Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Banquet.
few appropriate words respecting myself , ivhich will be explanatory of a position in ivhich I find myself placed with relation to the proceedings of this day . The toast is— "the memory of our late M . W . Grancl Master , H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex . " It is clue to the memory of that illustrious individual to say , that during the unprecedented period in which he so ably filled the Chair of Solomon , he evinced a most laudable activity , united with learning , talentand zealin the execution
, , of his high office , from ivhich the institution derived the most essential benefits . Always ready to promote its interests to the utmost extent of his poiver , ( and his was not a limited influence ) the Craft prospered , under his auspicious rule , far beyond all former precedent ; and it has accordingly attained a dignified station amongst the permanent institutions of the country —( Cheers ) . You , Brethren , ivho know me Avell , will be surprised to hear that I stand accused of offering a premeditated
insult to this useful and illustrious individual . I am surprised at it myself . And the report has been propagated in quarters where its contradiction appears impracticable . I am sure that you—at least—will believe me , when I say , that the knowledge of this fact has given me extreme pain—( hear , hear ); because it is a charge so perfectly improbable—so perfectly at variance with my habits and disposition —( Hear ) . You all know that I am incipable of insulting any—even the very
meanest of God's creatures —( cheers ) , much less could I make up my mind to violate a solemn obligation by the most indirect slight upon one whom I have been bound , by tbe ties of Masonry , to honour and obey , and for whom I ever entertained the highest possible respect . I am glad to have this public opportunity of solemnly asserting that there is
not the slightest foundation for the report —( Loud cheers ) . I never entertained a disrespectful thought of our late Grand Master , and therefore it is impossible that by either words or actions , such a feeling could have been manifested —( Hear , hear ) . How tbe report orig inated it is impossible for me to say ; but 1 learn with extreme regret , that it has been industriously circulated with considerable prejudice to my Masonic reputation . It is true , in Nov . 1841 , I consented to preside at a meeting of
the Bank of England Loelge , of ivhich I am an honorary member , for the purpose of lending my feeble aid to the merits of a worthy and excellent Brother ; but in the discharge of that duty , I offered no disrespect to the Duke of Sussex , either by word or insinuation ; ami if necessary , I could produce a hundred witnesses to prove tire assertion —( Loud cheers ) . On the contrary , when His ltoyal lligness ' s name was proposed as one of the leading toasts of the day , 1 represented him as a
noble , active , and intelligent Brother , who , by bis services , ivas entitled to the esteem and gratitude of every Mason in the universe —( Cheers ) . Brethren , I have thought it necessary to allude to this subject , because I may not be favoured with another opportunity of entering my disclaimer against an imputation , ivhich , to say the least of it , ivould have been discreditable , if it bad been true . And , under such circumstances , 1 should have been utterly unworthy of the testimony of respectivhich
, it is your kind intention this day to confer upon me . —( Cheers . ) Drank in solemn silence . The CiiAinjiAN gave the health of the present M . W . Grand Master , " the Earl of Zetland "—( Cheers ) . He had the good fortune to be personally acquainted with that nobleman , and a more amiable and excellent man it would be difficult to find . He had had peculiar pleasure in being present , with his Junior Warden ( Bro . Taylor ) , in Grand Lodge
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Banquet.
few appropriate words respecting myself , ivhich will be explanatory of a position in ivhich I find myself placed with relation to the proceedings of this day . The toast is— "the memory of our late M . W . Grancl Master , H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex . " It is clue to the memory of that illustrious individual to say , that during the unprecedented period in which he so ably filled the Chair of Solomon , he evinced a most laudable activity , united with learning , talentand zealin the execution
, , of his high office , from ivhich the institution derived the most essential benefits . Always ready to promote its interests to the utmost extent of his poiver , ( and his was not a limited influence ) the Craft prospered , under his auspicious rule , far beyond all former precedent ; and it has accordingly attained a dignified station amongst the permanent institutions of the country —( Cheers ) . You , Brethren , ivho know me Avell , will be surprised to hear that I stand accused of offering a premeditated
insult to this useful and illustrious individual . I am surprised at it myself . And the report has been propagated in quarters where its contradiction appears impracticable . I am sure that you—at least—will believe me , when I say , that the knowledge of this fact has given me extreme pain—( hear , hear ); because it is a charge so perfectly improbable—so perfectly at variance with my habits and disposition —( Hear ) . You all know that I am incipable of insulting any—even the very
meanest of God's creatures —( cheers ) , much less could I make up my mind to violate a solemn obligation by the most indirect slight upon one whom I have been bound , by tbe ties of Masonry , to honour and obey , and for whom I ever entertained the highest possible respect . I am glad to have this public opportunity of solemnly asserting that there is
not the slightest foundation for the report —( Loud cheers ) . I never entertained a disrespectful thought of our late Grand Master , and therefore it is impossible that by either words or actions , such a feeling could have been manifested —( Hear , hear ) . How tbe report orig inated it is impossible for me to say ; but 1 learn with extreme regret , that it has been industriously circulated with considerable prejudice to my Masonic reputation . It is true , in Nov . 1841 , I consented to preside at a meeting of
the Bank of England Loelge , of ivhich I am an honorary member , for the purpose of lending my feeble aid to the merits of a worthy and excellent Brother ; but in the discharge of that duty , I offered no disrespect to the Duke of Sussex , either by word or insinuation ; ami if necessary , I could produce a hundred witnesses to prove tire assertion —( Loud cheers ) . On the contrary , when His ltoyal lligness ' s name was proposed as one of the leading toasts of the day , 1 represented him as a
noble , active , and intelligent Brother , who , by bis services , ivas entitled to the esteem and gratitude of every Mason in the universe —( Cheers ) . Brethren , I have thought it necessary to allude to this subject , because I may not be favoured with another opportunity of entering my disclaimer against an imputation , ivhich , to say the least of it , ivould have been discreditable , if it bad been true . And , under such circumstances , 1 should have been utterly unworthy of the testimony of respectivhich
, it is your kind intention this day to confer upon me . —( Cheers . ) Drank in solemn silence . The CiiAinjiAN gave the health of the present M . W . Grand Master , " the Earl of Zetland "—( Cheers ) . He had the good fortune to be personally acquainted with that nobleman , and a more amiable and excellent man it would be difficult to find . He had had peculiar pleasure in being present , with his Junior Warden ( Bro . Taylor ) , in Grand Lodge