Returning From The Festival.

RETURNING FROM THE FESTIVAL .

WHEN we received the letter that appeared in our issue of the 26 th ult ., signed MIDLAND , we were undecided as to whether we should allow its appearance or not . While recognising that an Editor is not responsible for the opinions of his Correspondents , we

were equally alive to the fact that an injury might follow the publication of misleading statements , and on the other hand injustice would be done if we closed our pages to everything opposed to our personal views . It is a pity our correspondent was not more explicit , but

he assures us his case was as he stated , and being so he had a right to be heard . We have forwarded him the letter received from the Secretary of the Institution enclosing one from the Eailway Company , of which we give extracts below , together with our Correspondent ' s

reply . We may add that our experience in regard to the Festival referred to was hardly in accord with that of our Correspondent . With some friends we . caught the 12 o ' clock train from lungs Cross , although we had little time to spare , and were probably better acquainted

with the means of getting across London than our Correspondent . In any case , there is little need for anxiety on the point , as with such a record as that supplied by the Company there should be no difficulty in visitors catching the midnight trains from London if they so desire it .

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 .

THE BOYS SCHOOL FESTIVAL . To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIB AND BROTHER , —Eeferring to a letter signed " Midland" in your issue of 26 th May , as the statements made therein are in such direct contradiction to the facts as known to mvself , I forwarded a copy of the paper to the L . B . and S . C . BIy .

Co ., whose reply I enclose herewith for your inspection . I shall be glad if j ou will give the same publicity to the Railway Company ' s statement as you have done to the unfounded complaint of your correspondent , which was calculated to create a prejudice against the Festival of this Institution .

Yours fraternally , J . M . MCLEOD . P . S . —I may add that both in 1891 and 1893 the Board of Stewards passed special votes of thanks to the Railway Company , for the excellent arrangements they made for the comfort of our visitors , and for the prompt running of the special trains . Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . 8 th Juno 1894 .

( Copy ) London , Brighton and South Coast Railway , 7 th June 1894 . DEAR SIR , —In reply to your letter of 28 th ultimo , I beg to say

that I have had enquiry made and from the reports I have received the writer of the letter of complaint signed " Midland " is evidently under some misapprehension with regard to the special arrangements made for the return journey of your party from Brighton last year .

The special trains were advertised to leave Brighton at 9 . 30 p . m . for Victoria and 9 . 40 p . m . for London Bridge and they did leave a minute late . The Victoria train arrived at 11 . 3 p . m . and the London Bridge train at 11 . 20 p . m .

The Superintendent at Brighton states that the trains were duly labelled with destination boards , and that they were also well called out , and if any one went wrong it was entirely his own fault .

Yours truly , ( Signed ) J . HUMPHRIES , Assistant Manager J . M . McLeod Esq ., Secretary Royal Masonic Institution for Boys .

To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I am extremely sorry my remarks should have been calculated to injure the prospects of the Boys

Correspondence.

School Festival , my desire being in the opposite direction ; and I hopo the reply of the Railway Company , which you have been gocd enough to forward hie , will repair any injury I may have caused i and restore confidence in the minds of would-be visitors . I was wrong in not saying at the outset that my experiences as a visitor to Brighton were gained at tho Festival of 1891 , and although I

suppose I have only my own stupidity to thank for it I "was certainly late for my homeward journey . Of course if the train arrived at Victoria at 11 . 3 p . m ., as it did last year , there should h- > ve been no difficulty in the matter . I have no record of the different times , and so cannot further pursue a subject which I again regret having broached in your columns . Yours fraternally MIDLAND .

Grand Lodge Accommodation.

GRAND LODGE ACCOMMODATION .

To the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I quite coincide with your article of 9 th inst ., relative to the lack of accommodation at Grand Lodge . This has long been felt by the Brethren , but especially so on important occasions , and when a ballot has to be taken for the election of Grand Treasurer or other Officers . On the 6 fch instant

I arrived at Freemasons' Hall , clothed , and received my carte d'entree before half-past six , although the Lodge was not called till seven o ' clock ; and though I had special reason for being present I was debarred from entering by the Brother in charge of the door , on account of the Temple being quite full . I was directed to record my votes for the members of the Board of General Purposes in an

adjoining room presided over by Brother Frank Richardson , but after entering I was prevented from leaving unless my voting paper was delivered to the Brother at the door for the purpose of being destroyed . It is needless to say that much annoyance was thereby caused , especially as after Grand Lodge was opened the Brethren

in the adjoining or overflow room wero still shut out . The result was that several Brethren , many of whom like myself had come some distance , had to retire without having obtained admission . The sooner the accommodation can be extended the better it will be .

I do not remember the date of the opening of the present Temple , but as the number of Lodges continues to increase in so large a degree , while Past Masters and Wardens are created at the rate of say 5000 per annum , the Hall should certainly be enlarged in proportion . Yours fraternally , PAsr MASTER .

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CRITERIONRESTAURANT. EASTEOOM FOB -CO -XLi O -EX J ± i JXi V _/ -t * X J ± i DINNERS&SUPP.ERS ALACARTE. THE WESTEOOM, DINNER,5/;SUPPER,4/-Instrumental Music 11 . 0 to 12 . 30 . GrandHall3/6Dinner, AT SEPARATE TABLES , 6 TO 9 . Accompanied by the Celebrated "SPIERPON"ORCHESTRA. Academy Luncheon in West Room , 2 / 9 .