MILITARY AND CIVIL. 2 I 3

Countess of Aberdeen, to which Her Excellency fittingly replied. Then came the reception, and a large number of people were presented. The hall was beautifully decorated for the occasion. The distinguished visitors were then entertained at luncheon at the (Simon House. Toasts were drank and speeches made and all were well pleased with the proceedings.

Thus the arrangements were almost perfect, and Lord Aber- deen thanked the Lieut.-Governor and Mrs. Howlan for their warm hospitality, and Sir Louis Davies and others for the facilities afforded for the reception and for the speeches which were the principal features of the day’s proceedings. The manner in which every detail was carried out was a matter of gratification to all parties engaged.

At half-past four the distinguished visitors left by the North- umbzrland for the mainland, followed by three ringing cheers from the great number of people on the wharf.

As regards progress in this fair city, Summerside is lighted by electricity, has good hotels, and is connected by telegraph and telephone with Charlottetown. From here the splendid steamer Nort/mmberland makes daily trips to Pt. Du Chene, N. B., and this is the popular route for fast travel to P. E. Island during the summer season. It can also boast of having three weekly newspapers.

The first and only centennial this Island has as yet witnessed came off on the I 3th instant, when St. John’s Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons celebrated the hundredth year of its existence. The ceremony took place in the Masonic Temple. situated on Grafton Street, an imposing brick building, erected in 1891, which, besides various apartments appropriated to the Fraternity, contains a large commodious Hall or Opera House, where concerts, vocal and instrumental, either by one or other, or a combination of two or more of the amateur musical clubs or choirs, or by good professionals, are held. The Lodge being opened under the direction of the Worshipful Master Adam Murray, they then retired to the Opera House, where a large number of ladies and other friends to the Order had assembled. As the Brethren entered they were received by sweet strains of music which bid them welcome. The office bearers taking position upon the stage, the Worshipful Master opened the proceedings with an address. This was followed by the singing