Grand Lodge.

On the withdrawal of the cloth , " Deum laudate " was sung by the professional singers . The G . MASTEE : Brethren , the first toast given in every society of Englishmen is tho health of Her Majesty the Queen , and in none is it drank with more cordiality than amongst Freemasons . I give you " The Health of Her Majesty

the Queen . " Drunk with great enthusiasm , followed by tho . National Anthem , the solo parts by Bros . Pcrrcn and Lawler and Miss Louisa Pyno . The G . MASTER said : As good citizens and subjects wo feel a grateful remembrance of the Eoyal Family , but we have lately had to take into our consideration t * he illness of the consort of

the heir apparent to tho English throne , who by her amiable manners and accomplishments has endeared herself to the whole of the people of this country . I give you "The Prince of Wales , the Princess of Wales , and the other members of the Eoyal Family . " Glee— " Blow gentle gales . "

Bro . ALEXANDER DOBIE , Prov . G . Master for Surrey , said : I have now to propose the toast of the evening . The Grand Master very properly remarked that the first toast in all assemblies was the Sovereign of the kingdom , and you have paid all the respect that was due to it . I now propose the health of the Sovereign jvho reigns over Freemasonry . That Sovereign has reigned for

twenty-four years , and this day has been placed in the chair for the twenty-fifth time . I wish him health and happiness so long as lie discharges his duty in the chair as he has done , and I am sure there is no one more anxious to discharge those duties than the noble earl himself . I could say much more about him , but I have received a hint , and in common parlance have been asked to cut it short . I shall therefore give you "The Health of the Eight Hon . the Earl of Zetland , the Most Worshipful

the Grand Master of England . " The toast was drunk with three times three , and one cheer more . The G . MASTER said : Brethren , my worshipful aud esteemed friend , the Grand Master for Surrey , has truly told you that there is no Grand Master more anxious to discharge his duties than your humble servant , and I only wish that my powers were equal to your wishes ; but with such as they are I have done

my utmost to fill the office to which 1 have been elected twenty-five times . The kindness I have received from the brethren has rendered this task an easy one , and that kindness I have also received from all parts of the kingdom . As Grand Master in the Grand Lodge , , there have occurred some differences of opinion as to the course I have thought it right

to take , but the brethren have rallied round me , which was most . gratifying to myself , as it enabled me to carry out those principles which I believe to be the most conducive to tho prosperity and welfare of the Craft , and I have had the gratification of seeing rallied in my support those who were at first opposed to me . I take no credit for this to myself , as I had round

me those who were anxious to carry out that only which would he for the benefit of the Craft . I made a mistake when I said in the Grand Lodge that I had then been placed ¦ in the chair for the twenty-fifth time . It was in 1843 when his Eoyal Highness the Duke of Sussex died , and a year before , although a Provincial Grand Master , I had to

perform the greater part of the duties ; and that led me to make the mistake when I said I had been placed in the chair for the twenty-fifth time , but it is in reality only the twenty-fourth time . For your kindness , and the confidence placedin mo , I should | indeed be ungrateful to the Craft , so long as they think me able , if I did not do my utmost to perform the duties . At my time of life , whenever the brethren shall think that I am unable to perform the duties—when I am not able

to discharge them to their satisfaction—I shall return , with thankfulness and gratitude into your hands the trust you have reposed in me ; arid , in conclusion , brethren , I drink all your good healths . ( The noble lord sat down amidst loud cheering . ) The G . MASTER then gave " The Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland , " which was drunk with cordiality .

Tho G . MASTER then gave "The Eight Hon . the Earl de Grey and Eipon , the Eight Worshipful tho Deputy Grand Master of England , the Grand Wardens , and the other Grand Officers of the year . " Bro . Lord ELIOT , S . G . W ., said he deeply regretted that Earl de Grey and Eipon was not present to respond to the toast ,

being prevented from attending by the severest affliction that could occur in a family , but he was sure that ho always felt the deepest interest in Freemasonry . On such occasion it was hardly safo for porsons to spoak of thonisolvos , much loss to do so on tho part of othors ; but on tho part of tho Grand Officors , ho thought ho might say thoy would do all in thoir powor to promote tho

success of tho Grand Lodgo , for it was to thorn a groat pleasuro to sorvo undor thoir prosont Grand Mastor ; and ho thanked him sincoroly for tho kind mannor in which ho had proposod tho healths of tho Grand Oflicors . Tho G . MASTER said : Brothron , I am happy to say that wo aro honoured by tho prosonco of a great many Provincial Grand

Mastors . I rojoico not so much that thoy attond the Grand Fostival , as for tho attondanco thoy givo at tho Grand Lodgo , whoro thoy havo an opportunity o £ consulting and conversing with tho oiEcors of Grand Lodgo . Thoroforo , I say it always rojoicos mo to soo a good attondanco of Provincial Grand Masters . I soo a good number now prosent , and I havo groat ploasuro in proposing " Tho Health of tho Provincial Grand Masters of England , and ospociaUy thoso who havo dono us tho honour o £

attending this Grand Fostival , " coupling with tho toast tho namo o £ Bro . Fawcott , Provincial Grand Master for Durham . Tho toast was drunk with applause . Bro . FAWCETT , Prov . G . M . Durham , said : It appears that , as tho Senior Prov . G . Master present on this occasion , it devolves upon me to return thanks for this toast . I can assure you , brethren , when I look to the right hand and to the left , and see

with whom I am associated in this toast , I can without any feeling of anxiety or apprehension accept the compliment you have been pleased to pay us . I agree with the Grand Master that the Provincial Grand Masters should appear at this festival , as they are hound to pay honour to him from whom we derive our authority . In attending these meetings , we cannot fail to carry

back with us those feelings which enable us better to discharge our duties in our respective provinces . It is a great pleasure to us to receive the token of approbation now bestowed upon us , and in the name of the Provincial Grand Masters I sincerely thank you . The G . MASTER : I have now to propose a toast which

must be especially interesting to the Craft in general , as it is on a subject which more than any other they are anxious a"bout—it is "The Masonic Charities . " I am happy to say that during the last twenty years the Charities have succeeded in a most wonderful and astonishing manner , and it' does the greatest possible honour to the Craft throughout England . I remember

when it was thought a great thing at the festival for the Boys ' School if the subscription amounted to four figures , that is to say , when we could get a thousand pounds , and wo were often below that , hut now we get several thousands for each of the Charities , and I am confidently told that at tho coming festival for the Girl ' s School—and I trust that the anticipations may not be disappointed , for , although all our Charities deserve your support , there is none that carries with it more sympathy than