Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Obituary.
and Brother Silvester , was made a life subscriber to the Boy ' s School at the desire of the Lodge . iVot ) . 7 . —At his house in Gower-street , Bedford-square , in his 77 th year , JOHN BANNISTER , Esq ., the once celebrated commedian . His family consisted of two sons and four daughters , of whom all but one daughter survive . Brother Bannister's Masonic career affords but little subject for
comment . Kind in disposition , and perfectl y frank in his manners , his good humour , and general qualifications would have afforded his Brethren the opportunity of profiting by them , but we understand that his ardour was checked by the following circumstance . In the early part of his life , when travelling in Ireland with a musical friend , then a youth , he in various towns very honestly levied contributions upon the lieges by the delivery of the well known " Bannister ' s
Budget ; " and on writing to Limerick to prepare the way , he was advised in case of his being a Freemason , to make his appearance on the approaching Festival , and that care should be taken to fill his room . Bannister nothing loath to enjoy the society of his Brethren , wended his way in due course ; but on presenting himself for examination , previous to entering the Lodge , he could not act a part , he was at fault in every particularbe evidentlhad not studied . His budget did not extend
, y to the mysteries , and his self-possession having somewhat deserted him , unluckily , the examiners suspected him of a desire to impose on them , he betrayed warmth of temper ; and Brother Bannister retired without affording them the fullest explanation in his power . The result was that instead of a bumper , there were but empty benches to greet
him at the opening of his Budget . It is just to remark , that the Commedian took the earliest moment to satisfy the parties on his return to London , of his having been at the time he presented himself at the Lodge , actually a Freemason ; and that they were fully satisfied , and wrote to him to that effect . Bannister , however , always insisted that he had been too severely tested . A very just tribute is paid to Brother Bannister ' s memory in the New Monthl his character as a comedian and a private gentleman ,
y , for such indeed he was , receives ample acknowledgment . His retirement from the stage , was to himself and the public , a separation of no common nature , and was alluded to by the "Actor" in his farewell address with all the sincerity that a manly heart could express . He was fortunate enough to realize a competence for his later years , which he dignified by a virtuous life . BROTHER SANSUMPast Grand Stewarddied lately very suddenly
, , , his warning was but momentary ; at five o ' clock apparently in perfect health , —at eig ht a corpse . His character may be briefly recorded , as a man in whose nature , charity exhibited her best attributes . To him all the objects of his care became the objects of his sympathy ; had he possessed the means , he would have been liberal even to abundance . He had served all the Stewardships of charity for the girls , the boysthe old menand also the Grand Festival . The Neptune Lodge
, ; ( 22 ) , have lost one of their most faithful advocates , and the Craft at large , a sincere friend . BRO . COVINTON is to be included in the quarterly bill of mortality . Our acquaintance with him was but limited , but sufficient to record him as a Brother who gave much promise of future advancement . It has not been usual to enter upon our Obituary the names of ladies
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Obituary.
and Brother Silvester , was made a life subscriber to the Boy ' s School at the desire of the Lodge . iVot ) . 7 . —At his house in Gower-street , Bedford-square , in his 77 th year , JOHN BANNISTER , Esq ., the once celebrated commedian . His family consisted of two sons and four daughters , of whom all but one daughter survive . Brother Bannister's Masonic career affords but little subject for
comment . Kind in disposition , and perfectl y frank in his manners , his good humour , and general qualifications would have afforded his Brethren the opportunity of profiting by them , but we understand that his ardour was checked by the following circumstance . In the early part of his life , when travelling in Ireland with a musical friend , then a youth , he in various towns very honestly levied contributions upon the lieges by the delivery of the well known " Bannister ' s
Budget ; " and on writing to Limerick to prepare the way , he was advised in case of his being a Freemason , to make his appearance on the approaching Festival , and that care should be taken to fill his room . Bannister nothing loath to enjoy the society of his Brethren , wended his way in due course ; but on presenting himself for examination , previous to entering the Lodge , he could not act a part , he was at fault in every particularbe evidentlhad not studied . His budget did not extend
, y to the mysteries , and his self-possession having somewhat deserted him , unluckily , the examiners suspected him of a desire to impose on them , he betrayed warmth of temper ; and Brother Bannister retired without affording them the fullest explanation in his power . The result was that instead of a bumper , there were but empty benches to greet
him at the opening of his Budget . It is just to remark , that the Commedian took the earliest moment to satisfy the parties on his return to London , of his having been at the time he presented himself at the Lodge , actually a Freemason ; and that they were fully satisfied , and wrote to him to that effect . Bannister , however , always insisted that he had been too severely tested . A very just tribute is paid to Brother Bannister ' s memory in the New Monthl his character as a comedian and a private gentleman ,
y , for such indeed he was , receives ample acknowledgment . His retirement from the stage , was to himself and the public , a separation of no common nature , and was alluded to by the "Actor" in his farewell address with all the sincerity that a manly heart could express . He was fortunate enough to realize a competence for his later years , which he dignified by a virtuous life . BROTHER SANSUMPast Grand Stewarddied lately very suddenly
, , , his warning was but momentary ; at five o ' clock apparently in perfect health , —at eig ht a corpse . His character may be briefly recorded , as a man in whose nature , charity exhibited her best attributes . To him all the objects of his care became the objects of his sympathy ; had he possessed the means , he would have been liberal even to abundance . He had served all the Stewardships of charity for the girls , the boysthe old menand also the Grand Festival . The Neptune Lodge
, ; ( 22 ) , have lost one of their most faithful advocates , and the Craft at large , a sincere friend . BRO . COVINTON is to be included in the quarterly bill of mortality . Our acquaintance with him was but limited , but sufficient to record him as a Brother who gave much promise of future advancement . It has not been usual to enter upon our Obituary the names of ladies