Annual Festival Of The La Tolerance Lodge Of Instruction, No. 538.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE LA TOLERANCE LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 538 .

On Wednesday evening , the 19 th inst ., at the Frascati Restaurant , Oxfordstreet , W ., was held the annual festival of this popular and prosperous lodge of instruction . Last year the innovation was tried of admitting " non-Masons , " and yet a further step was taken on the present occasion , viz ., that of inviting ladies . The experiment was amply justified by its success . A company of ladies and gentlemen to the number of between 125 and 130 sat down to a recherche dinner , supplied and served in the good style for which the * Frascati is famous . Speech making was conspicuous for its brevity , whilst music occupied every available moment between the dinner and the close of the meeting , about 11 . 30 .

The toasts comprised that of The Queen , the Royal Family , and the Craft , "Success to the Lodge of Instruction , " "The President , " "The Ladies , " and " The Visitors . "

Bro . W . E . Willby , P . M . 538 , Sec , " presided , supported by Bros . J . Paul , P . M ., Preceptor ; G . T . Augspurg , W . M . of the mother lodge , Vice-President ; T . W . Smale , P . M ., P . Z . 53 8 ; G . Hill , P . M . 8 71 , Treas . ; G . A . Sturgess , J . D . 538 ; H . E . Mullins , 211 ; and G . Leather , 12 S 7 . Due honour having been done to the toast of " Her Majesty , " The PRESIDENT , in proposing that of " The Lodge of Instruction , " explained , for the edification of the ladies , what a lodge of instruction was , pointing out

that it was not merely an amusement or pastime for Freemasons , but was a school wherein was taught the practical and theoretical details of Freemasonry , which consisted of Biblical history , the liberal arts and sciences , and moral disquisitions , which tended to make men that were not good better , and good ones still more perfect . He regretted , for his own part , that ladies could not particpate in the mysteries of the Craft , believing , as he did , that there was scarcely any society or function in life that woman would not improve and adorn .

The toast was responded to very briefly by Bro . J . PAUL , the greatly esteemed Preceptor , whose modesty is as great as his Masonic knowledge is vast ; Bro . G . HILL , the honoured Treasurer ; and Bro . T . W . SMALE , the joint Secretary , who is ever indefatigable in rendering the labours of his comrade—Bro . Willbylight . "The Health of the President " was proposed by Bro . G . T . AUGSPURG , who

compared Bro . Willby ' s care for , and interest in , the lodge for years past , to that of a tender mother who had nursed her infant through sickness , and had brought it through trouble to strength , vitality , and prosperity . The PRESIDENT replied to these all too generous eulogies by declaring that the success of La Tolerance Lodge of Instruction , of which that grand meeting was the climax , was due equally to the co-operation of willing comrades as to himself .

The toast of "The Ladies was proposed in felicitous terms , the PRESIDENT contending that their presence that evening tended to embellish the gathering , just as the lovely flowers adorned the tables at which the company were sitting , and quoted the lines of a well-known poet , who said that there was " Nothing on this blessed earth .

Be it wedding , death , or birth , Nothing of any worth Without a woman in it . " This was replied to by Bro . HOWARD E . MULLINS , Chairman of the Committee , in equally happy terms , and the ladies were evidently satisfied with their representative . _

The toast of " The Visitors " gave the PRESIDENT an opportunity of inviting all those who werc not Masons to join the Craft , and afterwards La Tolerance Lodge of Instruction , where they would receive the same hearty ^ welcome as had been extended to them that evening . Mr . BROWN replied in a very happy and appreciative vein . Interspersed between the toasts were musical items , consisting of a mandoline duet by Misses May Palmer , and Maudie Willby ; songs by Miss Florence Grove , rendered with artistic charm ; two vocal contributions by Mrs . Neck ,

which were much appreciated ; a song by Miss Willby , daughter of the President , which elicited great applause , and was responded to by a mandoline song" Swannee River . " This young artiste , later , gave a violin solo and a short recitation . Other items were contributed by Mr . Uden , Bro . Neck , Muc . Bac . ; Messrs . Howard Tomlinson , Hylton , Foreshew , and Fred . Wilson , and Master Ricardo , and Bro . Berry . " Auld Lang Syne , " followed by God Save the Queen , concluded a most delightful evening , and the meeting broke up under the happiest auspices and good augury for the future .

Besides those already mentioned , there were present Bro . G . and Mrs . Ridout ; Bro . W . B . Fendick , P . P . G . D . ; Mr . A . S . Willby , Miss Bates , Mr . McMullen , Mr . Vincent Grose , Mr . Graham , Bro . O . Lamare , W . M ., Mdme . and Mdlle . Lamare ; Bro . Leon and Mrs . Lefebvre ; Mr . Blier , Bro . Carre , Mrs . Augspurg , Mr . and Mrs . Scullin ; Bros . May-Clear , Thos . Clear , T . A . Tidy , Maj . C . B . Wilkinson , Hy . Lewis , E . R . Barrett , C . and E . Barrett , Bro . and Mrs . Gumming ; Bro . and Mrs . S . C . Cross ; J . Lewin ; Bro . E . L . Berry , P . G .

Stwd . Berks ; Master Ricardo , Mr . Collings , Bro . T ., Mrs ., and the Misses Smale ; Bro . J . Bennett and friends ; Bro . Loftus and friends ; Bro . Plucknett and friends ; Bro . G . and Mrs . Hill ; Bro . Harry and Mrs . Cross ; Bro . C . and Miss Florence Grove ; Bro . and Mrs . Isaacs ; Bro . G . A . and Mrs . Sturgess ; Mr . and Mrs . Wells ; Mr . and Mrs . Lockwood ; Mr . and Mrs . Cooper ; Bro .

J . Skinner , P . M . ; Bro . T . Lile Bowden and six friends ; Bro . F . A . Zeppenfeld and friend ; Bro . M . Beedle and friend ; Bro . J . L . Goldstein and friend ; Bros . H , Raphael , L . S . Genese , L . Giinzel , L . G . Hammond , and J . Morle ; Bro R . T ., Mrs ., and Miss Palmer ; Mr . Robin Palmer and Miss Von Joel ; Bro . A , A . Butcher and friend ; Bro . T . Pringle ; Bro . J . R . Davis and friends ; Bro W . C . Podger , and many others , whose names were not obtained .

Eleventh Annual Dinner Of "The Old Masonians."

ELEVENTH ANNUAL DINNER OF "THE OLD MASONIANS . "

The annual dinner of this association , which is composed of ex-pupils of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , was held at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 7 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . W . H . Bailey , P . G . Treas . The company present included Bros . J . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B . , Sec . R . M . I . B . ; W . Martin , Asst . G . Purst . ; R . S . Chandler , C . O'Doherty , R . H . Williams , and Messrs . Tettenborn , Lane , Dolby , West , Pegg , Allison , G . Cross Willett , Barbsr , Riley , Glass , Parker , and many others . After dinner , the usual loyal toasts were heartily honoured .

The CHAIRMAN then proposed "The Old Masonians , " and said that those present knew more of the objects of the association than he did , as he was more ° f a looker on from outside . He had had many opportunities of knowing mire ,

Eleventh Annual Dinner Of "The Old Masonians."

but , to his great regret , he had not previously had the pleasure of coming amongst them . It was a pleasure he should look forward to with sincerity in the future . He trusted this association would never cease to bring together those who were anxious to preserve those lies of regard and esteem which were formed years ago ar . d be constantly reminded of those days spent in the Institution they all loved . There could be nothing nicer than to cement those ties which sprang up in youth , and he thought they had a very good Association before them in the subject of the toast . He only hoped that those who had the opportunity would take a

greater interest in the work whicb , to his mind , was one of the highest class and one of the most deserving . This Association formed a column of mutual defence and support , and preserved those ties of affection and esteem which were engendered in a greater degree in their youth than in advanced age . He wished the Association every possible success , and sincerely hoped that greater interest would be taken in that body by the brethren in the Craft generally . Hi promised them honestly he would do more in the future than he had done in the past to bring the claims of the Old Masonians into more prominent notice before those who would be pleased to be attached to sue h a cause .

Bro . R . S . CHANDLER , Hon . Treas ., warmly thanked the Chairman for his sympathy and kindly proposition of the toast ; for there was nothing that more encouraged and stimulated them than the expression of goodwill from numbers of the Craft . It had been his pleasing task for miny years to report the continued progress of the Association , and he was glad it had bean miintained during the past year . They might not be going forward with such rapidity as

they could wish , but they were making headway , and were now one of the best " old boys' " clubs . The financial aspect was improving . The football club had done well , and the cricket club had a good ground at Honor Oik . They had not forgotten the real objects of the Association , and he was glad there had been no calls on their little Benevolent Fund . They had , however , helped each other over many difficulties in business life .

Mr . G . CROSS WILLRTT , Hon . Sec , read letters of regret from Lord Leigh , Bros . F . Binckes , J . D . Langton , J . Willing , jun ., J . Stephens , G . Everett , J . J . Thomas , and many others . He said there had been . \ 6 new members during the past year , which he hoped would be increased to 50 before thc book was closed . Last year that Association subscribed nearly £ 21 to the Scholarship Fund of the Boys' School , and they hoped to raise a good sum for the Centenary Festival next year . The Benevolent Fund was worthy of the support of every ex-pupil , but their members were scattered all over the world .

"The Past and Vice-Presidents' was proposed by Bro . R . H . WILLIAMS , and , in response , Bro . J . TERRY , P . G . S . B ., Sec R . M . B . I ., expressed the hope that the Association would flourish . If they united together , as only old bays knew how , they would accomplish al ! they desired . He came up from the country purposely to support his friend , the Chairman , and should have been unmindful of all Bro . Bailey had done for Freemasonry if he had not made , not a sacrifice , but , let him say , a pleasurable excursion .

" Prosperity to our Old School was given in an excellent speech by Bro . CHANDLER , who expressed a hope that a place would be found in the new School at Bushey for the names of prize winners , which now adorned the walls at Wood Green , and which were so highly prized by all old boys . He also pointed out that the winner of the batting average prize in the cricket club was Mr . Robert McLeod , a son . of the esteemed Secretary ot the Institution .

Bro . J . M . MCLEOD , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B ., in an eloquent response , undertook to convey Bro . Chandler ' s suggestion to the proper quarter , and promised his support . He was glad to hear the Old Masonians were to be represented at the Centenary Festival , and did not despair of their Association one day being strong enough to subscribe a large sum . The idea had been mooted of a lodge

being formed amongst the members , and he thought no time could be more fitting than the present . He hoped they were sufficiently strong to get the lod <( e and support it in the coming year , for it would be another means of cementing those ties mentioned by the President . It should not be an extravagant matter , but worked on economical lines , and under the management of those who had brought the success of the Association , should prosper .

" The Officers " was given and responded to , after which Bro . W . H . BAt LEV , P . G . Treas ., acknowledged " The Chairman . " " The Visitors " having been heartily given , the proceedings , which were of an enjoyable nature , were brought to a close with the National Anthem . A successful programme of music was carried out by Bro . O'Doherty and Messrs . H . Jinks , Riley , and Williams .

Masonic Concert.

MASONIC CONCERT .

That Masons love their wives and belongings generally , and do not selfishly enjoy themselves alone , as has been hinted at by the uninitiated or popular world , who are not Masons , was admirably demonstrated on Wednesday , the 12 th inst ., when the brethren of the Union Waterloo Lodge , No . 13 , gave a grand concert at Freemasons' Hall , Mount Pleasant , Plumstead , especially for the delectation of their wives , sweethearts , and lady friends generally , for , as a certain ancient ditty says"What mortal can more the ladies adore

1 han a Free and an Accepted Mason . " The concert hall of the building was prettily decorated for the occasion ; the platform was a bank of lovely flowers and shrubs , and when the company were assembled , the decorations , added to the handsome dresses of the ladies , plus their wonderfully flowered and feathered head gear , made up a coup d'icil at once charming and exhilarating . The artistes were Miss Gomersall , Miss Cissic Read , Mr . Laurance Friar ,

Mr . G . Stubbs , Miss Ray Ponzer ( reciter ) , Bro . C . Parsons , R . A . ( euphonium ) , Bro . Sam Wright , and Bro . B . J . Hancock , F . R . C . O . ( musical director ) . After the first part of the programme had been accomplished , the company adjourned to the lower hall , where light refreshments in the shape of dainty sandwiches , cakes , confectionery , Ac , supplemented by some delicious claret cup , were handed round , and thoroughly enjoyed . There was ( but this is a secret ) something a little stronger than claret for those of the brethren who desired it , but there was plenty , handsomely served , for all .

The second part of the programme was , as the first , admirably rendered , and was much applauded by all present . It was , from first to last , a most pleasant and memorable occasion , and an example to the neighbouring lodges that they need not hestitate to follow , for there is no adducible reason why the "brethren of the mystic tie " should not make up to their dear ones , at least once | a year , for the many nights spent during that time in their necessary Masonic labours . " So mote it be ! "

Ihe Concert Committee consisted of Bros . W . H . Russell , W . M . ; G . B . Davies , P . M . ; T . Hutton , P . M ., Sec ; H . S . Syer , P . M ., Treas . ; A . Cleale , P . M . ; W . J . Barnes , P . M . ; A . McQueen , S . W . VV . H . Turton , J . W . ; H . Jacobs , S . D . ; J . Quick , J . D . and W . J . Crowdy and J . W . Hodge , Stewards . Among the other brethren present we noticed Bros . W . A . Anson , I . P . M . ; E . Mills , P . M . ; J . P . Moore , P . M . ; J . G . Milbourne , P .. M . ; H . Grice , P . M . ; J . F . Bell , P . M . ; C . Chasteaneuf , P . M . ; T . Hastings , P . M . S 29 , P . P . G . P . Kent ; C . Jolly , P . M . ( Hon . ) , P . M ., Sec . 1472 , P . M ., Sec . 21 S 4 ; and others , to the number , including the ladies , of some 250 . " Well done , Union Waterloo I "