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Notices Of Meetings.
to respond , waa warmly received . He thanked the brethren sincerely for the hearty manner in which they had received the toast . All would agree with the W . M . that in tho late Bro . Gerard Ford they had lost one whoso whole heart was in Freemasonry . Speaking for him . self , ho said it was great pleasure , after his recent rough and tumble
life , to come within those walls , and to be in a haven of rest , lheu brotherly love cemented all their differences ' , and all experienced happiness in doing their duty to each other . He then said he had another pleasant duty to perform—to propose the Worshipful Master . The chair was , he remarked , adorned by Bro . Clowes , who was im .
bued with the true spirit of Freemasonry . During the last two years ( the Lodge was but a young ono ) , Bro . Clowes had performed his duties with great ability , and he heartily wished him success and happiness during the coming year . Bro . R . Clowes was received with prolonged and enthusiastic applause on rising to respond . He
said he felt proud of the high position in which tho brethren , by thoir unanimous vote , had placed him . He was grateful to Bro . Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke for installing him , and to the many old and new friends who h d come from all parts to welcome him in his new position . Hi . *; pleasure had been further increased by seeing his oldest
Bon initiated . He , however , expressed his sincere regret that the late Bro . Gerard Ford , who had asked him to assist him in founding the Lodge , and who had proposed that his ( Brother Clowe's ) son should be initiated was no longer with them . He trusted that at the end of tho year he should experience the
same kind feelings that had been expressed towards him that day . Bro . F . A . Philbriek , Q . C , Grand Registrar next proposed the Initiate . A good father , he said , ought to make a good son . Speaking as an Essex Freemason , he bore testimony to the very hearty manner in which the Worshipful Master had supported Freemasonry in his
mother Province , and he believed his son would follow in his footsteps . He himself had a prescriptive right in proposing the toast . Not only had he installed the Worshipful Master in his mother Lodge in Essex , but he had the pleasure of proposing the health of his son , Bro . R . Percy Clowes , when he attained his majority . He waa his
sponsor in the Inns of Conrt to which he belonged , and had initiated him thafc day . The toast was heartily drunk , and Bro . R . Percy Clowes , on rising to respond , was warmly received He had been impressed , he said , with the ceremony of initiation , and felt that Freemasonry was calculated to make each one a better man . Ho
thanked the brethren of the Earl of Sussex Lodge for admitting him into the Fraternity . He had lost a good friend in the late Bro . Ford , who had proposed him . He trusted to merit promotion , till he ultimately reached the chair of the Lodge . The Worshipful Master proposed the Visitors . Bro . W . Sendall ( Mayor of Brighton )
responded . He said Bro . Marriott had spoken of the pleasure of coming to the Lodge as a haven of rest . But ho asked what were hia feelings ? Dnring the late election excitement , he had endeavoured to tread a bee line and go straight , in spite of the temptation of gas lights , flaming posters , and ne \ . spaper reports . He had looked
forward to that meeting with pleasure , and had been amply repaid by the hearty good feeling with which he and other visitors had been received . Bro . A . Welch , referring to tho Worshipful Master ' s excellent work in Freemasonry in Essex , said two Lodges in thitt county sent him fraternal greetings . It was withont precedent , he
thought , thafc during one afternoon a W . M . should bo installed , and hia sou not only initiated , bufc immediately honoured with office in the Lodge . Bro . W . E . Morrison ( Mayor elect of Eastbourne ) also responded . Eastbourne , he said , wad interested in the welfare of its sister town , Brighton , copying what was good and endeavouring
to profit by shortcomings which arose . Their Mayor , Aldermen , and Town Clerk were all Freemasons . He said tho Freemasons would give tho Provincial Grand Lodge a hearty welcome if they held on of their meetings at Eastbourne . The W . M ., in proposing tho Past Master , presented Bro . SirW . T . Marriott with a Past Master ' s jowel
in appreciation of the admirable manner in which he had carried out his duties during the past year . Bro . Marriott , iu responding , expressed his gratitude to the brethren for their kindness to him . His year of office had been ono of pleasure aud good fellowship , an I be would do all he could to assist the W . M . in carrying out tho duties
of his office . The W . M . proposed the Officers of the Lodge , to which Bros . H . E . Prince J . W . Secretary and J . P . Knight I . G . responded . From want of time the W . M . briefly proposed the Worshipful Masters of Lodges iu the Province , and the Joining Members , without asking for responses . The Tyler ' s toast completed the list . Tho majority
of the company then left to catch their respective trains . During the evening the musical programme , under the direction of Bros . J . P . Slingsby Roberts Organist of the Lodge , Dr . Alfred King P . P . G . O , and Tnrlo Lee , was ably sustained by Miss Minnie Freeman , Master C . Stewart , Bros . J . Brown , J . Gawthrop , and R . Grice . The duties of accompanist were admirably carried out by Bro . Turle Leo .
ASAPH LODGE , No . 1319 .
ONE of the mosfc popular of our London Lodges is that of the Asaph , No . 1319 , the membership of which is—to a considerable extent at least—identified with the Dramatic and Musical professions . The Lodge , we believe , is an off-shoot from tho Israel , No . 205 , but whether considered as an off-shoot or an original growth , there
can be no question as to its vitality . This was amply demonstrated ou Monday last when the members assembled at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , W . C , to celebrate their Installation Meeting and Annnal Festival . On the occasion under notice tho Festival may essentially be considered tho feature , aa the members only recognise
ono banquet a year , though they assemble monthly from November to July . Moreover , as workers , the Ledge holds a high position in the Craft . Tho W . M . of the pasfc year , Bro . George E . Fairchild , presided , and he was supported by Past Masters C Wellard ( Treasurer ) ,
J . M . Chamberlin ( Secretary ) , VV . A . Tinney , W . Lestocq , J . Weaver , E . Swanborough , J . Maclean , E . Frewins , and Meyer Lutz ; tho W . M . elect , Bro . J . D . Beveridge , aud tho Officers of the Lodge , with the fol - lowing : ~ Bros . VV . 6 . Penley , J . E . Hambleton , F . H . Macklin , Sam Johnson , F , Stewart , U , Crisp , C . ii , Howaou , C J , Coshoad , 11 . j 3
Notices Of Meetings.
Boleyn , J . G . Taylor , Luigi Lablaohe , H . W . Gushing , C . Dodsworth , J . E . Hinson , F . Mellish , VV . J . Mathews , J . J . Solomon , J . C Hambleton , H . J . Callcotfc , C . Powell , A . VV . Cornish , E .-Humphrey , L . Flonig , H . Snyder . * , F . G . Hambleton , J . Geary , J . Carter , R . F . Goodwin , A . Syms , A . E . Harper , E . Temple , Sam Itedfern , VV . L . Barrett ,
G . Fl . Allen , C Coote , A . Woodhonse , J . A . Hamilton , C Harper jun ., Ambrose Austin , Sant Matthews , Clement Smith , C G . Alias , JJ . J . Hitchins , H . Randall , W . II . Cremer , J . L . Simon and Ormond Years .
ley . Visitors : —Bros . E . Terry Grand Treasurer , Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke Grand Secretary , T . W . Harrison , Howard Reynolds , E . W . Gardiner , VV . Pink , M . Burnell , W . H . Cuiston , Arthur Dacre , J . Fernandez , Harry Nicholls , Lionel Rignold , J . D . Russell , VV . Fovvles .
It . S . Cummings , J . L . Shine , F . Dangerfiehi , C P . Leonard , F . Donby , VV . E . Haycock , W . J . Pitcher , H . Hart , VV . J . Holloway , It . Manuel , J . C Duckworth , A . Moore , J . Fitzgerald , G . Alexander , Thomas L . Bramble , J . Beveridge Spence , C M . Dnplany , G . Coop , T . D .
Stanton , H . Gillard Glind , Thos . Catling , J . Tickle , C . C , lt . T . Holms , F . G . Potter , VV . L . Maitland , VV . E . Chnpmau , E . J . Acwortb , J . Viou-y , J . Irvine , L . M . Myers , C . C , S . A . Cooper , VV . VV . Morgan , VV . It . Palmer , G . Fox , S . Bancroft , G . Bishop , F . M . Clemow , A . Adams , T . Keen , H . Massey , E . Thomas F . Leslie , J . D . Langton .
Albeit James , J . A . Brown , F . Bevan , R . Planquette , L ' etoile Polairo , C W . Hales , F . A Ormsby , J . R . Jekyll , Knox Holmes , & o . After the Lodge had been formally constituted , Bro . Weaver P . M . presented tho W . M . elect , and Bro . Jas . D . Beveridge was regularly installed in the chair , Bro . George Fairchild , who holds a prominent
position as an exponent ot Masonio Ritual , fairly excelling himself on thia special occasion . The new W . M . invested the following as his Officers : —Bros . T . de Brunnow Holmes S . W ., A . E . Bishop J . W ., Tinney P . M . D . C , Wellard P . M . Treasurer , Chamberlin P . M . Sec , VV . S . Penley S . D ., J . E . Hambleton J . D ., F . IL Macklin I . G ., Sam
Johnson and Frank Stewart Stewards , and Johu Gilbert Tyler . The spirit of emulation was actively nt work . Bro . Beveridge , in addressing his Officers on their investment , was both eloquent and graceful ; his remarks were enthusiastically received . The addresses from Brother Fairchild completed this portion of the day ' s work .
Before closing , an appeal was made to tho brethren for support to tho fund now being raised for tho widow and family of the late Bro . F . Delevanti P . M . The banquet was served in tho large hall of Freemasons' Tavern , personally superintended by Bro . Darlcell . The W . M , in proposing the Queen and tho Craft , said ho should premise
that the speeches as far as he was concerned would bo of the briefest order . They had a post-praudial entertainment of unusual excellence , and ho waa sure that would be better than any display of his poor oratory . He would ask them to drink the Queen and Ihe Craft—a toast , ho trusted , that would never bo disassociated aa long as Her
Majesty reigned . Loyalty was tho distinguishing characteristic of Freemasons , and he did not think it needed any assurance from him that the devotion of the Masonic holy was met by Her Majesty in the display of her interest in the Masonio Order . This had been proved over and over again . In speaking of the * Prince of Wales
M . W . G . M ., the W . M . eaid His Royal Highness was the future chief of this great empire ; he was patron of tho Ait ? , Sckuces , the Drama , find of everything whic ' i \ Umded to tho wolfuvo of tho nation . With tho next toast , the Pro Grand Master , tho Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of tho Grand Officer ** , Present und Pas . ' ,
the W . M . said might bo introduced a i of reading deviation fi \ m tho stereotyped form . When tho brethren recngnised that the Pio Grand Master and the Deputy Grand Master could spare leisure from their high official duties to devote timo arid energy , in conjunction with tho Graud Muster and the rest of tho Grand Officer ? , ft r tho welfare
of the Graft in general , and tho Lodge of Asaph in particular , they mus-t acknowledge that they owed them a deep debt of gratitude . Speaking as an actor he must say he was very proud that one of 'ho highest office . 3 in Grand Lodgo wai held by their distinguished Bio . E I ward Terry . But this was not the first time in tho history
of Ma-onry or the history of the stage that Grand Office had been held by an actor . A friend of hi--, Mr . Adims , of the Adelphi Theatre , who was not an actor , presented him the o her day with a book 150 years of age , and on glancing over its pages he found the following passage , which referred to the year 1731 : — "Amongst
many good effects arising from a renovation of this Institution — ( that is Masonry , which is fallen into rather low water)— "the theatre experienced its share . Masons are iu general warm friends of the drama , which they deem essential to the cause of virtue , aud as Charity is one of their leading principles , they
constantly devote the profits arising from oue night ' s performanco at the theatre every season towards the relief of their distressed and indigent brethren . At this time , however , in 1731 , I heir laudable zeal carried them so far as to make them bespeak the tragedy of Cato , then remarkably popular , the
male characters of which were all performed by gentlemen Masons ; fche prices were advanced ; and so crowded aud brilliant an audience had never at that time been seen in this kingdom . " The Grand Secretary at that time waa a Mr . Griffiths , a rather eminent actor , and so pleased wero the brethren at what he had done in Dublin to restore
Freemasonry to something like its pristine glory that thoy gavo him a benefit to which the Grand Master and Graud Oflicers wenfc in Masonic regalia , in procession , and fche quaint old book said that " thereby he reaped great profit . " The present genial Grand Scoretary did not need a benefit , but supposing their Grand Treasurer
wanted a benefit , supposing he got a dispensation from the Grand Master for hia brethren to walk iu regalia to Terry ' s Theatre , ho did not know where he would house them , or whether tho state of the Strand , to say nothing of tbo London County Council , would permit of the proceeding . Iiro . Edward Terry Grand Treasurer said that in
rising to attempt to respond to the toast of the Grand Officers , ho might slightly alter a Shakesperian quotation , and aay , of all things c ' se I have evaded thia—up to the present—as owing to tho exigencies of hia profession , ho had escaped from the banquets before tho speeches came on . Ho thoroughly appreciated all that tho ^ W . M . had said ot him aud tho Grand Officers generally . Ho felt it , personally-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Notices Of Meetings.
to respond , waa warmly received . He thanked the brethren sincerely for the hearty manner in which they had received the toast . All would agree with the W . M . that in tho late Bro . Gerard Ford they had lost one whoso whole heart was in Freemasonry . Speaking for him . self , ho said it was great pleasure , after his recent rough and tumble
life , to come within those walls , and to be in a haven of rest , lheu brotherly love cemented all their differences ' , and all experienced happiness in doing their duty to each other . He then said he had another pleasant duty to perform—to propose the Worshipful Master . The chair was , he remarked , adorned by Bro . Clowes , who was im .
bued with the true spirit of Freemasonry . During the last two years ( the Lodge was but a young ono ) , Bro . Clowes had performed his duties with great ability , and he heartily wished him success and happiness during the coming year . Bro . R . Clowes was received with prolonged and enthusiastic applause on rising to respond . He
said he felt proud of the high position in which tho brethren , by thoir unanimous vote , had placed him . He was grateful to Bro . Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke for installing him , and to the many old and new friends who h d come from all parts to welcome him in his new position . Hi . *; pleasure had been further increased by seeing his oldest
Bon initiated . He , however , expressed his sincere regret that the late Bro . Gerard Ford , who had asked him to assist him in founding the Lodge , and who had proposed that his ( Brother Clowe's ) son should be initiated was no longer with them . He trusted that at the end of tho year he should experience the
same kind feelings that had been expressed towards him that day . Bro . F . A . Philbriek , Q . C , Grand Registrar next proposed the Initiate . A good father , he said , ought to make a good son . Speaking as an Essex Freemason , he bore testimony to the very hearty manner in which the Worshipful Master had supported Freemasonry in his
mother Province , and he believed his son would follow in his footsteps . He himself had a prescriptive right in proposing the toast . Not only had he installed the Worshipful Master in his mother Lodge in Essex , but he had the pleasure of proposing the health of his son , Bro . R . Percy Clowes , when he attained his majority . He waa his
sponsor in the Inns of Conrt to which he belonged , and had initiated him thafc day . The toast was heartily drunk , and Bro . R . Percy Clowes , on rising to respond , was warmly received He had been impressed , he said , with the ceremony of initiation , and felt that Freemasonry was calculated to make each one a better man . Ho
thanked the brethren of the Earl of Sussex Lodge for admitting him into the Fraternity . He had lost a good friend in the late Bro . Ford , who had proposed him . He trusted to merit promotion , till he ultimately reached the chair of the Lodge . The Worshipful Master proposed the Visitors . Bro . W . Sendall ( Mayor of Brighton )
responded . He said Bro . Marriott had spoken of the pleasure of coming to the Lodge as a haven of rest . But ho asked what were hia feelings ? Dnring the late election excitement , he had endeavoured to tread a bee line and go straight , in spite of the temptation of gas lights , flaming posters , and ne \ . spaper reports . He had looked
forward to that meeting with pleasure , and had been amply repaid by the hearty good feeling with which he and other visitors had been received . Bro . A . Welch , referring to tho Worshipful Master ' s excellent work in Freemasonry in Essex , said two Lodges in thitt county sent him fraternal greetings . It was withont precedent , he
thought , thafc during one afternoon a W . M . should bo installed , and hia sou not only initiated , bufc immediately honoured with office in the Lodge . Bro . W . E . Morrison ( Mayor elect of Eastbourne ) also responded . Eastbourne , he said , wad interested in the welfare of its sister town , Brighton , copying what was good and endeavouring
to profit by shortcomings which arose . Their Mayor , Aldermen , and Town Clerk were all Freemasons . He said tho Freemasons would give tho Provincial Grand Lodge a hearty welcome if they held on of their meetings at Eastbourne . The W . M ., in proposing tho Past Master , presented Bro . SirW . T . Marriott with a Past Master ' s jowel
in appreciation of the admirable manner in which he had carried out his duties during the past year . Bro . Marriott , iu responding , expressed his gratitude to the brethren for their kindness to him . His year of office had been ono of pleasure aud good fellowship , an I be would do all he could to assist the W . M . in carrying out tho duties
of his office . The W . M . proposed the Officers of the Lodge , to which Bros . H . E . Prince J . W . Secretary and J . P . Knight I . G . responded . From want of time the W . M . briefly proposed the Worshipful Masters of Lodges iu the Province , and the Joining Members , without asking for responses . The Tyler ' s toast completed the list . Tho majority
of the company then left to catch their respective trains . During the evening the musical programme , under the direction of Bros . J . P . Slingsby Roberts Organist of the Lodge , Dr . Alfred King P . P . G . O , and Tnrlo Lee , was ably sustained by Miss Minnie Freeman , Master C . Stewart , Bros . J . Brown , J . Gawthrop , and R . Grice . The duties of accompanist were admirably carried out by Bro . Turle Leo .
ASAPH LODGE , No . 1319 .
ONE of the mosfc popular of our London Lodges is that of the Asaph , No . 1319 , the membership of which is—to a considerable extent at least—identified with the Dramatic and Musical professions . The Lodge , we believe , is an off-shoot from tho Israel , No . 205 , but whether considered as an off-shoot or an original growth , there
can be no question as to its vitality . This was amply demonstrated ou Monday last when the members assembled at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , W . C , to celebrate their Installation Meeting and Annnal Festival . On the occasion under notice tho Festival may essentially be considered tho feature , aa the members only recognise
ono banquet a year , though they assemble monthly from November to July . Moreover , as workers , the Ledge holds a high position in the Craft . Tho W . M . of the pasfc year , Bro . George E . Fairchild , presided , and he was supported by Past Masters C Wellard ( Treasurer ) ,
J . M . Chamberlin ( Secretary ) , VV . A . Tinney , W . Lestocq , J . Weaver , E . Swanborough , J . Maclean , E . Frewins , and Meyer Lutz ; tho W . M . elect , Bro . J . D . Beveridge , aud tho Officers of the Lodge , with the fol - lowing : ~ Bros . VV . 6 . Penley , J . E . Hambleton , F . H . Macklin , Sam Johnson , F , Stewart , U , Crisp , C . ii , Howaou , C J , Coshoad , 11 . j 3
Notices Of Meetings.
Boleyn , J . G . Taylor , Luigi Lablaohe , H . W . Gushing , C . Dodsworth , J . E . Hinson , F . Mellish , VV . J . Mathews , J . J . Solomon , J . C Hambleton , H . J . Callcotfc , C . Powell , A . VV . Cornish , E .-Humphrey , L . Flonig , H . Snyder . * , F . G . Hambleton , J . Geary , J . Carter , R . F . Goodwin , A . Syms , A . E . Harper , E . Temple , Sam Itedfern , VV . L . Barrett ,
G . Fl . Allen , C Coote , A . Woodhonse , J . A . Hamilton , C Harper jun ., Ambrose Austin , Sant Matthews , Clement Smith , C G . Alias , JJ . J . Hitchins , H . Randall , W . II . Cremer , J . L . Simon and Ormond Years .
ley . Visitors : —Bros . E . Terry Grand Treasurer , Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke Grand Secretary , T . W . Harrison , Howard Reynolds , E . W . Gardiner , VV . Pink , M . Burnell , W . H . Cuiston , Arthur Dacre , J . Fernandez , Harry Nicholls , Lionel Rignold , J . D . Russell , VV . Fovvles .
It . S . Cummings , J . L . Shine , F . Dangerfiehi , C P . Leonard , F . Donby , VV . E . Haycock , W . J . Pitcher , H . Hart , VV . J . Holloway , It . Manuel , J . C Duckworth , A . Moore , J . Fitzgerald , G . Alexander , Thomas L . Bramble , J . Beveridge Spence , C M . Dnplany , G . Coop , T . D .
Stanton , H . Gillard Glind , Thos . Catling , J . Tickle , C . C , lt . T . Holms , F . G . Potter , VV . L . Maitland , VV . E . Chnpmau , E . J . Acwortb , J . Viou-y , J . Irvine , L . M . Myers , C . C , S . A . Cooper , VV . VV . Morgan , VV . It . Palmer , G . Fox , S . Bancroft , G . Bishop , F . M . Clemow , A . Adams , T . Keen , H . Massey , E . Thomas F . Leslie , J . D . Langton .
Albeit James , J . A . Brown , F . Bevan , R . Planquette , L ' etoile Polairo , C W . Hales , F . A Ormsby , J . R . Jekyll , Knox Holmes , & o . After the Lodge had been formally constituted , Bro . Weaver P . M . presented tho W . M . elect , and Bro . Jas . D . Beveridge was regularly installed in the chair , Bro . George Fairchild , who holds a prominent
position as an exponent ot Masonio Ritual , fairly excelling himself on thia special occasion . The new W . M . invested the following as his Officers : —Bros . T . de Brunnow Holmes S . W ., A . E . Bishop J . W ., Tinney P . M . D . C , Wellard P . M . Treasurer , Chamberlin P . M . Sec , VV . S . Penley S . D ., J . E . Hambleton J . D ., F . IL Macklin I . G ., Sam
Johnson and Frank Stewart Stewards , and Johu Gilbert Tyler . The spirit of emulation was actively nt work . Bro . Beveridge , in addressing his Officers on their investment , was both eloquent and graceful ; his remarks were enthusiastically received . The addresses from Brother Fairchild completed this portion of the day ' s work .
Before closing , an appeal was made to tho brethren for support to tho fund now being raised for tho widow and family of the late Bro . F . Delevanti P . M . The banquet was served in tho large hall of Freemasons' Tavern , personally superintended by Bro . Darlcell . The W . M , in proposing the Queen and tho Craft , said ho should premise
that the speeches as far as he was concerned would bo of the briefest order . They had a post-praudial entertainment of unusual excellence , and ho waa sure that would be better than any display of his poor oratory . He would ask them to drink the Queen and Ihe Craft—a toast , ho trusted , that would never bo disassociated aa long as Her
Majesty reigned . Loyalty was tho distinguishing characteristic of Freemasons , and he did not think it needed any assurance from him that the devotion of the Masonic holy was met by Her Majesty in the display of her interest in the Masonio Order . This had been proved over and over again . In speaking of the * Prince of Wales
M . W . G . M ., the W . M . eaid His Royal Highness was the future chief of this great empire ; he was patron of tho Ait ? , Sckuces , the Drama , find of everything whic ' i \ Umded to tho wolfuvo of tho nation . With tho next toast , the Pro Grand Master , tho Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of tho Grand Officer ** , Present und Pas . ' ,
the W . M . said might bo introduced a i of reading deviation fi \ m tho stereotyped form . When tho brethren recngnised that the Pio Grand Master and the Deputy Grand Master could spare leisure from their high official duties to devote timo arid energy , in conjunction with tho Graud Muster and the rest of tho Grand Officer ? , ft r tho welfare
of the Graft in general , and tho Lodge of Asaph in particular , they mus-t acknowledge that they owed them a deep debt of gratitude . Speaking as an actor he must say he was very proud that one of 'ho highest office . 3 in Grand Lodgo wai held by their distinguished Bio . E I ward Terry . But this was not the first time in tho history
of Ma-onry or the history of the stage that Grand Office had been held by an actor . A friend of hi--, Mr . Adims , of the Adelphi Theatre , who was not an actor , presented him the o her day with a book 150 years of age , and on glancing over its pages he found the following passage , which referred to the year 1731 : — "Amongst
many good effects arising from a renovation of this Institution — ( that is Masonry , which is fallen into rather low water)— "the theatre experienced its share . Masons are iu general warm friends of the drama , which they deem essential to the cause of virtue , aud as Charity is one of their leading principles , they
constantly devote the profits arising from oue night ' s performanco at the theatre every season towards the relief of their distressed and indigent brethren . At this time , however , in 1731 , I heir laudable zeal carried them so far as to make them bespeak the tragedy of Cato , then remarkably popular , the
male characters of which were all performed by gentlemen Masons ; fche prices were advanced ; and so crowded aud brilliant an audience had never at that time been seen in this kingdom . " The Grand Secretary at that time waa a Mr . Griffiths , a rather eminent actor , and so pleased wero the brethren at what he had done in Dublin to restore
Freemasonry to something like its pristine glory that thoy gavo him a benefit to which the Grand Master and Graud Oflicers wenfc in Masonic regalia , in procession , and fche quaint old book said that " thereby he reaped great profit . " The present genial Grand Scoretary did not need a benefit , but supposing their Grand Treasurer
wanted a benefit , supposing he got a dispensation from the Grand Master for hia brethren to walk iu regalia to Terry ' s Theatre , ho did not know where he would house them , or whether tho state of the Strand , to say nothing of tbo London County Council , would permit of the proceeding . Iiro . Edward Terry Grand Treasurer said that in
rising to attempt to respond to the toast of the Grand Officers , ho might slightly alter a Shakesperian quotation , and aay , of all things c ' se I have evaded thia—up to the present—as owing to tho exigencies of hia profession , ho had escaped from the banquets before tho speeches came on . Ho thoroughly appreciated all that tho ^ W . M . had said ot him aud tho Grand Officers generally . Ho felt it , personally-