Metropolitan.

The AV . MASTED , gave in succession the first three toasts , which were all duly honoured . Bro . EGLESE , P . M ., said the brethren would quite understand what the next toast would ho by the gavel being placed in his hands , and most happy he was in proposing that toast , although he thought it would have fallen into the hands of Bro . Newton . As it was , he would endeavour to do justice to it . He had no doubt whatever that every member of the lod would ive

ge g credit to their AV . M . for the very able manner in which he had gone through his duties that day , and when they considered that il was six or seven months since he had presided in the lodge . Notwithstanding so long a time had elapsed , he had that evening gone though the third degree in a most admirable manner , as well as opening and closing the lodge in the different degrees , with a view of testing the abilities of his officersThat being

. so , they could not fail to award him that meed of praise which was his due . He was not present with them on the occasion of their last meeting , for just before , a very interesting event had had taken place , and under those circumstances he was sure the brethren would excuse him ( hear , hear , and laughter ) , and especially so , as he had that night made up for his absence ^ in the way in which he had gone through the duties of his office . AVliile lie

was able to go through his duties so well , he ( Bro . Eglese ) suggested to those who ivere desirous of becoming officers that they should visit lodges of instruction , so that they might be perfect in their duties , and all go on nicely , and then ; he Fitzroy Lodge would , not only he equal but superior to any lodge in the Craft . He made these observations to induce those who were coming forward to support the brother who would be called shortly to the chairto avail themselves of the advantages to

, he derived from attending lodges of instruction , which would be not only to his own gratification , but must lead to the prosperity and welfare of the lodge . Although Masonry was set forth in the lod ge , yet to acquire a proper knowledge of phrases and maxims to assist a brother in his advancement to office , he must attend lodges of instruction where he would hear imparted the excellent truths of Freemasonry . Having said so

much he would then recur to the toast he was about to propose , which was , "The Health of their Worshipful Master , " who had done so much to promote the prosperity of the lodge , and he was sure that he would continue to do so as long as he held the -reins . He was a most excellent master , and an enjoyable companion at the banquet , and therefore he ( 3 ro . Eglese ) hoped the brethren would join with him in drinking his health and long life to him .

The toast was drunk with great cordiality . The AA . MASTER , in responding , said he could not sufficiently thank the brethren for the kind way in which they had received the toast proposed by Bro . Eglese , and in drinking his health . He could assure them that he had zealously endeavoured to do his duty to the best of his ability , and if he had given them satisfaction he was pleased at the result . That was the second year be had occupied the chair in tbe lod and therefore it

ge , was expected of him that he should be able to go through the duties moderately well . He was unable to lie present with them on the last occasion because the elements were inauspicious , and he was unable to get over the channel , although he had cut oil ' a week from the holiday he proposed to take ; therefore it was solely on account of the inauspicious state of the weather or he should then have been with them . As to Bro . Elese ' s

g remarks , he quite coincided with them , that officers should attend lodges of instruction so that they might work properly , and their duties be efficiently performed . He wished to mention one thing which he had had no opportunity of doing before , and that was to thank them for the attention and support tliey had given him on the occasion of the festival for tho Girl's Schoolat which he had served as their steward . It had

, gone through the Craft that a great military lodge had attended there , and about 35 red-coats were present . That was a thing which had never been seen before , which did them great credit , and although but a young lodge , their list of subscriptions was very satisfactory . Their institutions were what they as Masons had just reason to be proud of , and when they remembered the amount raised that eveningit must be to them a source of great

, gratification . He thanked them very sincerely for the toast , and if in any way he could promote the welfare of the Fitzroy Lodge he should be most happy to do so . He was glad to see the success of the lodge , and he again thanked the brethren for their kindness towards him . Tho AV . MASTER said tiie next toast he had to propose was one that he was very glad to propose , and that was , " The

Health of the Visitors to the Fitzroy Lodge . " Having enumerated them , he proposed their health . Bro . HtTDBUcn , P . M . of the Lodge of Felicity , returned thanks for tiie visitors . The AV . MASTER said the next toast he had to propose was one that was very agreeable to him , for it was that of the P . M . ' s of the lodge . They had that evening several of them amongst themand to them he was greatly indebted . They were also

, the founders of the lodge , and with regard to them he must say that he never attended a meeting without finding them present , which showed bow zealous they were in . promoting the interests of the lodge . He thanked tiiem very cordially , and asked the brethren to drink their healths . He gave "The Health of the P . M . ' s of the Fitzroy Lodge , " coupling with it the name of Bro . Newton .

The toast was drunk with great cordiality . Bro . NEWTON said he did not know why the AA . M . had singled him out for the honoiv ; of returning thanks for the P . M . 's , unless it was because he stood about midway between the oldest of them and tho AV . M . in the chair . He was glad , however , to see present the happy face of Bro . Peter Matthews , for they all knew that he had the interest of the lodge at heart ; but he would not concedeeven to BroMatthewsthe interest he ( Bro . Newton ) felt

, . , in its prosperity . Some years ago he left his own lodge to join the Fitzroy Lodge , and he had been faithful to her ever since . There were agreeable reminiscences and feelings in other lodges , but not the same pleasure as was to be found in the Fitzroy , for they met not merely as Masons but as comrades , with whom they exchanged friendly greetings , aud if they should meet ou the battle-field in the hour of dangertheir brethren of the

, lodgo would throw over them their shield of protection . As to the P . M . 's , they all felt a sort of paternal interest in the welfare of the lodge , and although they regretted to see their W . M . about retiring from the chair , and taking his place amongst the veterans of the lodge , they had the satisfaction of seeing younger brethren rising up to succeed him . He would then

have to return thanks for the P . M . ' s , instead of proposing their health , and for which lie begged to thank them for the way in which it bad been received . The AV . MASTER said the next toast he had to propose was "The Health of their Brethren , the Secretary and Treasurer of the Lodge , " and it was not often that he had that pleasure . He felt assured that liro . Eglese , their Secretary , had the welfare of tbe lodat heartand he could that until the brethren arrived

ge , say at the chair they were quite unaware of the arduous duties he had to perform , and it must have been a pleasure to them to see that night how readily he had accepted the office to serve as Steward at the Festival for Aged Freemasons and their Widows . As regarded Bro . Matthews , their Treasurer , he ( the AV . M . ) had never come to the lodge without seeing him , and a betterhearted man he never knew . They oug ht to be thankful that

they had such P . M . ' s in the lodge , and they h . « l in Bro . Eglese and Bro . Matthews an example for the brethren to imitate ; and when they saw the interest they took , let them ask themselves if they could not do the same . If he was to talk for twelve months he could not overrate their merits , and he called upon the brethren to drink their healths for the kind manner in which they performed their duties , and he was sure they would continue to do so .

The toast was well received . Bro . PETER MATTHEWS , P . M . and Treasurer , said , after the speech of Bro . Newton , on returning thanks for himself and the other P . M . ' s , it had left him ( Bro . Matthews ) little to say , unless it was to thank them for the confidence they reposed in their Treasurer . He mightsay that from the time he had become one of the founders of the lodge be had never been absent from a single meetingwhich should show to the younger brethren that

, when once they put their hand to the plough they should never look back . He liked to see brethren rise to the position of AV . M . Masonry made the heart of man expansive ; it gave them good advice ; it spread its protecting wings over them , and it conferred the greatest blessing . He , as Treasurer , felt proud to sit under their W . M . during the two years which had nearly elapsed , and next month they would have to elect a new A \ . M ., it would

and he hoped , from what their present AV . M . had done , he a . stimulus to others to follow his example . Bro . EOLESE , P . M . and Secretary , said be was sorry to trespass on their time , hut , as Secretary , lie begged to thank them for the manlier in which they had responded to the toast . As one of their officers he felt tbe deepest interest in the welfare of the lodge , aud he hoped for many years to have the same oppor-