The American Knights Templar At " Alton Towers."

THE AMERICAN KNIGHTS TEMPLAR AT " ALTON TOWERS . "

The Earl of Shrewsbury , the newly-appointed Grand Master for Staffordshire , having invited our distinguished American Brethren to make a visit to the famed Alton Towers , it ivas arranged that they should go there on Tuesday , July 4 th , 'being the 95 th anniversary of American

Independence , and also the Alton Horticultural Show . The Americans , therefore , arrived at Derby railway station from Leicester a few minutes before eight o ' clock on Tuesday morning . The Midland Railway Company had placed at their disposal two saloon carriagesand at Derby two more saloon

, carriages were attached for the use of the brethren of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Derbyshire about 30 of whom accompanied their American brethren by the 8 a . m . North Stafford train to Alton , the Earl of ShreAvsbury having kindly invited a limited number of the Derbyshire

brethren to a reception at a quarter to tAvelve o'clock . Soon after leaving Derby the brethren of the latter toivn sent a message to the Knights , asking them if they would partake of " an eye opener ( an American term for a morning draught ) , and the reply being in the affirmative , some

" sparkling " was forwarded to them . On reaching Alton Station the party were met by the Earl ' s private band , and a procession being formed , all moved forward up the avenue of trees leading to the ToAvers . Close to the hall a private tent had been prepared for the American brethren ,

and after they had "arranged" themselves they went to the chapel , accompanied by the Derbyshire , brethren , where full choral service Avas performed . The Rev . Dr . Fraser , the Earl of Shrewsbury ' s domestic chaplain , intoned the service , the Anthem beino- taken from the 104 th Psalm . The

singing of the Earl ' s domestic choir Avas admirable , and at the conclusion the Hallelujah Chorus was played on the organ . It had been arranged that the reception of the American and English Freemasons should take place at a quarter to 12 o ' clock , but in consequence of the non-arrival of a

deputation from the Staffordshire Knot Lodge of Freemasons , it was postponed until 12 . 20 . In the meantime the Americans , each taking the arm of a Derbyshire brother , rambled through the matchless grounds of Alton , Avhose beauties were greatly extolledthe frequent remark being" We have

, , nothing like this in America . " It should be stated that the American flag was hoisted on one of the towers . At 12 . 30 the Derbyshire brethren were ushered into the Earl ' s Grand Dining-hall . where they Avere addressed by the Earl of Shrewsbury , AVIIO gave to them and the Staffordshire

brethren a hearty welcome . His Lordship , who Avore the costume of a deputy-lieutenant , Avas accompanied by the Countess of Shrewsbury , the

youthful Lord Ingestre ( who wore the uniform of a private of the Staffordshire Yeomanry ) , and three of the Earl's daughters . The Rev . Dr . Fraser and the Curate of Alton were also present . The Earl of Shrewsbury met the American legation at the Grand Entrance to the Hall , and proceeded then to the grand dining-room , the English Freemasons giving them a hearty cheer .

The Earl of ShreAvsbury , in addressing the company , observed that it gave Lady Shrewsbury ancl himself the greatest pleasure to' receive tbem on that occasion as gentlemen , and he may add , as brethren . When he first heard of their visiting the county , he thought it meet to offer them the hospitalities of his place , for he could not express his gratification at the opportunity which it offered to reciprocate the good feeling evinced in America towards this country . The Marquis of Ripon had done

him the honour to nominate him as Grand Master of Staffordshire , on the recommendation of the Earl of Carnarvon . The noble lord having read the letter ivhich he had received from the Grand Registrar , proceeded to state that he need not say to his brethren from Stafford and Derby hoiv greatly that honour hacl been enhanced by their presence aud approval of the selection , and as soon as he was properlinstalledhe should do all he

y , could to advance Masonry . He receii'edthem on that occasion as the Earl of Shrewsbury , and riot as the Grand Master of Staffordshire , because he had not at present received his patent , ancl for the information of his brethren from Ameriea , he ivould give them some idea of who he was from his ancestors . The noble Earl then referred to the lineage of the family which deduces its descent from a period antecedent to the Conqueror ,

the first person of note on record being Richard de Talbot , mentioned in Domesday Book , and who married the daughter of Gerard de Gournay , Baron of Yarmouth ; alluding subsequently to the protracted suit in the House of Lords , ivhich had vested the estate of Alton in his father , and ivhich enabled him that day to offer them a hearty Avelcome at the Toivers . After referring to the jealousies Avhich some time since existed in the States betiveon the North and Southand to the part which heas one

, , of the hereditary legislators of this country took , the noble earl congratulated all present on the fact that whatever differences of opinion had existed on that question , they were all united in good feeling toivards this country , and it was a very great pleasure to him that ho could venture to oft ' or , after the lapse of 20 years , when he Avas in America , the hospitalities of his house . Whether at Washingtonor elsewherethe received every

, , courtesy and kindness from the American people , and he was pleased to receive them noiv , and show them the beauties of the place . He trusted that the principles of Freemasonry would still more firmly unite tlie tivo countries , for , if so , peace would be more permanent , and commerce more prospering . The noble lord concluded by remarking that Lady Shreivsbury desired to join with him in giving them a hearty Avelcome to Alton .

The W . M . of the Staffordshire Knot Lodo-e O then read a resolution Avhich had been agreed to at a special meeting of the members at Stafford on the evening previous . It was an expression of gratitude to the Marquis of Ripon for appointing the noble earl Grand Master of

Staffordshire , and to the Earl of Shrewsbury for accepting the same . Bro . Thomas Cox , P . Prov . G . S . W . of Derbyshire , in the unavoidable absence of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of that Province , then addressed the Earl of Shrewsbury as follows : —

My Lord , hearing that a party of Freemasons from the United States , travelling in England , were passing through Derby to Alton Towers , at the invitation of your lordship , several members of the Provincial Grand Loclge of Derbyshire , remembering the hearty reception of our Grand Master in America , wished to meet them in Derby , and to Avelcome them to this country , but finding their engagements did not admit of staying there , ive ventured to ask vour lordship ' s permission to meet them at