Correspondence.

baen a respectable and trustworthy one , aa " Secretary and a Warden " of tho Lodge referred to—the case becomes doubly distressing . Ifc is often cur proud boast that no brother is permitted to sink beneath difficulties whicb may be dissipated by the disciples of Brotherly Love , Belief , and Truth ; and it would be considered a

disgrace and stigma to any Lodge were it to allow a member of it to descend even to a workhouse ward . How much deeper the slur , therefore , when a miserable wretch is allowed to crawl away to die like a dog—and worse—on a cruel and desolate spot such as that referred to !

At any rate , the episode is freely talked about , not merely in tho vicinity whore it occurred , and is being mado a peg on which to hang sundry uncomplimentary observations and opinions respecting the " boasted charity " of Freemasonry . It is , therefore , almost necessarv that some attention should be drawn to it , in order to shield tbe

Craft from calumnies which , though they can do little harm , are calculated to place tho power of ridicule in certain hands , and some explanation should bo forthcoming from the Lodge in qnestion as to whether anything was known of our deceased brother's desperate condition , his fearful struggle to obtain a few crumbs and "

wellpicked bones , " and finally to seek a death-bed beneath a bush on Plumstead Common . The Craft is entitled to somo information as to whether tho lato Bro . Oliver Button applied to his Lodge for aid , or made known his straitened case to them , and whether or not ho bad at any time previously received such assistance . One mighfc readily

understand how , in a largo city like London , a man might become poverty-stricken and outcast , and perish in such a way without any one knowing of it ; but in such a comparatively small place as Woolwich , where , I presume , tho inhabitants are brought moro frequently and intimately into communication wifch each other , ifc is almost

impossible to think so direful a calamity could havo been possible , or that the deceased ' s relatives and friends , residing in the same locality , could have remained in ignorance of his terrible impoverishment . The narrator of this " distressing case " appears to have quoted wrongly from the " parchment certificate , " inasmuch as he gives it

as " Court" Waterloo , and affixes no number . The nearest approach to it is the Union Waterloo , No . 33 , which meets at the Masonic Hall , William-sfcreefc , Woolwich ; and as their meeting is on Wednesday next , tbe 12 th inst ., it is to be hoped some notice will be taken of this matter , aud tho Lodge relieved of a stigma that will , in the

absence of any such explanation , inevitably attach to it . I remain , Dear Sir and Brother , Fraternally yours , VIGIL ,

"Death Of The Oldest Freemason."

"DEATH OF THE OLDEST FREEMASON . "

To the Editor of the FREEMASONS CHRONICT - * . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —A paragraph has been " going the rounds " of the papers describing the death of Alexander Johnstone , " the oldest Freemason in the United Kin-. dom , " which occurred recently at Langholm , Dumfriesshire . It is stated that he was ninety

five years of a- * r > , and bad been a member of tho ancient Crafttho correspondent does not mention the name of the Lodge— " for moe than screiity-ouo years . " There aro so many " oldest Freemasons " talked about thafc it , would really bo interesting to know

who has tho true nnd only title to tho appellation . Perhaps some student of tho Craft may to ablo to ascertain who is tlio individual that claims our reverence on account of his most venerable association wifch Freemasonry .

I remain , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully and fraternally . ENQUIRER

N >; W RESTAURANT . —A notable addition has beon made to the restaurants of the metropolis , Alessrs . Spiers and Pond having opened a largo ancl commodious establishment in Old Broad Street . The Winchester House "Restanrant—for that is its title—contains a spacious buffet , a very comfoi table grill-room , and a largo saloon in which

luncheons and dinners will bo served in tho French fashion . Tbe decorations aro in admirable fnsfc . Thn roofs of tho principal rooms avo supported by fine pillar ¦* of African marble in two colours ; there ii a tiled dado , and white and gold tiles line tho walls , tho same scheme of colour being carried through the classical ornamentation

of the cornice . Tho whole is lit by incandescent lamps , which are enclosed in glasses tho shape of pine apples , grouped in the most tnstefnl electroliers that have hitherto been used for this method of illumination . A very important feature of tho new restaurant is a l . rgo banquotirg hall , with an extensive gallery and a separate

entrance , which ia peculiarly well adapted for tho dinners of City companies , regimental dinners , and , in face , public festivals of all kinds . When we remember the high reputation gained by the Criterion aud the Freemasons' Tavern ( where they are booked well

on into spring ) for public dinners , it is pretty certain that tho Win . Chester House Restaurant will receive a large share of civic patronage . Ifc is close to Liverpool Street , Broad Street and Aloorgnfce Street Stations , omnibuses pass the door , and in fact no more eligible situation could bo found , for it is in the very heart of tbe City .

How MASONS snoi . T . n ACT . —A New Zealand brother ends his address with those words , which wo repeat , because th' -y aro equally applicable fco the brethren everywhere : "Lot us then , one and all , as Masons , with such force of intellect or character ns we may

possess , seek to impress on tho world the high teaching of onr ancient brotheihood , helping it forward by wise and kindly sympathy , and above all , by noble life , until nt lasfc < . ni * work is dono , and we join the Grand Lodge of God . "—Canadian Craftsman .

Notice Of Meetings.

NOTICE OF MEETINGS .

— : o : — LODGE OF JOPPA . No . 188 .

THE annnal meeting of this Lodge was held at Freeunsons ' Tavern , Great Queen-street , W . C , on Monday , the 3 rd inst ., under the presidency of Bro . J . W . Dewsnap , tho Worshipful Master of the pasfc year . The business of the day comprised the balloting for and initiation of Air . Isaac Mitchell , the raising of Bro . MoDuell , and the installation of the Worshipful Master for the ensuing yoar

together with the usual proceedings associated with an annual celebration . The work was most efficiently performed by Brother Dewsnap , who added fresh laurels to those he has previously acquired , by his meritorious rendering of the several ceremonies of the day . Brother L . Wall having been regularly installed , the

Officers for the year were appointed , Brothers G . Lyon and Isaac Botibol respectively receiving the collars of Senior and Junior Warden , Brother J . S . Lyon P . M . that of Treasure * , and Brother Lewis Lazarns P . AI . thafc of Secretary . The various statements of account presented to the members shewed fche

Joppa Lodge to be in a highly satisfactory position—a position reached by but few Lodges—bufc it does nofc possess so grand a balance as ifc could boast a few years back , a fact which is to be accounted for by tho liberality with which the Benevolent Fund of fche Lodge has been dispensed among the many claimants who have

sought its benefits . In connection with the Lodge funds proper , there is a substantial balance in the hands of tho Treasnrer , and fcbis ia swelled by a large excess of assets over liabilities into a surplus of close upon £ 60 , while the Benevolent Fnnd cf tbe Lodge shows a balance of £ 733 17 s lid , consisting of

cash in hand and invested in consols , with no liabilities . Altogether then the Joppa Lodge may be said to have had a net balance of close on £ 800 at the termination of its financial year a state of affairs equalled by very few Lodges ; indeed we may safely say that the proportion of Lodges possessing such a balance is far

below one per cent , of the total on the Register of Grand Lodge . These facts , which are well known , mnsfc be eminently gratifying to tbe members of the Joppa Lodge ; but there is another feature of which they are equally entitled to boast , even if ifc is nofc more fco their credit . The good which has been accomplished by fche judicious

administration of the Joppa Benevolent Fnnd has led to tbe formation of similar Funds in connection with other Lodges , so much so , thafc within a Few years we may look for some sort of provision being made by a majority of our Lodges for their members , should they unfortunately be overtaken by calamity . It would , per .

haps , be wrong to attribute all of this good work to the example set by the Joppa brethren , bufc that a large proportion has so resulted few will deny , and ifc is on this account that the members have reason fco be proud of what they have done in the cause of Masonic benevolence . A beautifully illuminated address , in handsome frame , was

presented to Bro . J . S . Lyon P . AI ., in recognition of his services to the Lodge in the capacity of Treasurer- the hearty way in which the brethren supported the presentation proving the popularity of Bro . Lyon in the important office he fills . A Past Alasfcir's jewel was presented to tho retiring Blaster , who was also tho recipient of mosfc

cordial marks of approval from the assembled brethren . After the closing of the Lodge the members and visitors adjourned to banquet , which , ns usual , was served under tho supervision of Bro . AI . Silver .

At the conclusion tho customary toast list was hononred , the several sentiments being interspersed with somo excellent harmony . The artistes engaged were Misses Eva Noriui and Maude Hare , and Bros . Arthur Thomas and Lovctt King . Thero were present the following

Visitors—Bros . S . Jacobs P . AI . 1327 P . P . G . P ., D . McNisb 1962 , H . Massey P . M . 619 and 19 . 28 , W . J . Slurb ' s P . AI . 1612 , AI . Leuw 1017 , S . Pardee P . AI . 1585 , W . Lyon W . AI . elect 1033 , Frederick Eastwood 1237 , R . Kingsbury W . AI . 1668 , H . Martin Roso 1622 , Wolfo S . Lyon 185 , Alfred Henochsberg W . AI . 205 , J . Emanuel 1563 , D . W . Davis W . AI . 1017 , W . Carr 1597 , J . Plumm 1592 , B . Liebmann S . W . 820 , W . R . Osman 820 , John Ridler 219 , S . M . Lazarus P . M . P . P . G . W . Wilts , and W . W . Alorgan P . AI . 211 .

Philanthropic Lodge, No. 304

PHILANTHROPIC LODGE , No . 304

AT the regnlar meeting of this Lodge , held on tho 29 th of Decemb r r , at tho Afasonic Hall , Groat George Street , Leeds , there was a large muster , both of visitors and members , it being scrolling night . Bro . T . Myers W . M . presided . Tho Officers present wore , W . Brownfoot S . W ., J . Eickard J . W ., 0 . Lotchmason P . P . G . Treasurer , W . H . Ilewson Secretary , Cockerline S . D ., Grimshaw J . D ., and Barrand

Tyler . Also Worshipful Brother Craig P . P . G . D . Bedford , and Tomlinson P . M . Bro . Brownfoofc was unanimously elected W . AI . ; Worshipful Bro . Alason for the tenth time was relected Treas ., and Barrand Tyler . Afc the banquet , afterwards , tho W . M . elect thanked fcho brethren for their kindness , and for the confidence thoy had

reposed in him , as evidenced by their unanimous vote . It was only when elected to the position ns occupant of the chair that he realised tho gravity and importance of the duties he had undertaken . Ho trusted thafc when his year of office ceased ho would carry with him , in ns great a degree as ho now possessed it , the confidence of his

brethren . Ho relied upon the kindness and support of the P . AI . ' s to enable him to perform his exalted duties wifch credit to himself and advantage to theLodge . Bro . Alason , the Charity Steward for the Lodge , made a powerful appeal on behalf of the Benevolent Institntion in London . He called attention to the benefits which the province of

West Yorks received from thafc Fund , benefits in which the Philanthropic Lodge especially shared , and he hoped this would bo an incentive to several brethren to como forward as Stewards at tho Annual Festival in February next . The rest of tho evening vvas spent in harmony .