In 1891, among the inventory of initial furniture of the Hiram Lodge was “one dozen rubber spittoons” at a cost of 16 dollars. Rubber was quiet and wouldn’t disturb the lodge proceedings. It was commonplace for Masons to smoke cigars and spit chewing tobacco during lodge.

And,

British warships would often stop at Comox to coal and replenish supplies. One visitor was W. Bro. L.B. Netherby of “HMS Imperieuse”, He was an ardent student of the craft and was a Past Master of Vancouver-Quadra Lodge #2 in Victoria. On the last of many visits he presented a letter of thanks to the Brethren and a Masonic chart which was framed and now hangs above the Senior Warden’s chair.

HMS Imperieuse

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JOKES JOKES JOKES!

A little before Lodge is about to open an old man totters up to the Tyler and says, "I'm here to receive my 2nd degree."

Well, they all look at this guy, who really is older than dirt, and they ask him to explain.

"I was entered on July 4, 1942. Now I'm ready for my 2nd degree."

So they go scurrying for the records, and sure enough, there was his name, entered on July 4, 1942.

"Where have you been all these years? What took you so long to be ready for your 2nd?" they ask.

Reply: "Learning to subdue my passions!"

And if that one ain't enough......

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 I visited a town in Virginia once, and I was going to visit the Lodge that night. I knew the town was one of those historic "Thomas Jefferson designed this outhouse" kind of towns, so I stopped by the local Jefferson-designed tavern to ask about the local sights. Turns out the Lodge's Master, Sam, was the tavern owner. Handshakes and greetings were exchanged, and the Master says, "You need a guide!"

With that, he produces his big, happy Golden Retriever and a brochure and map. "Here," he says, handing me "Oliver's" leash. "My dog Oliver here can take you on a tour of the whole town!"

"Wow," I said. "Really?"

With that, Oliver looked me right in the eye and said, "Sure, I know this town like the back of my paw." Astonished, off we went, and I must admit, the dog was a most informative and congenial guide.

A year later, I brought my wife back, and I stopped in at the Tavern again, because naturally my wife thought I was insane with this talking dog nonsense. The Lodge's Senior Warden was now behind the bar, and Oliver was nowhere to be found. I asked the SW if the dog might take us on a tour, but he informed us that Oliver didn't do that anymore.

"No," he said. "Now that Sam's a Past Master, that damn dog won't do anything but sit on his butt and bark at everybody."

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As the story goes here in the east, two friends were riding the train to work. Harry said to Jim, "did you ever notice the conductor never takes a ticket from that guy wearing that funny ring. I've seen those rings in the pawn shop in Victoria, I think I'll get me one and see what happens".

The next day Harry was flashing his new ring when the conductor came up and asked him, "Will you be off or from?"

Harry thought for a moment then replied "I'll be off".

The conductor told him he was right, he'd be off at the next station.

Recipes From The Masons of Texas  

In The Farmers Almanac for 1823 published at Andover, Mass., the following was printed under the heading, "Character of a Freemason":

The real Freemason is distinguished from the rest of Mankind by the uniform unrestrained rectitude of his conduct. Other men are honest in fear of punishment which the law might inflect; they are religious in expectation of being rewarded, or in dread of the devil, in the next world. A Freemason would be just if there were no laws, human or divine except those written in his heart by the finger of his Creator.

In every climate, under every system of religion, he is the same. He kneels before the Universal Throne of God in gratitude for the blessings he has received and humble solicitation for his future protection. He venerates the good men of all religions. He disturbs not the religion of others. He restrains his passions, because they cannot be indulged without injuring his neighbor or himself. He gives no offense, because he does not choose to be offended. He contracts no debts which he is certain he cannot discharge, because he is honest upon principal.