Metropolitan.

conld use thab would sufficiently convey my thanks to you on this occasion , but I hope I shall he able to requite ydm- kindness by a faithful discharge of my duties as Master of this lodge . I assure you I feel deeply tho responsibility of this position , but as I told yon on a previous occasion , I had some ambition to obtain this position , and perhaps it may not be ont of place on this occasion , if I tell yon in a few brief words what first inspired and stimulated that ambition . It wasbrethrenthe

, , second time of attending Grand Lodge that I began to reflect on what I saw . what I heard , and on " the constitution of that . great assembly . To me the light was novel and grand , and when I come to reflect on that important assembly , and when I reflected that that assembly was composed of noblemen and . gentlemen of the highest degree , eminent in councils of their sovereign , and in the senate of the country : eminent in religion , the law

m , and in literature , indeed in every art and science , anil every profession down to humble individuals like myself , and when I reflected that that assembly met on the level , and acted on the square , for the well ruling and governing of our ancient and honourable institution , and to assist the widow and orphan , the aged and decayed of our poorer brethren , I thought that ¦ to become a member of that assemblwas not only worthof

y y my ambition , but was worth a very great effort to obtain . Brethren , by placing mo in this exalted position , you have not « uly gratified my ambition but you have made me a member of ¦ Grand Lodge as long as I remain a subscribing member to the Craft , which I hope to do to my latest hour . With respect to my duties as Master of this lodge , I will be punctual and regular if possible in attendanceand I will discharge

my , my duty to the utmost of my ability , and as you have been pleased to express your approbation of me to-night in the beginning pf my office as W . M . So , I hope , may you express yourselves at the ¦ close of my official year . Bro . Ough , for the kind and flattering manner you have proposed my health lo the brethren , I beg most sincerely to thank you : and to you , brethren , for the very hearty and cordial manner you have drank my

health to-night I thank you from my heart . Brethren , the next toast I have to propose is "The Health of our excellent and esteemed Immediate Past Master , Bro . Ough . " I am sorry the duty of proposing this toast has not devolved

upon some one more able than myself , —one whose ability would have enabled them to have expatiated on his merit , and told you of his worth , for I fear that anything 1 may attempt to say will detract rather than add to his worth . And had it not been for our brother initiates , and that we are honoured here this evening by so many of our visiting brethren , I should have been inclined simply to have proposed his health , without nil }' commentsof my own ; for youbrethrenknow his worth better

, , than I can tell you , from his devotion and zeal to the cause of . Freemasonry , and from the constant and punctual attendance to his duties to the lodge ; for constant he has been , —from the first -day lie was appointed an officer to the time he so honourably passes this chair he has never been absent from his duties on one single occasion , and from the able manner in which he has performed those duties , and from the excellency of his working not

Only reflects great credit to himself , but has been the source of great gratification , and I may say congratulation to the lodge . But when we take into consideration what he has done for those noble institutions which are the ornaments of our Order ,- — I mean the Charities , all else , excellent as it may be , sinks into mere insignificance ; but you do not want reminding , brethren , that he has this year stood Steward for two of the

Charities , and this evening you have heard it announced in open lodge that he is going to stand for the third . And all this is not only attended with a great deal of trouble and anxiety , but great'expense ; the expense he thinks nothing of ; he . has often told vis that anything given in charity is returned to the giver two-fold . Bro . Ough , one ofthe proudest moments ¦ of my life has now arrived ; I assure you , nothing ever has occuredand nothing ever willthat has given me greater

, , . pleasure than I feel in having the honour of presenting you with this jewel in the name of the brethren of the Belgrave Lodge in a token of the great regard and esteem , and long may T . G . A . O . T . U . spare you to wear it . I am sure , sir , yon will receive it in the spirit itis given in , and never was a jewel mora worthily or more honourably earned , and never was one more heartily voted . Aud worshipful sir , when the time shall

arrive , as in the ordinary course of nature it will arrive , when perhaps from failing energy or disinclination your visits may not be so frequent amongst ] Masons , may this jewel be the means of causing you some happy reflections , not only that

yon have passed a pleasant evening at this- or that banquettiiig : ' table , may it be the means of causing those sohler and happier " reflections that you have done your duty as a citizen of the ' world , a brother to mankind , and a Freemason-. Worshipful sir , I am disposed to believe that you have derivsd some pleasure , some gratification aud some degree of pride m presiding as W . M . over the Belgrave Lodge , and if you have been proud of the lod I am sure I only echo the sentiments of the brethren

ge , when I say the lodge has been proud of you . Brethren , I call upon yon to drink " The Health of I . P . M , Bro . Ough . " Bro . OUGH , I . P . M ., rose and said : Worshipful Sir , —I feel quite at a loss to thank you adequately for the very flattering manner in which you have proposed my health , and to- the brethren in responding to the same . I really do not think I deserve so much . I have only endeavoured to do my duty , a

duty I solemnly engaged to do when I was installed into the chair you so honourably fill this evening ; and if my humble services have met with the approbation of the lodge , I am quite satisfied ; but although I have vacated this proud position you now occupy , I assure you I shall not take the less interest in the Belgrave Lodge , but shall at all times be ready to give it humble services should they be required . A man must

my indeed he cold if he could sit here without his heart swelling with emotion , at receiving this lasting token of affection and esteem of the Belgrave Lodge , and the very flattering manner in which you have spoken of my humble services during my year of office . The W . MASTER next proposed "The Past Masters of the Belgrave Lodge . " He commenced by pointing out the

harmonious and prosperous course the lodge had hitherto pursued . Speaking of the celebrity the lodge had obtained , he attributed this happy state to the excellent management of the P . M . ' s , whom he eulogised for the important services they had rendered to the lodge . Bro . FROUDE , P . M ., replied on behalf of the P . M . 's . He said he would not detain them but a few moments , as Bro .

Watson was present , whom he hoped would afterwards address them , hut from the flattering way the W . M . had recognised his services , he begged to assure them that he should be ready at all times to do anything possible to serve the Belgrave

Lodge . Bro . WATSON , P . M ., said , he had been requested by the Past Master to say a few words . He commenced by complimenting the W . M . upon the graceful and gentlemanly manner in which lie had gone through his duties , the able and efficient way he had invested his officers and closed down the lodge , had afforded him very great pleasure . He next congratulated the lod on having elected so able a Masterand so skilful a

ge , Craftsman as their W . M . for the ensuing year . He next reviewed the progress of the lodge , congratulating the brethren npon the proud position the lodge held in the Craft . He delivered one of his able addresses to the initiates , and concluded an able speech by making an eloquent and pathetic appeal to the brethren to support their energetic P . M ., Bio . Oughin his ni'duous duties of standing Steward for the

, Charities the third time this year , and concluded by saying ho looked upon the Belgrave Lodge as being one of the best lodges in the metropolis . The W . MASTER said ho had one more toiist to propose , and though last , it was not less in importance , indeed he felt it to be one of great importance , after a few prefatory remarks , he commented the officers individuallstating that it was a

upon y , great source of pleasure , and gave him great confidence upon assuming the duties of his important office , knowing that he had such au able staff of officers to assist him in his year of office . He gave them " Tho Officers of the Lodge . " The S . WARDEN briefly responded for the officers . The Tyler ' s toast brought the evening to a close , which was enlivened by some excellent singing from many of the

members . MERCHANT NAVY LODGE ( No . VS 1 ) . —This flourishing East End lodge held its first monthly meeting at their new lodge room , Silver Tavern , Burdett-road , Limehouse , having been compelled to leave the Jamaica Hotel , West India Docks , by reason of the large family of the new proprietor , Bro . McKenzie , and he wanting further accommodation for domestic requirements . The lodge was opened with solemn prayer at five

o ' clock precisely . There were present Bros . C . K . Killick , W . M . ; Davis , S . W . ; Bracehvidge , J . W , ; Helps , acting as S . D . Daniel , P . M ., as J . D . ; Bradbury , I . G . ; K . J . Read , Hon . Sec ; Blickfeldt , Wright , and With , P . M . ' s , and numerous brethren .