Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

nlficers for the compliment vvhich had been paid them ; k would venture one name in connection vvith this _ toast , hich had already been mentioned by the Chairman , mely 'he Earl of Carnarvon . It was only yesterday fhat he fBro . Simpson ) heard from his son , who was a Ma * on in Sydney , that the reception of the Earl of

Cararvon was something most enthusiastic , and that he revived . at the hands of the Sydney brethren , that tribute ° f respect which the Masonry of England had always paid him . Brotherly love was the brightest jewel in the Freemason ' s crown ; next came that admirable Charityelief to the floor and needy—but next to that come the truth which distinguished their Order . And he was sure with him that if wished to these

thev would agree they see dualities set out in their perfection they must go to tht Kmulation Lodge of Improvement , to which they had had the p leasure to be invited that evening . He was sure that every Mason in the lodge that evening would appreciate the mathematical truth , the moral truth , and above all the religious truth which was enshrined in those beautiful

sections , and vvould go away with the happy and bliss ! ul reflection that a true Mason ought to be not only a true Mason , but a true man , living not only for the present but for that which is to come . ' ' Bro . S . POPE , P . G . D ., said he was allowed the privilege and p leasure of proposing " The Health of the Acting Master , Bro . Sir Reginald Hanson , " who , as the brethren

had seen , added to his many claims upon the confidence and admiration of his fellow citizens , the qualification of being a consistent and appreciative Mason . He ( Bro . Pope ) sometimes thought that St . Paul , learned as he was in the traditions of his people , must have had Masonry in his mind when he laid down as one of the cardinal rules of life ministering to the necessities of thebrethren given to

hospitality . He was aware that St . Paul used the word " saints" where he ( Bro . Pope ) had used the word " brethren , " and he was afraid that in thes 3 modern times the two words might not be so perfectly synonymous as they vvere in the early days of Christianity , but accepting the doctrine in the Masonic sense , no man had more worthily discharged his Masonic duties than Sir R . Hanson .

He had administered his office as Chief Magistrate of the City of London , ministering on all occasions to the necessities of others , and dispensing a traditional , but not less splendid hospitality in a manner to shed lustre on the office vvhich he held . No man therefore could more fitly hold the position of Chairman of the Festival of the Education Lodge of Improvewent , and he asked them , as an

excellent Lord Mayor , as an excellent Mason , and as a fit and proper Chairman , to drink his very good health . The CHAIRMAN , in reply , said that he was very much obliged to Bro . Pope for the flattering terms in which he had proposed his health , though he did draw a very marked distinction between the positions of a saint and a brother , leaving it to be inferred that their Chairman was very much

better as a brother than as a saint . He knew Bro . Pope meant well , and therefore he vvould pass that by . He felt it to be a very great privilege to be sitting in the chair of this meeting , of what Bro . Pope had called by a slip of the tongue an " Education . " lodgeof Masonry . Considering the number of distinguished Masons vvho had had the honour of being asked , and had consented to occupy the chair at the Festival , he had felt great pleasure when he

was invited to preside . He was not very much in a condition that evening to take the chair at any meeting , but he resolved that if he could get there even if he had to come in a sleigh , he would not be deprived of the pleasure . He vvas much obliged to them for the reception the toast had met with . So much for himself . He had novv much pleasure in proposing a toast—he might say the toastof the

evening—namely "Success to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . " He was not going to enlarge very much on the history of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , partly because he did not know much about it , and partly because he should be taking a good deal out of the hands of the brother vvho vvould reply to the toast . Some 70 or So years ago , after the Uuion , it vvas felt that the rituals should be

unilied , and this Emulation Lodge was started some 65 years ago for the instruction and improvement of brethren . It was essential , in an Institution like Freemasonry , that there should be some body to vvhich they could look to see exactly how the ritual should be worked , for the instruction of those vvho would convey the knowledge of Masonry not ° , ' y to the provinces , but to every part of the world . The

I ' . mulation Lodge had been such a body , and had done its woik very well . He thought that Emulation was better man Education . They had seen the result of Emulation that evening . It was by coming to that lodge and emulating each other that they were able to become such good Masons . They had had very great pleasure of listening to tne Sections of the Second Lecture , and he had had the

Privilege of thanking them , but he might say that their Proficiency was amazing to him , and they were all indebted to those five brethren . He should couple with the toast tne name of Bro . Fenn , whose name was associated as a ™ ember with a great number of lodges—either as an honrary or a working member—a great many of which vvere represented at that meeting . He wished Bro . Fenn very od

S ° health , and coupled that with prosperity to the L « miatio Lodge of Improvement . USUH ^ - i" replying to this toast , said that it was toa Vf '•' brother whose name was connected with that atul IL ° ' b" ^ account of the origin of the lodge , of th ? ° bj ' ect for which ! t was established- At the Union rail S » . ° Grand Lodges , in 1 S 13 , it was found lhat theso-Call A W VJ 4 ttllu rouges , in IOIJ , IL was IUUIIU mat

uiesodisii Modern Masons had lost , or allowed to fall into lion muc ' ° ^ ^ anc ' enl : ritual . The Lodge of Reconcilia-GranT ? j erefore formed under the authority of the United bv all . u ge to arrange a ritual which might be adopted land n ges under the United Grand Lod e e of El * i ? - lod ' - Hemming was appointed the first Master of the but ( . 1 under him the work made considerable progress , i * icanDM as s ' ruck with mental incapacity , which made him . _ - * pat ) le of rnnftn ,.: —* . u ~ ... « . i . ... v . ;» u ....... ft . * ... An ..-.. ~ . —1 Vllllll % 13 Vlltll llll 3

* 0 Ur W'lr """" " ' S ** ,, *> U 11 V , . . Y « ( . ULCU had 1 * llams - Under him a great deal of the ritual which shorn f " con , P lled under Dr . Hemming was simplified , Wards J a re dundancy of words , completed , and after-18231 th tir b *? the United Grand Lodgein lSl 6 - 'n som » mu , at ' Lodgeof Improvement was formed by in the 1 j brethren who had learned their Masonry \ vas esiaiu * ? Reconciliation under Dr . Williams , h te adonl i k for teachin ff lhe ritual as ' was ordered to as a J . ° y ^ e Grand Lodge a few years before , and

ritual , i" ? preserving in its purity the authorized from ' t A" nsmitting it to all time by oral tradition generation to generation . At the first meeting

Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

of that lodge there were present a large number of members of the Grand Stewards' Lodge who considered themselves the custodians of the pure ritual , the then Grand Secretary , Bro . Harper , vvho had acted as Secretary to the Lodge of Reconciliation , and many other distinguished Masons who expressed their unanimous approval of the proceedings . Bro . Peter Gilkes was the first

president . Bro . Stephen Barton Wilson ( whose son he believed was present that night ) succeeded Bro . Peter Gilkes . He had the benefit of personal instruction from Bro . Peter Gilkes and from Bro . Stephen Barton VVilson . The late Bro . John Hervey , Bro . Murton , and Bro . Richards and he ( Bro . Fenn ) learned the ritual by personal instruction . He thought , therefore , as this tradition had only passed

through three generations after Bro . Dr . VVilliams , namely Bros . Gilkes , Stephen Barton Wilson , and themselves , the Emulation Lodge could claim that their ritual was the actual ritual that was ordered to be adopted by the United Grand Lodge in 1816 . He had had an opportunity of hearing many versions of the ceremonies in London and in the provinces ; and he had no hesitation in saying that

in terseness and correctness of diction , none of those versions would bear any comparison with the work that was taught in that lodge . There was one matter vvhich had given very considerable anxiety to the Committee of the Emulation Lodge , which was that , although they met in very goodly numbers there seemed to be an unaccountable disinclination in those vvho attended , to work the lectures .

He could not understand that at all . Bro . Murton would bear him out when he said that in their early days they used to work the Five Sections in one evening , but novv , there was the difficulty in finding brethren capable or , if capable , willing to work three . _ It used to be their ambition to prepare for this Festival and to make their mark in Masonry by distinguishing themselves before the

august assembly of Grand Officers who honor them with their countenance on these occasions . Even he , that evening , while he was listening to those well remembered sections , felt a twinge of his old ambition ; like an old hunter vvho—set aside as unlit for work—feels his energies revive and snorts and paws the ground at the cry of the hounds . It crossed his mind that nothing would give him

( Bro . Fenn ) greater pleasure than to recite once again that beautiful description of the six periods of the Creation before a brilliant assembly like the present . On looking round the table he thought he could name not a few brethren vvho novv wore the purple , who would not be ashamed to admit that they owed to those public nights their first mark in Masonry . He himself was proud to

acknowledge that to these occasions he owed his first distinction , and consequently the many honours vvhich , whether deservedly or not , had been so liberally bestowed upon him during his Masonic career . The Emulation Lodge of Improvement had novv altered their time of meeting from seven o ' clock to six ; and he hoped that that alteration vvould give some facilities to those who wished to attain

proficiency in the lectures . He hoped that the 50 members who had joined them that evening * vvould avail themselves during the coming year of the opportunity of distinguishing themselves vvhich the lodge afforded , and that at the next meeting there might be a new team of workers , capable and desirous of emulating the eloquence of those brethren who had so kindly given theirservices that evening . Bro . Fenn concluded by thanking the R . VV . Bro . Sir Reginald Hanson ,

on the part of the Committee , for his good wishes for the success of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , and assured him that nothing should be wanting onthepartof the Committee to secure the continuance of that success and prosperity , which no one present could desire more earnestly than the Committee themselves . Bro . H . J . P . DUMAS proposed the toast "Prosperity to the Lodge of Unions , 256 , " under whose sanction the Emulation Lodge of Improvement was held .

Bro . HESELTINE , on behalf of the Lodge of Unions , thanked the brethren for the hearty manner in which the toast had been received , and mentioned that this was a remarkable year in that lodge , as they were celebrating the Masonic Jubilee of Bro . Green , the father of the lodge , whose 50 years of Masonic labour hid just been acknowledged by the Grand Lodge by a bestowal of the purple and

an invitation to enter that august assembly . " Prosperity to the Masonic Charities" was proposed by Bro . WOODALL , and acknowledged by Bro . TERRY , the Secretary of the Benevolent Institution . The following Grand Officers were present : Bros . T . Fenn , P . G . D ., Treas . ; C Harding , P . A . G . D . C . ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec ; G . Kelly , P . G . Std . Br . ;

A . Lucking , P . G . P . ; C . F . Matier , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . Terry , P . G . Swd . Br , ; J . C . Parkinson , P . G . D . ; W . H . Ferryman , G . P . ; A . A . Pendlebury , Asst . G . Sec ; J . F . H . Woodward , P . G . Swd . Br . ; H . Bue , P . G Std . Br . ; J . M . Case , P . G . D . ; C . A . Murton , P . G . D . ; F . Richardson , P . G . D . ; G . Cooper , P . G . D . ; G . Haldane , P . G . S . B . ; J . B . Purchas , P . A . G . D . C ; R . Clutton ,

P . G . P . ; H . J . Dumas , P . G . D . ; R . J . Simpson , P . G . Chap . ; Sir R . Hanson , P . G . W . ; W . E . Stewart , P . A . G . D . C ; J . L . Mathers , P . A . G . D . C . ; C . F . Hogard , P . G . Std . B . ; F . West , P . G . D . ; S . Pope , P . G . D . ; and W . Bywater , G . S . B . The following members vvere Stewards on the eccasion : Bros . G . Kennaby , J . W . Gaze , T . VV . Ockenden , VV . G . Kentish , W . Serjeant Lee , Henri Bue , J . J .

Black , R . C . Sudlow , E . B . Holloway , J . VV . Lightbody , E . T . Smith , E . W . Bewland , D . Carpmael , E . P . Debenham , T . H . Edmonds , H . J . Wicks , J . E . Terry , H . T . S . Wellcome , A . Gibbings , Lennox Browne , A . Snell , H . J . Pn ' tchard , and E . M . Money . The following is a list of other members present : Bros . T . B . Lodge , W . J . Finch , G . Stacey , H . Horndle , H . W . Green , W . Hancock , T .

Bramell , W . Haubart , te . A . Abraham , H . Guy , H . T . Sykes , J . Tongue , F . J . Sykes , N . Goodwin , H . VV . Brooks , A . T . Trehearne , William Scott , William Haseltine , S . G . Glanville , Chas . Belton , H . J . Bertram , Geo . Powell , C . H . Mapleton , Eugene Monteuuis , Thomas Clubb , R . Marsden , G . H . Bishop , J . H . Howes , C . Butler , C . M . Matthews , John D . Abbott , Arthur Brewin , T . C . White ,

W . Rowley , F . W . Price , C . A . Trollope , Martin Southwell , C . R . Cooper , F . H . Laws , E . E . Berlandina , W . P . Paiker , VV . H . Kirby , Arthur Baume , Thos . Cohu , C E . Cassal , G . Hog-don , H . C . S . Dumas , R . VV . F . Seton , T , H . Gardiner , T . T . Rushton , J . Glenn , C . F . Monckton

G . Titus Barbara , James Gallahar , j . Lancaster , E . L , Balcombe , Septimus Croft , A . F . Menden , W . Lincoln , A . Lacoste , A . A . Richards , F . W . Smith , B . Whitehead , W . Cooke , Corrie Jackson , E . H . Thiellay , F . R . B . Hart , S . B . Wilson , J . Dale , T . E . Fenn , W . Robinson , G . S , Ceswick , A . Sauve , W . J . Kennaby , Geo . F , Marshall

Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

Gilbert Bauer , F . W . Hunt , J . H . Lanes , G . H . Smallpeice , J . W . W . Roy , A . Stewart Brown , F . R . Spaull and A . C . Spaull . The following were visitors : Bros . E . Beranger , L . Mallett , T . Adams , S . Alderson , T . E . Marshall , H . S . Cluse , S . E . Williams , F . L . Toms , W . J . Fisher , H . Chapman , Oswald Farr , John R . Pilling , Bernard Drake , D . Varrall , William Senia , J . S . Frye , J .

J . Chapman , R . B . White , A . E . Goodchild , W . Saegert , R . Goff , T . Aitken , H . C . Monro , G . Young , J . Elliot , G , C . Herbert , VV . Noemer , G . S . Peachey , J . H . Stevenson , R . H . Stimpson , J . Motion , A . H . Jakins , T . H . Wrangham , VV . E . Chapman , R . G . Chilton , S . B . Pemberton , VV . Winnelt , G . L . Wood , T . Griffiths , Geo . D . Harrison , H , Dickey , VV . F . Bertram , J . F . Jago , G . G . Forster , A . M ,

Catling , A . W . Ramsay , F . Granville , John Read , Dr . jaijrelski , J . A . Evans , W . E . Slater , G . Reynolds , F . M . Noakes , A . Browne , G . de H . Vaizay , J . H . W . Davies , E . S . Dashwood , E . Anstei , J . IT . Proff , J . H . G . Buckley , P . Soman , T . H . Dolbey , A . Garrock , VV . Taylor , C . Osmond , Harold Francis , Henry Chapman , VV . J . Dyer , F . G . Ivey , T . Hastings Miller , J . T . Salmon , T . G . Barratt , H . R . Spooner , J . Herron , J . B . Bongour , John

L . Langlois , W . Belchamber , C E . Layton , E . B . Fanser , Ernest Clarke , Walter Waller , VV . Kent , H . VV . Marshall , Frank Osborne , E . J . Mills , J . B . VVright , E . Antoin , R . J . Morley , VV . Toms , J . Chapman , Rev . R . F . Hosken , E . C Wills , VV . Nuttall , D . T . Barker , J . Lapsey , J . Oppenheim , Dr . F . Ernest Pocock , W . Baker , H . S . Trehearne , Chas . W . Stephens , M . W . Staples , R . Tucker , and E . C , Massey .

Annual Supper Of The Ivy Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1441.

ANNUAL SUPPER OF THE IVY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1441 .

The first annual supper of this lodge took place at the Railway Tavern , Battersea Rise , S . W ., on Thursday , the 16 th ult . Bro . Bircham Cooper , I . P . M . 1441 , presided , ably assisted by Bro . Higerty , P . M . 1044 and 1714 , P . P . G . S ., Asst . Preceptor , as Vice-Chairman . After the "inner" requirements had been satisfied vvith

viands of the best quality , the CHAIRMAN gave the toast of " The Queen and Craft , " vvhich having been responded to in the usual loyal and patriotic manner observed among Masons , he then proposed the toast of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Master , and Past and Present Grand Officers , " vvhich , needless to say , was received with

enthusiasm . Bro . HIGERTY responded on behalf of the Grand Officers , Past and Present . The CHAIRMAN then proposed the toast of the evening , "The Ivy Lodge of Instruction . " He was pleased to occupy the position he did that evening , and congratulated the brethren on the success of the tirst year ' s working .

That time last year Bro . George presented him with a petition signed by upwards of 50 brethren , showing the necessity of a lodge of instruction in that neighbourhood . He felt very pleased that he vvas able to grant a warrant , and to find so good a balance in hand after its first year , which to a considerable extent vvas due to the many presents the brethren had made to the lodge . He mentioned Bros . Gill ,

Beddoes , Wright , Higerty , George , Cowley , Edwards , Collick , Squires , and others , in particular . He concluded by mentioning that at their first meeting 16 members joined , which number had since increased to 32 , and trusted that number would be considerably increased during the present year . Bro . HIGERTY gave the toast of "The Chairman . "

The CHAIRMAN duly responded . The toasts of " 'I ' he Preceptor and Treasurer , Bro . Cooper , " "The Assistant Preceptor , Bro . Higerty , " and " The Secretary , Bro . George , " were well received , and duly responded to . T he toast of " The Ivy Lodge " and a vote of thanks to the chair ended a very pleasant evening .

The City Of Westminster Lodge Ball.

THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER LODGE BALL .

The members of the City of Westminster Lodge , No . 15 63 , following an agreeable custom vvhich has of recent years become very popular in the Craft , held a ball at Freemasons' Tavern , on Tuesday , the 21 st ult . When the idea vvas started a short time ago , it was but natural that Bro . Berther , who is a member of the lodge , should be the leading spirit in the movement , and it was also certain that

under his experienced management it would develop into an unqualified success . An excellent Boird of Stewards vvas formed under the presidency , Bro . Edmund B . Cox , W . M ., vvith Bro . C H . Kadclyflfe as Hon . Sec , and , thanks to the excellent arrangements made , the members and their friends—to the number of over 250—spent a most enjoyable time and had the gratification of unanimously

pronouncing the ball one of the most successful of the season . I'he Great Hall was gaily decorated vvith flags and banners , and the musicians ' platform tastefully adorned vvith flowers and ferns . The brethren , in accordance with a dispensation obtained from H . R . H . the M . W . G . M ., appeared in Masonic clothing and jewels , and their regalia , combined with the varied hues of the ladies' dresses , gave

the hall a very bright and animated appearance—which can only be compared to a great kaleidoscope . Owing to an unfortunate accident which recently occurred to the VV . iVL , Bro . Cox , he vvas prevented from participating in the enjoyment provided , but by his geniality and affability he materially contributed to the good feeling which prevailed , Dancing commenced shortly after half-past nine o ' clock to

the strains of Mr . Pritchard ' s band , which played an expedient selection of music in an admirable manner , and vvas continued vvith great spirit until shorcly after midnight . An adjournment vvas then made to the supper rooms where a repast was served , which fully maintained the reputation the proprietors have so deservedly gained . The wines were the noted brands of Perinet et Fils , G . H . Mumm , and Duminy . Ample jusiice having been done to the good

fare provided , the WORSHIPFUL MASTER briefly proposed "The Queen . " Bro . SHAND , Sec , then said it was his privilege to submit a toast which would b * i heartily received , lt was the usual custom to drink the health of the presiding officer or chairman , and that night they had their W . M ., Bro . Cox , in the chair , whose health he now desired to propose . There were many ladies present , and he vvould like to arouse their curiosity—not , however , that he should tell them anv