Metropolitan

down to a splendid banquet ; and on the removal of the cloth , after the usual Masonic toasts , the W . M . took occasion , on proposing the health of Bro . Weaver , to congratulate the Lodge , and express their thanks to him for the efficient manner in which he had so successfully discharged the duties during his year of office , having initiated in the three Degrees no fewer than thirty Brethren , which , together with those Brethrehi who had joined , made a Lodge within a

twelvemonth of forty-three members . Too much credit cannot be given to the D . Prov . G . M . Gooch , whose zeal in the cause of Masonry is so well known , for the great attention and kindness he has ever shown since his connection with the province , for previous to the appointment of Lord Methuen as Prov . G . M ., and himself as D . Prov . G . M ., " Masonry was but imperfectly known in the county ; now the case is widely different , four new Lodges having been consecrated by

them , and the Craft trebled by their united exertions . To Bro . Burt , the newlyinstalled Master , it must be a source of very great pleasure and gratification to see the great progress Masonry' is making in that town , as it was through his instrumentality and perseverance the warrant was first applied for and obtained . Amongst the company present we noticed Bros . Ladd Will , No . 909 ; Tyrrell ; Lloyd , P . Supt . of Works of Bristol ; and Biggs , P . M . No . 247 ; also members of this Lodge , which bids fair to rival any in the Craft .

WOBCESTEBSHIBE . Dudley . —Harmonic Lodge ( No . 313 ) . —This Lodge was opened by Bro . W * Maresfield , P . M ., in the absence from illness of the Rev . T . W . Herbert , MA . W . M . Bro . B . Evanswas passed to the degree of Fellow Craft . Royal Standard ( No . 730 ) . —At the April meeting of this Lodge , two Brethren were passed to the Degree of B . C ., and a joining Brother admitted . Fourteen Brethren sat down afterwards to the customary supper .

The , Vernon Lodge ( No . 819 ) , was again honoured with the presence of the Right Worshipful Prov . G . M . Bro . H . C . Vernon , who was accompanied by the Prov . Grand Treasurer . Lodge was opened precisely at the hour named , by Bro . the Rev . A . G . Davies , M . A . ( P . M . 730 , and P . G . C . ) , W . M . ; immediately after which , the B . W . P . G . M . was announced , and received with the usual and hearty salutations of the Brethren present . Having been offered and accepted the chair , sundry ordinary business was gone through , after which the Rev . W . M . raised a

Brother to the Sublime Degree of M . M ., and passed another to the degree of F . C . B . W . P . G . M . then rose to express his great gratification at the admirable manner in which the W . M . had performed the ceremonies . He had come once in order to witness the work in the 3 rd Degree , and could not but congratulate the Lodge upon procuring a W . M . who could so admirably discharge his onerous duties . His warmest thanks were clue to him , as also to the whole of the officers , for the strong support they rendered their W . M . ; and his thanks likewise were

due to them and * , the Brethren , for the kind and Masonic manner in which they had received him . He alluded to an interesting event which was to come off in May , namely , the lajdng the foundation-stone of some schools at Great Malvern , by the Lady Emily Foley , assisted by himself . For other than educational purposes he should not have asked them to assist , but Masonry was so peculiarly allied to educational progress , that being nearly the sole end and aim of the science , that he felt bound to take part in it , and to do so with Masonic honours . He most

cordially invited the W . M ., Gfficers , and Brethren of the Vernon Lodge , to attend the Prov . G . Lodge of Emergency at Worcester , and afterwards to accompany him , in full Masonic costume , to the selected site . JEe hoped that there would be a good attendance , publicly to show the world the great interest always evinced by Masons for the extending to the widest limits that great and glorious intellect given by an Ail-wise Creator to His creature , Man " . Due notice of the arrangements would be given by the Prov . Grand Sec .

Wououstee . —A Prov . Grand Lodge of Emergency was held in this city on the 20 th March , for the purpose of considering a proposition of the B . W . Prov . G . M ., respecting the distribution of P . G . Lodge expenses over the whole of the Lodges