Provincial Grand Chapter Of Leicestershire And Rutland.

of St . George's Chapter , No . 1560 . The other officers of the chapter were appointed and invested . A vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Comp . the Rev . C . Henton Wood for the admirable oration delivered by him , and he and Comp . M . J . Walker were elected honorary members of the chapter . St . George's Chapter was then closed , and the business of Provincial Grand Chapter resumed .

The Provincial Grand Treasurer's accounts having been received and passed , and some notices of motion disposed of , the Grand Superintendent appointed and invested his Provincial Grand Officers as follows : — Comp . George Toller , P . Z . 279 ... ... Prov . G . H . „ R . Boughton Smith , P . Z . 1007 ... ... Prov . G . J . „ S . S . Partridge , P . Z . 279 ... ... p rov . G . S . E .

„ Joseph Young , P . Z . 279 ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ C . S . Preston , H . 279 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ T . Halliday , P . Z . 779 ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ A . P . Wood , P . Z . 1130 ... ... Prov . G . 1 st A . S „ J . Hassall , H . 779 ... ... ... Prov . G . 2 nd A . S „ J . Tuckfield ( elected ) ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas .

„ G . Oliver , J . 1007 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br „ Edgar Taylor , J . 279 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br „ Miles J . Walker , H . 1130 ... ... Prov . G . D . of . C „ W . Stephen Black , J . 1130 ... ... Prov . G . A . D . C . „ W . Vial , H . 1007 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org .

Comps . Dunn and lanser ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitors . A resolution was passed that the Grand Superintendent ' s address and the oration of Comp . the Rev . C . H . Wood should be printed for distribution . Several apologies for absence having been read , the Provincial Grand Chapter was closed in due form .

The musical arrangements of the consecration ceremony were most effectively carried out , under the able direction of Comp . T . A . Wvkes . P . P . G . O . y In conclusion , it should be added that the interest and gratification of the companions were materially enhanced by the presence of their much esteemed chief , the veteran Comp . Kelly , who , although far from having completely recovered from his long and serious indisposition , braved the effects of the present Arctic weather , and conducted the proceedings of the day with all his usual marked ability and impressiveness .

Installation Of The Duke Of Abercorn As Grand Master Of Ireland.

INSTALLATION OF THE DUKE OF ABERCORN AS GRAND MASTER OF IRELAND .

The ceremony of installing his Grace the Duke of Abercorn as Grand Master of Ireland took place on the 3 rd inst ., in the Masonic Hall , Molesworth-street , Dublin , in presence of one of the largest and most representative gatherings that have ever been held under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of Ireland . Though technically " a stated communication , " the gathering was invested wifh all the eclat which the importance of the

occasion justified , and which the [ gorgeous ritual of the Craft so readily provided , and the result achieved was certainly calculated to leave a lasting impression on the minds of all those who had the pleasure and the privilege of participating in the ceremony . Every part of the country was worthily represented . The limited accommodation afforded by the hall necessitated the exercise of considerable restrictions in the distribution of the tickets of admission . Only about 400 could be issued , and these were confined to the

Grand Officers , Past Masters , and to the fortunate few who succeeded in the ballot for them after the wants of the G . Officers and Past Masters had been satisfied . The utmost was made of the accommodation at the disposal of the officers , and it cannot be questioned that they were especially successful in their conception of artistic effect in the arrangement . A triple row of seats extended along the hall at each side from the dais to the

organ , on which the Masters and Wardens of the Metropolitan lodges were seated , while the elevated benches behind were filled with Provincial Masters and privileged representatives . A place on the front rows near the dais was allotted to the Committee of General Purposes . All the brethren wore the regalia appropriate to the occasion , and the necessary decorations were disposed with a due eye to harmony and beauty of eflect . All the arrangements worked most satisfactorily , and it may not be out of place at

this stage to accord a word of praise to the Stewards for the manner in which they acquitted themselves . They were under the direction of the Grand Steward , Bro . J . Creed Meredith , LL . D . ; and included Bros . Kendal Franks , M . D . ; S . G . Robinson , R . S . Reeves , C . R . M'Namara , Thomas Stuart , J . G . Yeates , P . Jones , T . Atkinson , H . Leslie , J . C . Mayne , W . Grove White , LL . B . ; H . J . C . Tweedy , M . D . ; A . E . Murray , and C . Carnegie .

The ceremony was fixed to commence at-8 o ' clock , at which hour every seat was occupied , save those reserved on the dais for the Grand Officers and more prominent brethren . Of the proceedings it is unnecessary at this point to speak in detail . They were characterised by the true Masonic ring , and gave abundant proof—if indeed such a thing were needed—of the esprit and vitality of the Order in this country . The distinguished

nobleman , who has succeeded to the chair so worthily filled by his illustrious father , has already a long and honourable record in Masonic annals . He is Senior Grand Warden of England , and has passed the office of Prov . Grand Master of perry and Donegal ; and in all his relations , whethet Masonic or otherwise , he has displayed those qualities which so eminently fit him to fill the hi gh office to which the Masons of Ireland have called him .

At a quarter-past 8 o ' clock the Grand Steward , Bro . J . CREED MEREDITH , LL . D ., announced the Officers of the Grand Lodge of Ireland . The procession entered the hall headed by the Junior Grand Provincial Officers , who , on arriving opposite the dais , filed to the right and left , admitting the Senior Grand Officers to the dais , and then foliowed to their places at either side of the chair . As the procession entered , and until the Grand Officers had taken up the places assigned to them , a march was played on the organ by Bro . Joze .

Installation Of The Duke Of Abercorn As Grand Master Of Ireland.

The chair was taken by the Right Worshipful R . W . SHEKLETON , Q . C ., Deputy Grand Master . The roll of Grand Officers was called by Bro . SAMUEL B . OLDHAM , Deputy Grand Secretary and Treasurer . The following answered to their names :

R . W . Bros , the Marquis of Headfort , S . G . W . ; Edward H . Kinahan , J . P ., G . Treas . j the Right Hon . Lord Plunket , Archbishop of Dublin ; the Rev . J . A . Galbraith , S . F . T . CD ., Grand Chaplain ; W . Bros . George Moyers , LL . D ., J . P ., S . G . D . ; Harry Hodges , J . G . D . ; George A . Stephens , J . P ., Grand Supt . of Wks . ; John T . Banks , M . D ., G . Dir . of Cers . ; James Creed Meredith , LL . D ., G . Stwd . ; J . C . Crawley , LL . D ., G . Swd . Br . ; Thos . S . Sibthorpe , J . P ., G . l . G . ; and Archibald St . George , Asst . Secretary .

Apologies were received from R . W . Bros , Lord Arthur Hill , S . G . W . ; the Earl of Bandon , Grand Secretary ; Maxwell H . Close , Representative of the Grand Lodge of England ; and others . In addition to the Grand Officers , there were on the dais : Bros . Major H . B . Johnston , Humphrey Minchin , M . B . ; William T . Wilkinson , Lucius H . Deering , Philip C . Smyly , M . D . ; Robert W . Griffin , LL . D . ; James H . Neilson , John H . Goddard , C . Capel Macnamara , LL . D . ; Colonel A . Vesey Davoren

James W . Fair , Major Leslie , J . Thompson , William E . Scott , D . L . ; T . Valentine , J . P ., G . J . Norman d'Arcy , J . P ., Rev . F . E . Clarke , LL . D ., T . E . St . George , R . Warren , D . L ., E . D . Thorp , Col . B . H . Colclough , D . Crosthwaite , LL . D ., C . Grandison , A . M'CIelland , Wm . J . Fennell , R . K . Clay , J . Roe , R . J . Hilton , R . Cochrane , C . Emor , J . P ., Rev . H . J . Gillespie , J . Ringwood , M . D ., Wm . Hamilton , J . R . Dudgeon , T . Edwards , J . Williams , A . St . George , J . P ., R . E . Tighe , Wm . G . D .

Goff , T . R . Wolfe , P . B . Bernard , D . L ., Lord Justice Fitzgibbon , J . G . Burns , M . D ., F . R . Pirn , LL . D ., M . Johnston , A . K . M'Entire , T . Jones , W . K . Clay , H . Gibson , W . J . Wetland , T . M'Conkey , W . G . Hubband , J . P ., W . Spence , C . E ., D . Sullivan , D . D . Tate , R . Herron , J . P ., W . Smith , Sir T . A . Jones , J . Frederick , T . Purcell , M . D ., R . H . Walker , W . J . Henry , R . Walker , J . H . Woodworth , M . Harris , L . Leachman , Alderman Cochrane , H . Johnston , G . W . Bradshaw ,, J . Crozier , J . Robertson , R . J . Wright , R . M'Calmont , and G . Bell .

The Grand Lodge was thus officered : R . W . Bro . the Marquis of Headfort , S . G . W . ; R . W . Bro . the Rev . Joseph A . Galbraith , S . F . T . C . D ., J . G . W . ; W . Bro . Alderman John Moyers , LL . D ., S . G . D . ; W . Bro . Harry H . Hodges , J . G . D . ; and W . Bro . Thomas Sibthorpe , J . P ., G . l . G . The Grand Lodge having been opened with the customary observances —his Grace the Archbishop of Dublin invoking a blessing—the DEPUTY GRAND MASTER announced to the brethren the special business which had called them together , and nominated the following to receive the Grand

Master elect , and conduct him into their presence : W . Bros , the Hon , Judge Townshend , Edward H . Kinahan , J . P . ; Dr . Banks , Grand Dir . of Cers . ; and James Creed Meredith , Grand Steward . The Duke of Abercorn was escorted by the officers named to the dais , the assembled brethren standing , where he was presented to the Deputy Grand Master by Bro . Judge Townshend . The customary obligation having been duly administered to his Grace , he svas invested with the insignia of his high office , and took the chair .

The DEPUTY GRAND MASTER then made the following proclamation : I proclaim the most high , potent , and noble Prince , James Duke of Abercorn , Marquis of Hamilton , Viscount Strabane , Lord Hamilton , Baron of Strabane and Baron of Mouncastle in the Peerage of Ireland , Marquis of Abercorn and Viscount Hamilton in the Peerage of Great Britain , Earl of Abercorn , Baron of Paisley , Arbroath , Abercorn , Hamilton , Mountcastle , and Kilpatrick , in the Peerage of Scotland , a baronet of Ireland , a duke of

Ireland , Duke of Chatlerhault in France , Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum of the county Donegal , and Companion of the Bath , Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons of Ireland ( prolonged and enthusiastic cheers followed the proclamation , the brethren rising to their feet and renewing the demonstration again and again ) . When theenthusiasm had subsided , the DEPUTY GRAND MASTER ,

addressing the Duke of Abercorn , said : My Lord Duke and Most Worshipful Sir , —On behalf of the Freemasons of Ireland , 1 desire to express to your Grace our most fraternal and heartfelt congratulations on your installation as head of the Order in Ireland , and it is to myself a source of sincere pleasure and allowable pride that it has fallen to my lot , as the presiding officer , to place you in the chair of Grand Master . Though your Grace has been hitherto unable to take part in our Masonic proceedings in Dublin , the

brethren are aware that you were nominated by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , the Grand Master of the Freemasons of England , and the patron of the Order of Ireland , to the post of Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of England , and the tongue of good report has also borne testimony to the zealous and efficient manner in which you have discharged the duties of Provincial Grand Master of Derry and Donegal . To be selected by the unanimous vote of so numerous and influential a body as

the Freemasons of Ireland to preside over them is an honour of which anyone , no matter how exalted his rank , might well be proud ; but , my Lord Duke , to be called on to fill the place of our late revered Grand Master must evoke in your mind in addition , feelings of peculiar solemnity . It is a little more than 11 years since we were assembled in this hall to welcome amongst us , as our Grand Master , her Most Gracious Majesty ' s then Viceroy of Ireland , whose noble and dignified presence and courteous and

eloquent address added lustre to all assemblies in which he took part , and won the hearts of all with whom he was brought in contact , and no one who was present on that memorable occasion can forget the enthusiastic reception accorded to him by the brethren . The inscrutable dispensation of the Great Architect of the Universe has removed him , who , take him all in all , we scarce dare hope to look upon his like again , and has left his family to deplore the loss of a loving and devoted husband and father , and us , his

Masonic brethren , of our valued and venerated guide and head . lo you , sir , has fallen a princely heritage , a great name , and a long bead-roll of illustrious ancestors , brave and honourable men , and fair and virtuous women ; but amongst them all are _ two pre-eminently distinguished , to whose bright example and careful training is to be attributed the exalted position their children have attained amongst the nobles of the land , and whose kind and sincere friendship it was my great privilege to have had fully and

invariably accorded me . In your presence and upon this occasion I cannot trust myself to speak as I should wish of htm who has gone ; but for her who is left to cherish the memory of so many years of loving union , I would bespeak the continued and warm sympathy of all in this her time of deep distress . In an assemblage of Masons it may seem out of place to allude to the lessons that are inculcated amongst us in all our ceremonials ; but at

this juncture in the destinies of our beloved country , and especially when our Order is assailed by people who wiliully misrepresent our objects and actions , it cannot be amiss in me , who have for so many years been so closely identified with the Masonic Body , to avow , as I have . always done , the principles that actuate us Masons , and that unite in the bonds 01 Brotherhood men of every country , sect , and opinion , Brotherly love , Charily