A New Toast.

A NEW TOAST .

\ X / E do not wish our readers to imagine , from the * ? heading we have chosen for our present remarks , that we are about to advocate an addition to the already far too extensive list of Masonic complimentary

toasts ; far be it from us any intention to sport with their feelings in that direction , but we do desire to say a few words in behalf of introducing an old friend

under a new—or rather more cosmopolitan—name , and we think our friends will agree with us that there is room for the amendment we propose .

We were struck on reading the report of the laying of the foundation-stone of the New Masonic Hall at Lurgan—given elsewhere in this issue—with

the comprehensiveness of one of the toasts submitted at the subsequent proceedings , the Chairman proposing " the M . W . the Grand Master of Ireland , and all Grand Masters in Fraternal communication with the

Grand Lodge of Ireland / ' and this is the new sentiment we should like to see introduced into the programmes of our English Lodge entertainments . " Our Grand Master , and all Grand Masters in Fraternal communication " seems to us to be a toast

in full accord with the spirit of Freemasonry , which , as Brethren so proudly boast of , is universal ; and it seems particularly strange that something of the kind

has not been adopted long ere this , to take the place of the more restricted , and really somewhat selfish , sentiment in honour of our ruler alone .

Notwithstanding the boasted universality of our Order , and the recognised bond of Brotherhood that unites Brethren in all parts of the world , it must strike the observer as peculiar that so little is said

throughout our ceremonies in regard to Brethren outside our particular circle , or across the seas ; but this is largely to be explained b y the fact that the ritual of Freemasonry as we know it was prepared at a time when

travelling facilities such as we enjoy were undreamt of , and the length of the Mason ' s cable tow was so restricted as to render anything in the way of outside reference almost as unnecessary as such visiting was then regarded as impossible .

But we have changed since those far off days , and , except that it is not permissible to make innovation in the Bod y of Masonry , it would almost seem there is now good reason for suggesting that our

work be made more up to date in this particular , among many others ; while so far as our toast list is concerned there can hardly be any valid reason against the

introduction of the change—reall y brought about b y the greatly altered circumstances under which we live at the present time , as compared with those enjoyed b y our earliest Speculative Brethren in Freemasonry .

A reference to the report to which we have alread y referred will , we think , strengthen our views . Responding to this toast Sir James Meredith Deputy Grand Master of Ireland was able to say a few words

A New Toast.

about the Masonic ruler of the sister Jurisdiction of England ; having such an opportunity many speakers would be able to introduce matters at our festive board which would not only be interesting , but , as often as

not , instructive as well , and it is safe to say that profit and pleasure would alike result . Have our readers ever been present at a meeting when colonial Brethren , or visitors from foreign climes , have related their

experiences ? If so , they can readily endorse our verdict that much of interest could be said and heard in response to a toast which included all Jurisdictions in Fraternal Communication with our own .

Rolle Lodge.

ROLLE LODGE .

IjlOR the purpose of consecrating the new Rolle Lodge , ' at Exmouth , a Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , St . Andrew ' s Road , on Wednesday , gth inst ., the Provincial Grand Master Bro . the Hon . Sir Stafford Northcote , Bart ., C . B ., M . P ., personally conducting the principal part of the ceremony .

The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened at 4 o ' clock , when after the usual formalities the Provincial Gran-Master addressed the Brethren on the motive of the meeting . The Deputy Prov . Grand Master gave an interesting oration on the nature and principles of the Institution , which was

followed by the usual Consecration Service . The Prov . G . M . next constituted the Lodge , and after the Patriarchal . Benediction the Grand Honours were given , and the Provincial Grand Lodge closed .

Bro . W . H . Perry P . P . D . D . C . was formally installed as first Master . At the conclusion of the proceedings the Brethren adjourned to the Imperial Hotel , where a banquet was served , presided over by the W . M .

The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales have unanimously elected as their Grand Master Bro . J . C . Remington ( General Manager of the Mutual Life of Australasia ) , in succession to Earl Carrington and the Earl of Jersey . 000 Bro . Charles Morton , the veteran manager of the Palace

Theatre , was in receipt of many whimsical presents on Tuesday , which was his eightieth birthday . It is said that among the gifts were a cricket bat , a bicycle , a lawn tennis racquet , and a set of dumb-bells , all in honour of his youthful appearance . When Bro . Morton gives reminiscences of

" pastoral Pimlico , " as it was in the days of his youth , and the " village of Chelsea , " and of the time when visitors returning from the theatres , along what is now Victoria Street , had to make up parties because of the footpads , you wonder that he could have been an eve-witness of these

things . But Bro . Morton is uncommonly well preservedi He looks like a benevolent Evangelical clergyman up from the country for the May meetings . He dresses soberly in black , scorns jewellery , and would give you anything rather than his photograph , having a great objection to that kind of

fame for which most public men have a weakness , when he took over the Palace Theatre Sir Augustus Harris , the then chairman , offered 2 , 000 shares at sixpence apiece . Now they are paying twenty per cent—surely the best of all tributes to Bro . Morton ' s ability .