Masonic Festivities.

Master , tho Earl of Zetland . His lordship had held the position of Grand Master for twenty-five years , and he had previously been Deputy Grand Master . His Masonic career had been long and distinguished , and the services which he bad rendered to the Craft ivere ivell known and highly appreciated .

The W-M . next gave the health of the Deputy Grand Master ( the Earl de Grey and Eipon ) , the Wardens , and Officers of Grand Lodge . They were so fortunate that evening as to have present , the two G . Chaps , of England , and he thought they ought to feel highly gratified at such a circumstance- They were also very much indebted to Bro . Simpson for taking the office of Chaplain

to the Greyfriars Lodge , and they felt highly flattered that one who had held so distinguished a position should undertake such an office in so young a lodge . Bro . the Eev . J . Snirsox " , who was most cordially received , returned thanks , and paid a tribute to the manner in which the Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Masterand the other officers of Grand Lodge discharged

, their duties . On his oivn part he had to return thanks for the compliment which " had bten paid to him , and for the hospitality with which he had been received . He did not know any place ivhere he had been made more Lapp } ' than he had been iu Beading . Nor did ho know any Lodge whore the working was more satisfactory than at the Greyfriars , and he believed that the Grand

Officers would be proud as well as pleased to see such admirable working . When he contrasted the working in these days with what it used to be in many Lodges years ago , he could not bub be struck by the improvement which had taken place . He ivas not , however , so much surprised at the efficiency which had been attained to the Greyfriar ' s Lodge , when he remembered the

enthusiasm which Bro . Biggs threw into everthing connected with the Craft . He ( Bro . Simpson ) hoped that that spirit of hearty good will and of cordial co-operation which at present existed might long continue . It was a sad and grievous thing where other feelings prevailed , and it was a paramount duty to sink all political and reliious prejudicesto forget class interests or

profesg , sional jealousies , and to work with that love and harmony which should always characterise Masons . They should breathe an atmosphere of such kindness and goodwill ; they should by developing their gentler qualities and cultivating their generous impulses , so raise their sentiments and improve their hearts that they might catch something of that irit which prevailed in the Grand

sp Lodge above , where it should be the constant aud earnest prayer of each that all might meet . After a few further remarks Bro . Simpson concluded an eloquent speech . The W . M . proposed the health of the Acting P . G . M . of the province . ( Bro . iEneas MTntyre ) , who would have been present but for a professional engagement in Wales .

Bro . the Eev . T . P . EAVES SHAW proposed the Provincial Grand Officers , Past and Present of Berks and Bucks . Bro . HOLDEN , Prov . G . Treas ., returned thanks . Bro . Wm . SMITH , C . E ., proposed the health of the P . G . M ., and Pro . G . Officers of the province of Wiltshire , coupling with the toast the name of Bro . Wj'ndham , the

Prov . G . B . whom he said was well known as a most excellent and energetic Mason and who , wherever be went , endeavoured to place Masonry on a good footing . Bro . WI ' XDHAM , in returning thanks , mentioned that the next meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge would be held at Salisbury , and they should be happv to welcome as many of the brethren now present as could attend .

Bro . BIGGS said ib was unfortunate that the present festival was fixed at the same time at which the festival of the Masonic Girl ' s School was being held . But for this fact thoy would have had other visitors , amongst

whom would have been Bro- Binckes , who would have been able to represent " The Masonic Charities . " They had just initiated a Brother , and he might not beawnre , and the remark would probably apply to some others , of what the Masons are doing to help those who are less fortunate than themselves . They had institutions for the education of childrenboth for boys and irls ; they

, g had an institution for the benefit of the aged ; and they had a Benevolent Society , and from this latter , one whom he had known well had received 100 guineas . Sums like these were given to enable Masons to - tide over difficulties . At the girl's school twelve hundred girls had been educated , and of these not one had been known to disgrace herselfor had done anything to bring a

, blush of shame upon the countenance of those interested in her , or in the great institution in which she had been educated . £ 6 , 000 had been collected by Masons in aid of this one charity alone during the past year . Then there was the boys' school . He regretted to hear that funds are very much required by this institution , but he had such faith in the liberality of the Brethren that he

believed whatever was required would be forthcoming . The boys received a first-class education , and they had passed the Oxford Middle Claas Examination most successful ! }' . They had also , as he had already said , an institution for the aged and decayed , and in supporting this the Masons endeavoured to act upon the golden principle of doing to others as they would be done by .

In proposing "The Masonic Charities " he would merely remind them of the old adage that " many may help one where one cannot help many . " On occasions like these it was usual custom to pass round their " broken column " for contributions , and he hoped they would respond liberally , as the proceeds of this and some future collections , ivould be devoted to lending whac help they could to the boys' school . Bro . Simpson said that as he had been connected with the Masonic Charities for twenty years , he was able to

speak of the excellent manner m which they were managed and of the great amount of good which , they had effected A friend of his said when he took him to see the schools , that it was worth giving up a day's hunting to see the children . And a lady who had visited most of the principal educational establishments in the kingdom , and was well informed on all educational matters , told

him that they were the best conducted schools in the laud . In his parish there was a school of a somewhat similar description to the girls' school , and the cost per head per annum was £ 40 . He pointed out to those who like himself were interested in it , that the cost per head at the Freemasons' School was only £ 28 , and that they there gave them the best education that could be afforded .

It was stated to him that the girls at the Freemasons ' Schools were of an inferior kind , to which he replied that they were superior , being for the most part the daughters of medical men , lawyers , clergymen , or merchants . The economy with which the Freemasons ' School was conducted was attributable to a large extent to the fact that the girls were taught not merely that

which was ornamental , but that which was useful in a household . Although there were a hundred and four girls in the schools only two servants were kept , aud the girls did the remainder of the household duties . For his own part he agreed with Lord Grey , who said in the House of Lords that a man had much better marry a girl who could make a shirt , than one who could say the

names of all the Popes . Bro , Ellis , iu appropriate terms , proposed the health of the W . M ., who suitably responded . A number of other toasts were proposed , and as most of the speeches were concise and effective , and as there was plenty of musical talent , the proceedings were really of a very agreeable and animated description . Indeed the gathering on Wednesday was held universally to be one of the most pleasant and successful cf the kind ever held in Beadins ? .