Metropolitan.

BELGRATE LODGE ( NO . 749 ) . The first meeting of the season of this lodge took place on Wednesday , the 13 th inst ., at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street . Present : Bro . Bourne , W . M ., supported by Bros . George Pymm , S . W . ; P . Parsons , J . W . ; Froud , P . M . & Treas . ; Garrod , P . M . & Sec . ; Ough , Hunting , P . M . ' s ; Homewood , S . D . ; E . Harper , J . D . ;

Carter , I . G . The following were also present : —Bros . Thomas Strip , Zaensdorf , Eadie , W . E . Mackrill , A . C . Cunniss , J . Painter , F . Williams , F . Marchant , J . Wilson , M . Ludlow , F . W . Curtie , W . Hubbard , J . Penn , J . Greenwood , R . Chandler , A . Lefebre , W . Ray , J . W . Hobbs , J . Donben , G . Knight , and J- Rayner . The visitors were—Bros . James Phillips , P . II . 754 ; Thos . E . ScottP . M . 771 ; Henry Crabtree 87

, , . The minutes of the last lodge were read and confirmed , after which the W . M ., in his most impressive style , passed Bros . Greenwood and Hubbard to the degree of F . C . The lodgo then proceeded to elect the W . M . for the ensuing year , when it was found that Bro . George Pymm was unanimously elected . Bro . Froud was also re-elected Treas ., Bro . Garrod , Sec , and Bro . DalyTyler .

, Bro . II . Garrod then proposed , in the most complimentary manner , that a P . M . jewel be presented to the W . M . as a token of esteem to mark the approbation of the brethren for the manner in which he had conducted the business of the lodge during his year of office , which was carried unanimously .

During the evening an excellent banquet was served , at the conclusion of which the W . M . proposed " The Queen and the ¦ Craft , " "The Right Honourable the Earl of Zetland , M . W . G . Master , " "The Right Hon . the Earl De Grey and Ripon and the rest of the Grand Officers , " Bro . Ough , G . Purst ., responding . Bro . Froud remarked that he had for some years on many occasions to address the lodge , but none gave him such pleasure as that proposed ; that he felt sure the brethren would

regret that it was the hist time that Bro . Bourne would occupy the position he had filled with such ability ; that the manner in which the W . M . had discharged his duties had given satisfaction and had endeared him to every brother of the Belgrave Lodge , and that , when he took his position among the Past Masters , he would have the esteem of every brother . The toast was enthusiastically responded to . The W . M . returned thanks for tho kind manner in which his

health had been received by the brethren . He assured them -that he bad endeavoured to discharge tbe duties of the chair to the best of his ability ; that he was pleased and gratified that he had given satisfaction to the brethren ; that the jewel they had voted to him that evening he should prize to the latest hour of his existence ; that though was now about to vacate the chair he would render every assistance in his power to the brethren . He strongly exhorted them all to be punctual iu their attendance . He was proud that he could say that he had never once been absent from his duties .

Hie W . M . then rose and called upot ? the brethren to drink tbe health of Bros . Greenwood and Hubbard , who had been passed to tho degree of F . C , they having been initiated at an emergency lodge , at which there was no banquet , ho had no opportunity of doing so . On that occasion he therefore called on the brethren to do those honours . Bro . Hubbard said that , as a Mason passed to the second degree , he was not 'in a position to say muchbut he could honestlaffirm

; y that the high opinion he formed On joining the order was more than ^ verified ; that he felt sure it was based on the purest principles of morality and religion ; that it appeared to him that a Mason was received amongst his brethren with kindness and friendship , and he looked forward with ardour to the day when lie should have mastered the whole mysteries of the Craft . Bro . Hubbard also thanked the brethren for the very cordial manner

Sn which he had been received amongst them . The health of the P . M . ' s was then proposed by the W . M ., and warmly received by the brethren . The W . M . spoke of the great services rendered by the Past Masters of the lodge , and begged to unite with the toast the names of the Treasurer , Secretary , and Director of Ceremonies . Bros . Ough , G . P ., and G . Hunting returned thanks , and said that although they

had retired from office , the Past Masters would ever be ready to render tbe lodge all the assistance in their power . Bro . P . M . Garrod , Sec , also returned thanks in a hearty manner . Bro .- Froud returned thanks for the unanimous manner in which he had been again re-elected Treasurer , and hoped he would be spared many years to be of service to the Belgrave Lodge . The W . M . then proposed the « Health of Bro . Geo . Pymm , the W . M . elect , " and said that he had the great honour of knowing

him for many years , and for whom he entertained feelings of the greatest friendship ; that he was satisfied that the brethren could not have chosen a brother more fit and ablo to discharge the duties of the chair ; that nearly all the brethren present had witnessed his ( Bro . Pymm ' s ) working in lodges of instruction bow ably be could go through tbe duties of the whole of tho three degrees—to the excellent and praiseworthy manner

in which ho had filled all the offices to which he had been elected in the Belgravo Lodge—that the W . M . was pleased that he had occupied the chair that year , as he felt sure that Bro . Pymm would excel all the Masters who had gone before him . Bro . Pymm returned thanks to the brethren for their great kindness in electing him unanimously to the Mastership of the Belgrave Lodgo . He had received proofs of their kindness

before , but now they had overwhelmed him by having elected him that day to the high and dignified position he should so soon occupy . He acceptod the trust , and would make no empty promises , but he said it must be some heavy calamity that should keep him from his duties in the Belgrave Lodge . He had never been absont from his duties as a junior officer , and he thought that tho only way to show his appreciation of tho honour conferred upon him was to be ' stricter in his dutiesif possiblethan

, , before , and he said that what gave him confidence was this , that the P . M . ' s were the brothers of whom , if he required , assistanco at any time , be should not have to ask in vain ; and concluded a feeling addiess hy again thanking the brethren for their kindness to him that day . The W . M . then in a very kind maimer proposed the health of the officers , and called attention to the fact that every officer

was punctual at his duty , and the lodge opened without one minute ' s delay . He also paid a particular ' tribute to the very excellent way in which the Secretary dischargad bis duties . Bro . Parsons J . W ., returned thanks for the officers , and trusted that whatever duties be should be called upon to fill the brethren would find him up to the mark . The health of the visitors was then proposed , and the W . M . said that tho lodge was honoured that evening by the presence

of three visitors who were good and worthy Masons , and duly appreciated the mysteries of the Craft . Bro . Phillips said it gave him great satisfaction to see the able and masterly manner in which the W . M . and all the officers had gone through their duties and the working the lodge had been carried out ; that certain points in the working were new to him ; that when brethren visited other lodges they were certain to learn something , and

that tho brethren of the Belgrave Lodge could not do better than copy the example of their W . M . Bros . Crabtree and Scott also returned thanks for tho hospitable and kind manner in which they had been received amongst the brethren . The health of the lay members was then proposed . Tbe W . M . considered that it was a toast which ought not to be left out ; that the lay members were the main support of the lodge . Bro . Painter returned thanks , and said that on behalf of himself and

the other lay members he felt much indebted for tho haudsotno manner in which their healths had been proposed . The Tyler's toast followed , and the brethren separated after a most happy evening , the pleasures of which was not a little enhanced by the admirable singing of Bros . Parsons , Pymm , Harper , Hubbard , and several other brethren . The installation of Bro . Pymm will take place on the 10 th November .

MERCHANT NAVY LODGE ( NO . 781 ) . — This lodge ' met on Wednesday , at the Silver Tavern , Burdett Road , Limehouse , Bro . E . T . Read in the chair . The lodge was opened in the first degree , and the minutes of the last regular lodge and two emergency meetings were read and confirmed . Bros . Hallet , Hopson , and Russell were raised to the sublime degree of M . M ., and Bro . Casman passed to the degree of Fellow Craft . A ballot took place for Mr . William Suttonwhich being declared

, to be unanimous in his favour , lie was duly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of ancient freemasonry . Bro . Holt proposed , and Bro . Bracebridge gave his name as seconder to a motion for consideration that a bonevolcnt fund be established . Nothing further being offered the lodge was closed in due form and with solemn prayer . About forty brethren attended tbe subsequent banquet , and the evening was enlivened hy the vocal abilities of the members .

DAHIOUSIE LODGE ( NO . 860 ) . —The brethren of this lodge held their first mooting this season at Anderton's Hotel , Fleetstreet , on Thursday , the 14 th inst . The business was very ably performed by Bro . Little , who occupied the chair of W . M . for