The Duke Of Connaught At The Grand Lodge Of India.

Connaught , the interest to be applied towards the maintenance , support , and education of poor and destitute orphans of Masons . The GRAND MASTER thanked Mr . Framjee Dinshaw Petit in person for his munificent gift , remarking that he had been really following in the footsteps of his worthy and distinguished father , and promising that the gift would be carefully and duly applied . The brethren afterwards adjourned to the banquet .

During dinner the pipers of the Cameronians played at intervals a selection of marches , reels , and strathspeys . The band of the Gloucester Regiment also p layed a select programme of music during the evening . The musical arrangements were made by Mr . G . W . Roughton . Several speeches were delivered at the banquet table in connection vvith the toasts .

The GRAND MASTER , vvho was very warmly received , rose to give the first toast of obligation , which was that of " Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen-Empress and thc Craft . " He said he was sure that her Majesty had no more loyal subjects in her vast dominions than the Freemasons . That her Majesty was deeply sensible of the loyalty of Freemasons was exemplified by the fact that he had heard vvith pleasure at a meeting of prominent Masons just before he left

England for Bombay that the Queen-Empress was about to become the Patroness of Freemasonry in England . He had made use of such slight persuasive arguments as he possessed to induce the Grand Lodge of Scotland to ask her Majesty also to undertake the patronage of the Scottish Freemasonry , and to move the G . L . of Ireland in a similar way , so that in course of time they might hope to have one Grand Lodge for the United Kingdom , and be bound by the same bonds of brotherhood as they were at present under the different constitutions .

The toast vvas most enthusiastically responded to , the band playing " God save the Queen . " The GRAND MASTER then gave the next toast , which was that of " H . R . H . the Tvirsce of Wales , Most Worshipful Grand Master of FLngland , and Patron of Scottish Freemasonry . " He begged , he said , to point out that a closer line of association had been drawn between the English and Scottish Freemasonry by the

fact that her Royal Hig hness the Princess Louise had been married to his Grace the Duke of Fife , who vvas the Provincial Grand Master of Banffshire . In course of time the Duke of Fife would assume the duties of Depute Grand Master of Scottish Freemasonry , and in the year succeeding they would see him installed as Grand Master on the throne of Scottish Freemasonry . This fact alone should commend itself to the brethren the toast of the Prince of Wales , which he ( the Grand Master ) hoped would be acknowledged with an enthusiasm it so well

deserved . The toast was cordially acknowledged , the band playing " God Bless the Prince of Wales . " The GRAND MASTER then proposed the toast of " The Grand Master of Scotland , Sir Archibald Campbell of Blythesvvood , and the Grand Master of Ireland , the Duke of Abercorn . " ln connection vvith this toast the Grand Master

said that the Grand Master of Scotland vvas about to organise a bazaar on a large scale for the benefit of the Scottish Benevolent Society attached to the Grand Lodge , and he ( the Grand Master ) said that contributions in the shape of Indian curiosities and Indian art svorks , which were expected to fetch good prices , would be thankfully received . The toast vvas cordially accepted , the band playing " Bonnie Dundee . "

The GRAND MASTER , who vvas received with cheers , said : Brethren , —The next toast that I have to propose is the toast of the evening , " The Health of H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , the District Grand Master of Bombay . " The applause svith which you have received the toast assures me that , however svanting I may he in expressing my sentiments , the sense of enthusiasm svhich inspires the whole of you on this occasion will enable you to receive this toast in a manner which

it so well deserves , considering the high position of the District Grand Master , whom we entertain , to-night . We drink his Royal Highness ' s health on this occasion , not onl y as the District Grand Master of Bombay , but also as an honorary Past Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India , and an honorary member of the Grand Lodge to which vve owe our allegiance . He has come among us , brethren , as a Mason who understands the whole theory and the whole

principle which actuate our Order . His Royal Highness has at his heart the interest nf Freemasonry generally , \ he has always been ready during the time of his incumbency here to support Freemasonry in its integrity and the great principles lhat we acknowledge . We have learnt , brethren , to regard him as the ruling light than whom no better could have been chosen to rule over this Presidency , and we look on the period during which he has held the high office as one strengthening

the bond of union between the brethren working under the Constitutions of England and Scotland in this great Presidency . I have expressed the sentiments that I entertain with regard to this warm Interchange of friendship between the two Constitutions , and 1 know that his Royal Highness entertains the same views . Freemasonry has the power of blending the different castes and religions of this vast continent , and those who belong to it have ior their aim brotherl y love ,

truth , and benevolence . I feel that if vve were to spread Freemasonry wider and wider throughout this country , vve shall be doing a noble and a great act for the various races that inhabit it . I do not wish to dsvell longer on the benefits of Freemasonry , because I feel sure that his Royal Highness will , in reply , have something more _ to say on the subject . With these few observations , I now give you the toast of his Royal Highness the District Grand Master of Bombay , which I trust you will receive vvith all the honours his high position deserves .

The toast vvas drunk amidst vociferous cheers , the band playing " St . Patrick ' s Day . " One more cheer svas given for the Duchess . All in an instant the Duke , sitting in his chair , vvas greeted vvith a shower of roses and sweet-smelling flowers , svhich fell upon him by the svorking of a mechanical arrangement upon a crosvnshaped receptacle hanging over his Royal Highness ' s head .

H . R . H . the Duke of CONNAUGHT , vvho was received with loud and prolonged cheers , said : Most Worshipful Grand Master and Brethren , —You may have often heard of a person who was supposed to be in a bed of roses . I think I am perhaps one of the few who have ever been in one . That , brethren , must be my excuse for the peculiar appearance that I possess in returning thanks for the toast . I am exceedingly grateful to you , Sir , for the very cordial manner in ivhich you have proposed

the toast ol my health , and to you , brethren ot the Scottish Constitution , for the manner in which you have received me here to-day . This has been a long promised visit of mine , ana I only regret that circumstances os'er svhich I had no control prevented my coming sooner , but I hope you will understand from my presence here to-night how determined I was that this visit should not be put off any longer than it was necessary . I can assure you that I have been deeply touched with the warmth of

your reception . I agree with your distinguished and excellent Grand Master , how important it is that the tsvo constitutions , the Scotch and the English , should work hand in hand together . It has always been a source of deep regret to me whenever 1 have heard of any divergence of feelings or opinions on a point on which we can certainly be at one . I think from all we have heard , and I am sure from all we feel , that we have no reason to differ on any point . We all have the same Jeelings , vve all are prompted by the same noble desires , namely , to live in brotherly

fellowship and harmony one vvith another , and to do all we can to promote the great interest ofthe Craft by doing all we can to help those who are in sorrow and distress . With such feelings as exist in both the constitutions , 1 cannot for a moment think that any difference could last any longer . I am certain that ever since I have been called to the high position of the District Grand Master of Bombay , it has been my utmost endeavour to show on every possible occasion how thoroughly I vvas in harmony with the sister Grand Lodge . From what we have heard from the Grand Master ive know that our Gracious Sovereign is to be the

The Duke Of Connaught At The Grand Lodge Of India.

Patron of English Freemasonry , and that vve have every hope that her Majesty will also be the patron of Scottish and Irish Freemasonry . I think you may look forward , if I may so , almost to a new era of happiness and of brightness in the future of the Craft , if our Sovereign ivere to be at the head of the Freemasons of the United Kingdon of Great Britain and Ireland and her great dependencies , because it will then have a deep effect and carry great weig ht with all who belong to the Craft . I am certain that one placed as I am , the son of our Sovereign , I

am sure I may say with safety and vvith confidence , that ; knowing as I do the very strong feelings that my brother the Prince of Wales holds—the great respect that he has for Freemasonry—I am certain that with the Queen-Empress as our Patron , and the Prince of Wales as the Grand Master of the English Constitution , we will carryall the other constitutions together vvith us . I am most deeply indebted to you , brethren , for the very warm reception I have met with at your hands , and I am sure that I will never forget the great cordiality with which I have been received this evening , and especially not the roses .

H . R . H . the Duke of CONNAUGHT then proposed the toast of Sir Henry Morland , tbe Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India . " He said : Brethren , —It is difficult in the presence of the Grand Master , and as his guest , to say what I wonld wish on the subject of this toast . However , from what has fallen from his own lips , I think I may safely say that he went home with a great object , and we hope that he has come back with the object very nearly fulfilled . We have heard how much he has laboured towards bringing together of the different

constitutions ; vve have heard how he saw all the principal officers , both of the English and Scottish Constitutions ; and we have also heard from his lips how he hoped that some little passing difficulties that had existed would be finished for ever . That being the case , we owe the Grand Master a deep de ' it of gratitude , and I am sure that what he has done will enhance his popularity . I am indeed sensible of the rig ht hand of fellowship that he has so warmly extended to me this evening , and I thank him for the very great kindness he has shown me personally , and also as the District Grand Master of Bombay .

The toast vvas drunk with great enthusiasm , the band playing The Campbells are coming . " The GRAND MASTER , in reply , said that he was deeply sensible of the great honour that had been done him that evening by his Royal Highness proposing his toast , which had been so enthusiastically received by the brethren . He felt that he was wanting in merits to deserve all encomiums and the kind svords that had fallen

from the District Grand Master . He might say that he had done all he could for several years past to promote the best interests of Freemasonry , and would yield to none in his enthusiasm for the same . Although he felt that the kind words that had fallen from his Royal Hig hness were not his due , he was sure that they would induce him to make more strenuous efforts in the future to deserve them . In

conclusion , he thanked the brethren and the lodges working under his jurisdiction for their support in according to his Royal Highness the District Grand Master a reception due to his high position in life as well as in the Craft . Bro . K . R . CAMA , the Depute Grand Master , proposed the toast of " The Depute District Grand Master , Bro . Harold R . King , and the Officers of the District Grand Lodge . " He said that the best proof of the harmonious working

of the two Masonic constitutions in Bombay was the fact that they all met under one roof , the conduct of affairs being entrusted to a Committee composed of brethren from both constitutions , and presided over by no less a man than Bro . J . W . Smith , vvho , as they all knesv , was a true ancl trusty Mason . If another proof were required , it svas the desire of the tsvo Grand Masters to build a temple of their own , svhere the two constitutions mig ht meet together ; and it was with that view

that they had applied to Government for a piece of land on the Esplanade , which it was hoped , the Government would g ive on certain terms . He hoped that before H . R . H . the District Grand Master left Bombay in the beginning of the next year , he would see that the site was purchased , and that the corner-stone of the building vvas laid by him previous to his departure to England . Speakingabout the benefits derived from Freemasonry , Bro . Cama said that the Order knew no distinction of

caste , colour , creed , clime , or country , but that it ss'as universal , and ought to be extended in every direction . He expressed his gratification at seeing Europeans , Parsees , Hindoos of all sects ancl denominations , Mahomedans , and Jesvs extending to each other the right hand of fellowship , and sitting at the same table to dine . He coupled vvith the toast the names of Bros , the Hon . Justice Parsons , Col . Lloyd , and Hussey , the last of svhom , he said , vvas a very old and tried Mason ,

having served for 20 years as Secretary to the District Grand Lodge . The toast was cordially received , the band playing " He is a . jolly good fellow . " The name of Bro . Harold R . King was not coupled svith the toast as he vvas not present : at the banquet , though he attended the earlier part of the proceedings . Bro . the Hon . Justice PARSONS thanked the Grand Master for his splendid

hospitality , and said that he envied him—not in the invidious sense of the term —for the great success he had attained in Freemasonry . He agreed with the Grand Master when he said that in India they ought to have one general lodge working together for the good of Freemasonry . He was glad to observe that the Grand Master had been able to make the Scotch Freemasonry a success all over the country wherever his jurisdiction extended .

Bro . Col . LLOYD , in speaking about the amalgamation of the two constitutions , said that being a comparatively young Mason , he had not opportunities of jud ging the merits of the question , but it seemed to him that the only way to do it vvas to begin in a small way , because he thought that universal Masonry would be somewhere before the millennium . Bro . HousEYalso thanked the Grand Master for his kind hospitality and coupling his name svith the toast .

The GRAND MASTER then gave the toast of " The Depute and Substitute Grand Masters ancl Officers of his Grand Lodge , " and in doing so observed that the success of that night vvas entirely due to the members of the Grand Lodge , particularly to Bros . Khan Bahadoor Murzban , Darasha R . Chichgar , and Roughton . He owed those brethren a deep debt of gratitude for the kind and hearty manner in which they came forward to support him . His Grand Officers had never failed him on any occasion that he required their assistance .

The toast vvas warmly received , the band playing " The Blue Bells of Scotland . " Bros . BABINGTON PEII . E , KHAN BAHADOOR MUUZBAN , and D . R . CHICHGAR responded to the toast , the latter stating that the credit of the success vvas due , among others , to Bros . C . D . Furdonjee , Hepsvorth , Roughton , and N . J . Guzdar . The GRAND MASTER then proposed the toast of " The Visitors , " coupling svith it the names of Bros . Sir John M . S . Maxwell and Col . Collingsvood .

The toast svas duly accepted , the band playing " Come lasses and lads . " Bro . Sir J MAXWELL , in responding to the toast , said that he was a Scotchman himself , and it vvas very interesting to him to come to India and to find another larger Scotland , and it svas very gratify ing to him to see his national music played by the Highlanders in and about the marquee . He would , he said , always entertain cordial wishes for his brethren in India .

Bro . Col . COLLINGWOOD also briefly replied . H . R . H . theDuke of Connaught here left the marquee amidst loud and continuous cheers , the Grand Master and his Grand Officers accompanying him as far as the porch . As the Duke drove away he svas again loudly cheered . The GRAND MASTER , alter resuming his seat , gave the toast of "The Ladies , ' saying that the wives and daughters of some of the prominent members of the Grand Lodge had rendered good assistance in arranging the floral and other decorations . The Tyler ' s toast having been drunk in solemn silence , the brethren separated at a very Lite hour in the night .