The Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

( Cheers . ) Brethren , it is in this capacity you have met to honour him j it is in remembrance of these great services that you to-night offer him a tribute . And , let me say , lastly , that if thero be any body of Masons from whom any one way he proud to veceivo snch an honour as this , it is tho Lodge of Emulation . It is the pattern of onr working—of our Masonic working . It is tho motto which it boast-i

to set to all other parts of tho Craft , and ho who has held for 30 years high office and honour in that Lodge stands upon a different footing from almost any Mason that I know , and tho honour which that Lodge does him to-night will ho amongst his most vivid recollections , to tho last hour of his life . Brethren , beautiful as that testimonial is , I think tho honour which this Lodgo does

Bro . Hervey in thus publicly marking its sense of his high character and abilities in even a moro gratif ying and a higher tributo to his worth than that testimonial in silver aud gold that is boforo ns . ( Hear , hear ) . Brethren , this is a timo when many testimonials arc given , to many persons , and with many objects . Wo all have experience of this ; and sometimes those testimonials aro given

somewhat indiscriminately . But this testimonial at least is given with the fullest discrimination of character , after the longest trial and ordeal to which a Mason can well be subjected . It is given with the unanimity of the Lodgo , —unanimity , I will say , not merely of the Lodge , but of all those numberless members outside who watch the proceedings of tho Lodgo of Emulation , who respect thoso

proceedings , and who know how high a position tho Treasurer of that Lodge , who has held office for thirty years , must , in tho nature of things , hold . Brethren , I havo been requested , this evening , even in this informal manner—coming as I do for a short ten minutes among yonto be tho channel of communication between you and Brother Hervey . I wish I could have found words better and worthier for the

occasion ; but , and Bro . Hervey will at least feel this , that my words are words of absolute sincerity and truth ( applause ) , and that when I present him , in your name , with that magnificent testimonial of your esteem , he will believe mo when I say that never was a testimonial given to any Masou who moro deserved it than himself , and never was one given with a heartier feeling of admiration , of esteem ,

and of affectionate regard by every singlo member of tho Lodgo , and outside that Lodgo by every single member who kuows and esteems oar Bro . Hervey . ( Hear , hear ) . Brethren , therefore , in your name , and without further preface , I will venture to place in the hands of Bro . Hervey—metaphorically , for physically he cannot grasp it—the testimonial by which you desire to record your appreciation of him .

( Applause ) . The Pro Grand Master here directed attention to the testimonial , which took the form of a very handsome silver inkstand , designed by Bro . John Gibson , well known as a skilful architect , and who , in this instance , certainly displayed much artistic excellence , the introduction of Masonic emblems , more especially of the pillars of Wisdom ,

Strength , and Beauty , being most appropriate . Tho inkstand is mounted on malachite and marble , and is protected by massive stand and glass shade . Messrs . Mappin and Wobb were , wo are informed , tho manufacturers . In acknowledging the gift , Bro . Hervey said—My Lord and Brethren , —I will not waste your timo by making a long

speech . I will content myself with offering my hearty and sincere acknowledgments to the Stewards who have presented mo with the elegant gift which you see on tho table , and I offer my sincere thanks to tho noble Lord , tho Pro Grand Master , for tho too flattering terms in which he has presented it . My Lord , I cannot but feel deeply gratified to havo received this testimonial through your hands . Much

as I esteem the Lodge of Emulation , I do not know any member by whom I could moro willingly have wished to havo it presented mo than by your Lordship . I can assure you I feol it a very high honour yo have done me by coming hero for the few minutes you havo been able to spare , and I thauk you . I am suro I might also convey the thanks of tho Lodge for yonr coming away from those

duties which we know absorb your Lordship ' s wholo time , and from which it is difficult to tear yourself even for tho few moments yon havo spared . The brethren will , I am sure , permit me to limit my speech to a short acknowledgment , and to thank them for the gift , and to thank his Lordship for tho kind and gracious manner in which he has presented it , in the name of this Lodge . ( Cheers ) .

The Pro Grand Master then excused himself , as public business required his attention . He retired , after replacingBro . Hervey iu the chair , amid hearty applause . The Earl of Limerick moved a vote of thanks to the brethren who had worked tho Sections , he was very pleased at the admirablo way in which the Lectures had been worked . Colonel Burdetfc was much gratified at what he had seen , and had great

pleasure in seconding tho motion , which was carried unanimously . Bro . Hervey responded , and thanked all present for their appreciation of tho work done , he felt proud the Emulation Lodge still kept np its character , and hoped they would go away that evening convinced that tho Lodge could turn out some good pupils , who could do their work properly . Several propositions for joining were handed in , and

tho Lodgo was closed , the brethren then adjourned to a banquet at Freemason ' s Tavern . The 4 th , 5 th , 6 th and 7 th sections of the First Lecture wero worked by Bros . J . C . Parkinson , C . A . Murtou , C . C . Dumas , and J . A . Rucker respectively , and the 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , and 5 th of the second by Bros . R . Grey , H . J . P . Dumas , Hyde Pollen and T . Fenn , all Past Grand Officers . After tho banquet the Earl of

Limerick , who presided , proposed the toast " Tho Queen and the Craft , " followed by that of "The M . W . tho Grand Master . " Ho said the brethren were aware of tho great interest H . R . Highness took in the Craft , and alluded to tho ceremony at Norwich , the previous week , he hoped that before long the Craft would shew , in some substantial form , their thankfulness of the safe return of H , 11 . Highness from

India . The next toast was . "Tho Pro Graud Master , the Depnfcy Grand Master , and the rest of tho Grand Officers . " Tho W . M . regretted that the Pro Grand Master had been unable to stay with them , bat was sure the brothren wero pleased he was present earlier in tho evening to present the testimonial to their worthy Bro . Hervey . The D . G . M . was well known for his abilit y , not only as

The Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

D . G . M ., but as Prov . G . M . of ono of tho most important provinces in the country . Of tho Grand Officers , of whom there wero several present , it had already been said they wero worthy of their position , iu consequence of thoir accuracy in working tho several ceremonies .

Thero was one brother present wh r > , although the junior ot several of tho Grand Officers in years , yet promised to emu late them in zeal , lie would e . mplo the name of Lord Dononghmore , tho brother to whom lie alluded , with the toast . Bro . Lml Dououghiuores .-iid ho felt much flattered and "ratified ah tho concluding observations of their

chairman . Ho knew from personal experience that tho inability of the Pro Graud Master to remain with them was a matter of great regret . Tho Pro G . M . had expressed , during tho past few days , frequent regrets that his public luwincss would not allow of his staying longer than to present tho testimonial , auil it was very gratifying to the Earl of Carnarvon that ho had beeti enabled to present it . Ho

had obtained much valnablo instruction that evening from the other Grand Officers , whom he considered most efficient , and concluded by thanking the brethren for tho way his name had been associated with the toast . " Success to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , " conpled with tho name of Bro . Ilervej ' , was tho next toast , iu proposing which tho W . M . said he thought it was impossible to over .

estimate tho influence which tho Lodgo had throughout tho Craft , Its name was known not only throughout tho United Kingdom , but wherever Masonry is known ; and not less so is the name of onr brother John Hervey . It is difficult to speak of a brother in his presence , but ho believed in drinking his health , coupled with that of the Emulation Lodgo , they drank the health of an eminent Masmi

and a noblo and true-hearted gentleman . Tho toast was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm . Bro . Hervey , in reply , said ho mentioned , just before , to Col . Burdett , that he considered himself a very moihwt man , or he would bo altogother spoiled , and ho now felt it , becausu he considered that the way in which the Pro Grand Master—in presenting tho testimonial in Lodge , and the Chairman , in proposing

success to tho Emulation Lodgo—had spoken of him was too fluttering and too eulogistic—at any rate for a modest man like himself . He was proud to bo associated with the toast , as he considered that tho Emulation Lodgo did much good for Masonry . Ho considered no brother should undertake duties he could not perforin , and what they had heard that evening showed them that any brother wishing

to carry out his duties must study . Ho was sure all who worked that evening were always ready to do what thoy could for the Lodge , and would perform any duties they might be called upon to do to increase its renown . You , ray Lord , say it is not necessary , but to support it somothiug must be done , and tho burden is borne by such men as Bro . Fenn ( this name was received with great applause ) . Bro .

Hervey was pleased to know that the services of Bro . Feint were so highly valued . Ho then alluded to the Secretary . He said tho duties were not those of an ordinary Secretary , for in this case the meetings numbered 51 or 52 in tho year , and a great amount of attention was required to tho accounts of the Lodge . These , he said , wero the officers who deserved tho praise . As far as he was

concerned , he was tho Treasnrer only in name . He thanked the brethren for the allowance they made for his frequent absence , and concluded by thanking the Earl of Limerick for presiding , and trusted that , many years to come , the Lodgo would maintain tho character for work it now possessed . Bro . Burdett proposed " Tho Health of tho Chairman , " who , ho said , was so often among them , that the brethren

almost knew him personally . Ho was always ready to perform auy duty reqnired of him . The Earl of Limerick thanked the brcthrcu . He considered it a very great honour to be present . Ho regretted tho post ho occupied was not filled by the Pro Grand Master , but ho was always pleased to join in bearing testimony to tho worth of Bro . Hervey . Bro . S . Tomkins proposed " Tho Lodge of Union , "

coupled with the name of the W . M ., Bro . Birch , who acknowledged tho compliment . Few Lodges , ho said , had so strong a child . Bro . Hervey proposed " The Sister Lodges of Instruction , " to which Bro . Muggoridge replied . " Success to the Masonic Institutions " was proposed by the Rev . J . E . Cox , who said that if faith , hope , and charity ( of which they had heard definitions in tho Lodge )

could be circulated throughout the world , those outside the Craft might be able to read , mark , and digest the beautiful precepts which were thereby inculcated . Bro . Tony replied . He saw congregated around the table some of the most distinguished supporters of tho charities . During the past year a larger sum had been raised for the charities than had been known before in one year . Tho Earl of Donoughmoro proposed " The Health of the Brethren who had worked

the Sections , " and conpled with it the names of Bros . Parkinson and Fenn , tho former of whom said that tho working brothren wero thankful for the recognition accorded to them ; they would always refer to the work of that evening with pride , aud they wero pleased they had been able to assist in presenting the testimonial to tho Grand Secretary . "The Stewards" and "The Tyler ' s toast" were then given .

In Memoriam.

In Memoriam .

We are deeply grieved to hear news of tho death of a very worthy and distinguished brother , who , whilst on a pleasure trip , enjoying his holidays , was drowned , attempting to land at the Cocos Islands . W . Bro . John Victor Douglas de Wet was looked upon , in British Burmah , as the destined

successor of R . W . Bro . Colonel Duncan , whose resignation has been sent in to the M . W . Grand Master . Bro . De Wet was District Grand Treasurer and P . D . G . J . W . He held

a high social position , and was universally esteemed , being connected with every degree worked in the Province . His year of office in the chair of tho Mark Lodge was about to expire , and ho was on the point of installing a successor .