Metropolitan.

and Sec : that from that tune the lodge had flourished , and although tha number of its members was to be limited that restricted number was fast rilling up : that the AA . M . had performed the duties of his office , not simply with satisfaction to the lodge ancl the visiting brethren , but in a stylo which was superior to the ordinary working of the W . M . ' s -. that the officers he had chosen were perfect in their parts , ami careful to display that perfection : and , that the lodi-e had ,

from the excellent management of its officers , considerable funds in hand , and would shortly ba represented at all the Charities . In the course of the evening tho W . Mrsang tho "E . A . " song , and Bro . Finch the "Installation" song . Other songs were also given , and a very pleasant evening was spent . The cordiality with which the visitors were welcomed deserves special mention . Among the brethren present were Bros . AVrenn , AA . M . ; Pendlebury , S . AV . ; W . Turner , J . W . ; Roberts , Ulysses Latreille , F . Y . Latreille , Adams , Robottom ( Sec . ) ; and visitors—Finch , P . M . 217 ; Ravnor , P . M . 217 ; Gilchrist , Saqui , Bristo , S 60 ; and Crouch , 860 .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

DERBYSHIRE . DEBUT . —Arboretum Lodge ( No . 731 ) . —Tlie monthly meeting of this nourishing lodge was held at Bro . AVilliamsou ' s , Arboretum Hotel , on Wednesday , the 14 th ult ., Bro . H . Carson , AA ' . M ., presiding . The first business was to elect a W . M . for the ensuing year , when the choice of the brethren unanimously fell upon Bro . Joseph Clayton , S . AA " ., who returned thanks to the members for the honour they had conferred

upon him . Bros . Merry and Swan , who had been initiated by tbe W . M . at the previous lodge into the mysteries of Freemasonry , were this evening passed to the second or Fellow Craft degree , the impressive ceremony being performed by Bro . II . Carson , W . M . Some other business having been disposed of , the lodge was closed . The anniversary of the lodge , and installation of the W . M . elect , will take place on AA ednesday afternoon , the 14 th March , when a large attendance of the Craft is expected . The lodge now numbers eighty members .

DEVONSHIRE . PLYMOUTH . —NEW MASONIC HAM ,. —A short time since Bro . Isaac AVatts , P . M . ( of tbe Globe Hotel ) , purchased the residence of the late Mr . Bishop , in Princes Place , opposite the Devon and Cornwall Hospital . He stated at the banquet at Devonport on Thursday last , that he had purchased it at the suggestion of Bro . Rodda , P . M ., & e ., and that he intended to place the house at the disposal of the Freemasons of Plymouth for a Masonic

Hall . We should state that Mr . Bishop had erected in the rear of , but in direct communication with the house a handsome picture gallery , which will be readily adaptable for all the business purposes of a lodge with scarcely any outlay of money . There are also , immediately contiguous to this large hail , rooms that will be available for Masonic purposes , so that if the building had been erected for the purpose it would not be more suitable than it is . When the Prov . G . M ., Bro . the Rev . John

Hnyshe , was here last week , ho visited the gallery , along with Bro . Dennis Moore , P . G . Sec , and expressed his gratification at the Masonic body having a place in all respects so eligible for their purpose . It is proposed to hold the meetings of several lodges in this hall . There is only one lodge in the three towns which now holds its meeting at a public house , and the question of its removal from Stonehouso to Plymouth into the Masonic Hallis now under consideration . The lodto which we refer

, ge Fortitucle , No . 105 , which was originally a Ply mouth lodge . It was formerly field at the Prince George , iu Vauxlmll-stveefc—a place which is now in tho sere and yellow leaf , but which in its pristine clays was honoured by having initiated within its walls the then duke of Clarence , afterwards William the Fourth , and many of the most respected of our oldest tradesmen . So in bringing Fortitude back to Plymouth , the lodge will only

return to the place to which it at one time belonged , and there will , in Lodge Sincerity , be still left a thriving and excellent lodge in Stonehouso . So completely has Bro . Watts dedicated his purchase to the Masonic body , that he refused a very large offer of profit on his purchase , and the brethren by their arrangements will be able in a few years to save enough money , by setting apart the balance of their present rentals , to purchase the fee simple of the property . If the plan be carried out , as

we doubt not it will be , the Freemasons of Plymouth will have one of the finest , largest , and most convenient buildings in the west of England , ancl all the lodges will meet in private rooms ancl halls .

HAMPSHIRE . LYXis & nox . —New Forest Lodge ( No . 319 ) . —On the 13 th ult . the officers and brethren of this lodge held their monthly meeting at their hall in Quay-street . There was a very large attendance of the brethren , including miny distinguished visitors from Southampton and the neighbourhood . The ceremonies were performed by Bro . Stebbing , W . M ., the Grand Senior Deacon of landiu a impressive and able manner

Eng , very , assisted by Bro . the Rev . Dr . Bradshaw , Prov . G . Cliap . ; and Bros . AVeston aud Milner , P . M . ' s . A presentation from the lodge of a P . M . ' s jewel was made by the W . M . to Bro . Webb , P . M ., as an acknowledgment of that brother ' s great services to Masonvyin general ancl the Now Forest Lodge in particular . A very striking and eloquent address on the progress of Masonic principles in India was delivered in lodge by the visiting brother , Sir

Manockjee Cursetjee , one of her Majesty ' s Indian judges , a distinguished Parseo , and the D . Prov . G . Master of AVestern India . At the close of the lodge ohe brethren adjourned to a banquet provided for the occasion , and an evening long to be remembered for its truly Masonic enjoyment was spent by the brethren . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , Bro . the Rev . B . Maturin , P . Prov . G . Chap , of the Isle of

Wight-, proposed , " Our Poorer Brethren , " in a very eloquent speech . Bro . Stebbing , W . M ., afterwards alluded to the presentation made in the lodge to Bro . AVebb , P . M ., whom he characterised as one of the best Masons lie ever had the privilege of knowing . In the wide-spread institution of Masonry there were necessarily men af all shades of opinion , but there stood out prominently in the Masonic character the recognition of the

labours , the oharacter , ancl the conduct of those who devoted their lives to . tho advancement and to the practice of those principles which it was only necessary to know in order to admire ( hear ) . The habits of Bro . AVebb were such as to make him a happy and comfortable man even before the lig ht of Masonry shone on his path , but when he joined the Order the talents and tastes he possessed were led into a channel more wide aud diffusive of good than they could have been under other circumstances . His brethren had not been unmindful of the advantage which he had taken of this extended sphere of usefulness , and to what account he had turned the talent with which he was blessed .

and so they had presented him with the jewel which he had now the honour of wearing , as an expression of their feeling that it was not always those who made themselves most conspicuous that did the most good , but they who did good by stealth , and Hushed to find it fame , were as successful as any in discharging aright the duties devolving upon them as men and as brothers . ( Hear , hear . ) He concluded a speech in which the advantages of Masonry were lucidly pointed out audits aims inculcated , by

wishing Bro . AVebb a long life , and that he might continue an example to his brethren in the Order of which he was so conspicuous a member . Bro . AA ' ebb in returning thanks , said that whatever lie had clone towards promulgating the sublime system of Masonry had been for the love of its innate excellence , and he was sure that that man could not be far from the right path , who kept ever before him and steadily pursued those grand princiles which were its illars and its foundations . ( Hear

p p , hear . ) It regarded the high aud the low , the rich and the poor , with equal impartiality , and the more he knew of it , the more delighted and honoured be felt to be included in its members . ( Applause . ) The brethren would excuse him saying more at that moment ( hear , hear ) , which was one , as they might easily understand , of deep interest to him . ( Cheers . ) The AA ' . M . afterwards proposed the health of their right worshipful Bro . Manockjee Cursetjee DProvGMof AVestern India an

emi-. . ..., nent Parsee Mason , who had come amongst them . ( Cheers . ) We were accustomed , in this country , he said , to speak of the universality of Freemasonry—of its being confined to no one country , or clime , to no particular people , or age , or nation , or politics , or religion . ( Hear , hear . ) This was certainly a great and broad , and proud basis , but it was why the institution was permanent . ( Hear , hear . ) They had but seldom , however , such a practical illustration of its universality as they had that

evening in the presence of their welcome visiting brother , who had spoken so nobly in the lodge of his experiences of Freemasonry during a quarter of a century . ( Hear , hear . ) It was pleasing that in such an age and at this time those differences