The Lord Mayor And Sheriff Of London At The Clerkenwell Lodge.

THE LORD MAYOR AND SHERIFF OF LONDON AT THE CLERKENWELL LODGE .

Thc proceedings at the annual election meeting of thc Clerkenwell Lodge , No . 1964 , on Saturday evening last , were invested with more than ordinary interest , from the fact that the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor ( Bro . Alderman Knight ) and Bro . Sheriff Savory had accepted invitations to be present . The brethren assembled at the Holborn when lod

Viaduct Hotel about four o ' clock , ge was opened in accordance with ancient rites , under the presidency of Bro . Edgar Bowyer , P . G . S . W . of Herts , W . M ., who was supported by Bros . John Tuck , I . G ., acting as S . W . ; J . 1 . Goode , l . W . ; Rev . J . H . Rose , Chap . ; G . A . Potter , Treas . ; James Terry , P . P . G . S . W . Norths and Hunts , Sec . Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , Sec ; Henry

Radcliffe , P . M . 91 and S 5 S , P . G . S . Eng ., S . D . ; Major Robert Rolfe , J . D . ; J . E . Terry , acting as I . G . ; W . Clarke , C . W . Scott , H . Jenner , R . W . Cole , W . 1 . Halford , Col . J . Lambert , P . M ., P . G . S . B . ; W . Wilkinson , F . Foster , H . Paget , T . M . Edwards , A . Walkley , Tyler ; and others . The visitors included Bros , the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor of London ( Alderman John Knight , P . M . 34 );

Sheriff Joseph Savory , 21 ; H . G . buss , Asst . bee ; C . F . Hogard , P . M . 205 , P . P . G . Supt . of Works Essex ; C . F . Metier , P . M . ; Henry Chetham , 645 , P . G . W . Greece ; Edward F . Storr , P . M ., Treas . 22 ; Dr . J . W . Ramsay , P . M . 259 ; E . T . Edwards , P . M . 7 SS ; E . Culver , W . M . 63 ; W . J . C . Martin , S . W . 127 ; James Arnold , 1491 ; H . W . Johnson , 1491 ; B . Newstead , J . W .

142 ; Seymour Smith , Org . 742 ; and others . The lodge having been opened Bros . Charles W . Scott and Henry Jenner were passed to the Degree of F . C , the work being effectively rendered by the W . M ., assisted by his officers . At the close of the ceremony the brethren proceeded to the election of a W . M . for the ensuing year , the ballot being unanimously in favour of Bro . T . Hastings who

Miller , P . M . 904 and 14 S 9 , P . P . G . Org . Middlesex , has so ably officiated during the past year as S . W ., but who was prevented by indisposition from being present on this occasion . Bro . G . A . Potter was re-elected as Treasurer , with thanks for his past services , and Bro . A . Walkley was reappointed Tyler . Three brethren were also elected to form part of the'Audit Committee .

The arrival in state of Bros , the Lord Mayor and Sheriff Savory was the signal for a most enthusiastic and hearty welcome , and on the entrance of the distinguished civic visitors into the lodge room they were greeted with Masonic honours . During the evening Bro . Terry presented to the lodge a beautifully bound copy of the bye-laws engrossed on vellum ,

which was accepted with a hearty vote ot thanks , proposed by Bro . Colonel Radcliffe , seconded by Bro . Goode , and carried by acclamation . Business having been satisfactorily disposed of the brethren and visitors adjourned to a magnificent banquet , the whole of the arrangements of which , under the personal superintendence of Bro . G . W . Rowe , were such as to reflect the highest credit upon this high-class hotel and

the proprietors , Messrs . Spiers and Pond . Dessert having been placed before the guests , the customary loyal toasts were given from the chair and duly honoured , the Worshipful Master alluding to the deep interest taken in the Craft by the M . W . G . M . the Prince of Wales , and the rapid strides which Freemasonry had made since his Royal Highness ' s advent to power in it .

In giving "The Healths of Our Masonic Rulers" the CHAIRMAN said he was sure those who had seen the Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , and the Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom , presiding over them in Grand Lodge knew what excellent heads of the Craft they were . ( Applause . ) The Past and Present Grand Officers did all they possibly could to further the interests of the

Craft at large . That night they were favoured with the company of Bro . Buss , the Assistant Grand Secretary of England , and a member of their own lodge , Bro . Lambert , Past Grand Sword Bearer , whose names he would associate with the toast . ( Applause . ) Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , the Grand Secretary , had written to say he should have been most happy to have been present this evening ,

but a prior engagement of long standing took him to Brighton . , „ Bro . H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary , in responding said obedient to the call of the W . M . he rose at once to reply to the toast which had been so kindly proposed , and he did so because the VV . M . could not err . Still , on the present occasion there was present their

excellent Bro . Lambert , who was his senior in office , and who should have been called on first . He thanked them most heartily for the way in which the toast had been received . It was very well known that the two noblemen named admirably discharged the duties of their respective offices in Grand Lodge . They were held in high esteem in the provinces over which they presided , as well asi n

their positions of Pro Grand Master and Deputy . On behalf of the rest of the Grand Officers he said they were anxious and willing to perform their duties , and the acclamation with which their names were always received on occasions of this kind afforded evidence , if any were needed , of the appreciation in which their services were held by the brethren . If anything could possibly be

adduced to satisfy the Craft at large that the M . W . G . M . in . the exercise of his prerogative made the best possible selection it would be in the way in which the names of the Grand Officers were received from time to time . On his own behalf he thanked them most heartily for having invited him to be present that evening . He was very proud and grateful to them for having done so , and for the

pleasure they had afforded him in meeting so many officers and civic dignitaries on that occasion . ( Applause . ) Bro . Col . LAMBERT , P . G . S . B ., also returned thanks , and in doing so said Past Grand Officers had , in their day and generation , done good suit and service to the Craft , and he did not believe for a moment they arrived at that position without having left their mark on Freemasonry .

( Hear , hear . ) It was certainly a great honour to be a Grand Officer , and he esteemed it an honour done to his lodge to have had the apron conferred upon him . He referred to the work done by the Past Grand Officers in the various committees on which they were elected , and expressed his belief that they all did their duty in carrying out the objects they had in view , as though they had their heart and soul in the business to which they were called . He felt glad and proud to wear the purple , and to hear the encomiums

The Lord Mayor And Sheriff Of London At The Clerkenwell Lodge.

passed upon the Grand Officers in every lodge throughout the length and breadth of the land . That amply repaid them for any little trouble they might have taken in past years . In the temporary absence of the W . M ., he would take the liberty of proposing a toast , which he felt sure would be acceptable to all present . He asked them to drink with all the heartiness of which they were capable the health of their esteemed Worshipful Master , who had

been so indefatigable in his labours for the advancement of this lodge in the Craft . ( Applause . ) He appealed to every brother around this table , did they ever find a Master conduct his work so well as did Bro . Bowyer ? Their W . M . was out of the room now , and so he could speak more freely . ( Applause . ) He put it forward as a challenge , that he never saw a Master discharge the office with such ability and suavity of manner as did Bro . Bowyer . They

were much indebted to him for what he had done for this young lodge , and their warmest thanks were due to him for his disinterested and unwearied exertions . They recollected that during the mayoralty of Bro . Sir John Whittaker Ellis he invited his lordship and their Sheriff ( Bro . Aid . Sir R . Hanson ) to attend their banquet ; and now they were favoured with the distinguished presence of the present Lord Mayor , and their good friend thc

Sheriff , though the latter was only as yet an initiate . He thanked Bro . Bowyer for having invited those gentlemen , and them for so kindly accepting the invitation . He asked the brethren to drink "The Health of the Worshipful Master of the Clerkenwell Lodge . " Long might he live , and might the l ' odge flourish . ( Applause . ) The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , who entered the room at this moment , was loudly cheered . He thanked the

brethren most sincerely for the kind compliment they had paid him in his absence , and assured them it was a great pleasure to him to do anything to advance the interests of Freemasonry as he had always done since he joined the Order . ( Hear , hear . ) It was one of the proudest things in life to enjoy the esteem of our fellow men , and he only hoped , whatever the future might be , he might lav claim to having tried to deserve the good opinion of those with whom

he had been associated in the Craft . ( Applause . ) The WORSHIPFUL MASTER said there was one toast which he was certain they would all drink with especial pleasure and gratification this evening and that was the healths [ of two distinguished brethren who had honoured them with their presence on that occasion , —he referred to the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of London and Sheriff Savory . ( Cheers . ) He was quite sure they

would all join with him in expressing their sense of the honour done to the lodge , when they considered the multiplicity of engagements which the Lord Mayor and Sheriff had to fulfil in their public capacities . It was therefore very kind of them to set apart a few hours this evening to do honour to the Clerkenwell Lodge . Both these gentlemen in their respective offices had won golden opinions from the citizens of London , and he was quite sure the brethren of

this lodge hailed their presence amongst them on this occasion with the utmost gratitude and pleasure . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Seymour Smith here sang an original and exceedingly humourous composition entitled "The Lord Mayor ' s Show , " in which he delineated various characters in the crowd on Lord Mayor's Day , provoking much laughter . Bro . the Right Hon . the LORD MAYOR , who was received with prolonged applause , said unaccustomed as

he was to public speaking —( laughter)—they would hardly expect him to say much to them that-night , because he was not in the habit of addressing large assemblies of his fellowmen , such as he saw now before him . ( Laughter . ) Being naturally of a retiring , bashful , and modest disposition , added to which he was now asked to return thanks for a toast in a Freemasons'lodge , they could imagine better than he could describe the nervousness which came over him , and

almost incapacitated him for responding to the toast which had been so ably proposed by their Worshijjful Master . ( Laughter . ) He thought he had got over that introductory part very well indeed . ( Renewed laughter . ) He could assure them that in rising to return thanks for his health , which had been so kindly proposed , he did so feeling very much honoured that his fellow-Craftsmen had been pleased to seek his sociality in various lodges , thus giving him so

many opportunities of going amongst them during his mayoralty . If the time were only at his disposal he believed there was not a lodge in London which he should not have the pleasure of visiting , for they would scarcely credit the number of invitations he received , and which he could not now detail to them . He saw present a friend of his ( Bro . E . F . Storr ) who was most indefatigable in keeping him constantly reminded of his promise to attend a meeting

of the Neptune Lodge on the 29 th of this month , and who seemed determined he should not have any loophole to get out of enjoying the hospitality of that lodge . He had no wish to get out of it ; but it was impossible for him to engage himself positively so long beforehand . His first duty was to the City of London , and though he fully realised his duty to Freemasonry , he could not pledge himself to invitations which might interfere with his duty to the citizens

of London . ( Hear , hear . ) If he did so he might find some public business which would imperatively demand his presence elsewhere , and thus it would be not only disappointing to the brethren , but holding out hopes to them which he should be utterly unable to fulfil . That was his onl y reason for not accepting invitations to more Masonic lodges than he did . He did not think they cared for a regular set speech on occasions of that kind , and referring to the capital song

they had just heard about the Lord Mayor ' s show , he must say it was about the best fun in the world to go through the crowd on the gth of November . He had been through a good mand times , and thc fun thatwent on , and the remarks made by the bystanders , were enough to keep any one in a constant state of merriment . He did not know anything more witty than the remarks of a London crowd . They knew it was customary for the aldermen when they came

into the procession to have their beadles marching by the sides of their carriages . His being a big ward he had two beadles _ who wore old-fashioned long cloaks , and they were going along in the procession some three or four years ago with the very serious mien and profonnd gravity which it was their bjunden duty to preserve . The weather was wet and the roads were muddy , and one of the beadles

coming to a puddle which he could not very well get over lifted thc folds of his cloak , exposing his white stockinged calves , when an old woman who was standing by exclaimed , "Put down yer clothes ; you ' re getting a big gal now—( laughter)—snowin' yer legs like that ; you ought to be ashamed o' yourself . " It so tickled his fancy that , although the poor fellow was so confused he hardly knew which way

The Lord Mayor And Sheriff Of London At The Clerkenwell Lodge.

to look , he ( the Lord Mayor ) was obliged to roll back in his seat and indulge in a hearty laugh . He was sure the traditional origin related in the song of the practice of the sword-bearer wearing a muff on his bead on state occasions must be correct—though history was not quite explicit on the point why that official should wear so unique a hat . Referring immediately to the toast before them , he said this was a young lodge , and they would forgive him if he

said that in everything he had done in life he had held that if a thing was worth doing at all it was worth doing well . In some lodges he went into there was a careless disregard ot minor details , but he reminded them that all those little points which were introduced into Freemasonry at its inception had their peculiar meanings , and should always be considered in that light . Amongst those things was respect

for our superiors , and obedience to those who arc placed over us . Thus , whilst he highly appreciated the kindness of their Worshipful Master in placing him on the right and bis friend the Sheriff on the left of the chair , he must tell Bro . Bowyer he was only a humble Past Master , and therefore he had no right to sit above the many Grand Officers he saw around him . They ought to inculcate the principles of superiority , and although he had the hon our

of being Lord Mayor for the time being , his place in lodge was amongst those of his own Masonic rank . He had visited many Freemasons' lodges but had never seen better working than that performed by the Worshipful Master and officers of the Clerkenwell Lodge . He spoke strongly on the necessity of inculcating the principles of respect for superiority of rank in lodges , and concluded by again thanking them for the splendid hospitality they had

extended to himself and his excellent colleague , Sheriff Savory . He hoped their young lodge would continue to prosper , and that it might become one of the time-honoured lodges in the country . One thing he had heard with the greatest pleasure , and which reflected the greatest pleasure and satisfaction on all connected with it , namely , the very handsome contribution they had already made to the Masonic Charities . That they had begun so nobly to put

into practice this most essential of all virtues of Freemasonry spoke well for the future of the lodge , and he trusted ! they might go on in an increasing degree to exemplify this most distinguishing characteristic of the Fraternity . ( Applause . ) Bro . Sheriff SAVORY , who was also most cordially received , said he thanked them very much for the kind way in which the Worshipful Master had associated his name with that

of the Lord , Mayor , and the hearty reception which had been given to the toast of the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex . He could assure them that the sympathy and welcome ever accorded to that toast were always grateful to those who had accepted the arduous duties of the shrievalty . Some of those duties were pleasant , whilst others were painful , so that while the office had its privileges it had also its responsibilities . It was encouraging to receive approval for

the way in which they endeavoured to fulfil their duties , and he thanked the Lord Mayor for the kind expression of his confidence . He could assure his lordship that he should study in the future , as he had done in the past , to * ' love , honour , and obey " him . ( Laughter . ) Among the many happy recollections of his year of office there was none he should cherish with greater pleasure than his visit to the Clerkenwell Lodge of Freemasons , which , he might add ,

was the first lodge that had done him the honour to invite him to its festivities since he was initiated . He esteemed it a great privilege that during his year of office he had been permitted to become a Freemason . He felt deeply interested in thc mysteries he had already learnt , though he had yet much more to become enlightened upon . He should do his utmost to be of some service to the Craft , and thus , it only in a feeble way , show the deep sense he entertained of

the honour which had been conferred upon him . ( Applause . ) The WORSHIPFUL MASTER then proposed "The Health of the Visitors , " to whom in the name of the lodge he extended a very hearty welcome , and coupled with the toast the names of Bros . Dr . Ramsay , P . M . ; C . F . Matier , P . M . ; and E . T . Edwards , P . M . The toast was heartily received . Bro . Dr . RAMSAY , in reply , expressed the gratification

it had afforded him to see the excellent work done in lodge and the equally satisfactory arrangements for the banquet . Everything was most judiciously carried out , and Bro . Bowyer seemed to he facile princeps in regard to Masonry itself . He should only be gilding refined gold to say more than simply that he was most deeply obliged to the brethren of this lodge for the generous hospitality with which the visitors had been received , and which was sincerely

appreciated by them . Bros . MATIER and EDWARDS also responded , the latter alluding at some length to the duties enjoined by the Craft , and so well explained in the charges delivered to them while passing through the several degrees . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER in proposing "The Healths of the Treasurer and Secretary " observed that the former , though he was comparatively young in Masonry , yet thev

knew from his antecedents in other walks of life , he would make not only a good Mason , but a worthy member of this lodge . ( Applause . ) As to their Secretary it would indeed be gilding refined gold to speak of the services he had rendered to the Craft . Bro . Terry knew better than any one else the duties of Secretary of a lodge and always admirably carried out whatever he undertook . ( Applause ) . Bro . G . A . POTTER said he had endeavoured to dischaee

his duties faithfully in the office of Treasurer . Unfortunately , it might be , he had had no scope as ] yet for displaying : any financial ability as they had kept him so well supplied with funds , and the kindness he had received at the hands of the lodge would ever be engrafted on his memory . Bro . TERRY , Sec . R . M . B . I .. said : Like the right hon . brother who began " Unaccusto med as I am "—( laughter ) - —he rose to address a few words to this assembly . A

secretary was an individual whom everybody could kick . ( Laughter . ) If anything went wrong it was , " Oh , that's the secretary . " If something was not exactly in accordance with the wishes of the W . M . or some other brother , it was , " That secretary has madean omission . " ( Laughter . ) He only wished they had paid secretaries . ( Renewed

laughter . ) They might rely upon it that an honorary office was a mistake in life . If they paid a man only a pound a year they could get rid of him by paying him his pound ; but if they paid him nothing and he gave his best services to the lodge , of course they could kick him for he was their own secretary . ( Laughter . ) Their very esteemed friend thc initiate said one of the happiest features of his shrievalty