United Grand Lodge Of Free And Accepted Masons Of England.

" Health of the Prince and Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family . " I hope the present Royal Family will have a long reign over us , and enjoy the respect they have so deservedly won . Earl de Grey and Ripon rose and said : —Brethren , —It is my good fortune , and has been on several former occasions , to propose the next toast , and I am sure you will have as much pleasure in drinking it as I have in proposing it , as it is the

health of the " Alost AVorshipful the Grand Alaster . " Brethren , it is to me a pleasure to propose this toast , and I do so with peculiar satisfaction , and on this evening , if I mistake not , you will receive it with more than ordinary enthusiasm , because we are called upon to night to drink the health of the Grand Master , who has now entered on the twenty-sixth year of his could administration of that office . If it was not for his presence I dilate irpon his peculiar qualifications for that important postbut

, on the present occasion I can appeal to something more than words . I will only ask you to look back at our Alasonic history for the past twenty-five years , and consider the great progress th-. it has been made in the Craft ; how greatly it has spread in tho numbers of brethren and lodges ; how steadily it has risen in public estimation . AVhat has IJQBU the progress of the Alasonic charities , and the other Masonic institutions ? AVe had ample proof of that only a short time ago in this hallwhen the

, largest sum was collected on that evening that was ever contributed ; and when we look back at our history for a quarter of a century , and also see the prosperity and well-being of the Craft , which mainly depends upon him who rules over us , we ought to bear our testimony to the spirit , the labour , and the ability with which the Alost Worshipful Grand Master has administered our affairs . Brethren , I am confident , on this

most auspicious occasion , in this new building inaugurated by him , you will join with me in wishing health and prosperity to the M . W . the Grand Alaster . ( The toast was most enthusiastically received ) . The Grand Master : 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 tho compliments paid me by the AVorshipful the Deputy Grand Master , but I do feel your kindness , as you have

on ail occasions shown towards me . It is true that this is the twenty-sixth time that I have been elected to the honourable and high office of Grand Master , I assure you that I esteem it the highest honour that could be conferred upon me , but it is more than for the twenty sixth time , as before that I had been for five years Prov . Grand Alaster , and conducted the principal business belonging to the Craft , so that I may say that I have ruled the Craft for 30 years . That is a long time—a

generationit is a long time iu human life—and I assure you I feel very grateful for the kind manner iu which I have always been received , and the assistance 1 have obtained from the brethren in times of difficulties . If 1 had not good advisers and called to my aid , counsels from brethren , whom 1 could trust , and who gave me their assistance , I should long since have given up so arduous a duty . I thank yon 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 my care . Is is true that I do take an interest in Freemasonry , in the increased numbers of the Craft , and the extension of onr Charities . It is always my anxious wish and earnest desire to make Freemasonry what it is , and

what it professes to be—a charitable society—and if any person , whether he is a Alason or otherwise , looks back at our Charities , he must feel that Freemasonry is setting an example throughout the whole of England . Brethren , it is difficult for me to find words to convey my feelings for the kind maimer in which you have always " received me < luiing the time I have ruled the Craft , and on everv occasion when have

I come amongst yon . I feel more than I can express ; I thank you deeply , aud I shall conclude by drinking ; all your healths . The Grand Alaster said—Brethren , the next toast I have to give is " The Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland . " It ij most gratifying to find now the amicable terms which exist between this Grand Lodge and the Grand Lod of Scotland

ges and Ireland . The Grand Alaster of Scotland did us the honour of paying us a visit on the day of tho inauguration about a fortnight ago , and I regret that he is not with us on the present occasion . The Grand Alaster of Ireland on all occasions has proved a cordial friend to the Grand Lodge of England , and I

have often had opportunities of receiving fraternal communications in regard to Freemasonry from the Duke of Leinster , who is a great friend to Masonry , and he has sent his representative to this country and who will return thanks for the toast . The Grand Alaster of Ireland was present on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the new building , he has often honoured us with his presence , and on all occasions acted cordially and fraternally with the Grand Lodge of England . BrethrenI ive

, g you " The Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland , coupling with the toast the name of Colonel Burdett , " Bro . Colonel Burdett , representative for tho Grand Lodge of Ireland , in acknowledging the toast , said he was glad to know that there was great cordiality between the Grand Lodges of England and Ireland , and although he came from what some persons had called an unfortunate country , he had always been

received with great cordiality , aud he thanked them most heartily for the honour conferred upon him . He had always been an Irish Alason , but by the kindness of the Grand Alaster he could then take his place in the English Grand Lodge as one of their fellows , and he felt it an especial pleasure to be not only a Grand Officer of Ireland but as one of the Grand Lodge of Englandand he would do everything in his power to promote

, prosperity and harmony between tho Grand Lodges of the two countries . The Grand Alaster said - —Brethren , the next toast I have to propose is— " The Right Hon . the Earl de Grey and Ripon , the Right Worshipful the Deputy Grand Alaster of England . " Itis with the highest satisfaction that I propose the health of the Deputy Grand Alaster ; and , in asking you to unite with me in

drinking it , I can say that I feel the greatest obligation to him on every occasion when I require his assistance . He is one who has the interest and the prosperity of the Craft at heart , and has undertaken the most arduous duties for years , and I could not have selected a more worthy brother , or one who has given me more kind and cordial assistance upon all occasions . This toast was most enthusiastically received . Earl de Grey and Ripon said .- —Alost AVorshipful Grand Alaster , Grand Officers , and Brethren , —I bog to return you my hearty thanks for the kind manner in which you have received the toast just proposed to von . I can assure you I esteem most

hig hly such a proof of your regard . I feel obliged to you for the kindly reception you have given me on this occasion , but I am afraid that on a recent one you must have looked upon me as a deserter . If I was not able to be present on an interesting occasion a fortnight ago , it was because I had to attend important functions elsewhere . Besides my duty as a Alason , I had another , as one of Her Majesty ' s advisers , which stood first and foremost . I can assure you that it is with great pleasure

that I find myself amongst you on this occasion . It has been a source of high gratification to me to hear from the lips of the Alost AVorshipful Grand Alaster 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 by the Craft . I have endeavoured to discharge my duties , aud I am amply rewarded by the confidence of the Craft , and my affection for them has increased from day to day , and from hour to hour , for I believe that

Masonry is doing a great work in this country , for a good Alason makes a good man and a good citizen , and I believe that , in labouring for the prosperity of the Craft , we are labouring for the imjirovement and advantage of our common country . Tho worthy brother sat down amidst loud cheering . The Grand Alaster : Brethren , I have now to propose to you a toast which I am sure you will drink with cordiality . It is "the health of the Grand Wardensand other Grand Officers of

, the year . " In giving the toast , I take this opportunity of observing that all classes do take an interest in Freemasonry , and it is very desirable that members of the aristocracy should take an interest in it . It is with great pleasure that I unite with this toast the health of a scion of a noble family , who takes a deep interest in Freemasonry , and 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 , be has shown a willingness and readiness to act iu concert , so that the different classes should be included amongst the Grand Officers . It is most desirable that all who belong to us should consider themselves to be equal in our society , so that they may readily act together for the benefit of tho Craft . I have great pleasure in connecting with the toast the name of Earl Percy , S . G . W . Earl Percy , S . G . W , said .- He had great luck in being chosen to return thanks for the toast , and he was sure that what he said