Masonic Welcome To The Members Of The British Association.

A . Elgar Sec . 1738 , M . F . Curtis 1461 , J . Patstone S . W . 359 , H . Webb 359 , W . T . Grinyer W . M . 319 , R . Brannon 394 , J . Pnntis P . M . 694 P . P . G . D . C , T . Buckney 1823 , Horton J . W . 389 , G . Lungley P . P . S . G . D ., J . Wilson I . G . 359 , J . R . Weston P . M . 130 and 359 P . P . G . R ., R . Sharpe P . M . 130 P . P . G . S . D ., H . W . Cbarrington 386 777 P . P . G . S . D . Dorset and Surrey , J . G . Burbage . 319 , J . H . Martin 133 ,

J . Ricketts 897 , G . M . Passenger jun . P . M . 394 , J . Hart J . D . 130 , James Lemon P . M . 394 P . P . Supt . Works , Saul Blewgen 1780 , Rev . S . Scott 394 , W . A . Traill 33 and 431 , F . Maxwell Lyte P . M . 206 P . P . G . Supt . Works Cambridgeshire , J . Stead 150 , and J . H . Biggs 130 , C . Harrington 1780 , and J . Exell 481 Grand Tylers . Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened in due form , the Prov .

Grand Master said he assembled the brethren that evening for the purpose of giving a welcome to those distinguished brethren who were visiting Southampton in connection with the visit of the British Association to that town , and he was very glad to have the opportunity of welcoming them . It was a fortunate thing that in Freemasonry they were able to bring men together who could

not perhaps meet in any other way . The British Association met last year at York , the anoient capital of the north of England , and now they met at Southampton , a distinguished seaport of the south . Coming as they did from so many parts of the world , they were led to reflect on the universality of Freemasonry . He was told that two years hence the members of the British Association were to assemble

in a distant colony , and as he visited that colony himself he could assure them they would receive a Masonio welcome there , as they had always done in their own country . In the name of the Province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , which did not number so many Lodges as the provinces of the north , but yielded to none in zeal for Masonry and a deBire to promote its principles , he tendered to the

visitors present a hearty and fraternal welcome , accompanied with a hope that they would be gratified with their visit to Southampton . Bro . Hyde Clarke expressed , on behalf of the Masonio members of the British Association , their thanks , and said that while the P . G . M . had said that wherever they went they would be sure of a hearty welcome , he had not represented the whole relations between the

British Association and Masonry . Yesterday , at St . Mary ' s Churoh , the members of the Association and its President were welcomed , he might say almost as warmly welcomed , as they had now been in Grand Lodge ; but he could remember , as could many other members , when the Association was very different , and when , instead of being thus welcomed , they were made marks to be preached at . That

was never the case in Masonic Lodges , whose attitude towards the Association waB of more importance than they would at first perceive . Some would remember that within the British Association itself there was prevalent a vein of thought that was exceedingly unfavourable to Masonry , and those members of the Association who adhered to the Craft consequently felt themselves much strengthened when they had

been within the walls of the Lodge . One principle which Masonry had always upheld was that of devotion to the G . A . O . T . U . As regarded the welcome afforded that night , he said , and others would confirm it , that it had been as remarkable as any they had received in the various Masonio centres they had visited . He spoke of the remark , able structures and collections of Masonic works which they had had

the opportunity of seeing , adding that last year , at York , the muniments of the old Royal York Lodge were exhibited to them , and said it had seldom been allowed them to come into a hall in which were so well preserved the traditions of those who had been rulers of the Craft , and which in so striking a manner showed the continuity of Masonry and the good feeling that prevailed among the members .

After dwelling on the principles of Freemasonry in reference to the work of the Association , saying that having exercised the functions of the Grand Master in three quarters of the globe , including the region where dwelt King Solomon himself , and holding rank likewise in a fourth , he could accept the Provincial Grand Master ' s statements as to the universality of Masonry , and said he was sure the members of

the Association who belonged to the Craft would highly appreciate the welcome they had received in BO distinguished a Masonic oentre as Southampton . W . and Rev . Bro . Pickard , Bros . Roebuck ( Middlesex ) , Tate ( Ireland ) , Kyshe ( Mauritius)—who said he returned from the Mauritius only a few weeks since , and he should ever remember that the right hand of fellowship was extended to him for the first time

Binoe his arrival in England by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight—and others also spoke , " hearty good wishes" being afterwards tendered from the Dublin University , and the Province of Somerset . Bro . Bamber , No . 3 . bis , an ancient Scotch Lodge , speaking as Secretary to Dr . Siemens , said he was snre the President of the British Association would be glad to hear of the heart y welcome the Masonic members of the Association had

received from the Province . W . Bro . Hickman D . P . G . M . assured the brethren that the action of the Provincial Grand Master , in calling the Grand Lodge together ° r this purpose , was heartily appreciated by all the Lodges in "Onthampton . The members viewed with great interest the visits of

* w British Association , nearly forty years having elapsed since it came to the town . Among the members of the Southampton Lodges were many who had taken a great interest in the arrangements for e reception of the Association in Southampton ; he believed those ^ Tangements had been eminently successful , and ho saw before him ome holding office in Provincial Grand Lodge , as well as Officers in

Q Craft generally , who had taken a leading part in them , and had Dn -i ?^ mtlch time and attention to the making them as perfect as P sszble . Their whole desire had been to promote the comfort and onvenience of the Association ; he hoped it would be said they had en successful , and that the members would leave Southampton with ^? y pleasinar recollections of their visit ,.

We f 0- , ^ y '' Clarke said he always found whore tho Association fl *„ at ^ ose who took a leading part in the arrangements wore ir eemasons . m ^ . Barford ( Sheriff of Southampton ) expressed on behalf of the icipal authorities , a few words of welcome to those coming from

Masonic Welcome To The Members Of The British Association.

a distance , and said he trusted the efforts of the local Committee had succeeded to an extent which the importance of the British Association deserved . The Provincial Grand Master said it had been interesting to him to hear the expressions of fraternal regard which had fallen from brethren coming from distant parts . They had had a Brother who

had represented the Grand Master in various parts of the world ; a Brother from Middlesex , another from Somerset , another from Scotland , and another from Ireland . The expressions from these Provinces were especially gratifying , as he had been more or less associated with them . In the Province of Somerset it was bis privilege a good many years ago to inatal the present Grand Master before

he had the honour of being a Grand Master himself , while from Oxford there came his old friend Bro . Pickard , with whom he had been associated more years than he cared to remember , and with whom he had up to now been on terms of intimate Masonic friendship . Grand Lodge was then olosed in ancient form . Li ght refreshments were afterwards served in the ante-room . —Portsmouth Times .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

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

IS MASONRY REALLY FLOURISHING ?

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Statistics as a rule are dry and uninteresting , but I hope in this communication to make them as little so as possible ; if not , on the contrary , interesting and satisfactory , as well to your correspondents on this subject as to your Masonio readers in

general . For this purpose I have gone back seven years and more , and have therefrom compiled a table , which I trust will explain itself ; it has been taken chiefly from the " Freemason's Calendar and Pocket Book . " At the same time , I beg to acknowledge the courteous treat , ment I have received from the offioials in the Grand Secretary ' s office .

ENGLISH CONSTITUTION . In- Metropo-Year Month Lodges crease litan Provinces Foreign District 1875 Sept . 1574 — 1876 „ 1648 74 1877 .. 1725 77 An averaee

1878 „ 1785 60 89 164 148 increase of 1879 „ 1848 63 < < - ' 57-fper 1880 „ 1876 28 401 annum . 1881 „ 1946 70 1882 ,, 1975 29

Total ... 401 So much for the large increase during that short period , but to prove that Freemasonry is really flourishing , though there are 132 Lodges of the total 1975 which have ceased to exist , not one in the foregoing list but has held its own , and the numbers are complete

from No . 1528 to No . 1975 , I therefore argue that if Freemasonry was not on a sound basis , such would not be the case ; again , it is now some twenty years since the Lodges were renumbered , and the fact that only 132 out of nearly 2 , 000 should—through having been formed into District Grand Lodges , amalgamations , peouniary difficulties , or other causes—have been struck off the roll , speaks well for the

genuine success of Freemasonry j another argument in its favour is the very large increase in the monies received for the three different Institutions , and the extra number of applicants we admit at eaoh of the Eleotions , as well as the larger pensions we are enabled to give to the annuitants of both sexes . Tbe particulars of my second argument i will give in a future letter , as I desire to be very exact in

my statements . I have referred to the renumbering of the Lodges some twenty yoars ago . I think it would be very desirable if it were done again . At present we are sailing under false colours , and our strength , which appears to be nearly 2 , 000 , is really but 1 , 843 . I am of opinion that no better opportunity could be afforded than the time when the Book of Constitutions is undergoing its long-needed revision . Yours fraternally , P . M . 1607 .

If a list of the defunct Lodges would be acceptable to your readers , so that they might know what alteration it would make , I shall be happy to supply you with a copy , for the general information of your readers . 1 Cecil-street , Strand , 6 th September 1882 .

The famous Royal American midgets are now to be seen and hoard every afternoon and evening at the Piccadilly Hall , tho establishment they appeared at when they first came to London . General Mite and Miss Millie Edwards are amusing little folks , and well worthy a visit . In short , they fully justify the interest they have excited .