Complimentary Masonic Banquet To Samuel Homfray, Esq.

COMPLIMENTARY MASONIC BANQUET TO SAMUEL HOMFRAY , ESQ .

To use the vernacular of sporting circles , this interestin " - event " came off , " at the Royal Albert Hall , Newportion Tuesday , thc 7 th ult ., on which occasion above two hundred brethren assembled together to do honour to their invited guest , Samuel Homfray Esq ., J . P ., on his having attained to the advanced age of eighty . Additional

interest was also imparted to this great Masonic gathering from the fact that the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Province , Bro . S . G . Homfray , also attained to his forty-fifth year . From the moment the assembled brethren first caught sight of the venerable form of their respected guest on his entrance to the balcony cf thc hall , until he reached his allotted seat , escorted by a goodly

array of Provincial Grand Officers , their greeting was continuous and hearty . The scene which was presented to the observer at the moment when Mr . Homfray bowed his acknowledgments to the vast assemblage before him for the wealth of welcome tendered him , was one of an imposing character . The hall had been tastefully decorated with various Masonic banners , by skilful and willing

hands , and these emblems , combined with the glittering jewels and varied colours of Masonic clothing , profusely displayed by the brethren , produced a coup d ' ceil not often witnessed . The general effect of the scene was also greatly enhanced so soon as the masterly touch of Mr . Riscley was applied to the noble organ , at which he presided , drawing forth from its inner depths a concord of sweet sounds both inspiriting and elevating in the

extreme . ¦ By virtue of Masonic etiquette in that respect , Bro . Colonel C . Lyne occupied the chair in his capacity of Provincial Grand Master of the province . On his right the chairman was supported by the guest of the evening , S . Homfray , Esq ., and by Bros . H . P . Bolt ( the Mayor ) , L . A . Homfray , P . M . 683 , P . Prov . G . J . W ., and Admiral ¦¦

H . R . Foote . On the left of Bro . Col . Lyne were placed Bios . S . G . Homfray . D . P . G . M . of Monmouthshire , A . G . D . C . of England , Capt . Perkins , P . G . J . W . Somerset , — Bradford , P . M ., Swansea , and VV . H . VV . Homfray , VV . M . 683 . It is impossible within the space at our command to enumerate all the brethren present , but wc saw the old familiar faces of thc following brethren , viz , C . II .

Oliver , R . J . Chambers , J . W . Gratte , VV . West , W . Pickford , Charles Rowe , R . B . Evans , C . R . Lyne , B . Lawrence , J . Middleton , Dr . G . A . Brown , R . Bond , J . Lewis , — Swandenbrend , W . West , jun ., Walter West , L . Hermessen , H . Hellier , VV . Whitehall , J . Piggford , E . Wells , J . S . Stone , W . Needham , G . Hoskens , W . H . Watkins , j . Horner , J . L . Lloyd , VV . J . Lloyd , S . Cradock , Noble ,

Kerslake , Davies , J . Grffiths , Dr . VV . W . Morgan , S . Goss , H . Appleby , E . J . Grice , Janies Thomas , Martin , Gibbs , Burpitt , Billingham , Hobbs , Matthews , Richards , Rennie , Saunders , Jacob , Hibbard , Villiers , Brook , Fornacon , Thomas Bailey , Berlin , Huxtable , Wheeler , C . Phillips , Pratt , Davies , Nathan , Woolf , McBean , Pearman , Stevens , and others . The Chairman in proposing " Thc Queen

andjthe Craft , " spoke in eulogistic terms of the many high qualities possessed by Her Majesty , and referred in graceful terms to her close identity with the Craft , in the persons of her three sons , one of whom was now in India , using his power ami influence to bring the two countries into closer bonds of unity . The toast of " The M . W . the Grand Master of Lngland , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " was

given with equal felicity by the Chairman , who then proceeded to propose " The M . W . the Pro Grand Master of England , the Earl of Carnarvon , and the Officers of Grand Lodge , " which he gave with true Masonic fervour . This toast was responded to by Bro . S . G . Homfray , as one of the oflicers of the Grand Lodge , in a speech of an impressive character , comprehending an allusion to tiie honour

which had been conferred upon him by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales in appointing I . im to thc office of A . G . D . C . of England , as well as to othercircumstancesof interest connected with the present meeting . The toast of " The R . W . the P . G . M ., Colonel C . Lyne , " was entrusted to Bro . L . A . I lomfray , who acquitted himself in a manner to elicit considerable applause . Wc need hardly say that Colonel

Lyne responded to the toast in a style peculiarly fitting to the occasion . Bro . Captain Perkins proposed the toast of " The W . the D . P . G . M ., Bro . S . G . Homfray , " in a speech marked , not only by consummate taste , but also by evidences of considerable culture . Thc felicitous manner in which he described the apparent powers of ubiquity possessed by Bro . S . G . Homfray was enjoyable in the

extreme . Bro . Homfray responded to the toast iu his accustomed hearty manner , and expressed his personal gratification at the steady development of Masonic strength throughout the province . The toasts we have particularised now brought us to the principal toast , \ i / .., " Thc Guest of the evening , S . 1 lomfray , Esq ., with the hearty congratulations of Ihe 1 ' reemasons of the Province on his

attaining the advanced age of 80 , and wishing him many happy returns of the day . " This toast raised a cheer of the unmistakeable volume which only the throats of Britons can pour forth as a manifestation of their inward spirit . The ordeal which both the chairman and the guest had to go through was a crucial one . On the one hand , the proposer of thc toast had to embody the feelings

, wishes , and desires of those by whom he had been deputed to convey them . On the other hand , the respected guest , sitting before an animated assembl y , at the ripe age of 80 , listening to a record of his public usefulness and private worth , with three sons within his reach , all high in the Craft

viho were doing him honour , conjointly with the rest present , these arc materials potent enough to shake tne stoicism of any man , and wc cannot help thinking they must necessaril y have had an effect upon the venerable guest . Nevertheless , both were equal to the occasion , l-olonel L yne proved fully alive to the trust confided to him .

Complimentary Masonic Banquet To Samuel Homfray, Esq.

The estimate he drew of the character of the guest of the evening , and the manner he painted , as it were , the gradational steps by which Mr . S . Homfray had attained to such general respect , was neither overcoloured in fact , or fulsome in phraseology . The concluding portion of the Chairman ' s speech , more especially at that part were he presented the birthday present of a silver vase , subscribed

for by a few Masonic friends , was gracefully and chastely perlormed . Well , the response . When . Mr . Homfray rose to respond , he must have felt conscious by the hearty cheer accorded him , he had ears and hearts open and willing to receive every utterance . His speech was characteristic of the man , warm-hearted , truthful , and full of aspirations for the general weal . The contrast he drew between the

past and thc present of thc district , not only with reference to its general prosperity and extended area , but also iu its great strides towards the more efficient conduct of rapidly increasing local traffic , combined with increased facilities of locomotion , was the history of a life of experience , observation , and active work . The occasion we are commemorating was something 10 be

remembered , but we are admonished that our labours must cease . Personal inclination would leael us to dwell upon the other toasts in the programme , were we not restricted to certain limits . We would fain pay a passing tribute to the ladies who graced the balcony in charming force on

this occasion , but we must rest content by simply noting the fact of their presence , and their evident identity with the spirit of the scene . We believe , taking the banquet in the main , many a pleasant memory will survive from the commemoration of Mr . Samuel Homfray ' s eightieth birthday .

Reviews.

Reviews .

' CHARITY AND THE POOH LAWS . " By Francis Peek , member of ^ the School Board for London for City of London . —Day , Savoy-street , Strand . The name of Peek is not unknown in connection with distinguished services to our charities , and Mr . Francis Peek , one of the members of the London School Board , who has shown more than an earnest desire to inculcate

a knowledge of the Volume of the Sacred Law , for he has endowed his purpose of encouraging the knowledge among the poor children of London at a cost to himself of £ 300 a year , has now come forward with a small volume , under the title of "Our Laws and our Poor , " in which he advocates lhat system of discriminate chaiily carried out by our brotherhood , and indicates a statesmanlike knowledge

of the Poor Laws , of the defects ot details , of thc results of maladministration , and of the evils to the community at large resulting from the ignorance displayed by the mere politicians who filt the high places . Mr . Peek's book is opportune , for changes must come into our Poor Law , and in pity to the poor to whom relief is administered , and on behalf of the poor , some of whose hard earnings go

in rates , it is to be hoped that Mr . Peek's earnest expressions will bring to him helpers in his work . In his own words , he hopes to accomplish two things— " to induce some benevolent men and women , now hesitating as to their vocation in life , to cast in their lot with the many workers , who , while differing in forms of faith and much beside , arc yet united in one great desire to resist the

progress of those mighty powers of evil which day by day are degrading , crushing into misery , and destroying so many of our fellow-creatures , strewing our paths with human wrecks on which it is difficult to look without pain and humiliation , if we contrast what they are with what , but for bad social customs , bad laws , and selfish neglect , they might have been . " The second purpose Mr . Peek desires

to accomplish is explained in language which deserves to be studied by that large class of charity givers who , generally acting upon impulse , and to save themselves from importunity , may be said to give alms , but to bestow no charity . Mr . Peek says that he hopes by these essays to " enable many of those who , from warm-hearted benevolence , have thrown themselves into the struggle , to

realise that in this , as 111 every other good work , there is necessity for self-restraint , wise forethought , and much earnest thought , if they would avoid justifying , in some measure at least , the bitter sarcasm of a late cynical writer— " that a great part of the work of the wise is to correct the evil effects resulting from the efforts of the good . " There is too good reason for these remarks , and Mr . Peek ,

in the first of Ins essays , draws attention " to certain aspects of the present social condition of England , " pointing out that the fact of large masses of our people living in a state of vice and degradation is " at once a disgrace and danger to the commonwealth , " and that in some circumstances "there is a great cause for anxiety and regret" in the relations of employer and employed , the separation of

classes , and the widening gulf between extreme luxury and extreme poverty . In regard to our Poor Laws , Mr . Peek says , "The want of proper discrimination in the management of our poor-law relief is one of the worst defects of the present system—it begins in the workhouse nurseries and schoolrooms , where the orphan children of the deserving poor are herded with the children of the refuse of society ;

it is continued among the able-bodied , where the virtuous widow "is sent to pick oakum among the most degraded of her sex ; it extends even to the deathbed , where the poor invalid , who , to save herself from such a fate , has worked til ! she could work no longer , and starved till she could starve no longer , is

carried from her wretched home to linger out life ' s last hours on a bed , on each side of which may lie depraved wretches , whose every word is foulness or blasphemy . " Though much good has been done to abolish the possibility of such things in London by the Act of 1867 , which , to the honour of our legislature , was carried by the benevolent combination of both political parties , yet it is to be

Reviews.

feared that the Poor Law administration requires a constant glare of public sight upon it to prevent abuses of its easily deranged machinery , and Mr . Peek could have done his fellow creatures no greater good than by turning sharp attention to defects in our laws , as well as to defects iu the actions of the so-called charitable . The appeals he niakes on behalf of the helpless orphans committed to

the Poor Laws , and the points he urges on their behalf , show that he has not overlooked any one operation of these laws , and we cannot help wishing that time and circumstances will bring Mr . Peek into a position where he may have a vocation in directing an improved administration of laws , which now , as he shows , in too many respects afflict the weak , and encourage the idle and worthless . J . W .

"THE HISTOKY OF INDIA . "—Cassell and Co . This first part of an illustrated History of India promises very well . It is accompanied by a welcome portrait ofthe Prince of Wales ; and , we think , will be likely to be much appreciated by the reading public j ust now . For India has so much interest for all of us at home , so many dear interests and precious memories are indissolubly bound up for us with that strange and distant land

that to us the History of India is almost a matter of thc deepest and most abiding personal interest . We shall watch the progress of this work with interest , and doubt not that it will prove to be a valuable addition to our contemporary literature . W . F . A . ERRATUM . —By a mistake , Benjamin D'Israeli was substituted for Isaac D'Israeli , in the Review of " Scottish Proverbs . "

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

A drawing-room entertainment of a very attractive description was given on the 23 rd ult . in the hall of the Oriental Buildings , New Bridge-street , Blackfriars , for the benefit of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . The site was gratuitously placed at the disposal of the entertainers by Bro . Major Wieland , who had the gratification

of seeing thc hall crowded to the doors by both ladies and gentlemen . Among other brethren who were present we observed Bros . Major Wieland , F . T . Isitt , a member of the firm of Messrs . J . and C . Boyd and Co ., of Fridaystreet ; Bro . W . Hammond , P . G . J . D . Midx . ; Pawson Hooton , W . M . 1572 ; James Terry , Prov . G . D . C . Herts Secretary of thc Masonic Benevolent Institution ; J . A .

Farnfield , and T . VV . Ockenden . Vocal and instrumental music and the performance of two farces were on the programme , thc ' whole of which was admirably carried out . Amongst the most noticeable productions was a pianoforte solo by Miss Hammond , who also superbly rendered Gabriel ' s song , " Would you be a Sailor ' s Wife ?" which was most heartily applauded . She also sang ,

in company with her sister , Miss J . Hammond , Smart's duet , " When the Wind Blows in from thc Sea , " a performance which likewise produced rapturous approval . Not thc less well received was Hatton ' s trio , " Thc Woodthrush , " in which thc Misses Lawrence acquitted themselves so admirably that their perfectly artistic skill was at once apparent . Owing to the length of the

programme encores could not always be complied with , but on several occasions during the evening the satisfac - tion of the audience expressed itself by demands for 1 repetition of the songs , which , in some cases , were given . This was the case with Mr . Tregenza , who sang " Poor Chinee . " " Hearts of Oak , " was given by Mr . Methercll , and " The Spanish Champion" by Mr . Tarn ; anti

the recitation of " Ben and the Butler , " by Mr . Binficld , was so humorously delivered as to convulse the house . Messrs . Ratcliffe , Tew , and Woomansee sang the always pleasing trio , " Mynheer van Dunck , " much to the enjoyment of the audience ; and this was followed by Maltby ' s farce , "Two Flats anti a Sharp , " in which Messrs . Gully , Lane , and Satchell acquitted themselves very well .

Mr . Sturgeon sang Adams ' s " Warrior Bold , " and Mr . H . Warren Edwards sang the comic song of " The Tragedy , " which being encored , he sang the music hall ditty , " I am so Volatile , " Mr . Wilkinson having very successfully fulfilled his part by singing Maynard ' s " Old Soldiers , " Mr . Ockenden followed by reciting " One Niche the Highest , " in which

he was greatly applauded . Mr . Tew sang Rockstro ' s " Reefer ; " and Martin Beecher ' s farce , "In Possession , " concluded the entertainment . In this Messrs . Marvin , Binfield , Tregenza , Dunn , and Lane took the characters , and filled thc different parts not only with spirit , but with taste and judgment . At the conclusion of the entertainment Bro . Ockenden propose d a vote of thanks to Bro . Major

Wieland for his kindness m granting the use of thc hall . To this vote Bro . Wieland said he was unable to reply in a speech , but he would give a song , which he did , and was applauded to the echo . Bro . James Terry moved a vote of thanks to Bro . Ockenden , and the ladies and

gentlemen who had assisted m getting up the entertainment , which had produced large pecuniary results in favour of thc Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ; and after this had been duly responded to the company separated , acknowledging that the evening had been eminently agreeable and successful .

The usual Twelfth-night entertainment will be given to thc pupils of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls at St , John ' s Hill , on Thursday next . The annual Chiistmas entertainment to the children at the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , at Wood Green , will be given next week . It is expected to surpass all former entertainments , although last year it was far above the average , when Mr . Bridgman Smith added some novelties which produced a . great sensation .