Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-05-15
A ROYAL FREEMASON.

The Prince OF wales as Grand Master
OF England - Description OF the
Grandest Masonic Ceremony OF the
Century.
On the 29th ulI., II. R. H. Albert
Edward, Prince Of Wales, next King
of the United Kingdom, was installed
as III. w. Grand Master of England, IN
the presence of the largest Masonic
body ever convened since the building
Of King Solomcn's Temple. Seven
thousand Of the most advanced, lntelll-
gent and eminent Masons of England
assembled in Albert Hall, London, and
participated IN the ceremonies. The
Hall is situated on the KensingtOn
road, opposite the south side Of Hyde
Park. 1t was. built by a stock CON-
panY, and named after the
late Prince Albert. 1t has a
large and magnificent organ In
the south end, IN front Of which, for
the installation, stood the great chair
Of NJ. W. G. NJ. The ceiling of the en-
tire room is of glass, arched in the form
Of dome. The seating capacity is
Just seven thousand; but had the hall
been ten times greater 1t would have
been crowded. The committee, how
ever, limited the tickets of admission
to the exact number Of seats; and con-
fined their invitations to officers of the
various Gland Lodges, to a few report
ers, and TO eminent members of the
craft from abroad. So great was the
general anxiety of the craft to be pres
emit on this auspicIous occasion, that
from ten to twenty pounds was offered
for the privilege Of acting as substi-
tutes for delegates, but each ticket was
filled with the recipients name, and
he holder was made to understand that
the card was not transferable.
A MAGNIFICENT AUDITORIUM.
The hall is oval in form, with an i'm
mense cOncave parquette holding about
two thousand persons. Rising above
this, and extending clear round the
Misunderstanding where they are
broken by the Organ-are i've tiers OF
boxes, or galleries. The front of the
platform, containing the Grand Mas
ter's chair, was profusely garnished
with rare plants and flowers IN pots
arranged with artistic effect. The three
chairs used by the Grand Master, the
Senior Warden, and the Junior War
den, were large and ancient frames,
covered entirely with heavy gold leaf,
and the upbOlsterIng was IN rich blue
silk velvet. Near each chair was a
lighted wax candle, representing the
three lesser lights" supported by
magnificent golden candlesticks. A
new and gorgeous velvet carpet, ten feet
IN width, having a light blue ground
with appropriate figures in yellow and
orange, was laid IN the broad centre
aisle, from the grand northern entrance
to the front Of the platform IN thesOuth
end. From the top of the Grand
Masters chair waved the tripartite
white feather-the traditional plume of
the Prince Of Wales.
There are twelve doors Of entrance
to the hall, and every ticket Of admis-
sion designated distinctly where the
holder could enter.
The doors were opened at precisely l
O'Clock, and the throng poured IN
twelve continuous currents until the
house was filed. When the members
arose to their feet, the picture resem-
bled an
IMMENSE AND BRILLIANT BOUQUET!
Every man was dressed In fine
black coat, vest and pantalOons, white
shirt and collar, with white neck tie,
and white kid gloves. Over and around
the shoulders were worn Masonic col
lars Of gold, scarlet, purple, and
dozen tints Of blue. Through these
shone the immaculate white shirt and
neck tie, sUrmOunted by heads sup
porting flowing locks Of black, gray
and white. For the effect Of light and
shade, nothing could be granleI. The
brothers all sat so near together that
the grouping OF cClOTs was continuous
in one immense circle, like the interior
of a large and brilliant flower. The
time was passed IN social conversation,
and in forming new acquaintance,
until 3 O'Clock. Then the officers Of
the Grand Lodge. followed by II. Il.
II. the Prince Of Wales and his brother
Arthur. the Duke Of Connaught, en-
tered the room, passed up the grand
aisle. and took seats on the platform.
The Earl Of CaTnarvOn, Lord Lieuten-
ant Of Ireland, who was acting as Pro
Grand Master. now administered the
necessary oath To II. r. ii. IN the most
impressive manner. 1t was a fine IL
lustration Of the spirit Of Masonry,
the future King Of England kneellng
before his subjects while taking the
necessary obligation.
H. r. H. is a man Of fine presence,
about five feet ten inches IN height,
weighing about one hundred and nine
ty pounds, straight as an arrow, nlmble
and active as an athlete, and having an
expression Of gentleness, and, indeed,
benevolence. He wears light, full
whiskers and molstache. The top Of
his head is bald, though he is hardly
thirty four years Of age.
INVESTED WITH THE INSIGNIA.
After the Prince had risen from his
knees he was invested with richly en-
broidered apron, collar, and jewels, and
proclaimed Grand Master, and then he
was greeted with round after round
of applause. Then he seated himself
in the great throne, OF CHAR Of the
East, " clothed IN his rich Masonic APP
parel, his face beaming with delight,
blended with a thorough consciousness
Of the solcmnity Of his obligations. He
was now welcomed to a COngratulatory
speech by the Earl Of CaruarvOn. The
Prince arose and replied IN a short
speech Of about FIVE minutes, IN voice
Of deep, mellow tone, with much sweet
ness and purity Of diction.
His Royal Highness was welcomed
in due and ancient form by "thTee
times three Masonic salutes, and they
were given with hearty fervency. After
the Masonic delegations from Scotland,
ireland. Sweden, and Denmark had
been presented, tn Prince filled al the
other offices in the Grand Lodge by APP
pointment, announcing the name him
CalF IF ZACH officer and clothing MIN IN