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demonstration arc on every side , and iu every place , to be found . Allow me , my brethren , iu conclusion , to add a few words more iu behalf of oue who cannot come here to speak for herself , and who , I can assure you , will fully participate in my surprise aud gratitude for your kindness on this occasion . I feel quite safe in assuring you that my wife most warmly thanks you for her share in the good wishes and kind feelings you have so courteously aud so handsomely manifested in her favouraud willI am confidentever feel proud of this distinction from

, , , those whom her husband has so much reason , as well as duty , to address by thc endearing name of brothers . " The brethren , to the number of about fifty , subsequently adjourned to the Province Hotel , where an adequate entertainment was provided by Bro . Preaux . The cloth having been removed , the AVorshipful Master , in appropriate addresses , proposed the " Queen and thc Craft , " " The Most AVorshipful Grand Master , the Earl of Zetland , " " The Right

Worshipful Deputy Grand Master , Lord Panmure , " " The Governor of the land in which we dwell , and the speedy advancement and elevation of this country amongst the nations of the globe . " In proposing the next toast , "The steady and progressive development of Freemasonry around us , and the health of Bro . Perez , " the AA'orshipful Master said , — "The steady and progressive development of pure and ancient Freemasonry must ever be a subject near and dear to every faithful brother ' s heart . I say steady and progressive developmentiu opposition to that

, rapid and instantaneous growth which too often precedes an early decay , and indicating that what we wish for others , is only what we desire for ourselves—the purest and the best . Our annual banquet has now , my brethren , for some years past , been honoured with the presence of guests , to whom we have at all times gladly extended the right hand of fellowship , and hailed by the endearing name of brother , and if the restrictions laid upon us by our Constitutions preclude our going beyond this , yet I feel assured they justly value the simplicity of the title we extend

to them , demonstrated as it has been with the practical exhibition of the ties and duties if . embraces ; to comprehend , that although separated by rites , and under other jurisdiction , the fraternal chord of brotherly love , relief ancl truth , unites us with them in the holy cause of Masonic excellence ; and the extension and diffusion of its principles among the natives of the land we dwell in must over be n source of sincere joy and heartfelt satisfaction to the Excelsior Lodge . And , with the rest of that society whose branches are spread over tbe four divisions of the globe ,

we must ever regard with grateful satisfaction , to venerate and to love , those who have fostered and yet continue the culture of Acacia iu these widely extended plains , devoting their time , their strength , and thentalents—spent , and being spent , iu tho burden ancl heat of the day— in promoting the growth of that plantation , which it may be hoped will yield a glorious harvest , in establishing and cementing the peacc . prosperity and happiness of the soil , which marks their birth and infant nurture . '' BrethrenI ive tho health of the AA' . M .. Bro . Perezand bin

, gyou , , colleagues , united with our best wishes for the steady and progressive development of pure and Antient Freemasonry around us . " Bro . Perez acknowledged this toast with his usual eloquence and warm feeling , assuring the brethren ofthe high regard and deep respect with which the native brethren look up to the Excelsior Lodge . Bro . AV . C . Thompson , P . M ., then proposed "The health of the AVorshipful Master . " In acknowledging the toast the AVorshipful Master

said— " Brethren , I rise , to thank you for having so cordially and warmly responded to the toast just given . My unavoidable absence from the country kept me from you six out of the twenty-three evenings which mark the total number of our meetings during the past year , which I truly regret ; but what I have seen aud experienced of the duties demanded and required t ' roin the brother who fills the chair , has convinced me Iimv manifohl have been my short comings , how- inferior my abilities , and how numerous my defects for the adequate performance and profitable discharge of thc office of Master of the Excelsior Lodge .

" lour suffrages have again called me to preside and rule over you , aud in all sincerity I say it , 1 would that your selection had fallen on some , one else ; but siuce we are taught as a Masonic duty that our 'obedience must be proved by a ready acquiescence in all votes and resolutions duly passed by a majority of the brethren , ' and as my insufficiencies are not unknown to you , I have accepted the distinction allotted to me by my brethren , truly sincere in my desire to do my best , and iu the words with whieh I appealed to you at our last banquet . Trnstin ™

to your support and co-operation to enable me . rightly to discharge the responsible duties attached to an office at once so honourable and so high : for in unity I regard our strength . "' During the year that is passed there is much that I have to lament in having left undone what I wished to have done , to increase our Masonic knowledge , but have not been able from the calls made upon our time by the increase that has taken place in the number of initiationspassings

, , find raisings , which having considerably advanced upon preceding years may be regarded , I think , as a hopeful sign that our Lodge , if it has not arrived at that eminence we desire to see it attain to , lias nevethelcss progressed , and not unreasonably will admit the expectation to be entertained that it will continue to advance yet higher and higher in Masonic perfection , so that our name , our beautiful name of Excelsior may finally become a watchword and a beacon of love , of unity , and of honour ;

but before we can attain thc end we aim at , there is much , very much to be dune ; and although this is not a time or place to read you a homily upon Masonic duties , yet f may be permitted to remind some of you that the inspection of our register of attendance serves to show thai

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although the looked for harvest before us is great , yet the labourers are still few , and that on our nights of meeting , many seats iu our temple arc vacant which ought to-be filled . " Our Book of Constitutions tells us , that ' Every Brother ought to belong to some Lodge , , / ind be subject to its by-laws , and the general regulations of the Crafc A Lodge may be either general or particular , as will be best understood by attending it : and there a knowledge of the established usages and . customs of the Craft is alone to be acquired .

From ancient times no Master or Fellow could be absent from his Lodge , especially when warned to appear at it , without incurring a severe censure , unless it appeared to the Master and AVardens that pure necessity hindcred him . ' Pardon me , brethren , in thus adverting to an unpleasant matter at this moment : it is your welfare that prompts me to take advantage of an opportunity I should not wish to lose altogether , by waiting for a more convenient season ; , and lam sure you would not desire to continue wanting in your fidelity to those laws you have solemnly

] iledged yoursel ves to observe . It is unity that I ask < if you : it is brotherly love that I demand , when I seek the united , constant , anil persevering labour of all our workmen , to draw near with willing hands iu the task of cementing and beautifying our Lodge , by the culture of every moral and social virtue , in example , as well as in precept , that standing alone as it does , far removed from its sisters scattered over our native laud , it may yet , in its particular and simple rite , remain bright and shining iu modest virtuelowly iu its own eyesbut at no distant periodI trust ,

, , , with many witnesses to attest to its zeal for the Order ; that so its Masonic Hall , its Masonic Club , its Masonic Library , its Masonic Charities , may cause it to be beloved and esbecmed by the brethren both far and near , and ever respected and regarded alike by all as the abode ol love , of holiness , and of truth . Yes , brethren , my ambition is high , my desires aro great for the Excelsior Lodge , and ardeutlv as I desire the

welfare of the Craft m general , my heart yearns in an especial manner for the onward , higher course of our own particular Lodge , f wish to see it foremost in the rank of all that is good , of all that is lovely , of all that is virtuous , and like the sun that shines above us , giving a genial bent and warmth to all it rests upon , dispensing health and vigour , and diffusing life , cheerfulness , aud joy to gladden the hearts of the evil as well as the good , so in a similar , though more humble sphere , do I wish to see the Excelsior brethren up and doing , strict to their vows , true to

tbeir principles , and just alike to all , that so running the race they may win the prize . " The AA ' orshipful Master resumed his seat amid general and prolonged applause . The health of " The P . Ms , of the Excelsior Lodge , " of " The AA ' orshipful Master , AVardens , and . Officers of the Lodge , " Amie des Naufragis , ol "The Past Officers ofthe Excelsior" followed . In proposing " Prosperity to the Benevolent Fund , " Bro . J . P . Boyd ,

S . AV ., gracefully and feelingly alluded to the obligations the Excelsioi Lodge is under to Bro . Samuel Hesse , its late treasurer and first Master , and warmly urged upon the brethren to let their Benevolent Fund be ever in a position to illustrate , practically , that prominent feature of their profession—charity . Bro . Billinghurst , AA ' . M . ofthe Lodge Regeneration followed , and in warm and hearty words proposed " Prosperity to the Excelsior Lodge , No . 900 . " In acknowledging the toastthe AVorshiful Master read some

interest-, p ing statistics indicating the growth ofthe Lodge , and the interest in its working evinced by its members . Various other toasts followed , ably proposed and suitably acknowledged , the last being the usual one of "All poor ami distressed Masons , & c , " which drew forth a handsome contribution to the charitable funds of the Lodge , and closed this auspicious meeting in a manner befitting the social harmony and fraternal feeling which pervaded it .

The Week.

THE WEEK .

THE COURT . —Thc royal family continue in good health at Balmoral in semi-privacy . The Queen and her daughters ride and drive about the neighbourhood , and occasionally assist at the Prince Consort ' s deerstalking exhibitions . Sir George Grey is the Secretary of State in waiting upon the Queen , and there have been scarcely any other visitors to her Majesty this week . The Prince of AVales has left Holyrood and joined his parents at Balmoral . It is delightful to learn , from the columns of our brilliant contemporarythc Court Journalthat " it is

, , said that the young prince has enjoyed his residence at Edinburgh very much . " Her Majesty and tho Prince Consort , the Prince of AVales , the Princess Alice , Helena , aud Louisa , and Prince Arthur were present at a ball given by her Majesty and the Prince Consort to the gillies , and keepers of tho Balmoral and neighbouring properties . FOUEIOX NEWS . —The Emperor and Empress of the French have left St . Sauveur for Biarritz . Tbey were received with enthusiastic

acclamations by the populace everywhere along their passage . The Prince Chimay has arrived at Biarritz , and has taken up his quarters at the magnificent Chateau d'Ardoiu , whieh he has hired for the reception of the King of the Belgians . His Majesty travels under the name of Comte de Later . Count AA'alewski was to leave ou the 17 th inst . for Biarritz , and an interview between the Emperor Napoleon and King Leopold was to take place on the 14 th inst . Au article from the Steele is particularly deserving of attention , as the Sieck has hitherto exhibited a friendly