Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . -. « ,.,. ,. 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 .

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —We shall be obliged by the insertion of the enclosed copy of letter , as delivered this day , to the Chairman of

the Committee of Inquiry . Yours fraternally , F . W . RAMSAY , M . D . CHAS . F REDK . HOGARD

V . W . Bro . F . A . Philbriek , Q . C , Grand Registrar , Chairman Committee of Inquiry . V . W . SIR AND BROTHER , —The members of the House , and Finance and Audit Committees have bad under consideration the Report of the Committee , presented by you as Chairman to the Quarterly General Court of this Institution on Friday , 26 th ult .

They desire to avoid any want of courtesy to yourself , or any member of tbat Committee , yet they canuot—in justice to themselves —refrain from an expression of astonishment at the conclusions as set forth in tbe Report . With the knowledge previously possessed by some , and now acquired by other , members of the two

Committees of the shorthand writer ' s notes of the evidence , this feeling is greatly intensified . They challenge the publication of those notes , as to them they would fearlessly appeal . Without unrestricted access to those notes it is manifestly impossible to draw np an exhaustive reply to your Report , but the members of both

administrative Committees unanimously concur in entering a protest against decisions which were arrived at , in their opinion , contrary to the weight of evidence . They indignantly repudiate the suggestion that they haye on any important point subordinated their views to any official influence whatever , and that they have failed to maintain

fche most steady allegiance to the important interests entrusted to their care . They deeply regret to mark the tone that pervades the whole Report , which is best exemplified by paragraph 1 , p 29 . In answer to that they can only say that they are all equally bound by the acts of tbe Committee , and every individual member rejects for

himself the invidious distinction sought to be drawn by this unmasonic paragraph . We are obliged to send a copy of this letter to the Masonio press , as it is the only ready means available for an appeal to the large constituency affected by the issue of the Report .

Faithfully yours , F . W . RAMSAY , M . D ., Rota Chairman , On behalf of the House Committee .

CHAS . FREDK . HOGARD , Rota Chairman , On behalf of the Finance and Audit Committee . 9 th May 1889 .

COMPLIMENTS—WHAT ARE THEY WORTH ?

To the Editor of the FREEMASON s CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —On the 26 th ultimo , at tbe Quarterly General Court of fcfce Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , a vote ot thanks was proposed , seconded , and passed to the Committee appointed to inquire into the condition and management of the

Institution , for their Report . This was not read at the meeting , and np to date of thia communication is not in the hands of those entitled to receive a copy of the same . I wonld ask whether " business men "

would proceed in tuch a manner ? Surely before the brethren began to " compliment'Jjthpy ought to have known what the work done amounted to . Later on they could have expressed their eulogy on its merits , or otherwise . Yours faithfully , ONE WAITING WITH ANXIETY . Sth May 1889 .

BRO . L . P . METHAM , P . G . D . ENGLAND . To the Editor of the FKEEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . WORSHIPFUL S IR AND BROTHER , —I am degirons of saying a few words iu furtherance of the object which Captain Edye in his circular commends to the atWition of tbe Cmft , having known Bro . Metham

nearly all the half-century over which his valuable services extend . Our distinguished brother has rendered valuable aid to the Masonio bndy by tho mnnner in which he ene ^ avoured in all times of emergency to assist the Orphans of Soldiers , Sailors , and Royal Marines connected with the Craft who may have fallen in the wars . Hence be h » o

b ' en nb ! e to put ' So Orphans of deceased Dreemasons upou the li ? ts , ¦ md to get them elected , educated , clothed and trained in the Orphan A * ylnm . - B > other Mc-tnam always took a great interest iu Masonry , even before he beiame Deputy Prov . Grand Mantsr of Devon . He was

Steward fur all tbe great Clarities , and on three occasions he toi-k np t-e highest pum recorded . He worked hard to establish the Devon E'liic-itional Fund , and hy his admirable addresses from time to timo

did much to make the benign principles c f Freeinoson * y thoroughly appreciated . These fact .- * , I hop ? , justify we in asking yon , Wor-ihip ' ul Sir , to bring this subject before the Craft at tbe earliest opportunity , with

Correspondence.

the hope that you may be able to send a contribution to the Metham Portrait Fund , which I and others are endeavouring to make a success . I am , Worshipful Sir and Brother ,

Yours fraternally , ISAAC LATIMER , J . P . For many years member of Lodge Fortitude , 104 , and P . M . of Lodge Sincerity , 189 , and P . P . Graud Sec , and P . P . J . G . W . of Devon . Glen View , Mannamead , Plymouth , April 1889 .

The following is a copy of the circular referred to : — SIR , —On tbe 24 th of May next it is proposed to commemorate tbe Jubilee of the Royal British Female Orphan Asylum . From its foundation Mr . Metham has been its Honorary Secretary , and it has been suggested that some acknowledgment of his zeal and

devotion to its interests for the last 50 years should be permanently placed ou record , aud to bim whose deep sympathy with and active benevolence on behalf of the Female Orphans of our Sailors and Soldiers is known and felt throughout the United Kingdom . It is thought that a portrait of himself , to be placed in tbe Asylum ,

would be the most acceptable gift tbat could be presented to him on his and the Asylum ' s year of Jubilee , and as such , this proposal is commended to your most favourable consideration . I have consented to be the Treasnrer of the Fund , and

snbscriptions , which are earnestly solicited , may be sent to me . Those who have been already consulted in this matter are unanimous in this desire to perpetuate the name of one who has so successfully laboured for this Institution for half a century .

Yours faithfully , ADOLPHUS EDYE , Captain R . N . 8 Penlee Villas , Stoke , Devonport , 26 th April 1889 .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JOHN COX . THIS well known brother , many years host of fche ' * Ship " Tavern , Gate-street , Lincolns' Inn-Fields , died ou Monday last , after an-illness of several weeks' duration . Onr late brother was a member of the Bedford Lodge , No . 157 , and

had served fche office of Worshipful Master therein . The " Ship , " while under Bro . Cox ' s management , was a recognised Masonic resort . Ifc was here , over a hundred

years ago , the Domatic Lodge , No . 177 , was consecrated . Bro . Cox had a troop of friends , who will a'l hear wifch regret of the fatal termination of his illness .

BRO . J . D . M'MILLAN .

THE funeral of Bro . J . D . M'AJillan took place on the 4 th inst ., afc Cardiff . The deceased was a member of the Bute Lodge , No . 960 , and the following membara of that

Lodge took part m the funeral : —Bros . J . Muudny P . M ., J . Ingrain P . M ., W . C . Peace P . M ., Varzp iHo . S . W ., Philip L . Thomas , EastHbrook , R . E . Jonew , and W . B .

Ferriev . The funeral cortege started from the residence of the deceased . The coffin was covered with a number of beautiful wreaths and crosses , sent by the friends aud relatives of Bro . M'Millan .

The Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Bonevolenb Institution held its regular meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday . Bro . Jabez Hogg presided , and there were present - . —Bros . Cottebrune , By water ,

Blasby , Lacey , West , Berry , Cox , Money , Daniel , Bolton , Kempton , Brett , Tattershall , Newton , Forsyth , Cubitfc , Farnfield , Belchamber , Hill , Masters , Cotter , Durrant , Bulmer , Stean , Ferryman , Freeman , Pierpoint , Hogard ,

Hobbs , Larkm , Mickley , and James Terry ( Secretary ) . The minutes ol the previous meeting having been read for verification , fche Secretary reported the death of one widow annuitant and one widow candidate . The Warden ' s

report for fche pasfc month was read , and also thafc of Mr . Griggs on the purchase of land at Croydon . The draft report of the Sub-Coinmittee appointed to draw up

the report of the proceedings daring fche pasfc year waa read and approved . The usual vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings .

The English Horse Show Society ' s London Horse Show opens next Wednesday , the loth iuot ., at Olympia , Kensington , The entries are fur in excess of the moist sanguine expectations of the executive . Judging will commence with the Hunters at 11 o ' clock on Wednesday , aud the strong classes will then be brought into the ring to face the

Judges , followed by the Hack and Harness Horses . Each night there will be Jumping , by electric light , and on Wednesday evening the Committee will give three prizes , £ 5 , £ 2 , and £ l , for the best turned out Hansom Cabs . This should prove an interesting and papular class—there being no entry fee .