Metropolitan.

there could bo no difference of opinion upon it—indeed it could not have been worked better . He felt highly gratified at the manner iu which ho had been supported that evening , there being present no less than eleven P . Ms ., nine of them belonging to other Lodges ; it was an honour conferred upon him which , he should never forget to the latest hour of his existence . He concluded by giving ' - ' The Visiting P . Ms ., " which was drunk with all clue honours . —Bro . AuslowP . M . of Kent LodNo . 15 saidas representing the older Lodge

, ge , , , , ho had to return thanks ou the part of the P . Ms ., and he might be permitted to say on their part that they were desirous of doing the utmost in their power for tho good of Freemasonry . For himself he could never forget his early days in Freemasonry aud tho kindness he had received from the P . Ms ., aud , guided by its obligations , he could assure them that , having gained a certain amount of knowledge , nothing gave him so much pleasure as attending Lodges of Instruction , where the great principles of Freemasonry were explained much better , and at greater length

than they could he at a regular Lodge . It was desirable that they should have Lodges of Instruction in that district , and if either of those who now stood up with him were required to attend them alternately , nothing would give them greater pleasure . He felt grateful to them for the manner in which they had been received ; they had the grand principles of Freemasonry at heart by performing their duty to their fellow man , and nothing would give him greater pleasure than being at their right hand . The W . M . next proposed " The Masonic Press . " Bro . Ii . Thompson returned thanks , ancl said , that as Freemasonry inculcated honour ,

virtue , and morality as its principles , its great shining light ought not to be hid under a bushel , but set up as a beacon to guide them through life . Bro . Bayley , P . M ., proposed "The health of the AV . M ., " which was drunk with the greatest cordiality . The AA . M . returned thanks for the very handsome ¦ manner in which the Brethren had responded to the toast which Bro . Bayley had proposed , and expressed the happiness he hacl enjoyed since he joined tho Lodge , little move than four years ago , ancl at that time when he was made a Master Mason , he hacl not the slightest idea that he should ever reach the chair which he had then the honour

to fill . That would prove to his younger Brethren in Masonry what might be done in a few years by ability , perseverance and industry , ancl , if diligently adhered to , in a very short time they might all be placed in the same honourable position . Having passed a deseryed ^ compliment upon Bro . Ireland , P . M ., who had so ably aided the Lodge , and without whose exertions they should not have met so strongly that night , he said it was his determination to fulfil tho duties of the Lodge to tho » best of his ability ; and during the eusiiiug year ho hoped his officers would not

only once a month assist him in the Lodge , but , to do so the more effectually , they must work hard in other ways . As ho had said , it was his desire to fulfil his duties iu the Lodge to the best of his ability , so as to make it second to none , aud whatever he could do , whatever time he could spare , should bo dedicated to thenservice during the ensuing year . He concluded by proposing " The P . Ms , of the Lodge . " Brother Bayley returned thanks on the part of the P . Ms . Some other toasts were given , aucl after spending a truly happy and Masonic evening , the Brethren separated .

HIGH CROSS LODGE ( NO . 1056 ) . —This Lodge held its usual meeting on Friday , Jan . 14 th , at the Railway Hotel , Northumberland Park , Tottenham ; Bro . D . S . Potts , ( P . M ., Nos . 112 , 203 , aud 248 ) , AV . M ., presided , supported by his officers and several visitors . The Lodge having been opened in due form , it was next opened iu the second degree , when Bro . Sels , No . 1056 ' , and Bro . Ekstrom , No . 77-1 , St . Heleu ' s Lodge , Hartlepool , were duly passed to the second degree . After which the AV . M . ably explained tho tracing board in the Fellow Craft degree , which

gave great satisfaction throughout the Lodge , pm-ticnlm-ly to the visiting Brothers . The Lodge was then closed to the first degree , when Bro . Dominy , the Treasurer , proposed that a subscription should be given , by a vote of the Locjge , to tho Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and their AVidows , which was seconded by Bro . AA-iBson , S . AV , ancl carried unanimously ; several of tho Brethren of this Lodge intending to support their respected Bro . Arliss , on the [ 26 th , who has undertaken the stewardship at the approaching festival . The AV , M ,