The Marquis Of Hertford Installed As Pro. Grand Master Of Antrim.

THE MARQUIS OF HERTFORD INSTALLED AS PRO . GRAND MASTER OF ANTRIM .

I 'HE Craft in Ireland has not for many years experienced so important a - * - function as took place on the afternoon of the 9 th ult . in the Exhibition Hall of the Botanic Gardens of Belfast , when at a meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of A . F . and A . Masons of Antrim the Most Honorable Hugh de Grey , Marquis of Hertford , was installed as Right Worshi pful Provincial Grand Master of the Masonic Province of Antrim .

The ceremony was performed in the presence of fully one thousand members of the Order , becoming one of the finest demonstrations ever held in connection with Freemasonry in the city . The Marquis of Hertford succeeds the lalc Sir Charles Lanyon , D . L ., whose decease was such a loss lo the Craft , and who was so deeply lamented by Masons all over the United Kingdom , whose respect and esteem he won by the earnest manner in which he discharged the

duties attached to the exalted position which he held . It will be remembered that Sir Charles was selected for the office upon the death of the Marquis of Donegal ! . In nominating the Marquis of Hertford to the vacancy it is admitted by all that his Grace the Duke of Abcrcorn , as Grand Master of Ireland , has made a most happy selection , and one which is heartily approved by the members of the Order . In following in the footsteps of such worthy

Masons as Lord Donegal ! and Sir Charles Lanyon and others who have held the office , his Lordship has a noble example to imitate , and we have no doubt that he will prove himself worthy of the confidence reposed in him by his brethren , and that in his bands the interests of Freemasonry will be sedulously and carefully conserved . The proceedings were of the most successful

character , and bore eloquent testimony to the great popularity of the new Provincial Grand Master . The enthusiasm with which he was received must have been peculiarly gratifying to him , showing as it does that he enters upon the duties of his exalted position with the respect and esteem of his brethren , and with every promise of an auspicious and successful term of office . Since the selection of the Duke of Abcrcorn was announced , no effort

has been spared to invest the installation ceremony with everything requisite and necessary to success , the brethren of the province entering into the arrangements with enthusiasm and spirit . The successful issue of their exertions was evidenced in the highly impressive ceremony in the Exhibition Hall , and the enthusiastic proceedings in the Ulster Hall in the evening , when the noble Marquis was entertained by the Masons of the province . The

Exhibition Hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion with rare hothouse plants and delicate drapery , and presented a very admirable appearance . The meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge was fixed for four o ' clock , and shortly before that hour the brethren had assembled in full regalia , which was denned in one of the ante-rooms set apart for the purpose . Lord Hertford on his arrival from Lisburn was met at the terminus of the Great Northern Railway ,

Great Victoria-street , by Bro . Thomas Valentine , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , with whom were the Provincial Grand Secretary and Treasurer . The Provincial Grand Master-elect was escorted by these gentlemen to the Exhibition Hall , and the interesting proceedings were at once entered upon . Punctually at four o'clock the Right Worshipful the Deputy Grand Master , Bro . R . W . Shcckleton , Q . C ., attended by the grand officers and provincial grand officers , entered the hall , and the Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in due form . The order of the procession was as follows : —

Dep . Grand Master Bro . R . W . Shekleton , Q . C . Prov . Grand Masters , Bro . Lord A . Hill , Bro . Major Scott , and Bro . Colonel Ervine . Grand Sen . Deacon Bro . Harry Hodges . Grand Svvordbearer , Bro . W . AI . C . Crawley . Grand Inner Guard , Bro . W . F . K . Pirn . Reps , of Foreign Grand Lodges , Bros . Sir H . Cochrane and J . M'Connell Prov . Dep . Grand MastersBros . Thomas ValentineSir W . Miller

, , , and Major Thompson . Prov . G . Chaplain of Down , Rev . Canon Browne . Prov . G . S . Warden , Bro . L . M . Ewart . Prov . G . J . Warden , Bro . R . Carey . Prov . G . Treasurer , Bro . Rankin . Prov . G . Secretary , Bro . R . J . Hilton . Prov . G . Chaplain , Bro . Rev . Dr . Irvine .

Prov . Sup . of Works , Bro . W . A . Traill . Prov . Inspectors . Prov . Stewards , Bro . S . A . Plunket and Bro . J . Morton . Prov . Swordbearer , Bro . R . B . Andrews . Prov . Inner Guard , Bro . L . Ryans . Prov . Dep , G . Secretary , Bro . Thos . Nesbit . Grand Officers of Down . Prov . S . Deacon , Bro . R . Neill . Prov . J . Deacon , Bro . J . M'Dowell .

After an ode had been sung , the Most Worshipful Grand Master ( the Duke of Abercorn ) was then introduced , and conducted to the throne , the procession being : — Director of Ceremonies , Bro . W . J . Fennell . Grand Master , Bro . Duke of Abercorn . Grand Senior Deacon , Bro . II . Hodges .

Grand Swordbearer , Bro . Dr . Crawley . Prov . Grand Stewards and Deacons . The Provincial Grand Master-elect , the Most Honorable the Marquis of

Hertford , was then announced as being in attendance , and his warrant of appointment having been read , the Most Worshipful the Grand Master appointed a deputation to receive him . A procession was formed under the direction of the Worshipful Grand Director of Ceremonies , and entered the hall in the following order : — The Provincial Grand DeaconsBros . R . Neill and JM'Dowell .

, . A Paster Master , carrying the Holy Bible , Bro . Plunkett . A Past Master , carrying the Book of Constitutions , Bro . Morton . A Past Master , carrying the Collar and Apron of the Provincial Grand Master and Provincial Grand Lodge Bye-Laws , Bro . W . It . Dixon . The Grand Officers and Provincial Grand Officers forming the Deputation , Bros . Hodges and Crawley . The Provincial Grand Master-elect , Bro . the Marquis of Hertford .

The Director of Ceremonies , Bro . W . J . Fennell . Having perambulated three times round the Lodge the procession halted on reaching the foot of the throne , when the Provincial Grand Master-elect was presented to the MAY . the Grand Master , and the ceremony of installation was proceeded with . The following was the installation ode , composed specially for the occasion by Bro . William Redfern Kelly , P . G . C ., Prince of Wales Lodge , 1 54 : —

Tunc— - ' Old Hundred . " Hail ! hail ! bright star of Hertford , hail 1 In Dah'iada's * Orient shine , Bright ' mongst Ulidia ' sf brightest stars , Long may'st thy light with theirs combine . Intensify that mystic light

, Which none but Craftsmen e'er can sec , Show forth 'midst hieroglyphics bright Our Three Great Lights of Masonry . Around thy Oriental Throne May Wisdom , Strength , and Beauty stand ; May Pence , and Love , and Harmony

With Charity join hand in hand . May the Grand Architect inspire Thy labours in our noble cause ; And may He strengthen thy desire To rule the Craft by Heaven's ( heat Laws . The DUKE Ol' ARERCORN , the M . W . the Grand Master , having directed

the Provincial Grand Master-elect to kneel and take the obligation of office , invested him with the insignia of office , and placed him in the chair of the Provincial Grand Lodge . The DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES then declared the Most lion . Hugh de Grey , Marquis of Hertford , duly installed as Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Antrim .

The newly-installed Provincial Grand Master having been saluted with full Masonic honors , The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER nominated Bro . Thos . Valentine as bis Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and also presented him with the collar and jewel of his office on behalf of his Masonic friends in the province . The address was read by Pro . HILTON , as follows

:---To Bro . Thomas Valentine , j-nd Right Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Freemasons of Antrim . Right Worshipful Sir and lirothcr , —Vour Masonic Brethren of the Province of Antrim , having ivgard to your distinguished position as a Freemason , your great zeal for the advancement of the best interests of the Craft in this province , and the very many valuable services which you have rendered to the Order , embrace the present auspicious opportunity of presenting to you a slight tribute of their great esteem and admiration of and their thorough appreciation of your many

you , sterling qualities . Vour Brethren arc pleased and gratified beyond measure at your reappointment as their Right Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and they offer lo you their most cordial and sincere congratulations on this the occasion of your formal reinduction into that honorable and distinguished position . Whether they have regard to your many estimable Masonic and gentlemanly qualities , your great devotion and zeal for the cause of Freemasonry , your invaiiably clignified and urbane deportment in the chair of the and self

Provincial Grand Lodge , or your onerous self-imposed -sacrificing labors , especially throughout the country districts of this great Masonic Province of Antrim , all alike commend you to your brethren as one worthy of their warmest esteem and regard , and of the highest compliments which it would be at all possible for them to pay to you . They request your acceptance of this collar-chain of the office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and this decoration also appertaining to that exalted position ; and they most sincerely to

pray that the ( heat Architect of the Universe ma ) ' long spare you wear these insignia , and to aid with your valuable labors , your judicious advice and counsel , and your great experience in Masonic matters , the brethren of the Province of Antrim , on behalf of whom we subscribe ourselves , right worshipful sir and brother , sincerely and fraternally yours , Lavens M . Ewart , P . G . S . W . ; Robert Carey , P . G . J . W . ; Robert J . Hilton , P . G . Sec . Belfast , nth October , 1 S 89 .

The PROVINCIAL DEPUTY GRAND MASTER , in reply , said : — Dear Brethren , —I feel honored that our Provincial Grand Master has thought fit to appoint me as his deputy , and especially that the appointment has given you so much satisfaction . Whilst thoroughly appreciating your kindness and indulgence as far as regards the duties which have devolved upon me in connection with the office held by me under our / ate lamented i 10-