Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

Wo 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 EOYAL MASONIC BOYS' SCHOOL .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In justice to nnmerons friends who , under adverse circoinstances , have most kindly given me their generous support , and to myself as feeling acutely tho unmerited obloquy to which I have been subjected , I cannot refrain from

requesting space in your paper to enable me to place on record my protest— effectual or ineffectual aa the case may be—against the unmeasured bitterness of tone which has fouud expression in some of the communications from Provincial localities , with resolutions riibodying disapproval of the action recommended by the Provisional

Management Committee . For nearly thhty years my conduct has been before tho Masonic world , and in tbat lengthy period of pnblic life I do not fear to assert that I have never been guilty of an official act npon which lean look back with regret , or of which I need feel ashamed . With what

jnstice , therefore , is it asserted , that because tho Report of a Commission conveys an unfavourable opinion of my estimate of the duties of my position I have therefore " forfeited the confidence of every member of the Craffc ? " Mistaken in my estimate I may have been ; false to my trust , I defy any ono to maintain .

From the date of my appointment in 1861 I have laboured assiduously and successfully , and have been complimented by repeated acknowledgments of my services from those best qualified to form an opinion . If it is to be accepted that apathy and repose are satisfactory

substitutes for " energy and activity so let it be . At my time of life I should welcome such au understanding , and it is no secret that for a considerable period I have longed for relaxation . Controversial argument I wish to avoid , and I should hesitate to trouble yon and your readers with these few lines were I not

anxioua to make known to friends and opponents alike that my abstention from wordy or written discussion haa nofc beeu dictated by any such motive as that of allowing judgment to go by default , but by a firm conviction that from every point of view it is

wise and politic to avoid public strife and dissension , and rely upon your own inner consciousness , supported by the favourable verdict of those possessing the best means of forming a dispassionate judg . ment . Yours faithfully and fraternally , FREDERICK BINCKES .

To the Editor of the FKEEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . SIR , —We notice with great regret tbe resolution passed by the General Committee on 5 th October to terminate the appointment of the Rev . Dr . Morris , the present Head Master of the Boys' School . Dr . Morris is very well known outside the Masonic body : firstly , in

regard to his connection with King s College School , London , where he was for 7 years a master and lecturer ; secondly , from his groat literary reputation as an English scholar ; thirdly , from his general successes in the educational world , especially in connection with the R . M . I . B . These latter are too well known to need dilating upon

here , the printed reports of the University Local Examinations , together with the Annual Reports of the School Committee , bear ample testimony to this fact . Bnt our object in addressing yon is not altogether to draw especial notice to these particulars , but to direct the attention of the Craffc

generally , the supporters of the School , to the very marked change and great improvement which have taken place in the regime of the establishment under the auspices of Dr . Morris . On this point we claim to have had a very practical experience , each of us having passed nearly six years in the School under three successive Head

Masters , and are therefore , we think , more competent to express an opinion as to what Dr . Morris has done for the good of the School , as it actually affects the moral braining and education of the pupils , than those who have been there only under one Head Master or than those of the governing body or of the Craft generally who cannot have had

the same facilities for becoming intimately acquainted with tho internal working of the School as we have had . Ono of us wished to give evidence upon this point before the last ; Committee of Inquiry , and wrote to a member of the lato House Committee testifying hia readiness to attend when desired , bufc was nofc even treated to the

courtesy of an acknowldgement of that letter , which undoubtedly reached its destination for tho addressee mentioned its reception to a member of the Craffc . We do nofc hesitate to say thafc fche sjtefcetn of education and discipline pursued in the School underwent a complete revolution for

the bettor even during the first few years of Dr . Morris ' s rale , which only those who actually passed through it can fnlly appreciate . Vexatious and unnecessary restrictions upon our liberty were removed , and we could obtain certain much valued privileges by application to studies aud by good conduct . Onr

curriculum of study was greatly enlarged , more high mathematics , elementary science , and other subjects were added , aud , with a view to our ultimate aims in life , some of ns were encouraged and assisted in the study of special subjects outside the ordinary School curriculum ; we , the writers have each attained the highest grade in our respective faculties at the TJiiivetsifcy of London , and we feci that

Correspondence.

the careful training by Dr . Morris was a very considerable factor in our success at the University . The friction between the educational and tho domestic staff ( mentioned in the report of tlie Committee of Inquiry ) existed quite as much in our time as it has of late , and we were painfnly aware of

it , for it left ns in a state of uncertainty which authority fco obey when their opinions clashed . Dr . Morris , by his wise and consi leruto procedure , poured , as far as he was able , oil on troubled waters , and enabled tho work of the educational branch to proceed mnch moro smoothly than before .

Under these improved conditions the educational status aud moral tone of the School rose rapidly , and we can testify to the very great difference in tho average attainments of the boys ou leaving tho School before and duiing Dr . Morris's tenure of office , and to tho much happier relationship which was brought about between Masters

aud Boys . We cannot bnfc regard Dr . Morris as fche true friend of his pupils , both past and present ; ever willing to lend a helping hand to the sons of Freemasons . In him we felt we had a friend , and one , too , to whom are particularly applicable the lines of Langridge : —

A friend s hand in mine , lads , A kind hand and trne ; In rough ways ancl dark days It helps a man through . Gratitude to onr old Head Master , and justice alike , compel us

to address you , in order thafc the Masonic Craft may see the kind of man on whose shoulders they placed greats responsibility , and how faithfully ho carried out hia trust ; . We ask tho Masonio Craffc generally whether the resolution of 5 th October is in accordance with the reputation of thafc body for

justice and fair treatment , or whether it bo nob rather an example of excellent services ill-requited ? We would add one word more . We are certain thafc fche opinions which we express are not those of ourselves alone , bufc also of very many others who have had the good fortune to be pupila of fche Rev . Dr . Morris .

We enclose our cards , and are , Sir , yonra faithfully , Two OLD PUPILS OF THE BOYS' SCHOOL . 15 th October 1889 . We wish to say thafc we are nofc unmindful nor unappreciative of fche services which fche llev . 0 . G . D . Perrofc rendered to fche School and to its pupils during his brief rule .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Toole's . —A capital company has been got together to play the new farcial comedy written by Mr . Horner entitled " The Bungalow , " and if fche play fails to attract the fanlt must be ascribed to fche play and not to the company . Bufc we see no good reason why the play shonld not , to use an expression borrowed from over the water ,

" catch on . " The first two acts cause so much laughter thafc the third comes as a disappointing surprise , and steps mnsfc be taken fco strengthen it if " The Bungalow" is to be more than a temporary structure at Toole ' s . The third act is the weakest in the play . But this is not the only defect . The whole play is founded on a series of

incidents which , innocent ; iu themselves , are suggestive of moral obliquity , and we cannot say that their tendency is of a wholesome character . This is essentially no play for babes and sucklings , and for ourselves wo must confess to a distaste for fun based on the misunderstanding thafc pervades "The Bungalow . " Bnfc having said

this , we are free to admit Mr . Horner s skill in constructing an amusing play , and his scrupulous care in stating that it is founded on the French piece , " La Ganjonniere , " although fco all intents and purposes ifc is new , having little in common with the original . We wish all adaptors were so conscientious . Of the plot ifc is nofc

necessary to speak in detail ; and of the players it is difficult to make a selection for especial praise when almost all act exceedingly well . With fche single exception of Miss Sallie Turner the caste is an excellent one . But ifc is almost unnecessary fco say this when ifc

is recollected that fche caste consists of Messrs . F . Kaye , Charles Glenney , Yorke Stephens , and Compton Coutts ; and Misses Helen Forsyth , Cissy Graham , Vane Foatherstou , Ciceley Richards , and M . A . Giffard . We may mention that siuce the abovo waa written Miss Sophie Larkin has taken Miss Turner's part .

Criterion . —We are glad to notice that the management have adopted oar suggestion of last week , and fcbe comedy of "Casts" is now preceded by Mr . F . W . Broughton ' s comedietta "Sunshine , " which forms a pleasant prelude to the piece de resistance . As a consequence Lhe evening ' s entertainment now commences afc eight o ' clock .

Saturday , the 26 th insfc , has been appointed for fche privato view of the Autumn Exhibition , ( the Nineteenth ) , of the 19 th Century ! Art Society , afc the Conduit Street Galleries , and the exhibition wil open to the public on Monday , the 28 th inst .

Star Chapter of Instruction , 'No . 1275 . — On Friday , Llth inst ., at Camberwell . Present : —Comps . Hilton Preceptor , Moore M . E . Z , Eudlo H ., Hill J ., Stone S . E ., Woods S . N ., Stono P . S ., aud Addington . Tho ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . Addingtou as candidate . ( Jump . Eedlo was elected Z . for tho noxt meeting .