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ROYALTY AND FREEMASONRY .

MO NDAY witnessed one of the most imposing Masonic ceremonies that has ever taken place in the Provinces , the occasion being the installation of H . R . H . the Dnke of Clarence and Avondale , at

Reading , as Provincial Grand Master of Berkshire . The Grand Master of England personally officiated , and was supported by his brother Past Grand Master H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , the Deputy Grand

Master the Earl of Lathom , and a host of distinguished Craftsmen and men of position in the outside world , among others being Bros . Tilton Grand Master of New York , General Laurie Grand Master of Nova Scotia , the Earl of Euston , Lord

Wantage , Lord Carrington , Brother W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., & e . The royal party joined the special train , run by the Great Western Railway from London , at Slough , and

on tneir arrival at - Heading were most enthusiastically received by the Mayor and Corporation of the town , the principal members being officially introduced to the Princes . The Provincial Grand Lodge was held

in the Town Hall , which was well filled by Masons , something like 800 being present to welcome the Grand Master of the Order , and do honour to his eldest son on his installation into the important office

to which he has been appointed . On the arrival of the Prince of Wales and the other Grand Officers they were specially saluted , and the business of the day was proceeded with . The Prince of Wales , addressing the Provincial Grand Lodge , said : —

We have assembled here to-day to iustal his Royal Highness the Dnke of Clarence and Avondale as the Grand Master of the Masonic Province of Berks . This Province was established nearly a centnry ago , and two years later the Province of Bucks , as a joint Province , was founded .

When , last year , Bro . Sir Daniel Gooch , the Grand Master of Berks and Bucks , died , it was wished to have two separate Provinces . I am glad to think that my eldest son will to-day become the Provincial Grand Master of Berks , and that for Bucks a well worthy Grand Master will be found

in my noble friend and Brother Lord Carrington , who has just returned to England , having been Governor of Ne-w South Wales for five years , and where he was Grand Master . One of the first Masonic ceremonies I took part

in was , twenty years ago , when I laid the foundation stonas of the Grammar School of Reading , in the presence of the Provincial Grand Lodge , and I need hardly say that it is of still greater interest to me to now instal my own son as Provincial Grand Master of this Province .

The Grand Pursuivant thereupon came forward and said : —

Most v Worshipful Grand Master , —His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , KG ., the Grand Master Designate of this Province , is without , and seeks admission , in order that he may be duly installed .

In clear tones , the Grand Master directed that he should send in his patent . Sir Albert W . Woods

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___ — — — i —i . ¦ - ¦ ¦ - i .., — ., i ¦ ¦ i , m ^ Grand Director of Ceremonies left the Lodge , returning almost immediately with the patent , which was examined by the Grand Master , after which

seven Past Masters were directed to conduct his Royal Highness the Provincial Grand Master Designate into the Lodge . The young Prince was received with due honours , the patent was read , the

Grand Lodge offered prayer , and then , in clear tones , the Grand Master recited the obligation of a Provincial Grand Master , which was repeated by the Duke of Clarence .

The young Prince then ascended the steps of the dais , when he was duly invested with the apron , chain , and jewel of his office , these being carefully adjusted by his Royal Highness the Grand Master .

The Prmce ol Wales took him by the hand 4 & 0 . placed him in the chair which he had previi (< % * occupied , taking himself the lower seat on the jiydke of Clarence's left hand . The Provincial Grand Master being thus duly installed , was proclaimed and

saluted . The Duke of Clarence nominated Bro . ' John Thornhill Morland as Deputy Grand Master , his patent being read by the Provincial Grand Secretary . The Deputy Grand Master was invested

by the Provincial Grand Master , who did the work m a most finished manner , after which that officer was saluted . The collars of the Province were bestowed , as follows : —

J . T . Morland ... Deputy G . M . S . G . Kirchhoffer Senior Warden J . T . Dodd ... „ . Junior Warden Rev . Canon Garry ... ) „ , , . Rev . A . A . N . Deacon j Chaplains C . Stephens ... Treasurer W . Boutcher ... , ... Registrar J . W . Martin ... Secretary S . Knight Senior Deaoon

G . Saxby ... Jnnior Deaoon C . B . Tnbbs Snpt , of Works W . Hickie Dir , of Cers . W . G . Nottage Assist . Dir . of Cera . G . Mil ward ... ... Sword Bearer

J . Greenfield ... ) a , , , „ A . C . Hewett j Standard Bearera G . H . Stubington Assistant Secretary W . Sevenoaka ... ... Pursuivant R . D . Wilder Assistant Pursuivant

R . L . Reed Organist B . W . Bennett .... R . J . Bali ... ... C . D . Adkin ' ... a . , Major E . A . Ball I-Stewards Charles Dearing J . T . Champion ' W . Hemmings ... Tyler

Some routine business now brought the proceedings to an end . Bro . His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence closed the Lodge in ancient form , and the Grand and Provincial Officers left in procession . Throughout , both the Prince of Wales and the

Duke of Clarence did tho work entrusted to them in a most finished and workmanlike manner , although the Grand Master was evidently suffering from a severe cold , arid the latter at first spoke in rather a low voice . At many parts of the function the scene was