Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1072 ] — As to the great _ strength of Royal Arch Masonry in West Yorkshire , it has always been the opinion of some of us that every lodge , unless short of members , should have its own Royal Arch chapter , to which access should only be obtained throug h the lodge to which it is attached—except in the case of joining members . The subscription should be as small and the ballot as strict as convenient .

C . H . W . 1073 ] With reference to a recent letter as to waistcoats , f have before me a painting of my father in a cut pile velvet waistcoat , of which I remember I had the reversion in about 1842 . Don't let us have them again ; but it might save trouble if waiters were to wear coloured ties—say blue , and the servants of a house to wear the : r master's colours . C . H . W . 1074 ]

Apropos ol Bro . Hughan ' s remarks on the history of Irish Lodge , No . 891 , Enniskillen , my late father , who was never in a lodge between 1834 or thereabouts till he came as an Entered Apprentice to my installation , was duly proved and tried by a skilled P . M ., though he never had a certificate , and was only registered in Grand Lodge as E . A . He claimed to have " passed the chair" in the old Lodge of Unanimity , Wakefield . He knew nothing of darkness , as a batch were raised to M . M . one Midsummer in glorification of Lord Mexborough . He taught me a curious mode of firing , which is now used as Salute in the Second Degree at installation of W . M . C . H . W .

Champagne Cheap.

CHAMPAGNE CHEAP .

Some little while ago , I was spending the evening with a professional friend , a well-known vocalist of great musical ability . In the course of social chat , he related two incidents of his early career , which f thought so novel and amusing , that I obtained his permission to make them the subject of the following little sketch . He only made one proviso—that his name should be concealed , and no clue given by which the localities could be identified . I readily agreed . I think it will prove more interesting if I state the facts , as far as I can recollect them , in his own

words—One of my first professional engagements was in a large , busy thoroughfare , at the East-end of London . A thriving tavern was the great resort of the people of the neighbourhood . A large hall was attached , where variety entertainments and smoking concerts were often given , to overflowing audiences . By a musical agent I was engaged for one of the latter , and was requested to appear in evening dress . Of course , I was too pleased at this good fortune , as I then considered it ,

t * trouble myself to make any enquiries relative to the neighbourhood , and the class of people who used to attend . On the appointed evening , punctually at the time named , I made my appearance . Being directed to the room for the artistes , I entered it , and , seeing an individual who , from his dress , I considered to be a waiter , I asked him if any of the artistes had yet arrived . ' Yes , ' replied he , 'two of them—you and I—the others will be here directly . ' In

a few minutes other professional gentlemen entered , in the same dubious dress , and cloudy white linen as the one I first accosted . Last of all came the one lady professional , of the Hebrew persuasion , a pianiste in dirty white satin , with a train of considerable length . If some of the superfluity at her feet had been applied to her neck , it would have been a great advantage on the score of decency , for her corsage was very low cut indeed . She wore around her

neck a glittering necklace of sham diamonds , as large as hazel -nuts ; had they been real , their value could have bought the freehold of the hall and tavern . Looks of astonishment were interchanged between the assembled artistes and myself . One of them asked me if this was my first appearance there . I said , ' Yes . ' ' Then , as you do not know the class of people before whom you will appear , I may as well mention you must be prepared for anything that may happen—they

are sometimes difficult to please ; we are used to them , eh , Elliott , ' addressing the manager . ' We go on , only stopping when a fight takes place . ' As may be imagined , these tidings were not very encouraging to me ; however , I resolved to do my best to merit approval . About nine o'clock—half-an-hour after the time announced—the concert began . Four known favourites had been well receivedthe last , a lion comique , had been vociferously encored three times , his last song

was entitled , ' Lively little Lou . ' Then it was my turn . As I ascended the platform I felt a little nervous ; my song , unfortunately , was of a sentimental and pathetic nature . I had only tung two or three lines of tbe first verse , when 1 heard a man sitting at a table just below me observe to his companion , ' I say , Bill , are you going to stop and hear this d d rot ? ' ' Not I , ' said his friend ; they then got up and went away .

coon 1 heard voices ' go home , ' go to bed , ' and mock applause . Instead of being daunted , I felt fresh courage rise . I continued , in spite of the interruption , nor did I quit the platform until I had finished my song . I had the feeling of inward satisfaction that I had never sung better , and knew I should have merited the applause of an appreciative audience . My fellow artistes sympathised with me very kindly and told me not to be downhearted . When the second part

arrived the manager came to me and said he had consulted with the chairman , and they had come to the conclusion that it would not be prudent for me to appear again to sing the second song for which I was announced . In fact , the audience were greatly disappointed , they did not care for sentimental songs . He paid me my fee and gave me permission to leave , which I was very glad to do , inwardl y resolving that , previous to my accepting a similar engagement , I would

make some enquiries as to the style of audience before whom 1 should have to appear . My other experience , which was of a more serious and trying nature than the one previously related , occurred in a large music hall in one of the outlying districts of Lancashire . It was the first concert given by a band of White Negro Minstrels ; they were engaged by the proprietor for a week , in this small provincial town . My services were accepted by the director of the troupe as a

hanjoist and vocalist . On the evening in question we formed the usual semicircle on the platform . We saw before us a large audience of both sexes , as far as we could judge , of a very rough character . The performance commenced , hrst a concerted piece , then some instrumental and vocal solos , after which the conuc man of our party delighted the audience by one of his excruciatingly funny songs . I need hardly say it was rapturously received , vociferously applauded , and s hearers then insisted that he should sing three other songs from his extensive

" ¦ pertoirc . At last he was permitted to retire . After this I had to sing a sentimental song . Th-: director had shown a great want ot tact in putting me on for a ¦> Wious song immediately the audience had received their fill of boisterous imour ; indeed , it was most cruel . The result may easily be anticipated . As 0 soon as the audience perceived the nature of my song , they did not long delay

Champagne Cheap.

the signs of their complete disapproval . I cannot pretend to give you the expressions , with the full racy flavour of the Lancashire dialect they used ; suffice it to say that I was told to ' shoot oop , ' ' get away home , ' and strong terms of a profane nature were used . I still , however , continued . At the conclusion of the first verse , as I showed no disposition to accept their invitation to retire , but evidently intended to complete my assigned task , my hearers began to grow impatient , and mark , in a most unpleasant manner , their indignation . In my

second verse I had hardl y declared that 'She wore a wreath of roses , ' when I was greeted with shouts of derisive laughter ; then came a shower of missiles , in the form of coppers ( pence I mean ) ; some struck my legs and feet , one hit the banjo , another I received on the back of my head . In spite of the intimations from the director , who retained his seat , and some of my fellow minstrels , who were still on the platform , I continued to the end of my song . Not till then did I cease . Instead of leaving the platform , as would naturally be expected , I

beckoned to a servant standing at the wing . He came ; I whispered to him ; he re-appeared , bringing a dust-pan and hand broom . I then told him to sweep up the pence . This he did . The audience broke out into tumultuous applause ; then complete silence ensued . They were curious to know what would happen . I did not keep them long in suspense . I asked the director , in a low tone of voice , if he could procure a bottle of cheap champagne . He said no doubt he could . I desired him to bring one , with a few glasses , on the

platform . This was soon done . The bottle was opened , and some half-dozen glasses were filled . Then taking one in my hand , I advanced to the footlights , thanking the audience on behalf of the director , my companions , and myself for the champagne their liberality afforded us , at the same time drinking their jolly good healths . We all then bowed and retired , amidst deafening plaudits , to which we bad again to appear , and repeat our acknowledgments . However rough and uncultured an audience may be , they admire British pluck , and are not slow in

testifying their appreciation of it . The amount of pence collected on the stage not only sufficed to pay for the champagne , but left a small balance , which was afterwards given to a local charity . Later on in the evening 1 played a solo on the banjo , which was enthusiastically encored . During the rest of our stay we had a full tide of success . My appearance each evening caused quite an ovation , and my songs , though sentimental , were listened to with marked attention and invariably encored . " I have thus endeavoured , as far as my memory would serve ,

to relate the two striking episodes in my friend ' s early professional career . I must , however , confess my inability to give an adequate idea of the dry humour with which they were told , and the merry twinkle of the eyes which accompanied the voice . Many other professional men , I have no doubt , could afford instances of personal experience equally amusing . Life , with most of us , is " a mingled yarn—good and ill together "— "sunshine and shade . " Compensation , the grand old law of Nature , preserves the true balance in our material world .

F . W . DRIVER , M . A ., P . M 62 , Lancaster-road , Netting Hill , W .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Union Waterloo Lodge , No . 13 . The installation meeting of this grand old lodge—the mother , aye , and grandmother of every lodge in the Woolwich and Plumstead District—took place on Wednesday , the 10 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Plumstead . There were some 150 brethren and visitors present , and the new W . M ., Bro . W . A . Anson , was installed in the presence of a Board of Installed Masters to the number of 19 . Bro . W . J . Barnes , W . M ., opened the lodge , and initiated two candidates , passed one brother , and raised two others , and then installed

his successor to the satisfaction of all present . The officers appointed were as follows : Bros . W . J . Barnes , I . P . M . ; A . H . Russell , S . W . ; A . McQueen , J . W . ; H . S . Syer , P . M ., Treas . ; T . Hutton , P . M ., Sec ; W . H . Turton , S . D . ; H . Jacobs , J . D . ; J . Quick , l . G . ; G . Davies , P . M ., D . C ; J . Home , A . D . C . ; B . J . Hiscock , Org . ; J . Baily , Asst . Org . ; and A . Cleal , P . M ., G . Dennison , W . J . Crowdey , and T . J . Wren , Stewards . The Installing Officer was thanked for his services , and presented with a handsome and valuable Past Master ' s jewel .

The lodge was then closed , and the brethren proceeded to London , and banqueted at the Holborn Restaurant . Among the other brethren present were Bros . W . P . Applebee , P . M . ; G . W . Reed , P . M . ; J . G . Milbourne , P . M . ; H . Grice , P . M . ; L . Chasteaneuf , P . M . ; J . Mattey , P . M . ; A . Deans , P . M . ; T . Hastings , P . M ., P . P . G . P . Kent ; and some S 4 of the lay brethren . Among the visitors present were Bros . J . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; D . Belinfante , P . M . 435 ; H . Tufnell , W . M . ; G . H . Nichols , S . W . and W . M . elect ; G . Porter , J . W . 700 ; E . Carter , P . M . S 58 ; J . Lyne , W . M . 851 ; S . W . Sly , P . M .

79 ; D . K . bomers , S . W ., J . O . Cook , J . W ., E . M . Taylor , J . D ., and W . J . Squires , of 913 ; W . Sinnett , W . M ., G . Ingle , S . W ., and J . Fowler , J . W ., of 1536 ; J . Lee , W . M ., and F . Hully , S . W ., of 2309 ; Penrose , P . M . 147 ; W . Still , P . M . 355 ( S . C . ); G . B . Catt , 15 S 8 ; H . M . Cox , 2332 ; H . Pearce , 1 599 ; j . P . Cox , 1326 ; L . Knoblance , 392 ( S . C . ) J and A . C . Wren , 1472 . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to , Bro . J . Terry eloquently so for " The Past and Present Grand Officers . " Bro . Hancock presided over the singing , which was contributed to by Mrs . Hancock , Miss J . Hunter , Bros . Albon , Nash , and Harrison , and Mr . Hengler .

Peace and Harmony Lodge , No . 60 . The election meeting of this lodge was held at Freemason ' s Hall , Great Queenstreet , on the 28 th ult . Among those present were : Bros . Capt . T . C . Walls , P . G . S ., P . G . Std . Br ., I . P . M ., in the chair ; W . H . Kempster , jun ., P . G . S ., S . W . ; H . Slade , P . M ., P . G . S ., as J . W . ; Hy . Young , P . M ., P . G . S .. Treas . ; E . Rogers , P . M ., P . G . S ., Sec ; Debenham , J . D . ; Polenz , I . G . ; Joslin , P . M ., P . G . S . ; C . Robinson , H . Mecklenburg , and W . Thomas , P . M . Among the visitors were : Bro . G . Davis , P . M . 1634 ; H . Ball , P . M . ; R . Ballard , G . Lopej , and F . Limmiss .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . W . H . Kempster , jun ., was unanimously elected VV . M . ; Bro . H . Young , P . M ., Treas . ; and Bro . G . Evenden , Tyler . It was proposed by the I . P . M ., seconded by the S . W ., and carried unanimously , " That the brethren of the Peace and Harmony Lodge of Freemasons desire to offer to the widow of the late Bro . William Masters , P . G . S ., & c , their sincere condolence upon the irreparable loss she has sustained by his premature decease They also wish to place on record their high appreciation of his merits as a man , a friend , and a Mason . By his untimely death the lodge has lost a zealous and

distinguished member , and the Masonic Institutions a liberal and energetic supporter . In conclusion they wish most respectfully to convey to Mrs . Masters that in her great affliction she has the sympathy of every individual member of the lodge . " It was also resolved that the Secretary be requested to forward a copy of the resolution to Mrs . Masters . Apologies regretting inability to attend were received from Bros . H . J . Lardner , G . S ., J . W . ; K . Binckes , P . M ., P . G . S ., P . G . S . B . ; VV . H . Kempster , M . D ., P . M ., P . G . S . ; Sir Albert Altman , P . M ., P . G . S . ; G . Higginsand many otheis .

, The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a banquet , held at the Mitre Hotel , Hampton Court , and , as usual , the viands , wines , Sc , gave unqualihed satisfaction . The members regretted sincerely to hear that the genial and venerable host B . C . Sadler had been confined to his room through illness for many months . A few toasts were given .

The memory of Bro . VV . Masters , the late W . M ., was drunk in solemn silence . The proceedings , in consequence of the recent death of the W . M ., were necessarily shorn of their accustomed duration and conviviality .