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from its associations been included in the toast , Bro . W . Beach , P . M ., returned thanks , and expressed a hope that when many of those he saw present had completed their academical studies and left Oxford , they would enrol themselves in No . 10 , where they would meet with old friends , and continue those associations so happily commenced in the Alfred and Apollo Lodges .

Several other toasts having been drunk , the proceedings were brought to a close ; the harmony of the evening having been much enhanced by the exertions of Bros . Ransford , Elvey , and others . Nuin-eham . —Churchill Lodge ( No . 702 ) . —At the last meeting of this Lodge , the excellent Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Lincoln was elected W . M . for the ensuing year . He will be installed on the 4 th instant .

SOMERSETSHIRE

Bath . —Royal Sussex Lodge ( No . 61 ) . —This Lodge held its concluding meeting for the winter season , on Monday , April 7 , at Bro . Amery ' s Hotel . The W . M ., Bro . Dr . Tunstall , presided , and presented his report as Treasurer ; he congratulated the Brethren on the flourishing state of the Lodge , which now consists of twenty members , with all dues paid , and no arrears from Brethren . Upon the W . M . reading the Quarterly Communication for December , several Brethren

complained of its not having been received until after the March Grand Lodge had been held , and the W . M . was directed to address a letter to the ~ Grand Secretary to complain of a delay which virtually excluded the provinces from a knowledge of the business before Grand Lodge . After some routine business , and propositions of joining members , the Lodge adjourned to November next . [ The Somersetshire Brethren need not be surprised at the delay . A short time since the communications were five quarters in arrear . ]

Huotspill . —Rural Philanthropic Lodge ( No . 367 ) . —The W . M ., Bro . W . Harwood , of this Lodge , at its monthly meeting on Friday , in his usual eloquent manner , initiated two gentlemen into the mysteries of Freemasonry , and passed one Brother to the 2 nd Degree . This Lodge bids fair to be one of the very first ( both in numbers and in the manner in which the work is conducted ) , in the province of Somerset . There are three candidates for initiation at the next Lodge meeting . ST AFFORD SHIRE . Tipton . —Noah ' s Ark Lodge ( No . 43 o ) . —Thirty members and visitors attended the usual meeting of this Lodge , which was held at the Navigation Inn , on Friday , March 18 , when Bro . Howells , W . M ., passed Bro . Groucutt , ironmaster , Bilston , to the 2 nd Degree , and gave the usual explanation of the Tracing-board . Amongst the visitors present were the Rev . Bro . Downes , D . Prov . G . Chap . ; Bros . James ,

P . M ., No . 786 , and Prov . G . D . C . ; Dennison , P . M ., No . 730 , and Prov . G . S . D ., Worcestershire ; Patterson , P . M ., No . 313 ; Robinson , W . M ., No . 786 ; Jeavons , S . W ., No . 960 ; Corke , S . W ., No . 607 ; King , I . G ., No . 607 ; Jackson and Cotterell , No . 960 . During the course of the evening , Rev . Bro . Downes was congratulated by the Brethren on his recent appointment as D . Prov . G . Chap ., and made a suitable acknowledgment .

Walsall . —Lodge of St . Matthew ( No . 786 ) . — The installation of the W . M . of this Lodge took place on Wednesday , April 2 , when Bro . Frank James , the retiring W . M ., completed a prosperous year of office by raising two Brethren and passing three , and afterwards installed his successor , Bro . John B . Robinson . The R . W . Bro . Col . Vernon , Prov . G . M . for Staffordshire , was present , and

expressed his approval of the manner in which the affairs of the Lodge continue to be conducted , and complimented Bro . Frank James on the efficiency he had manifested in discharging the duties of his office . He informed the Brethren , that in consequence of the retirement of the Rev . Bro . Wright from the province , he had appointed the Rev . Bro . Gwynne , Prov . S . G . Chap . ; and the Rev . Bro .

Downes , a member of this Lodge , Prov . J . G . Chap . ; which announcement was received with great satisfaction . A P . M . ' s jewel was voted to Bro . Frank James , and a Treasurer ' s jewel to Bro . William Totty , who has been Treasurer to the Lodge for seven years .