The American K.T,. Tourists.

which existed in Europe and America , tended no little to bring about this happy state of things . Eminent sir , I have neither time nor ability to make such a reply as your very eloquent address would demand . Again I thank you in the name and on behalf of American

Masons , and on their behalf allow me to give you a pressing and cordial invitation to pay us a visit to the United States , and we will give you such a reception as American Masons can give . Only in this way can we hope to manifest our appreciation of your brotherly treatment to us .

Masonry recognises the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man . May the nations- of Europe and America ever continue on the same fraternal and brotherly terms . Sir , it has afforded us great pleasure to travel through your dominions and read the ancient landmarks of our

beloved order . Having received the Order of Masonry from you , we are glad to be permitted to come back as the representatives of Masonry in the United States , and learn amid the graves and monuments of our fathers that we have preserved the ancient rites committed to us

unimpaired . I trust , sir , when we cease to labour in this mundane sphere that it may be our happy privilege to meet , from both sides the water , in that house not made with hands eternal in the heavens . The usual routine toasts having been given

and responded to , the remainder of the evening was spent in social conversation and interchange of civilities . The American Sir Knights then expressed their hearty thanks individually to G . V . C . Tinkler , and Assistant G . Dir ., of Cer . Starkey , for their indefatigable efforts to render

their reception agreeable . The banquet and wines , supplied by Bro . Hart , received the highest enconiums from all who partook thereof , especially the American brethren , who frequently expressed their great gratification , declaring it was the best entertainment which had as yet been offered to them .

The Visit To Alton Towers.

THE VISIT TO ALTON TOWERS .

The Earl of Shrewsbury having invited the American Knights Templar to pay a visit to the famed Alton Towers , it was arranged that they should go there on the 4 th of July , being the 95 th anniversary of American Independence , and also the Alton Horticultural Show . On reaching Alton

station the party were met by the Earl's private band , and a procession being formed , all moved forward up the avenue of trees leading to the Towers . Close to the hall a private tent had been prepared for the American brethren , and after they had " arranged" themselves , they went to the

chapel , accompanied by brethren from Derbyshire , where full choral service was performed . The Rev . Dr . Frascr , the Earl of Shrewsbury ' s domestic chaplain , intoned the service , the Anthem being taken from the 104 th Psalm . The singing of the Earl ' s domestic choir was admirable , and nt the

conclusion the Hallelujah Chorus was played on the organ . It had been arranged that the reception of the American and English Freemasons should take place at a quarter to 12 o ' clock , 'but in consequence of the non-arrival of a deputation from the Staffordshire Knot Lodge , it was postponed until

12 . 20 . In the meantime the Americans , each taking the arm of a Derbyshire brother , and accompanied by the Messrs . Cook , rambled thrjugh the matchless grounds of Alton , whose beauties were greatly extolled , the frequent remark being , "We have nothing like this in America . " It

should be stated that the American flag was hoisted on one of the towers . At 12 . 30 the Derbyshire brethren were ushered into tbc Earl ' s Grand Dining-hall , where they were addressed by the Earl of Shrewsbury , who gave to them and the Staffordshire brethren a hearty welcome . His

Lordship , who wore the costume of a deputylicutcnant , was accompanied by the Countess of Shrewsbury , and the youthful Lord Ingestre . The Earl of Shrewsbury met the American legation at the Grand Entrnnccr to the Hall , and proceeded then to the Grand Dining-room , the English Freemasons giving them a hearty cheer .

The Earl of Shrewsbury then addressed the company , observing that it gave Lady Shrewsbury and himself the greatest pleasure to receive them on that occasion as gentlemen , and he might add , as brethren . When he first heard of their visiting

the county , he thought it meet to offer them the hospitalities of his place , for he could not cxprcsss his gratification at the opportunity which it offered to reciprocate the good feeling evinced in America towards this country . The Marquis of Ripon had done him the honour to nominate him as Grand

The Visit To Alton Towers.

Master of Staffordshire , on the recommendation of the Earl of Carnarvon . The noble Earl then referred to the lineage of the family , which deduces its descent from a period antecedent to the Conqueror , the first person of note on record being Richard de Talbot , mentioned in Domesday Book ,

and who married the daughter of Gerard de Gournay , Baron of Yarmouth . He further observed that he had received every courtesy and kindness from the American people , and he was pleased to receive them now , and show them the beauties of the place . He trusted that the principles of

Freemasonry would still -more firmly unite the two countries , for , if so , peace would be more permanent , and commerce more prospering . The noble lord concluded by remarking that Lady Shrewsbury desired to join with him in giving them a hearty welcome to Alton .

The W . M . of the Staffordshire Knot Lodge of Freemasons then read a resolution which had been agreed to at a special meeting of the members at Stafford on the evening previous . It was an expression of gratitude to the Marquis of Ripon for appointing the noble Earl Grand Master of

Staffordshire , and to the Earl of Shrewsbury for accepting the same . Bro . Thomas Cox , P . P . G . S . W . of Derbyshire , in the unavoidable absence of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of that province , then addressed the Earl of Shrewsbury .

Bro . William Naylor , Prov . G . Sec . Derbyshire , then read an appropriate address to the American Knights Templar from the P . G . L . of Derbyshire , which was beautifully illuminated and surmounted by several Masonic emblems , and the American and English coats of arms .

The Rev . Dr . Tudor ( Wesleyan ) , of Baltimore , then replied on behalf of the Americans , as follows It gives me great pleasure , my Lord Shrewsbury , to appear upon the part of my companions to respond to the very kind and cordial welcome which your lordship and Lady Shrewsburv have been

pleased to extend to us this day . But how to respond in sufficiently appropriate and grateful terms is the difficulty , and is a task for the performance of which I crave your lordship's indulgence for a few moments . ( Hear , hear . ) We gratefully recognise the distinguished honour of

being received by your lordship as the citizens and humble representatives of a nation between which and your own nation , my lord , there have long existed relations , not only of friendliness , but also of warm affection —( hear , hear)—relations sustained and ratified by the recent arrangements of State to

which your lordship has alluded , and the terms of which have settled points of honour , which existed , I am persuaded , more in sentiment than in reality . Let us believe it to be impossible that those strong bonds of civilisation and Christianity , which hold fast together the two States , shall ever be severed ,

so as to precipitate us into other than relations the most friendly and loving . ( Cheers . ) We were touched in observing , immediately upon setting foot in your lordship ' s domain , the mark of the distinguished honour you would do us , in our national colours floating the highest over the towers of Alton . ( Applause ) . We recognise ourselves

received also as the representatives of that Brotherhood of humanity concerning which the poet sings" Between us all let oceans roll , Yet still from cither bench The voice of blood shall reach , More eloquent than speech , We arc one .

Oh , it docs our hearts good , my lord , to receive the attentions which met us at our very landing upon these foreign shores , and have culminated in your lordship's reception this day . Wc have felt deeply the inconvenience of exile from home , deprived , as we are for a time , of the sacred refining influences

of domestic life , the sweet society of wife , daughter , sister , we are cheered and comforted by the kind offices of friends . ( Hear , hear . ) It is the quaint conceit of a wild modern poet , that the precious stones of our earth are the remains of a temple built bv the angels in Eden to the worship of God .

The foundations of the temple were bright and beaten gold , tower and roof of pinnacle without were solid diamond , the dome was eye-blue sapphire , studded with golden stars ; the floor was emerald , veined with gold and silver ; marble and mineral of every hue were in its walls ; the altar was one ruby ,

heartlikc ; the columns were of alabaster , and where all things were magnificent , the meanest thing was gold , the plainest . Man fell and joined the hosts of hell , black-bannered , on the very day when he should have met God and his angels there , and immediately also fell that bright fane—no

deathdoomed eye gazed on its glory ; earthquakes gulped it down—the temple of the angels lay in its grave , till , at the flood , it burst , like a shell , and scattered its fragments east and west and far and wide , which arc the diamonds and rubies and emeralds and sapphires of this world ' s costly merchandise , ( Applause . ) Morally , human naturc ' is just such a

The Visit To Alton Towers.

wretched temple ; but we recognise in the affections and virtues and amenities and hospitalities of common life , scattered and fragmentary jewels of the wreck . These jewels have thickly strewn our way through the United Kingdom , but the Koh-i-noor , the crown jewel , my lord , we have found this day

at Alton Towers . ( Loud applause . ) Furthermore , we recognise ourselves as having the honour to be received as the humble representatives of a fraternity , of which we arc happy to congratulate your lordship as a chief officer , by recent nomination as Prov . Grand Master of Staffordshire ( cheers ); a

fraternity whose laws , teachings , and work are designed to assist in rebuilding the wrecked temple of humanity to which I have alluded , until the perfect structure shall again stand forth , love ever beating in the heart , truth ever speaking from the tongue , justice ever reigning in the mind , benevolence ever

giving from the hand , righteousness ever the . path of the feet , kindness ever beaming from the eye , gentleness curving every limb , honour crowning the head , and goodness unqualified the description of the whole life . ( Applause . ) Begging your lordship and Lady Shrewsbury to accept the assurance that

the reception extended to us this day is infinitely more beautiful in our eyes and more grateful in our hearts than are the blossoms of exquisite loveliness that lie in such rich bouquets over your lordship's estate , we remain , my lord , your humble servants . ( Cheers . ) By your lordship ' s permission , I would

also , on behalf of my companions , express our lively sense of pleasure in meeting so many of our brother Masons on this beautiful spot to-day , our great happiness in receiving their kindly greetings , and the assurance of the sincere reciprocation irom our hearts , on their behalf , of all their good wishes .

( Applause . ) The above speech was listened to with marked attention by all present . It was delivered with great earnestness , and made a strong impression upon all who had the pleasure of listening to it . The Countess of Shrewsbury then took wine with

Dr . Tudor and the Americans , with the W . M . of the Stafford Lodge , and the acting D . P . G . M . of Derby . The company partook of champagne and other wines , with choice grapes , peaches , strawberries , confectionery , & c , after which Lady Shrewsbury took the arm of an American brother , the young

ladies the arms of Derbyshire brethren , and the whole then proceeded to take a private view of the flower show , which was in a tent near the hall . This over , the Americans had Luncheon in their private tent , provided by the Earl of Shrewsbury . The Derby brethren , with their well-known liberal

manner in carrying out their arrangements appointed Bro . Plock , of the Midland Hotel , their commissariat . They had their own private tent , in which was laid out a splendid champagne luncheon . Bro . Plook , with one of his cooks and a numerous staff of waiters , personally attended to the wants of the

hungry brethren . The Stafford contingent having come to Alton as it were in a hurry , had not " provided for a rainy day , so the Derbyshire brethren gave them an invitation to luncheon , which they cordially accepted . Before our Derbyshire brethren had finished they were visited by the Earl of

Shrewsbury , Lord Ingestre , and the Americans . — Bro . Crossley proposed the health of the Earl of Shrewsbury , to which his Lordship replied . —An American brother then gave " The Countess of Shrewsbury , " which was acknowledged by Lord Ingestre . One of the American "Legation" then sang " The Star Spangled Banner , " with the

following additional verse , composed by Bro . Walter Montgomery , specially referring to that day's proceedings : — "See our Eagle so free , and old England ' s brave Lion , Henceforth and for ever in amity blending , Since the treaty is scaled ' twixt the sire and the scion , With the blessing of heaven aye surely attending ; Then let Britain's sweet shamrock , leek , thistle , and

rose , Those time-honoured emblems , for ever repose With the star-spangled banner , oh ! long may it wave O ' er the home of tlie free and the land of the brave .

The Americans then demanded "God save the Queen , which was sung by Bro . Naylor , and heartily joined in . The Americans in giving cheers for the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury , responded to tbc cry of " Tiger , tiger , " made by one of the brethren . The party then returned to the hall and witnessed the presentation of prizes by Lady Shrewsbury .

WF . have pleasure in beingauthorised to announce that a marriage has been arranged between Bro . the Right lion , the Earl of Breadalbanc and Lady Alma-Imogen-Lconora-Carlotta Graham , youngest daughter of His Grace the Dukcof Montrose . Lady Alma was born in 1854 , and is therefore about 17

years of age . SMAU .-POX , FEVERS , AND SKIN DISEASES . — The predisposition to is prevented by Lamploiigh ' s l'yrc c Saline . Vitalising and invigorating , its cflects are remark - able in their cure atii prevention . Take it as directed . Sold by chemists ami the maker , II . Lamplough , 113 , Hulborn-liill . — [ Advt . ]