Lord Wolseley And The Craft.

LORD WOLSELEY AND THE CRAFT .

FIELD-MARSHAL Viscount Wolseley , K . P ., G . C . B ., G . C . M . G ., was entertained in Dublin on Tuesday night , 24 th ult ., by his " Brethren of tho mystic tie " to a banquet in the Masonic Hall . The compliment was a token of the well-deserved personal esteem in which the distinguished guest is held in the

Masonic Order , while attesting at the same time becoming pride in our illustrious countryman , who has won his way to the position of Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty ' s Army . In either view tbe banquet was a happy thought , the realisation of which could not fail to be crowned with success , and also to shed lustre on the Ancient Order of Freemasonry .

Lord Wolseley ' s connection wifch Irish Masonry stands unique . He was under age when , on the 15 th April 1854 , just before setting out for the Crimea , he was initiated in the Military Lodge of Ireland , No . 728 , and for the purpose of his induction a dispensation had accordingly to be obtained . The then Grand

Master was the Duke of Leinster , who presided over the destinies of the Order for the long span of sixty-one years—namely , from 1813 to 1874 . On his death he was succeeded by the first Duke of Abercorn , who likewise took part in Masonic functions to his life ' s end . His Grace in turn was succeeded -by bis son , the present Duke of Abercorn , as head of the Order .

Thus Lord Wolseley bas had the experience of three Grand Masters , and he . can boast of forty-one years in the Order . On the other hand , to his Brethren and the outside public it is clear that the good impression which he received of it at the outset of his career he has ever cherished . He maintained his connection

witb Masonry whilst soldiering in every clime , and on his return to his native land as Commander of the Forces in Ireland , he resumed membership of the Military Lodge , in which he was initiated , serving for two consecutive years the office of W . M . Moreover , he has evinced personal interest in the charities of the

Order . It gave him real pleasure to attend the annual athletic sports at the Masonic Boys School , and distribute tbe prizes , with words of encouragement to cultivate those manly sports and pastimes which make men of muscle and self-reliance . His

famous tadpole speech at tbe Dublin Gymnasium gave a great impetus to the systematic cultivation of athletics in our schools . Not that he would culivate the physical at the expense of the intellectual powers . A splendid example of self-help himself , he knows the value of training the mind .

The Duke of Abercorn , with whom Lord Wolseley was recently on a visit at Baronscourt , was to have presided on the 24 th , but unfortunately the state of his Grace ' s health prevented him from undertaking the journey to Dublin . With deep regret

the Brethren heard of their Grand Master ' s delicate health , and fervent wishes were expressed for bis speedy restoration to vigour . Here is his own admirable letter to Sir Charles Cameron , who will be recognised as the right man in the right place as one of the Honorary Secretaries of the banquet : —

Baronscourt , Ireland , 23 rd September 1895 . Mi' DEAB CAMERON , —I must beg of you to express to the Brethren my great regret at being unable to be present at the farewell dinner to Bro . Lord Wolseley to-morrow . I should have liked it above all things , but my health

"Will not quite permit of it . The dinner is a pleasant way ol testifying to the friendship and . merits of a Brother and a nobleman—not to add a soldierwho has lived amongst you for the last five or more years . During that time he has earned the esteem of all classes in Ireland . But even among the responsible duties of his office as a soldier he has found leisure to devote some

of his spare moments to the promoting and upholding of the Order of Masonry in Ireland . This , I know , is much appreciated by the Brethren . The dinner to-morrow is a mark of that appreciation . Give Bro . Lord Wolseley a hearty Masonio cheer in drinking his health , and rest assured in your mind that when he leaves our shores you will all of you lose a good Mason and a sincere friend .

Yours very truly , ABEBCOEN , Grand Master . In the absence of the Grand Master , the chair was taken by the Senior Grand Officer present—Brother James Creed Meredith , LL . D . Grand Treasurer , whose speeches were in excellent vein .

On bis right was the guest of the evening , ancl on his left General Viscount de Montmorency , Geueral Commanding the Dublin district . There was a bright array of leading Freemasons , including most of the Grand Officers both of Craft and Eoyal

Arch Masonry , a noteworthy personality among thein being Bro . Kivas Tully , who was initiated fifty-one years ago in this country , and afterwards settled in Canada . He is representative of the Grand Lodge of Ireland at the Grand Lodge of Canada , and happens to be visiting tbe " old country " on a holiday .

Lord Wolseley , in responding to the toast of his health , which was drunk with great enthusiasm and hearty cheers , complimented the honorary Secretaries , Sir Charles Cameron and Bro . Albert Murray , and expressed his pride in Masonrv

looking to its diffusion in promoting Brotherhood among all classes and sects of Irishmen as the best means of doing justice to Ireland . He hoped when he revisited Ireland to partake of Masonic hospitality . The banquet was a great success — " Belfast Weekl y News . "

Suitable Lodge Quarters.

SUITABLE LODGE QUARTERS .

IT is well known to our readers we are not among the class who consider tlie standing of Freemasonry in this country is improved by limiting the number of its Lodges . Of course tho authorities are justified in using every precaution and in making diligent enquiry before they accede to the request of petitioners for a new Warrant , but unless it can be shown that some real and tangible objections exist we do not consider any check should be put upon what may be regarded as the natural growth of the Order .

Adopting this vievv of the case tho question naturally arises , what are tangible objections that may bo urged as reasons for refusing to grant a Warrant ? It is not for us to decide the question , but it is no very difficult task to point out ono or two items that may be , and doubtless aro , taken into consideration , among the number boing that of proper accommodation for the proposed new Lodge .

The character of the different Lodges of Freemasonry may bo said in great measure to depend on the surroundings of their meeting places , and this being so Grand Lodge may reasonably require attention to tho very important detail of proper accommodation , a matter that has shown a radical advance in recent years , not only in the great metropolis , but in almost every other part of the country , public caterers apparently recognising the wisdom of making special arrangements in their establishments lor Masonic meetings ,

and not unfrequently showing more regard for the wishes of the members of the Craft , than for any other section of their patrons . This may in a measure bo understood when it is recognised that a public establishment may derive as much prestige from the patronage of a Lodge , as that body does from the enjoyment of a respectable and high class home—the advantages , in fact , aro mutual , and accordingly , whilo we aro delighted to record the successful inauguration of a new Lodge , we are equally gratified in hearing of new and comfortable quarters being opened for their accommodation .

This was the case on Tuesday , when we had tho pleasure of assisting at an informal inauguration of a most convenient and handsome Masonio Temple and suite of rooms at the Victoria Mansions Restaurant , Victoria Street , Westminster , of which Bro . T . Watt is the present proprietor .

His establishment is the home of the Imperial Lodge , No . 1694 , and the Pimlico Lodge , No . 1772 , besides accommodating the weekly meetings of the Faith Lodge of Instruction , No . 141 , each of which bodies is now to be congratulated on tho possession of such quarters as should satisfy the most fastidious , and render their meetings even more enjoyable than usual . .

The new Temple measures 47 by 20 feet , is richly decorated , handsomely furnished , and , with its accompanying ante-rooms , is entirely out off from tho other parts of the house , so that privacy and comfort are both assured . Electricity is employed for illuminating purposes , and this adds no little to the generally attractive appearance of the improved quarters , whioh we hope will receive that support from the Craft they so richly deserve .

Bro . Watt took advantage of the completion of the alterations he haa made at his establishment by entertaining a few friends to dinner on Tuesday , among the company being the Worshipful Masters of the two Lodges meeting at his house , together with some of tho regular attendants of the Faith Instruction Lodge , not the least in importance from

a Masonic standpoint being our old friend Bro . T . Bull , who appears to have quite recovered his former health and spirits , and may be cited as a living exemplification of the fact that great enthusiasm for Freemasonry does not impare one ' s chance of the enjoyment of comfortable old age , for it must be conceded that Bro . Bull has for many yeare been one of the most consistent supporters of tho Craft and its work to be found anywhere in the country .

Bro . Watt occupied tho chair , and must have shared with his guests the satisfaction of knowing the dinner provided was all that could be desired . No doubt somo special care was taken in its preparation , but we were assured it was only a fair exemplification of the capabilities of the establishment , and as such deserves particular commendation , arid if the Lodges are equally well served they will have no reason for complaint under this head . At the conclusion Bro . Watt gave the usual Loyal toast , which was followed by a fine musical selection by the Misses Neeeham .

Bro . A . E . Webster submitted the toast of Friends and Brothers , whioh , he said , in view of the fact that all present were members of the Craft , was somewhat contusing , for ho felt that the larger term of Brother embraced the lesser one . Still he had great pleasure in complying with the wish of their chairman that the toast should be submitted , and hoped the spirit of friendship and brotherhood would mark all future gatherings in the handsome

apartments they had just inspected . Bro . Davis responded , he also referring to the close association of tho terms " friends" and " brothers , " yet they were differenc , inasmuch as Brotherhood could be claimed as a right by every member of their Order , while friendship was a matter entirely dependent on personal sentiments .

The chairman of the evening might be said to associate the feelings of friendship with the principles of brotherhood , while as a member of the Graft he gave every promise of becoming a spleudid Mason . The Temple ho had provided was not merely an ornament , but was also useful for thoso who appreciated the work as well as the spirit of Freemasonry , and he hoped it would prove a successful venture on the part of Bro . Watt .

The next toast was " Success to tho new Lodge Rooms , " which was ably submitted by Bro . Uoflin , who gave some very interesting details of the past history of the neighbourhood , in which , years back , he occupied a houso with kitchen and flower garden , on the spot now occupied by some of the busiest establishments of the district . Truly he could say , in view of what he had himself experienced in tlie neighbourhood : "The old order changeth ,

giving place to the new . " No doubt Masonrv was increasing day by day and year by year in Loudon , and it owed much to the enterprise of such men as their chairman , who , in his estimation , possessed all the characteristics of a good Mason . He hoped the new Lodge Room would be a success , and that it would be well tilled by learning Brethren—men who desired to learn all the virtues of Masonry , with as few of the vices of humanity as was possible .

The Masters of the Pimlico and Imperial Lodges responded , each expressing gratification on behalf of their Lodge for the handsome improvements that had been made for their , and other Masonic assemblies . Other toasts followed , the whole being interspersed with some excellent music , and thus was launched what we hope will prove one of the most satisfactory additions made to tho homos of London Masonry in recent years .