Chapter Committee, In The Room Of The Late Lamented

services to Freemasonry , and was always a most active supporter of our charities . But it is chiefly for his encouragement of Masonic literal'are that Bro . Spencer will bo known to future generations of Brethren . He it was who published so many of tho works of the late Rev . Bro .

Dr . Oliver , and other Masonic works . In this way , perhaps , did Bro . Spencer help to raise tho Craft in public estimation to a far greater extent than even the ablest and most zealous of his contemporaries . It must bo a source of

satisfaction to his family to know that his long service as a Mason was fully appreciated , and that he was as greatly respected outside the limits of his family circle as he was beloved within .

As to the so-called high and side degrees , wo may state generally that their condition leaves nothing whatever to be desired . Tho most eminent among tho

Craft Masons are among tho most active supporters of them , aud it follows naturally that though the numbers aro somewhat limited , the A . and A . Rite , tho Rose Croix , aud Templarism are flourishing , even beyond all precedent .

We turn now to Freemasonry in Ireland , and wo rejoice to say that there too ifc is highly respected by all loyal men . Somo attacks are occasionally made upon the Order , but these havo the effect of promoting its welfare rather than of causiuo - it any serious damage . A Belfast journal , more

ingenious than wise , contrived , in a roundabout-way , to describe Freemasonry as exercising a pernicious influence on tho flax trade . The absurdity of such a connection was apparent to every one , aud we experienced no difficulty ¦ whatever in demolishing tho weak assertions of the journal

in question . But , save these harmless attacks , the progress of Freemasonry iu tho Sister Isle has been one of uninterrupted satisfaction . On the 22 nd May , Grand Master his Grace the Duke of Abereorn , Her Majesty ' s Viceroy , visited Belfast , and was presented with an address , by tlie

brethren of the province of Antrim . The Duke was accompanied by his daughter , the Lady Georgiua Hamilton , and their reception by the brethren , in the Music Hall , was most enthusiastic . Thero was a very strong muster of tho Craft , and his Grace most cordially thanked all

present for the very kind wishes they had expressed in his behalf . On the 28 th April , was held , in the Exhibition Palace , Dublin , tho annual festival of the Female Orphan School , Dublin , the Grand Master presiding , and his daughter , the Lady G . Hamilton , gracefully fulfilling the

very agreeable task of distributing the prizes to the successful pupils . On no previous occasion has this festival been so brilliantly attended . There was a very largo gathering of tho brethren , including the Deputy Grand Master , Bro . Shekletou , the Lord Mayor of Dublin ,

Lords Dunboync and Plunket , and Bros . Oldham , Dr . Elrington , and G . Hill Major . When the report had been read , from which it appeared that the number of pupils in the school was forty-five , tho Grand Master delivered a very eloquent address , in which he expatiated at some length

on the excellent condition of the Institution , and tho benefits it conferred on the less fortunate members of the Craft . A selection of music was then given by the girls , after which the prizes wore distributed , in tho first instance to the girls , and then to the pupils of the boys '

school attached to the Asylum . The good conduct medals ( girls ) were awarded to Emily Christian aud L . A . M . Bardgc , and the Oldham ditto ditto for boys to Edward Shields , in the first class , and Crosbic Hervey in the second . After a vote of thanks to tho Duko of Abereorn

for presiding , the meeting closed . It is , of course , a subject of regret with most people , and especially with the Freemasons , that his Grace has been compelled , by the

illhealth of his wife , to resign the Viceroyship , but this will not sever his connection with Freemasonry . Long may his Grace of Abereorn live to preside over the destinies of the Sister Craft in Ireland !

Scotland enjoys the honour this year of having witnessed the largest and most imposing assemblage of the Crafthardly even exceeded by the ever memorable gathering last year in the Royal Albert HaU—since the revival of Freemasonry in 1717 . The Prince of Wales , as we all know , is

not only Grand Master of Englaud , but Patron of the Order both in Scotland and Ireland ; and it was in his capacity of Patron that His Royal Highness was invited to be present at , and play tho leading part in , the important ceremony

of laying the Foundation Stone of the new Post Office , Glasgow . For some time previous the most elaborate preparations had been made for the reception of the Prince . At one time , it was officially announced that the stone would

Chapter Committee, In The Room Of The Late Lamented

not bo laid with tho customary Masonic formalities . But His Royal Hi ghness , ou the intercession of tho Craft , graciously waived all objection to a Masonic inauguration of the new building , and on Thursday , the 17 th October , Glasgow was in a state of enthusiasm at the approaching

event . The evening previous , the Princo and Princess of Wales reached Blytheswood , the seat of Colonel Campbell , Provincial G . M . of East Renfrewshire . Ou the eventful day , the brethren began to assemble shortly after twelve o ' clock in Burnbank Park , and ultimately the muster

reached the magnificent total of very little short of 8000 . No less than 2 ' 1 S Lodges , headed by Mother Kilwinning , wero represented , and the Grand Lodgo mustered in strength befitting so important' an occasion . The procession along the prescribed route was watched with

great interest by the inhabitants , and , had tho weather been more propitious , nothing perhaps conld havo exceeded the brilliancy of the spectacle . Tho ceremony itself passed off most successfully . The various officers fulfilled their task admirably , and the Prince completed ib most impressively .

This is tho second occasion on which His Royal Highness has discharged this duty in Scotland . Ou the first , he laid the foundation of the New Royal Infirmity , Edinburgh , in bhe presence of Grand Master the late Earl of Dalhousie and some four thousand brethren . In both cases tha

Princess of Wales was a witness of tho ceremony . Among those present who took part in tho Masonic duty was Sir-Michael Shaw Stewart , Barf ., Grand Master Mason of Scotland . Bnt this , though the most important , is far from being

the only occasion on which Freemasonry has played the chief part in events of public interest . On the 22 nd of May , the Foundation Stone of the new Royal Blind Asylum , Edinburgh ; was laid with Masonic ceremony , by Sir Michael Shaw Stewart , Bart ., Grand Master Mason , in the

presence of a large gathering of the Craft . The previous mouth tho foundation stone of a new block of buildings , intended for the accommodation of working men , was laid r Masonically , by Bro . Steal , Sheriff of Dumbartonshire , acting as Grand Master of the Province ; while in

September the first stone of tho New Docks at Ayr was laid by Bro . Sir James Ferguson , Barb ., P . P . G . M . Ayrshire , acting on behalf of Sir M . Shaw Stewart , who was unfortunately prevented , by illness , from attending . About a thousand Craftsmen were present , representing some

thirtyfour Lodges . We should also mention , as an illustration of the increasing vitality of the Royal Art in the provinces of Scotland , the interesting gathering of the Perthshire Craftsmen on the occasion of their visit to tho Right Hon . Lord Kinnaird , Prov . G . M . of the County , at his

residence at Rossie Priory . His Lordship has always evinced a steady support of Freemasonry . It is to his energy particularly that so much activity has been shown iu the

province of which he is tho respected chief , and the visit paid to Rossie Priory on St . John the Baptist ' s day , affords some slight indicabiou of the extent to which his Lordship ' s labours are appreciated .

It is further worthy of record that , on the 21 st of Augusb , a Grand . Imperial Council of the Order of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantino for Scotland was inaugurated , by a deputation sent to Edinburgh especially for that purpose . Sir Knight R .

Wentworth Little presided , as Grand Sovereign , and Colonel Burdett was duly installed as Grand Sovereign of the Order . After the installation of the Grand Council

and the appointment of the Grand Senate , the Knights adjourned to a banquet at the Windsor Hotel , when the toasts usual on such an occasion were given aud responded to with much enthusiasm .

If we turn to our colonies and dependencies , wo shall find that , in these likewise , as well as in the mother country , the Royal Art is flourishing . The Grand Master ' s visit to India very naturally aroused the brethren in that magnificent empire to a high pitch

of enthusiasm . Bombay had the honour of leading the way in congratulating the Princo on his arrival , and the ceremony of laying the foundation stono of the Elphinstone West Dock , together with the grand Masonic Ball that was given aboub the same time , wilt

always be remembered with pleasure aud pride by onr Bombay brethren . It was expected that ou his arrival in Calcutta the brethren in the Bengal Presidency would enjoy a like opportunity of congratulating the Grand Masber on his presence in the capital of India ; and possibly also that he might find time to lay the foundation stone of