The Statesman.
London, England, 1824-01-28 00:00:00

MASONIC FESTIVAL

Yesterday being the Anniversary of the Birth-lav of
his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, a most num:rocs
and respectable portion of the fraternity of the ancient
body of free and accepted Masons use:JO-led at
the Freemasons' Tavern, for the purpose of celebrating the
Birth-day of the Brand Master of England.
The company assembled at five o'clock were about three
hundred. A very considerable curiosity was evinced to
witness the entrance of expected stringers. Herrera! Mina,
it was said, was expected, and that opinion gained ground
when General Quiroga, accompanied by Lord Montfortd
Count Zulenski, Don Mora and Sama entered the room.
These gallant, but unfortunate strangers, attracted the
sincere respect of every man, who felt at the same moment
the. glorious cause for which they struggle!. and the t•m-
porary failure that has marked its issue; but to the noble
mind, in a struggle for freedom, though unsuccessful,
" distress is virtue."

Having surveyed the room these Illustrious Strangers
retired. and were, we understand, introduced to his Royal
Highness in the Secretary's room.
The Galleries were crowded with an assemblage of
beautiful women. This commemoration has been conspi-
cuous for stick display, but the number who complimented
the Royal Duke by their presence on the present occasion
was beyond all precedent. Amongst the fascinating group
was the Lady of General Quiroga.
At six o'clock the Grand Master, his Royal Highness
the Duke of Sussex, entered. and plsee.l round the hail,
preceded by the Stewards. Grand ()dicers, and visitors,
among whom we noticed General finiroga, Lord Montfort,
air William De Crespigey, M.P.. Sir Frederick Foulke,
Col. Wildman, M.P., the Hon. Washington Shirley, Sir
George Smart, S. M'adilveray, Esq., Major Symonds, the
Szeleak', Signora Mora and Duran, &c.—A very strong
muster of the Musical Brethren also took place, amongst
whom as ere Messrs. Pone, Charles Taylor, Broadhurst,
Leete. Terrell, Clarke, gvans, and Master Stuyth, wao atter
dinner were joined by Sir George Smart.
The tables having been previously covered, Mr. *Mlle-
ray, on the Royal Duke's reaching his place, apologised
to the company for his own obtrusion upon them as Chair-
man, in consequence of the unavoidable absence of the
Provincial Wand Master Colonel Tynte, in consequence o
a domestic calamity. The Grand Chaplain then said grace
and the repast commenced.
Immediately after dinner Non Nubia nomine was erecnt
ed iu ad toirahle style by the musical Brethren, the whole
contrail standing.
After the cloth had been removed, the Chairman gave,
with a suitable preface, " The King, the Patron of tie
Craft, with three times three ;''. which was drank with en-
thusiasm-4' God save the King" by the professional gen-
tlemen, the chorus by the whole company.
To this toast followed " The Doke of York and the res
of the Royal Fatnily," with three times three ; drank with
enthusiasm. Tutte-44 Duke of York's March." Glee—
" Hail Star of Bruswick."
The Chairman then gave—" His Royal Highness the
Duke of Sussex, Grand Master of the Fraternity, with hest
wishes for many happy returns of the day"—three tines
three ; drank with enthusiasm.
His Royal Highness returned thanks in an appropriat!
speech.
Glee—" Now I'm prepared."
To this followed " The Grand Lodge of England."
" The Duke of Argyll and the Grand Lodge of Scot
land."
His Itayal Highness then rose and said, that in conse-
suence of a late Act of arliament or the suppression a
secret Societies in Ireland,P the Grand Master cf that Uniod
Kingdom had felt it his duty to recommend • discontinuance
of the meetings of the Craft in that country; he (the Duke of
Sussex) could not therefore propose—" the Grand Master
of the Craft in Ireland ;" but he begged leave to give—
" l'he health of the Duke of Witmer and the Masons of
Ireland," which was drank with applause.
"The Ladies," " The Visitors," and the usual toasts
followed, to which succeeded some charming songs ami
glees.
sir WM. na CRItiPIGNY returned thanks for the. Stew
ards in a very animated speech. He concluded with ?b•
serving, that there could he no exertion more grattrytot
than to serve in giving the public expression to that sense
of respect and regard which was so universally felt for
their Illustrious Chairman in the character of a Prince—s
Mason—and an Englishman (cheers).
The Noble Chairman left the room at half-past tee,
accompanied by the heartfelt regards of those who met
with pleasure to commemorate his natal day. He st.atr°,
his intention to preside for the Female (Amity en the JO.O
of March next, it'd six weeks after for the Boys' School.

By the arrival of the brig Minerva, from Sydney, Nye
uth Wake, which place she left in February last, w
learn that the Morley had arrived there on the 7tb of that
moral', with i detachment of the Buffs reenact, under o.e.
clnunand of Lieutenant and Adjutant Mackay. She had
previously touched at Hobart Town, Van Diemsn's Lod.
where she landed 170 male convicts, two having died on the
passage.--{Caledonian Mercury)