Grand Lodge.

respond , was greeted with a perfect storm of applause , said : Right Worshipful Sir , Grand Officers , and Brethren , I assure you , and you will believe me when I say so , that I cannot find words to express the feelings of my heart on this occasion . I feel that I am unworthy of the compliments paid me by the

Worshipful the Deputy Graud Master , the Earl de Grey and Ripnu ; but I do feel your kindness very much—the kindness which you have on all occasions shown towards me . It is quite true that this is the 26 th time that I have beeu elected to fill the honourable and high office of Grand Master . I can assure

you that I esteem it the highest honour that could be conferred upon me , but it is more than 26 years that I have been associated with you , for before that time I had been Pro . Grand Master , and conducted the principal business relating to the Craft , so that I may say I have ruled the Craft for 30

years . Thirty years is a long time . I assure you I feel very grateful for the kind manner in which I have always been received , and the assistance I have obtained from the brethren in times of difficulty . If I had not had good advisers , and called to my aid counsels from brethren whom I could trust and

who gave me their assistance , I should long since have given up so arduous a duty . I thank you , brethren , for the way in which you have drunk my health , and I trust that my name will go down to posterity as one who has taken a deep interest in . Freemasonry , and endeavoured to fulfil the duties

committed to his care . It is true that I do take an interest in Freem 'sonry—an interest in the increased number of the Craft and in the extension of our charities . It is always my anxious wish and earnest endeavour to make Freemasonry what it isa charitable society— and it anyone , whether he is

a mason or not , looks back at our charities , bo must feel that Freemasonry is setting an example throughout the whole of the world . Brethren , it is difficult for me to find words to convey my feelings , my true feelings , for the kind manner in which you have

always received me during the time I have ruled the craft , and on every occasion when [ have come amongst you . I feel more than I can express . I thank you deeply , and shall conclude by drinking towards all your good healths ( applause , ) . The AV . M . GRAND MASTER : The next toast I

have to give , is— " The Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland . " It is most gratifying to find now the amicable terms which exist between this Grand Lodge and the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland . The Grand Master of Scotland did us the honour of paying us a visit on the day of the

inauguration , about a fortnight ago , and I regret tbat be is not with us on the present occasion . Tlie Grand Master of Ireland , on all occasions , haa proved a cordial friend ' . o the Grand Lodge of England , and I have often had opportunities of receiving fraternal communications in regard to

Freemust nry from the Dnke of Leinstcr , who is a great fiiuid to Masonry ; lie has sent his representative to this country , and who will return thanks for this toast . The Grand Muster of Ireland was present on the occasion of laying the foundationstone of the new buildings , and he has often

honoured us with his presence , and on all occasions acted cordially and fraternally with the Grand Lodge of England . Brethren , I give the toast of— "The Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland , " coupling with the toast the name of Colonel Burdett . The toast was drunk with enthusiasm .

Colonel BURDETT , the representative ofthe Grand Lodge of Ireland , returned thanks for this toast . He said he was glad to know that there was great cordiality between the Grand Lodges of England aud Ireland , and although he came from what some persons had called an " unfortunate country , " be

had always been received with a fraternal welcome . He thanked them most heartily for the honour conferred upon him . He had always been an Irish Mason , but by the great kindness of the Grand Master be could now take his place in the Grand Lodge of England as one of their fellows , and he felt

it an csptcial pleasure to be not only a Grand Officer of Ireland but one of the Grand Lodge of England . He would do all in his power to promote the prosperity and harmony between the Grand Lodges ofthe two countries . He did not think the country to which be belonged an unhappy one .

The M . W . Grand . MASTER said : Bivtlireii , I now propose a toast to which 1 beg your earnest attention , and iu which I am sure you will join with the utmost cordiality , it is " The health of the Bight Hon . the Earl de Grey and Hipoii , the Right Worshipful the Deputy Grand Master of England . " I

am sure it is a toast which deserves your utmost approbation , and in asking you to unite with me I can assure you that I feel myself personally under the greatest obligation to him , for on every occasion when I have required his assistance he has been

most ready to give it to me . lie is one who really has tbe interest and the prosperity of the Craft at heart , and who has undertaken the most arduous duties for years paat , and I could not have selected a more worthy brother , or one who has given me more kind and cordial assistance than In ; has .

Grand Lodge.

This toast was likewise received with much honour . The R . W . DEPUTY GRAND MASTER rose and said : —Most Worshi pful Sir , Grand Officers and Brethren , I beg to return you my hearty thanks for the kind and cordial manner in which you have

received the toast : I can assure you I esteem most highly such a proof of your regard . I feel obliged to you for the kind reception you have given me on all occasions , but I am afraid that on a recent occasion you must have looked upon me as a deserter . ( Laughter . ) If I was not able to be present on the

interesting occasion of the inauguration , it was because I had to attend important functions elsewhere . Beyond my duty as a Masou I had another duty as one of Her Majesty' sadvisers , which stood first and foremost . I can assure you that it is with great pleasure that I find myself

amongst you ou this occasion . It has been a source of high gratification to me to hear from the lips of the Most AVorshipful Grand Master , that I have been even in my humble position able to assist him to some extent , and I highly esteem the confidence placed in me b y the Brethren of tbe Craft . I have

endeavoured to discharge my duties , aud I am fully rewarded by the confidence you have placed in me , and 1 trust that it will never be diminished . I can truly say that during the long years I have belonged to this Fraternity I have have had great confidence in the principles of the Craft , and niv affection for

them has increased from day to day , and from hour to hour , for I believe that Masonry is doing a great work iu this country , for a good Mason makes a good man and a good citizen , and I believe that in labouring for tbe prosperity of the Craft , we are labouring for the improvement aud advantage of our

common country . ( Loud applause . ) The M . AV . GRAND MASTER said : Brethren , I come to a toast which I am sure you will drink with cordiality . It is— " The Health of the R . AV . Grand AVardens and other Grand Officers of the Year , " anti it is with great pleasure that I unite

with this toast the name of a . scion of a noble family , who takes a great interest in Freemasonry , aud who is also a member of the House of Commons , and who possesses no small amount of influence in that house . In undertaking the office to which he has been appointed he has shown a willingness and a

readiness to act in concert , so that tlie different classes should be included amongst the Grand Oflicers . It is most desirable that all who belong to Freemasonry should consider themselves on an equality in the Craft . It is . therefore , with great pleasure that I connect with this toast the name of

the Senior Grand AVarden , Earl Percy . ( Hear , hear . ) Earl PERCY , who was warmly received , returned thanks , and spoke very much to the point . He said the Grand Officers would , to the utmost of their ability , do all they could to promote the

prosperity of the Craft , and deserve the dignity which the Grand Master had conferred upon them . Bro . DODSON , J . G AV ., M . P . i ' or Sussex , also returned thanks ( in answer to a loud call ) in appropriate terms . The M . AV . GRAND MASTER proposed , "The R . ' ght

AVorshipful Provincial Grand Masters , " and said it was most gratifying to be supported by such influential and worthy members of the Craft , as the Provincial brethren present . Bro . HALL , the Deputy Grand Master for Cambridgeshire , returned thanks , and said he felt it a high

honour to return thanks i ' or the toast of the Provincial Grand Masters , & c . ; that he had a personal regard for the M . AV . Grand Master to receive that honour from his lordship ' s hands . The " Masonic Charities" was the next toast , for which Bro . Patten returned thanks .

The M . W . GRAND MASTER proposed the health of the " Grand Stewards , " of whom the following is a complete list : — Br . J . Ebenezer Saunders ( Xo . 1 ) President ; Br , AVilliam . 1 . A'ian ( 21 ) Treasurer ; Br . John B . Monckton ( 197 ) lion . Secretary ; Brs . AV . Iledgman

( 2 ) , John II . Challis ( 4 ) , Charles G . Hale ( 5 ) , Chas . F . Millctt ( 0 ) , Swinfoi-d Francis ( 8 ) , Frank Richardson ( 14 ) , John H . Stedwell ( 2- * i ) , . Marston C . Buszard (• " ( i ) , Edmund l'ninbi-ulge ( 29 ) , AVilliam Henry kiiigsf ' ord ( iO ) , AVilliam J . Franklin ( 58 ) , Henry Young ( 60 ) , John T . Swainston ( 91 ) , Frederick

Powell ( 99 ) , Julius Kaltcuthaler ( 259 ) . lie was sure they would drink the toast most cordially . He coupled with it the name of Br . J . Ebenezer Saunders , the President . Br . J . Eni-NKZER SAUNDERS returned thanks , and expressed bis gratification that the labours of tho

Grand Stewards had given so much satisfaction . Their wi . i-k had been a simple one in providing for the creature comforts , and if what they had done was approved of they were well repaid . The M . W . Grand MASTER proposed the last toast ,

I lie Ladies , winch met with applause from the brethren . The company then adjourned to the Grand Hall , where the vest of the programme was gone through , and a happy evening brought to a close .

Grand Lodge.

We are much indebted to the urbanity and great courtesy of Bro . Monckton , the Hon . Sec . of the Board of Grand Stewards in giving our representative every facility for the performance of his duties . The professional singers , & c , engaged were : — Madame Bodd < t-Pyne , Madame Patey , Miss Banks ,

Bros . AV . Coward , Barnby , Carter , Edward Murray , and Lawler ; Grand Pianoforte—Bros . James Coward and W . F . Taylor , P . P . G . O ., Bristol ; Director of the Music—W . Bro . James Coward , Grand Organist ,. P . M ., 905 , & c . The programme of the pieces sung during the evening was as under : —

DDIUXQ THE BANQUKT . Grace— "Dciuu Laudate" .. .. Dr . John Smith ... National Anthem .. .. .. .. Dr . John Bull . Song— " Should he upbraid " .. .. Bishop .

Madame BOSDA-FYXE . Song— " Sacred Vows " .. .. .. Gabriel . Madame PATEY . Quintctt— " Blow gentle gales" .. .. Bishop . Song— " Over hill , over d lie ' ' .. .. Cooke .

Bliss BASKS . Song— " Speed on , my bark " .. .. Leslie . Bro . LAWLEK . Ballad— " Home , sweet home " .. .. Bishop . Madame BODDA -PYNE . Old Ballad— " The Bailiffs Daughter" .. Madame PATEY . Part Song— " 0 , will o ' eer the downs ? '' .. PearsaU .

IN GRAND IIAI . L . Part Song— " When evening ' s twilight" .. IlatUm . Song *— "Uoamiiig through ( hegreen fields Vivien . Madame BODDA -1 ' Y . \ K . Song— " Forget me not" . . .. .. Gane . Madame PATEY . Song— "She wore a wrcatli of roses " . . Knight .

Bro . KmvAlii' MUIUIAY . Duett— Overture "JJanipa" .. .. Devoid . Bro . JAMIIS COWARD and Bro . AV . F . TAYLOR . Song— " Love ' s request" .. .. .. Reiehardt . Bro . CAUTKU . Song— "Love hail'd a little Maid" .. Ganz .

Miss BANKS . Glee— " LTere in cool grot " .. Lord Morningtor . ^ . Song— " 'Tis wheu to sleep " .. .. Bishop , Bro . LAWI . EU . Gleo— " Sleep , gentle Lady " .. .. BisJtop .

A Masonic Song ,

A MASONIC SONG ,

Written for his Initiation BaiKjuet by Bro . ATIIHLSTOR * HAEVEY BOYS , W . M . Union Lodgo ( 127 ) , Margate . Come , now our lodgo is over , Let ' s pass tlie bowl around , And show how work and pleasure Are in their places found ;

For , meeting on tlie Level , And acting on tlie Square Exhibit bow inviolate Masonic precepts aro . Then , at our festiyj gathering , Say , who would not be nor

When feelings all fraternal Among as hold their swiy . Thc outer world may wonder At all our Mystic arts , But let them also ponder

On what our eralt impart * . Equality onr Standard , While merit finds its place . Ami Love , liolief , mid sucnxl Truth , Our lodgo proceedings grace . Then , at our festive gathering , & o .

Wo find the humble classes Associate with thc Peer , For , ns our precepts tell us , We equal are nil here ; A ' et , with us , full Obedience To all our laws is found , Fidelity and Secrciy Iu nil our craft abound .

Then , at our festive gathering , & e . The Masters and his Wardens , Tiicy rule tho lodge hy love , And dictates from the sacred Laws

Of him who reigns above ; AVhile ' mongst our poorer brethren Our worldly gifts wc hharo , And may Masonic Charities Bo long our constant care . Then , at our festive gathering , & c .

Then p : iss the brimming goblet , And let us drink a toast With hearts and minds in union , As all our lodge can boast ; Hero's a health to all good Masons ,

May they ever '' good " remain , Then when next we meet together Well drink their health again . Then , at our feitivo gathering , See .