Grand Installation Festival, Windsor.

four years as he had , were quite aware how much good he had done , and how much'the Craft had been benefited by his acceptance of the oflice of G . Sec . ( Cheers . ) When the G . M . did him the honour of appointing him P . G . M ., he felt that nothing would afford him greater pleasure than to be installed by

Bro . Hervey , as he knew he would instal him with his heart . He sincerely hoped Bro . Hervey would long be spared to fulfil tbe duties of tbe important office he now held . ( Cheers . ) He know they would all join him in giving Bro . Hervey a hearty welcome into this Province , and in wishing

him long life and happiness . ( Cheers . ) Bro . HIJ-RVE * expressed the great gratification he had experienced in coming down to instal his much esteemed friend . Sir Daniel , and his readiness to perform any duty the Province mig ht require of him , if he could thereby advance the interests of Masonry .

( Cheers . ) He trusted it would not be long before he should again have the pleasure and happiness of coming among them . ( Cheers . ) The G . M . suitably proposed " The health of Bro . Mercer , the P . G . M . of China , " who briefly replied , and congratulated the Province of Berks and Bucks

upon the appointment of Sir D . Gooch to rule over them . ( Cheers . ) The G . M . said he would now g ive what he considered to be the toast of the evening , " The Masonic Charities . " ( Cheers . ) He kuew nothing in Masonry that was apart from their charities . It was quite true

that ou these festive occasions they enjoyed themselves , and rightly so , but sitting , as fchej'did , around the comforts of life , they must not forget there were hundreds of brethren who , he would not say were starving , but who had little power of reckoning where they would get their next dinner . ( Hear , hear . ) If they made a contract that tor every shilling

they spent in bauquets they should devoteashillingin charity , he was quite sure the fundsof their charitable institutions would be vastly augmented . ( Hear , hear . ) He hoped the lodges iu the Province would show their appreciation ofthe charitableii'stilutioiis by regularly sending up stewards to support them . Bro . Harvey had told them it had been proposed to him to take the chair of the Festival ofthe Benevolent

Institution in January next , which he should regard as a great honour , but knowing his incompetency to fill that position , he hoped the brethren of Berks aud Bucks and Wilts , would make amends by the way in which they would support him . He would associate with the toast the name of Bro . Smith ,

who , he knew , took a great interest in tho Charities . ( Cheers . ) Bro . W . SMITH felt honoured in being called upon to respond to the most noble of all the Masonic toasts , " The Masonic Charities ; " but he was sorry they had not the company of the ' representative of

the Boys' School , Bro . Binckes , the result of whose appeal for funds brought in during a short time tho handsome sum of . £ 15 , 000 . ( Cheers ) In alluding to the officers of the Grand Lodge , Bro . Smith said the members of the Privy Council had shown their tact and good judgment in selecting Earl de Grey

and Ripon as their President ; and , adverting to the Province of Berks aud Bucks , assured the brethren it afforded him sincere pleasure to know that the G . M . bad appointed a most worthy Brother to rule over them , and one in whom thoy had full confidence . ( Cheers . ) He hoped that the financial result of the festival at which Sir Daniel would

preside would be eminently satisfactory , and that the brethren of this province would support their Grand Master in a way that would encourage him , on the occasion alluded to . ( Cheers . ) The G . M ., in complimentary terms , proposed the health of the G . K ., Bro . VKIIMW J . . Mclntyre , late acting P . G . M . of Berks and Bucks , a toast which met a most cordial reception .

'lhe G . M . next gave "The health of the Ri ght Worshipful the P . ti . M . of Wilts , Brother the Lord ¦ Methuen ; the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Wittey ; and the P . G . Ollicers , past and present . " ( Cheers . ) lie felt with regard to this toast a stronger enthusiasm than the brethren around him could feel , as he

served as D . P . G . M . during the whole 17 or 18 years that Lord Methuen had filled the office of P . G . M ., and he bad received from that nobleman the greatest support , and from the brethren of Wilts generally everything he could have wished . He was pleased to see present several Masons from that province ,

whose faces were as familiar to him as those of his own children . He did not leave that province without very great regret , for it was hard , after 17 years' pleasant association with the brethren , to feel that tlie link was cut , because he had always received so much kindness and good feeling from all the brethren . He was pleased that the office he held so lona- in Wilts had been transferred to a

brother ' worthy to fill il . ( Cheers . ) It was his privilege to initiile Bro . Witte } -, ami perform several other ceremonies , and the last thing he did was to advise ( he ( I . M . to appoint Bro . Wittey in his ( Sir Daniel ' s ) place . ( Cheers . ) lie did not think he had done anything of so much value to the Province of Wilts as he had by making that recommendation .

Grand Installation Festival, Windsor.

( Cheers . ) He was quite sure thej * would give their Wiltshire brethren a good reception , and drink success to that province , coupled with the name of Bro . Wittey . ( Cheers . ) . . * . ; Bro . WITTEY , iu returning thanks , said he was indeed , g lad that the brethren had assembled' in such numbers to do honour to their new Grand

Master , who , he felt quite satisfied , was " . the right man in the rig ht , place . " ( Cheers . ) He trusted that in both the provinces strenuous efforts * would be made in the cause of charity , aiid that they would ever show a readiness to help their indigent brethreu , placing them free from want and on the road to prosperity . ( Cheers . ) He thanked them for the

honour they had done to the Masons of Wilts , and in their name offered Sir Daniel most hearty congratulations on the occasion of his installation as G . M . of Berks and Bucks . ( Cheers . ) "The health of the Visitors' - was proposed and

responded to by Bros . BOURNE aud STERNE , one of whom said he had been a captive in America , and would have been murdered had he not given the sign of distress , whicb was fortunately recognised by his captor , a Mason , who spared his life ; while the other observed that he had travelled iu India

aud other parts of the world , aud bad often experienced the great advantages of Masonry . The speeches of both gentlemen were well received . The G . M . spoke of the admirable manner in which the P . G . Treasurer ( Bro . Holden ) and the P . G . Sec . ( Bro . Gibbons ) had discharged their duties , and then proposed their healths .

Bro . HOLDEN suitably responded . Bro . BIGGS , the newly-appointed P . G . Sec , followed , and , alluding to the festival at which Sir Daniel is to preside iu January next , expressed his hope that the brethren of the province would rally round him ou that interesting occasion , and show their determination to support him in his efforts to

promote the welfare of the noble charity . He trusted that stewards would go up from this province , and also from Wilts , with lists that would , from every point of view , be regarded as satisfactory . ( Cheers . ) The G . M . expressed the thanks of the province to the "Etonian" and "Castle" Lodges for the

very hearty reception they had accorded to the Prov . Grand Lodge , and for the excellent arrangements which had been made . ( Cheers . ) He felt much pleasure in asking the brethren to drink the health of the W . M . ' s of the two lodges . ( Cheers . ) Bro . HIDEOUT ( W . M . of the " ICtoniau " ) and

Bro . TOLLEY ( W . M . ofthe "Castle" Lodge ) severally responded . * The Tyler's toast was then given , and this pleasant aud successful assemblage ot Masons broke up . . We should mention that the P . G . M . wore the splendid regalia presented to him a short time ago by the Province of Wilts .

IRISH * LIFEBOATS . —Captain David Robertson , R . N ., the Assistant Inspector of Lifeboats to the National Lifeboat Institution , has during the past two months been engaged in inspecting the 28 lifeboats ofthe society on the Irish coast . Without a single exception , he found the boats in admirable

order , the crews expressing the utmost confidence in them , and the local committees manifostingovei-ywhero considerable zeal in the management of the lifeboat stations . It may be stated that tlio Institution lias expended upwards of £ 15 , 000 on theso 28 lifeboat establishments , and that tho support of the

Irish boats involves an annual expenditure of about £ 1 , 400 , which is partly met by the pareii ' , society in London , and partly by local subscriptions . Tim PHILHARMONIC MUSIC HALL , Islington , was opened on Whit-Monday , under the solo uiiiiiiigcment of Bro . Samuel Adams . The entire building

has been decorated in a very elegant manner , and may now be considered one of the handsomest Halls in Loudon . Brother W . Saunders , the wjll-kuown builder and decorator , of Guildford-street , Russellsquare , had been entrusted with the work , mid it reflects great credit for the ablo manner he has

carried it out . The entertainment embraces first-class talent , tho programme including the names of Misa Louise Sherrington , Miss Fitzhenry , the Sisters Collins , & c , and Messrs . Arthur Lloyd , St . Albyu , Professor Thomas , & e ., & c , together with an excellent band . In the course of the evenin

Adams was called for . On making his appearance , he was quite overcome at his enthusiastic reception , lie staled that when he had the pleasure of addressing them on a former occasion he thought it for tlie last time in that Hall ; but he had to thank maiiy kind friends ( and many were present ) for

their influence and assistance , by which he was reinstated in the proud position of lessee and manager ; and while he held that position it would be his study to do everything in his power to render the Hall attractive , and promote tho eomfi rt of its visitors . Bro . Adams , at the conclusion of his speech , met with a perfect ovation .

Showing A Freemason's Sign.

SHOWING A FREEMASON'S SIGN .

( To tlie Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR , —Your account of how the Mason's word was divulged reminds me of a similar circumstance in relation to . the sign . In the good town of R .,. in Berkshire , dwell many Quakers , and among them not a few Masons . Mr . —

we will call him Jones—also dwelt there . He was a very inquisitive man , and always wanted to : know everything . One day lie was sitting in the coffee-room of a hotel kept by one of the Craft , and a good many others with him . The conversation turned on FreeJmusonry , and Air . Jones pricked up his ears amazingly in hopes of hearing something ; however , he was very

naturally disappointed , the remarks bomg so vague and general as rather to mislead than enlighten . There happened to be present a worthy Friend who belonged to the Craft , and who was anxious that Mr . Jones should at least not go unrewarded for his inquiries . Presently he turned to the inquisitive gentleman and said ,

"Friend , dost thou really desire to sec a Freemason ' s sign ?" " Indeed I do—very much , " was the reply . " Art thou sure thou canst be secret ?" " Of course ! I promise that 1 " " And if I show thee the sign of a Freemason , wHt thou honestly state to the brethren here present that thou hast seen it *?"

" Yes ; sure . " " And thou wilt pay for a bottle of port if I show it thee ?" " Certainly I will . " " But if thou sayest thou art not satisfied , I will pay for a bottle of the same . " " Well , that is only fair . " " The sign must be shown thee in secret ; therefore

come with me into a private room . " Mr . Jones accompanied Bro . Broadcloth , full of trembling anticipation . Arrived upstairs , the Quaker locked thc door , and put paper in the keyhole ; he then went carefully all round the room tapping tho walls to sound if any person could hear . Mr . Jones trembled ,

but stood his ground . Having most leisurely made his arrangements , the Quaker Brother took Mr . Jones roughly by the nock and led him to the window . Then he whispered , " Look forth , and tell me what thou seeth . " " I see the front of the house , " said Jones . " Dost thou not see the name of the house on the

pole ?" " Yes , " replied Jones . " And is not the sign of the house on it ?" " Yes ; tho Crimson Hippopotamus , " said Jones . " And is not the landlord of the house a Free mason ?" " Yes , I know he is , " said Jones again . "And is not that his sign ? " pursued the Quaker .

" Of course it is . " " Then , Friend , have I not \ erformed my promise , and shown thee a Freemason ' s sign V " Jones saw ho was in for it , begged the Quaker to be silent , declared himself satisfied , and paid for the wino ; But the story somehow got wind , and so , Mr . Kditor , perhaps you will print it , in ease an incorrect version should appear . Yours , CKYPTONYMUS .

Peace, Love, Harmony, Fidelity.

PEACE , LOVE , HARMONY , FIDELITY .

( An appropriate Sony on closing Lodyt . ) BY BRO . W . II . SANDHAM , CORK . An * . — " God Save the Queen . " In peace , lovo , harmony , Brethren , we now agree ,

«• 1 his lodge should close . While absent ail of ye , Good men and Masons be , View faults forgivingly , Ease each one ' s woes .

i idelity ' s the word , Like mighty two-edged sword—Fidelity ! That man whose heart it rules , May be despised by fools , But him for Heaven schools

Fidelity . If here on Egypt's shore , This lodgo should meet no moro In converse sweet , May all who saw the light—That blaze on Horeb's height!—Good Masons , kind , upright , Iu Canaan meet .

Bno . ELSTEN , who was killed on the North-East--ern Railway at Thirsk on Sunday week while riding in the Scotch express , was a member of tho Glasgow Kilwinning Lodgo , No . 4 , and onco S . W . of it . He was much respected by all who kuew him . The coroner ' s inquest closed on Tuesday , when the jury found that the accident was caused by the negligence of the pointsman ; but that the negligence was not suflicieutly culpable to amount to manslaughter .