The Masonic Mirror.

each of the followiug Brethren : —to Bro . Wm . Watson , for his kindness in attending aud performing the arduous duties of the day , which were done with Bro . Watson ' s well known skill and faultless precision ; to Bros . Osborne and Fry , the S . and J . Ws ., for the very handsome pedestals they had presented to the Lodge ; and to the W . M . for the most valued gift the Lodge could receive , an excellent and beautifully bound copy of tho volume of tho sacred law , with its attendant cushion . And although no vote could be so recorded in favour of Bro . Piattyet his very chaste jewels

, , columns , perfect ashlar , aud the loan of his vessels of classical design , called forth the praise of every brother present . Tho Lodge being closed , the brethren adjourned for a time to give au opportunity to prepare the room for the banquet . On their re-assembling , that serious business of life , dinner , was done justice to , and being finally disposed of , tho W . M ., in a few terse and appropriate words , gave the first toast of the evening , which was followed by Bro . M . Cooke ' s singing the- new Masonie song , ' ¦ ' The Queen and the Craft , " amid general applause . The W . M . then

proposed the health of the M . W . G . M . the Karl of Zetland , which wii 3 most cordially received . Then followed the Deputy Grand Master , and the Grand Officers , coupled with the name of Bro . Farnfield , tho Asst . U . See ., a brother who was ever ready with his advice to all who chose to seek it . Bro . Farnfield , who on rising to respond , was met by long continued cheers , thou said that he returned thanks for the Grand Officers , and for the way iu which his name had been received ; he was very much obliged to the brethren present—he had been thirty ;

three years connected with the G . See ' s , office , and although very many eyes were upon his conduct , he believed he hadmet with as few annoyances as foil to the lot of any person in office , and concluded by saying , that he was ever ready to render any assistance , to all requiring it , when called upon . The worthy brother resumed his seat amid long continued applause . The next toast was "The Initiates , " which the W . M . said was always regarded as the toast of the evening , and having gracefully alluded to each of the four then present , the toast was drunk with the usual good feeling , aud a brother , whose name wo could not catch , sang the " Entered

Apprentice . " The W . M . in a pithy speech , proposed the health of " The Visitors , " of whom there wore a large number present , and he hoped that such would always be the case at the Royal Alfred Lodge , for when so many eyes were upon them , it stimulated the members to discharge their duty in the best possible manner and also tended to create good feeling between tho members of various Lodges . He could not conclude without thanking the S . and J . Ws . of the Zetland Lodge , for having signed the petition for No . 1082 , and bade them a hearty welcome in the name of the lodge . Bro . Jones sang a song incapital stleand Bro .

y , Farmer returned thanks for the visitors . Bro . Rackstraw next proposed the health of the W . M . Bro . Joseph Smith . He had seen the W . M . first enter Masonry , had made , passed , and raised him , and was proud of such a disciple aud brother . The W . M . on rising was met by long continued cheers , and , when they had somewhat subsided , proceeded to say that he had some difficulty in speaking for himself , —his aim was to do his duty , and encourage Masonry by every means in his power . As Bro . Rackstraw had alluded to his early days he might be permitted to

say that he was always happy to acknowledge his obligations to ln 3 mother lodge No . 9 , and also to add to Bro , Ruckstrtuv ' s epitome that he was also installed Master of that lodge , and he felt that tho older they got the better they liked each other . He said it was his chief desire that his conduct should merit approbation , for it was the obligation of every one in his position as Master of a Lodge , to show themselves zealous for the good of Masonry ; and he could assure them that such would be his endeavour , for it must be obvious to all that he hud now nothing to

gain , in position , and the only ambition he had left was to secure tho good opinion and kind wishes of his brethren , by deserving them . The W . M . then proposed tho health of three P . Ms ., Bros . Watson , Rackstraw , and Potter , aud said how gladly the lodge was to welcome the first , after the solemn rite they had seen that day so carefully and fully performed ; he could only bear testimony to Bro . Watson ' s talents by styling him the perfect Mason . "Bro . Watson , in returning thanks , disclaimed any extra meed of praise from tho brethren—what he was enabled to perform was always at the service of any brethren that asked for it . He was at all times willing to impart what he knew , aud ho