Duke Of Cornwall Lodge, No. 1839.

DUKE OF CORNWALL LODGE , No . 1839 .

THE installation meeting of this Lodge was held on Saturday , the 11 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Great Qneen Street , London , when Bro . A . Williams was installed as Worshipfnl Master for the ensuing year . Among those present- at the meeting were Bros . O . F . Smith W . M ., J . W . Dewsnap I . P . M ., A . Williams S . W ., Henrv

Cattermole J . W ., J . C . Corpe P . M . Treas ., S . J . Rossiter Sec , J . W Brooke P . M ., G . F . Smith Jnn . P . M ., W . B . Maroas S . D ., J . Da Silva J . D ., 0 . H . Cox I . G ., H . S . Trego Organist ; Rov . J . Stadholmo Brownrigg P . G . C , and Shadwell II . Clerke Grand See ., both of whom took part in the consecration of the Lodge , and were elected as

honorary members thei'eof , in recognition of their services on that occasion . There was also a goodly array of visitors , among those who signed the attendance book being : —Bros . David H . Miller Sec . 39 . Joseph Tilley 326 , H . Massey P . M . 619 1928 , C . F . Hogard P . M . 205 P . P . G . S . of W . Essex , A . G . Dodson P . M . 188 , A . C . Mosley

1216 , S . B . Harris 538 , E . Peach , J . Da Silva P . M . 205 , G . Milton 1987 , A . L . Fryer 1624 , J . H . Williams 569 , W . Waring 192 , J .

Gilby 1309 , J . Podges P . M . 1706 , Robert Grico 1399 , W . W . Morgan Jun . On the opening of the Lodge , and after confirmation of the minutes , the ceremony of raising was performed , Bro . A . J . G . Maskens being dnl y admitted to a participation in the mysteries of the third degree by Bro . Dewsnap , who condncted this and tho

ceremony of installation in a most gratifying manner . Lodge having been lowered , the W . M . elect , Bro . Williams , was introduced , and in dne form installed ; he investing the following as his assistant officers : —Bros . Cattermole S . W ., Rossiter J . W ., Corpe P . M . Treas ., Dewsnap P . M . Sec , A . H . Jakina S . D ., Da Silva J . D ., Cox I G , A .

T . Baschinski D . C , Trego Organist , A . Phelps and J . T . Williams Stewards , Bowler T y ler . Previous to the closing of the Lodge a handsome Past Master ' s Jewel was presented to Bro . G . F . Smith , the retiring Master , who acknowledged the compliment thus paid him . The brethren subsequently adjourned to banquet in the Crown

room of the Freemasons' Tavern where an enjoyable repast was provided and a pleasant evening spent . After the banquet the nsnal toasts were honoured . In proposing that of the Queen and the Craft , the Worshipful Master referred to the hearty greetings which always followed this toast whenever proposed among Englishmen , and spoke

of the interest Her Majesty took in the Craft , as evidenced by the position she held in connection with its several Charitable Institutions . The next toast was a special one in the Lodge , the members of which had been graciously permitted to name it after H . R . H . the Grand Maater , among whose titles was that of Dnka of Cornwall .

Whenever the help of His Royal Highness was desired lor a Masonie work he was ready to give it to the best of his ability . The third toast , that of the Pro Grand Master , the Depnty Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers was approached with especial pleasure by the Worshipful Master , who had the hononr of coupling with it

two Grand Officers then present , who were , as the brethren knew , honorary members of the Lodge . The Worshipful Master had not the pleasure of being personally acquainted with either of them , but on one occasion had heard the Grand Secretary g ive the lecture on the tracing board , which was sufficient to stamp him as a thorough

Mason , even if he had not tha world-wide reputation of being so . Bro . Brownrigg , in replying , could conceive no position more pleasant than that of the Consecrating Officer of the Lodge and himself on that occasion . Seven years since they had been among the good wishers of a new Lodge , that night they had evidence of what had

been done on the foundation they had laid , and a most gratifying picture presented itself . The Grand Secretary followed . Seven in Freemasonry signified perfection , and that night the Dnke of Corn-Wall Lodge might be said to have arrived at perfection ; it having attained to the age of seven years . He ( Bro . Clerke ) had had the

distinguished privilege of consecrating their Lodge a few months before the Grand Master of England had been pleased to appoint him as Grand Secretary , and he then installed Brother Brooke as the first Master , He was pleased to see the work commenced nnder the guidance of that brother had been successfully carried ont ,

and that the Lodge had arrived at its present grand proportions . It occupied a very firm and substantial place among the Lodges of London , and he hoped it would ever maintain that position . Bro . Brooke next rose . He had the great hononr and privilege of proposing a toast which had always been received with enthusiasm and

kindness in their Lodge , but on the present occasion it was of twofold importance . To Bro . Smith , the Immediate Past Master , belonged the right of submitting this toast—that of the Worshipfnl Master of the Lodge—but he ( Bro . Brooke ) had asked that brother to forego his right on this occas-ion . Bro . Brooke ' s reason for doing

so was that Bro . Williams was an initiate ot his—the first initiate of the Lodge—whom , seven years since , it had been his pleasure to admit to the mysteries of Freemasonry . It could bo imagined then with what pleasure he now proposed his health as Worshipful Master . Tho seven years which had passed in the historv of the Lodge might bn

said to complete its first chapter or volume . Hitherto the reins of power had beeu held by those who were the founders of the Lodge , now they were transferred to the hands of the Lodge itself , in the

Person of its earliest initiate . Ifc was a great gratification to him and the other founders to know they could cotifioeritly transfer the government of the Lodge to its present ruler , who had proved his aptitude in the several offices he had filled since his admission . Ifc

was also a great comfort to them when they looked further , and saw those who would follow the present occupant of the chair . Tne Senior aud Jnnior Wardens and every one of the minor Officers was eiiht-r an initiate or joining member of the Lodge , not one being a founder ; it could , therefore , be said that tbe Lodge had its manage .

went in its own hands , and that its future rested entirely on iise'f . ¦ o ro . Brooke could but again refer to the pleasure he felt io being pprmitted to propose the health of Bro . Williams on two most important occasions in the Lodge—first as an Initiate , and now as Worshi pfnl Master , and in conclusion urged the brethren to give the toast a hearty reception . The Worshipful Maater , although very

Duke Of Cornwall Lodge, No. 1839.

prond of the position in which ifc had pleased the brethren to place him that day , did not fee ! wholly comfortable . He always found it difficult to speak of himself . All ho could promise was that he wonld endeavour fc > fulfil the duties which had been , entrusted to him . He could hardly hope to maintain the high standard fco which

the Lodge had attained , bnt he should strive to do so . He then proposed the health of fcho -Installing Master , Bro . J . VV . Dewsnap . It appear © I to him thero was a peculiar fitness in Bro . Dewsnap being called upon to instal him into tho chair , inasmuch as ifc was ou the recommendation of that brother thafc he had been admitted

a member of the Craffc . He and Bro . Dewsnap had long been friends , aud he hoped and trusted wonld long continue fco enjoy each other ' s esteem . Bro . Dewsnap had that night given them another example of his ability , coupled with indomitable perseverance . Bro . Dewsnap tendered his hearty thanks for the kind reception

accorded to his mme . He fe . lt that tho less he said of his workin « that night the better ifc would be ( a remark which elicited strong signs of disapproval ) . He had done his best , but was afraid thafc was not perfection . He had beeu associated with the Lodgo during the whole period of its existence , and as its first Treasurer and in

other offices had done all that lay in his power to ensure its success . The toast of the Visitors was next given . The Worshipfnl Master could not bring to bear on this toast any practical experience , as he had never figured as a visitor in fcho Craft . Still , he felt the meeting together of brethren of various Lodges must give them a broader view

of Freemasonry . Bros . Miller ( New York ) and Braund having replied they were followed by Bro . Dodson , who complimented the Installing Master on the manner in which ho had performed the work which he had to carry out . Bro . Harris could but remember the day when the Lodge was consecrated , and the powerful way in which his friend

Bro . Brownrigg , had then addressed the brethren . From a small beginning a great success had resulted , which he hoped would in . crease year by year . Bro . Howard said he was nofc like the Worship , fnl Master then in the chair , who told them he had never visited a Lodge . He ( Bro . Hogard ) had studied the Book of Constitutions

which enjoined on every Mason tho duty of visiting other Lodges , and he had acted thereon . If the Worshipful Master had not been a visitor he had afc least acquired ability in the Craffc , aa was evidenced by the sound advice he gave to each of his Officers when investing them . He thought it a great thing for the Master of a Lodge to be

in a position to say something on fche day of his installation , and that something Bro . Williams had been in a position to say effectively . He was sure , from what he had seen , that the Duke of Cornwall Lodge had a great future before it . The Worshipfnl Master next gave the toast of the Past Masters . He trusted he and those who

followed him might be able to imit ite them and come near to that perfection which they had shewn in their management of the Lodge . Bro . Smith , Immediate Past Master , had great pleasure , which was enhanced by the fact that ho was one of the founders of the Lodge , to respond as a Past Master . There were few there who had any

idea of the cloud through which he passed between the time of his election as Master of the Lodge and his installation , bat that cloud had beeu removed by the kindness shewn him ou all sides . He had experienced the true spirit of Freemasonry during his connection with the Lodge , and thanked tho members for their many

kind actions . Bro . Dewsnap had kindly said he should be pleased to assist him during his term of office , ancl he had right , nobly carried ont thafc promise . Bro . Brooke followed . Ifc was very gratif ying to him , who resided perhaps more than a thousand miles away , to experience the kindness he invariably met with on his periodical visits

to the country to attend fche dnties of his Lodge . Old friends meb him on those occasions iu the streets of London , and their hearty shake of tho hand and truly Masonic greeting proved the sincerity of their friendship , and the universality of Freemasonry . He had never felt this so much as since ho had resided iu a foreign country .

It was now seven years since their Lodge had been founded , and he had had the great hononr of being installed as its first Master in August 1879 . In the mouth following they had held their first regular meeting , and it wns oa thafc occasion that the present Master was initiated . The brethren could therefore fully appreciate the

p leasure with which ho witnessed his installation into the high office of Worshipfnl Master . Bro . J . F . Smith Jun . follow . id , tendering b , is thanks and hearty congratulations , first to the Worshi pful Maater for the ability he had displayed when appointing his officers , and later on , when responding to tho toast of his health ; next

to their Installing Master for the way in which he had performed his work that day , and for his many acts of kindness in the past , and t ' mn to the Ledge generally , the members of ' . vrnch had every reason to be proud of the position ifc had achieved , which high position he hoped it wonld be their good fortune to retain for all time . Fir > ther

D"wsnap regretted the unavoidable absence of tivo of fche Past Master . * , an unusual event in their Lodge . One of the absentees , Brother Stokes , had had the misfortune to lose his wife within the hist two or three weeks ; a loss which was deeply regretted by the members of the Lodge , who one and all d- sire i to express to their

brother their deep regret and smce-e symnarliy wfc ' -i him in the time of his severe bereavement . The Worshi pful M-ist-r next submitted tho toast of the Tr'asnrer and Secretary . He folt fche speeial thanks nf rhe Lodge were due fco Brother Corpe , for the way in which he had fulfilled the dnt ' es of Treasurer . Tbe strong financial position of

the Lod . e was in great measure due to him . It win something for so young a Lodge to say they had £ 100 iu the funds . Ot * tha Secretary ho could only say thafc the Lodge would be sure to reap the benefit ' , of the extra dnties Bro . Dewsnap had taken upon himself . Bro . Corpe tendered his thanks for the toast , and for the coiit nnecl

confidence reposed in him by the members of the Lodge . Bro her Ue"Saap said that in hia new position as Secretary he should endeavour to merit the approval of the members . He folly appreciated

' he confidence reposed in him and assured them ifc should net ; bo misybic-d . The toast of the Pross was next given and to this Bros . Massey and Morgan responded , after which the Officers of the Lodge were toasted , and the proceedings were brought to a conclusion .