History Of The Lodge Of Emulation , No. 21 .

Dec . 21 st . — " Bro . Truman , Secretary , proposed , and Bro . Hovenden , S . D ., seconded , ' That the recommendation of the Committee read to the Lodge on the 16 th May , 1887 , be acted on Avithout delay , and that the Treasurer be instructed to purchase a safe for the ancient records of the Lodge . "

1892 , Jan ., 18 th . —The \ V . Master moved the following resolution : " That the sincere sympathy and condolence of the Lodge of Emulation be respectfully offered to the M . W . G . Master , H R H . the Prince of Wales , and to Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales , on the very great loss

they and the Nation have sustained by reason of the sad and untimely death of their eldest son , H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence , P . G . Warden . This Avas seconded by Bro . C Swinfen Eady , S . W ., and carried in solemn silence . " Feb . 15 th—Bro . C . Swinfen Eady , S . W , moved and

Bro . Hovenden , J . W ., seconded the following resolution , which was carried : " That Bro . Brackstone Baker be requested to revise his Book of the History of this Lodge , which was printed twenty years ago , bringing it down to a later date , with a view of reprinting it ; and that a Committee

of four members be appointed to assist him , consisting of Bros . Grellier , W . M ., C . Swinfen Eady , S . W ., Hovenden , J . W ., and Berridge , Treasurer . "

March 21 st . —The death of Thomas Taylor , late Treasurer , was announced at this meeting , and a vote of sympathy with his widow and family was passed by the Lodge . Dec . 19 th . —" Bro . Lancaster proposed , and Bro . Henry Taylor seconded , the following resolution , which was carried , ' That an Organ be provided , and that Bro . Organist arrange for music in the Lodge . ' "

WILLIAM HENRY WHITE , GRAND SECRETARY , 1813—1857 , INITIATED IN THE LODGE OK EMULATION IN 1 / 99 . "This Avas the first evening on record in which the ceremonies were accompanied by music ; Bro . H . R . Rose , Prov . G . Organist , Beds , kindly officiating at the Organ . "

18 93 , Jan . 10 th . —The Audit Committee reported that an Iron Fireproof Box had been purchased for the preservation of the Ancient Records of the Lodge , and that the same is now at The Albion Tavern . A raising sheet and a die press with

arms of the Lodge had also been bought , and the latter is now in the possession of Messrs . Marchant & Singer . Nov . 20 th . —A letter from Brackstone Baker was read requesting the loan of the Index Volume of the Lodge Minutes for the purpose of reference , he having consented to re-write the History of the Lodge . It was thereupon

resolved " That the Index Book be placed at the disposal of Bro . Baker , the Secretary taking a receipt for the same , and provided that Bro . Baker keep the Book in a fireproof safe . "

At the following meeting another letter was read from Bro . Baker , " renouncing and withdrawing his consent to re-edit his History of the Lodge owing to the conditions imposed . " Whereupon it Avas unanimously resolved , " that the condition as to the custody in a fireproof safe of the book should be withdrawn , and that all the books required by

Bro . Baker for the purpose of re-writing the History of the Lodge , should be placed at his disposal . " Unfortunately this concession on the part of the Lodge was of no avail , as at the meeting in January , 18 94 , it Avas reported that Brackstone Baker had passed away after a short illness , and the usual vote of sympathy and condolence Avith his family was passed unanimouslv .

18 94 , Oct . 15 th . —Sir Polydore De Keyser tendered his resignation and was elected an Honorary Member . At the following meeting , Nov . 19 th , a letter from him was read tendering his thanks to the brethren for the honour they had conferred upon him .

A vote of thanks was passed to Bro . W . Willis for his presentation to the Lodge of Symbols and Legends of Freemasonry , by J . Finlay Finlayson . " The W . Alaster moved and Bro . Truman seconded , ' That the books and records of the Lodge be placed at the

disposal of Bro . Berridge in order that he may revise the History of the Lodge by our late Bro . Brackstone Baker , which was unanimously carried . " 18 95 , Feb . 18 th . — " Bro . Hovenden moved , and Bro . Peacock seconded , ' That the visitor's fee for banquets be

permanently raised to £ 1 5 s ., and that By-Law 21 be altered accordingly , ' which was duly carried . " " A letter was read from Bro . S . P . Norris , thanking the brethren for having elected him an Honorary Member . A letter was also read from Bro . Henry S . Wellcome , P . M . of

No . 3 , returning to the Secretary a copy of Brackstone Baker ' s pamphlet , with which he had been much interested , and suggesting that in the revised edition , contemplated , the compiler should quote much more freely from the old minute books , as well as furnish illustrations of the Jewels and other historical relics of the Lodge .

18 9 6 , Jan . 20 th .- — -The Secretary read a letter from Bro . Sutton , Alaster Elect , stating that on account of ill health he was unable to attend for installation . The letter was accompanied by a medical certificate to the foregoing purport . " The W . Alaster thereupon stated that he would invest such officers as was , in his opinion , necessary , and

defer investment of the others until it were seen whether Bro . Sutton would be able to attend next Lodge . " The Senior Warden , Treasurer , and Secretary were then invested with the Jewels of their respective offices . Fortunately the Alaster Elect was able to be present at the

next meeting when , having been duly installed , he appointed and invested the rest of the officers . Dec . 21 st . —The death of Bro . S . P . Norris having been announced , the Treasurer , Bro . Grellier , P . M ., moved the folloAving resolution , which was seconded by the S . W ., Bro .

Truman , and carried unanimously : — " The Brethren having heard , with much regret of the death of their esteemed Past Alaster . Stephen Perceval Norris , whose family have been connected with the Lodge for many generations , desire to express their sincere sympathy with his Brothers and Sisters in their loss . "

" The following extract was read from a communication addressed to the Treasurer by Bro . P . M . Berridge , who has undertaken the revision of the History of the Lodge . 'This is a long piece of Avork ; I have gone thro' all the minutes