Lodge Of Stability, No. 217.

The brethren and visitors , numbering just over seventy , afterwards adjourned to a banquet which was held in the Pillar Room . The Worshipful Master in submitting the toast of "The King , " which was received with acclamation , referred to the fact that W . Bro . Marlieet , the father of the Lodge and one of its most regular attendants , represented

the lodge no less than 30 years ago , in the capacity of its then Worshipful Master , on the memorable and historic occasion when the present King , Edward VII ., as Prince of Wales , was installed Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Order in 1873 .

The Worshipful Master next proposed the toast of " The Most Worshipful Grand Master , His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn , K . G ., & c , " and said that notwithstanding the fact that his military duties occupied so much of His Royal Highness ' s time and attention , he made a most worthy successor to his illustrious brother .

Tin-: woiismi'FUL JIASTKH . In proposing the toast of "The Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master , the R . W . Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Oflicers , " the Worship ful Master referred to the fact

that according to the History of the Lodge prepared by Bro . W . R . Smith , P . M ., for the Centenary Festival , the Lodge of Stability had grand officers of its own for many years . He coupled with the toast the name of W . Bro . Leach Barrett , Past Grand Standard Bearer , who had honoured

them with his company . In responding to the toast W . Bro . Barrett paid a graceful tribute to the age and reputation of the lodge Instating that in his opinion a lodge of such standing ought lo have a grand officer among its members to respond to the toast instead of the master having to call on one of his guests

to do so . He complimented the lodge on its admirable working and spoke in high terms of the Worship ful Master whom be had known for many years as a zealous worker in the cause of Freemasonry . He trusted his term of office would be a most successful one , and concluded by wishing prosperity to the Lodge and all its members .

The immediate Past Master proposed the toast of the Worshipful Master which was received with enthusiasm . He reminded the brethren of the active interest he had always shown in the welfare of the lodge especially in causing the lodge to increase its annual subscription , revise its bye-laws , and lo vole the sum of twenty guineas on his

list when he acted as steward for the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys on the occasion of its iooth anniversary in June last .

I lie Worshipful Master in responding said he was not only grateful for the honour which had been unanimousl y conferred upon him by the lodge , but was deeply sensible of the responsibility which devolved upon him , a responsibility which he would not have ventured to have undertaken had he not known that he would receive the support of the Past Masters

and Officers , and the loyal co-operation of tlie brethren . He assured the brethren that it would be his utmost endeavour to discharge his duties to their entire satisfaction , and to uphold the traditions and prestige of the lodge . The Worshipful Master next proposed " The Installing

Masters , " and coupled with it the names of Bro . Marlieet , P . M ., who had done his work in an admirable manner . Before resuming his seat he presented the Immediate Past Master with a jewel which the lodge had voted him as a mark of their high appreciation of the very able and distinguished manner in which he had discharged his duties during the past twelve months , and referred to the excellent

results of his labours on behalf of Masonic charity . Bro . Marlieet in responding , referred to the pleasure which he derived in witnessing the continued prosperity of the lodge—related incidents in its past history . He referred to the active interest taken in its affairs—b y the younger members whom the Past Masters would at all times

most readily and willingly assist . The Immediate Past Master thanked the brethren for the jewel they had given him , and stated that he should always prize it as a token of their appreciation of his services . Bro . Rose thanked the Worshipful Master for having coupled his name with the

toast . He had taken a keen interest in the working of the lodge for a number of years . The present Master , as well as each of his ten immediate predecessors in the chair , had been taught their duties at the Rose Lodge of Instruction . It was most gratifying to him to see so many of the younger brethren making themselves proficient to hold office , and assured the brethren that the lodge would not lack competent Masters to preside over them for many years to come .

The toast of " The Initiate " was responded to by Bro . Hunt , who expressed the pleasure be felt in being admitted a member of such an ancient and time honoured lodge . In proposing the toast of " The Visitors , " the Worshipful Master said the lodge always extended a most cordial welcome to its visitors . The list of visitors included the

following brethren : Bros . J . Leach Barrett , F . E . Grose , E . S . Burgess , G . J . Ralph , J . Brown , W . J . Frampton , Edward Symons , F . Robinson , A . E . Broadberry , J . O . Widger , A . H . Simons , Eustace Garner , G . S . Brimley , W . R . Daniel , J . F . Doughty , F . Gardner , W . Lowe , E . Tanner ,

and H . [ ungblut . He was specially pleased to welcome his brother Cornishmen from the other lodge in which he had the honour of being an officer , and was particularly pleased that W . Bro . Ayris , P . M ., who introduced him to the lodge some twelve years ago , was present to see him installed in the chair . He coupled with the toast the names of the

brethren present , who were Masters of Lodges . W . Bro . Grose , W . M . of the Cornish Lodge in repl ying , said it was a pleasure to him to be present as a guest that evening . Bro . Vague was one of his own officers of whom he felt very proud , and assured the lodge that be would make an admirable Master . The Masters of the following lodges

also spoke , in response to the toast : •—The James Terry , the Mornington , the Rose , and the Papyrus , the latter being a daughter lodge of the Lodge of Stability . The toast of " The Oflicers of the lodge " was proposed by the Worship ful Master and responded to b y Bro . John Nixon ,

the Secretary for over a quarter of a century , Bro . Edwards the Treasurer , and Bro . Wralten , Senior Warden . The latter expressed his pleasure at seeing so many Cornishmen with them that evening to support their fellow countryman , as he had very pleasant recollections indeed of his visits to the Cornish Lodge .

The musical programme was most admirably carried out under the direction of Bro . F . C . Corps , the organist , assisted by Bros . Taylor , Evans and Hartley , and was highly appreciated by one and all .