Red Cross Of Constantine.

Col . Burdett , in proposing "The Health of Lord Skel--merselale , " said that all the Sir Knights were pleased to Vravchis lordship present as a guest that evening . Mis 1 rdship was well known , not only by the whole of his Province of Lancashire , but by the whole of thc Freemasons { Londo" and England . His lordship was not only preeI ) t that evening among the Sir Knights for the first time ,

but he was constantly among them , whenever he had an opportunity of going out and performing his duties , which he d " ul so ably and so well . They had seen him lately in different p hases . On Wednesday previous he presided in Grand Lodge of England ; a few days before he was at Oxford , installing Prince Leopold ; ancl he had recently been in Lancashire , as well as other places , acting in

Masonry . He had always peiformerl his duties with satisfaction to Freemasons , had been most thoroughly welcomed by all wherever he has gone , and was beloved in all circles . If his lordship were not present he would be able to say more of him . His lordship was always available whenever his services were required . Lircl Skelmersdale , iu reply , said that he thanked

the brethren very heartily for the most kind way i . which they had received his name , and Colonel Burdett for the extremely flattering terms i < i which he had proposed the toast . He assured the brethren that it never gave him greater pleasure than when he had to perform his duties in his Masonic life . If he was ever found

wanting it was not from not having the inclination or not wishing to do his duty , but because he had duties elsewhere , and those were falling upon him pretty thickly now . He would , however , endeavour to perform his Masonie duties in a way entirely satisfactory to the brethren . He hoped he would always be worthy if the brethren's

confidence . - Co ) . Burdett then proposed " Earl Ferrers , Senior Grand General , and the rest of the Grand Council . " All the Sir Knights were aware that the Grand Council was the moving and head part of this Order , who did the administrative work , and he must say they did it most satisfactorily . With this toast he begged to couple the name of

Sir Knt . Percy Leith , who did his work so well that it was the admiration of the whole of the Order . Sir Knt . Percy Leith replied -. It was a great compliment to him as well as to the other officers lo have such comp limentary remarks as had just been used by Col . Burdett . The officers and past officers of the Grand Conclavewere always ready to do their duty , and on their behalf he

would say , if any work should be required of them after their year of office had expired they would always be ready to do it . He had devoted a great portion of his time and attention to the Order of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine , and he was happy to say lie had done signal service , as far as he was concerned , and he had been well supported by his friends . He felt deeply indebted to those

who had come forward in the council to assist , and he would always do the . Order the greatest good he could . On behalf of the officers of the Grand Council he returned his most hearty and sincere thanks for the kind way in which his health had been drunk , and he sincerely trusted on future occasions the Grand Officers would be ready to support and assist at any ceremony where their services might

bj required . Col . Burdett afterwards proposed "The Intendants General , " and said , that all the Sir Kni ghts were very much indebted to them for the success ofthe Orders . They were in fact , Generals in their districts , and had different conclaves under their command . They carried out their duties in a most efficient manner . One of them was

present that evening , one who had been recentl y inducted in the office of Intendant General . He was the youngest , but though the youngest he was not the least , and he hoped he would not be the last . He had entered most enthusiastically upon his duties , and in Cambridgeshire he had introduced a large amount of vigour into the province . He alluded to Sir Knight Amphlett , who , though a young

Mason , was very well known among Masons . They were all glad to see him , and he hoped they would have many opportunities of seeing him and hearing thc good reports he had to make of those conclaves under his control . ( Hear , hear . ) Sir Kni ght Amphlett responded . He was struck from the first moment he entered the Red Cross Degree by the

beauty of its ritual , especially as given in the Premier Conclave . He was a very young man to be so honoured b y having such a hi gh office as that of Intendant General conferred upon him ; but he hoped he would be as energetic ii ) promoting the interests of the Red Cross in thc province over which he was called to rule as others

had shown who had been appointed before him . He looked upon himself as a very insignificant individual , but he hoped to make great efforts on behalf of the Order . He hoped to start a conclave at Oxford , which would be an offshoot from Cambridge , and he also hoped that there would soon be more conclaves in Cambridgeshire itself . He would feel it incumbent on him to start one or two

more . He thanked Col . Burdett and the Sir Knights very much , and he would assure them that if they paid a visit to Cambrid ge , to see how thc work . vas done there , he could promise them a hearty welcome . ( Cheers . ) Sir Knt . Little proposed " The Grand Senate . " This bod y was constituted on a democratic and an aristocratic hasis , ) t being in the hands of the general body of Sir K-nights to place members on the Grand Council . Thev performed

very great service , and under Sir Knt . J . C . l arkinson , who was the senior officer , had done excellent . voik . Unfoitunately , he was not then present ; but they must not forget that they had among them Sir Knight i-aird Mercer , from Scotland . The English Order was always glad to find that thc Scottish knights stood upon their own ground , although the English Grand Conclave was very sorry to lose them . English Grand Conclave , however , would not be weakened by the fact of there be-

Red Cross Of Constantine.

ing a separate Grand Conclave for Scotland , and the Grand- Conclave of England would do all they could to promote the interests of the Grand Conclave of Scotland . Sir Knt . W . Roebuck was the first to reply . All the members of the Senate had done their duty during the last twelve months to the best of their ability , and he was

p leased to know thc Senate was elected from the general body of Sir Knig hts , and in rotation they formed the council and so worked up to the governing body . He believed it was the right way , and the way all Orders should be supported . ( Hear hear . ) Sir Knight J . Baird Mercer also replied . He felt the honour that had been conferred upon the Scottish Sir

Knights , more especially on the rather peculiar event that the Sovereign then sitting in the chair was the Sovereign elect of Scotland . This event was one which would not only tend to strengthen the bonds between the two countries , but to keep them together and to give them greater power . He was pleased to find that Sir Kirt . Col . Burdett had relations with Scotland ; and he hoped they would continue .

so that the relations between the two bodies might have an additional bond of union . When Col . Burd tt should go dowu to Scotland , and the members of the Grand Council accompanied him , they would find that they would receive a cordial welcome , and one that would satisfy them , liecould assure the Sir Knig hts that thc hearts of the Scottish Knights were warm to them , and that the allegi ince

which thev h > d avowed to the Grand Council of Engla-id would cortinue as intact as it was at the present moment . In Scotland the Order had taken a ground that the Sir KfTights had not expected at first . It began in a very small and humble way , but now it was beginning to start in the north , south , east , and west . Before long he hoped thev would all be satisfied with the progress which the

Order had made . Four years ago it was started in Edinburgh , and there were now six conclaves there . Shortly he expected they would ask for additional constitutional powers . ( Cheers . ) Col . Burdett next proposed "The Sovereigns and Past Sovereigns " who were present , selecting Sir Knts . Yeoman , Hammerton , Pullen and Dubois , all of whom were

thorough good working Masons and performed their duties whenever called upon . Sir Knts . T . ti . Yeoman , Charles Hammerton , Hyde Pullen , and H . A . Dubois respectively replied . Sir Knt . Little proposed "The Stewards , " of whom there were 45 . Sir Knts . J . VV . Cubitt , Col . Peters , and W . T . Howe

responded . Col . Burdett then proposed " The Masonic Press , " and complimented it on tbe great accuracy with which Masonic proceedings were reported . He referred particularly 10 the " Freemason , " whose pages he had read foi many years , and he had always found grent accuracy displayed in its reconis of meetings , besides very great ability in the

improvement of speeches' which were delivered . It was very creditable to the Order to have such an organ , and the enterprise of the proprietor deserved every encouragement which could be given . ( Heir , hear . ) Sir Knight H . Massey replied , and said that seeing that the " Freemason " was the only real Masonic organ , and he had been its reporter from the beginning , he took Col .

Burdett's remarks as a compliment personal to himself . He might however say that though he felt very much flattered by thc compliment , he did not look lor it , as he simply peiformed his duty without fear , favour , or affection for any one . Dr . Wcodman proposed " Sir Knight Little , " to whom he thought the great success of the evening was due .

Sir K :-. t . Little in reply , said that Lord Skelmersdale hail informed him that he would be willing to take the Grand Viceroyship next year . Both his lordship and Sir F . M . Williams wouH attend next meeting of the conclave . Sir . Knt . Percy Leith had been appointed to the post of inspectoi of foreign and colonial correspondences the duties of which , he knew he would thoroughly discharge .

Sir Kt . Knott had been appointed for Hampshire , and Capt . BarlU . lt for Dorsetshire . This must be satisfactory to all the Knights , and he hoped that if he were spared many years wc should witness a very great prosperity in thc Order . He had been Grand Treasurer , and if next year the confidence of the Sir Knights should again place that important office on his shoulders he would again discharge

it with the same faithfulness as hitherto . Sir Knight Binckes proposed " Dr . Woodman , " who replied . Sir Knt . Levander replied for " Thc Charities , " and thanked Grand Conclave for having given 30 guineas to his list as Steward for the Girls' School . He impressed upon the Sir Knights the fact that he was Steward on the

occasion of the next festival , and solicited their support , as he wanted to take up a large amount on his list . ( Cheers . ) Some other toasts followed and the Sir Knights separated , after having spent a chaiming and most successful evening . A beautiful selection of music was performed by Bro . Seymour Smith , Bro . Stedman , Miss Annie Sinclair , and Lucie Hann .

The election of Grand Senators resulted in favour of the undermentioned Sir Knights : — John Mason , G . Inspector of Regalia ; Eugene H . Thiellay and T . Burdett Yeoman , G . Standard Bearers ; William Thomas Howe , G . Sword Bearer ; Frederick Keily , G . Organist ; Charles Frederick Hogard , G . Assist . Marshal ; J . VV . Ellison Macartney , M . P ., G . V . Chamberlain ; Rev . P . Melaiiclhon Holden and Alfred A . Pendlebury , G . Heralds ; and Herbert Dicketts , G . Usher .

The Birmingham Town Council has decided to erect assize courts for the borough , at a cost of from £ 100 , 000 to £ 150 , 000 .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

Bro . H . R . H . Prince Arthur , travelling incognito , has arrived at Algiers in thc yacht Vega , and will make a few days' stay . The English residents intend giving fetes in his honour . The consecration of the Musgrave Lodge , No . 1597 , takes place this day ( Saturday ) . The officers designate are Bros . John Musgrave Levick , W . M . ; Frederick Keily , S . W . ; Edward Amphlett , J . W . The

Consecrating Officers are R . W . Col . Francis Burdett , Prov . G . M . Middlesex , and R . Wentworth Little , Prov . S . G . Warden Middlesex . A full report will appear in our next . The Empress of Austria is now staying at Emton Neston in Northamptonshire for the purpose of hunting , in which Her Majesty is a great proficient . Her sister , she Queen of Naples , is living in retirement close by . The two fair sisters will have a hearty reception from all in the district .

Bro . James Hamilton Townend ( formerly solicitor , of 86 , Queen-street ) has been elected clerk to the Haberdashers' Company . Bro . Sir John Bennett presided at Dr . Martin Duncan ' s science lecture at the Foresters' Hall , Earl Granville , who was to have presided , having to be in

his place in the House of Lords . His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch , K . G ., has joined the St . Stephen ' s Club . The Dukes of . Montrose , Abercorn , K . G ., Rutland , K . G ., and Richmond and Gordon , K . G ., have been members of the same club fora considerable time .

Bro . Sir Michael Costa , 30 ° , had sufficientl y recovered from his recent severe indisposition to be able to conduct the rehearsal of " Samson " at the Sacred Harmonic Society on Friday , 3 rd inst . Mr . Coles , an undergraduate of Magdalene College , Cambridge , died suddenly while at breakfast with

a friend in the college rooms . Dr . Von Sybel has proposed in the Berlin Academy of Science the complete publication ot the political correspondence of Frederick the Great . The Emperor is said to approve the undertaking . The work will comprise about thirty volumes .

The City of London Bonus Tea should certainly become an article of universal consumption , when it is known that it is entirely selected by an eminent firm of some forty years' standi . ig , who for the greater part of that time have been practical tea tasters , which enables them to guarantee the purity and excellence of the article they supply . The firm referred to is that of Messrs .

Murray and Dean , of 41 , Ludgate-hil ! , who , in addition to supplying teas cf the choicest growths at the lowest prices , have also successfully introduced a system by which every purchaser receives a bonus cheque representing the discount for cash , which cheques on amounting to one shilling or upwards are paid to the persons presenting them . This novel principle has none of the risks inseparable

from lotteries ; for there is no chance or uncertainty whatever , as eveiy package of the City of London Bonus Tea contains a cheque in proportion to the sum expended . The largely increased sale of their teas has led thc firm to adopt this system , on the principle of small profits and quick returns due to the spirit of the age , anelis one which may he followed with advantage . Alderman Sidney , who was

Lord Mayor some years ago , and whose eminent public services in saving the City funds to the extent of several thousands were duly acknowledged by thc Corporation , may be remembered as formerly the head of this firm , which since his retirement has maintained its high reputation , ancl his remaining partners well deserve the support and co-operation of the public in more widely diffusing the benefits of thc system they have so happily instituted .

Our Brussels correspondent telegraphs that two splendid saloon carriages have been built in that city for the Continental travels of her Majesty Queen Victoria , at a cost of eight thousand pounds . Amongst the visitors to the new and handsome show-rooms recently opened by Mr . Goode , South Audley-street , may be mentioned their Royal Highnesses

the Princess of Wales , the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh , the Princess Mary and the Duke of Teck , the Princess Louise ( Marchioness of Lome ) , and thc Marquis of Lome . Bro . E . J . Harty is very anxious for it to be generally known that the period for receiving portraits for insertion in the Official and Historical Engraving of the Installation of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales has been

prolonged for a short time longer , there being still space for a limited number . It is very necessary that these few should be sent in at once , to enable the artist to proceed towards completion . According to a report read at the annual meeting of the Royal Literary Fund , held on Wednesday ,

Lord Houghton in the chair , it appeared that during the past year fifty authors had been relieved by the fund at a cost of £ 2100 . THE ROYAL STANDARD LODGE ( No . 1298 ) . —A report of the installation meeting on Tuesday last will appear in our next . The annual convocation of the Elias Ashmole

Chapter , No . 148 , Warrington , will be held at thc chapterrooms , Sankey-street , on Monday next , at four o ' clock in the afternoon , when the Principals elect will be installed by E . Comp . John Bowes , P . Z ., P . Prov . G . S . B ., & c . The name of our distinguished brother , J . M .

P . Montagu , 33 ° , Grand Chancellor A . and A ., D . P . G . M . Dorset , and P . Sub Prior Dorset , was omitted in the list of subscribers to the Historical Steel Engraving cf the Installation of the M . W . G . M ., published in the " Freemason " of the 26 th ult .