Channel Islands.

been Sir Percy Douglas , late Governor of Jersey , Avho gave the shares in the temple which were held in his name . Of course , very considerable additions have since been made . The manner in which the proceeds of the bazaar and fete will be devoted to the farther increase of this fund will be best explained in the following opening address . At half past twelve the members of the managing committee assembled at the east end of the large roomor temple in whose name Bro . H . L .

, proper , Manuel , the President thus spoke to the visitors who had obtained early admission : — LADIES ASD GENTI / EMEST , —When a year is drawing towards its close , when , having run its allotted course , it is am . the eve of adding its unit to the Ages and yielding its place to Time and the future , humankind habitually enters into earnest conference Avith itself . It reminds its conscience of many shortcomings ,

it recalls to its memory many duties , aud it resolves , as it should , on a fresh aud vigorous effort to make up for the former and to perform the latter . The continuatovs in this island of the principles and traditions of Masonry , that grand old Craft Avhose origin is almost coeval with the existence of society , are impressed with this conviction . It is Avhy they appear before you to-day . The general body of the Freemasons of Jersey have thought

, then , that three among many other duties devolve on them at this particular moment . And the Managing Committee ( which comprises representatives of all the Anglo-local lodges ) have requested me to state to you , on opening this day's proceedings , Avhatthey hold those duties to be .

They think , m the first place , that it is a social duty to find and provide cheerful amusement at given times for the general community . Now , what period should be so universally ' festive as the Christmas holidays ? Everybody knows that " all work " and " no enjoyment" lead invariably to dullness and gradual impairment of physical and intellectual power . AA e Masons , then , have decided to act on our conviction respecting the indispensable necessity of periods of fair aud varied recreation for

everyone , and this is one of the reasons why Ave have undertaken these fetes . Before they close Ave trust to show that wo have , in this matter , fully attended to the claims of all qualities and classes , and taken special heed of those who , by their position , are the most in need of a passing hour of recreation and joy . The second duty we are anxious to perform is , to make an effort , slight though it may be , to promote the cultivation and

love of high art among our fellow citizens . Thanks to the Bailiff , Col . Le Couteur , Q . A . D . C , Colonel Perceval Touzel , Captain Snumarez , R . N ., Captain Brooker , R . N ., Captain Manger , Mr . Stirling , Mr . Massey , and others , we are enabled to open to-day what may lead to that which I refer to . Thanks to the public spirit and intelligence of the gentlemen I have namedwe may now expect an artistic and scientific exhibition

, next summer . If so , a museum—the absence of which in a place like this is so regrettable—will be the proximate result . If that desideratum is attained within a reasonable time , we trust that when you assist at tho inaugural fete of the hopedfor Treasury of Art and Science , you will not forget how far to day ' s modest and unassuming Masonic Exhibition may have contributed towards it .

Phe third duty which has impelled the Masons with whom you so kindly act , is one that is not merely transient—it is eternal , because it is the duty of charity . Tho Master , as you all know , said that the poor were always to be amongst us . All societies have , assuredly , theirs ; and ours is no exception to the rule . But , in appealing to you to-day , we particularly wish to explain that the widows and orphans in whose behalf we have all come forward on this occasionare those who are

, specially connected with the promoters of this Temple . I mention this to avoid misconception . On the domain of any other charitable organisation connected with the Craft we are not venturing to trespass . In connection with this—the pecuniary , the charitable , in fact the practical part of these days' bazaar , exhibition , and fetes—I am specially requested to state that the proceeds , duly handed to trustees

, will bo invested so as to ensure for the objects we have contemplated an interest equal to that granted by the local banks to depositors . In conclusion , ladies and gentlemen , I am directed to say that we shall expect indulgence if , in some slight details , we cannot this time rigidly adhere to the letter of our programme . If so , however , we shall make up the deficiency by other means . Finally , ladies and gentlemen , the eommiitee earnestly thank you , particularly the ladies who have taken charge of stalls , for

your enlightened and generous co-operation . AVithout it , our efforts would no doubt have been comparatively fruitless ; whereas , with it , we succeed beyond our greatest hopes in our threefold object—to enliven , to instruct , and to solace—to raise the merry laugh that does the heart good ; to elevate the mind by the contemplation of the beauteous and the study of the wonderful ; and to cheer were it but one sorrowing sister , one desolate childwith the consolatory reflection thatafter all ,

, , fraternity is not a vain word—aud that hearts almost innumerable yet respond , in humble truthfulness , and with earnest warmth , to the sacred command , " Lovo ye one another . " The fete was now declared to be opened , and the visitors dispersed to examine the various treasures of art , the curiosities , the pictures , & c , which had been provided for their instruction and entertainment , to purchase at the well furnished stalls of

the bazaar , and to share in the amusements which had been so liberally arranged for them . Shortly after tie business had commenced , the Freemasons were honoured with a visit by his Excellency Major-General Burke Cuppage and suite . The Governor was received at the portico of the Temple by Bro . II . Manuel ( chairman of the committee ) , Bros . Schmitt and E . D . Le Couteur ( honorary secretaries ) and other Masons of rank who held officeby whom

, , His Excellency was accompanied through the different rooms . General Cuppage appeared to take much interest in the arrangements of the fete , and in the different objects of art to which his attention was directed , testifying his approbation by a donation to the funds . At first , admission to the Temple was confined to those Avho had previously procured tickets , of which about 2 , 000 had been

sold . In order to offer a good example , and to avoid even the slightest groundfor complaint , even the members of the committee , notwithstanding their constant exertions for several weeks , had purchased tickets for themselves . Subsequently , payment of Is . at the door , as the fee for entrance was permitted . The large number of tickets disposed of before the time of opening is a proof of the interest felt by the public in the treat which was in store for them . One particularly interesting feature in connection with the fete is that the Freemasons themselves have , with a few exceptions , taken the most lively interest in its

success and have been most indefatigable in their efforts , not only to furnish rational and profitable amusement and instruction , but to take all possible measures to prevent even the slightest disappointment or contre-temps , and to show the greatest courtesy to all . That their exertions had been well directed is evident from the fact that though for the first two hours on each day the attendance was limited , yet from three till five o'clock , and again at a later hour , the influx of visitors was so

great and rapid , that inextricable confusion and disorder must have arisen , if the strictest precautions had not been taken and carefully adhered to . To this end the committee had met every evening during the previous week , when such members as would devote nearly their whole time to the matter had received directions as to their especial duties . For the punctual and regular performance of these the greatest credit is due to them . Early in the dayin addition to the Lieutenant-Governorvisits

, , were paid by John Hammond , Esq . ( Bailiff of Jersey ) , several of the jurats , deputies , and other notabilities of the island . Of ladies there was also a large attendance , but it is to be feared that notwithstanding the judiciousness of the arrangements , so far as the capabilities of the building would allow , the density of the crowd during the hours named must have seriously interfered with access to the stalls and the transaction of profitable

business . Much consideration for the public was shown by the issue of passes to those Avho had once gained admission , which enabled them to return during any other portion of the same day , and thus those desirous to purchase could select the hours most convenient to them . Let us now refer to the course taken by the visitors . The handsome building was rendered conspicuous at a distance among

tho buildings which surround it , by large flags flying far above the roof . The front was tastefully ' yet simply decorated by a plantation of evergreens , which had been kindly arranged under tho superintendence of Mr . Saunders , whose reputation as a florist and landscape gardener is well known . On reaching the door of the Temple , a most courteous reception was given to all by two gentlemen , members of the committee , who were

distinguished by blue rosettes , as indeed were all concerned in the management , both ladies and gentlemen . Having passed through the entrance hall , visitors entered the library of the institution on tho right , which for the time had been converted