Shepherd , Stewd . ; Jas . Rashbrook , Tyler . After the appointments a candidate was admitted into Freemasonry , and the lodge was closed . TOTNES . —Pleiades Lodge ( No . 710)—The monthly meeting was held at the Masonic Rooms on Thursday , the 24 th ult ., but the usual report is not supplied , the W . M . having placed his veto on the publication of the proceedings .

ESSEX . COLCHESTER . —The Angel Lodge ( No . 51 ) . Tho members of this old-established lodge celebrated the Festival of St . John the Baptist at their lodge-room , Cups Hotel , on Wednesday , the 23 rd ult . The lodge was opened at half-past two o ' clock , Bro . Alfred CobbWMpresiding There were also present : —Bros . George

, .., . Allen , W . Sprent , I . K . Pettitt , T . Bolton , Henry Sandford , W . Hickford , Jan ., J . E . Addis , J . Bosworth , P . M . ; C . O . G . Becker , P . M . ; Hoi-ace Darken , P . M . ; K . Ellisdon , T . Hall , T . R . Quilter , W . M . elect ; Greene , II . P . Lewis , II . Samuel , P . Hast , P . A . Cole , W . Griffin , J . Whitton , W . Slaney , members of the lodge . Visitors : Bros . W . Slimy , P . M . 1 G 7 ; S . B . King , P . M . 376 ; James Franks , P . M . 376 ; J . II . Staddon , W . M . Perfect Friend-