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Reports Of Meetings.
Lodge actually did combine for this purpose , we can only say they acted quite contrary to the principles of Freemasonry , and wholly at variance with the opinion of our Grand Master , and other leaders of the Craft , one and all of whom are averse to upsetting the regular laws of advancement in Masonic matters , preferring rather to " make haste slowly , " than to attempt anything approaching the creating of Masons " at sight , " which is regarded as such an exalted privilege by some of tho Grand Masters who rule over our
Brethren on the other side of the Atlantic . However this may be , the fact remains that Bro . H . Kottingham Newton , D . L ., son of the Lord Mayor , who was proposed as a candidate for initiation when the Lodge was consecrated two years since , and was regularly initiated , passed , and raised at its earliest meetings , has now been installed as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , after having served the office of Junior Warden during the last twelve months —clearly a case entitling him to be included among those who " have
greatness thrust upon them , " but in making these observations we distinctly wish it understood we by no means desire to cast a reflection on the Brother who has been thus honoured , or on the Brethren who have taken this means of honouring him . The course of procedure we here object to—on principlemay be perfectly justifiable in exceptional cases ; and we are ready to admit that there are good and tangible reasons that may make our criticism appear somewhat out of place in this instance , as we are aware our young Brother
owes his rapid promotion , primarily , to the ability he early displayed in the Lodge of Instruction ; and , later on , to the almost natural desire of the members to show him special honour during the year in which his father occupied the distinguished position of Lord Mayor of London . The principle of the thing is bad , but in this case there is much to justify the innovation , and we trust the Brother who has been thus specially honoured may so manage the affairs of his Lodge during his term of Mastership as to prove to the
Masonic world that the departure from the usual routine of preferment by seniority , in favour of the system enjoined in the " Antient Charges " of the Craft , where it is laid down that ' all preferment among Masons is grounded upon real worth and personal merit only , " was fully justified , and was , in this particular case , productive of the best results , both as far as the Craft at large , and the individual Lodge , is concerned ; but , even in such a case , we should be sorry to see the example held up as a pattern worthy of imitation in other directions .
This year ' s installation was held at the Royal Palace Hotel , Kensington , on Saturday last , under the presidency of Bro . A . J . Naughton W . M ., who was supported by most of the members of the Lodge , and a large number of visiting Brethren , among whom were several distinguished Officers of Grand Lodge , the attendance book being sisrned by the following Visitors : Alderman Vaughan . Morgan P . G . Treasurer , R . Clowes P . G . Std . Bearer , J . M . McLeod P . G . Sword Bearer , Sir Forrest Fulton , Q . O ., D . G . Registrar , Imre Kiralfy
P . A . G . D . C , James Terry P . G . Sword Bearer , R . H . Williams P . P . G . J . D . Middx ., F . Skinner 1891 , The Hon . Chas . H . Tufton 2305 , T . G . Hodges 1623 , E . J . Hunt 194 , E . T . Garland 2763 , T . R . Sly 2763 , E . J . Hurran 1107 , W . Woolincroft 172 , Prof . F . Driver 45 , R . F . Ford 2361 , S . Garcia 1402 , C Greenwood 1426 , S . Tattmanti 1681 , J . Gerson , J . M . Doughty 2331 , J .
Kington 193 , J . A . Thicthoyce 1947 , E . J . Davis 2949 , J . G . Doncaster 834 , G . Harris 1693 , E . J . Turnbull 190 , R . Emanuel 1196 , G . W . Turner 858 , H . J . Thomas 753 , W . W . Morgan 177 , W . Lower 2090 , F . A . Atkinson 1671 , H . Hanvers 1185 , J . P . Fitzgerald 2772 , W . Gan 190 , J . H . Stephens 529 , J . T . Rowe 167 , H . S . Croker 190 , F . Gordon Smith 1056 , C H . Weil 1728 , J . D . Webb 1314 , J . H . Crellin 1319 .
Members present included Bros . A . J . Naughton W . M ., the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor Sir Alfred Newton , Bart ., I . P . M ., D . E . Norrington S . W ., H . K . Newton J . W ., W . B . Abbott Sec , E . J . Rix S . D ., H . J . Thwaites J . D ., A . Strutt D . C , W . Windsor Organist , J . W . Jupe Musical Director , W . H . Eardley , H . Burbidge , F . LeSueur and A . E . Catchpole Stewards , S . Ellis
Tyler , J . J . Thomas P . G . Std . Beaver , John Brock P . P . S . G . D . Kent , B . Robinson P . P . G . P . Worcester , C Garton P . M ., R . T . Pearce P . M ., C . Bonham P . M ., T . Casely P . M ., M . J . Jessop P . M ., C . Bland , J . Richmond , H . Redgrave , A . S . Howell , F . Walton , A . Swann , L . A . Cohen , F . Pegrum , W . Skilton , W . C . Freeman , E . Davis , G . Hinds , E . Vernon , P . W . V . Brookes , W . F . Mc Neil , H . Day , H . C Arthur , H . Johnson .
The business , apart from the chief ceremony of the year , was of a merely routine nature , and consequently Bro . Naughton early handed over his authority to Bro . J . J . Thomas Past Grand Standard Bearer of England , who acted as Installing Master , and well maintained his high reputation as a careful and brilliant exponent of the ritual of Freemasonry . In due course the Officers for the year were appointed , the following being the Brethren on whom the different collars were bestowed : Bros . D . F .
Norrington S . W ., Arthur Strutt J . W ., J . Bailey , M . P ., Treasurer ( absent ) , W . Banister Abbott P . M . Secretary , R . W . Burbidge Deputy Treasurer , E . J . Rix S . D ., T . G . Heigbington J . D ., W . Windsor Organist , J . W . Jupe I . G ., W . H . Eardley D . C , A . G . Howell Musical Director , H . Burbidge , G . O . E . Gelardi , H . Redgrave , and F . LeSueur Stewards , S . Ellis P . M . Tyler . Then followed the throe addresses by Bro . Thomas , and the work of installation was completed .
The Rt . Hon . the Lord Mayor was most heartily received on his entrance into the Lodge , and it was very appropriate that he should be the first to congratulate his son on his installation , when the ceremony of placing him in the cbair had been finished . The new Master was particularly pleased that his first duty in the chair was to present the Past Master ' s jowel to his predecessor . Pleased because it
was a tangible proof that he was indeed an Installed Master in the Craft , and also because it afforded him the earliest opportunity of expressing his indebtedness to Bro . Naughton , to whom he really owed all he knew , and all he had done in Freemasonry . Bro . Naughton had . worked ably and zealously on behalf of the Alfred Newton Lodge , and left the chair with the good wishes of the members , who trusted he might long live to enjoy the fruits of his labours on their behalf .
A proposal to alter the days of meeting , reducing the number to four in each year , was agreed to , and then the Lodge was closed , a noticeable feature at this part of the proceedings being the absence of any expressions of " Good wishes " on the part of the visitors , not , we are convinced , through any want of kindly feeling on the part of the numerous guests , or any lack of loyalty ; but ratber because several Grand Officers and other leaders in the Craft have decided to discourage the practice , averring that private members , visitors or otherwise , have no right to pledge their Lodges in such a manner ,
unless specially delegated to do so . Whatever the reason , or the grounds for the omission , we think it is to be regretted , as robbing our meetings of one of their most pleasing feature *; and we can only hope that the time honoured custom may ere long be restored to us , limited , as it certainly should be , to the visitors alone . It is the absurdity of every member of the Master ' s own Lodge individually tendering "Hearty good wishes" that has brought the practice into disrepute ; the members of the Lodge itself seem to forget they paid their respects to the new Master when in the course of the ceremony they saluted and honoured him in the three degrees , and to offer a parrot
Reports Of Meetings.
like expression of their feelings at the end oi the day's work is BO absurd as to have brought down disapproval of the practice in its entirety—it is commendable and most desirable on the part of the visitors ; an abuse when repeated by the members of the Lodge likewise . The company repaired to the Empress Rooms of the Hotel , which were probably specially arranged for the occasion to illustrate the universality of
Freemasonry , combining as they did the luxurious surroundings of fashionable London , with tho icy chilliness of the arctic regions , and we think the management deserve our commiseration , as it seemed quite impossible for them to do anything to throw the very necessary warmth into the atmosphere . But a dainty and tastily served dinner put a little life into some of our neighbours , and our spirits rose with the rest , so that we were enabled to enjoy the very brief speeches which followed in regular order afterwards .
The Worshipful Master made a hit in keeping with the spirit cf the times when he said the Grand Officers wore tho heads of the army which our Grand Master commanded , and on the result of their manoeuvres depended the success of tho whole Craft . Bro . Vaughan Morgan P . G . T . responded , tendering thanks and congratulations on behalf of the Officers of the Craft , and particularly on behalf of the city ' contingent , for the great success of the evening . The working in the Lodge had been so good as to afford evidence of the marked success and prosperity of the Lodge in the future .
The Immediate Past Master Bro . A . J . Naughton next rose to propose what he deemed to be the toast of the evening—the health of the Worshipful Master , whom they were all delighted to have back amongst thsm once more , and to give him a right hearty welcome on his return from the seat of war , whither he went in company with the C . I . Vs ., at the request of the Commanding Officer , Col . MacKinnon , to complete the chain of organisation so ably begun at the Mansion House , and in which Bro . Newton had taken
so prominent a part . He worked very hard in seconding the efforts of his illustrious father , to get the City Battalions to the front in good time , which they had seen was most successfully accomplished ; and it was no small sacrifice for the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress to have spared their only son to go to South Africa , and run the risks which he was bound to do , even though his mission was a civil one . Most of them had known the Worshipful Master since his early college days , and were proud to see him attain the
chair in the Lodge to which his father had given his name ; and he was sure all would join in wishing him a happy and successful year of Office . The W . M . replied , thanking Bro . Naughton most sincerely for his kind words , and the Brethren for their reception of the toast . ' He felt perfectly confident he would have the support of his Officers and the other members of the Lodge . If the necessary dispensation could be secured he should propose to hold the next meeting of the Lodge at the Mansion House , where his father ,
the first Master of the Lodge , would be pleased to welcome them . Needless to say this announcement was most heartily received , and no doubt the members of the Lodge are looking forward to so unusual an event as the holding of a Private Lodge meeting at the home of the chief magistrate of the City of London . We hope the Grand Lodge authorities will offer no objection to the proposition , as we believe such an event would not only be gratifying to the Masons who might take part in it , but would also tend to cement the good feeling already existing between the Craft and the city
authorities . The W . M . next proposed the toast of the Installing Master . He fait all that could be urged had already been said in praise of Bro . Thomas , who was a most estimable member of the Craft . Bro . Thomas tendered his thanks . He considered it particularly kind o £ the Worshipful Master to express himself so heartily as he had done in recognition of his services to the Lodge . He had the very great pleasure of
initiating the present Master into Freemasonry , and it had on that account afforded him particular gratification to instal him into the chair of the Lodge . For special reasons the W . M . now desired to alter the programme of toasts , and give them the Past Masters , Treasurer and Secretary of the Lodge . He considered that to the Secretary the members owed very many thanks , as really a great amount of the work of the Lodge depended upon him ; and he
performed his duties in such a way as to merit their highest approval . The Immediate Past Master he would refer to in a special toast , and there therefore remained the first Master of the Lodge , the Lord Mayor of London . The Brethren and the country at large were aware of the work the Lord Mayor had done for the cause of the Empire , and he was delighted to give him the opportunity of responding to the toast in his own Lodge— -the Lodge which bore his name , and in tho inauguration of which he had done so much .
The Lord Mayor replied . He was deeply sensible of the very kind way in which they had received mention of his name , but it occurred to him that matters foreign to their meeting had been introduced that night . He was not very surprised , however , because he was aware of the very kind bond of fellowship existing between him and them . The W . M . had referred to his work in the city ; it was no exaggeration to say that patriotism had led to enthusiasm which had caused the pulse to beat in every hamlet and town of
the kingdom , and it was only right that the greatest corporation of the land rose to its place . They felt the Great City had maintained its name and its prestige in the history of the country . He found a very pleasing duty devolved upon him , in the carrying out of a custom they had started in the Lodge , of presenting a small token to the Worshipful Master , and he was very gratified in then having the opportunity of asking the Master's acceptance of the little token of their approval ; which took the form of a silver mug .
The gift was cordially accepted , and some other toasts , including those of the Immediate Past Master , the Masonic Charities , the Visitors , and the Officers of the Lodge , having been given and acknowledged , the proceedings ware brought to a conclusion at a late hour .
DORIC LODGE , No . 933 . IT was arranged that the members should have an opportunity of inviting their wives , daughters , and lady friends to a special celebration , and consequently Anderton's Hotel , Fleet Street , was made particularly lively on Tuesday of last week . Of course the Lodge was conducted in due form in the first instance , with closed doors , but when the W . M . Bro . Hiirry J . Seal took the chair there was little to do but to read the minutes and correspondence .
Something like a hundred did the company number of " fair women and brave men , " as Byron might have called them , and after an enjoyable repast a brief , toast list was gone through , an enjoyable entertainment filling the intervals .
CITY OF LONDON LODGE , No . 901 . THE Annual Festival of this well known Lodge took place on Monday , at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham Street , E . C ., when the W . M . Bro .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reports Of Meetings.
Lodge actually did combine for this purpose , we can only say they acted quite contrary to the principles of Freemasonry , and wholly at variance with the opinion of our Grand Master , and other leaders of the Craft , one and all of whom are averse to upsetting the regular laws of advancement in Masonic matters , preferring rather to " make haste slowly , " than to attempt anything approaching the creating of Masons " at sight , " which is regarded as such an exalted privilege by some of tho Grand Masters who rule over our
Brethren on the other side of the Atlantic . However this may be , the fact remains that Bro . H . Kottingham Newton , D . L ., son of the Lord Mayor , who was proposed as a candidate for initiation when the Lodge was consecrated two years since , and was regularly initiated , passed , and raised at its earliest meetings , has now been installed as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , after having served the office of Junior Warden during the last twelve months —clearly a case entitling him to be included among those who " have
greatness thrust upon them , " but in making these observations we distinctly wish it understood we by no means desire to cast a reflection on the Brother who has been thus honoured , or on the Brethren who have taken this means of honouring him . The course of procedure we here object to—on principlemay be perfectly justifiable in exceptional cases ; and we are ready to admit that there are good and tangible reasons that may make our criticism appear somewhat out of place in this instance , as we are aware our young Brother
owes his rapid promotion , primarily , to the ability he early displayed in the Lodge of Instruction ; and , later on , to the almost natural desire of the members to show him special honour during the year in which his father occupied the distinguished position of Lord Mayor of London . The principle of the thing is bad , but in this case there is much to justify the innovation , and we trust the Brother who has been thus specially honoured may so manage the affairs of his Lodge during his term of Mastership as to prove to the
Masonic world that the departure from the usual routine of preferment by seniority , in favour of the system enjoined in the " Antient Charges " of the Craft , where it is laid down that ' all preferment among Masons is grounded upon real worth and personal merit only , " was fully justified , and was , in this particular case , productive of the best results , both as far as the Craft at large , and the individual Lodge , is concerned ; but , even in such a case , we should be sorry to see the example held up as a pattern worthy of imitation in other directions .
This year ' s installation was held at the Royal Palace Hotel , Kensington , on Saturday last , under the presidency of Bro . A . J . Naughton W . M ., who was supported by most of the members of the Lodge , and a large number of visiting Brethren , among whom were several distinguished Officers of Grand Lodge , the attendance book being sisrned by the following Visitors : Alderman Vaughan . Morgan P . G . Treasurer , R . Clowes P . G . Std . Bearer , J . M . McLeod P . G . Sword Bearer , Sir Forrest Fulton , Q . O ., D . G . Registrar , Imre Kiralfy
P . A . G . D . C , James Terry P . G . Sword Bearer , R . H . Williams P . P . G . J . D . Middx ., F . Skinner 1891 , The Hon . Chas . H . Tufton 2305 , T . G . Hodges 1623 , E . J . Hunt 194 , E . T . Garland 2763 , T . R . Sly 2763 , E . J . Hurran 1107 , W . Woolincroft 172 , Prof . F . Driver 45 , R . F . Ford 2361 , S . Garcia 1402 , C Greenwood 1426 , S . Tattmanti 1681 , J . Gerson , J . M . Doughty 2331 , J .
Kington 193 , J . A . Thicthoyce 1947 , E . J . Davis 2949 , J . G . Doncaster 834 , G . Harris 1693 , E . J . Turnbull 190 , R . Emanuel 1196 , G . W . Turner 858 , H . J . Thomas 753 , W . W . Morgan 177 , W . Lower 2090 , F . A . Atkinson 1671 , H . Hanvers 1185 , J . P . Fitzgerald 2772 , W . Gan 190 , J . H . Stephens 529 , J . T . Rowe 167 , H . S . Croker 190 , F . Gordon Smith 1056 , C H . Weil 1728 , J . D . Webb 1314 , J . H . Crellin 1319 .
Members present included Bros . A . J . Naughton W . M ., the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor Sir Alfred Newton , Bart ., I . P . M ., D . E . Norrington S . W ., H . K . Newton J . W ., W . B . Abbott Sec , E . J . Rix S . D ., H . J . Thwaites J . D ., A . Strutt D . C , W . Windsor Organist , J . W . Jupe Musical Director , W . H . Eardley , H . Burbidge , F . LeSueur and A . E . Catchpole Stewards , S . Ellis
Tyler , J . J . Thomas P . G . Std . Beaver , John Brock P . P . S . G . D . Kent , B . Robinson P . P . G . P . Worcester , C Garton P . M ., R . T . Pearce P . M ., C . Bonham P . M ., T . Casely P . M ., M . J . Jessop P . M ., C . Bland , J . Richmond , H . Redgrave , A . S . Howell , F . Walton , A . Swann , L . A . Cohen , F . Pegrum , W . Skilton , W . C . Freeman , E . Davis , G . Hinds , E . Vernon , P . W . V . Brookes , W . F . Mc Neil , H . Day , H . C Arthur , H . Johnson .
The business , apart from the chief ceremony of the year , was of a merely routine nature , and consequently Bro . Naughton early handed over his authority to Bro . J . J . Thomas Past Grand Standard Bearer of England , who acted as Installing Master , and well maintained his high reputation as a careful and brilliant exponent of the ritual of Freemasonry . In due course the Officers for the year were appointed , the following being the Brethren on whom the different collars were bestowed : Bros . D . F .
Norrington S . W ., Arthur Strutt J . W ., J . Bailey , M . P ., Treasurer ( absent ) , W . Banister Abbott P . M . Secretary , R . W . Burbidge Deputy Treasurer , E . J . Rix S . D ., T . G . Heigbington J . D ., W . Windsor Organist , J . W . Jupe I . G ., W . H . Eardley D . C , A . G . Howell Musical Director , H . Burbidge , G . O . E . Gelardi , H . Redgrave , and F . LeSueur Stewards , S . Ellis P . M . Tyler . Then followed the throe addresses by Bro . Thomas , and the work of installation was completed .
The Rt . Hon . the Lord Mayor was most heartily received on his entrance into the Lodge , and it was very appropriate that he should be the first to congratulate his son on his installation , when the ceremony of placing him in the cbair had been finished . The new Master was particularly pleased that his first duty in the chair was to present the Past Master ' s jowel to his predecessor . Pleased because it
was a tangible proof that he was indeed an Installed Master in the Craft , and also because it afforded him the earliest opportunity of expressing his indebtedness to Bro . Naughton , to whom he really owed all he knew , and all he had done in Freemasonry . Bro . Naughton had . worked ably and zealously on behalf of the Alfred Newton Lodge , and left the chair with the good wishes of the members , who trusted he might long live to enjoy the fruits of his labours on their behalf .
A proposal to alter the days of meeting , reducing the number to four in each year , was agreed to , and then the Lodge was closed , a noticeable feature at this part of the proceedings being the absence of any expressions of " Good wishes " on the part of the visitors , not , we are convinced , through any want of kindly feeling on the part of the numerous guests , or any lack of loyalty ; but ratber because several Grand Officers and other leaders in the Craft have decided to discourage the practice , averring that private members , visitors or otherwise , have no right to pledge their Lodges in such a manner ,
unless specially delegated to do so . Whatever the reason , or the grounds for the omission , we think it is to be regretted , as robbing our meetings of one of their most pleasing feature *; and we can only hope that the time honoured custom may ere long be restored to us , limited , as it certainly should be , to the visitors alone . It is the absurdity of every member of the Master ' s own Lodge individually tendering "Hearty good wishes" that has brought the practice into disrepute ; the members of the Lodge itself seem to forget they paid their respects to the new Master when in the course of the ceremony they saluted and honoured him in the three degrees , and to offer a parrot
Reports Of Meetings.
like expression of their feelings at the end oi the day's work is BO absurd as to have brought down disapproval of the practice in its entirety—it is commendable and most desirable on the part of the visitors ; an abuse when repeated by the members of the Lodge likewise . The company repaired to the Empress Rooms of the Hotel , which were probably specially arranged for the occasion to illustrate the universality of
Freemasonry , combining as they did the luxurious surroundings of fashionable London , with tho icy chilliness of the arctic regions , and we think the management deserve our commiseration , as it seemed quite impossible for them to do anything to throw the very necessary warmth into the atmosphere . But a dainty and tastily served dinner put a little life into some of our neighbours , and our spirits rose with the rest , so that we were enabled to enjoy the very brief speeches which followed in regular order afterwards .
The Worshipful Master made a hit in keeping with the spirit cf the times when he said the Grand Officers wore tho heads of the army which our Grand Master commanded , and on the result of their manoeuvres depended the success of tho whole Craft . Bro . Vaughan Morgan P . G . T . responded , tendering thanks and congratulations on behalf of the Officers of the Craft , and particularly on behalf of the city ' contingent , for the great success of the evening . The working in the Lodge had been so good as to afford evidence of the marked success and prosperity of the Lodge in the future .
The Immediate Past Master Bro . A . J . Naughton next rose to propose what he deemed to be the toast of the evening—the health of the Worshipful Master , whom they were all delighted to have back amongst thsm once more , and to give him a right hearty welcome on his return from the seat of war , whither he went in company with the C . I . Vs ., at the request of the Commanding Officer , Col . MacKinnon , to complete the chain of organisation so ably begun at the Mansion House , and in which Bro . Newton had taken
so prominent a part . He worked very hard in seconding the efforts of his illustrious father , to get the City Battalions to the front in good time , which they had seen was most successfully accomplished ; and it was no small sacrifice for the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress to have spared their only son to go to South Africa , and run the risks which he was bound to do , even though his mission was a civil one . Most of them had known the Worshipful Master since his early college days , and were proud to see him attain the
chair in the Lodge to which his father had given his name ; and he was sure all would join in wishing him a happy and successful year of Office . The W . M . replied , thanking Bro . Naughton most sincerely for his kind words , and the Brethren for their reception of the toast . ' He felt perfectly confident he would have the support of his Officers and the other members of the Lodge . If the necessary dispensation could be secured he should propose to hold the next meeting of the Lodge at the Mansion House , where his father ,
the first Master of the Lodge , would be pleased to welcome them . Needless to say this announcement was most heartily received , and no doubt the members of the Lodge are looking forward to so unusual an event as the holding of a Private Lodge meeting at the home of the chief magistrate of the City of London . We hope the Grand Lodge authorities will offer no objection to the proposition , as we believe such an event would not only be gratifying to the Masons who might take part in it , but would also tend to cement the good feeling already existing between the Craft and the city
authorities . The W . M . next proposed the toast of the Installing Master . He fait all that could be urged had already been said in praise of Bro . Thomas , who was a most estimable member of the Craft . Bro . Thomas tendered his thanks . He considered it particularly kind o £ the Worshipful Master to express himself so heartily as he had done in recognition of his services to the Lodge . He had the very great pleasure of
initiating the present Master into Freemasonry , and it had on that account afforded him particular gratification to instal him into the chair of the Lodge . For special reasons the W . M . now desired to alter the programme of toasts , and give them the Past Masters , Treasurer and Secretary of the Lodge . He considered that to the Secretary the members owed very many thanks , as really a great amount of the work of the Lodge depended upon him ; and he
performed his duties in such a way as to merit their highest approval . The Immediate Past Master he would refer to in a special toast , and there therefore remained the first Master of the Lodge , the Lord Mayor of London . The Brethren and the country at large were aware of the work the Lord Mayor had done for the cause of the Empire , and he was delighted to give him the opportunity of responding to the toast in his own Lodge— -the Lodge which bore his name , and in tho inauguration of which he had done so much .
The Lord Mayor replied . He was deeply sensible of the very kind way in which they had received mention of his name , but it occurred to him that matters foreign to their meeting had been introduced that night . He was not very surprised , however , because he was aware of the very kind bond of fellowship existing between him and them . The W . M . had referred to his work in the city ; it was no exaggeration to say that patriotism had led to enthusiasm which had caused the pulse to beat in every hamlet and town of
the kingdom , and it was only right that the greatest corporation of the land rose to its place . They felt the Great City had maintained its name and its prestige in the history of the country . He found a very pleasing duty devolved upon him , in the carrying out of a custom they had started in the Lodge , of presenting a small token to the Worshipful Master , and he was very gratified in then having the opportunity of asking the Master's acceptance of the little token of their approval ; which took the form of a silver mug .
The gift was cordially accepted , and some other toasts , including those of the Immediate Past Master , the Masonic Charities , the Visitors , and the Officers of the Lodge , having been given and acknowledged , the proceedings ware brought to a conclusion at a late hour .
DORIC LODGE , No . 933 . IT was arranged that the members should have an opportunity of inviting their wives , daughters , and lady friends to a special celebration , and consequently Anderton's Hotel , Fleet Street , was made particularly lively on Tuesday of last week . Of course the Lodge was conducted in due form in the first instance , with closed doors , but when the W . M . Bro . Hiirry J . Seal took the chair there was little to do but to read the minutes and correspondence .
Something like a hundred did the company number of " fair women and brave men , " as Byron might have called them , and after an enjoyable repast a brief , toast list was gone through , an enjoyable entertainment filling the intervals .
CITY OF LONDON LODGE , No . 901 . THE Annual Festival of this well known Lodge took place on Monday , at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham Street , E . C ., when the W . M . Bro .