Grand Lodge.

GRAND LODGE .

•THEMASONICMIRROR. * * All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury-street , Strand , London , AV . C .

The Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodgo was bold at tbe Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , tho 4 th inst . In the absence of the Earl of Zetland , tho throne ivas occupied by the Earl of Limerick . Lord Elliot officiated as Senior Grand Warden , Bro . Hervey as Junior Grand Warden . After the reading and confirmation of thc minutes , tho report

of the Board of Benevolence for the last quarter was read , containing a recommendation for o grant of £ 50 to Bro . A . Peacock , of Lodge of Love and Honour ( Xo . 285 ) , Shepton Mallet . Bro . Clabon having presided at tbe Board of Benevolence when the grant was recommended , moved that it be confirmed on the following grounds—that Bro . Peacock was seventy-five

years of age ; that he had been thirty-two years a subscribing member ; and tbat he was a Past Master of four lodges . He bad been a subscribing member to one lodge at Shepton Mallet for sixteen years , fourteen of which he had acted as Treasurer . In ISO- he ceased to subscribe , through misfortune ; be then went to reside with bis son , who has since that time

also been unfortunate . The Junior Grand AA ' arden seconded the motion , and it was passed unanimously . The report of the Board of General Purposes was agreed to be entered and taken as read . It contained a statement tbat five lodges had neglected to make the requisite returns , and

tbe Board recommended that the Masters and Wardens of these lodges be summoned to attend tho Grand Lodge at the next Quarterly Communication , to show cause why their respective lodges should not be erased .

Bro . Llewellyn Evans , in moving the adoption of the report , stated that since its circulation three of the live lodges had made the necessary returns , but that the two that had not , ancl to ivhich the recommendation would apply , were the Forest Lodge ( No . 575 ) , Mansfield , and the St . Teilo Lodgo ( No . G 95 ) , Llandilo .

The motion w-as seconded , and passed unanimously . The next and last business before Grand Lodge was a communication from the District Grand Master of Trinidad , reporting the suspension of Bro . Jose Felix Gonzales , of the Phcenix Lodge ( No . 911 ) , Port of Spain , Trinidad , until the pleasure of Grand Lodge be known . The Grand Secretary read the papers relating to this matter .

The Grand Registrar stated the facts of the case , which were as follow : —The District Grand Master had summoned Bro . Gonzales to appear before him and produce certain books ; this lif neglected to do . The District Grand Master then peremptorily summoned him , according to the power conferred on him by the " Book of Constitutions ; " to this bo did not attend , and

the District Grand Master suspended the brother till the decision of Grand Lodge could be obtained . AVe ( the Grand Registrar ) therefore moved , "That tbe suspension of Bro . Gonzales be continued until he shall make due submission to bis District Grand Master , and that the District Grand Master be empowered by this Grand Lodge to remove tho suspension as

soon as such submission shall be deemed satisfactory . " Bro . L . Evans seconded the motion , which , upon being put to Grand Lodge , was unanimously adopted . There being no further business , Grand Lodge was closed in due form .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

ST . JOHN ' S LODGE ( NO . 1 G 7 ) . —This lodge resumed its duties on Tuesday last , the 3 rd inst ., at tho Holly Bus . li Tavern , Hampstead , at half-past four . Bro . YVm . . Alexander , AA . M ., took the chair , supported by Bros . James Houghton , P . M . ; Thomas Alexander Adams , P . M . and P . G . Purst . ; M . Thompson , P . M . ; also by his subordinate officers , Bros . Muncey , S . AV . ; F . B . Davidge , J . AV . ; J . R . Smith , Sec ; Frederick Adiard , Dir . of Cers . P . ll . No . 7 and P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . Essex .

, , Lodgo being opened , the minutes of the last meeting were read , and received confirmation , after whicli Bros . Raistrick and Holiis were introduced , and being found well informed as to the previous degree , the brethren considered them fit and proper brothers to be advanced a stage further in tho Order , which was accordingly vouchsafed them . The next business was the election of the W . M . for thc next twelve months , which resulted

in Bro . Muncey , the S . AA ., being unanimously elected to fill that most important office . There being no other matters before the lodge , tho brethren adjourned to refreshment , Bro . Dale , tho worthy landlord , as visual , doing his utmost for the comfort of his guests . Upon tho removal of the cloth the usual loyal aud Masonic toasts were given . Bro . Adiard returned thanks for tho Grand Officers . Tho AA .. ALin returning thanks for bis

, health being proposed , said he had to the best of his ability done his duty during his year of office , and would , as far as in him lay , assist his successor , not only in the ceremonies , but in keeping order , which was one of the most essential points , or landmarks , of tlie Fraternity . He ( the W . M . ) felt assured that Bro . . Muncey would endeavour to carry out all that was necessary for the advancement of thc lodge . The A \\ M . then proposed

tho health of Bro . George Taylor—tho only visitor—and made some pertinent allusions to the value of Masonic literature , with which , he said , Bro . Taylor was connected . Bro . Taylor , in responding to the toast , said : AVorshipful Sir , —I feel a difficulty iu responding to tin ' s compliment , inasmuch as I should like to avoid the stereotyped phrases usual upon such occasions ; but so stereotyped is tho kindly feeling displayed by tho Order , tbat to find new expressions to convey our appreciation of these courtesies would be to find a new dictionary . Brethren , however , receive my thanks for your reception of my humble self , and allow me to offer a few observations unon the subieot of

Freemasonry . Masonry holds out two mighty arguments in its favour—a universal language understood by the Fraternity in every quarter of thc globe , and a universal fund for the relief of the distressed , whatever may be their religion , or country ' , or complexion . Our language is understood by every country pretending iu the slightest degree to cultivation under Heaven . The Mason needs but to speak it and he is fed , clothed , and comforted by men who never saw his face before . And the

accidental distinctions of religion , country , or colour are all obliterated in the expansive reflection that the world is our country , man our brother . I advert not to the circumstance that a man was bom in Asia , Africa , Europe , or America . AA'hatever bo his country , colour , or creed , he is welcome to tho little pittance cur funds afford him , and when these are inadequate to bis wants and necessitiesa strenuous endeavour to sweeten the

, hour of adversity by the gentle offices of friendship and humanity will , in all probability , make up the deficiency . Several toasts followed , and the brethren retired soon after ten o ' clock , highly delighted with the evening ' s entertainment . PAXMUBE LODOE ( No . 720 ) . —Tho summer festival of this excellent lodgo took placo on tho 27 th inst . at tho Crystal Palaco Sydenham , to whicli ladies woro invited ; a moro pleasant

reunion could not havo taken placo . Bro . Lilloy , "P . M ., took tho chair , in tho unavoidable absence of the AV . M ., illness being tho canso . Bro . Smith actod as S . AV ., and Bro . Gates as J . AV . Tho banquet was in Bros . Bertram ancl Roberts' usual stylo of excellence . Upon tho removal of tho cloth , tho usual loyal and Masonic toasts woro given and heartily responded to . Bro . Thomas , P . M ., proposed "Tho AA' . M ., " which was received with

all honours . Among the visitors wo observed Bros . Stevens , fornioi'ly a mombor of tho Panmuro Lodge ; Pulsford , S . A \ . of Lodgo No . 1 , 158 ; Smith , etc . Bro . Smith returned thanks for tho health of tho visitors , making somo protty allusions to tho pretty faces —tho brethren being surrounded by tho lig ht of such oyos as would almost oclipso tho light of Froomasonry . It was very proper that ladies woro excluded from tho lodges , for it was quito certain that very little Masonic work would bo done , as tho ladies must have tho attention of tho brethren drawn to thorn . Tho most important toast of the evening was that of " Tho Ladies . " Bro . Huntley actod as thoir champion , and returned thanks iu eloquent