Essex Freemasons At Warwick Castle.

Essex Freemasons at Warwick Castle .

IN response to a cordial invitation by the Earl and Countess of Warwick upwards of 400 brethren and their ladies , from the Province of Essex , foregathered at the historic castle on the 3 rd of August . A special train of first class carriages had been engaged , and after a splendid run from Paddington the party arrived at Warwick at 2 . 30 . The weather , which had been wet and stormy during the

THK GUESTS OP THK KARL AXD COUX'I'BSS .

morning , cleared , and the visitors enjoyed brilliant sunshine during the afternoon . By many who had a few days to spare the visit was turned to account in visiting scenes of

THK OlIAXI ) SKCHKTAHY . such historic interest as the ruins of Kenihvorth and the birthplace of Shakespeare , others were content with the attractions of the castle and grounds , and the generous

hospitality of their hosts . The Earl and Countess of Warwick received their guests in the courtyard inside the ancient gateway , and luncheon was served in the Shire Hall , near the castle , the Earl of Wanvick presiding , having on his immediate left the Countess of WatAvick and the Countess of Rosslyn , and on his right Bro . R . CIOAVCS and Lady Alarjorie Greville .

The speeches after luncheon were commendably brief , for , as the Earl remarked , the visitors would naturall y desire to spend all the time at their disposal inspecting the castle and the grounds— " his old historic home of Avhich he Avas so proud . " He added : " We Masons are no politicians , but

Ave are loyal , and Ave all know what a source of strength to our Order His Majesty was during the time he ruled over us It is needless for me to assure the Ladies here that Ave are loyal subjects , for they all know we are—and they are , tooand , therefore , I will ask them with till humility to join us in

drinking 'The Health of the King . ' " The toast Avas drunk upstanding with loyal enthusiasm ; and then Bro . R . Clowes said : " When I look round this room * if I did not knoAv Ave were receiving the kind hospitality of

the Earl of Warwick , I should have imagined that Ave were in Essex , because the ( lower of the county is present . I do not know whether , when the Earl kindly asked us here ( o-dav , he thought so manyAvoukl possibl y come ; but I am perfectly sure that he is very delighted to find that the call of duly has

been responded to in such numbers . There is no doubt that Essex has a great privilege in having as its P . G . AI . ^ un - distinguished host . It was also very kind of his Countess to allow the Masons of Essex to come to Warwick , but her ladyship has the interests of Masonry at heart . "

Bro . the Earl of Warwick , in responding to the toast , which was enthusiastically drunk with musical honours , said : " It has been a long-looked-for pleasure on the part of the Countess of Warwick and on mine to receive the Essex brethren with their wives and lad y friends here . We have in Warwick some interesting old places , just as Ave have in