Craft Masonry.

the Past Grand Masters , the Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland ' and H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the W . M . alluded to the twenty-six years of service given by the noble Earl to the sound and solid advancement of English Freemasonry throughout the world , to bis excellence as a ruler , and uniform urbanity and kindness as a Mason and a nobleman . Of the Prince of AVales the W . M . said Ave all feel additional pleasure in knowing that whilst H . R . H . holds the hihest rank that could have been

cong ferred on him as a Mason , he Avas not content to havo mere honorary rank , but had earnestly desired to participate actiA'oly iu the good Avork , ancl to take his part as a practical worker in the performance of lodge duties that he might the better be enabled to take part in the governing of the Masonic body , and by a familiarity with the practices of Masonic Avork and rule assist iu that great Purliamentury assemblage of Masons iu Avhich be has been assigned so important a

position as Past Grand Master . H . R . H . had , tlierefore , graduated as a member and served the office of Senior Warden of thelloyal Alpha Lodge , No . 16 , ancl having ou duo course been elected as AV . M ., AVUS on Monday last installed as the Master of that loclge , and he added that the interest our noble brother had exhibited in connection Avith the Craft on many eceasions since he became a member of our order , Avas ivell known to all presentand it bad borne its fruitsThe next toastthe Provincial

, . , Grand Master , the R . W . Bro . AA . Stuart , also met AA'ith a very hearty reception , for as the W . M . remarked , the R . AA . Bro . had endeared himself to all AVIIO knew him . both in and out of Masonry . The toast of "The Deputy Grand Master the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , and the rest of tbe Grand Ollicers past and present" was received Avith all honour , the special mention by the W . M . of the Earl of Carnarvon ' s services as the

representative of the G . M . iu Grand Lodge on several occasions , and of his long and zealous services in connection Avith the Order , before bis appointment b . v the present M . AV . G . M . as his deputy , met Avith re-echoing applause ; tho mention of other Grand Officers including the name of our much esteemed Bro . Jno . Havers . P . G . S . W ., a member of the Berkbampsted Loclge , Avhose absence on this occasion ivas much regretted by all present , gave the W . M , another opportunity of saying more kind and fraternal things from the chair . "The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and the

rest of the Provincial Grand Ollicers , past and present" followed , and the toast was coupled with the name of Bro . Heath , P . Prov . G . W ., ancl ably responded to by Bro . Heath , on behalf , of the Provincial Grand Officers . The health of the AA . M „ Bro . W . AVilson , AVUS then proposed by Bro . Heath , P . M ., in highly eulogistic terins , and it ivas received iu a most enthusiastic manner . The results of his devoted labours , great tact , ancl good management of the affairs of the Lodge had brought the

Berkliainpsfced Lodge into its present flourishing condition . Iu the name of the lodge he presented him Avith a beautiful Secretary's jewel , ivhich had been voted iu lodge , of which the following is the inscription : — " 1871 , Berkbampsted Lodge , No . 504 . To . Bro . Wm . AVilson , AV . M ., Prov . G . D . C , in appreciation of valuable services renderded , especially ivhen filling the office of Hon . Sec . " ( The jeAve ) , ivhich AVUS much admired , ivas

manufactured by Bro . Caney , 44 , Cheapside . ) The AV . M . in reply said : —Bro . Past Master Heath , Past Masters , AA ardens , and Brethren , The very kind and handsome manner iu which the proposal of my health has been received by this numerous company , Avhose friendship and association I highly prize , and shall ever endeavour to merit , I need scarcely say , is most fluttering to my feelings . It is indeed an honour which I am proud to acknoAvledge , and Avhich calls forth my Avannest

thanks . AVhen I look to my right hand and then to my left band , and see around this social board so numerous and distinguished a gathering of metropolitan and provincial brethren , I can Avithout hesitation state that tbe present munent to me , as Master of this lodge , is one of high gratification . Brethren , I have also to thank you on another ground for this beautiful jewel ivhich has ivith so much eloquence been presented to me in your name by Bro . Heath . I knoAv not IIOAV to find Avords to thank you for

this valuable present , Avhich has taken me by surprise , aucl Avhich I feel I scarcely deserve . In fulfilling tho \* arious offices to Avhich I have had the honour from time to time to be appointed , I have merely endeavoured to do my duy , as every true Mason ought to do . AVith reference to our annual trip mentioned by Bro . Heath , it would be untrue ivere I to say it causes no trouble , yet , after one receives so many kind expressions of pleasure and satisfaction with tbe days enjoyment , one feels more than repaid

for any trouble taken . You , consider , hoAveA'er , that empty Avords are but as bubbles upon the Avater Avhich expand upon its surface and become attractive to the eye , yet , ere a feAV moments have elapsed , burst and leave not a trace behind Avhereivith to mark tho spot Avhence they arose . This token , hoAvever , Avhich you have presented to me is composed of lasting materials Avhich may be handed doivn to succeeding generations , ancl when the harmonious concord of siveet-sentiments ivith which its

presentation Avas accompanied in the eloquent speech of Bro . Heath shall cease to A'ibrate iu our ears , AVIICU AVO of the present age shall have passed aiA-ay , I trust it may remain in tlie possession of those ivho may feel proud to exhibit it as a proof that their ancestor was of some little use in his time , aud act as a stimulus to them to go ancl do likewise . The AV . M . further said , that the great honour the brethren hacl clone him iu receiving and drinking the toast of bis health so very cordially ,

—indeed enthusiastically—placed him a condition of embarrassment , for tbey kneAV he loved Avork , ancl to be doing rather than talking . Speech making be said AA * as not a gift for him , but be should indeed be AA'anting in gratitude , and . a proper appreciation of their great kindness if he did not clo his best to thank them , and say hoiv much he felt the compliments paid to him on that occasion , and not only just HOAV at the festive board , but also iu lodgeAvhen they took him by surpriseand greatly

, , delighted him by voting the very handsome , substantial , and unlooked-for token of their esteem ancl regard . To SIIOAV that such meetings as the present did great good and ivere appreciated by those ivho joined in them as visitors . He referred to some of the former summer meetings and quoted some statistics , and expressed tbe pleasure he felt at receiving such valuable additions to tbe numerical strength of the lodge

as hacl been proposed on the present occasion Avhilst at labour , and he concluded by again thanking the brethren for tbe manner in Avhich they had received the toast and mention of his services . Amongst the other toasts was that of "The Visitors , " proposed by the W . M . in a kind aud fraternal manner , aucl he called upon Bros . E . Baxter , \ V . Smith , C . E ., and Dr . Barriuger more particularly , to respond thereto . Bro . E . Baxter expressed the great pleasure he had hacl in visiting- the lodge a second time on the occasion of its July meeting and annual " outincr , " be bad

enjoyed himself so much that he had asked his friend Bro . George Lambert , to propose him as a joining member , and he therefore hoped next year to play the part of host instead of being simply " au invited and honoured guest" as he had been on two occasions . Bro . A \ . Smith , CM ., said as for himself he had many opportunities afforded him of visiting lodges and of seeing good AA-orking , and many more of responding to invitations such as the presentto " assist" at hih festivitiessuch as those in

, g , Avhich they had all taken part to day , but amongst tbe many similar pleasant meetings he bad attended , he did not remember one Avhereat everything ivas so Avell ordered and so effectively carried out , shoAving the admirable generalship of the AV . M ., and the experiences and tact he hacl brought to bear was to insure success . The selection of the route through Avhich they had that clay been takenpresenting much lovel and

, y scenery , many historical incidents , had been a happy one , and the Aveather had been especially propitious , but the almost princely hospitality and the anticipation of all their possible Avants reflected the highest credit on tbe AV . M ., more especially , and on all concerned , but Avhilst their thorough enjoyment at the " outing " AVUS ensured by the provision and foresight of the AA . M ., and the hospitality of the loclge hacl been as agreeable as it AVUS large ,

and Avell ordered , they , the visitors , had also been permitted to take part in the labours of the loclge , hy assisting at the admission and passing of several brethren . Bro . Dr . Barringer in responding for himself and the other visitors , regretted that although a P . M . of the lodge , his engagements prevented his continuing his membership . He was delighted to see the increase in numbers and the general prosperity of the lodge . He

quite agreed AA'ith Bro . Smith and others that such occasions as tho present , added much to the Avell being of the lodge ., as ivell as to the health of the members . And he thought their example Avould be Avell followed by London lodges . A good dinner AVUS enjoyable , and so Avas a clays' pleasure in viewing the beauties of nature , but the tAvo combined as they had been that day , formed a treat truly enjoyable , and not to be excelled . The health of "The Initiates , " was given by Bro . Adams , P . M . both initiates responded . The " Health of the Past Masters , " 1-reposed by the AV . M ., was responded to by Bro . Adams , I . P . M .