Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Drury Lane Lodge, No. 2127.
excuse might bo made for him if he expressed that feeling which was experienced port ' cnlarly bv the nvmbe' -s of tho dramatic profession They conl 1 easily artnreci-ite the anxiety with which Bro . Augustus Harris felt on a " first night , " and the trepidation of an actor who first spoke to them in a new capacity . During the past , seven years
it had been his freqnent opportunity to toll them of some of his work in snnnier climes , bnt he now stood before them on tho boards of tho Drnry Lane Lodge , to propose a toast to which he had often answered in days gone by ; and he did so with- some reelings of pride , for a more representative assembly of Visitors ne ^ er graced
the launching of a Masonic ship . They had the pleasure of numbering in their midst the Consul General of America ( Bm . Waller ) , whilst Genprn ] Lnnr ' e wis there to represent tho Colonial Grand Lodges , Representatives were present from th < = > Upper House cf the Biitish legislature ; and their list contained the names of s ^ von or
eight members of Parliwienf . He ventmed to say to those who hod left for more tempestuous scenes that they would not there feel the placid unanimity which characterised the first meeting of tho Drnrv Lane Lodge . It was a matter of congratulation that two of them at least had stuck to their guns , for he helieced the Solicitor-General
was still in his place amongst them , and that the honourable member for Dover preferred Masonry to the regions of controversial politics . Thei-c also remained amengst them the gallant Admiral Sir Edward Inglefield , C . B , who was their Senior Warden , to represent the Navy ; fov the Army they had General Stndholmo
Brownrigg and other gnUanfc officers ; for the medical profession Dr . A . Cooper and others . Amongst that able and valnablo body of men the legal profess-on , wore nofonlv tho Solicitor . General , bnt Bro . Philbrick , Q . C ., tho Right Hon . W . T . Marriott , Q . C ., M . P ., brides representatives from ovoiy other passible sphere of traged y and
comedy , whoso names were " housdiold words" wherever the English language was spoken . He had only to mention the names of Lionel Brough , Augustus Harris , Henry Pottitt , —men known to everv one in the room . Literature was represented by Dr . W . H . Russell aud Joseph Parkinson ; the corporate dignitaries of the City of London
wor « represented by the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of London and Middlesex . It was a great honour to have such celebrities to visit ths Drury Lane Lodge , and there were other names which bronght him back to sunnier climes , and to an atmosphere eminently preferable to that which they had , within the last , few davs , experienced
on'side . There were brethren present who firs * , saw Masonic light in Malta , which was thp half-way hou « o to the Mediterranean , amongst these was Dr . W . U . Rusself , who was initiated there at the instance of the Most Worshipful Grand Master , and who was made a Fellow Craft in the ancient City of Cairo . He only hoped that the eminent
htetrateiir had returned to find the charms of the third degree under tho auspices of tbe Drnry Line Lodge , a Lodge which conhl arrange such a meeting as 'his , to say nothing of tho many brethren who came from nearly every county in England , representatives of the great Masonic Charities , and other spheres of life . They might say
tha greatest success had attended the h >? fc meeting . If thev nil desired to see the prosperity of tho Lod o they could nob do better than take heed to tho advice which had been tendered to them bv Col . Shadwell Clerke . In drinking to this toast thoy were drinking to tho health of men who wonld over In associated with tho traditions of
the Drury Lane Lodge , and he intended to couple with it three names , each of which had a certain significance ; the first was Bro . Philbriek Grand Registrar of England , Consul General Wnller , who represented America , and their vet en it friend Dr . VV . II . Russell . Bro . Philbrick , Q . C ., in the course of his observations , said that
the founders of this Lodgo had exercised the true Masonic axiomhospitality . If he might speak on behalf of hi 3 brother Visitors ho would say that this promised to be a strongly representative Lodge , supplying a want which had been long felt , nnd which would be a welcome addition to the Masonic Lodges already in existence ; that
it had a great career before it , the results of this evening nttosterl ; he wished tho newly . consecrnted Lodge a long career of prosperity . Consul Ceneral Waller also responded in eloquent terms , nnd was followed by Dr . W . II . Russell , who hoppd the yonng fledgling they had just seen hatched would shortly pbimo its wings and soar into
the hmher regions of Mnsonic life . Bro . Joseph Parkinson , in the absence of Bro . Edmund Yates , proprsed Prosperity to the Drnry Lane Lodge . He said in the sp ^ eche * they had heard so eW | nen : ly delivered they had seen the gre . iirid entirely cnt from nnder his fe"t , aud he asked whether it would be possible for him to add anything to
the .-nconnnnis that had been pas < w > d on the Drury Lane Lodge ? They had been told of the high qualities of the Worshipful Master , Lo which he sincerely desired to add his hnmb'e testimony . He asked them now to drink to the successful fntnre of the Drnry Lane Ledge , on the ground oF wl ' at in a great measnro had bron ™ h ' t them
together tnat mgnt , viz ., a sympathy with an intehectna ! calling , and tho nveat . traditions which the name of Drury Lane inspired . He referred to the long lino of brilliant dranntio successes tint had hovered around the . caver of Bro . Augustus Harrb . Ho looked forward in the hope that tho pn > - > p . rity which i . hoy anticipated for
this Lodge would bo rqual s 0 that which ha had achieved ah the Drnry Lane Theatre . Ho trusted that the associations of a high lineage of dramatic genius combined with Masonic experience , wf n ! d gr w into a harmonious whole , ft had been brought bof . TO the dramatic profession that Shakespeare hitns >! f was a Freemason . and
if so , where could hu spirit look da-.-n morn happily than upon the Drnry Lane Lodge ? He thanked Bro . Harris for the spiiir , in which he had brought forward this Lnd . ' .-c a-id assured him on behalf of ( ho company that when in tho fulness of time he filled tho chair , they would all have the same pleasure , of supporting him on his in > t dlai . ioo ni-rht
Brother Augustus Harris in reply observed that Brother Pmkinron had told them that the ground had been slowly and deliberatel y cut from beneath him , and that there remained nothing more to bo said
Still , he called upon him to say something more , which he thought was rather a paradox . Bro . Parkinson had told thern a great n > al about the morality of the Lod ge ; this he shonld have great pba * nre in reporting to Mrs . Harris . Bat when he reached home .- > nd
Consecration Of The Drury Lane Lodge, No. 2127.
m-ormed her of all their virtues he should endeavour to make her satisfied 'hat they enme here for the parposo of drinking to their wives' healths especially . With regard to this Lodge would they allow him to thank them , as Senior Warden , for the way in which thoy h . id assembled tint evening , and for the kind wayiu which they
had expressed their heirty good wishes for its prosperity . He went into the Drnry Lane Theatre seven years ago , as yonng in theatrical matters as ho was in Masonry , but he hoped to advance in { Masonry in the same way that he had advanced in tho theatrical profession . In conclusion ho thanked them all for
their presence that evening . The Worshipful Master than vaoated tho chair amidst the hearty congratulations of the brethren , leaving the pres'dency in tho hands of Bm . H . Neville . Brother Lord Onflow then gave the health of the Officers of the Lodge , in doing which he said thev had seen in the production of the Drnry Lane
Lodge traces of that lavish aud maunifieent entertainment which they were accustomed to look For at the Pantomimes at Drury Lane Theatre . Referring to the Baddelev Festival , celebrated there on Twelfth Night , he contrasted the difference in that Festival in the present day under their generous Senior Warden , to those times
when it was a « k I how far the bequest of £ 3 per annum would go in cakes and wi ¦ 1 Of their Junior Warden it might be said that he was not only em ' mntly learned in the law , but he had also achieved a great Parliamentary reputation , and his name wonld go down to posterity ns having , with three other gentlemen , formed a new and
separate pirty in Parliament . Their Senior Deacoo , Sir B . Inglefield , bad been all over tho world , and probably he had seei as muoh of the world as any person or thing , excepting that mysterions patrimony which hn carried in his pocket , his father ' s watch . With respeet to Bro . Pottitt there was no one in the ranks of Masonry who
was better acquainted with Hnman Nature . As to their excellent Secretary , Bro . Broadley , his sympathies were wide and extended to every class and to every creed . He could not bear to see any one down . trodden , and would e ^ en rather take part with those who rebelled than those who wonld leave them in the larch . With regard
to Bio . Fleming it would be impossible to form a Lodge equal to this without him ns Treasurer , and as much of Freemasonry consisted in eating and drinking , he knew no one more competent to speak on the subject of " Drink" than Bro . Warner . Bro . Sir J . Gor 3 t , responding for the Officers , said they would do their best to deserve the kindly
remarks that had been made respecting them ; and next year , when they wonld probably see Bro . Augustus Harris installed into the chair , if it were possible to repeat any of the kind things that had been said that night , it would be most satisfactory . He hoped , so far
as the Officers were concerned , they would work m the trae spirit of Masonry , and that the interests of tbe Lodge would not suffer at their hands . Bro . Chns . Dickens briefly proposed tbe Masonic Charities , in doing which he said the great Institutions were the very life-blood of the Craft . Such a toast needed bat few words from him
to recommend it to the acceptance of any body of Masons . He wished to remind th » m , however , that Bro . Broadley was going up for the fifth t ' me as a Steward for fheB'ws' Schi ol , and he hoppd ih y
would send him up this timo with a list which should bo a best on record . Another mat'or deserved notice , and it was that on Friday next , at Drnry Lane Theatre , there wonld bo such an assembly of the Rors and Girls of the Masonic Tnstitnf ons as had never before been
witnessed . By the kindness of their S-wior Warden , Bro . Harris , room had been found for thorn on that afternoon in the theatre where for m < . ny weeks past room of any kmd had been lacking , and he was told on excellent authority that the W . M . would not be unknown in connection with those cheering words to children , "buti 3
and oranges , lie concluded by observing that wherever charity was known , Masonry was ono of its mo-it earnest and substantial supporters . Bro . F . Bineke * , Secretary of tho Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , in the course of his response , did not hesitate to say he felt it a very great and proud privilege , in tho presence of so many
memb'TS and visitors of this Lodge , to respond on behalf of the Masonic Institutions . It was vory gratif ying that his name had been associated with this toast , and he would endeavour to follow the example of the speakers of the evening in being as brief as possible in the remarks which it would
be his pleasure and dnty to ntter . There might be some difference of opinion as to how this toast should be treated on an occasion like the present , but after listening to the Chaplain during the consecration of tho Lodge , there was uo brother who would not support the Masonic Institutions . Allusion had been made to tbe fact that ou
iM-idav next upwards of 500 objects of their care would be entertained by a moving spirit of the Drury Lane Lodge , who would be assisted by his lo'dshin , the W . M , and other members , and enabled t > enjoy that magnificent sight which had never been surpassed , if ever equalled , by any spectacular effort in tho past . They had heard
much ol "the wond-rful lamp , " and let them hope there might be many sacred lights binning in the cause of Masonic Charity . When hn fold them t ' v . t at the next Festival of tho Boys' Institution one of those sacred lamps wonld bo held by their esteemed Bro . Broadley , to whoso merits such valuable and deserved testimouy had been paid ,
ho felt sure that 1 imp would not bo held in vain , hut that the brethren would fill it widi oil that would make it burn with brilliancy such as should never fail . Ho naked the brethren to bear in mind that Micro way a vast . amount of distress which could only look to its legitimate sources of relief ; and he apooalcd to them , therefore , to
1 afford all tho support thoy eonM to the three Masonic Institutions , : which wero for the main t enance o ? tho old and decayed brethren and j their xv ' uhwn , and the mruntrnanco and education of the young of j both rex- ? .. The proceedings , which had been of a highly interesting ; and oi'joy . ible character throughout , were brought to a fitting close H > y the Trier .
FUilSiiAe . 8 property carried out and personally attended , in i . ondon or Country , by Bro . G . A . HUTTOIM " , 17 Newcastle Street , Strand , W . C . Monuments erected . Valuations made ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Drury Lane Lodge, No. 2127.
excuse might bo made for him if he expressed that feeling which was experienced port ' cnlarly bv the nvmbe' -s of tho dramatic profession They conl 1 easily artnreci-ite the anxiety with which Bro . Augustus Harris felt on a " first night , " and the trepidation of an actor who first spoke to them in a new capacity . During the past , seven years
it had been his freqnent opportunity to toll them of some of his work in snnnier climes , bnt he now stood before them on tho boards of tho Drnry Lane Lodge , to propose a toast to which he had often answered in days gone by ; and he did so with- some reelings of pride , for a more representative assembly of Visitors ne ^ er graced
the launching of a Masonic ship . They had the pleasure of numbering in their midst the Consul General of America ( Bm . Waller ) , whilst Genprn ] Lnnr ' e wis there to represent tho Colonial Grand Lodges , Representatives were present from th < = > Upper House cf the Biitish legislature ; and their list contained the names of s ^ von or
eight members of Parliwienf . He ventmed to say to those who hod left for more tempestuous scenes that they would not there feel the placid unanimity which characterised the first meeting of tho Drnrv Lane Lodge . It was a matter of congratulation that two of them at least had stuck to their guns , for he helieced the Solicitor-General
was still in his place amongst them , and that the honourable member for Dover preferred Masonry to the regions of controversial politics . Thei-c also remained amengst them the gallant Admiral Sir Edward Inglefield , C . B , who was their Senior Warden , to represent the Navy ; fov the Army they had General Stndholmo
Brownrigg and other gnUanfc officers ; for the medical profession Dr . A . Cooper and others . Amongst that able and valnablo body of men the legal profess-on , wore nofonlv tho Solicitor . General , bnt Bro . Philbrick , Q . C ., tho Right Hon . W . T . Marriott , Q . C ., M . P ., brides representatives from ovoiy other passible sphere of traged y and
comedy , whoso names were " housdiold words" wherever the English language was spoken . He had only to mention the names of Lionel Brough , Augustus Harris , Henry Pottitt , —men known to everv one in the room . Literature was represented by Dr . W . H . Russell aud Joseph Parkinson ; the corporate dignitaries of the City of London
wor « represented by the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of London and Middlesex . It was a great honour to have such celebrities to visit ths Drury Lane Lodge , and there were other names which bronght him back to sunnier climes , and to an atmosphere eminently preferable to that which they had , within the last , few davs , experienced
on'side . There were brethren present who firs * , saw Masonic light in Malta , which was thp half-way hou « o to the Mediterranean , amongst these was Dr . W . U . Rusself , who was initiated there at the instance of the Most Worshipful Grand Master , and who was made a Fellow Craft in the ancient City of Cairo . He only hoped that the eminent
htetrateiir had returned to find the charms of the third degree under tho auspices of tbe Drnry Line Lodge , a Lodge which conhl arrange such a meeting as 'his , to say nothing of tho many brethren who came from nearly every county in England , representatives of the great Masonic Charities , and other spheres of life . They might say
tha greatest success had attended the h >? fc meeting . If thev nil desired to see the prosperity of tho Lod o they could nob do better than take heed to tho advice which had been tendered to them bv Col . Shadwell Clerke . In drinking to this toast thoy were drinking to tho health of men who wonld over In associated with tho traditions of
the Drury Lane Lodge , and he intended to couple with it three names , each of which had a certain significance ; the first was Bro . Philbriek Grand Registrar of England , Consul General Wnller , who represented America , and their vet en it friend Dr . VV . II . Russell . Bro . Philbrick , Q . C ., in the course of his observations , said that
the founders of this Lodgo had exercised the true Masonic axiomhospitality . If he might speak on behalf of hi 3 brother Visitors ho would say that this promised to be a strongly representative Lodge , supplying a want which had been long felt , nnd which would be a welcome addition to the Masonic Lodges already in existence ; that
it had a great career before it , the results of this evening nttosterl ; he wished tho newly . consecrnted Lodge a long career of prosperity . Consul Ceneral Waller also responded in eloquent terms , nnd was followed by Dr . W . II . Russell , who hoppd the yonng fledgling they had just seen hatched would shortly pbimo its wings and soar into
the hmher regions of Mnsonic life . Bro . Joseph Parkinson , in the absence of Bro . Edmund Yates , proprsed Prosperity to the Drnry Lane Lodge . He said in the sp ^ eche * they had heard so eW | nen : ly delivered they had seen the gre . iirid entirely cnt from nnder his fe"t , aud he asked whether it would be possible for him to add anything to
the .-nconnnnis that had been pas < w > d on the Drury Lane Lodge ? They had been told of the high qualities of the Worshipful Master , Lo which he sincerely desired to add his hnmb'e testimony . He asked them now to drink to the successful fntnre of the Drnry Lane Ledge , on the ground oF wl ' at in a great measnro had bron ™ h ' t them
together tnat mgnt , viz ., a sympathy with an intehectna ! calling , and tho nveat . traditions which the name of Drury Lane inspired . He referred to the long lino of brilliant dranntio successes tint had hovered around the . caver of Bro . Augustus Harrb . Ho looked forward in the hope that tho pn > - > p . rity which i . hoy anticipated for
this Lodge would bo rqual s 0 that which ha had achieved ah the Drnry Lane Theatre . Ho trusted that the associations of a high lineage of dramatic genius combined with Masonic experience , wf n ! d gr w into a harmonious whole , ft had been brought bof . TO the dramatic profession that Shakespeare hitns >! f was a Freemason . and
if so , where could hu spirit look da-.-n morn happily than upon the Drnry Lane Lodge ? He thanked Bro . Harris for the spiiir , in which he had brought forward this Lnd . ' .-c a-id assured him on behalf of ( ho company that when in tho fulness of time he filled tho chair , they would all have the same pleasure , of supporting him on his in > t dlai . ioo ni-rht
Brother Augustus Harris in reply observed that Brother Pmkinron had told them that the ground had been slowly and deliberatel y cut from beneath him , and that there remained nothing more to bo said
Still , he called upon him to say something more , which he thought was rather a paradox . Bro . Parkinson had told thern a great n > al about the morality of the Lod ge ; this he shonld have great pba * nre in reporting to Mrs . Harris . Bat when he reached home .- > nd
Consecration Of The Drury Lane Lodge, No. 2127.
m-ormed her of all their virtues he should endeavour to make her satisfied 'hat they enme here for the parposo of drinking to their wives' healths especially . With regard to this Lodge would they allow him to thank them , as Senior Warden , for the way in which thoy h . id assembled tint evening , and for the kind wayiu which they
had expressed their heirty good wishes for its prosperity . He went into the Drnry Lane Theatre seven years ago , as yonng in theatrical matters as ho was in Masonry , but he hoped to advance in { Masonry in the same way that he had advanced in tho theatrical profession . In conclusion ho thanked them all for
their presence that evening . The Worshipful Master than vaoated tho chair amidst the hearty congratulations of the brethren , leaving the pres'dency in tho hands of Bm . H . Neville . Brother Lord Onflow then gave the health of the Officers of the Lodge , in doing which he said thev had seen in the production of the Drnry Lane
Lodge traces of that lavish aud maunifieent entertainment which they were accustomed to look For at the Pantomimes at Drury Lane Theatre . Referring to the Baddelev Festival , celebrated there on Twelfth Night , he contrasted the difference in that Festival in the present day under their generous Senior Warden , to those times
when it was a « k I how far the bequest of £ 3 per annum would go in cakes and wi ¦ 1 Of their Junior Warden it might be said that he was not only em ' mntly learned in the law , but he had also achieved a great Parliamentary reputation , and his name wonld go down to posterity ns having , with three other gentlemen , formed a new and
separate pirty in Parliament . Their Senior Deacoo , Sir B . Inglefield , bad been all over tho world , and probably he had seei as muoh of the world as any person or thing , excepting that mysterions patrimony which hn carried in his pocket , his father ' s watch . With respeet to Bro . Pottitt there was no one in the ranks of Masonry who
was better acquainted with Hnman Nature . As to their excellent Secretary , Bro . Broadley , his sympathies were wide and extended to every class and to every creed . He could not bear to see any one down . trodden , and would e ^ en rather take part with those who rebelled than those who wonld leave them in the larch . With regard
to Bio . Fleming it would be impossible to form a Lodge equal to this without him ns Treasurer , and as much of Freemasonry consisted in eating and drinking , he knew no one more competent to speak on the subject of " Drink" than Bro . Warner . Bro . Sir J . Gor 3 t , responding for the Officers , said they would do their best to deserve the kindly
remarks that had been made respecting them ; and next year , when they wonld probably see Bro . Augustus Harris installed into the chair , if it were possible to repeat any of the kind things that had been said that night , it would be most satisfactory . He hoped , so far
as the Officers were concerned , they would work m the trae spirit of Masonry , and that the interests of tbe Lodge would not suffer at their hands . Bro . Chns . Dickens briefly proposed tbe Masonic Charities , in doing which he said the great Institutions were the very life-blood of the Craft . Such a toast needed bat few words from him
to recommend it to the acceptance of any body of Masons . He wished to remind th » m , however , that Bro . Broadley was going up for the fifth t ' me as a Steward for fheB'ws' Schi ol , and he hoppd ih y
would send him up this timo with a list which should bo a best on record . Another mat'or deserved notice , and it was that on Friday next , at Drnry Lane Theatre , there wonld bo such an assembly of the Rors and Girls of the Masonic Tnstitnf ons as had never before been
witnessed . By the kindness of their S-wior Warden , Bro . Harris , room had been found for thorn on that afternoon in the theatre where for m < . ny weeks past room of any kmd had been lacking , and he was told on excellent authority that the W . M . would not be unknown in connection with those cheering words to children , "buti 3
and oranges , lie concluded by observing that wherever charity was known , Masonry was ono of its mo-it earnest and substantial supporters . Bro . F . Bineke * , Secretary of tho Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , in the course of his response , did not hesitate to say he felt it a very great and proud privilege , in tho presence of so many
memb'TS and visitors of this Lodge , to respond on behalf of the Masonic Institutions . It was vory gratif ying that his name had been associated with this toast , and he would endeavour to follow the example of the speakers of the evening in being as brief as possible in the remarks which it would
be his pleasure and dnty to ntter . There might be some difference of opinion as to how this toast should be treated on an occasion like the present , but after listening to the Chaplain during the consecration of tho Lodge , there was uo brother who would not support the Masonic Institutions . Allusion had been made to tbe fact that ou
iM-idav next upwards of 500 objects of their care would be entertained by a moving spirit of the Drury Lane Lodge , who would be assisted by his lo'dshin , the W . M , and other members , and enabled t > enjoy that magnificent sight which had never been surpassed , if ever equalled , by any spectacular effort in tho past . They had heard
much ol "the wond-rful lamp , " and let them hope there might be many sacred lights binning in the cause of Masonic Charity . When hn fold them t ' v . t at the next Festival of tho Boys' Institution one of those sacred lamps wonld bo held by their esteemed Bro . Broadley , to whoso merits such valuable and deserved testimouy had been paid ,
ho felt sure that 1 imp would not bo held in vain , hut that the brethren would fill it widi oil that would make it burn with brilliancy such as should never fail . Ho naked the brethren to bear in mind that Micro way a vast . amount of distress which could only look to its legitimate sources of relief ; and he apooalcd to them , therefore , to
1 afford all tho support thoy eonM to the three Masonic Institutions , : which wero for the main t enance o ? tho old and decayed brethren and j their xv ' uhwn , and the mruntrnanco and education of the young of j both rex- ? .. The proceedings , which had been of a highly interesting ; and oi'joy . ible character throughout , were brought to a fitting close H > y the Trier .
FUilSiiAe . 8 property carried out and personally attended , in i . ondon or Country , by Bro . G . A . HUTTOIM " , 17 Newcastle Street , Strand , W . C . Monuments erected . Valuations made ,