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Article PROVINCIAL. ← Page 14 of 17 →
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Provincial.
Bro . HYDE " proposed a toast , which , he said fortunately needed not thc aid of eloquence to ensure it a most cordial ancl rapturous reception . He had only to say that the toast had reference to their fair visitors—[ Here the worthy Past Master was interrupted by an enthusiastic burst of cheering which continued for several minutes , ancl in which the remainder of the sentence was completely drowned . |—The ladies , continued the speakerhad that evening for the first time seen the Masons
, in all their insignia and paraphanalia ; they had seen their banners , they had seen their Royal Arch , their jewels , their collars , and all the badges of the various degrees in the order ; but notwithstanding all that , they had seen nothing , and they knew nothing , of the mysteries of Masonry ( laughter ) . There were secrets in Masonry which ladies' eyes must not pry into too curiously , nor ladies' tongues talk about ( renewed laughter ) . But although the ladies were precluded from participating
in Masonic mysteries , they were not debarred from partaking of Masonic amusements and Masonic refreshments ( hear , hear , and cheers ) ; and for his part he thought that the external portion of a Mason ' s Lodge was never so becomingly adorned and graced as when it was surrounded ancl enlivened by the fairest works of creation ( loud and reiterated plaudits ) . It had been the earnest and anxious desire of the Master and Brethren of the Worcester Lod to render
ge every satisfaction to their fair friends and guests ; but they were novices in giving balls , and if any defect should be discovered he hoped and trusted that the ladies would observe the principles of Masonry , follow the example of Masons , and be silent with regard to those defects ( continued laughter ) . He knew not who would reply to the toast . If
he called upon the eldest unmarried lady to do so , he thought there would be considerable hesitation and difficulty about the matter ( shouts of laughter ); but if he called on the youngest , on the other hand , he feared that too many would be rising at the same time ( increased merriment ) . Should his fair young friend , however , whosoever she might be , find herself nervous , diffident , or in any manner at a loss , he would recommend her not to hesitate , but without delay to call in the assistance of Dr . Maidenwho was always preparedat a moment ' s noticeto
, , , afford effectual relief in all such cases ( great laughter ) . In conclusion , he would propose the health of " the Ladies "—( cheers)—including Dr . Maiden . [ Shouts of laughter and cheers followed this sally in the midst of which the worthy Past Master resumed his seat . ] Dr . MALDEN returned thanks on behalf of the ladies in a speech of which we only caught the concluding sentence , which was to the effect that it was customary now-a-clays for representatives—well-disciplined
representatives at least—to consult their constituents . He had consulted his , and had been commissioned by them to propose the health of Past Master Hyde . ( Loud cheers . ) That gentleman having iu a few appropriate sentences expressed his acknowledgments , the company returned to the ball-room , where they continued to "chase the hours -with fl ying feet" until the near approach of dawn , when they separated ; the universal feeling being warmly expressed that this was the best and most social assemblthe most
y , complete in all its appointments , and the most lavishly profuse in its unbounded hospitality , of any that has graced the faithful city for very many years past . We must not forget to mention in terms of merited eulogy the polished courtesy and attention of the Stewards—the Past Masters and present Office-bearers of the Lodge—who devoted them-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
Bro . HYDE " proposed a toast , which , he said fortunately needed not thc aid of eloquence to ensure it a most cordial ancl rapturous reception . He had only to say that the toast had reference to their fair visitors—[ Here the worthy Past Master was interrupted by an enthusiastic burst of cheering which continued for several minutes , ancl in which the remainder of the sentence was completely drowned . |—The ladies , continued the speakerhad that evening for the first time seen the Masons
, in all their insignia and paraphanalia ; they had seen their banners , they had seen their Royal Arch , their jewels , their collars , and all the badges of the various degrees in the order ; but notwithstanding all that , they had seen nothing , and they knew nothing , of the mysteries of Masonry ( laughter ) . There were secrets in Masonry which ladies' eyes must not pry into too curiously , nor ladies' tongues talk about ( renewed laughter ) . But although the ladies were precluded from participating
in Masonic mysteries , they were not debarred from partaking of Masonic amusements and Masonic refreshments ( hear , hear , and cheers ) ; and for his part he thought that the external portion of a Mason ' s Lodge was never so becomingly adorned and graced as when it was surrounded ancl enlivened by the fairest works of creation ( loud and reiterated plaudits ) . It had been the earnest and anxious desire of the Master and Brethren of the Worcester Lod to render
ge every satisfaction to their fair friends and guests ; but they were novices in giving balls , and if any defect should be discovered he hoped and trusted that the ladies would observe the principles of Masonry , follow the example of Masons , and be silent with regard to those defects ( continued laughter ) . He knew not who would reply to the toast . If
he called upon the eldest unmarried lady to do so , he thought there would be considerable hesitation and difficulty about the matter ( shouts of laughter ); but if he called on the youngest , on the other hand , he feared that too many would be rising at the same time ( increased merriment ) . Should his fair young friend , however , whosoever she might be , find herself nervous , diffident , or in any manner at a loss , he would recommend her not to hesitate , but without delay to call in the assistance of Dr . Maidenwho was always preparedat a moment ' s noticeto
, , , afford effectual relief in all such cases ( great laughter ) . In conclusion , he would propose the health of " the Ladies "—( cheers)—including Dr . Maiden . [ Shouts of laughter and cheers followed this sally in the midst of which the worthy Past Master resumed his seat . ] Dr . MALDEN returned thanks on behalf of the ladies in a speech of which we only caught the concluding sentence , which was to the effect that it was customary now-a-clays for representatives—well-disciplined
representatives at least—to consult their constituents . He had consulted his , and had been commissioned by them to propose the health of Past Master Hyde . ( Loud cheers . ) That gentleman having iu a few appropriate sentences expressed his acknowledgments , the company returned to the ball-room , where they continued to "chase the hours -with fl ying feet" until the near approach of dawn , when they separated ; the universal feeling being warmly expressed that this was the best and most social assemblthe most
y , complete in all its appointments , and the most lavishly profuse in its unbounded hospitality , of any that has graced the faithful city for very many years past . We must not forget to mention in terms of merited eulogy the polished courtesy and attention of the Stewards—the Past Masters and present Office-bearers of the Lodge—who devoted them-