Grand Lodge.

The National Anthem then followed . The GEAND MASTEE next gave , in appropriate terms , " The Health of the Prince and Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family . " Admiral Sir Lucius CURTIS , Prov . G . M . Hampshire , said : He had the honour to propose the next toast , and he really felt it a great honour to do so . He had not the power of eloquence ,

but the few words he had to say came sincerely from his heart . The toast he had again the pleasure to propose , was "The Health of the Grand Master , " who had that day been installed as their Grand Master , which office , he had held for twentythree years . As good Masons they esteemed him , and he hoped he might be their Grand Master for three and

thirty years to come . They loved him with sincere and brotherly love that came from true Masons , They had him then before them in health , and God grant that he might long continue so .

The toast was most enthusiastically responded to . The G . MASTER said : Brethren , I hardly know how to thank you for this demonstration of your kindness and forbearance to me . I have used tho word " forbearance " for I must to say that , for the last twelve months I have almost felt incapable of attending to the duties which have devolved upon me , and

therefore your confidence affects me very sensibly , for every time I come before yon I receive stronger symptoms of your regard and affection . Still I feel my own afflictions . I feel that I have arrived at that time of life whicli as the Psalmist says is allotted as that of man , but yet I feel strong and able to attend to my duties . I assure you brethren that had it not been for a sense of

your forbearance and your confidence , and I will say of the affection you have shown for me , I should have asked you a year ago to allow me to retire from your service , but after the support , the kindness , and the sincere affection I have received from the brethren , I should show myself to be ungrateful if I did not per form the duties which devolve on me through your repeated

confidence in me . On this occasion I feel more affected by your kindness than I ever did before , and as long as it pleases yon , and you deem me worthy of your confidence , I can assure you

that I will never forfeit ifc , as I am most anxious to perform my duties witii advantage to tiie Craft and to merit . your approbation . I thank you for your kindness on this occasion , and I heg to drink all your healths . Song—Madame Rudersdorff , " Where ' er it he in silent night . " The G . MASTEE said : Brethren , the next toast I have to give

you is "The Health of tho Right Honourable the Earl de Grey and Ripon , Deputy Grand Mastar , " who would have been with ns this evening hut for his attendance , being required at a Cabinet Council . The noble lord holds a very high office in her Majesty ' s Councils ,, but he is seldom absent from us . I feel great obligations to him for the readiness that he has volunteered

when I havo been absent to take my place and open Grand Lodge , and I am sure that he performed the duties of Grand Master in a manner very superior to anything you could hope for from me . All will admit that he deserves yom- confidence as well as thanks for the willing attention he always pays to tho affairs of Freemasonry . I am sure you will not he able to find a more able and willing Deputy Grand Master , and I feel great obligations to him for the manner in which he performs his duties .

The toast was heartily responded to . The GRAND MASTER said : Brethren , I have now the pleasure to propose a toast which I know you will drink with great satisfaction . There never was a time when the Grand Lodges of England , Scotland , and Ireland , were on more friendly terms

or acted better together . We have frequently , in former days , have had slight differences and , indeed , only very slight ; but now there is no difference between us , aud we are banded together to do the best we can for the interests of Freemasonry . I only regret that neither of the Grand Masters of Scotland or Ireland are present . I can account for the Duke of Leinster , Grand Master of Ireland , whom , I am sorry to say , is

considerably older than myself , and he cannot attend our festive meeting . I saw him yesterday , when he was in excellent health , but a man at his time of life cannot go to public dinners , or indeed anywhere else , except where his presence is absolutely necessary . I know that he has great affection for the Grand Lodge of England , for he was present a few years ago at the laying of

the first stone of the new building . As for the Grand Master of Scotland , he is a long way from London ; and we cannot expect him tc come so great a distance to join our festive meeting . He is engaged as a citizen of Scotland , in duties regarding that which has not affected Scotland so much as it has England , I mean the cattle plague ; but I am delighted to see here Bro .

Manockjec Cursetjee , D . G . M . Bombay , and D . Prov . G . M . Scotland , who has honoured us with his presence on this occasion . Therefore , I trust every brother will receive him as the representative of Scotland . Bro . MANOCKTEE CURSETJEE said : Most Worshipful Grand Master and brethren all , in coupling iny humble name -with

the latter part of the toast you could not have paid me a higher compliment . Tiie toast was kindly given and enthusiastically responded to by the brethren all . The Grand Master of Scotland will , no doubt , be interested to find that a native brother from the East , but an humble representative of our Order under the banner of Scotland , has been selected to respond to that toast . It has boon my good fortune to be personally

connected with the late Grand Master for Scotland , and I spent many hours under his hospitable roof for three years , and I little thought ho would be so soon taken away from us ; but by his Masonic acts he has left a great name , and gratitude is due from every brother of the Land of Cakes . His name is held in high estimation in Scotland , not less than in other parts of the United Kingdom , but in England especially . The present

Grand Master of Scotland worked for years in Masonry , under the late Duke of Atholl , and it is peculiarly gratifying to me and you to find the greatest cordiality exists between the heads of the craft under tho hauliers of England , Scotland , and Ireland , and where can wo find a better example of kindness , peace , and harmony amongst the heads of the Order ; for without it what

would become of the subordinates ? It is the peculiarity of the Craft that there should be peace and harmony between the lodges of England , Scotland , and Ireland , and long may it continue , and in the lodges of the Continent also . Ifc really seems to he the mission of our hallowed Order to cement peace and friendship , and to prevent war . It lias been beautifully said

of our Order , that it is more ancient than the golden fleece or Roman eagle , more honourable and dignified than the Garter , that Order of which we are tho representatives , and whoso badge is peace all over the world . I am gratified and I feel grateful that allusion has been made to the lodge of India of which I am tlie humble representative , and I am happy

to say that the same feeling of cordiality exists between the Provincial Grand Masters of Bengal , Madras , and Bombay , the three provinces of India , which , to some extent , may be compared tc England , Scotland , and Ireland , and all is peace and harmony . As I have said so much for the Land of Cakes , I hope some other brother will respond for the Emerald Isle for the honour the Grand Blaster has done us , and you , brethren , for the very cordial manner in which you have drunk the toast .