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BRO . J . A . COLLINGS , Organist 1693 , Chapter 1056 , would be ploasedto undertake the Musical Arrangements at Consecrations , Iristalation Meetings , & c , & c . Terms , with Testimonials and nnmes of Artistes , furnished on application . Address J . A . Cotuircs , 21 Landsecr Road , Upper Holloway , "N . Orchestral Sands for Masonic Balls , Soirees , & c .

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MASONIC LECTURE , "KNOBS AND EXCRECENSES . " BRO . JAMES STEYENS P . M . P . Z . is open to accept invitations for the delivery of his LECTURE in MBIBOPOLITAN or PKOVINCIAL LODGES , or LODGES or INSTRUCTION ' . No Lecture fee travelling expenses only accepted . Address—Clapham S . W .

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Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . 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 .

THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION FESTIVAL

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —If ever there was a time when Freemasons ought to feel proud , it is now . The Festival of the Benevolent Institution was a gigantic success , and from it ought to sprint results that shonld make many a heart glad . I expected something good from

the presidency of Bro . Sir M . Hicks Beach , and I was sure the brethren of the Province over which ho so ably presides as Grand Master would subscribe liberally , but I was not prepared for the very generous amount of £ 1 , 200 . There are only fourteen Lodges in Gloucestershire , comprising 600 members ; so that the

contribution of each Lodge averages £ 85 ( over ) , £ 2 each brother , respectively . That is something like a backing of pretensions . This special subscription and the gross total of £ 17 , 636 6 s 8 d will make the Festival of 1885 a memorable one , both locally and generally . While rejoicing over this increase of £ 3 , 000 on last year's list , I am

not unmindful of the fact that leaps and bounds in finance are apt to be followed by severe reaction . It would be difficult to anticipate the future growth of the Craft , or the generosity of the brethren . Results have put all such calculations out of the question , and perhaps it would be " as well to feel" that sufficient unto the day is the evil

thereof . Nevertheless , I do not think between £ 17 , 000 and £ 18 , 000 a normal subscription list , and therefore caution should be exercised in entering npon fresh obligations . I should like to see the capital fund increased , so as to provide that the operations of the Institution could never sink below a point which , if not altogether

satisfactory , wonld still be highly beneficent . The qnestion is , where shall this increased capital come from ? That is a problem the Committee , who have all the facts and figures before them , must solve . It is enough for me to say that it should not come from assured yearly income . Every farthing of the contribution of Grand Lodge ought to be

spent in the year in which it is subscribed , and for the purposes —special or general—indicated . As far as I can perceive , this practice is not now completely carried out . If this is so , it is to be regretted , for so many candidates are knocking at the door of charity that every farthing of secured yearly income shonld be spent in relief , and not hoarded . I have gob a few figures together which may not be altogether unworthy of notice at the present moment , assuming they are correct . Before I introduce them I would just observe that I am not contend . "Jg for a fad , or striking : a blow at any one . I only want the fcrnfcb ,

Correspondence.

and if , upon investigation , it turns out that I am wrong , I shall be quite ready to make the amende honorable . I make no charge , insinuate no imputation , and if my testimony be worth anything , I may say that I believe the affairs of the Institution are honourably and

ably governed ; What I have to say , therefore , touches methods , and not honour or capacity . In 1882 there were 335 annuitants on the Benevolent Fund . Afc the election of 1883 the number was set out in detail as follows : —

165 Brethren £ 6 , 720 170 Widows ... - - 5 , 440 20 „ ( half-pay ) - - - 440 355 £ 12 , 600 The difference in the number of recipients in the two years is just 20 . This increase was warranted , I take it , by the success of the previous Festival , and was in no way affected by the extra

contribution of £ 800 by Grand Lodge . Ten widows were added to the list of annuitants in 1883 , at a cost of £ 320 . Supposing this was taken out of the increased grant by Grand Lodge , what became of the balance of £ 480 ? But I do not see that this fund would be available at that particular time , and therefore the increase of annuitants was made in

consequence of the success of the Festival . In 1884 ten female candidates were added to the regular vacancies , but as the Festival of that year prodnced £ 14 , 642 10 s , the largest sum ever known , the additional expenditure of £ 320 already incurred , and £ 320 about to be incurred , seems out of all proportion to the income . I do not see

what became of the additional grants of Grand Lodge unless they were used to swell the capital invested . Coming to the present year we have the enormous sum of £ 3 , 000 more than last year ' s Festival yielded , and it remains to be seen what further advantages will be offered bevond the nineteen candidates already proposed to be added

to the sixteen vacancies . The time seems to me to be particularly favourable for considering the whole matter , and I trust what I have said may help on the subject . Before I close , permit me to point out what appeara to be a very singular discrepancy . At the election of 1883 it was stated that 325

annnitants involved an outlay of £ 12 , 600 . At the recent Festival the Chairman said : "At the present time 170 old Masons and 202 widows were in receipt of sums of £ 40 and £ 32 respectively , and this was done at a cost of something like £ 15 , 000 a year . " The difference in numbers in the two cases is 18 , and allowing £ 40 for each that would make £ 720 . Add the latter to the absolute cost of 355

annuitants in 1883 , and the gross total would be £ 13 , 220 . What becomes of the balance of £ 1 , 680 ? No doubt the discrepancy can be accounted for , but aa it stands there appears to be a looseness of statement . In the interest of accuracy , therefore , I deem it right to call attention to what appears to me to be a serious confusion of figures . Dear Sir , Yours faithfully and fraternally , FACTOR .

The Great Light.

THE GREAT LIGHT .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . Dj 3 A . it BROTHER EDITOR , —I was much pleased with the letter of " A BUCKINGHAM AI'I'REN ' ITCE " in your issue of 28 th February . I would like toknow how . it is that this Great Light is not placed in its proper position in a Lodge-room ? The present arrangement in some

Lodges that I have visited is grossly in error , or the traoing board ia wrong . If a Master is not to work according to the tracing board , why have it in a Lodge-room at all ? A commotion was made in May 1816 respecting the Master ' s Light being blown out or covered , and a lanthorn showing a star

introduced for a short time in lieu , yet but little notice is taken of the Light of Lights being covered over with circulars , papers , or anything that comes to hand . Is this irregularity to continue ? I trust not , but that tho matter will be taken in hand by the Craft in general , and so move that all will see the importance of placing separate and

distinct the Holy Bible , so that all in the Lodge-room can see it , get round it in a circle , and this be the centre , or on the vertex of the circle East of the centre . Let the solemn Act of Union aud the arrangement of the Hall for that eveut be brought to light , then the Craft of to-day will be a little wiser on this point . Yours fraternally , ARGUMENTUM AD JUDICIUM .

Election Of Grand Treasurer.

ELECTION OF GRAND TREASURER .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Another contest for the G . Treasurer ' s collar has ended , leaving behind much matter for anxious thought . Strongly as I feel in favour of tbe principle of open competition , and imoressed as I am with the propriety of the mass composing Grand

Lolge conferring the only favour they have to bestow in their own way , I am not a little ashamed of some of the tactics that were disclosed during the recent election . There is a good deal of truth in the aphorism—Vox populi , est vox Dei , but it is only really true when thf : public voice itself speaks , and not when heard through a medium ,

or at the instigation of cliques . It must be admitted that leaders are often necessary , and it is imperative that they should be intelligent , of sound judgment , and courteous in demeanour . Their power over the popular will is generally great , and their responsibility is not less because unseen they pull the string while the puppets dance . All these conditions / 1 fear , were violated during