United Grand Lodge.

Brethren in this country , over -. vhom you have so long and so worthily presided . The Most AVorshipful Grand Master , said , that he was much , pleased in accepting this mark of respect and esteem offered to him by the Grand Lodge of Hamburg ; he begged Bro . Havers to communicate his thanks to Bro . Brandt , and to assure him that he

would take the earliest opportunity of sending a suitable acknowledgement to the Grand Lodge of Hamburg , The Most Worshipful Grand Master having put on the collar and expressed the satisfaction with which he received this fraternal mark of attention from the Grand Lodge of Hamburg . Bro . Binches expressed his regret at hearing of the cause ; of

resignation of the D . G . Mastership by the Right Hon . Bro . Earl Dalhousie , and gave notice of his intention to move the presentation of a vote of thanks to his lordship for his valuable services to be entered in the minutes , emblazoned , ancl presented to his lordship . The Grand Lodge was then closed in ample form . THE GRAXD FESTIVAL .

Shortly after sis o ' clock nearly 250 brethren assembled in the hall , where a very elegant banquet was served , under the personal direction of Bros . Shrewsbury and Elkington—the order given by the Stewards being only for ISO . The chair , in the absence of the M . AV . G . Master , was occupied by the Right Hon . Earl de Grey and Ripen , D . G . Master , supported by the greater number of the

brethren whose names we have already given , besides an unusuallylarge attendance of private brethren . On the removal of the cloth , The D . GRAXD MASTER rose amidst loud cheers , and said—Brethren , the first toast I have to propose is one which needs no recommendation from me . The health of Her Majesty is always

enthusiastically drunk in every meeting of loyal Englishmen , and loyalty is a peculiar characteristic of Freemasonry . ( Cheers . ) Brethren , the shining virtues which distinguish , the Queen , and the love with which she is regarded by her subjects , make the toast no mere formal one , the more especially at the present moment ; for ns we rejoice with the Queen in her joy , we have been called

upon this year to sympathise with her in a loss which we regret , and deeply feel all her sorrows . ( Cheers . ) I give you " The Health of Her Majesty the Queen . " ( Cheers . ) The D . G . M . next gave "The Health of H . R . H . the Prince Consort , Albert , Prince of AVales , and the rest of the Royal Family , "

which he was sure would be cordially responded to , as the admirable manner in which the Prince Consort had performed his duties had endeared him to the people throughout the country . H . R . H . the Prince of AVales had , during the past years , proved himself in the eyes of the country and of the world worth y of his illustrious parents . He had proved that she possessed all the qualites that were required by Englishmen , in the Prince of AVales ; and with

such examples before them , he had no doubt that the other members ofthe family would also prove worthy of their love and esteem . ( Cheers . ) The D . GRAXD MASTER next rose and said : —Brethren , I now rise to propose that toast which on these occasions must be deemed the most important , the health of the M . AV . Grand Master

the Earl of Zetland . ( Cheers . ) I gather from that cheer that you share with me the deep regret which I feel at his absence on this occasion , and brethren I cannot better express how much the Grand Master regrets his absence than by mentioning that I beleive this is the first occasion since he has filled the high and important office of Grand Master that he has failed to preside over the Grand

Festival ( Cheers ); but it was impossible for him to do so to night , he having received intelligence of the serious and alarming illness of a dear and close relation . Under these circumstances I am sur £ you will not refuse him your sympathies , feeling that his absengeW forced upon him by the cause I have stated . It would be impamjiwi ^ on my part were I to attempt to dilate on the virtues / to ? j the ,

Grand Master , as they have long since received the approbation of the brethren ; and the anxiety of the Earl of Zetland for the interests of the Craft could not have been better shown , than by the fact that , notwithstanding the painful circumstances to which I have alluded , he was present in Grand Lodge this afternoon to discharge his duties . ( Cheers ) He could not partake of our festivities , but he did not shrink from performing the duties of his

position , ( Cheers ) , and is only a further evidence of the spirit with which he endeavours to discharge his duties for the benefit of the Craft . ( Cheers . ) It is my earnest trust that he may long continue to come amongst us , and give us the benefit of his valuable services , whieh have formed an epoch in the history of English Freemasonry , and set such a bright example to any one who may

become his successor . I give with the utmost confidence that it will be heartly received " The Health of the M . AV . Grand Master . ( Cheers . ) The toast having been drunk amidst loud applause .

The D . GRAND MASTER , rose and said , brethren I have now to propose " The Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland . " There can be nothing better than the existence of a cordial feeling amongst all Freemasons , and we are at all times glad of the opportunity of showing hospitality to the members of , and expressing our friendship towards the Grand Lodges of the sister kingdoms . It is at all

times pleasant to express our feelings towards the Grand Lodges of Scotland ancl Ireland ; but it will be the more so on the present occasion as I propose to couple with the toast the name of a Right Worshipful Brother , who is endeared to us all by other considerations than that of liis connection with the Grand Lodge of Scotland ; for though the Earl of Dalhousie has been for a long time

our representative in the Grand Lodge of Scotland , it is not by the position he holds in Scotland that he is best known to us . ( Cheers . ) In rising to propose the heath of that noble Lord my first feeling is that I ought not to fill this chair , and that I appear before you somewhat in the position of a usurper . ( No . no . ) But the noble Lord , for reasons which I will not allude to , as I have no doubt he

will do so himself , has thought it desirable to resign the high position which he held ; and though lie considers lie had ample reasons for that step , I sincerely regret that he has taken it . He has , however , thought fit to resign thc office that he has filled for four years with great distinction , and with so much advantage to the Craft . ( Cheers . ) It is a pleasing duty to me to propose , as I know it will

be a pleasure to you to drink to " The Health of Lord Dalhousie . " ( Applause . ) The EARL of DALHOUSIE rose amidst loud applause , whicli prevented liis being heard for some time , and said , Brethren , I can hardly find words to express the feelings which actuate me at the present moment , for the reception which you have given me is but an

additional proof of your kindness towards me , and which has so materially facilitated the discharge of the duties of the office , from which I have just severed myself . Permit me in the first instance ,, to allude to the honour which you have conferred on the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland . I concur with the remarks of your Deputy Grand Master , that the union of the three Grand

Lodges , by the interchange of representatives has done much to promote our Order , and to increase the prosperity of Freemasonry throughout the United Kingdom . ( Cheers . ) It was a happy thought to send representatives from one Grand Lodge to another , and I have great pride and satisfaction in being the representative , in the Grand Lodge of Scotland , for so ancient ancl important a body

as the Grand Lodge of England . ( Cheers . ) Beyond that , I have had the honour of serving the office of Deputy Grand Master for the last four years . 1 accepted the office when tendered me by the Graud Master , believing that I mig ht be of some service to the ^ Smnd Lodge of England , and because I wished to repay , as far - &® N MU 1 C 1 , the debt of gratitude I owed to our departed (^ ( j ^ ajiiKNilaster for first introducing me to the Grand ( - . Lpilge ^ ef England , as Senior Grand AA arden ; and brethren