Annual Ball And Banquet Of The Sir Walter Raleigh Lodge, No. 2432.

ANNUAL BALL AND BANQUET OF THE SIR WALTER RALEIGH LODGE , No . 2432 .

On Thursday , the 6 th inst ., the W . M ., officers , and brethren of the lodge nterlained their lady friends and relations to a banquet , followed by a ball , at the Holborn Restaurant . The continually increasing popularity of this annual remion was testified by the numbers present , amongst whom were Bro . D . Phillips \ V M . and party ; Bro . W . H . Bullock and party ; Bro . G . Ransford and party ; Bro . G . Emblin and party ; Bro . W . Klingenstein and party ; Bro . W . H . Loury

and party ; Bro . S . Klingenstein and party ; Bro . T . Rayner and party ; Bro . H . Anderson and party ; Bro . C . H . Peddell and party ; Bio . H . Mavor and party ; Bro . R . Ambler and party ; Bro . J . J . Woods and party ; Bro . E . T . S . Harrold and party ; Bro . O . C Moore and party ; Bro . E . Gratmert and party ; Bro . L . Weenin and party ; Bro . A . Jones and party ; Bro . A . F . Scholding , and others , amongst whom non-Masons were largely represented .

A well-arranged plan ot the table enabled the large company to find their seats without trouble , and the W . M . took the chair punctually to the minute . The prettil y-decorated table , handsome dresses of the fair visitors , and glittering decorations of the brethren ( conspicuous among which was the gorgeous costume of the P . G . S . B . of Middlesex ) , presented a scene of great animation . The repast was served in Host Hamp ' s well-known style , during which members of H . M . 's 2 nd Life Guards' band played an excellent programme ol

music . A few toasts ( loyal and Masonic ) divided attention with the dessert , the speeches being commendably brief . " 1 he toast of the evening— " The Ladies "—proposed by ' the W . M . in brief , but appreciative , terms , met with a very hearty reception , the W . M ., at the same time , presenting every lady present with a handsome souvenir of the occasion—a useful purse . •

In the foundation year , at the first ball the ladies were presented , with a casket of perlume , since which each successive W . M . has " kept up the charter , " and endeavoured " to go one better , " thus creatine a custom , much appreciated by the

ladies . The response was entrusted to Bro . T . RAYNER , who said : Worshipful Master , on behalf of the ladies , f thank you for the way you have proposed this toast , all the nice things you have said about us , and the kind reception we have met with . Those who have been before are pleased to be here again , and those who have not previously enjoyed the hospitality of the brethren here , will not miss an opportunity ot coming next year , especially as their purses will require refilling by that time .

Bro . EMULIN proposed " The W . M . " in eulogistic terms , making sympathetic allusion to his recent illness . Bro . PHILLIPS , in reply , said : Bro . Emblin , brethren , ladies , and gentlemen , I thank you for the kind terms in which you have proposed this toast , and the Haltering way it has been responded to . The speeches to-night are to be as short as possible , and I will content myself with observing that I am very pleased to be

here , and see such a grand company present . We look forward to this event every year , and try to make it not less enjoyable than those of previous years . I trust that we have succeeded , and that you will all go to your homes with pleasant reflections of the evening . Before I sit down there is one toast I must propose— " The Visitors . " We are pleased to welcome them , and wish them a pleasant evening . Bro . C . H . KNUTH responded with a neat speech .

Between the toasts Mrs Buxton sang the National Anthem and " She wore a wreath of roses ; " Mr . Buxton " God bless the Prince of Wales " and " The Admiral ' s broom ; " and Bro . O . C . Moore " Exchange and Mart . " The ladies having allowed their partners half an hour for coffee and the weed , dancing commenced at io o ' clock , and continued with great spirit until nearly sunrise . From a feminine point of view , a pleasing feature of the ball was that they wie in a minority , and bad plenty of partners .

First Ladies' Night Of The Vitruvian Lodge, No. 87.

FIRST LADIES' NIGHT OF THE VITRUVIAN LODGE , No . 87 .

This old-established lodge , which has for several years held a successful launch party in the summer , made its first venture in catering for the pleasure of the ladies during the winter season by holding a ladies' banquet at the Bridge House Hotel on the I 2 th inst . The result was an unqualified success , and will doubtless lead to the event becoming an annual fixture , for the W . M . was

supported by about ioo ladies and brethren and a full attendance of the officers , including Bro . W . H . Bale , P . M ., the genial and popular Treasurer , and Bro . W . H . Dallimore , P . M ., the energetic Secretary . The pleasures of the evening were not allowed to interfere with the lodge business , for lodge was opened at an early hour , when the minutes were confirmed and by-laws read . Bro . J . H . Gray , S . W ., was unanimously elected as W . M . ; Hro . VV . H . Bale , P . M ., re-elected Treas . ; and Bro . J . Lee , re-elected Tyler .

On the motion of the Treasurer , a Past Master's jewel was unanimously voted to 'he retiring W . M ., in recognition of the very creditable manner in which he had conducted the affairs of thc lodge during the year . Bro . Gray , W . M . elect , announced his intention of representing the lodge as Steward at the next Festival "f the Boys' School , and lodge was closed . lhe visitors were courteously received on arrival by the Worshipful Master ¦ "id Mrs . Holmes , and after a brief interval , the banquet was served in the large uall .

Ihe usual loyal toasts were afterwards honoured , after which H- . , ° -J - CLAYSON , I . P . M ., rose to propose "The Health of the W . M . " e i > aid they were all pleased to see such a . splendid array of ladies and brethren WWL ' 50 ^ the Worshi P Master ,. who would doubtless appreciate the fact . That ni ' ,, 1 , I " timc in tn 0 existence of the lodge that there had been a ladies

work 'pi . Was '" a S ' reat measure due ' . o Bro . Holmes' good wishes and hard c ' " eW . M . had previously presided at their launch party , but he had ven . a record by bein fJ the first Master who had twice presided when ladies c ' ould PreSe u- du . "S term of office . If . the Worshipful Master's predecessors Thev hce , j tnat happy position t ' ney would say , "hail , fellow , well met . " and IU T ? , drink witn heartiness to " The Health and prosperity of the W . M . ' "irs . Holmes . "

First Ladies' Night Of The Vitruvian Lodge, No. 87.

Bro . J . J . HOLMES , W . M ., returned his sincere thanks to the I . T . M ., who had been good enough to make some kind remarks which he felt he did not deserve , although he must admit he had endeavoured to deserve them . He had done his best as far as his humble ability would allow to perform the duties appertaining to the office , to do credit to himself , and give satisfaction tothe brethren . He hoped he had succeeded , and he thought he might say without egotism that he had , not only from the fact that they had voted him a jewel , but from the support he had received from the members whenever there was work to do . He took that

opportunity of thanking thc Treasurer , Secretary , and officers for the zeal and ability with which they had assisted him during his year . He was deeply grateful—and was sure his successor , Bro . Gray , would be—for their assistance and co-operation . The time and attention of the Treasurer and Secretary were not restricted to any individual Master , but were given to any brother who attained the high position of the chair for the general welfare and prosperity ol their grand old Vitruvian Lodge . He would not detain them further , and again thanked them for the kind manner in which the toast of his health had been received .

The W . M . next proposed the toast of "The Ladies , " and said they would all be pleased to respond to it , for there was no gentlemin amongst them who had not at some period telt their loving interest and affections . The ladies were the first and foremost in sharing their trials and misfortunes , and it should be their duty to see that they also shared their pleasures and joys . It was certainly a record in their lodge to have two ladies' meetings , but he trusted the precedent would not be allowed to lapse , but that every W . M . would meet the ladies at least twice during his year . On behalf of the lod ge he gave the ladies a hearty and cordial welcome , and hoped to have the pleasure of meeting them on many future

occasions . Bro . W . H . BALE , P . M ., Treas ., responded , and thanked the W . M . for the kind terms in which he had proposed the toast . In reply , he would tell the ladies three things . In the lodge that day the W . M . had been voted a handsome jewel for the manner in which he had discharged his duties , and he thoroughly deserved it . He would ask the ladies to show their appreciation of his act by clapping

their hands . Another incident had taken place which was the election of a highly esteemed brother , Bro . Gray , to fill the position of W . M ., and from the samples they had had of his work there was no doubt he would carry out his duties equal to any predecessor . It was his duty , on behalf of the ladies , to ask the W . M , elect to promise a ladies' night durins ; his year .

Bro . E . CIIAMIIERLAIN , P . M ., D . C , then gave "The Visitors , " and in the course of his remarks referred to the excellent work done by the three Misonic Institutions .

The toast having been replied to , the WORSHIPFUL MASTER proposed " The Health of the W . M . elect , " and referred to Bro . Gray as one of the most painstaking men in the lodge . As he ( the W . M . ) proposed Bro . Gray in the lodge it was most pleasing to propose the toast of his health as W . M . elect . It was s ; vei years since that proposition was made but Bro . Gray had not missed one m-jetin * , so that the mantle of authority could not possibly fall on m ire worthy shoulders ? Bro . J . H . GRAY , S . W ., W . M . elect , in response , thanked the brethren for their kindness in electing him and trusted their confidence would not be misplaced .

A lengthy musical programme was admirably carried out under the able management of Bro . Willie Wright , P . P . G . Org . Middx ., who was assisted by Miss Phyllis Hope , Miss Hamilton , Bros . Norreys , Sam Wright , R . Evans , G . de Pledge , and many others . The company present included Mrs . and Bro . J . J . Holmes , W . M . ; Mrs . and Bro . J . H . Clayson , I . P . M . ; Mrs . and Bro . J . H . Gray , S . W . ; Bro . J . Dividson ,

J . W . ; and 15 visitors—Mrs ., Miss , Mr ., and Bro . W . H . Bale , P . M ., Treas . ; Mrs ., Miss , and Bro . W . H . Dallimore , P . M ., Sec ; Mrs . and Bro . Conquest , S . D . ; Mrs . "and Bro . A . J . Swash , J . D . ; Mrs . and Bro . W . A . Hardy ; Mrs . and Bro . E . Chamberlain , P . M ., D . C ; Miss and Bro . T . Woods , Bro . W . Wright , P . P . G . Org . ; Bro . L . Lake , Miss and Bro . W . G . Whitb y , Bros . W . F . Sanger , 216 3 ; G . Richter , 749 ; R . Gerbert , 836 ; A . Hare , 511 ; E . W . Nighlingale , P . M . ; and others .

First Ball Of The Fellowship Lodge, No. 2535.

FIRST BALL OF THE FELLOWSHIP LODGE , No . 2535 .

The phenomenal success which has attended the Fellowship Lodge daring its ' brief existence has more than realised the expectations of the founders , and this grand result has been achieved by the indefatigable exertions of Bro . James Stephens , P . P . G . D ., the founder and Secretary of the lodge , and the genial presidency of Bro . W . H . Bailey , P . P . G . W ., G . Treas . nominate . It was recentl y observed by a distinguished Grand Officer that Bro . Stephens ' s name was a synonym for success , and a further proof of this was forthcoming in the first ball

of the Fellowship Lodge , held in the King ' s Hall , Holborn Restaurant , on the ioth inst ., when yet another record was added to the many already established . The hall presented an animated appearance shortly after nine o ' clock , when dancing commenced to the strains of Bro . Henry Tinney ' s excellent band . A dispensation having bcen obtained , Masonic clothing was worn by the brethren ( and their regalia and jewels , together with the varied and charming toilettes of the ladies , rendered the scene bright and picturesque .

Shortly after midnight an adjournment was made for supper , which was served in a manner worthy of the fame of the establishment , and the usual brief list of toasts was then proceeded with .

" The Queen and the rest of the Royal Family" was heartily honoured . Bro . J AMES STEPHENS , P . P . G . D . Bucks , in proposing "The Health of the W . M ., " said he read in the Daily ' Telegraph that the Master of the Glass-sellers ' Company was about to hold a banquet , at which there would be no after-dinner speeches . He could hardly understand that in an assembly of gentlemen , but could understand it if ladies were present , for they all knew how the fair sex could

control their tongues . He did not advocate the course about to be pursued , but , like the VV . M ., he objected to long speeches . They were present for enjoyment , and the art of Terpsichore would better suit them . They , however , had a duty to perform , and that was to acknowledge their Worshipful Master ' s presence in the chair . Those present who were not associated with the Masonic Order were not aware that the W . M . was an autocrat , but there were many present personall y connected with their Worshipful Master who were well aware that he never knew

how to be an autocrat . On the contrary , wherever Bro . Bailey reigned it was always with geniality and kindness of manner and the acme of perfection . Bro . Bailey was the first Worshipful Master of the lodge , and , by his popularity , had made many records , but he had that night established yet another one to the already long list . The gathering had been such a gigantic success for a new lodge that they were indebted to the Worshipful Master , and would acknowledge that indebtedness by drinking his right hearty good health . Bro . W . H . BAILEY , G . Treas . nominate , W . M ., in response , said he did not know how to thank his good friend , Bro . Stephens , for all the good things he had