Correspondence.

assume specially distinctive features . So far so good , but these festivities are only of passing interest . There must be something done to permanently mark this eventful year , and were your suggestion carried into effect , which might be done without any of the brethren feeling the slightest inconvenience , a grand and lasting benefit would

be conferred upon the Craft , and another landmark erected of which every Mason might be justly proud . I am aware we are apt to speak glibly of guineas towards this , that , and the other objects of Charity , but many of us have reason to know that Freemasonry may be made too expensive a luxury if we would gratify our desires in every case

an appeal is made to us . Thus , although the Imperial Institute , so dear to the heart of our Most Worshipful Grand Master , is an object to which thousands of her Majesty ' s subjects will gladly and handsomely contribute , yet it can hardly be said to be purely and simply Masonio , towards which every brother should be morally bound to

subscribe a guinea . There is no doubt in my own mind that Masons who can afford to do so will subscribe , as willingly as any other class of society , to the Institute , no matter what appeals may be made to them in behalf of other deserving objects . But to my mind the suggestion made in your columns a fortnight since is a grand and

unique one for celebrating the glorious Jubilee year , and by giving the trifling sum of five shillings eaoh , a fund might ; be raised which would entirely dispel the anxieties which Bro . Terry and those who work with him in the management of the Royal Masonio Benevolent Association feel respecting the number of applicants now before them

asking assistance . Such a proposal , in my opinion , needs scarcely a second thought , and the brethren ought to be deeply obliged to you for the broad and sensible way in which you launch the suggestion before them . I should like to see a copy of your valuable paper in the hands of every brother in the kingdom , and I have then little

doubt as to what would be the outcome of the article . As it is , the CHRONICLE finds its way into many influential circles , where it is handed round , and read by thousands of the brethren ; and let us hope the suggestion may be duly considered and produce a substantial result ; I know that in this part of the country ( Yorkshire ) there

are a good many copies of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE in circulation , and seeing that they are passed from hand to hand , the number of readers in the aggregate must be considerable . There are many others , however , who do not get a chance of perusing your columns , and I would suggest that your article should be reprinted and sent to

the Secretary of each of the two thousand and odd Lodges in the kingdom , so that the proposal might be brought directly under the notice of the brethren everywhere . I have not the slightest hesitation in saying that if the subscription were not limited to five shillings each , more than double the £ 15 , 000 suggested would be raised , and none would more gladly contribute his quota than Yours fraternally , PAST MASTER . 3 rd February 1887 .

Annual Ball Of The Lodge Of Israel, No. 205.

ANNUAL BALL OF THE LODGE OF ISRAEL , No . 205 .

THE third annnal ball in aid of the Benevolent Fund of the Lodge of Israel , No . 205 , was held at the Cannon-street Hotel , ° n Wednesday , 2 nd Feb ., and proved to be ! a greater success , if poss ible , than either of its predecessors . Bro . the Right Hon . Sir

Reginald Hanson , M . A ., Lord Mayor of London , P . G . Steward , ancl W . M . of the Stndholme Lodge , Bro . Alderman and Sheriff Isaacs P . M . 205 , and lady , and Bro . Sheriff Kirby honoured the brethren with their company , and amongst the Stewards we noticed Bro . A . J . Henochsberg I . P . M . Chairman of the Ball Committee , Bro .

Solomon Jacobs W . M . Vice-chairman , Bro . Joseph Da Silva P . M . Hon . Sec . and Captain of the Stewards , Bro . C . F . Hogard P . M . P . P . G . Snpt . of Works Essex , Bros . S . M . Harris P . M ., H . M . Harris P . M ., I . P . Cohen P . M ., Bromet , Joseph Jacobs , John Da Silva , andDe Mesqnita , and many other brethren , with their ladies , to the number of

over three hundred and twenty . Coote and Tinney ' s band , under the direction of Bvo . Weaver , was in attendance , and played a very enchanting selection of music , and altogether , both before and after

supper , the brethren and their ' guests seemed to enjoy themselves immensely , and what is of eqnal , if not more importance , the committee expect to realise a sum of betwen seventy and eighty pounds for the Benevolent Fund of the Lodge .

The first ball held by the members of the Joppa Lodge , No . 188 , on behalf of the Benevolent Fund of their Lodge will take place on Monday next , the 14 th inst ., at Willis ' s Rooms , King-street , St . James ' s . We hope the members and their friends will spend a pleasant evening , and thafc the result will warrant a considerable addition being made to the Benevolent Fnnd of fche Lodjze .

Amongst the notable features of the ' ' Stanley Show , " lately held at the Westminster Aquarium , was a sample of the " Jubilee " safety bicycle , manufactured by tho British Cycle Manufacturing , Co . of Liverpool . The legions of bicycles ancl tricycles that have been introduced into the " wheel world " is so groat thafc even exports

are at variance as to their superiority ; bnt the " Jubilee " safety is spoken of by connoisseurs who visited tho show as one of tho most compactand workable thafc has yet been produced . The bicycle is fitted with every improvement experience can suggest ; and judging

from the opioions we overheard at tho Aquarium thero can bo little doubt that the "Jubilee" will become exceedingly popular . A glance nt the price lists of this company will be of interest to all cyclists who take an interest in that beautiful and exceedingly favourite pastime .

Annual Ball Of The Lodge Of Israel, No. 205.

The monthly meeting of the Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , 9 th inst ., Bro . Jabez Hogg presiding . There was a very good attendance of

the supporters of the Institution . The minutes of the January meeting having been read and verified , the Secretary reported the death of two widow annuitants , and the withdrawal of the name of one from the list of candidates

for the May election . The Warden ' s report for the past month was read . A statement of the receipts and disbursements of the Institution having been laid before the Committee , the list of candidates was finally arranged , the males being fifty-one and the widows seventy-seven . The question of the vacancies to be filled on the two Funds wa 3 then carefully considered , with the result that in

consideration of its being the Queen ' s Jubilee Year Festival , now on the eve of being celebrated , it was resolved to elect twentyfive Female annuitants , the vacancies on the Male Fund being undisturbed . Thus , there will bo elected in May

next , including the three deferred in each case , nine males and twenty-eight widows . Proofs of the balloting papers having been submitted , and other business disposed of , the proceedings terminated with the customary vote of thanks to the Chairman .

Bro . Augustus Harris , on Wednesday , with accustomed thoughtfulness , invited the lads from the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , at Wood Green , to see his wonderful pantomime , and to the number of 250 they came to Drury

Lane . They were first entertained with cake and oranges , kindly provided by Bro . Lord Londesborough , I . P . M . of the Drury Lane Lodge , No . 2127 , and after their creature comforts had been seen to , they witnessed the magnificent

sight presented by their host . As scene after scene , each if possible more grand and gorgeous than the preceding , passed before them , the youngsters displayed their

enthusiasm . After the performance , Brother Harris produced box after box of crackers , and Old Drury rang with cheers . Bro . Broadley , who takes much interest in the Schools , also came in for a share of the lads' hearty greetings , as also did Bro . F . Binckes , Secretary of the Institution .

The General Committee of the Royal Masonic Institntion for Boys held its monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall on Saturday , the 5 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . J . L . Mather ; among those present to support him being Bros .

Maple , Adlard , Richardson , Webb , Rev . R . Morris , LL . D ., Godson , Ramsay , Young , Stewart , Gardner , Scurrah Hogard , Green , Bowyer , S . H . Parkhonse , A . V . Parkhouse , Cubitt , Thomas , Belton , Griffiths , Home , Venn ,

Moon , Mickley , Williams , Hastings Miller , Cull , Hacker , Eve , Gladwell , and Binckes ( Secretary ) . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and verified , and

those of the House Committee read for information , the report of tho Audit Committee was submitted and approved . Three petitions were considered and entertained , and the names ordered to be entered on the list of

candidates for the October election . Three applications for grants towards outfit were favourably received , and a grant of £ 5 per quarter was made in the case of one of the boys

who is being educated under the guardianship of his friends . The other business having been disposed of , a vote of thanks closed the proceedings .

ROYAL COMMEMORATION LODGE , No . 1585

A MEETING was held afc the Fox and Hounds Hotel , Putney , on Wednesday , the 2 nd instant . Present—Bros . Collick W . M ., Williams S . W ., Strong J . W ., Watkins Treasnrer , Robinson P . M . Secretary , King H . D ., Harding J . D ., Stacey Organist , Oliver Steward , Saudalls "I . G ., Walkley Tyler ; P . M . ' s Pardon I . P . M ., Whituley ,

Boehr , Collings D . C . Visitors—Broa . Woods 805 , Craggs 831 , Ayehford 1 ( 391 , Jones 701 , Busworth 230 , Clarkson 1 G 01 , aud seventeen other brethren , ni ? mbcrs of tho L , dge . After Lodgo had been opened in due form , the business of the evening consisted of the reading and confirming tho minutes of the last meeting ; the raisin " of

Bros . Elden and Monro to tho sublime clegrc 3 of M . M ., followed by tho initiation of Messrs . Savillc , Tildesley , Bosworth ancl Faycrs . The ritual waa most correctly and impressively carried out by fche Worshipful Master . Later on a dscussion arose ou tho subject of

" . e circular from the Pro Grand Master , ancl a resolution dealing with the question was carried unanimously . Mr . Winslow was proposed by Bro . Grundy , and seconded by the Worshipful Master , as a candidate for initiation , and after hearty good wishes the Lodgo was closed according to ancient cuatom . Business baing concluded , the