Drury Lane Lodge, No. 2127.

proceedings of this lodge . I well remember that upon the last installal - meeting the Grand Masters of Scotland and Ireland were present to - \ Zioiir to your lodge . Masonrv , fortunately for us is a Craft which

Ynds the hand of fellowship to all brethren ; knows no politics , and Knows ationality . From the Grand Lodge of Ireland we have had the most " ? 'J uisbed Masons , men of the greatest geniality and good fellowship , j we feel that in Masonry we can sit down with them , feeling we have a Id of brotherhood . ( Cheers . ) We are guided by the same principles , d as the Installing Master effectively told the officers in his address to a " ' i < it is only by a due obedience to the laws in our own conduct that ecan reasonably expect compliance with them in others . " I have not k- to propose the health of the Sister Grand Lodges , but I must also

* Vlude your cousins , for turning to my left I see a distinguished brotner ho comes from across the Atlantic , who has presided over the Grand rod-re of the most important Stale in the United States , and who filled that VuVh position with dignity and success . We know what hospitality is extended to Englishmen in America , and I feel I am not asking too much of , ou when I ask you to drink to the health of the Sister Grand Lodges with enthusiasm , coupling it with the name of Bro . Theodore Tilton , P . D . D .

ft M . New York . ( Cheers . ) Bro . T HEODORE TILTON , P . D . D . G . M . New York : I thank you most heartily for the reception accorded to the toast , and I rise to respond most heartily . Of the 67 Grand Lodges of the world , that of your own , as you well know , occupies the first and foremost position . ( Applause . ) The United States possesses 4 S Grand Lodges , each presided over by a Grand

Master , and that of New York , over which I had the honour of presiding , is the largest , and ranks next to your own . The Grand Lodge of New York comprises 728 subordinate lodges and 75 , 000 Masons . Each of the 48 American Grand Lodges is represented , with the exception of one , at your own Grand Lodge by a Grand Representative . I may say that the generous and broad principles exercised by your own Grand Lodge , which is so ably

presided over by H . R . H . the M . W . G . M ., tends considerably to promote harmony and brotherly feeling in all spheres of Masonic life . This fact , and the kind hospitality of the lodges in the United Kingdom , do as much to cement and bring together those of other jurisdictions as anything I can name . ( Cheers . ) There is no question that to-nig ht you bring top-ether Masons , not only of your own jurisdiction but from all parts of the

world . I thank you for the cordial manner in which you have mentioned the Grand Lodge of New York , and will say that that Grand Lodge presents to the Drury Lane Lodge the most fraternal greetings . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Lord HERSCHELL , P . G . W ., in proposing "The Health of the W . M ., " said : I have the honour of being permitted to propose the next toast , and I think that the fact that I have been chosen to propose it is a

compliment to your W . M ., not on account of any qualities which I possess , or position which I occupy , but for three reasons . In the first place I have known the W . M . for a quarter of a century , and I think that anyone who has known him that time is not likely to say anything but what is good of him , and that of itself is a compliment . ( Hear , hear . ) I have come into contact with him in the practice of the law , and if after 25 years' close

contact one lawyer should have anything good to say of another , I think that is surely high testimony . ( Laughter . ) During eleven years we occupied seats together in a certain place where we did not always have the same views—indeed , I think we seldom agreed , the conflicts being sometimes heated . ( Laughter . ) That it should be expected that I would , after these conflicts , bear testimony tohis merits , is my third reason for assigning the choice

of mvself to propose his health , as a compliment to Bro . Sir John Gorst , your W . M . ( Cheers . ) I would desire also to say that the party to which I belong —do not be alarmed , brethren , I am not going to say anything to which you can take exception —( laughter)—the party to which I belong is alluded to as possessing something less than theaverage stock of intellect . ( Laughter . ) But there is one capacity we possess—and I trust always shall

possessthe capacity to recognise intellectual merit in our political oponents , and f feel I am competent to bear testimony to the merits of your W . Master . ( Cheers . ) lam quitesure vve mustal ! desire that those whopossessmerit should come into the front rank of their party , whatever their party may be , and consequently those who are political opponents , when they see men are men of merit , say they worthily adorn the positions they have so well merited .

( Applause . ) I have been told by the W . Master that short speeches are to be the rule . I never desire to make long ones , and I always lay down the one great principle of " the strictest obedience to the constituted authorities "—( loud cheers , )—more especially if I do not feel sure what the consequences of disobedience may be . I will add nothing more than saying that I can in all sincerity and heartiness propose the health of your W . M . ( Applause . )

It is a real pleasure , considering the many years I have known him , to be allowed to propose the toast , and I can assure you that he possesses that ability , integrity , and industry which are essential to the due performance of the duties of W . M . of the Drury Lane Lodge . ( Cheers . ) The WORSHIPFUL MASTER : I feel deeply indebted to Lord Herschell forthe kind and complimentary terms in which he has been good enough to

propose my health , and you , brethren , for having received it with so much enthusiasm . Believe me , if it were that which it is not , for constituted authorities to violate their own rules , I could go on for a long time before I should give expression to the feelings which animate me on being made a W . M . for the first time . I am an old Mason , and , I assure you , as rusty as I can be . ( Laughter . ) There are one or two brethren present who remember

the days of the old Scientific Ledge at Cambridge where we studied Masonry together . To the fact that I have been all my life * a rolling-stone 1 owe it that I have not reached the position of W . M . before , for I have never been in a lodge long enough to attain the dignity of the chair . I feel oeepl y indebted to the founders of the Drury Lane Lodge for having done We the distinguished honour of electing me , at so early a period , W . M . of E 0 ° lstinguished a lodge . I do not like to make promises in words , as I

Preier deeds rather than words , but I would assure you it is my fervent de-! ar | d intention so to conduct myself in the position to which I have been ected as to deserve the kindness and good opinion which you have ex-Pressed towards me to-day . ( Cheers . ) Before I sit down , I have , as the ccupant of the chair , a pleasing duty to perform . Every brother who has

if th . any len £ th of time a member of this lodge , will agree with me that there is one brother more than another to whom we are indebted for its lasonic excellence , it is Bro . Parkinson . ( Cheers . ) I believe that in the tin * i ? ' ? " Parkinson nas attained a great distinction . He has disanf himself as a writer , as a speaker , and as the head of numerous kno S ^ cess * ' commercial undertakings . But it is not in that capacity we Free . ^ ' inovv him as a most sincere , painstaking , and excellent be m . ason * ( Cheers . ) He has been our instructor and guardian , and has ' some senses , the father of the lodge . Those who have been officers

Drury Lane Lodge, No. 2127.

will confess that the lodge could not have gone on if it had not been for the unremitting services which Bro . Parkinson has so zealously and so punctuall y afforded us . ( Cheers . ) I know I am speaking the views of the Immediate Past Master , Bro . Augustus Harris , and I am sure that if our form-r Past Master , Lord Londesborough , had been present , he would have thoroughly endorsed all I have said . ( Hear , hear . ) I am asked to present Bro . Parkinson with a little testimonial , showing we have not been quite in ^ ensib ' e of

the benefits we have received at his hands . It is a watch , containing a suitable inscription , and when in future times he consults it , he will remember those happy days he spent in the Drury Lane Lodge , where he has endeared himself as a Freemason to many of us , and I hope will endear himself to many more in years to come . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Parkinson , I beg to present you with this small testimonial , as a trifling mark of the obligation we owe you .

Bro . J . C PARKINSON , P . G . D ., said : Those responsible for the arrangements to-night have given me a double duty , namely that in addition to such acknowledgments as I may be able to make , I am to propose the toast of " The Past Masters . " It will be less trying to me to discharge this easy and agreeable duty first , and so try to nerve myself for what I fear will prove far more difficult . Our lod ge has been two vears established ,

and we have now two Past Masters , the Earl of Londesborough and Augustus Harris . Lord Londesborough has from the inception of this lodge given its affairs his unremitting personal attention , and by his suggestions and advice , his privatehospitalities and genial co-operation , has done more than I can tell you to place and keep the lodge in its admittedly high position . Our noble brother has for years been known and regarded by tiie

dramatic profession . His kind heart and open hand have done much to assuage the distress of those in sickness or tribulation . His steady and consistent attachment to the drama is universall y known , and it was by a process of natural selection those concerned in the formation of a bdge which was to hail from Old Drury , placed him by acclamation its first Master in the chair . How from the time of his installation to the present

the lodge has proceeded in its triumphant course , how it has absorbed into its ranks very much that is brilliant in public and artistic life—is as well known to you as to me . But , however far into the centuries its prosperity may carry it , however widely its fame may extend , the name of the Earl of Londesborough will live and be cherished as that of its first Master—the forerunner , 1 hope , of a long line of able successors . Bro . Augustus

Harris has , it is well-known , the enviable faculty of turning everything he touches into gold . Being quite unoccupied , having nothing to do , nothing whatever on his mind , enjoying abundant leisure , he turned his idle thoughts one day as to how he could most pleasantly beguile the tedium of his many vacant hours—and the happy idea of founding a Freemasons' lodge occurred to him . Presto ' . the success we enjoy was assured . The

boundless artistic resources of Drury Lane Theatre were drawn upon . No difficulties daunted him . No facilities were too great to grant—no responsibilities too heavy for him to assume . It has been a great pleasure to us all to march as Masonic soldiers under the ever victorious general , Druriolanus , to work with him and for him , and to accept from him to-night the beautiful banner which hangs alongside that of Lord Londesborough , and that

presented by Bro . Henry Neville , who , as a Founder , filled the Past Master's chair on the day of consecration . Bro . Lord Londesborough and Bro . Harris are also founders as well as Past Masters . Long may they flourish and prosper under the luxuriant foliage of the tree they planted , and when Bro . Harris , as Immediate Past Master , returns thanks , he will , I know , do so with as much confidence in this lodge ' s future as he has satisfaction in

its past . Now let me crave your indulgent toleration while I attempt , however feebly , to discharge what is , considering the circumstances and the distinguished character of the assembl y in which this beautiful presentation has been made , one of the most difficult tasks 1 have ever attempted . At our Masonic Boys' School a prize is awarded annually by the boys themselves . It is not the ripest scholar , nor the most

powerful athlete , nor the most nimble-witted— certainly not the most self-asserting boy who gains this prize . No ! it is given by a vote of the whole school to one who probably to his own surprise finds that small services rendered by him in a modest spirit , friendly offices performed as a matter of course and without a thought of conferring obligation , mere easy-going pleasant co-operation in the business of the hour ,

have earned him the good-will and affection of those amongst whom he has lived and worked and played . If I may believe that my position at this moment is analagous , even remotely , to that of the happily selected Masonic boy , and that the magnificent present just handed me by our Worshipful Master—a present which has the signal advantage of being a portable personal chattel to be always carried about with one , and shown with pride

to ones brother Masons all over the world—if I am to accept this as the outcome of my Masonic relations with you all , you make me proud and glad indeed . Sir John Gorst has laid generous stress upon the work performed . But it has been the hearty and kindly co-operation of my brother Grand Officers , who are our honorary members ; the willing intelligent help and punctual regular attendance of the officers of the lodge , and the friendly