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 .

RETURN FOR GRANTS TO THE INSTITUTIONS .

To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I think it is a mistake to make too much distinction of local contributions to and benefits secured from the great Institutions , although I quite agree that very much may be said in favour of an apportionment of benefits for each district in proportion to amounts contributed . I think we should regard the Institutions as national charities

whose benefits aro distributed among deserving cases irrespective of locality , and it seems to me that the mode of securing those benefits—by tho accumulation of votes—lends itself to that principle alone , for it is very certain that no benefits can be secured without the proxies , and it appears to me to matter very little where those proxies come from , or what district they find their way into for use . ,

I notice you particularly refer to the case of Devonshire ; and I think tho words you quote are in themselves sufficient explanation of the whole affair . The Brethren who have worked for Devonshire in recent years have dono their work so thoroughly that they have won moro than they pay for , and they use that very fact as a special incentive to urge further contributions from the Devonshire Lodges and Brethren , in fact they are particularly active in the cause of Charity , and therein lies the whole secret of their

success . Then , again , it is well known that Devonshire and West of England men generally show lifelong regard for the place of their birth . A Devonshire Mason may leave his county , but his sympathies remain there , and it is very probable any votes he obtains will also go to his early home , with a naturally corresponding drain on some other quarter * , but I think Devonshire is by no

means alone in this particular . I know several London Masons , for instance , who invariably promise their votes to some one or other of their acquaintances , mostly agents of Provincial firms or workers on behalf of Provincial Lodges , where a more personal interest seems to be taken in the different candidates , and a more active and wide spread canvass is made on their behalf .

Here in London it may happen that a Lodge is interested in a candidate and not even all the members of the Lodge know of it , whereas in the country the matter is thoroughly discussed , and each member is not only asked for his own votes , but is urged to solicit proxies from friends and acquaintances , no matter what part of the country they are to be found in .

After all , Devonshire has to get the votes before it can get the benefits , and although they apparently recognise that there should be some sort of uniformity between payments and receipts they cannot be blamed for making better uses of their opportunities than some of their neighbours or far-away friends . Yours , & c . A LONDON SUBSCRIBER .

Tracing Boards In Lodges.

TRACING BOARDS IN LODGES ,

To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Your correspondent who , under the heading " Points in working , " has referred to the exhibition of the Tracing Boards in Lodges in order to show the Degree in which the work is being performedinformation on the subject being refused by the Tyler or Inner Guard—has

certainly hit on a good point , but I fear he would lead a number of us into trouble , for I am not at all sure I should at once recognise the degree by the Board . That is to say , I would not guarantee being ablo to do so now , but I will take very good care to learn the distinctions at the very first opportunity , and I thank " DEPUTY PRECEPTOR " for thus arousing me to my

senses . It is in such apparently minor matters as this that a careful and efficient Preceptor can make himself useful to Brethren who place themselves under his care , far more so than if they merely devoted themselves to teaching the

words of the ritual , for as in one case every member of tho Order is interested , in the other it may be said that Office bearers are alone concerned . I must say I do not find much to interest me in a regular Lodge of Instruction , but perhaps that may be my fault , and may be one cause of the ignorance I must candidly confess to in regard to the Tracing Boards . Yours , & c , IGNORAMUS .

" Feasting" As A Preliminary For Masonry.

FEASTING" AS A PRELIMINARY FOR MASONRY

To the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Let me thank Brother " PROVINCIAL " for his criticism of " Blennerhasset ' s " remarks in the " Echo , " I need not say lam surprised at a Mason of forty years standing describing Freemasonry as " a ¦ lucsuou oi ieus

, ieasnng , initiating , passing . < Kc , " because I believe some old men like " Blennerhasset " seems to be really appear to look upou the Craft m that light . Either they were never properly initiated , they have forgotten what they were taught , or they are getting foolish in their old age—either of which contingencies entitles them to our pity .

But in expressing themselves as " Blennerhasset" has done these old men do an injury to the good name of Freemasonry , which by its practices m the past has proved itself something far better than a " feasting " organisation , and will doubtless continue in the same course , thereby winning the respect of all who have the sense to recognise the good work done bv its members . J Yours , & c . ON THE ROAD .

Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative to report Lodge or other proceedings .

LODGE OF FREEDOM , No . 77 . THE Lodgo of Recreation recently held by the members of tho Lodge of Freedom , No . 77 appears to have been not only a pleasant outing but was equally satisfactory from a financial point of view . Bro . Joseph Davis , under whose management the trip was arranged , presented the Balance

sheet at the last meeting of the Lodge of Instruction and was congratulated upon the result . A vote of thanks was also accorded to him and Brother Rackstraw Treasurer , for the trouble they had taken in the matter . As regards the balance it was not decided what should be done with it—various propositions for its disposal being suggested .

PRINCE OF WALES LODGE , No . 1035 . THE members and friends held their annual picnic , driving out in waggonettes by way of West Derby , Fazakerley , Aintree , Kirkby , Netherton , Sefton , Ince Blunder to Thornton , whore dinner was served at 1-30 at the Nag ' s Head Hotol . After dinner , sports were held , and prizes ,

which were given by tho Past Masters and Officers of the Lodge , were distributed to the successful competitors by the W . M . Brother John Jones . After tea , songs were rendered by members and friends . A drive home via Crosby , Waterloo , and Seaforth brought to a close a very enjoyable day .

DUKE OF EDINBURGH LODGE , No . 1182 . ON Thursday , 8 th inst ., a numerously attended meeting was held at Hope Street , Liverpool , of the members of this Lodge , formed at Wavertree some twenty-five years ago . The chair was taken by Bro . George Johnstone

W . M . who , assisted by Bro . R . Tunnicliffe I . P . M ., afterwards effectively installed the new W . M . ( who had been unanimously elected ) Bro . David Lowther .

Bro . J . Casey afterwards catered very successfully for the Brethren , and during the evening a handsome P . M . 's jewel was presented to the retiring W . M . on behalf of the Lodge . The music was provided by Bro . H . B . Wright and a numerous party . o o o

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

PATRIOTIC CHAPTER , No . 51 . THE Quarterly meeting was held on Thursday , 8 th inst ., wheii the following Companions were elected as Officers for the ensuing year : — John G . Renshaw M . E . Z ., Edmund Gowers H ., A . J . H . Ward J ., Thomas J . Railing S . E ., S . D . 0 . AblittS . N ., J . J . 0 . Turner Treas ., H . J . Skingley P . S ., H . Giles and Harold Francis Assts ., A . "Wright Janitor . o o o

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY

DERWENT LODGE , No . 282 . AT the Masonic Rooms , Workington , on Wednesday , 7 th inst ., Brother J . Bouch P . G . S . was installed as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year by Brother I . PaWson P . M . P . P . G . I . W ., and Brother J . J . Little P . M , P . P . G . S . O . After the Lodge was closed the Brethren were entertained by the Worshipful Master in the Lodge Room , an enjoyable evening being spent .

The Lighter Vein.

THE LIGHTER VEIN .

SEVERAL years ago I was paying a visit to some friends who resided in Hertford . During my stay I was introduced to a younglady poet , aged twelve , who had just composed the following clever lines upon seeing an account in one of the papers that Her Majesty Queen Victoria , having left Brighton for Osborne House , had sent away her guards . " So England's Queen has sent away

The guards who waited on her , Oh ! blessed be the happy day Sha trusts to England ' s honour ; No guard she needs When people's hearts Do ever wait upon her . "

It may be interesting to our readers to learn that the wedding anniversaries are : —

1 st Cotton Wedding . 2 nd Paper ,, 3 rd Leather „ 4 th Wooden „ 7 th Woollen 10 th Tin

12 th Silk and fine linen „ 15 th Crystal „ 20 th China „ 25 th Silver

30 th Pearl 40 th Ruby „ 50 th Golden 75 th Diamond „