Grand Installation Festival, Windsor.

GRAND INSTALLATION FESTIVAL , WINDSOR .

[ F ROM OUH SPECIAL R EPORTER . ] We have pleasure in THE F REEMASON to-day of publishing a report of a Masonic gathering , in the Royal borough of Windsor , of no ordinary interest

and importance , the chief object of the same being the installation of one of the most beloved and accomplished Masons in this kingdom as Grand Master of the Province of Berks and Bucks , which office had not been filled since the retirement of the

late Most Noble the Marquis of Downshire , the duties having been temporarily , and we may add efficiently , discharged by the Grand Registrar , Bro . . [ Eneas J . Mclntyre . Immediately it became known that Brother Sir DANIEL GOOCH , Bart ., M . P ., of Clewer Park

Windsor , who for about seventeen years so zealously promoted the interests of the Order in Wiltshire as D . P . G . M . of that province , had been appointed G . M . of Berks and Bucks , great satisfaction was felt by the brethren of the two counties , and Sir Daniel met a most cordial reception at each of the

lodges in his new province , which he recently visited . The popularity of Sir Daniel was shown on Friday , the 21 st , when some 120 members of the Craft , including several distinguished officers , assembled at Windsor on the occasion of bis installation ; and there can be no doubt whatever that the worthy

Baronet ' s rule will be attended with results gratifying not only to the Province of Berks and Bucks , but also to the great and influential body of Masons in this kingdom . The Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the National Schoolroom , Windsor , the use of which

had been kindly granted by the Vicar , neither the " Etonian " or " Castle " Lodges being sufficiently spacious to accommodate the brethren who assembled to do honour to the worthy Baronet . The lodge was opened soon after one o ' clock by Brother Hervey , the Grand Secretary , ancl having been

raised from the first to the third degree , the Grand Secretary stated the chief object for which the lodge had been summoned . A deputation having retired to an anteroom , and returned to the lodge in procession , escorting Sir Daniel , who was received with much enthusiasm , the installation ceremony

proceeded , being admirably performed by the Grand Secretary , who , with several other Grand and Provincial Officers , heartily congratulated Sir Daniel upon his accession to the high office . The GRAND MASTER said it afforded him sincere pleasure to appoint the Rev . Sir John Hayes , Bart .,

Past Grand Chaplain of England , Deputy Grand Master of the Province ; and Sir John was invested amidst general applause . The appointment and investment of the Provincial Grand Officers was then continued as follows : — S . W ., Bro . Geo . Botly , 414 ; J . W ., R . H . Gibbous ,

209 ; Chaplain , R . Simpson , 771 ; Treasurer , Holden , 771 ; Registrar , AV . H . Cave , 574 ; Secretary , W . Biggs , 1101 ; S . D ., J . T . Morland , 745 ; J . D ., J . S . Pullen , 209 ; Supt . of Wcrks , It . C . Hurley , 1101 ; Director of Ceremonies , A . Lloyd Taylor , 591 ; Assist , ditto , Strange , 209 ; Sword Bearer , Blowers ,

414 ; Organist , I . Marriott , 209 ; Pursuivant , 1 . Bradley , 414 ; Grand Stewards : Brown , 1101 ; J . T . Stransom , 1101 ; P . Spokes , 414 ; Geo . Boyer , 674 ; John Cross , 209 ; and Croydon , 770 . Bro . J . T . Morland , P . M . of the » Abbey " Lodge , Abingdon , having served as steward to both

the Charities , was presented with the jewel to which he had thus become entitled , and which , as the G . M . observed , he had well earned . _ The GRAND MASTER , in a feeling speech , expressed his sense of the honour that had beeu conferred upon him , and thanked the brethren for their

attendance . He was fully determined to do his duty to the Craft so far as was in his power , and he hoped that the province would hereafter occupy a still higher position than that which it now held among the provinces of this land . The G . M . subsequently spoke in favour of a more systematic plan

being adopted for assisting the Masonic chanties , for which purpose proper steps will be taken . ' The P . G . Treasurer reported that the balance iu hand amounted to £ 139 14 s . The bye-law requiring fees from P . G . Stewards was rescinded . A vote of thanks to the Vicar for the use of the

schoolroom -was cordially adopted , and the lodge voted five guineas towards the funds being raised to restore the parish church . The thanks of the lodge were also accorded to tho Mayor for the use of the Town Hall for the banquet . At about three o ' clock the lodgo was closed in due form .

Tho brethren who attended were—the K . W . the Prov . Grand Master , Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., M . P . ; the V . W . thc D . P . G . M ., tho Rev . Sir J . W . Hayes , Bart .: the V . W . the D . P . G . M ., S . Wittey , Wilts ; the

Grand Installation Festival, Windsor.

V . W . the D P . G . M ., K . J . Spiers , Oxford ; the R . W . the Past P . G . M ., A . W . Adair , Somerset ; the R . W . P . D . G . M ., W . T . Mercer , China ; John Hervey , Grand Sec . of England ; W . Smith , C . E ., P . G . St . ; C . W . Wyndham , P . P . G . Registrar , Wilts ; E . A . Moore , Grand Registrar , Wilts ; R . C . Hurley , W . M ., " Greyfriars , " Reading ; J . T .

Morland , P . M ., * ' Abbey , " Abingdon ; C . C . Ridout , W . M ., 209 ; Blandy-Jenkins , W . M . ; Blowers , W . M ., 414 ; J . S . Tolley , W . M . ; Col . Kichardson-Gardner , 771 ; J . Toomer , P . P . G . S . D ., Wilts ; W . Biggs , P . P . S . G . W ., Wilts ; and a number of past and present Grand Officers and other brethren , numbering rather more than 100 , and including

Bros . Holden , Beale , W . H . Cave , Gibbons , Turner , Hodges , Whyley , llitchins , Boyes , Wigginton , Powell , Layton , Martin , Pullen , Fuller , Dempster , Case , Stacey , Pennicott , Briggs , Palmer , G . Boyer , Claydon , Geo . J . Cosburn , J . Smith , Shepherd , T . Chandler , Stransom , Botly , Lovegrove , Bradley ,

Smith , Reid , J . T . Brown , J . W . Hounslow , Eapsou , D'Almaine , E . Morland , J . T . Morland , J . Cave , Tilley , Scott , Saunders , Cair , Fountain , Farrer , Ford , J . Wheeler , Pitt , Driffield , Wale , J . A . Scott , Rogers , Bulley , Moxhay , Weedon , Jameson , Taylor , Portsmouth , Whitehouse , C . J . Cave , Scriven , Desborough , Gray , Maskell , & c .

THE BANQUET was served at four o ' clock in the Town Hall , by Mr . Johnson , of the White Hart Hotel , whose catering afforded thorough satisfaction . The bill of fare was as follows * . —

Soups . Slock Turtle . Ox Tail . Priutaimiier . Fish . Salmon Turbot . Stewed Eels . Soles . Fried Eels . Entrees . Cotelletes du Mouton au Tomato .

Croquettes de Volatile a la Toulouse . lielcves . Itoast Fowls . Tongues . Boiled Fowls . Quarter Lamb . Sirloin Beef . Saddle Jlutton .

Entremets . Cabinet Pudding . Sir Watkins Pudding . Gelee * au Vin . Patisserie . Geleo * a la JIacedoine . Creams . Fruit Tarts . Blanc Mange . Dessert .

The Banquet was not only a success as regard the catering , but also on account of the numerous company , every seat being occupied , and the whole arrangements reflected credit on the Stewards . The G . Master presided and was supported by the principal officers . The vocalists were Bros . Marriott

ancl Briggs ( St . George ' s Chapel , Windsor ) , Bro . Whitehouse ( Westminster Abbey ) , Bro . Kerr Gedge ( St . Paul ' s ) , whose efficient services were highly appreciated . By the kind permission of Col . Duncan Baillie , the splendid baud ofthe Royal Horse Guards ( Blue ) performed a choice selection of music during the

banquet , Mr . Charles Godfrey conducting . In proposing the first toast , that of " The Queen and the Craft , " the G . Master said he felt quite sure that meeting as they did in the Royal Borough of Windsor , and under the walls of the magnificent Palace of the Queen , they would drink this toast

with special pleasure , although as Masons they were ever true to Her Majesty . ( Cheers . ) The G . M . said the next toast he had the pleasure of asking them to drink was " The health of the M . AV . G . M ., the Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland . " ( Cheers . ) If he talked for half an hour , which he had

not time to do —( laughter )—he could not say more than tell the fact that the G . M . had been installed on no less than 20 occasions . ( Cheers . ) After such a display of affection on the part of the Craft ¦ he should only weaken the toast if he added any words of his own . ( Cheers . )

The G . M . then proposed "The health ofthe Right Hon . the Earl De Grey and Ripon , D . G . M ., and the rest ofthe Grand Officers , past and present , " coupling with it the name of Bro . Simpson , G . Ch . of England . ( Cheers . ) Bro . the Rev . R . J . SIMPSON , might say

unaffectedly that he felt great diffidence in returning thanks iu the presence ofthe oldest Past G . Chaplain , Bro . Sir John Hayec , and of the G . Sec ., Bro . Hervey , who had on this occasion so distinguished himself as Installing Master . Nevertheless he felt pleased to return sincere thanks on behalf of the Grand

Officers . He thought that Grand Lodge was as well furnished iu respect of its Graud Oflicers as it had been for many years past . ( Hear , hear . ) Earl Percy and Lord Leigh , who were both good Masons , had desired him to say they were sorry they could not bo present to do themselves the honour of supporting the now Grand Master in tho chair , but they

hoped to be able on an early occasion to pay a visit to the Masons of this Province . ( Cheers . ) He did not consider long speeches desirable , but he would remark that the Grand Lodge was congenial in its character with our own constitution , for thoy had , so to speak , their Lords and Commons . They had in Grand Lodge not only some of the first men of the day ( among them being the President of the

Grand Installation Festival, Windsor.

Privy Council ) , but also some ofthe best and truest Masons who had been promoted to office in Grand Lodge . The more thoroughly the various Lodges in the country were worked , the more would the cream come to the top , and the more would Grand Lodge be fitted with worth and happiness . Bro . HERVEY , the Grand Secretary , then rose and

said he had no doubt the brethren would readily guess the purpose to which he should'devote the permission of the G . M . to give the next toast . He had that day enjoyed the distinguished honour of placing their Right Worshipful Bro ., Sir Daniel Gooch , in the chair ofthe province , and he could assure them

it had afforded him unfeigned pleasure to have that privilege . ( Cheers . ) He had had the honour of enjoying the intimate friendship of their Grand Master for the past 20 years , and when Sir Daniel asked him to instal him in the chair , they could readily understand that he most cordially , most

willingly , and most gratefully consented . ( Cheers . ) They had now a Brother to preside over them whom they would all admit to be the right man in the right place . ( Loud cheers . ) Sir Daniel had everything to recommend him which could constitute a good Provincial Grand Master . ( Hear ,

hear . ) He was a good father , —( hear , hear )—a good friend , and a good Mason . ( Cheers . ) What could he say more for Sir Daniel ? He could take every office in the Lodge , from that of I . G . up to the position he now occupied . ( Cheers . ) In every office Sir Daniel knew his duty well , and therefore

m every way he was thoroughly fitted to preside over them . ( Cheers . ) Independently of that , he had served the Stewardship of every charity , and had been a liberal contributor to their funds , and he ( Bro . Hervey ) Was giad to announce that at the annual festival of the Masonic Benevolent

Institution to be held next January , Sir Daniel would preside , and he trusted that the Lodges of the Province would liberally support him on the occasion , aud show they appreciated and honoured the efforts he made for the good of Masonry . ( Hear , hear . ) He would nottrespasson their attention further , because

they kuew their man . They knew his virtues , aud nothing he could say could add to the respect which he was sure the brethren entertained towards him ; but he mi ght remark that in a few short years they would all know by experience what a treasure of a Provincial Grand Master they had . ( Cheers . ) He

felt confident the brethren would join with him in driuking the Grand Master's health , not only with good feeling , not only with pleasure , but also with enthusiasm . He asked them to rise and pay Sir Daniel that mark of respect which he was so well entitled to receive at their hands . ( Loud cheers . )

The G . M . said he felt deeply sensible of the very kind manner in which his health had beeu proposed and drank . He regarded this large meeting as a great compliment to himself , brethren haying come from distant places iu his own Province , as well as from others , to honour the installation ceremony .

He trusted that in future years , when thoy would be able to look back on what he had done rather than anticipate what he promised , they would not regret the step they had taken this day . He could only assure them that his best efforts should be exerted for the good of Masonry in the Province ,

and he relied upon the assistance of the brethren generally in advancing the interests of the Order . He thanked them heartily for their kind reception , and would now ask them to drink health and long life to one who had been longer known to them than ho had himself . They had in their D . G . M

one to whom he felt a great personal obligation , and he was sure he need not detain the brethren by dilating on the many excellent qualities of Sir John Hayes . ( Cheers . ) Ho felt sure they would all show how highly they esteemed their D . G . M . ( Cheers . ) He cave them " The health of the V . W .

the D . G . M . and the P . G . oflicers . " ( Cheers . ) Bro . the Rev . Sir JOHN HAYES , in the name of the P . G . oflicers and himself , offered his sincere thanks for the honour they had done them . He trusted that all the officers who had been invested that day , would consider the appointment not only

as reward for past services , but also as an encouragement to disseminate the good principles of Masonry throughout the towns and places in the province . ( Cheers . ) He felt very happy in serving under Sir Daniel , who came to thom with such strong Masonic feeling , and with the full

approbation of the brethren . The brethren from Wiltshire bore testimony to the excellence of Sir Daniel ' s character , and the Berks aud Bucks Masons might well congratulate themselves on possessing such a ruler . ( Cheers . ) He believed the Lodges in this Province were prospering , and in great harmony with each other . In conclusion , he hoped the brethren of the

different Lodges would give the oflicers their hearty support . ( Cheers . ) The G . M . said it now gavo him great pleasure to propose '' The health of Bro . Hervey , the G . Sec , " with whom he had been acquainted for—it was almost unpleasant at bis time of life to say how long . ( Laughter . ) He was sure that tho-w who had known Bro . Hervey for twenty-three or twenty-