Mason of England for the kind way in
which he has proposed my health, and to you, brethren, for the
cordial manner in which you have received it. This is the first
time, brethren, that I have had the honour of presiding at the
grand festival. I can assure you I am very grateful for your
kind reception of me this evening, and I sincerely hope that we
may have the pleasure of meeting together on these festive
occasions many, many long years to come. I shall never forget,
brethren, the ceremony of to-day and the reception which you
gave me. I only hope that you may never regret the choice you
have made of your Grand Master. Brethren, I assure you on all
occasions I shall do my utmost to do my duty in the position in
which you have so kindly placed me.

"Before sitting down, brethren, I have a toast to propose, which
I feel sure you will all drink with cordiality, and which to me
is a specially gratifying toast--that is, the health of our
illustrious brother the King of Sweden and Norway. It affords me
especial pleasure to propose this toast, as seven years ago I
became a member of this craft, initiated by the late King, the
brother of the present one. Thereby I consider I have a more
special interest in Sweden; and I hope that the Grand Lodges of
Sweden and of England may always be bound together in goodwill
and fraternal feeling. Our illustrious brother the King has been
especially pleased to send over five distinguished brethren to
take part in my installation. Therefore it affords me special
gratification to drink to the health of one who I know is such a
keen Freemason at heart, and so keen an Englishman, that he has
frequently visited our shores. Most cordially and heartily do I
call upon you, brethren, to drink to 'The health of our
illustrious brother the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Sweden,
His Majesty the King of Sweden and Norway.'"

Count Salcza responded, and, speaking in French, he passed a high
eulogium on Freemasonry, and expressed his great gratification at the
magnificent ceremony that had been witnessed in the afternoon, laying
especial stress upon the Masonic good feeling between Sweden and Great
Britain. He spoke of himself as feeling that he stood among friends and
brothers, and he thanked them for their cordial reception.

His Royal Highness the Grand Master then said:--