The Masonic Ceremonial At Stratford-On-Avon.

THE MASONIC CEREMONIAL AT STRATFORD-ON-AVON .

THE Masonic ceremony afc Sfcratford-on-Avon on Monday , was worthy of the occasion and the Craft . Lord Leigh is justly popular in the Province he has ruled for so many years with such ability . Moreover , he is Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Warwickshire . There was therefore , a

twofold propriety in his presiding at so interesting a ceremonial . All the arrangements were carried out most efficiently , and we must congratulate our brethren of Warwickshire on the success of the day ' s proceedings . As previously announced , the brethren met in considerable force at the Corn Exchange

at the hour of-1 p . m ., the officers of Shakespeare Lodge , No . 284 , Warwick , very appropriately presiding . The Masonic contingent having arrived from Birmingham , the

Lodge was opened by Bro . b . E . Smith in the usual manner , shortly after which the Mayor was received and presented the mallet . Provincial Grand Lodge was then admitted with the usual formalities . When the roll

had been called , a collection in aid of the Building Fund of the Memorial Buildings was made , and a considerable sum was realised . Provincial Grand Lodge then adjourned , and the procession was formed . A posse of police led the way , followed by two Tylers with drawn

swords . Then followed the 1 st Administrative Battalion of the Warwickshire Rifle Volunteers , preceded ^ by their hand , and then the invited guests not members of the Fraternity , marching two and two . Brethren unattached to any of the provincial Lodges followed next in order , and then the

several Lodges of Warwickshire in numerical order , commencing with the junior Lodge . Next to these was the Provincial Tyler , and then , between two Stewards , four Masters of Lodges bearing corn , wine , oil , and salt , followed by the members of Provincial Grand Lod ge in their

order of precedence , but juniores priores , Lord Leigh as P . G . M ., preceded by the P . G . Sword-bearer , between two Stewards , andsupported by the P . G . S . D . and a P . G . T yler , closing the procession . On arriving at the site , which is on the margin of the Avon , and close to

the church where Shakespeare lies , the brethren divided left and right for the purpose of enabling Lord Leigh to advance to the north-east corner , where lay the foundation-stone . Here his Lordshi p and the Provincial Grand Officers and officiating brethren , having taken up

their several stations , the Mayor of Stratford , in the name of the Shakespeare Memorial Association , addressed to him a few hearty words of welcome . The Provincial Grand Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . J . M . Beaumont having invoked the Divine blessing , then addressed the meeting , playfully

suggesting , in the course of his remarks , that Shakespeare must have been himself a Freemason . All Freemasons keep their secrets , and Shakespeare nowhere mentions Freemasonry in his works . The usual preliminary forms having been observed , Lord Leigh addressed the assemblage

according to ancient custom , and then called upon the several officiating brethren to fulfil their duties . These were faithfull y discharged accordingly , and then the Dep . Prov . G . Master having presented the mallet , his Lordship completed the ceremony , and the corner stone of the new building was laid . Lord Leigh then added a few words as to the

circumstances which had led him to undertake this duty . He referred to previous celebrations in connection with the illustrious poet and dramatist whom they were that day assembled to honour , explained the nature of the buildings about to be erected , and the financial condition of the asso-

The Masonic Ceremonial At Stratford-On-Avon.

elation , and in calling on Bro . Creswick to deliver an address , mentioned incidentally that the mallet with which he had laid the stone was made of a piece of oak cut from a beam in Shakespeare ' s own house , and had been most

kindly presented by the trustees of the house ; he considered it would be a most interesting relic to be preserved for generations to come in the Museum of the Shakespeare Theatre .

Bro . Creswick , on rising , was received with great cordiality . In the course of his address , he expressed his belief that Masons could not have been engaged in a more profitable work than in laying the first stone of this truly Masonic temple , in which , when ready for its legitimate

uses , order and harmony would prevail , instruction , alternating with amusement and labour , being cheered and lightened by the prospect of refreshment , all tending to that refinement , moral elevation , and high intellectual culture , which it is the aim and desire of Freemasonry to

promote . He considered the work commenced that day waa in every way worthy of the place and him in whose honour it was intended . He further expressed his belief that , as a memorial theatre implies a school of dramatic art , the stigma under which England rests at the pi'esent

moment of having no dramatic schools , will be swept away , and the new theatre will thus form the incentive and nucleus of such schools , the influence of which will be beneficially felt through all time . Bro . Creswick having concluded his address amid the heartiest applause , tbe

National Anthem ( Masonic version ) was sung , and the procession having been re-formed , returned to the Corn Exchange , where Prov . Grand Lodge was closed in the usual manner . A collation followed , at which the Mayor

presided , and was supported by Lord and Lady Leigh , the Earl of Yarmouth , Sir J . E . Eardley Wilmot , Mr . Creswick , Mr . and Mrs . Theodore Martin , and other gentlemen and ladies .

The following is a copy of the inscription on the stone : — PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF ANTIENT , FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS O ! WARWICKSHIRE .

At a SPECIAL MEETING of the PKOVINCIAL GRAND LODGE held at the CORN EXCHANGE , STRATFORD-UPON -A VON , on MONDAY , the 23 rd April 1877 , in the 41 st year of the Reign of Her Gracious Majesty , Qaeen Victoria , THIS , THE NORTH EAST CORNER STONE

OF THE SHAKESPEARE MEMORIAL BUILDING , STRATFORD - UPON -A VON , WAS LAID In solemn form and according to Antient Usage , by the

Eight Honourable William Henry Lord Leigh , Lord Lieutenant , and Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Warwickshire ,

assisted by The Worshipful Brother Colonel Machen , Depnty Provincial Grand Master of Warwickshire . ¦ , The Worshipful Brother John Vaughan , Esq ., Pro Senior Grand Warden .

The Worshipful Brother Edmund Worrall , Pro Junior Grand Warden . The Worshipful Brother the Rev . F . M . Beaumont . ) P . Grand The Worshipful Brother the Rev . T . N . Rigby . j Chaplains . The Worshipful Brother J . T . Collins , P . G . Treasurer . The Worshipful Brother George Beach , Provincial Grand Secretary .

And in the presence of a numerous body of P . Grand Offii-era , Past P . Grand Officers , and Brethren of the Province of Warwickshire , and the Worshipful the Mayor , J . J . Nason , Esq ., and the Corporation of Stratford-upon-Avon , and Charles E . Flower , Esq ., Chairman , and the Governors of the Shakespeare Memorial Association ,