Metropolitan.

who was P . M . of a very noted lodge , and Secretary to the Boys ' School , in which office his duties were of the highest advantage to the Craft . He called upon the brethren to drink the health of the visitors , and they would have great pleasure in seeing them again . —Bro . BIXCEES , in responding to the toast , said he had a lively and agreeable recollection of his previous visit to the Fitzroy Lodge , which lived in his -memory , and which that evening had tended to revive . He did not hesitate to say that although not a

soldier himself , he had received a soldier's welcome , and never had he been received with a warmer or more friendly feeling than he had been amongst the members of the Fitzroy Lodge . The W . M . had alluded to his office as Secretary of the Boys' School , and as the members of the Fitzroy Lodge had done good suit and service to it , he did not think it would be unwarrantable on his part if he offered a few observations on behalf the Institution with which he was connected . When he looked around him he saw Bro . Peter

Matthews , who , as a Mason , was always doing good . To-day he found him at the Boys' School , to-morrow supporting the Girls ' , or some other of their great Charities , and the committees had expressed their gratitude to him for the services he had rendered to the school with which he ( Bro . Binckes ) was more immediately connected . As to their Charities , they formed the real beauty of Freemasonryand were of special importance at the present time

, , when those of the outer world were always ready to fling a stone at them in respect to their gatherings at the social board , but they might simply answer all such attacks upon them by pointing to their three noble institutions , which clothed , educated , and maintained the children of both sexes , and supported the aged members of their body , when , by age or infirmity , they were unable to help themselves . With regard to the Institution for Aged Freemasons

, that used to be in difficulties ; but it had now recovered from them , and the Secretary had told him that for the last three years an annual sum of £ 4 , 000 had been derived from the voluntary subscriptions of the Craft . The Girls' School had enjoyed a large share of prosperity , and the support it received from year to year was a matter of pride and gratitude to all

who were connected with that Institution , but the Boys ' school had difficulties to contend with , for until the last five years , it had no local habitation , and the children had to be provided for at their own homes . A few years ago the subject was brought under the consideration of the . committee , to obtain a home for the children where they could be educated , clothed , and maintained , as had been already done for the children in the girls' school . That institution was practically a new oneand as there were difficulties

, which the committee had grappled with , he thought that that ought to secure for them the sympathy and co-operation of the Craft generally . He was about to outer on a crusade in London and the provinces to obtain the direct support of the Craft for that school , which was in need of support . He pleaded most earnestly to them that this lodge , which was distinguished for the rank and munificence of its members , would not withhold its support from

the Boys' School at the festival in March next , but that he should be favoured with the name of some member of it who would act as steward on that occasion . They last year sold out £ 1000 of their stock , but he hoped in the next year they would not only be able to meet their current expenses , but to replace that £ 1000 which had been sold out . Next week he was going into the provinces , and he should not wish to see the cold shoulder given to the Boys' School , while they supported the other charities . He should be also sorry to see the provinces support their institution and the London brethren to

stand aloof . While urging the interests of that valuable institution , trusting it would not suffer in his hands , he urged on the brethren the claims of all their institutions , as he had no desire to see one prosper at the expense of the other , though advocating the cause of that charity with which he was more intimately connected . Having said so much , he returned , on the part of the visitors , their sincere aud grateful thanks for the very handsome reception they had met withand he was sure that every one would feel desirous of

, having an opportunity of renewing that acquaintance , and although they had come amongst them as Masons , they had received a soldier ' s welcome . At head-quarters it was sometimes rough , but that night had been to them one of unmixed pleasure . By the recruits to the lodge , and the conduct of its members , long might they maintain its ancient prestige , and by adapting the new improvements in implements of warfare , with attention to their duties , mi

ght they go on and prosper and add to their bright renown . Adopting the motto of the corps , "Finis coronal opus" he said , "May the end crown the work , " and in the unanimous feeling of the members , convert every one into a personal friend to each other . He concluded by sincerely thanking the lodge for the honour conferred on them . —The W . M ., after a few observations , proposed " The Health of P . M . ' s Bros . Matthews and Eglese , " who had done good service to the lodge as Treasurer and Secretary . —Bro . MATTHEWS , P . M ., said he felt honoured by that continued mark of respect which they had been pleased to pay to

Metropolitan.

the P . M . ' s of the lodge . He expressed his gratification at seeing Bro . Field amongst them , as in a private conversation he recollected Bro . Field expressing his regret that there was no fund for the aged and decayed members of the Artillery Company , some fund upon which they should fill back in their declining years , by which they could be rendered happy and comfortable . Now Masonry , if misfortune should overtake themdid take care of themin tbe decline

, of life , but he trusted they would never want such a homo either for their children or themselves . In the support of their noble institutions that lodge was second to none in the Craft , as they lived in their hearts . Having expressed his gratitude to the visitors for their presence that evening , he thanked tho brethren for the honour conferred upon him . —Bro . EGLESE , P . M .. and Secretary , said , as tho W . M . had referred to the Past Masters of the lod they were most

ge , anxious to see its prosperity . It was the one tiling needful in the-Artillery Company , as in it they r met at the social board , when they became better acquainted aud more firmly cemented together . As-Secretary of the lodge his desire was to please and to deserve their good opinion . They would perhaps excuse him if he made a few further observations in regard to Bro . Miller , in consequence of the remarks which had fallen from the W . M . in reference to aged and

decayed Masons , and they had much reason to boast of them . There was a brother present who had taken the pains to see Bro . Miller ,, and had made an observation to him as to the propriety of his applying to his mother lodge . He informed him that he had done so , and that the necessary documents would be submitted to the Board of Benevolence . It was their duty to render assistance to their fellow creaturesand it was with that view that he made these

few-, observations , in the hope that they might have that tendency . He thanked them for the maimer in which they had received him as Secretary of the lodge . —The W . M . gave " The Officers of the Lodge , " for which Bro . May , S . W ., returned thanks . The Tyler ' s toast brought a most agreeable meeting to a close , it having been diversified by songs from Bro . Maddick and other brethren .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

CUMBERLAND . WIIITEUAVEX . —Lewis Lodge ( No . 1174 . )—On the 18 th inst ., this new and prosperous lodge was opened at the Freemasons' Tavern , by the W . M ., Bro . Davies , assisted by the officers of the lodge and a good number of members and several visitors . Mr . Harris was initiated , and Bro . C . Moreton passed to the second degree in a very impressive manner by the W . M ., who also explained the working

tools and delivered the charge . Several new members were proposed for initiation , and some for joining , and other business transacted , part of which was that a Lodge of Instruction be formed to meet every Wednesday at 7 . 30 under the sanction of this lodge . At refreshment the W . M . proposed the health of the visitors coupling the names of Bro . C . J . Banister , P . M ., who responded , and proposed success to the Lewis Lodge ( No . 1174 ) , and long life and happiness to the W . M . and its officers . The W . M . responded in feeling terms and the brethren separated at 11 o'clock .

DURHAM : HARTLEPOOL . —St . Helen ' s Lodge ( No . 774 ) . —k Master ' s Lodge was held on Thursday sennight , when the following officers and brethren were present . Jas . Groves , W . M . ; S . Armstrong , P . M . ; Actg . J . W . ; H . A . Hammerborii , P . M . 774 and 125 , and P . Prov . G . D . C . ; Gatton , S . W . ; Swiright , J . D . ; Donald , Actg . I . G . ; J . E .

Holmes , Actg . Sec , and Mowbray , Tyler . At the last ordinary meeting of the lodge , which had been held for the election of W . M ., Treasurer , and Tyler , Bro . Jas . Groves , who has been one of the most popular officers of the lodge , was almost unanimously reelected as W . M ., and Bros . S . Armstrong , P . M ., and Mowbray , were respectively re-elected as Treas . and Tyler for the ensuing year . The lodge was first opened in the first degree with solemn prayer , when the minutes of the last Master ' s Lodge were read by the Aetg .

Sec ., but having been previously confirmed , were no further commented upon . The W . M . stated that he had heard from Bro . Bannister , respecting certain charities , but the communication would be formally laid before the meeting . Bro . Hammerborn then gave a lecture on the tracing-board in the first degree , in which he expatiated at some length on the exquisite beauties and glorious moral teachings of Freemasonry . The lodge was then raised to the second degree , and afterwards to the third degree , when , business

being ended , it was closed down to the first degree . Certain charitable propositions were made and entertained for the relief of a suffering brother , and labours being ended , lodge was finally closed