Consecrations.

Master , and Bros . Graham G . Nicholas and Francis J . Short were invested as Wardens . The other offices were bestowed on Bros . J . Erskine Knox , Thomas Stirling Lee , William S . Frith , C . Harrison Townsend , Francis Bate , Alfred Hartley , H . Harris Brown , and C . J . Harold Cooper .

Solicitation Does Not Pay.

SOLICITATION DOES NOT PAY .

IT is beyond dispute that solicitation in Masonry , even though it may bring members and revenue at the time , does not pay in the end . The writer calls to mind the administration of an energetic Master , during whose term of office twenty names were added to the roll of membership . At the expiration of five years twelve of that number were suspended for non-payment of dues , and several more were hanging in the balance . That a large

number of these Brethren entered Masonry through solicitation is nob denied , but that their affiliation with the Lodge was a detriment is fully proved by the above . The rapid increase of members , and . consequent financial prosperity to the exclusion of Masonic principles will drive any Masonic institution into bankruptcy , and constitute one of the greatest Masonic evils of the day . — " Illinois Freemason . "

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 .

To the Editor of the FBEEMASON s CHBONICLB . DEAE SIB AND BBOTHEB , —Those who have noticed the manner in which you have striven to correct various malpractices that have insidiously crept into tho Craft , will gladly tender you their hearty congratulations upon the recent letter of the Grand Secretary upon wearing Masonic regalia in public .

OUTSIDE SHOW .

It does not matter whether your remarks have , or have not , been instrumental in bringing about this reformation ; it is quite sufficient that you have drawn attention to the abuse ; and for that 1 personally thank you , knowing full well there are many Brethren who appeciate your independent action in this matter . Now for the others ! I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours , & c , ROUGH ASHLAB .

Holiday Trips.

HOLIDAY TRIPS .

THE Great Western Railway Company have made their usual arrangements to keep pace with the public requirements in the matter of holiday excursions , and not only so , but they have extended their programme so as to include new points of interest , in the different parts of the country served by their system . An important item is the regular Saturday excursion to the Channel

Islands , via Weymouth , leaving Paddington at 9 . 15 p . m ., and available for a fortaight or less , at the inclusive fare of 24 s 6 d . Every Wednesday there is an excursion to all parts of Wales ; on Thursday , to Chester , Birkenhead , Liverpool , & c . ; on Fridays to Devon and Cornwall ; and on Fridays and Saturdays to Douglas ( Isle of Man ) ; while on Saturdays there is also a general excursion to all the chief holiday centres of the West of England .

Different arrangements are in force as to return journeys , but in most cases a week , a fortnight , and other periods are available for the tourist . As an evidence of the progress of the present age in railway matters we may point to the regular half-day trip to Stratford-on-Avon , Banbury and Leamington , run every Thursday . It is only a few months back , so to speak , that the first of these afternoon journeys was proposed , and now they are so popular as to be made a regular weekly event , and are being imitated in other directions . We hope they may become so increasingly popular that the fares , cheap as they are , may be yet considerably reduced .

The Great Western Railway must always be popular with Londoners who desire a day ' s trip into the country , by reason of its splendid service to the upper reaches of the Thames , the usual excursion arrangements in connection with which are now in full force .

Presentation At Macclesfield.

PRESENTATION AT MACCLESFIELD .

ON the 2 nd inst . the Brethron of Macclesfield assembled at their Lodge Room to do honour to one of the most faithful and venerable of their number—Brother Daniel Mason , . who since 1873 has been Tyler of both Lodges , and who on Thursday celebrated his 80 th anniversary . There was a good muster of both Lodges , several being present who now-a-days do not

take a very Active part in the affairs of the Craft , but WHO nevertheless are devoted to its principles , and who appreciate the long and faithful services of " Brother Daniel . " An excellent supper was provided by Bro . Crowther ; the chair was occupied by Bro . Thos . Sheldon W . M . of the Combermere Lodge of Union , No . 295 ( the oldest of the two local Lodges ) and the Vice-chair by Bro . Jas . Mobey W . M . cf the Lodge of Unity , No . 267 .

After supper , at the request of the Standing Committee of both Lodges which had the arrangements in hand , Bro . Thomas Lockitt , the oldest member of 295 , and who for fully a quarter of a century has been Treasurer of the Lodge , and taken a most prominent part in its affairs , made the presentation to Bro . Mason of his portrait , taken in full regalia . Bro .

Lockitt , in complimentary terms sketched Bro . Mason's career as Tyler , since 1873 , being invested with that office under the Mastership of Bro . Jonathan Wanen . Speaking from a Masonic career of forty j tars Bro . Lockitt recalled another instance of a Tyler having his portrait presented to him ( Bro . yYiJlcughbv ) which was in the possession of the Lodge , and referred to Bro

Presentation At Macclesfield.

Timothy Underhill , and Bro . Samuel Hayter ( cousin of Sir Arthur Haytor ) , who preceded the guest of the evening in discharge of the duties of the honourable and useful office of Tyler . All these Brethren had well and faithfully served their Masonic day and generation , but none more so than their venerable friend , " Bro . Daniel , " to whom tbey wished yet many years connection with the Craft , and the retention of his office , for the performance of the duties of which they had provided him assistance by an initiation which took place only on the previous evening .

In the course of his very appropriate remarks Bro . Lockitt related an incident in Bro . Mason's Masonic career which stands to his credit , and at the time received the highest encomium from the Provincial Grand Master the late Lord de Tabley , who a good many years ago paid a visit in his capacity of Prov . G . M . to the Macclesfield Lodges . Bro . Daniel did not at that time enjoy the pleasure of Lord de Tabley ' s personal acquaintance , and when his Lordship came to enter the Lodge he was challenged by the

Tyler to " prove " himself . Bro . Daniel , as they all knew , had been many years a soldier , and he thought this circumstance showed how invaluable a military training was in many walks of life . His Lordship having givon the necessary " proof" was admitted to the Lodge and they could all imayiue the Tyler's concern when he realised whom the distinguished Brother was . His Lordship took the matter in the right light , and in open Lodge goodhumouredly related the incident , and paid the Tyler a high compliment for

so faithful a dischargo of his duty . It reminded them rather of the story told of the sentry and the Emperor Napoleon , who was familiarly known as " The Little Corporal . " Making one of those surprise visits one night to the ranks , in disguise , which he was so fond of making , the Emperor tried to pass the sentry , but was challenged . It was in vain that he pleaded to be allowed to pass , the sentry declaring that if " he was the little corporal himself " he would not let him pass without giving the pass word . Whether that

6 entry was made a General or not he did not remember , but Bro . Daniel ' s equal faithfulness to duty on that famous occasion , and on all other occasions met with the highest possible reward , namely , the profound appreciation , and the genuine esteem of his Brethren . Bro . Lockitt concluded by making the presentation of the portrait , which is in a handsome frame , the plate bearing the following inscription : — " Bro . Daniel Mason , initiated at Kurrachee , 1 S 57 , now and for many years the faithful and esteemed Tyler of the Lodges 295 and 267 . May 1899 . "

Speeches of a complimentary nature were also made by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman , and Bros . Thos . Pattinson , Jas . Williams , Walter Brown , George Ibeson , and C . A . Hordern , Bro . Mason ' s acknowledgment being of a characteristically brief and grateful kind . During the evening songs and recitations were given , and altogether the proceedings were of a thoroughly enjoyable character . They were also made very practical through the energetic consideration of Bro . Walter Brown P . M .,

and the liberality of the Brethren . Though in the enjoyment of a pension for twenty-one years military service ; " Bro . Daniel , " like most pensioners , is far from being a rich man , and Bro . Brown ' s suggestion was that they , as Brother Masons , should commemorate the occasion by making him a present which would be of practical value to him in his declining years . The idea

met with a ready response from the Brethren present , and Bro . Brown ( who had generously provided the purse in readiness ) has since canvassed the Brethren of both Lodges , with the result that the handsome sum of fifLy guineas has been raised—another practical proof of the generous readiness of Freemasons to help deserving Brethren in their hour of need . — " Macclesfield Courier . "

The Theatres, &C.

The Theatres , & c .

Adelphi . —7-45 , Hamlet . Avenue . —8-15 , Pot Pourri . Matinee , Wednesday , 2-30 . Comedy . —815 , Great Csesar . Matinee , Thursday , 2-30 . Court . —8-30 , Wheels within Wheels . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 2-30 . Covent Garden . —Grand Opera Season . Criterion . —8-20 , The Tyranny of Tears . Matinee , Saturday , 2-30 . Daly's . —8-15 , A Gaiety Girl . Matinee , Saturday , 2-30 . Duke of York ' s . —8-30 , The Cowboy and the Lady . Matinee , Wednesday ,

2-30 . Gaiety . —8 ' 15 , A Runaway Girl . Matinee , Wednesday , 2 . Garrick . —8 ' 15 , Our John . 8 . 45 , Halves . Matinee , Wednesday , 3 . Globe . —8 , The Gay Lord Quex . Matinee , Saturday , 2 . Hay market . —8-10 , A Golden Wedding . 9 , The Manoeuvres of Jane Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 2 -15 . Her Majesty ' s—The Musketeers .

Lyceum . — -8 , Robespierre . Lyric—8-15 , Cupid and the Princess . Matinee , Saturday , 2-30 . Prince of Wales's . — 8-15 , The Only Way . Matinee , Saturday , 2-15 . Princess ' s . —8 , One of the Best . Royalty . —8-15 , Mr . Cynic . 9 , A Little Ray of Sunshine . Matinee , Satur day , 3 .

Savoy . —8-30 , H . M . S . Pinafore . Trfal by Jury . Matinee , Saturday , 2-30 . Shaftesbury . —8 , The Belle of New York . Matinee , Wednesday and Satur day , 2 . St . James's . —8-30 , In Days of Old . Strand . —8-15 , Bob Bradshaw's Dream . 8-45 , Why Smith Left Home Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 2 ' 30 . Vaudeville . —8 , A Woman ' s Love . 9 , On and Off . Matinee , Wednesday , 3

Alexandra . —Next week , The Man in the Iron Mask , Grand . —Next week , La Poupee . Queen ' s Opera House , Crouch End . —Next week , Caste . Alhambra . —7 . 45 , Variety Entertainment . Red Shoes . A Day Off , & c . Aquarium . —The World ' s Great Show . The Great Fight . Varied Perform ances , twice daily .

Empire . —7-50 , Variety Entertainment . Round the Town again , & c . London Pavilion . -8 , Variety Entertainment . My little Octoroon , & c . Oxford . —7-30 , Variety Entertainment . Saturday , 2-30 also . Palace . —7-45 , Variety Entertainment . New American Bicgraph , & c . Satur day , 2 also . Royal . —7-30 , Variety Company . Saturday , 2-30 also . Tivoli . —7-30 , Variety Entertainment . Ugo Biondi , & c . Saturday , 245 also

Alexandra Palace . —Varied attractions daily . Fireworks , ' Thursday and Saturday , & c . Crystal Palace . —Varied attractions daily . Fireworks , Thursday . Earl ' s Court . —Savage South Africa , & c . Egyptian Hall . —3 and 8 , Mr . J . N . Maskelyne ' s entertainment . Madame Tussaud's ( Baker Street Station ) . —Open daily . Portrait models of modern celebrities , & c .