Masonic Conversazione In Bournemouth.

MASONIC CONVERSAZIONE IN BOURNEMOUTH .

The Masonic conversazione which took place in the Masonic Hall , Bourneirouth , on Tuesday , the 23 rd ult ., was one of the most enjoyable sociable events of the Bournemouth winter season . It was carried out under the auspices of Lodge Horsa , and to the untiring energy and zeal of the Secretary , Bro . J . J .

Brazier , P . M ., the great success which attended the function was largely due The W . M ., however , and various other brethren of the lodge , took also an active and practical interest in the preparations for the event ; and the efforts of all were supported by the ready co-operation of kindred lodges in the district , and of individual Masons and Masonic lodges in other parts of the country .

The hall had been specially prepared for the conversazione , Bros . Dowden and William Hankinson having carried out that work very effectively . Bro . Ratsch lent a lot of beautiful palms and other plants , which also helped very much to give an elegant aspect to the interior . The large collection of beautiful things of many kinds which were exhibited were , however , of themselves sufficient to make the scene a gorgeous and most interesting one . Surrounding the Master ' s

chair were the handsome banners of the Horsa , ' Hengist , Boscombe , St . Cuthberga , and other lodges ; Masonic clothing—some which was exceedingly beautiful , both in respect of design and enrichment—adorned the walls ; of pictures and rare and curious prints there was a large collection ; of Masonic jewels and gems and antiques of various kinds there was such a magnificent display as to quite

fascinate the lady visitors , whilst they were also of special interest to the Masonic brethren ; and " the mysteries of nature and science " were revealed by a demonstration of the Rontgen X Rays , by Bro . MacGillicudy , and by means of microscopes , and electrical and chemical apparatus and illustrative slides , under the care of Bro . J . H . Williams .

The boudoir prepared for the ladies was artistically arranged by Bro . Hogg ; the catering for the buffet was entrusted to Bro . Holloway , the Tyler of the lodge ; whose ample and special experience enabled him to carry out this important department to the utmost satisfaction of all . Bros . G . W . Speth , F . R . Hist . S ., P . A . G . D . C , and Harvey were in charge of

the Masonic exhibits ; the scientific exhibits were , as already stated , under the care of Bros . MacGillicuddy and J . H . Williams ; Bro . G . E . Bridge had the direction of the musical arrangements ; Bro . H . Youngman , P . M . 1571 , was Director of the Ceremonies ; and the Assistant Directors of Ceremonies were Bros . T . Cox and F . J . E . Evans-Vaughan . The various functions thus assigned were all very satisfactorily carried out .

As regards the exhibits , the most important collection was that shownby Bro . Speth , and embraced jewels and medals , seals , commemorative coins , curious engravings , & c . Among the medals was one which was struck by the Provincial Grand Lodge of North and East Yorkshire to commemorate the Queen ' s Jubilee in 1887 ; a bronze square and compass , in the same case , was dug up at Corfu , with coins and vessels of the eighth and ninth centuries ; there were also 21 copper

halfpenny tokens , struck to commemorate the election of the Prince of Wales as Grand Master of English Masonry on the 24 th November , 1790 ; a curious medallion in Battersea enamel ; a bronze devotional medal , of the time of Urban VIII ., who restored the Church of the Quatuor Coronati in Rome , in 1624—the obverse side of the medal showing St . Michael , and the reverse side the four martyrs ; and many others of great interest . The seals also were a very fine

collection . The quaint and curious prints appeared to have a special interest for the ladies , as they " professed " ( as Bro . Speth subsequently neatly put it ) to afford an insight into someof the mysteries of Freemasonry . The Masonic clothing also proved attractive . Bro . G . E . Turner , of Blandford , had sent a collection of nine articles , which included a letter from George Washington to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , and other interesting relics . Lodge St . Cuthberga , No . 622 , Wimborne , had lent

a valuable collection , which include ! a sketch of a sword of state presented to the Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons by Thomas Duke of Norfolk in 1730 , when his grace was Grand Master of England ; a sketch of a jewel presented by the brethren of Grand Stewards' Lodge to their Past Master , Bro . Wm . Williams , Prov . G . M . of Dorset , 1818 ; an original and very valuable engraving of the " Procession of Miserable Masons before Somerset House , " presented to Lodge 622 by the P . G . M ., Bro . Montague Guest ; a silk Masonic chart ,

presented to Lodge St . Cuthberga by Bro . Geo . Habgood , jun ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; a Masonic chart , depicting the " Rise and Progress of Masonry in England from its introduction until the year 1866 , " dedicated to the Earl of Zetland , Grand Master of England in that and for many previous years ; two French engravings , presented to Lodge St . Cuthberga by the P . G . M ., Bro . Montague J . Guest , caricaturing Masonic ceremonies ; the new banner of the lodge , painted by Frank A . Smallpiece , and depicting St . Cuthberga holding a figure of the Wimborne Minster in her left arm and a pastoral staff with her right hand .

Lodge Unity , Wareham , exhibited the I . G . 's dagger ; the I . P . M . s jewel , which is of a curious and antique design , somewhat like the jewels now worn by the P . G . M . and G . M . ; a silver trowel , the jewel formerly worn by Deacons ; the lodge bible , a black-letter "breeches" bible ; - the two original banners of the

lodge ; an apron of Bro . Charles Wyndham , P . M . of Lodges Unity , 386 , Wareham , and St . Cuthberga , 622 , Wimborne , with the P . P . S . G . W . 's badges of Dorset and Wilts affixed ; and six old firing glasses engraved "Twelve Brothers Lodge , " with the emblems of the W . M . ( old pattern ) , S . W ., and Treasurer , and one representing Mercury—probably intended for the Deacon's design .

Bro . Brazier sent a Masonic chart and medallion , showing some Masonic emblems ; the Worshipful Master of the lodge exhibited a large collection of Masonic jewels ; Bro . F . E . Cridland sent a curious old Bible ; Bro . C . Waters exhibited some large and scarce silver coins ; Bro . J . E . Marsden sent an old

English lever watch , with Masonic signs instead of figures on the dial : Bro . F , W . R . Hedges ( Sec . R . M . I , for Girls ) , photographs and views of the Girls ' School ; Bro . Deane Webb , an antique carved oak Pric Dieu chair ; Bro . Horace Budden , a Turkish enamelled brooch , a Moorish brass tray , and a Norwegian Masonic drinking glass ,

Lodge Amity ( Poole ) , contributed an old painting by Philip van Dyke , being a portrait of Thos . Dunckerley , Provincial Grand Master of Dorsetshire from 1780 , a proof print of William Williams , Provincial Grand Master of Dorsetshire from 1812 to 18 39 ; the historic biscuit of the Lodge of Amity , together with its curious history , and a list of the Past Masters of the lodge from 1765 to 1807 . Bro . Chapin , of Lodge Amity , had sent two curious aprons , said to have

been worn in the East Indies , Bro . H . Harvey , as was to be expected , showed some interesting relics , including a curious Chinese pottery , landscape , and other things , Lodge Hengist , No . 195 , lent a Master ' s gavel , made from olive wood specially brought from Jerusalem for the purpose , and presented to the lodge by

bro . the Rev , Gordon Brown in 18 7 8 ; a valuable picture , depicting the execution of Lady Jane Gray , or rather the scene where she met the dead body of her husband being carried from the scaffold to which she was being led . This picture was presented to Lodge Hengist by Mr . Penney , per Bro . E , W . Rebbeck , at the foundation-stone laying of the hall on January 15 th , 1877 , and is kept there ; an

Masonic Conversazione In Bournemouth.

autograph letter from H . R . H . Bro . King Oscar of Sweden , in response to an invitation to visit the Lodge of Hengist in 1 S 88 , when staying at Bournemouth ; a portrait of Thomas Dunckerley , natural son of George IL , one of the most eminent Masons of the iSth century , first Prov . G . M . of Hants ( b . 1742 , d . 1795 ) , 1761 , Isle of Wight added 1798 . ( He was a founder of the Lodge of Hengist at Christchurch in 1770 , and visited it as Prov . G . M . in 1776 ); a warrant of the Lodge of Hengist , then No . 405 , dated November 23 rd , 1770 , with autograph

signatures of James Hescltine , G . S ., and Thomas Dunckerley , Prov . G . M . Hants a banner of the Lodge of Hengist , presented when the lodge was meeting at Christchurch ; a letter of invitation from Lodge Hengist to the lodge at Havant on the occasion of opening the Christchurch Masonic Hall ; a facsimile of Benoist ' s celebrated engraving " A Geometrical View of the Grand Procession of Scal'd Miserable Masons , " already referred to . An interesting description of the picture was given in the catalogue .

The Hengist Royal Arch Chapter sent their five principal banners . The Boscombe Lodge also exhibited its banner . Bro . Minty sent various articles including an old Masonic mug , a copy of a summons of True Friendship Lodged Calcutta , giving a list of Past Masters from 1773 to 18 94 , Persian vases , & c . Lodge Unity sent the lodge charter , dated 1764 , and the lodge banner . Bro . J . J . Fisher exhibited a jewel presented by French Masons , in recognition of distinguished services ; a French Masonic sash , worn by Masons of the Third Degree ;

and Bro . J . M . McLeod , Sec . R . M . I , for Boys , gave on the occasion a phototype illustration of the Masonic Boys' School . By Bro . F . J . W . Crowe , P . P . G . O . Devon , of Torquay , there was sent for exhibition a large and interesting collection of aprons of various kinds and belonging to different countries , two old K . T . seals of the extinct " St . James' Encampment , " Aberdeen , and a set of 36 coloured plates from Masonic Clothing and Regalia , British and Continental , " edited and compiled by Bro . Crowe this year .

The company present included : From Lodge Horsa—Bro . C Pearce , W . M . with whom were Mrs . Pearce and Miss Chudley ; Bro . W . J . M . Dowden ; Bro ' . H . J . Atkins ; Bro . C . Waters , accompanied by Mrs . Waters and Miss Mitchell ; Bro . J . B . Atkinson , Mrs . and Miss Atkinson ; Bro . J . J . Brazier and Mrs . Brazier ; Bro . H . E . Hawker and Mrs . Hawker ; Bro . C . T . Miles and Miss F . M . Miles ; Bro . Henry foungman and Mrs . Youngman ; Bro . Horace Budden ; Bro . F . A . K . Hounsell and Mrs . Hounsell ; Bro . H . J . Tuson and

Miss Tuson ; Bro . G . E . Bridge and Mrs . Bridge ; Bro . H . G . Knight and Mrs . Knight ; Bro . H . B . Harvey ; Bro . H . Robson , Mrs . Robson and Misses Thick- " penny ; Bro . G . W . Powell and Mrs . Powell ; Bro . H . T . Pottle and Mrs . Pottle ; Bros . J . H . Williams , Deane Weeb , R . Tuffin , J . E . Marsden , and F . j ! Evans-Vaughan ; Bro . H . C . Ratsch and Mrs . Ratsch ; Bro . J . Judd and Mrs . Judd ; Bro . H . W . Francis and Mrs . Francis ; Bro . Thomas Cox and Mrs . Cox ' ; Bro . W . J . Street and Mrs . Street ; Bro . Wm . Hankinson , Mrs . Hankinson and Miss King ; and Bro . E . C Duchesne , Mrs . Duchesne , and Miss Tunnacliffe .

Among the visitors were—Bro . G . W . Speth , F . R . Hist . S ., and Mrs . Speth Bros . S . T . Klein , F . R . A . S ., & c , MacGillicuddy , M . R . C . S . E ., and A . T . George ' - Bro . C . J . Whitting and Mrs . Whitting ; Bro . F . T . Cutler and Mrs . Cutler ; Bro . J . Harvey , Mrs . Harvey , and Miss Thompson ; Brs . C . H . Mate and Mrs . Mate ; Bro . W . Miller ; Bro . J . W . Sandell and Mrs . Sandell ; Bro . M . C . Burke and Miss H . Burke ; Bro . Oakley and Miss Oakley ; Bro . E . Whitley Baker and Mrs . Baker ; Bro . Gush ; Bro . F . H . Turnerand Misses Turner ; Mrs . Shakspeare and Miss Shakspeare ; Bros . A . C . Chapin and J . J . Fisher ; and Bro . R . Homewood and Mrs . Homewood .

The Worshipful Master of Lodge Horsa ( Bro . PEARCE ) , just before the musical portion of the conversazione was commenced , said a few words of welcome and of thanks . He expressed the great pleasure it gave him to see present in the lodge on that occasion so many ladies , because it showed their sympathy with , and their appreciation of , Masonic work . He spoke briefly of the elevating and sacred principles of Masonry , and said that no Mason could be true to those principles without becoming all the better man b y so doing . To the Masons in

various parts of the country , who had lent read y help in connection with the exhibits on that occasion ( and in this connection the name of Bro . G . W . Speth , F . R . Hist . S , was specially mentioned ); to the brethren of neighbouring lodges who had given their willing co-operation ; to the ladies and others who had so kindly come forward to carry out the musical programme which they were to enjoy j and to all otheis who had in various ways assisted in the arrangements , he , in the name of the lodge , expressed his most hearty thanks .

Bro , SPETH said their Worshipful Master had asked him to say a few words : why , he knew not . ( Laughter . ) He could only suppose that he had fixed upon him to represent those whom he had so eloquently thanked , and that he wished him , in their name , to acknowledge the thanks which had been given them . ( Hear , hear . ) He assured those assembled that , so far as he was concerned , it had given him very great pleasure to co-operate with Lodge Horsa in its very successful effort , and to be present on that auspicious occasion . The ladies who

had assembled that evening had , doubtless , come there with divided feelings ; partly , they wished to grace that occasion with their presence , and to give them all the pleasure of seeing them ; partl y , they might have thought that , once admitted within the sacred enclosure of the lodge room , they might , perchance , obtain some insight into the mysteries of what was carried on within those walls upon certain occasions . ( Laughter . ) He noticed that the Worshipful Master , in addressing them , was very careful not to give the slightest clue to anything which took lace there

ever p —( laughter ) , —and he himself should not dare , in his presence , to take the ladies into his confidence and tell them all about it . ( Laughter . ) But he had brought with him , from his extensive museum in London , a collection of prints published in the last century , and which were exhibited on the walls that night , which " professed " to tell them—he did not say that they did—( laughter)—and he did not say that they did not , and some of them contradicted others —( laughter)—but which "professed" to tell them exactly how the thing was done . ( Much laughter . ) Now , ho thought he had been very kind in

satisfying their curiosity—and he might say their " laudable curiosity " : because when their brothers or husbands absented themselves from the famil y circle on certain occasions in order to go elsewhere , it was only right that they should know where they went and what they went for . ( Hear , hear , and laughter . ) If , therefore , the ladies present only studied those prints , and read between the lines —( laughter ) — and brought to bear in that study those intuitive qualities which enabled them so easily to jump at conclusions —( laughter ) , —sometimes without any reason whatever —( laughter ) , —they would then have a much keener perception and a much deeper knowledge —( laughter)—of the mysteries of Freemasonry . ( Applause . )

I he musical part of the conversazione was then proceeded with , and gave the greatest satisfaction , many of the songs being most heartily applauded . The proceedings , which were of a most enjoyable character throughout , terminated shortly after 11 o ' clock .

Conversazione Of The Union Waterloo Lodge, No. 13.

CONVERSAZIONE OF THE UNION WATERLOO LODGE , No . 13 .

A very successful conversazione was held under the auspices of thc above lodge on Friday evening ) the 26 th ult ., at Freemasons' Hall , Plumstead . About 250 ladies and gentlemen were present , including many brethren representing tho neighbouring lodges .