Grand Festival.

GRAND S ECRETARY here read the following list of Grand Stewards for the year 1 S 99-1900 , which had been submitted to and approved by the Grand Master * Bros . John Dimsdale , 1 ; Eric J . Matthews , 2 ; Noel Stanhope Stott , 4 ' ;

Auhone S . Reed , 5 ; Charles E . de Bertodano , 6 ; John H . Duncan , S ; John G . Craggs , 14 ; William T . Evans , 21 , * Alexander A . Yeatman , 2 ,-5 William E . Clifton , 26 ; Paul L . Waterlow , 29 ; Arthur H . Hutton , 46 ; I . Hamilton Benn , 58 ; Frank P . Slade , 60 ; Peregrine Purvis , 91 ; William G . Granet , 99 ; Harry Keep , 197 ; and Edward de Quincey

Quincey , 259 . Grand Lodge was closed in ample form . The brethren then adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern to banqu et , Earl Amherst presiding . The toasts were afterwards proposed .

Eail A MHERST , in giving the toastof "The M . W . G . M ., " said it was not necessary for him in an assembly which embraced so many experienced Masons as those brethren present to dilate on the virtues of his Royal Highness the Most Worshipful Grand Master . They all knew the advantages the Craft had gained in the Grand Master ' s 25 years' government of Grand Lodge . Let them show their gratitude to him by the warmth with which they received his toast that night . The toast having been enthusiastically drunk ,

Bro . Gen . J . WIMBURN LAURIE proposed "The M . W . Pro G . M ., and said he would like to dilate on the merits of the M . VV . Pro Grand Master , who presided that evening in Grand Lodge , whose work they knew in the past had led to his being where he was ; but Earl Amherst had intimated to him that the place for the brethren was as early as possible in the Temple , and not in the dining room , and , therefore , it was his ( Gen . Laurie ' s )

to refer to the Pro Grand Master briefly , much as he would like to say a great deal of him . There was no necessity to say much about one under whose presidency the brethren had sat , under whom they had worked , and under whom they all hoped to work for very many years to come . The expression of the hope that they might have Earl Amherst presiding oyer

them as M . W . Pro Grand Master many years—the impromptu expression from all the brethren—was far more than any words he could use as a tribute to the object of that toast . He asked the brethren to endorse their approbation of Lord Amherst ' s services to the Craft by drinking the toast in the most hearty way . ( Cheers . )

Eail AMHERST , in reply , said the first time he presided in Grand Lodge an old Mason said that he would find he had to preside over a turbulent assembly . His experience had been the other way ; he never knew a more orderly body than an assembly of members of the Masonic Craft . In that spirit he hoped to continue to conduct the affairs of Grand Lodge , in a manner consistent with the credit of Grand Lodge and in the interests of the

Craft . ( Hear , hear . ) Last year General Laurie described him as short , sharp , and decisive . He did not . wish to be short with the brethren ; but he disliked windbags ; and he would not be sharp except when he saw the affairs of Grand Lodge could be best administered that way ; he would not be worth his salt if he was not . As to being decisive , he should be so if it was conducive to the comfort and convenience of all .

Earl AMHERST , in proposing "The Sister Grand Lodges , " said hospitality had always been a Masonic virtue , especially in this country , and they were all glad to see brethren hailing from other jurisdictions , who had come that evening to grace the English Masons' annual assembly with their presence . They were always glad to see strangers from foreign parts , and they gave them a hearty welcome , and hoped they would take away wilh them a

happy remembrance of the hospitality extended to them . He should couple with this toast first the name of Gen . Corson Smith , Past Grand Masterof Illinois , and also the representative of Grand Lodge of England at the Grand Lodge of Illinois . Their distinguished brother had seen considerable service as a Mason and as a soldier , because during the war in the

Stales he rose to the rank of brigadier general btfore he had arrived at the mature age of 30 . H , e had gone on the Masonic lines , and had been Grand Masterof his State . The breihren were very glad to see him . He would also couple the name of Bro . Major Allin , representative of Denmark in Grand Lodge , and S . W . of Scotland .

Bro . Gen . CORSON SMITH , in reply , said : Most VVorshipful Pro Grand Master , ladies , and brethren , as the representative of his Royal Highness the Most VVorshipful Grand Master of England , the Prince of VVales , I bring you the greetings of numerically the second Grand Lodge in United States of America , the Grand Lodge of Illinois numbering its 60 , 000 subscribing Craftsmen , a Grand Lodge that honoured me with the

distinction of Grand Master for several years—a Grand Lodge that selected from among your British Freemasons that distinguished soldier , Member of Parliament , and Freemason , General Laurie as its Grand Representative in the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia . As the representative of the Grand Lodges of Mississippi and of Florida , I bring you the greetings of our sister jurisdictions . My breihren of the older and Western States bring you

theirs . ^ The Grand Lodges ef the Uniied States number one million , true and tried Freemasons , I bring you their hearty greetings and their God speed . ( Applause . ) I come here to the Mother Grand Lodgeof the world with much pleasure because its teachings have come down to my lod ges and I have been taught my Freemasonry from you . 1 have tried in my feeble way to practice it for 40 years , and the more 1 know of it and the

better I know English Freemasonry , the better I love the Ancient Craft . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) I love the Craft because it teaches my duty to tr-e Great Architect of the Universe , and next to that , and what is of more importance in this woild , is , my duty to my country ; it leaches me loyalty to the rulers of the land , and it teaches me devotion to my Craft ; and I come to this Grand Lodge as I

come to this the mother country , for my ancestors belong to her ; my father lought upon the field of Waterloo- ( applause )—my kindred were with -Nelson at Trafalgar - ( cheers ) —and my father at 56 years of age took up his musket in delence of Constitutional Government , and carried it through our Civil War for his Government . ( Cheers ) I love Freemasonry Ior Jhus teaching me my duty to my country . True , my ancestry may not have been ranked among the general ofiicers of the army or the admirals of the

navy . Like the planets of Heaven , you may number them , but you cannot number the hearts of oak ef the private soldiers of your army , who , like the stars in the milky way , make a grand constellation in the great United •Mates of America . In the list of great heroes my forefathers were . I bring > cu the greetings of America , the land that with youth and Constitutional government is read y to take up the burdens of the white man , and stand b y those burdens . ( Applause . ) The foremost men of my country an ^ i •y £ i or offence or defence - ( Cheers . ) I bring you their greetings •* na their God-speed . I thank you , brethren , for this cordial greeting , for

Grand Festival.

the noble way in which you have received the toast of the Sister Grand Lodges , and I return to my country on the 13 th of next month bearing with me the greetings of the Grand Lodge of England , the Fraternity of Great Britain—England , Ireland , and Scotland . God bless and prosper them all . ( Loud cheers . ) *

Bro . Major ALLAN , G . S . W . Grand Lodge of Scotland , said the Grand Lodge of Scotland was in complete harmony with the Grand Lodge of England , and was working hard in Charity to bring it up to the level of Grand Lodge of England . He wished their Grand Master , Lord Saltoun , had been present , for he would have done more justice to that toast . Next week at the Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Scotland he should convey the greetings of Grand Lodge ot England .

EARL AMHERST next proposed "The Provincial and District Grand Masters and the Grand Officers , " and said imdestv almost prevented him doing so , because he had been for 40 years a Prov . G . Master himself , but these officers worked hard , and kept up the standard of Masonry . He called on the Grand Registrar to reply , both the Grand Wardens having been obliged to leave .

Bro . J STRACHAN , Q . C , G . Reg ., in replying , said the Prov . G . Masters were at the present time carrying on Masonic work i-a aid of the Grand Master ' s work throughout the country , and they had the confidence of the brethren . The Dist . G . Masters represented the majesty of English Masonry in the various centres where the British Empire had planted ils foot , doing their duty as our admirals did . He returned thanks for all the Grand Officers , who were endeavouiing to do honour to Masonry . Bro . the Rev . C . J . MARTYN , P . G . C , proposed " The Charities . "

Bro . J . M . MCLEOD . P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B ., responded , and referred to the great success of the Boys' School last year . This had been done without injuring the other institutions . This vear the Benevolent Institution had received sufficient for its needs— £ 20 , 000 had been realisedand the Girls' School expected to have a bumper ; he hoped it would . He

thanked the Craft for what they had done in the past , and he congratulated Grand Lodge on their extension of premises which would give more space , which all Grand Officers would be pleased with . He was glad that the report of General Purposes gave hope that in 15 years there would be further accommodation .

Bro . HANSON , Chairman of the Board of Grand Stewards , responded to the toast of " The Grand Stewards , " and after the toast of " The Ladies , " proposed by Bro . RICHARD EVE , P . G . T ., had been acknowledged , Earl Amherst presided in the Temple , where a concert was given in which

the performers were Madame Bertha Moore , Miss Ethel Bevans , Bro . Gregory Hast , the Dilettante Quartette ( Bros . J . A . Brown , Mervyn Dene , Edward Dazell , and Robert Hilton ) , Bro . Herbert Standing , recited ; Mons . G . Van de Velde played solos on the 'cello , and Bro . Walter W . Hedgcock played the pianoforte .

Grand Officers.

GRAND OFFICERS .

GRAND WARDENS . Bro . the Right Hon the Eail of STRAIHIROKE , upon whom H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . Grand Master , has been pleased to conter the collar of Senior G . Warden of England for the ensuing year , was initiated in the Lodge of Prudence ,

No . 388 , Halesworth , in the Province of Suffolk , on the ioth December , JS 94 , and having served the necessary oilice of Warden , was duly installed in the chair of W . Master on the 27 th June of last year . He is also a joining member of the National Artillery Lodge , No . 2578 , which was founded in 1 S 95 , and a Life Subscriber ofthe Royal Masonic Institution for Boys .

Bro . Viscount MILTON , the newly-appointed Junior G . Warden , is grandson and heir to Earl Fitzwilliam , K . G ., and Member of Parliament for Wakefield . He was initiated in the Studholme Lodge , No . 1591 , early in lSg 5 , and later in the year joined / Sincerity Lodge , No . 1019 , Wakefield , of which he was installed W . Master , on the 2 ist December last . He became also a joining member of lodges at Wicklow and Peterborough , and is a Life Governor , with one Stewardship , of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys .

GRAND CHAPLAINS . Bro . the Rev . W . GARDINER , B . D , was initiated , during his career at Exeter College , Oxford , in the Apollo University Lodge , No . 357 , on the 4 th February , 1869 . Three months later he joined the Churchill Lodye , No . 478 , Oxford , and in March , 1870 , the Westminster and Keystone Lodge , No . 10 . Subsequently he joined the Lodge of Loyalty , No . 1533 , Marlborough , and on the nth May , 1892 , was installed its W . Master . He had the honour of being appointed Prov . G . D .

of C . Oxfordshire in 18 71 and Prov . G . Chaplain in 1872 , and on 3 rd December , 1890 , he became Prov . G . Chaplain of Wiltshire . He was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in the Apollo University Chapter , NJ . 357 , 01 the 15 th June , 1870 , and having joined the Methuen Chapter , No . 1533 , was , in December , 18 95 , installed First Principal Z . At the present timo he holds the oilice of Prov . G . Registrar . Bro . Gardiner has also given his support to our Institutions , for each of which he has qualified as Lile Governor and served one Stewardship ,

Bro . the Rev . F . BKTIIUNE N . NORMAN-LEE , M . A ., F . R . G . S ., Chaplain to her Majesty ' s Forces , was initiated in Pentangle Lodge , No . 1174 , Chatham , in September , 1884 , but the exigencies of the service have somewh it hampered his progress . In 1885 he joined the Aldershot Army and Navy Lodge , No . 1971 , and continued a subscribing member till 183 7 , when he was ordered to Ireland . Thence he was moved to Halifax , Nova Scotia . During his stay here he affiliated

to the Virgin Lodge , No . 3 , on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotiaformerly No . 395 on that of England—and in 1 S 94 was installed as W . M .. while he was appointed to the ofiice of Grand Chaplain . It was also during his residence in Nova Scotia that he was exalted a Royal Arch Mason , and was elected to the chair of Third Principal in 18 94 . On returning to England in 18 95 he rejoined No . 1971 , and in 18 97 was installed as Deputy Master to the Duke of Connaught , being about the same time appointed Prov . G . Chaplain of

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight . He also renewed his connection with R . A . Masonry , and last year became a founder of the Connaught Chapter , No . 1971 , Aldershot , and was invested as its Scribe N . He is also a Mark Mason , was elected to fill the chair of A . in the Aldershot Army and Navy Mark Lodge , No . 349 , and was appointed and invested last year as G . Chaplain of Mark Grand Lodge . He has taken the 32 ° under the Supreme Council for Canada of the A . and A . Rite , and is a member and will shortly b j M . W . S . of the Royal Naval Chapter of Rose Croix , No . 9 , Portsmouth ,