Drury Lane Lodge, No. 2127.

the Drury Lane Lodge—Bros . Neville and Chapman—one of his oldest friends , Oscar Barrett . There were many there that day who had come from all parts of Eng land to do him honour . He saw Bro . George Conquest , his old manager , under whose genial sway at the Grecian Theatre , he gained a knowledge of his business , and an experience of vast value to him since . There were others—the members of the Logic Club—of which he was proud to be a member , and to whom he owed a great deal , notably Bros . Fairchild and Fitzgerald ; and , above all , there

was one present to whom during the greatest trial of his life he owed a debt of gratitude he should never be able to repay—their Bro . Lestocq . There were some there with whom he had stood side by side , shoulder to shoulder , in order to win the applause or laughter of the public , and with whom he hoped to stand again for many years to come , but with nobody with more satisfaction than that delineator of Scotch character who had just left them—Caledonian ' s own comedian—Fitzherbert O' Skinner Cup-of-tea Campbell . With all of these advantages , and

presiding that day over that brilliant gathering , was it not natural if he indulged himself in what they of the sock and buskin called " a little gas , " and patted himself on the shoulders , and took himself by the hand and said " my dear Harry Nicholls , you are a very clever fellow ? " Let him say to one and all , " I thank you , I thank you , " and express to the Great Architect of the Universe his heartfelt thanks for restoring him in health and strength . He hoped to come among them for many years to come . Bro . J OSEPH PARKINSON , P . G . D ., proposed " The Visitors . "

Bro . C . E . KEYSER , J . G . D ., in responding , complimented the lodge on the admirable working which the brethren had witnessed in the performance of the installation . A similar compliment he also passed on the lodge ' s hospitality . Both spoke volumes , and accounted for the wonderful and exceptional prosperity of this young lodge . Bro . WALTER LESTOCQ , P . M . 1319 , who also responded , said that red-letter days came to the lives of everyone , and that day would be one of those occasions

in his life , as he had been selected as one of the two to return thanks for the visitors of the Drury Lane Lodge . From the kind allusions to him made by Bro . Nicholls , the brethren could imagine why the honour had been thrust upon him . He could only say that to say "Thank you , brethren , " was very easy , but to say " Thank you " with those tones and that earnestness which he was sure the visitors would wish him to convey was a very difficult task . The gratification of being present , and the greater gratification he felt in representing the visitors of Drury

Lane Lodge , was enhanced when they were there to greet Bro . Harry Nicholls on being installed Master of the lodge , vvhich they knew had been one of the ambitions of his later life , and which Bro . Nicholls thought that day was his Masonic crown . The work of the Drury Lane Lodge that year would be continued by him as it had been left that day by Bro . Bancroft , a Masonic fact . There were many present

vvho had worked side by side with Bro . Nicholls to perfect themselves in the ritual , and they knew vvhat zeal and earnestness and efficiency he brought to the work he started that day . The visitors were glad that Bro . Nicholls was vvith them and able to start his Masonic year , and , if he might be allowed to allude to it once more , it seemed almost strange , particularly to him—it was strange and hard for even him to realise that Bro . Nicholls was there then after his serions illness .

They all thanked the G . A . O . T . U . that , with the aid of the best medical skill and Ihe constant attention and devotion of a most loving wife , he vvas there to shed a lustre on the Drury Lane Lodge . It was the earnest wish of the visitors that trie Drury Lane Lodge would be carried forward in the future as it had been in past years . Bro . Sir F . DIXON HARTLAND , M . P ., proposed "The Past Masters . " Bro . Sir AUGUSTUS HARRIS , P . M ., P . G . Treas ., replying , said it affored him great pleasure to think that he had the opportunity of thanking the brethren for

the very cordial way in which they had drank the health of the Past Masters . He felt veiy proud to belong to the noble army which , year by year , he hoped would increase , and would preserve the eminence which , up to the present had been kept , with the exception of his humble self . He felt that when a lodge could count among its Past Masters such men as Lord Londesborough , Sir Edward Inglefield , and Sir John Gorst ; then in arts , such men as Bro . Bancroft , Bro . Fernandez , and Bro . Isaacs , one might be proud without being conceited at

belonging to such a lodge , and all he could say on behalf of the Past Masters , he thanked the biethren most heartily for their kindness , and he trusted the Past Masters might meet them all many years to come . Bro . HARRY NICHOLLS , W . M ., in proposing " The Officers , " said , that having arranged with the Secretary , to his own satisfaction , that he was not to speak any more that day , he yet found himself called upon now to make another speech . Under ordinary circumstances he should have wished to be excused , but under

the exceptional circumstances , having so many brethren before him to whom he had had the pleasure of giving office , it came as a great pleasure to him . The officers comprised many men well known in Masonry , and not only in Masonry , hut in his profession . There were first , of course , Bro . Catling , although not a member of the profession , a Past Master ; and Oscar Barrett , of that accompanying profession of music which went hand in hand with the drama , he was J . W . ; and there was Bro . Neville , S . D ., a P . M ., and a founder of Drury

Lane Lodge ; and Bro . Chapman , J . D ., vvho vvas also a founder . He need hardly tell the brethren that he looked forward to a very pleasant year of office with such brethren under him , and he felt that the officers' duties would he performed " 1 an exemplary manner , worthy of the traditions of the Drury Lane Lodge . Bro . THOMAS CATLING , P . M ., S . W ., in reply , said that , with one solitary exception , he had attended every meeting of the lodge since he had the honour of being initiated in it , and he found there vvas a growing z ; al in the lodge , and that

2 Ml had been largely inspired and greatly encouraged by the brother who now pecupied in it the chair of K . S . From the very first step Bro . Nicholls took in the lod ge they had seen him steadily raising the standard of Masonic work—a "' go standard , he vvas sure—and every officer would feel it a thorough privilege juid honour to follow it . He could assure the W . M . the officers would all strive Jo earn this testimony at the end of his year—that they had done their best for the Ihe Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings .

The Grand Lodge Of Ulster.

THE GRAND LODGE OF ULSTER .

BY HENRY SADLER . ( Continued from page 71 . ) ,., y next letter in order of date is from Boardman to Harper on the W September , 1801 , and begins as follows * . Dear Sir .

0 j I am to acknowledge , which I do with very sincere thanks , the receipt cont ' " * k ' n <* 'ett : er by Mr . Graham , together vvith the accompanying pacquet Vj a ' K the Grand Lodge accounts and correspondence . 1 an ) too we !) con"lvs If t ^ knowledge and information on all Masonic subjects not to avail 'or ° ' . tne permission you are so obliging as to give me of applying to you ( - ' raft '" struction and elucidation as I may stand in need of in respect to the

distr j ' g and severe indisposition of our late Brother Corker , and the cre ' t State ° ^ * ' countr > f ° years back , have caused much irregularity to cf [ 0 r ' ! tr "e several lodges of this kingdom , and it will require much time and 0 co » ect the evil . By the accounts of the Grand Lodge of Ireland , which

The Grand Lodge Of Ulster.

I send herewith , you will perceive what considerable arrears have accumulated ) and you may judge vvhat difficulties are to be encountered in endeavouring at their collection . Our rules and regulations are also very imperfect , and also contradictory , for vvhich reason the Grand Lodge have appointed a Committee to revise them and prepare a correct edition of Ahiman Rezon . To do this effectually I am anxious to havei the last and best edition published by you , together with any other Masonic publication vvhich you may conceive likely to be at all serviceable to us in forming and perfecting a system of laws and regulations for the Order in Ireland ....

Our Grand Secretary either has , or will , immediatel y make the official communications to your Grand Lodge with whom it has always been my most anxious wish that our Grand Lodge should preserve the strictest and most affectionate correspondence ; the papers I send are for your private perusal . Between the date of the letter last quoted and that of the one novv under notice there is a gap of nearly 18 months ; it is dated gth of February , 1 S 03 , and contains the first hint of the storm evidently then brewing , as

well as other matter probably new and possibly in some measure surprising to Masonic readers generally , as evincing the relative positions of the Grand Lodge of Ireland and the Grand Lodge of the Ancients in England . Other letters may have been received during the interval—if so I am unable to find them . On the very day this letter was written , the brother to whom it vvas addressed vvas expelled from Masonry by the Modern Grand Lodge "for countenancing and supporting a set of persons calling themselves Antient Masons . " Harper had been a prominent , and a trood member of

both societies and for some years had been endeavouring to bring about an union and had held out hopes to the Moderns to that effect , but at this period the feeling , on the part of the general bod y of the Ancients , was strongly opposed to his desires , consequently he found it impossible to bring them to a successful termination and as he firmly declined to sever his connection with the body of vvhich he was practically the ruler he was expelled from the rival community . This will explain the first paragraph of Boardman ' s letter .

I hope soon to have the pleasure of hearing that all matters between you and the Moderns are adjusted to your satisfaction . I very lately wrote to you on the subject , and also commissioned my worthy friend Lord Mount Norris with my sentiments , and entreated his interference with Lord Moira , which 1 sincerely hope may have a good effect . At present I have a few questions to trouble you with , the answers to vvhich will go a great way in determining my conduct in our Grand Lodge at its next meeting , when it is likely certain propositions will be submitted for the future regulation of its respective officers .

On the death of my late worthy Br . Corker , the offices of Dap . G . Treasurer and Dep . Secretary were separated , and a yearly salary and percentage allowed to the Dep . Treasurer—tho' this measure has been productive of the most solid benefits to the Order , yet jealousy or some other motive has excited some individuals to throw out such insinuations , as have compelled the present Dep . Treasurer to announce his determination of resigning . Now the favour I have to beg of you is that you vvill inform me , how the business of Treasurer is managed with you ,

and in what manner the labours of that office are compensated ? I do not well understand from your printed accounts , whether the contributions from Lodges are annual dues at a stipulated rate from each Lodge , or an annual payment fromeach individual member . With us , each Lodge pays 10 shillings yearly , but the members contribute nothing to the Grand Lod ge either on admission ( except in the city of Dublin ) or yearly , so that a lodge vvith only 10 members contributes equally with one of fifty . How is this regulated with you ? I wish also very mnch

to know what fees are payable on obtaining a new warrant or revising an old one ( if you revive them ) , and how the sum paid on getting a warrant is appropriated ? —What is charged for registering Brethren , and what on granting G . Lodge certificates , and how the sums paid on these occasions are applied ?—Why have you two Secretaries , and are they allowed any , and what annual compensation from the Grand Lodge , or how else are they compensated for devoting their time and services to the Order ?

There is " food for reflection " in this letter , emanating , though indirectly , from a Grand Lodge with an experience of upwards of 70 years at its back , yet seeking counsel and guidance from a Society many years its junior , numerically inferior , originally organised by a comparatively small number of artisans and others on a similar level and of the same nationality as the person now asking for advice and information . A possible explanation may be found in the long illness of Bro . Corker ( for manv vears Deoutv

Grand Secretary ) , and the distracted state of the country during the latter part of the 18 th century ; but as Bro . Boardman had been Grand Treasurer since 1791 , he does not seem to have previously exerted himself to any great extent to correct the " irregularities " he refers to . Bro . Boardman ' s next letter is dated 14 th March , 1803 . Therein he says : I return you many thanks for your very kind letter of the 19 th ult ., in which you were so kind as to give me the fullest and most satisfactory information

respecting the subjects I wrote to you about 1 am mortified very much at the highly rash and improper proceedings of the Moderns—it is only to be accounted for by the mischievous and evil ascendency of the expelled brother , whose conduct is so properly alluded to in your last Quarterly Communication , Still I think the Moderns will see their error , and have justice enough to make you every possible amends . I am very glad to find the Duke of Athol feels as he

does upon the occasion . I daresay he speaks the sentiments of every Ancient Mason in Great Britain and Ireland . This will be delivered to you by my brother Graham , whom I have before introduced to the pleasure of your acquaintance as a most intelligent Mason . He is competent to give you the fullest history of our Masonic proceedings and situation here . You will find matters are not going on quite so smoothly as might be hoped for ; but I entertain , no doubt , of seeing good vvill and regulated obedience to the Grand Lodge re-established .

During the two years subsequent to the date of the last letter , I find nothing in this correspondence which calls for special notice . Several letters were received by Bro . Harper in the interval , but they are mostly of a complimentary characrer , delivered b y Bro . Graham in person , who seems to have had general instructions from Bro . Boardman to fully enlighten Bro . Harper as to the condition of Masonry in Ireland , and also to receive any information and advice which that brother mi ght offer .

On the ioth August , 1805 , a letter was written which , in my opinion , contains matter of sufficient historical value to merit preservation . A portion of it is as follows : Independent of the satisfaction I always experience in having an opportunity to enquire after your health , I am induced thro' the medium of a Brother now going to London to trouble you with this in order to obtain your advice and assistance upon some Masonic affairs now under the consideration of our Grand Lodge .

The Royal Arch Degree has not as yet been recognised , or [ brought ] under the cognizance of the Grand Lodge of Ireland—hence much irregularities have arisen—to remedy which , a Committee have been appointed to prepare the necessary rules and regulations preliminary to the Grand Lodge taking that Degree ( To be continued . )