Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
were I nit to avail myself of this opportunity of thanking the inhabitants generally for the warm anel enthusiastic reception I have received , and of expressing my great delight at the enormous and rapid extension of tho town and its trade ; ndeed , so great are they , that had I not known the place right well of old , I could not have recognised it as the one wherein I had passed a great portion of my earlier days . ( Applause . ) I am pleased also to find that if it has increased in size
, its commerce and wealth have increased in proportion . ( Hear , hear . ) That it may continue so to prosper is my most fcrven t prayer , and that , although I may nofc live to see ifc , ifc may , ere long , rival , if nofc eclipse , the great emporium of commerce on the other side of the Channel . The leading object , brethren , of my family from its earliest days was the extension , promotion , anel welfare of Belfast and the district . In my own day , our
zeal for this object has not been less than formerly ; and , if the rise of the place is attributable to the encouraging grants made by my ancestors , anel particularly by my father , from powers concurred in by me , ifc affords me the greater satisfaction . ( Applause . ) Ifc is nofc alone in the increase of its inhabitants , the extension of its wealth , as shown by its countless manufactories ; its extensive and splendid quays , independent of its great clocksin progress anel laid outits magnificent shiing
, ; pp ; its great ^ banking and commercial establishments , that I rejoice , but also in its ecluoafcional establishments in the various grades , from the Ragged Schools up to its eminently successful university , as well as the elevated social position of the people , and the rank its merchants hold for honour , ability , anel enterprise ; and , though last , not least , I rejoice in the devoted attachment of the people fco the crown of these realms , and
their respect for the laws and institutions and Government of the country ; but I cannot include in this class of the community fche parties who have been mixed up in these disgraceful distubances , who , I am told , and hope are principally strangers to the place . ( Hear , hear . ) It is pleasing , also , in looking afc the progress and present condition of the country to contrast the peaceful and happy circumstances under which my friend his Excellency Lord Carlisle has had the good fortune to be placed , compared with the difficulties experienced by my ancestor in regulating and tranquilising the affairs of
Ireland when he for many years filled the same office undei James I . My family have ever been devoted adherents to thc Ci'owri , and the advocates of civil and religious liberty . ( Cheers . ) And , brethren , I admonish you to cultivate peace and goodwill in your several spheres and relations of life . It is now time that I should express my deep and serious regret afc the delaythat has occurred in meeting you , but the truth is that for many years I could nofc brin ;* myself to visit a place associated
most deeply with the memory of one who w-as most dear to me —who was so truly interested in everything connected with the place , aud who , had it pleased the Almighty to spare him , would nofc only have been of great service to you , bufc an honour to his family ; bufc , alas ! he is no more ! Time has in some degree softened these impressions , but it has left a blank in this heart which can never be filled . Added to this , I am no longer fivo-anel-twenty , though I assure you I would be if I
could . That enemy of all mankind , old age , is creeping on apace , impairing the energies I have hitherto enjoyed , and , consequently , making it more difficult for me to leave home than formerly . However , I must hope for the best , and if it pleases the Ruler of our actions to permit ifc—my health enabling me—I will be more amongst you for the future . ( Applause . ) Aud now , brethren , before I sit down , I desire to recommend to you a little more zeal for the position of our own Order of Masonry . Why
should we be obliged to hire a building for our social meetings ? ( Hear , hear . ) Splendid as this one is—and I admire it muchwhy should we not have a Masonic Hall of our own ? Let us he stirred up by good example , of which we see so much , and have a suitable building . I , for one , will most readily contribute , and believe me , if we only once set about ifc in earnest , we shall find that there is no such word as fail . ( Prolonged cheering . ) In conclusion , Worshipful Master and brethren
, let me request of you to forgive me for having detained you so long , the more especially as I have so inadequately expressed myself ; but I am no orator , nor have I the power of language of a Burke or a Grattan ; were I so gifted , you probably would have had to remain here until to-morrow morning before I could have expressed all the promptings of my heart on this occasion ; and I must , therefore , beg of you to accept the will for the deed , anel again assure you of my heartfelt gratitude for the great honour you have done me , and the
warm welcome you have given me . ( Applause . ) The recollection of it , together with the gratifying manner in which Lady Donegall —( cheers)—as well as myself has been received , will ever remain indelibly fixed in my memory . Lefc me then wish you all merry , merry , merry days , with health , wealth , and prosperity to enjoy them , and happiness here and hereafter . ( Loud applause . ) He then proposed " The Health of the Deputy Provincial Grancl Master , and other Provincial Grand Officers . "
The D . Pnov . G-. MASTEB , in reply , said he felt very much the obligation that had been placed upon him . He trusted that , since he received the appointment of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , he had done the best in his power , and , if he hael not clone his duty , it was nofc for want of zeal or energy . Hehad always endeavoured to do his duty . ( Hear , hear . ) Hethanked them most sincerely for the honour they had done him , and he trusted he would always be worthy of receiving
the reception which they had given to the toast . ( Loud applause . ) The next toast on the list was that of " Our Distressed Brethren , " but before the chairman rose to propose it , a great many brethren rose to their feet aud endeavoured to obtain a hearing . Fully one-half of fche meeting called upon them to sit down , and the others lustily called on them to proceed . UltimatelBro . BlackT . C . roseand there were loud calls
y , , , , of " Hear Black , " " Hear Black ; " and , all having taken their seats , Bro . BEACE , T . Q ., said : Would you allow me to make a few remarks before you go to the next toasfc on your list ? and I do not think , connected as I am with the Mayor of the town , and the Town Council , that I should not stancl up here—evens in a Masonic meeting—to disabuse the public mind of what must be their sentiments of fche remarks of this evening as they
will go forth to the world . I regrefc exceedingly that such a statement should have been made in this lodge . I am sure that if ifc had occurred to our worshipful brother that he wasaccusing blame to an honourable and a worthy man lie would not have clone so . I regrefc such a statement should have been made , anel we all must regret it , for it is a fact that fche Mayor was out of the town before the riots began . I am sure there never was a man more anxious to do his duty .
Bro . Archdeacon MANT : Irisetoorder . ( "Clrair , chair . " "Order , order . " ) I will nofc be put down . ( Applause , and "Chair chair . " ) We have here a programme of the toasts to be carried out , anil no one can interfere , and especially a Mason . ( Hear , hear , and applause , and cries of " Go on , Black . " ) Bro . BiACK : I claim a privilege . Bro . Archdeacon MANT : A programme has been laid before the brethren with certain toasts here to be proposed , and ib is
expressly said that no toasfc will be received , anel no statement will be made , but those agreed upon . I beg to state , Most AVorshipful Prov . G . Master , that the list of toasts has been gone through to a certain point—that we have drunk " Our Distressed Brethren , " and I hope we have drunk it as it ought to be received , with our hearts , hands , and pockets . I move that the list shall be proceeded with . Bro . BlACK : I rise sir ( " Orderorder ; " Chairchair . " )
, , Bro . Archdeacon MANT : I am in order , sir . ( Loud calls of "Oreler 1 " anel cheers , in the midst of which many in the meeting got up to speak . ) Bro . Archdeacon MANT : The next business is " The Health of our Visiting Brethren . " ( Calls of " Black , Black , " " Order , order . " ) 1 beg to state that no business whatever can be taken into consideration at meetings of Masons at refreshments except ; thafc in the programme , and that no brother , no matter
what his rank or standing in the lodge may be , can introduce these extraneous topics . [ Loud calls for " Bro . Black . " ] Bro . Archdeacon MANT : Nothing of the kind can be allowed . Bro . BlAOK : Worshipful sir . ( Cheers and hisses . ) Bro . PIREIE : I do think that Brother Black has said all he wants to state with reference to his absent friend , and I hope he will now sib clown . ( Loud cries of " Hear , hear . " )
TheD . PBOV . G . MASTEE : Now , Black , do sit down . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . GIHIOBE : Are we assembled here as Masons ? ( " Chair , chair ; " " Order , order . " ) I do say that the attack on fche Mayor . ( "Hear , hear ; " "Oreler , order" ) AVhen peace , had been restored . The D . PBOV . G . MASTEB said the next toast was that of the visiting brethren . He observed that there had been some representations made on the present occasion in reference to
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
were I nit to avail myself of this opportunity of thanking the inhabitants generally for the warm anel enthusiastic reception I have received , and of expressing my great delight at the enormous and rapid extension of tho town and its trade ; ndeed , so great are they , that had I not known the place right well of old , I could not have recognised it as the one wherein I had passed a great portion of my earlier days . ( Applause . ) I am pleased also to find that if it has increased in size
, its commerce and wealth have increased in proportion . ( Hear , hear . ) That it may continue so to prosper is my most fcrven t prayer , and that , although I may nofc live to see ifc , ifc may , ere long , rival , if nofc eclipse , the great emporium of commerce on the other side of the Channel . The leading object , brethren , of my family from its earliest days was the extension , promotion , anel welfare of Belfast and the district . In my own day , our
zeal for this object has not been less than formerly ; and , if the rise of the place is attributable to the encouraging grants made by my ancestors , anel particularly by my father , from powers concurred in by me , ifc affords me the greater satisfaction . ( Applause . ) Ifc is nofc alone in the increase of its inhabitants , the extension of its wealth , as shown by its countless manufactories ; its extensive and splendid quays , independent of its great clocksin progress anel laid outits magnificent shiing
, ; pp ; its great ^ banking and commercial establishments , that I rejoice , but also in its ecluoafcional establishments in the various grades , from the Ragged Schools up to its eminently successful university , as well as the elevated social position of the people , and the rank its merchants hold for honour , ability , anel enterprise ; and , though last , not least , I rejoice in the devoted attachment of the people fco the crown of these realms , and
their respect for the laws and institutions and Government of the country ; but I cannot include in this class of the community fche parties who have been mixed up in these disgraceful distubances , who , I am told , and hope are principally strangers to the place . ( Hear , hear . ) It is pleasing , also , in looking afc the progress and present condition of the country to contrast the peaceful and happy circumstances under which my friend his Excellency Lord Carlisle has had the good fortune to be placed , compared with the difficulties experienced by my ancestor in regulating and tranquilising the affairs of
Ireland when he for many years filled the same office undei James I . My family have ever been devoted adherents to thc Ci'owri , and the advocates of civil and religious liberty . ( Cheers . ) And , brethren , I admonish you to cultivate peace and goodwill in your several spheres and relations of life . It is now time that I should express my deep and serious regret afc the delaythat has occurred in meeting you , but the truth is that for many years I could nofc brin ;* myself to visit a place associated
most deeply with the memory of one who w-as most dear to me —who was so truly interested in everything connected with the place , aud who , had it pleased the Almighty to spare him , would nofc only have been of great service to you , bufc an honour to his family ; bufc , alas ! he is no more ! Time has in some degree softened these impressions , but it has left a blank in this heart which can never be filled . Added to this , I am no longer fivo-anel-twenty , though I assure you I would be if I
could . That enemy of all mankind , old age , is creeping on apace , impairing the energies I have hitherto enjoyed , and , consequently , making it more difficult for me to leave home than formerly . However , I must hope for the best , and if it pleases the Ruler of our actions to permit ifc—my health enabling me—I will be more amongst you for the future . ( Applause . ) Aud now , brethren , before I sit down , I desire to recommend to you a little more zeal for the position of our own Order of Masonry . Why
should we be obliged to hire a building for our social meetings ? ( Hear , hear . ) Splendid as this one is—and I admire it muchwhy should we not have a Masonic Hall of our own ? Let us he stirred up by good example , of which we see so much , and have a suitable building . I , for one , will most readily contribute , and believe me , if we only once set about ifc in earnest , we shall find that there is no such word as fail . ( Prolonged cheering . ) In conclusion , Worshipful Master and brethren
, let me request of you to forgive me for having detained you so long , the more especially as I have so inadequately expressed myself ; but I am no orator , nor have I the power of language of a Burke or a Grattan ; were I so gifted , you probably would have had to remain here until to-morrow morning before I could have expressed all the promptings of my heart on this occasion ; and I must , therefore , beg of you to accept the will for the deed , anel again assure you of my heartfelt gratitude for the great honour you have done me , and the
warm welcome you have given me . ( Applause . ) The recollection of it , together with the gratifying manner in which Lady Donegall —( cheers)—as well as myself has been received , will ever remain indelibly fixed in my memory . Lefc me then wish you all merry , merry , merry days , with health , wealth , and prosperity to enjoy them , and happiness here and hereafter . ( Loud applause . ) He then proposed " The Health of the Deputy Provincial Grancl Master , and other Provincial Grand Officers . "
The D . Pnov . G-. MASTEB , in reply , said he felt very much the obligation that had been placed upon him . He trusted that , since he received the appointment of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , he had done the best in his power , and , if he hael not clone his duty , it was nofc for want of zeal or energy . Hehad always endeavoured to do his duty . ( Hear , hear . ) Hethanked them most sincerely for the honour they had done him , and he trusted he would always be worthy of receiving
the reception which they had given to the toast . ( Loud applause . ) The next toast on the list was that of " Our Distressed Brethren , " but before the chairman rose to propose it , a great many brethren rose to their feet aud endeavoured to obtain a hearing . Fully one-half of fche meeting called upon them to sit down , and the others lustily called on them to proceed . UltimatelBro . BlackT . C . roseand there were loud calls
y , , , , of " Hear Black , " " Hear Black ; " and , all having taken their seats , Bro . BEACE , T . Q ., said : Would you allow me to make a few remarks before you go to the next toasfc on your list ? and I do not think , connected as I am with the Mayor of the town , and the Town Council , that I should not stancl up here—evens in a Masonic meeting—to disabuse the public mind of what must be their sentiments of fche remarks of this evening as they
will go forth to the world . I regrefc exceedingly that such a statement should have been made in this lodge . I am sure that if ifc had occurred to our worshipful brother that he wasaccusing blame to an honourable and a worthy man lie would not have clone so . I regrefc such a statement should have been made , anel we all must regret it , for it is a fact that fche Mayor was out of the town before the riots began . I am sure there never was a man more anxious to do his duty .
Bro . Archdeacon MANT : Irisetoorder . ( "Clrair , chair . " "Order , order . " ) I will nofc be put down . ( Applause , and "Chair chair . " ) We have here a programme of the toasts to be carried out , anil no one can interfere , and especially a Mason . ( Hear , hear , and applause , and cries of " Go on , Black . " ) Bro . BiACK : I claim a privilege . Bro . Archdeacon MANT : A programme has been laid before the brethren with certain toasts here to be proposed , and ib is
expressly said that no toasfc will be received , anel no statement will be made , but those agreed upon . I beg to state , Most AVorshipful Prov . G . Master , that the list of toasts has been gone through to a certain point—that we have drunk " Our Distressed Brethren , " and I hope we have drunk it as it ought to be received , with our hearts , hands , and pockets . I move that the list shall be proceeded with . Bro . BlACK : I rise sir ( " Orderorder ; " Chairchair . " )
, , Bro . Archdeacon MANT : I am in order , sir . ( Loud calls of "Oreler 1 " anel cheers , in the midst of which many in the meeting got up to speak . ) Bro . Archdeacon MANT : The next business is " The Health of our Visiting Brethren . " ( Calls of " Black , Black , " " Order , order . " ) 1 beg to state that no business whatever can be taken into consideration at meetings of Masons at refreshments except ; thafc in the programme , and that no brother , no matter
what his rank or standing in the lodge may be , can introduce these extraneous topics . [ Loud calls for " Bro . Black . " ] Bro . Archdeacon MANT : Nothing of the kind can be allowed . Bro . BlAOK : Worshipful sir . ( Cheers and hisses . ) Bro . PIREIE : I do think that Brother Black has said all he wants to state with reference to his absent friend , and I hope he will now sib clown . ( Loud cries of " Hear , hear . " )
TheD . PBOV . G . MASTEE : Now , Black , do sit down . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . GIHIOBE : Are we assembled here as Masons ? ( " Chair , chair ; " " Order , order . " ) I do say that the attack on fche Mayor . ( "Hear , hear ; " "Oreler , order" ) AVhen peace , had been restored . The D . PBOV . G . MASTEB said the next toast was that of the visiting brethren . He observed that there had been some representations made on the present occasion in reference to