Metropolitan.

had been received in a truly Masonic manner , aud with tho usual hospitality of the Lodge . He was but a poor orator , but he spoke with the greatest sincerity in thanking them for their kindness , ancl wished them prosperity ancl every happiness which the new year could afford . Bro . Smith , G . Purst ., said the AV . M . had , for a short time , allowed him the use of his gavel to address them on behalf of their Masonic charities ; and he trusted that they would support their steward at the next anniversary festival of the Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons ancl their AVidows . If every one subscribed his five shillings to this charity

, it would be placed iu a proper position , and every one of the caudidates could be at once elected . He proposed " The Masonic Charities , " coupling with the toast the name of Bro . Brett , P . M ., remarking that it was impossible to take up either the Sunday Times or the Freemasons' Magazine without observing the constant exertions of Bro . Brett in support of these charities . Bro . Brett , P . M ., thauked Bro . Smith for having used his name in connection with their charities and what he had done in reference to them . He hacl done no more than his duty , and ho

trusted that Bro . AVake , who was their steward , would present such a list as would do honour to the Domatic Lodge . Bro . Brett proposed " The Health of the AV . M ., " and said it was only necessary for him to be kuown to be respected . The AV . M ., in acknowledging the toast , said he hoped he had done his duty , aud would continue to do so as far as lay in his power . The next toast was that of the " P . M . S , " and the AV . M . said he hacl been that night honoured by the attendauee of the whole of the subscribing P . Msof the Lod who

, ge , were then all present , with the exception of Bro . Adams . He concluded by giving " The healths of Bros . Brett , Carpenter , Marshall , Smith , Garrod , Elmos , and Morbey . " Bro . Carpenter , in responding , said he wished to suggest that they should always keep before them their Masonic charities , and particularly that for aged Freemasons and their widows . Having alluded to a casual visit to the house of a friend , he said that while he was there a person arrived , and placed in the hand of his friend a papercontaining the small weekly savings of his servants for

, a benevolent object , which he considered would be an excellent thing for them to adopt iu respect to their Masonic charities , and it could he done without any sacrifice to their comforts , while , iu a short time it would place those charities as it was their desire to see them , and as they ought to be placed—in a flourishing conditiou . The AV . M . gave " The Officers of the Lodge , " for which toast , Bros . Haydon and Elmes returned thanks . Some other toasts were given , ancl the evening was spent in the most complete harmony .

ST . JAMES ' UNION LODGE ( No . 211 ) . —This increasing Lodge hold its annual installation festival at the Freemasons' Tavern on Tuesday , 11 th January , upwards of seventy members and visitors being present . Bro . Crofton , AA . M ., opened the Lodge , and Bros . Kretzsohmar ancl Bracher were raised to the degree of Master Mason . Bros . Smith , AVells , Thomas , Scott , ancl Davis , were afterwards passed to the degree of Fellow Craft , followed by his initiation of Messrs . Staooy , Price , and Berry . Bro . Crofton then resigned the chair to Bro . John GurtouPMaud

, .. Treasurer , who was appointed to instal Bro . Stacey , the AV . M . elect : the ceremony was beautifully performed . The officers for the year were invested as ' follows : — Bro . C . Smethurst , S . AV . ; " AV . Gill , J . AV . ; John Gm-ton ( P . M . ) , Treasurer ; C . Jackson , Secretary ; T . Simpson , S . D . ; H . Francis , J . D . ; J . AV . Sedgwick , I . G . ; G . Gurtou , Steward ; T . J . Smith , Junior Steward ; and John Crawley , Tyler . Bro . Gurtou , in drawing attention to the long aud arduous services of their late Secretary—who retires in consequence of ill health , after holding office for ten years—proposed

that he should he allowed to remain amongst them as an honorary member . This being unanimously agreed to , Bro . Kennedy proposed that a committee should be formed for the purpose of offering Bro . Lacou a testimonial iu acknowledgment of his strict attention to the business of the Lodge , which chiefly devolved on the Secretary ; and more particularly in a Lodge like the St . James ' s , numbering as it does , nearly a hundred , the task had been no light one . Bro . Gurton having seconded the motion , the subject was adjourned till next meeting . Bro . Stacey , as AV . M ., said he hacl now a pleasing task before him—that of presenting their immediate P . M , with a jewel ; to djlate upon the excellences of their last Master