Bro. Lane's "Handy Book."

old numbers , obtained by purchase , or otherwise , some of which have centenary warrants , though none have " worked" continuously for ioo years . Other instances are given by which numerical precedence was obtained without chronological seniority ; but there are so many points thus elucidated and

explained that no ordinary review could possibly adequately explain the chief even of the numerous characteristics of this remarkable work , and , even now , I leave the appendix untouched ,

which contains reproductions of several Engraved and MS . Lists of great importance , and constitute that portion one of the most important features of the book . A copious index is also of conspicuous utility .

The volume is dedicated to myself ; a compliment highly appreciated by me , and one I may fairly thus publicly and most gratefully acknowledge . W . J . HUGHAN .

Installation Of Bro. The Marquis Of Hertford As Provincial Grand Master Of Antrim.

INSTALLATION OF BRO . THE MARQUIS OF HERTFORD AS PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF ANTRIM .

One of the most important events of recent years , in connection with Freemasonry in Belfast , took place on the 9 th instant , in the Exhibition Hall of the Botanic Gardens , when , at a meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim , the Most Ho ourable Hugh de Grey , Marquis of Hertford , was installed as Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Antrim . The ceremony was performed in the presence of fully 1000 members of the Order , becoming one

of the finest demonstrations ever held in connection with the Order in that city . The Marquis of Hertford succeeds the late Sir Charles Lanyon , D . L ., whose decease was such a loss to the Order , and was so deeply lamented by Masons , not only of Antrim , but all over the United Kingdom , whose respect and esteem he won for the splendid manner in which he discharged the duties attaching to the exalted position which he held . It will be remembered that Sir Charles was

selected for the office upon the death of the Marquis of Donegall . In nominating the Marquis of Hertford to the vacancy , it is admitted by all that his Grace the Duke of Abercorn , as Grand Master , has made a most happy selection , and one which is heartily approved by the members of the Order . In following in the footsteps of such worthy Masons as Lord Donegall and Sir Charles Lanyon and others who have held the office his lordship has a noble example to

imitate , and we have no doubt that he will prove himself worthy of the confidence reposed in him by his brethren , and that in his hands the interests of Freemasonry will be sedulously and carefully conserved . The proceedings were of the most successful character , and bore eloquent testimony to the great popularity of the new Prov . Grand Master , and the enthusiasm with which be was received must have been peculiarly gratifying to him , showing as it does that he enters upon the

duties of his exalted position with the respect and esteem of his brethren , and with every promise of an auspicious and successful term of office . - Since the selection of the Duke of Abercorn was announced , no effort has been spared to invest the installation ceremony with everything requisite and necessary to success , the brethren of the province entering into the carrying out of the arrangements with

enthusiasm and spirit . The successful issue of their exertions was evidenced in the highly impressive ceremony in the Exhibition Hall , and the enthusiastic proceedings in the Ulster Hall in the evening , when the noble marquis was entertained b y the Masons of the province . The Exhibition Hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion with rare hothouse plants and delicate drapery , and presented a very admirable appearance .

The meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge was fixed for four o ' clock , and shortly before that hour the brethren , of whom there were fully 1000 present , had assembled in full regalia , which was donned in one of the ante-rooms set apart for the purpose . Bro . Lord Hertford , on his arrival from Lisburn , was met at

the terminus of the Great Northern Railway , Great Victoria-street , by Bro . Thos . Valentine , Deputy Prov . Grand Master , with whom were the Prov . Grand Secretary and Prov . Grand Treasurer . The Prov . Grand Master elect was escorted b y those brethren to the Exhibition Hall , and the interesting proceedings were at once entered upon .

Punctually at four o ' clock , Bro . R . W . Shekleton , Q . C , Deputy Grand Master , attended by the Grand Officers and Prov . Grand Officers , entered the hall , and the Provincial Grand Lodge was opened . The Most Worshipful Grand Master ( the Duke of Abercorn ) was then introduced , and conducted to the throne .

The Provincial Grand Master elect , the Most Hon . Hugh de Grey , Marquis of Hertford , was then announced as being in attendance , and , his warrant of appointment having been read , the Most Worshipful the Grand Master appointed a deputation to receive him . A procession was formed , under the direction of the Grand Director of Ceremonies , when the Provincial Grand Master elect was presented to the M . W . the Grand Master , and the ceremony of installation was proceeded with .

The following was the installation ode , composed specially for the occasion b y Bro . William Redfern Kelly . 154 , P . G . R . C .:

Tune— " Old Hundred . " Hail ! hail ! bright star of Hertford , hail ! In Dalriada ' s * Orient shine , Bright ' mongst Ulidia ' sf brightest stars , Long may ' st thy light with theirs combine . Intensify that mystic light ,

Which none but Craftsmen e ' er can see , Show forth ' midst hieroglyphics bri ght Our Three Great Li ghts of Masonry . Around thy Oriental Throne May Wisdom , Strength , and Beauty stand ; May Peace , and Love , and Harmony With Charity join hand in hand .

May the Grand Architect inspire Thy labours in our noble cause ; And may he strengthen thy desire ' To rule the Craft by Heaven ' s Great Laws . After this , the M . W . the Grand Master directed the Provincial Grand Master elect to kneel and take the obligation of office , and then invested him with the insigniaof office , and placed him in the chair of the Provincial Grand Lodge .

The DIRECTOR of CEREMONIES then declared the Most Hon . Hugh de Grey , Marquis of Hertford , duly installed as Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Antrim .

Installation Of Bro. The Marquis Of Hertford As Provincial Grand Master Of Antrim.

The newly-installed Provincial Grand Master having been saluted with full Masonic honours , The Provincial Grand Master then nominated Bro . Thos . Valentine as his Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and also presented him with the collar and jewel of his office on behalf of his Masonic friends in the province . The address was read by Bro . HILTON as follows : " To Bro . Thomas Valentine , 32 nd Right Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand

Master of the Freemasons of Antrim . " Right Worship ful Sir and Brother , " Your Masonic brethren of the Province of Antrim , having regard to your distinguished position as a Freemason , your great zeal for the advancement of the best interests of the Craft in this province , and the very many valuable services which you have rendered to the Order , embrace the present auspicious opportunit y

of presenting to you a slight tribute of their great esteem and admiration of you , and their thorough appreciation of your many sterling qualities . Your brethren are pleased and gratified beyond measure at your re-appointment as their Ri ght Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and they offer to you their most cordial and sincere congratulations on this the occasion of your formal re-induction into that honourable and distinguished position . Whether they have regard to

your many estimable Masonic and gentlemanly qualities , your great devotion and zeal for the cause of Freemasonry , your invariably dignified and urbane deportment in the chair of the Provincial Grand Lodge , or your onerous self-imposed and selfsacrificing labours , especially throughout the country districts of this great Masonic Province of Antrim , all alike commend you to your brethren as one worthy of their warmest esteem aud regard , and of the highest compliments which it would be at all possible for them to pay to you . They request your acceptance of this

collar-chain of the office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and this decoration also appertaining to that exalted position ; and they most sincerely pray that 'the Great Architect of the Universe ' may long spare you to wear these insignia , and to aid with your valuable labours , your judicious advice and counsel , and your great experience in Masonic matters , the brethren of the Province of Antrim , on behalf of whom we subscribe ourselves , Right Worshipful Sir and Brother , sincerely and fraternall y yours , " LAVENS M . EWART . P . G . S . W ..

" ROBERT CAREY , P . G . J . W ., "ROBERT J . HILTON , P . G . Sec . " Belfast , oth October , 1889 . "

The DEPUTY PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER , in reply , said—Dear Brethren , I feel honoured that our Provincial Grand Master has thought fit to appoint me as his Deputy , and especially that the appointment has given you so much satisfaction . Whilst thoroughly appreciating your kindness and indulgence as far as regards the duties which have devolved upon me in connection with the office held by me under our late lamented Prov . Grand Master , Sir Charles Lanyon , 1 feel very sensible

that I have fallen far short in my performance of those duties , but I am much gratified that you recognise the earnest desire and anxiety I have always felt in the promotion of the best interests of the noble Order with which we are mutuall y connected , and if I have been to some extent instrumental in this direction , I feel that my efforts would have been of little avail had I not been at all times so abl y and so loyally assisted and encouraged in my endeavours b y the officers and

members of this Provincial Grand Lodge . I can assure you , brethren , I value the beautiful collar-chain and decoration appertaining to the office of Deput y Prov . Grand Master , with which you have presented me to-ni ght , far above their intrinsic worth , and I prize the kind words—too kind words—with which you accompany them more than I can express . I trust that so long as I have the honour to wear these insignia of my office , I may continue to merit the approval you have

expressed of my conduct during the time I have held the position of Deputy Prov . Grand Master of this important province . Under our newly-installed Provincial Grand Master , the Marquis of Hertford , to whom we all wish a hearty welcome , it will be my earnest endeavour to forward the interests of the Order over which , I hope , he may long be permitted to preside . I cordially reciprocate the kind wishes contained in the address which you have presented to me . Other business having been transacted , the Prov . Grand Lodge was then closed , and the proceedings terminated .

BANQUET IN THE ULSTER HALL . In the evening the newly-installed Prov . Grand Master , the Most . Hon . the Marquis of Hertford , was entertained at a banquet in the Ulster Hall b y the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim , covers being laid for close upon 400 . The company was of an influential character , being fully representative of the Province of Ulster , and including many members from Dublin and the South .

Messrs . Wilson , Corporation-square , had charge of the decorations , which were of a most tasteful and effective character , consisting of banners and trophies of flags , with Masonic emblems judiciously interspersed . Choice flowers and plants were distributed in convenient positions . The floral decoration of the guest table , which occupied the same position as in recent banquets , was especiall y fine , and altogether the hall presented a very effective appearance .

The balcony was occupied by a large number of ladies , who remained not only during dinner , but to the end cf the proceedings , and evinced a lively interest in everything that took place . The band of the Gordon Highlanders , under the leadership of Bro . King , occupied the orchestra , and performed a choice programme of music in admirable style .

His Grace the Duke of Abercorn , M . W . G . M . of Ireland , presided , and to his right sat Bros , the Most Hon . the Marquis of Hertford , P . G . M . of Antrim ; T . Valentine , J . P ., D . P . G . M . of Antrim ; H . Hodges , S . G . D . ; John Lanyon ; Sir Henry Cochrane , D . L ., Rep . G . Lodge of Georgia ; John M'Connell , Rep . G . Lodge of Alabama ; Major L . J . Thompson , D . P . G . M . of Down ; Sir W . Millar , M . D ., J . P ., D . P . G . M . of Derry and Donegal ; and R . J . Hilton , J . P ., P . G . Sec . ;

and to his left Bros . Robert W . Shekleton , Q . C , D . G . M . ; Ri g ht Hon . Lord A . W . Hill , M . P ., P . G . M . of Down ; Wm . E . Scott , D . L ., P . G . M . of Derry and Donegal ; W . J . C . Crawley , LL . D ., G . Steward ; F . R . Pirn , LL . D ., G . I . G . ; Col . J . G . Irvine , D . L ., D . P . G . M . Tyrone and Fermanagh ; Rev . Richard Irvine , D . D ., P . G . C . Antrim ; R . Carey , P . J . G . W . Antrim ; and W . Rankin , P . G . Treas . Antrim .

? MORALITY . —Freemasonry is said to be a " peculiar system of morality , " and it professes and proclaims , from first to last , a most pure and elevated morality—the only true morality , because founded on God ' s Word , and on God ' s Word alone . Freemasonry does not profess to teach mere human morality , however good per se , because all human morality is , in itself , imperfect ; but its morality is founded on the Divine Law of the Grand Architect of the Universe . Of course , in the caseot

those who do not accept the " Word of God" ( such as Hindoos , Mahometans , Parsees ) , they are governed by the law of nature or conscience , admittedly imp erfeet and incomplete . But the peculiarity of Anglo-Saxon Masonry is this—that while , in its great toleration , it admits all who recognise the Personal and Eterna Grand Architect of the Universe , it never relaxes its own ritual or accommodates its own teaching , which are equally based on the Divine morality preserved in tn Word of the Most Hi gh . —Kenning ' s Cyclopaedia of Freemasonry .

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