Colonial.

COLONIAL .

CANADA ( EAST ) . Quebec—On Thursday , the 20 th of September , a grand banquet was given by the Freemasons of Quebec , in the Music Hall of that city , to the R . W . Bro . Thomas Douglas Harington , the Prov . G . M ., on his removal with the Government to Toronto . The chair was filled by the I > ep . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Thompson . Upwards of sixty Brethren were assembled , including the R . W . the G . M . of the district of Montreal , and some members of United States Lodges . Grace having been said by the Prov . Grand Chaplain , after the removal of the cloth ,

The R . W . Chairman gave the healths of "The Queen and the Craft , " " The Grand Masters of England and Scotland , the Earl of Zetland , and the Duke of Athol . " The R . W . Chairman then said—I have great pleasure in proposing the next toast , but regret that one more competent had not been entrusted with the pleasing task . Fortunately , our guest on this occasion , the Prov . Grand , Master , is too well known to the Brethren present to suffer in their estimation from any deficiency on my part . The services he has rendered to Masonry in this and other

districts are matter of notoriety , and his name is known , not only here but throughout Canada , for his zeal , benevolence , and many virtues as a man and a Mason . We are met to-night to do him honour , and I should have been , perhaps , better able to give proper utterance to those sentiments of admiration of which you have made me the representative , could I forget for a moment that we are about to lose one so eminent for every quality requisite in his exalted position in the Craft . Brethren , I call upon you to drink "The health of the R . W . the Prov . G . M . of Quebec and Three Rivers , Bro . Harington . "

Bro . Harington , on rising , was received with a fresh outburst of cheering . He said—I frankly acknowledge myself overcome by my emotions at parting from Brethren with whom I have been lately in such friendly intercourse . It is said that out of the heart ' s fulness the mouth speaks , but my difficulty , let me assure you , is the reverse of this moral ; my heart is too full to allow me to give vent to my feelings in words . I have never pretended to fluency of speech , but the little I do say now , believe me , is the sincere expression of my sentiments . It is not , Brethren , the first time I have received evidence of your kindly disposition

towards me , and my residence amongst you will always be considered most fortunate , if only on account of the many estimable acquaintances I have met here . I shall ever remember as the happiest portion of my life the time I have spent in this district , and I look with regret on the necessity of leaving it . I trust the separation will be but temporary , and that the Government will return to this city at the expiration of the appointed time . I need not , I cannot disguise from you that though I look forward to seeing you again soon , this parting is painful to me . I am happy to see so many of the Brethren assembled here to offer me

the spontaneous testimony of their regard , but I cannot forget the circumstances under which we meet . I am sorry to reflect that this is a parting dinner . I bear away with rne many costly and dearly-prized expressions of your kindness ; this entertainment , however , I regard as a social and friendly testimonial of your goodwill and esteem , and proud am I to think I have won your respect and attachment . I have to thank you for the cordiality and enthusiasm with which the compliment has been received—and trust that wherever I may go , the Craft in Quebec will continue in the same flourishing and effective condition as it has been during the past four years , and that you , Brethren , will not forget me . Other toasts followed in due course , and the conviviality of the assemblage was kept up till a late hour .