The Address To The Queen.

THE ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN .

AS we anticipated , the great Jubilee Commemoration Gathering at the Albert Hall , on Monday last , turned out a magnificent and brilliant success , eclipsing in its grandeur and enthusiasm anything of the kind over witnessed in this or any other country . From beginning

to end the day was one of unalloyed gratification to all who were fortunate enough to be present , and the official programme was pregnant with items which have now stamped their impress upon the national history . In

comparison with the scene which graced the same hnll in April 1875 , when our Most Worshipful Grand Master His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales assumed the reins of Masonic government , there was a sli ght falling off in point

of numbers , but iu every other respect this assemblage was far more representative , imposing , and sublime than the one that preceded it . The diminution in the numerical strength of the gathering may be accounted for in a variety

of ways , the extraordinary strain ripon the benevolent resources of the brethren during the Jubilee year , and the divers local celebrations held in the respective Provinces making it somewhat a matter for consideration to those

who are not overburdened with this world ' s goods ; and it must be recollected that no admission fee was charged at the Installation meeting , twelve years ago . The six thousand guineas contributed on Monday will , as His

Royal Highness announced towards the close of the meeting , be divided , without any deduction , between the three great Charities , so that each of these invaluable Institutions will be the recipient of a very welcome two

thousand guineas , which will aid them in carrying on and extending their several spheres of usefulness . Then , again , the occurrence of the Boys' Festival , on the day immediatel y following , may possibl y have had some effect

upon the gathering , not only from a pecuniary point of view , but rather on account of the time involved in being present at both—and time is money to most business men . However , the affair of Monday , taken as a representative

expression of loyalty to the Throne , affection for the illustrious Prince who fills so worthily the position he has now occupied for twelve years , and of the inner sense of devotion to the Craft which lies deep in the heart of every

true Mason , may be taken as an unprecedented triumph , the effect of which will be indelibly engraven on the mind of every member of the Fraternit y , even of those who could not make it convenient to be present . " Royal weather , "

m the truest sense of the term , graced the auspicious day , and Summer seemed to have come in with a rush , as though to make amends for all the fickleness by which Spring had chosen to characterise itself . Not a cloud

bedimmed the sky , which was almost Ttalian in its azurethat is to say , for " smok y London "—and the sun ' s rays would have been quite oppressive but for the brisk wind which modulated the temperature to a refreshing decree .

No signs of anything unusual occurring in tho great City were visible , for a Masonic ceremonial , thongh vitall y interesting to its own members , receives not , neither docs it

Wish for , any outward demonstration in its honour . Beyond * he unusnal animation witnessed at the chief trystino ; - places of our Provincial friends , filled with cheerful

anticipations of theevent , there was little to denote anything nnusual astir in ever-crowded London . Contingents from West Yorkshire , Derbyshire , Leicester and Rutland , and

The Address To The Queen.

other Provinces arrived ou the precediug Saturday , and took np quarters at their favourite resorts ; whilst members of London Lodges met in select parties on the Monday afternoon , to enjoy a brief social tete-a-iete and

glass of wine prior to starting oft , m the vehicles chartered for them , for the scene of the day ' s business . Fortunate were those who made that start early , for just now , in the height of the London season , the thoroughfares to be

traversed are invariably crowded with tho equipages of society and the ordinary public means of locomotion ; but the accession to the vehicular traffic b y snch a cloud of cabs , brakes , wagonettes , & c , following each other about

the same hour in one direction , culminated into a block every now and then , which rendered progress somewhat slow . However , the drive was none the less agreeable on

that account , for the occupants of the conveyances were afforded time to gaze upon and admire the freshness of the Parks , and the floral decorations nf the mansions which line the streets all alone- on I he way Westward . The

arrangements at Albert Hall had been made with such perfection that not the slightest hitch occurred to mar the comfort of the guests as they arrived , and all were seated with the most consummate tact and ease and without a

shadow of confusion . For this excellent result tfie brethren are indebted chiefly to the skilful manipulation and the great administrative abilities of Sir Albert Woods ( Garter ) Grand Director of Ceremonies , who was assisted by Colonel

Shadwell H . Gierke , the Grand Secretary , and Brother Thomas Fenn , President of the Board of General Purposes , with a large body of Stewards , Avho carried out their arduous duties with the regularity of clockwork . The

doors of the hall were opened shortly after two o ' clock , and for an hour or more afterwards the rattle of carriages along the approaches to the building was incessant , the occupants alighting amidst crowds of curious

spectators , such as are always to be found when any " excitement" occurs in London . They were received in the hall by courteous and obliging Stewards , who directed them to their allotted seats , and thus , noiselessly as a

congregation takes its place in church , the building became speedily filled , assuming every moment a more and more picturesque appearance . The brethren , in accordance with the regulations , wore black morning coats , black ties and

white gloves , with full Masonic Craft clothing ; and , as Provincial Grand Officers were requested to appear in the purple collars and jewels of their respective offices , the blending- of that colour with the carter bine of the

Master Masons grew into a strikingly imposing coup ( Vceil , A da'is had been erected under the great organ , and upon a carpet of crimson cloth stood the Throne of the Grand Master , resplendent in purple and gold , and surrounded by

the Prince of Wales ' s feathers , flanked on either side with the globes . Behind this was suspended the Grand Master ' s banner , bearing the motto "Audi , vnde , tare , " while all around was a perfect bower of luxuriant palms , whilst the

facade of the platform was fringed with a ? nassive and beautiful collection of plants , ferns , and flowers , the choicest products of the conservatory . Immediatel y before the Throne stood a pedestal bearing the gave ! , aud a quaint

silver inkstand ( bequeathed to Bro . Fenn by the late G . S . Bro . John Hervey ) , intended for the Grand Master ' s use in signing the Address to the Queen , which was the real object of the gathering . On either side of the Throne were chairs for members of the Royal Famil y and other distinguished visitors ; and , in rear , accommodation was provided for