Metropolitan.

nected with the office to carry it out as successfully as Bro . Stacey had done . Bro . Caulcher had been their Treasurer during the three years the lodge had been in existence , and it was gratifying to find they were so triflingly in debt , Those duties had been carefully looked after , and their money matters were in a healthy state , owing to the care and constant attention of the Treasurer . The Master of the Ceremonies and Wine Steward no one could be dissatisfied with . Bro . AVatson studied all their wants and comforts as he so well

knew how . The toast was " Success and good health to Bros . Stacey , Caulcher , and AVatson . "—Bro . CAULCHEE , P . M . and Treasurer , as founder and parent of the lodge , returned thanks for the trust they had reposed in him , which he considered a very high compliment , and would , he hoped , never fail to discharge to their satisfaction . —Bro . STACEY , from the position he held elsewhere , knew something about presenting a balance sheet , and was obliged to say there was no difficulty to make one to suit any imaginable case under the sun—¦

( laughter ) . The only difficulty he had yet experienced was to make the Treasurer agree with the balance sheet ( great laughter ) , hut somehow they had hitherto agreed , and it should he no fault of his if they did not so long as the lodge chose to continue them in their respective offices . —Bro . AA ' ATSON had only to express that it was his desire to please them all . Whatever was required a hint to him , such was the liberality of the lodge , he immediately had provided ,

and it was a pleasure to -minister so successfully to their comforts when everything was so excellently , plentifully , and handsomely prepared hy Bro . Stiles . —The Tylers' toast concluded one of the most elegant and pleasant entertainments ever offered to a Masonic Lodge . ROYAL OAK LODGE ( NO . 1173 ) . —This lodge held its monthly meeting at the Royal Oak TavernDeptfordon the 25 th inst .

, , Bro . Dr . Dixon passed Bros . Pembroke and Mills to the second degree . The working was , as might be expected , most excellent . Two gentlemen were ballotted for , and will be admitted on the next meeting . The visitors were AV . R . Orchard , J . W . 93 , and J . L . Winn , AV . M . 172 .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

DURHAM . DAELINGTON , —Restoration Lodge ( So . 108 ) , —In the month of June last , this lodge was a hundred years old ; and the members determined , if they could obtain the permission of the M . AV . G . M ., the Earl of Zetland , to adopt some distinctive badge in commemoration of the event . The required sanction was readily granted , and henceforth the members of the Restoration may wear in lodge

a jewel new to the fraternity . The jewel is a very handsome onesilver , in the form of a star , wifch a blue centre ; and is made from a design drawn , we believe , by the late Bro . T . P . Tate , of St . Helen's , Hartlepool . Thus far the permanent celebration ; but , of course , in connection with it there was not forgotten the good old English element of happiness , a good dinner . For various reasons , however , this was delayed ; and only came off on Thursday , the 26 th ult . Lodge was held in the Town-hallandhaving been opened with

, , the usual ceremonies , business was transacted , including various important items , among which were the election of the AA . M ., Treas ., and Tyler for the ensuing year . For the honourable office of Ma ter , Bro . J . E . Mac Nay , was unanimously chosen ; Bro . G . J . AVilson , P . M ., was re-elected Treas . ; and Bro . Gurgett , Tyler . In testimony of their respect for the retiring W . M ., Bro . Richard Benson , and as a recognition of the faithful services of Bro . Gargett , a centenary jewel was presented to each . Lodge having been closed ,

the brethren adjourned to the Sun Inn ( Bro . AVrightson's ) , where an excellent repast was served up to them , in the worthy host ' s usual style . AVhen the cloth was removed , the loyal and Masonic toasts were given ; and , in the course of the proceedings , the Rev . Bro . Simpson , P . M ., delivered an eloquent oration , in the course of which he reviewed the history of the century , generally and Masonically , dwelling particularly on the vicissitudes through which the Restoration Lod had passed jit the unanimous

ge , request of the brethren , the Rev . Brother consented to his address being inserted on the minutes , hut declined any other method of publicity . A most pleasant evening was spent , the harmony being promoted by the musical efforts of several of the brethren . GATESHEAD . —Lodge of Industry ( No . 56 ) , —A meeting of this lodwas held at the Grey HorseGateshead the 22 nd ultThe

ge , , on . AV . M ., Bro . AVilliam Bryden , took his seat , assisted by his officers , and _ opened the lodge at 7 o ' clock . Mr . Thomas Neilson was initiated into the mysteries of the Order hy the AV . M . in a very impressive manner . Bro . J no . S . Hoy was raised to tho sublime degree of a M . M ., the ceremony being performed by P . M ., Bro . C . J .

Bannister , with his usual earnestness . The business of the lodge over , it was closed in due form and with solemn prayer .

GLOUCESTERSHIRE PROVINCIAL GEAND LODGE . The Provincial Grand Lodge of Gloucestershire held its annual meeting on Saturday , tbe 2 Sfch ultimo , at the Ram Hotel , Cirencester , in the lodge-room of the Cotteswold Lodge ( No . 862 . ) Present , Bros , the Hon . James H . L . Dutton , Prov . G . M . ; G . F . Newmarch , D . Prov . G . M . ; Bloxham and Luches , G . AVardens ;

G . S . AVhite , J . D . ; AV . S . AVallace , D . C ; T . G . Palmer , Treas . ; E . Trinder , Sec ; W . H . Gwinnett , Matthews , Cottle , Sir M . Hicks Beach , Bart ., and other Past Grand Officers . The lodge was opened at half-past four , and the minutes of the last lodge read and . confirmed . The roll of the lodges was then called over . Every lodge but one in the province had its representative , especially the New Lodge , the Royal Gloucestershire ( No . 11-11 ) , and the Foundation , ( So . 97 ) Cheltenham . The returns and reports of the AV . M . of the

, different lodges gave a very satisfactory account of the increase of Masonry in the province . The officers appointed for the present year were Bros . Sir M . Hicks Beach , Bart ., S . G . AV . ; T . J . Cottle , J . G . AV . ; AV . S . Wallace , S . G . D . ; Geo . Smith , J . G . D . ; Ed . Cripps , G . Reg . ; J . Nicholson , G . D . C ; J . Cozens , G . S . B . ; G . E . AVoodward , G . Org ; AViggins and Harman , G . Tylers ; E . Trinder , G . Sec , and Thomas G . Palmer , G . Treas . The accounts having been

passed , the brethren voted the sum of fifty guineas to the Girls School , and also ten pounds to the Boys' School , hy the former vote paying the Prov . G . M . a very graceful compliment by making him a vice-president of that excellent Institution . The lodge was then closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to a very well provided banquet at which about thirty sat down , and the evening was spent in the greatest harmony and . brotherly love . CHELTENHAM—Foundation Zod ( No 97)—This lodge met

. ge . . for the second time this session on AA ednesday , the 25 th ult ., afc the Masonic Hall , Bro . T . J . Cottle , AV . M . There was a very full attendance of the brethren . The lodge being opened , and the minutes of the last lodge read and confirmed , the AV . M . proceeded to raise Bro . the Rev . Thomas A . Marshall to the sublime degreeof a Master Mason , which ceremony he performed in a very able and impressive manner . After which Mr . Adolh Karl Fred .

p Schact , Mr . Edmund Atkinson , Mr . Pedro Josh . Dusar , and Mr . Samuel Green , were initiated into Freemasonry , which ceremonies were also most ably performed , assisted by Bros . AV . H . Gwinnett , Prov . S . G . AV . Gloucestershire , and P . M . of lodges No . 97 and 862 , and Bro . the Rev . Thomas A . Southwood , p . Prov . G . Chap . The lodge was then closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to banquet . . — .

LEICESTERSHIRE . LEICESTEE . —John of Gaunt Zodge ( No . 766 . )—The first meeting- of this lodge after the summer recess , was held at the Freemasons' Hall , on Thursday , the I 9 fch inst ., when among those present , in addition to the AV . M . ( Bro . Sheppard ) , were Bro . Kelly ,. D . Prov . G . M . ; Capt . Brewer , P . M .: Davies , J . AV . ; Spencer , Sec , & c . A'isitorsBros . Underwood Prov . G . T . and ClarkeStJohn's

, , , . Lodge ( No . 318 . ) Bro . R . P . Green having been examined in the First Degree , was passed as a Fellow Craft . A gentleman was . proposed as a candidate for initiation , and two members of the Hall Committee having been appointed , the lodge was closed in , harmony .

SOMERSETSHIRE . HIGIIEEIDGE BUENHAM . —Bwal Philanthropic Zodge ( No .. 367 . )—This lodge held its monthly meeting at the Masonic Rooms ,. Railway Hotel , Highbridge , on Friday , Sept . 13 , 1861 . The minutes of lodge held July 19 th , 1861 , ' were read and confirmed . The Secretary read a copy of the returns made to Grand Lodge , and Provincial Grand Lodge , of brethren entitled to sit and vote

in Grand Lodge ; also a letter asking for the name of a brother toserve as Steward to the Benevolent Institution for aged Freemasons and their Widows , on Wednesday , 29 th January , 1862 . Bro . H . Bridges , D . Prov . G . M ., stated that if no other brother would volunteer to attend , he would do so . Mr . N . A . Burts was initiated into the first degree of Freemasonry , and received the charge from the AV . M ., Bro . W . H . Holmes . The W . M . then resigned his chair to Bro . II . Brid D . Prov . G-. M . when Bro . Herbert was passed

ges , , to the degree of Fellow Craft , and Bros . Rowe and Rich raised to the sublime degree of Master Masons . Two brothers were proposed as joining members , and three gentlemen for initiation . The lodge having been closed in due form , the brethren , numbering forty-two , retired to the banquet , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and heartily responded to , a-nd tbe brethren , separated at an early hour , having spent a very pleasant evening .