Metropolitan.

excellent administration of our affairs during the last 25 years . Let us then acknowledge our appreciation of his goodness in drinking a bumper to his name . The W . Master then proposed the next toast . He said : The ¦ worthy brethren whose healths I now call upon yon to drink are those whose strong support and ability has enabled our chief to hold his proud position . I give you the toast of " The Deputy G . M . and the rest of the Grand Officers . "

Bra Partridge , P . M ., in very complimentary terms proposed " The health of Bro . Marshall , WM ., " and said how delighted they all were to see the excellent manner in which he had discharged the duties of the lodge . ( The toast was received ¦ most cordially . ) The W . JIaster returned thanks to Bro . Partridge for the way in which he had proposed his health , and the brethren for the cordial manner in which it had been received by them .

He could assure the brethren that he had endeavoured to do his duty , and to secure the approbation of the lodge was the only reward he coveted . He was rejoiced to see them all again after the long vacation , and he hoped that the time had been spent with satisfaction and benefit to themselves and families . With respect to my official position , time is getting short and my successor is getting ready . I shall soon have to join that respectable body the Past Mastersand add another volume to

, the " Old Books . " But , brethren , in the meantime , I have to thank you for the cordial support afforded me during my occupation of this chair ; and when , as I trust it will be filled by one more worthy than myself , I shall still remember your truly fraternal regard . I again thank you for this kind acknowledgement of my services . The W . Master then said : Let me next call upon you to ¦ drink a heartv welcome to the brethren who have honoured us

with their company this evening . ( The W . M . here enumerated the visitors present . ) We are very glad to see them now , and trust we shall again have the pleasure . I give you the health of "The Visitors , " coupling with the toast the name of Bro . Gluckstein . Bro . Gluckstein , P . M . of the Faith Lodge , in returning thanks for the visitors , expressed his regret adequately to do so in consequence of being a foreignerand not quite conversant

, with the English language , but said he was not only pleased hut delighted at the Masonic feeling which pervaded the lodge and the excellent ivorking of it . He was pleased to see how the ¦ candidate for the third degree answered the usual questions . He had visited many lodges , both in this country and abroad , and lie had never passed a more pleasant evening than lie had that night with the brethren of the Neptune Lodge .

The other visitors also acknowledged the toast . The W . Master said ; We will now pay our respects to those 'brethren who may be truly denominated the pillars of the odge—the Past Masters . The zeal and ability in managing the affairs , controlling the finances , and the interest they all show continually in promoting our welfare and comfort is well known and appreciated by ns and deserves our best thanks . Let us , then , in acknowledging their kind services , wish them

all health and prosperity . Bro . Partridge , P . M ., responded to this toast . The W . Master next gave " The Officers of the Lodge , " ¦ acknowled ging the services they had rendered , and he saw in them such promise that he felt sure they ivould hereafter be most efficient in their duties when they should be called upon : to fill the Master ' s chair . Bro . Salter , S . W ., returned thanks , and the Tyler's toast 'brought a very happy meeting to a close .

EGYPTIAN LODGE , ( No . 27 ) . —The usual meeting of this old and flourishing lodge was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Thursday , the Sth inst . The W . M . Bro . John Coutts , presided , supported by his officers . A very numerous assembly of members was present . Amongst the visitors we noticed Bros . E . P . Albert , P . M . 188 ; Jas . Arnold , 177 ; V . Taylor , 925 ; H . 'Webster , 172 ; W . Fletcher , 526 ; L . Ascott , 733 ; H . M . Levy , P . M . 188 ; C . Gammon , W . M . 795 . Lodge having been opened

and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed , Messrs . C . Atkins , and W . H . Rayner , having been balloted for and approved , were duly initiated into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry . Bro . Cook having given evidence of fitness , was passed . The ceremonies wore ably and impressively done by the W . M " . The lodge being closed , the brethren adjourned to a very excellent banquet , provided by Bro . Clemow , and superintended by Bro . Smith , the excellent Manager . The usual loyal aud Masonic

Metropolitan.

toasts were ably given by the W . M . Bro . D . H . Jacobs , acting as I . P . M ., proposed in a very excellent speach the health of the W . M ., adverting to his excellent working , and to t \ e esteem in which he was held by the members of the lodge , as evidenced by his having filled the chair of K . S . for two successive years . The W . M . replied in suitable terms . The toast of " The Visitors was acknowledged by Bro . Gammon . Bros . D . H . Jacobs ,

Hepburn , H . M . JLevy , and Taylor , considerably augmented the pleasure of the evening by singing some capital songs . A very excellent song composed by Bro . Berri , P . M-, was very ably rendered by Bro . Jacobs . A very pleasant evening was spent , and the brethren separated , mutually congratulating each other that the prestige of the old Egyptian Lodgo was so worthily kept up .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

CHESHIRE . CREWE . —Lodge of the Four Cardinal Virtues ( No . 979 ) . — The St . John ' s Festival and installation of Bro . G . Whale as W . M . took place ou Tuesday , the 27 th ult ., at the Crewe Arms Hotel . There was an excellent attendance amongst whom were Bro . Captain Cope , P . G . S . B . of England , and Prov . S . G . W . of Cheshire ; Bros . Carrigg , P . Prov . Grand Supt . of Works , East

Lancashire ; Bidder , P . M ., 104 , 204 , and 1 , 161 ; J . C . Hind , P . M ., 204 , 993 ; Roebuck , P . M ., 840 ; Wayne , W-M „ 1 , 161 ; Bullock , P . M . ; Eardley , the retiring WM . ; & c . The installation was most impressively performed by Bro . Carrigg , assisted by Bro . Bidder after which the brethren adjourned to a banquet , provided by Bro . Halsey in his usual rectierclie manner . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and received in the accustomed cordial manner , Bro . Carrigg proposed

the health of the newly-installed W . M ., which was drunk amid enthusiastic applause . Bro . Whale responded in a neat , effective and appropriate speech . Bro . Captain Cope in proposing the health of Bro . Eardley , the I . P . M ., paid him a high compliment for the zeal and integrity with which he had discharged the duties of his office as W . M- for the past year , and in a most eloquent and telling manner presented him with a beautiful P . M . jewel which ho was deputed by the brethren to

place on his breast as a mark of their esteem and admiration for the services rendered by him during his term of office as W . M . Bro . Eardley acknowledged the toast and present in a way that proved how deeply he appreciated their kindness , and so unexpected a token of their feelings towards him , which would ever be remembered by him . The jewel bore the following inscription : — " Presented to Bro . Eardley by the members of the lodge of the Four Cardinal Virtues , 979 , Crewe . October 27 th , 1868 . " The proceedings throughout were marked by tbe greatest harmony until the last toast was called for and responded to .

CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORELAND . SILLOTH . —Solwag Lodge ( No . 1 , 220 ) . —The regular meeting of this flourishing lodgo was held ou Tuesday , the 3 rd inst ., when Bro . F . W . Hayward , W . M ., P . M ., and P . Z ., 310 , P . Prov . S . G . W ., represented K . S . in the east , and assisted by Bros . J . Hutton , S . W . and Treas . ; A . Routledge , J . W ., P . M ., 327 , P . Prov . G . Purst . The following brethren were also present : —

Bros . G . Holmes , S . D . ; A . Woodhouse , Sec , W . M ., 412 ; W . Dickson , I . G . ; R . Lambert , Tyler ; G . Stoddart , J . L . Harris , I . H . Howes , Lowry Turner , J . Stubbs , J . Ewart . The lodge was opened at seven o'clock ; the minutes of a former meeting were read and confirmed , The ballot was taken for Messrs . John Huff , John Thorpe , James Graham , and David Carson , which proved in the favour of each ; the first three being in

attendance , were prepared and admitted separately , and initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry . Bros . J . Stubbs , and J . Ewart were then tested as to their proficiency as E . A . ' s , and found worthy , were entrusted and retired . The lodge was then advanced a step , and Bros . Stubbs and Ewart wore duly passed to the degree of F . C . Bros . Howes and Turner being candidates for exaltation , und having given proofs of their proficiency as F . C . they were escorted to the ante-room

for preparation , when after the lodge was opened iu third degree , Bros . Howes and Turner were admitted and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason , by the W . M ,, Bro . F . W . Hayward ; thus proving the greatest feat on record in the Masonic