Home Questions.

land , urging them to request subscriptions from the members of their Lodges . The parish contains over 20 , 000 people , chiefly sailors in H . M . ' s Navy and Dockyard

labourers , and as tho appeal is strongly recommended by Bro . Beach and other influential brethren in the neighbourhood and elsoAvhere , Ave cannot doubt it Avill meet Avith a hearty response from the members of the Craft .

The question of the appointment of collectors of taxes is one that Ave may expect to see taken up during the ensuing Session . The ball has boon set rolling by a Mr . Barclay , of Moscly , near Birmingham , Avho , being appointed collector of taxes , and refusing to fulfil the

duties , has been called upon to pay a fine of £ 10 for contumacy , and is held to bo responsible for any defalcations Avhich his substitute may be guilty of . It seems to be a most arbitrary laAV Avhich compels a man to accept a post which cannot fail to be repulsive to tho feelings , aud

seriously obstructive to the pursuits of one engaged in any profession or business . Still move unreasonable is it that , having paid a fine for the introduction of a substitute , the man should be held responsible for his deputy ' s

defalcations—and Avithin our recollection defaulting collectors are a stern reality . Mr . Barclay has secured tho sympathy of no less a personage than Mr . John Bright , Avhose influence may possibly be of some little service .

Bro . John Baum retires , in March next , from the management of tho Royal Alhambra Palace .

The coal supply of this country , is a matter , not merely of individual interest , but of national importance . Should England be drained of coal , a collapse of our national wealth must naturally follow ; inasmuch as the iron-trade , which so much depends for its prosperity on our coal supply ,

would be materially affected . Of late years calculations regarding the future coal supply , have assumed a tone the reverse of assuring . When Mr . Gladstone , as Chancellor of the Exchequer , foretold its speedy exhaustion , Ave felt uncomfortable , to say the least , and entertained some idea

that the price of coal , Avhich had recently risen to so high a rate , might have some connection Avith so unfortunate a prospect . Of late AVO have heard of new coal-fields in various parts of the country , and our hopes rise considerably Avhen AVC read the account of the recent borings near

Longton , where the Duke of Sutherland owns a great deal of land . After boring to the depth of 213 yards , a scam of coal Avas discovered 13 feet in thickness . Other scams have been found in the neighbourhood , and it is

supposed that an area of 500 or GOU acres is available for tho production of the " black diamond . " Again in Sussex , where experiments have of late been made , Avith a view to the discovery of coal ; it is supposed that a field exists which is connected Avith those of France and Belgium . These prospects are certainly re-assuring .

Tho continued support and good Avill Avhich arc accorded to Prince Alfonso , arc the most reliable evidence of tho success of hisprouunciamicnto . No phase of tho Spanish question has assumed so universally satisfactory an aspect . A coup d ' etat might be expected to create enthusiasm , and unite varied

interests for a time , but AVC find no mere passing acceptance of the new regime . Tho reception of Alfonso is marvellously cordial , and as apparently sincere . He has not shunned localities Avherc an opposition to his claim might most likely havo been anticipated . Barcelona ,

preeminently Republican , has accorded him a reception which is described by the Gazette of Madrid , as one of " indescribable enthusiasm . " On the 13 th hist , AVC hear of him at Valencia , en route for Madrid , Avhich city he reached the day following ; popular demonstration accompanying him throughout the Avliolc of his progress .

The mode of disposing of tho dead has lately become a topic of no little importance , and must , sooner or later , be considered with a view to sanitary reform . The present method of burial , however it may have become endeared

to us by ' custom and association , must he changed before long . The idea of " cremation , " started by Sir Henry Thompson , as a remedy for the en ' s complained of , encouuters much prejudice . With move than a probable chance of success , however , can AVC regard the views of

Home Questions.

Mr . F . Seymour Haden , a medical gentleman of some eminence , Avhich he promulgated in his letter to the Times , on Tuesday last , under the heading of "Earth to Earth . " Distinctly opposed in his vieAvs to the advocates of cremation , he argues in favour of burying the dead "properly , "

whereby he means that the dead should have a chance of early resolution by speedy contact Avith the earth . He strongly condemns the system of putting bodies into "hermetically sealded coffins . " The poisonous effects of decomposing matter Avould be neutralised by the earth ,

could it only reach the body . He suggests that coffins should be constructed of the thinnest material , by Avhich means the course of resolution Avould not be long impeded . Amongst other materials he suggests Avicker-Avork coffins ,

open at the top , and " filled in Avith fragrant herbaceous matters . " Such a covering , he contends , would protect the body from the immediate pressure of the earth , just as effectually as the stoutest oak would do . There is nothing , at all events , repulsive in this suggestion .

Answers To Correspondents.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS .

All Letters and communications must he addressed to the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , 67 L' arMcaii-, London , E . C > E . M . H . —Your letter to baud . We Avill explain tho apparent inaccuracy next Avcek . IV . C . II . —We cannot open our columns to appeals on behalf of in »

dividual candidates for election to any of the Royal Masonic Institutions . Such a cou-so would bo au act of partisanship on our side , and would necessarily give rise to feelings of jealousy on tho part of the other candidates . We shall be obliged if Secretaries of Lodges will make their notices

of meetings as concise as possible , bearing iu mind that the space at our disposal is , after all , but limited . Wc shall bo further obliged if such notices are sent as soon as possible after tho meetings aro held . Those relating to Thursday gatherings will be inserted if they reach us by the first post ou Friday morning . INQUIRER . —Tho question you raise is scarcely a fitting one for discussion in our columns .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

Ail Letters must hear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , hut as a guarantee of good faith . Wo cannot undertake to return rejected communications . We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of oiir Correspondents .

A FREEMASONS' LIFEBOAT

To the Editor of TUG FKKEJIASOX ' S CrutoMCXK . DEAR SHI AND BROTHER , —For tho information of "A Master Mason , " whoso letter ou the above subject appeared in your last issue , and those whose interest iu the matter is sufficiently strong to create a desire for enlightenment upon tho point , I have to state that a Freemasons' Lifeboat lias been stationed , for the last three years , at

North Berwick , on tho borders of Scotland . The funds for this boat were subscribed by the Fraternity , aud , upon the motion of the laic Bro . lt . J . St ebbing , P . G . D . England ( who also christened the boat ) , Grand Lodge grauted a sum of £ 52 10 s . The boat possesses tho special characteristics " A Master Mason" desires to see . Its name is " The Freemason , " and tho emblems of tho Graft figure os

conspicuously on the gunwale as gold leaf , oil colour and varnish can make them . The money was collected , and the purchase effected three years since , and unless " A Master Mason" is quite in bis noviciate , he must have been singularly oblivious of events which were , comparatively , recently well known to every member of the Order . I may also tako this opportunity to inform him that , after the boat Lad been purchased , upwards of £ 22 remained in the bands

of tho treasurer , Bro . Solomon Davis , Lodge 111 , and 230 Whitcchapcl-roail , which sum ho proposed should form the nucleus of an Endowment Fund . Whether such has been done , or how far Bro . Davis has succeeded in the laudable attempt , I am uuablo to say , my duties aa Honorary Secretary baviug ceased upon tho boat being stationed . Yours fraternally , E . GOII ; IEIL , P . M ., P . Z ., Hon . Sec . to tho lato Committee of tho Freemasons' Lifeboat Assoeiatiou .

What The World Thinks Of Us.

WHAT THE WORLD THINKS OF US .

To the Editor of Tin : FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR and BROTHER , —At this time of tho year , when the Brotherhood glories in its banquets and festivities , we may perhaps be inclined to listen to what the world thinks of Freemasonry , and what the " i > rt > fanes " say of its members . As to tho Institution j its groat principles—brotherly love , reliol aud truth—evidently speak for themselves , ami by its extraueoTU