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Eminent Viceroy , should be elected Grand Sovereign for three years , in the place of the Earl of Bective whose period of office had expired : and from what he knew of Sir Frederick M . Williams , he was sure that

he would feel gratified in coming amongst them when he could spare time from his other duties , to enable him to do so . He felt assured that he would do the utmost in his power to promote the interests of every member present , and the order in general .

Sir Knt . Lavender seconded the motion which was put and unanimously carried , amidst cheering . Sir Knt . Colonel Burdett said : he had

great pleasure in communicating officially to Sir Frederick Williams that he had been unanimously elected Grand Sovereign for the next three years .

The Grand Sovereign said he most cordially thanked the Sir Knts . for his election , although he could not hope to discharge the duties in the same able manner as had been

done by the Earl of Bective , but he could assure them that nothing should be wanting on his part to promote the prosperity of the order . He did not know whether he

should be able to preside at all their meetings , and as he lived nearly 300 miles off , if he was occasionally absent , he must ask for their indulgence , ( cheers ) . The Acting Grand Marshal then required all the Sir Knts . who were not members of

the order of St . John to retire , which having been done , the ceremony of enthronement was proceeded with . The Grand High Chancellor then administered the oath of fidelity .

His Eminence the Acting Grand Viceroy ( Col . Burdett ) , then invested the Grand Sovereign with the crimson robe of state . The Grand High Prelate then handed to him the sceptre , and the Grand

Chamberlain presented him with the sword of state . The Grand Council and other officers then advanced to the altar , and severally vowed faithfully to discharge the duties of their respective offices , and the Grand

Heralds proclaimed the Grand Sovereign by his style and titles The whole body of Knights then formed into line , and marched past the Sovereign ' s throne , with banners displayed and swords

drawn saluting as they passed ; and while this was taking place , Sir Knt . Parker , the Grand Organist played a march on the

organ . The Grand High Prelate then pronounced the blessing , and with an anthem the ceremony of enthronement was brought to a close .

Sir Knt . Little then rose and said : that in accordance with the notice he had given in October last , he had great pleasure in moving that a vote of thanks should be given to their late illustrious Sovereign , the

Earl of Bective , for the services he had rendered to the Order for the last seven years in promoting its welfare . At the revival of it a few years ago , had not the Earl of Bective and Sir Frederick Williams

then rallied round them , they should not have arrived at their present prosperity , and without their vigorous help they never could have come to that state of perfection which they now enjoyed . He regretted

that , they were about to lose the services of the Earl of Bective , but at the same time they had elevated another old worker in

the c . ii :-e , and one who took an early interest in the Order . He moved that a vote of thanks be engrossed on vellum , and presented to the Earl of Bective .

Sir Knt . Colonel Burdett said , he had great pleasure in seconding the proposition made by Sir Knt . Little . They all knew

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what the Earl of Bective had done for the Order , for he was always most anxious to assist it in every way in his power , and although he had retired from the head of

it , yet , when it lay in his power he would again come amongst them . He had therefore great pleasure in seconding the proposition .

The Grand Sovereign said : he could fully endorse all that had fallen from the proposer and seconder of the motion , for he was sure that no one had taken a greater interest in promoting the prosperity of the

Onrler than the Earl of Bective , and he was also sure that his Lordship would continue to do so .

The motion was then put and unanimously agreed to . The Conclave was then closed in imperial form and with solemn prayer .

THE BANQUET . The Grand Sovereign , Officers and Knights , then adjourned to the refectory , where a bountiful repast was provided . At its conclusion grace was sung by the

professional singers , and afterwards " God , Save the Queen . " The solo parts by Miss L'Estrange , accompanied by Sir Knt . Parker on the piano-forte . The Grand Sovereign then rose and said ,

that the next toast he had to propose he was sure would be received with a hearty welcome , as it was the health of " Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family . " It was true that the Prince of Wales was

not a member of their order , but still he always felt a deep interest in all that concerned the welfare of Freemasonry . It was therefore with great pleasure that he proposed the health of "Their Royal

Highnesses , the Prince and Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family . " The toast was most enthusiastically responded to . Sir Knt . Col . Burdett said : he was

allowed to propose a toast , which he was confident would be received with enthusiasm in that assembly , although he could hardly do so in appropriate terms . However , he would not trespass on their time , and the

toast he had to propose was , " the health of the Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign , Sir Frederick M . Williams , Bart , M . P . " ( Loud and continued applause ) . He was perfectly aware when he rose to propose the toast ,

that it would be received in an enthusiastic manner , and he felt sure that they would never regret the day or the hour when they elected him as their Grand Sovereign . ( Renewed cheering ) . They were aware that as

he was a member of Parliament , there were considerable calls upon his time , and they knew how he had discharged his duties , in a manner which perfectly satisfied his Constituants ; but now in addition he would be

called upon to perform additional duties to the Constituants he had then around him . Sir Fred . M . Williamswas not | only a friend of the Order , but for a considerale time he had held a high position under the Earl of

Bective , their late Grand Sovereign , and he felt sure they would never regret the still higher position in which they had placed him . He gave them the health of Sir

Frederick M . Williams , their Illustrious Sovereign , and with a good fire . The toast was enthusiastically responded to .

Bro . Elmore then sung " Thou art so near and yet so far , "in his best style , and for which he received loud and continued

applause . The Grand Sovereign said : he had to thank Colonel Burdett for the manner in which he had proposed his health , and the '

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Sir Knights for having so kindly responded to it , and he must say , that he was extremely proud of the high position in which they had placed him . He had always felt a great interest in the Order , and he

sincerely hoped that the Order might still continue to prosper . Colonel Burdett had been pleased to speak of him in very gratifying terms in conjunction with his predecessors , but he was not sure that he deserved

all he had said of him . All he could say , was , that he took a deep interest in Freemasonry , and he felt that he had been most fortunate in obtaining such a high position in the Craft . He had received their

confidence in the past , and he hoped and trusted that he should deserve it in the future . Before he sat down he had briefly to propose a toast , which he was sure would be

most cordially received by all , and the nature of the toast itself , would render it unnecessary for him to make a long speech , as it was the " Health of the Past Grand

Sovereign , the Earl of Bective , " and he had no doubt that such a toast would be received in the way it deserved . He had left

them , but he would often be amongst them , as he took the same interest in the Order as he had always done , and he concluded by proposing his health .

The toast was drank most cordially . Song , Miss L'Estrange , " I love my love . " The Grand Sovereign said : the next toast he had to propose , was the health of

one known to them all . When he mentioned the name of the Eminent Viceroy , Colonel Burdett , ( loud cheers ) he knew the mention of that name would be received

with hearty cheering . From the position which Colonel Burdett occupied in Freemasonry , he was known to them all , and in appointing him to be his Viceroy , he

should have the assistance of a very valuable friend , and therefore he had great pleasure in proposing the health of Colonel Burdett . ( Cheers ) .

Song , Sir Knt . Parker , " The Red Cross . " Words by Sir Knt . Little . Sir Knt . Col . Burdett said : he believed a man must have nerves of steel adequately to reply to a toast which had been proposed

and responded to with such cordiality ; and as he did not possess such excessively strong feelings , he could hardly express his thanks for tac toast which the Illustrous Sovereign had just proposed . It had given him great

pleasure to be present that evening , if he could be of any benefit to the Order , but he felt a greater pleasure in accepting the office which had been conferred upon him that evening by their Illustrious Sovereign ,

and he hoped that it would be acceptable to every member of the Order . He felt indebted to the members of the order for the position he then occupied . It had been said that there was no locality at present

without its lodges , but he would say , that no locality would be perfect without its Red Cross Conclave . Having alluded to circumstances which kept some members of the Craft from them , and the extension

of this Order in India , America , and Canada . He thanked them for the kind manner in which the toast had been received , and

expressed his desire to use every exertion to promote not only the prosperity of this Order , but every other connected with the Craft .

The Grand Sovereign then gave " The past and present members of the Grand Council , " and coupled with it the names of

Sir Knight Little . ( Loud cheering ) . He would venture to say , that there was not a lodge or province in the kingdom , where the name of Sir Knt . Little was not known ,