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others motives . ( Hear , hear . ) He embraced the present opportunity of doing so with pleasure . He had all along differed from Bro . Havers , ancl lie still differed from him , but at the same time he was highly sensible of his zeal and devotion to Masonry , ancl that he was animated by the greatest disposition to serve the Institution . ( Hear . ) Hehadhad the gratification to meet Bro . Havers twenty years ago when he occupied a seat in the body of the hall , ancl he even then gave promise of that Masonic zeal ancl ability for which he

hacl been since so eminently conspicuous . Indeed so eminent had heen Bro . Haver's services that they could not be easily forgotten , rendered as they had been at a period most critical in the history of Freemasonry . The resolution led to two different points . In the first place it referred to his zeal and devoted service in the discharge of his duty as President of the Board of General Purposes , where , ivithout any disparagement to his successor , the duties of that office hacl been fulfilled as they could never be fulfilled b

y another . It next alluded to his true and faithful services on behalf of Masonry generally . In regard to both of these points he deserved the warmest encomiums ancl the kindest expression of gratitude from the brethren . It would no doubt be gratifying to Bro . Havers to find that the present resolution was proposed by one who differed from him , and that it was literally a vote of thanks and nothing more . He ( Bro . Stebbing ) had endeavoured to express it in the sirapliest language , for he had at ono time heard Bro .

Havers himself say that he liked to see a vote of thanks a vote of thanks divested of all tinsel and expressed in as few words as possible , so as to avoid the use of that wliich , without intending to be vulgar , he might characterise "flummery , " hut going right to the Xioint . He hacl endeavoured to frame the present resolution upon that opinion and he hoped it would prove acceptable to JBro . Havers . He felt sorry Bro . Havers was not present hut he could appreciate the delicacy of feeling which had led him to absent

himself on this occasion , it being only the second or third time he had done so since honoured by a seat on the dais , or even from his having obtained the chair in his own lodge . He would not occupy the time of Grand Lodge farther , but would with all his heart say that he looked upon Bro . Havers as an ornament to society , and particularly to the society which they all desired to see prosper . He wished to express to - him the readiest acquiescence to the purity of his motives and in the great ability he hacl always shown in connection with the management and direction of the Craft , and he hoped that for very

many years to come Grand Lodge might have the benefit of his advice , his experience , his learning , and his urbanity of manner , qualifications which hacl rendered him useful to the institution ; and he also hoped he might long be spared to be the ornament , the comfort , ancl the happiness of his family ancl friends . Bro . MEYMOTT seconded the motion . It would , he felt , be most pleasing to Bro . Havers to find that the present resolution proceeded from one below the daisand was a tribute to him from

, the general body of Masons . There was , no doubt , in the mind of every one present a recollection of the great amount of diligence , labour , and urbanity which had characterised Bro . Havers in Grand Lodge . For the last twenty years he hacl been one of the most ornamental and , at the same time , most useful members of the Craft . He hacl taken an active and important part in every discussion which had taken place in Grand Lodge , ancl , as his opinions

were generally well founded , being based on reason , justice , and kindness , he usually carried Grand Lodge with him . It would not be the least gratifying circumstance of the present resolution that it proceeded from Bro . Stebbing , and the manner in which that worthy brother had introduced it would still more enhance its value . It was not only in Grand Lodge , but also in the Boarcl of General Purposes , that Bro . Havers had exhibited his careful attentionhis zealand his abilityand his careful attention to the

, , , details of the work had been of great benefit to the Board . He was sure they ivould unanimously approve of the present resolution , hut be should like to see the expression of their thanks to Bro . Havers assume a more tangible form than a vote on vellum . Bro . H . SKITU thought it would be gratifying to Bro . Havers if the motion had been seconded by some brother on the dais . Bro . GIEAUD on the contrary , believed that the resolution ivould he most acceptable to Bro . Havers if it proceeded solely from below

the dais , as , coming from that quarter , there could he no doubt of its sincerity . If it were any satisfaction to Bro . Havers , every Worshi pful brother on the dais would stand up in support of the motion . Bro . HOPWOOD said the resolution had been put forward so nicely and with such good feeling that he was conscious that he ought to apologise for venturing to make a few observations in respect to it . He bad had the pleasure and the honour of having been member of

a the Board of General Purposes for many years , and a more capable , more intelligent , or more hard ivorking chairman than Bro . Havers never presided over them . His heart and soul was in everything he did , ancl in the perfection of everything in

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the rules and regulations upon which the government of the Order depended , so that every brother who sat under him must have been pleased and delighted . There were few who had done more for Jlasonry or performed their duties more efficiently , and in consequence his services were well known and appreciated throughout the Craft . The motion therefore had his most cordial support . Bro . MC . INTTKE said he also wished to bear his testimony to the great attention which Bro . Havers had paid to his duties when

President of the Boarcl of General Purposes , ancl also to the urbanity with which lie discharged them . He especially showed very great skill in inducing the younger members of tbe Boarcl to take an active part at the Board , so that the young blood of the Craft should be fairly represented . In that regard he never met with a brother who had more delicate tact , for he at once put the young Mason on a footing of freedom and equality with himself ,

freedom and equality in the discharge of business , but with a sincere respect and reverence for his judgement and experience . They had been all witnesses of tho prominent part lie had taken in thediscussioms of Grand Lodge , and they knew that he was animated by no other feeling than an earnest wish that right should be done . Bro . STEBBING - having briefly replied _ The motion was put from the chair and approved without a dissenting voice . Grand Lodge was then closed in ample form and adjourned to the first AVednesday in December .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

ROYAL OAK LODGE ( NO . 1173 ) . —This lodge was consecrated hy Bro . Henry Muggeridge , P . M . of the Lion and Lamb Lodge , No . 227 , on A \ ednesday , the 2 Sth August , at the Royal Oak Inn , Highstreet , Deptford , Kent , assisted by Bro . AV . Bowles Packwood , as Chaplain and director of the Ceremonies , aud the musical exertions of Bros . Amos , Holmes , ancl Tate , in the presence of a goodly muster of brethren from various lodges , including Bro . D . It .

Farmer , A . G . P . ; Bro . Hubbuck , Grand Steward and S . AV . of the Lodge of Felicity ( No . 66 ); Bro . Creaton , AV . M . of the Lodge of Antiquity ( No . 2 ); Bro . Sillifat , W . M ., ancl Bro . G . A . Taylor , P . M . of the Lodge of Stability ( No . 264 ); Bro . Thomas , P . M . of the United Pilgrims Lodge ( No . 745 ); Bro . Halsey , AV . M . of the Caledonian Lodge , and several other well-known brethren , about 60 in all . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . C C Amos , 1044 , assisted by Bro . Holmes , 9 , and Bro . Tate ,

1044 . The ceremony was ably performed by Bro . Muggeridge , to the great satisfaction of' the Brethren , and the oration , impressively delivered by Bro . Packwood , was universally admired . The Installation was then proceeded with , and in the presence of a full board of Installed Masters , Bro . John Dixon , M . D ., was placed in the chair of K . S . by Bro . Muggeridge , according to ancient custom , as the First Master of the Royal Oak Lodge , No . 1173 , named in the AVarrant , who appointed and invested his officers , as follows—Bros . AVilliam Scott , S . AV ., G . AVilton , J . AA ., John Stevens , Treasurer ,

F . AValters , Secretary ; Chas . L . Smyth , S . D ., 0 . Stahr , J . D ., J . AV . AVeir , I . G . Tho charges were delivered in Bro . Muggeridge ' s usual goocl style , eliciting many high encomiums . All being now in readiness , with every officer at his post , the AA . M . proceeded to initiate Mr . John Pembroke , and Mr . Robert Mills into the mysteries of tho Order ; ancl very ably he performed his duty . The officers were well up in their respective positions , and the ceremonies well worked . Several joining members ivere ballotted for , and this

concluding the business of tbe evening , the lodge was closed in peace . After an interval of about half an hour , which gave an opportunity for a refreshing walk , the Brethren re-assembled to a banquet most liberally provided by the worthy host , Bro . J . Stevens , jun ., and to which 32 sat down . The cloth having been removed and the table furnished with a magnificent dessert , the AV . M . rose , and addressing the Brethren , said that the first toast he had to propose was a trulMasonic onoand with him it always took

y , pre cedence of others : the primary object ot Freemasonry was charity , it was therefore a toast they should all drink from their hearts ; it was usual to give this toast first at his mother lodge ( the Mount Lebanon ) , and he should introduce it to them on the present occasion , the toast was " To all poor ancl distressed Masons , & c . " The AV . M . then called upon the Brethren to drink the health of " Her Majesty the Queen , " who dwelt in the hearts of her people , ancl in none more so than those of Masons . Her father and uncle were

Masons , and he hoped the clay ivas not far distant when her firstborn son , England's future king , would also join the Craft ., He would give them " The Queen and the Craft . " " God Save the Queen , " by Bros . Amos , Holmes , Tate , and the brethren . The next toast the AV . M . said he would propose was " The Health of the M . AV . G . Master , the Earl of Zetland , " of whom he could say nothing more than that being elected for the last 15 or 16 years was epiite