Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.
presiding on the present occasion . Our R . W . brother is well known to all in this room as the popular and most respected head of one of our most important provinces ; but it may not be known to all in this room , although it is known to the Staffordshire brethren , that Lord Dartmouth is a most able exponent of the ritual of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . It was my privilege , as it wis of not a few in this room , within the past few weeks to listen to th ^ most
admirable manner in which Lord Dartmouth installed his successor in a very important Iodge in the Province of Staffordshire , and 1 venture to think that even the critical ears of Bro . Sudlow would have failed to detect any defect in his working . On behalf of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement I beg to tender you , my lord our warmest thanks for the high honour you have done us in presiding over our meeting to-day , and I ask you , brethren , to join with me in drinking " The Health of his lordship ( Lord Dartmouth ) , the President on this occasion . "
( Cheers . ) Bro . the Earl of DARTMOUTH , who was received with loud cheers on rising to respond , said -. Brethren , I rise at once to return you the very heartiest thanks for the kind manner you have received the toast that has been submitted to you by Bro . Letchworth . I can only thank Bro . Letchworth once again for this additional kindness that he has rendered . He has been a great assistance to me personally in the position which I have the honour to occupy . I am afraid if I compare the ceremony to which he has referred with the ceremony which we have listened to
to-night , I should be bound to admit that there were very many points in it to which anybody , and Bro . Sudlow in particular , would have to exercise a judicious correction . But , at the same time , as you are perhaps aware , I am a very young Mason indeed , and I can only hope that by the example of those of so much greater experience in the Craft , that as years go on , I shall be able to follow to some extent the example they have set us . I should like before . proceeding to retur n you my own thanks to make a statement , which I think I may be permitted to do ,
with regard to the late deputy who has responded to this last toast , and I should like to take the opportunity of telling you , as I have told my brethren in the province , of the great kindness and consideration that I have always received at the hands of Bro . Bindley , ' ( Hear , hear . ) I am aware that from my youthfulness in Freemasonry no doubt many of my friends would be a little surprised to find me occupying the place that 1 do to-night as President of the annual gathering of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . Some of you may be acquainted , probably
all of you , are acquainted with the opera played some years ago of " The Grand Duchess . " There was in that opera a character named Fritz , who , having rendered some service to the Grand Duchess , was offered a reward ; but that reward — to the surprise of every body — which he selected was the post of a village schoolmaster . It was pointed out to him that he was unable to read , and he said , "That is the very reason why I want to be a schoolmaster ; I want to learn . " ( Laughter . ) Brethren , it is a
good deal for that reason that I occupy the post that I occupy to-night , and I am bound to own that 1 have learned a very great deal if I can remember all I have learned . But it seems to me that Freemasons generally when anybody renders some little service are apt to look at those services through a very strong pair of binocular glasses ; they try to make those services look as big as possible ; and if there is a failure the glasses are reversed , and they look through them at the other end and see them as small as possible . ( Laughter . ) That is a comfort to you in
going through life , and I can say of Freemasonry that I have always received a kind and courteous consideration , and that , however undeserved it may be , is at any rate most gratifying to the individual . ( " Hear , hear , " and cheers . ) Before I sit down I have a very pleasant and important duty to perform , and that is to propose "Success to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . " I understand , brethren , that there are something over 100 ' new members—probationer members —who have sent in their names to-night . I may be allowed to say that 1 am one
of those members —( applause)—and as I have every hope that the result of the ballot maj' not be altogether unsatisfactory , I take this opportunity , which will probably be denied me as a member of the lodge , to propose hearty success to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . 1 have been favoured by Bro . Letchworth with some facts connected with the lodge , which , though familiar to some of you , may be a new toy to some , and perhaps you will allow me to play with that toy to-night . In the ritual and work of Freemasonry carried on throughout
the country there must be a sort of head , a Court of Appeal . To be of any value that Court of Appeal must have antiquity ; it must have ability ; and it must have the confidence of the brethren generally . ( " Hear , hear . " ) 1 think the Emulation Lodge of Improvement answers those requirements . With regard to antiquity , I understand it was established -j 6 years ago—in 1823—and we who have been present to-night can testify that the work of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement is regarded , and has long been regarded ,
as the standard of Masonic perfection . ( Hear , hear . ) lt is , I thir . k , a direct successor of the Lodge of Reconciliation which was formed for the purpose of arranging uniformity of working and arranging the ceremoniesof theCr . ift . The brethren who composed that lodge brought their labours to a close in the year 1816 , and on June 5 that year in Grand Lodge the very ceremonies recommended by that lodge of Reconciliation wore rehearsed and explained , and afterwards were formally authorised and confirmed by Grand Lodge . Thai , I think , gives
us that antiquity which I said in my opening remarks was desirable . At the following meeting of Grand Lodge a vote of thanks was passed to the Grand Officers and brethren for their unremitting zeal in the cause of Freemasonry . The ritual and ceremonies are almost quite identical with those taught by the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , which , as J have stated , was started seven ye < r . i after the approval of the ritual and ceremonies by Grand Lodge . From that year , 1 M 23 , to the present date the Emulation Lodge ol Improvement has steadily
and unremittingly pursued its useful course , and been the means of affording Masonic education to many thousands ol the Craft , which has been promulgated all over the world where English lodges are held . ( Hear , hear . ) It is , perhaps , a ' so interesting to note that previous to the year 1839 the meetings of thes'j lodges were held at various taverns in London , but these were deemed unsuitable , and they were removed in that year to the Freemasons' Tavern , and in 1865 it was the first lodge then opened in the new Freemasons' Hall . For the last 60
years , therefore , our meetings have been held under the . cgis of Grand Lodge . At the annual gathering of 1841 there were some 30 brethren present , and at that time it was considered a large gathering . ( Hear , hear . ) Now , I have part iken ol the hospitality ofthe Emulation Lodge of Improvement to-night , and I do not know , therefore , whether my powers of counting noses will be very accurate , but 1 imagine wc have more than 30 here now , and I tbinh that is a proof , if proof were needed , of the respect in which the present Emulation Lodge of
Improvement is held . ( Hear , hear . ) One might think 1 was in some little difficulty because I have to call upon some brother to return thanks to this toast , but I feel you will agree with me that there is very little difficulty about such a selection , because if there is a man to whom the Lodge of Emulation would wish to return thanks for them , when I look to my left they will agree that llro . Sudlow is the right man . ( Applause . ) I am glad to find that that suggestion is so unanimously endorsed , and I am proud to uwa all this evening , beautiful as the work was .
" and still the wonder grew That one small head could carry all he knew . " I have been informed by Iiro . Sudlow that between himself and myself there is even another relation . Some years ago I presented a prize for a school in the neighbourhood of Lewisham—a prize that was to be given to a boy selected by his colleagues for the reception of that prize . Bro , Sullow has informed me
Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.
to-night that it was the son of a friend of his who obtained that prize on two separate occasions . I am very pleased to find it has fallen into such good hands . We in Staffordshire have reason to be grateful to Bro . Sudlow in our attempts to improve and secuie uniformity in working the ceremonies in our province , and I am quite sure that if it ever happens that doctors disagree in that province as to ritual , Bro . Sudlow will give us his assistance . I give you with all heartiness and all aspirations for its success and prosperity "The Emulation Lodgeof Improvement . " ( Cheers . )
Bro . R . CLAY SUDI . OW , in responding , said : R . W . Brother in the chair and brethren , if the continued success of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement depended upon fhe measure of kindness and goodwill with which this toast was proposed by his lordship , or upon the heartiness and cordiality with which it was received by this splendid gathering of Masons , then , indeed , that success is already assured . ( Hear , hear . ) Certain it is that the members of the Committee upon whom the work of the Iodge devolves should feel greatly encouraeod in their
labour of love—labour more arduous and exacting than is generally supposed . It may not prove uninteresting if I to-night mention , and in a very few words deal with , a criticism that now and again is given expression to in connection with the working of the Past Masters of this Iodge . You might reasonably imagine , in view of the fact that this lodge has been in existence for nearly 80 years , and that absolutely no change has been made in its aims or in its methods during this long period , that nothing like criticism would have a place . But , as I
have already hinted such is not quite the case ; our critics say that the Past Masters of the lodge—and I believe I am considered the greatest culprit—are unnecessarily severe in requiring absolute perfection in the working of our ceremonies ; they do not recognise , in other words , the necessity of our interrupting a brother in his work if the mistake made is a trivial one . Now , let me say at once if this were a lodge of instruction , or even a regular lodge , I should cordially agree with and heartily endorse the criticism . It is not necessary , and in many
cases it is impossible , in a lodge ot instruction to correct every verbal sli p , and in a regular lodge nothing in my opinion can be more unfortunate than to hear , as one often does , corrections given tothe W . M . Surely it is inadvisable to say a word unless the mistake is a serious one , and likely if uncorrected to lead to disaster . Interruptions at once suggest to the candidate , for whom after all the ceremony is being performed , that the speech of the Master is not altogether out of the abundance of his heart , and the impression which might otherwise be secured
is to a very great extent lost . ( Hear , hear . ) But applied to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement the criticism is not a just one —( hear , hear)—and for this reason : It must always be borne in mind that oursystem of working , adopted and approved by the United Grand Lodge soon after the union , is virtually a standard , and if a standard is to be of any real value , it must be absolutely unaltered and unalterable . ( Hear , hear . ) f will not , brethren , press this point because f am quite sure it will be at once conceded . It therefore behoves the Past Masters of
this lodge to guard most jealously this system of working from any change —( hear , hpar)—and we have the satisfaction of knowing that while we maintain the traditions ol this Iodge , while we are faithful to the very important trust committed to our care , we at the same time are very helpful to every brother who comes to our meetings . I cannot , brethren , sit down without personally thanking the Grand Secretary , our Treasurer , for his courtesy in " again allowing me the privilege of responding to this toast . ( Applause . )
Bro . R . HORTON SMITH , Q . C , P . G . Reg .: Brethren , the next toast on the list has been confided to me , aad I venture to think that the confidence is a little inv ' uVioix . It reminds me of two tacts of history in the old time , the nature of which 1 will mention and shortly dispose of . The first thing it reminds me of is the fact that at tbe old Egyptian banquets they used to carry round in the hands of a slave a skull . The skull , of course , was meant to suggest to the banqueters that their time was coming to an end and that they possibly might make the best
of their time . I do not mean to say that the toast I am going to submit to you is quite that , but another thing it reminds me of is the fact that when the church , which has a great history over a certain part of the earth , proceeds to canonise a brother or a sister they depute a certain person to be the Devil ' s advocate and it is the duty of that person to suggest all sorts of reasons why the person proposed to be canonised should not be so canonised . Now , it appears to me that that is more germane to the toast I have to propose . We have given to-night full justice to the glories and the usefulness of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . I do
not say it has been forgotten , but , at any rate , it has not been noticed that without the assistance of another body the Emulation Lodge of Improvement could not have existed , and if it had not been for the . ejis of the Lodge of Unions nnder which the Emulation Lodge of Improvement works , we never should have had a lodge of improvement . The toast which is confided to me is " Success and Prosperity to the Lodge of Unions , " under which this lod ge of improvement works . I venture to submit it to you , and I couple with it the name of the Worshipful Master of that lodge , Bro . Kendall .
Bro . KDNDAI . I , , in response , said : My Lord Dartmouth , Grand Officers and brethren , I have the honour as Master of the lodge of Unions to respoad to this toast . It is always a very proud evening for the Lodge of Unions when the breihren belonging to it find themselves at the Lodge of Emulation annual Festival , and , as you say , we are in many ways responsible for the Lodge of Emulition , having granted its charter . All I can say is that no parent was ever
prouder of his offspring or ever had better reason to be so . This evening I am sun : that the brethren of the Lodge of Unions , and also the brethren of other lodges , will go back feeling that they have received an excellent object lesson in the work of Masonic ritual , and we all of us feel very grateful indeed to the Lodge of Improvement for giving us this very great treat . We shall , 1 repeat , gj back to our own lodges very confidently , feeling resolved that in the future we shall make greater efforts to emulate the working we have seen this evenin " .
Bro . G . W . Si'inn : W . M . in the chair and brethren , I have been asked to perform a very pleasing task , and one which I am sure you will join me in with very great cordiality . We have to-ni ght spent a very pleasant evening indeed . The praises of the very grand entertainment provided for us in the lodge room have been sung in every key , and have met with your approval , but there is one important part of this evening ' s entertainment which , perhaps , though not the most instructive , is , I am sure , not the least pleasurable , and that is the
entertainment which we have been recipients of round the hospitable board of this room . For both these entertainments 1 believe we are indebted to the Stewards of the Festival ; but I take it that the greater part of their duty has been connected with this , which I may call the Fourth Degree . 1 have been asked to prouosi : " The Health of thc Stewards of the Festival , " and I am confident we wish thsm all good health and prosperity and long life , if it be only that they miy have another chance of providing for us on a future occasion a similar entertainment .
Bro . JosEi'H RUSSELL , Sec : Worshipful President , Grand Officers , and brethren , on behalf of the Stewards of this Festival of thc Lod ge of Improvement I tender you our very warmest thanks for the kind manner in which this toast has been proposed and honoured . The work of this Festival is simply possible by the kind co-operation of the large body of Stewards , and even among those there are about 10 or 12 who stand out so clearl y in their pushing forward
the success ot this testival that it would be unworth y of me on this occasion if I did not tender them my warmest thanks , because without them it would b ; impossible for me to carry it out . I thank you all for the very kind manner in which our toast has been honoured . The Tyler ' s toast was then given , and the brethren separated ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.
presiding on the present occasion . Our R . W . brother is well known to all in this room as the popular and most respected head of one of our most important provinces ; but it may not be known to all in this room , although it is known to the Staffordshire brethren , that Lord Dartmouth is a most able exponent of the ritual of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . It was my privilege , as it wis of not a few in this room , within the past few weeks to listen to th ^ most
admirable manner in which Lord Dartmouth installed his successor in a very important Iodge in the Province of Staffordshire , and 1 venture to think that even the critical ears of Bro . Sudlow would have failed to detect any defect in his working . On behalf of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement I beg to tender you , my lord our warmest thanks for the high honour you have done us in presiding over our meeting to-day , and I ask you , brethren , to join with me in drinking " The Health of his lordship ( Lord Dartmouth ) , the President on this occasion . "
( Cheers . ) Bro . the Earl of DARTMOUTH , who was received with loud cheers on rising to respond , said -. Brethren , I rise at once to return you the very heartiest thanks for the kind manner you have received the toast that has been submitted to you by Bro . Letchworth . I can only thank Bro . Letchworth once again for this additional kindness that he has rendered . He has been a great assistance to me personally in the position which I have the honour to occupy . I am afraid if I compare the ceremony to which he has referred with the ceremony which we have listened to
to-night , I should be bound to admit that there were very many points in it to which anybody , and Bro . Sudlow in particular , would have to exercise a judicious correction . But , at the same time , as you are perhaps aware , I am a very young Mason indeed , and I can only hope that by the example of those of so much greater experience in the Craft , that as years go on , I shall be able to follow to some extent the example they have set us . I should like before . proceeding to retur n you my own thanks to make a statement , which I think I may be permitted to do ,
with regard to the late deputy who has responded to this last toast , and I should like to take the opportunity of telling you , as I have told my brethren in the province , of the great kindness and consideration that I have always received at the hands of Bro . Bindley , ' ( Hear , hear . ) I am aware that from my youthfulness in Freemasonry no doubt many of my friends would be a little surprised to find me occupying the place that 1 do to-night as President of the annual gathering of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . Some of you may be acquainted , probably
all of you , are acquainted with the opera played some years ago of " The Grand Duchess . " There was in that opera a character named Fritz , who , having rendered some service to the Grand Duchess , was offered a reward ; but that reward — to the surprise of every body — which he selected was the post of a village schoolmaster . It was pointed out to him that he was unable to read , and he said , "That is the very reason why I want to be a schoolmaster ; I want to learn . " ( Laughter . ) Brethren , it is a
good deal for that reason that I occupy the post that I occupy to-night , and I am bound to own that 1 have learned a very great deal if I can remember all I have learned . But it seems to me that Freemasons generally when anybody renders some little service are apt to look at those services through a very strong pair of binocular glasses ; they try to make those services look as big as possible ; and if there is a failure the glasses are reversed , and they look through them at the other end and see them as small as possible . ( Laughter . ) That is a comfort to you in
going through life , and I can say of Freemasonry that I have always received a kind and courteous consideration , and that , however undeserved it may be , is at any rate most gratifying to the individual . ( " Hear , hear , " and cheers . ) Before I sit down I have a very pleasant and important duty to perform , and that is to propose "Success to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . " I understand , brethren , that there are something over 100 ' new members—probationer members —who have sent in their names to-night . I may be allowed to say that 1 am one
of those members —( applause)—and as I have every hope that the result of the ballot maj' not be altogether unsatisfactory , I take this opportunity , which will probably be denied me as a member of the lodge , to propose hearty success to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . 1 have been favoured by Bro . Letchworth with some facts connected with the lodge , which , though familiar to some of you , may be a new toy to some , and perhaps you will allow me to play with that toy to-night . In the ritual and work of Freemasonry carried on throughout
the country there must be a sort of head , a Court of Appeal . To be of any value that Court of Appeal must have antiquity ; it must have ability ; and it must have the confidence of the brethren generally . ( " Hear , hear . " ) 1 think the Emulation Lodge of Improvement answers those requirements . With regard to antiquity , I understand it was established -j 6 years ago—in 1823—and we who have been present to-night can testify that the work of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement is regarded , and has long been regarded ,
as the standard of Masonic perfection . ( Hear , hear . ) lt is , I thir . k , a direct successor of the Lodge of Reconciliation which was formed for the purpose of arranging uniformity of working and arranging the ceremoniesof theCr . ift . The brethren who composed that lodge brought their labours to a close in the year 1816 , and on June 5 that year in Grand Lodge the very ceremonies recommended by that lodge of Reconciliation wore rehearsed and explained , and afterwards were formally authorised and confirmed by Grand Lodge . Thai , I think , gives
us that antiquity which I said in my opening remarks was desirable . At the following meeting of Grand Lodge a vote of thanks was passed to the Grand Officers and brethren for their unremitting zeal in the cause of Freemasonry . The ritual and ceremonies are almost quite identical with those taught by the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , which , as J have stated , was started seven ye < r . i after the approval of the ritual and ceremonies by Grand Lodge . From that year , 1 M 23 , to the present date the Emulation Lodge ol Improvement has steadily
and unremittingly pursued its useful course , and been the means of affording Masonic education to many thousands ol the Craft , which has been promulgated all over the world where English lodges are held . ( Hear , hear . ) It is , perhaps , a ' so interesting to note that previous to the year 1839 the meetings of thes'j lodges were held at various taverns in London , but these were deemed unsuitable , and they were removed in that year to the Freemasons' Tavern , and in 1865 it was the first lodge then opened in the new Freemasons' Hall . For the last 60
years , therefore , our meetings have been held under the . cgis of Grand Lodge . At the annual gathering of 1841 there were some 30 brethren present , and at that time it was considered a large gathering . ( Hear , hear . ) Now , I have part iken ol the hospitality ofthe Emulation Lodge of Improvement to-night , and I do not know , therefore , whether my powers of counting noses will be very accurate , but 1 imagine wc have more than 30 here now , and I tbinh that is a proof , if proof were needed , of the respect in which the present Emulation Lodge of
Improvement is held . ( Hear , hear . ) One might think 1 was in some little difficulty because I have to call upon some brother to return thanks to this toast , but I feel you will agree with me that there is very little difficulty about such a selection , because if there is a man to whom the Lodge of Emulation would wish to return thanks for them , when I look to my left they will agree that llro . Sudlow is the right man . ( Applause . ) I am glad to find that that suggestion is so unanimously endorsed , and I am proud to uwa all this evening , beautiful as the work was .
" and still the wonder grew That one small head could carry all he knew . " I have been informed by Iiro . Sudlow that between himself and myself there is even another relation . Some years ago I presented a prize for a school in the neighbourhood of Lewisham—a prize that was to be given to a boy selected by his colleagues for the reception of that prize . Bro , Sullow has informed me
Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.
to-night that it was the son of a friend of his who obtained that prize on two separate occasions . I am very pleased to find it has fallen into such good hands . We in Staffordshire have reason to be grateful to Bro . Sudlow in our attempts to improve and secuie uniformity in working the ceremonies in our province , and I am quite sure that if it ever happens that doctors disagree in that province as to ritual , Bro . Sudlow will give us his assistance . I give you with all heartiness and all aspirations for its success and prosperity "The Emulation Lodgeof Improvement . " ( Cheers . )
Bro . R . CLAY SUDI . OW , in responding , said : R . W . Brother in the chair and brethren , if the continued success of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement depended upon fhe measure of kindness and goodwill with which this toast was proposed by his lordship , or upon the heartiness and cordiality with which it was received by this splendid gathering of Masons , then , indeed , that success is already assured . ( Hear , hear . ) Certain it is that the members of the Committee upon whom the work of the Iodge devolves should feel greatly encouraeod in their
labour of love—labour more arduous and exacting than is generally supposed . It may not prove uninteresting if I to-night mention , and in a very few words deal with , a criticism that now and again is given expression to in connection with the working of the Past Masters of this Iodge . You might reasonably imagine , in view of the fact that this lodge has been in existence for nearly 80 years , and that absolutely no change has been made in its aims or in its methods during this long period , that nothing like criticism would have a place . But , as I
have already hinted such is not quite the case ; our critics say that the Past Masters of the lodge—and I believe I am considered the greatest culprit—are unnecessarily severe in requiring absolute perfection in the working of our ceremonies ; they do not recognise , in other words , the necessity of our interrupting a brother in his work if the mistake made is a trivial one . Now , let me say at once if this were a lodge of instruction , or even a regular lodge , I should cordially agree with and heartily endorse the criticism . It is not necessary , and in many
cases it is impossible , in a lodge ot instruction to correct every verbal sli p , and in a regular lodge nothing in my opinion can be more unfortunate than to hear , as one often does , corrections given tothe W . M . Surely it is inadvisable to say a word unless the mistake is a serious one , and likely if uncorrected to lead to disaster . Interruptions at once suggest to the candidate , for whom after all the ceremony is being performed , that the speech of the Master is not altogether out of the abundance of his heart , and the impression which might otherwise be secured
is to a very great extent lost . ( Hear , hear . ) But applied to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement the criticism is not a just one —( hear , hear)—and for this reason : It must always be borne in mind that oursystem of working , adopted and approved by the United Grand Lodge soon after the union , is virtually a standard , and if a standard is to be of any real value , it must be absolutely unaltered and unalterable . ( Hear , hear . ) f will not , brethren , press this point because f am quite sure it will be at once conceded . It therefore behoves the Past Masters of
this lodge to guard most jealously this system of working from any change —( hear , hpar)—and we have the satisfaction of knowing that while we maintain the traditions ol this Iodge , while we are faithful to the very important trust committed to our care , we at the same time are very helpful to every brother who comes to our meetings . I cannot , brethren , sit down without personally thanking the Grand Secretary , our Treasurer , for his courtesy in " again allowing me the privilege of responding to this toast . ( Applause . )
Bro . R . HORTON SMITH , Q . C , P . G . Reg .: Brethren , the next toast on the list has been confided to me , aad I venture to think that the confidence is a little inv ' uVioix . It reminds me of two tacts of history in the old time , the nature of which 1 will mention and shortly dispose of . The first thing it reminds me of is the fact that at tbe old Egyptian banquets they used to carry round in the hands of a slave a skull . The skull , of course , was meant to suggest to the banqueters that their time was coming to an end and that they possibly might make the best
of their time . I do not mean to say that the toast I am going to submit to you is quite that , but another thing it reminds me of is the fact that when the church , which has a great history over a certain part of the earth , proceeds to canonise a brother or a sister they depute a certain person to be the Devil ' s advocate and it is the duty of that person to suggest all sorts of reasons why the person proposed to be canonised should not be so canonised . Now , it appears to me that that is more germane to the toast I have to propose . We have given to-night full justice to the glories and the usefulness of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . I do
not say it has been forgotten , but , at any rate , it has not been noticed that without the assistance of another body the Emulation Lodge of Improvement could not have existed , and if it had not been for the . ejis of the Lodge of Unions nnder which the Emulation Lodge of Improvement works , we never should have had a lodge of improvement . The toast which is confided to me is " Success and Prosperity to the Lodge of Unions , " under which this lod ge of improvement works . I venture to submit it to you , and I couple with it the name of the Worshipful Master of that lodge , Bro . Kendall .
Bro . KDNDAI . I , , in response , said : My Lord Dartmouth , Grand Officers and brethren , I have the honour as Master of the lodge of Unions to respoad to this toast . It is always a very proud evening for the Lodge of Unions when the breihren belonging to it find themselves at the Lodge of Emulation annual Festival , and , as you say , we are in many ways responsible for the Lodge of Emulition , having granted its charter . All I can say is that no parent was ever
prouder of his offspring or ever had better reason to be so . This evening I am sun : that the brethren of the Lodge of Unions , and also the brethren of other lodges , will go back feeling that they have received an excellent object lesson in the work of Masonic ritual , and we all of us feel very grateful indeed to the Lodge of Improvement for giving us this very great treat . We shall , 1 repeat , gj back to our own lodges very confidently , feeling resolved that in the future we shall make greater efforts to emulate the working we have seen this evenin " .
Bro . G . W . Si'inn : W . M . in the chair and brethren , I have been asked to perform a very pleasing task , and one which I am sure you will join me in with very great cordiality . We have to-ni ght spent a very pleasant evening indeed . The praises of the very grand entertainment provided for us in the lodge room have been sung in every key , and have met with your approval , but there is one important part of this evening ' s entertainment which , perhaps , though not the most instructive , is , I am sure , not the least pleasurable , and that is the
entertainment which we have been recipients of round the hospitable board of this room . For both these entertainments 1 believe we are indebted to the Stewards of the Festival ; but I take it that the greater part of their duty has been connected with this , which I may call the Fourth Degree . 1 have been asked to prouosi : " The Health of thc Stewards of the Festival , " and I am confident we wish thsm all good health and prosperity and long life , if it be only that they miy have another chance of providing for us on a future occasion a similar entertainment .
Bro . JosEi'H RUSSELL , Sec : Worshipful President , Grand Officers , and brethren , on behalf of the Stewards of this Festival of thc Lod ge of Improvement I tender you our very warmest thanks for the kind manner in which this toast has been proposed and honoured . The work of this Festival is simply possible by the kind co-operation of the large body of Stewards , and even among those there are about 10 or 12 who stand out so clearl y in their pushing forward
the success ot this testival that it would be unworth y of me on this occasion if I did not tender them my warmest thanks , because without them it would b ; impossible for me to carry it out . I thank you all for the very kind manner in which our toast has been honoured . The Tyler ' s toast was then given , and the brethren separated ,