9 there is shown a rail 16 connected to a post 12 by way of the mounting bracket assembly 20 in accordance with the present invention bracket assembly 20 comprises a bracket 22 and a cover plate 24 in accordance with a specific feature of the present invention bracket 22 has a back wall 26 a peripheral outer wall 28 extending outwardly away from the back wall 26 and having an opening 30 formed therein opening 30 preferably extends entirely across one end of bracket 22 peripheral outer wall 28 is substantially u shaped with the opening 30 therein extending from side section 28 a across to side section 28 b fig3 back wall 26 of bracket 22 is also substantially u shaped back wall 26 and peripheral outer wall 28 of bracket 22 substantially define a u shaped receptacle 27 into which rail 16 may be received bracket 22 is complementary shaped and sized to receive an end of rail 16 therein the distance between side sections 28 a and 28 b is therefore substantially equal to the width u201c a u201d of rail 16 and the distance between end section 28 c and edge 29 is substantially equal to the height u201c b u201d of rail 16 it should however be understood that the bracket could alternatively be sized and shaped to receive rail 16 therein when it is turned through 90 degrees in that instance the distance between side sections.