Euston Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

The officers were presented to his Royal Highness by Bro . Frank Richardson , Grand Registrar , after which the lodges were closed , by command of the W . M ., by Bro . Clement Godson , the Deputy Master . His Royal Highness was graciously pleased to accept from the members the jewels of W . Master and W . Commander N ., and to express his entire satisfaction

with the arrangements which had been made by Col . Cook , and most admirably carried out by the Manager of Blanchard and Co . Among the brethren present were H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn , K . G ., Bros , the Marquess of Carmarthen , M . P ., the Earl of Euston , Viscount Dungarvan , Earl of Yarborough , Lord Skelmersdale ,

Sir Lionel Darell , Bart ., Sir Reginald Hanson , Bart . M . P ., Col . Lockwood , M . P ., Col . A . Fife , Rev . A . W Oxford , F . Mead , F . Richardson , E . A . Baylis , Capt . G Gordon-Gilmour , A . Cooper , A . F . Sapte , F " . Holme-Sumner , R . Woodhouse , J . H . Parker-Wilson , G

Fitzwilliam , Captain Lyell , Alfred Sevan , L . Mieville , C . Godson , M . D ., and Col . A . B . Cook . Visitors Bros . Col . Egerton ( in attendance ) , Capt . N . G . Philips , and C . F . Matier . Bros , the Earl of Lathom , Past G . Master , and R . LovelandrLoveland , President General Board , were unavoidably prevented from attending .

Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

FESTIVAL OF THE EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT .

The annual festival of this lodge of improvement , now 71 years old , was held on the 23 rd ult ., at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . R . Clay Sudlow , Past Grand Deacon , presiding at the working of the lodge , which preceded the supper . It was the first occasion on which Bro . Sudlow took the chair of W . M . at these

annual meetings , Bro . Thomas Fenn presiding for the last time in 1 S 93 . A reference to the event will be found at fuller length in the course of this report , but the retirement of Bro . Fenn after so many years' connection with the lodge as the officer putting the questions has again given evidence that whenever an active member who is looked upon as indispensable to

a lodge ' s existence feels himself forced by natural causes to leave his duties in the hands of others there is always to be found someone who has followed his example fully competent to take his place . The whole history of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement has strongly exhibited this truth , for whenever one instructor has left the scene there has been no difficulty

in finding as good a successor . Year by year the lodge is growing in popularity , and from week to week the attendance of brethren has increased . The annual festival now gathers together more than 400 brethren , a . id at the meeting now recorded fully that number tvere present . The Grand Officers who attended were Bros . Thomas

Fenn , Frank Richardson , A . C . Spaull , J . H . Matthews , L . G . Gordon Robbins , W . M . Bywater , C . J . R . Tijou , S . Vallentine , S . V . Abraham , W . H . Spaull , C . Martin , Rev . R . J . Simpson , Col . George Lambert , Col . James Peters , F . R . W . Hedges , H . Garrod , R . Loveland Loveland , Dr . Turtle Pigott , E . Monteuuis , C . E . Keyser , Dr . Clement Godson , E . Letchworth ,

J . A . Farnfield , C . r . Hogard , J . C . Parkinson , and H . ] . P . Dumas . The Second Lecture was worked in exceptionally fine style , the questions being answered in the Ist Section by Bro . H . Wellcome , in the 2 nd by Bro . Kirby , who was acting as S . W ., in the 3 rd by Bro . Chas . Lewis , in the 4 » h by Bro . J . J . Black , and in the Sth by Bro .

Budd . Bro . SUDLOW , at the opening of the lodge , said the brethren would all regret to learn that Bro . Samuel Pope , Q . C , who was to have presided at the supper , was lying very seriously ill in bed . He was sure they all regretted , not only his absence , but the cause which compelled him to be away . Bro . Letchworth , the

Grand Secretary , had most kindly come forward in the difficulty thus created , and had consented to take the chair . He knew that announcement would give the brethren a great deal of pleasure . At the conclusion of the working , Bro . FKNN , P . B . G . P ., said that he had permission , in the enforced absence of Bro . Pope , to propose a vote

of thanks to the working officers of the lodge , for the admirable manner in which they had discharged their duties . Having filled the chair , now so worthily occupied by his successor , Bro . Sudlow , for many years past , he ( Bro . Fenn ) was perhaps better able to testify to the absolute correctness of the work they had heard than most of the brethren present , and every brother

must have been gratified by the able and eloquent manner in which the Sections had been delivered . He was sure they must all be pleased to see Bro . Sudlow occupying the place to which he was justly entitled . Kjr many years he had done what used to be his ( Bro . Fenn ' s ) work in the lodge , and he had long felt that the brother who presided week after week throughout

the year should have the honour of presiding over the lodge on these great occasions . Indeed , he should have given it up long ago had not Bro . Sudlow himself urged him not to do so . He now felt quite unable to undergo the fatigue and excitement of the after supper speech , and being now in his 74 th year , he thought it quite

time that he gave up the work to his younger brethren . In doing so it was a great satisfaction to him to feel assured that the lodge with which he had been so closely connected for a period of 3 8 years and in which he had—so to speak—spent the greater part of his Masonic life , was now in such capable and willing hands , He had great pleasure in proposing a cordial

Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

vote of thanks to the working officers for the admirable Masonic entertainment thev had given them . Bro . C . E . KEYSER , P . G . D .: Brethren , they tell me this resolution wants a seconder , but I think I may take it we are all ready to second it , because we have all had a great treat this evening . As I know that Bro . Fenn , who says it must be seconded , cannot err ,

I have great pleasure in seconding it . The motion was carried with acclamation . Bro . R . CLAY SUDLOW , in acknowledging the resolution , said : Worshipful Bro . Fenn and brethren , according to precedent , I rise to thank you very heartily on behalf of the five brethren who have worked the Sections to-night for the vote that you

have been so good as to pass for the working . To a great extent the prestige of this lodge has been in their hands , and I am sure that it will be gratifying to them to know that they have acquitted themselves to your satisfaction . Two of the brethren are really , I was going to say , veterans in the work ; but three of them have essayed this work for the first time , and I know

that the words of praise that have fallen from the lips of our Treasurer will be very , very highly prized by them . As for the kind words that Bro . ' Fenn has made use of in connection with myself , I can only thank him very , very heartily indeed . It is a trust , I feel , reposed in me of a very sacred character , and I shall , with the assistance of my colleagues , endeavour to merit the

kindness with which Bro . Fenn has spoken of me . After propositions had been given in for joining the lodge on behalf of a large number of brethren , the lodge was closed , and Vhe brethren adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern to supper , at which Bro . E . Letchworth , G . Sec , presided . After Bro . LETCHWORTH had proposed the toasts of

"The Queen and the Craft" and "The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " Bro . ST . CLAIR , P . M . 53 8 , P . G . S ., proposed 'The Pro G . M ., the Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " Bro . J . C . PARKINSON , P . G . D ., in responding , said he thanked Bro . Budd for his rendering of the 5 th

Section with so much intellectual ability , which set forth plainly and clearly the constitutional methods upon which Masonry was formed and was strong . The brethren who were familiar with it needed not that he should expound it , but the most casual observer must see that in that clearly detailed account of the government and administration of the Ancient Temple , the

successors of the brethren found force and confidence in the Masonry of to-day , and in that admirable system which to him combined the broadest democracy with the soundest conservatism . The brother who proposed the toast was kind enough to refer to him personally , and it wouldbean ingrate indeed if he did not rejoice on occasions like the present to testify to his deep

obligations to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . At an early period of his life it was good enough to welcome him , and teach him such Masonic knowledge as he now possessed , and to start him on the career to which he owed so much happiness . The rulers of that lodge , whose names were familiar to the majority of those present , were to him active living realities on an

occasion like that . Stephen Barton Wilson was made a Grand Officer by reason of his Masonic knowledge and his position as a teacher in the Emulation Lodge ; John Hervey , a predecessor of the Chairman that evening , well known for his admirable rendering of the ritual and for his genial personality ; and so they had gone on and lived and worked under the genial sway

of a brother who , it was a pathetic circumstance , was not present at the table as he was in the lodge—their Bro . Fenn , who during a long career had endeared himself not merely to that lodge , but to a much larger and wider circle , sound , discreet , sagacious , talented , who had been one ol the living ornaments of the Craft . There was not a brother present who did not

hope , at all events , that Bro . Fenn might be well enough and strong enough to join them next Wednesday . Passing from the Grand Oflicers in general he now had the pleasant duty entrusted to him of proposing "The Health of one Grand Officer in particular , Bro . Letchworth , the Chairman ; " a brother called to that position at a moment's notice caused by the

unexpected illness of Bro . Pope . Bro . Letchworth had discharged his duties with a geniality , and had placed the Craft under a debt of gratitude . Bro . Letchworth had a long Masonic career and had a brilliant future before him besides having the largest and widest circle of friends . Bro . LETCHWORTH , responding , first thanked Bro .

Parkinson for his kind words . It was quite true that he had been called upon at almost a moment ' s notice to take the chair , but he , as well as the rest of the brethren , had looked forward to listening to the genial and eloquent words from Bro . Pope , whose absence they all regretted . They deplored the cause which prevented his presence . He thanked the brethren from

the bottom of his heart for their kind reception . He then proposed " Success to the Emulation Lodge of Inprovement . " Many of the brethren were well acquainted with the history of that distinguished lodge ; but , for the information of those who might not be aware of the circumstances under which it was started he might state that the Emulation Lodge of

Improvement had been in existence for upwards of 70 years , having been started in the year 1823 . It was originally attached to the Lodge of Hope , No . 7 , now the Royal York Lodge of Perseverance , to which the late Bro . Peter Gilkes belonged , and who had a warm interest in its welfare , from its beginning in 1823 , until his death ten years afterwards . The Emulation Lodge of Improvement had been a favourite lodge of instruc-

Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

tion of many worthy and distinguished exponents of Masonic ritual and ceremony . Among these w Bro . S . B . Wilson , and Bro . Hervey , to whom he was indebted for his Masonic knowkdge , because aJ a very young Mason 20 years ago , Bro . Hervey pro . posed him as a member . Bro . Hervey was Treasuret of the lodge for 30 years , and he was succeeded i 1 that

office by Bro . Fenn , to whom they had had the p leasure of listening that evening , and whose absence from the festive board they one and all regretted . Bro . Fent , ' s connection with the lodge extended over a peiiol j 40 years , and his services to Masonry in general , and the Emulation Lodge of Improvement in particular were too well known to need recapitulation . Bro '

Charles Murton , P . G . D ., many years ably < Jis , charged the duties of Secretary , and was a constant attendant at the lodge meetings . There were many other distinguished brethren who belonged to the lodge ; but with the excellent qualities of Bro , Sudlow most , if not all , the brethren were well acquainted . At all events all then present

had had an opportunity that evening of witnessing those qualities—his able work in the chair , his skilful tuition . The excellent way the various brethren who assisted him performed their work they also had witnessed . The records of Grand Lodge conclusively proved that this Emulation Lodge of Improvement was looked upon as the standard of Masonic perfection .

Its past career had been prosperous and brilliant , not only with reference to advancing Masonic knowled ge , but also as regarded its liberal response to the Masonic Charities . AU the brethren would join with him in wishing that the good work done in the past by the lodge might be continued for many years and that the lodge might prosper .

Bro . R . CLAY SUDLOW , in replying to the toast , said : Brother Chairman and brethren , —we must all regrel the absence of one who has been with us uninterruptedly for so many years ; indeed , as it has been said at this table to-night the Emulation Lodge of Improvement Festival scarcely seems to be itself without Bro . Fenn .

For I don t know how many years this toast has been associated with the name of our Treasurer and chief ; and it is only because he preferred not to take the position that he has occupied on these occasions for so long that I have the honour to respond—an honour , brethren , that I need hardly say I very highly appreciate . In view of the fact which has been mentioned

by our Chairman that this lodge has been in existence for over 70 years it is most gratifying to find that its influence is still extending , that its weekly meetings are always numerously attended and that its festivals are still a great success . The splendid gathering ol to-night , brethren , is in itself a proof that the Emulation Lodge of Improvement occupies a very important

place in the confidence and good will of the Craft . Probably no one in this lodge would desire to see a uniformity of ritual adopted even if such a thing were attainable ; on the other hand I believe every one will agree that a standard working is absolutely essentiala standard that shall be fixed , unaltering and unalterable—and such a standard Emulation provides . As

an Emulation enthusiast I would go further and I would say that it is the standard . I may give you , brethren , an example , and a very interesting one , 0 the vitality with which the system recognised by this lodge is adhered to . A brother who is probably present with us to-night joined this lodge in the year 1863 . Between that time and 1867 , when he left the

lodge , because he was going abroad , he thoroughly mastered the various ceremonies and many ol the sections . He remained away for the space of 26 years , only rejoining this lodge last year , 1893 . As you can easily imagine , when lit returned to us there was not a single face he knew , bat tbe working was precisely the same , and thoug h l «

knew no one , not even the P . M ., who occupied his proper seat , yet he was at once at home with the wort which was being carried on , and he is now one of 001 most exemplary and regular workers . Brethren , this is the first time I have been associated with this toast , the first time I have represented at our festivals , tw Emulation Lodge of Improvement . I have alrewr butit

spoken , brethren , of the honour of that position , brings with it , as you will easily understand , a vcrj great responsibility . The responsibility of a I / 1 ' Master of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement is * very important one , and I am glad to say that I do n ° share that responsibility alone—that is to say , I share " with colleaguesBro . Spaull and Bro . Rushu *

my , The knowledge that we possess the traditions of t nli lodge , we have received ( rom Bro . Fenn , Bro . Rlurto and Bro . Richardson . We look upon the trust deliverer to us by those brethren as very important indeed—a ver ) sacred one—and , speaking for myself , and I am *» ' speaking in the name of my colleagues , I may say '" that trust shall be most faithfully , most honourabl )

and most religiously preserved . Brethren , onbehalt the Committee of the Emulation Lodge of Im P , V ment , I thank you most heartily , and I thank our , L man lor the very kind way in which he has puttoast before you , and 1 thank you for the very heaO manner in which you received it . a , Bro . I . A . FARNKIELO . P . A . G . D . C . in reply ' ° '" .

toast of " The Lodge of Unions , No . 256 , " which » ^ proposed by Bro . the Rev . R . j . Simpson , P . G'C' ' \ j he much regretted that the W . M . of the lodge » absent through indisposition . In consequence ol absence , he , Bro . Farnfield , had to reply to the to as senior P . M . of the lodge . When he looked W ' he thought it was now considerably over 30 yearS , ° j that he was made a Mason in that lodge , and )«' this lodge of improvement . He had passed