Correspondence.

COEEESPONDENCE .

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 .

SUNDAY LODGES OP INSTRUCTION

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In your issue ot 11 th March there is a paragraph commencing " Professors of music , & a . " in which you state that there are no authorised Lodges of Instruction meeting on Sunday evenings . May I please take exception to this , as the Israel Lodge of Instruction holds its Warrant direct from the Mother Lodge , and is consequently duly

authorised ; besides which , we are proud of the fact that our position is numbered amongst the first in the Craft , and in addition to the ordinary work we humbly follow in the footsteps of the great Quatuor Coronati Lodge , in having lectures and debates upon Masonic subjects . Among those who have honoured us have been such distinguished Brethren as the late Sir Benjamin Ward Richardson , Bros . G . W . Speth Secretary of the Quatuor

Coronati Lodge , Henry Sadler G . Tyler , Bertram Strauss , L . C . C , the Rev . Isidor Myers , L . Simmons , J . Oxley , and J . J . Hall , while in April we shall have Bro . Bowers , F . R . H . S ., who will lecture on King Solomon ' s Temple . I think I have now said enough to prove that our Lodge of Instruction is a highly successful one , especially when I add that these' meetings are usually attended by between eighty and one hundred Brethren .

Need I say I should be delighted to receive visits from those Brethren who are unable to attend any other Lodge of Instruction , and they may always rely upon Brother B . DaCosta ( the able Preceptor ) doing all that is possible to make them efficient in the beautiful ritual of the Craft . Our hours of meeting are 7 to 9 p . m . every Sunday throughout the year . Tru & ting you will do us the favour of inserting this letter ,

I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully and fraternally , H . HARMS P . M . 1349 , Secretary Israel Lodge of Instruction 248 Globe Road , Bethnal Green , N . E .

Cycling Masons.

CYCLING MASONS .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Referring to your comments in this week ' s issue on " Cycling Masons , " and your suggestion as to establishing a Masonic Cycling Club for the Northern districts , I personally should be very pleased to co-operate with you in anything you might propose , and I feel confident could ensure a few Brethren joining from this end of the metropolis ,

Yours truly and fraternally , HARRY WILLSMER , Secretary Brondesbury and Citadel Lodges of Instruction 46 Birchington Road , Kilburm N . W ;

Masonic Caution.

MASONIC CAUTION .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . SIR , —Your editorial under this heading has been brought to my notice . I must ask you to permit me to say that in no way , either direct or indirect were " Free Railway Tickets " or " Free Lunches " or indeed any other form of entertainment provided by Brother Alfred H . Bevan or his Committee for the electors . '

I am , fraternally and faithfully yours , JOHN B . MONCKTON P . G . W ., Chairman of Brother Bevan ' s Executive Committee 13 th March 1899 .

[ We never for one moment imagined that Free Railway Tickets , Free Lunches , & c . were provided for the electors as we cannot believe anyone would consider the honorary position of Grand Treasurer worth such an outlay . What we referred to was the lack of " Masonic caution " disDlaved

by some of the " rulers" of the Craft , in boasting or complaining , as the case might be , in public , of such provision for the electors . We note our Brother Sir John Monckton is not so keen in replying to another criticism in our issue of the 4 th mst ., as to the provision of aprons and other regalia for those who desired to appear in " borrnwprl

plumes at the recent election . We should have liked him to admit that was an error of judgment , and we should also like to know that those who may have the management of future elections will so regard it—or be compelled to do so if necessary . —Ed . F . C . ]

Tynwald Lodge , No . 1242 , met at Douglas , Isle of Man , on Wednesday , 8 th inst ., and decided upon voting a sum of money towards a Masonic memorial to the memory of the late Provincial Grand Master and the late G C Heron

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 .

Craft: Metropolitan.

CEAFT : METEOPOLITAN .

— : o : — ALFRED NEWTON LODGE , No . 2686 . THE second installation of this Lodge , which was consecrated by such an array of Grand Officers twelve months ago , was celebrated on Saturday , 4 th inst ., at the Royal Palaoe Hotel , Kensington , W ., when Bro . Alfred James Newton W . M ., after whom the Lodge is named , presided for the last time during his Mastership . Alderman Newton , who bears a striking resemblance to Bro . James Fernandez , opened the Lodge in due form , being

supported by his Officers and the following Brethren : J . J . Thomas P . G . Standard Bearer , F . H . Harvey-Samuel , John Brock P . M . P . P . G . D ., R . T . Pearce P . M ., W . B . Abbott P . M . Secretary , M . J . Jessop P . M ., W . F . McNeil , T . Johnson , W . Freeman , E . Vernon , C . W . Clay , Charles Garton , H . Redgrave ; H . C . Arthur , Joseph Richards , F . H . Green , G . Gelardi , Archibald Swan , A . Howell , Charles Wilson , J . W . Jupe , W . Windsor , & c .

There were aUo present the following Visitors : Imre Kiralfy P . M . 2581 , George Davis P . M . 167 , J . W . Saunders P . G . S ., E . 0 . Tumbull P . M . 190 , F . J . Larkman P . M . 780 , J . A . Stock P . M . Sec . 1586 , John Adams P . M . 1194 P . P . G . D . C . Middx ., W . J . Light W . M . 299 P . P . S . G . W . Kent , Dr . Maitland Coffin W . M . 2581 , W . W . Lee P . M . 2381 P . P . G . D . Middx ., M . Skelton

2581 , A . R . Hipwell 192 , Capt . T . W . Heath 1767 , Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 , W . H . Gace 190 , Arthur Williams P . M . 834 , G . W . Turner 858 , C . James 193 , Thomas Richmond 22 , B . Robinson P . P . G . P . Surrey , T . Hudson 2316 , H . S . Croker P . M . 190 , W . R . Flack W . M . 1656 , Thomas Whitford , M . A ., P . M . 1321 , W . A . Shaw 1305 , Charles Bonham P . M . 1305 , Dr . Whitten Maoleod 1642 , W . F . Bates P . M . 1507 , & c .

After the minutes had been read and confirmed the Lodge was opened in the second degree , when Bro . Frederic Pegrum proved his proficiency as a Craftsman , and was afterwards raised to the sublime degree by Bro . J . J . Thomas . All offices -were then declared vacant , and Bros . Brock andjBates were requested to assume the Wardens' chairs . Bro . Alphonsus J . Naughton

W . M .-elect was presented by Past Master Jessop , and signified his assent to the ancient regulations and landmarks of the Order . A Board of Installed Masters , consisting of twenty-seven members , was then formed , and Bro . Naughton was placed in the chair in accordance with the old traditions . The ceremony was beautifully rendered by Bro . Thomas , and his subsequent delivery of the addresses met with the hearty appreciation of those present .

The Officers for the year were then invested , viz ., D . F . Norrington S . W ., H . K . Newton , D . L . ( son of the I . P . M . ) , J . W ., J . Bailey , M . P ., Treas . ( absent ) , R . Woodman Burbidge Deputy Treasurer , W . Banister Abbott P . M . Secretary , Arthur Strutt D . C ., Ernest J . Rix S . D ., H . J . Thwaites J . D ., T . G . Heighington I . G ., W . Windsor Organist , A . E . Catchpole , H . Burbidge , W . H . Eardley and F . Le Sueur Stewards , and Alfred Ellis P . M . Tyler . The report of the Audit Committee was received , adopted , and ordered to be entered on the minutes .

The first Past Master ' s jewel of the Lodge was then presented to Bro . Alderman A . J . Newton , together with a beautifully worked copy o £ the programme , report , & c . of the Consecration Ceremony , with a reduced facsimile of the Lodge Warrant , printed in gold upon vellum , and suitably bound , forming a very unique souvenir of the occasion . The presentations were made by Bro . Naughton W . M ., who referred i % eulogistic terms to the services rendered by the I . P . M . in the foundation of the Lodge , and his generous support during his year of office .

Bro . Newton , in reply , said that the Brethren had added to his obligations by these handsome presents . The Past Master ' s jewel was generally given to the retiring Master , and was the outward and visible sign of the good feeling that existed between the Brethren and their temporary ruler . The book was something out of the common , and he should treasure it because he

considered that it honestly conveyed the expression of their fraternal regard towards him . It was certainly an unique and gratifying souvenir of some very pleasant meetings , and would remind him of the foundation of an institution which would not only be a pleasure to themselves , but to those who came after them . He accepted the presents very gratefully , and in the same hearty manner which had prompted the offering .

The ballot was taken and proved unanimous in favour of Messrs . Harry Day and Charles Bland , who were introduced and regularly admitted as members of the Fraternity . The ceremony of initiation was creditably rendered by Bro . Naughton , but from want of time the ancient charge was omitted on this occasion , although , as we know , the new Master of the Lodge regretted having to adopt that course , as he attaches so much importance to this portion of the work of admission to the Order , and we are convinced he

will complete the work in this particular on the earliest opportunity . The Brethren tendered their hearty congratulations to the new Master , and the proceedings terminated with the closing hymn . The installation banquet was served in the handsome Empress Hall , the guests numbering about a hundred . Bro . A . J . Naughton presided , and , at the termination of an elegant dinner , proposed the customary toast of the Queen and the Craft .

Referring to the Grand Master , the W . M . said that there was no more ardent Freemason than the Prince of Wales ; Charity seemed to be his watchword , and he was never weary of well doing . The Lodge had done its duty in this respect , by sending up Bro . Newton as a Steward at the Boys School Festival , and he had attained the fifth highest total among the London representatives , and the twelfth counting the entire body of Stewards . Bro . J . J . Thomas P . G . St . Br . acknowledged the toast of the Grand Officers , proposed by Bro . Norrington S . W .

Bro . Newton I . P . M . submitted the Worshipful Master . He said the institution of Freemasonry was undoubtedly a very excellent one , and although various motives assisted in the foundation of a Lodge , he could not imagine any person joining the Order from interested motives only . It should proceed from a desire to promulgate good feelings towards each other , and to assist those who were in a less fortunate position than themselves . Many Masons never aspired to any rank beyond tbe third degree , but the greater number were anxious to achieve a position in the Craft . Bro . Naughton was one of them , and the Lodge really owed to him the honour of its