A Reform In Masonic Toasting.

A REFORM IN MASONIC TOASTING .

T AST week we inserted a paragraph from one of our - * - ^ contemporaries , referring to the monotonous way in which the toasts are given at Masonic meetings , in which it was urged that surely some originality could penetrate into a Masonic gathering . We ventured to differ in this

respect , as at the time of writing we almost feared there was no escape from the weary hum-drum process of mutual admiration and all round back scrubbing we have so long been accustomed to , but before our words

were printed we found that reform was . possible , the lesson coming from the highest in the Craft , the Most Worshipful the Grand Master himself , who demonstrated to the large assembly present at the Centenary Festival

of the Boys School , at the Albert Hall , that there was no necessity for the monotonous repetition of tho same old toasts we have all long since become heartily sick of . The Queen and the Craft—proposed by the

Prince of Wales in about thirty words ; the Most Worshipful the Grand Master , Chairman of the Festival , proposed in commendably brief terms by Earl Amherst ; an interesting response by the Prince ; and a rattling

speech from him in proposing the toast of the evening , with a few concluding remarks from Bro . Keyser in acknowledgment , ended the programme , and the very large company rose from their seats with the feeling that all

that was necessary had been said , without the wearying utterances inseparable from complimentary toasting as known to those who—from choice or from necessity—have to sit out any considerable number of Masonic after-dinner gatherings .

Now that the Grand Master has set so splendid an example is it not possible for a reform to be attempted ? Some years ago Bros . Willing , Stiles , and a few of their friends who had a little respect for the feelings of " mere

listeners , " tried as an amendment the united sentiment of " Loyalty to the throne , and devotion to the best interests of the Craft" in place of the three or four toasts which usually head our list , but whether vested interests , in the

form of some enterprising champagne dealer ; or the pressure of some of the "talking-machines" of the period stopped this improvement we know not , certain it is the innovation did not become popular , and the relief which then seemed to be within reach was snatched from us .

We believe Freemasons can be just as loyal to their rulers without three verses of "God save the Queen "which even the Prince of Wales appeared to think was a little too much of a good thing when rendered in extenso

at the Centenary Festival ; " God bless the Prince of Wales , " in its entirety ; and the long rigmarole of titles and distinctions which are usually associated with the toasts of the Pro and Deputy Grand Masters , and the Grand Officers , when given in what is considered to be

A Reform In Masonic Toasting.

" proper form . " By the time the toast of the Worshipful Master is reached at an ordinary gathering most of the company are about tired of the talkee-talkee , and it very often happens that the remaining toasts have to be rushed

through , in order to clear them off before closing time ; while it . is no unusual sight to witness the departure of half or two thirds of a company long before the list is brought near . a conclusion .

If there was anything fresh to be urged in connection with these early complimentary toasts we should be the last to advocate their curtailment , but it is one wearisome repetition time after time , with never a change to break

the monotony of the thing . Why not , then , follow the excellent example set by our Grand Master , cut off the superfluous " gas" from the start , and at once get to work with the toasts which afford a little scope for the exercise of originality in proposition or response ?

If the Grand Officers felt aggrieved at being thus shorn of some , of their splendour , how would it be to reverse the order of our toasts , making the list somewhat as follows Loyalty to , the Throne and devotion to the Craft , the

Initiate , the Visitors , the Officers , the Worshipful Master , the Past Masters , the Grand Officers . By such an arrangement the old fogies of the Craft , Brethren who have borne the heat and burden of the dav , and have made themselves

accustomed to long drawn out sittings , would be in their glory , and could be as prosy as they wished after the more lively members had taken their departure . Such a radical

change would be out of place , we admit , but something might be done to get rid of a part of the senseless adulation wound out night after night at every Masonic gathering .

If it be true , as stated , that kings can do no wrong , the same can hardly be said to apply to the sycophants and courtiers who hedge the throne , and who at one time make themselves conspicuous by the absurd laudation they lavish upon their patrons , at another sting the hand held out to help

them , for no apparent reason unless it be to prove the insincerity of their devotion , or the under-current of venom hidden beneath their usually soft and velvety language . Well may our Bro . Richard Eve pray with the poet to be saved from his friends , after the great prominence given by a

contemporary to some of his shortcomings , and the patronising lecture showered , with all the importance of leaded type , upon his devoted head . It seems Bro . Eve was , for once in a way , out of date , and the kind , fatherly censor of the Masonic world at once makes it his business to air his superior

knowledge , and point out the awful possibilities that may arise in consequence of the bad example set by the Chairman of the Governing body of the Boys School , in mixing a few dates out of chronological order . No self-respecting Head Master would tolerate for a sinele moment such a

murderinpof chronology as Bro . Eve was guilty of , argues the critic , and naturally the self-respecting Editor is' equally sensitive , although we marvel to know what other great crime Brother

Eve has been guilty of to deserve so severe an exhibition of revolt on the part of a hitherto most obedient flatterer , " A fellow feeling makes one wondrous kind" ' tis said , and as we were once the victim of one of these periodical displays