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Correspondence.
The musical programme which had been arranged was of a most attractive character . It included a song by Miss Gabrielle Bjorkman ; mandoline solo , Miss Vissian ; song , Bro . D . C . Attwiter ; duet , mandoline and guitar , the Misses Vissian ; duet , the Misses Bjorkman ; violin solo , Bro . F . Louis Schneider ; duet , Miss Gabrielle Bjorkman and Bio . W . F . Roberts ; Bro . E . J . Bury , Org ., and Miss Pauline Isler accompanying .
Sir Francis Burdett iLodge , No . 1503 . A meeting was held at the Albany Hotel , Twickenham , on the Sth inst ., when there were present , among others , Bros . J . W . Hinton , M . A ., Mus . Doc , P . M . S 4 , P . P . G . Ore ., W . M . ; H . Bright , S . W . ; E . H . Tompsetr , J . W . ; the Rev . S . T . H . Saunders , M . A ., P . P . G . C . Chap . ; Major T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . P G . W ., P . G . S . B ., Sec . ; F . F . Bonrey , S . D . ; G . Dobson , J . D . ; G . Hertslet , Steward ; A . B . Brown , I . P . M . ; and W . Fisher , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas . Among the visitors were Bros . Pittman ,
79 ; F . Foes , late 1512 ; and G . S . Hertslet , 16 5 6 . The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken on behalf of Bros . Foes and G . S . Hertslet as joining members , and it proved to be unanimous . The Secretary having reported the illness of Bro . J . T . Briggs , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., a vote of sympathy was passed , and ordered to be entered on the minutes . The by-laws having been read , the name of a candidate for initiation at the next meeting was handed in .
Communications regretting inability to attend were received from Bros . Briggs , P . M ., Treas . ; W . H . Saunders , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; A . O .. Hemming , I . G . j J . Williams , D . C . ; E . W . Davis , P . M . ; and others . The lodge was then closed . A banquet followed . Bro . the Rev . S . T . H . Saunders , P . M ., responded on behalf of " The Prov . Grand Officers . " "The Health of the W . M . " was given by the I . P . M . in feeling terms , and briefly acknowledged by the W . M .
The toast of " The Joining Members " followed . The W . M . in his speech said that the advent of new members was always an agreeable feature in every lodge . The brethren who had been introduced that evening would , he felt confident , reflect _ great credit on the lodge . They were both young , and , he was given to understand , anxious to achieve success in Freemasonry . He trusted that their laudable ambition would in due time be gratified . Bros . Foes and Hertslet having replied , the toast of " The Visitors " came next .
" The Health of the Past Masters " was coupled with the respected names of Bros . A . B . Brown , I . P . M ., and W . Fisher , P . M . These brothers in terse but effective terms responded . In submitting the toast of " The Treasurer and Secretary , " the W . M . regretted the cause that had kept their old and tried Treasurer away that day . Bro . Briggs by
his bluff yet genial manner had won the respect of every member of the lodge . He had discharged his duties in a most efficient manner , and he ( the W . M . ) trusted that for many years yet to come Bro . Briggs would continue to hold the position of Treasurer , which office he so greatly adorned . This toast was most warmly received .
Bros . Bright , Tompsett , Bonney , Dobson , and G . Hertslet responded to the pledge of "The Officers . " The proceedings then terminated .
Farringdon Without Lodge , No . 1745 . A meeting of this city lodge was held at the Viaduct Hotel , Holborn , on the 30 th ult . Among those present were Bros . Witt , ' W . M . ; Webb , S . W . ; Walter Wellsman , C . C ., P . M . 15 S 9 , J . W . ; W . H . Jackson , P . M ., Sec ; Weinel , P . M ., S . D . ; Dr . E . M . Lett , P . M ., P . G . Org . Eng ., Org . ; Dr . J . W . Hinton , M . A ., P . M ., P . P . G . O .-Asst . Org . ; Collier , Stwd . ; Maj . T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . G . S ., P . G . Std . Br . Eng . ; J . Young , P . M . ; T . Simpson , P . M . ; G . Herbert , P . M . ; C . Bachoffner , P . M . ; Evans , I . P . M . ; F . Kent , P . M . 177 ; A . B . Cook , G . Walter , T . L . Pewtress , and E . MallettP . M . 1623 Tyler .
, , The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , two brethren were raised to the Third Degree in a most excellent manner by the W . M . A notice of motion was given to hold a summer outing in July , and that the expenses be supplemented by a vote from the lodge funds , fhe name of Mr . William Kent was proposed and seconded for initiation at the next meeting . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros . H . J . Lardner , P . M ., Treas . ; N . P . Lardner , P . M . ; E . Schultz , P . M . ; and others . The lodge was then clcsed .
A banquet followed , and . the manner in which it was served reflected great credit on the management . Upon the removal of the cloth the usual toasts followed . Bro . Dr . E . M . Lott responded on behalf of "The Grand Officers . " The I . P . M ., in submitting the toast of "The W . M ., " congratulated Bro . Witt upon the impressive way in which he had performed the beautiful ceremony of raising that evening . He felt confident that the members and their visitors had all been interested with the work . The W . M . was letter perfect in the three rituals , and therefore his—the speaker ' s—office of Immediate Past Master was a sinecure . At the banquet table the W . M . was also thoroughly at home .
The toast having been warmly received and drunk , the W . M . briefly responded . The toast of " The Visitors " followed , and was suitably acknowledged . In giving the pledge of " The Past Masters , " the W . M . took occasion to congratulate No . 1 745 upon the number of Past Masters that it possessed . Among them were brethren who had distinguished themselves , not only in Freemasonry , but in parish and municipal life . They were all round a powerful body , and he thanked them for the assistance and support that they had kindly given him at all times . He coupled the toast with the names of Bros . Evans and Simpson , who duly replied .
The W . M . then gave " The Treasurer and Secretary . " In the course of his speech he touched upon the genial qualities , Masonic abilities , and business-like characteristics of the Treasurer , Bro . Henry Joseph Lardner , whole absence that day both from the lodge and social board all regretted . They possessed also an excellent Secretary in the person of Bro . W . H . Jackson , a founder and the first Master of the lodge . This toast having been drunk with acclamation , the Secretary responded in neat and fluent terms on behalf of himself and absent colleague .
Bros . J . D . Webb , S . W ., and F . Weinel , S . D ., responded on behalf of "The Officers . " During the evening Bros . D . Lott , Dr . Hinton , G . Herbert , J . Young , A . B . Cook , and Stracey , instrumental ^ and vocally entertained the brethren .
Albert Edward Lodge , No . 1780 . There was a large assembly of brethren from all parts of the province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight at the Masonic Hall , Albion-place , Southampton , on Friday , the 10 th instant , on the occasion of a visit to the above bdge of Bro . VV . W . Beach , M . P ., Prov . G . Master , with many of his Prov . G . Officers , Present and Past . The regular lodge meeting had been adjourned by dispensation from the Tuesdiy , to meet ths convenience of the Prov . G . Master , who was attending the opening of Parliament . After
the ordinary lodge business had been transacted , the Prov . G . Master and his officers arrived , and after some formal preliminaries , Bro . Proivse , I . P . M ., requested the Prov . G . Master to present to the lodge a banner on behalf of the brethren . It gave him , he said , great pleasure to ask this of tl e Prov . G Master , knowing that he was the most beloved and most respected Mason in the province over which he had so long presided , and he hoped an over-ruling Providence would spare him for many yjars to occupy the position he now so worthily filled . The Prov . G . Master said it was with great pleasure
that he acceded to the request made to him . The presentation of so handsome a banner as that before them was a memorable occasion in the history of the lodge . He referred to the signification of the emblems emblazoned thereon , and s ? id it was a happy omen that the lodge was identified with the name of the Grand Master , who since he had held the office had done so much to advance the interests of Freemasonry . As the colours of a regiment incited the soldiers to victory , so should their banner incite the
brethren to do all they could , individually and collectively , to advance the true interests of Freemasonry . The Albert Edward Lodge , though not one of the oldest in the province , had done a great deal for Freemasonry , and he hoped that under the banner which it now possessed it would go on and prosper . The W . M . ( B 0 . Drysdill ) having accepted the banner , Bro . Prowse moved that at the next meeting a Past Master ' s jewel be presented to the W . M . for the way in which he had fulfilled the duties of the chair during the
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year . This was seconded by Bro . Berry , and supported by theWardens , Bros . R . W . Denness and T . G . King , and carried unanimously . The W . M . expressed his acknowledgments , and proposed a vote of thanks to the P . G . M . for his attendance that day . The Albert Edward , as he had said , was not an old lodge , but it had contributed its f lir share to the charities . It was now in its 21 st year , and it wis apropos that the Provincial Grand Master , who presided at its consecration , should be present when it had attained its majority . If in its old age the lodge did as well as it had done it its youth , it would have nothing to be ashamed of . Bro . Algar seconded , and reminded the lolge that the
late D . P . G . M ., Bro . Hickman , was the first Master of the lodge . The Provincial Grand Master briefly returned thanks , and announced that the Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Giles , was unable to attend through family bereavement . A vote of sympithy with Bro . Giles was passed , and then to mark the visit of the Provinvial Grand Master to trie lodge , the sum of 20 guineas was voted to the Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons or their widows , on the motion of Bro . Algar , seconded by Bro . E . Warren . A banquet followed , provided under the superintendence of Bro . Hussey , D . C ., and presided over by the W . M .
"The Health ot the P . G . M . " was cordially honoured among other toasts ; and Bro . Beach , in responding , mentioned the interesting fact that though Earl Amherst , the Pro G . M ., appointed to succeed Lord Lathom , was senior to himself as a Provincial Grand Master he himself initiated him . The Earl was in the Crimean War , and , hearing that a life was saved by a Masonic sign , he took the earliest opportunity when he reached England of joining the Craft , of which he had been an enthusiastic member ever since .
The banner , which is of Craft blue , bearing the Prince of Wales ' s coat-of-arms and motto , with the name and number of the lodge , was manufactured by Bros . George Kenning and Son , Little Britain . London .
Drury Lane Lodge , No . 2127 , Bro . Gerald Maxwell , W . M . of this lodge , closed a most successful year of office on Tuesday last at the Mark Masons' Hall , when he initiated in splendid style Messrs . Bedford McNeill , the Hon . Georee Keppel , and J . Thompson Murray , and afterwards installed in the chair Bro . Guy Repton as Master of the lodge for the year ensuing . The proceedings were most enthusiastic , and they were witnessed by , amongst othersthe
, following brethren : Bros . Thomas Fenn , P . G . W . ; Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . Chap . ; George Everett , P . G . T . ; Fredk . Mead , P . G . Std . Br . ; C . F . Matier , P . G . S . B . ; CM . Martin , P . A . G . D . C ; James Stephens , P . Dep . G . D . C ; J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B . ; T . Skewes Cox , M . P ., P . G . S . ; Lionel Rignold , J . H . Barnes , Thos . Catling , P . M ., Treas . ; Harry Nicholls , P . M ., Sec ; A . G . Neville , and William Pilcher .
After Bro . Guy Repton had been installed , Bro . Gerald Maxwell was invested as I . P . M . The following brethren received the other collars : Bros . Lionel Rignold , S . W . J . H . Barnes , J . W . ; C J . Martyn , P . G . Chap ., Chap . ; Thos . Catling , P . M ., Treas ' Harry Nicholls , P . M ., Sec ; Luigi Lablache , S . D . ; A . G . Neville , J . D . ; A R Phipps , D . C ; Wilhelm Ganz , P . G . O ., Org . ; W . Pilcher , I . G . ; Grimston , Nye Chart , and Clarence Coggin , Stwds . ; and Goddard , P . M ., Tyler . The brethren afterwards , adjourned to the Freemasons' Tavern , and partook of an excellent banquet . The usual toasts followed .
Bro . Guy Repton , W . M ., in proposing "The Queer , and the Craft , " said that this toast was usually proposed as a formality , but , considering the circumstances , on this occasion it was something more . During the Queen ' s younger days her Majesty was a constant attendant at Drury Lane Theatre , and in later years she saw the Drury Lane company perform before her at Windsor Castle and elsewhere . On that account this toast should be the more attractive to the Drury Lane Lodge . Sympathy also should be _ attracted to the drinking of this toast because a few days ago she suffered a great grief in the death of her grandson . It was painful to see an elderly and venerable larlv
not only losing a son of one generation ( the Duke of Albany ) , but two sons of another generation , Prince Edward , Duke of Clarence , Prov . Grand Master for Berkshire , and Prince Alfred of Saxe-Coburg , also passing away . The brethren ought to feel additional heartiness in drinking this toast , and , if he might say so , expressive sympathy In proposing "The M . W . G . M ., " Bro . Guy Repton said H . R . H . the Prince of Wales had always fostered the stage and given encouragement to it in every way , and Drury Lane and the Drury Lane Lodge , as well as Masons generally , owed a great deal to him .
In giving the toast of " The Pro G . Master , the Earl Amherst ; the Dep . G . Master the Earl of Warwick ; and the rest of the Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past , " Bro Guy Repton called on Bro . Thomas Fenn to reply . Bro . Fenn was his father in Masonry ; he was not well , having a bad cold , and it was out of old friendship to him ( the W . M . ) and his family that he had consented to reply . Bro . Thomas Fenn , P . G . W ., acknowledging the toast , said it afforded him the greatest possible pleasure , because it gave him the opportunity of expressing the
_ extreme gratification he had in being present on the occasion of the installation of his friend , Bro . Guy Repton , to the honourable position of the chair of this lodge . He had known Bro . Repton ' s family many years . Bro . Repton ' s father was one of his oldest and most respected friends ; Bro . Repton was a fine , true English gentleman , whom to know was to respect . Some of the brethren might not know Bro . Repton ' s peculiar claims the brethren
on , derived from his Masonic ancestry . His grandfather was so years Grand Master of Ireland—the old Earl of Leinster , to whose influence in the House of Lords Masonry owed its exemption from being classed as a secret society In that respect Bro . Repton had a claim to the brethren ' s undying gratitude . With such an ancestry Bro . Repton would prove an excellent Master of that lodge , and he would do it great credit and honour .
Bro . Gerald Maxwell , I . P . M ., in proposing " The W . M ., " said the loyal toasts and the toast of the Grand Officers were common to all Freemasonry , but the toast of the W . M . was particular to the members of the Drury Lane Lodge , and those guests who had been kind enough to lend the lustre of their countenance to its gathering . Bro . Fenn had told them what a brilliant ancestry Bro . Guy Repton had . He ( Bro . Maxwell ) might tell them that Bro . Repton was not only worthy of that ancestry—that they would imagine for themselves—but that he had shown his worthiness already by the raoiditv nf
his progress in Freemasonry . Bro . Guy Repton was not a very old Freemason , but he had been already the W . M . of the Bard of Avon Lodge—a very select and distinguished gathering of Freemasons , containing on its roll most of the Grand Qfficers of England . Bro . Guy Repton had also beeu W . M ., and was now I . P . M ., of the Playgoers' Lodge . That ought to appeal to all the brethren , because all gathered now together had some ¦
sympathy with the art—the so-called art—of play . ( Laughter . ) And now Bro . Guy Repton had reached the summit of his ambition—he thought he might say it was the summit of the ambition of all of them ( it was of his , and would always be so)—to be Master of the Drury Lane Lodge . He would not further descant on Bro . Repton ' s many excellences ; he was known to all the brethren ; he was a worthy man , and—though it was a time-worn phrase—a good Mason . ( Cheers . )
Bro . Guy Repton , W . M ., replying , said he was sorry to announce that he had no set speech prepared . On Saturday afternoon he began to prepare one at Monte Carlo and got to a few platitudes when his wife nudged him and said , " You have got zero on plane . " ( Laughter . ) He then got mixed , and the speech got under the table . Yesterday afternoon , in the Channel , he began to write a speech , and somehow or other it got blown away . ( Laughter . ) He was perfectly well . ( Renewed laughter . ) However , be that as it might , he felt sure the brethren ' s sympathy would be with him when
he told them that the few words he was saying were straight from his heart and not from a prepared oration , written out possibly by some writer skilled in getting ready speeches of that kind . Bro . Maxwell had referred to his ( Bro . Repton ' s ) having been Master of the Playgoers' Lodge . As the brethren knew , he was in the train 01 Saturday night , and it was not he who was at the Prince of Wales ' s Theatre who got up and made a speech there . ( Laughter . ) He forgot where he wis ; he was on the way , but he was not at the Prince of Wales ' s Theatre . If he had been there he mi ght have made a speech from the stalls , but he did not . ( Laughter . ) He would like to say this—the
urury Lane Lodge was his mother lodge , and he thought it should be a special ambition for all the brethren—and he would press his remirks on the initiates—that it was a great and laudable ambition to be M ister som ; diy or other of the lodge one was initiated in . It was several years ago that Bro . J . H . Matthews , the then Secretary came to him and asked him to be S . D . in the hope that some day he would be Mister ' . He accepted the office , and there was a good deal of work to do as Deacon in that day ' but it was a stepping stone to the Mastership . To-night he had the very , very great honour of being for the first time Master of the Drury Lane . Lodge , which was the object of his ambition . He said to all the officers who followed him that it was something
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Correspondence.
The musical programme which had been arranged was of a most attractive character . It included a song by Miss Gabrielle Bjorkman ; mandoline solo , Miss Vissian ; song , Bro . D . C . Attwiter ; duet , mandoline and guitar , the Misses Vissian ; duet , the Misses Bjorkman ; violin solo , Bro . F . Louis Schneider ; duet , Miss Gabrielle Bjorkman and Bio . W . F . Roberts ; Bro . E . J . Bury , Org ., and Miss Pauline Isler accompanying .
Sir Francis Burdett iLodge , No . 1503 . A meeting was held at the Albany Hotel , Twickenham , on the Sth inst ., when there were present , among others , Bros . J . W . Hinton , M . A ., Mus . Doc , P . M . S 4 , P . P . G . Ore ., W . M . ; H . Bright , S . W . ; E . H . Tompsetr , J . W . ; the Rev . S . T . H . Saunders , M . A ., P . P . G . C . Chap . ; Major T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . P G . W ., P . G . S . B ., Sec . ; F . F . Bonrey , S . D . ; G . Dobson , J . D . ; G . Hertslet , Steward ; A . B . Brown , I . P . M . ; and W . Fisher , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas . Among the visitors were Bros . Pittman ,
79 ; F . Foes , late 1512 ; and G . S . Hertslet , 16 5 6 . The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken on behalf of Bros . Foes and G . S . Hertslet as joining members , and it proved to be unanimous . The Secretary having reported the illness of Bro . J . T . Briggs , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., a vote of sympathy was passed , and ordered to be entered on the minutes . The by-laws having been read , the name of a candidate for initiation at the next meeting was handed in .
Communications regretting inability to attend were received from Bros . Briggs , P . M ., Treas . ; W . H . Saunders , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; A . O .. Hemming , I . G . j J . Williams , D . C . ; E . W . Davis , P . M . ; and others . The lodge was then closed . A banquet followed . Bro . the Rev . S . T . H . Saunders , P . M ., responded on behalf of " The Prov . Grand Officers . " "The Health of the W . M . " was given by the I . P . M . in feeling terms , and briefly acknowledged by the W . M .
The toast of " The Joining Members " followed . The W . M . in his speech said that the advent of new members was always an agreeable feature in every lodge . The brethren who had been introduced that evening would , he felt confident , reflect _ great credit on the lodge . They were both young , and , he was given to understand , anxious to achieve success in Freemasonry . He trusted that their laudable ambition would in due time be gratified . Bros . Foes and Hertslet having replied , the toast of " The Visitors " came next .
" The Health of the Past Masters " was coupled with the respected names of Bros . A . B . Brown , I . P . M ., and W . Fisher , P . M . These brothers in terse but effective terms responded . In submitting the toast of " The Treasurer and Secretary , " the W . M . regretted the cause that had kept their old and tried Treasurer away that day . Bro . Briggs by
his bluff yet genial manner had won the respect of every member of the lodge . He had discharged his duties in a most efficient manner , and he ( the W . M . ) trusted that for many years yet to come Bro . Briggs would continue to hold the position of Treasurer , which office he so greatly adorned . This toast was most warmly received .
Bros . Bright , Tompsett , Bonney , Dobson , and G . Hertslet responded to the pledge of "The Officers . " The proceedings then terminated .
Farringdon Without Lodge , No . 1745 . A meeting of this city lodge was held at the Viaduct Hotel , Holborn , on the 30 th ult . Among those present were Bros . Witt , ' W . M . ; Webb , S . W . ; Walter Wellsman , C . C ., P . M . 15 S 9 , J . W . ; W . H . Jackson , P . M ., Sec ; Weinel , P . M ., S . D . ; Dr . E . M . Lett , P . M ., P . G . Org . Eng ., Org . ; Dr . J . W . Hinton , M . A ., P . M ., P . P . G . O .-Asst . Org . ; Collier , Stwd . ; Maj . T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . G . S ., P . G . Std . Br . Eng . ; J . Young , P . M . ; T . Simpson , P . M . ; G . Herbert , P . M . ; C . Bachoffner , P . M . ; Evans , I . P . M . ; F . Kent , P . M . 177 ; A . B . Cook , G . Walter , T . L . Pewtress , and E . MallettP . M . 1623 Tyler .
, , The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , two brethren were raised to the Third Degree in a most excellent manner by the W . M . A notice of motion was given to hold a summer outing in July , and that the expenses be supplemented by a vote from the lodge funds , fhe name of Mr . William Kent was proposed and seconded for initiation at the next meeting . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros . H . J . Lardner , P . M ., Treas . ; N . P . Lardner , P . M . ; E . Schultz , P . M . ; and others . The lodge was then clcsed .
A banquet followed , and . the manner in which it was served reflected great credit on the management . Upon the removal of the cloth the usual toasts followed . Bro . Dr . E . M . Lott responded on behalf of "The Grand Officers . " The I . P . M ., in submitting the toast of "The W . M ., " congratulated Bro . Witt upon the impressive way in which he had performed the beautiful ceremony of raising that evening . He felt confident that the members and their visitors had all been interested with the work . The W . M . was letter perfect in the three rituals , and therefore his—the speaker ' s—office of Immediate Past Master was a sinecure . At the banquet table the W . M . was also thoroughly at home .
The toast having been warmly received and drunk , the W . M . briefly responded . The toast of " The Visitors " followed , and was suitably acknowledged . In giving the pledge of " The Past Masters , " the W . M . took occasion to congratulate No . 1 745 upon the number of Past Masters that it possessed . Among them were brethren who had distinguished themselves , not only in Freemasonry , but in parish and municipal life . They were all round a powerful body , and he thanked them for the assistance and support that they had kindly given him at all times . He coupled the toast with the names of Bros . Evans and Simpson , who duly replied .
The W . M . then gave " The Treasurer and Secretary . " In the course of his speech he touched upon the genial qualities , Masonic abilities , and business-like characteristics of the Treasurer , Bro . Henry Joseph Lardner , whole absence that day both from the lodge and social board all regretted . They possessed also an excellent Secretary in the person of Bro . W . H . Jackson , a founder and the first Master of the lodge . This toast having been drunk with acclamation , the Secretary responded in neat and fluent terms on behalf of himself and absent colleague .
Bros . J . D . Webb , S . W ., and F . Weinel , S . D ., responded on behalf of "The Officers . " During the evening Bros . D . Lott , Dr . Hinton , G . Herbert , J . Young , A . B . Cook , and Stracey , instrumental ^ and vocally entertained the brethren .
Albert Edward Lodge , No . 1780 . There was a large assembly of brethren from all parts of the province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight at the Masonic Hall , Albion-place , Southampton , on Friday , the 10 th instant , on the occasion of a visit to the above bdge of Bro . VV . W . Beach , M . P ., Prov . G . Master , with many of his Prov . G . Officers , Present and Past . The regular lodge meeting had been adjourned by dispensation from the Tuesdiy , to meet ths convenience of the Prov . G . Master , who was attending the opening of Parliament . After
the ordinary lodge business had been transacted , the Prov . G . Master and his officers arrived , and after some formal preliminaries , Bro . Proivse , I . P . M ., requested the Prov . G . Master to present to the lodge a banner on behalf of the brethren . It gave him , he said , great pleasure to ask this of tl e Prov . G Master , knowing that he was the most beloved and most respected Mason in the province over which he had so long presided , and he hoped an over-ruling Providence would spare him for many yjars to occupy the position he now so worthily filled . The Prov . G . Master said it was with great pleasure
that he acceded to the request made to him . The presentation of so handsome a banner as that before them was a memorable occasion in the history of the lodge . He referred to the signification of the emblems emblazoned thereon , and s ? id it was a happy omen that the lodge was identified with the name of the Grand Master , who since he had held the office had done so much to advance the interests of Freemasonry . As the colours of a regiment incited the soldiers to victory , so should their banner incite the
brethren to do all they could , individually and collectively , to advance the true interests of Freemasonry . The Albert Edward Lodge , though not one of the oldest in the province , had done a great deal for Freemasonry , and he hoped that under the banner which it now possessed it would go on and prosper . The W . M . ( B 0 . Drysdill ) having accepted the banner , Bro . Prowse moved that at the next meeting a Past Master ' s jewel be presented to the W . M . for the way in which he had fulfilled the duties of the chair during the
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year . This was seconded by Bro . Berry , and supported by theWardens , Bros . R . W . Denness and T . G . King , and carried unanimously . The W . M . expressed his acknowledgments , and proposed a vote of thanks to the P . G . M . for his attendance that day . The Albert Edward , as he had said , was not an old lodge , but it had contributed its f lir share to the charities . It was now in its 21 st year , and it wis apropos that the Provincial Grand Master , who presided at its consecration , should be present when it had attained its majority . If in its old age the lodge did as well as it had done it its youth , it would have nothing to be ashamed of . Bro . Algar seconded , and reminded the lolge that the
late D . P . G . M ., Bro . Hickman , was the first Master of the lodge . The Provincial Grand Master briefly returned thanks , and announced that the Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Giles , was unable to attend through family bereavement . A vote of sympithy with Bro . Giles was passed , and then to mark the visit of the Provinvial Grand Master to trie lodge , the sum of 20 guineas was voted to the Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons or their widows , on the motion of Bro . Algar , seconded by Bro . E . Warren . A banquet followed , provided under the superintendence of Bro . Hussey , D . C ., and presided over by the W . M .
"The Health ot the P . G . M . " was cordially honoured among other toasts ; and Bro . Beach , in responding , mentioned the interesting fact that though Earl Amherst , the Pro G . M ., appointed to succeed Lord Lathom , was senior to himself as a Provincial Grand Master he himself initiated him . The Earl was in the Crimean War , and , hearing that a life was saved by a Masonic sign , he took the earliest opportunity when he reached England of joining the Craft , of which he had been an enthusiastic member ever since .
The banner , which is of Craft blue , bearing the Prince of Wales ' s coat-of-arms and motto , with the name and number of the lodge , was manufactured by Bros . George Kenning and Son , Little Britain . London .
Drury Lane Lodge , No . 2127 , Bro . Gerald Maxwell , W . M . of this lodge , closed a most successful year of office on Tuesday last at the Mark Masons' Hall , when he initiated in splendid style Messrs . Bedford McNeill , the Hon . Georee Keppel , and J . Thompson Murray , and afterwards installed in the chair Bro . Guy Repton as Master of the lodge for the year ensuing . The proceedings were most enthusiastic , and they were witnessed by , amongst othersthe
, following brethren : Bros . Thomas Fenn , P . G . W . ; Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . Chap . ; George Everett , P . G . T . ; Fredk . Mead , P . G . Std . Br . ; C . F . Matier , P . G . S . B . ; CM . Martin , P . A . G . D . C ; James Stephens , P . Dep . G . D . C ; J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B . ; T . Skewes Cox , M . P ., P . G . S . ; Lionel Rignold , J . H . Barnes , Thos . Catling , P . M ., Treas . ; Harry Nicholls , P . M ., Sec ; A . G . Neville , and William Pilcher .
After Bro . Guy Repton had been installed , Bro . Gerald Maxwell was invested as I . P . M . The following brethren received the other collars : Bros . Lionel Rignold , S . W . J . H . Barnes , J . W . ; C J . Martyn , P . G . Chap ., Chap . ; Thos . Catling , P . M ., Treas ' Harry Nicholls , P . M ., Sec ; Luigi Lablache , S . D . ; A . G . Neville , J . D . ; A R Phipps , D . C ; Wilhelm Ganz , P . G . O ., Org . ; W . Pilcher , I . G . ; Grimston , Nye Chart , and Clarence Coggin , Stwds . ; and Goddard , P . M ., Tyler . The brethren afterwards , adjourned to the Freemasons' Tavern , and partook of an excellent banquet . The usual toasts followed .
Bro . Guy Repton , W . M ., in proposing "The Queer , and the Craft , " said that this toast was usually proposed as a formality , but , considering the circumstances , on this occasion it was something more . During the Queen ' s younger days her Majesty was a constant attendant at Drury Lane Theatre , and in later years she saw the Drury Lane company perform before her at Windsor Castle and elsewhere . On that account this toast should be the more attractive to the Drury Lane Lodge . Sympathy also should be _ attracted to the drinking of this toast because a few days ago she suffered a great grief in the death of her grandson . It was painful to see an elderly and venerable larlv
not only losing a son of one generation ( the Duke of Albany ) , but two sons of another generation , Prince Edward , Duke of Clarence , Prov . Grand Master for Berkshire , and Prince Alfred of Saxe-Coburg , also passing away . The brethren ought to feel additional heartiness in drinking this toast , and , if he might say so , expressive sympathy In proposing "The M . W . G . M ., " Bro . Guy Repton said H . R . H . the Prince of Wales had always fostered the stage and given encouragement to it in every way , and Drury Lane and the Drury Lane Lodge , as well as Masons generally , owed a great deal to him .
In giving the toast of " The Pro G . Master , the Earl Amherst ; the Dep . G . Master the Earl of Warwick ; and the rest of the Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past , " Bro Guy Repton called on Bro . Thomas Fenn to reply . Bro . Fenn was his father in Masonry ; he was not well , having a bad cold , and it was out of old friendship to him ( the W . M . ) and his family that he had consented to reply . Bro . Thomas Fenn , P . G . W ., acknowledging the toast , said it afforded him the greatest possible pleasure , because it gave him the opportunity of expressing the
_ extreme gratification he had in being present on the occasion of the installation of his friend , Bro . Guy Repton , to the honourable position of the chair of this lodge . He had known Bro . Repton ' s family many years . Bro . Repton ' s father was one of his oldest and most respected friends ; Bro . Repton was a fine , true English gentleman , whom to know was to respect . Some of the brethren might not know Bro . Repton ' s peculiar claims the brethren
on , derived from his Masonic ancestry . His grandfather was so years Grand Master of Ireland—the old Earl of Leinster , to whose influence in the House of Lords Masonry owed its exemption from being classed as a secret society In that respect Bro . Repton had a claim to the brethren ' s undying gratitude . With such an ancestry Bro . Repton would prove an excellent Master of that lodge , and he would do it great credit and honour .
Bro . Gerald Maxwell , I . P . M ., in proposing " The W . M ., " said the loyal toasts and the toast of the Grand Officers were common to all Freemasonry , but the toast of the W . M . was particular to the members of the Drury Lane Lodge , and those guests who had been kind enough to lend the lustre of their countenance to its gathering . Bro . Fenn had told them what a brilliant ancestry Bro . Guy Repton had . He ( Bro . Maxwell ) might tell them that Bro . Repton was not only worthy of that ancestry—that they would imagine for themselves—but that he had shown his worthiness already by the raoiditv nf
his progress in Freemasonry . Bro . Guy Repton was not a very old Freemason , but he had been already the W . M . of the Bard of Avon Lodge—a very select and distinguished gathering of Freemasons , containing on its roll most of the Grand Qfficers of England . Bro . Guy Repton had also beeu W . M ., and was now I . P . M ., of the Playgoers' Lodge . That ought to appeal to all the brethren , because all gathered now together had some ¦
sympathy with the art—the so-called art—of play . ( Laughter . ) And now Bro . Guy Repton had reached the summit of his ambition—he thought he might say it was the summit of the ambition of all of them ( it was of his , and would always be so)—to be Master of the Drury Lane Lodge . He would not further descant on Bro . Repton ' s many excellences ; he was known to all the brethren ; he was a worthy man , and—though it was a time-worn phrase—a good Mason . ( Cheers . )
Bro . Guy Repton , W . M ., replying , said he was sorry to announce that he had no set speech prepared . On Saturday afternoon he began to prepare one at Monte Carlo and got to a few platitudes when his wife nudged him and said , " You have got zero on plane . " ( Laughter . ) He then got mixed , and the speech got under the table . Yesterday afternoon , in the Channel , he began to write a speech , and somehow or other it got blown away . ( Laughter . ) He was perfectly well . ( Renewed laughter . ) However , be that as it might , he felt sure the brethren ' s sympathy would be with him when
he told them that the few words he was saying were straight from his heart and not from a prepared oration , written out possibly by some writer skilled in getting ready speeches of that kind . Bro . Maxwell had referred to his ( Bro . Repton ' s ) having been Master of the Playgoers' Lodge . As the brethren knew , he was in the train 01 Saturday night , and it was not he who was at the Prince of Wales ' s Theatre who got up and made a speech there . ( Laughter . ) He forgot where he wis ; he was on the way , but he was not at the Prince of Wales ' s Theatre . If he had been there he mi ght have made a speech from the stalls , but he did not . ( Laughter . ) He would like to say this—the
urury Lane Lodge was his mother lodge , and he thought it should be a special ambition for all the brethren—and he would press his remirks on the initiates—that it was a great and laudable ambition to be M ister som ; diy or other of the lodge one was initiated in . It was several years ago that Bro . J . H . Matthews , the then Secretary came to him and asked him to be S . D . in the hope that some day he would be Mister ' . He accepted the office , and there was a good deal of work to do as Deacon in that day ' but it was a stepping stone to the Mastership . To-night he had the very , very great honour of being for the first time Master of the Drury Lane . Lodge , which was the object of his ambition . He said to all the officers who followed him that it was something