The Masonic Mirror.

if there ivere so many against him he ought not to be admitted at all . Bro . Dr . NOLAN supported the motion , and said the evil existed in the country to a greater extent than in London . Bro . J . R . STEBBING also said he believed the system of black balling prevailed to a greater extent in the provinces than in a place where they basked in the sunshine of popular control , but

he did aot think the remedy proposed was the proper one to be applied . If they admitted members to whom nine or ten might object , they would drive other members out of the lodge , because they considered they were objectionable . Still " some protection was required , as he could mention two or three other hrethren who kept a lodge without new members year after year .

He hoped that the Grand Lodge would pass a law , whether it should be a majority of eight to one , ten to one , eleven twenty to one , giving the members power to exclude any ohjectionable brethren , for a large majority of the brethren ought not to be made uncomfortable by a small

minority . He belonged to an old bank , where it was one ot the rules , and which had worked well for twenty years , if they found a disagreeable fellow amongst them they gave him no reason hut they told him he must go . They told him he was not a proper man to he amongst them , he went down stairs and they had then done with him . He should propose , on a future

occasion , that when a lodge felt itself to be uncomfortable , and that when there was a cabal among three or four members , who had ingenuity enough to keep within the letter of the law , that the lodge shall have the power of turning them out , and make themselves happy without them . ( Cheers and laughter ) . After a few words from Bro . HORTON SMITH as to being

cautious in removing any of the ancient landmarks of the Order , The R . W . G . MASTER put the motion , which was negatived hy a large majority . This being the whole of the business , the Grand Lodge was closed in ample form , and adjourned a little before eleven o'clock .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

PYTHAGOREAN LODGE ( NO . 79 ) . —This old and flourishing lodge held its usual monthly meeting on Monday , February 29 th , at the Globe Tavern , Royal Hill , Greenwich ( Bro . Moore ' s ) . The lodge was opened in due form by Bro . VV . R . Orchard , W . M ., assisted by his officers . The ceremony of installation was then performed by Bro . H . A . Collington , P . M ., who , in his usual faultless and impressive manner , installed Bro . J . Hasler , S . W ., W . M . electinto the chair of K . S . according to ancient custom .

, The new W . M . invested the following brethren his officers , viz ., Bros . W . R . Orchard , I . P . M . ; Ward , S . W . ; Vinten , J . W . ; W . C . Penny , P . M ., Treas . ; J . C . Peckham , P . M ., Sec ; II . Newton , S . D . ; Trill , J . D . ; Doughney , I . G . At the conclusion of the ceremony of installation the brethren testified their admiration by giving a hearty burst of applause . Bro . J . Hasler , W . M ., commenced his duties by raising one brother to the

sublime degree of a M . M ., in a manner that augers well for his year of office—in fact we never saw any new W . M . perform it better . The next business was presenting a Past Master ' s jewel to Bro . W . R . Orchard , P . M ., which the W . M . did in an appropriate speech , and Bro . Orchard , P . M ., acknowledged the gift in a suitable reply . The brethren afterwards adjourned lo « superior banquet , replete with every comfort . Visitors : —F .

Walters , P . M . 73 ; J . W . Halsey , P . M . 134 ; Dr . Scott , P . M . 140 , 871 ; Ryder , P . M ., Treas . 140 ; F . Durrant , P . M . 147 ; G . Chapman , S . D . 147 ; and many others too numerous to mention . ROYAL OAK LODGE ( NO . 871 ) . —Tbe usual monthly meeting of this prosperous lodge was held on Wednesday , February 24 th , at the Royal Oak Tavern , High-street , Deptford . In the unavoidable absence of Bro . George Wilton , W . M ., Bro . Frederick Walters , P . M ., Sec , opened the lodge , assisted by Bros . C .

Stahr , S . W . ; J . H . Pembroke , S . D . ; R . Mills , J . D . ; G . S . Hodgson , I . G . ; J . S . Blomeley , W . S . ; J . Stevens , Treas . ; J . Stevens , P . M . ; J . AV . Weir , P . M . ; A . J . Baatz , J . Rosenstock , J . Hawker , R . Phipps , J . W . Hinderwell , H . Firmin , W . Jeffery , J . Hammond , A . R . Parkinson , and many others . Amongst a large number of visitors we noticed Bros . M . A . Loewenstark , 73 ; S . W . Vinten , S . D . 79 ; A . H . Tattershall , S . D . 140 ; W . Noak , J . D . 140 ; G . Chapman , S . D . 147 ; J . T .

Tibbals , P . M . 169 ; W . Billington , 548 ; J . Howes , P . M . 765 ; D . Griggs , 765 ; W . Oaff , 765 ; E . Handerson , S . D . 875 ; G . Sdinck , 857 ; and many others whose names we were unable to learn . Soon after the lodge was opened , Bro . George Wilton , W . M ., arrived , and took the chair . The Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting , which were unanimously confirmed . The report of the Treasurer having been duly certified by the Auditorswas accepted and unanimously approved hy the

mem-, bers . It showed the finances of the lodge to he in a very flourishing condition . Next came the all-important business of the evening , viz ., the installation . The lodge was opened in the second degree , when Bro . F . Walters , P . M ., presented Bro . C . Stahr , S . W . and W . M . elect , to receive from the W . M . the benefit of installation , the better to qualify him for the discharge of the duties of his high and important office .

The W . M . then commenced the ceremony . The lodge was opened in the third degree . A Board of Installed Masters was duly formed , and Bro . C . Stahr was installed into the chair of K . S ., as W . M . of the Royal Oak Lodge for the ensuing year , according to ancient custom . Having received the salutes and congratulations of the bretliren , the W . M . invested the following brethren-. —Bros . G . Wilton , I . P . M . ; H . A . Collington , P . M ., S . W . ; J . II . Pemnroke , J . W . ; J . Stevens , Treas . (

reinvested ) ; F . Walters , P . M ., Sec . ( re-invested ); G . S . Hodgson , S . D . ; J . S . Blomeley , J . D . ; J . Rosenstock , I . G . ; J . Hawker , W . S . ; S . Garrett , Tyler ( re-invested ) . Bro . G . Wilton , P . M ., then in a superior and impressive manner delivered the usual addresses , whieh elicited the unanimous approbation of all the hrethren assembled . The new W . M . was then called upon immediately to commence his duties , their being one candidate for initiation , Mr . H . J . Wells , who was accordingly introduced and admitted to the rights and privileges of ancient Freemasonry .

It was proposed by Bro . F . Walters , P . M . and Sec , that a vote of thanks be recorded ou the minutes of the lodge to Bro . G . Wilton , P . M ., for the very able and efficient manner he had conducted every ceremony , including the installation , which he said was an example worthy of imitation to every brother who had the honour to occupy the proud position of W . M . of the Royal Oak Lodge . It was not because they had been so fortunate in having three successive W . M's . who were able to do

every ceremony that the hrethren were to expect that all their future Masters would be as expert as those whom they had had presiding over them ; for the time must come when some brother might be elected who would not be able to do so much , therefore he felt that , as a slight mark of recognition for able services rendered , his proposition ought to be supported . He only hoped next year to have the same pleasing duty to perform for their present W . M . as he felt certain he would not he behind in .

, any of his duties , more especially the installation . This proposition was carried unanimously . Bro . G . Wilton , P . M ., in an appropriate speech , returned sincere thanks for their kindness on this occasion , also for the kind indulgence he had always experienced at their hands . He assured them ever since he first entered their lodge , of which he was now the father , he had only one object in viewwhich was to do his dutyand that

, , was all he had done , and he sincerely thanked them for the honour and compliment they had paid him . He hoped they would never have cause to lessen their esteem of him . This completed the business before the lodge . The brethren then adjourned to an excellent banquet , prepared hy Bro . Stevens in his well-known liberal style . After the cloth was drawn the usual loyal toasts were given and received . Bro .

J . T . Tibbals , P . M ., responded for the visitors in an able manner . Bro . G . Wilton responded for the Past Masters . After a few hours spent in social reunion , the brethren separated , highly delighted with the evening's enjoyment . We must certainly congratulate our esteemed Bro . G . Wilton , P . M ., for the very able manner in which he . worked the ceremony of installation , which was rendered in a most ahle

and impressive manner . He may be truly classed as one of the disciples of the veteran Bro . S . B . Wilson , whose working he gave . AVhen we reflect that scarcely four years have elapsed since we saw our worthy brother initiated , and now seen the