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jg C"J 3 W- » J . ^^^^^ j ^ A ^ fVAMM 9 CTJ *| j^^^^^i^^p SATUEDAY , 18 TH SEPTEMBEE 1897 .

Lodge Centenary.

LODGE CENTENARY .

Cl HAEITY LODGE , No . 223 , Plymouth , having been granted J its Centenary Warrant , the interesting event was celebrated with much eclat on Wednesday , 8 th inst . In spite of rain , nearly eighty ladies and gentlemen assembled in the morning at the Freemasons' Hall , and in four waggonettes , each drawn by four horses , they drove over Laira Bridge , through the villages of

Brixton and Yealmpton , to the stately home of Flete , where in the handsome library Mr . and Mrs . H . B . Mildmay and their daughter received the company with a kindness that was keenly appreciated . The elegant mansion presented many points of interest . A classical subject by the late Lord Leighton , P . E . A ., a fine landscape by Leader , A . E . A ., and a series of family

portraits ( especially one of Mr . F . B . Mildmay , M . P ., when a boy ) were much admired . In the spacious music chamber Bro . W . Willoughby . Mus . Bac . Oxon , played selections on the fine-toned organ . On the terrace overlooking a grand woodland scene , through which the Eiver Erme meanders , the party were photographed by Mr . H . Yeo ; first the Brethren , and then the

whole company . It had been intended to secure a group of the members of Charity in Masonic clothing and jewels , as a souvenir to hang on the Lodge walls , but the necessary dispensation from the Prov . G . M . had not been obtained . Fortunately the rain , which fell more or less all day , ceased for about half an hour

whilst the photographs were being taken , and the visitors strolled through the beautiful grounds , vineries , and gardens , escorted by the steward . Before leaving Flete " The fine old English gentleman " was played on the cornets , and ringing cheers were given for Mr . Mildmay and his family , and the compliment was acknowledged by the ladies from an upper window .

Eeturning to Yealmpton , a capital luncheon was served at the Yealmpton Hotel , Bro . C . H . Tozer W . M . presiding , supported by his wife and daughter . After the loyal toast , the health of Mr . and Mrs . Mildmay and their family was , at the call of the W . M ., drunk with hearty cheers and musical honours .

Then Bro . Cornish , in felicitous terms , proposed the W . M ., whose gratification at affording others pleasure was very evident . The toast was received with enthusiasm , and with one cheer more " for Mrs . Tozer and family . " Bro . Tozer returning thanks , said he felt it a very real honour to be W . M . of a Lodge one hundred years old , and still showing signs of a youthful vigour and a true Masonic spirit .

At the suggestion of Bro . Stenlake Treasurer , Bro . Eobins was cordially thanked for his successful catering . Songs were sung by Bro . Biscombe and Bro . Webb . In the evening the W . M . entertained at tea those who had joined in the' outing , together with other members of the Lodge and their lady friends . Bro . Tozer also extended invitations to all the Worshipful Masters of the Three Towns Lodges , with a request that each would bring a lady .

An elegant high tea was served in the refectory , the tables being made gay with flowers . Whilst it was in progress a portion of the Eoyal Naval String Band played choice selections . Tea over , the company , which numbered nearly 200 , adjourned to the spacious Provincial Lodge room , and there discovered that the W . M . for their delectation and comfort had had it

transformed into a most beautiful drawing-room . An entertaining programme was carried through with much spirit by Bros . Willoughby and A . Webb . There were choice selections by the string band , admirable part-singing by a quartet , capital songs by Bros . Wright ( bass ) , Biscombe ( humorous ) , Mumford , W . Goad , H . J . Barter , A . Webb , and others , a charming duet by

Bro . H . Yeo and Miss Yeo , while very acceptable variety was afforded by two dramatic selections by Miss Lavers , and recitations by Miss Tozer , Captain Eeynolds and Bro . Hocking . Bro . Eeynolds ' s recitation was " The Babies , " and it vastly amused the company , especially the ladies . Another delightful

contribution during an evening that passed all too quickly was the rendering of the inimitable quarrel scene from " The School for Scandal , " Bro . W . W . L . Lavers taking the part of the jealous and irascible Sir Peter Teazle , and his daughter the bewitching coquette Lady Teazle . Mr . J . N . Pearce presided at the piano . It fell to the lot of Bro . J . Hoyten , the Treasurer of the Lodge , to express the indebtedness of the company to the W . M .

Lodge Centenary.

for his splendid hospitality , and he seized the opportunity to sketch the chequered history of the Lodge . Founded on 7 th September 1797 , by the brethren belonging to the ship La Eevolutionar , stationed at Falmouth , the Warrant was fifteen days later delivered to Brethren of Lodge No . 306 , at the Prince George Inn , Plymouth Dock . Two years later the Warrant was

purchased for a Plymouth Lodge by Brethren attached to the Eoyal Veterans Invalids' Corps , stationed at the Plymouth Citadel ; the final meeting of the original members was held at the Earl Howe , in Clowen Lane , Plymouth Dock , on 17 th November 1799 ; and the Lodge was established at the Welcome Home Sailor , Plymouth . In 1801 , it was named the Eoyal

Invalids' Lodge . In 1804 it was removed from the Fountain Tavern , the Parade , to the Fishing Smack , Southside Street ; four months later to the Crown and Anchor , on the Barbican . The same month the Lodge went back to the Fountain Tavern , Parade , there to dine on St . John's day . In 1807 the Lodge met at the Salutation Inn , Higher Batter Street . In 1809 the

name of the Lodge was changed to Charity , and in 1813 , on the signing of Articles between the Grand Lodges of London and York , the number was changed from 306 to 389 . In 1819 there was no election of Officers , and in the following year the same W . M . remained in office . In 1820 the Lodge was low in funds and numbers , and two years later it was removed to 2 Prospect

Buildings , Millbay , and there continued to meet occasionally , for several years being almost in abeyance . Eeturns were , however , made for the few members ( four to six ) who held the Warrant and furniture . In 1824 , a W . M . was installed for six months , and the same year a W . M . was elected and installed at the same meeting . In 1826 , the Lodge removed to the Lamb Inn ,

Treville Street ; in 1829 to the Freemasons' Hall , Cornwall Street ; in 1832 to Treeby ' s schoolroom , Tavistock Place ; and in 1833 to the Golden Fleece , East Street ; the Lodge ' s number being changed to 270 . In 1835 , the Lodge had as its W . M . the late George W . Soltau , of Efford , and in the following year the late John Edmonds , solicitor , for many years the Borough

coroner . Bro . Soltau in 1841 was Mayor of Plymouth , as well as W . M . of Lodge Charity . These two worthy Plymouthians seemed to have given new life to the Lodge , for in 1842 it could boast of a balance of £ 75 , and six years later it had as its W . M . the present Earl Fortescue , who was then Viscount Ebrington ,

M . P . for Plymouth , and a son of a former Prov . G . M . of Devon . In 1856 it made still another move , this time to the King ' s Arms , Britonside , and in 1860 to 193 Union Street , which was its home for 27 years , the last remove of the Lodge in 1888 being to the new Freemasons' Hall , where it still meets . It was m 1862 that the number of the Lodge was changed to 223 .

The vote of thanks to the W . M ., coupled with hearty wishes for long life and happiness of himself and family , was passed with enthusiasm , and Bro . S . Jew increased the impression by singing •" The fine old English gentleman . " Bro . Tozer made a feeling response , and proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . Evans , CO ., who had devoted much time and skill to the decoration of the Lodge-room and the approach .

Bro . Evans , responding , spoke of the great honour all must feel at belonging to a Lodge that had existed for a century , and trusted one and all would be stimulated to maintain its reputation by the promotion of those grand principles for the upholding of which it was originally established . — " Western Morning News . "

A curious incident happened at a Madras Lodge recently which we should think is unprecedented . A candidate for initiation was balloted for in the usual way , and two black balls —the number specified in the bye-laws—were found against him . The result was communicated to the candidate in due course and

the fee returned . After Lodge two Brethren approached the W . M . and stated that they had " pilled" the candidate accidentally and explained how it had been done . The bye-laws say that three months must elapse before a candidate who has been blackballed can be balloted for again . The circumstances

of the pilling had , however , become known , and on the reading of the minutes at the next meeting it was proposed and carried unanimously that such portion as referred thereto should not be confirmed . It was held therefore , rightly or wrongly , that the candidate ' s disability was heeled , and he was duly proposed and

seconded , as if his name had never before been heard in Lodge . We should be curious to learn how the W . M . ' s decision would fare on appeal , but of course no appeal is likely to be made as the Lodge was unanimous on the subject . — " Indian Masonic Eeview . "

SPIBKS AND POND LIMITED notify that the share transfer books will be closed from the 21 st to the 30 th instant , both inclusive , for the purpose of preparing dividend warrants for the first instalment of 4 s per share ( less income tax ) on account of the dividend for thc year ending 31 st March 1898 , which will be posted to the shareholders on the 1 st of October next .