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Contents.
CONTENTS .
g ^ « MAVo » cMi «;»™ -- l 6 x R Cra £ t Masonry ' < £ f ^^ fKc ^ pt ^ RnY ::: z ::: YY : z : YYZYYYYYY io 4 erne Grantl Chapter 164 § 1 , | Rlaionic Benevolent Institution 16 3 "T * clUi-if-nearc Memorial at Stratford-on-Avon 165 J ^ ccrali-vn of the Samson Lodge i 6 j flnDcr Norwood Lodge Benevolent Fund 1 O 5 t
- » ' „«; p and ijeneriu numgs *«<; > ^ Movements of onr Royal Grand Master 16 C hi . c-mine Report of the Boys' School 166 The Grand ' Festival 167 The Pontvpridd Miners i 67 nov / and'Girls' School Voting 167 nVlernorinm 16 ? War or Peace i « 7 Masonic Notes and Queries ifi ? r / ioRESI'ONOEXCE : — Metropolitan Charity Voting 16 S
The Exclusion of the Hebrews iGS Roval Masonic Institution for Girls 168 ^ Disgraceful Occurrence iGS Xhe Installation En-rraving 168 Consecration of the Adelphi Lotlge , No . 16 J 0 16 S Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 16 9 Obituary ' ?" Lodge Meetings for Next Week 170 Advertisements 170 , 1 . ii . iii . iv . v . vi .
Grand Festival.
GRAND FESTIVAL .
The Grand Festival of Ancient and Accepted Alasons of Eng land was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons ' Tavern . Before the Festival , Grand Lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , for the appointment and investiture of the Grand Officers for the ensuing year . Grand Lodge was very numerously attended , there being about 600 of
the brethren present . Thc Alost Worshipful the Grand Alaster , H . R H . the Prince of Wales , was not present , he having recently gone to the East for the benefit of his health . His place , however was occupied by the Alost Worshipful the Pro Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , who was supported on his right by the Deputy Grand Alaster , Lord Skelmersdale , antl on
his left by Dr . Hamilton , the District Grand Alaster of Jamaica . The Grand Officers of the year were in their places , viz ., ' the Right Hon . the Earl of Donoughmore , S . G . W . ; the Hon . William Warren Vernon , J . G . W . ; Sev . Robert Spencer Wigram , and Rev . Charles William Arnold , Grand Chaplains ; Samuel Tomkins , Grand Treasurer ; / Eneas J . Alclntyre , Q . C , Grand Registrar ;
John B . Alonckton , F . S . A ., President of the Board of General Purposes ; John Hervey , Grand Secretary ; Ernest Emil Wcndt , Grand Secretary for German Correspondence ; Lieut .-Col . Thos . Birchall , and Thos . W . Boord , ALP ., Senior Grand Deacons ; Edward J . Barron , and J . Alarch Case , Junior Grand Deacons ; F . P . Cockerel ) , Grand Superintendent of Works ; Sir Albert W . Woods , Garter ,
P . G . W ., Grand Director of Ceremonies ; William Rhys Williams , AI . D ., Asst . Grand Director of Ceremonies ; W . Francis Nettleship , Grand Sword Bearer ; Wilhelm Kuhe , Grand Organist ; E . P . Albert , Grand Pursuivant ; S . G . Foxall , Asst . Grand Pursuivant ; and C . B . Payne , Tyler . Among the other brethren present were the Earl of Shrewsbury , Lord Tenterden , Lord De Tabley , Captain Piatt ,
James Glashier , the Rev . C . J . Alartyn , the Rev . Sir J . W . Hayes , Thomas Fenn , S . Rawson , J . M . Clabon , Raynham W . Stewart , Major Shadwell Gierke , Capt . N . G . Philips , Colonel Somerville-Burney , Ex-Sheriff Hutton , Cameron Churchill , P . AL , P . Prov . G . Reg . Oxon . ( Northern Bar Lodge ) -, and H . Alassey ( Freemason ) . Grand L » dge having been formally opened , Grand
Secretary read the minutes of last Grand Lodge as far as related to the election of the M . W . G . M . These having been put and confirmed , Lord Carnarvon said : It is now my duty to proceed , in the name and place of His Royal Highness the Grand Master , to thc appointment of the Grand Officers for the ensuing year . I have in the first instance to announce
that H . R . H . has been graciously pleased to appoint me Pro Grand Alaster for tlie ensuing year . ( Loutl applause . ) I have next to announce that H . R . H . has been pleased graciously to appoint my noble friend Lord Skelmersdale as Deputy Grand Alaster . ( Renewed applause . ) There is only one other point which I may take the opportunity of mentioning to Grand Lotlge , and that is the regret which His Royal Highness the Grand Alaster feels at being
unable to be present here to-tlay . He is unavoidably , as you are all aware , detained abroad at this moment . Brethren , there is yet one other point to which I wish to direct your attention . Grand Lodge is honoured to-day by the acceptance of the offices of Senior and Junior Grand Wardenship by His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught , and His Royal Highness Prince Leopold . ( Cheers . ) I regret greatly , and Granil Lodge will regret equally , that neither of these two illustrious Piinces can be here to
receive thc badges and symbols of the office which they have undertaken . The Duke of Connaught is in Ireland , and " R . H . Prince Leopold , I am afraid , is at this moment suffering so much from indisposition that he is unable to attend ; and therefore it will be necessary that they should receive the insignia of their office from thc hands of some other brethren .
The customary salutes were then given to the Pro Grand Master , after which Lord Skelmersdale was re-invested and saluted as Deputy Grand Alaster . The Earl ot Donoughmore and the Hon . W . Warren Vernon were then invested as proxies for the Duke of Connaught , S . G . W ., and Prince Leopold as J . G . W . The other brethren appointed and invested were Bros .
'he Rev . Charles W . Arnold and W . Lake Onslow , G . Chaplains ; Samuel Tomkins , re-elected G . Treas . ; ill . J- M'Intyre , Q . C . re-appointed G . Reg . ; John Hervey , " appointed G . Sec ; E . E . Wendt , re-appointed G . Sec . for German Correspondence ; Capt . N . G . Philips and Peter Dc L . Long , Senior G . Deacons ; H . C . Tombs and E . J . Morris , Junior G . Deacons : F . P . Cockerell , G . Supt . of
Grand Festival.
. Wks . ; Sir Albert W . Woods ( Garter ) re-appointed G . Dir . of Cers . -, F . Robinson , Assist . Dir . of Cers . ; Geo . Toller , G . Swd . B . ; C . E . Willing , G . Org . ; H . G . Buss , Assist . G . Sec . ; S . G . Foxall and W . T . Howe , G . Purst . ; and C . P . Payne , re-appointed G . Tyler . On investing Bro . Tomkins the Earl of Carnarvon said hc had to congratulate him on the appointment ,
but he had to congratulate still more Grand Lodge on the re-election of so worthy a brother . To Bro . Alclntyre he said it was his grateful duty to declare that the services he had rendered to Grand Lodge were many and great . To Grand Secretary he said ( the cheers being exceedingly hearty ) , that it was a satisfaction to feel that on his re-appointment the expression of Grand Lodge was
more eloquent than any words he ( Lord Carnarvon ) could bestow , and he congratulated him heartily . To Capt . Philips he said it was a very great pleasure to him that an old schoolfellow of ^ his should have obtained this appointment . When Bro . H . G . Buss was invested amid loud cheering , Lord Carnarvon said to him , it washis duty now to confer on him the collar of Assistant Grand
Secretary . He entered upon a new office . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Grand Alaster , had been pleased to create , or rather he should say , to revive an office , which he doubted not Bro . Buss would discharge well , as he was sure he had hitherto discharged his other duties faithfully . The business of Grand Lodge had shown that tendency to grow which was not inseparable from the increase of an
institution so great as Freemasonry ; and it had been found justly necessary to re-inforce the staff of Grand Secretary '* office . He doubted not that thc Grand Lodge would find in Bro . Buss a good and worthy Assistant Secretary , and he congratulated him most heartily on the appointment . Lord Carnarvon , after the other appointments had been made , said he had to announce that
the Grand Alaster had appointed Bro . Albert to take the rank and wear thc clothing of a P . G . Purst . Grand Secretary then read thc following list of Grand Stewards for the year : Bros . Charles Edwd . Smith , 58 ; A . A . Brittow . 14 -, C . O . Barker , 29 ; R . Gooding , 1 ; E . P . Deacon , 2 ; H . A . Bennett , 4 ; Major H . Scriven , S ; E . J . F . Fa , vcett , 6 ; J . P . Probert , 8 ; T . A . Alacey ,
21 ; C . Martin , 23 ; A . H . Henry , 26 ; G . H . Savage , 46 ; Capt . J . Wordsworth , 60 ; W . Surr , 91 ; A . Bell , 99 ; Thos . Donnithorn , 97 ; and F . H . Goldney , 259 . Before closing Grand Lodge Lord Carnarvon said : Brethren , nothing now remains but for me to close this Grand Lodge , the business being transacted ; and I take this opportunity to express to you a matter of very
sincere personal regret to myself , that at the last moment when and after I had fully hoped , and made up my mind to be present at the hanquet , 1 am called away by official business , against which it is perfectly vain to struggle . I shall therefore , unfortunately and sorely against my will and ray expectation , be obliged to absent myself immediately after the Grand lodge is closed . I have
only the satisfaction to know that my noble friend and brother , Lonl Skelmersdale , will take my place , and discharge my duties as efficiently as I could have done myself . Grand Lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a sumptuous banquet provided by the Grand Stewards , and supplied by Bro . E . Dawkins , the manager
of Freemasons'Tavern . All the arrangements were perfect , antl reflected the greatest credit on thc Board of Grand Stewards ,, who were Bros . F . S . Knyvett , 5 8 , President ; D . -. Edmund Nash , 14 , Treasurer ; Arthur J . R . Trcndell , 29 , Hon . Secretary ; Thos . T . Smith , 1 ; Dr . W . Hope , 2 -, B . C . Veley , 4 ; J . C . Havers , 5 -, Winthrop Alackworth Pracd , 6 ; J . L . Geigcr , 8 ; Robert Berridge ,
21 ; John Boyd , 23 * , Thos . C . Tatham , 26 ; William Kingsbury , 46 ; John C . Chancellor , 60 ; Henry John Reynolds , 91 : George Marshall , 99 ; William George Cusins , 197 ; and Gabriel Prior Goldney , 257 . Alter the banquet thc customary toasts were proposed . Lord Skelmersdale , in giving the toast of " the Queen , " said that her Alajesty was Patroness of the . Order , and she
always acted up to the greatest of its piecepts , charity . There was never a charitable case which came under her Alajesty ' s notice to which she did not give a ready response ; as witness the great mining accident in South Wales thc other tlay , when she telegraphed to know how those poor men were going on ; and ministered to their aid . If she did not belong to the Order as a member , she was one of them in heart .
Lord Skelmersdale then gave " Thc Health of H . R . H . the Princess of Wales , aud the other Alembers of the Royal Family , " antl that of " H . R . H . the AI . W . G . AI . " He said hc took the liberty of coupling these two toasts , not on account of time , but because this was the first occasion on which they hatl the oppoitunity cf including two other members of the Royal Family otherwise than the Prince of Wales in Grand Lodge . The brethren had been told by the Pro Grand Alaster the reason the Grand Alaster
was not present ; and thc brethren all regretted his absence ; but when they knew that he had gone abroad for the benefit of his health , and tbat being abroad was doing him good , they would not regret his absence . The Princess of Wales was also abroad , but he hoped we should soon see her bright , genial face again amongst us . Her Royal Highness had endeared herself to us , he
believed , more than anyone thought it possible for any one women to do . Not to dwell any longer on this subject , he would only add that it was a great day for Freemasonry when they saw three Princes of the blood Royal occupying the three first chairs in Grand Lotlge . They were not present , but that was not their fault . The Duke ot Connaught was now occupied with his duties in Ireland ,
and it was utterly impossible that hc should have come today among the brethren , and he believed he would be in London only for ten days this season . Prince Leopold likewise was not present , for the reason that he was not in that state to take any liberty with his health . The brethren all wished his health was in better order . Although these two Princes were not present they both had their
Grand Festival.
hearts in Masonry , and both wished themselves with the brethren . Lord Skelmersdale , in proposing " The Health of the R . W . the Pro Grand Master , " said the brethren had seen in Grand Lotlge how sorry his lordship was to leave them , and for his ( Lord Skelmcrsdale's ) own part he knew Lord Carnarvon had the fullest intention to be present . It was
only within a very short time before the opening of Grand Lodge that he found it would be impossible to remain . There was no better Mason in England , no man who more thoroughly had Freemasonry at heart and who wished to do good to it and encourage it in every possible way . Lord De Tabley , proposed " the Health of the R . W . the
Deputy Grand Master . " Lord Skelmersdale in reply said it gave him great pleasure to be present , but at the same time great pain , for he had made up his mind to sit still , enjoy a good dinner , hear some good speeches and some good singing , and have nothing to say . But he was placed in the position of chairman suddenly , and he had nothing to do but to ask
the brethren ' s forgiveness for his short-comings . He had little to say about himself , but what he would say was that he congratulated the brethren presiding and the Craft generally 011 the way in which the Order was progressing and increasing . Hc knew it in more ways than one . He knew it in his own province of West Lancashire where it had become almost unwieldy . He knew it in Grand
Secretary ' s office , because he had to sign his name a great many times , and Bro . Hervey's postage bill must be very large . The brethren knew they were prosperous , and they showed that they felt it by the munificent gift they made the other day to the Life-boat Institution that would be a lasting record of the gratitude of the Freemasons of this country for the safe return of the Prince of Wales from a
foreign country . He was happy to-day that the Committee appointed to confer with the Secretary of that Institution as to the site of the lifeboats would very soon make th ; ir report , and he would say without hesitation that the places selected were those which he thought every one would agree were the best suited for the placing of lifeboats . Coming unprepared for the position of
Chairman it was difficult for him to make a Alasonic speech , but he might say that the brethren would not differ from him when he said that hc thought that with increase of brethren throughout the country they ought also to see a progressive increase in their charities . The brethren would say he was reading them an oft-told tale , and he believed he had spoken on the same subject before ; but it
was one he had at heart , and hc would never stand up in that hall , or any other Masonic place in the world , without saying a word about charity . He had said before that Her Alajesty took great interest in everything that was charitable , and hc might say of Freemasons that without charity Freemasonry was nothing . They were a grand and magnificent body , increasing day by day ; therefore
let them see that their charities increased also day by day . His lordship after again thanking the brethren for the toast they had drank , gave " The Health of thc Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland , " and coupled with it the name of Bro . Laurie , Grand Alaster of Nova Scotia . ' Bro . Laurie , in reply , said he was an old English Alason himself , but had gone abroad in the course of his
duties , and at the request of a large number of Masons in one of our colonies , where a new Grand Lodge was lately established , had accepted the position of Grand Alaster . The matter of forming Grand Lodges had come before the brethren , and finally they came to the conclusion that it was best to encourage it . The R . W . D . G . AI . had spoken about the increase of Alasonry at home . He ( Bro .
Laurie ) could tell them a great deal about the increase of Alasonry on the other side of the Atlantic . It had been his duty and his pleasure to visit Grand Lodges in America . He had seen 8000 in one state of the Union , and 25 , 000 present atthe dedication of a Alasonic temple . That was in one state , thc State of New York , and the other states had something like a proportionate number .
Alasonry was strong and very progressive on that side of the Atlantic . Referring also to the fact of recognising Colonial Grand Lodges , it was , he believed , following the policy which was politically followed by our government in giving self-government to the colonies . Instead of their being opposed to the mother country they felt that they had the hearts of Englishmen , and they were a group of
children growing round their parent , and willing to take a share when need be in the burdens of the Empire . And so it was Alasonically , and in the Grand Lodge over which he had thc honour to preside , thc lodges held fast to the register of the Grand Lodge of England ; they had their number from their own Grand Lodge , but they preferred more—he was staking his own authority when he said
so—the number they held on the register of England . He could only say he should do his best to keep them to that duty . With that view , with their desire to build up Masonry , to perpetuate in English colonics the holding fast their allegiance to England , our Queen and our old country , as Alasons as well as citizens , they would always strive .
Bro . W . W . Beech , ALP ., proposed the toast of " The G . Wardens and other Grand Officers , Past and Present . " It marked an auspicious era in the annuals of Freemasonry when the Royal Princes were appointed as Grand Wardens of Grand Lotlge . He hoped it would be an incentive to additional inteicst on their part in Masonry . He would say " Alay Freemasonry flourish under their auspices . " They had been told the great ' English Princes were
promoters of the order ; but never he thought in the more palmy days of Freemasonry were two Princes made in one day recipients of office in Grand Lodge . He trusted that those appointments would have one effect at least on the outer world , and particularly that section of it who were traducers of the Order , might be convinced that there could be nothing very essentially mischievous in a society of which the Heir Apparent was placed at the head , and in which two of his brothers were glad and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
g ^ « MAVo » cMi «;»™ -- l 6 x R Cra £ t Masonry ' < £ f ^^ fKc ^ pt ^ RnY ::: z ::: YY : z : YYZYYYYYY io 4 erne Grantl Chapter 164 § 1 , | Rlaionic Benevolent Institution 16 3 "T * clUi-if-nearc Memorial at Stratford-on-Avon 165 J ^ ccrali-vn of the Samson Lodge i 6 j flnDcr Norwood Lodge Benevolent Fund 1 O 5 t
- » ' „«; p and ijeneriu numgs *«<; > ^ Movements of onr Royal Grand Master 16 C hi . c-mine Report of the Boys' School 166 The Grand ' Festival 167 The Pontvpridd Miners i 67 nov / and'Girls' School Voting 167 nVlernorinm 16 ? War or Peace i « 7 Masonic Notes and Queries ifi ? r / ioRESI'ONOEXCE : — Metropolitan Charity Voting 16 S
The Exclusion of the Hebrews iGS Roval Masonic Institution for Girls 168 ^ Disgraceful Occurrence iGS Xhe Installation En-rraving 168 Consecration of the Adelphi Lotlge , No . 16 J 0 16 S Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 16 9 Obituary ' ?" Lodge Meetings for Next Week 170 Advertisements 170 , 1 . ii . iii . iv . v . vi .
Grand Festival.
GRAND FESTIVAL .
The Grand Festival of Ancient and Accepted Alasons of Eng land was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons ' Tavern . Before the Festival , Grand Lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , for the appointment and investiture of the Grand Officers for the ensuing year . Grand Lodge was very numerously attended , there being about 600 of
the brethren present . Thc Alost Worshipful the Grand Alaster , H . R H . the Prince of Wales , was not present , he having recently gone to the East for the benefit of his health . His place , however was occupied by the Alost Worshipful the Pro Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , who was supported on his right by the Deputy Grand Alaster , Lord Skelmersdale , antl on
his left by Dr . Hamilton , the District Grand Alaster of Jamaica . The Grand Officers of the year were in their places , viz ., ' the Right Hon . the Earl of Donoughmore , S . G . W . ; the Hon . William Warren Vernon , J . G . W . ; Sev . Robert Spencer Wigram , and Rev . Charles William Arnold , Grand Chaplains ; Samuel Tomkins , Grand Treasurer ; / Eneas J . Alclntyre , Q . C , Grand Registrar ;
John B . Alonckton , F . S . A ., President of the Board of General Purposes ; John Hervey , Grand Secretary ; Ernest Emil Wcndt , Grand Secretary for German Correspondence ; Lieut .-Col . Thos . Birchall , and Thos . W . Boord , ALP ., Senior Grand Deacons ; Edward J . Barron , and J . Alarch Case , Junior Grand Deacons ; F . P . Cockerel ) , Grand Superintendent of Works ; Sir Albert W . Woods , Garter ,
P . G . W ., Grand Director of Ceremonies ; William Rhys Williams , AI . D ., Asst . Grand Director of Ceremonies ; W . Francis Nettleship , Grand Sword Bearer ; Wilhelm Kuhe , Grand Organist ; E . P . Albert , Grand Pursuivant ; S . G . Foxall , Asst . Grand Pursuivant ; and C . B . Payne , Tyler . Among the other brethren present were the Earl of Shrewsbury , Lord Tenterden , Lord De Tabley , Captain Piatt ,
James Glashier , the Rev . C . J . Alartyn , the Rev . Sir J . W . Hayes , Thomas Fenn , S . Rawson , J . M . Clabon , Raynham W . Stewart , Major Shadwell Gierke , Capt . N . G . Philips , Colonel Somerville-Burney , Ex-Sheriff Hutton , Cameron Churchill , P . AL , P . Prov . G . Reg . Oxon . ( Northern Bar Lodge ) -, and H . Alassey ( Freemason ) . Grand L » dge having been formally opened , Grand
Secretary read the minutes of last Grand Lodge as far as related to the election of the M . W . G . M . These having been put and confirmed , Lord Carnarvon said : It is now my duty to proceed , in the name and place of His Royal Highness the Grand Master , to thc appointment of the Grand Officers for the ensuing year . I have in the first instance to announce
that H . R . H . has been graciously pleased to appoint me Pro Grand Alaster for tlie ensuing year . ( Loutl applause . ) I have next to announce that H . R . H . has been pleased graciously to appoint my noble friend Lord Skelmersdale as Deputy Grand Alaster . ( Renewed applause . ) There is only one other point which I may take the opportunity of mentioning to Grand Lotlge , and that is the regret which His Royal Highness the Grand Alaster feels at being
unable to be present here to-tlay . He is unavoidably , as you are all aware , detained abroad at this moment . Brethren , there is yet one other point to which I wish to direct your attention . Grand Lodge is honoured to-day by the acceptance of the offices of Senior and Junior Grand Wardenship by His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught , and His Royal Highness Prince Leopold . ( Cheers . ) I regret greatly , and Granil Lodge will regret equally , that neither of these two illustrious Piinces can be here to
receive thc badges and symbols of the office which they have undertaken . The Duke of Connaught is in Ireland , and " R . H . Prince Leopold , I am afraid , is at this moment suffering so much from indisposition that he is unable to attend ; and therefore it will be necessary that they should receive the insignia of their office from thc hands of some other brethren .
The customary salutes were then given to the Pro Grand Master , after which Lord Skelmersdale was re-invested and saluted as Deputy Grand Alaster . The Earl ot Donoughmore and the Hon . W . Warren Vernon were then invested as proxies for the Duke of Connaught , S . G . W ., and Prince Leopold as J . G . W . The other brethren appointed and invested were Bros .
'he Rev . Charles W . Arnold and W . Lake Onslow , G . Chaplains ; Samuel Tomkins , re-elected G . Treas . ; ill . J- M'Intyre , Q . C . re-appointed G . Reg . ; John Hervey , " appointed G . Sec ; E . E . Wendt , re-appointed G . Sec . for German Correspondence ; Capt . N . G . Philips and Peter Dc L . Long , Senior G . Deacons ; H . C . Tombs and E . J . Morris , Junior G . Deacons : F . P . Cockerell , G . Supt . of
Grand Festival.
. Wks . ; Sir Albert W . Woods ( Garter ) re-appointed G . Dir . of Cers . -, F . Robinson , Assist . Dir . of Cers . ; Geo . Toller , G . Swd . B . ; C . E . Willing , G . Org . ; H . G . Buss , Assist . G . Sec . ; S . G . Foxall and W . T . Howe , G . Purst . ; and C . P . Payne , re-appointed G . Tyler . On investing Bro . Tomkins the Earl of Carnarvon said hc had to congratulate him on the appointment ,
but he had to congratulate still more Grand Lodge on the re-election of so worthy a brother . To Bro . Alclntyre he said it was his grateful duty to declare that the services he had rendered to Grand Lodge were many and great . To Grand Secretary he said ( the cheers being exceedingly hearty ) , that it was a satisfaction to feel that on his re-appointment the expression of Grand Lodge was
more eloquent than any words he ( Lord Carnarvon ) could bestow , and he congratulated him heartily . To Capt . Philips he said it was a very great pleasure to him that an old schoolfellow of ^ his should have obtained this appointment . When Bro . H . G . Buss was invested amid loud cheering , Lord Carnarvon said to him , it washis duty now to confer on him the collar of Assistant Grand
Secretary . He entered upon a new office . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Grand Alaster , had been pleased to create , or rather he should say , to revive an office , which he doubted not Bro . Buss would discharge well , as he was sure he had hitherto discharged his other duties faithfully . The business of Grand Lodge had shown that tendency to grow which was not inseparable from the increase of an
institution so great as Freemasonry ; and it had been found justly necessary to re-inforce the staff of Grand Secretary '* office . He doubted not that thc Grand Lodge would find in Bro . Buss a good and worthy Assistant Secretary , and he congratulated him most heartily on the appointment . Lord Carnarvon , after the other appointments had been made , said he had to announce that
the Grand Alaster had appointed Bro . Albert to take the rank and wear thc clothing of a P . G . Purst . Grand Secretary then read thc following list of Grand Stewards for the year : Bros . Charles Edwd . Smith , 58 ; A . A . Brittow . 14 -, C . O . Barker , 29 ; R . Gooding , 1 ; E . P . Deacon , 2 ; H . A . Bennett , 4 ; Major H . Scriven , S ; E . J . F . Fa , vcett , 6 ; J . P . Probert , 8 ; T . A . Alacey ,
21 ; C . Martin , 23 ; A . H . Henry , 26 ; G . H . Savage , 46 ; Capt . J . Wordsworth , 60 ; W . Surr , 91 ; A . Bell , 99 ; Thos . Donnithorn , 97 ; and F . H . Goldney , 259 . Before closing Grand Lodge Lord Carnarvon said : Brethren , nothing now remains but for me to close this Grand Lodge , the business being transacted ; and I take this opportunity to express to you a matter of very
sincere personal regret to myself , that at the last moment when and after I had fully hoped , and made up my mind to be present at the hanquet , 1 am called away by official business , against which it is perfectly vain to struggle . I shall therefore , unfortunately and sorely against my will and ray expectation , be obliged to absent myself immediately after the Grand lodge is closed . I have
only the satisfaction to know that my noble friend and brother , Lonl Skelmersdale , will take my place , and discharge my duties as efficiently as I could have done myself . Grand Lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a sumptuous banquet provided by the Grand Stewards , and supplied by Bro . E . Dawkins , the manager
of Freemasons'Tavern . All the arrangements were perfect , antl reflected the greatest credit on thc Board of Grand Stewards ,, who were Bros . F . S . Knyvett , 5 8 , President ; D . -. Edmund Nash , 14 , Treasurer ; Arthur J . R . Trcndell , 29 , Hon . Secretary ; Thos . T . Smith , 1 ; Dr . W . Hope , 2 -, B . C . Veley , 4 ; J . C . Havers , 5 -, Winthrop Alackworth Pracd , 6 ; J . L . Geigcr , 8 ; Robert Berridge ,
21 ; John Boyd , 23 * , Thos . C . Tatham , 26 ; William Kingsbury , 46 ; John C . Chancellor , 60 ; Henry John Reynolds , 91 : George Marshall , 99 ; William George Cusins , 197 ; and Gabriel Prior Goldney , 257 . Alter the banquet thc customary toasts were proposed . Lord Skelmersdale , in giving the toast of " the Queen , " said that her Alajesty was Patroness of the . Order , and she
always acted up to the greatest of its piecepts , charity . There was never a charitable case which came under her Alajesty ' s notice to which she did not give a ready response ; as witness the great mining accident in South Wales thc other tlay , when she telegraphed to know how those poor men were going on ; and ministered to their aid . If she did not belong to the Order as a member , she was one of them in heart .
Lord Skelmersdale then gave " Thc Health of H . R . H . the Princess of Wales , aud the other Alembers of the Royal Family , " antl that of " H . R . H . the AI . W . G . AI . " He said hc took the liberty of coupling these two toasts , not on account of time , but because this was the first occasion on which they hatl the oppoitunity cf including two other members of the Royal Family otherwise than the Prince of Wales in Grand Lodge . The brethren had been told by the Pro Grand Alaster the reason the Grand Alaster
was not present ; and thc brethren all regretted his absence ; but when they knew that he had gone abroad for the benefit of his health , and tbat being abroad was doing him good , they would not regret his absence . The Princess of Wales was also abroad , but he hoped we should soon see her bright , genial face again amongst us . Her Royal Highness had endeared herself to us , he
believed , more than anyone thought it possible for any one women to do . Not to dwell any longer on this subject , he would only add that it was a great day for Freemasonry when they saw three Princes of the blood Royal occupying the three first chairs in Grand Lotlge . They were not present , but that was not their fault . The Duke ot Connaught was now occupied with his duties in Ireland ,
and it was utterly impossible that hc should have come today among the brethren , and he believed he would be in London only for ten days this season . Prince Leopold likewise was not present , for the reason that he was not in that state to take any liberty with his health . The brethren all wished his health was in better order . Although these two Princes were not present they both had their
Grand Festival.
hearts in Masonry , and both wished themselves with the brethren . Lord Skelmersdale , in proposing " The Health of the R . W . the Pro Grand Master , " said the brethren had seen in Grand Lotlge how sorry his lordship was to leave them , and for his ( Lord Skelmcrsdale's ) own part he knew Lord Carnarvon had the fullest intention to be present . It was
only within a very short time before the opening of Grand Lodge that he found it would be impossible to remain . There was no better Mason in England , no man who more thoroughly had Freemasonry at heart and who wished to do good to it and encourage it in every possible way . Lord De Tabley , proposed " the Health of the R . W . the
Deputy Grand Master . " Lord Skelmersdale in reply said it gave him great pleasure to be present , but at the same time great pain , for he had made up his mind to sit still , enjoy a good dinner , hear some good speeches and some good singing , and have nothing to say . But he was placed in the position of chairman suddenly , and he had nothing to do but to ask
the brethren ' s forgiveness for his short-comings . He had little to say about himself , but what he would say was that he congratulated the brethren presiding and the Craft generally 011 the way in which the Order was progressing and increasing . Hc knew it in more ways than one . He knew it in his own province of West Lancashire where it had become almost unwieldy . He knew it in Grand
Secretary ' s office , because he had to sign his name a great many times , and Bro . Hervey's postage bill must be very large . The brethren knew they were prosperous , and they showed that they felt it by the munificent gift they made the other day to the Life-boat Institution that would be a lasting record of the gratitude of the Freemasons of this country for the safe return of the Prince of Wales from a
foreign country . He was happy to-day that the Committee appointed to confer with the Secretary of that Institution as to the site of the lifeboats would very soon make th ; ir report , and he would say without hesitation that the places selected were those which he thought every one would agree were the best suited for the placing of lifeboats . Coming unprepared for the position of
Chairman it was difficult for him to make a Alasonic speech , but he might say that the brethren would not differ from him when he said that hc thought that with increase of brethren throughout the country they ought also to see a progressive increase in their charities . The brethren would say he was reading them an oft-told tale , and he believed he had spoken on the same subject before ; but it
was one he had at heart , and hc would never stand up in that hall , or any other Masonic place in the world , without saying a word about charity . He had said before that Her Alajesty took great interest in everything that was charitable , and hc might say of Freemasons that without charity Freemasonry was nothing . They were a grand and magnificent body , increasing day by day ; therefore
let them see that their charities increased also day by day . His lordship after again thanking the brethren for the toast they had drank , gave " The Health of thc Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland , " and coupled with it the name of Bro . Laurie , Grand Alaster of Nova Scotia . ' Bro . Laurie , in reply , said he was an old English Alason himself , but had gone abroad in the course of his
duties , and at the request of a large number of Masons in one of our colonies , where a new Grand Lodge was lately established , had accepted the position of Grand Alaster . The matter of forming Grand Lodges had come before the brethren , and finally they came to the conclusion that it was best to encourage it . The R . W . D . G . AI . had spoken about the increase of Alasonry at home . He ( Bro .
Laurie ) could tell them a great deal about the increase of Alasonry on the other side of the Atlantic . It had been his duty and his pleasure to visit Grand Lodges in America . He had seen 8000 in one state of the Union , and 25 , 000 present atthe dedication of a Alasonic temple . That was in one state , thc State of New York , and the other states had something like a proportionate number .
Alasonry was strong and very progressive on that side of the Atlantic . Referring also to the fact of recognising Colonial Grand Lodges , it was , he believed , following the policy which was politically followed by our government in giving self-government to the colonies . Instead of their being opposed to the mother country they felt that they had the hearts of Englishmen , and they were a group of
children growing round their parent , and willing to take a share when need be in the burdens of the Empire . And so it was Alasonically , and in the Grand Lodge over which he had thc honour to preside , thc lodges held fast to the register of the Grand Lodge of England ; they had their number from their own Grand Lodge , but they preferred more—he was staking his own authority when he said
so—the number they held on the register of England . He could only say he should do his best to keep them to that duty . With that view , with their desire to build up Masonry , to perpetuate in English colonics the holding fast their allegiance to England , our Queen and our old country , as Alasons as well as citizens , they would always strive .
Bro . W . W . Beech , ALP ., proposed the toast of " The G . Wardens and other Grand Officers , Past and Present . " It marked an auspicious era in the annuals of Freemasonry when the Royal Princes were appointed as Grand Wardens of Grand Lotlge . He hoped it would be an incentive to additional inteicst on their part in Masonry . He would say " Alay Freemasonry flourish under their auspices . " They had been told the great ' English Princes were
promoters of the order ; but never he thought in the more palmy days of Freemasonry were two Princes made in one day recipients of office in Grand Lodge . He trusted that those appointments would have one effect at least on the outer world , and particularly that section of it who were traducers of the Order , might be convinced that there could be nothing very essentially mischievous in a society of which the Heir Apparent was placed at the head , and in which two of his brothers were glad and