Correspondence.

I would instance the selection of three very worthy brethren from one Lodge alone , and that Lodge of but recent formation , to tho exclusion of others equally honourable and of a standing whose years can be counted from ten to twenty , and more—instead of three . Another stage of "A READKK ' S" sentiments I must beg to differ from ; viz ., that Freemasonry and its Institutions are entirely distinct from one

another . I contend that they are as much a part of Freemasonry as the schools and almshouses are of every parish or village . You mig ht as well say that the children educated , and the poor maintained there , aro not part aud parcel of the parish . In the first phase of Freemasonry the E . A . is strictly enjoined to relieve , if it be in his power , tho distress of any person , more especially a

Freemason , and no better way can be found than by liberally educating the children , and succouring the unforeseen distress of members of the Order if they be found worthy . Now , Dear Bro . Editor , as to your critique on tbe subject . 1 am quite of your opinion that if a hard and fast rule , on the terms mentioned in my former letter , were laid down , it would be open to the objections stated by yon , but if a

little discrimination were used , it would entirely prevent money being the sole or even the principal qualification for tbe purple . I feel quite certain that you could name many wearers of the crimson and purple who , with ample means , have given nothing in support of the Charities . " Charity" does not consist wholly of almsgiving , and the kind word and friendly attention of the well-to-do to the poor is

often of greater value , and more permanent advantage , than alms ostentatiously given for the sake of notoriety . Still , when a Brother is known to have means , and , despite his oft-repeated statement that be is at all times willing to aid the Institutions , be does nothing , I maintain his Charity is of the lip and nofc of the heart . He is nofc a fit and proper person to be pitchforked over fche heads of others who have contributed years of time and considerable brainwork—to say

nothing of more substantial gifts—in support of the cause whicb they have really at heart , and which has been evidenced by fcheir actions . Dear Sir , from your article on this subject I expected another critique on this matter , or I would have sent you this communication in time for last week . Again thanking " A READER " and yourself for our remarks , and trusting that now the ball has been set rolling some one more qualified will kindly take up the question . I remain , yours fraternally , " 609 . "

AN IMPOSTOR

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —On two occasions lately I have been called on by a person describing himself as a member of the Naval Lodge , No . 24 , Warrington , State of Florida . His story is , that he was

steward of the ship Orondatus , ancl was wrecked on a voyage to England , losing everything . His name be gives as W . Solter . On writing to the Secretary of the Naval Lodge , I received a reply , thafc " no such name as W . Solter appears upon our records , neither do any of our members recollect such a man . " I am , yours fraternally , T . B . WHYTEHEAD . York , 12 th June 1882 .

According to the Masonic Advocate , the new Masonic Hall of North-Eastern Lodge , No . 210 , at Fremont , Indianapolis , -was dedicated , in accordance with Masonic usage , on the third day of May , by Martin H . Rice P . G . M . The hall is located in the second story of a new brick block ; ifc

is conveniently arranged , well furnished , and will afford pleasant and ample quarters for this thriving Lodge for many years to come . Invitations bad been extended to surrounding Lodges , and a large number of visiting brethren were present . The time appointed for the

dedication to take place was two o ' clock p . m . Just before that hour the train from the south brought Angola Locige , No . 236 , numbering some thirty members , who were received at the depot by North Eastern Lodge ; , No . 210 , with a band of music , and escorted to fche

new Hall . The ceremonies were performed iu the presence -of Masons and their families , the hall bemg filled to its utmost capacity . The Grand Master was well supported by the Officers of North Eastern Locige as Grand Officers . The singing by a local choir added much

to the beauty and impressiveness of tbe ceremonies . At the conclusion of the dedication the Lodges were formed in procession and marched to one of the churches , where the public had been invited to listen to a Ma sonic address by tbe officiating Grand Master . The church was

filled beyond its seating capacity , and the address was listened to with the closest attention . An invitation was here extended to all Master Masons and their ladies to repair to the Hilton House , as the guests of North-Eastern House ,

where all were supplied wifcb supper . The liberality and fraternal feeling exhibited by the members of North-E : intern Lodge on this occasion added much to the pleasure and enjoyment of all who participated in it .

City Of London Orchestral Union.

CITY OF LONDON ORCHESTRAL UNION .

THIS popnlar association , which was established in June 186 ? gave its Second Grand Evening Concert of the Season 1882 * at the Albion Hall , London Wall , on Wednesday last , on which coca , sion the members celebrated their Fifteenth Anniversary . As is usual at these concerts , much care was exercised in the selection of pieces . The principal items in tbe First Parfc were the Overture " Le Dieu et Ia Bayaddre , " Auber , which was played by the

orchestra in capital style ; a new Schottische , " Prince Charlie " arranged by Bro . G . T . H . Seddon , the conductor , on Scotch and North Country Melodies , met with great approval , and was re . demanded . In the Second Part , tbe Grand Selection , " I Lombardi " Verdi , with sclos for Flute , Piccolo , Oboe , Clarinet , Horn , Cornet and Euphonion , by Messrs . Toussaint , C . Ludbrook , Shuokard , Hunter

Johnson , Pringuer , and Oxenham , was much admired , while the ability of the respective soloists was fully recognised . The Solo Clarinet , " Introduction , Air , and Variations , " Mohr , by Mr . Geo Hunter , may be described as the gem of the evening . The vocal portion of the entertainment was supported by Mr . Berthold March , who gave the descriptive song , " Hybrias the Cretan , " with much

power . This gentleman also contributed a Scena— " Solitude "accompanied by the full orchestra , it being the first time the work was submitted to an English audience . Miss Bessie Webber , a careful and painstaking artiste , sang Pinsuti ' s " Heaven and Earth , " the ballad by Barri , "Love Knots , "" La Serenata , " a canzone by Braga , in which she was assisted by Mr . H . Baynton , who played the

violin obbligato . This lady ' s best effort , however , was the way in which sho rendered Cowen's popular ballad , " The Old and the Young Marie . " It was sung , exquisitely , and the audience were enthusiastic in their plaudits . A feature of tbe evening was the presentation to Brother G . T . H . Seddon of a testimonial , in recognition of the completion of his fifteenth year

of service as conductor of the City of London Orchestral Society . Mr . Toussaint , on behalf of the members of the orchestra , mado the presentation , and in a humourous and witty speech made happy refer , ence to the zeal Bro . Seddon displayed , and to tbe constant attention he had paid to his duties . Bro . Seddon feelingly acknowledged the compliment , and assured the members his energy shonld nofc be relaxed so long as his health permitted a continuance of his labours .

Royal Ark Mariners.

ROYAL ARK MARINERS .

CONSECRATION OF A LODGE AT SHERNESSON-SEA . THE brethren of Adam ' s Mark Lodge , No . 6 , met on the 31 st ult ., in their Lodge-room , Victoria-buildings , for the purpose of con . secrating a Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners , to be attached to their Lodge . The following brethren were in attendance : —A . Spears P . P . G . S . W . P . G . J . D ., J . Bagshaw P . P . G . A . Sec , Spiro Zennet , E . J . Penney P . P . G . J . W ., W . T . Carpenter P . P . G . Swd . Bearer ,-M . J . Snl .

livan P . P . G . M . of C , C . T . Green P . P . G . Organist , R . J . L . Brown P . P . G . A . M . of C , R . A . Flatten P . G . Std . B ., and J . Akhurst Tyler . The brethren were honoured with the presence of the R . W . Bro . the Rev . T . Robinson Prov . G . M . M . M . of Kent , and W . Bro . G . J . Podevin D . P . G . M . M . M . of Kent , who had come to be elevated to the

degree of Royal Ark Masons in this , the oldest Mark Lodge in the Province . W . Bro . D . M . Dewar P . N ., Assistant Grand Secretary of fche Grand Lodge of Mark Masters , was fche Consecrating Officer , assisted by Bros . Poore P . N ., and W . Watson W . C . N . 237 . Lodge having been cpened , with Bro . Poore as W . C . N ., twelve brethren were elevated to the degree of Royal Ark Mariners in a very

impressive manner . Bro . D . M . Dewar P . N . then took the chair , and calling npon the Secretary pro tem to read the Warrant from the Grand Locige , proceeded to consecrate the Lodge according to ancient form , in a manner wbicb elicited tbe admiration of all tbe brethren . A Board of enthroned W . C . N . ' s was afterwards formed , when

Worshipful Brother D . M . Dewar P . N . placed Bros , the Eev . T . Eobinson and G . J . Podevin on the throne of N ., and Bro . A . Spears as the W . C . N , of the Lodge of Royal Ark Masons , No . 6 . The following Officers were then appointed and invested : —W . Bro . W . Watson W . C . N . 237 I . P . N ., J . Bagshaw J ., Spiro Zennett S ., W . T . Carpenter Treasurer , M . J . Sullivan S . D ., E . J . Penney Scribe , G . T . Greeu

J . D ., R . H . Flatten G ., J . Akhurst W ., and J . E . Brown M . C . At the conclusion of the ceremony , hearty vote of thanks were given fco the R . W . Bro . the Rev . T . Robinson Prov . G . M . M . M . of Kent , and W . Bro . G . J . Podevin D . Prov . G . M . M . M . of Kent , for the honour they bad conferred on the Lodge through being elevated in it ; also to Bros . Dewar aud Poore for coming from London to consecrate the Ledge ; they were also made honorary members . A voto ot

thanks was also accorded to Bro . Spiro Zennett for his generosity m presenting the Officer's jewels and collars and the working toe's ° * the Lodgej and the benefits he had conferred in thus bringing a long wished for attachment to Lodge No . 6 . , The Lodge was then closed in ancient form , and the brethren aajourned to the Britannia Hotel to a dinner , which was provided bj Mrs . Green in her well-known excellent style , after which a pleasan evening was spent ; the brethren separated about eig ht o ' clock , se ral of thom having to leave for London .

The formal presentation of a gold chain of office for the use of the Mayors of Margate took place on Thursday . The chain weighs 25 oz ., and consists of about a dozen

shields ancl links bearing the names and years ot omce ^ all tbe Mayors since tbe incorporation in 1857 . Mr . " ^ . * Y Sansell , a native of Margate , presented the chain , ^ m ^ was made from gold obtained from bis own mines in van . . . burst , Victoria ..