Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1875-05-22
Ii. II. III. as Il FreemasOn.

On the 2Sth day of April II. r
Ii. Albert Edward. Prince of Wales
next king OF the United Kingdom,
was installed as Nj. w. Grand Mas
ter of England, IN the presence OF
the largest Masonic body ever con-
vrncd since the building of King
Soiomon's Temple. Seven thousand
Of the mos. advanced, intelligent
and eminent MaSons of England
assembled in Albert Hall, London,
and participated in the ceremonies.
The Hall has IA large and magniii-
cent organ in the south end, in front
OF which, for the installation, stood
the great chair of the NJ. w. G. Nj.
The ceiling of the entire room is OF
glass, archrd in the form of a dome.
The seating capacity is just seven
thousand bnt had the hail been ten
times greater it would have been
crowded. The committee, however
limited the tickets of admission to
the cmant numher of soats, and
confined their invitations to officers
Of the various Grand Lodges, to Il
few reporters, and to eminent mem
brrs OF the craft from abroad.
The hall is oval in form, with an
immense concavt parqnctle holding
about two thousand persons. Rising
above this, and extending clear
round the building, excepting where
they are broken by the organ, are
five tiers of boxes, or galleries. The
front of the platform, containing the
Grand Masters chair, was proiuScN
yarnishcd with rare plants AID flow
rrs in pots arranged with artistic
fleet. The three chairs used by
,hc Grand Master, the Senior War
den. and the Junior Warden, were
large and ancient frames, covered
entirely with gold leaf. and the up
holstering was in blue silk velvet.
Near each chair was lighted wax
candle, representing the three ''Ies-
ser lishts,' supported by magniti-
crnr golden candlcsticks a new
aud gorgeous velvet carpet, ten feet
in width, having Il light-blue ground
" it'll appropriate figures iii yellow
and orange, was laid in the broad
center aisle, from the grand nor
tneru entrance rtO the front of the
platform in the south end. Flom
the top of the Grand Masters chair
waved the tripar;ite white feather
the traditional plume of the Prince
Of Wales.
There are twelve doors of en-.
trance to the hall, and every ticket
of admission designated distinctly
where the holder could enter.
The doors were opened at precise
~ l o'clock, and the throng poured
in in twelve continuous currents
until the house was filed. When
the members arose to their feet, the
picture resemOled an immense un-
broken 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 collars of gold,
scarlet. purple, and dozen tints OF
blue. Through these shone the
immaculate white shirt and neck
tie, surmounted by heads supper,
ting flowing locks of black, gray,
and white. For the effect of light
aud shade, nothing cOnld be gran
der. The brothers all sat so near
together that the grouping of col
Ors vas continuous in one immense
circle, like the interior af large
and brilliant flower. The time was
passed in social conversation and in
forming new acquaintaDces until
3 o'clock. Then the officers of the
Grand Lodge, followed by II. II. II.
the Prince of Wales and his broth
Arthur, the Duke of COnnaught,
entered the room, passed up the
grand aisle, and took seats on the
platform. The Earl OF Carnarvon,
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who
was acting as Pro Grand Master,
now administered the necessary
oat,, to Ii. Il. ii. in the most i'm
presslve manner. 1t was a fine IL
iustratiOn of the spirit OF Masonry
the future King of England kneel