The Craft At The Mansion House.

entertained at the Mansion House a nnmber of present and past members of Grand Lodge , the Provincial Grand Masters , and aa many representatives of Lodges outside our country as happened to be in London . The Brethren where requested to attend in

full dress Masonic clothing , permission to do so having been granted by H . E . H . the Prince of Wales Grand Master , and brilliant indeed was the scene as the guests arrived about seven o ' clock , forming a gorgeous arrangement of purple , blue , red , and gold .

Bro . Davies , attended by his civil office : s , received his guests in the fine entrance saloon , whence they proceeded to their seats in the Egyptian Hall , where the banquet was served . The company numbered about 350 , and seldom if ever before have so many purple collars been seen below the principal table .

The Lord Mayor presided , and was supported in his immediate vicinity by such eminent Masons as Bros . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., "Prov . G . M . Hampshire and Isle of Wight , Lord Halsbury the Lord Chancellor P . G . W ., Col . LeGendreN . Starkie Prov . G . M . E . Lancashire , the Earl of Euston Prov . G . M .

Norths and Hunts , T . F . Halsey , M . P ., Prov . G . M . Herts , the Eight Hon . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., Prov . G . M . W . Yorks , Hamon Le Strange Prov . G . M . Norfolk , the Marquess of Hertford P . G . W ., Col . E . Townley Caldwell Prov . G . M . Cambs ., Brig .-Surgeon J . Balfour Cockburn Prov . G . M . Guernsey and Alderney ,

Lord Addington Prov . G . M . Bucks , George Eichards District G . M . Transvaal , Sir Eeginald Hanson P . G . W ., Justice Bruce P . G . W ., Eev . C . J . Martyn P . G . C , Sir Dixon-Hartland Senior Grand Deacon , Ven . Archdeacon Stevens P . G . C , John Strachan , Q . C , Grand Begistrar , Edward Letchworth Grand Secretary , & c , & c .

The Viennese White Band , under the direction of Herr Wurm , played an agreeable selection of music during the dinner . At its termination the Dean of St . Asaph G . C . said grace , after which the Toastmaster announced that the Worshipful Brother the Lord Mayor gave his Brothers a fraternal welcome , and sent round the Loving Cup .

Bro . Davies then rose and said that the first toast , in duty as in place among Freemasons , was the Queen and the Craft . Her Majesty was a decendant of a family of Masons , she was the mother of Masons , she was a Patron of our Order , and possessed all the good qualities of Freemasonry . The Graft was even older

than monarchy , but there was no body of men who yielded more loyal obedience to the throne than its members . Needless to say the toast was received with acclamation , as was also that of the M . W . the Grand Master the Prince of Wales , whom Bro . Davies characterised as one of the best Masons who ever lived .

In proposing the Officers of Grand Lodge the Lord Mayor made a sympathetic reference to the illness that had overtaken the Earl of Lathom Pro Grand Master , and hoped he might soon be restored to health . The Grand Officers were men of many parts , and did all in their power to promote the best

interests of the Graft . He was proud of being' the Chief Magistrate of that ancient city , and he was proud of being P . G . D . of the oldest Institution in the world . He thought there was a peculiar fitness in holding the meeting at the Mansion Houseindeed he had every facility for holding a Lodge there . He would

make an excellent Master , he had two good Wardens in the Sheriffs , be also had his Chaplain , the Sword and Mace Bearers would be capital Deacons , and tbe City Marshall would make a formidable Inner and Outer Guard , as no one knew better how to

wield the sword . This humorous allusion was received with shouts of laughter . He concluded by thanking those present for accepting his invitation , and bore testimony to the cordial relations that existed between Grand Lodge and the Corporation of London .

The Lord Chancellor responded to the toast , and said he regarded it as a high honour being selected for the duty , and considered it a privilege to call them Brothers . He could not forbear to say a word respecting the Pro Grand Master , in whom they all felt the deepest interest and anxiety at the present moment . He had suffered deeply in the loss of the beloved lady

who died last year , and to this cause his present ill-health might be attributed . All they could do was to offer him their sincere and heartfelt sympathy . As a Grand Officer he had performed the onerous and most interesting duties of his office , and he thought that Grand Lodge had accomplished all there was to be accomplished in this world .

lhe Hon . Sir Gainsford Bruce proposed the Provincial and District Grand Masters , who , he said , had very arduous and responsible duties to perform , because in some of the more popular Provinces there were as many as 120 Lodges . They therefore required men of light and leading , who , by care and attention to their work would cause Freemasonry to flourish even more than it had in the past .

Bro . W . W . B . Beach Provincial Grand Master of Hants acknowledged tbe toast , and bore testimony to the important duties performed by the Provincial Grand Masters , all of whom endeavoured to impart the genuine nrinciples of the Craft to the

The Craft At The Mansion House.

Brethren . He referred with pride to the Masonic Charities , and to the splendid manner iu which they had . been maintained . The tenets of Freemasonry taught them to be correct in their relations to every day life , and to take a more charitable view of their fellow creatures . He concluded by thanking the Lord Mayor for the happy thought—in the midst of his mutifarious dutiesshowing he had not forgotten his Brother Masons .

Gol . Le Gendre N . Starkie Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire proposed the health of the Lord Mayor , and referred to the dignity and hospitality of his high office , which had been well and worthily sustained by their host . In Bro . Davies they had an emblem of the sun for , rising in glory , he had reached .

his meridian splendour at the present time , and would have a glorious setting . As a Mason and Past Deacon of the Order he had done his duty in the cause of hospitality and Charity . That day would long be remembered in the annals of the Craft , and all his guests would wish him happiness , long life , and continued prosperity .

The Lord Mayor returned thanks for the cordiality evinced , and said as head of the Corporation of London no one better knew than himself the real meaning of charity . It might well be said that the Corporation and Freemasonry walked side by side in benevolence and other good works . He thanked Bro . Starkie for

the kindly sentiments expressed towards him . He was soon about to retire from the civic chair , but he should not retire into private life . There was still much work to be done in the world , and whether publicly or privately he had always endeavoured to do his part .

The company then returned to the saloon , where general conversation and greetings took place , while some visited the interesting exhibition of turnery on view in one of the upper rooms , and finally separated at a late hour . —A very pleasant and memorable evening .

Practical Results.

PRACTICAL RESULTS .

THE beauties of Freemasonay are not found in the ritual , however forcibly this may be rendered , nor yet are they seen in the ceremony of initiation , however impressive this may be , but they are to be found and most strikingly illustrated in the fruits which spring from the practical workings of the great

principles of Freemasonry in the human heart , whose results are deeds of charity and good works . When we would behold the effects of Freemasonry we must look for them in the fruits which are brought forth in the lives of those who profess to be governed in all that they do by its great principles . —Exchange .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

ripHE funeral of Bro . Charles R . Clark , of Boston , who JL died somewhat suddenly on Tuesday morning , nth inst ., aged 36 years , took place at Boston Cemetery on the 14 th . The ceremony was performed by the Rev . J . Morris , and there was a large congregation of relatives and friends . Deceased was a member of the Frankton Lodge ,

and of many other local Institutions . The Freemasons were represented by Brother W . S . Barrett W . M ., W . H . Gane Secretary , H . Shepherd Treasurer , and several members of

the Franklin and Harmony Lodges . The Masonic closing hymn was sung in the chapel during the service . The wreaths numbered about forty , and included one from each of the Institutions of which deceased was a member .

IT is with deep regret we announce the death of Bro . Morton James Barnes , Proprietor of the Oliver Arms , Westbourne Terrace North , Harrow Road , at the age of forty-five years . Bro . Barnes was formerly a member of the High Cross Lodge , No . 754 , held at Tottenham , and his

funeral took place on Tuesday at the cemetery of that suburb , in the presence of a large gathering of sorrowing friends . In deference to an expressed wish of our late Brother his four children attended the funeral , together with his widow , relatives , and friends . The arrangements for the funeral

were in the hands of Bro . T . W . Muzzell , of 7 Harrow Road , W ., and the coffin , which was of polished oak , was ornamented with Masonic enblems , bore a suitable inscription , and was almost hidden by the numerous wreaths sent by sorrowing friends . Several of the members of the High Cross

Lodge were present at the funeral , while Bro . R . J . Rogers Treasurer , G . Goddard and R . J , Hearnden represented the Westbourne Lodge of Instruction , which has long met at the house of our departed Brother , and the members of which sent a handsome wreath in token of their respect . We tender our sympathy with Mrs . Barnes and her family in their bereavement .