The Masonic Mirror.

Purposes , would undertake to say , that should the resolution of the R . W . D . Grand Master be carried , the members of the Board would strive to merge all personal opinions , and endeavour to give a report on the subject entrusted to them , though he did not think a satisfactory report could be arrived at , unless they had power to report as regarded the whole property . He considered that the Board had been subjected to some degree of obloquy which they did not deservebeing perfectly prepared

, to make a report , if sufficient power were given them . Bro . HEEBEET LLOYD thought that the best way to bring the matter to a decision would be to move that power be given to the Board of General Purposes to consider the whole question of the freehold property of Grand Lodge , and to report upon its appropriation , whether to Masonic purposes , or otherwise . Bro . HEAL seconded the motion . After a short further discussion in which Bro . Adlard , Bro .

Stuart , and the D . Grand Master took part , the latter confining his motion to binding the Board of General Purposes to the third resolution of 1858 , the question was put to a show of hands , when the Grand Master declared they were so nearly equal that he could not decide which had the majority . A division therefore took place , when there appeared For the amendment 49 For the original motion 41

Majority for the amendment 8 It being now past twelve o ' clock , no further business could be entered upon , and Grand Lodge was closed in ample form .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

GBEAT ILEOBD . —CONSECBATION AND CONSTITUTION OE THE DE GEEY AND RIPON LODGE ( NO . 1207 ) . On Monday , the 24 th of February , the De Grey and Ripon Lodge ( No . 1207 ) was formally consecrated and constituted by Bro . William Watson , P . G . S ., under the authority of the M . W . G . M . Bro . Matthew Cooke performed the appropriate music .

After the consecration , the installation of Bro . Captain A . H . King , its first W . M ., was proceeded with , in the presence of a full board of installed Masters , Bro . Watson very ably performing the ceremony . The W . M . was then pleased to appoint and invest his officers as follows : —Bros . Lieut . De Cetto , S . W . ; Pogue , S . D . ; Capt . Ernest Ibbetson , Treas . ; Matthew Cooke , See . ; and Radford , Tler . The W . M . next initiated Mr . Henry Jubilee Ashmole

y in a very excellent manner , showing himself thoroughly well up to his work . Bro . the Earl de Grey and Ripon , R . W . D . G . M ., having permitted the lodge to take his name and use his armorial bearings , was unanimously elected an honorary member , which mark of appreciation was also conferred upon Bro . William Watson for his services .

The visitors on the occasion were Bros . Col . Clerk , P . M ., Russell , W . M ., Laird , P . M ., and Norman , Treas . of No . 13 ; Page , I . G . 23 ; Piatt , P . M . 163 ; Figg , P . M . 31 S ; Captain Boyle , P . M . 437 ; Lacey , Treas . 1002 ; Kincaid , W . M ., and Capt . Forbes , P . M . 1008 ; R . M . Smith , P . M . 1044 ; and W . H . Wright , 1133 . The furniture , fittings , and appointments were generally admired for their neat and elegant appearance , and do Bro . William Piatt great credit for their production .

After the lodge had been closed , the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , which left nothing to be desired . Grace having been said and the cloth removed , the W . M . rose , and proposed that toast dear to Englishmen and Masons , " The Queen and the Craft , " which was cordially and Masonically honoured . The next toast was the head of the Craft , "The Health of the Right Honourable the Earl of Zetland , the M . W . G . M ., " under whose warrant they had met that day for

the first time . Captain KING , W . M ., then approached the second grand officer of the Order , the Earl de . Grey and Ripon ,. the R . W . D . G . M ., whom they had done themselves the honour to elect an honorary member of the lodge that day . To his lordship , No 1207 was under deep obligations , he having , in the kindest manner , permitted them to call the lodge after him , to emblazon their pedestal with , and issue their summonses bearing his arms and crest . They knew how , as good Masons , to appreciate such

kindness , and he hoped the toast would never fail to be received in that lodge with as much enthusiasm , as he was sure they would accord to it on that its first proposition . The toast was drunk with all the accustomed honours and with cheers . That of the Grand Officers , past and present , followed . Bro . WATSON had great pleasure in rising to propose the next toast" The Health of the W . M . Bro . Captain King . " It was

, , very gratifying to find such a gentleman installed as the first W . M . of the lodge . From the perfect way in which he had performed the ceremony of Initiation that evening , it was evident no better Master could be found , and the lodge would congratulate itself in having him in the chair . He then proposed the W . M ' s . very good health , which was warmly received . CAPTAIN KING , W . M ., was very much obliged for the

reception of his health , more especially as there were such a majority of P . M ' s . present . They had had a great many difficulties to overcome , but each had been surmounted , and he hoped to see them all again a few months hence , when the lodge would be in full working order . He would do his utmost and his best to insure the prosperity ol the lodge , and would work it as well as he could for the credit of the De Grey and Ripon Lodge .

The W . M . said they were very happy to welcome their initiate , Bro . Ashmole , and he was , very glad that brother had come forward then , auguring from the fact that he had friends to introduce who would be heartily received . Bro . ASHMOLE , said he supposed it was his duty to return thanks . He had long desired to be a Freemason , and from what he had seen he was sorry he had not become so before , although he did not think , if he had , he should have become a member of

a better lodge . The W . M . said one of his most pleasing duties was to bid the visitors welcome in the name of the lodge , and he could not couple the toast with any more worthy or respected brother than Bro . Col . Clerk , one of the very highest masons in the land , whose working and interest in Freemasonry was widely known and very justly appreciated . Bro . Col . CLEBK in rising to respond said he felt that a heavyduty was imposed upon him , to return thanks for the numerous

body of visitors . It gave them all great satisfaction to see a new lodge established—working well , —and with every prospect of permanent success . That evening they had witnessed the constitution of No . 1207 , and when he remembered that 199 new lodges had been added to the register since No . 1008 , the Florence Nightingale , had been constituted , he felt how great had been the spread of Masonry . All the visitors agreed with him that the De Grey and Ripon Lodge was likely to flourish

and do credit to Masonry , for a good lodge must do good , and every one there believed a good thing had that day been commenced . Long might it prosper , and he was sure it would do so under their first W . M . They had been most kindly and hospitably entertained , and he would propose a toast in conclusion , which he was sure every visitor would cordially respond to , it being prosperity to all and every member of the De Grey and Ripon Lodge . ( Hearhear . )

, Capt . KING , W . M ., then said that the health of the Installing Master must in no wise bo overlooked . To him the lodge owed much , for to Bro . Watson he , himself , was indebted for his tuition , for which he was deeply obliged . He should , therefore , propose the " Health of Bro . Watson , " and in the name of the lodge pledge him his sincere thanks . Bro . WATSON , in reply , stated that he felt much obliged for the complimentand if his services had proved satisfactory he

, had no better wish than to merit their approbation . The W . M . then gave the " Healths of the Members of No . 1133 ( the British Oak Lodge ) , " they had very kindly recommended the prayer of their petition , and had sent Bro . Capt . Wright as their representative on that occasion , he being the first initiate made in that lodge . The W . M . concluded by proposing health and happiness to the British Oak Lodge , and every one of its members .

Bro . Capt . WEIGHT returned thanks on behalf of the members of the British Oak Lodge ( No . 1133 ) , and wished every prosperity to the De Grey and Ripon Lodge . The W . M . said the officers had not had much opportunity that evening to bring themselves out in their true colours , but he knew they were zealous , and would do all they could to further the interests of the lodge . At his request Bro . Capt . Ibbetson had kindly consented to be their Treasurer , and he should therefore couple his name with the toast .