Cornwall.

The noble Lord expressed his pleasure that the toast should have been proposed by the son of an old Mason whom they had repected for many years . They had had , he hoped , a successful meeting , and although held at the extreme end of the county , there was a good muster .

Bro . P . Barrett gave the health of the Deputy P . G . M ., who he said , was one of the founders of the Prov . Grand Lodge , together with the Prov . G . M . Sir C . B . Graves-Sawle , Bart ., in reply , said he had not been able to give that attention to Masonry which he formerly

did , owing to the state of his health . He had desired to visit the Cbrnish Lodge in London , but was unable to do so , and that day , when the Prov . G . M . again appointed him , he asked that a younger man might be selected , as his health had failed very much lately , and he should have to withdraw still more from public affairs ere long . He wished fchem every prosperity .

The Chairman proposed the Provincial Grand Wardens and Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge . Before doing so he referred to the D . P . G . M ., and said while it might be easy for him to find a younger man for the position , ifc would be difficult for him to find a better man to take the place . Should Sir C

Graves-Sawle not always be well and able to undertake his duties , he hoped he would continue to benefit , not only Masonry , bufc the county in every way . They did not desire to part with old friends , because they could not do what they had done a few years since , and if he could not do all that he had

done , they would not require at his hands what he was not able to perform . With respect to the Provincial Grand Officers he had appointed from year to year , they always supported him very well , all being present that day with the exception of two , one of whom was ill with rheumatic fever , and the other had

some important reason which prevented him coming . He was quite sure the Wardens and Officers appointed this year would take the same keen interest in the Masonry of the Province as those did who had preceded them . The appointment was always a difficult one for the Provincial Grand Master , who had

to consider the services of individual members , the natural claims of the various Lodges , and the relative claims of the east and wesfc of fche county . He did his best , and he thought he had done pretty well generally . ¦ ¦ Bro . the Eev . E . F . Fraser Frizell responded on behalf of

Bro . Courfcenay . The Chairman , in giving the W . M . of the Zetland Lodge , 1071 , and Members , said they had to thank them for having made most excellent arrangements for the reception of the Provincial Grand Lodge that dav .

The W . M . Bro . Eawliug replied , and expressed a hope that the Provincial Grand Lodge would visit Saltash again before thirty years had passed . Visiting Brethren was acknowledged by Bro . Dr . Knight

Norths and Hunts , and the Tyler ' s toast , given by Bro . Lander , brought fche proceedings to a close . During the afternoon the Plymouth Borough Band played a selection of operatic and other airs . — " Western Mercury . "

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 .

ASSISTANT OFFICEES

To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —One frequently reads of the appointment , and I have occasionally witnessed the investiture , of Brethren as Officers in Private Lodges beyond those set out in Rule 129 of the Book of Constitutions .

I refer more particularly to appointments as Assistant Director of Ceremonies , and Assistant Secretary . I was about to include Assistant Stewards in tho category , but I notice the Rule of Grand Lodge just quoted provides for the appointment of " Stewards , " so that in this case plurality is permissible , I admit .

From thc authority I have quoted I suppose the investiture of Assistant D . C . or Assistant Secretary is an unconstitutional proceeding , and being so I would ask whether it is not the duty of our rulers to either legalise the practice or put a stop to it . I am not aware that any great harm results from this innovation , but I hold that our practices should be uniform and strictly in accordance with the regulations , besides which I should like to know whether a Brother is justified in wearing insignia of these unofficial appointments ?

While on this subject might I ask what are the recognised duties of Stewards ? It jars on my mind to a very considerable extent to hear them referred to as " Wine " Stewards , but very much more so when I hear a Worshipful Master instruct them that their duties are " to see that all are properly served at the banquet table , " as I do not consider any official

recognition of that adjunct to Freemasonry is either necessary or desirable during the portion of the ceremony I refer to . But being recognised Officers in the Lodge , I should like to hear other expressions of opinion in regard to the point . Yours , & c , OBSERVER .

Correspondence.

The " Masonic Eeview " of Buenos Ayres contemplates the issue of an Annual , which , besides selected articles and instructive papers on Masonic topics , will contain a list of all Argentine and Foreign Lodges throughout the world , the intention being to provide useful data , & c . for Secretaries and others .

An International Press Congress recently held at Bordeaux has resulted in the establishment of a society which , ifc is said , will be " as international as Freemasonry . " It must be

gratifying to members of our Order to see Freemasonry continually referred to as an example of what a fraternal organisation should be .

There has always been objection to a small fee for joining the " side degrees" in connection with Eoyal Arch Masonry practiced in some parts of Scotland , says the " Mallet , " in

" Glasgow Evening News . " At the meeting of the Supreme Grand Chapter it was to be moved thafc a minimum fee of ten shillings be fixed ; " and that the sum of five shillings shall be charged by Supreme Grand Chapter for registration and diplomas . "

Brother the Eev . W . G . Hall , Bridge of Allan , has published , at the request of Brobher Masons , a pamphlet entitled , " Freemasonry ; its origin and nature , and its relation to religion . " While Bro . Hall admits that the Order has suffered much discredit

by fche unworthiness of many of its members , he claims that as a moral science it is imperishable and unchangeable , " for it is established on fche sure and certain lines of truth , virtue , fidelity , justice , and Brotherly love . " The publishers are Messrs . J . Maxwell and Son , Dumfries .

In Alabama there is a movement for a one year term for the Grand Master . Except in rare cases that is right . Noticing said movement the " New York Dispatch " considers the for and against reasons , and concludes as follows : " A one year term

and an abandonment of the farcical ' complimentary , ' vindication ' and ' endorsement' will work greater reform than all the ' talk ' of all the Masons in Chrisbendom from now till the millenium . " There are thousands of Masons in New York and

in Illinois , and hundreds in almost every Grand Jurisdiction , competent to fill the office of Grand Master , and who merit that honour . The one year term will simply afford them a fairer

opportunity to attain that exalted station . We say : Open for them that door . — " Voice of Masonry . "

After a most severe attack on the Masonic Order , a correspondent of the " Weston Mercury" has replied to a letter defending the Craft in what must be termed very mild terms . We give his letter in this issue , the former ones having been

reproduced during the previous two weeks . It is the old story over again , the fanatics of the Eomish Church are ready with all manner of proofs of the evil ways of Freemasonry , until fchey are challenged , when fchey fall back on the writings of some mad

brained author who , for purposes best known to himself , has not scrupled to concoct tales and fabricate statements in order to attempt to prove facts that never existed . Ignorance is ,

perhaps , the greatest crime of these fanatics , who seem to allow themselves to be carried away by their priests , or the schemers of their creed .

MORPETH MASONIC HALL .

rpHIS Hall recently passed from the company which built it to a private JL owner . The new proprietor took advantage of the quiet months of summer to have it entirely overhauled and improved . Its four bare blank walls have been by various coloured paints broken up into panels , with ornamental borders . These relieve and rest the eye . Improved sunlights , an efficient system of hot water heating apparatus , and additional means of egress will add greatly to the physical comfort of those who visit it . — " Newcastle Chronicle . "

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

BEO . W . H . KIEBY , the Assistant General Manager of the firm of Burroughs , Wellcome and Co ., of London , died at his residence , 40 Wilberforce Eoad , Finsbury Park , at six o ' clock on Wednesday morning , from severe injuries sustained in a gas e "* xt ) losion at his house on Saturday evening last . Bro . Kirby ,

who was only thirty-seven years of age , was not only widely known and respected in commercial circles in the city , but was also a distinguished and expert worker amongst the Masonic Fraternity . His funeral will take place at St . Sepulchre s Church , Holborn Viaduct , to-day ( Saturday ) , at one o ' clock .