Metropolitan.

of his brethren . The beautiful testimonial would remind him of the happy period in which he had presided over the loclge , and could not fail ever to present to his mind the kind ancl fraternal regards of his brethren ; and in conclusion he tendered his heartfelt thanks for their valuable present . Proposals for new members were submitted to the loclge , ivhich was then closed . The brethren afterwards adjourned to refreshmentthe usual

joyous-, ness of the meeting being clouded by the absence of the AV . M . from domestic affliction . In the course of the evening , Bro . Henry Isaacs , who presided , after disposing of the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , addressed the brethren on the benevolent fund of the loclge , as is usual on the installation meeting . The subscriptions to sustain it were small , and although the attendance that night was but small , he had no doubt bufc fche same liberality would continue ; with the toast he was about to give , he should

connect the name ofthe brother more particularly identified with the fund . His appeals for its support were always successful ; as everyone knew , they came from his heart , and on this , the annual meeting , he himself set the example . Hence he proposed " Success to the Benevolent Fund , and Good Health to Bro . Saul Solomons . " Before he sat clown , Bro . Isaacs said he was desired by their W . M . to hand in his name for three guineas . —Bro . Solomons said he was happy to announce thafc the fund was in a very prosperous state

, although a large amount had been drawn from ifc to relieve distressing- cases . The rest of the £ 200 he hoped would never be disturbed ; bufc that , by the annual contributions , they might say a brother should never apply for assistance iu vain . —Bro . Isaacs , as the locum ienens ofthe AV . M ., proposed "The Past Masters , " upon whose separate merits he somewhat dilated . This being acknowledged , he proposed "The AA . M ., " who had been that clay installed , and for ivhich purpose he had temporarily left fche bed-side of a

beloved sister , who he feared was about to leave this world . He had the highest regard for Bro . Morris Hart , who possessed a soul of honour—a more worthy man or excellent Mason did not exist ; and the brethren ivould have ample opportunities during the ensuingyear of seeing how ably he would preside over the lodge . —Bro . Moss Ansell , P . M ., gave " Long Life ancl Happiness to Bro . Henry Isaacs , " the W . M . pro tern . This was briefly acknowledged , and then followed " The Officers of the Loclge , particularly the Treasurer and Secretary , " whose admirable conduct in keeping the accounts and recording the proceedings were commended most warmly . The brethren departed afc an early hour .

ST . PAUL ' S LODGE ( NO . 229 . ) —The regular monthly meeting of this loclge was held on Tuesday , Feb . 19 , afc the London Coffee House , Ludgate-lrill . Bro . Fowler , the AV . M ., presided , attended by his officers , and some of the P . Ms , of the lodge . Bro . Charles Gentile was passed to the second degree , the AA ^ . M . delivering the explanation of the Tracing Board . Bro . Randall , P . M ., said he rose for the purpose of calling the attention ofthe members to an incident that occurred afc the last meeting—the relinquishment by

Bro . Barringer , of the office of Secretary which he had filled for so long a time to the advantage of the loclge . He therefore proposed " That a vote of thanks be given to Bro . Barringer for the great service he had rendered to the lodge while discharging the arduous duties of Secretary , and that the same be recorded on the minutes . " Bro . Hawkins , P . M ., seconded the motion , which was carried by acclamation . —The AV . M ., in announcing the unanimous vote of the lodgereferred to his own initiation some

, years since , ancl the great impression conveyed to his mind by the manner in which Bro . Barringer delivered the charge to him . —Bro . Barringer said he could not but feel gratified by the motion . From the time he entered the lodge ( fifteen years ago ) he had met with nothing bufc kindness ; ancl during the whole period , save a veryshort interval , he had been regular in his attendance . It had now become somewhat inconvenient to be so punctual , and he therefore considered it better to decline the office of Secretaryand seeing

; how ably the post was now filled by Bro . Sparkes , he was satisfied . However , so long as he lived , he hoped to continue a member of a lodge in which he had speHfc so many happy hours , and where peace and harmony ever reigned , ancl to ivhich any services in his power should be gladly given . After the transaction of some routine business , the loclge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . After enjoying a capital dinner , and

the cloth was removed , the AV . M ., with brief preface , proposed the usual loyal ancl Masonic toasts ; and then , as one that came home to them , "The Past Masters of St . Paul ' s Lodge , " noticing the varied excellent qualities they possessed , ancl the support thoy afforded . —To this Bro . Hawkins responded . — '' The Health of the Alsitors " having been responded to , Bro . Barringer , AV . M ., said , as he had permission to propose a toast , he should give "Health and Happiness to the AV . M ., " who had , iii this earlyperiod of

presiding over the lodge , exhibited so much ability . They had some able Masters before him , but Bro . Fowler hael far exceeded all his predecessors . —The AV . M . said he thought Bro . Barringer had overrated his merits ; but when he entered the lodge

he was determined , to the best of his ability , to fulfil any duties he might have cast upon him . AA ithout entering into an examination of the acts of his predecessors , he would endeavour , while in the chair , to preserve its standing in the Craft , ancl humbly aim at following the gentlemanly and courteous bearing of those who had gone before him . The AV . M . then gave " The Officers . " A variety of other toasts followed , ancl the evening was brought to a happy conclusion .

JOBDAS LODGE ( NO . 237 ) . —The monthly meeting of this loclge was held afc the Freemasons' Tavern , on Friday evening , the 15 th instant . AU the officers , and most of the members , were in their places at the time mentioned in the summons—the importance of punctuality being fully recognised by the brethren of this flourishing lodge . Tbe visitors were—Bros . Burton , P . M . No . 9 and No . 202 ; Maney , P . M . 201 ; Binckes , P . M . No . 11 ; Suchet Champion , No . 4 ( Scotland ); and Quelch , No . 219 . Mr . Edgecombe was initiated ,

ancl Bros . Stead and AVadley passed by the recently installed AV . M ., Bro . Dyer , in a style ivhich fully justified the hig h expectations previously entertained of him by the loclge . Bros . Durham , Mayo ,. Brown , and F . H . Goldsborough were then raised , this beautiful ceremony being performed in a most careful and impressive manner by Bro . T . AA . J . Goldsborough , P . M ., to whom the AV . M . delegated this duty in compliment to that highly esteemed P . M ., as the brother of one of the candidates . —Bro . J . It . Sheen , a P . M . of this

loclge , late of No . 219 , was unanimously elected a joining member , the greatest delight being expressed at the return of this popular brother to his mother lodge . —The AV . M . then proceeded to decorate Bro . T . AA . J . Goldsborough with a handsome P . M's . jewel , voted him by the loclge . In doing this , the AV . M ., in a few well-chosen terms , expressed the obligations of the brethren to Bro . Goldsborough , to whose exertions the present flourishing condition of the loclge is mainly attributable , and whose urbanity ancl genuine

kindness of heart endeared him to all who hud the pleasure of knowing him . The AV . M . concluded by expressing the great gratification he experienced in being the medium of conveying to Bro . Goldsborough this well-merited tribute of respect and esteem , which he fervently hoped the Grand Architect ivould long permit him to wear . —Bro-Goldsborough , who was greatly aft ' eeted , said that he was mosfc grateful to tho brethren for this handsome recognition of the small services he had been able to . render them ; he felt how far short lie fell of the standard so eloquently depicted by the AV . M . ; he was , however , earnestly desirous afc all times honestly to fulfil the duties

of every office to which he was appointed , and ready to communicate to his younger brethren all the knowledge he possessed of the principles and practice of Freemasonry . He trusted that the Great Architect would long spare them to meet together in the Jordan Lodge , and that , acting on truly Masonic principles , their respect ancl esteem for each other would ever continue to increase . The brethren then sat down to . a well-served banquet , and the usual toasts followed the removal of the cloth . —Bro . PATTEN- , P . G . S . B .,

returned thanks on behalf of the Grand Officers , pleasantly alluding to the difficulty he experienced in finding new terms in whicli to 1 express himself , when called upon month after month , and year after year , to respond to this toast . He was afraid that the majority of the brethren , having heard him so frequently , could always anticipate what ho was about to say . There was one merit , however , ivhich ho was sure the brethren ivould readily acknowledge his speech possessed—namelthat of brevit—Bro . BINCKESP . M .

y , y . , No . 11 , eloquently responded on behalf of the visitors , congratulating the lodge on the possession of so distinguished a member as Bro . Patten , who was universally beloved , and justly regarded as an ornament fco the Craft . —On " The Health ofthe Joining Member " being drunk , Bro . SHEEN said , that being fully aware of the excellent feeling prevailing in the Jordan Lodge , he was quite prepared for a kind reception on his return , after a temporary absence which circumstances had rendered necessary ; but he was as surprised as

gratified at the groat affection manifested towards him by the brethren , ancl he assured them that ho would henceforth strive to retain the good opinion which they had so unanimously expressed , by the most strenuous efforts to promote the interests of the lodge . Its prosperity was dear to his heart , but with such an able and zealous Master , such efficient officers , ancl such highly-esteemed P . Ms . as it possessed , its future could be contemplated with the utmost confidence . In conclusion , he wished the brethren

individually all the happiness that man was capable of enjoying , and returned them his sincere ancl hearty thanks . —Bro . Ronixsojr , P . M ., then announced that intelligence had been recently received-from Bombay from their reverend and beloved Bro . Farnham , who was in the best of health , and was energetically labouring to promote civilization in that distant land . As the W . M . who called a Lodge of Emergency about eighteen mouths ago to take leave of Bro . Farnham , he felt peculiar pleasure iu being now permitted fco reter to the services ivhich that brother was now rendering to Masonry in India , as the S . W . and Chaplain of Concord Loclge , No . 105 ' j , numbering about sixty members . Bro . Farnham was one who ,