Metropolitan.

would be superfluous , as every Brother well knew the sacrifice of time which he hacl made for tho welfare of the Lodge . The compliment was well deserved , and ho the ( AV . M . ) trusted that Bro . Crofton would live many years to wear that jewel and support the Lodge . Several propositions having been made for the next meeting , Lodge was closed , aud the Brethren adjourned . "After dinner , the AV . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , "The Visitors" being responded toby Bro . Binckes , P . M . ( No . 11 ) . There wero also present : —Bros . CrewP . M . ( No . 1 ); Peter Mathews

, , P . M . ( No . 11 ); Collard , P . M . ( Nos . 16 S 2 and 209 ); Emmens , P . M . ( No . 201 ); Jackson , P . M . ( No . 201 ); Shiel , P . M . ( No . 630 ); Copus , P . M . ( No . 752 ); M . Levinsou , P . M . ( No . 209 ); Piatt , J . AV . ( No . 168 ); Barnshaw , J . AV . ( No . 752 ); Cotterell , AV . M . elect ( No . 219 ); and AA . AVatson . A pleasant evening resulted , the toasts and speeches being interspersed by some good singing by Miss Ada Taylor , Bros . AVood Banks , AVoIIams , Taylor , Gurtou and E . Hart .

Lion AND LAMB LODGE ( NO . 227 ) . —At the regular Lodge , held on Thursday , Jan . 6 th , present Bro . Tappolet , AA . M ., ancl a full attendance of the Brethren , Bro . Lacey was raised to the third degree , Bros . Chipchase and Gurney passed to the second degree , ancl Messrs . Gates and Macareth were initiated into Masonry . Bro . Henry Muggeridge , P . M ., then took tho chair , and installed Bro . Goodohikl AV . M . for the year ensuing . The AV . M . appointed aud invested as his officers , Bro . Balfour , S . AA . ; Bro . Stanborough ( steward for the approaching aunuity festival ) J . AA . ; Bro . Homy Thompson , S . D . ; Bro . Robinson , J . D . ; Bro . Alex . Thompson , Secretary ; the venerable Bro . Sotheran , the re-electecl Treasurer , was also invested , Bro . Muggeridge delivering the addresses with much impressiveness .

CONTIDENCE LODGE ( NO . 228 ) . —At the monthly meeting held on Monday evening , January 10 th , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Bros . Kidclell and Smart were raised to the degree of M . M . ; Bros . Chambers aud Earl were passed to the second degree . There being no further business , the Brethren adjourned to a well served banquet , when a pleasant evening- was spent .

ST . ANDKEWS LODGE ( NO . 2 S 1 ) . —This Lodge held its monthly meeting on the 6 th hist ., Bro . Alfred Richards , AV . M ., presiding . Lodge being opened in the first degree , the minutes of the previous meeting were read and duly confirmed , upon which a ballot was taken for the admission of Mr . Brown , a candidate for the honours of Freemasonry ; the result of the ballot being in his favour , he was regularly introduced and received the first step in the Order . After this , a letter of thanks was read from Mrs . Long-staff , the widow of the late Tyler , for the kind assistance afforded her from the members of the Lodgealso for their recommendation to the Board of

, Benevolence , which had responded to her appeal by a graut of teu pounds . The eleetion of Master and Treasurer for the next month was the next business , resulting in the unanimous election of Bro . Messent as AV . M ., and Bro . Sarbourg as Treasurer , who was present , although suffering from ill-health . The Lodge being closed iu due form , the Brethren adjourned to dinner . The health $ f the Queen was proposed and received with enthusiasm , followed by that of the Right Hon . the Earl of ZetlandM . AV . G . M . ancl the R . AV . D . G . M . Lord Paumtirc ; the

, , , health of the initiate followed , briefly but tastefully acknowledged by Bro . Brown . " Tho Visitors , " Bros . Simmonds , No . 428 , Prov . S . G . D . for Hampshire ; Charles Potter , P . M ., No . 902 , ancl Taylor , No . 778 , were then proposed , some complimentary allusions being made to them by the AA . M ., who observed that the Lodge was highly honoured in this particular instance , Bro . Simmonds being one of the oldest Masons in the Craft , a Prov . Grand Officer , who he believed had initiated from five to six hundred gentlemen into the Order during a period of

six years . It must be admitted that the number would appear almost incredible , and might be considered a paradox to many . But when it is understood that the locality was Portsea , aud many gentlemen of the naval and merchant service wero introduced into the Order at Lodges of emergency prior to proceeding to sea , and probably never appearing again at the Lodge , the wonder at the number ceases , Bro . Charles Potter was the son of their old aud esteemed P . M ., who ; if he followed the footsteps of his she , would deserve the highest honours the Craft could bestow . Bro . Taylor ( continued the AV . M . ) was almost recognized amongst them as a mem-