Mail News.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1944, 29 March 1875, Page 4

Mail News.

MASONIC CEREMONIAL.

On January 6th His Grace the Duke of A bercorn was installed Grand Master of the Freemasons of Ireland, an office held for over fifty years by the late Duke of Leinster. The ceremonial was held in the Masonic Mall, Moles worth-street, and was invested with all the pomp and pageantry which the Order could impart to it. All the Grand Officers ajid a numerous host of Masters and Past Masters of Lodges, including many representing the provinces, were present in full masonic costume, with the decorations of their several ranks, and formed a brilliant assemblage. On the arrival of His Grace from the Viceregal Lodge he was conducted by the Deputy Grand Master fMr Shekleton) and the Grand Officers to the Small Lodge-room, where he was formally installed as Master of the Grand Master's Lodge. They then proceeded to the Grand Lodge-room, wnere the Lodge was opened in due form, and the Grand Master elect was conducted to the dais, while a masonic march was played on the organ. After prayer by the Grand Chaplain, His Grace knelt, and the obligation of his office having been administered to him he was invested by the Deputy Grand Master with the official insignia, and conducted to the throne, while the Duke of Connaught's Grand March was played on the organ. A selection was also sung from a masonic ode especially composed for the occasion. The director of the ceremonies, Mr St. George, then proclaimed His Grace, annid a flourish of trumpets, declaring with impressive formality all his titles, and last of all, that of grand Master of the Ancient and Honourable Osder of Free and Accepted Masons of li*eland. The proclamation was followed by the enthusiastic cheers of the assembly, and Mr Shekleton, Deputy Grand Master, on the part of the Order, congratulated His Grace on fc is acceptance of the office. His Grace was saluted according to ancient usage, amid the cheering of the whole assembly, with, great enthusiasm, which lasted some time.. The Grand Master in returning thanks for the honour conferred upon him, expressed his sense of the responsibility which it involved, especially when he recalled the memory of the late Grand Master, to whose loss he referred in terms of the deepest regret, warmly eulogising his administration of the office and his distinguished character. His Grace said it would be his earnest desire to follow the example so worthily set by his predecessor, and to use every endeavour in his power to maintain the dignity of the Grand Lodge and to advance the great and important influence which Freemasonry exercised towards mankind. His connection with the Order was of no recent date. It was now fortythiee years since he was admitted into the Apollo University Lodge in Oxford, and the course upon which he then entered" as a novice culminated in the honour now conferred upon him. His Grace reinstated Mr Shekleton as Deputy Grand Master; and the Marquis of Headfort having been installed Senior Grand Warden, and Lord Dunboyne Junior Grand Warden, the Grand Lodge was closed with the usual forms.

bishop of the Scotch Episcopal Church is the Right Rev. Robert Eden, Bishop of Moray and Ross, aged seventy-one ; the youngest, the Right Rev. Alexander P. Forbes, Bishop of Brechin, aged fiftyeight. The oldest of the retired bishops is the Right Rev. Connop" Thirlwall, late Bishop of St. Davids, aged 79; the youngest, the Right Rev. Edward Twells, late Bishop of Orange River, aged forty-seven. The oldest baronet is Sir Richard John Griffith, aged ninetyone; the youngest, Sir Arthur Victor R. A. Rumbold, aged six. The oldest knight is General 5 Sir John Bell, G.C.8., aged ninety-three; the youngest, Sir Ludlow Cotter (eldest son of Sir James Laurence Cotter, Bart.), aged twenty-two. The oldest recorder in England is John Bramwell, Recorder of Durham, aged eighty-one; the youngest, George E. Dering, Recorder of Faversham, oged thirty-four.— Who's ivho in 1875.