Metropolitan.

Drunk with loud cheers , and followed by the National Anthem , the solo parts by Bro . Matthew Cooke . The XV . Master said .- The next toast I have' the honour to submit to you as Masons is one that we always receive with a happy disposition . It is " The Health of the Most Worshipful Grand Master , the Earl of Zetland . " You all know the way in which he presides over the Craft , and , as a man , at all times he behaves with courtesy and kindness . In matters of Masonry

I cannot take exception to the manner in which he rules over us , fori believe that Lord Zetland is one of the most kind and best creatures in the world , as I have had many opportunities of meeting him in public life as well as in Masonry . I say this without the slightest reservation , that Lord Zetland does an amount of good to the poor that few of those of the outside world know anything about . I may hold different opinions to

Lord Zetland , but I speak of a man as I find him ; and , therefore , I ask you to drink tbe health of the Most Worshipful Grand Master , and may be live , if it were possible , 747 , instead of his being something like 74 years of age . I give yon the health of our Most Excellent Grand Master . The toast was cordially received . The W . Master said the next toast he had to propose he was

sure was one that they would receive with tbe same regard and affection as the one they had just drank . He proposed " The Health of Earl de Grey and Ripon , the Deputy Grand Master . " Those amongst them then sitting round that board who had had an opportunity of visiting the Grand Lodge saw how the Deputy Grand Master performed his duties , nobly and faithfully . They all wished him long life and happiness , and , in

conclusion , he proposed the health of Earl de Grey and Ripon , and the rest of the Grand Officers . Bro . Watson said he had great pleasure in proposing the next toast . They were then constituted into a regular lodge , they had chosen the W . M ., who then occupied the chair , and the Most Worshipful the Grand Master accepted their nomination , and he felt that it would be a credit and honour to tbe lodge . They all knew his abilities and his desire to make everybody happy and comfortable . Ho wished him health , long life , and a prosperous year of office , having known him for some years , and he was sure that the brethren knew him as well as he did .

or they would never have placed him in the distinguished position he then held . He proposed " The Health of Bro . Wingfield , their Worshipful Master . " The W . Master said he was sure that the brethren would always remember one thing , and that was " England expects every man to do his duty , " and accepting that he said he was perfectly , fully , and entirely satisfied that every officer of the Lodge of Excelsior would do his duty . He would do it fully ,

and fearlessly , and above board . He had received from the brethren of the Lodge of Excelsior , and those who had come there on that occasion , a large-heartedness and an amount of more than kindness which he should never be able to return . He should never be able to return their kindness for having placed him in the chair as the first W . M ., for his name would be handed down to posterity in connection with tbe lodge . He thanked them sincerely for the honour thoy had conferred upon

him . The W . M . then proposed " The Visitors , " coupling with the toast the name of Bro . John Smiley . Bro . Sunley said : I feel myself in a peculiar and perplexing position . I have the honour to have my health proposed on this occasion , and I am called upon especially to return thanks . It is a source of regret to me , however , as there are on the riht and left of me brethren who aremore . capable of returning

g thanks with eloquence . I can only utter a few brief words , but from the bottom of my heart , individually and collectively , I beg to return thanks for the visiting brethren . We have seen the admirable manner in which the consecration of the lodge , with the subsequent duties , have been performed , with the substantial treat that followed , and if we did not return our warmest thanks we should indeed be a most ungrateful

body of visitors . I must express , liowever , our thanks to the brethren of the Lodge of Excelsior ; and we feel deeply grateful for your kindness towards us . The XV . Master said he had then to propose a toast which he knew would be acceptable to the lodge . It was tbe health of an old and valued friend , and he could only speak of him applaudingly . He asked them to drink the toast with all the eclat and cordiality it deserved . It was " Tbe Health of Bro . Watson . " Bro . Watson said that when any brother owed a debt of

gratitude the sooner he got rid of it the better . He had met their W . Master for some years in Masonry , and he said when they grasped their hands they pledged their hearts with them . They had been pleased to say that he had been of use to them , but the consecration and dedication of the lodge , and the installation of the W . M . had been a pleasure to him . He was gratified to see the officers by whom the W . M . would be sustained , as he knew that they wero men of considerable ability and

knowledge in the Craft , and would confer credit and honoutupon the lodgo . Nearly all of them had been selected by the members of the lodge , and whenever under their by-laws Bro . Searle should be called upon to succeed the W . M ., he would bring with him a large amount of knowledge , for he knew what was right , and what ought to be done . Under such auspices the lodge must prosper . Bro . Moore would follow in

the same steps , and carry out tbe interests of Fre masonry in general , and that lodge in particular . The junior officers were well trusted , and he hoped they would be equally trusted by his successor , so that he might see them all occupy the chair iu . the Excelsior Lodge . He thanked them on his own part , and concluded by expressing his earnest hope that God ivould prosper them in all their undertakings .

The W . M . said : The next toast I have to propose is one that I am sure you will receive in a large and liberal spirit . You will receive it in the same spirit and temper as I desire to give it . I would propose the health of tbe Senior and Junior Wardens , and I know of no men in the Craft better able to discharge their duties than those I have selected-I s > ive you " The Health of Bros . Searle and MooreS . W . and

, J . W . of the lodge . " Bro . Searle , S . W ., said he had to return thanks to the W . M . for the kind way in which he had proposed his health , and to the brethren for having responded to it . It was very gratifying to him , and his desire was to do his duty as he had had hitherto done it , and for the advancement of what he professed . As he went up the ladder step by step he hoped

to follow the brother named as the first Master , and would ' endeavour to carry out tbe duties that devolved upon him . Bro . Moore said he felt deeply impressed at the manner in which that afternoon Bro . Watson had performed the ceremony

of consecration , and he felt embarrassed how to return thanks in a proper manner for the honour he ( Bro . Moore ) had received at their hands . He felt honoured iu being associated with brethren whom he bad met in the Craft for seven or eight years , and in society seventeen or eighteen years , and he felt proud to be amongst them as Masons . At their head was Bro . Whigfield , who had been elevated that night , and he was a right , royalgood Masonand he was proud to hold office under him .

, , He had not power of speech to give vent in words to what he felt , hut should simply say that he thanked them for the honour conferred upon him . Bro . Dilley , Sec , briefly returned thanks . Bro . Watson proposed "The Health of Bro . Cooke , " and ' alluded to the efficient way in which he had discharged themusical duties ofthe consecration , he having , in fact , supplied

the place of three brethren , and only at a few hour ' s notice . Drunk with great cheering . Bro . Cooke , after alluding to the happy intimacy that badexisted between himself and Bro . Watson for many years , said ' be thought it was a good augury for the future that the Excelsior Lodge was launched in May . The early Masons , in the eleventh and twelfth centuries , started their lodges in that '

month , and it was in May that Dante met Balue in his fine vision of Freemasonry . He wished also to tell them one or twoother things , and that was that they would not realise the name of Excelsior unless they were determined to go higher into the arcana , and penetrate the mysteries of Freemasonry . He did not care for the origin of it , but the principles of it was known before King Solomon . Those principles were adopted ba

y secret and esoteric society , and kept by them from the great mass of the people . Tbey formed a portion of the hidden mysteries of the early secret societies of the earth , and from the progress of tbe Egyptians in human science , who either dropped , amalgamated , or extended their ramifications through other kingdoms , governments , and people , they had got something handed down to them at the present moment which they

knew as Freemasonry . But , in fact , they knew nothing of Freemasonry beyond 1687 , for that was the first time the word " Freemasonry" was used . It was in 1687 that Elias Ashmole came to London , when there was a feast of philosophers , and he paid for the banquet of all the others who were