Installation Of The Duke Of Connaught As Prov. Grand Master Of Sussex.

INSTALLATION OF THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT AS PROV . GRAND MASTER OF SUSSEX .

BRIGHTON was all astir on Tuesday last , the day fixed for the irstallation of hia Royal Highness the Dnke of Connaught P . G . S . W . as Provincial Grand Master of Sussex , in succession to the late Sir "Walter W . Burrell , Bart ., whose demise , in February last , was duly recorded in the columns of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLI * . We have dealt elsewhere with the general features of the Royal visit ,

whioh , without partaking of a character usual to such events , when Royalty is invited to inaugurate or assist in the promotion of any public object , was essentially one of Masonio interest and importance . The arrangements of the day were moat efficiently carried out by a Committee , including the Grand Officers of the

Province , and the Officers of the twenty-five Lodges of whioh Sussex is composed , and the " heat aud burthen of the day " fell upon the shoulders of a sub . committee , consisting of Bros . J . Henderson Scott Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Gerard Ford , J . M . Kidd , 0 . J . Smith , V . P . Freeman ( Provincial Grand Secretary ) , and B . Burfield

( Provincial Assistant Grand Secretary ) . These brethren worked with a will , and tbe manner in whioh all details were carried out reflected the highest credit upon all concerned . The M . W . Grand Master H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , accompanied by the Duke of Connaught the Prov . G . Master-elect , and Prince Albert Victor , travelled

down to Brighton early in the forenoon , the special train being pre . ceded by another containing a large contingent of London Masons , the company including many of the most prominent and distinguished members of Grand Lodge in England and the Colonies . For a full hour before the appearance of the Royal train at the Brighton

terminus , the crowd of people inside the station pressed npon the barriers which kept the down platform clear . Under the direction of Mr . Perry , chief inspector of the permanent way and works , whose experience of decorating stations on the Brighton line haa been well maintained by occasions of Royal visits , the enlarged and improved

terminus was bright and gay as flowers , flags , and red carpeting could mate it . The weather could scarcely be called " Royal" in the strict sense of the term , for the atmospheric conditions attendant upon His Royal Highness's inauguration of the Tower Bridge on the preceding day had somewhat changed , and even in " sunny " Brighton

old Sol was not disposed to manifest his wonted fervency . Still there is a certain light in colour , and the display of bunting , though not lavish , was sufficient to imbue the same with gaiety and animation , while the loyal demonstrations , everywhere abundant , must have conveyed to the Royal and Craft visitors that the

welcome extended to them by Brighton was genuine and hearty in the extreme . It was evident thafc the Masonic body in the Province had been warmed into enthusiastic interest in the auspicious event ; and the Grand Officers of the Province were ably seconded by their assistants , by the Grand Stewards , and by other brethren who on such

important occasions are usually told off to discharge their respective and essential duties . The special train arrived punctually at halfpast eleven o'clock , the carriages being appropriately attached to an engine named the " Connaught . " On either side of the locomotive , and immediately above the name , were the Prince of Wales ' s

Feathers . The Royal driver aud stoker were indicated by the gold lace about their caps and the flowers in their coats . The train was in charge of Mr . Richardson , the Traffic Superintendent . The decorations at the station , to the platform of which a large number of privileged spectators were admitted , were most recherche and appropriate .

The splendid circular group of flowering and fine-foliage plants , with a graceful , broad-leaved musa springing up fountaiu-like from their midst , seemed to catch all the radiance overhead , ancl to concentrate its best effects , in emerald green , varied shades of red , and golden yellow . This floral arrangement , which filled a large bed of greenery

in the midst of the smooth , well-swept expanse of crimson cloth , was the principal object opposite the saloon carriage , from which the Prince alighted when the train drew up at the station . Nor was the central display by any means the sole adornment of the platform , which blossomed with tastefully disposed clusters ancl hanging

baskets . As soon as the Royal visitors alighted from thoir saloon carriage a hearty cheer was given by the spectators , and the Band of the 1 st Sussex Volunteer Artillery struck up the National Anthem . Their Royal Highnesses were received upon tho platform by a deputation from the local Lodges of Freemasons , by Brother

W . T . Marriott , Q . C , M . P ., who hod come down by the train , by the Mayor of Brighton ( Alderman E . J . Reeves ) , in his robes of office , the Town Clerk , and several Aldermen . An address of welcome was then presented to the Prince of Wales , His Royal Highness replying in suitable terms . After this display of loyally and introduction , a

procession was formed , and che » rs were raised as the Royal visitors entered their carriage . After the Royal barouche came more carriages , containing military and naval officers in uniform , and the Officers of Grand Lodge who had come down with the Royal party . The decorations along the route were somewhat sparse , and the Brighton

population kept np its repute for stolid , undemonstrative bearing , the cheers being partial , and nowhere enthusiastic . Not that there was any coldness in the reception of the Royal party ; it is Brighton ' s way to take these things quietly , —that is all . A drive as far as Hove—taken at a considerately slow pace , so thafc the public

had a fair opportunity of seeing Royalty , while at the same time Royalty was enabled to judge of the improvements which are being effected in Brighton—occupied a brief half-honr in going and returning , the Pavilion being reached punctually at noon . In the vicinity a largo number of people awaited the approach of the

procession , having begun to gather as early as eleven o ' clock . Admission to the Pavilion Grounds was confined to ticket holders only , who were allowed to promenade the western lawn , the majority being ladies . The principal Officers connected with tbe ' Craft

tassembled in the Pavilion rooms at half-past eleven , and , wearino * he regalia of their office , marched in procession to the Dome , the band of the 1 st Sussex Artillery Volunteers playing as they filed pasfc . Here the installation waa held , the spacious interior being

Installation Of The Duke Of Connaught As Prov. Grand Master Of Sussex.

elegantly decorated . Chairs for the Grand Officers were arranged on the dais , the area in front being reserved for the Past and Provincial Grand Officers . Behind these were the Master Masons . The balcony was reserved for Worshipful Masters and Past Masters , and from it wero suspended the handsome banners of the

several Lodges in the Province . At twenty-five minntps to one the M . W . Grand Master His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales entered the Dome , accompanied by the Grand Officers and Provincial Grand Officers Present and Pasfc . The Grand Master was sainted in the accustomed form by a fanfare of trumpets . He took hia seat in

front of the organ , the Provincial Grand Senior Warden , the Lord Chancellor and the Provincial Junior Warden Bro . Lord Charlea Beresford occupying their respective chairs on the ground floor .

Prayer was offered by the Provincial Grand Chaplain , Brother the Very Rev . E . R . Carrie , Dean of Battle , ancl the M . W . Grand Master waa sainted in ancient form . He was then presented with the following address : —

To His Royal Highness Albert Edward , Prince of Wales , KG ., & o . Mosfc Worshipfnl Master of the Ancient , Free , and Accepted Masons of England , — May it please yonr Royal Highness , we , tbe Deputy Provincial Grand Master , the Provincial Grand Officers and Brethren of fche

Province of Sussex , beg leave to offer to your Royal Highness onr hearty Masonio welcome on your first visit to this Province since your assumption of the high office of Mosfc Worshipful Graud Master of the Freemasons of England . We desire to express to your Royal Highness our respectful thanks for the distinguished honour

you have been pleased to confer upon the Province by the appointment of your illustrious brother , His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught ; and Sfcrathearn , & c , Past Grand Warden , fco rule over us as the Provincial Grand Master , in the room of our highly esteemed and lamented Brother Sir Walter Wyndham Burrell , who

so ably presided over us for a lengthened period with the happiest results to the Craft . Specially do we appreciate the fortunate circumstance that yonr Royal Highness is able to be present with ns to-day , and to confer additional lustre upon this occasion by so graciously undertaking to perform the impressive ceremony of

installatkm . In conclusion , we fervently trust thafc under the Great Architect of the Universe your Royal Highness may be spared for many years to rale over the Masonio Brotherhood , to whose welfare your beneficent sway has already so largely contributed . Dated at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , Sussex , thia 22 nd day of June A . D . 1886 .

JOHN H . SCOTT P . G . D ., Deputy Provincial Grand Master . GERARD FORD , Provincial Grand Registrar . V . P . FREEMAN , Provincial Grand Secretary . The routine business usual on these occasions having been con - cluded , and Bro . Spark ' s well known anthem , " Behold how good and

joyful , ' having been admirably sung by Bros . J . A . Brown , Monfcem Smith , Sirlney Tower , and Chaplin Henry , the M . W . Grand Master said : —The Province of Sussex have recentfy experienced a severe loss in the death of Brother Sir Walter Burrell , who had ruled over it for nearly ten years with great energy and ability . They all

deplored his loss , and after due consideration he ( Elis Royal Highness ) hacl thought ifc advisable to fill the vacancy by the appointment of his brother , tho Duke of Connaught , who in his titles bore the name of the old county of Sussex . He knew him to be a zealous Mason , and fully believed that he would uot fail to do his duty , but

would endeavour to promote the success of the Province . He expressed the great pleasure it gave him personally to come amongst them for the purpose of installing his brother as the future Provincial Grand Master . The arrival of the R . W . Provincial Grand Master designate , Bro . H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught P . G . S . W ., waa

then announced , the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies , Brother E . W . J . Hennah , presented the patent , when a deputation of seven Pasfc Masters — Brothers Lord Arthur Hill , M . P ., Sir Raymond Burrell , Bart ., Lieutenant-General Randolph , Major Sergoaon , Major D'Albrace , W . Dawes , and H . Hallett

conducted the Duke to a place before the Pedestal , opposite to his brother the Grand Master . The Provincial Grand Secretary ( Bro . Freeman ) having read the patent , the Provincial Grand Chaplain offered prayer , when the Grand Master addressed H . R . H . the Provincial Grand Master-Designate , and inquired if he could

conscientiously undertake the duties of tho office . Assent having been formally given , the ceremony of installation was gone through , the Dean of Battle offering up the Prayer . The Provincial Grand Master was then proclaimed . Bro . Joha Henderson Scott P . G . D ., though in enfeebled health , was conducted between two

Deacons to the front of the pedestal and invested , and addressed by H . R . H . tho Provincial Grand Master on the duties of his Office as Depnty Provincial Grand Master . The other Provincial Grand Officers , appointed at the lasfc meeting , in October , were then formally re-invested , as follows : — Bro . W . Dawes P . M . 341 Senior Warden Sir F . C . Knowles , Barfc ., W . M . 1726 Junior Warden

Rev . E . R . Currie W . M . 1184 ... ) n . , . Rev . W . A . Tooth , W . M . 1821 ... j ' P lains R . Crosskey P . M . 1303 Treasurer Gerard Ford P . M . 271 Registrar V . P . Freeman P . M . 732 Secretary W . A . Cardwell P . M . 916 ... Senior Deacon F . Daniel P . M . 732 Junior Deacon J . Harrison P . M . 1829 Superintendent of Works E . W . J . Hennah P . M . 40 Director of Ceremonies A . T . Long P . M . 1720 Assistant Director of Cer . Oliver Lloyd P . M . 38 Sword Bearer W . Lanham Thomas P . M . 1141 ... )„ , 3 J . T . Musson P . M . 1797 j Standard Bearers W . Ardley S . W . 811 Organist B . Burfield P . M . 1821 Assistant Secretary