Lnstallation Of His Royal Highness The Duke Of Connaught As M.W. Grand Master Of England.

proceed to ( he places on the orchestra set apart for them . The long svait , without any seating accommodation , in a very high temperature , svas strongly animadverted upon by the many brethren in the sere and yellow . As a matter of fact , this svas the one and only blot on an otherwise admirably and systematically arranged gathering , and there was nothing to

have prevented the three hundred or so Past Grand Officers taking their seats in the same way as did the bulk of the great assemblage some time before . At a fesv minutes before ihve o ' clock the Grand Officers ' procession entered the Hall , and mosed towards the orchestra ,

on the front of which svas the former Grand Master ' s throne and pedestal , the former , by the way , wanting the Prince of Wales ' s plume , and in its place svas a Duke ' s coronet . Right and left svas a beautiful Moral display . The first appearance of the M . W . Pro Grand Master in his usual place at the end

of the procession was the signal for a round of applause . To the right and left of the throne places had been reserved for deputations from the Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland , headed by Bros . His Grace the Duke of Abercorn , and the Hon . James Ho / . ier , M . P ., respectively , the latter of svhom no

doubt remembered his presence in the same place six-andtsventy years before , when , as Marquis of Hamilton , he was honoured svith the collar of Senior Grand Warden in the Grand Lodge of England . The Grand Lodge of Canada svas also represented by deputation .

When Earl Amherst , the Pro Grand Master , ascended the throne to perform the solemn and impressive duties of the day , in emulation of his departed , but never to be forgotten predecessor , the Earl of Carnarvon , one at last had an opportunity of contemplating the gorgeous spectacle of a life-time . The far distant promenade , the balconies , grand

circle , amphitheatre , and arena , were solid masses of the light blue of the rulers of private lodges , the fringes of the arena , relieved by streaks of crimson and silver worn by Past Grand Stewards , whilst on one side there svas a patch of scarlet , worn by military brethren ; who had come to do honour

to their gallant Grand Master . The orchestra enlourage of course , provided a brave display of purple and gold , appertaining to the Grand Officers , numbering between three and four hundred , Present and Past , relieved by the bright green and gold of the Scottish brethren , and the more modest light blue and gold of the deputation from Ireland .

ARRIVAL OF PRO . LORD A DDINGTON . At length all svere seated in the east , in readiness for the auspicious ceremonial of the day , but memories of the long past installation of the now retired Grand Master once more crowded on the mind . The long procession of Provincial Grand Masters that in 1875 met the eye svas nosv almost

totally changed , for amongst the noble brethren that then graced the proceedings , and have since departed from the busy scene , svere : —The Earl of Lathom ( then Lord Skelmersdale ) , Lord cle Tabley , the Earl of Harclwicke , the Earl of Limerick , the Duke of Manchester , the Earl of

HRO . DR . BALFOUR COCKUURX ARRIVES . Londesborough , the Duke of Newcastle , the Earl of Bective , Lord Tenterden , Lord Methuen , Sir Francis Burdett , Sir Henry Edwards , Sir Daniel Gooch , Col . Le Genclre Starkie , Sir Watkin Wynn , General Brosvnrigg , and lastly Colonel

Lyne , svho died but a fesv days ago , full of years and honours . And it is further a reflection of the past to remember that of the six Provincial Grand Masters forming the escort of the then Prince of Wales on entering the Grand Lodge , only one is nosv alive—the Marquis of Londonderry . But to-day ,

sprinkled amongst the many comparatively new rulers of the Craft in the provinces , it was pleasant to note of those present at the former celebration—R . W . Bros , the Right Hon . W . W . B . Beach , M . P . ; the Marquis of Zetland ; and T . F . Halsey , M . P . Another engagement deprived the great

assemblage of the presence of Bro . Lord Leigh , svhose installation as head of the Warwickshire Craft as far back as 1 S 32 entitles our venerable brother to the appellation of " Father of the Provinces . " He , too , ss'as present in i 87 > .

The opening of Grand Lodge in ample form by the Pro Grand Master , supported by the Earl of Warwick , Deputy Grand Master , svith Bro . Lord Templetosvn , Senior Grand Warden ( for the second term ) , and Bro . Wykeham Cornsvallis , Junior Grand Warden , in their places , followed

by the reading and confirmation of the minutes , so far as regards the election of the Grand Master , occupied but a fesv minutes , when a deputation of Provincial Grand Masters , Past Grand W ' ardens , and Officers , headed by Bro . Beach , was diiected to withdraw and introduce the nesv Grand Master . The

procession , though limited as to numbers , svas striking and full of interest . Almost at the head of it svas the insignia of Grand Master , borne most appropriately by the Deputy Masters of the London Irish Rifles Lodge , of which the Duke of Connaught is W . M ., and of the Prince of Wales ' s

Lodge , in svhich His Royal Highness svas initiated into Masonry , as has been mentioned incidentally , in 1874 , by his illustrious brother , the King . But in a very fesv moments to the accompaniment of a stirring fanfare by a quartette of trumpeters stationed in front

of the grand organ , the pent-up feelings of the host of Masons within the hall svere released as the svellknown figure of the Duke of Connaught appeared in the West . A running fire was simultaneously taken up by 20 , 000 hands and svas continued svith great spirit right