Metropolitan.

cordially responded to . —Bro . J . Swnn , P . M . and P . G . Purst ., said the Worshipful Master had for a short _ time entrusted him with the use of his gavel , and during the time it was allowed to remain in his possession he would make tbe best use of it , by proposing to the brethren " The Health of their Worshipful Master , Bro . Henry Thompson . " The brethren ought to feel obliged to him for the second opportunity lie had given them of meeting together to allow those for the

brethren who desired it to progress , and also purpose of initiating three gentlemen who were candidates for admission into their Order . He believed that their W . M . was careful and painstaking in his performance of their ceremonies , and was determined to go through his duties in a manner thafc should demand attention . He was glad to say that he was not a "fast" Master , but was desirous to make a deep impression on the minds of all candidates , aud to deliver

their ritual in a pure form . Ifc was therefore with much pleasure that he proposed the health of the WM . The toast was cordially drunk , accompanied by the usual honours . —The W . MASTEE . thanked Bvo . Smith , P . M . and Treas ., for the flattering terms in which he had proposed his health , and the brethren for the cordial manner in which they had received it , as it was a great satisfaction to him to enjoy their good inion . Their Bro . Smith had said that he was not a "fast "

op Master ; he admitted it ; he was not , ancl never should be . So long as he had the honour to fill the chair in which they had placed him , he would do his best to go through the ceremonies in such a manner as would be calculated to make a lasting impression upon those who listened to them ; and he would never sacrifice any of the time that should be devoted to the lodge for any other purpose , and in this course he should continue . He believed that the duties of Freemasonry were paramount

to any other consideration , and as they ought not to be lightly entered upon , so no part of their ceremonies should be slurred over . He thanked the brethren for the support they had given him by the large number ot members he had had the pleasure of initiating , and he hoped during the remaining period he should preside over them he should give them satisfaction . The W . M . said the next toast he had to propose to them was that of " The Health of their newly-initiated Brethren , " which was

always a very gratifying toast to any Master to propose , when they received amongst them those whom they believed to be worthy of their Order . The three gentlemen whom he hacl that evening the pleasure of initiating , from the careful and attentive manner in which they had passed through the ceremony , he believed would become worthy members of their Craft , and would never forget the great important step they had that evening taken in joining the body of Freemasons .

He hoped they would devote themselves to their duties , so as to qualify themselves for any office they might hereafter be called upon to fill ; and he hoped every brother he had then the honour to address mig ht all arrive at the same position than he then occupied , ancl that he might remain a member of the lodge to see it . The toast was enthusiastically responded to . The newly-initiated brethren severally returned thanks ; and , after one or two other toasts had been given , the brethren

separated at an early hour , highly delighted with the proceedings of the evening . WELLINGTON LODGE ( NO . 548 ) . —On Tuesday , June 14 , this lodge held its regular meeting at the Clarence Arms Tavern , Upper Lewisham-road , Deptford . The lodge was opened by Bros . H . Bagshaw , W . M ., assisted by R . Welsford , P . M . and Treas . ; R . Bentley , P . M . ; A . D . Loewenstark , P . M . ; WakefieldSW . ; BumstedJ . W . and Sec ; GaleJ . D . ; JonesI . G . ;

, . , , , E . Skinner , W . Billington , Carver , West , Greenwood , ancl others . The only ceremony was that of raising Bros . West ancl Greenwood to the sublime degree of Master Mason , which was done by the W . M ., Bro . H . Bagshaw , in an able manner . The entire ceremony was given , including the tracing board . After some discussion ifc was carried that this lodge should meet in future at the Wickham Arms Tavern , Brockley-lanc , Deptford . The business being finished , the brethren sat down to an excellent

cold collation . Visitors—F . Walters , P . M . 73 , 147 , Sec . 871 ; Fiddamau , late 548 . ROYAI . ALFBED LODGE ( No . 780 ) . —This now numerous and flourishing lodge held its sixth annual installation meeting at Star ancl Garter , Kew Bridge , on Friday , the 27 th ult ., when a large number of brethren assembled . Amongst the visitors were—Bros . T . A . Adams , P . G . Purst . ; Lawrence , W . M . 101 ; Todd , P . M . 27 ; Whiteman , P . M . 256 ; Cobham , P . M . 382 ; Cottebrune , P . M . 733 ; Ough , J . W . 749 ; Warber , 55 ; Rougier ,

Metropolitan.

92 ; F . Cox , 101 ; Ash , 179 ; Williams , 382 ; Hallefc , 907 ; and Cross , 831 . The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the last lodge were read and confirmed , and the business proceeded with , the second and third degrees being conferred on several brethren . The ceremony of installation was then proceeded with , ancl performed by Bro . Smith , P . G . Purst . the senior P . M . of this lodge , in his usual talented manner . He was ably assisted by Bros . Adams and Sutton , P . M ., and the latter brother

delivered the address to the brethren in a most impressive manner . Bro . Joseph George , the newly-installed master , then appointed and invested the following brethren officers for the ensuing year , viz .: —Bros . Strange , S . W . ; Laurence , J . W . ; J . Smith , Treas . ; Buss , Sec ; King , S . D . ; Gary , J . D . ; Farquharson , I . G . ; and Huyletfc , Steward . The W . M . then initiated Mr . R . H . Rigarlsford into fche Order , with a degree of precision ancl correctness seldom witnessed on a first occasion of performing

that beautiful ceremony . A vote of ten guineas to the Girls ' School was confirmed ; and upon the motion of Bro . Joseph Smith , P . M . and Treas ., seconded by Bro . Hale , I . P . M . a sum of ten guineas was also voted towards providing a fitting testimonial to be presented to Bro . IT . G . Buss , P . M ., who had acted as Secretary to the lodge from its formation , and to which testimonial the brethren , as a mark of their esteem and regard , had individually contributed . The brethren then repaired to an

excellent banquet , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to ; and the meeting was much enlivened by the vocal abilities of Bros . Laurence , Bassett , May , ancl other brethren .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

ESSEX . COLCHESTER . —Angel Lodge ( No . 51 ) . —At the monthly meeting of this lodge , on Tuesday evening , Bro . Gluckstein , W . M . elect for the ensuing year , was duly installed in that office , the ceremony of installation being ably performed by Bro . Pattison , P . M . The officers of the lodge for the ensuing year were appointed , and invested with their respective badges , as follows : — Bros . Edwin BeanS . W . ; H . DarkenJ . W . ; W . SlaneyP . M .

, , , , Treas . ; W . Williams , P . M ., Sec ; 0 . G . Becker , S . D . ; Gwynn , J . V . ; A . Cobb , I . G . ; J . Coppm , P . M ., unci G . Allen , Stewards ; Witten , Tyler . A unanimous vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Thomas Collier , the I . P . M ., for his successful exertions in the cause of Freemasonry during his year of office . A complimentary acknowledgment to "Bro . Pattison for undertaking the duty of installation was also adopted ; and , after the transaction of some ordinary lodge businessthe members adjourned to the

, supper-table , afc which the newly-installed W . M . presided ; and the remainder of the evening was spent in fraternal harmony . We are happy to learn that an application to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Fund has been successfully made in behalf of Mrs . Dakins , widow of Bro . Septimus Dakins , late of this town , to whom a sum of £ 20 1 ms been voted by the managers of the Fund .

HUNTINGDONSHIRE . IXSTAHATIOS OT TITB DtfXE OE MANCHESTEU AS PaOY . G . M . At the annual grand meeting of the province , held at the Socrates Lodge ( No . 373 ) , Huntingdon , on Wednesday , the 1 st inst ., the Duke of Manchester was , in the presence of a large gathering of brethren from all parts of the province , installed by Bro . Col . R . A . Shafto Adair , Prov . G . M . of

Suffolk , in the office of Provincial Grand Master of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire , rendered vacant by the lamented death of the Marquis of Huntley . At the banquet in the evening , Bro . the Duke of Manchester , responding to " The Health of the Provincial Grand Master , " said : —In former clays , no doubt , there were more important objects connected with the Craft than at present . I believe ifc is generally acknowledged that in its early days Freemasonry

was the means of inculcating not only religion , but also the great truths of science . Happily religion ancl science did not now need the assistance of any secret society . ( Hear , hear . ) But still it occurred to me two or three days ago , with regard to those contradictions , or apparent contradictions , between the facts as related in the sacred writings and the facts as discovered by scientific men , that it would be extremely consistent with the origin of the Craft , if in the lodges discussions on such