Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
grant you yet many years of life to enjoy , in health and comfort , the great blessings with which His providence has favoured you ; and we pray that when , in His good time , He shall call you hence to His more immediate presence , you may calmly depart in peace , full of years and honours , bearing with you the affection of your Masonic brethren , and the approbation and esteem of all good men ; and leaving to your descendants that inheritance —in comparison of which the noble house of Fitzgerald has ever
esteemed its lofty station and its great possessions as things of very little moment—an unblemished name and a respected memory . " Signed , on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Ireland , "John Fitzhenry Townsend , Deputy G . M . ^ " Donoughmore , Senior G . W . " Edward R . Borough , Bart ., Junior G . W . George Handcoek , Grand Secretary . "
The reading of the address was frequently interrupted by warm applause , and at its conclusion the Grand Master was saluted according to ancient custom . His Grace the DUKE OB LEIJ . 'STEE , in rising to reply , was received with loud applause . He said—Ladies and Brethren , — I thank you most sincerely for the manner in which you have received my health , and for the very handsome address which has now been presented to me . ( Alause . ) BrethrenI have
pp , so often met kindness at your hands , that I really do not know how to address you . My feelings are almost overcome , and I speak with peculiar difficulty . Proud I am , I assure you , to think that I have been 50 years your Grand Master . ( Applause . ) When I first joined the Order it was in a very different position from that which it occupies now . I was obliged the other day to write to Bro . Walmisley to ask him where the Grand Lodge met at the time of my installation in 1813 and he wrote to me
, saying that , on referring to the records , he found it was in Tailors' Hall , Back Lane . ( Laughter . ) Masonry was at a very low ebb when I joined it 50 years ago . My experience is that , no matter bow good or great the Sovereign , or bow great the Minister of a country , if the people will not take advantage of this and try to benefit themselves , no country can flourish ; and it is the same with parents and children . I do not take any credit for the position the Order occupies at present , for it is
entirely owing to yourselves . You supported me in every way by your own good conduct and good wishes , and you brought the Order into the state it is in at present . I believe that in no country in the world where Freemasonry exists has it attained a higher position than in this country . ( Hear , hear . ) You put yourselves voluntarily under control , and I believe that all the different grades of our Order are in a better position in this country than in any other in the world . It is an Order that I
have always been very much attached to ; and I am sure most of the brethren here could mention different circumstances where brotherly affection and the ties of Masonry have been exceedingly useful . I will mention one circumstance that happened to myself . Many years ago our Grand Treasurer was a Bro . Townsend , since deceased . He went to London for change of air aud medical advice , as he was very unwell . I hoard he was thereand happening to be in London at the timeI called upon
, , him . He was , of course , very glad to see me , for wo met as Masons . Just before I left for Ireland I called upon him , and bade him good-bye . He said to me— " Do you know who 1 am ? I am the editor of the Correspondent newspaper , most violently opposed to you in politics , " for politics rose very high at that time . ( Laughter . ) " Not one of my political friends , " he continued , " or any of the people I have supported , have called upon me or sent an inquiry after meand ymia Radical Masoncame
, , , to see me . " ( Laughter . ) At that time politics were very stroug , and I was looked upon as a Radical . I bade him good-by and came back to Ireland , and very shortly afterwards , I heard of his death . That made a great impression upon me , as showing the use of Freemasonry , particularl y in this country , where there are so many people of different creeds and politics . ( Hear , hear . ) I have again to thank you for your very great kindness ,
but I cannot sit down without offering my most grateful thanks to the Great Architect of the Universe for giving ine health and strength to preside over you so long . ( Loud applause . ) The CIIAIKMA >"—I will propose to you another toast , and before I introduce it to you 1 wish to premise that I am a man in bodily presence , and not a mere spirit , as 3 ' 0 u might have supposed from what his Grace has said of somebody of my name who is defunct long ago . ( Laughter , ) I know that with a good many of you I have interchanged that firm and cordial grasp that only belongs to flesh and blood . ( Laughter . ) But
as there are some m the room whom I fear I cannot hope to convince of my vitality by such means , I shall ask you to suppose that I am he whom some of you have long known ; and to prove my identity I will give you once more the toast of " The Grand Masters of England and Scotland . " ( Laughter aud applause . ) They had been invited to honour us with their presence , and I wish they had done so ; for I do not believe there is any instance except the present , of the Order meeting to
celebrate the 50 th anniversary of the reign of their Grand Master . I am sorry they have not come . However , I am sure of their good feeling towards us . It cannot be expected that in this season of the year persons who occupy so high a place ire society as is filled by many of them could spare time from their Parliamentary duties . I would conclude by proposing the toast and by hoping that peace and amity will ever reigu between us . ( Applause . )
The toast was drunk with all the honours , and the Grand Masters of England and Scotland were saluted according to Masonic custom . The CHAIBMAN next proposed , " The Foreign Grand Lodges with whom we are in correspondence . " He said Masonry is meant to unite in honouiable and social bonds men of all natious and kingdoms , whomsoever they may be ; and , whenever a brother from any other couutry comes amongst usI trust he
, will not have any reason to complain of Irish hospitality being deficient . ( Hear , hear . ) I myself have had the honour to represent a foreign Grand Lodge , the Grand Orient of France . That honour I have had to resign into the hands of a more efficient representative , Sir Edward Borough ; hut while I held that position I had an opportunity of knowing the benefit which a stranger finds iu ht . ving some person to whom he can apply in difficulty ; and it was more
than once my duty ( I trust I will be believed when I say it was my pleasure also ) to be instrumental in relieving the distress of foreigners who visited this country . ( Applause . ) I also trust that those who were so relieved were convinced that Masonry is not a mere name , but a substantial benefit ; and I have known more than one who have gone out of the country having found the practical benefit of belonging to our
body , which is daily spreading over the whole habitable world , and which , I trust , will be instrumental in diffusing many blessings amongst the human race . ( Applause . ) It may not be known that there is an international system of representation—that many of the foreign Grand Lodges are represented in this country by members of our own body , and 'that we have selected in almost every nation where Masonry is established our own representative , in order that we may have
some accredited person there to make known our wants and wishes . It was lately my duty to install into the Grand Lodge of Ireland , in the position of representative of a new European Grand Lodge , a brother whom I have the pleasure to meet here this evening , who fills the high position of a professor in our university , and who , during his long residence in this country , has gained the good will and esteem of every one who knows him—a gentlemen by birtha gentleman bconductand a
, y , gentleman in manners , —a man of whom I would speak more freely if I did not see him sitting very near me—Bro . Signor Marani . ( Applause . ) I look upon him as the youngest member of the body , because he is the representative of the youngest Grand Lodge that has any communication with the Grand Lodge of Ireland ; and though many of you are aware that we have representative in Italy you , may not bo aware of
the fact that it is only since Italy gained her independanco that a Grand Lodge of Freemasons has been permitted there , and that the day has not - long gone past when to carry the certificate or wear the insignia of Masonry was a sure introduction to an Austrian prison . I rejoice that that day has passed . ( Hear , hear . ) It is not right to introduce even European politics into a place like this , so I will say no more than ask you
to receive the toast with honour . ( Applause . ) The toast was drunk amid cheers , and the foreign Grand Lodges were saluted . Signor M . uuxr responded . He said .- —U . W . Dejjuty Grand Master , Grand Officers , and Brothers , —It is with extreme diffidence I rise to return you thanks in adequate words for the toast that you proposed , aud this highly distinguished assembly so warmly accepted with expressions of deeply felt
sympathy for the advancement and prosperity of this most ancient and most illustrious order iu the various countries whose representatives have the honour of being here present , to commemorate an event of the greatest historical importance in the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ireland.
grant you yet many years of life to enjoy , in health and comfort , the great blessings with which His providence has favoured you ; and we pray that when , in His good time , He shall call you hence to His more immediate presence , you may calmly depart in peace , full of years and honours , bearing with you the affection of your Masonic brethren , and the approbation and esteem of all good men ; and leaving to your descendants that inheritance —in comparison of which the noble house of Fitzgerald has ever
esteemed its lofty station and its great possessions as things of very little moment—an unblemished name and a respected memory . " Signed , on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Ireland , "John Fitzhenry Townsend , Deputy G . M . ^ " Donoughmore , Senior G . W . " Edward R . Borough , Bart ., Junior G . W . George Handcoek , Grand Secretary . "
The reading of the address was frequently interrupted by warm applause , and at its conclusion the Grand Master was saluted according to ancient custom . His Grace the DUKE OB LEIJ . 'STEE , in rising to reply , was received with loud applause . He said—Ladies and Brethren , — I thank you most sincerely for the manner in which you have received my health , and for the very handsome address which has now been presented to me . ( Alause . ) BrethrenI have
pp , so often met kindness at your hands , that I really do not know how to address you . My feelings are almost overcome , and I speak with peculiar difficulty . Proud I am , I assure you , to think that I have been 50 years your Grand Master . ( Applause . ) When I first joined the Order it was in a very different position from that which it occupies now . I was obliged the other day to write to Bro . Walmisley to ask him where the Grand Lodge met at the time of my installation in 1813 and he wrote to me
, saying that , on referring to the records , he found it was in Tailors' Hall , Back Lane . ( Laughter . ) Masonry was at a very low ebb when I joined it 50 years ago . My experience is that , no matter bow good or great the Sovereign , or bow great the Minister of a country , if the people will not take advantage of this and try to benefit themselves , no country can flourish ; and it is the same with parents and children . I do not take any credit for the position the Order occupies at present , for it is
entirely owing to yourselves . You supported me in every way by your own good conduct and good wishes , and you brought the Order into the state it is in at present . I believe that in no country in the world where Freemasonry exists has it attained a higher position than in this country . ( Hear , hear . ) You put yourselves voluntarily under control , and I believe that all the different grades of our Order are in a better position in this country than in any other in the world . It is an Order that I
have always been very much attached to ; and I am sure most of the brethren here could mention different circumstances where brotherly affection and the ties of Masonry have been exceedingly useful . I will mention one circumstance that happened to myself . Many years ago our Grand Treasurer was a Bro . Townsend , since deceased . He went to London for change of air aud medical advice , as he was very unwell . I hoard he was thereand happening to be in London at the timeI called upon
, , him . He was , of course , very glad to see me , for wo met as Masons . Just before I left for Ireland I called upon him , and bade him good-bye . He said to me— " Do you know who 1 am ? I am the editor of the Correspondent newspaper , most violently opposed to you in politics , " for politics rose very high at that time . ( Laughter . ) " Not one of my political friends , " he continued , " or any of the people I have supported , have called upon me or sent an inquiry after meand ymia Radical Masoncame
, , , to see me . " ( Laughter . ) At that time politics were very stroug , and I was looked upon as a Radical . I bade him good-by and came back to Ireland , and very shortly afterwards , I heard of his death . That made a great impression upon me , as showing the use of Freemasonry , particularl y in this country , where there are so many people of different creeds and politics . ( Hear , hear . ) I have again to thank you for your very great kindness ,
but I cannot sit down without offering my most grateful thanks to the Great Architect of the Universe for giving ine health and strength to preside over you so long . ( Loud applause . ) The CIIAIKMA >"—I will propose to you another toast , and before I introduce it to you 1 wish to premise that I am a man in bodily presence , and not a mere spirit , as 3 ' 0 u might have supposed from what his Grace has said of somebody of my name who is defunct long ago . ( Laughter , ) I know that with a good many of you I have interchanged that firm and cordial grasp that only belongs to flesh and blood . ( Laughter . ) But
as there are some m the room whom I fear I cannot hope to convince of my vitality by such means , I shall ask you to suppose that I am he whom some of you have long known ; and to prove my identity I will give you once more the toast of " The Grand Masters of England and Scotland . " ( Laughter aud applause . ) They had been invited to honour us with their presence , and I wish they had done so ; for I do not believe there is any instance except the present , of the Order meeting to
celebrate the 50 th anniversary of the reign of their Grand Master . I am sorry they have not come . However , I am sure of their good feeling towards us . It cannot be expected that in this season of the year persons who occupy so high a place ire society as is filled by many of them could spare time from their Parliamentary duties . I would conclude by proposing the toast and by hoping that peace and amity will ever reigu between us . ( Applause . )
The toast was drunk with all the honours , and the Grand Masters of England and Scotland were saluted according to Masonic custom . The CHAIBMAN next proposed , " The Foreign Grand Lodges with whom we are in correspondence . " He said Masonry is meant to unite in honouiable and social bonds men of all natious and kingdoms , whomsoever they may be ; and , whenever a brother from any other couutry comes amongst usI trust he
, will not have any reason to complain of Irish hospitality being deficient . ( Hear , hear . ) I myself have had the honour to represent a foreign Grand Lodge , the Grand Orient of France . That honour I have had to resign into the hands of a more efficient representative , Sir Edward Borough ; hut while I held that position I had an opportunity of knowing the benefit which a stranger finds iu ht . ving some person to whom he can apply in difficulty ; and it was more
than once my duty ( I trust I will be believed when I say it was my pleasure also ) to be instrumental in relieving the distress of foreigners who visited this country . ( Applause . ) I also trust that those who were so relieved were convinced that Masonry is not a mere name , but a substantial benefit ; and I have known more than one who have gone out of the country having found the practical benefit of belonging to our
body , which is daily spreading over the whole habitable world , and which , I trust , will be instrumental in diffusing many blessings amongst the human race . ( Applause . ) It may not be known that there is an international system of representation—that many of the foreign Grand Lodges are represented in this country by members of our own body , and 'that we have selected in almost every nation where Masonry is established our own representative , in order that we may have
some accredited person there to make known our wants and wishes . It was lately my duty to install into the Grand Lodge of Ireland , in the position of representative of a new European Grand Lodge , a brother whom I have the pleasure to meet here this evening , who fills the high position of a professor in our university , and who , during his long residence in this country , has gained the good will and esteem of every one who knows him—a gentlemen by birtha gentleman bconductand a
, y , gentleman in manners , —a man of whom I would speak more freely if I did not see him sitting very near me—Bro . Signor Marani . ( Applause . ) I look upon him as the youngest member of the body , because he is the representative of the youngest Grand Lodge that has any communication with the Grand Lodge of Ireland ; and though many of you are aware that we have representative in Italy you , may not bo aware of
the fact that it is only since Italy gained her independanco that a Grand Lodge of Freemasons has been permitted there , and that the day has not - long gone past when to carry the certificate or wear the insignia of Masonry was a sure introduction to an Austrian prison . I rejoice that that day has passed . ( Hear , hear . ) It is not right to introduce even European politics into a place like this , so I will say no more than ask you
to receive the toast with honour . ( Applause . ) The toast was drunk amid cheers , and the foreign Grand Lodges were saluted . Signor M . uuxr responded . He said .- —U . W . Dejjuty Grand Master , Grand Officers , and Brothers , —It is with extreme diffidence I rise to return you thanks in adequate words for the toast that you proposed , aud this highly distinguished assembly so warmly accepted with expressions of deeply felt
sympathy for the advancement and prosperity of this most ancient and most illustrious order iu the various countries whose representatives have the honour of being here present , to commemorate an event of the greatest historical importance in the