Metropolitan.

occasions , such as these summer banquets—the presence of the ladies . The leading feature of the day ' s proceedings was the presentation to Bro . XV . Hamilton , tho Immediate Past Master of the lodge , of a testimonial in the shape of a very handsome and massive silver teapot , as an appropriate mark of the very high esteem in which lie is held b y the members of the lodge , not only in his position as Master , but for his private and domestic virtues ; for whilst the splendid P . M . ' s jewel which the

lodge had presented to him in lodge testified to the excellence of his working and the high opinion the members of the lodge entertained of Bro . Hamilton as their Master in the lodge . The brethren of the lodge felt it a duty incumbent on them , as well as a pleasure and a highly-deserved compliment , which should be paid to their Immediate Past Master , to go beyond their usual course of procedure when an efficient presiding officer has passed through his year of officeand performed

, all his duties with credit to himself and the lodge , and , therefore , the members immediately voted the handsome token of their esteem to Bro . Hamilton should be presented to him at a banquet to be given at the Crystal Palace . The weather was ¦ exceedingly propitious , and tbe grounds of the Palace at Sydenham were never more lovely ; the rosary , with its abundance of different coloured roses , was in the height of its beauty , the unequalled display of multi-tinted flowers arranged in

parterres with exquisite taste , and in the highest style of the landscape gardener's sublime art , was enchanting to the last degree ; the effect was splendid , too , by the brilliant assemblage of the fairest of the fair amongst the beautiful and lovable daughters and ' comely matrons of glorious old England who graced the grounds and Palace upon that occasion . Of the banquet and the providers , or caterers , it would be most unfair , nay cruelto omit expressing what every one felt to be so

, well deserving of entire approval , nay admiration , for the success which attended that part of all the day's proceedings . The dinner , dessert , and wines were respectively of the most choice , nay , of the most recherche description , and served witli the most commendable attention and address , and , however admirably such things used to be done under the old regime , Messrs . Roberts and Bertram , the present contractors to the Crystal Palace Company , deserve still greater praise for the

very admirable and efficient way in which they cater for their patrons , not only be it said in this , but upon every other occasion ; and we know of no more thoroughly enjoyable place for a dinner than the Crystal Palace now is . Let us pass , however , to the jiroceedings of the Yarborough Lodge at their summer ^ banquet . Bro . Can- presided , and performed the duties of the chair in an admirable manner , ably supported by his officers , Bros . Hudson , S . W . ; Clerk , J . W . ; Morley , S . D . ;

Stevens , J . D . ; Prece , I . G . ; and the following Past Masters , viz ., Bros . W . Hamilton , J . Wynne , Treas . ; Kindre , Vasey , See . ; Shaboe , Chap . ; and Middleton . Amongst tbe visitors were Bro . XV . Smith , C . H ., P . M . Nos . 38 and 1 , 142 ( 0 . 1 ST . ) , and S . W . ] S o . 26 ( N . N . ); Stains , aud others ; and Bros . Halfpenny , Mobbs , Brown , Roberts , Green , and other members of the lodge were also present , together with about thirty ladies ; in all about sixty sat down to dinner . After the usual loyal

toasts , and the ordinary or routine toasts were disposed of in the most enthusiastic manner , the AV . M . proposed the toast of the occasion , the health of Bro . Hamilton , P . M ., on his retirement from the chair of the lodge , and in an appropriate and feeling address tendered for his acceptance the beautiful piece of plate which had been unanimously voted by the lodge as a special mark of esteem and regard , wishing him and Mrs . Hamilton long life to enjoy , besides every other advantage

aud good this life can tifford , the use aud enjoyment for many years to come of the silver teapot , and that it might be handed down to their children's children as a memento , which the engraved inscription on it would truthfully convey in the future . Bro . XV . Hamilton returned thanks in a neat and appropriate speech . The toast of " The Visitors , " coupling with it the name of Bro . William Smith , brought Bro . Smith on to his legs to return thanks , which he did iu his usual style

of post prandial eloquence . After sundry other toasts , including that of " The Ladies , " which was proposed and responded to in admirably good taste , the meeting broke up to partake of tea and coffee , and finish a most agreeable ufternoon with a most delightful evening ' s stroll in the grounds . ROVAL ADFBED LODGE ( NO . 780 ) . —This lodge held its meeting at the Star and Garter , Kew Bridge , on Friday , the 22 nd July , when there was as usual a very large assemblage of brethren and many visitors , amongst whom were Bros . Todd ,

Metropolitan.

P . M . 27 ; Payne , P . M . 27 ; Piatt , P . M . 144 ; Elmes , P . M . 177 ; Little , S . W . 975 ; Garden , 22 ; Isenbiel , 23 ; White , 101 ; & c . The business of the lodge consisted of the initiation of two gentlemen into the mysteries of the Order , and of a passing and two raisings , the ceremonies being performed hy Bro . George , W . M ., iu such an impressive manner as to call forth tiie highest encomiums . Business being concluded , the brethren adjourned to banquetafter which the usual toastsboth

, , loyal and Masonic , were duly given and responded to , Bros . Todd and Garden responding on behalf of the visitors , the former facetiously alluding to the pleasure he at all times felt in visiting the lodge , lie being a constant visitor . After some further toasts were given and responded to , the lodge was closed in perfect harmony .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

LANCASHIRE ( EAST ) . PIIESTON . —Concord Lodge ( No . 343 ) . —On the 15 th inst ., a special meeting of the members was held at the King ' s Arms Inn , when about thirty of the brethren sat down to a banquet . The chair ivas occupied by Bro . N . H . Beazley , AV . M ., and the vice-chair by Bro . R . Robinson , S . W . During the evening the W . M ., iu an appropriate speech , presented Bro . M'Glinchy with a beautiful silver snuff-box , supplied by Bro . XV . Brown , P . M .,

silversmith . Cupid is represented , in gilt , standing npon a massive silver ground moving a wheelbarrow , upon which is the silver snuff-box , bearing tbe following inscription : — "Presented to Bvo . John M'Glinchy , P . M ., by the members of tho Concord Lodge of Freemasons ( No . 343 ) , on his removal from Preston , as a sincere token of their respect and esteem . — Preston , 21 st July , 1 SG 4 , —5 SG 4 . " Bro . M'Glinchy acknowledged the gift in feeling terms , and the company afterwards spent a pleasant evening together .

MIDDLESEX . HOUNSLOW . —Dalhousie Lodge ( No . 865 . )—This lodge held a meeting at the Town Hall , Hounslow , on . Wednesday the 20 th inst . There were present the W . M . Bro . J . N . Frost ; Bros . Algernon Perkins , P . G . J . XV . ; J . J . Hartley , P . M . ; Richards , S . W . ; Edward Keogh , J . W . ; Pellatt , S . D . ; Hopwood , J . D . ; Hedges , I . G . ; Holloway , D . C . ; Walmisley , Golding , Bingham , Daly , Jones , Alfred Jupp , Thomason , Briggs , Albert Day ,

Donald King , Simms , and several other brethren . They were also present as visitors , Bro . Creech , of the Camden Lodge , and several others . The chair was taken by the W . M . at 4 . 30 ; and Bros . Daly , Jones , and Alfred Jupp , after undergoing tho usual examination , were raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason , the beautiful ceremony of raising having been done by the W . M . in a most able and impressive manner . All Masonic business having been concludedand the lodge closedat

half-, , past six o ' clock the brethren sat down to an excellent banquet in the large room of the Town Hall , supplied by Bro . Lewis of the Red Lion , the chair being taken by the W . M ., Bro . Frost , supported by Bros . Richards , S . W . ; Keogh , J . W ., and Hardy , P . M . After doing ample justice to tho excellent viands which graced the festive board , and after the usual loyal and Masonic

toasts , and some delightful songs by Bro . Donald King , Golding , Pellatt , Daly , and Stacey , the brethren separated at a quarter to ten o'clock , to enable those who were returning towards London to meet the last up train . The " Health of the Founders of the Lodge , " ( namely Bros . Hardy , Gilbard , Willett , Thomason , Pellatt , Fan-ant , and Staceyl , coupled with the names of Bros , Hardy and Thomason , elicited some excellent observations from those brethren , in which they congratulated

the members of the lodge upon its extraordinary success in the short period of three years from its consecration , when it commenced with only seven members and now numbers upwards of seventy , there having been no less than sixty-five gentlemen initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry It is proposed to form a Lodge of Instruction , under a warrant from the Worshipful Master of the lodge , and to be called the Dalhousie Lodge of Instructionto meet once a week at the

, Red Lion , Hounslow . The establishment of a Masonic Lodge of Instruction at Hounslow will be a great boon to members of the Craft residing in that neighbourhood , and as it will , of course , be accessible to every Mason , whatever lodge he maybelong to , it is earnestly hoped that it will be attended and supported by all Freemasons in the locality and surrounding-