-
Articles/Ads
Article SURREY MASONIC HALL. Page 1 of 1 Article DOUBLE WEDDING AT RICHMOND. Page 1 of 1 Article DOUBLE WEDDING AT RICHMOND. Page 1 of 1 Article DOUBLE WEDDING AT RICHMOND. Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article INSTRUCTION. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Surrey Masonic Hall.
SURREY MASONIC HALL .
We are much gratified to be able to announce that at length the directors of this Company find themselves in a position to forthwith commence the erection of the Hall at Camberwell , and to proceed with the building with all proper dispatch . At the meeting of the board , held on
the 14 th inst ., after the appointment of Bro . Edwin Sillifant , as Secretary , and the completion of other routine business , Bro . J . Oliver , whose tender had been accepted , was instructed to make all necessary arrangements for the laying of the foundation stone in March next
when it is anticipated that the ceremony will be conducted by a most distinguished member of the Craft . The share list is now rapidly approaching completion , and it is contemplated that an early date will be appointed for closing the same . It is therefore advisable that those who may
desire to associate themselves with this undertaking should make immediate application for remaining unalloted shares . Weather permiting , the South London brethren may during the next few weeks see the necessary excavations and the builders preparations for the forthcoming ceremony .
Double Wedding At Richmond.
DOUBLE WEDDING AT RICHMOND .
The merest stranger visiting Richmond on Thursday morning must have been struck with the holiday appearance of the principal streets . Strings of flags spanned the thoroughfares , and banners fluttered in the breeze in all directions , many of the houses being made gay by a stray
piece of bunting . The few straggling gleams of sunshine which made their way through the clouds glinted on signs of out-of-the-way rejoicing . Had his curiosity led him so far , he would have judged from the preparatfons at the parish church ( the carpet laid along the pavements and
an awning stretching from the church door to the church-yard gate ) that a marriage was on the tapis . Had he been content , however , with drawing his own conclusions , he would have gone away with but half the truth . He would not have known that a somewhat uncommon
occurrence—a double wedding on a scale of magnificence which has not been seen , even in Richmond , for many years—was to take place that morning . Yet such was the case . Thursday was the day fixed for the nuptials of the two elder daughters of our justly popular neighbour ,
Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Burdett , of Ancaster House , Richmond ; and the bourgeoisie , with a commendable spirit of emulation , " dressed " their houses in the way we have indicated in order to do honour to the auspicious event : and to show their sympathy with the Colonel and his
family . The wedding was , as we have said , a double one—Miss Flora Frances Burdett , the Colonel ' s eldest daughter , was married to Dnncan Davidson , Esq ., the " younger" of Inchmarlo ,
Aberdeenshire—that is to say , the eldest son of Patrick Davidson , Esq ., the present laird—and Miss Clara Constance Burdett , the second daughter , bestowed her hand on Robert Alexander Houston , the eldest son of Colonel Houston , of Clerkington , East Lothian .
The wedding was fixed for a quarter past eleven , and long before that hour the church was filled in every part . Half the seats in the nave were sst apart for the use of the wedding guests and the privileged few who were favoured with tickets which entitled them to admission within
the charmed circle : and the rest of the sacred edifice , including even the galleries , was occupied by a crowd of curious spectators . The costly toilet of the ladies of the hymeneal party ( the colours of which were at once rich and sober ; they consisted of violet of every shade , blue , and
white ) , combined with the Christmas decorations of the church , imparted a beauty and variety of colour to the scene , as charming in effect , as it was chaste in desi gn-Mr . Davidson entered the church soon after
eleven o ' clock . He was attended b y Mr . W . F . Davidson , R . A ., his brother , who acted as his " best man , " and by four other groomsmen—Major Bill ; Mr . Alan Mackenzie , the younger , ofKintuil ; Capt . Rickman , R . N . ; and Capt
Double Wedding At Richmond.
Hales . With commendable punctuality , Mr . Houston arrived on the scene , at a quarter past eleven . His groomsmen were—Messrs . M . H . Houstoun ( best man ) and Wallace Houston , his brother , the Hon . C . Ruthven , the Hon . D . Murray , and Master Burdett . He had entertained his friends at a final bachelor ' s dinner at the
Roebuck Hotel on the previous evening . The bridegrooms awaited the arrival of their ladyelovcs at the altar rails , with what patience they could summon to their assistance . And their patience was in the present case doomed to a sore trial . The ladies availed themselves of the
privilege always—and especially on occasions of this kind—accorded to the fair sex , the right to be unpunctual , to an extent not often insisted upon . Half-past eleven struck , and the longhand of the clock had passed the virr ., but still they did not come . The organist ( Mr .
Abbott ) played Mendelssohn ' s aria , " O rest in the Lord , " and filled up the interval with a number of cleverly extemporised voluntaries ; and the wedding party and spectators were evidently getting anxious , in spite of the fact , revealed by a pretty general consultation of watches , that
the church clock was too fast , when just as the hand was approaching the ix ., the strains of Handel ' s , " O ! had I Jubal's lyre , " announced the fact that the ladies had come , and that the wedding procession was being formed in the western porch . The said procession made its
way up the centre aisle in the customary order , the organist playing the tune to the hymn ( No . 65 , Ancient and Modern ) , " Jesus , the very thought is sweet , " which was to have been sung by the congregation , who , however , were so entranced b y the good looks and charming toilets
of the ladies that they forgot to use their voices . Arrived at the altar , the ceremony was proceeded with without delay , the Rev . J . W . Reeve , of Portland Chapel , Baker-street , tying the nuptial knot for Mr . Davidson and Miss Burdett ; and the Rev . W . M . Sherrard , rector
of Kilcullen , County Kildare , consummating the happiness of the other couple . The Colonel gave both brides away . While the party were in the vestry performing the very necessary operation of signing the register , Mr . Abbot played , Mendelssohn ' s "Wedding March" and
Handel s " Happy we ; ' and as they left the church , he struck up , " See the conquering hero comes . '" The first words which met the eyes of the newly-married brides , as they passed through the vestry door on their return into the chancel were those of the inscription along the
front of the western gallery of the church , " Behold ! I bring you good tidings of great joy . " And no doubt each felt the joy that , in her case , true love had surmounted all the obstacles which want of smoothness in its course—for it is not always smooth—might have placed in its way ,
and that no impediments had been admitted to the union of true hearts . Just at that moment the church bells took up the refrain , and spread the " good tidings" far and wide . Leaving the church the party returned to Ancaster House , the residence of Colonel Burdett
where a really splendid dejeuner was served by Mr . Ferrar , of the Queen ' s Hotel , Richmond . The tables were ornamented with quite a profusion of silver and glass , and a number of choice plants , with white blooms , in ornamental pots , suppled by Mr . Herbst , besides a couple
of monster wedding cakes . Everything was of the daintiest and choicest description ; the hams , cakes , & c , bore the initials of the newly-married couples and their parents , and the boar ' s head was quite a model one . The colonel , of course ,
presided ; he was supported on either side by his newly-married daughters ( before each of whom was a bunch of lilies of the valley and a basket of" forbidden fruit" ) and their husbands and bridesmaids , the party numbering , in all , nearly a hundred .
The customary toasts were drunk , special honour being done to " The Brides and Bridegrooms , " and the happy couples left Richmond on their bridal tours , amid a perfect shower
of slippers , we are sorry to say , of rain also . Mr . and Mrs . Davidson drove to the Victoria Railway Station , en route for the Continent ; and Mr . and Mrs . Houstoun " to Waterloo , for Southampton and the Isle of Wight . We had almost forgotten to state—but " it is never too late to
Double Wedding At Richmond.
mend —that before sitting down to breakfast , Mr . Byrne took a good photograph of the wedding group in their bridal attire ; and that the upholstery in the house and at the church was executed under the direction of Mr . Piggott . The wedding presents were both numerous
and cosily—those of each bride filling a room . Immediately after the ceremony the news that the knots were fairly tied , was despatched to Scotland by telegraph , and bonfires were lighted , guns were fired , and bells rung on the
estates of Inchmarlo and Clerkington in commemoration of the double event . The servants and labourers on each estate were entertained to a dinner and ball , and the healths of the young couples were drunk with all the honours . — Richmond and Twickenham Times .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
RIGHTS OF VISITING BRETHREN .
To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Your leading article of the 17 th inst . on the above subject has taken me by surprise , and certainly I cannot endorse the decision you have arrived at . If the rule means that no visitor can be admitted without being personally known or
recommended by one of the present brethren what can be the use of the words " after the examination by one of the present brethren ?" You will , I think , hardly contend that when the visitor is known and vouched for , it is still necessary he should undergo an examination before being admitted .
It seems to me the following is intended by the rule in question . If the person applying for admission is not known by any present , he is then to be examined , and if the brother appointed to examine him can vouch for his being a Mason he shall then be admitted . Perhaps some of our brethren who have
previous editions of the Book of Constitutions will refer to them and ascertain whether it is not a mistake putting a comma between " for" and " after , " as if so the sentence would read " unless he be personally known , recommended , or well vouched for after the examination by one of the present brethren . "
As this question is a very important one , affecting as it does so materially the rights of visitors , I hope before it is allowed to drop we shall have some authoritative decision on the subject . Yours fraternally , M . J . M .
Instruction.
INSTRUCTION .
BURDETT COUTTS LODGE OF INSTRUCTION . —The fifteen sections were worked in the above lodge on Friday the 16 th inst . Bro . G . Gottheil , P . M . 141 presided , assisted by Bro . Verrv , P . M . 554 as S . W ., Bro . J . Constable , S . W . 185 as J . W ., Bro . Mortlock , P . M . 174 as P . M .,
Bro . Crouch , I . G . The following brethren worked the sections : —Bros . Raven , Lazarus , Crouch , Fieldwick , Coles , Gross , Verry , Christian , Berry , Hoyard , Pindar , Vorry , Wallington , Constable , Mortlock . The proceedings commenced at twenty minutes after seven and the
whole of the work , together with the ordinary business of the lodge , was completed a few minutes after ten . This speaks well for the efficiency of the members of the lodge , and the hig hest praise is justly deserved by Bro . Verry its [ excellent preceptor , who is unremitting
in his attention to the lodge , which just before his advent , and whilst under the guidance of a brother who was certainly not the " right man in the right place , " was on the point of drooping out of existence , but the tact , courtesy , ability and perseverance of Bro . Verry has so far
succeeded as to place the lodge in a fair way to resume its . former prosperous position . The brethren in the neig hbourhood ambitious for advancement in the order are fortunate in the opportunity which this lodge offers for qualifying
themselves , under the guidance of this able preceptor . EBURY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION ( NO . 1348 ) . —The fifteen sections will be worked on Thursday next , January 29 th , at Bro . Palmer ' s , Morpeth Arms Ponsonbv-street , Millbank .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Surrey Masonic Hall.
SURREY MASONIC HALL .
We are much gratified to be able to announce that at length the directors of this Company find themselves in a position to forthwith commence the erection of the Hall at Camberwell , and to proceed with the building with all proper dispatch . At the meeting of the board , held on
the 14 th inst ., after the appointment of Bro . Edwin Sillifant , as Secretary , and the completion of other routine business , Bro . J . Oliver , whose tender had been accepted , was instructed to make all necessary arrangements for the laying of the foundation stone in March next
when it is anticipated that the ceremony will be conducted by a most distinguished member of the Craft . The share list is now rapidly approaching completion , and it is contemplated that an early date will be appointed for closing the same . It is therefore advisable that those who may
desire to associate themselves with this undertaking should make immediate application for remaining unalloted shares . Weather permiting , the South London brethren may during the next few weeks see the necessary excavations and the builders preparations for the forthcoming ceremony .
Double Wedding At Richmond.
DOUBLE WEDDING AT RICHMOND .
The merest stranger visiting Richmond on Thursday morning must have been struck with the holiday appearance of the principal streets . Strings of flags spanned the thoroughfares , and banners fluttered in the breeze in all directions , many of the houses being made gay by a stray
piece of bunting . The few straggling gleams of sunshine which made their way through the clouds glinted on signs of out-of-the-way rejoicing . Had his curiosity led him so far , he would have judged from the preparatfons at the parish church ( the carpet laid along the pavements and
an awning stretching from the church door to the church-yard gate ) that a marriage was on the tapis . Had he been content , however , with drawing his own conclusions , he would have gone away with but half the truth . He would not have known that a somewhat uncommon
occurrence—a double wedding on a scale of magnificence which has not been seen , even in Richmond , for many years—was to take place that morning . Yet such was the case . Thursday was the day fixed for the nuptials of the two elder daughters of our justly popular neighbour ,
Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Burdett , of Ancaster House , Richmond ; and the bourgeoisie , with a commendable spirit of emulation , " dressed " their houses in the way we have indicated in order to do honour to the auspicious event : and to show their sympathy with the Colonel and his
family . The wedding was , as we have said , a double one—Miss Flora Frances Burdett , the Colonel ' s eldest daughter , was married to Dnncan Davidson , Esq ., the " younger" of Inchmarlo ,
Aberdeenshire—that is to say , the eldest son of Patrick Davidson , Esq ., the present laird—and Miss Clara Constance Burdett , the second daughter , bestowed her hand on Robert Alexander Houston , the eldest son of Colonel Houston , of Clerkington , East Lothian .
The wedding was fixed for a quarter past eleven , and long before that hour the church was filled in every part . Half the seats in the nave were sst apart for the use of the wedding guests and the privileged few who were favoured with tickets which entitled them to admission within
the charmed circle : and the rest of the sacred edifice , including even the galleries , was occupied by a crowd of curious spectators . The costly toilet of the ladies of the hymeneal party ( the colours of which were at once rich and sober ; they consisted of violet of every shade , blue , and
white ) , combined with the Christmas decorations of the church , imparted a beauty and variety of colour to the scene , as charming in effect , as it was chaste in desi gn-Mr . Davidson entered the church soon after
eleven o ' clock . He was attended b y Mr . W . F . Davidson , R . A ., his brother , who acted as his " best man , " and by four other groomsmen—Major Bill ; Mr . Alan Mackenzie , the younger , ofKintuil ; Capt . Rickman , R . N . ; and Capt
Double Wedding At Richmond.
Hales . With commendable punctuality , Mr . Houston arrived on the scene , at a quarter past eleven . His groomsmen were—Messrs . M . H . Houstoun ( best man ) and Wallace Houston , his brother , the Hon . C . Ruthven , the Hon . D . Murray , and Master Burdett . He had entertained his friends at a final bachelor ' s dinner at the
Roebuck Hotel on the previous evening . The bridegrooms awaited the arrival of their ladyelovcs at the altar rails , with what patience they could summon to their assistance . And their patience was in the present case doomed to a sore trial . The ladies availed themselves of the
privilege always—and especially on occasions of this kind—accorded to the fair sex , the right to be unpunctual , to an extent not often insisted upon . Half-past eleven struck , and the longhand of the clock had passed the virr ., but still they did not come . The organist ( Mr .
Abbott ) played Mendelssohn ' s aria , " O rest in the Lord , " and filled up the interval with a number of cleverly extemporised voluntaries ; and the wedding party and spectators were evidently getting anxious , in spite of the fact , revealed by a pretty general consultation of watches , that
the church clock was too fast , when just as the hand was approaching the ix ., the strains of Handel ' s , " O ! had I Jubal's lyre , " announced the fact that the ladies had come , and that the wedding procession was being formed in the western porch . The said procession made its
way up the centre aisle in the customary order , the organist playing the tune to the hymn ( No . 65 , Ancient and Modern ) , " Jesus , the very thought is sweet , " which was to have been sung by the congregation , who , however , were so entranced b y the good looks and charming toilets
of the ladies that they forgot to use their voices . Arrived at the altar , the ceremony was proceeded with without delay , the Rev . J . W . Reeve , of Portland Chapel , Baker-street , tying the nuptial knot for Mr . Davidson and Miss Burdett ; and the Rev . W . M . Sherrard , rector
of Kilcullen , County Kildare , consummating the happiness of the other couple . The Colonel gave both brides away . While the party were in the vestry performing the very necessary operation of signing the register , Mr . Abbot played , Mendelssohn ' s "Wedding March" and
Handel s " Happy we ; ' and as they left the church , he struck up , " See the conquering hero comes . '" The first words which met the eyes of the newly-married brides , as they passed through the vestry door on their return into the chancel were those of the inscription along the
front of the western gallery of the church , " Behold ! I bring you good tidings of great joy . " And no doubt each felt the joy that , in her case , true love had surmounted all the obstacles which want of smoothness in its course—for it is not always smooth—might have placed in its way ,
and that no impediments had been admitted to the union of true hearts . Just at that moment the church bells took up the refrain , and spread the " good tidings" far and wide . Leaving the church the party returned to Ancaster House , the residence of Colonel Burdett
where a really splendid dejeuner was served by Mr . Ferrar , of the Queen ' s Hotel , Richmond . The tables were ornamented with quite a profusion of silver and glass , and a number of choice plants , with white blooms , in ornamental pots , suppled by Mr . Herbst , besides a couple
of monster wedding cakes . Everything was of the daintiest and choicest description ; the hams , cakes , & c , bore the initials of the newly-married couples and their parents , and the boar ' s head was quite a model one . The colonel , of course ,
presided ; he was supported on either side by his newly-married daughters ( before each of whom was a bunch of lilies of the valley and a basket of" forbidden fruit" ) and their husbands and bridesmaids , the party numbering , in all , nearly a hundred .
The customary toasts were drunk , special honour being done to " The Brides and Bridegrooms , " and the happy couples left Richmond on their bridal tours , amid a perfect shower
of slippers , we are sorry to say , of rain also . Mr . and Mrs . Davidson drove to the Victoria Railway Station , en route for the Continent ; and Mr . and Mrs . Houstoun " to Waterloo , for Southampton and the Isle of Wight . We had almost forgotten to state—but " it is never too late to
Double Wedding At Richmond.
mend —that before sitting down to breakfast , Mr . Byrne took a good photograph of the wedding group in their bridal attire ; and that the upholstery in the house and at the church was executed under the direction of Mr . Piggott . The wedding presents were both numerous
and cosily—those of each bride filling a room . Immediately after the ceremony the news that the knots were fairly tied , was despatched to Scotland by telegraph , and bonfires were lighted , guns were fired , and bells rung on the
estates of Inchmarlo and Clerkington in commemoration of the double event . The servants and labourers on each estate were entertained to a dinner and ball , and the healths of the young couples were drunk with all the honours . — Richmond and Twickenham Times .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
RIGHTS OF VISITING BRETHREN .
To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Your leading article of the 17 th inst . on the above subject has taken me by surprise , and certainly I cannot endorse the decision you have arrived at . If the rule means that no visitor can be admitted without being personally known or
recommended by one of the present brethren what can be the use of the words " after the examination by one of the present brethren ?" You will , I think , hardly contend that when the visitor is known and vouched for , it is still necessary he should undergo an examination before being admitted .
It seems to me the following is intended by the rule in question . If the person applying for admission is not known by any present , he is then to be examined , and if the brother appointed to examine him can vouch for his being a Mason he shall then be admitted . Perhaps some of our brethren who have
previous editions of the Book of Constitutions will refer to them and ascertain whether it is not a mistake putting a comma between " for" and " after , " as if so the sentence would read " unless he be personally known , recommended , or well vouched for after the examination by one of the present brethren . "
As this question is a very important one , affecting as it does so materially the rights of visitors , I hope before it is allowed to drop we shall have some authoritative decision on the subject . Yours fraternally , M . J . M .
Instruction.
INSTRUCTION .
BURDETT COUTTS LODGE OF INSTRUCTION . —The fifteen sections were worked in the above lodge on Friday the 16 th inst . Bro . G . Gottheil , P . M . 141 presided , assisted by Bro . Verrv , P . M . 554 as S . W ., Bro . J . Constable , S . W . 185 as J . W ., Bro . Mortlock , P . M . 174 as P . M .,
Bro . Crouch , I . G . The following brethren worked the sections : —Bros . Raven , Lazarus , Crouch , Fieldwick , Coles , Gross , Verry , Christian , Berry , Hoyard , Pindar , Vorry , Wallington , Constable , Mortlock . The proceedings commenced at twenty minutes after seven and the
whole of the work , together with the ordinary business of the lodge , was completed a few minutes after ten . This speaks well for the efficiency of the members of the lodge , and the hig hest praise is justly deserved by Bro . Verry its [ excellent preceptor , who is unremitting
in his attention to the lodge , which just before his advent , and whilst under the guidance of a brother who was certainly not the " right man in the right place , " was on the point of drooping out of existence , but the tact , courtesy , ability and perseverance of Bro . Verry has so far
succeeded as to place the lodge in a fair way to resume its . former prosperous position . The brethren in the neig hbourhood ambitious for advancement in the order are fortunate in the opportunity which this lodge offers for qualifying
themselves , under the guidance of this able preceptor . EBURY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION ( NO . 1348 ) . —The fifteen sections will be worked on Thursday next , January 29 th , at Bro . Palmer ' s , Morpeth Arms Ponsonbv-street , Millbank .