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 .

PEOPOSED OLD MASONIANS' LODGE . To the Editor of the FREEMASONS CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BRO . —Our " Old Boys" have decided to form an " Old Masonians Lodge , " as a fitting adjunct to our Centenary celebration in 1898 . We are desirous of getting into touch with ex-scholars in all parts of the country , being convinced that there are many who must have joined the Craft .

To this end may I ask you to be good enough to insert this letter , and to say that I shall be glad to be the medium of communication between any " Old Masonian " and the Founders of the proposed new Lodge . The next meeting of the Pounders is to be held on Monday , 29 th November , at 7 p . m ., at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , E . G ., to which " Old Masonians " who are members of the Craft are cordially invited .

Yours faithfully and fraternally , J . M . MCLEOD . 6 Freemasons' Hall , London , "W . C , 16 th November 1897 .

INCEEASE OF PEOVINCIAL HONOUES . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . SIR , —Like your correspondent " Tu . Ca . " I am somewhat in the dark about the " suggested alterations " alluded to . Speaking strickly within my own knowledge , I must say that the present plan of selection for Prov . Grand honours is incomprehensible to a simple-minded , earnest Craftsman . In my Province one sees the claims of strenuous workers , men imbued with true Masonic ardour , whose magnificent

record for the advancement of the Craft is well-known , persistently overlooked ; and the coveted honours bestowed on others—worthy Masons all , ho doubt—whose possession of Prov . G . honours renders them veritable flies in amber . To simply increase the number of honours will only increase the number of flies in our amber . What is wanted is a better system of selection . Yours , & c , WEST LJLNCS .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Coincidental with the arrival of * my CHRONICLF , the enclosed circular also came , and which I think , if adopted would go largely to solve the problem of " more Provincial honours for West Lancashire . " Kindly find space for the cause and oblige , Fraternally yours , WIGAN .

[ COPY . ] DEAR SIR AND W . BRO . —The prospect of an extension of P . G . Lodge honours , whilst being a distinct step in the right direction , will avail nothing unless conferred on those Brethren who have first been elected by the Private Lodges themselves , and duly recommended to the M . W . P . G . M ., who will not only use his prerogative in such a manner as to afford the highest satisfaction to every true Brother in West Lancashire ; but the honoured recipients of his Lordship ' s favour may feel it is an honour indeed .

Yours fraternally , C . E . T ., P . M . Didsbury , 20 th October 1897 .

The annual Installation Festival of the Empress Lodge , No . 2581 , will take place on the 8 th prox ., at the Cafe Eoyal , Eegent Street , W ., when Bro . J . Holdsworth Dimsdale , son of Alderman Sir Joseph C . Dimsdale P . G . Treas . will be installed io the chair of the Lodge .

Entertainment Notes.

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES .

Terry ' s . — " The French Maid " has started well on towards her third century , as t '* is evening will witness her 216 th performance , and we heartily congratulate Mr . W . H . Griffiths on the perfect success of his first venture . Garrick . —The box-office for Oscar Barrett ' s Pantomine , " Cinderella , " was opened on Monday , Sth inst ., and during the first week considerably over ; £ 4 , 000 was taken on advance bookings . This seems to promise well for our well-known Brother's season . — : o : —

One of the most recent engagements for Bro Oscar Barrett ' s Fairy Pantomime , "Cinderella , " is that of Miss Dan Leno , daughter of the celebrated Comedian , who will play the Fairy of the Slipper . On the 23 rd inst . Bro . H . T . Brickwell completes the first year of his of this

management theatre , during which time he has presented the public with a round of entertainments varying from grand opera to farcical comedy , and it is gratifying to learn . that each has achieved a brilliant record . In the production of these programmes he has been ably assisted by Bro . Creer , and the play-going public can onl y wish them a continued run of success . Miss Helen Bertram has been engaged to play the part ' . o'f La Pericholecommencing next Tuesday .

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 . AT a meeting of this Lodge , held at the New Falcon Hotel , Gravesend , on . Monday , 15 th inst ., the W . M . Bro . William Gunn , assisted by his Officers , performed the ceremony of passing , Bro . William Benjamin Sargeant being the candidate .

CEAFT : PEOVINCIAL .

A sum of ten guineas was voted from the funds of the Lodge to head the list of Bro . F . Hitchens , who was appointed Steward to represent the Lodge at the Centennial Festival of the Boys School next year . Notice of motion was given by Bro . R . J . Beamish to grant the usual Christmas gratuities to the local charities at the next meeting .

ARCHITECT LODGE , No . 1375 . r "nHE regular meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Chorlton-cum-Hardy , I on Friday , 5 th inst . The attendance of members and visitors was all that could be desired , and Bro . Arthur A . Moss P . M . Provincial Grand Deacon must be congratulated upon the ; success of this extra demonstration , which , we believe , was mainly intended to mark his recent accession to Provincial rank .

Lodge business over , the Brethren adjourned to the festive board , and were presided over by Bro . Alfred Pickford P M ., who is a useful alter ego to Bro . Holland W . M ., in the latter ' s unavoidable absence through business . The toast of the Grand Officers was responded to by Bro . Wm . Goodacre P . G . Sw . B . Prov . G , Sec . and Councillor James J . Lambert P . G . D . P . P . G . R .,

the former saying that he had great pleasure in being present at the Architect Ladge to add a word in favour of Bro . Moss and the Provincial honour which he had so very deservedly obtained , and spoke in the highest possible terms with respect to the precision and exactness with which Bro . Moss performed his work .

Bro . Lambert , as a member of the Lodge , and also in his capacity of Grand Officer , also added his testimony to the worth of Bro . Moss , and pointed out that the selection of his name for Provincial honours had been a popular one . . ' Bro . Pickford proposed the health of the Provincial Officers , and herein unconsciously perpetrated a " bull " which Sir Boyle Roche would not have objected to stand godfather to , and which , by permission of the acting Chairman , we may utilise on a future occasion .

The toast was responded to by Bros . A . G . Collins P . P . G . D . C , Edwin Broadbent P . M . 2109 Prov . G . D . C , and Moss , the latter being received with enthusiasm . He said that it gave him great pleasure in responding to the toast of the Provincial Officers for the first time ; hut still he hardly thought ha deserved all the honour which had beeu bestowed upon him , and he only wished that the glorious uniform which he wore could be properly distributed , and every member of the Lodge get a portion .

Bro . W . T . Hesketh P . M . Sec . proposed the health of the W . M ., whom , it was incidentally mentioned , was travelling in Java . He said that wherever Bro . Holland might be at that moment , his heart and thoughts were with the Lodge , which he loved and honoured , and if the exigencies of commerce had not called him away he would have been taking his part in its working . In conclusion he wished him good health and a safe return to their midst . The toast was enthusiastically received .

The contributanes to the harmony were Bros . Henry Nail P . M . P . P . G . Tr . Treas . ( song ) , C . H . Beever P . M . ( " The Editor ' s Story " ) , A . W . Stanley J . D . 1774 ( song ) , and Edwin A . Smith W . M . ' 2363 , who officiated at the pianoforte vice Bro . W . Rushton Org ., who was indisposed . Other visitors who have not been mentioned were Bros . Councillor J . R . Wilson P . M . 993 , W . H . Bibby P . M . 993 , W . Ingram 852 , and S . G . Harrison 1166 .

TRUTH LODGE , No . 1458 . THE regular meeting was held at the Mosley Hotel , Manchester , on Friday , 5 th inst ., and after an excellent tea the Lodge was opened by Bro . T . P . Cooper W . M . Minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , and a successful ballot was taken for Mr . James Doyle , who was afterwards initiated into the mysteries and privileges of antient Freemasonry by the W . M ., assisted by Bro . G . P . Taylor P . M ., the latter rendering the E . A . Charge .

This being the penultimate meeting of the financial year , an election of Officers took place , with the result that Bro . Cooper ' s popularity has resulted in his retaining the reins of management , he having been re-elected to the Master ' s chair . We heartily congratulate the Truth Lodge upon such retention of his services . Another important and popular appointment was that of Bro . John Pearce to thc position of Treasurer .

Upon the close of the Lodge the social element , which was of a superior kind , dominated chat of the Loyal and Masonic toasts . There was a capital attendance of members and visitors , principal among whom were Bros . A . B . Taylor S . W ., Leopold Hirsch J . W ., W . H . Worsley I . P . M . Treas ., Herbert Hellewell Sec , Alfred Hebden P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C .

D . C , J . J . Dean S . D ., Geo . T . Lenard P . M . J . D ., Buckley Carr P . M . P . P . G . D . C , Robert Caldwell P . M . P . P . G . S . B ., G . H . Needle P . M ., T . H . Hall P . M ., E . M . Shepherd P . M ., J . H . Vincent P . M ., James Archdale P . M ., W . J . Herring P . M ., Wm . Dewhurst , Joseph Day , and R . Stevenson Stwds ., and others .

Visitors : —Bros . James Gleunie P . M . P . P . G . S . B . Ches ., R . Summers 1221 ( Leeds ) , and George Robinson 1459 .

CLAREMONT LODGE , No . 1861 . TH 55 installation meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Croydon , on 25 th ult ., when Bro . Bowler . Tyler of several London Lodges , was installed as W . M . by Bro . Fred West Deputy Provincial Grand Master of