Metropolitan.

the W . M . said that as necessary were good working Masons to support tbe Master , as thoroughly efficient officers were to aid the Commanders of Volunteer corps , and to perfect the grand cause in which most of them laboured . He could refer with pride to his officers , his Senior Warden Bro . Grmnbridge having not only worked his mother lodge well as its Master , but his Lodge of Instruction , too , as Lecture Master . His Junior Warden , Bro . Compton , was an indefatigable Masonand a good workeras were

, , the whole of the assistant officers , and he was indeed honoured by having such Masons with him—Masons who would at once establish the reputation of the Tower Hamlets Engineers' Lodge . Bro . GEUMBMDGE ( P . M . 63 ) , S . W ., and Bro . CMIPTON ( S . W . 63 ) , J . W ., responded to the toast , and assured the brethren that they were determined to discharge their duty to the lodge , considering it an honour to be ranged under its banner , and to hold the offices that had been entrusted to them .

The last toast having been given , the brethren separated , having spent one of the most pleasant Masonic days that had for a long time fallen to their lot . Bro . SAQUI and his talented vocalists enlivened the evening by singing some appropriate and soul-stirring airs .

SOMERSET HOUSE AXD INVEKNESS LODGE ( NO . 4 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Monday last , for the purpose of installing the W . M . elect , Bro . Ede , when it was discovered the business could not be proceeded with , he being the Master of another lodge . The confirmation of that portion of the minutes relating to the election was therefore adjourned until the next meeting , thai a dispensation may be applied for in the meantime . There is no real ground for granting the dispensation , and it will be a departure from the usual course to do so .

KINGS AMIS LODGE ( No . 30 ) . —At the meeting of this lodge on Monday evening , Mr . Russell , the Master of the Boys' School , was initiated into the Order . LODGE OF PEEDEXT BEETHKEN ( No . 169 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday last , Bro . Graygoose , W . M ., presiding , when Mr . Waddle was intiated into the order , and Bros . J . H . Gaball and J . W . Adams elected joining menmbers .

LODGE OE SIXCEEITY ( No . 203 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge took place at Bro . Wright ' s , Cheshire Cheese , Crutched Friars , on Wednesday , 19 th Feb ., and was attended by a large number of brethren . The lodge was opened with solemn prayer in the first and second degrees , by the newly installed Master , Bro . Candler . Bros . Steel , and Thomas were passed to the second degree , the lodge was then resumed to the first degree , and Messrs . V . Belcher , Capt . Wichbold , and J .

Jonas were initiated into the mysteries of the Order . The W . M . ( for the first time ) going through the whole of the ceremonies most excellently . The lodge being closed , the brethren proceeded to the banquet , provided by the worthy host , Bro . Wright , on his usual liberal scale , evidently evincing his opinion that Masons should eat as well as work . After the usual toasts were responded to , some excellent songs were elicited from several of the brethren , a most convivial evening was spent , and the brethren separated at an early hour .

LODGE OF ISEAEL ( NO . 247 . )—This lodge held their regular meeting at the London Coffee-house , on Tuesday , the 18 th inst ., Bro . L . Engel presiding , supported by Bros . A . M . Cohen , T . Saqui , and T . E . Ladd , P . M . ' s ; also by H . J . Lyon , S . W . ; Simeon Harris , J . W . ; J . Bernard , S . D . ; J . M . Harris , J . D . ; and S . Phillips , I . G . The lodge being opened in due form , the minutes of the former meeting were read , and received confirmation , after which Bro . Marks was passed to the second

degree . This was followed by Bro . Bowes being introduced , and raised to the third degree , the ceremony being most perfectly and effectively performed by the "W . M . The business of the lodge ended , the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , when the W . M . gave the loyal and Masonic toasts , which were received with the usual amount of enthusiasm . —Bro . T . E . LADD said that he was extremely gratified with the way in which the working of the lodge was carried out by the W . M .,

for though a young Mason , he had never experienced a greater treat than in witnessing the excellent working of the W . M ., who had performed the duties in a manner to afford instruction to many Presiding Masters . It was not long since Bro . Engel had been placed at the head of the lodge , but from the great ability he had shown , the lodge would not lose any of its prestige during the present year , either from its working , or the way in which the authority of the chair was exercised . He was sure

Metropolitan.

they would unite with him in drinking ' The health of the W . M ., " who responded to the toast in a very neat speech , aud in conclusion proposed " The Health of the P . M . 's , " coupling with it the name of Bro . Saqui , to whom he owed a vast debt of gratitude for his able tuition and assistance , he having been his only Masonic instructor . —Bro . SAQTTC , inresponding to the toast , said that he felt highly flattered at the kind feeling of the AVMand also at the cordialitwith which those remarks had

.., y been received by every brother present . It was highly pleasing to him at all times , whenever called upon , to afford Masonic instruction ; impressing upon those brethren seeking Masonic knowledge , that it was only from those who are capable of giving instruction they could expect properly to receive it , and if he had "been the means of qualifying various brethren to perform their Masonic duties , he had only done that which , as a Mason , he was

imperatively called upon to perform . The various ceremonies were much enhanced by the introduction of an harmonium , at which Bro . Saqui presided . CITY OF LONDON LODGE ( NO . 1203 ) . —This lodge met on Monday , 17 th inst ., at the City of London Freemason ' s Club , 23 , Little Bell-alley , Moorgate-street . The members present were : —Bros . Chas . Southall , W . M . ; E . Sisson , S . W . ; T . G .

Collier , J . W . ; S . Osmond , S . D . ; J . H . Wynne , W . Southall , A . Weissenburgher , A . Higgs , Sleaman , Leon , Gaskell , Maas , Case , Bloomenthal , Goode , and several visitors . Messrs . E . Salisbury , J . Walker , C . Belcher , Upfield Green , and T . Nuthmon were balloted for and initiated . Bro . Maas having very ably passed the usual examinations , received the second degree , and Bro . Leon was afterwards raised to the degree of M . M . The whole of the ceremonies were performed most effectively by the W . M ., and all the officers of the lodge proved themselves well up to their work .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

HAMPSHIRE . SOT / MIAIIPTON LODGE ( NO . 551 ) . —PKESEOTATION OF A TESTIMONIAL TO BEO . RANKIN SCEBBIXG . This lodge met on Thursday , 20 th ult ., to celebrate the Festival of St . John , when Bro . Wm . Hickman , the immediate P . M ., was again installed as W . M . for the ensuing year , the ceremony being performed by Bro . Stebbing . Amongst the

brethren present were Adm . Sir Lucius Curtis , Bart ., Prov . G . M . ; Chas . Ewens Deacon , D . Prov . G . M . ; Bro . John Hay ward , P . M . 401 , Past Prov . S . G . Warden ; Bro . Fred Perkins , P . M . 152 , Mayor of Southampton ; Bro . J . R . Weston , ex-sheriff , P . M . 462 ; Bro . Dr . Henry Clark ; C . Bromley ; G . Martin ; G . Luuiley , P . M . of the lodge ; Bro . Josiah George , Mayor of Romsey ; Rev . W . S . Oke ; Rev . Bro . Hawkins ; Rev . Dr ' Bradshaw ( W . M . 401 ); and several other membera and visitors .

The following officers were invested : —Bros . Wm . Furber , S . W . ; J . George , J . W . ; Dr . Clark , Treas . ; G . Dymott , Sec ; Rev . Oke , Chaplain . The brethren having adjourned from labour to refreshment , about thirty sat down to a splendid banquet , supplied by Bro . Brixey , and an evening of great enjoyment passed . The usual loyal and masonic toasts having been given , The W . M . proposed the health of Bro . P . 'M . Stebbing , referring to his long aud valuable services to the lodge aud to masonry

generally ; his readiness at all times to perforin any of the ceremonies and do any good work for masonry . He was their mainstay and guide in all masonic labour , and they were proud to acknowledge it ; not only so , but they wished to give a substantial form to their estimation of his services and strong personal friendship , and begged his acceptance of a brief and expressive address , written on vellum , and signed by every member of the lodge , and a P . M's jewel and silver salver , with similar words engraved thereon .

To the Worshipful Brother , JOSEPH RANKIN STEBEING , fP . M . No . 555 , and also P . M . of No . 152 , No . 462 , and No , 10 S , Vice-President of the Board of General Purposes ; P . Prov . S . G . W . of Hampshire ; & c . & C & c . ;

We , the W . M ., officers , and brethren of the Southampton Lodge ( No . 555 ) of Free and Accepted Masons , beg to present you with a P . M . ' s jewel and silver salver , as a testimonial of the kind