The Irish Freemasons.

again most truly and most gratefully for the honour you have conferred upon me , as well as for the most cordial and flattering reception which you have given me . " ( Loud and prolonged cheering . )

His Grace reinstated Mr . Shekleton as Deputy Grand Master , and the Marquis of Headf ort having been installed Senior Grand Warden , and Lord Danboyno Junior Grand Warden , tho Grand Lodge was closed Avith the usual forms . —Times .

Answers To Correspondents.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS .

All Letters and communications must be addressed to the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , 67 Barbican , London , E . C . ABIF . —Your conduct was most reprehensible ; you were bound to obey the W . M ., and , upon consideration , you will see that you were

to blame . By ^ ftll means write the apology . SENIOR WARDEN . —We will try to comply Avith your request in a JFew weeks . Send us all the particulars , and keep us posted up . E . B ,, Plymouth . —Thanks for your very kind wishes . The question

of size had our fullest consideration . We shall be glad to hear from you at any time . SOLOMON . —The Anniversary Dinner of tho Koyal Masonic Institution

for Girls will take place on 12 th May next . Yow will find all the information you ask for in the Cosmopolitan Masonic Calendar for 1875 .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents .

THE TWO ST . JOHNS ,

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . SIR , —Your , correspondent will find the information he needs in Mackay ' s " Lexicon of Freemasonry , " under article " Dedication . " It occupies two closely printed pages , or I would copv it out . The

" Lexicon" is published by Griffin , Stationers' Hall Court . I am , hoAvever , much disposed to think that a third St . John , viz ., St . John of Jerusalem , otherwise St . John the Almoner , is the proper St . John of Masonry . His festival , according to the Eastern Calendar , falls on 11 th November . Yours , & c . 31 ° .

[ Wo willingly give insertion to tho above letter , in reply to the series of questions propounded by a correspondent in our last number , There are , however , many conflicting theories thereou , and we shall

gladly open our columns to the discussion of the subject . As regards the third St . John , spoken of by our present correspondent , wo refer him to "A Mirror for the Johannite Masons , " by the Eev . Geo . Oliver , D . D . ( R . Spencer , 1848 ) . —ED . FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . ]

A Freemasons' Lifeboat.

A FREEMASONS' LIFEBOAT .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASONS CHRONICLE . Sift , —I congratulate you upon the success achieved by your first number , which has aroused the enthusiasm of the Masons in this district . We are glad of the prospect of being represented , and I may say enlightened , by a journal of sufficient influence and ability

to command the confidence of tho Craft . I am certain that you will always advocate the best interests of the Brotherhood , and that any scheme for furthering tho benevolent objects which Freemasons have at heart will meet with your warm approval and support . I venture therefore to make a suggestion , which is , I believe , quite new , so far

as we are concerned , but which , notwithstanding , will , I am sure , meet with support if you will kindly honour these lines with a corner m your journal . My suggestion is , that the Masonic body in England should subscribe and place a FREEMASONS' LIFEBOAT upon some exposed station on the coast where a lifeboat is needed . The

records of the National Lifeboat Association show that there are many such dangerous places at present without boats , and I think it would be a noble thing for the Brotherhood to identify itself with the Association which is devoted to the saving of life at sea . There is a " Mark Lane Lifeboat , " which was purchased by the merchants and ethers of that busy ceutre of trade , There is , I believe , a "Stock

A Freemasons' Lifeboat.

Exchange Lifeboat , and the Civil Service has added one of these useful craft to the fleet of the Lifeboat Association . I ask you , Sir , whether yon think the Freemasons , as a body , should longer remain indifferent to tho claims of humanity ? A small subscription from each member of the Fraternity would suffice to carry out my

suggestion fully and completely . Freemasons do not , indeed , care to advocate their principles , but I believe the most orthodox member of the Craft would be glad to see the motto of the Fraternity painted ou the gunwale of a vessel devoted to the noble task of saving our suffering seamen .

I trust , Sir , that you Avill consider this hint of mine , and that you will be good enough to throw open your columns to its discussion . I believe many of the brethren will gladly support my view by tho pen , aud , when the proper time comes , by the practical aid of the purse . I am , Sir , yours respectfully , Liverpool , 7 th January . A MASTER MASOW . [ We gladly give insertion to this letter , and shall be willing to receive suggestions upon the subject . —En . FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . ]

The Masonic Charities.

THE MASONIC CHARITIES .

To the Editor O / T HE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . Dear Sir and Bro . —I hasten to offer you a Avord of congratulation on the appearance of your first number . Tho articles are written with spirit , and the subjects admirably chosen . More especially am

I pleased with the prominence yon have given to the subject of the Masonic Charities . It has often been a matter of regret to me that so little was known , even by Freemasons themselves , of these excellent Institutions . It is surely not creditable to the Fraternity

that an institution like the Boyal Masonic Benevolent Institu ion should be compelled each year to send round an eleemosynary hat to to make up a deficit in its balance sheet j I observe , with pleasure *

that you intend to take the other Masonic Charities in turbj and t shall look anxiously for the appearance of these articles in subsequent } issues of your paper . Wishing you every prosperity , I am , Dear Sir , yours fraternally , KELPH .. P . S . —My form of application for shares and subscription have already been forwarded to you .

Obituary.

Obituary .

It is our painful duty to announce the death of Brother Thomas "Ward Blagg , Avhich took place at Norwood , on NOAV Year ' s Eve . For some time since the deceased gentleman had been failing in health , and he Avas about to retire from the active duties of his profession when the

sad event occurred , Avhich has caused so much profound sorroAv in a wide circle of friends . Mr . Blagg had held the office of TOAVU Clerk of St . Albans since 1827 , and his reputation for business tact , and knowledge of his difficult profession , was Avell knoAvn to the world . The

announcement of his death Avas made at a meeting of the Finance Committee of the St . Albans Corporation , and the Mayor , who Avas in the chair , expressed his deep sorrow and that of his brethren . The meeting was at once adjourned , and

it is stated that the funeral , Avhich Avill take place on Wednesday next , will be attendedjby the Corporation , and that a vote of condolence , addressed to the sorrowing Avidow , Avill be passed .

We regret to have to announce the death of Mrs . Can , wife of brother T . A . Can- ( P . M . ) 795 , and daughter of brother C . Gammon ( P . M . and Treasurer ) 795 , late Under Sheriff of London , and formerly Deputy of the Ward of Vintry , Avhich he had the honour of representing

in the Common Council of tne City of London . The sad event occurred at West Lodge , Peckham B , ye , on newyear ' s eve . The deceased lady Avas taken suddenly ill , in midst of the festive rejoicings of the season ; Brother Dr . Roberts and Dr . Brown , Avho Avere summoned to her

aid , Avere unremitting in their attention , but , in spite of all that skill and experience could suggest , she rapidly sank , and expired at half past 12 ou the morning of new year ' s day . Mrs . Carr , who is deeply lamented b y her bereaved husband and a wide circle of friends , Avas onl y 26 years of age . liequiescat in pace .

BREAKFAST . —EPJS ' S COCOA . —G BATHFUI , ASD COMJORTISG . — "By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion anil nutrition , and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-selected cocoa , Mr . Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills . "—Civil Service Gazette , Made simply with Boiling Water or Milk . Each packet is labelled— " JAMBB BPJS & Co ., Homoeopathic Chemist * , 48 , Threadneedle Street , and ITO . Ficcadilly , " Also , makers g £ JSppa ' s QiyceriuQ Juiubss , for tbroat irritation ,