Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
having his name brought forward . He meant Bro . Westly . ( Applause . ) He ( the chairman ) could not forget that it is to Bro . Westby , amongst others , that we owe , having amongst us the Masonic School of which we are so justly proud . ( Applause . ) Alderman HOYTE , Past Deputy G . M ., responded . He felt deeply the flattering manner in which the toast had been received , and assured his brethren that he would always be happy to occupy a position of office in the order of which he
was proud to be a member . Sir WILLIAM HORT , Bart ., in responding , said it had been bis honour to travel up the hill of Masonic life for 50 years , aud he believed there were few who could look back to so long ^ a period of Masonic career . He had had the honour of working with bis Grace , and it was gratifying to him to . look round to this party , who had met with the common object of paying a tribute of respect and gratitude to the man who had brought
the body to what it was . Fifty years ago , when he commenced his Masonic career , it was a small and , comparatively speaking , an insignificant body . By tho good tact , good feeling , and generosity of the illustrious Grand Master , they were all aware what the Craft bad been raised to , and it was gratifying to him , after 50 years' up-hill work , to be received in the way ho had been on this occasion . ( Applause ) . Bro . the Rev . HEXIIY WESTBYP . G . Chap . said he was taken
, , < mito by surprise , and was somewhat embarrassed at the honour that had been conferred upon him by coupling his name with the toast . No doubt he filled the office of Grand Chaplain for twelve years , and he did so to the best of his ability ; but he ¦ did not know that his name would be brought forward on this occasion . He was proud of the fact that he bad assisted in bringing forward the brightest gem of the Masonic body , the
Female Orphan School . ( Applause . ) . He was amply rewarded by the high position it held , and he hoped it would long continue to hold it . He had held every grade , from Entered Apprentice up to tho high position he now held ( 33 rd degree ) ,
and the more he knew of Masonry the more he would do to serve it . He was under a deep debt of gratitude to his Grace the Dufce , not only in this Order , but outside it , for his Grace had placed him not only high up in his position of Masonry , but also high up in his profession ; and he only hoped that God might spare him to discharge his duties with unsullied integrity . ( Applause . ) The CIIAIRJIA ^ then gave "The Provincial Grand Masters and tho Provincial Grand Officers" The advancement of
. Masonry through the provinces was one of the great principles of the institution ; and ho was glad to see near him a brother from the North , Bro . Tracy . ( Applause . ) He ( the Chairman ) embraced this opportunity of returning him his own thanks , and , he might add , the thanks of the Grand Lodge , for the manner in which he had fulfilled his duties in the provinces He had removed lately to near Dublinand had not been idle '
, for he had already originated the Alexandra Lodge at Bray , which promised to be one of the best in the community . He would couple his ( Bro . Tracy's ) name with the toast . ( Applause . ) Bro . TIIACY responded . He said Belfast could challenge comparison with any other of the provincial towns , not only for its adherence to the theories , but to the practical doctrines of Freemasonry . He could also say that the manner in which they performed their duty to Masons who had been cast amongst
them by misfortune had been creditable . A short time ago an American vessel was wrecked on the coast , and amongst those saved was a Mason , who came to Belfast . He addressed himself to a Mason , and give him that proof which Masons could easily give , that he was such . The brother went out , and in the space of half an hour brought back a full outfit for the sailor , and 40 sovereigns to take him home . ( Applause . ) That was
one of many instances he could give of the operations of Masonry in Belfast . He was very sorry that the Marquis of Donegal was not present to do honour to his Grace the Duke of Leinster , but the Marquis was absent from an unavoidable
« ause . The CnAimtA'S" then gave " The Committee of the Banquet . " The arrangements made by tho committee had given the most general aud complete satisfaction , and it would be ungrateful in him if he did not mention the names of those who had done much towards the success of the entertainment—Bros . Oldham , Quinn , and , though last not least , Bro . Manning , the Grand Dir . of Cers . ( Applause ) . Bro . the Hon . GEORG HANDCOCK responded . A duty of no ordinary difficulty had devolved upon the committee , and they had discharged that duty to tho best of their ability . It
Ireland.
would be quite sufficient thanks for their trouble and loss of time in getting up this entertainment to find the toast so warmly received . The CHAIRMAK - then gave the last toast— " The Ladies in the Gallery , with thanks for their attendance . " ( Applause . ) He did so with great embarrassment , for it w-as seldom their good fortune to be looked upon , as they were on this occasion , by so many fair faces . This Masonic banquet had been the first in
Ireland at which ladies had been allowed to bo _ present , and they now had au opportunity of seeing for themselves what Masonic festivals are , and what terrible people Masons were . ( Laughter . ) It would be vain to assure their fair visitors that to tell the great Masonic secret would be far more difficult than to keep it . ( Laughter . ) They would still think there was some frightful mystery concealed , which they were excluded from knowing by the popular prejudice that a woman
cannot keep a secret ; but he ( tne Chairman ) had known a lady to keep a secret right well . ( Laughter . ( To tell a man ' s own secret was folly ; to tell those of another was not only folly but treachery ; and he hoped that their fair friends , if they trusted any Mason , would find that he had learned the heart of holding his tongue . He said : —I have been just asked by a brother near me , how wo are to salute "The Ladies ? " I am sorry to say we have scarcely an established precedent . Yet I think I
know what would be the most acceptable way of saluting our fair guests , though I must not dare to tell it . ( Laughter . ) So I give you— " The Ladies , " with three times three . The toast was received with loud cheers . Mr . ARTHUR EUSIIE responded to the toast in a very humourous speech . His Grace the Duke left about 12 o'clock , and the company soon after separated .
The Week.
THE WEEK .
THE COUET . —Her . Majesty , accompanied by the Queen of Prussia and the Princess Helena , come to to town on Friday , and visited the South Kensington Museum , the Horticultural Gardens , and the Memorial Statute of the Prince Consort . The Queen , we are happy to say , appeared in excellent health . At the close of the visit the Royal party returned to Windsor . On Friday , the 2 Sth , the Guards gave a grand ball in honour of
the Prince and Princess of Wales , which maybe fairl y described as the most brilliant entertainment of this most brilliant season . Nothing could exceed the animation and splendour of the scene when the whole company were assembled in the ball-room to welcome the Prince and Princess of Wales on their arrival . On Monday their Royal Highnesses gave a ball at Buckingham
Palace . A telegram from Copenhagen announces the death of the hereditary Prince Frederick Ferdinand . Tho prince , who was uncle to the King of Denmark , and great uncle to the Princess of Denmark , and great undo to the Princess of Wales , died suddenly on Monday morning . He was in the 72 nd year
of his age . IMPERIAL PARXIAMEXT . —In the HOUSE OP LORDS , on Thursday , the 25 th ult ., Lord Chelmsford , when their lordships were in committee on the Leases and Sales of Settled Estates Act Amendment Bill , moved tho insertion of a clause giving power to Sir Thomas Wilson to get rid of the obligations imposed upon him in regard to Hampstead Heath . After some
little discussion the clause was agreed to . —The Volunteers Bill passed through committee with some amendments , and several other bills were advanced a stage . On Friday , Lord Brougham asked whether Commodore Wilmot's report of his mission to Dahomey had been communicated to the Government of Spain ? The report showed that Spain alone was responsible for the
continuance of the slave trade . Earl Russell said the despatches had not been communicated to Spain , but ho saw no objection to such a course being taken . —Earl Shaftesbury , in moving for leturns in relation to Bethlehem Hospital , went into a lengthy statement with a view of showing that the charity was not well
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
having his name brought forward . He meant Bro . Westly . ( Applause . ) He ( the chairman ) could not forget that it is to Bro . Westby , amongst others , that we owe , having amongst us the Masonic School of which we are so justly proud . ( Applause . ) Alderman HOYTE , Past Deputy G . M ., responded . He felt deeply the flattering manner in which the toast had been received , and assured his brethren that he would always be happy to occupy a position of office in the order of which he
was proud to be a member . Sir WILLIAM HORT , Bart ., in responding , said it had been bis honour to travel up the hill of Masonic life for 50 years , aud he believed there were few who could look back to so long ^ a period of Masonic career . He had had the honour of working with bis Grace , and it was gratifying to him to . look round to this party , who had met with the common object of paying a tribute of respect and gratitude to the man who had brought
the body to what it was . Fifty years ago , when he commenced his Masonic career , it was a small and , comparatively speaking , an insignificant body . By tho good tact , good feeling , and generosity of the illustrious Grand Master , they were all aware what the Craft bad been raised to , and it was gratifying to him , after 50 years' up-hill work , to be received in the way ho had been on this occasion . ( Applause ) . Bro . the Rev . HEXIIY WESTBYP . G . Chap . said he was taken
, , < mito by surprise , and was somewhat embarrassed at the honour that had been conferred upon him by coupling his name with the toast . No doubt he filled the office of Grand Chaplain for twelve years , and he did so to the best of his ability ; but he ¦ did not know that his name would be brought forward on this occasion . He was proud of the fact that he bad assisted in bringing forward the brightest gem of the Masonic body , the
Female Orphan School . ( Applause . ) . He was amply rewarded by the high position it held , and he hoped it would long continue to hold it . He had held every grade , from Entered Apprentice up to tho high position he now held ( 33 rd degree ) ,
and the more he knew of Masonry the more he would do to serve it . He was under a deep debt of gratitude to his Grace the Dufce , not only in this Order , but outside it , for his Grace had placed him not only high up in his position of Masonry , but also high up in his profession ; and he only hoped that God might spare him to discharge his duties with unsullied integrity . ( Applause . ) The CIIAIRJIA ^ then gave "The Provincial Grand Masters and tho Provincial Grand Officers" The advancement of
. Masonry through the provinces was one of the great principles of the institution ; and ho was glad to see near him a brother from the North , Bro . Tracy . ( Applause . ) He ( the Chairman ) embraced this opportunity of returning him his own thanks , and , he might add , the thanks of the Grand Lodge , for the manner in which he had fulfilled his duties in the provinces He had removed lately to near Dublinand had not been idle '
, for he had already originated the Alexandra Lodge at Bray , which promised to be one of the best in the community . He would couple his ( Bro . Tracy's ) name with the toast . ( Applause . ) Bro . TIIACY responded . He said Belfast could challenge comparison with any other of the provincial towns , not only for its adherence to the theories , but to the practical doctrines of Freemasonry . He could also say that the manner in which they performed their duty to Masons who had been cast amongst
them by misfortune had been creditable . A short time ago an American vessel was wrecked on the coast , and amongst those saved was a Mason , who came to Belfast . He addressed himself to a Mason , and give him that proof which Masons could easily give , that he was such . The brother went out , and in the space of half an hour brought back a full outfit for the sailor , and 40 sovereigns to take him home . ( Applause . ) That was
one of many instances he could give of the operations of Masonry in Belfast . He was very sorry that the Marquis of Donegal was not present to do honour to his Grace the Duke of Leinster , but the Marquis was absent from an unavoidable
« ause . The CnAimtA'S" then gave " The Committee of the Banquet . " The arrangements made by tho committee had given the most general aud complete satisfaction , and it would be ungrateful in him if he did not mention the names of those who had done much towards the success of the entertainment—Bros . Oldham , Quinn , and , though last not least , Bro . Manning , the Grand Dir . of Cers . ( Applause ) . Bro . the Hon . GEORG HANDCOCK responded . A duty of no ordinary difficulty had devolved upon the committee , and they had discharged that duty to tho best of their ability . It
Ireland.
would be quite sufficient thanks for their trouble and loss of time in getting up this entertainment to find the toast so warmly received . The CHAIRMAK - then gave the last toast— " The Ladies in the Gallery , with thanks for their attendance . " ( Applause . ) He did so with great embarrassment , for it w-as seldom their good fortune to be looked upon , as they were on this occasion , by so many fair faces . This Masonic banquet had been the first in
Ireland at which ladies had been allowed to bo _ present , and they now had au opportunity of seeing for themselves what Masonic festivals are , and what terrible people Masons were . ( Laughter . ) It would be vain to assure their fair visitors that to tell the great Masonic secret would be far more difficult than to keep it . ( Laughter . ) They would still think there was some frightful mystery concealed , which they were excluded from knowing by the popular prejudice that a woman
cannot keep a secret ; but he ( tne Chairman ) had known a lady to keep a secret right well . ( Laughter . ( To tell a man ' s own secret was folly ; to tell those of another was not only folly but treachery ; and he hoped that their fair friends , if they trusted any Mason , would find that he had learned the heart of holding his tongue . He said : —I have been just asked by a brother near me , how wo are to salute "The Ladies ? " I am sorry to say we have scarcely an established precedent . Yet I think I
know what would be the most acceptable way of saluting our fair guests , though I must not dare to tell it . ( Laughter . ) So I give you— " The Ladies , " with three times three . The toast was received with loud cheers . Mr . ARTHUR EUSIIE responded to the toast in a very humourous speech . His Grace the Duke left about 12 o'clock , and the company soon after separated .
The Week.
THE WEEK .
THE COUET . —Her . Majesty , accompanied by the Queen of Prussia and the Princess Helena , come to to town on Friday , and visited the South Kensington Museum , the Horticultural Gardens , and the Memorial Statute of the Prince Consort . The Queen , we are happy to say , appeared in excellent health . At the close of the visit the Royal party returned to Windsor . On Friday , the 2 Sth , the Guards gave a grand ball in honour of
the Prince and Princess of Wales , which maybe fairl y described as the most brilliant entertainment of this most brilliant season . Nothing could exceed the animation and splendour of the scene when the whole company were assembled in the ball-room to welcome the Prince and Princess of Wales on their arrival . On Monday their Royal Highnesses gave a ball at Buckingham
Palace . A telegram from Copenhagen announces the death of the hereditary Prince Frederick Ferdinand . Tho prince , who was uncle to the King of Denmark , and great uncle to the Princess of Denmark , and great undo to the Princess of Wales , died suddenly on Monday morning . He was in the 72 nd year
of his age . IMPERIAL PARXIAMEXT . —In the HOUSE OP LORDS , on Thursday , the 25 th ult ., Lord Chelmsford , when their lordships were in committee on the Leases and Sales of Settled Estates Act Amendment Bill , moved tho insertion of a clause giving power to Sir Thomas Wilson to get rid of the obligations imposed upon him in regard to Hampstead Heath . After some
little discussion the clause was agreed to . —The Volunteers Bill passed through committee with some amendments , and several other bills were advanced a stage . On Friday , Lord Brougham asked whether Commodore Wilmot's report of his mission to Dahomey had been communicated to the Government of Spain ? The report showed that Spain alone was responsible for the
continuance of the slave trade . Earl Russell said the despatches had not been communicated to Spain , but ho saw no objection to such a course being taken . —Earl Shaftesbury , in moving for leturns in relation to Bethlehem Hospital , went into a lengthy statement with a view of showing that the charity was not well