A Memorable Year In English Masonry.

the SAvedish Ambassador , Lord Kmnaird , Sir John Doyle , ancl all the most distinguished members of the regular Craft . The principal gallery was set apart for ladies , among whom was the Countess of Loudoun and Moira , Avhile in the other Avas posted the Dnke of Kent ' s band . Even in those days , indeed , it would be difficult to picture to the imagination a more brilliant assembly ; while as to the arrangements , which gave to the fete a kind of public character during the first part of the proceedingsso as to admit of the presence of the

, ladies , the latter being wholly Masonic , nothing could have been in better taste . It is hardly necessary to say that everything passed off most successfully , the meeting- being roused to a pitch of enthusiasm when the toast of the evening , the health of " The Eavl of Moira , the Friend of his Prince , of his Country , and of Man , " was proposed by the illustrious chairman , ancl drunk with three times threea song by Bro . Rod well WrightProvincial Grand Master of the Ionian

, , Islands , specially Avritten for the occasion , accompanying it . When the noble Earl had returned thanks the ladies Avithdreiv , Grand Lodge was opened and tyled , and the Duke of Sussex , after having given the customary toasts , rose and delivered another speech in honour of Lord Moira , at the close of which he presented to his lordship a magnificent jewel , intrinsically of great value , as a work of art exquisitely beautifulhutas indicating the warm feelings of the

, , Avhole craft towards the noble recipient for his Masonic services , beyond all price . When the gift had been acknowledged in most eloquent terms , other toasts followed , Grand Lodge was closed , ancl one of the most honourable episodes in the history of our Craft was closed likeAvise . At a Quarterly Communication on the 7 th April , the Earl of Moira sent in his resignation as Acting Grand Master , and a letter was read from H . R . H .

the Prince Regent , in which his Hoyal Hi g hness resigned the office of Grand Master . The latter resignation Avas , of course , accepted , but Avith the acceptance was coupled the unanimous expression of a Avish that the Prince would become the Patron of the Order . A suitable address for his great services and the deep interest he had always taken in the Craft was agreed to , while a worthy successor to the Regent as Grand Master was found in the person of his brother , H . R . H . The Dlike of Sussex , who for some time had held tho office of Deputy Grand Master , and who , on this occasion , was unanimousl y elected to occupy the A acant- Masonic throne .

The first act of the illustrious Dnke in his new capacity was to preside at the Anniversary Festival of the Masonic Girls' School , Avhich was held on the 14 th of the same month , or only a few clays later , in Freemasons' Hall . His brother , the Duke of Kent , was present , as Avell as a distinguished muster of guests , among whom were Curran , the famous Irish lawyer , ancl a Captain Bock ,. an officer in the Russian army , who had arrived in England shortly

before , ancl whose reception AA as most enthusiastic—as will be readily understood Avhen I point out that Russia ancl Great Britain Avere firmly allied together against Napoleon Bonaparte , ancl that the former had just succeeded in driving back ancl almost annihilating the invading hosts that would , had . not Providence willed it otherwise , have enslaved the empire of the Czar . The occasion is only memorable for the speech of the Dnke of Sussexin whichin

, , proposing the health of the eminent Gun-an , he said , " a Master of the Rolls might be found every clay , but a CURRAN could not . " On the 12 th May , a Grand Lodge was held at Willis ' s Rooms , St . James ' s . The chair Avas taken by the Duke of Kent , who , in due course , and according to ancient ancl solemn form , installed his royal brother , the Dnke of Sussex , as M . W . Grand Masterfor the year . Among the brethren appointed Grand Officers

were Lord Dunclas , Deputy Grand Master ; ancl Bros . W . H . White , Grand Secretary ; the Chevalier Ruspini , Grand Swordbearer ; and Samuel Wesley , Grand Organist ; amongst the Grand Stewards Avas Bro . Rev . Samuel Hemming , D . D . When this part of the proceedings was over , Grand Lodge took into consideration the services rendered by Bro . W . H . White , who , s