Metropolitan.

for the nineteen years he had presided over them , was , he was sure , such that they would all agree with him that his urbanity and kindness , whether exhibited in the manner in ° which he presided over their banquets , or conducting Masonic business in the hall , could not be exceeded . ( Hear , hear , and No , no . ) Their Grand Master was one of a family of Masons for many generations past , and he was sure they would all unite in doing him the honour of heartily drinking his

good nearon . The . W . M . in . proposing the next toast , "the health of the Earl of Yarborough , D . G . M ., and the rest of the ' Grand Officers / ' observed , that he was happy to say that his lordship was at present much better in health than he had been for some time previously , hut still far from the possession of that bodily vigour which all those who loved , regarded , and respected him , wished to see him enjoy . ( Hear ,

hear . ) With the portion of the toast which related to the other Grand Officers , he saw around him many distinguished Brethren , the name of any one of whom might be fitly associated with it . There were , for instance , Bros . Stephen Barton Wilson , Herbert Lloyd , Havers , and others ; but he should fix on a much younger Mason than either of them , and one who was likely to prove a considerable honour to the Order . He alluded to his friend , the Hon . Bro . Button , Prov . G . M .

of Gloucestershire , whom he a short time previously had the honour to install m that high office . He had since seen him work as the Master of a Lodge , and he knew that he was not only able , but also willing to promote the cause of Freemasonry . The toast was most cordially received . Bro . Dutton briefly returned thanks , stating that his heart and soul were in the science , and that , so far as he knew how , he should be glad to do all in his power to promote the interests of the Craft . The Worshipful Brother concluded his remarks by calling on the Brethren to drink the health of the excellent

chairman of the evening , Bro . Beadon . ( Applause . ) Bro . Beadon , in reply to the toast , said that if it were possible for one who had been in Masonry for so long a time , and received so much kindness from his Brethren as he had , to be still more flattered , it would be by the cordial recei > tion of his name on the present occasion . If it were a gratifying thing to be well thought of by his fellow-men , it was ten times more gratifying to him to find that he was so judged by a body of men whom he respected and looked upon with

regard , and in whose hearts he knew Masonry was alive . He considered it the greatest possible gratification and honour to any one who , like him , held Masonry in respect and regard , to preside at a meeting of their Lodge , which was sending forth numerous Brethren to promulgate the genuine tenets of the Institution / a set of men who were treading in the paths of virtue and Masonic science . It must , he thought , have been most gratifying to all the Brethren present to see the able manner in which the several sections had been that evening worked , as it

was a guarantee that both the Brethren who took part in them , and those who listened to them with delight , would do all in their power to make Masonry better known and more extended . It was wonderful to sec how the extent and knowledge of the science had lately increased ; it was flourishing and prosperous , Jvnd he hoped it would still go on and flourish . ( Loud cheering . ) The W . M . again rose , and said that as they had already drunk to the memory of Bro . Gilkes , the founder of the Lodge , he had now to call , on theni to join him

iiv drinking the health of the father of the Lodge , Bro . Stephen Barton Wilson , to whom , as they all . knew , they owed a deep debt of gratitude , for the instruction which he was ever willing to impart to them . He hoped that their worthy Brother might long continue among them , and that they might for many long years have the advantage of his assistance and Masonic knowledge in conducting the business of the Lodge ; for it was to him that it looked for eoimseL-uid for light . He had great pleasure in calling upon them to drink most cordially the health of Bro / Wilson .

Bro . Wilson having briefly acknowledged the compliment , The W . M . proposed , as the next toast , " prosperity to the Lodge of Unions , " from which their Lodge of Instruction held its charter , coupling with it the name of Bro . Green , the "W . M . of that Lodge . Bro . Green returned thanks , and said that tho Lodge of Unions took the