The Masonic Mirror.

the toast , being pledged with honours , ivas responded to by Bro . SCOTT . The health of the Secretary was drunk with honours , and acknowledged by Bro . AVilliams , ancl the toast " To all poor and distressed brethren , wherever situate , " & c , having been drunk , the proceeding terminated . In the course of the evening there ivas some excellent singing by Bros . Philpotts , Whitchurch , Scott , AVells , Kirkham , and others . NORTHAMPTONSHIRE .

PETERBOROUGH . —St . Peter ' s Lodge ( No . 646 ) . —The brethren assem - bled at their Lodge room on Tuesday , December 27 th , at one , P . M ., to celebrate the festival of St . Johu . The Lodge having been opened iu the first degree , the minutes of the last Lodge were read and confirmed . The Lodgo was then opened in the second degree , when the AA . AL , Bro . Geo . Cattel , proceeded to install liis successor , Bro . H . Porter , M . V ., into the chair for the ensuing After the the AVALBro

year . ceremony ., . Porter , invested as his officers : —Bros . J . Ruddle , S . AA . ; R . Ellis , J . AV . ; J . Swann , S . D . ; Nesbitt , J . D . ; and Harrison , I . G . Tbe Lodge was then adjourned until four , P . M ., "when the brethren partook of dinner , the AV . AI . presiding , who introduced the toasts in very appropriate terms . The J . AA . having called the brethren from refreshment to labour , the Lodge was closed , and the brethren separated at an early hour , having spent a very agreeable and delightful evening .

NORTHUAf BERLAND . NEWCASTLE . —Ncwcaslle-on-Tyue Lodge ( No . 24 ) . — The brethren of this old Lodgo met on the 27 th ult . ( St . John ' s day ) , iu the Lodge room , Freemasons' Hall . Blackett-street , Newcastlo-ou-Tyne , for the purpose of installing Bro . Andrew Gillespie , the AV . AL elect , into the chair for the ensuing year . The Lodge was opened in clue form by the AV . AL , Bro . B . H . Harding , assisted by the following board of P . AIs .: —Bros . AVm . JohnsonP . Prov . S . G . AA . ; Henry HothamP . Prov . J . G . AA John Barker

, , . ; , Prov . G . Treas . ; A . Clapham ; T . Alexander , Prov . Asst . Dir . of Cers . ; AA E . Franklin , P . Prov . S . G . D ; II . Saniter ( AV . AI . No . 5 S 15 ) , Proi' . S . G . D . ; H . G . Ludwig , Prov . G . Reg ., and a numerous attendance of brethren . The ceremony of installation ivas most ably aud impressively performed by that excellent Mason , Bro . AV . Johnston , P . AI . No . 24 , assisted by Bro . Henry Hotham , P . AI . No . 24 , as Dir . of Cers ; the brethren below the chair having retired . On reentering the Lod BroAA Johnston

go , . . , P . AL , informed them that iu their absence the board of installed Alasters had duly installed into the chair Bro . Gillespie , as the AV . M . for the ensuing year , at the same time expressing his opinion that the brethren of No . 24 had exercised a very great amount of judgment in unanimousl y electing so good , worthy , enthusiastic , and hard Avorking a Alason as Bro . A . Gillespie to be their AV . AL for tho next twelve months . The AV . M . ( Bro . Gillespie ) iu thanking the brethren for the high honour they had that

day conferred upon him , assured them that their confidence inspired him with the strongest determination to use his best exertions to promote the prosperity of the Lodge ; and if it did not continue to prosper during his year of office ( as he was glad to have it in bis power to say it had done for tho last few years ) , it should not be for want of attention to his duties . Kuoiving the certain support ho would have from his office bearers , ancl from the kindly feeling which he generally received at the hands of his brethren , prosperity was certain to attend their efforts . The AV . AL then proceeded to appoint tbe following brethren as his officers , remarking that he had been anxious to select such only

as ivould , by their good attendance , behaviour , and brotherly love , cement together the brethren of No . 2-1 ; ho ivas certain many able brethren were unavoidably passed over , his only regret was that he had not offices for them ; the fact was , and he was glad it ivas so , that probably no Lodge possessed a greater number of members perfectly qualified iu every way to take office than thoir good old Lodge , and this ivas chiefly owing to their attendance lo the Lodge of Instruction held nuclei- their warrant . Tho AVorshiful Alaster thenwith appropriate

p , remarks , invested his officers , viz .: —Bros . B . J . Harding , P . M . ; A . Clapham , L . AL ; Rev . S . Atkinson , Chaplain ; Henry Hotham , Dir . of Cers . ; A . Legge , S . AV . ; A . AL Loades , J . W . ; A . Legge , Treas . ; Goo . Lambton ! Sec ; Thos . Roberts , S . D . ; AV . J . Harding , J . D . ; Ralph Hopper , S . S . ; AV . C . Bousfield , J . S . ; John Bousfield , Purveyor ; . John Anderson , I . G . ; Alex . Dickson , Tyler . The Lodgo was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to dinner at Bro . AVm . Brodie ' s , Turk ' s Head Hotel , at five ' clockwhereat the festival of

o , , joint Lodges Nos . 24 and 793 , sixty of the brethren partook of a most excellent dinner , which reflected great credit on Bro . Brodie . Bro . Gillespie , AV . M . No . 24 , presided , assisted in the west by Bro . Thos . Anderson , S . AV . No . 193 , and Bro . Alfred Legge , S . AV . No . -2-1 ; and in the south by Bro . Albert M . Loades , J . AV . No . 24 , and Bro . Smniles , J . AV . No . 793 . After dinner tho AYorsbipfui Alaster gave " The Queen" which was most heartilresponded to b

, y y the brethren . Tbe usual Masonic toasts -were then given , including "The ALAV . Grand Alaster" and "The R . W . Deputy Grand Alaster . " "The Grand Alasters of Scotland and Ireland , with their . 'Deputies "—all these toasts wero cordially responded to iu real . Alasonic stylo by the brethren . The AV . AL , in giving the next toast , " The Prov . Grand Master of Northumberland , and his Deputy , " could not refrain from occupving their time for a few moments , although be knew it ivas quite unneces ° - to do remarks of his

sary so by any , every brother present being perfectly aware how singularly fortunate this province was iu having such a R . AV . Prov . G . M . as Bro ., the Rev . E . C . Ogle , whether in his capacity os a country gentleman , a magistrate , or a Alason , Tho brethren having

clone ample justice to this toast , in Alasouic stylo , the AV . AI . gavo " The R . AA . Prov . Grand Masters of Durham and Cumberland , and their Deputies ; " after ivhich he called upon the brethren to join iu the toast , " The present aud past Officers of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Northumberland , " coupling with it the name of Bro . Johu Cook , Prov . J . G . AV . Bro . Cook having responded , the AA . Al . ( Bro . Gi'lespie ) said the next on the list was the AVAL ( BroSept . Bell ) officers ancl brethren of the

., . , sister Lodge , No . 793 . He deeply regretted the absence that day of the AVAL , of No . 793 , caused , he was sorry to say , by severe indisposition , from this the joiut festival of the two Lodges , Nos . 24 ancl 793 . In bringing this toast before the brethren , he must be allowed to say that he considered that Lodge de Lorainc , No . 793 , had chosen one of tho best Alasons in Newcastle , aye in the province , to rule over them for the next twelve months . He said this from his own observation , and conthe

cluded a neat speech by calling on the brethren to respond to toast in Alasonic style ; and in the absence of the immediate P . AL of that Lodge , Bro . Alexander , be begged to couple the name- of Bro . J . S . Cballoner , P . AL , with the toast . Bro . Cballoner having responded , Bro . John BARKER , P . AL , No . 24 , called , by permission of the chairman , for tho brethren to give their heartiest response to the toast ho was about to iveBroBarker concluded a few very pertinent

g . . remarks by calling on tho brethren to drink to the health of their worthy chairman , Bro . A . Gillespie , AV . AL , No . 24 ; long life and prosperity to him and his . This toast was enthusiastically received . Bro . GILLESPIE replied in a few feeling remarks , aud concluded by giving " The Past Alasters of Lodge No . 2-1 , " coupling with it the name of Bro . B . G . Harding , the immediate P . AL , and bis predecessor in the chair . Iu thanking the brethren for the in which they had receivedand

manner , the W . AL for the manner he had proposed this toast , Bro . HARDIXC ; remarked he had great satisfaction in doing so ; their cordial manner convinced him that he had his brethren ' s good opinion aud their brotherly love . It ivas with the utmost gratification he compared the present financial state , good working ancl general prosperity of his mother Lodge , No . 24 , with her condition a few years ago . Let it go forth to

the world that Lodge No . 24 ivas not now behind any of her sister Lodges in the kingdom , however much she might have been a few years since . He trusted the brethren would rally round Bro . Gillespie aud the Lodge , No . 24 , whicli number he might remind the brethren was tbe highest , ivitli one exception , in the provinces . The Lodge was free , of all debt , had recently purchased ah entire set of' Lodge clothing , and had a handsome balance in the bank—so much for strict economy , and a stem determination to make tbe Lodge prosperous . Tbe AV . AI .

having proposed "The Lodges of the province of Northumberland , other than those already proposed , " coupling the name of Bro . B . J . Thompson , AA . M ., No . 985 , Prov . G . Sec , ivith it . After ample justice bad been given by the brethren to this toast , Bro . THOMPSON responded , ancl amongst other judicious remarks , said he could not let the opportunity pass without saying something on tbe subject of a general Alasouic ball , where the brethren might meet under one roof , yet keep their Lodges perfectldistinctivhcre the Craft might have such accommodation

y ; as would not only promote their individual comfort , but would likewise bring their ancient institution before tbe eyes of tbe public in a manner worthy the Order , so that the uninitiated or popular world without might be convinced that there was really something in Freemasonry . He would also advocate schools in connection ivith the hall , either in the same premises or adjacent . The brethren would doubtless remember that during tho early part of this year au attempt was made by some of the Craft to supply this want ; unfortunately that scheme did not meet

such support as was desirable—a few , and a few only , of the brethren giving that scheme a most determined opposition ; however he ( Bro . Thompson ) still cherished the hope that the important and wealthy town of Newcastle ivould have its hall , and that some site migbt bo found to meet , tho conveniences of all the brethren ; trusting that all jealousies might be buried in oblivion , and the brethren work together , success was ivith themselves . After a few more Alasonic toasts , the brethren separated at nine o ' clock , having speut a very pleasant evening . AA e must not forget to mention the very excellent singing of Bros . Joel , J . Rutter , and R . Hopper , of No . 24 , contributed much to enhance the pleasures of the festival .

SOMERSETSHIRE . TAUNTON , —Lodge of Unanimity and Sincerity ( No . 327 ) . —Thursday , Dec . 29 th , being the day appointed for the double purpose of celebrating the festival of St . John ancl of installing the AV . AL for the ensuing year , a large number of the brethren of this rapidly increasing Lodge assembled in tho Lodge room at an early hour . Bro . Bluett proceeded to open the Lodgo ; the minutes of the former meeting were read and confirmed ,

and other routine business gone through , when the arrival of the R . AV . Bro . Randolph , D . Prov . G . AL , was announced , who was duly received with full Masonic honours . Bro . Bluett having vacated the chair in favour of the D . Prov . G . AL , the latter congratulated tho brethren ou having selected so expert a Alason as Bro . Capt . A . AA . Adair to preside over them in the capacity of AVAL for the ensuing twelve months . The D . Prov . G . AL then proceeded with the ceremony of installation , which was performed in a manner so masterly as to command the

admiration of the assembled brethren . The newly installed AV . AI . proceeded with the investiture of his officer ,- ! , aud delivered an appropriate address to each , reminding them of their duties to the Lodge and the fraternity generally . The officers appointed are—A . L . Clarke , S . AV , ;