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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
ration for his talents and devotion to Freemasonry . H felt convinced that every note on the key-board of praise , e-rcry string on the harp of eulogium had been touched already , and now whilst he endeavoured to find for himself a new strain or an untrodden path , he was obliged to have recourse to the old classics and to the old people of Rome and Greece , and say that he wished it was still the custom at banquets to adorn the honoured guests with " eonviviales corona . ' Still he did net think that such a wriath
would be goodenough for such a guest as Bro . Hervey . He ( the W . M . ) would rather , as they said in thc ceremony of the evening , remember that , as Masons , they did not belong to the popular or uninstructed world , but to a select body of men . Therefore , let them suppose , for a moment , that they belonged to the patrician and priestly order of thc " Salii , " who used to wear , in ancient Rome ,
at their festival held about this time of the year , the " corona sutilis" a wreath" composed of the choicest leaves of the most beautiful roses sewn together . And then , he would , with all the skill he could possibly impart to his ringers , weave the most delicate wreath . And as King Solomon has compared the object of his admiration and love to the " Rose of Sharon , " he would entwine some
leaves of that beautiful flotver with lillies of the valley and place that fragrant wreath on the venerable head of Bro . Hervey . This might be he hoped , a new and fresh tribute of the unbounded esteem and affection of the brethren for the Grand Secretary of England . He ( the W . M . ) trusted this would not be taken as flattery , for he only expressed the sentiments of his heart , as he
felt the greatest admiration for the talents of Bro . Hervey and his devotion to the Craft . ( Great cheering . ) Bro . Hervey , in reply to thc toast , said that when a man found himself in a difficulty the best thing he could do was to face it and endeavour to get out of it as he best might . That was his case at the present moment . The little service he had rendered that evening , certainly , he
could scarcely think , with all deference to the W . M ., had justified the high encomiums he had been kind enough to pass on him ( Bro . Hervey . ) True it was , at all times , his services were at the order of his brother Masons , and he was always glad when he could be of any service . If he had been of any service that evening he was pleased , and he could only say that he felt it an honour , having
consecrated the lodge twelve months ago , to bc asked by the I . P . M . to perform the installation ceremony . If those duties had been acceptable to the brethren and thc W . M ., he was amply repaid , and he could only return the brethren his cordial thanks for the kindness with which the W . M . had proposed his health , and say how pleased and glad he was to have had the opportunity of placing the
W . M . in the chair , which he was sure he would honour . Bro . J . D . Allcroft next rose to propose " The Health of the W . M . " He said that if there was a position in which a man would desire to be placed it was tbat position in which he was then placed , to speak of their friend of the Craft and brother in the chair , as the Master of the lodge , because he could look back to the time before this lodge
was instituted , and to the friendship and esteem that he had formed for some years for their W . M . It was a great happiness in life when Provielcncc cast men into a place where they were surrounded by very nice people whom they could love , aad respect . God had been good to him in that respect , by casting his lot in many ways , and certainly in fulfilling that part , and among
the pleasures that be had obtained in that way was the becoming acquainted with , and having the friendship of the W . M . The W . M . was one of those men , as he ( Bro . Allcroft ) read character , and as his experience of life taught him , who most thoroughly fulfilled those old Masonic duties of brotherly love , relief , and truth . In every one of those points he would challenge any man in the
city of London to find any fault with Bro . Brette . He would hold him up as a very strong and sound pattern of all those qualities . And now when they came within the lodge and saw the way in which he had passed through the office of S . W ., and the way in which that night he had carried out the duties of thc chair , he thought as sitting in the Chair of K . S . he was a very worthy successor
of all who had ever filled such a chair before him . He thought from the sample they had seen that evening they had every reason to be gratified and , ' proud with the prospect that was before them of the way in which the work of this lodge would be conducted in the year that was to come . He would now ask the brethren to join him in offering their testimony on those points , and
to drink with him to their friend , Bro . Brette , good health , every blessing during his year of office , a long continuance of the many favours that he had received , and might he have an increasing rise in his various degrees beyond those he had already obtained . They all knew the steady perseverance of his character and the determination with which he took up everything , and the hearty goodwill he
threw into all his pursuits . ( Great cheering . ) The W . M . in answer , said he did not know how to reply to Bro . Allcroft ' s kind expressions and the enthusiasm of the brethren . He could only say that in accepting office , he had made up his mind to work , and thatif God Almighty gave him strength during the ensuing year he hoped he would have plenty
to do and many candidates to initiate . He assured the brethren , that in the absence of any candidatss , he would take good care that they should have explanations of some of the tracing boards or even some lectures on the different degrees , as he had made up his mind that during his year of office their Bro . Junior Warden would never call them to refreshment
without having had labour to perform . Were he not suffering from a bad cold he would have liked to say a few words about the duties of the chair , as he understood them , but he would wait for another occasion , and content himself with thanking the brethren from the very bottom of his heart for their kind expression of good wishes towards him , and he hoped that this night twelve
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months when he retired from the chair he would have earned by honest work their esteem and regard . ( Cheers . ) The W . M . next proposed " The Masonic Charities , " and remit . ded the brethren that about ten days after thc lodge was consecrated last year he had the honour of representing it at the festival of the Benevolent Institution with a list of £ 100 . This year the I . P . M . was going to be the
Steward to that fund , on Wednesday , ( the 13 th ) . This year also Bro . Altman was to be the Stewart ! for the Girls' and Bro . Allcroft for the Boys ' . They were anxious that thc Aldersgate Lodge should take a conspicuous place among the Stewards of those festivals , and in proposing this toast he would couple with it thc name of Bro . Landell , who had always been advocating the cause of the charities .
( Applause . ) Brc . W . W . Landell , P . G . Steward , said he had been a Mason for fifty-six years , come April , and it had always been his wish to take that part which a Mason ought to take . He hoped he bad done so , but he had not done so in large amounts , hut frequently ; and he thought Bro . Hervey would find his name in some place or other . What he gave , however , was given in good
will . That was called a personal remark , but he mentioned it for an encouragement to those who might follow him , to whom the W . M ; had addressed his exhortation . He would very heartily recommend them to gratify themselves by going to Grand Lodge and the Lodge of Benevolence , where they would see the bounty dispersed month by month . It was one o the most exciting and
satisfactory sights any one could witness . After a man had roved about the city of London fourscore years and found himself in a lodge like this , where his name was mentioned with respect , it was very gratifying , but it was not the individual himself but the Craft which had brought that honour upon him ; it was his obedience to that Craft , that love to it which tied him to it , which enabled him to stand
befe-re the brethren now in that honoured position . He would say that the smallest mite—the widow ' s mitegiven in hearty Masonic feeling , that was worth all the rest . He had already done his part , but he should not let that principle drop , for he should animate his scion , his grandson , ( Bro . John Jackson' to subscribe always . He thought lis had done his duty only , and if he
could extend his feelings to his grandson he should be pleased . 1 lis lime on earth was now but short , but ii T . G . A . O . T . U . spared him he might leach his grandson to be useful iu his generation , to imbibe the principles of the VV . M . in the chair , and to ( read in his ( Bro . Landell ) footsteps , who loved the society so much , that though in a humble way , he had tried to assist it . Let him give in
sincerity , and exhibit that brotherly love , relief , and truth which he had promisee ' , to adhere to . In this spirit he had supuorteel the Institution . Fifty years ago he became a subscriber to the Girls '; to the Boys' afterwards ; and he thought it was the least he could do to recommend his grandson to follow him up . He trusted he might be privileged to thank the W . M ., and to hope that he had up
to the present moment upheld the principles of Masonry , and when he was not able to take office himself his friends and scions might recollect that he ( Bro . Landell ) had been a good Mason . ( Great cheering . ) The W . M . proposed " Thc Health of the I . P . M . " Twelve months ago the lodge was proposed , and it was owing to the great munificence and liberality of Bro . Allcroft that
it was started . On jWednesc ' ay Bro . Allcroft woulel be a Vice-Patron of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and at the next festival cf the Girls' School he would be Vice-Patron of that Charity . lastly , at tbe Boys' Festival , in June or July , he would be Vice-Patron of that School also . This was a great honour for tbe Aldersgate Lodge to sec their first W . M . Vice-Patron of
the three Masonic Charities , in the same year . The brethren knew what Bro . Allcroft had done outside Masonry , in the City of London , at Christ's Hospital , of which he was the Treasurer , and in the country at large . In whatever position he was he won thc greatest esteem , and he ( the W . M . ) respecting him very highly in the Institutions he had mentioned , ( Christ ' s Hospital ) , still felt that
respect enhanced when he found he was an old Mason . Bro Allcroft was initiated in 1847 , and when it was proposed to start the Aldersgate Lodge the brethren thought they could not do better than to have him for their first W . M , The brethren had that evening presented him with a P . M . ' s jewel as a mark of their esteem and respect , and they hoped that he might be long spared to enjoy the
affection of all those who were near and dear to him , as well as the esteem and friendly regard of his fellow citizens , but especially thc deep regard , great affection and high esteem of all the brethren of the Aldersgate Lodge . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Allcioft replied . He said thc jewel presented to him he should cherish and love , and he hoped , look upon with great delight so long as God
should spale him . It was one of those jewels which he should feel the greatest pride in wearing , and he hoped to be spared to come from year to year into the Aldersgate Lodge . " It would be to him a remembrance of the brethren ' s kind foi-bearance , in thc year that had passed . He regretted he had not had a more efficient training before he undertook ( unadvisedly and rashly as he thought ) the
office of Master of this lodge . He had been a Mason thirty years , and that period added on to a man ' s life made it very difficult for him to pick up the threads of his duty and to store them up in his mind . His mind was full of figures , of little boys and girls , and domestic duties which were paramount with him . There was one pleasure which he should always remember . In the past year the ceremonies of initiation , passing and raising had been
beautifully performed by Bro . Hyde Pullen , and he ( Bro . Allcroft ) thanked him now very much for having done so . The Aldersgate Lodge was now well started , and it would prosper . It had been his ambition that it should succeed and be one of the best of lodges . When he should be religated to the quiet place of worn out men and put on one side , he hoped to enjoy seeing the work well performed . He wished to say to the young Masons that there were great
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
openings in Masonic life before them , if they would persevere and thoroughly master the subjects which came before them , and give their mind and heart to the principles and duties of Masonry and the cultivation of them , the lodge would from year to year grow . He was quite sure thc working of Bro . Brette , would bc such as to induce them to strive to come up to his standard . The
toasts of " The Visitors , " " The Treas . and Sec . " and " Thc Officers , " followed , and the Tyler's Toast brought a charming evening to a conclusion . BATH . —Royal Cumberland Lodge , ( No . 41 ) . —Theannual festival was held at the Masonic Hall on Thursday , February 7 th . The lodge was opened at 4 . 13 by Bro . F . Wilkinson , W . M ., supported by Bros .
Brown , I . P . M . and P . G . S . W . ; Falkner , S . W . ; C Wilkinson , J . W . ; Ashley , Treas . and P . M . ; Braham , Sec ; J . Turner , P . M ., as Dir . of Cers . ; Gummer , S . D . ; Hunt , J . D . ; Radway , I . G . ; Robinson and Mercer , Stewards ; Bigwood , Tyler . The P . M . ' s present were Bros . Major Preston , P . P . G . S . W . ; Moutrie , Dr . Hopkins , P . P . G . S . W . for Warwickshire . There were also many members of No . 4 r . As
visitors , Bros . Genl . Doherty , P . P . G . S . W . and P . M . -13 and 900 ; E . T . Payne , P . G . D ., P . M . ^ 3 , and P . G . Treas " - ; Col . Ford , P . M . 53 , and P . P . G . R . ; Gauntley , P . M . 6 * 2 , and P . G . Sup . Wks . ; Dill , P . M . r-cfi , and P . G . P . ; H . Culliford Hopkins , W . M . 379 ; Edwards , W . M . 53 ; Sumsion , P . M . 855 ; H . Gore , P . M . 379 ; E . Jones , P " . M . 68 ; F . Neebe , 1254 ; Freeman , Stcwd . 906 . The minutes of the
previous meeting were read and confirmed . Many letters of apology for absence were read , chiefly on account of illness . A grant of ten guineas was made to the Girls' School , to be placed on thc list of the D . P . G . M ., who proposes to attend the annual festival as a Steward . The bye-laws were read by the Sec . The lodge was opened in thc Second Degree , but the W . M . announced that thc candidal- named in the
summons could not make it convenient to attend , therefore the installation would be proceeded with . The chair was taken by Bro . Ashley , as Installing Master . Bro . F . Wilkinson was presented on his reappointment as W . M . by Bro . Moutrie . The usual preliminaries were gone through , including the reading of and assent to the charges , and the obligation of W . M . elect was administered . The lodge was
opened in theThiid Degree , in which Bro . F . Wilkinson was again placed in his chair , as in this case it was unnecessary to open a Board of Installed Masters . Bro . Brown was re-invested as I . P . M ., after which the Installing Master called on Bro . Dr . Hopkins to give the Masonic application of his jewel cos-taining the 47 th proposition ofthe ist Book of Euclid , with which request he complied . The lodge
was brought down to the Second and then to the first Degree , the usual salutations and proclamations , & c , being given in each case . The following brethren were appointed and invested as officers for the next year : Falkner , S . W . ; Braham , J . W . ; Ashley , Treas . ; Gummer , Sec ; Wilton , D . C ; Hunt , S . D . ; Radway , J . D . ; Robinson , I . G . ; Mercer and Holmes , Stewards . ; Bigwood , Tyler . Bro . Ashley
concluded the ceremony by delivering the addresses to the W . M ., Wardens , and brethren in so eloquent a manner as to elicit loud applause from those present . The W . M . briefly thanked the brethren for the honour conferred upon him by his re-appointment as W . M . Bro . Dr . Hopkins proposed a cordial vote of thanks to the Installin g Master for his services , remarking that , accustomed as he
had been for 30 years to witness installations , he had never seen one performed more efficiently even as to the correct rendering of it , but in the present instance it had moreover been characterised by unusual eloquence , gracefulness , fervour and deep feeling , and from his own personal experience he could testify to the care and attention requisite for so perfect a ceremony . As one of the oldest P . M . ' s present
( though not of this lodge ) he could not refrain from the earnest expression of his gratification , which he was sure would meet with a hearty response on the part of the brethren . This was seconded by the W ; M . ancl carried by acclamation . Bro . Ashley briefl y * acknowledged thc compliment and the earnestness with which it had been offered . Votes of thanks were also passed to the officers of the past
year and to the visitors . The lodge was closed at 6 o ' clock , and the brethren adjourned to thc Castle Hotel for the annual banquet . I . NORWICH . —Union Lodge ( No . 53 . )—The annual installation and banquet of this lodge ( W . M ., Bro . Tyssen-Amhurst ) took place on Tuesday , 14 th inst ., at the Norfolk Hotel , the ceremony being effectively performed by
that worthy veteran of Freemasonry , Major Penrice , D . P . G . M . of Norfolk . Colonel Boileau was the gallant brother on whom this honour fell , and he afterwards appointed his officers as follows : —Chas . Cubitt , S . W . ; Sir Francis Boileau , J . W . ; A . H . Santy , S . D . ; Spencer Stevens , J . D . ; R . H . Walpole , I . G . ; G . C Stephens , Secretaryand Treasurer ; Waldo Cholmeley , Chaplain . Mr . H . S .
Gilman , of Gowhatty , Assam , India , was an initiate . The banquet which followed was of a recherche * character ; there was a large gathering of the lodge and visiting brethren , among the latter being Lord Suffield , R . W . Prov . G . M . of Norfolk , who , in response to his health , made the gratifying announcement that Bro . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales
had intimated to him his willingness to lay the foundation stone of the projected Masonic Hall , should the time fixed be convenient . The ground is being cleared , and wc may expect to see the work commenced shortly . The usual routine of toasts followed , and the proceedings were of a most pleasant character .
KING'S LTNN . —Philanthropic Lodge ( No . J 07 . )—This lodge is par excellence the pick of the province so far as membership is concerned , while its working is admirable . The Duke's Head has the finest lodge room in Norfolk , " which nobody can deny , " and Jolly Host Marshall , the Rojal Posting Master , leaves net a stone unturned in ministering to the comfort and requirements of the brethren , at the head of whom stands the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M , of all England ; indeed we believe ( Continued on page 95 ) .
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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
ration for his talents and devotion to Freemasonry . H felt convinced that every note on the key-board of praise , e-rcry string on the harp of eulogium had been touched already , and now whilst he endeavoured to find for himself a new strain or an untrodden path , he was obliged to have recourse to the old classics and to the old people of Rome and Greece , and say that he wished it was still the custom at banquets to adorn the honoured guests with " eonviviales corona . ' Still he did net think that such a wriath
would be goodenough for such a guest as Bro . Hervey . He ( the W . M . ) would rather , as they said in thc ceremony of the evening , remember that , as Masons , they did not belong to the popular or uninstructed world , but to a select body of men . Therefore , let them suppose , for a moment , that they belonged to the patrician and priestly order of thc " Salii , " who used to wear , in ancient Rome ,
at their festival held about this time of the year , the " corona sutilis" a wreath" composed of the choicest leaves of the most beautiful roses sewn together . And then , he would , with all the skill he could possibly impart to his ringers , weave the most delicate wreath . And as King Solomon has compared the object of his admiration and love to the " Rose of Sharon , " he would entwine some
leaves of that beautiful flotver with lillies of the valley and place that fragrant wreath on the venerable head of Bro . Hervey . This might be he hoped , a new and fresh tribute of the unbounded esteem and affection of the brethren for the Grand Secretary of England . He ( the W . M . ) trusted this would not be taken as flattery , for he only expressed the sentiments of his heart , as he
felt the greatest admiration for the talents of Bro . Hervey and his devotion to the Craft . ( Great cheering . ) Bro . Hervey , in reply to thc toast , said that when a man found himself in a difficulty the best thing he could do was to face it and endeavour to get out of it as he best might . That was his case at the present moment . The little service he had rendered that evening , certainly , he
could scarcely think , with all deference to the W . M ., had justified the high encomiums he had been kind enough to pass on him ( Bro . Hervey . ) True it was , at all times , his services were at the order of his brother Masons , and he was always glad when he could be of any service . If he had been of any service that evening he was pleased , and he could only say that he felt it an honour , having
consecrated the lodge twelve months ago , to bc asked by the I . P . M . to perform the installation ceremony . If those duties had been acceptable to the brethren and thc W . M ., he was amply repaid , and he could only return the brethren his cordial thanks for the kindness with which the W . M . had proposed his health , and say how pleased and glad he was to have had the opportunity of placing the
W . M . in the chair , which he was sure he would honour . Bro . J . D . Allcroft next rose to propose " The Health of the W . M . " He said that if there was a position in which a man would desire to be placed it was tbat position in which he was then placed , to speak of their friend of the Craft and brother in the chair , as the Master of the lodge , because he could look back to the time before this lodge
was instituted , and to the friendship and esteem that he had formed for some years for their W . M . It was a great happiness in life when Provielcncc cast men into a place where they were surrounded by very nice people whom they could love , aad respect . God had been good to him in that respect , by casting his lot in many ways , and certainly in fulfilling that part , and among
the pleasures that be had obtained in that way was the becoming acquainted with , and having the friendship of the W . M . The W . M . was one of those men , as he ( Bro . Allcroft ) read character , and as his experience of life taught him , who most thoroughly fulfilled those old Masonic duties of brotherly love , relief , and truth . In every one of those points he would challenge any man in the
city of London to find any fault with Bro . Brette . He would hold him up as a very strong and sound pattern of all those qualities . And now when they came within the lodge and saw the way in which he had passed through the office of S . W ., and the way in which that night he had carried out the duties of thc chair , he thought as sitting in the Chair of K . S . he was a very worthy successor
of all who had ever filled such a chair before him . He thought from the sample they had seen that evening they had every reason to be gratified and , ' proud with the prospect that was before them of the way in which the work of this lodge would be conducted in the year that was to come . He would now ask the brethren to join him in offering their testimony on those points , and
to drink with him to their friend , Bro . Brette , good health , every blessing during his year of office , a long continuance of the many favours that he had received , and might he have an increasing rise in his various degrees beyond those he had already obtained . They all knew the steady perseverance of his character and the determination with which he took up everything , and the hearty goodwill he
threw into all his pursuits . ( Great cheering . ) The W . M . in answer , said he did not know how to reply to Bro . Allcroft ' s kind expressions and the enthusiasm of the brethren . He could only say that in accepting office , he had made up his mind to work , and thatif God Almighty gave him strength during the ensuing year he hoped he would have plenty
to do and many candidates to initiate . He assured the brethren , that in the absence of any candidatss , he would take good care that they should have explanations of some of the tracing boards or even some lectures on the different degrees , as he had made up his mind that during his year of office their Bro . Junior Warden would never call them to refreshment
without having had labour to perform . Were he not suffering from a bad cold he would have liked to say a few words about the duties of the chair , as he understood them , but he would wait for another occasion , and content himself with thanking the brethren from the very bottom of his heart for their kind expression of good wishes towards him , and he hoped that this night twelve
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months when he retired from the chair he would have earned by honest work their esteem and regard . ( Cheers . ) The W . M . next proposed " The Masonic Charities , " and remit . ded the brethren that about ten days after thc lodge was consecrated last year he had the honour of representing it at the festival of the Benevolent Institution with a list of £ 100 . This year the I . P . M . was going to be the
Steward to that fund , on Wednesday , ( the 13 th ) . This year also Bro . Altman was to be the Stewart ! for the Girls' and Bro . Allcroft for the Boys ' . They were anxious that thc Aldersgate Lodge should take a conspicuous place among the Stewards of those festivals , and in proposing this toast he would couple with it thc name of Bro . Landell , who had always been advocating the cause of the charities .
( Applause . ) Brc . W . W . Landell , P . G . Steward , said he had been a Mason for fifty-six years , come April , and it had always been his wish to take that part which a Mason ought to take . He hoped he bad done so , but he had not done so in large amounts , hut frequently ; and he thought Bro . Hervey would find his name in some place or other . What he gave , however , was given in good
will . That was called a personal remark , but he mentioned it for an encouragement to those who might follow him , to whom the W . M ; had addressed his exhortation . He would very heartily recommend them to gratify themselves by going to Grand Lodge and the Lodge of Benevolence , where they would see the bounty dispersed month by month . It was one o the most exciting and
satisfactory sights any one could witness . After a man had roved about the city of London fourscore years and found himself in a lodge like this , where his name was mentioned with respect , it was very gratifying , but it was not the individual himself but the Craft which had brought that honour upon him ; it was his obedience to that Craft , that love to it which tied him to it , which enabled him to stand
befe-re the brethren now in that honoured position . He would say that the smallest mite—the widow ' s mitegiven in hearty Masonic feeling , that was worth all the rest . He had already done his part , but he should not let that principle drop , for he should animate his scion , his grandson , ( Bro . John Jackson' to subscribe always . He thought lis had done his duty only , and if he
could extend his feelings to his grandson he should be pleased . 1 lis lime on earth was now but short , but ii T . G . A . O . T . U . spared him he might leach his grandson to be useful iu his generation , to imbibe the principles of the VV . M . in the chair , and to ( read in his ( Bro . Landell ) footsteps , who loved the society so much , that though in a humble way , he had tried to assist it . Let him give in
sincerity , and exhibit that brotherly love , relief , and truth which he had promisee ' , to adhere to . In this spirit he had supuorteel the Institution . Fifty years ago he became a subscriber to the Girls '; to the Boys' afterwards ; and he thought it was the least he could do to recommend his grandson to follow him up . He trusted he might be privileged to thank the W . M ., and to hope that he had up
to the present moment upheld the principles of Masonry , and when he was not able to take office himself his friends and scions might recollect that he ( Bro . Landell ) had been a good Mason . ( Great cheering . ) The W . M . proposed " Thc Health of the I . P . M . " Twelve months ago the lodge was proposed , and it was owing to the great munificence and liberality of Bro . Allcroft that
it was started . On jWednesc ' ay Bro . Allcroft woulel be a Vice-Patron of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and at the next festival cf the Girls' School he would be Vice-Patron of that Charity . lastly , at tbe Boys' Festival , in June or July , he would be Vice-Patron of that School also . This was a great honour for tbe Aldersgate Lodge to sec their first W . M . Vice-Patron of
the three Masonic Charities , in the same year . The brethren knew what Bro . Allcroft had done outside Masonry , in the City of London , at Christ's Hospital , of which he was the Treasurer , and in the country at large . In whatever position he was he won thc greatest esteem , and he ( the W . M . ) respecting him very highly in the Institutions he had mentioned , ( Christ ' s Hospital ) , still felt that
respect enhanced when he found he was an old Mason . Bro Allcroft was initiated in 1847 , and when it was proposed to start the Aldersgate Lodge the brethren thought they could not do better than to have him for their first W . M , The brethren had that evening presented him with a P . M . ' s jewel as a mark of their esteem and respect , and they hoped that he might be long spared to enjoy the
affection of all those who were near and dear to him , as well as the esteem and friendly regard of his fellow citizens , but especially thc deep regard , great affection and high esteem of all the brethren of the Aldersgate Lodge . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Allcioft replied . He said thc jewel presented to him he should cherish and love , and he hoped , look upon with great delight so long as God
should spale him . It was one of those jewels which he should feel the greatest pride in wearing , and he hoped to be spared to come from year to year into the Aldersgate Lodge . " It would be to him a remembrance of the brethren ' s kind foi-bearance , in thc year that had passed . He regretted he had not had a more efficient training before he undertook ( unadvisedly and rashly as he thought ) the
office of Master of this lodge . He had been a Mason thirty years , and that period added on to a man ' s life made it very difficult for him to pick up the threads of his duty and to store them up in his mind . His mind was full of figures , of little boys and girls , and domestic duties which were paramount with him . There was one pleasure which he should always remember . In the past year the ceremonies of initiation , passing and raising had been
beautifully performed by Bro . Hyde Pullen , and he ( Bro . Allcroft ) thanked him now very much for having done so . The Aldersgate Lodge was now well started , and it would prosper . It had been his ambition that it should succeed and be one of the best of lodges . When he should be religated to the quiet place of worn out men and put on one side , he hoped to enjoy seeing the work well performed . He wished to say to the young Masons that there were great
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
openings in Masonic life before them , if they would persevere and thoroughly master the subjects which came before them , and give their mind and heart to the principles and duties of Masonry and the cultivation of them , the lodge would from year to year grow . He was quite sure thc working of Bro . Brette , would bc such as to induce them to strive to come up to his standard . The
toasts of " The Visitors , " " The Treas . and Sec . " and " Thc Officers , " followed , and the Tyler's Toast brought a charming evening to a conclusion . BATH . —Royal Cumberland Lodge , ( No . 41 ) . —Theannual festival was held at the Masonic Hall on Thursday , February 7 th . The lodge was opened at 4 . 13 by Bro . F . Wilkinson , W . M ., supported by Bros .
Brown , I . P . M . and P . G . S . W . ; Falkner , S . W . ; C Wilkinson , J . W . ; Ashley , Treas . and P . M . ; Braham , Sec ; J . Turner , P . M ., as Dir . of Cers . ; Gummer , S . D . ; Hunt , J . D . ; Radway , I . G . ; Robinson and Mercer , Stewards ; Bigwood , Tyler . The P . M . ' s present were Bros . Major Preston , P . P . G . S . W . ; Moutrie , Dr . Hopkins , P . P . G . S . W . for Warwickshire . There were also many members of No . 4 r . As
visitors , Bros . Genl . Doherty , P . P . G . S . W . and P . M . -13 and 900 ; E . T . Payne , P . G . D ., P . M . ^ 3 , and P . G . Treas " - ; Col . Ford , P . M . 53 , and P . P . G . R . ; Gauntley , P . M . 6 * 2 , and P . G . Sup . Wks . ; Dill , P . M . r-cfi , and P . G . P . ; H . Culliford Hopkins , W . M . 379 ; Edwards , W . M . 53 ; Sumsion , P . M . 855 ; H . Gore , P . M . 379 ; E . Jones , P " . M . 68 ; F . Neebe , 1254 ; Freeman , Stcwd . 906 . The minutes of the
previous meeting were read and confirmed . Many letters of apology for absence were read , chiefly on account of illness . A grant of ten guineas was made to the Girls' School , to be placed on thc list of the D . P . G . M ., who proposes to attend the annual festival as a Steward . The bye-laws were read by the Sec . The lodge was opened in thc Second Degree , but the W . M . announced that thc candidal- named in the
summons could not make it convenient to attend , therefore the installation would be proceeded with . The chair was taken by Bro . Ashley , as Installing Master . Bro . F . Wilkinson was presented on his reappointment as W . M . by Bro . Moutrie . The usual preliminaries were gone through , including the reading of and assent to the charges , and the obligation of W . M . elect was administered . The lodge was
opened in theThiid Degree , in which Bro . F . Wilkinson was again placed in his chair , as in this case it was unnecessary to open a Board of Installed Masters . Bro . Brown was re-invested as I . P . M ., after which the Installing Master called on Bro . Dr . Hopkins to give the Masonic application of his jewel cos-taining the 47 th proposition ofthe ist Book of Euclid , with which request he complied . The lodge
was brought down to the Second and then to the first Degree , the usual salutations and proclamations , & c , being given in each case . The following brethren were appointed and invested as officers for the next year : Falkner , S . W . ; Braham , J . W . ; Ashley , Treas . ; Gummer , Sec ; Wilton , D . C ; Hunt , S . D . ; Radway , J . D . ; Robinson , I . G . ; Mercer and Holmes , Stewards . ; Bigwood , Tyler . Bro . Ashley
concluded the ceremony by delivering the addresses to the W . M ., Wardens , and brethren in so eloquent a manner as to elicit loud applause from those present . The W . M . briefly thanked the brethren for the honour conferred upon him by his re-appointment as W . M . Bro . Dr . Hopkins proposed a cordial vote of thanks to the Installin g Master for his services , remarking that , accustomed as he
had been for 30 years to witness installations , he had never seen one performed more efficiently even as to the correct rendering of it , but in the present instance it had moreover been characterised by unusual eloquence , gracefulness , fervour and deep feeling , and from his own personal experience he could testify to the care and attention requisite for so perfect a ceremony . As one of the oldest P . M . ' s present
( though not of this lodge ) he could not refrain from the earnest expression of his gratification , which he was sure would meet with a hearty response on the part of the brethren . This was seconded by the W ; M . ancl carried by acclamation . Bro . Ashley briefl y * acknowledged thc compliment and the earnestness with which it had been offered . Votes of thanks were also passed to the officers of the past
year and to the visitors . The lodge was closed at 6 o ' clock , and the brethren adjourned to thc Castle Hotel for the annual banquet . I . NORWICH . —Union Lodge ( No . 53 . )—The annual installation and banquet of this lodge ( W . M ., Bro . Tyssen-Amhurst ) took place on Tuesday , 14 th inst ., at the Norfolk Hotel , the ceremony being effectively performed by
that worthy veteran of Freemasonry , Major Penrice , D . P . G . M . of Norfolk . Colonel Boileau was the gallant brother on whom this honour fell , and he afterwards appointed his officers as follows : —Chas . Cubitt , S . W . ; Sir Francis Boileau , J . W . ; A . H . Santy , S . D . ; Spencer Stevens , J . D . ; R . H . Walpole , I . G . ; G . C Stephens , Secretaryand Treasurer ; Waldo Cholmeley , Chaplain . Mr . H . S .
Gilman , of Gowhatty , Assam , India , was an initiate . The banquet which followed was of a recherche * character ; there was a large gathering of the lodge and visiting brethren , among the latter being Lord Suffield , R . W . Prov . G . M . of Norfolk , who , in response to his health , made the gratifying announcement that Bro . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales
had intimated to him his willingness to lay the foundation stone of the projected Masonic Hall , should the time fixed be convenient . The ground is being cleared , and wc may expect to see the work commenced shortly . The usual routine of toasts followed , and the proceedings were of a most pleasant character .
KING'S LTNN . —Philanthropic Lodge ( No . J 07 . )—This lodge is par excellence the pick of the province so far as membership is concerned , while its working is admirable . The Duke's Head has the finest lodge room in Norfolk , " which nobody can deny , " and Jolly Host Marshall , the Rojal Posting Master , leaves net a stone unturned in ministering to the comfort and requirements of the brethren , at the head of whom stands the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M , of all England ; indeed we believe ( Continued on page 95 ) .