St. Michael's Lodge, No. 211.

honour of presiding , is the largest , and ranks next to your own . Thr Grand Lodge n ? New York comprises 728 subordinate Lodges and 75 , 000 Masons . Eaoh of the forty-eight Ameriean Grand Lodges i ^ represented , with the exception of one , at yonr own Grand Lodge , by a Grand Representative . I may say that the onerous and broad

principles exercised by yonr Grand Lodge , whioh is so ably presided over by His Royal Highness the Moat Worshipfnl Grand Mister , tends considerably to promote harmony and brotherly feeling in all spheres of Masonic life . This fact , and the kind hospitality of the Lodges in tho United Kingdom , do as much to cement and bring

together those of other jurisdictions as anything I can name . There it no qnestion that to-night you bring together Masons , not only of yonr own jurisdiction , but from all parts of the world . I thank yon for the oordial manner in which you have mentioned the Grand Lodge of New York , and will say that that Grand Lodge presents to the Drury Lane Lodge the most fraternal greetings .

Bro . Lord Hersohell P . G . W ., in proposing the health of the Worshipf nl Master , said : I have the honour of being permitted to propose the next toast , and I think that the fact that I have been chosen to propose it is a compliment to your W . M ., not on account of any qualities that I possess , or position which I occupy , but for three

reasons . In the first place I have known the W . M . for a quarter of a century , and I think that any one who has known him that time is not likely to say any thing but what is good of him , and that of itself is a compliment . I have come into contact with him in the practice of the law , and if after twenty-five years' close contact one lawye r

should have anything good to say of another , I think that is surely high testimony .- During eleven years we occupied seats together in a certain place where we did not always have the same views — indeed , I think we seldom agreed , the conflicts being sometimes heated . That it should be expected that I would , after these

conflicts , bear testimony to his merits , is my third reason for assigning the choice of myself to propose his health as a compliment to Bro . Sir John Gorst , your W . M . I would desire also to say that the party to which I belong—do not be alarmed , brethren , I am not going to say anything to which you can take exception ; the party to

which I belong is alluded to as possessing something less than the average stook of intelleot . But there is one capacity we possessand , I trust , always shall possess—the oapacity to recognise intellectual merit in our political opponents , and I feel I am competent to bear testimony to the merits of your Worshipful Master . I am quite

sure we must all desire that those who possess merit should come into the front rank of their party , whatover their party may be , and consequently those who are political opponents , when they see men are men of merit , say they worthily adorn the positions they have so well merited . I have been told that short speeches are to be

the rule . I never desire to make long ones , and I always lay down the one great principle of " the strictest obedience to the constituted authorities "—more especially if I do not feel sure what the consequences of disobedience may be . I will add nothing more than that I can in all sincerity and heartiness propose the heaHh of vnnr

Master . It is a real pleasure , considering the many years I hnve known him , to be allowed to propose the toast , and I can assure yon that he possesses that ability , integrity , and industry which are essential to the due performance of the duties of Worshipful Master of the Drury Lane Lodge .

The Worshipfnl Master said : I feel deeply indebted to Lord Hersohell for tho kind and complimentary terms in which he has been good enough to propose my health , and yon , brethren , for having received it with so much enthusiasm . Believe me , if it were , that which it is not , for constituted authorities to violate their own

rules , I could go on for a long time before I should give expression to the feelings which animate me on being made a Worshipful Master for the first time . I am an old Mason , and , I assure you , as rusty as I can bo . There are one or Wo brethren present who remember the days of the old Scientific Lodge at Cambridge , where we studied

Masonry together . To the fact that I have been all my life a rolling stone I owe it that I have not reached the position of Worshipfnl Master before , for I have never been in a Lodge long enough to attain the dignity of the chair . I feel deeply indebted to the founders of the Drury Lane Lodge for having done me the

distingufshed honour of electing me , at so early a period , ruler of so distinguished a Lodge . I do not like to make promises in words , as I prefer deeds rather than words , but I would assure you it is my fervent desire and intention so to conduct myself in the position to which I have been elected as to deserve the kindness and good

opinion which yon have expressed towards me to-day . Before I sit down , I have , as the occupant of the chair , a pleasing duty to perform . Every brother who has been for any length of time a member of this Lodge will agree with me that if there is one brother moro than another to whom we are indebted for its Masouic excellence it

is Brother Parkinson . I believe that in the outer would Brother Parkinson has attained great distinction . Ho has distinguished himself as a writer , as a speaker , and as the head of numerous and succesaful commercial undertakings . But it is not in that capacity

we know him . We know him a 3 a most sincere , painstaking , and excellent Freemason . He has been our instructor and guardian , and baa been , in some ssnses , the Father of the Lodge . Those -who have been Officers will confess that the Lodge could not havo gone on if it had not been for the uuremittinsr services which Bro . Parkinson

has so zealously and so punctually afforded us . I kiow I am speaking the views of the Immediate Past Master , Bro . Augustus Harris , and I am snre that if our former Past Muster , Lord LoTidesbomngh , had been present , he would have thoroughly endorsed all f have said . I am asked to present Brother Parkinson with a lit MM

testimonial , showing we have not been quite insensible of the benefits we have received at his lauds . It i * i a watch , containing a suitable inscription , and when in future times he consult ! it , ho will remember those happy days ho spent in the Drury Lane Lodge , where he has endeared himself as a Freemason to many of us , aud I hope will endear himself to many more in years to come . Brother Parkinson ,

St. Michael's Lodge, No. 211.

I beg to present yon with this small testimonial , as a trifling mark of tho obligation we owe yon . Brother J . C . Parkinson P . G . D ., in responding to the toast , said Those responsible for the arrangements to-night have given mo a double dnty , namely , that in addition to such acknowledgments as

f may be able to make , lam to propose the toast of tho Past Masters , ft will bo less trying to me to discharge this easy and agreeable dnty first , and so try to nerve myself for what I fear will prove far more difficult . Oar Lodge has been two years established , and we have now two Past Masters , the Earl of Londeshorongh and Augustus

Harris . Lord Londesborongh has from tho inception of this Lodge given its aft lirs his unremitting personal attention , and by his suggestions and advice , his privato hospitalities and genial co-operation , has done more than I can tell yon to place and keep the Lodge in its admittedly hi . crh position . Onr noble brother has for years been

known and regarded by the dramatic profession . His kind heart and open hand havo done much to assuage the distress of those in sickness or tribulation . His steady and consistent attachment to the drama are universally known , and it was by a process of natural selection those concerned in the formation of a Lodge whioh was to

hail from Old Drury , placed him by acclamation its first Mister in the ohair . How from the time of his installation to the present the Lodge has proceeded in its triumphant course , how it has absorbed into its ranks very much that is brilliant in public and artistic lifeis as well known to you as to me . But , however far into the

centuries its prosperity may carry i r , however widely its fame may extend , the name of the Earl of Londeaborongh will live and be cherished as that of its first Master—the forerunner , I hope , of a long line of able successors . Bro . Augustus Harris ha ? , it is wellknown , the enviable faculty of tnrniuar everything ho fcmobes lit )

gold . Being quite unoccupied , having nothing to do , nothing whatever on his mind , enjoying abundant leisure , ha turned his idle thoughts one day as to how he conld most pleasaufcly beguile the tedium of his many vacant hours—aud the happy idea of founding a Freemasons' Lodge occurred to him . Presto ! the success we

enjoy was assured . The boundless artistic resource . * of Drury Lane Theatre were drawn upon . No difficulties daunted him . NJ facilities were too great to grant—no responsibilities too heavy for him to assume . It has been a great pleasure to us all to march as Masonio soldiers under the ever viotorioas general , Druriolanus ,

to work with him and for him , and to accept from him to-ui ^ ht the beautiful banner which hangs alongside that of Lord LondeBborough , and that presented by Bro . Henry Neville , who , as a Founder , filled the Past Master ' s chair on the day of consecration . Bro . Lord Londesborouah and Bro . Harris are also founders as w-Ml as Past

Masters . Long may they flourish and prosper u der the ln < oiria 't foliage of the tree they planted , and when Bro . Hani * , as Immed ate Past Master , returns thank ' s , he will , I know , do so with as much confidence in this Lodge's future as he has sati- »* a'vion in i's pist . Now let me crave your indulgent toleration while I attempt ,

however feebly , to discharge what is , considering the circumstances and the distinguished character of the assembly in wheh this ) beautiful presentation has been made one of the m > st difficult tusks I have ever attempted . At our Masouic Boys' School a pr ze is a * -a- de I annually by the boys themselves . It is not the ripest sc iolar , nor

tho most powerful athlete , nor the most nimble--vitted—certainly not the mo 3 t self-asserting boy who gains this prize . No ! it is given by a vote of the whole School to one who probibly to bis own snrprise finds that small services rendered by him in a mo lest spirit , friendly offices performed as a matter of course and without a thought

of conferring obligati m , mere ea 4 y-going pleasmt c ' -operation iu i he business of the hour , have earned him the go id-will aud aff jc'ioa of those amongst whom he has lived and worked and pliyed . If I may believe that my position at this moment is analagons , even remotely , to that of the happily selected Mas > nic boy , and t '> a the

magnificent present just handed me by our Worshipful Master — a present which has the signal advantage of being a portable personal chattel to be always carried about with one , and shown with pride to one ' s brother Masoua all over the world—if I am to accept this a 3 the outcome of my Masonic relations with you all , y >» n make me

proud and glad indeed . Sir John Gorst has laid g « nerous stress upon the work performed . But it has been the hearty and kindly co-operation of my brother Grand Officers who are our honorary members ; the willing intelligent help and punctunl regular attendance of the Officers of the Lodge , and the friendly feeling and

appreciation manifested by the members generally which has given that work its vitality and interest , and which endows this Drury Lane Lodge with a strength and force peculiarly its own . That I should receive from you this exquisite , this almost sentient triumph of scientific and mechanical art , this most effective speaking monitor , which

henceforth by night and day , at home and abroad , in sickness and in health , all through the time left for me , far away into old age if old age be granted , shall live with me , pulsate and tell with musical tongue of your generosity and my gratitude—aye , and which will continue , thus to speak , as an heirloom long after my heart and voice

are stilled—all this inspires feelings and reflections which are almost overwhelming ! What can I say that will express my emotions adequately ? How can I , looking round me , rise to the dignity of chid occivsum ? I will not attempt the impossible . I will not try .

II ither , in the words of a great man I once heard speak in tbi 3 very hill , let mo hope tht . t in my reticence , in my enforced silence , in all [ do not say—you may find some traces of that eloquence which lies deeper than the richest words . Throwing myself upon the generous

interpretations and consideration which have never failed me yet , let me say that for your uniform indulgence to my efforts , aud your unbroken goodness to me at all times , of which this is the latest ; angiblo expression , I can no other answer make Than thanks , and thanks , and ever thanks ,

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