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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
draft Itooitm
METROPOLITAN . BKITANNIC LOUGK ( No . 33 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall , on Friday , the 14 th of May . Present : Bros . Eachus , W . M . ; J . Chynoweth , S . W . ; F . Pendered , J . W . ; Lewis Cromlie , Treas . ; Thos . A . Chubb , Sec . ; John S . Peirce , D . C . ; H . E . Wallis , J . D . ; Edward Palmer , I . G . ; and the following
Past Masters : —A . G . Church , John Strapp , I . W . Shields , Wm . Smith , Jas . Glegg , Magnus Ohren , and Jas . Glaisher , Bros . Charles Horsley , Chas . W . Turner , Wm . Clouston , Chas . Pawley , Thos . Spencer , David Hodge , Wm . Sugg , Henry Finlay , W . P . Boddy , Fredk . H . Varley , | . S . Tamburini , Jas . Chas . Campbell , R . R . Keiley , A . W . Millar , C . James , D . F . Hald , Jas .
Davidson , and Daniel Campbell . Visitors : Bros . J . Hervey , Cj . Sec ; Burke , Prov . G . M . for Jamaica , Scotch Con . ; Rosenthal , P . Prov . S . G . W . of Middlesex ; Masterman , P . M . 11 ; Robins , P . M . 452 ; Godson , P . M . 1077 ; R . Macaulay , Excelsior goo ; F . Macaulay , St . Thomas , 142 ; Francis , P . M . 452 ; Kingham , Metropolitan , 1507 ; Dalgairus , Ancient Dundee , Scotland ; Newton , Gooch
Lodge ; Levick , W . M . 1227 ; Navone , iho ; Morns , 704 ; Dr . Wilkinson , P . M . 181 ; Francis , Talbot , Swansea ; and Sir John Bennett . The ballot was unanimous in favour of Messrs . Ditlef Fiirst Hald , C . E . ; James Davidson , Daniel Campbell , and Walter Faithful Garland . Bro . Richard Roper Kelly and Bro . A . W . Millar were both passed .
Messrs . Ditlef F . Hald , Jas . Davidson , and Dan . Campbell were initiated . The installation was very excellently performed by the outgoing W . M ., Uro . George E . Eachus , and the W . M . having been placed in the chair at once invested his I . P . M . and the Treasurer , and appointed and invested his officers as follows : —F . Pendered , S . W . ; John Davis , I . W . ; Thos . A . Chubb . Sec . ; John S . Peirce ,
D . C ; Henry K . Wallis , S . D . ; Edward Palmer , J . D . ; John Dixon , I . G . ; Jas . J . Wallis anil Edward Strouts , Stewards . It was unanimously resolved that the sum nf £ 5 5 s . be given to each of the Stewards to put upon their lists for the Girls' and the Boys' Schools . The I . P . M . was then invested with a very handsome P . M' . s jewel , and the lodge adjourned . A banquet followed—the musical
arrangements being 111 the hands of Uro . Lawler . Louor : or FHIEXIISIIIP ( No . 206 ) . —This flourishing lodge held a special emergency meeting cm Friday , the 21 st day of May last , at the Ship and Turtle Tavern , Leadenhall-strett , E . G ., expressly to initiate Captain Boyton into the Craft . 'Pile Craft at large , and the lodges ranging under the Grand Lodge of England particularly ,
will be pleased to learn of this interesting event , and every English Freemason will , in . 1 measure , 110 doubt take it as a compliment paid to the fraternity by the gallant Captain in thus becoming a member of the Order in a lodge in this country . Captain Boyton's notoriety in connection with his life-saving chess is now world-wide , but there is one feature which is not so generally known ,
anil that is his private worth . It would be in . 1 measure excusable were he occasionally to display a little ostentation , but his demeanour at his initiation indicated he was entirely free from that species of vanity , and amongst the many agreeable traits of character he displayed none was more conspicuous than his simple and unaffected bearing in everything he did and said . The earnest
manner in which he entered on the solemn business in hand , and the easy way in which he seemed to have lost his own individuality and to have become one of the brethren in feeling and action , were very observable indeed . Every onepicent approached him with ease , and he gained the hearts of all present by his frank and open nature . The officers anil brethren of the lodge present
were the following : —Brothers John Waters , W . M . ; Allen K . Rumsey , S . W . ; Thos . Taylor , J . W . ; J . Javitt Stephens , S . D . ; Elijah Squirrel ] , J . D . ; Wm . ' ll . " Godolphin , I . G . ; William Rumsey , P . M . ; and Treasurer , John Rumsey , P . M . and Secretary ; Samuel Gamnian , I . P . M . ; K . G . Harrison , P . M . ; Fredk . Wiggins , P . M . ; I-.. B . Barnard , P . M . ; Robert Bowman , 'I . \ . Steel , W .
Medcalf , John Murrell , and C . 11 . Barrett . The visitors were the following : —C . G . Sniithers , P . M . 901 ; J . Rug , P . M . 7 81 ; Samuel Vasey , P . M . 183 ; K . Hatli , S . W . 5 . 14 i John Aspiiiiill , J . D . 534 ; K . G . Seaborn , I . G . 217 ; W . Aspinwall , 23 ; anil W . H . Bagshot , 354 . The lodge was opened in clue and ancient form and with solemn prayer at 6 o ' clock p . m ., and the minutes of the last
lodge meeting were read and confirmed unanimously . The ceremony of initiation was at once proceeded with , Captain Boyton having been duly balloted for at the last lodge meeting . It is almost needless to say that the ballot proved unanimous in his favour . The candidate would have been initiated at that lodge meeting , but a pressing public engagement prevented this , and the
present emergency meeting was summoned and held for that purpose . The ceremony of initiation was performed by the Immediate Past Master , Brother Samuel Gamnian , in an impressive and a perfect manner . Brother Gamman's style is similar to that of a fluent extempore speaker giving utterance to his thoughts as they arise in his mind , and few candidates would think he was actually delivering a set ritual . Brother Uanmian ' s working evoked
deserved praise from every one present . The deaconing of Bro . J . Jewitt Stephens , S . D ., was everything that cou'd be desired . The working of the other officers was well performed , and met with due commendation . I'he impies / ive ceremony did not fail to have its clue effect upon the candidate , as it invariably does upon those who , like him , are ever susceptible to receive impressions from that which is associated with solemnity and awe . It is no derogation to the gallant Captain / MOW a brother ) , who
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
has proved beyond all doubt he is possessed of true manly courage , to say that he is endowned with a sensitive nature . On the contrary , his known and tried personal qualities are rather enhanced than otherwise , when coupled with that characteristic essential to all that is truly great and noble . There being no other business to transact , the lodge was then duly closed . There was no banquet ,
but a pleasant re-union of the members of the lodge , the newly-made initiate , and the visitors present took place . The re-union was most enjoyable , and proved that Freemasons can happily intermingle with each other without the incentive of a banquet , relying for their gratification and amusement on an interchange of brotherly feeling , coupled with the satisfaction that they are members of a
society which not only professes but practices tolerance and charity . The gathering of 206 on this memorable evening was a substantive answer to our detractors , who aver that the chief object of a Mason ' s heart is a banquet . The usual Masonic toasts having been given and responded to , Bro . Samuel Gamnian , the Immediate Past Master , rose , ancl in feeling and appropriate terms proposed the
toast of" T he Brother Initiate . " He adverted to the pleasure he experienced in having performed the ceremony of initiation that evening , ancl , however perceptible his drawbacks were in the conduct of the duties of the chair—and he felt they were many—he trusted the brethren present would pass over them on the score that he had endeavoured to do his best , and they must accept the attempt for what
should have been the result . He referred in complimentary terms to the exploits of Bro . Boyton , and said he felt sure that he ( Bro . Boyton ) would perform the unprecedented feat of swimming across the Channel . Bro . Boyton had no doubt been so absorbed in his woik that hitherto he had been prevented from entering the Order . Still throughout his ( Bro . Boyton ' s ) career he had acted virtually as a
Mason ; for was there not a close connection between what Bro . Boyton had been doing , and would still continue to do , and the fundamental teaching inculcated by Freemasonry—namely , the practice of doing good , for Bro . Boyton's invention would , he felt sure , ere long be of the greatest benefit to mankind ? I Ie trusted the brethren present would drink with heartiness and goodwill to the
brother initiate , which was accordingly done with the greatest enthusiasm . In rising to respond , Bro . Boyton said : Worshipful Master and Brethren , I feel particularly gratified this evening in having been made a Freemason in this lodge , and on this occasion , when so goodly a number of the fraternity are around me , I must ask you to excuse me for not having , as arranged , presented
myself for the ceremony on your last lodge meeting ; but , as you are aware , a public engagement prevented this . I must further ask you to excuse the seemingly negligent manner , so far as my pergonal appearance is concerned , in coming before you this evening , but this slight informality will be excused when you know I have only just returnee ! from Oxford . I was desirous of appearing here at all
hazards , to-night , knowing you had considerately convened this lodge meeting for my convenience , and I thank you for this kindness . I am fully alive to the Masonic obligations I have entered into this evening , and hrcthr 11 , I cannot deny that I was deeply affect' * . ! by the impressive
ceremony . 1 have heard a great deal about Masor . ry , ami I am now proud of being one . I will try to he a good Mason . No endeavour shall be wanting on my part . 1 feel pleasure that my humble attempts to further the chances of saving life at sea have been referred to by our Immediate Past Master as Masonic acts . I will still
continue iu my endeavours to bring those attempts to a perfectly successful issue . Brethren , whether you credit it err not , my one sole object in constructing my apparatus anil performing the different experiments 1 have , is to benefit humanity . I feel satisfied 1 can have no higher or purer aim , ancl I wish for none other . I was slaying at Wolverhampton the other day at a place where a lodge was being
held . Hearing I was in the lintel some of the brethren , thinking no doubt that I must be a Mason , courteously asked me to join them . I felt sorry to confess I was ncr Mason , and from that moment I determined to become one as soon as I conveniently could , and , brethren , I thank you that you have on this present occasion afforded me an opportunity of carrying that determination into effect . In
conclusion allow me , Brother Gaiiiniaii , to thank you for the kind way in which you proposed the toast of the Brother Initiate , and you , brethren all , for the genial manner in which you accepted it . Without giving Uro . Boyton an opportunity of resuming his seat , all present earnestly begged him to give an account of the different experiments he had made with his life-saving dress ,
anil the reasons he had applied himself to the task i > l bringing the apparatus to that perfection he had . Bro . Boyton then at considerable length stated he was connected with a body iu America whose duty was to save the lives of shipwrecked mariners and others when in danger , anil that subsequently he filled the post of commander of this body . In the performance of his duties he was too
frequently brought into contact with heartrending scenes . The poor results attending his and the men's exertions t . ci save life were out of all proportion to their efforts , and his idea then struck him . It stood to reason that in a heavy sea , or even on ordinary occasions , the swimmer , however good his intentions , had enough to do to sustain himself in the water , and very little of his efforts
could he expended upon others . From the first , therefore , his object was to construct such an apparatus , and of such buoyant capabilities , that the swimmer should not be required lo expend one iota of his strength towards keeping afloat , thus reserving all his powers for the object in hand
—saving life . At last he produced his dress . Thc greatest difficulty he experienced in its construction was so to shape the head piece as to prevent water from entering , and in this , after repeated trials , he happily succeeded . At the commencement his dress did not meet with that approval he humbly thought it deserved , but time and patience on
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
his part procured the favourable opinion of the public . He essayed many attempts to perform experiments with his invention on dangerous occasions , and he was often prevented from doing this . At last prejudice toned down and he convinced the public in America that his dress full y answered the purposes for which it was intended ; that it was of special use when shipwrecks occurred on a
dangerous coast , with a heavy sea raging and no means save the unaided efforts of a good swimmer at hand to convey a line to connect the ship with the coast , and when the efforts of the most powerful swimmer to do this were entirely unavailing . Then it was when a plucky man safely ensconced in his dress could perform all requirements with comparative ease . He feelingly alluded to
the recent disastrous wreck of the Schiller on the Scill y Isles , ancl felt confident that had there been a few of his dresses on board the ill-fated ship , at the time she struck , the majority of the unhappy passengers and crew who met with so cruel a fate could easily have been saved . Amongst other experiments he alluded to the one he had made off the coast of Ireland , when coming from America
to this country . He entered the sea many miles from the coast , with a packet of letters ; on that occasion he experienced great difficulty in reaching land , and when he did he found nothing but high rocky cliffs to the east of Cape Clear , and no place offering a safe landing . The sea was running so high that sometimes he appeared to be on a level with the summits of the . stupendous rocks ,
and at others he would appear to sink down into an awful abyss , those same rocks and cliffs looming out before him like great mountains . Me had an awful time of it , he was obliged to confess , and he thought his end was come . Il was the only time , he believed , he ever experienced sea sickness . Finding no opportunity of effecting a lauding , he went out lo sea again , and presently espied an inlet into
the land , into which he succeeded in getting , and then landed , to the surprise of thc simple inhabitants , who were not expecting such a strange visitor , and when he told them in reply to their anxious enquiries he had come from America ( which he had ) they were more scared than ever , an . l at once put him down to be a certain unmentionable gentleman . However , Bro . Boyton quieted their
nerves somewhat by stripping off his dress . He engaged a man , after much difficulty , to drive him lo Skibbereen . The poor fellow was so perplexed throughout the journey as left no doubt but that he thought that Bro . Boyton was veritably the aforesaid gentleman . The alacrity with which the man dispossessed himself of his burden at his journey ' s end highly amused our brother ( no doubt Bro .
Boyton fully compensated bim for the fright he had undergone ) . Will ; respect to his recent attempt to cross tin English Channel lie thought he should have , in common fairness , perlormed the feat . The doctor who examined him occasionally , from the commencement of the experiment to its conclusion , and who , he would give him credit , acted from the purest motives and intentions , delayed him
considerably ; and then on the voyage there was an altercation between the English and French Pilots , anrl it turned out much to his ( Bro . Boyton's ) chagrin that the people 011 board did not know where they were . He would say , v hen he was compelled to leave the water , he was , so to speak , as Iresh a .-, when In .- .-ni .-ivil rl , arid to prove that , he , without extra exertion , performed some evolutions
round the boat just as he would have done on ordinary occasions . lie concluded by saying that on the following evening he should proceed to France , preparatory to trying the same experiment , orrly from the opposite shore , and he trusted that before he met the brethren again he should have pciformed the feat successfully . I lis object was lo produce something of benefit
to his kind , and he said , with an emphasis , the meaning of which could not be mistaken , that if a dress could be produced to-morrow in any way superior to his he would instantly drop the latter and take up the former . Throughout Bro . Boyton ' s speech he was listened to with mat ked attention , and proved he was not only endowed with the inventive faculty , but with capacity of delivering a neat
off-handed speech , and a witty one too , for now and then he throws off sonic humorous remark or other which cannot fail to he provocative of considerable merriment to those , whom he addresses . Bro . W . Rumsey , the father of the lodge , then sang the Entered Apprentice Song in his usually vigorous style , aud some good songs were giien afterwards by Bro . Boyton , John Rumsey , J .
Jcwilt Stephens , J . Murrell , R . Bowman , and R . G . Seaborn , and the Immediate Past Master gave a capital recitation . The I . G . was then requested by the father of the lodge to say a few words in connection with the inivvcsvhvg event , and in compliance therewith Bro . Godolphin stated that ordinarily the l . G's . position was an unenviable one , as he was called upon to address the
brethren after every one else bad had his sny , and much to his regret found that the materials for a neat little speech were al ) used up previously , but on this present occasion he was not left in quite so forlorn a condition , it was not for an humble individual like him to eulogise Bro . Boyton or expatiate upon his merits , the Public Press , acting as the reflex of public opinion , having performed
both so efficiently and satisfactorily . He would merely say , referring to Bro . Boyton ' s exploits , that all present loved noble daring , especially when that daring was performed for the furtherance of the interests of humanity , and was at the same time unassocialed with the least taint of vulgar bravado . He could only give express ! " !! to the predominant feeling in his mind , and that was the
complete satisfaction he felt that the introduction of Brother Boyton into their ancient and honourable order was effected through Lodge No . 20 O , under the Roll of the Grand Lodge of England . lie could confidently assert that this feeling was shared iu by every member ofthe lodge present , and next to his own lodge , by every visitor , at least , he could say this for his friends ( iron . Aspinall and Rath , lie could fully endorse the happy ex-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
draft Itooitm
METROPOLITAN . BKITANNIC LOUGK ( No . 33 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall , on Friday , the 14 th of May . Present : Bros . Eachus , W . M . ; J . Chynoweth , S . W . ; F . Pendered , J . W . ; Lewis Cromlie , Treas . ; Thos . A . Chubb , Sec . ; John S . Peirce , D . C . ; H . E . Wallis , J . D . ; Edward Palmer , I . G . ; and the following
Past Masters : —A . G . Church , John Strapp , I . W . Shields , Wm . Smith , Jas . Glegg , Magnus Ohren , and Jas . Glaisher , Bros . Charles Horsley , Chas . W . Turner , Wm . Clouston , Chas . Pawley , Thos . Spencer , David Hodge , Wm . Sugg , Henry Finlay , W . P . Boddy , Fredk . H . Varley , | . S . Tamburini , Jas . Chas . Campbell , R . R . Keiley , A . W . Millar , C . James , D . F . Hald , Jas .
Davidson , and Daniel Campbell . Visitors : Bros . J . Hervey , Cj . Sec ; Burke , Prov . G . M . for Jamaica , Scotch Con . ; Rosenthal , P . Prov . S . G . W . of Middlesex ; Masterman , P . M . 11 ; Robins , P . M . 452 ; Godson , P . M . 1077 ; R . Macaulay , Excelsior goo ; F . Macaulay , St . Thomas , 142 ; Francis , P . M . 452 ; Kingham , Metropolitan , 1507 ; Dalgairus , Ancient Dundee , Scotland ; Newton , Gooch
Lodge ; Levick , W . M . 1227 ; Navone , iho ; Morns , 704 ; Dr . Wilkinson , P . M . 181 ; Francis , Talbot , Swansea ; and Sir John Bennett . The ballot was unanimous in favour of Messrs . Ditlef Fiirst Hald , C . E . ; James Davidson , Daniel Campbell , and Walter Faithful Garland . Bro . Richard Roper Kelly and Bro . A . W . Millar were both passed .
Messrs . Ditlef F . Hald , Jas . Davidson , and Dan . Campbell were initiated . The installation was very excellently performed by the outgoing W . M ., Uro . George E . Eachus , and the W . M . having been placed in the chair at once invested his I . P . M . and the Treasurer , and appointed and invested his officers as follows : —F . Pendered , S . W . ; John Davis , I . W . ; Thos . A . Chubb . Sec . ; John S . Peirce ,
D . C ; Henry K . Wallis , S . D . ; Edward Palmer , J . D . ; John Dixon , I . G . ; Jas . J . Wallis anil Edward Strouts , Stewards . It was unanimously resolved that the sum nf £ 5 5 s . be given to each of the Stewards to put upon their lists for the Girls' and the Boys' Schools . The I . P . M . was then invested with a very handsome P . M' . s jewel , and the lodge adjourned . A banquet followed—the musical
arrangements being 111 the hands of Uro . Lawler . Louor : or FHIEXIISIIIP ( No . 206 ) . —This flourishing lodge held a special emergency meeting cm Friday , the 21 st day of May last , at the Ship and Turtle Tavern , Leadenhall-strett , E . G ., expressly to initiate Captain Boyton into the Craft . 'Pile Craft at large , and the lodges ranging under the Grand Lodge of England particularly ,
will be pleased to learn of this interesting event , and every English Freemason will , in . 1 measure , 110 doubt take it as a compliment paid to the fraternity by the gallant Captain in thus becoming a member of the Order in a lodge in this country . Captain Boyton's notoriety in connection with his life-saving chess is now world-wide , but there is one feature which is not so generally known ,
anil that is his private worth . It would be in . 1 measure excusable were he occasionally to display a little ostentation , but his demeanour at his initiation indicated he was entirely free from that species of vanity , and amongst the many agreeable traits of character he displayed none was more conspicuous than his simple and unaffected bearing in everything he did and said . The earnest
manner in which he entered on the solemn business in hand , and the easy way in which he seemed to have lost his own individuality and to have become one of the brethren in feeling and action , were very observable indeed . Every onepicent approached him with ease , and he gained the hearts of all present by his frank and open nature . The officers anil brethren of the lodge present
were the following : —Brothers John Waters , W . M . ; Allen K . Rumsey , S . W . ; Thos . Taylor , J . W . ; J . Javitt Stephens , S . D . ; Elijah Squirrel ] , J . D . ; Wm . ' ll . " Godolphin , I . G . ; William Rumsey , P . M . ; and Treasurer , John Rumsey , P . M . and Secretary ; Samuel Gamnian , I . P . M . ; K . G . Harrison , P . M . ; Fredk . Wiggins , P . M . ; I-.. B . Barnard , P . M . ; Robert Bowman , 'I . \ . Steel , W .
Medcalf , John Murrell , and C . 11 . Barrett . The visitors were the following : —C . G . Sniithers , P . M . 901 ; J . Rug , P . M . 7 81 ; Samuel Vasey , P . M . 183 ; K . Hatli , S . W . 5 . 14 i John Aspiiiiill , J . D . 534 ; K . G . Seaborn , I . G . 217 ; W . Aspinwall , 23 ; anil W . H . Bagshot , 354 . The lodge was opened in clue and ancient form and with solemn prayer at 6 o ' clock p . m ., and the minutes of the last
lodge meeting were read and confirmed unanimously . The ceremony of initiation was at once proceeded with , Captain Boyton having been duly balloted for at the last lodge meeting . It is almost needless to say that the ballot proved unanimous in his favour . The candidate would have been initiated at that lodge meeting , but a pressing public engagement prevented this , and the
present emergency meeting was summoned and held for that purpose . The ceremony of initiation was performed by the Immediate Past Master , Brother Samuel Gamnian , in an impressive and a perfect manner . Brother Gamman's style is similar to that of a fluent extempore speaker giving utterance to his thoughts as they arise in his mind , and few candidates would think he was actually delivering a set ritual . Brother Uanmian ' s working evoked
deserved praise from every one present . The deaconing of Bro . J . Jewitt Stephens , S . D ., was everything that cou'd be desired . The working of the other officers was well performed , and met with due commendation . I'he impies / ive ceremony did not fail to have its clue effect upon the candidate , as it invariably does upon those who , like him , are ever susceptible to receive impressions from that which is associated with solemnity and awe . It is no derogation to the gallant Captain / MOW a brother ) , who
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
has proved beyond all doubt he is possessed of true manly courage , to say that he is endowned with a sensitive nature . On the contrary , his known and tried personal qualities are rather enhanced than otherwise , when coupled with that characteristic essential to all that is truly great and noble . There being no other business to transact , the lodge was then duly closed . There was no banquet ,
but a pleasant re-union of the members of the lodge , the newly-made initiate , and the visitors present took place . The re-union was most enjoyable , and proved that Freemasons can happily intermingle with each other without the incentive of a banquet , relying for their gratification and amusement on an interchange of brotherly feeling , coupled with the satisfaction that they are members of a
society which not only professes but practices tolerance and charity . The gathering of 206 on this memorable evening was a substantive answer to our detractors , who aver that the chief object of a Mason ' s heart is a banquet . The usual Masonic toasts having been given and responded to , Bro . Samuel Gamnian , the Immediate Past Master , rose , ancl in feeling and appropriate terms proposed the
toast of" T he Brother Initiate . " He adverted to the pleasure he experienced in having performed the ceremony of initiation that evening , ancl , however perceptible his drawbacks were in the conduct of the duties of the chair—and he felt they were many—he trusted the brethren present would pass over them on the score that he had endeavoured to do his best , and they must accept the attempt for what
should have been the result . He referred in complimentary terms to the exploits of Bro . Boyton , and said he felt sure that he ( Bro . Boyton ) would perform the unprecedented feat of swimming across the Channel . Bro . Boyton had no doubt been so absorbed in his woik that hitherto he had been prevented from entering the Order . Still throughout his ( Bro . Boyton ' s ) career he had acted virtually as a
Mason ; for was there not a close connection between what Bro . Boyton had been doing , and would still continue to do , and the fundamental teaching inculcated by Freemasonry—namely , the practice of doing good , for Bro . Boyton's invention would , he felt sure , ere long be of the greatest benefit to mankind ? I Ie trusted the brethren present would drink with heartiness and goodwill to the
brother initiate , which was accordingly done with the greatest enthusiasm . In rising to respond , Bro . Boyton said : Worshipful Master and Brethren , I feel particularly gratified this evening in having been made a Freemason in this lodge , and on this occasion , when so goodly a number of the fraternity are around me , I must ask you to excuse me for not having , as arranged , presented
myself for the ceremony on your last lodge meeting ; but , as you are aware , a public engagement prevented this . I must further ask you to excuse the seemingly negligent manner , so far as my pergonal appearance is concerned , in coming before you this evening , but this slight informality will be excused when you know I have only just returnee ! from Oxford . I was desirous of appearing here at all
hazards , to-night , knowing you had considerately convened this lodge meeting for my convenience , and I thank you for this kindness . I am fully alive to the Masonic obligations I have entered into this evening , and hrcthr 11 , I cannot deny that I was deeply affect' * . ! by the impressive
ceremony . 1 have heard a great deal about Masor . ry , ami I am now proud of being one . I will try to he a good Mason . No endeavour shall be wanting on my part . 1 feel pleasure that my humble attempts to further the chances of saving life at sea have been referred to by our Immediate Past Master as Masonic acts . I will still
continue iu my endeavours to bring those attempts to a perfectly successful issue . Brethren , whether you credit it err not , my one sole object in constructing my apparatus anil performing the different experiments 1 have , is to benefit humanity . I feel satisfied 1 can have no higher or purer aim , ancl I wish for none other . I was slaying at Wolverhampton the other day at a place where a lodge was being
held . Hearing I was in the lintel some of the brethren , thinking no doubt that I must be a Mason , courteously asked me to join them . I felt sorry to confess I was ncr Mason , and from that moment I determined to become one as soon as I conveniently could , and , brethren , I thank you that you have on this present occasion afforded me an opportunity of carrying that determination into effect . In
conclusion allow me , Brother Gaiiiniaii , to thank you for the kind way in which you proposed the toast of the Brother Initiate , and you , brethren all , for the genial manner in which you accepted it . Without giving Uro . Boyton an opportunity of resuming his seat , all present earnestly begged him to give an account of the different experiments he had made with his life-saving dress ,
anil the reasons he had applied himself to the task i > l bringing the apparatus to that perfection he had . Bro . Boyton then at considerable length stated he was connected with a body iu America whose duty was to save the lives of shipwrecked mariners and others when in danger , anil that subsequently he filled the post of commander of this body . In the performance of his duties he was too
frequently brought into contact with heartrending scenes . The poor results attending his and the men's exertions t . ci save life were out of all proportion to their efforts , and his idea then struck him . It stood to reason that in a heavy sea , or even on ordinary occasions , the swimmer , however good his intentions , had enough to do to sustain himself in the water , and very little of his efforts
could he expended upon others . From the first , therefore , his object was to construct such an apparatus , and of such buoyant capabilities , that the swimmer should not be required lo expend one iota of his strength towards keeping afloat , thus reserving all his powers for the object in hand
—saving life . At last he produced his dress . Thc greatest difficulty he experienced in its construction was so to shape the head piece as to prevent water from entering , and in this , after repeated trials , he happily succeeded . At the commencement his dress did not meet with that approval he humbly thought it deserved , but time and patience on
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
his part procured the favourable opinion of the public . He essayed many attempts to perform experiments with his invention on dangerous occasions , and he was often prevented from doing this . At last prejudice toned down and he convinced the public in America that his dress full y answered the purposes for which it was intended ; that it was of special use when shipwrecks occurred on a
dangerous coast , with a heavy sea raging and no means save the unaided efforts of a good swimmer at hand to convey a line to connect the ship with the coast , and when the efforts of the most powerful swimmer to do this were entirely unavailing . Then it was when a plucky man safely ensconced in his dress could perform all requirements with comparative ease . He feelingly alluded to
the recent disastrous wreck of the Schiller on the Scill y Isles , ancl felt confident that had there been a few of his dresses on board the ill-fated ship , at the time she struck , the majority of the unhappy passengers and crew who met with so cruel a fate could easily have been saved . Amongst other experiments he alluded to the one he had made off the coast of Ireland , when coming from America
to this country . He entered the sea many miles from the coast , with a packet of letters ; on that occasion he experienced great difficulty in reaching land , and when he did he found nothing but high rocky cliffs to the east of Cape Clear , and no place offering a safe landing . The sea was running so high that sometimes he appeared to be on a level with the summits of the . stupendous rocks ,
and at others he would appear to sink down into an awful abyss , those same rocks and cliffs looming out before him like great mountains . Me had an awful time of it , he was obliged to confess , and he thought his end was come . Il was the only time , he believed , he ever experienced sea sickness . Finding no opportunity of effecting a lauding , he went out lo sea again , and presently espied an inlet into
the land , into which he succeeded in getting , and then landed , to the surprise of thc simple inhabitants , who were not expecting such a strange visitor , and when he told them in reply to their anxious enquiries he had come from America ( which he had ) they were more scared than ever , an . l at once put him down to be a certain unmentionable gentleman . However , Bro . Boyton quieted their
nerves somewhat by stripping off his dress . He engaged a man , after much difficulty , to drive him lo Skibbereen . The poor fellow was so perplexed throughout the journey as left no doubt but that he thought that Bro . Boyton was veritably the aforesaid gentleman . The alacrity with which the man dispossessed himself of his burden at his journey ' s end highly amused our brother ( no doubt Bro .
Boyton fully compensated bim for the fright he had undergone ) . Will ; respect to his recent attempt to cross tin English Channel lie thought he should have , in common fairness , perlormed the feat . The doctor who examined him occasionally , from the commencement of the experiment to its conclusion , and who , he would give him credit , acted from the purest motives and intentions , delayed him
considerably ; and then on the voyage there was an altercation between the English and French Pilots , anrl it turned out much to his ( Bro . Boyton's ) chagrin that the people 011 board did not know where they were . He would say , v hen he was compelled to leave the water , he was , so to speak , as Iresh a .-, when In .- .-ni .-ivil rl , arid to prove that , he , without extra exertion , performed some evolutions
round the boat just as he would have done on ordinary occasions . lie concluded by saying that on the following evening he should proceed to France , preparatory to trying the same experiment , orrly from the opposite shore , and he trusted that before he met the brethren again he should have pciformed the feat successfully . I lis object was lo produce something of benefit
to his kind , and he said , with an emphasis , the meaning of which could not be mistaken , that if a dress could be produced to-morrow in any way superior to his he would instantly drop the latter and take up the former . Throughout Bro . Boyton ' s speech he was listened to with mat ked attention , and proved he was not only endowed with the inventive faculty , but with capacity of delivering a neat
off-handed speech , and a witty one too , for now and then he throws off sonic humorous remark or other which cannot fail to he provocative of considerable merriment to those , whom he addresses . Bro . W . Rumsey , the father of the lodge , then sang the Entered Apprentice Song in his usually vigorous style , aud some good songs were giien afterwards by Bro . Boyton , John Rumsey , J .
Jcwilt Stephens , J . Murrell , R . Bowman , and R . G . Seaborn , and the Immediate Past Master gave a capital recitation . The I . G . was then requested by the father of the lodge to say a few words in connection with the inivvcsvhvg event , and in compliance therewith Bro . Godolphin stated that ordinarily the l . G's . position was an unenviable one , as he was called upon to address the
brethren after every one else bad had his sny , and much to his regret found that the materials for a neat little speech were al ) used up previously , but on this present occasion he was not left in quite so forlorn a condition , it was not for an humble individual like him to eulogise Bro . Boyton or expatiate upon his merits , the Public Press , acting as the reflex of public opinion , having performed
both so efficiently and satisfactorily . He would merely say , referring to Bro . Boyton ' s exploits , that all present loved noble daring , especially when that daring was performed for the furtherance of the interests of humanity , and was at the same time unassocialed with the least taint of vulgar bravado . He could only give express ! " !! to the predominant feeling in his mind , and that was the
complete satisfaction he felt that the introduction of Brother Boyton into their ancient and honourable order was effected through Lodge No . 20 O , under the Roll of the Grand Lodge of England . lie could confidently assert that this feeling was shared iu by every member ofthe lodge present , and next to his own lodge , by every visitor , at least , he could say this for his friends ( iron . Aspinall and Rath , lie could fully endorse the happy ex-