Grand Festival.

junction with his brother , thc Duke of Kent , brought about the union of the rival G . Lodges . Thc Act of Union having been solemnly accepted , the Duke , on thc nomination of his brother , the Duke of Kent , was unanimously elected Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge , and continued as such till his

death in iS-H . To his Royal Highness wc are indebted for the establishment by Grand Lodge of the Male Fund of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . The Duke is represented in Highland costume , the original having been the work of Sir W . Beechey , R . A ., nnd the present that of Bro . B . S . ' Marks .

9 . Thomas , 2 nd Earl of Zetland , Deputy Grand Master of England 1 S 39-40 ; Pro Grand Master , 1 S 41-3 , * and Grand Master , 1843-70 . Sir Francis Grant , P . R . A ., painted the original portrait , ancl Bro . Louis Desanges the one which has taken its place .

10 . H . R . H . Albert Edward , Prince of Wales , Grand Master since 1 S 74 . For this admirable portrait of our present illustrious ruler Grand Lodge is indebted to the generous kindness of the brethren of the Lodge of Friendship , No . 6 . Both the original picture and this were painted by the same artist—Bro . Louis Desanges .

11 . Henry , 4 th Earl of Carnarvon , D . G . M . of England 11870-4 , and since then Pro Grand Master . This picture , which has been entrusted to Bro . Morris , is still in hand ; when finished it will occupy the vacant panel to the right of the dais .

The series , as given above , has been arranged in chronological order ; but in Grand Lodge they are hung as follows : — On the proper right , reckoning , that is to say , from the dais , first of all the Earl of Carnarvon , to occupy the panel already described , and then George , Prince of Wales , the Duke of Cumberland , the Duke of Kent , the Duke of Sussex , and the Earl of Zetland .

On the proper left of the dais : Albert Edward Prince of Wales , Lord Petre , the Duke of Manchester , Lord Moira ( Marquis of Hastings ) , and the Duke of Atholl . It is not our intention to enter upon an elaborate criticism of these pictures . It is sufficient for us to know that the different commissions were entrusted to artists of known repute , who have severally carried out their

allotted tasks in a style that must not only enhance their own fame , but will also compare well with many of the best examples of the same school of British art . We would suggest however , that it would have harmonised better with the character of the Hall in which they were intended to be p laced if in each case there had been indicated some outward and visible sign of their connection with the fraternity of Masons . We have nothing to say against the civil costume in which most of the Grand Masters arc

portrayed , but a military uniform seems out of place in what is pre-eminently a Hall of Peace , It strikes us also that it would have been better to have had nn entirely new portrait of the Duke of Atholl , instead of having the original one restored . A gloomier picture it would be difficult to imagine , and the gloom is all the more noticeable from the contrast it offers to the brightness ' and richness of colouring which characterise ^ some of the other pictures .

In addition to thc foregoing are to be seen at the bottom of the HaU , facing the dais , two new medallion portraits which , in our opinion , considerably enhance thc value of lhc Grand Lodge collection , and cannot fail to attract the attention of all who are interested in the early history of the Order , the one on the right being Anthony Sayer , Grand Master in 1717 ; and that on the left Dr . Desaguliers , Grand Master in 1719 . We congratulate

the authorities on the acquisition of the portraits of two such distinguished Masonic worthies , ihe former representing the most prominent Mason of the Operative or pre-1717 period , and the latter a brother who is generally credited with liaving been the chief promoter , if not the originator of the new departure which culminated in the ranks of Masonry being thrown

open to all trades and professions . These portraits , which are very striking and are well and carefully finished , were copied from scarce engravings by Bro . Beaufort , of Piccadilly-circus , and we gladly bear testimony to the skill and fidelity with which lhat gentleman has executed the work entrusted to him .

THE FURNITURE . As regards the furnishing , there can be no two opinions that it has been done well and tastefully . The seats have been comfortably cushioned , those on the dais being purple , while those in the body of the hall , the bulk , intended for the blue Masons , are covered with blue rep , and the rest , for

the members of thc Grand Stewards' Lodge , with red . The chairs for the D . G . M . and Wardens have been completely renovated . Everything , in fact , lias about it an air of genuine and even luxurious comfort . There is a complete absence of flimsiness and gaudy show , and all who have had a part in the work of furnishing , as in the work of decoration , are to be commended for the manner in which they have executed their tasks .

The Pedestals for thc Grand Masters and Wardens are of massive walnut , handsomely carved and ornamented with the columns of the respective Orders . The emblems of each office in raised gold are placed on sunk panels on each . The cover for the triangular Altar is of royal blue Lyons velvet , with thc arms of Grand Lodge in massive gold

embroidery on the two front faces of the triangle , above which is a trimming of gold bullion fringe and rich gold oak leaf lace . The cover for the Grand Secretary's table is also of royal blue Lyons velvet , with the emblems of office in massive gold embroidery , surrounded by a wreath of laurel and wheat-ears , and trimmed with gold oak leaf lace . They were manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

There is little further to be said . Our readers are aware that thc work of decorating the corridors , staircase , and generally the other parts of the building has been in progress during the past 12 months . They have likewise had many opportunities of judging as to the manner in which all this has been done ; but thc ornamental gates , with brass mountings , at the top

of the flight of steps leading down into the vestibule have only recently been added , and a very becoming and very useful addition they will , no doubt , prove , thc particular purpose in erecting them being to prevent , as far as possible , anything like uncomfortable crowding as the brethren enter or quit the Hall .

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the Committee have fulfilled their duty in a manner entitling them to the thanks of the Fraternity . The account they will be in a position to give of their stewardship cannot fail lobe a satisfactory one . Their great care has been that the task

entrusted to them should be carried out well and thoroughly . They have been liberal without being lavish in their expenditure , and , as we suggested at the outset , it cannot be otherwise than a source of pleasure to the Craft to know that this new Hall , with its fittings and surroundings , is in all respects worthy of so ancient and honourable a Society .

Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

The following is the business on the agenda paper to be transacted on Wednesday , the 6 th day of May next * . — Thc Regulations for the government of the Supreme Grand Chapter during the time of public business to be read . The minutes of the last Quarterly Convocation to be read for confirmation .

Installation of Principals , and appointment and investiture of Officers for the ensuing year . THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF GENERAL PURPOSES . To the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England . The Committee of General Purposes beg to report that they have examined the accounts from the 22 nd January to the 14 th April , 1885 , both

inclusive , which they find to be as follows : To balance Grand Chapter ... £ 315 4 5 By disbursements during the „ „ Unappropriatedac- quarter £ 261 4 0 count 1 S 6 15 10 „ Balance 375 17 5 „ Subsequent receipts ... 327 5 o „ „ Unappropriated account 192 3 i 0 £ 820 5 3 £ . S 2 c , ¦; ,

Which balances are in the Bank of England , Western Branch . The Committee have likewise to report that they have received the following petitions : — ist . From Comps . Ed . Lytton Hitchins , as Z . ; Chas . Bourne Airey , as H . ; Wm . Hilston Pigott , as J . ; and seven others fora chapter to be attached to the Prince of Wales Lodge , No . 1653 , Sydney , New South Wales , to be called thc Prince of Wales Chapter , and to meet at Sydney , N . S . W .

2 nd . From Comps . the Rev . Thomas Bartrup Nichols , as Z . ; John Thomas Davison , as H . ; Charles Wright Henzel ) , as J . ; and nine others for a chapter to be attached to the Priory Lodge , No . 1863 , Tynemouth , to be called the Priory Chapter , and to meet at the Grand Hotel , Tynemouth , in the county of Northumberland .

3 rd . From Comps . George Hudson Hibbert , as Z . ; Thomas Fisher , as H . ; John Angrave Howitt , as J . ; and seven others" for a chapter to be attached to the Forest Lodge , No . 1852 , Mansfield , to be called the Forest Chapter , and to meet at the Swan Hotel , Mansfield , in the county of Nottingham .

4 th . From Comps . Thomas Cull , as Z . ; William Sergeant Lee , as H . ; John William Mash , as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Mount Edgcumbe Lodge , No . 1446 , London , to be called the Mount Edgcumbe Chapter , and to meet at St . Botolph Chambers , No . 191 , Bishopsgate-street , in the City of London .

5 . From Comps . Thomas Charles Walls , as Z . ; Henry Joseph Lardner , as H . ; James Strugnell , as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Farringdon Without Lodge , No , 1745 , London , to be called the Farringdon Without Chapter , and to meet at Anderton's Hotel , Fleetstreet , in the City of London . The foregoing petitions being in all respects regular , the Committee recommend that the prayers thereof be respectively granted .

' 1 lie Committee have also received the following petitions praying for Charters of Confirmation , the originals being lost : — From the Principals and Members of the Enfield Chapter , No . 1237 , Enfield . From the Principals and Members of the Prince Frederick William Chapter , No . 753 , St . John ' s Wood . The Committee recommend that Charters of Confirmation for the

abovenamed chapters be granted . The Committee have likewise to report that two chapters through neglect of the law as contained in Article 67 , page 22 , of the Royal Arch Regulations ( Edit . 1879 } , having recently exalted brethren at a less period than 12 calendar months from the date of their becoming Master Masons : —

The Committee have admonished the chapters to be more observant of the law in the future , and have ordered the candidates in question to be reobligated ; and the Committee again call attention to this serious irregularity , with a view to greater care being taken in future that the " satisfactory proof" required by the above-quoted regulation be previously

obtained , in every instance . ( Signed ) ROBERT GREY , P . A . G . S ., Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C . President . 15 th April , 1 S 85 . Election of the Committee of General Purposes for the ensuing imonths .

The Installation Of Bro. T. W. Tew, P.G.M. West Yorkshire.

THE INSTALLATION OF BRO . T . W . TEW , P . G . M . WEST YORKSHIRE .

The ceremony which took place in the Albert Hall , Leeds , on Friday , the 24 th ult ., passed off brilliantly in a manner well worthy of the rarity and importance of the occasion . It is , of necessity , only at somewhat long intervals of time that a new Provincial Grand Master is installed in office , and it still more rarely happens that such an event occurs in connection with one of our largest and most influential provinces . Under these

circumstances it will not surprise our readers to be told that no pains had evidently been . spared to give it that effect and solemnity which it so naturally demands . Our west Yorkshire friends need no stimulating to extra exertion when the occasion requires it , nor was it at all likely that the Deputy Grand Master of England , and the Grand Officers by whom he was attended , would omit anything calculated to give emphasis to the appointment of the new chief or confer additional lustre on so great a province .

Any sketch in detail of the origin and progress of Freemasonry in Yorkshire would be out of the question and supererogatory ; out of the question because , in order to do the subject justice , we should require to have a volume instead of a very circumscribed amount of space at our disposal ; and supererogatory because at different times and for different purposes , a general and tolerably sufficient idea has already been furnished in the pages foremost

of the Freemason and elsewhere . That Yorkshire occupies the place in the traditional history of Freemasonry is well known ; that for many years it boasted of a Grand Lodge of its own , bearing the ! proud title ot " the Grand Lodge of ALL England " is also a matter beyond the possibility of question ; and there is also no doubt that both during the existence 0 that distinguished Grand Body , and ever since its demise , the influence 0