Reunion Of The Shakespere Lodge, No. 1009, Manchester.

the attention of the brethren to their last donation of thirty guineas to the " Girls' School , " and intimated his intention of asking them to assist him in raising it to fifty guineas , which would confer upon the lodge a Vice-Presidency

in perpetuity , in addition to the one it already possessed for the " Boys' School , " so that it would then stand tolerably well with all the benevolent Masonic Institutions . Bro . J . W . Petty , P . M ., proposed Bro . Henry Mc'Neil as a joining member .

Hearty good wishes having been expressed by R . W . Prov . Grand Master and the other visiting brethren , the lodge was closed in peace and harmony at fifteen past seven p . m . The brethren then adjourned to the banqueting-room where between sixty and seventy sat down to dinner

The Immediate Past Master , Bro . the Rev . S . Y . B . Bradshaw , M . A ., asked a blessing and returned thanks , and the cloth having been drawn the Worshipful Master proposed the first toast . In doing so he said that as royalty had for ages past patronized the mysteries and joined

in the assemblies of the Order , so the Craft had ever inculcated the duty of loyalty , and cultivated the virtue of patriotism . It always occurred to him that the first toast at the social boards of Masonic gatherings , given as was most frequently the case in the dual form of " The Queen and

the Craft , " was the tersest little toast that could possibly be submitted to an audience . Consisting of but five little monosyllables , it embraced a world of meaning , and possessed a magic power ; expressing as it did so much that was dear to them as Britishers—so much that they cherished

as Masons . It was a most fitting combination , for the Queen was the personification , as the Craft was the embodiment , of virtue . No matter what a few demagogues might say , the heart of the nation is right , and beats with but one sentiment of respect for the virtues , and loyal devotion

to the person and dynasty of our gracious lady the Queen . The people of these bright little islands , cling as closely—as lovingly , as did their fathers of yore to their monarchical traditions and institutions , in the firm belief that they are the only safe-guard of their privileges and the

surest guarantee of their liberties . He ( Bro . Austin ) called upon them to stand to theirglasses , and drink with him , with the enthusiastic ioyalty characteristic of Masons , this charming little toast— " The Queen and the Craft . " The summons was right heartily responded to

by the whole of the brethren , who drank the toast with loud acclaim , and then , while standing , burst lustily forth in the inspiring strains of the National Anthem . The Worshipful Master in proposing the next toast remarked that it would commend itself to

a peculiarly warm appreciation at the hands of the brethren , from the melancholy fact that the principal subject of the toast had been stricken down in the flower of his " manhood , " and was stretched on a bed of sickness . He felt sure they would all join him in an earnest prayer that

his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , P . G . M ., might ere long be restored to health , and be long spared to the nation and to Freemasonry . Since their Royal Brother had been received into the bosom of Masonry , he had evinced an interest in , and displayed an appreciation of , the

workings of the Craft which were very commendable . His practical and sensible speech at Dublin , on the occasion of his being made Grand Patron of the Order by their brethren of the sister isle , showed that he entertained sound and logical views of their noble Brotherhoodthat his sympathies were enlisted on its behalf ,

and that he was zealously intent upon promoting its best interests . He ( Bro . Austin ) had pleasure in asking the brethren to join him in drinking " A speedy recovery to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , P . G . M ., " and in coupling it , as was usual , with the health of " His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family . "

I he toast was drunk with the greatest loyalty and full Masonic honours . Bro . Coulton sang "God bless the Prince of Wales , " and was assisted in the chorus by the whole of the brethren . The Worshipful Master , on rising again , ob-

Reunion Of The Shakespere Lodge, No. 1009, Manchester.

served that it was fortunate for a W . M . that the toasts he had to submit to his brethren really required no introduction or comment to secure for them a warm and genuine welcome ; nevertheless the subjects were so attractive , one was

tempted occasionally to expatiate upon them . The distinguished nobleman who ruled the destinies of the Craft in England , in addition to the many claims he had upon the respect of his brethren , had still further endeared himself to

them by the prominent part he had played in bringing about that grand international handshaking , which had taken place across the broad Atlantic . Very properly was the Grand Master of Masons selected as the chief bearer of the

olive branch of peace to their kinsmen of the far West , and the fact was indisputable , that Freemasonry , in sending forth her kindly , mystic , fraternal influence , permeating the hearts—not only of the negociators , but of the two

peoplesand guiding their thoughts into channels of mutual esteem and good-will , had contributed in no small degree to the success of the deliberations . In this she had been true to her mission , which was to bring about a confraternity of

nations as of individuals . The days of a Millenium were no doubt very distant , but however long and dim the vista might appear through which loving and large-hearted men strove to catch a glimpse of the signs of the good time coming , Masonry from her watch-tower , would

none the less anxiously and hopefully look out for them . She would strive to educate the peoples of the world , and prepare them for the time when they would be willing to beat their swords into plough-shares , their spears into pruning hooks , and the dream of the poet should be

realized—When the battle-flags are furled , In the parliament of man — The federation of the world . The W . M . had great pleasure in presenting the toast of " The Most Noble the Marquis of Ripon , M . W . G . M ., " which was greeted with full

Masonic honours . The Senior Warden proposed " The Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , V . W . D . G . M ., and the other Grand Officers , " which was received in an equally warm manner and with the customary honours .

The Worshipful Master rose to propose the toast of the evening , and said if he were in the habit of requesting that special toasts might be drunk in bumpers , he should certainly solicit the favour for the one he had now the honour of

submitting ; but inasmuch as temperance was one of the cardinal virtues of the Craft , and as the cordiality of the reception which was given to a toast was not so much to be measured by the spirit taken in , as by that given out , he should

not be anxious for them to bottom their glasses , as he was certain they would honour the toast with a cordial—a hearty—an enthusiastic welcome . It was a characteristic of England that all undertakings were ushered into existence by some kind of inaugural ceremony , and generally

the success of such demonstrations was a tolerably fair index of the necessity which existed for them , and the support they were likely to receive ; whether it were the laying of the foundation stone of a church , or the opening of a hospital . This to a certain extent was also applicable to the induction of a Rector or the installing of a

Bishop , the installation of a Worshipful Master or of a Provincial Grand Master . Most young couples who were about to get married prayed for fine weather , and if the genius of sunshine smiled upon and graced their bridal morn , it

was to them almost equivalent to to a benediction from the gods , and was sometimes regarded as a token that their union , celebrated under such joyous auspices , would be fraught with happiness and bliss . Bro . Austin went on to say that if Col . Le Gendre Starkie , after his

appointment by the Most Noble the Marquis of Ripon to rule over the province of East Lancashire , desired to receive some augury of future success , it was supplied to him , in that brilliantly red-letter and never-to-be-forgotten day in Manchester , when he was installed in the chair of the province by the Deputy Grand Master of

Reunion Of The Shakespere Lodge, No. 1009, Manchester.

England . He felt sure that that glorious Grand Lodge in the morning , and that magnificent enthusiastic banquet in the evening , were accepted by their R . W . P . G . M ., as a hearty Godspeed from the brethren of his province . On behalf of the Shakespere Lodge , he ( Bro . Austin )

could speak with authority , and he felt sure he might also venture to interpret the sentiments of the visiting brethren , in saying that one and all of them sincerely congratulated their R . W . P . G . M . on the high position he had attained , and they congratulated the province upon having such a

P . G . M . to govern it . After referring to the eminent aud dignified manner in which Colonel Starkie had conducted the meetings of Prov . Grand Lodge , and performed the multifarious duties of his high station , the W . M . called upon the brethren to drink , which they did in right

earnest , to the health of Colonel Le Gendre N . Starkie , R . W . P . G . M . of East Lancashire . Bro . Bentley sang " Here ' s to-his health in a song , " and the whole of the brethren stood to their glasses at the last verse and joined in the chorus .

Bro . Col . Starkie , in reply , desired , before referring more particularly to the toast which had been so warmly received , to express his regret that he was unable , twelve months ago , to keep his engagement with the members of the Shakespere Lodge . It had , however , afforded him

considerable gratification in being present on this occasion , for he did not often have the pleasure of witnessing a Masonic ceremony so carefully , so fully , and so well performed . It was a good signin alodge where , not only the Master , but the various officers were all so well acquainted

with their duties , and it was a gratifying sight to him to have witnessed the ceremonial of a passing so largely distributed amongst the various officers , and performed with such efficiency . To the candidate such experience was invaluable , as he entered upon his degree with an indication of

its true solemnity and grandeur , and the impression thus made remained with him through his career . He desired to repeat the expression of ' his gratification at finding the Shakespere Lodge following such a course as fairly entitled it to its already large reputation , and , if persevered in , would enable it to become what he should be

heartily glad to see it , viz ., the model lodge of the province . The R . W . P . G . M . concluded his speech by a brief but elaborate review of the universality of the genius of Shakespere , and exhorted the brethren ever to emulate the name and fame of the great poet whose name they had adopted .

Bro . C . II . Coates , P . M ., proposed "The health of the Deputy Prov . Grand Master of East Lancashire , Bro . William Romaine Callender , jun . " He briefly adverted to the many excellent and genial characteristics which , for many years past , have distinguished Bro .

Callender as a man and a Mason . He referred to his known willingness and ability to assist in every good cause at all seasons to his energy and judgment in dealing with most of the social questions of the day , but above all to his untiring zeal in the cause of Freemasonry , by which

he had not only won the respect , hut secured in a great measure the deep and lasting attachment Of the members of the Craft in the large pro vince in which he had solongheld sway as Deputy Prov . Grand Master . Bro . Callender was no ordinary man—his naine was resonant of praise ,

even as of welcome . He appeared almost ubiquitous , so varied were his talents , so ceaseless his engagements—in fact he might fairly be described as the modern Hercules , engaged always i n some active scheme for the good ot mankind , the well being of society , or the fur

therance of the Craft , and above and beyond all this , " doing all things well . " The members 01 the Shakespere Lodge , while hailing with delight the presence of their Prov . Grand Master on this occasion , could not refrain from bidding tie

glad words of welcome to the familiar face 01 him who held so deservedly the second rank in the province . Long might he be spared to enjoy his well-won laurels in Masonry—long might he live to gladden the hearts of his fellows—for of him it might be fairly and truthfully be said that he was