Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Highness tho Prince of Wales and the rest of the Eoyal Family . " Tho M . W . S . said he approached the next toast with great delight , ? as it was the toast of the evening , their M . P . Sov . G . Com ., Dr . Leeson . It was a great distinction to have such a visitor present ; but he , Bro . Stebbing , hardly knew on which they were mostly to congratulate themselves—the high position he held or his extensive learning . They looked up to hun as their monarch , but they equally respected him for his

great erudition . Ho had also another claim upon their gratitude . Dr . Leeson took personal interest and part in the launching of the Eoyal Naval Chapter , and , as Christian men ancl Masons , they must all rejoice at its prosperity , and congratulate themselves that , under the M . P . Sov . G . Coin ' s , rule , they could enjoy all the blessings of such a hope . AVhen the earthly head of then- order approved of their endeavours and assisted them personallyit made them think of hiher and holier thingsand

, g , if they were but true to the faith that degree taught them , then they would , indeed , he . happy . But leaving such thoughts , he reverted again to the presence of their learned chief , who was ever first to practise the inspirations inculcated in that degree—to do good , love the brotherhood , fear God , ancl honour the king . With all duo respect and admiration , he called upon them to drink " The health of their M . F . Sov . G . Com ., Dr . Leeson . "

Dr . LEESON , M . P . Sov . G . Com ., who , on rising , was met with enthusiastic applause , said he felt some embarassmenfc hi returning thanks on that as well as similar occasions , hut it was a very sweet reward for labours undertaken

for the benefit of the Order . He was glad to find they were not ashamed to confess those solemn truths on ivhich the degree was founded , whicli must result in making them nobler and better men . His object in cultivating Masonry was to see it useful and benefit mankind . In this spirit he went , himself , to France to see how that great object could be carried out . There he was met with such a hearty good feeling- that he ivas compelled to state that it was not what he had expected—for so

warm , so encouraging was his reception , from the best of motives , and so ardent were the Supreme Grand Council there , that they strongly urged him to exert all the power he possessed to preserve peace between the two countries , and they promised never to forget the ties of brotherly love and affection ivhich bound them to those of the English Supreme Grancl Council , ancl rendered it their strongest wish to see both countries united for the well-being of mankind . The unfortunate discord that had

broken out in America , seemed even to invade Masonry , The hitter hostilities of North and South had penetrated into several Supreme Councils , and that of England had been appealed to , to recognise some to the exclusion of others ; hut it was their desire to see civil and religious liberty diffused over the whole earth . It was many years since he first presided in that chapter when they had had many of talent and character as their

M . AV . S . s , and by none ivas that office more honorably or efficiently discharged than by his worthy Bro . Stebbing , now , for the second year their MW . S . ( Hear , hear . ) He would conclude by wishing health and prosperity to the Eoyal Naval Chapter , and Sir Lucius Curtis .

Sh - Lucius CURTIS returned thanks for the very kind reception he had met with . He was but an humble individual there , yet he could not but feel the compliment paid to him as Prov . G . M . of Hants . For years he had been absent , hut he had been so heartily welcomed that it would induce him to attend often . To say that he did not feel flattered by the distinction , would be untrue , ancl he felt the kind proposition ancl reception of the toastwhich be believed he owed to his being Prov . G . M .

, , and their invariable kindness , for during the twenty-four years he had held that office , the province bad never given him the slightest pain . Wishing the M . P . Sov . G . Commander many years of a happy life , cheered by the love of all in the Order—( Hear , hear . )—the worthy baronet resumed his seat . Bro . STEBBING , M . W . S ., had great satisfaction in proposing the " Health of Lieut . Colonel Clerk , ancl the Supreme Grand

Council . " How much they all owed to tho Supreme Grand Council 1 They , the brethren of the 18 ° , wanted some knowled ge of Masonic history , for all that was clear upon the point was , that the Craft could not aspire to an earlier date than 1717 , before which he believed it to be a mere guild of workmen , ancl since which , having lost that character , no great building had been erected b y Freemasons , and ceasing to' be practical , they became speculative Masons . Craft Masonry could not robe itself in the garments of antiquity and say , "I am the old man ot the desert , " nor would it entitle them to boast of an old

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

institution . In that degree he was happy to he connected with learning and research , and the Supreme Grancl Council were the fosterers of those acquirements . The M . W . Bro . Col . Clerk , Soy . G . I . G . had "a hand open as day to melting charity , " ancl the Supreme G . Council with learning at its head ancl charity at its heart , was deserving of their utmost respect . He then gave " The Health of the Supreme Grand Council ancl Colonel Clerk . "

Colonel GLEBE :, 33 ° , who was received with great applause , wished some other members of the Supreme Council had heen present , but as ifc fell to his lot to walk in the steps of their most excellent guide , their M . P . Sov . G . M ., he could only follow him , and all the Council were glad to do so on every occasion , for he was entitled to , and always received , their utmost respect . For himself he was delighted to see their working in such capital order , their chapter in such prosperity . For their hospitality and his reception he begged to return his thanks .

The M . AV . S ., Bro . STEBBING , said the 32 ° was most admirably represented there . Th Sec . Gen . of the Order , Bro . Hyde Pullen , was always amongst them , and known to them as a worthy neighbour , a distinguished Mason , and an honest man . He gave the toast of "The 32 ° and Bro . Hyde Pullen . " Bro . HIDE P 0 ELEN , 32 ° , was exceedingly grateful for the mention of his name . It gave him great pleasure to be so much associated wifch the province . He had the honour to install the

first M . AV . S . of that chapter , since ivhich time its progress had been regular ancl improving . He hoped they , as weU as all in the Order , would never mind troubling him with any communication between chapters or individuals aud the Supreme Grand Council , who , he knew would always be ready to do all in their power to make all happy . He was pleased to visit the chapter on that occasion , and assured them it should not be the last . Dr . LEESON was delighted to see the working of the M . W . S .

and his officers . Ifc was always conducive to success when everyone tried to do his best for the eclat of the chapter . In asking them to drink the health of Bro . Stebbing , their M . AV . S ., it was not needful to say anything in his praise , for all felt his worth ancl knew his talents . ' He felt desirous alse to express to Bro . Bradley , their P . M . AV . S ., his approbation of the zeal which

he always displayed . Their M . W . S . was about to promote the inauguration of another Eose Croix Chapter at Southampton , ancl he felt sure that it would he one in union ancl sentiment with the Eoyal Naval Chapter . AVhen such brefchi-en as Bro . Stebbing applied to the Supreme Grand Council for warrants , they could not refuse ifc if they wished . Dr . Leeson gave the "Health of the M . AV . S ., " who was all that could be desired . Bro . STEBBINGM . AV . S . returned his grateful and heartfelt

, , thanks , for the toast , which had been so eloquently ancl warmly given ancl received . Though about to inaugurate a new chapter in Southampton , he should never detach himself from the Royal Naval Chapter . He was to drive the coach , ancl Bro . Lang-ley flnd the money . He hoped it might rival that chapter , in works , good feelings , ancl brotherly love . " From small beginnings mighty rivers flow , " and he was sure there ivould he a mighty

river of love into the two chapters would flow . He also sfcronglydesirecl to seea charitable fund established in connection with High Grade Masonry ; for if they were not charitable they were nothing , and although he hopes that few , if any , in connection with them would ever require it , they were bound to evince that their Christianity was founded upon the three cardinal virtues of Faith , Hope , and Charity . He then returned thanks for the honour that had been done him in the toast .

The M . AV . S , had great pleasure in seeing amongst them Major Blankley , ancl would couple his name with the toast of the British Army , for which Major Blankley returned thanks . The M . AV . S . proposed "The Health of Bro . Brrdley , P . M . W . S ., " paying a very high tribute of praise to his zealous cooperation for thirty years . Bro . Bradley briefly acknowledged the toast . The M . P . Sov . G . Coir , said the constant impression of new

and healthy blood was desirable . At all times it would reflect honour to the chapter if brethren of such position came there for reception ; he trusted that they would oo constant attendants , and , by their talents and opportunities be of service to the chapter , concluding hy proposing "The Health of the newly perfected Princes . Capt . SAUNDEES said he esteemed it a great privilege to be admitted into the Ancient ancl Accepted Rite , but he had been , wifch those who stood by him , more than usually honoured in having heen received hy the M . P . Sov . G . Commander in person .