Metropolitan.

the third , twenty . Hfe had attended their meetings , and worked With the same love and harmony up to the present moment ; and nobly did he sustain the duties of the chair and the renown of the Lodge , when presiding over eighty-six Brethren at the anniversary of the 18 th of June . He might remind the Brethren that Bro * Adams did not reside in the immediate vicinity of their Lodge like many of its members , but had to come a distance of nearly four miles . He assured Bro . Adams that the Lodge would ever look upon the gift of that evening with pro *

found admiration , as they did upon that beautifully-written warrant from the Grand Lodge of England , the production and gift of their revered Bro . P . M « Webster , who had been taken from among them , and ( Bro . Hazard continued ) , " when time on earth shall be no more to you , my Brother , this portrait will ever call to mind your excellent qualities as a Mason—Brotherly love , relief , and truth ; and , finally , I say , in the name and behalf of the Lodge , that when you shall be summoned from this sublunary abode , may you ascend to the Grand Lodge above , where the world ' s Great Architect lives and reigns for ever . "

Bro . Adams assured Bros . Pitt and Hazard how sensible he was of the kind terms in which they had been pleased to speak of him . He assured the Brethren that he highly appreciated the brotherly feeling with which his portrait had been welcomed ; neither was he insensible to the kindly manner in w hich they had received the observations addressed to them on its presentation . ' The Brethren were aware of his sentiments towards them , of which , the presentation of his portrait this evening was a humble yet sincere testimony . Of their affection he

had received many proofs , as observed by Bro . Hazard ; witness the beautiful and costly jewel and snuff-box which he was proud to wear and to display !—the splendid testimonial written on vellum , which adorned his dining-room . Let any one look at those testimonials , and many , very many had seen and admired them and they would feel that he ought to love the St . John ' s Lodge ; not on account of the actual value of its gifts , which was as nothing to him , but on account of the

proofs they had given him of the high estimation in which they held him . He trusted that as long as the Great Architect of the Universe should be pleased to spare him , he should ever have a grateful recollection of all their kindnesses;—> trusting the testimonial to their fraternal care , he was sure that , when he should he taken from among them , they would look upon that portrait with affectionate regard , as a memento of a highly-esteemed and departed Brother .

The Lodge having been closed , the Brethren adjourned to the banquet , which it is but just to the new proprietor of the tavern , Mr . Thomas Dale , to state , was exceedingly liberal and handsome ; the wines were excellent , We regard it as an earnest of the style in which future banquets will he served . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , Bro . Adams rose and said , that the W . M . had intrusted him with his gavel for a few minutes ; he therefore called upon them to charge the glasses , —doubtless they anticipated the toast he was about to

propose , namely , then * "W . M . Bro . Samuel Aldrich / ' than whom he knew of no Brother who had held that honourahle position , more entitled to their esteem ; and sure he was that the toast would be responded to in a corresponding spirit . He need not dwell upon their excellent Brother ' s merits , because they were well known to them all , Masonically and privately , of which the honourable position he then held was the best evidence ; in honouring him they honoured themselves . He had initiated many gentlemen into Freemasonry , —more , as the records of the

Lodge would bear witness , during the term of office , than three or four Masters put together , —scientific gentlemen , gentlemen learned in the law , and gentlemen engaged in respectable and lucrative occupations . The masterly way in which he performed the several ceremonies entitled him to their highest encomiums ; and his courteous deportment on all occasions , as well as the kind manner in which he presided over them , had , he knew , endeared him to them all . 2 STor was he less

respected by the Graft generally , for those Brethren who did not know him personally , respected him by repute , as a proof of which , he had been unanimously elected by the Grand Lodge of England as one of the committee of management of our Benevolent Institution , and he was sure that a more fitting member of the Craft could not have been selected , for he was one whose energies were sure to be exerted in maturing and developing the means and the usefulness of that excellent