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 .

STAFFORDSHIRE AND THE BOYS SCHOOL .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAB SIB AND BBOTHEB , —Bro . Bodenham , in his letter to you dated 29 th December , very rightly says that I do not represent the province of Staffordshire . Happily , I have not claimed to represent anyjone excepting myself .

I take grave exception , however , to Bro . Bodenham inf erentially indicating that I have ever shown any desire to limit either the educational curriculum , or the subsistence of the boys at Wood Green . On the contrary , when I appeared before the Commission of Enquiry , in 1888-9 , I pleaded hard for improved dietary arrangements , and no one rejoiced more than I did when improvements were made under that head .

I also demur very much to Bro . Bodenham inferring that I have any feeling against Masonic Institutions . My feeling is only against what presents itself to my mind as excessive expenditure under certain heads . As to the Brother of twenty-five years standing in charitable work in North Staffordshire , I do not think his reticence will endure a great whilewe shall hear from him ere long . I well remember how misguided he thought ( and said ) I was in 1888-9 , until he saw the report . When he speaks we shall accord every attention to his remarks , and deservedly so .

Yours faithfully and fraternally , E . V . GBEATBATCH . 21 Copeland Street , Stoke-upon-Trent , 13 th Jan . 1897 .

LIVERPOOL FREEMASONS AND THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE .

The following was addressed to the Editor of the " Liverpool Daily Courier : " SIB , —Among the many projects which have been mooted for commemorating the jubilee of Her Gracious Majesty ' s glorious reign , I have not yet heard of any emanating from the Masonic Brotherhood of Liverpool and district . Is this as it should be ? Are not the Freemasons of the second city in the empire going to signalise their loyalty and allegiance to Queen and country by some lasting memorial of so glorious an event ?

I leave to abler and more experienced Brethren the duty of suggesting what form this memorial should take ; but I would , in all humility and deference to our rulers " supreme and subordinate , " suggest that the Freemasons of Liverpool and district would hail with unqualified satisfaction , and would unstintingly . support , any such movement .

Yours , & c , HENBV M . SHAW J . D . 1094 . The Fairfield High School , 7 th Jan . 1897 .

Bro . Bemrose , M . P ., the senior member for Derby , has been unanimously elected Worshipful Master of the Hartington Lodge , of that town . The installation is fixed for the 3 rd prox .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

" A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

IT is announced that Bro . W . H . Morgan was found dead in bed at his residence , Talbot Street , Cardiff , early on the 6 th inst . Bro . Morgan , who was a life-long abstainer , had occupied prominent positions under the Rhymney and Barry Railway Companies , and afterwards became Manager of the Barry branch of Lloyds Bank . The deceased , who was

Secretary of the Duke of York Lodge , had attended the installation at the Bute the previous night , when he appeared to be in the very best of health and spirits . He was the life and soul of any company of which he formed a part , his songs and recitations being greatly appreciated , says the " Western Mail . " On the Tuesday night he contributed three songs , among them

one in which he faithfully imitated Albert Chevalier . He left the Lodge about twenty minutes to eleven , in company with several Masonic friends , and proceeded home . About six o ' clock on Wednesday morning his wife heard him make a peculiar noise , and , thinking he was suffering from night-mare , to which he was subject , she turned him over and then found that

something more serious was the matter . She at once sent . for Dr . Cook , but before he ai-rived life was extinct , the cause of death , in all probability , being beart disease . The sudden death is all the more mysterious , inasmuch as three months ago he was examined for life insurance purposes and pronounced to

be thoroughly sound . He leaves a widow and one son , who is about six years of age , with whom the greatest sympathy is expressed in their dreadfully sudden bereavement . The funeral of our deceased Brother was attended by a large number of his fellow Masons , and by many others who desired to show their respect .

The Maiden's Bower.

THE MAIDEN'S BOWER .

A SEBENADE . THE dews of night are falling light Upon the maiden ' s bower ; The evening star now shines afar

High over hill and tower . My lady sleeps , no vigil keeps , And calm is her repose , Whilst I ' m awake for her sweet sake ,

And scarce mine eyelids close . Sleep soft , my love , oh I God above , Now shield her from all harm ; Let heavenly gleams shine through her dreams ,

And keep her from alarm ; I'll tune my lays to ohant her praise , And serenade my queen , The fairest flower in maiden bower ,

The sweetest too , I ween . EMBA HOLMES . Dr . J . H . Lewis , the well known composer , has set the above verses for four voices . It is described by the press as a graceful and scholarly composition .

Some very enjoyable balls have lately been held in connection with our Lodges in different parts of the country . The Marquis of Granby Lodge arranged a very successful gathering at the

Masonic Hall , Durham , it being some years since such a meeting took place in the Cathedral city—its success was a sufficient indication that the interval had been far too long . The company numbered close on 200 .

There was a large attendance of members and guests at the annual ball of the Morecambe Lodge , No . 1561 , the arrangements for which reflected great credit on the Committee responsible for them .

The annual ball arranged by the Lodges of Doncaster , in behalf of the Masonic Charities , took place on Thursday of last week , when a company numbering 140 enjoyed a pleasant

evening . The affair was under the patronage of Bro . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., Provincial Grand Master West Yorkshire , and other distinguished Craftsmen of the district .

The members of the Egerton Lodge , No . 2132 , New Brighton , held their first annual ball there on the 8 th inst ., and had the honour of first publicly using the electric light in New Brighton .

On Tuesday of last week the members of the Wycombe Lodge gave a " Ladies' evening , " and local reporters state that a more enjoyable gathering has never been held in that town . A concert and dance was arranged and , aided by the "

characteristic geniality and good-fellowship of the Masonic Craft , " everything passed off pleasantly , " there being no trace of that stiffness which sometimes reigns supreme , and which visibly divides the room into different cliques . " This is a very gratifying testimony to the advantages of Freemasonry—which induces all to meet upon the level of fraternity .

Freemasons know how to do things well . Whatever they set their hands to , they do it with all their might , especially when charity is the object ; such are the words with which the local scribe opens his report of the Masonic ball held at the

Winter Gardens , Blackpool , on Friday , 8 th mst . Here also we have details of a most enjoyable and successful meeting , and it is anticipated a substantial balance will remain to help swell the Masonic Charity record of the year .

The ninth annual Masonic ball at Newcastle-on-Tyne was held on Tuesday , 12 th inst ., and was attended by over 300 ladies and Brethren . Permission had been given for the wearing of Masonic jewels , and the brilliant colouring thus afforded , added to the many other effects , secured a most enjoyable result .

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