The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-04-28 00:00:00

GRAND MASONIC FESTIVAL.

The Annual Grand Festival of the Free and Accepted Masons
of England took place on IVednesday, at Freemasons' Hall, Great
(Incest-street.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, Most Worshipful
Grand Master of the Order, in the Chair,
supported on the right and left by the following Grand Officers and
distinguished members of the fraternity :—The Right Hon. Lord
Duridai, D.G.M.'; Colonel Hamilton, S. Mliillivray, C. C.
Tynte, M.P., J. Ramabottom, M.P., J. R. Growiltt, M.P., Pro-
vincial Grand Illastera; Colonel Elliott, Arthur Tegert, Esq.,
Stewart Illarjoribanka, Esq., M.P.. Sir W. Rawlings, Sir George
Sayler, (Garter King at Arms), Sir Hedworth Williamson, Bart..
W. Meyrick, Esq., she Hon. Edward Petre, &c.
A Grand Lodge was held, previous to the dinner, at which the
Grand Master presided, and appointed his officers for the ensuing
year, which were as follows:—The Right lion. Lord Dundee,
H.G.NI.; the lion. E. Petre, S U.W. ; sir H. lVilliamson, Ran.,
J.G.W.; the Rev. S. S. Coleman, and the Rer. L. I). 11. Cock-
burn, Grand Chaplains; W. W. Prescott. Esq., Grand Treasurer;
William Merrick, Esq.. Grand Registrar; W. H. White, Esq.,
and Edward Harper, Esq., Grand Secretaries; Philip J. Salomon,
rind J. Bott, Esqs., Grand Deacons; Jotin Soane, Esq., Grand
Superintendent or Works; Sir George Sayler. Grand Director of
Ceremonies; B. B. Cabell, Esq., Grand Sword Bearer; Sir George
Smart, Grand Organist.
11 is Royal Iliglineas entered the Hall about half.past five o'clock,
preceded by the Stewards, with wl e wands, and by a number of
distinguished brethren of the fraternity; and after having paid his
respects to the different members assembled, by parading once
round the hall, the Grand Master took the chair. The banquet
consisted of the choisest viands the season could produce, furnished
in brother Cull's usual liberal and excellent style. The different
wines were excellent, and gave universal satisfaction.
On the cloth being removed. Non Nobis Pontine was sung in
excellent style, by brothers Jolly, Leete, Terrail, Broadhurst,
Fitxwilliani, andi Phillips.
The first toast proposed by the Grand Master was, " The King,
RR Grand Patron of the Order," with three times three, which was
drank with the most heartfelt and deafening applause. Hitt Royal
Highness, in announcing this toast, most feelingly adverted to the
persecutions, at the present moment, inflicted on the brethren of
the craft, in different parts of the Continent, by those powers who
were hostile to the principles of the Order. arisidk from their igno-
rance of those pure and benevolent feelings, by which they have
been cemented and bound together in one common tie of bro
therly love for ages past, without a single argument ever having
been brought forward, reflecting against them, as a body, either as
men or as Christians.

Grand chorus—" God save the King:"
As our limits will not allow us to give the speeches with which
the Grand Martilpifaced the different toasts on this occasion, we
shall content ou by inserting them in the order in which they
were given, which sas follow :
" His Royal Inghnes the Duke of York, Master of the Prince
of Wslea's Lodge, and the other Members of the Royal Family,
who belong to the Craft."—" flail. Star of Brunswick."
•• The Female Branches of the Royal Family."
" The Grand Master." (Proposed by Lord Hondas.)
His Royal II ighneas returned thanks in a moat excellent and ap-
propriate speech, and concluded by drinking to the brethren,
" Health, happiness, and prosperity, collectively and individu-
ally."
• Ths Marquis of Hastings, Pact G. M."
" The Duke of A thol. Past G. M."
" The Grand Lndge of Scotland."
" The Duke of beinster and the Masons of Ireland."
" The Grand Officers for the year."
•'The Ladies in the Gallery.',
" The Grand Stewards, and thanks for their liberal and splendid
entertainment."

These various toasts were all drank with three times three, inter-
spersed with songs. catches, and glees, from the different profea.
sional brethren present. The Duke of York's band was stationed
in the gallery, over the G. 31., and performed occasional airs dur-
ing the evening.
Ills Royal Highness left the Chair about ten o'clock, which was
filled for the remainder of the evening by hoed Dundas, and har.
mony, order, and good tellowship prevailed till the company broke
up.'which was shortly after eleven o'clock.
After the Royal and Illustrious Chairman had taken his leave, a
portion of the professional brethren, with the Grand Stewards and
their friends, joined the bilks above stairs, amongst whom was
Hiss Goodall, Miss Frazer, &c. where a most splendid entertain-
ment, on an extended and liberal scale, was provided by the Stew-
ards; and, aided by the delightful singing of the female vocalists,
the evening's amusements were prolonged to a late hour.