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( j public life , that which was dearer than gold , and that was the unbounded esteem of his brother Masons . He hoped and trusted that he would enjoy good health and all other blessings , but when it should lcaSe the Great Architect of the Universe that he shall be called away from this sublunary lodge he trusted these presents would be an earnest of the

hig her prizes which were to be obtained in the Grand Lodge above . He then asked Bro . Moody to read the address in conjunction with the present of the watch he then handed to him . Bro . Moody , the Secretary , then read the address , which was splendidly illuminated and handsomely framed and glazed . It was as follows : — "Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . Great City Lodge ,

No . 142 C . To Bro . Nathan Bryant Headon , P . M ., member of the Board of General Purposes . Dear Sir and Brother , —The members of the Great City Lodge being desirous of showing their high appreciation of your eminent services as the originator and one of the founders of the lodge , have much pleasure in presenting you with this address , and the gold watch , value 50 guineas , which

accompanies it . They desire specially to record the fact that it was entirely owing to your persevering energy that the Most Worshipful Grand Master ultimately granted the warrant for the formation of the ledge , and they also take the opportunity of bearing testimony to your intelligent interpretation of the ritual of Freemasonry . " Then follow the signatures . Bro . Headon , who was evidently taken

by surprise at this presentation , remained silent for some moments , and appeared quite overcome by the warmth ol the sentiments expressed towards him , at length' said—Worshipful Master and brethren , —I really do not know how to express myself to you ; I can only say 1 thank you . The fact of this presentation was ordered to be recorded on the minutes , and after

some other matters had been disposed of the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the dining-hall for refreshment , where a splendid banquet was served , under the superintendence of Bro . Lord , the manager of the Terminus Hotel . The cloth having been drawn , grace was sung by Messrs . Bernard , Daniels , Morgan , and Bamford . The W . Master then said that amongst all the talents

with which the G . A . O . T . U had blessed him there was one that he was not possessed of , antl that was specchmaking . He should , therefore , not worry himself or bore the ears of the brethren by attempting to make a speech , but get over the business as quick as he could , so that they might all get home in good time if they chose to do so . In a few pithy sentences he gave " The Queen and the Craft , "

which was drunk with great heartiness , and followed by the National Anthem , Mr . Bernard taking the solo parts , and Bro . W . H . Hook , the Organist , presiding at the pianoforte . The W . Master said the next toast was " The Most Worshipful Grand Master , His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales . " In one of the charges delivered to Masons they were told that " monarchs themselves have been

promoters of the arts , and have thought it not derogatory from their dignity to exchange the sceptre for the trowel , have patronised our mysteries , and even joined in our assemblies , " and although they often had a prince of the blood as a member of the Craft , yet they now once more had as the head of their Order the Prince of Wales , heir apparent to the throne , who by his social and genial qualities had

endeared himself to all , and particularly to Freemasons , and those who had witnessed his installation at the Albert Hall would never forget the ability with which he presided and the able manner in which he appointed his officers of Grand Lodge on that occasion . Most sincerely did he ( the Worshipful Master ) hope that it would be a considerable time before he would be called upon to ascend the Throne

of England , and sorry indeed should he be if anything were to happen to Her Majesty ; but when it should please the Great Architect of the Universe to call her away , he felt sure that the Prince of Wales would give satisfaction to all classes of the people , as he had hitherto done to the Craft .

The toast was enthusiastically responded to , followed by the song of " God bless the Prince of Wales , " but with a new verse , written and sung for the first time by Bro . Hook , the Organist of the lodge : — " O ' er sea and land we follow , With heartfelt joy , to own

Our Royal Prince , and trust that he May journey safely home . Our Worshiplul Grand Master , Each brother ' s voice now hails , With hearty wishes good , and prays ,

God bless the Prince of Wales . " This new verse of the national song was highly applauded . In proposing the next toast , " The Right Worshipful Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , K . G ., " the W . Master said it was well understood , when the Prince of Wales undertook the office of Grand Master , that , in

consequence of the numerous duties devolving upon him , lie could not at all times attend the Grand Lodge , and therefore a Pro Grand Master was appointed , the Earl of Carnarvon , who had himself done good suit and service ' 0 the Craft . As the Royal Prince was now about to visit forei gn parts his place would be supplied by the Earl of Carnarvon , and he had no doubt that he would well fulfil

all the duties the Craft required of him . The toast was cordiall y received . The next toast on the list was " The "' ght Hon . Lord Skelmcrsdale , Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Past and Present . " Bro . J * J- Simpson , Past Grand Chaplain , in responding , thanked the brethren , on behalf of Lord ' Skelmcrsdale , for "nnking this constitutional toast , and after a few other

observations he alluded to the position of The Great City age . T 0 use a common expression , the lodge ' s heart tlT t ' h r ' p , ace ' an < l lle sai < 1 that il was not often at the man who originated an idea had the honour of aro ^'"^ '' ' " * S ave as an 'l ' ustration of his manTc 'hat lhe first "feboat was the idea of a P of Shields , who afterwards died in the workhouse ,

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while others came after him and carried it out . He had visited Ireland lately , he had been to Dublin , Limerick , and other places , and he there found Freemasonry greatly on the increase , but they had regard to quality and not to quantity . They were cau tious there , and so they ought to be . Still , he spoke of Masonry as having a great mission in the world . They should show that its principles were

to uphold truth and morality in the government , in the Church , and in the body politic throughout the world . It was its mission to help to build up the social fabric and make man what he ought to be , and worthy to enter a mansion beyond the skies . Brother Headon , I . P . M ., said in the usual way it devolved upon him to propose the next toast , which was " The Health of the W . Master , " but as

he should have frequent opportunities of speaking in regard to him , and as one of his oldest friends was presenthe meant Sir John Bennett—he was going lo ask him to put the toast before the brethren , for at the next meeting they might not have the opportunity of having Sir John present amongst them . Brother Sir John Bennett said he really rose with some trepidation , as he was a little out of

order , and especially as he had to follow a distinguished orator like their Chaplain , Brother Simpson , but an Irishman was expected to be an orator . That night he might say it was no little pleasure to him to find one of his oldest friends installed as W . Master of The Great City Lodge . He had known him from his cradle , and had seen him in and out for the last 30 years , and as he was now at the

head of sffch a distinguished body as the Great City Lodge , it was a great honour for him to be present on such an occasion . He knew their W . Master was fond of a joke when it came in the right place , but he could also be serious in a right cause , and he knew that he was willing to undertake all the responsibilities of his office . Now he ( Sir John Bennett ) was never one who could treat in a

light spirit the great objects of Freemasonry , as he knew from its antiquity that it had played no insignificant or unimportant part in the history of the world . He had thought over the history of mankind for the last 3000 years , and although in Rome there were bright days , yet in the darkest hour of the darkest ages , when the privileges of freedom were at

their lowest ebb , the little lamp of Freemasonry preserved the light and spirit of freedom , and it is now scarcely known for how much of what they now enjoy mankind is indebted to Freemasonry , Theyjiad the benefit of what had been done by Masonry , and men had carried it forward like a string of beads from generation to generation , and so it had come down to them in the present day . It had

preserved a great principle , and his old friend , who then sat in the chair , was one of a line of men whose influence was so great and so potent in the great object of promoting the'welfare of their fellow creatures . The past was but an earnest of the future , and within the walls of the Craft they would send out worthy successors to make their fellow men more happy and more useful members of

society . Brother R . J . Simpson denied the soft impeachment of Sir John Bennett as to his being an Irishman , as his father was born in Canada , and he had only been a temporary sojourner in that country . He was therefore indebted to Sir John Bennett , only for the country he had assigned him . The W . Master said he thanked Sir John Bennett very

heartily for the very complimentary manner in which he had spoken of him , but he thought his friendship had blinded him to his faults , and he had only put the bright side before them . He might say that he always made it a principle never to undertake to do anything but to do it to the best of his ability , and he might also say that some twelve months ago , when there was a probability of his being elected as

W . Master , there was a war of elements in his mind whether he should go on or not , but there predominated an amount of ambition in the prospect that he should obtain the chair of the Great City Lodge , and he had looked forward to it with pride . As the ritual to which he was accustomed was different to that used in that lodge , and they did not work in the manner he was used to , he should have some difficulty

in unlearning what he had already learnt , and if any little discrepancy should now and then occur he hoped they would pardon him . He trusted that when his year of office had expired he should go out of the chair with the same esteem and respect they had given to his esteemed predecessor , Bro . Headon . The W . Master , in giving the next toast , "The Immediate Past Master and Installing Master ,

Bro . N . B . Headon , " said the manner m which he had worked the ceremonies and interpreted the ritual during his year of office had been an admirable one , and had elicited encomiums from all classes and visitors , and he had endeared himself to all by his kindly disposition and the assistance he was at all times willing to render . He was the first to put his hand into his pocket , and

as to his charity , he had proved himself to be a man and a true brother . He had received a substantial mark of esteem in the lodge , as a token of their appreciation of the admirable manner in which he had worked the ceremonies , and although others might be equal , they could not be superior . He was sorry that he had gone out of office , for he had always listened to his working with

pleasure . He had much gratification in placing the jewel voted by the brethren on his breast , and he hoped for many years he might wear it , and he might say that if ever a brother deserved a Past Master ' s jewel , that was Bro . Headon . Bro . Headon , P . M ., said their kindness had quite overpowered him . He had never risen before in The Great City Lodge but with pleasure ; that night it was

with pain , for after what had been done in the lodge their kindness that night had quite overpowered him . He was prepared to receive the Past Master ' s jewel , but not such a mark of esteem as he had received in the lodge , and as long as he was connected with it he would do anything and everything in his power to promote its interests . Some other toasts were given , and the evening was spent in complete harmony . The musical arrangements were under

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the direction of Bro . W . H . Hook , the Organist , assisted by Messrs . Bernard , Daniels , Morgan , and Bamford , and gave the highest satisfaction . As an earnest of the W . M . ' s promise at the commencement of the evening , the business was brought to a close , and the Tyler ' s toast was given , before ten o ' clock .

PROVINCIAL . CHESHUNT . —GRESIIAM LODGE ( NO . 869 ) . —An emergency meeting of this lodge was held at Cheshunt , Herts , on Saturday last , W . Bro . A . C . Wylie , P . P . G . S . B ., W . M .- , in the chair , assisted by Bros . John E . Grocett , S . W , ; W . H . Etherington , J . W . ; the Rev . Charles E . Mayo , M . A ., Chaplain and P . G . Chaplain ;

F . D . R . Copestick , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; Walter E . Gompertz , P . M ., P . P . G . P . Secretary ; E . G . Pottle , S . D . ; T . C . Chapman , J . D .: Thomas Stephens , I . G . ; C . B . Cheese , S . ; G . Gilchrist , Tyler . The visitors were Bros . William Bradstock , King Harold ( 1327 ); J . K . Young , P . M . ( 1327 ); Charles Cuthbeitson , Egyptian ( 27 ) , and Bro . Massey ( " Freemason" ) . To

the large section of Freemasons who desire to sec all purely Masonic ceremonies performed in private rooms the removal of this lodge from the Swan at Waltham Cross to the Banqueting Hall of Cheshunt Great House will bi hailed as a step in the right direction . And , indeed , by all it must be acknowledged that it is very seldom , if ever that a lodge has had the good fortune to secure such a

home as has fallen to the lot of the Gresham Lodge Saturday was the first occasion of their assembling at Cheshunt Park , and we never remember to have witnessed the impressive Masonic ceremonies performed with greater effect than in the atmosphere of olden time which seemed to pervade the place . For the information of those of our readers who unacquainted with this relic of antiquity , we

may say that it is supposed to have been erected in the time of Henry VI ., and was parcel of the revenue of John Walsh of Cheshunt , who devised it to Sir John Moore , father of the celebrated Lord Chancellor Moore . The greater portion of the original structure has been pulled down ; the portion that remains consisting of a large hall and apartments to the north , with a vaulted crypt beneath .

formerly used as a chapel , and is said to have been paved with embossed tiles . This house was one of the residences of Cardinal Wolsey '; and it is by the kindness of Bro . Mayo , himself a lineal descendant of that great man , that the Gresham Lodge has acquired such an unique lodgeroom as the Banqueting Hall makes . It is thirty-seven feet long by twenty-two wide , and thirty-six high ; it has

an arched gothic roof supported by ribs of oak or chesnut , with wainscoted sides , and floored with a tesselated pavement of black and white marble . Around this grand old room hangs a valuable collection of family and historical portraits , with several scriptural and historical compositions by old masters . Over the cavernous fire-place hangs a fine portrait of the great cardinal in a beauitfully carved

oak frame , surrounded with cherubim and flowers , and surmounted with a bishop ' s mitre . In front of this , on a carved pedestal , is an extremely ancient shirt of chain mail—so ancient as to be now a very ragged shirt—with neck piece of apparently later date . Higher up on the wall is a large family piece of the second Sir John Shaw and family , by Sir Peter Lely .

and we are told that one of the little girls there represented is the great-great-grandmother of Bro . Mayo . There are several other suits of armour . Some , of serviceable black plate , we presume the armour of actual warfare , show , by the dints upon them , that they have saved both head and heart from bullet and axe . There are others of gayer , though , perhaps , not less serviceable kind ; possibly

for jousting purposes , or to adorn as well as protect some knight with " swellish " tastes . Many banners , scutcheons , and ancient halberts , crossbows , and lances adorn the walls , and render the hall of the greatest interest to the antiquarian . Here , also , is to be seen the identical chair in which the " splendid prelate" reclined and cogitated upon those schemes of ambition which made him so '

remarkable and so dangerous a man . Among the portraits are to be found those of Sir Hugh Middleton , Cromwell , James II ., William II ., and Mary , his Queen ; the Earl of Orrery , Queen Mary , Queen Elizabeth , Philip of Spain , Lucius Carey , Lord Falkland , Fairfax , Charles I . ( a very fine portrait by Vandyck ) , Charles II ., Queen Ann , Archbishop Laud , Archbishop Juxon , and many

others . We have said enough , however , to show how extremely interesting a home has been acquired by the Gresham Lodge ; and we expect that the fact of their meeting there will be a great inducement to Freemasons living in the neighbourhood of Cheshunt , to become members of the lodge . The lodge having been opened in due form , and with solemn prayer , the W . M . rose and said that he

thought that their first duty , and the very least they could do , was to thank Bro . Mayo for his kindness in placing this fine old room at the disposal of the lodge , and , therefore , he proposed that a vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes to that effect . He was quite sure that the kindness and care with which the room had been arranged for their benefit must be evident to all the brethren present . The

vote was seconded , and carried unanimously . Bro . Mayo : Worshipful Master and Brethren , I can only say that lam too happy in having it in my power to give you the use of this room , and I thank you for your kind acknowledgments for it . I can only say further that I think you havj said too much about it . Mr . William Layton , proposed by Bro . Forsyth , seconded by Bro . Copestick , P . M ., and Mr . I . R . Rignall , proposed by Bro . Mayo , seconded by Bro .

Wylie , W . M ., were then ballotted for , and initiated , the ceremony being performed in a very impressive manner by Bro Gompertz , P . M . and See ., who , being , as we under stand , the father of the lodge , was gracefully invited by the W . M . to perform the ceremonies on this occcasion , which marks an era in the history of the lodge . The ballot was then taken for Bro . G . F . W . Mugliston , M . D „ I . P . M , 1421 , as a joining member , and Bro . Dr .