The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

MASONIC MEMS . The Board of Management have appointed Bro . John Commins , P . M . 109 , P . Prov . G . D . of Dorset , the Warden of the Royal Freemasons' Asylum , Croydon , vice Bro . Iron , deceased . We are happy to announce that Bro . Crew , who has been for

the last two months under the care of Bro . Dr . O'Connor , has so far recovered from his long illness as to give hopes that he may yet be again seen amongst the brethren with whom he was so deservedly popular .

Grand Lodge.

GRAND LODGE .

ADDRESS OF COXDOXEXCE IO HER MAJESTY . A special Grand Lodge was held in the Temple on Wednesday morning , to present an address of condolence to Her Majesty on the death of his late Royal Highness the Prince Consort . There were present the Right Hon . Earl de Grey and Ripon , D . G . Master , as G . Master ; Bros . Hall , P . G . Reg ., Prov . G . Master of Cambridgeshireas D . G . MasterPerkinsPGW

, ; , ... as S . G . W . ; Novelli , J . G . W . ; Shute , Prov . G . Master , Bristol ; Col . Burlton , P . Prov . G . Master Bengal ; Rev . . T . R . Bedford , G . Chap . ; W . Gray Clarke , G . Sec . ; Mclntyre , S . G . D . ; Gregory , J . G . D . ; Woods , G . D . C . ; Symonds , A . G . D . C ; Hyde Pullen , G . D . C ; W . Parnfield , A . G . Sec ; T . A . Adams and Parmer , G . Pursts . ; Pattison , Hebeler , and Sir T . HeskethP . G . W ' s . Rev . J . E . CoxPG

, ; , .. Chap . ; W . H . White , P . G . Sec ; Phillips , TJdall , Potter , Wheeler , Granville , Crombie , Havers , Slight , Hervey , Scott , Savage , T . R . White , and Wilson , P . G . D ' s . ; Patten , Evans , Le Veau , Pocoek , and Bridge , P . G . S . B . 's ; Jennings , T . G . D . C . ; Smiling and J . Smith , P . G . Pursts . ; Costa , P . G . Org . ; and about 200 other brethren .

Bro . GREY CLARKE , G . Sec , read the rescript of the M . W . the G . M . convening the brethren . The R . W . the D . G . M ., the Earl DE GREY AND Rirox , then addressed Grand Lodge , and said—Brethren , the occasion which has called us together this day is one of no ordinary character . It is not to transact the usual Masonic business , nor are we met to express our grief for the loss of a distinguished member of

the Craft ; but I feel thoroughly confident you will agree with me in thinking that the Grand Master only rightly interpreted the spirit and feeling which pervades the Craft when he summoned us here for the purpose you have heard described . Because , brethren , although we are a special body united by peculiar ties , and bound together by peculiar secrets , it is nevertheless one fundamental rule of our association

, that every Mason should be a good citizen and loyal subject , and that we should not overlook those general public duties which are incumbent upon us , as much so as they are on any other community . The late most melancholy event has called forth from all parts of the land the expression of that heartfelt regret at her loss , and of respectful sympathy for Her Majesty which animates the heart and feelings of every person in these

realms . Public bodies of every description have already met together to give expression to those feelings , and there is not a Mason in the kingdom who does not feel that it is for the honour of the Craft that we should not be behindhand in joining in the general manifestation . It has pleased the G . A . O . T . U . to visit Her Majesty the Queen with the greatest earthly misfortune . In the history of this country we find that the Soverei

gn of England has been at all times regarded with respect and attachment ; but there never was a Sovereign of whom it could he said so truly , although the phrase is an hackneyed one , that she reigned in the hearts of her subjects . It is , therefore , no ordinary feeling to which the people of these realms have given expression . It is the warm feeling of affection and attachment to the Queen which has made her sorrow the private domestic misfortune of each of her subjects .

Although the country has good cause to lament the loss of the Prince Consort , it is not only in that capacity the nation now deplores his death , for during the twenty years he has lived amongst us , he had established for himself personal and individual claims of no ordinary character on the attachment of the people of this country . He came amongst us in early youth to undertake an arduous and delicate position ,

and from that period until his latest hour he acted with singular * discretion and remarkable wisdom . He became closely identified with the feelings of the people—naturalised . He became more than a naturalised subject—he became an Englishman in heartand taking more and more part in public affairs as he felt his position assured , he went on displaying the deepest interest in all that concerned the welfare of the country , and displaying

the most liberal desire for national progress and human advancement , being ever keenly alive to the interests of the people , and the honour and reputation of the country . Therefore it is not necessary that I should detain you with a lengthened statement of the public services of his late Royal Highness . They are known to every man of you , and have been recorded on many occasions in more eloquent language than any I can command . The public feeling on this occasion is the best

pos sible proof that he succeeded in winning for himself , as an individual , a high position in the affectionate and respectful regards of the English people . Therefore you will , I am sure , concur with the Grand Master in thinking the present a proper occasion on which to approach the foot of her throne aud lay before her Majesty the respectful expression of our deep sympathy . It is right , as Masons , we should make this declaration , for

attachment to our country and to our Queen is only what is consistent with the first principles of our Order ; it is right for the Order itself that we should make known these sentiments . But melancholy as is the occasion , and deep as is the loss we have sustained—a loss which cannot bo replaced , and must be long felt by the people of this country—there is yet one consolation in the midst of such melancholy affliction , that it has afforded us and the nation another opportunity of drawing closer the bonds of affection and loyalty that bind together the Sovereign and the people of this country .

Bro . HAII , Prov . G . M . oi Cambridgeshire , then proposed that the following address of condolence be presented to her Majesty the Qaeen . It was impossible that the feelings of the Craft could be more gracefully , more accurately , or more concisely expressed . It was as follows : —

" To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty Most Gracious Sovereign—We , your Majesty ' s most devoted and faithful subjects , — the Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master , Officers , andBrethren of the United Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons of England , with all humility and respect , approach your royal presence and beg , on our own behalf and that of our widely extended fraternity , to offer our unfeigned and sincere condolence with Your Majeston the sad bereavement with which it has

y pleased the Most High in his inscrutable wisdom to afflict your-Jlajesty by removing from this sublunary sphere your Royal Consort , an illustrious ; prince , whose amiable , benevolent , and patriotic conduct had endeared him . to your loyal and affectionate subjects , of every grade and station , and whose memory will be cherished by them to the latest posterity as a devoted friend to the country and a benefactor not only to your Majesty ' s realms but

to all nations . We will not dare longer to trespass on your-Majesty's time and feelings than to assure you , Madame , that it is with the sincerest and most loyal affection to your graciousperson that we offer up our prayers to Heaven that it may please the Almighty Disposer of Human Events to grant to Your Majesty and royal children pious consolation under your severe and melancholy trial , and to grant your Majesty length of years to reign in health and happiness over your devoted , faithful , and affectionate people . "

Bro . HOETOS - SMITH made a speech consisting of a jumble of jjassages from the Ceremonies , most incongruously arranged , and : which we cannot therefore publish , concluding hy seconding the the motion , which was unanimously agreed to . It was then ordered that the address , which was drawn up hy the venerable Bro . White , so long the Grand Secretary of the Order , and the bosom friend of Her Majesty's late uncle , the

Duke of Sussex , be engrossed on vellum , properly signed and sealed , and forwarded to the Earl of Zetland for presentation . Grand Lodge was then closed in ample form , and the proceedings terminated .