Masonic Ball At Bangalore.

and Pratt , provided every one , except the inveterate " wall flowers , " with partners , and preserved the greatest harmony and good humour throughout the night . At the witching time of night when the spirits ( not the champagne cup , mark you ) were getting exhausted , the welcome "Roast Beef of Old England" was struck up by the band , and the supper which was laid out for the hungry guests was such

a one as only the proprietor of the " Cubbon " can provide . After replenishing the inner man dancing was " resumed with much spirit , " as the penny-a-liners say , till 3 a . m ., when " God save the Queen " reminded the guests that the cock would soon begin to crow , and that it was time for business men to think of snatching forty-winks or so to clear away the cobwebs before turning up at office in the

morning . We cannot too much approve of this wholesome plan of early closing of balls , and those who with a " beery " vaunt declare with the poet that " The cock may craw , the day may daw , But aye we'll taste the barley bree , " will experience curious sensations after day-break , which we certainly would not covet .

Bro. George Kenning's Annual Excursion.

BRO . GEORGE KENNING'S ANNUAL EXCURSION .

The annual treat given by Bro . George Kenning to his employes took place last Saturday , when 200 male and female assistants in the gold lace embroidery and Masonic regalia departments left the manufactory in Little Britain , at 9 o ' clock in the morning . Several private omnibuses

were engaged , and a very gay and attiactive procession was exhibiied when the party got under weigh for a trip to Buckhurst Hill . The weather was highly favourable for a country outing , although the change of the previous few days had caused some anxiety amtingst those who were to join the happy throng . The party , it may be presumed , was in the best of spirits , and even if there had

been any individuals among them of a lachrymose or despondent state of mind , any remnants of such a disposition which might lurk under a resolve to make the day agreeable must have been rapidly dispersed by the strains of a most efficient band , for which Bro . Kenning had commissioned Mr . Stuart Dudley . Shortly after the appointed time , the vehicles were

successfully drawn up in front of the Little Britain establishment , and all being comfortably seated , a start was made , leaving crowds of admiring of less fortunate individuals giving a parting salute to thc happy throng . Passing through . ldcrsgate-strect , heads peering from every window , and neighbouring tradesmen and their assistants sparing a moment from their busy avocations ,

gazed from shop door and window till out of sight and sound . As three-quarters of an hour were sufficient to leave the rattle of the London stones behind , at the end of that time the party had got fairly into the Lea Bridge-road , where they begn to'sniff some of those pleasant breezes which a south-easterly wind bring * s off the mouth of thc Thames , across the marshes ,

and the pretty scenery of Wanste-ad and Woodford . The roads on to the forest afford excellent travelling , and , mounted on the tops of tho conveyances , the pleasureseekers , while enjoying the scenery to the right and left and in front of them , were not inconvenienced by such inequalities of the way as London streets abound with . The metropolitan holiday maker is too well-known to require a

description of the thorough manner in which he devotes himself to his enjoyment , and it is therefore only necessary to say that Bro . George Kcnning ' s party as faithfully represented the genuine species of partakers of happiness as any photograph could have given . " Music , and joy , and minh " were heard and seen , and there was the same absence of cloud from the minds of the company as there was from the

sky above . Everything combined to make the day pleasant , and everybody seemed determined to back up the endeavours of Bro . Kenning to please them by hearty individual co-operation . The rendezvous chosen was the " Bald Faced Stag , " a house than which no better could have been found , and reflects great credit on the discrimination of Bro . F . A . Kelly , to whom had been

assigned the duty of selecting the best place of entertainment . The proprietor of that hostt-lrie had made ample provision for the material enjoyment of the visitors , and the grounds attached to his house afforded every means for engaging in sports and pastimes . Even if the ambit of the premises themselves bad not been sufficiently extensive , the forest was all before them where to

choose their place of exercise , and there is a wildness about Epping Forest which makes one shake off for the time all knowledge that there is such a circumscribed area as London . The party having alighted at this admirable hotel immediately availed themselves of all its advantages , and lost no time in beginning their spoils , for although the programme was so ananged as that a long day was

provided , amusement makes time fly very fast , and enjoyment would seem only to have just commenced when thc dinner hour arrived . " Dinner hour I" Welcome sound that dinner bell ; and it would have been still more -wellcome if the company had known beforehand what a store of good things the hest had provided . The dinner hour v . as one o ' clock , and punctual to his time the

landlord had everything on the tabic that was to be partaken of for the first course . The little girl in Dickens ' " Christmas Carol , " who said there was " everything , and more , " would have been justified in her comprehensive description if she had witnessed the repast set out for thc Little Britain establishment . There was everything there

which was in season and which was substantial , and what was substantial was necessary , as appetites by that time had acquired immense keenness . The party set to at this delightful meal , and did as much justice to the meal as the host had done to them . The usual sports followed the dinner ; the band had its full work to do : and the charms

Bro. George Kenning's Annual Excursion.

of music kept the party very lively . Bro . Kenning , with a paity of gentlemen , all of whom had their business avocations to follow in the morning , left Little Britain by one of Wragg ' s four-horse stage coaches at two o ' clock , and on their arrival were serenaded by the band , who had selected as an air appropriate to the founder of the feast , " The Fine Old English Gentleman . " At the sound of

the strains of the band the party , who were aware what the latest arrival was , turned out in a body and greeted their employer with hearty rounds of applause . The new arrivals then entered into the amusements of the day , and afterwards sat down to a bountiful dinner , over which Bro . Kenning presided , Bro . J . A . Reeves taking the vice-chair . This party had also a gcod

appetite for a good meal ; and good meal it was , for the landlord had been as attentive to this smaller banquet as he had been to the larger . The comfort of a dinner without speeches to succeed it , being at all Bro . Kenning ' s annual excursions a part of the arrangements , no speeches were contemplated , but Bro . Reeves could not allow the visitors to rise from the

table without acknowledging thc Chairman's hospitality . In a few sentences he described the growth of the L ' ttle Britain business , commencing with his own recollection of its being conducted in one house , No . 4 , Little Britain . He next described its extension right and left , its further branches in Fleet-street , Liverpool , Manchester , and Glasgow , and concluded by observing that this extension

was due to the enterprise of Bro . Kenning , his business habits , and the favour in which he stood among all whom he employed . If the business extended as it had extended , he thought that not only Little Britain but Great Britain would not be large enough for Bro . Kenning's establishments . Bro . Kenning made a brief reply , and carried his recollection back before the time when No . 4 , Little Britain ,

was established , and when No . 18 , Little Britain , was the scene of his labours . Thanking Bro . Reeves for his reference to the energy and enterprise with which he ( Bro . Kenning ) had conducted his business , he added that it was not by his own exertions alone that he had succeeded in establishing such a large extension of the business—unaided he could not have'done so ; his exertions

were admirably assisted by those who din ! the work , the assistants at the establishments cf which he was the head . To those assistants his thanks were largely due , and he was happy lo say those assistants most cheerfully performed their work . To see them also enjoy such a day's pleasure as he was able annually to give them was no small part of his own enjoyment . By this time the tea ,

provided for the whole party , was di-posed of , and dancing was then again engaged in , and kept up with unflagging spirit till eight o'clock , when the return journey was made . The excellent band plavtd all the popular tunes on the road to town , and on the arrival at Little Britain , at halfpast nine , asa finale played " For he ' s a jolly good fellow , " and " Gad save the Queen . " The day ' s pleasure was thoroughly enjoyed , and the company before . parting bade

a hearty good night to Bro . Kenning . Among the ladies and gentlemen present during thc day were Bros . J . A . Reeves , sen ., J . A . Reeves , jun ., W . H . Froom , D . W . Pearse , G . E . Baker , B . Wright and Mrs . Wright , Mrs . Martin , H . Cox and Mrs . Cox , H . Massey and Mrs . Massey , J . H . Gaball and Mrs . Gaball , Master George Kenning , Mr . G . K . Baker , Mr . Wm . Baker , Miss Suiterfield , Miss Kemp , Mr . George Adley , Eros . Wm . Toye and F . A . Kelly .

Freemasonry In Australia.

FREEMASONRY IN AUSTRALIA .

The annual installation ceremony ofthe Duke of Sussex Lodge was held on Monday evening , April Sth , in the Freemasons ' -hall , Lonsdale-street , East Melbourne . The attendance was large , as on these occasions the brothers ol the Craft usually muster in force to do honour to the W . M . elect . The Grand Lodges of the English . Irish , and Scotch

Constitutions were represented by Bro . P . M . Chapman , Bro . P . M ! Duross , and Bro . Cerderberg , Bro . P . Gosling , the W . M ., after opening and raising the lodge , resigned his position in favour of Bro . W . H . Parkyn , the W . M . elect , whom he duly installed for the ensuing twelve months by the retiring P . M . Bro . W . M . Parkyn having selected his officers , at his request . Bro . P . Gosling , P . M . also

performed the ceremony of their install'lion , which was rendered by him in a very impressive manner . The following are the officers : —Bros . Simmons , S . W . ; Rev . M . Saunders , J . W . ; Bowring , S . D . ; Kauffmann , J . D . ; Tibbets , I . G . ; Clark , Tyler . Stewards : Bros . Burrough and Gardner . P . M . Crew was re-appointed Secretary , and Bro . Fergie , Treasurer ; these brothers have held their offices for a

number of years ; the latter brother was presented with a Masonic jewel , emblematic of his office , as a token of esteem from the brotheis of the lodge . The general working of this lodge is highly satisfactory , and it is fortunate in having two distinguished lecture masters among its members , Bros . P . M . Crew and P . M . Gosling , which enabled them to dispense with the usual custom of

appointing an Installing Master for the occasion ; and when practical the installing ofthe newly elected W . M . and his officers by the retiring W . M . reflects the highest credit upon his general working , and finishes his term in a truly Masonic manner . The business of the evening concluded , at the invitation of Bro . Parkyn , W . M ., tbe brethren adjourned to refreshment . The banquet was provided in excellent style

by Bro . Paul , who has succeeded in establishing his claim as caterer to most of the lodges who meet at the hall . Between the various toasts songs were sung by P . M . Bro . Evans , Hughes , Bowring , and otheis . Altogether a very enjoyable evening was spent . In reply to the toast of " The Worship ful Master , " Bro . W . H . Parkyn said : Officers and brethren , I rise to respond to the toast of my health with mingled feelings of

Freemasonry In Australia.

pride , gratitude , and humility . Pride to think that you in your wisdom and goodness have seen fit to appoint me to be yout Worshipful Master , to occupy for a time the Throne of King Solomon , which is , or ought to be , the goal of every Mason ' s ambition . To think that you should have appointed me to rule over this worthy and worshipful lodge of brethren and fellows , most of the members of

which are not only my seniors in Masonry , but are my superiors , both in social position and in intellectual abilities . Believe me , brethren , I feel deeply grateful for the high honour you have thus conferred upon me , I say this not as a figure of speech , a mere empty sound , but as fully appreciating that it is a high honour . I also fully appreciate that the exalted position to which you have

elevated me is not altogether a bed of roses , it is a proud position , but it has onerous duties and responsibilities , these I shall endeavour to discharge to the utmost of my power and ability . I shall always endeavour to act for the best interests of the lodge , and shall always gladly listen to any suggestion which may have for its object the good of Freemasonry , or the comfort and prosperity of any

brother in it . But the feeling of pride , which my exalted position induces , is subdued and controlled by feelings of humility , when I reflect upon my position . You are aware brethren , that I have attained this position under somewhat peculiar circumstances . I am not only a very young Mason , but I have a Lecture Master for my predecessor . It is not every newlv installed W . M . who has a Lecture

Master at his elbow ; I am in that peculiar and somewhat embarrasing position . I say embarrasing , because after fully admitting that in all ordinary cases a LectureMaster would be of immense benefit to his successor in prompting , guiding , and keeping him in the straight paths of Masonry , still the fact remains , that in my case , thanks to his un . wearied instructions , for which I here publicly tender him

my sincere thanks , I should be able by this time , if not to run , at least to walk alone , and standing as I shall in the full blaze of the light of his perfections , I feel painlully that any imperfections of mine will not only be clearly revealed , but will be doubly magnified . Notwithstanding the careful training I have had the privilege of receiving at the hands of P . M . Gosling and P . M . Crew I shall no doubt

occasionally make a slip or a blunder ; in such cases , if not too often repeated , 1 trust the brethren will exercise towards me that virtue which is justly denominated the distinguishing characteristic of a Freemasons heart , I mean charity , and will credit me with good intentions , even when actions fail . But , on the other hand , I would particularly request of brethren and visitors , that should unfortunately

my performances on any occasion not deserve commendation , they will not award undeserved praise , but on such occasions , that they will exercise that excellent virtue of the Craft , which is silence . Although I have but faint hopes of being able to equal my predecessor , I shall still take Excelsior ( onward and upward ) as my motto , and shall use every endeavour to excel him , by as much as he

excels the ordinary W . M . Although but a young Mason , it has seemed to me that in seme lodges there is a tendency rather to increase numbers than to introduce only men who are at heart Masons , we are already strong in num . ber , and unless only those whom we have strong grounds to believe will ultimately reflect honour on our choice are introduced , I think it would be better if the introductions

were fewer . Officers and brethren , I thank you sincerely for the veiy kind , enthusiastic , and flattering manner in which you have drank my health , and hope that when my term of office has expired I shall not find that I occupy a less exalted position in yiur friendship , favour , and esteem than I do at this present moment . After the toasts of " The P . M . and Visitors " had been

given and responded to , the W . M . proposed " Thc Health of the Officers , " saying that he did so with much pleasure , as he believed he possessed a set of officers of which any W . M . might be justly proud , most W . M . ' s . possessed more or less of good and valuable officers , but he believed his were all so , and not to be excelled . A watch , he said , was a beautiful piece of mechanism , harmonious in its

action , regular m its movements , a something to be relied upon , beautiful to behold , and a treasure in possessing , but in order that a watch may be all this it must be furnished with a mainspring , which must not only be of good steel , but it must be perfect in its proportions , and of an even and proper temper , nor could we stop here , as even should we possess the best mainspring the world

ever saw , we had not a watch until that mainspring was attached to and connected with a series of wheels and pinions , spindles and bearings , to which , if all were in harmony , it gave life and motion , but should any part of that watch be untrue in itself , or out of harmony with the rest , the whole mechanism was deranged , and no matter how perfect the other parts might be , their action was

paralyzed , and their perfection could not appear . In many respects a Masons' lodge might be likened to a watch . Thc W . M . was the mainspring , the officers were the works , and if all were in unison , working smoothly , harmoniously , and perfectly , they formed a whole which afforded a source of pleasure to visitors to behold , and of pride to the brethren of the lodge to which they belonged . He therefore earnestly

hoped that his officers as well as himself would dunng their term of office endeavour to keep up to their work , and cultivate such a feeling of unity and brotherly love as would render their work smooth and harmonious , without which the full effect of our really beautiful ritual could not bc properly developed , or fully exhibited , and assured them if this were done it would not only reflect credit upon

themselves , but would afford pleasure to the visitors , pride to the brethren , and would cause it be generally remarked , ( which would be better than vain gloriously boasting themselves ) that the Duke of Sussex was the best worked lodge in Victoria , or at least second to none . The toast having been duly responded to , "The toast ofthe Poor and Distressed was given , and the brethren separated after having spent a very enjoyable evening .