Grand Lodge Festival.

GRAND LODGE FESTIVAL .

DATING from the year A . D . 1717 , whan Brother Anthony Sayer , at that time the Grand Master , revived and reconstituted Grand Lodge , there have been many auspicious Festivals held by the Brethren , but never has there been a more enthusiastic gathering of Freemasons than that which assembled in the Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , W . O ., on Wednesday ,

when for the twenty-sixth year H . E . H . the Prince of Wales was proclaimed Grand Master of our Illustrious Order . The high esteem in which our Masonic chief is held by the Brethren invariably insures their hearty appreciation when his name and titles are sonorously proclaimed by the Grand Director of

Ceremonies ; but the special circumstance attending this year's Festival , when His Eoyal Highness , by Divine Providence , has marvellously escaped the bullets of an assassin , can alone account for the rounds of applause that greeted the announcement of his installation as Supreme Euler of the Craft .

The proceedings in the Temple commenced punctually at five o ' clock , when Earl Amherst Pro Grand Master presided , and was supported by Bro . George Eichards as Deputy Grand Master , Sir John B . Monckton as S . W ., Thos . Fenn as J . W . There were also present Bros . General Laurie , the Archdeacon of London ,

the Lord Mayor , Loveland-Loveland , Q . C ., Robert Grey , Judge Philbrick , Q . G ., Grand Superintendent of Essex , William Russell G . Treasurer of Kent , Rev . G . J . Martyn P . G . G ., Eichard Eve , George Everett , W . M . Stiles , J . J . Thomas , T . J . Balling , Imre Kiralfy , Henry Neville , Jas . Terry , F . E . W . Hedges , J . Morrison McLeod , J . Gordon Brown , John Mason , Lennox Browne .

The Grand Lodge was opened in due form by Lord Amherst , after the Grand Chaplain had offered prayer . At the commencement of the business , Earl Amherst moved a resolution congratulating the Prince of Wales on his providential escape from the hands of an assassin , and in introducing it said that on hearing of the attempt he immediately telegraphed to His

Eoyal Highness at Copenhagen sending the hearty congratulation of the English Freemasons on his providential escape , that His Eoyal Highness might receive it on his arrival ; he thought it would be a welcome to the Prince of Wales coming on behalf of the Graft for which His Eoyal Highness had done so much . The

Prince of Wales replied , cordially thanking him . But he ( Lord Amherst ) thought Grand Lodge would not be satisfied if it did not on this , the first time it met since the Prince of Wales's escape , pass a resolution to the same effect as the telegram . He then moved the resolution .

Bro . George Eichards seconded the motion . He was sure if the attempt on the Grand Master's life had been successful his loss would have been greatly mourned not only by the Craft of Freemasons , but by the world at large . The motion was unanimously carried , all the Brethren standing , and singing " God Save the Queen . "

The Pnnce of Wales was then proclaimed as reinstalled Most Worshipful Grand Master , and the following Brethren were invested as Grand Officers for the year , Earl Amherst ( Prov . G . M . of Kent ) Jfirst stating that the G . M . had been pleased to appoint him to the position of Pro Grand Master , and the Earl of Warwick ( Prov . G . M . of Essex ) to that of Deputy Grand Master :

Bro . Viscount Terapletown G . S . W . of Ireland - Senior Warden Lord Glenesk - Junior Warden Eev . F . M . Burton , LL . D . - - . I ™ , . Key . H . W . Turner , M . A . - - - ) Chaplains Harry Manfleld ( elected ) ... Treasurer John . Stt & eh & n , Q . O . - - - Registrar

Edward Beaumont ... . Deputy Eegistrar Edward Letohworth - Secretary Guy Repton - - - - i Col . 0 . S . Dean - - . > Senior Deacons Daniel Mayer - - - j W . O . Lupton - - - - i

J . H . Whadcoafc - - - i Junior Deacons D'Arcy Power , M . A ., F . R . C . S . - - \ H . L . Florence .... Superintendent of Work * Sir Albert W . Woods , K . C . B ., K . C . M . G . - Direotor of Ceremonies J . C . Fitzroy Tower .... Deputy Dir . of Cers . John Smithers - - - - ~ \

T . P . Dorman - - - - >¦ Assistant Dirs . of Cers Harry Bevir - - - - - ) Lieut .-Col . G . E . Blunt - - - Sword Bearer Major R . H . Murdock , R . A . - - Deputy Sword Bearer -r ' * « r _ " " " v Standard Bearers «»»«* ^ oni ^ o

James Weaver - - - J W . H . Thomas .... Organist William Lake .... Assistant Secretary C . Kupferschmidt .... Assist . Sec . German Cor F . Kite ..... Pursuivant Walter Solomon Whitaker ... Assistant Pursuivant Henry Sadler .... Tyler .

Bro . Frank Eichardson P . G . D . was appointed to take the rank and wear the clothing of Grand Director oi Ceremonies during the year , in the absence at any time of Sir Albert Woods . In commemoration of the Prince of Wales having completed twenty-five years of his Grand Mastership His Eoyal Highness conferred " past rank " on twenty-five Brethren .

Grand Lodge Festival.

There being no further bnsiness before the Lodge it was closed with the customary ceremony , and the Brethren adjourned to the Grand Hall , where the banquet was served . At its termination Earl Amherst , who met with a flattering reception , proposed the Loyal toast , always honoured by

Freemasons , the Queen and the Graft . Needless to say it was responded to with all honour . In submitting the Grand Master , Earl Amherst said that Grand Lodge had already testified its appreciation at the marvellous escape H . E . H . had experienced , and they all hoped many years would elapse before they hailed another name as their Grand Master .

Bro . Geo . Eichards proposed the Pro Grand Master . He said that it was a true saying , and worthy of all acceptation , that if you refrain from praising a Mason to his face you will relieve him of his burden . He would therefore only say that the genial tact and well known business capacity of the Pro Grand Master had endeared him to all the Craft , and in all loyalty they did honour to H . E . H ' s . representative .

Lord Amherst , in reply , said he was very much obliged for the kind reception , and the appreciative remarks of Bro . Eichards . He could only say that now they were such a large body it was no light work to conduct the affairs of Freemasonry , but he thanked all the Brethren for their cordial reception , and pledged them in return .

Bro . Judge Philbrick proposed the Grand Officers , and said he had served under the Deputy Grand Master , who was also the Provincial Grand Master of Essex , for the last seventeen years , and was glad to say that his name was held in respect and reverence wherever he went . The Grand Officers who had been

appointed that evening he was sure were all Masons of considerable influence , and would be well received by their confreres . He looked to them to carry on the traditions of Freemasonry . He congratulated them upon the honour conferred upon them , and hoped that the influence of the Craft , with their assistance , would flourish and increase more in the future than it had done in

the past . Lord Templetown S . G . W . responded , and said it would ever be their desire to promote the truest principles of the Graft , and certainly those who had been honoured by Grand Lodge rank

that evening would endeavour to maintain its ancient tradition . As an Irishman he was pleased and proud to see the Queen once again in his country ; her reception proved that she lived in the hearts of the people .

Bro . Smith proposed the Provincial and District Grand Masters , for whom Bro . General Laurie responded . In the course of his remarks he referred to the necessity of frequent visits on the part of Provincial Grand Masters to Lodges under their jurisdiction , in order to ensure a proper working of the ritual .

Bro . Eev . 0 . J . Martyn in earnest words proposed the Masonic Charities , for which Bro . Hedges replied . He said they had never deserved the support of the Brethren more than at the present time , and never were they better supported than now . He hoped that there would be a great gathering of the Brethren at

the laying of the foundation stone of the Boys School , when the Duke of Connaught would preside . Bro . Terry Secretary of the Benevolent Institution had informed him that the subscriptions had reached £ 22 , 000 , and he hoped that at the next Festival of the Girls School he would have the privilege of announcing a similar amount .

Earl Amherst then rose and said that several Brethren had kindly relieved him of several toasts , but he thought that that of the Grand Stewards ought to come from the Chair , because they were the hosts upon the occasion , and all were greatly indebted for their hospitality .

Bro . Edward Quineey President of the Board of Stewards responded , and hoped they had given satisfaction to the Brethren , because they were greatly gratified that the Pro Grand Master had presided over ¦ the Grand Festival for the first time in that capacity .

The company then adjourned to the Temple , where a fine musical programme was submitted for their delectation by Bro . William H . Cummings P . G . Organist . The artistes who appeared were Mesdames Eutb . Lamb , Edith Clegg , Louise Lamonby , Messrs . Lloyd Chandos , Henry Cornu , Johannis Wolff ( violin ) , Lieblitig ( piano ) , and the Guildhall Glee Singers .

In the Temple during the evening ' s entertainment was exhibited the handsome testimonial presented to the Duke of York , in 1838 , and which was much admired .

At the weekly meeting of the Royal Oak Lodge of Instruction , No . 871 , at the Lord Clyde , Wotton Road , Deptford , on Wednesday , 18 th inst ., the Brethren presented Bro . R . E . Barnes ( an old Mason ) with a very handsome oak case of cutlery , as a mark of esteem and appreciation of his valuable services as Secretary of the Lodge .