Summer Fete Of The Paxton Lodge, No. 1686.

SUMMER FETE OF THE PAXTON LODGE , No . 1686 .

The Paxton Lodge , No . 1686 , which was consecrated only a twelvemonth since , and has had a most brilliant career , held on Wednesday evening last , at the Crystal Palace , a Summer Fete that had been most admirably arranged .

The Fete consisted of a dinner party , to which ladies as well as brethren were invited , and as it was given in one of the pretty dining saloons at the Crystal Palace , where a charming view of the beautiful county of Kent can be had , and soft breezes can be at any time obtained , the efforts of the committee to make the evening pleasant icceived considerable natural aid . The efforts of Bro . F . J .

Sawyer , S . D ,, also were energetically directed to making the meeting a success , and the dinner was most liberally laid , and the table elegantly atlorned with choice flowers and fruit . The committee who had charge of the arrangements were Bros . J . M . Klenck , W . M . ; C . Hammcrton , P . M . ; F . W . Goddard , S . W . ; C . H . Benham , J . W . ; F . J . Sawyer , S . D . -, W . H . Boswell , J . D .-, R . E . Woodhams ,

I . G . ; N . J . Basnett , W . S . ; G . R . Dodd , D . C . ; S . Walker , A . W . S . ; R . A . Piatt , R . Turner , F . T . Goddard , N . J Whitcombe , H . E . Frances , P . M ., P . P . G . S . D ., Hon . Sec . The party was composeel of Bros . J . M . Klenck , W . M . ; F . W . Goddard , S . W . ; G . R . Dodd , as J . W . ; H . E . Frances , P . M ., Treas . ; F . J . Sawyer , S . D . ; N . J . Basnett , W . S . ; S . Walker , Asst . W . S . -, Turner , W . G . Brighten ,

Frank Goddard , W . W . Morgan , Dr . Cutmore , H . Massey ( Freemason ) , and Mrs . | ° K ! enck , Miss McRae , Mrs . Goddard , Mrs . Dodd , Mrs . Basnett , Mrs . Turner , Mrs . Walker , Miss Sawyer , Mrs . W . W . Morgan , and Mis . Massey . Letters of apology were received from the following

brethren wbo could not attend : Lieut .-Col . Burdelt , Grand Lodge ; Alderman Hadley , J . E . Saunders , Grand Lodge ; F . W . Masters , 1339 ; R . Vincent , 72 ; J . Smith , P . G . P . ; Dr . Kempster , Earl Spencer Lodge ; J . McRae , J . Taylor , P . M . 933 ; Gibson , P . M . Earl Stanhope ; Dodsan , P . M . 72 . At the conclusion of the dinner the list of toasts was

gone through . In giving the toast of " The Queen and the Craft , " the W . M . said that it it had not been for Masonry no doubt the present assemblage would not have been got together , and for the information of the ladies he would say that Freemasons met in various lodges , and in those lodges they formed acquain ' . > ices through which many of the

brethren formed frieiii snips , which happily were lasting . He hoped that Masonry would continue to bring them together in the manner it had hitherto done , and that they would all feel towards each other that brotherly love which should at all times characterise Freemasons under whatever circumstances they met . Tney had met that day almost on the first anniversary of their consecration , and he

was pleased to say they had lost none of that unanimity and concord which characterised their consecration meeting . He was very pleased to fin * l the brethren and ladies present , and he hoped they had enjoyed themselves . The Stewards had elone everything they could to contribute to the company ' s comfort , and he trusted the ladies especially would have a good impression of Masonry and of

Masonic brethren . He would ask the ladies to look at the gentlemen around them , and he thought that having done so they would not regret having met -hem . The brethren present were a very fair sample of Masonry , and the ladies must acknowledge from the specimen they had had they would not object at meeting them in private society . In giving "The Health of the . Grand Master , " Bro .

Klenck rcmineled the brethren that a mem ' ier of the R . iyal family took the chair on Monday at the Festival of the Boys' School , and that the Chairman of the day , the Duke nf Connaught , expressed his full sympathy and thorough hearty feeling with Masonry . In giving " The Pro G . M ., the Deputy G . M ., " & c ., Bro . Klenck told the company that that very elay Lord

Skelmersdale was engaged in launching a lifeboat at Clacton ^ on-Sea , and he hoped tint that boat might be the means of saving many a shipwrecked mariner and rescuing him from a watery grave . If such a case did occur he hoped that those saved wuuld remember with gratitude the munificence of Freemasons . Bro . James Coward , Past Grand Organist , responded .

Bro . H . E . Frances , P . M ., Treas . and Sec , in very complimentary terms , proposed " The Health of the W . M . " Bro . Klenck , W . M ., in reply , said he hoped everything had been done satisfactorily to contribute to the comfort and happiness , and that the company were pleased with it . It was at all times the endeavour of W . M . ' s of lodges to obtain and to merit the approbation of all , rather than of

any individual in particular . He had done what he hail to the best of his ability . He could safe ' y say that the truest principle of Masonry was charity , and he did not think any brother during his tenure of office in Mas . mry could boast of doing more than he , in his humble capacity , had done . He had viewed the charities as one of the best institutions of Masonry , and to that principle he had

adhered in his advocacy of chanty . The W . M . in proposing "The Visitors" informed the company of the corelial reception he had always met with among Freemasons while travelling abroad . Visitors were always acceptable to Freemasons , and he very much hoped that the visitors that evening had thoroughly enjoyed themselves . If they had done so as much as the hosts had enjoyed their society , they must be satisfied indeed .

Bros . Levander and Brighten replied , and assured the W . M . that the visitors had spent a most pleasant evening . Bro . Brighten in the course of his reply referred to the W . M . ' s allusion to the launch that day of the " Albert Edward" Lifeboat . But he informed the brethren that though the vessel had only been formally launched that day , she had alreaely done service , for when she was out on a sail , some very bad weather sprang up , and the crew of

Summer Fete Of The Paxton Lodge, No. 1686.

a brig to the number of eight or nine were all saved by means of the" Albert Edward , " at Clacton-on-Sea . Such a case as that was evidence how urgently a lifeboat was needed at Clacton-on-Sea . " The Stewards , " " The Press , " and " The Ladies " were the other toasts , after the proposal of and returning thanks for which the company separated . A beautiful musical entertainment was given in the course

of the evening by Mrs . Klenck , Miss McRae , Bro . Goddard , Bro . Brighten , Bro . F . J . Sawyer , and Bro . James Coward , who accompanied on the pianoforte most of the vocalists , also performed some beautiful compositions on the same instrument . Tne musical performances as well as all the other enjoyments of thc evening were fully appreciated by the brethren and ladies .

Proposed Memorial To The Late Bro Little.

PROPOSED MEMORIAL TO THE LATE BRO LITTLE .

A meeting of brethren was hel 1 at Freemasons' Hall on the evening ot the 5 th inst ., for the purpose of taking steps for raising a fitting memorial to the . late Bro . Robert Wentworth Little , Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Middlesex , Secretary of the Royal Masonic Institution for

Girls , & c , & c , & c . The following brethren attended : Bros . John Boyd , George Kenning , Rev . Dr . Brette , H . C . Levander , Thomas Massa , Thomas Cubitt , H . A . Dubois , H . G . Buss , Herbert Dicketts , W . Dodd , R . B . Webster , George Tidcombe , jun ., F . R . W . Hedges , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) . Bro . John Boyd was called upon to preside , and in

opening the proceedings of the evening he said that it was unnecessary to remind the brethren what the object of the meeting was , as all the brethren had had a circular , and the matter was fresh in their recollection . He should , therefore , leave the matter in the hands of the meeting to suggest the form which the intended memtiial should talce . But before that was done he should call on Bro .

Dodd to read any letters he had received on the subject . Bro . Dodd then read a letter from Bro . W . Roebuck , regretting his inability to attend the meeting , but giving permission for his name to be placed on any committee that might he formed . Another letter from Bro . J . C . Parkinson , informing the meeting that other engagements prevented his attending , but suggesting that the best

memorial to the dead was the extending of help to the living , and with that view he would be ; happy to subscribe to any fund which might be raised to Bro . Little ' s widow . A letter from Col . Burdett regretted his being obliged to be absent on account of other engagements , but expressing sympathy with the object of the meeting . Bro . John Thomas Moss also wrote saying he would be happy to assist , and that

the meeting might make use of him in any way ; and if they pleased might use his name on a committee . The Rev . Dr . Brette said he hael thought over the subject which had brought the brethren together , and he quite agree . ! with the opinion of Bro . Parkinson , that the best way of showing respect to the dead was to take care of those whom they loved in life . He therefore thought the best

way in which they coulel show their respect lor Brn . Little would be during the life of his widow to assist to mike her comfortable . He would at the same time add that they might erect a memorial tombstone over the grave of Bro . Little ; but considering the distance from town of the cemetery which Bro . Little hael selected fur his grave it would notb ; well to lay out more than £ 30 or £ 40 for the

tomb-This amount he had had already promised , but the amount desired to be raised was £ 1000 , and he thought the interest on this sum when invested might be paid to Mrs . Little during her life as a memorial to Bro . Little , and when she died the principal to be paid to ihe Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , as a memorial in some form to the late Secretary of the Institution . In this way "he

thought the brethien would be taking care of one whom Bro . Little had loved duiing life , and of the children of the Girls' School , for the benefit of whom he had exercised his best efforts during his Masncic career . His proposition therefore was that a testimonial be erected over the grave of Bro . Little , to be paid for out of the subscriptions to the Wentworth Little Memorial Fund , that the remainder

should be invested and the interest paid quarterly to Bro . Little ' s widow during life or widowhood , and at her death or re-marriage the principal to be paid to the Treasurer of thc Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . Some questions as to form having been asked and answered , the brethren formed themselves into a committee for carrying out the above project , and appointed Bros . Dr .

Brette , John Boyd , H . C . Levander , H . G . Buss , George Kenning , Col . Burdett , J . C . Parkinson , W . Roebuck , and Thomas Cubilt , a Sub-committee , with power to add to their number , to deal with the matter . Bros . W . Dodd and F . R . W . Hedges were appointed joint Secretaries , and Bro . H . G . Buss , Treasurer of the Fund . The Chairman asked whether it was proposed to place

any limit to the amount of individual ' subscriptions . Dr . Brette thought not . The best that could be done was to get the largest amount of subscriptions possible . The first step should be to erect a memorial over Bro . Little ' s grave , which he proposed should consist of a tomb made of grey granite , six feet by six ; and then to obtain as large an amount as possible for investment , the interest to be

paid to the widow , and the principal , on her death or re-marriage , to be paid to the Treasurer of the Girls ' School . Bro . Tidcombe asked whether there was any Masonic place where a tablet to the memory of Bro . Little might be erected . He had noticed several tablets on coming into

Freemasons' Hall that day . The Chairman said that those tablets commemorated the building of Freemasons' Hall , and perpetuated the memory of those brethren who took a prominent part in that event . Bro . Tidcombe observed that with regard to the pro-

Proposed Memorial To The Late Bro Little.

posed fund it would be as well to let the Craft know that the money which they subscribed to ihe Wentworth Little Memorial would in the end go to and benefit the Masonic Girls' School , so that they were really contributing to a great charity while doing honour to a brother whom they all icspcctcd . The meeting was then adjourned for a fortnight .

The Star And Garter, Kew Bridge.

THE STAR AND GARTER , KEW BRIDGE .

Thc opening of the new Banqueting Hall at the Star and Gaiter Hotel , Kew , a notice of which appeared in the Freemason of the 1 st ult ,, was inauguiated on the 27 th ult . by a banquet , at which between fifty and sixty of the bre . thren were present . Situated in one of the most charming

of the environs of the metropolis , watered by the Thames , and in the mieist of associations of no ordinary interest , Kew has ever been one of the favourite resorts of jaded Londoners ; and it is needless to say that thc Star and Garter has ever been a favouree ! hostelrie . Are you tired , careworn , and etyspeptic ? Do you wish to throw off the thousand-and-one peity cares anil vexations of evcry-day

existence ? Would you exchange the vile carbon of the city for the pure oxygen of the fields , the everlasting wearying mezzo-tint of city chimneys , the bilious hue of city skies , for the deep azure that is heaven-born and for the fresh verdant foliage of trees , that a Claude would sigh to transfer to can . va . s , tUtn go to Kew . Health is in its breeze , poetry is in its picturesque beauty , history and

romance meet you at every turn , and the genius of a Gainsborough and a Zoffany still haunt the favoured spot which brought them inspiration and gave charm to their pencilling ? . But the most favoured of earth-born men must sometimes seek the prosaic comforts of life , and where shall we find them so complete as at Bro . Stanbury ' s , mine host of the Star and Garter ? D 1 you want

the true flavour of the violet , where will you find a choicer Mazarin than at Bro . Stanbury ' s ? Hock , Chablis , Champagne ! Waiter , bring the carte ! And so Bro . Stanbury , moving with the times , and secure in the affections of his visitors , has enlarged his ^ borders and thrown cut a fine banqueting hall , which is also a hall of mystery , as every place eledicated to the rites

of Freemasonry ought to be . How long it took to build , what its dimensions are , how it is upholstered and carpeted , all these arc details which have alicady appeared in the Freemason and are too prosaic for the present occasion . It suffices us that the coup el ' eeil is attractive , and that the inaugural banquet promises to keep up the time-honoured reputation of the Star and Garter , and to

add additional laurels to Bro . Stanbury as a caterer . Bro . Layton presided , and Bro . Ellis occupied the vice-chair , and as we have said , between fifty and sixty brethren graced the festive board , where everything was perfection , and everyone was gay , and the chairman exercised a wis ; discretion by making short speeches thc order of the day . The loyal and patriotic toa .-ts were drank with

enthusisiasm , and Bro . Newson in a gallant little speech , full of fire and pluck , responded for the martial element of the Queen's subjects . The toast to Lord Beaconsfield met with a response which would have satisfied the most captious of Tories arid have stirred the emotions of the veteran champion of British interests . Bo . Tredwcll improved the occasion , and was followed

by Bro . Carpenter , who in a speech concise and epigrammatic , gave the toat "Prosperity of the Town and Trade of Brentford and Kew . This marriage of aristocratic Kew with plebeian Brentford culled forth a neai little speech fr jm Bro . Besley , who somehow or other seemed inclined to give the pas to the commercial advantages of Brentford over the sylvan

beauties of Kew . Then followed what , after all , was the toast of the evening , namely , " The Host and Hostess of thc Star and Garter . " The Cluirman in his most genial vein sang the triumphs of mine host and the many virtues of the amiable hostess , without whom the Star and Garter would be

wanting in inspiration . Tho commercial enterprise which had beer : shown in building thc new hall was referred to , and the happiest results tc every one were prophesied , and if good wishes coulel control events there is no chance that thc prophecy will lack fulfilment . Bro . Stanbury thanked the brethren for their kind wishes

towards himself and his wife . So far as he was concerned nothing should be wanting to deserve a continuance of the favours which the brethren had accorded him in the past . It was not for mortals to command success , but he would do his best to deserve it . And what coulel mortal do more ? Several brethren who had been expected were unable to attend , but the banquet had gone off

successfully which he was willing to accept as a good omen for the future . Toasts of a complimentary character to "The Press " and " The Laelies " followed , and the banquet was brought to a harmonious conclusion . During the evening some capital songs were sung by Miss Matilda Roby and Bro . Seymour Smith , who also acted as accompanist .

Bro . William James Hughan , P . M ., P . S . G . D . of England , the present Master of the Lodge of Fortitude , No . 131 , Truro , is delivering a series of lectures to the brethren . In June No . 1-. "Masonic Degrees and Regalia . " In July , No . 2 : The Symbolism ofthe Master Mason ' s Apron . In August No . 3 : "Masonic Grand Privileges . " In October No . 4 : "Masonic Antiquity and Customs . " The next meeting of the Frederick . Lodge of Unity will be held at the Greyhound Hotel , Croydon , on Tuesday next , at half-past six o'clock .