214 PAST AND PRESENT OF Shaw, M. D. ; first committeeman, R. M , Johnson. Since this time the companion lodges have occupied the same room and premises, each holding three regular meetings per month, and meeting together from time to time when corporate interests so required. The membership has steadily increased until at the present time the names of over twoj hundred and fifty appear on the register. In 1896 the office of district deputy su¬ preme president passed from J. H. Bell to G. D. Wright and he in turn was succeeded by J. D. Lapthorne , G. W. Worthy , A. W. E. Douse , W. Pearden , W. H. F. Gill , G. D. Wright ; F. P. Newson ; L. W. Watson being the present incumbent. The following are the presidents of the two lodges in consecutive order, Eton, No. 148, J. D. Lapthrone , G. D. Wright , G. W. Worthy , G. Snelgrove , A. W. E. Douse , W. Harris , W. Pearden , J. Wonnacott , T. Do ¬ ver, T. Evans , H. M. Chandler , S. J. Whit - lock, W. H. Clark , H. Lapthorne , E. E. Jordan and A. T. Newson . Prince Edward , No. 219, F. P. Newson , W. H. F. Gill (two terms), W. R. Boreham , D. Fraser , L. W. Watson , W. T. Wellner and E. A. Foster . In November, 1902, W. H. F. Gill , then district deputy, paid a visit to Summerside with a view of testing the probabilities of founding a lodge in that city. As a result of this and several consequent visits the requisite number of charter members was secured, and on Natal Day, 23d of April, 1903, a large representation from the Charlottetown lodges proceeded to Summerside , where Lodge Han ¬ over, No. 257, was duly instituted with much enthusiasm and success. The procession of almost one hundred members was led by a band of eighteen members of the order. The special train was profusely decorated and en¬ tirely officered by members of the brother¬ hood. During the ceremonies of organiza¬ tion and dedication the musical parts were performed by the orchestra from the Char¬ lottetown lodges. The executive elected and installed were: Past president, C. R. Rog ¬ ers; president, A. C. Saunders ; vice-presi¬ dent. Rev. T. C. Mellor ; chaplain, Dr. A. W. Leard ; secretary, W. E. Ancient ; treas¬ urer, Dr. F. A. Lefurgey . As in all such societies, initiation and the conduct of meetings are accompanied by a distinctive ritual, which in this society is characterized by a dignity and impressive- ness elevating and ennobling. Naturally the keynote is loyalty, but other high principles are inculcated. Annually on the Sunday nearest the 24th of May—the birthday of the illustrious Queen Victoria—the lodges parade to a chosen church where an appropriate sermon is preached, the collection usually being do¬ nated to some such charitable cause as the Founder's Memorial Cot Toronto Hospital, India Famine Fund, local English Cemetery Improvement Fund, etc. Decoration Day is loyally observed each year. Upon this oc¬ casion the impressive service of the order is held over the graves of all departed mem¬ bers, which are then decorated with flags and flowers. Some years ago a midshipman named Watson died upon H. M. S . "Belle- rophon," then anchored in the harbor, and was buried in People's cemetery, Charlotte - town. At each recurring decoration the grave of this Englishman is decorated im¬ mediately before the benediction is pro¬ nounced; and a beautiful wreath of flowers is placed at the foot of the monument in the erected to the memory of two Charlottetownians (one Roland D. Tay ¬ lor, a member of Lodge Prince Edward )