Domatic Lodge, No. 177.

in his hands of not less than 100 guineas , in addition fco the 25 guineas voted from the funds of the Lodge . The Institution was deserving of every snpport , and there were many poor old men and women knocking at the gates , longing to participate in the benefits of the Home at Croydon . To relieve these poor old people was the duty of the

Freemasons of England , and he sincerely trnsted that for the coming Festival Brother Terry would have a " bumper . " He should like to celebrate the Jubilee Year by sending up such a list as had never before been equalled in the Metropolitan Lodge , and concluded by again alluding to the satisfactory way in which Brother Knight

fulfilled the duties of the chair . The W . M . briefly acknowledged the toast , and in the course of bis remarks said he thanked them for the support he had reoeived from the brethren generally in the position he was proud to occnpy . His rise to that position showed what could be done by constant perseverance , and he thanked Bros . W . M .

and Henry Stiles , and also their excellent Treasurer , Brother James Willing jun ., for introducing him into the Lodge . He hoped he might live many years to be a member of ifc , and to see the brethren whom he had just had the pleasure of initiating rise to tho position he now enjoyed . He then proposed the Past Masters , and in doing so

expressed his acknowledgment of the valuable assistance and counsel he had received from them individually and collectively . The Immediate Past Master , in returning thanks , spoke of the excellent way in which the affairs of the Lodge were carried on under the presidency of Brother Knight , who had told them he was initiated into this

Lodge , eleven years ago , by Brother dark . He had the pleasure of meeting that brother on the preceding day , and he asked him to express his regret that another engagement would prevent him from being present this evening . He trnsted the Lodge might continue to prosper , and felt sure that all the Past Masters would do what

they could to promote its welfare . Brother Willing , in the course of his response , expressed the hope that the contribution from this Lodge would exceed the 100 guineas which had been mentioned ; and this wish was cordially endorsed by Brother W . M . Stiles , who said the Past Masters had the best interests of the Lodge thoroughly at

heart . Brother Henry Stiles , in his remarks , thanked the brethren for the kindly letter they sent him during his recent illness , and said ifc was the most comforting of all the letters he received at that time . He was thankful and proud to be amongft them again , and hoped the day might be far distant when the chain

which bound him to the Metropolitan Lodge would be severed . Bro . Michael also responded in suitable terms . The Worshipful Master next gave the health of the Treasurer and Secretary , the former of whom was the father of the Lodge , and was always willing to come amongst them aud assist in promoting the interests of members .

The same remarks applied to their excellent Secretary , Bro . Perks ; by the aid of those able Officers there had never been any trouble whatever in carrying ou the business or pleasure of the Lodge . The toast was appropriately acknowledged , aud the Worshipful Master then gave the health of the Initiates , one of whom

was the assistant manager of Anderton's Hotel ( Bro . J . G Evans ) , who thoroughly intended looking after the interests of Ihe Metropolitan Lodge . They might rest assurpd thafc nothing would be wanting in thafc respect ; at tbe hands of Bro . Evans ; and that in the future the management of this old-established hotel , in whioh BO

many Masonic gatherings were held , would bo as excellent and praiseworthy as it had ever been iu previous years , lie was proud and pleased to welcome the Initiates , all of whom he hoped would become apt students of the Masonic art and worthy members of the Metropolitan Lodge . Bro . J . G . Evans thanked the Worshipful

Master for the kindly terms in which ho had proposed the toasfc , and promised he would do his best to promote tho interests of tho Lodgo to which he had now the honour of being attached . The Worshipful Master had spoken some very encouraging words to the initiates who , he hoped , would each strive to attain to positions in the Craft .

Bros . Mescbini and Davey also briefly replied , thanking the Lodge for having admitted them as membei' 3 of the Ancient and Honourable Institution . The Worshipfnl Master then extended a cordial welcome to the Visitors , on whose behalf acknowledgments were made by the several representatives of tho sister Lodges present ; and the services

of the Officers of the Lodge having been recognised by the Worshipful Blaster , and responses made by the Senior and Jnnior Wardens , the list was closed in fitting manner by the Tyler . At intervals , some excellent songs were rendered , Bro . Sannders presiding at the pianoforte , and an exceedingly pleasant evening was spent .

William Preston Lodge of Instruction , No . 766 . — The weekly meeting of this successful Lodge of Instruction was held at the St . Andrew , George-3 treet , Baker-street , VV ., on Friday , the 14 th inst ., at 8 p . m . Bros . Grassi W . M . elect New Cross Loige , No . 1559 , W . M ., F . VV . Spnrgin S . W ., C . Wetzbar J . W ., G . Coop Preceptor and Treasurer , F . Smith Secretary , 11 . Carsons S . D ., J .

Schew J . D ., Langley I . G . ; also Bros . C . Dairy , Dusterwold , C . Bellerby , Blumonstein , VV . Woodruff , Prendergasfc , Artand , Fromholz , Klein , Von Joel , Halliday , and others . After the minutes had been read and confirmed , the W . M . ably rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , Bro . Cursons candidate . The Worshipful Master now

vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Dusterwold , when the cercmotr , of the third degree was beautifully rehearsed , Bro . Dairy being can didate . Bro . Coop announced that two , and probably three ballots would bo drawn on the following Lodge night , 2 lst instant . This i the second Association working in connection with this Lodge nf In .

struction ; tho first ( nearly completed ) will have caused upwards o ' 250 guineas to be paid into the funds of the three Masouic Institutions . It is fully expected thot theBecond Association will bo eqnallv successful , there being already twenty-five members . Bro . Spuro-it !

J . W . 1305 was elected W . M . for the next meeting . Bro . Coop informed tbe brethren that he had been invited to rehearse the ceremony of instillation on Monday , 8 th February , in tho Queen ' * ( Westminster ) and St . Merylebocc Lodgo of Instruction , held at the Criterion , Piccadilly . On this occasion would be presented the

Domatic Lodge, No. 177.

Auditors' report for the pasfc year , and Offioers elected for the year ensuing . Several brethren intimated their iutentiou to attend . A voto of thanks was unanimously voted to Bro . Grassi , this being the first time he had occupied the chair in this Lodgo . Nothing further offering , Lodge was duly closed .

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 neccessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We canntt undertake to return rejected communications .

THE ROYAL JUBILEE . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Since reading your very able and « en . sible article on this subject , in the lasfc issue of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE , I have had the privilege of attending three or four Lodge meetings at which our Pro Grand Master ' s circular has been

considered ; and on canvassing the opinions of many of the brethren found them very nearly in accord with those expressed in yonr editorial columns . But , inasmuch as you invite correspondence on a proposal which is now engrossing BO much attention in the Craft , I may be permitted to say that a vo"y general feelinz seems to be

fchafc the Jubilee in which all Englishmen naturally tike such a , patriotic interest should be decidedly marked by a great and representative gathering of the Masonio body , such as is suggested by the Earl of Carnarvon . Oa thafc point most of the brethren with whom I have conversed appear to be unanimous , the great

recommendation of Buch an assembly as that which would undoubtedly fill the Albert Hall or " Olympia "—or both—being that a splendid addition would be made to tbe funds of our three Benevolent Institutions , each of which would be thus strengthened in its sphere of usefulness . The main questions in dispute , if indeed the discussions thafc

have taken plaoe on the subject admit of such a term , are as to the amount of the admission fee suggested , the manufacture of a Jubilee jewel , and the proposed contribution on the part of individual members of the Imperial Institute . Now , thero are no doubt many Masons whe wonld bo glad fci meet

the views of our worthy Pro Grand Master in each and all of these respects ; but it must be borne in mind that all Freemasons are not iiffluent , and that in our Lodges there are a vast number to who n , iu these " bad times , " every guinea is a consider ition . These brethren doubtless , rather thun " look small , " or appear to a diaadv mtage by

the side of those fco whom money is less an objoct , would strain a point to keep pace with the rest ; but in a great many cases that e ( F > rfc would amonnfc to a t » x , pressing rather severely upon a nut overburdened pocket . So far as the great " Commemoration Festival " is concerned , there

may bo ten or twelve thousand among the richer classes of the Craft , who would gladly pay their guinea , or even two , forthehouonr and distinction of assisting afc a monster mooting over which our Most Worshipful Grand Mister is to preside , and thus a substantial sum wonld accrue to the coffers of the three Charities . But in other

cases , where brethren are nofc blessed with too much of this world ' s goods , they would either have to suffer temporary inconvenience or feel themselves left in the cnld , so far as the Jubilee is concerned . There can be little doubt that in every Lodge throughout the Q inen's dominions there will be a Jubi ' ee celebration of some kind or < fcher ;

and , in fact , committees are already being formed for the pupp-isn of making the necessary arrangements for snch " sp cial occasions . " This , of course , is entirely optional , but I imagine it will be uone the less warmly taken up on that account . So far as I have been able to gather , there is a very general and unanimous opinion that the

gront Olympia meeting might be open to those who have the means and inclination to attend , and that all other matter . } connected with the Jubilee celebration should be left to the option of the members themselves . The remarks you offered last week as to the utiwisdom of adding to our stock of Masonic jewellery were quite fco the point ,

and have been endorsed by every brother whom I have heard speak on the subject ; and the verdict of many of our Lodges already is that such a jewel is unnecessary and uncalled for . The contribution of a guinea per head to the " Imperial Institute" fund is also regarded as straining a point beyond which it is advisable to go from a

Masonic standpoint . Whilst yielding to no one in my loyalty and devotion to our illustrious Grand Master and our most Gracious Queen ( God bless h » r !) whose Jubilee is to be thus commemorated . I Htjree with the sentiments I have heord expressed that the funds to bo raised for the " Imperial Institute" should be left in cosmopolitan

hands , and not made a distinctive feature of the Masonic celebrations . There will be ample aud abundant responses from all classes of her Majesty ' s loyal subjects in aid of that scheme , to whioh every one of us must wish success ; bnt to make a special and almost imperative appeal to the Masonic body for that objact , io additiou to the other

exceptional efforts they are about to make , would , in the opinion I believe of a majority of Masons , bo travelling a little beyond the bounds of prudence . Probibly you may receive the expression of other views on this important matter , but these are a reflex of the opinions which have found utterance in the presence of , Yours fraternally , AROUS .

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NUMERALS properly carried out and personally attended , in London or Country by Bro . G . A . HUT TON , 17 . Newcastle Street , Strand , W . C Monuments erected . Valuations mad »