The Royal Funeral.

THE ROYAL FUNERAL .

THE funeral of our late Brother H . E . H . the Duke of Clarence and Avondale took place on Wednesday , at Windsor , with regal pomp , and , what must have been far more gratifying to our Grand Master , the Princess of Wales , and other members of the Eoyal Family , amid the grief of a people , and

the manifest sympathy of an Empire . The mournlul events of the last few days have produced such an outburst of loyal sympathy as was never shown before , or , perhaps , was ever possible before . From

all parts ot the world the electric telegraph has flashed messages of condolence and regret , and if we may judge from the apparent sincerity of the mourning immediately around ns , and compare with it the messages sent from all parts of the Universe , it is safe to say that Wednesday was regarded as a day of

mourning by almost the whole ot the civilized inhabitants of the globe . What a splendid testimonial this to onr illustrious Brother the Prince of Wales and his family , for it must be recognised that this wide-spread sympathy is rather a tribute to the popularity of the Prince and Princess of Wales than to the memory of their departed son , who was really too young to have won for himself such universal

esteem . He was , without question , a worthy son of worthy parents , and the whole of the human race took the opportunity of expressing their approval of the true family affection which has long been a distinguishing characteristic of the members of our Eoyal Family , and which has unquestionably done much to win for them the regard in which they are

held by the subjects of the Queen . The Prince of Wales found an opportunity , even amidst his sufferings , on Wednesday , to acknowledge this wide-spread sympathy , causing a message to be communicated to the people of the Empire immediately on his arrival at Windsor Castle , after having seen the remains of his son deposited in their resting place at St . George ' s Chapel , Windsor . The message was in the following words : —

" The Prince and Princess of Wales are anxious to express to Her Majesty's subjects , whether in the United Kingdom , in the Colonies , or in India , the sense of their deep gratitude for the universal feeling of sympathy

manifested towards them at a time when they are overpowered by the terrible calamity which they have sustained in the loss of their beloved eldest son . If sympathy at such a moment is of any avail , tho remembrance that their ef

gr : has been shared by all classes will be a lasting consolation to their sorrowing hearts , and , if . possible , will make them more than ever attached to their dear conntry . " " Windsor Castlo , 20 th January 1892 . "

Those who know anything of the general character of our Grand Master will recognise in this message a true expression of his thankfulness and appreciation

The Royal Funeral.

for the sympathy which has been shown him in this hour of his affliction . One feature of the mournful duties of Wednesday was the simplicity and absence of show which characterised them . The ceremonies of the day were commenced at an early hour at Sandringham Church , where a special service was held , and was attended by

the members of the Eoyal Family . From there the body of the deceased Duke was taken to the railway station , the Prince of Wales and other mourners proceeding on foot the entire distance , of two and a half miles , thereby giving further evidence of the sincerity of their grief , and , it must be admitted , causing a terrible strain on their feelings , as any one

who has joined m such mournlul processions , even for a short distance , will at once recognise . The local Freemasons took the opportunity of testifying their regret at this stage of the proceedings , and we may assure our Grand Master that the action of the small body of Craftsmen who attended him on the road , and thereby showed their respect for his departed

son , who was himself a member of their Lodge , was but an example of what every Lodge in England would have liked to have done had they had the opportunity . We think the Prince of Wales recognised this when , on passing the members of the Philanthropic Lodge , of King ' s Lynn , who were drawn up in full regalia at the top of the hill overlooking Wolferton Station , and who reverently

uncovered as the mournful procession passed , he raised his hat in acknowledgment . The sympathy displayed by the few brethren on that solemn occasion will be fully endorsed on Wednesday next , when a Special Meeting of Grand Lodge will be held , for the purpose of giving expression to the feelings entertained by the Craft towards their honoured chief and the members of his family in their present

distress . The summons convening this Special Communication of Grand Lodge reads thus : — UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF ENGLAND . His ROYAL HIGHNESS ALBERT EDWARD , PRINCE OF WALES , K . G ., & c , & c , & c , & c , M . W . GRAND MASTER . SIR and BROTHER ,

The favour of your attendance is particularly desired at a Special Grand Lodge , to be holden at this place , on Wednesday , the 27 th day of January instant , at Twelve for One o ' clock punctually , to consider and resolve upon

Addresses of Condolence on the much regretted death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , K . G ., Provincial Grand Master of Berkshire , Past Grand Warden , and to arrange for their presentation .

By Command of the M . W . Grand Master . ALFRED A . PENDLEBURY Assist . G . Seci Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C . I

j 19 th January 1892 . I In addition to this a formal order has been given I by Grand Lodge that all Lodges in the Jurisdiction