Grand Mark Lodge.

are tilled to-day with pictures and portraits of the leaders of the Degree . Facing the mantel hangs that valuable painting representing the reception of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as P . G . M . in 186 9 ; over the door a curious old painting depicting the martyrdom of St . Lawrence , which was unearthed in Malta in some old-world " bottega , " while on the northern wall is the " tracing board" of the Degree .

In the room where Bro . Matier has been waiting to receive us , are one or two curious old prints and a couple of Japanese kakemonos , a curious old escritoire of French origin , and a beautiful duplication of the mantel-piece which we have just been admiring . Upstairs we must not go , although we are told that the figure heads of till that is famous in Mark Masonry are there to be found hung in photographic form around the walls .

VKSTI 1 SULK OF THE GREAT HALL , WITH TR 0 PIIIKS .

United Grand Lodge Of England.

United Grand Lodge of England .

'T ^ HE March Communication of Grand Lodge was held on J Wednesday , March 6 th , and following the precedent of former meetings when a contest for the office of Grand Treasurer has taken place , it was called for two o ' clock in the afternoon . The MAY . Pro Grand Master

opened Grand Lodge , and he was supported by RAY . Bro . J . Balfour Cockburn , M . D ., Prov . Grand Master for Guernsey , as Deputy Grand Master , Lieut-General C . W . Randolph as Senior Grand Warden , and Major T . W . Woodall as Junior Grand Warden . The opening of Grand Lodge at this hour was solely for the purpose of enabling the brethren to

proceed tit once to the election of Grand Treasurer , and after the minutes of the meeting of December 5 th , so far as thev related to the election of Grand Treasurer , were read , Bro . Col . T . Davis Sewell , in a brief speech , proposed Bro . Captain John Barlow , this was seconded in an equall y

brief manner by Major H . R . Murdoch , R . A ., D . G . S . B . Alderman Alliston followed by proposing Bro . Horace Brooks Marshall , and Bro . George R . Langley seconded . The scrutineers were then appointed , and the brethren proceeded at once to deposit their voting cards for the candidate of their choice . From that hour to the close of

the poll at 6 . 15 , there was a continuous stream of bretliren passing through the rooms allotted for country and London members to sign the books and obtain their voting cards . At six o ' clock ( he Pro Grand Master again took the chair , which had during the afternoon been filled temporarily by

other Grand Officers , and the regular business of Grand Lodge was proceeded with . The full minutes were read and conlirmed , and Bro . J . Y . Yesey Fitzgerald , K . C ., in an able speech , proposed H . R . H . the Duke of Comiaught as Grand Master .

This was seconded by Bro . the Rev . Sir Borrodaile Savory , and the Pro Grand Master then declared H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn duly elected as Grand Master . Bro . Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., Acting Grand Director of Ceremonies , proclaimed him as Grand Master as follows : —

Be ' it known—That the Most High , Most Mighty , and Most Illustrious Prince , ARTHUR WILLIAM PATRICK ALBERT , Duke of Connaught and Strathearn , Duke of Saxon } - , Prince of Saxe Coburg Gotha , Earl of Sussex , Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter , Knight of

the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle , Great Master and Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath , Knight of the Most Illustrious Order of St . Patrick , Knight Grand Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India , Knight Grand Cross of

the Most Distinguished Order of St . Michael and St . George , Knight Grand Commander of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire , Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Yictorian Order , General in the Army , and a Member of His Majesty ' s Most Honourable Privy Council , is elected ( installed ) Grand

Master of the United Grand Lodge of Ancient and Free Accepted Masons of England , whom may the Great Architect of the Universe long preserve . The report of the Board of Benevolence , in which were recommendations for several grants of £ 50 and upwards , which required the confirmation of Grand Lodge , was , on

the motion of the President , Bro . J . H . Mathews , seconded by tfie Vice-President , Bro . D . D . Mercer , received and adopted . The report of the Board of General Purposes was taken as read , but , on the motion of the President that it be