Summer Outing Of St. Luke's Lodge, No. 144.

SUMMER OUTING OF ST . LUKE'S LODGE , No . 144 .

The fifth annual summer launch party , given by the members of the above ancient representative Chelsea Lodge , took place on June 27 th , and was attended by great success , having a record number of 120 present . The proceedings commenced by the party being conveyed by special saloons from Paddington to Reading , where " Bonas" well appointed and capacious steam launch was in readiness to convey the brethren and their fair

freight to Pangbourne , Goring , Cleeve Lock , & c , the scenery of these places seeming ' at their best . En route the orchestra , which was under the direction 0 ! Bro . H . Wharton Wells , P . G . Org . Middx , played some very fine selections of music from most oi the well-known and popular operas . Soon after the start was made , the W . M ., Bro . S . C . Montague Austin ,

was called on by his many friends to open the vocal part of the programme , which he did , and was much appreciated . He was followed by Miss Illing , who sang with much feeling , and was accompanied by her sister . Miss Cissie Flexman , who sang with much cultivation , and has a rich contralto voice , was well received and appreciated . Mrs . H . Wharton Wells , whose

THK ABOVE ILLUSTRATION SHOWS THE PARTV TAKEN ON THE LAWN IN FRONT OF THE PAVILION AT " BONA'S , " CAVERSHAM BRIDGE HOTEL , READING

voice has been heard and appreciated so many times , was much called upon . Songs were also given by Bro . Jamieson , who as usual , scored greatly with his very fine voice , which seemed at it ? best , and was much in request . Bro . Sullivan caused a great deal of amusement with one of his funny Irish ditties . Bro . Hayward , who is a great favourite , also sang with much care and feeling . Bro . Starr gave , amongst

other songs , a good rendering of " Moreska , " which was well received . Bro . Wylie Price , borrowing a violin from the orchestra , gained much applause by his execution of " My Fiddle is my Sweetheart , " playing his own accompaniment . Several others contributed largely to the entertainment , but space forbids further comment .

Lunch was served in the saloon on board , and fruit , ices , sandwiches , cake , tea , &* c , handed round during the afternoon . The launch having been . newly decorated and upholstered , was further brightened by the charming toilettes of the ladies , which presented a pleasing and animated picture . There were fair ones armed for conquest

in all the gleaming array of summer clothing j one lady paying a graceful compliment to the Brotherhood by appearing in a bsautiful pale blue dress of the orthodox Masonic tint , covered with rich lace and embroidery , which became her admirably . White was most worn , and some especially attracted universal admiration .

The pleasure of the launch party was temporarily suspended by their arrival at Caversham Bridge Hotel , Reading , where Bro . Bona ( the proprietor ) had a choice and daintily laid out repast which would have tempted the appetite of the veriest epicure , and formed a welcome and agreeable interlude , at the conclusion of which the toast of " The Queen " was proposed by the W . M . ( Bro . S . C . Montague Austin ) , who elaborated largely on the excellent qualities of her Majesty , and was well received .

The next toast was that of " The Worshipful Master , " which was given by Bro . A . MARRIOTT MATTHEWS , S . W ., who alluded to Bro . Montague Austin ' s genial good heartedness at all times , and his readiness to do anything for anyone in the lodge , to help them in any way , concluding by remarking that he looked upon him ( the W . M . ) as one who would shape into the true type of a good old English gentleman .

The speech was well received , and caused much amusement , eliciting a sparkling and somewhat humorous reply from the W . M . The W . M . then rose and gave the toast of " The Ladies , " expatiating upon their many charms , and alluding to them in most tender tones , which , it need not be said , brought the brethren and gentlemen friends to their feet to drink con amore to " The Ladies . "

Bro . H . BEAUCHAMP , P . M ., who had done so much for the success of the day ' s outing , working side by side with the W . M . in arranging everyt hing , , and having done all the secretarial work , whose name the W . M .

coupled with the last toast , rose and responded for the ladies , saying how glad he was at all times to help in the bringing about of any Masonic functions where ladies were admitted . The reply was received with applause . The W . M . then proposed the toast of "The Visitors , " which was also particularly well received , and was responded to by Bro . CON GAOHURY , who said he had had a most " enjoyable day and felt sure that the other

visitors hid appreciated everything that had been done for them as much as he had . He was pleased to see such goodfellowship existing amongst the members of the lodge , and if such was the case amongst all Masons he was very sorry he hid nat been made a Mason when he was a young man , and was very sorry his friend , the W . M ., had not asked him to come to some of the previous launch parties . At the conclusion of the banquet more singing was indulged in , and

after the party adjourned to the lawn , which is adjoining the river , and the piano having been removed there , a very nice impromptu dance took place , which was joined in most enthusiastically . The W . M . then announced to the party that the private brakes were at the hotel door ready to convey them to the station , where special saloons were attached to the 9 . 40 up express , which arrived safely at Paddington at 10 . 55 , thus terminating one of the most successful outings the lodge has yet had .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The Quarterly Court of Subscribers to thc above Institution was held on Thursday at Freemasons' Hall . In the absence of Bro . Sir Reginald Hanson , P . G . W ., Treasurer of the Institution , the chair was taken by Bro . Robert Grey , P . G . W ., and there were also present Bros . Alfred C . Spaull , J . H . Matthews , H . Massey , Henry A . Tobias , Alexander C . Chapin , Charles Sheppard , Thomas Henry Gardiner , Frank Richardsan , Peter de L . Long , C . Pulman , and F . R . W . Hedges , Secretary .

Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON , G . D ., Patron , moved , upon the recommendation of the House and General Committees , "That the Right Hon . Edward George , Earl

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

of Lathom , be elected a Trustee , in the place of his father , the Right Hon . Sir Edward Bootle-Wilbraham , Earl of Lathom , deceased . " Lord Leigh was at present the only Trustee of the original deed surviving . It would be best to fill it up now , and they could have the deed executed , and so go on for several years , he hoped . The consideration of the General Committee and of the House

Committee had been given to the matter , and they thought that no one could more fitly be chosen to succeed the late Lord Lathom than his son , the present Lord Lathom . He said that by the death of the Earl , the Institution had lost one of its Trustees and warmest supp rters . The present Trustees were Lord Leigh , Lord Amherst , and Lord Mount Edgcumbe , and it would be just as well to fill up the vacancy now and make up the old number , four . Bro . A . C . SPAULL , the Chairman of the Petitions Committee , in seconding the motion , said it was very difii ; ult to add anything to what Bro . Richardson had