The Grand Festival.

Master in the chair rose for the next toast : We must congratulate ourselves that amongst the multifarious duties which fall to the lot of the Prince of Wales , he has consented to take the Presidency of the Order of Freemasons . His Royal Highness never fails to transact the

business connected with that high position , and as he has taken part in several Masonic ceremonies in the country , we may express the fervent wish that the time may not be far distant when he may do the same in London , where undoubtedly he will receive the most enthusiastic

support . The next toast on the list was the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland , and Sister Lodges , and with it was associated the names of the Earl of Mar and Kellie G . M . Scotland , and General Laurie G . M . of Nova Scotia , both of whom responded . In introducing the

toast of the M . W . the Pro Grand Master , Bro . Beach said , it had been the intention of the Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , to be present to preside over the Grand Lodge , and to have occupied the position of Chairman at this Festival ; but , unfortunately , he had been

precluded by illness from attending . He felt sure they would sympathise with him in the cause of his absence , and wish him a speedy recovery to health . The Deputy G . M . was present at Grand Lodge , but in consequence of another engagement , it had been impossible for him to be here .

The Rev . J . Edmund Cox , D . D ., Past Grand Chaplain , in replying , congratulated the brethren on having such a man as the Earl of Carnarvon to preside over them . The Earl of Carnarvon had done good suit and service during the time he had been Pro Grand Master , and is

known and respected by all . So far as the Deputy Grand Master is concerned , we all have a warm affection and regard for him . He is ever ready to be present to fulfil his task , with zeal and with discretion , and is always at the right hand of the M . W . G . M . to succour and assist him in

the various duties he has to fulfil . Sir John B . Monckton P . G . D ., President of the Board of General Purposes , in proposing the R . W . Prov . Grand Masters , said they were brethren who were known and esteemed among us . The M . W . G . M . in the chair is the senior of the English Grand

Masters ; he ( Bro . Monckton ) only obeyed orders when he placed this toast before the brethren . He passed over Bro . Sandeman , a District Grand Master , hailing from the other side of the world ( Bengal ) , but very highly

esteemed , in order that he might come nearer home and connect this toast with the much loved name of Bro . Sir Francis Burdett . Bro . Sir Francis Burdett thanked the brethren for the kind and enthusiastic manner in which

they had received the toast . He was deputed to represent a very large body of brethren—a body that presides over the greater part of this country . The country is divided into large districts , and those districts were presided over by Prov . Grand Masters and Deputy Prov . Grand Masters .

We can include among the Prov . Grand Masters the highest members of the Craft . The Earls of Carnarvon and Lathom come among us , and do their duties satisfactorily to all the brethren in their Provinces . There are very few of the Order who are not in some way or other associated or

connected with the Prov . Grand Masters , and he felt very much gratified in having now the opportunity of thanking all for the kind support they gave to their Prov . G . Masters . Bro . H . D . Sandeman , District Grand Master of Bengal , proposed the next toast , the health of the Worshipful

Brother who had presided . Bro . Beach was well known to all here ; he was well known as an active supporter of their Charities , and he was well known as one who had frequently presided at their meetings ; but he was even more known in his own Province of Hampshire and the

Isle of Wight . In reply , the Grand Master in the chair , Bro . Beach , said it was at a moment ' s notice that he was called upon to take the chair . He had little thought of doing so when he entered Grand Lodge , but being called upon to perform the duty , he could not refuse . He was

much gratified at the many kind things that had been said as to the discharge of his duties as chairman . In introducing the toast of the Visitors , the Grand Master in the chair said they had had the pleasure of drinking the health of the representatives of other Grand Lodges ; but

there were other visitors , and all would be glad to show they appreciated their presence there . Bro . Macnamara , in reply , said there were two subjects connected with this

toast which demanded the attention of Masons ; he was happy in his own person to be able to return his most sincere thanks for the two in combination—one is , that of hospitality ; he thanked them exceedingly for the noble

display and kind manner to himself individually , and to his country , in which they had received him . Masonry is one of the best Institutions in the world ; is one of the greatest Institutions that existed in Ireland , one of the Institutions that claim lovaltv to the Crown as one

of its greatest aims . There is not throughout the length and breadth of that great land a single man who is a Mason who is not a loyal supporter of the Crown and a devoted adherent of his Royal Highness and the distinguished lady who had once honoured them with her

presence ; who are loved throughout the length and breadth of the land . The other subject is , the splendid Masonic Charities of this country ; he had the distinguished honour to be received at the Girls' School last Thursday , and if ever conceit was knocked out of any man completely

aud entirely , it was the conceit that they could do anything in Ireland like that . When he perceived the noble Institution which their generosity had instituted and carried out , and the children they had there , he asked them to allow him to compliment them upon every measure connected with it ;

whether it were the generous and courteously kind way in which they receive any one who visit , the nice pleasant affectionate looking girls that they saw there , or the admirable way the governesses go through and discharge their duties . He never spent a happier day than he did last

Thursday when he visited the Girls' School . Professor Galbraith said it was a common thing for speakers to say they were taken by surprise when called upon to address a meeting , but he might say on that occasion tbat he was so taken by surprise , because all that could be said , and

well said by men coming from his country , had been already uttered by Bro . Macnamara . He had nothing to add , except to say that his heart overflowed with gratitude for the reception they had met with at the hands of our

English brethren . The toast of the Grand Stewards was replied to by Bro . G . Martin , No . I , President . A Concert was afterwards given in the Temple , nnder the direction of the Grand Organist .

The General Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls met on Thursday , at Freemasons' Hall , when there were present Brother Colonel Creaton in the chair , and the following brethren : Bros . J . H . Matthews , Frank Richardson , John A . Rucker , Robert Grey , A . H .

Tattershall , Henry Venn , E . Letchworth , E . M . Money , W . G . Kentish , Peter de L . Long , Edgar Bowyer , J . J . Caney , Joseph Cleaver , James Peters , Samuel H . Parkhouse , John French , H . A . Dubois , C . Hammerton , C . H . Webb , E . C . Massey . The minutes of this Committee ' s meeting

of 29 th March were read and verified , and those of the Quarterly Court on 14 th April , of the House Committee on 19 th April , and of the Audit Committee on 24 th April were read for information . Four petitions were considered , and approved , and the names added to the list of

candidates . These included one on behalf of the daughter of the late Brother Weber , formerly senior clerk in the office of the Secretary of the Instruction . The following brethren were nominated for election on the House and Audit Committees :

HOUSE COMMITTEE : —By Brother Matier , Brother James Moore ; by Brother Grey , Brother Edgar Bowyer ; by Brother Samuel Glover , Bros . Ralph Glutton and Raymond H . Thrupp ; by Brother Colonel Creaton , Brother A . H .

Tattershall ; by Brother J . J . Caney , Brother Joseph Cleaver ; by Brother J . M . Case , Bros . Edgar Bowyer , Dubois , Grey , Hammerton , Letchworth , Long , Mather , Matthews , Nunn , Col . Peters , Richardson , Rucker .

AUDIT COMMITTEE : —Brother R . Grey nominates Brother G . Drysdale ; Brother Venn nominates E . C . Davies ; Brother Parkhouse nominates Brother W . J . Murlis ;

Brother Tattershall nominates Brother George Brown ; Brother F . Richardson nominates Brothers W . Bailey , J . G . Chancellor , J . Cutbush , Herbert Dicketts , Thomas Kingston , H . C . Levander , William Roebuck , Henry Venn . Bros . Earny , Newton , Stevens and Tyerman were appointed Scrutineers .

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FUNERALS . Bros . W . K . L . & G . A . HTJTT 01 T , COFFIN MAKERS & UNDERTAKERS , 17 JiKWt'ASTtE STKEBT , . STRAND , W . C . Aud at 30 FOBE » T 1111 . 1 , ROAD , PBCKIIAH BT 1 , * . E .