History Of The Emultion Lodge Of Improvement, No. 256.——(Continued).

History of the Emultion Lodge of Improvement , No . 256 . ——( Continued ) .

( By Bro . HENRY SADLER , Sub-Librarian to the Grand Lodge of England ) .

BRO . SAVAGE said : " Alost cordially do I thank you for the reception which you have given to the toast so kindly proposed by my friend , Bro . Slight . I assure you that my attachment to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement is undiminished , and I look back with the most pleasing recollection to my connection with it , for I am under ' a deep

debt of gratitude to it . It was here I first learned the rudiments of Freemasonry , and was induced to make myself proficient in the mysteries of the Order . I was so gratified twenty-four years ago , when I saw our esteemed friend , Bro . Stephen Barton Wilsonas we saw him to-night , most

, ably superintending the work of the Lodge , and the other oi'ficers performing their duties ; and when I saw my old friend , Bro . Pike , go through the ceremony of raising , I was so struck with the working of the Lodge that I said to myself , ' Why cannot I , too , become a working Alason ?'

From that and from the kind assistance of Bro . Wilson , I learned a little of the working of Freemasonry , and was able , after a few years , to give instruction to others in my turn . Therefore it is that I say I am under a deep debt to this Lodge , and I never think of it except with the kindest feelings , for it was there I found the most pleasant way of

. jt / isn-ti / , , / A . < % -,.,,.,, & , of 4 £ , < T ^ - ^/& . jfy , yjt ^^^ / j ' -j / s * /"/? f { , ' & r , ts d >/ , r < 1 , „ an . M ^ ^ Zay / MS

spending many a Friday evening . I am delighted to see that it is so well supported , and that there are so many here animated by a warm desire for its prosperity . I am gratified

by the support you have rendered to me in the chair this evening , and I receive it as a compliment to myself , for I know that in the warmth of your feelings you cordially welcome me , although for some time past an absentee from your weekly meetings . " The omission referred to at the Festival was promptly

rectified at the next meeting of the lodge , December i 6 th , a vote of thanks being unanimously passed to Bro . S . B . Wilson for the able and eloquent manner in which he had performed the ceremonies of consecration and installation , " also to Bro . Thomas Fenn for his kindness

in taking the Grand Chaplain's work at a very short notice . " On the motion of Bro . Wilson a vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Bassett Smith for his muniiicient present of two columns for use at the last Festiyal . February 3 rd , i 860 . " Bro . Harris having submitted to

the Brethren the original drawings for the Tracing Boards painted by him and now used in this Lodge , with a view to their being purchased by the Lodge , it was proposed by Bro . Pike , seconded by Bro . Levinson , and carried unanimously , that the matter be referred to the Committee to consider the expediency of the Lodge becoming the possessors of them . "

February 17 th . " Bro . S . B . Wilson reported to the lodge that the permanent Committee had decided to recommend to the Lodge the purchase of the original drawings ; it was proposed , seconded , and carried , that the sum of five guineas be offered to Bro . Harris for the drawings of the Tracing Boards with the copyright . "

Bro . Harris having declined to accept the sum offered , he not having contemplated the disposal of the copyright , the subject was referred back to the Committee for reconsideration . On the 13 th of April it was decided to purchase the drawings for five guineas , " the Treasurer giving an

assurance to Bro . Harris that the Lodge do not purchase them with any view to publishing them or allow them to be published during the life of Bro . Harris or that of his wife . " The reduced copies here displayed were photographed from the original drawings in possession of the lodge .

At this meeting it was resolved , on the motion of Bro . Fenn , that the meetings of the lodge be held at seven o ' clock throughout the year , instead of eight during the summer as heretofore . On the 28 th September , S . B . Wilson , jun ., and James Pike were unanimously elected as members

of the permanent Committee , in addition to the President , Treasurer , and Secretary . At the following meeting , John Hervey was re-elected Treasurer , and Luis Arttis , Secretary .

The Annual Festival was held on the 30 th of November , S . B . Wilson W . Alaster , sixty-two members and twentynine visitors being present . The fourth , fifth , sixth , and seventh sections of the First Lecture and the second and fourth sections of the Second Lecture were worked , but the names of the workers are not recorded . Ten brethren

having been proposed to become members , the lodge was closed and the company adjourned to supper under the presidency of the R . W . Thomas H . Hall , Provincial Grand Alaster for Cambridgeshire . The proceedings were reported at considerable length in the Freemasons' Magazine of

December 8 th , but as the speeches contain nothing of historical import , they may well be omitted here . On the 21 st of December " It was proposed , seconded , and carried unanimously that the thanks of this Lodge to Bro . Thomas Fenn , J . W . Cadogan Lodge , No . 188 , be recorded on the minutes for his munificent gift of a Bible and cushion to the Lodge , and that he be requested to