Summer Outing Of Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No. 2076.

SUMMER OUTING OF QUATUOR CORONATI LODGE , No . 2076 .

f he annual excursion of the above lodge took place n Saturday , the 24 th ult ., and , like all its forerunners , , most successful and pleasant . The following members assembled at Holborn

Viaduct Station Bros . C . Purdon Clarke , Dr . W . J . Chetivode Crawley ( Dublin ) , S . G . D . Ireland ; J . Lane ( Torquay ); G . W . Speth , Sec . ; J . J . Pakes , C . B . Barnes , Stephen Richardson , G . Greiner , C . F . Silberbaiier ( Cape Town ) , .-T . J . Railing ( Colchester ) , H . Poston , W . F . Lamonby , the Rev . J . H . Scott , T .

Charters White , A . Digby Green , J . Robbins , J . Newtorii J . Binney ( Sheffield ) , G . Powell ( Brighton ) , G . Car ' sberg , J . A . Randall , W . G . Boswell , J . H . Davis , C . Fruen , G . Gregson , F . A . Powell , Thomas Cohu , £ , H . Bramsley , and VV . Shurmur , and , in a saloon carriage , which had been reserved for the party , left

for Canterbury by the 9 . 55 train . At the only stoppage on the road , Chatham , they were joined by Bro . G . R . Cobham ( Gravesend ) , and , arriving in good time—11 . 35—at Canterbury , were met on the p latform by two Canterbury brothers—Bro . Horatio Ward , Dep . G . S . B ., and Bro . A . H . Pilcher—besides

Col . Sir Norman Pringle , Bart ., J . Molyneux Jenkins and T . Bushby ( Rye ) , G . Stevens ( Woolwich ) , and R . Webster ( Margate ) , who had made ^ their way to the rendezvous independently . Waggonnettes were in attendance , which conveyed the party for a little tour round the town , affording .

jrlance at the old Castle , whose venerable walls are desecrated by being made the depot for the coals of the municipal gas-works , the remains of the Blackfrairs in Stour-street , the West-gate , and the old houses in the High-street . At the Fountain the brethren left Iheir wraps , and proceeded to the Cathedral , where

they were met by Bro . Rev . H . M . Maughan , of Whitstable , and Rev . Minor Canon Foxall , M . A ., who had kindly undertaken to conduct them over the sacred edifice . A large amount of the success of the day must be attributed to the excellent ciceronage of this gentleman , whose intimate acquaintance with the

history of every part of the structure was so freely and tlot'iiently placed at the service of the brethren . After a short examination of the nave , Mr . Foxall showed the way to the Cathedral library , where a rich treat was in store for the party , for here they were met by Iko . Dr . Sheppard , to whom every book and

manuscript is a familiar and dear friend , and Bro . Rodes , who ably assisted him . Bro . Shepherd had left a sick room , though far from strong , to afford satisfaction to his fellow Craftsmen , and with loving care and gentle hands opened drawer after drawer and exhibited to the brethren the wonderful old books ,

deeds , charters , and seals whose ordering and arrangement have been the great pleasure of his fife for years pist , whilst at another table Bro . Rodes presided over old Bibles , picture-books , and other treasures . Here the time passed far too quickly , and barely sufficed to whet the appetite for more , and to allow thc brethren

to guess at the many priceless treasures which remained untold , so that it was almost with reluctance that the party thanked their kind friends and once more committed themselves to the guidance of the Rev . Mr . Foxall . Under his care the choir , the various chapels , the place of the ancient shrine , and the old stone

throne of the Archbishop under Beckett ' s Crown were inspected , after which a tour was made through the cloisters and the splendid Chapter House , and a descent into the magnificent Crypt . Finally , a stroll wis taken through the old ruins of theformer Monastery » nil the precincts , and the brethren adjourned to the fountain Hotel .

At the Fountain the brethren found themselves the gui-Ms of Bro . Ward , who had invited them to partake "I a splendid lunch , far beyond the usual modest meal Provided on these occasions . Bro . Ward naturally iMed

" ( . his own table placing Bro . Speth , as the senior "Infer present , on his left . The vice-chair was occupied by Bro . Pilcher as a Canterbury brother repre-¦ w-mg oneof the other local Lodges , St . Augustine , . " ¦ 9 / 2 , Bro . Ward bcine himself a member of the

plttf . local Lodge , United Industrious . No . 31 . An 'our was well employed in partaking of the excellent *" provided , during which ' Bro . WARinose to address ¦ ¦ . ' ¦¦ v words to his guests , bidding them welcome to . ¦•' . terbury on behalf of the brethren of that anc-mnt

! *')'¦ Heexpressed himself delighted to receive under '" roof so many of the brethren of the Quatuor ^ -o . onati Lodge , a lodge which he h *; ld in such high ,. _ c , | n and with which he had himself affiliated as

triM . r | k " eW tllat '' Was m * "s P ° * ver t 0 do so * He h ID- " - t' wou ' spend a pleasant day and carry away cm ' ' ¦ ' , r , enior * ° f their excursion ( a wish which will Wou'd | - fu , filled . ) . but he omitted to state that it ... i : , . greatlv owing * to the excellent arrangements

Seer t ha ^ made ^ t ' at the re ( l uest ° f ^ e ^ ctary that this success would be due . Vtr " ncll > during the few moments which the ¦ he . " a enab ** - devote to the consumption cf Whre g lnd ' an Weed ' Br 0 # S ' , | iT " address - - d the pin ,,, / ' " : ,. ^ P 'nted outthat on these occasions postalwaysi dlscourses were not desirable , but that it was to tliel 1 - ^ as We" as a s'ncerti pleasure to express ° cal brethren and friends who had been of such

Summer Outing Of Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No. 2076.

kind and valued assistance to them , their own satisfaction at the treat provided , and their deep gratitude for all the trouble they had taken . He regretted that this duty should have fallen to such incompetent hands , through the lamented absence of his seniors , especially of their Worshipful Master , Professor T . Hayter Lewis , who , although in poor health , would yet

have made an attempt to join them from Walmer , where he was at present trying to recruit his strength , had not he ( the Secretary ) dissuaded him from risking the experiment . Their thanks were on this occasion due to several gentlemen , of whom he would mention four . Bro . Dr . Sheppard , who had shown them the treasures of the Cathedral library , but

whose health did not permit him to join them at lunch . Bro . Rodes who had so kindly assisted him , but whose duties kept him away , although he trusted to join them later on at tea , and to these brethren he would take care to communicate their thanks by letter . Bro . Ward , the next to whom he should refer , was also entitled to their heartiest gratitude . He would not say

much about his generous invitation to lunch , of that they must be themselves good judges , hut he begged to assure them that for days past Bro . Ward had been active in making preparations and organising the proceedings of that day . There had been many difficulties to overcome , and at one time he ( the Secretary ) feared that all might not turn out so

satisfactorily as he now felt it would , but from the moment Bro . Ward agreed to arrange matters for him , he felt that he could rely upon complete success . Bro . Ward was the most active member of the Fraternity in East Kent , and perhaps the most universally known ; moreover wherever he was known he was loved . At the last Grand Festival the M . W . G . M . has been

pleased to confer upon him the office of Deputy Grand Sword Bearer , and so highly was this action endorsed by his brothers , that only a few days ago the lodges of Canterbury had united in a lodge of emergency to present to Bro . Ward the handsome address which was now before them on the side-board and a full set of Grand bodge clothing . Bro . Ward was the

life and soul of Masonry in that part of the country , and he ( the Secretary ) personally felt that , however much Bro . Ward might feel honoured by receiving them that day , they themselves were more honoured in being received as the guests of such a brother . Lastly , he would speak of the gentleman on his left—Minor Canon Foxall . No words could be too eloquent

to express the deep feeling of gratitude which he was sure they all felt for the kindness of the reverend gentleman in devoting the morning to their service , and so ably explaining to them the history and architecture of the noble and sacred pile in which he was privileged to officiate . Canterbury Cathedral must at all times impress even the most ignorant spectator . It

was one ot the most glorious works of their own pre . decessors , but to fully understand it , to properly appreciate it , weeks of study would not bs too much . Under such circumstances they were indeed fortunate in securing the services of a gentleman who had spent years of his life beneath its shadow , and could compress for their benefit into the short space of a couple

of hours the results of years of study . On their behalf he would beg to convey to Bro . Ward and to the Rev . Mr . Foxall the sincere thanks and gratitude of the brethren , and he only wished he had been enabled to accomplish his welcome task i . i a more efficient manner , and to address his friend on the left as brother , in . stead of the more formal Mr .

Bro . VVARO replied in a few well-chosen and feeling words , and Mr . FOXAI . 1 . also thanked the brethren , his humorous remarks being greeted with much amusement . He incidentally remarked that this was his first acquaintance with Freemasons , but since he had entered that room Bro . Ward had inadvertently addressed him as

" brother , and ever since he had felt quite fraternally towards them . He was glad that his acquaintance with the Fraternity had commenced under such happy auspices . By this time it was half-past three , and , the traps being in waiting , the brethren were driven to St . Augustine ' s Monastery , much of which still remains

intact , especially the fine old refectory , still used as a banqueting hall , thoujh not so long ago that part of the buildings had been converted into a brewery and public house , nnd the room itself into a dancing room attached to the premises . All this is now altered , the old buildings have bcen dedicated to the appropriate task of a Iriining institution for missionaries ,

and the necessary new buildings have been erected in a style resembling the old , and of which they need not be ashamed . The party was shown over the establishment by Bro . Ewcll , thc Manciple . Here the rain , which had been threatening off and on , finally made up its mind to come down , and for a quarter of an hour or so descended in

torrents . But the brethren were partly under cover , and those who did not care to enter the buildings found equal shelter under the glorious spreading trees in the grounds . Br : ; . Ewell then conducted the brethren through the grounds to the ruins of St . Pancras , situated in a field behind the County Hospital , and , finally , to the carriages awaiting them at the hospital

gates . A short drive brought the party to the celebrated church dedicated to St . Martin , alleged to be the oldest church in Britain . Whether this be so or not , it is quite certain that some portions of it are ol Roman construction , and equally certain that when St . Augustine landed in Thanet to convert the men of Kent , he found there this very church , then used as the private oratory of Queen Bertha and her attendant ,

Summer Outing Of Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No. 2076.

Bishop Luidard , she being a Christian , and that Christian worship has been uninterruptedly carried on in this edifice ever since . The stone font , remarkable for its ornamentation and for being built up instead of made out of one stone , is undoubtedly the oldest in . England , and , in spite of Norman work on the upper tier of stones—probably added later—is considered by

arch .-eologists to be in the main of indisputably Saxon workmanship . The last visit of a day crowded to repletion with interesting sig hts was made to the Masonic Temple , near the West Gate , at - the other end of the city . The brethren were here received by Bros . Ward , Pilcher , and Blake , the resident Tyler . The fame of

this Temple of the Royal Art is wide spread , and its beauty can not be excelled in any building of its size . It is owned by the three local lodges , and rented to the other Masonic bodies , chapters , encampments , Si :., of the city . The labours of the day being now concluded , the brethren adjourned once more to the Fountain , where ,

at six o ' clock , a substantial " High Tea " was served up , and heartily paraken of . Here thc brethren were glad to greet Bro . Rodes , who had joined them for a quiet hour , previous to their return home . They were also gratified to find that Bro . Sir Benjamin Ward Richardson , M . D ., F . R . S ., & c , who , having suffered an injury to his leg , was resting at Margate , had managed ,

by the aid of a stick and his son , Mr . Bertran Richardson , to join them . As he himself said , he had found it impossible to stay away all day from his brethren of the Quatuor Coronati , and he crawled over somehow . Bro . SPETH called the attention of the members to the fact that this was the first appearance of their eminent brother among them since her Majesty the

Queen had been graciously pleased to confer upon him the distinguished honour of knighthood , and on their behalf he took upon himself to congratulate their brother and assure him of the deep love of all his brethren . Bro . RICHARDSON , who was received with prolonged applause , responded in the graceful manner to which

we are all accustomed . Bro . Sir NORMAN PRIXCI . E then asked the brethren to join him in thanking their Secretary for the happy and successful outing which he had so ably organised for them , a day which from first to last had passed without a hitch of any kind , and would endure in their memories . More he said which would ill become the

writer to repeat , and his remarks were received with that generosity which has always distinguished the Lodge Quatuor Coronati . Bro . Si'ETii briefly returned thanks . At half-past seven a move was made , and thebrethrcn sauntered through Dane John , the beautiful little park beneath the old city walls , which here are perfectly

preserved , together with the external ditch or moat , and so on to the railway station , where they boarded the 7 . 54 . train to London . And thus concluded one of the most successful of the lodge outings . The day had been splendid for the purpose ; a chequered sky , throwing picturesque light and shade

over the beautiful county of Kent , while yet mitigating the summer heat ; a harmonious and happy family of brethren ; a perfect organisation ; monuments of hoar antiquity , the beginnings almost of English history ; scenes of ever varying interest , had all combined to render the occasion perfect in all in its parts—a memory to be cherished hereafter .

Annual Dinner Of The Holmesdale Lodge Of Instruction, No.874.

ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HOLMESDALE LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 874 .

On Monday , the 26 ih ult ., the members of the Holmesdale Lodge of Instruction and a number of visiting brethren had their annual dinner at the Pump Room , Tunbridge Wells . Bro . J . G . Calway , P . P . A . G . P . Sussex , occupied the chair , and amongst those present were Bros . Tom Ryder , P . M ., P . Z ., Preceptor , in the

vice-chair ; VV . C . Cripps , P . M ., P . S . G . W . ; Rag . ™ Martin , P . M . ; Li . Rix , P . M . ; J . Burton , P . M . ; Wellesley , T . Hammond , P . M . ; N . Grumvell , P . M . ; A . II . Tester , Sec . ; and others . The usual loyal toasts having been heirtily drank , " The Holmesdale Lodge of Instruction " was proposed from the chair , coupled with the name of Bro . Ryder ,

the Preceptor , and Bro . A . H . Tester , the Secretary , both of whom suitably responded , theformer remarking on thc increase of numbers , the zeal shown by the . brethren in their attendance and working , and the result of the work done during the past session . The WoRSllil'Ki'l . MASTER , in a brie '' , but pertinent speech , then presented to Bro . Tester a very beautiful

platinotype portrait of the Secretary , in full M . isni . ie regalia , in neat oak frame , a silver plate at the bottom recording the fact that it was presented to Bra . A . II . Tester by the brethren of the Holmesdale Lodge of Instruction in recognition of his valuable services as Secretary . Bro . TESTER acknowledged the presentation in a

neat speech , in the course of which he comment ..-d u ; r * n the good feeling and brotherly love that had alw . i v been evinced by the brethren towards him , of I . i interest in the lodge , and his willingness at all times to do his utmost for its furtherance . Bro . Siu . N'EY WII . MOT proposed the toast of " The

Visitors " in one of his masterly orations , and several other complimentary toasts followed . During the evening there was some very enjoyab harmony , especially several selections by the lloimi ¦ --dale Glee Singers , and Bro . Tes' . er gave a well-playe d solo on thc violin .