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Provincial Meetings.
1 pn ° "th of one s ^ a ° t the room , the other tables , seven in number , being , of course , at right angles with it . The lecorations were very pretty , and the numerous three-branch candelabra on the tables , each candle surmounted with a oretty crimson shade , contributed not a little to the agreeable effect . The menus were orchid blossoms and the wine lists were biscuits , while the " Programme of Harmony , "
_ c . containing the titles of the selections performed by the hand during the dinner , the toast list , the programme of the vocal and instrumental music performed later in the evenin g by special artistes ( including Madame Merton Clark , MTss Greta VVilliams , Mr . Musgrove Tufnail , Bros . VV . Richter , Chas . Chilley , T . B . Laxton , Prov . G . Org ., and Alfred Page ) , the libretto of the songs , and the list of
officers , was presented in the form of a quarto book , on tinted paper , in a cover of Masonic blue , the emblems of the lodge being embossed in gold upon the front cover , the inside of which was embellished with a photograph of the W . M ., Bro . J . Herbert Marshall , _ Prov . S . G . W ., and the wliole fastened together with a dainty white silk cord and tassels .
Want of space precludes a full description of the decorations , but enough has been said to indicate that exceptional pains had been taken to make the festival unique . The decorations were entrusted to Bro . W . H . Noble , the I . G . of the lodge , who is to be congratulated on the success of his arrangements . _ The dinner , which embraced all the delicacies of the
season , was well served , and , considering that some 200 ladies and gentlemen had to be catered for , must be pronounced a great success . When the time arrived for dealing with the toast list , the W . M . rose and said he had received numerous letters from distinguished Masons regretting their inability to be present . It was not his intention to read them , but he might say that
Earl Ferrars , Prov . Grand Master , had written regretting that the Countess of Ferrars and himself were prevented by a previous engagement from being present . The Marquess of Harrowby also wrote that the Marchioness and himself were unable to come on account of a long standing engagement in a distant part of the county . Bro . Chaplin also regretted that he was unable to be present , because he
had made an engagement to speak in a different part of the county . Bro . Alderman Grigg was unable to be with them on account of bronchitis , but had written a very kind letter of regret . He would now pass on to what might be termed the business part of the programme . It was not his intention to labour the speeches or to speak at any great length : the ladies would not care for that , and it was the
pleasure and duty of the brethren to make them as happy as possible . In all such assemblies the toast first proposed was that of " Her Majesty the Queen . " They , as Freemasons , had peculiar pleasure in proposing that toast , inasmuch as the Queen might rightly be termed the mother of Freemasons . She was the daughter of a very distinguished Mason ; she was the august mother of 'the Grand Master ,
H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and his brother , the Duke of Connaught , Prov . Grand Master of Sussex , and she was the grandmother of the Prov . Grand Master of Berkshire , the Duke of Clarence . She was the Patron of the Masonic Charities , of which they were all very proud , and she took a deep interest in all the interests of the Craft . He was sure that all present would have great pleasure in honouring
the toast coupled with the Craft , but on that occasion they must dispense with the firing without further words , therefore he would give them " Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen and the Craft . " The toast having been drunk with applause , The Worshipful Master said the next toast on the list came nearer home to them as Freemasons , inasmuch as it
was thatof " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and the Grand Lodge of England . " There was no doubt that very much of the success which had attended Freemasonry was due to the fact that his Royal Highness became their Grand Master , and not only did he become their Grand Master , but he had shown to the world how much he loved Freemasonry , and all the brethren knew that he was
a thoroughly good Mason , in fact there could be no greater proof of what his Royal Highness thought of Freemasonry than the fact that he had installed his eldest son Provincial Grand Master of Berkshire . To those ladies who had not attended Masonic banquets before , and who had perhaps some doubts whether Freemasonry was a good thing , might , he thought , be satisfied that it was a good thing now that
they heard that the Prince of Wales had thought fit to place his son in that responsible position . The VV . M . proceeded to say that when he attended a meeting atthe Albert Hall , his Royal Highness had , as a Mason , charmed him very much when addressing the brethren , by the hearty way in which he pronounced the first word— " Brethren , " which he uttered as if with his whole heart and soul he meant it . If he stood
there all night he could not express his feelings with regard to the Grand Master . With regard to the Grand Officers , these were brethren to whom the honour of Grand Office was given for having worked hard . One of the hardest worked of these was Col . Shadwell Clerke , and they knew that in mentioning his name he might add that he was a Grand Officer who looked with favour upon these ladies '
banquets . He had told him ( Bro . Marshall ) that from what he had seen of them he had seen nothing but good , and that the brethren of each lodge ought to have sufficient confidence in the Master to know that nothing would take place derogatory to Freemasonry . Therefore the qualms of those who had qualms should be satisfied . He thought the time had come when , like everything else , Freemasonry
must advance a little in accordance with the spirit of the times . Among the Grand Officers they had Bro . Partridge , J -A . G . D . C . England . He had the privilege of seeing that honour conferred on Bro . Partridge , and when he saw Bro . " artridge ascend the steps and shake hands with the Prince of Wales he felt as proud as if he had himself been there , because it was an honour to the Province of Leicester . In
giving that toast he should couple with it the name of Bro . l- ' artridge . Bro . Partridge , P . A . G . D . C . England , in responding * " ] to tbe toast , said that unaccustomed as he was to an assemblage of that kind—it was an assembloge such as he had never before witnessed in the province—an assemblage which it gave him the very heartiest pleasure to take part
in—it afforded him particular gratification to respond to the toast which had been so kindly proposed by the W . M . He would do so as briefly as possible , as the delightful music which was provided for them was far more acceptable than long speeches . The Grand Lodge of England numbered from time to time among its ranks men connected with the highest positions in the State in this country , and the Grand
Provincial Meetings.
Officers numbered among them from time to time men of all classes , men distinguished in the various walks of art , law , physic , and other professions . He felt it a very great honour to have been selected to associate with such a body of men of distinction , an honour far beyond any merit he could claim in the province . The pleasure which he had in acknowledging the honour which the province hacl given
would , he might say , be very far greater if he could have from time to time other brethren from that lodge and other lodgesof the province to return thanks with him for that toast , and he hoped he should not have long to wait to see other Grand Officers appointed from the lodges of the Province of Leicester . Bro . Rev . F . H . Smith , B . A ., P . M ., Chaplain of the
lodge , said that the W . M . had spoken of the rulers of the Craft , and it was now his province to propose the health of the rulers of that particular province , which consisted of Leicestershire and Rutland . The Provincial Grand Lodge consisted of a body of gentlemen or brethren who ruled the whole of the lodges . At the head of them stood Earl Ferrars , and could the earl have been present they would
have considered his presence a graceful act of the Prov . Grand Master . They had , however , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master . Besides those two , who stood high among them , there were a number of brethren who carried on the arduous duties connected with the province . He refrained from commenting on their merits , however , as brevity was desirable , but would ask them to drink the health of the
Provincial Grand Master and the Provincial Grand Officers generally . Under ordinary circumstances he should have called on the W . M . to respond , as he was the Provincial Senior Grand Warden , but they had another brother—Bro . Vincent—who he was sure would do justice to the toast in responding to it . Bro . Vincent , in briefly responding , remarked that
probably never until that night had an installation banquet been held in the charming presence of ladies . There was no doubt it was a good idea , and that it commended itself heartily to the sympathy of the ladies : it was a very happy thought of the W . M . to have the ladies there . The W . M ., the Senior Grand Warden of the province , had done good service to Masonry . Among other acts he had taken up
between £ 500 and £ 600 to one of the Charities , the Boys ' School . He fully deserved any honours to which he might attain . Bro . Cleaver then rose and said that it was his privilege that evening to ask them to pay a compliment to their host , the W . M . of the St . John's Lodge , the oldest lodge in the Province of Leicester and the County of Rutland . It was
no mean compliment , as the brethren all knew , to hold that position , but it was a compliment richly deserved by their friend and brother , who occupied the highest position the lodge could bestow , and one which , he was quite sure , Bro . Marshall appreciated not less than any brother in that large assemblage . He would like to say a good deal about Bro . Marshall if he dared , but he assumed a modesty sometimes ,
and he forbore to say so much on that occasion as he should like to say , and when he told them that Bro . Marshall was one of his large Masonic family they would not be surprised . He had the privilege of proposing their brother as a member of the old lodge . He had appreciated it , and he ( Bro . Cleaver ) had yet to learn that the members of the lodge had not appreciated it also .
Bro . Marshall s determination to get on—not only in Masonry , but in everything—was what had brought him to that high position , which they all appreciated , and Bro . Marshall most of all . It was impossible for them to take example by Bro . Marshall , because he was such a go-ahead fellow , because nobody else could stop him , and nobody could eclipse him . From what he saw that night he
prophesied that the ladies would stir up the Masons , and that after that evening Masonry would be a different thing . He did not know how many there were that wanted to join the St . John ' s Lodge during Bro . Marshall ' s year of office , but of course they could not do impossibilities , and they had no right to go beyond the bounds of prudence . It was a privilege to become a Mason , and there was not a lady
present who did not wish that she was a Mason instead of her better half . He had not intended to make a speech , but he was afraid he was making one . He hoped that they would join with him in wishing the W . M . the very best health a Divine Providence could bestow upon him during his year of office ; that they would wish him the greatest possible success in the many honours he had achieved . Bro .
Marshall had said he would sooner be the W . M . of St . John's Lodge than Mayor of Leicester . He did not know whether Bro . Marshall meant that as a stepping-stone , but by the public generally their Bro . Marshall was bound to be respected , and if he went ahead as he had done with consistency he ( Bro . Cleaver ) did not know what it might come to ultimately . They all wished him good success in
business and in everything else during his year of office , and might God speed the course he was now pursuing . Good health to the Worshipful Master . Bro . Marshall , in replying , said that everyone to whose lot it fell to have the task which was now imposed upon him knew something of what his feelings were at that moment , and what he should like to say if he could find words to
express it . He could assure them that ever since he joined the St . John's Lodge he had always looked forward to that proud moment . It was a proud moment to him , because he gave place to no one in his love to Freemasonry . The more he saw of it the more work he did in it , and the better he liked it . He had met among his brethren in Freemasonry some of those dear friends he would very deeply regret
to part with , and it would have been a great loss to him not to have had the privilege of meeting them . Only Masons could know the sympathy which passed from one to another and how they were encouraged forward in their good work by the example set by such veterans as their Bro . Cleaver . He had hoped that their Bro . Kelly would have been there . He was sure it was a great disappointment to Bro . Kelly ,
but he was strictly ordered by Bro . Pratt not to come to that banquet . Bro . Kelly had been a member of that lodge for 50 years , and , looking upon Freemasonry at that time and at the difficulty Bro . Kelly had often had in opening a lodge and holding a lodge , tliere was a vast difference between that time and the present . They were now starting upon the second century of the St . John's Lodge , and
he felt that he should like to be able to say that they had entered upon their second century in a manner worthy of the lodge . He should only have one end in view—to promote the comfort of every member of the lodge . It was a difficult matter to please every one , but he had set a line to do that which was right , and in doing that he found that , though some might differ at first , they frequently came
Provincial Meetings.
round to his way of thinking . He could not better show his appreciation for the kind things their Bro . Cleaver had said than by thanking the company for the way in which they had received the toast he had proposed in too flattering terms . He ( Bro . Marshall ) said now that he would rather be the W . M . of St . John ' s Lodge than receive any other honour that could be conferred upon him . He
had commenced his career at the lowest office—at the bottom of the ladder—and had striven for the position to which the brethren had now elected him . If he had felt that in accepting the position he could not do something for Masonry and for advancing the position ofthe St . John ' s Lodge , he would not have accepted it . The only object he had in taking that position was to try to do something
for Freemasonry . He did not wish to drop out of Freemasonry after this year . It was his recreation . There was nothing in the world that he loved better than Freemasonry , with the exception of his better half , and he had always felt the greatest pleasure in attending other lodges . A fortnight since he had had the pleasure of seeing Bro . Lindlow installed by the Grand Secretary of England , and
to Bro . Price , another W . M ., was owing the idea of that banquet . Bro . Price had invited him to a ladies' banquet at the Emblematic Lodge , and there was not a single thing that he could take exception to , and thereupon he had made up his mind that he would have a ladies' banquet , and if it had met with their appreciation he was amply repaid . He had felt that the ladies were too often not admitted into
their circle , and that it would be very much better for their circle if the ladies were permitted to join them and know what they were doing . Many ladies had said to him " Oh , its a secret society , and they would not have their husbands discover the means by which we are known to each other , and distinguished from the rest of the world . They could learn nothing but that every Freemason said from time to
time that no man could become a Mason without becoming a better man . " He had replied to those ladies that if he were a lady he would not like to be married to a man unless he were a Freemason , and in saying that he thought those present would agree there was some common sense , because what greater characteristics could a man have than brotherly love , relief , and truth . He felt that the ladies were a power in
Freemasonry , and if their help were called for judiciously from time to time it would raise the standard of Freemasonry to the level of the sublime . They felt that they were deeply indebted to the ladies for coming on that occasion . He would not detain them further than by thanking them again for the very kind way in which they had received the toast of his health .
Bro . Thos . Wright said he was called on at that late period of the evening to propose the toast to " The Health of the Ladies . " The toast came on when they were all thinking of going home , a fact which would make it appreciated by every brother present as much as any that had been submitted to them . Whatever might be thought or said in reference to the principles of Freemasonry the
W . M . had shown that it was quite possible for ladies to be present at a Masonic meeting without becoming unduly inquisitive ; anyhow , those ladies who were there now had seen the mysteries of a Masonic banquet . He believed that ladies for the most part thought that Freemasonry was banqueting , and thosewho were tliere might possibly go away in the belief that there was nothing more to learn . It was a
little hard on the ladies that they should not know how Masons recognised each other ; but the knowledge if they had it might not prove agreeable , because Masons recognised all sorts of people . The ladies present that evening had shown their appreciation of the good sense of the brethren who invited them and had behaved charmingly , although he was sure they were dying to know more of the secrets of
the Craft . He gave them the ladies , and called on Bro . Lead to respond . Bro . Lead said he was not vain enough to think that he could adequately represent the ladies , lt appeared to him that that toast required a good reply , and he was quite unable to make a reply worthy of the occasion . It required much more than the post-prandial speeches they were
accustomed to , and he had tried to put one or two thoughts together , but Bro . Wright turned up as the proposer of the toast , and it was quite impossible for any ordinary individual to follow Bro . Wright . To do so he must carry his mind back 70 or So years when the ancient forefathers met at the Lion and Dolphin to discussmalt liquors andotherimportant qnestions which occupied them for the greater part of the
day , and then they held a lodge of emergency the next morning . Let the brethren look upon that picture and on this . He was one of those matter of fact persons who believed in cause and effect , and he wanted to know what what was the cause of this effect . He was of opinion that the great factor in that great result was the elevating example and the refining influence that had been brought
to bear on their lives and institutions by the ladies whom he now represented . When they came to think for how long a time the ladies had been excluded , that , with all that the ladies had done for them , they had never been permitted to join in their festivities , he thought the brethren would agree with him that it was monstrous . But all things came to an end sometime , and now happily that barrier had been broken
down , and Bro . Marshall had been the man to do it . Assisted as Bro . Marshall was by his charming wife , the ladies he ( Bro . Lead ) represented were only too grateful for what had been done for them . He trembled to think what would have become of Bro . Marshall if the ladies could have theirown way : he thought it well that Mrs . Marshall was there . On that one point , however , they were all
agreed , and they asked him to pass it on to the VV . M ., that that was the most charming and the most enjoyable social evening they had ever spent . He was to thank the W . M . most sincerely on behalf of the ladies , and particularly he was to present the thanks of all present to Mrs . Marshall for the great interest she had taken , and to say on behalf of the ladies , may this be one of the happiest years
to you and yours of a long and happy life . Bro . Edward Holmes , S . VV ., proposed the toast of "The Visitors and Sister Lodges , " which was responded to by Bros . Price , Lindar , Home , and Kidney . The Worshipful Master then rose and said that the hour was so late that he felt it was necessary to cut out some of the toasts . He should therefore reluctantly omit "The
Masonic Charities , " especially as Bro . Waring , the Steward of the lodge for the Girls' School , would have responded . He would therefore propose " The Health of the Past Masters and Officers of the Lodge , " making them one toast . The former , he said , were always at their posts , and always able and willing to assist the W . M ., and to render the ceremonies as imposing and perfect as possible . Of his officers
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Meetings.
1 pn ° "th of one s ^ a ° t the room , the other tables , seven in number , being , of course , at right angles with it . The lecorations were very pretty , and the numerous three-branch candelabra on the tables , each candle surmounted with a oretty crimson shade , contributed not a little to the agreeable effect . The menus were orchid blossoms and the wine lists were biscuits , while the " Programme of Harmony , "
_ c . containing the titles of the selections performed by the hand during the dinner , the toast list , the programme of the vocal and instrumental music performed later in the evenin g by special artistes ( including Madame Merton Clark , MTss Greta VVilliams , Mr . Musgrove Tufnail , Bros . VV . Richter , Chas . Chilley , T . B . Laxton , Prov . G . Org ., and Alfred Page ) , the libretto of the songs , and the list of
officers , was presented in the form of a quarto book , on tinted paper , in a cover of Masonic blue , the emblems of the lodge being embossed in gold upon the front cover , the inside of which was embellished with a photograph of the W . M ., Bro . J . Herbert Marshall , _ Prov . S . G . W ., and the wliole fastened together with a dainty white silk cord and tassels .
Want of space precludes a full description of the decorations , but enough has been said to indicate that exceptional pains had been taken to make the festival unique . The decorations were entrusted to Bro . W . H . Noble , the I . G . of the lodge , who is to be congratulated on the success of his arrangements . _ The dinner , which embraced all the delicacies of the
season , was well served , and , considering that some 200 ladies and gentlemen had to be catered for , must be pronounced a great success . When the time arrived for dealing with the toast list , the W . M . rose and said he had received numerous letters from distinguished Masons regretting their inability to be present . It was not his intention to read them , but he might say that
Earl Ferrars , Prov . Grand Master , had written regretting that the Countess of Ferrars and himself were prevented by a previous engagement from being present . The Marquess of Harrowby also wrote that the Marchioness and himself were unable to come on account of a long standing engagement in a distant part of the county . Bro . Chaplin also regretted that he was unable to be present , because he
had made an engagement to speak in a different part of the county . Bro . Alderman Grigg was unable to be with them on account of bronchitis , but had written a very kind letter of regret . He would now pass on to what might be termed the business part of the programme . It was not his intention to labour the speeches or to speak at any great length : the ladies would not care for that , and it was the
pleasure and duty of the brethren to make them as happy as possible . In all such assemblies the toast first proposed was that of " Her Majesty the Queen . " They , as Freemasons , had peculiar pleasure in proposing that toast , inasmuch as the Queen might rightly be termed the mother of Freemasons . She was the daughter of a very distinguished Mason ; she was the august mother of 'the Grand Master ,
H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and his brother , the Duke of Connaught , Prov . Grand Master of Sussex , and she was the grandmother of the Prov . Grand Master of Berkshire , the Duke of Clarence . She was the Patron of the Masonic Charities , of which they were all very proud , and she took a deep interest in all the interests of the Craft . He was sure that all present would have great pleasure in honouring
the toast coupled with the Craft , but on that occasion they must dispense with the firing without further words , therefore he would give them " Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen and the Craft . " The toast having been drunk with applause , The Worshipful Master said the next toast on the list came nearer home to them as Freemasons , inasmuch as it
was thatof " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and the Grand Lodge of England . " There was no doubt that very much of the success which had attended Freemasonry was due to the fact that his Royal Highness became their Grand Master , and not only did he become their Grand Master , but he had shown to the world how much he loved Freemasonry , and all the brethren knew that he was
a thoroughly good Mason , in fact there could be no greater proof of what his Royal Highness thought of Freemasonry than the fact that he had installed his eldest son Provincial Grand Master of Berkshire . To those ladies who had not attended Masonic banquets before , and who had perhaps some doubts whether Freemasonry was a good thing , might , he thought , be satisfied that it was a good thing now that
they heard that the Prince of Wales had thought fit to place his son in that responsible position . The VV . M . proceeded to say that when he attended a meeting atthe Albert Hall , his Royal Highness had , as a Mason , charmed him very much when addressing the brethren , by the hearty way in which he pronounced the first word— " Brethren , " which he uttered as if with his whole heart and soul he meant it . If he stood
there all night he could not express his feelings with regard to the Grand Master . With regard to the Grand Officers , these were brethren to whom the honour of Grand Office was given for having worked hard . One of the hardest worked of these was Col . Shadwell Clerke , and they knew that in mentioning his name he might add that he was a Grand Officer who looked with favour upon these ladies '
banquets . He had told him ( Bro . Marshall ) that from what he had seen of them he had seen nothing but good , and that the brethren of each lodge ought to have sufficient confidence in the Master to know that nothing would take place derogatory to Freemasonry . Therefore the qualms of those who had qualms should be satisfied . He thought the time had come when , like everything else , Freemasonry
must advance a little in accordance with the spirit of the times . Among the Grand Officers they had Bro . Partridge , J -A . G . D . C . England . He had the privilege of seeing that honour conferred on Bro . Partridge , and when he saw Bro . " artridge ascend the steps and shake hands with the Prince of Wales he felt as proud as if he had himself been there , because it was an honour to the Province of Leicester . In
giving that toast he should couple with it the name of Bro . l- ' artridge . Bro . Partridge , P . A . G . D . C . England , in responding * " ] to tbe toast , said that unaccustomed as he was to an assemblage of that kind—it was an assembloge such as he had never before witnessed in the province—an assemblage which it gave him the very heartiest pleasure to take part
in—it afforded him particular gratification to respond to the toast which had been so kindly proposed by the W . M . He would do so as briefly as possible , as the delightful music which was provided for them was far more acceptable than long speeches . The Grand Lodge of England numbered from time to time among its ranks men connected with the highest positions in the State in this country , and the Grand
Provincial Meetings.
Officers numbered among them from time to time men of all classes , men distinguished in the various walks of art , law , physic , and other professions . He felt it a very great honour to have been selected to associate with such a body of men of distinction , an honour far beyond any merit he could claim in the province . The pleasure which he had in acknowledging the honour which the province hacl given
would , he might say , be very far greater if he could have from time to time other brethren from that lodge and other lodgesof the province to return thanks with him for that toast , and he hoped he should not have long to wait to see other Grand Officers appointed from the lodges of the Province of Leicester . Bro . Rev . F . H . Smith , B . A ., P . M ., Chaplain of the
lodge , said that the W . M . had spoken of the rulers of the Craft , and it was now his province to propose the health of the rulers of that particular province , which consisted of Leicestershire and Rutland . The Provincial Grand Lodge consisted of a body of gentlemen or brethren who ruled the whole of the lodges . At the head of them stood Earl Ferrars , and could the earl have been present they would
have considered his presence a graceful act of the Prov . Grand Master . They had , however , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master . Besides those two , who stood high among them , there were a number of brethren who carried on the arduous duties connected with the province . He refrained from commenting on their merits , however , as brevity was desirable , but would ask them to drink the health of the
Provincial Grand Master and the Provincial Grand Officers generally . Under ordinary circumstances he should have called on the W . M . to respond , as he was the Provincial Senior Grand Warden , but they had another brother—Bro . Vincent—who he was sure would do justice to the toast in responding to it . Bro . Vincent , in briefly responding , remarked that
probably never until that night had an installation banquet been held in the charming presence of ladies . There was no doubt it was a good idea , and that it commended itself heartily to the sympathy of the ladies : it was a very happy thought of the W . M . to have the ladies there . The W . M ., the Senior Grand Warden of the province , had done good service to Masonry . Among other acts he had taken up
between £ 500 and £ 600 to one of the Charities , the Boys ' School . He fully deserved any honours to which he might attain . Bro . Cleaver then rose and said that it was his privilege that evening to ask them to pay a compliment to their host , the W . M . of the St . John's Lodge , the oldest lodge in the Province of Leicester and the County of Rutland . It was
no mean compliment , as the brethren all knew , to hold that position , but it was a compliment richly deserved by their friend and brother , who occupied the highest position the lodge could bestow , and one which , he was quite sure , Bro . Marshall appreciated not less than any brother in that large assemblage . He would like to say a good deal about Bro . Marshall if he dared , but he assumed a modesty sometimes ,
and he forbore to say so much on that occasion as he should like to say , and when he told them that Bro . Marshall was one of his large Masonic family they would not be surprised . He had the privilege of proposing their brother as a member of the old lodge . He had appreciated it , and he ( Bro . Cleaver ) had yet to learn that the members of the lodge had not appreciated it also .
Bro . Marshall s determination to get on—not only in Masonry , but in everything—was what had brought him to that high position , which they all appreciated , and Bro . Marshall most of all . It was impossible for them to take example by Bro . Marshall , because he was such a go-ahead fellow , because nobody else could stop him , and nobody could eclipse him . From what he saw that night he
prophesied that the ladies would stir up the Masons , and that after that evening Masonry would be a different thing . He did not know how many there were that wanted to join the St . John ' s Lodge during Bro . Marshall ' s year of office , but of course they could not do impossibilities , and they had no right to go beyond the bounds of prudence . It was a privilege to become a Mason , and there was not a lady
present who did not wish that she was a Mason instead of her better half . He had not intended to make a speech , but he was afraid he was making one . He hoped that they would join with him in wishing the W . M . the very best health a Divine Providence could bestow upon him during his year of office ; that they would wish him the greatest possible success in the many honours he had achieved . Bro .
Marshall had said he would sooner be the W . M . of St . John's Lodge than Mayor of Leicester . He did not know whether Bro . Marshall meant that as a stepping-stone , but by the public generally their Bro . Marshall was bound to be respected , and if he went ahead as he had done with consistency he ( Bro . Cleaver ) did not know what it might come to ultimately . They all wished him good success in
business and in everything else during his year of office , and might God speed the course he was now pursuing . Good health to the Worshipful Master . Bro . Marshall , in replying , said that everyone to whose lot it fell to have the task which was now imposed upon him knew something of what his feelings were at that moment , and what he should like to say if he could find words to
express it . He could assure them that ever since he joined the St . John's Lodge he had always looked forward to that proud moment . It was a proud moment to him , because he gave place to no one in his love to Freemasonry . The more he saw of it the more work he did in it , and the better he liked it . He had met among his brethren in Freemasonry some of those dear friends he would very deeply regret
to part with , and it would have been a great loss to him not to have had the privilege of meeting them . Only Masons could know the sympathy which passed from one to another and how they were encouraged forward in their good work by the example set by such veterans as their Bro . Cleaver . He had hoped that their Bro . Kelly would have been there . He was sure it was a great disappointment to Bro . Kelly ,
but he was strictly ordered by Bro . Pratt not to come to that banquet . Bro . Kelly had been a member of that lodge for 50 years , and , looking upon Freemasonry at that time and at the difficulty Bro . Kelly had often had in opening a lodge and holding a lodge , tliere was a vast difference between that time and the present . They were now starting upon the second century of the St . John's Lodge , and
he felt that he should like to be able to say that they had entered upon their second century in a manner worthy of the lodge . He should only have one end in view—to promote the comfort of every member of the lodge . It was a difficult matter to please every one , but he had set a line to do that which was right , and in doing that he found that , though some might differ at first , they frequently came
Provincial Meetings.
round to his way of thinking . He could not better show his appreciation for the kind things their Bro . Cleaver had said than by thanking the company for the way in which they had received the toast he had proposed in too flattering terms . He ( Bro . Marshall ) said now that he would rather be the W . M . of St . John ' s Lodge than receive any other honour that could be conferred upon him . He
had commenced his career at the lowest office—at the bottom of the ladder—and had striven for the position to which the brethren had now elected him . If he had felt that in accepting the position he could not do something for Masonry and for advancing the position ofthe St . John ' s Lodge , he would not have accepted it . The only object he had in taking that position was to try to do something
for Freemasonry . He did not wish to drop out of Freemasonry after this year . It was his recreation . There was nothing in the world that he loved better than Freemasonry , with the exception of his better half , and he had always felt the greatest pleasure in attending other lodges . A fortnight since he had had the pleasure of seeing Bro . Lindlow installed by the Grand Secretary of England , and
to Bro . Price , another W . M ., was owing the idea of that banquet . Bro . Price had invited him to a ladies' banquet at the Emblematic Lodge , and there was not a single thing that he could take exception to , and thereupon he had made up his mind that he would have a ladies' banquet , and if it had met with their appreciation he was amply repaid . He had felt that the ladies were too often not admitted into
their circle , and that it would be very much better for their circle if the ladies were permitted to join them and know what they were doing . Many ladies had said to him " Oh , its a secret society , and they would not have their husbands discover the means by which we are known to each other , and distinguished from the rest of the world . They could learn nothing but that every Freemason said from time to
time that no man could become a Mason without becoming a better man . " He had replied to those ladies that if he were a lady he would not like to be married to a man unless he were a Freemason , and in saying that he thought those present would agree there was some common sense , because what greater characteristics could a man have than brotherly love , relief , and truth . He felt that the ladies were a power in
Freemasonry , and if their help were called for judiciously from time to time it would raise the standard of Freemasonry to the level of the sublime . They felt that they were deeply indebted to the ladies for coming on that occasion . He would not detain them further than by thanking them again for the very kind way in which they had received the toast of his health .
Bro . Thos . Wright said he was called on at that late period of the evening to propose the toast to " The Health of the Ladies . " The toast came on when they were all thinking of going home , a fact which would make it appreciated by every brother present as much as any that had been submitted to them . Whatever might be thought or said in reference to the principles of Freemasonry the
W . M . had shown that it was quite possible for ladies to be present at a Masonic meeting without becoming unduly inquisitive ; anyhow , those ladies who were there now had seen the mysteries of a Masonic banquet . He believed that ladies for the most part thought that Freemasonry was banqueting , and thosewho were tliere might possibly go away in the belief that there was nothing more to learn . It was a
little hard on the ladies that they should not know how Masons recognised each other ; but the knowledge if they had it might not prove agreeable , because Masons recognised all sorts of people . The ladies present that evening had shown their appreciation of the good sense of the brethren who invited them and had behaved charmingly , although he was sure they were dying to know more of the secrets of
the Craft . He gave them the ladies , and called on Bro . Lead to respond . Bro . Lead said he was not vain enough to think that he could adequately represent the ladies , lt appeared to him that that toast required a good reply , and he was quite unable to make a reply worthy of the occasion . It required much more than the post-prandial speeches they were
accustomed to , and he had tried to put one or two thoughts together , but Bro . Wright turned up as the proposer of the toast , and it was quite impossible for any ordinary individual to follow Bro . Wright . To do so he must carry his mind back 70 or So years when the ancient forefathers met at the Lion and Dolphin to discussmalt liquors andotherimportant qnestions which occupied them for the greater part of the
day , and then they held a lodge of emergency the next morning . Let the brethren look upon that picture and on this . He was one of those matter of fact persons who believed in cause and effect , and he wanted to know what what was the cause of this effect . He was of opinion that the great factor in that great result was the elevating example and the refining influence that had been brought
to bear on their lives and institutions by the ladies whom he now represented . When they came to think for how long a time the ladies had been excluded , that , with all that the ladies had done for them , they had never been permitted to join in their festivities , he thought the brethren would agree with him that it was monstrous . But all things came to an end sometime , and now happily that barrier had been broken
down , and Bro . Marshall had been the man to do it . Assisted as Bro . Marshall was by his charming wife , the ladies he ( Bro . Lead ) represented were only too grateful for what had been done for them . He trembled to think what would have become of Bro . Marshall if the ladies could have theirown way : he thought it well that Mrs . Marshall was there . On that one point , however , they were all
agreed , and they asked him to pass it on to the VV . M ., that that was the most charming and the most enjoyable social evening they had ever spent . He was to thank the W . M . most sincerely on behalf of the ladies , and particularly he was to present the thanks of all present to Mrs . Marshall for the great interest she had taken , and to say on behalf of the ladies , may this be one of the happiest years
to you and yours of a long and happy life . Bro . Edward Holmes , S . VV ., proposed the toast of "The Visitors and Sister Lodges , " which was responded to by Bros . Price , Lindar , Home , and Kidney . The Worshipful Master then rose and said that the hour was so late that he felt it was necessary to cut out some of the toasts . He should therefore reluctantly omit "The
Masonic Charities , " especially as Bro . Waring , the Steward of the lodge for the Girls' School , would have responded . He would therefore propose " The Health of the Past Masters and Officers of the Lodge , " making them one toast . The former , he said , were always at their posts , and always able and willing to assist the W . M ., and to render the ceremonies as imposing and perfect as possible . Of his officers