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Article ANNUAL BALL OF THE CARNARVON AND MIZPAH LODGES, Nos. 1572 AND 1671. ← Page 2 of 2 Article ST. ALBAN'S ABBEY. Page 1 of 1 Article ST. ALBAN'S ABBEY. Page 1 of 1 Article ST. ALBAN'S ABBEY. Page 1 of 1 Article LONDON MASONIC CHARITY ASSOCIATION. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Annual Ball Of The Carnarvon And Mizpah Lodges, Nos. 1572 And 1671.
words are insufficient to impress you with our worth , learn from Tommy Moore , the Irish poet , that—, i there ' s a bliss beyond all that the minstrel has told , When two that are linked in one heavenly tie , With heart never changing and brow never cold Love on through all ills , and love on till they die . One hour of a passion so blessed is worth Whole ages of heartless and wandering bliss , And O , if there be an Elysium on earth , It is this I It is this !"
We being ladies , are , of course , ignorant of the mystic tenets of your Order , but we opine that charity has ever formed the mainspring of all your actions . We , then , claim to represent and to personify charity or love . Our very name is derived from two Saxon words ' Let diau , ' signify ing to serve bread , an allusion to the feudal times when we personally tlolcd out bread or distributed charity
to the deserving poor . We are pleased to see , and we congratulate you most heartily upon that charity or love which has prompted the Carnarvon and Mizpah Lodges to join hand in hand this evening to promote our enjoyment . This is " the third time of asking , " words in church of momentous import to us . Well , now we regard these
words , as this is your third annual ball wilh much appreciation ! because y ? e feel that the success of your hall is ensured , and , that for a long string of years to come your gatherings , as you ? happiness , will be great . Now , as then , we say" Stajid firm and fast , nor slave , nor lord , United baqds of faithful brothers be ;
Stand firm and fast , defend of one accord Your holy righfs arid be for ever free . ' Bro . Edward Terry , P . M . 1319 , in reply to the toast , " The Health pf the Visitors , " said , I have a very difficult task lo perform . It was quite true , as Bro . Nelson Keed has informed you that I have played many parts , and 1 might also add that 1 have performed in several
pieces , but the part I have tp play to-night is a most difficult one , inasmuch as my parts are always written for mc , but to-night it is not so . On behalf of the visitors here I must thank yp , u very sincerely for the great treat you have given us to-night at ^ his your third annual ball . J myself have been to each , but think this tbe most enjoyable and successful ball you have had ; J , Iht'icfore , trust
ncxt year to he ope of yptir guests , as 1 am certain al ! my brother visitors hope to be invited again and again . The Chairman prppqsed " Continued success to the Carnarvon and Mizpah Lodges' Ball , ! ' to which Bro . Goffin replied . Bro . Clark , J . D . 1632 , proposed "The Health of the Chairman , " who , in reply , thanked the laelies and
gentlemen for responding tp his call , and was glad to see such an assembly of fair ladies as was present on this occasion . It was quite tr ** ae there had been some difficulty in arranging the ball , but that was overcome , as all present must acknowledge . He th ^ pked the brethren and gentlemen for drinking his health , and hoped thc next ball would be , if possible , more successful than the present .
Considering the bad tin *) cs the attendance was good , there being 154 ladies and gentlemen present . The arrange ments were of the most complete and satisfactory character , thanks to the great qnej untiring exertions of the Stewards , the principal members of \ yhich were Bros . N . Reed ( Chairman and Hon . Sec ) , plarricoats , Goffin , apd Warden ( Vice-Chairman . )
The duties , pf Masters of Ceremonies were fulfilled with great courtesy by Bfps . Briggs and Reed . The brethren appeared in fpil Masonic 0 raft clothing with the jewels and insigRi **** . of tlieit \ 3-nk . and office , and these added copsidcrally to the fine effect of the gathering . Thc following Were the Stewards on this occasion : —
Bros . Brorawjch , " 671 ; Bullock , 157 ?; Burmati , J . p . 1572 ; Clarriccats , Treas . 1572 ; Gpffin , 1572 ; Lovebond , 1572 ; Meiter , I 07 i ; Pearce , Vy . S . 1572 ; Sissons , 1 ( 171 ; Still , W . M . 16 7 *; Taylor , 1572 ; Warden , tbji ; Whitaker , P . ( W ; 15 ?** i Willcock , 1572 ! Wright , 1671 ; Briggs , J . W . 1572 ; and Reed , S . W . 1572 , and LP . M . 1671 .
St. Alban's Abbey.
ST . ALBAN'S ABBEY .
The adjourned meeting in connection with tlie restoration of St . Alban ' s eVbb ' ey tvas held in the Freemasons ' Tavern on Wednesday afternoon last ., Bro . ' IJie Hey . J . C Maityn , P . G . Chaplain , "p . P . G . M . Suffolk . ' presiding . Bro . C . E . Keyser , Sec . to the Committee , having i *> een called
upon to read the minutes of the previous meeting , Bro . A , F . A . Wopdfojd , P . p . p ., announced that there was a ¦ " ifithcr in attendance w ) io lyis to ente * r an objection to the proposed scheme , and he ventiired lo think that it would perhaps be better , since , at the last meeting a resolution had been carried to the effect that it was the intention of
tbe meeting to carry out the proposed restoration , to hear the dissejitipg brother before they should proceed further . After a short discussion upon the rules which regulate the business of public meetings , it was agreed that the minutes ° e signed as corrected . ¦ " The Chairman then said the next paragraph on the a genda paper had reference to the calling upon himself to
state the result of his endeavours to get the D . G . M ., Lord " -Mm . er-sdaW , to act as t ( ic President of the Committee . f | batf much pleasure in stating that he had received a Kindl y -jetter frorp the D . G . M ., in which lie expressed his wart y appro- ya * - , ojt the pbject they had in view , and announced that it ivoujd afford him great pleasure to allow ui n (
s * W . e o qppeiir on the Corrimittee . ( Applause . ) Lord thait * i ( lale hacl so many engagements , as they all knew , d " ? . WM not promise to be often present , but he \ yo-jld 9 his best : to promote the work whi ' ch he ( the speaje ' er ) hid 1 D - * - woulil do with all his heart . He Warrf ' , e i ar < i " 0 m any of the Senior or J unior Grand 32 , ¦ " ¦ ** ' but he ^ as ' ' *** ho P 'hat some of then * i would HW c ° ro * n ' - to act on the Committee . ( Hear , hear . ) ""
St. Alban's Abbey.
The Secretary then announced that he had received letters of apology from several influential brethren who could not be present owing to the pressure of other engagements , and further stated that he had since last week received one or two more answers from patrons of the undertaking , amongst them being Colonel Starkie , Montagu Guest , P . G . M . Gloucester , who would be very glad to throw his influence and best endeavours into the
movement ; and Viscount Holmsdale , M . P ., P . G . M . Kent . He had communicated with all the patrons , and he was happy to say he had only had three refusals . He begged also to say that he had received the following subscriptions : — Bros . Montagu Guest , £ 2 ; J . W . Edwards , I . P . M . 1479 , £ 3 ; A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . Chaplain , £ 3 ; C . Keyser , S . D . 404 £ 5 ,- Colonel Starkie , £ 5 ; Sir Albert Woods ,
, £ 5 ; Viscount Holmsdale , ' M . P ., £ 5 ; Rev . Dr . Griffiths , £ 3 ; and one or two others . ( Applapse . ) Bro . T . Wardle , I . P . M ! 9 66 , then addressed thc meeting . He said he had come 'pere that aljerpppn , as they might expect , with great diffidence , ' owing to the kind invitation of Bro . Keyser , who had been good enough to reply at some length to a letter which he ( the speaker ) had
thought it necessary to address to that meeting on its first assembling . He would ask the kind indulgence of his heareys whilst he made a few remarks which he had very much' at heart , not because he had any enthusiastic notions upon the question they had met to cqnsjdcr , but because it was one to which he n- ** id paid , as an amateur , a lifetime ' s attention . He ought to say that he was
associated with men whose names were of the greatest possible weight in art , apd , if his observations might appear disjointed , it would be more from his inability to address a public audience than anything else . He had cpme from North Stafford that morning , at considerable personal inconvenience , to be present at the meeting . He had two objects in coming . One was that as
Worshipful Master of a lodge , his last act was to give notice of a resolution , which if passed , should be sent to the Grand Lodge , and to the Provincial Grand Lodge , calling upon Freemasons to try and take care of the builelings which were being so ruthlessly anel mercilessly treated . He thought they had been for a long time past neglecting their duty in allowing , without protest , such things to be
perpetrated , as had been perpetrated under the name of restoration . So great was his aslonishrncnt when he saw , in the Freemason , the proposal they had met to discuss , that be at once took the opportunity of writing to the last meeting , with the result that they now saw him there . He was much obliged to Bro . Keyser for writing to him , for that hail induced him to come to London and address
them . Another reason was that he was one of the promoters of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings , having been on its committee from its commencement ; although he did not appear there as the agent of that society , or at its wish cr suggestion . lie would not take up any time by discussing the restoration of St . A'bans Abbey in particular which might lead them into an
architectural debate which he did not think was opportune or necessary . He ought , however , to say thi * =, that for some time the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings had been using what influence it possessed with the St . Alban ' s Committee , and the Committee generally , against
putting upon the nave the high pitched roof that is proposed , and the society were very glad to find t ' lat such protests as they had been able to make had been listened to , and that there was by no means a unanimous acquiescence in this high pitched roof . He was told that members of the Committee had even
kit thc committee rather than be bound to do that which they thought was not right . He had himself heard at one of thc committee meetings Earl Cowper say that he disapproved of the proposal . The Chairman here reminded Bro . Wardle that the scheme was simply to restore thc west front of the Abbey .
Bro . Wardle ( continuing ) was coming to that . He was strictly speaking to the question , as he would show that the putting up of a nave roof would necessitate the raising of a gable to ths west front , which would be a most monstrous thing to do . That was why he mentioned the subject of the nave roof . By all means let them have as much of the stone of the old work as
possible ; but as to doing what the circular proposed to do —w | iich he was happy to find was at variance \ yith what Bro . Keyser had told biai in his letter , which said " wc prprpose to restore , not to renew" —he entered his wafm protest . Bro . Wardle then read the following excerpt from ihe circular referred to : — "The architect ' s estimate for the restoration of the
central porch is £ 2 , 500 , and for each of the side porches £ 2 , 000 , or for the entire west front £ 9 , 000 . These sums appear at first sight very large , but" very much will have to be done on account of the decayed and mutilated condition of the stonework , and the cost of reproducing and repairing the elaborate details of the design will necessarily be considerable . Of those
portions which have at some time been wilfully destroyed , sufficient fragments have been discovered to enable the architect to restore the porches in accordance with thc original plan of Abbot John de Cella . " lie earnestly protested , as far as he might do in politeness apd courtesy to the meeting , against any so-called restoration whatever—any bujlding from fragments to imitate what it was before , any re-duplication of th ; : old
work , thc . spiritless carving of masons whose work bore no comparison to , and , in fact , was utterly insipid when put by the side of the work of their older brethren . Let him give an instance , lt was proposed to alter the porchesto re-duplicate ( hem—to restore them with modern mimicry . They had onl y to go to Westminster Abbey to the north porch arid see what had been dqr \ e tb . ere in putting up a porch in p lace of the old one . One would think that the architects wonld cer-
St. Alban's Abbey.
tainly do their best for Westminster Abbey . He ventured to say it was a most disgraceful structure , and it was not worthy of a second-rate architect ' s clerk . When once they , as Freemasons , committed themselves to this scheme , they really shoulel have no power to correct the mistake they would make . He knew from experience that they would have no power in controlling what was being done .
The architect himself woulel have no power , because he could not be there constantly and see what was going on . He ( the speaker ) knew what was going on in the * yrest porch of the Lichfield Cathedral now . The old cathedral Was being absolutely destroyed , and Bro . Keyser in his letter , called attention to that as an instance of modern restoratioi } where sad damage was unnecessarily done . He knew he
stood alone 111 this matter , and felt his position very much , but he trusted the brethren woulel bear with him patiently for a few minutes longer . He had said pretty nearly all that he need say on the point , except this , that he did not wish their Masonic beeiy committed to any work of re-duplication whatever . That was his great anxiety , and it was that which had chiefly brought him there on that
occasion . Many mistakes had been made b y deans and chapters and other people , who were well enough intentioned in matters of this kind , but let them not follow such examples . He thonght they ought to respect the work of their older brethren more than to permit any spiritless imitations to disfigure their beautiful work . The Chairman having to leave , in consequence of having
to attend his lodge meeting , Bro , J . M . Clabon , P . G . D . was called upon to occupy the chair . Bro . Wardle , resuming , said he woulel like to conclude his remarks by reading to them a quotation from Professor Ruskin ' s " Seven Lamps of Architecture , " giving them
all that possibly could be said on the subject . Bro . Woodford objected to this . He ventured to say that if Bro . Wardle would give his own opinions they would be very happy to listen to what he had to say . Like all other students , he had read and knew well Professor Ruskin's work .
Bro . Wardle , continuing , said he knew at what a disadvantage he stood , because he hail no real influence in thp matter except a love for the old work , but hp would just say that he diel very much more strongly than he hael elope , earnestly and fraternally protest against thc proposed scheme . They had no business to commit their brethren to any such re-duplications as were cleaily
proposed , and , although he knew he would not have a seconder , he begged fo move that the resolution whjch referred to the resforatjpn of the . west front of St . Alban's Abbey be rescinded " . He would add that if they wanted to do anything to thc rnemory of St . Alban no one wpulrl more willingly join in any suitable project than he . There were plenty of green fields in the county where they might
erect a memorial to St . Alban , but let them do something new ; but as to tinkering their beautiful o | d art by restorations he most humbly protested against that . No seconder to the resolution being found it fell through . Captain Dick wanted to ask Bro . Keyser a question ! He understood from the minutes that there was a limit fixeel to subscriptions , namely £ _• Did this refer to lodge qr
individual subscriptions ? The Chairman—Only to individual subscribers . A short discussion here followed , most of the brethren brethren taking part in it , as to whether the Hertfprd Committee anu the London Committee were at one iippn the essential principles of the published circular setting forth the objects of the mp vemeiit .
Bro . Woodford pointed out that a resolutipn had been unanimously passed at the last meeting to the effect that a Central ' Committee should be formed in London , and that the Hertfordshire Committee should be incorporated in the Central Committee , and that they had all received a copy of the circular with an intimation that this meeting was to be held , which , seeing that there had been no
objections lodged , was tantamount to saying that they generally agreed . ' ' " This view being concurred in , it was decieled , on the motion of Bro . Keyser . that a remodelled circular , containing some additional information demonstrating the connection of St . Alban with Freemasonry , which Bro . A . F . A . Woodforel , P . G . Chaplain , kindly undertook to
supply , should be sent to every Secretary of the lodges in England . The Secretary then announced that Bro . George Kenning had kindly consented to act on the Committee , and also that he . had received a letter from Bro . John Hervey , P . G . Sec , to whom he hael maele formal application to be allo . wcd tei hold their meetings in the Board Room of the Frecri-iaspns' Hall , stating that the Board of General
Pur-PP *??? V » ould be very happy to let them have the room for holding their meetings . Loud applause followed this announcement . Bre *> . vVoodford thpyght it well , before the mieeting separated , to ppint out that it must riot be supposed that ttfer ? was no ansjyer to Bro . Wardle's remark ? . To this the Chairman and meeting assented , as no opinion | iad been expressed , owing to Bro . Wardle ' s motion not having found a seconder .
' 1 he meeting was then closed . A meeting of the Committee will bc held on Thursday , thc 27 th inst ., at 4 . 30 , to further consieler what steps arc to be taken in connection with the movement .
London Masonic Charity Association.
LONDON MASONIC CHARITY ASSOCIATION .
The fortnightly Committee of this Association took place at 1 , Clifford's Inn , on Wednesday , 19 th inst ., when n-. w members were elected , the routine business was transacted , and the meeting aeljourneel to Wednesday , March Sth , at 5 p . m . Brethren are requested to take notice of the alteration .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Annual Ball Of The Carnarvon And Mizpah Lodges, Nos. 1572 And 1671.
words are insufficient to impress you with our worth , learn from Tommy Moore , the Irish poet , that—, i there ' s a bliss beyond all that the minstrel has told , When two that are linked in one heavenly tie , With heart never changing and brow never cold Love on through all ills , and love on till they die . One hour of a passion so blessed is worth Whole ages of heartless and wandering bliss , And O , if there be an Elysium on earth , It is this I It is this !"
We being ladies , are , of course , ignorant of the mystic tenets of your Order , but we opine that charity has ever formed the mainspring of all your actions . We , then , claim to represent and to personify charity or love . Our very name is derived from two Saxon words ' Let diau , ' signify ing to serve bread , an allusion to the feudal times when we personally tlolcd out bread or distributed charity
to the deserving poor . We are pleased to see , and we congratulate you most heartily upon that charity or love which has prompted the Carnarvon and Mizpah Lodges to join hand in hand this evening to promote our enjoyment . This is " the third time of asking , " words in church of momentous import to us . Well , now we regard these
words , as this is your third annual ball wilh much appreciation ! because y ? e feel that the success of your hall is ensured , and , that for a long string of years to come your gatherings , as you ? happiness , will be great . Now , as then , we say" Stajid firm and fast , nor slave , nor lord , United baqds of faithful brothers be ;
Stand firm and fast , defend of one accord Your holy righfs arid be for ever free . ' Bro . Edward Terry , P . M . 1319 , in reply to the toast , " The Health pf the Visitors , " said , I have a very difficult task lo perform . It was quite true , as Bro . Nelson Keed has informed you that I have played many parts , and 1 might also add that 1 have performed in several
pieces , but the part I have tp play to-night is a most difficult one , inasmuch as my parts are always written for mc , but to-night it is not so . On behalf of the visitors here I must thank yp , u very sincerely for the great treat you have given us to-night at ^ his your third annual ball . J myself have been to each , but think this tbe most enjoyable and successful ball you have had ; J , Iht'icfore , trust
ncxt year to he ope of yptir guests , as 1 am certain al ! my brother visitors hope to be invited again and again . The Chairman prppqsed " Continued success to the Carnarvon and Mizpah Lodges' Ball , ! ' to which Bro . Goffin replied . Bro . Clark , J . D . 1632 , proposed "The Health of the Chairman , " who , in reply , thanked the laelies and
gentlemen for responding tp his call , and was glad to see such an assembly of fair ladies as was present on this occasion . It was quite tr ** ae there had been some difficulty in arranging the ball , but that was overcome , as all present must acknowledge . He th ^ pked the brethren and gentlemen for drinking his health , and hoped thc next ball would be , if possible , more successful than the present .
Considering the bad tin *) cs the attendance was good , there being 154 ladies and gentlemen present . The arrange ments were of the most complete and satisfactory character , thanks to the great qnej untiring exertions of the Stewards , the principal members of \ yhich were Bros . N . Reed ( Chairman and Hon . Sec ) , plarricoats , Goffin , apd Warden ( Vice-Chairman . )
The duties , pf Masters of Ceremonies were fulfilled with great courtesy by Bfps . Briggs and Reed . The brethren appeared in fpil Masonic 0 raft clothing with the jewels and insigRi **** . of tlieit \ 3-nk . and office , and these added copsidcrally to the fine effect of the gathering . Thc following Were the Stewards on this occasion : —
Bros . Brorawjch , " 671 ; Bullock , 157 ?; Burmati , J . p . 1572 ; Clarriccats , Treas . 1572 ; Gpffin , 1572 ; Lovebond , 1572 ; Meiter , I 07 i ; Pearce , Vy . S . 1572 ; Sissons , 1 ( 171 ; Still , W . M . 16 7 *; Taylor , 1572 ; Warden , tbji ; Whitaker , P . ( W ; 15 ?** i Willcock , 1572 ! Wright , 1671 ; Briggs , J . W . 1572 ; and Reed , S . W . 1572 , and LP . M . 1671 .
St. Alban's Abbey.
ST . ALBAN'S ABBEY .
The adjourned meeting in connection with tlie restoration of St . Alban ' s eVbb ' ey tvas held in the Freemasons ' Tavern on Wednesday afternoon last ., Bro . ' IJie Hey . J . C Maityn , P . G . Chaplain , "p . P . G . M . Suffolk . ' presiding . Bro . C . E . Keyser , Sec . to the Committee , having i *> een called
upon to read the minutes of the previous meeting , Bro . A , F . A . Wopdfojd , P . p . p ., announced that there was a ¦ " ifithcr in attendance w ) io lyis to ente * r an objection to the proposed scheme , and he ventiired lo think that it would perhaps be better , since , at the last meeting a resolution had been carried to the effect that it was the intention of
tbe meeting to carry out the proposed restoration , to hear the dissejitipg brother before they should proceed further . After a short discussion upon the rules which regulate the business of public meetings , it was agreed that the minutes ° e signed as corrected . ¦ " The Chairman then said the next paragraph on the a genda paper had reference to the calling upon himself to
state the result of his endeavours to get the D . G . M ., Lord " -Mm . er-sdaW , to act as t ( ic President of the Committee . f | batf much pleasure in stating that he had received a Kindl y -jetter frorp the D . G . M ., in which lie expressed his wart y appro- ya * - , ojt the pbject they had in view , and announced that it ivoujd afford him great pleasure to allow ui n (
s * W . e o qppeiir on the Corrimittee . ( Applause . ) Lord thait * i ( lale hacl so many engagements , as they all knew , d " ? . WM not promise to be often present , but he \ yo-jld 9 his best : to promote the work whi ' ch he ( the speaje ' er ) hid 1 D - * - woulil do with all his heart . He Warrf ' , e i ar < i " 0 m any of the Senior or J unior Grand 32 , ¦ " ¦ ** ' but he ^ as ' ' *** ho P 'hat some of then * i would HW c ° ro * n ' - to act on the Committee . ( Hear , hear . ) ""
St. Alban's Abbey.
The Secretary then announced that he had received letters of apology from several influential brethren who could not be present owing to the pressure of other engagements , and further stated that he had since last week received one or two more answers from patrons of the undertaking , amongst them being Colonel Starkie , Montagu Guest , P . G . M . Gloucester , who would be very glad to throw his influence and best endeavours into the
movement ; and Viscount Holmsdale , M . P ., P . G . M . Kent . He had communicated with all the patrons , and he was happy to say he had only had three refusals . He begged also to say that he had received the following subscriptions : — Bros . Montagu Guest , £ 2 ; J . W . Edwards , I . P . M . 1479 , £ 3 ; A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . Chaplain , £ 3 ; C . Keyser , S . D . 404 £ 5 ,- Colonel Starkie , £ 5 ; Sir Albert Woods ,
, £ 5 ; Viscount Holmsdale , ' M . P ., £ 5 ; Rev . Dr . Griffiths , £ 3 ; and one or two others . ( Applapse . ) Bro . T . Wardle , I . P . M ! 9 66 , then addressed thc meeting . He said he had come 'pere that aljerpppn , as they might expect , with great diffidence , ' owing to the kind invitation of Bro . Keyser , who had been good enough to reply at some length to a letter which he ( the speaker ) had
thought it necessary to address to that meeting on its first assembling . He would ask the kind indulgence of his heareys whilst he made a few remarks which he had very much' at heart , not because he had any enthusiastic notions upon the question they had met to cqnsjdcr , but because it was one to which he n- ** id paid , as an amateur , a lifetime ' s attention . He ought to say that he was
associated with men whose names were of the greatest possible weight in art , apd , if his observations might appear disjointed , it would be more from his inability to address a public audience than anything else . He had cpme from North Stafford that morning , at considerable personal inconvenience , to be present at the meeting . He had two objects in coming . One was that as
Worshipful Master of a lodge , his last act was to give notice of a resolution , which if passed , should be sent to the Grand Lodge , and to the Provincial Grand Lodge , calling upon Freemasons to try and take care of the builelings which were being so ruthlessly anel mercilessly treated . He thought they had been for a long time past neglecting their duty in allowing , without protest , such things to be
perpetrated , as had been perpetrated under the name of restoration . So great was his aslonishrncnt when he saw , in the Freemason , the proposal they had met to discuss , that be at once took the opportunity of writing to the last meeting , with the result that they now saw him there . He was much obliged to Bro . Keyser for writing to him , for that hail induced him to come to London and address
them . Another reason was that he was one of the promoters of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings , having been on its committee from its commencement ; although he did not appear there as the agent of that society , or at its wish cr suggestion . lie would not take up any time by discussing the restoration of St . A'bans Abbey in particular which might lead them into an
architectural debate which he did not think was opportune or necessary . He ought , however , to say thi * =, that for some time the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings had been using what influence it possessed with the St . Alban ' s Committee , and the Committee generally , against
putting upon the nave the high pitched roof that is proposed , and the society were very glad to find t ' lat such protests as they had been able to make had been listened to , and that there was by no means a unanimous acquiescence in this high pitched roof . He was told that members of the Committee had even
kit thc committee rather than be bound to do that which they thought was not right . He had himself heard at one of thc committee meetings Earl Cowper say that he disapproved of the proposal . The Chairman here reminded Bro . Wardle that the scheme was simply to restore thc west front of the Abbey .
Bro . Wardle ( continuing ) was coming to that . He was strictly speaking to the question , as he would show that the putting up of a nave roof would necessitate the raising of a gable to ths west front , which would be a most monstrous thing to do . That was why he mentioned the subject of the nave roof . By all means let them have as much of the stone of the old work as
possible ; but as to doing what the circular proposed to do —w | iich he was happy to find was at variance \ yith what Bro . Keyser had told biai in his letter , which said " wc prprpose to restore , not to renew" —he entered his wafm protest . Bro . Wardle then read the following excerpt from ihe circular referred to : — "The architect ' s estimate for the restoration of the
central porch is £ 2 , 500 , and for each of the side porches £ 2 , 000 , or for the entire west front £ 9 , 000 . These sums appear at first sight very large , but" very much will have to be done on account of the decayed and mutilated condition of the stonework , and the cost of reproducing and repairing the elaborate details of the design will necessarily be considerable . Of those
portions which have at some time been wilfully destroyed , sufficient fragments have been discovered to enable the architect to restore the porches in accordance with thc original plan of Abbot John de Cella . " lie earnestly protested , as far as he might do in politeness apd courtesy to the meeting , against any so-called restoration whatever—any bujlding from fragments to imitate what it was before , any re-duplication of th ; : old
work , thc . spiritless carving of masons whose work bore no comparison to , and , in fact , was utterly insipid when put by the side of the work of their older brethren . Let him give an instance , lt was proposed to alter the porchesto re-duplicate ( hem—to restore them with modern mimicry . They had onl y to go to Westminster Abbey to the north porch arid see what had been dqr \ e tb . ere in putting up a porch in p lace of the old one . One would think that the architects wonld cer-
St. Alban's Abbey.
tainly do their best for Westminster Abbey . He ventured to say it was a most disgraceful structure , and it was not worthy of a second-rate architect ' s clerk . When once they , as Freemasons , committed themselves to this scheme , they really shoulel have no power to correct the mistake they would make . He knew from experience that they would have no power in controlling what was being done .
The architect himself woulel have no power , because he could not be there constantly and see what was going on . He ( the speaker ) knew what was going on in the * yrest porch of the Lichfield Cathedral now . The old cathedral Was being absolutely destroyed , and Bro . Keyser in his letter , called attention to that as an instance of modern restoratioi } where sad damage was unnecessarily done . He knew he
stood alone 111 this matter , and felt his position very much , but he trusted the brethren woulel bear with him patiently for a few minutes longer . He had said pretty nearly all that he need say on the point , except this , that he did not wish their Masonic beeiy committed to any work of re-duplication whatever . That was his great anxiety , and it was that which had chiefly brought him there on that
occasion . Many mistakes had been made b y deans and chapters and other people , who were well enough intentioned in matters of this kind , but let them not follow such examples . He thonght they ought to respect the work of their older brethren more than to permit any spiritless imitations to disfigure their beautiful work . The Chairman having to leave , in consequence of having
to attend his lodge meeting , Bro , J . M . Clabon , P . G . D . was called upon to occupy the chair . Bro . Wardle , resuming , said he woulel like to conclude his remarks by reading to them a quotation from Professor Ruskin ' s " Seven Lamps of Architecture , " giving them
all that possibly could be said on the subject . Bro . Woodford objected to this . He ventured to say that if Bro . Wardle would give his own opinions they would be very happy to listen to what he had to say . Like all other students , he had read and knew well Professor Ruskin's work .
Bro . Wardle , continuing , said he knew at what a disadvantage he stood , because he hail no real influence in thp matter except a love for the old work , but hp would just say that he diel very much more strongly than he hael elope , earnestly and fraternally protest against thc proposed scheme . They had no business to commit their brethren to any such re-duplications as were cleaily
proposed , and , although he knew he would not have a seconder , he begged fo move that the resolution whjch referred to the resforatjpn of the . west front of St . Alban's Abbey be rescinded " . He would add that if they wanted to do anything to thc rnemory of St . Alban no one wpulrl more willingly join in any suitable project than he . There were plenty of green fields in the county where they might
erect a memorial to St . Alban , but let them do something new ; but as to tinkering their beautiful o | d art by restorations he most humbly protested against that . No seconder to the resolution being found it fell through . Captain Dick wanted to ask Bro . Keyser a question ! He understood from the minutes that there was a limit fixeel to subscriptions , namely £ _• Did this refer to lodge qr
individual subscriptions ? The Chairman—Only to individual subscribers . A short discussion here followed , most of the brethren brethren taking part in it , as to whether the Hertfprd Committee anu the London Committee were at one iippn the essential principles of the published circular setting forth the objects of the mp vemeiit .
Bro . Woodford pointed out that a resolutipn had been unanimously passed at the last meeting to the effect that a Central ' Committee should be formed in London , and that the Hertfordshire Committee should be incorporated in the Central Committee , and that they had all received a copy of the circular with an intimation that this meeting was to be held , which , seeing that there had been no
objections lodged , was tantamount to saying that they generally agreed . ' ' " This view being concurred in , it was decieled , on the motion of Bro . Keyser . that a remodelled circular , containing some additional information demonstrating the connection of St . Alban with Freemasonry , which Bro . A . F . A . Woodforel , P . G . Chaplain , kindly undertook to
supply , should be sent to every Secretary of the lodges in England . The Secretary then announced that Bro . George Kenning had kindly consented to act on the Committee , and also that he . had received a letter from Bro . John Hervey , P . G . Sec , to whom he hael maele formal application to be allo . wcd tei hold their meetings in the Board Room of the Frecri-iaspns' Hall , stating that the Board of General
Pur-PP *??? V » ould be very happy to let them have the room for holding their meetings . Loud applause followed this announcement . Bre *> . vVoodford thpyght it well , before the mieeting separated , to ppint out that it must riot be supposed that ttfer ? was no ansjyer to Bro . Wardle's remark ? . To this the Chairman and meeting assented , as no opinion | iad been expressed , owing to Bro . Wardle ' s motion not having found a seconder .
' 1 he meeting was then closed . A meeting of the Committee will bc held on Thursday , thc 27 th inst ., at 4 . 30 , to further consieler what steps arc to be taken in connection with the movement .
London Masonic Charity Association.
LONDON MASONIC CHARITY ASSOCIATION .
The fortnightly Committee of this Association took place at 1 , Clifford's Inn , on Wednesday , 19 th inst ., when n-. w members were elected , the routine business was transacted , and the meeting aeljourneel to Wednesday , March Sth , at 5 p . m . Brethren are requested to take notice of the alteration .