Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

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

THE BALLOT . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Without in any way agreeing with the writer on this subject , in the extract from " The Tyler " in your last issue , there are some points therein which are worthy of consideration by English Freemasons . Reference is made in two places to " the Investigation Committee , " which would imply that in addition to the

proposer and seconder of a candidate , inquiry is made as to his character and fitness by some Board of Past Masters , or other independent body . Would that we had such in England ! Men are accepted in our Lodges merely on the proposition of members who may know little or nothing about them—while the seconder often is positively ignorant of their very existence . A short time ago the Secretary of a

Lodge seconded the nomination of three candidates , proposed by three different members , and upon being asked whether he knew the people , confessed that he did not , but seconded them because Bros . So-and-So would not propose them unless they were good men . The fact of the matter is that Freemasonry has become too cheap in this country . Candidates are too eagerly sought after and accepted—with the consequence that undesirable persons have been admitted .

Again , the method of conducting the ballot as practised generally in our Lodges is a farce—and is regarded simply as a matter of form , Our Amercian Brother would find there is no secresy about it , and if any black-ball were placed in the box the member would soon be detected if an effort were made to find him out .

Most Lodges are supposed to have a Board of General Purposes , but how seldom are their duties exercised ? Yet it is in their power to materially assist and strengthen a Lodge and the Craft in general , if action such as is above referred to were adopted . Let us look rather for quality than quantity , or we may soon discover , to the detriment of our Order , that improper persons have been received into it . I am , Yours Fraternally , CAUTION .

Entertainments.

Entertainments .

THE metropolitan Theatres are now presenting their autumn programmes , and with the advent of the long evenings will doubtless receive the patronage they deserve . It is somewhat strange that two Theatres should produce plays upon the subject of " Nell Gwyn , " but as Miss Marie Tempest at the Prince of Wales and Miss Julia Neilson at the Haymarket are the representatives of the frail but good-hearted heroine , it may be assumed that each—and indeed both —will receive attention from their admirers .

MR . CHARLES CARTWRIGHT again appeared as Oliver Cromwell on Tuesday , but in a new play on the subject , at , the Globe Theatre . Those who remember his remarkable impersonation some years ago , at Drury Lane , will be pleased to renew the acquaintance , but in another phase of the character .

MR . GEORGE ALEXANDER has re-opened the St . James's , with a modern drama entitled " A Debt of Honour , " by Mr . Sydney Grundy , which has evoked considerable discussion . DRURY LANE will shortly open its doors with a new play , " The Price of Peace , " bv Mr . Cecil Raleigh , about which report speaks highly , and the Vaudeville will present an adaptation of a French farce —here called " Self and Lady " —on the 10 th inst .

MR . BEERBOH -M TREE has revived " Julius Caesar" at Her Majesty ' s , with Mr . Murray Carson in poor Franklyn McLeay ' s part of the title role . MEANWHILE the Criterion , ' Savoy , Gaiety , Daly ' s , Shaftesbury , Avenue , Strand , and Lyric are attracting large audiences to their jiopular programmes . At the present moment the playgoer has really an " embarras de richesse , and it is difficult to decide what to choose .

BRO . CHARLES COLLETTE has resumed his tour with " What happened to Jones , " after visiting some of the leading resorts with his entertainment " Collette at Home . " His fame as the American Commercial Traveller threatens to eclipse his renown in " The

Colonel" and " Cryptoconchoiclsyphonostomata . " Bro . Collette is booked up to the middle of December , and starts again on Boxing day . Mr . Herbert Sleath has wisely retained his services as "Jones " for next year ' s tour . Mr . Lilford Arthur continues to be the Manager of the company .

Wedding Presentation.

WEDDING PRESENTATION .

Woodgrange Lodge , No . 2409 . AN informal meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , at the Princess Alice Hotel , Forest Gate , on Thursday evening , 6 th inst ., for the purpose of making a wedding presentation to'Bro . R . T . W . Tucker . Bro . O . E . Richc P . M . presided , and the W . M . Bro . F . Black

Wedding Presentation.

occupied the vice-chair . Those present included the first W . M . and Treasurer Bro . W . Trew , the second W . M . Bro . R . Tucker , Past Master Slater , Bros . Robertson , Johnson , Wright , Grant , Craske , Hutchison , Dr . Wilson , Haselum , Bro . R . T . VV . Tucker , and the Secretary Bro . H . W . Clarke .

The Chairman said they had met together that evening for the purpose of offering their hearty congratulations to their respected friend and Brother R . T . W . Tucker , on his forthcoming marriage with Miss Trew , the granddaughter of their first W . M . Bro . W . Trew . On behalf of the Lodge he wished Bro .- Tucker and his future wife many years of happiness , and he trusted that the Great

Architect of the Universe would spare them to enjoy many happy years of wedded life together . The speaker assured Bro . Tucker that during the time he had been a member of the Lodge he had made himself endeared to the hearts of all the members . He was always willing to do his duty , however humble it might be ; and he was always most affable and kind-hearted . The speaker was also

proud to offer their congratulations to his father , whom they all knew for many years and greatly respected . It was only on occasions such as those that they saw the real beauties of Freemasonry , when they met together with a unanimity of feeling and concord to do honour and to offer their sincere congratulations to a Brother Mason . He trusted Bro . Tucker would never forget that

evening . Manv of their members were away through pressure of business and through taking their holidays . He regretted their absence , but he could assure Bro . Tucker that that meeting represented the whole of the Lodge . From the bottom of his heart he wished him every happiness that could be afforded him . He asked Bro . Clarke to make the presentation .

Bro . Clarke said he could endorse every word that the Chairman had said . He had known Bro . Tucker sen . for over forty years , and had watched his son grow \ ip and had ahyays found him ready to do his duty . If he would only follow in the straight and upright path in which he had begun life he felt sure he would never go wrong . His father had always sailed on a straightforward and upright course , and he was always willing to do a good and kind

action if he could . The son could not do better than follow in his father's footsteps . He had also known Miss Trew for some years , and he had always found her to possess a kind disposition and to be very kind of heart . He felt sure she would make a most excellent wife . He asked Bro . Tucker ' s acceptance of their gifts , and he expressed the hope that both he and his future wife would live many happy years together to enjoy them .

The gifts were a very handsome drawing-room clock and ornaments , with a case of dessert knives and forks for Miss Trew . The plinth of the clock bore the following inscription :

Presented to BROTHER R . T . W . TUCKER , on the occasion of his marriage , by the Brethren of the Woodgrange Masonic Lodge , No . 2409 , as a mark of their high esteem and sincere regard . September nth , 1900 .

Bro . R . T . W . Tucker said he could not find words grateful enough to thank them for their valuable and splendid gifts . He trusted they would live many years to look upon them and to call to remembrance that pleasant evening . He tendered his sincere thanks on behalf of his future wife and himself .

Bro . Slater proposed , and Bro . Haselum seconded , the health of the parents of the bride and bridegroom , speaking in eulogistic terms of both Bros . Trew and Tucker , who each suitably responded .

Proficiency.

PROFICIENCY .

ONE of the qualifications for advancement to a higher degree is suitable proficiency in the preceding . Unfortunately , this qualification is not always sufficiently insisted on . Formerly there was a regulation requiring that the candidate who desired to be passed or raised should be examined in open

Lodge on his proficiency in the preceding degree , ' ihis salutary regulation is even now adhered to by some Lodges , who look rather to the quality than to the quantity of their members , and who think that a Lodge had better consist of a

few skilful than many ignorant members . Some Grand Lodges , viewing the necessity of due proficiency in its proper light , have strengthened the ancient regulation by express rules .

The proficiency of Officers is also an important requisite . No Brother should accept office in a Lodge unless fully qualified to perform its duties . An ignorant Master and unskilful Wardens reflect discredit not only on their own Lodge , but , by their incapacity to explain the peculiar tenets of the Order ,

on the whole Fraternity . In February 1844 , the Grand Lodge of Ireland adopted resolutions on this subject , declaring that no Brother should be considered eligible for , or admissible to , the' Office of Junior or Senior Deacon until , by strict examination in open Lodge , he should have proved himself able to

administer the mysteries of initiation to a candidiate in the first degree ; nor for the Office of Junior or Senior Warden until , by a like examination , he had proved that he was able to pass a candidate to the second degree ; nor for the Office of Master , until he had proven his ability to enter , pass , and raise a candidate through the three degrees . —Exchange .