Royalty and Freemasonry
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___ — — — i — i. ¦ - ¦ ¦ - i ..,— ., i ¦ ¦ i , m^> Grand Director of Ceremonies left the Lodge, ROYALTY AND FREEMASONRY. returning almost immediately with the patent, which was examined by the Grand Master, after which MONDAY witnessed one of the most imposing Masonic ceremonies that has ever taken place seven Past Masters were directed to conduct his in the Provinces, the occasion being the installation Royal Highness the Provincial Grand Master of H.R.H. the Dnke of Clarence and Avondale, at Designate into the Lodge. The young Prince was Reading, as Provincial Grand Master of Berkshire. received with due honours, the patent was read, the The Grand Master of England personally officiated , Grand Lodge offered prayer, and then, in clear tones, and was supported by his brother Past Grand Master the Grand Master recited the obligation of a H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, the Deputy Grand Provincial Grand Master, which was repeated by the Master the Earl of Lathom, and a host of dis- Duke of Clarence. tinguished Craftsmen and men of position in the The young Prince then ascended the steps of the outside world, among others being Bros. Tilton dais, when he was duly invested with the apron, Grand Master of New York, General Laurie Grand chain, and jewel of his office , these being carefully Master of Nova Scotia, the Earl of Euston, Lord adjusted by his Royal Highness the Grand Master. Wantage, Lord Carrington, Brother W. W. B. The Prmce ol Wales took him by the hand 4&0. Beach, M.P., &e. placed him in the chair which he had previi(<%* The royal party joined the special train, run by the occupied, taking himself the lower seat on the jiydke Great Western Railway from London, at Slough, and of Clarence's left hand. The Provincial Grand on tneir arrival at Heading- were most enthusiastically Master being thus duly installed , was proclaimed and received by the Mayor and Corporation of the town, saluted. The Duke of Clarence nominated Bro.' the principal members being officiall y introduced to John Thornhill Morland as Deputy Grand Master, the Princes. The Provincial Grand Lodge was held his patent being read by the Provincial Grand in the Town Hall, which was well filled by Masons, Secretary. The Deputy Grand Master was invested something like 800 being present to welcome the by the Provincial Grand Master, who did the work m Grand Master of the Order, and do honour to his a most finished manner, after which that officer was eldest son on his installation into the important office saluted. The collars of the Province were bestowed, to which he has been appointed. On the arrival of as follows :— the Prince of Wales and the other Grand Officers they J. T. Morland ... Deputy G.M. were specially saluted, and the business S. G. Kirchhoffer Senior Warden of the day J. T. Dodd ... „. Junior Warden was proceeded with. The Prince of Wales, addressing Rev. Canon Garry ... ) „, , . the Provincial Grand Lodge, said :— Rev. A. A. N. Deacon j Chaplains C. Stephens ... Treasurer We have assembled here to-day to iustal his Royal W. Boutcher ... , ... Registrar Highness the Dnke of Clarence and Avondale as the Grand J. W. Martin ... Secretary Master of the Masonic Province of Berks. This S. Knight Senior Deaoon Province G. Saxby ... Jnnior Deaoon was established nearly a centnry ago, and two years later C. B. Tnbbs Snpt, of Works the Province of Bucks, as a joint Province, was founded. W. Hickie Dir, of Cers. When, last year, Bro. Sir Daniel Gooch, the Grand Master W. G. Nottage Assist. Dir. of Cera. of Berks and Bucks, died, it was wished to have two sepa- G. Mil ward ... ... Sword Bearer rate Provinces. I am g J. Greenfield ... ) a , , •, „ lad to think that my eldest son will A. C. Hewett j Standard Bearera to-day become the Provincial Grand Master of Berks, and G. H. Stubington Assistant Secretary that for Bucks a well worthy Grand Master will be found W. Sevenoaka ... ... Pursuivant in my noble friend and Brother Lord Carrington, who has R. D. Wilder Assistant Pursuivant just returned to England, having been Governor of Ne-w R. L. Reed Organist South Wales for five years, and where he was Grand B. W. Bennett .... Master. One of the first Masonic R. J. Bali ... ... ceremonies I took part C. D. Adkin ' ... a . , in was, twenty years ago, when I laid the foundation stonas Major E. A. Ball I-Stewards of the Grammar School of Reading, in the presence of the Charles Dearing Provincial Grand Lodge, and I need hardly say that it is of J. T. Champion ' still greater interest to me to now instal my own son as W. Hemmings ... Tyler Provincial Grand Master of this Province. Some routine business now brought the proceed- The Grand Pursuivant thereupon came forward and ings to an end. Bro. His Royal Highness the Duke said :— of Clarence closed the Lodge in ancient form, and the Grand and Provincial Officers left in procession. MostvWorshipful Grand Master,—His Royal Highness the Duke Throughout, both the Prince of Wales and the of Clarence and Avondale, KG., the Grand Duke of Clarence did tho work entrusted to them in a Master Designate of this Province, is without, and seeks admission, in order that he may be duly installed. most finished and workmanlike manner, although the Grand Master was evidently suffering from a severe In clear tones, the Grand Master directed that he cold, arid the latter at first spoke in rather a low should send in his patent. Sir Albert W. Woods voice. At many parts of the function the scene was most impressive, and at no time more so than when weather, from a rather severe cold. At the same time allow tho Prince of Wales gracefully, and with evident ! me to respond most cordially for the very kind way in affection , placed his son in the seat he himself had which you have all received my health, and I am very much been occunvine:. touched by the flattering terms in which my brother haa his Royal Highness the proposed it. I have not forgotten that four years ago I After the installation installed him at Bri , together with the Duke of Clarence ghton as Provincial Grand Master of Prince of Wales Sussex. That was in the summer, and I remember we had and Avondale and his Royal Highness the Duke of remarkably fine, warm weather on that Officers of Grand Lodge occasion ; now Connaught, with the various four years later, I have had the pleasure of installing my and Provincial Grand Lodge, proceeded to Messrs. son, amidst snow and frost. Although the weather outside Sutton's (the Royal seedsmen), where they were has been inclement, all I can say is that my reception and received by Mr. Martin Hope Sutton, who introduced his has been most warm, and we also, thanks to the kind- to his Royal Highness the other member of the firm , ness of Messrs. Sutton, have this spacious room for our and then conducted the Prince of Wales and the banquet. Though we are here as Masons—an d not, as is distinguished company to the banqueting hall, which generally the case here, as seed—still I hope that the good was beautifully decorated. The banquet took place seed sown here to-day will take root, and as Freemasonry extensive premises of Messrs. is increasing and flourishing throughout the kingdom, I in a large room on the have little doubt that in this Province of Berkshire it Sutton, and it is noteworthy that nowhere else in the will equal ly flourish and increase. I thank you very much for town of Reading could sufficient accommodation be your kind reception of me, and I assure you of the pleasure found for the large company which were expected to, it has given me to tako part in to-day's ceremony. You and did, assemble on this memorable occasion. know well enough that whenever time permits I am always read to como forward in the At the banquet his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence y interests of Masonry. Before I sit down I have to and Avondale presided as Master of the Province, on his give fche health of the Jnnior Pro- vincial Grand Master. He is natural ly still young, right being his Roval Highness the Prince of Wales and on and inexperienced in Masonry, but I feel sure he will his left his Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught. Their do his utnost in carrying out the duties which havo been thrown Royal Highnesses were supported by Lord Carrington, the , the Duke of Fife, Lord Suffield , the Earl upon him to-day. I ask you all to drink most cordially his Earl of Lathom good health Mr. W. W. B. Beach, M.P., Sir Francis Knollys, , with which I wish to couple prosperity to this of Euston , Province. Colonel Stanley Clarke, Sir H. A. Isaacs, Colonel Foster Gough , LL.D., the Senior Grand Warden , Junior Grand Warden : Colonel Shadwell H. Clerke ; tlio Grand Chaplain, His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence ancl Grand Treasurer, Lieut .-Gen. Laurie, Colonel S. Dnnlop, Avondale, who was received with loud cheers, said he Thomas W. Tew, Hugh D. Sandeman , President of had to thank the company for the kind way in which the Board of General Purposes, Grand Secretary for ! they had received the toast, and his father for the German Correspondence, President of the Board of j very flattering remarks he had made. Ho con- Benevolence, the Assistant Secretary, tlie Grand Pur- ! tinued :— suivant, Assistant Grand Pursuivant, Rev.