Random Notes And Reflections.

represents the principle of a yearly change , it cannot with fairness be urged that his friends were bound to put him forward again . All this ontcry about arousing bad feeling comes with an ill grace from those who unnecessarily take

np a position that cannot be justified except upon the ground of unfitness of any other candidate . If the elective principle bo admitted to its natural limit , there could be

no impropriety in naming any suitable brother for the office of Grand Treasurer , even four or five months before the time of election . It should be remembered that Grand

Lodge , except under peculiar circumstances , only meet once a quarter , and as the nominations were made only a fortnight ago , and the meeting in favour of Bio . Marshall

preceded them by a very short time , it does not appear that any undue haste has been manifested . We confess we do not understand the brethren who issued the circular in

favour of Bro . Allcroft . It was open to them to propose some other brother , and no one could reasonably object to such a course . In adopting Bro . Allcroft they have sown the seed of discord , that is , if discord is to come at all .

They challenge the decision arrived at last year , and they are open to the suspicion of making the office of Grand Treasurer a sinecure in the hands of a self-elected Caucus . "We have before said that we have no complaint to make

against Bro . Allcroft , nor under ordinary circumstances should we object to his re-appointment . But if the elective right is anything but a name , if it is a reality and not a sham , then the yearly election of Grand Treasurer should be as free as it is possible to make an open contest .

" Comparisons are odious "—or " odorous , " as Mrs . Malaprop has it—and we approach them with diffidence . It is urged that Bro . Marshall is a very young Mason , and has not yet won his spurs . It would be difficult to set up

a test of qualification for preferment that should satisfy all persons . We are not aware of any canon whereby judgment can be determined , and we certainly shall not enter upon the delicate question of personal fitness . It will be

enough for our purpose if we take the broad facts . Bro . Allcroft is an old Mason , it is true ; but for many years he ceased to take an active interest in the Craft . Practically , his standing is not older than that of Bro . Marshall . The

argument as to age and experience at once fails , and what members of Grand Lodge have to consider are ( 1 ) the principle of yearly election , and tho right it gives ; and

( 2 ) the essential qualifications of the candidates before them . To our minds , Bro . Allcroft doos not answer to the first condition , and , therefore , the second cannot be applied to him .

Those who take pleasure in matters relating to the constitution , age , and locality of Lodges will be interested in Bro . Jacob Norton ' s letter that appeared iu last week ' s CHRONICLE . Without traversing the facts of the special

case he therein names , it is only just to him to state that he discovered a blunder in his copy , and sent the correction to us . By an oversight , the second letter was

forgotten , and m consequence the mistake has appeared . We now desire to remedy the omission . Immediately following the list of names as belonging to the doubtful " 79 " Lodge , given in a record quoted , was the following paragraph :

The lists of the names of the membera of the Lodges in the said record were copied from reports made to the G . L . early in 1730 , when Lord Lovel was G . M .

Now , instead of 1730 , it' should be 1731 , for Lord Lovel was not the G . M . before the latter year . We apologise to Bro . Norton for the mistake that occurred , and trust the correction now given will make amends for our omission .

Bro . Thomas Wright , of the Bolton Hotel , Dnke Eoad , Chiswick , has sent us a copy of his Presentation Diary and Almanack for 1884 . It is a very neat little pocket companion , and a novelty in style and arrangement . In

addition to the diary and calendar , there is much useful information as well as something amusing . The prices current contains all that the public can desire in the shape of wines , spirits , and beer . Few establishments , we should

think , can offer such a choice . It is not long since we referred to the fitting up and accommodation at this hotel , and We now find that Bro . Wrisrbt has framed a tariff of

charges for dinners for large and small parties which cannot fail to meet all wants . We know by experience how well Bro . Wright can cater , and those who need a centre of

Random Notes And Reflections.

mooting on any special occasion will find every requirement at tho " Bolton . " — : o : — What is dono so well in the West is not less efficiently carried out by Bro . Froud in tho North . Th ©

conveniences at the Holly Bush , Hampstead , are on rather an extensive scale , but small as well as large parties can be served with all they desire . Bro . Frond ' s experience well fits him for the duties of caterer , and he is most ably

supported by Mrs . Froud , who superintends the culinary department with all the skill of an adept in tho art of management . The large assembly room at the Holly Bush is admirably adapted for balls and concerts , and having a

separate carriage entrance , it is peculiarly fitted for any public or private purpose . A very old Lodge meets at this house , St . John ' s , No . 167 . In looking over some records , we found that Bro . Samuel Aldrich , W . M . of tho

St . John ' s Lodge in 1856 , lamented the financial condition of the Benevolent Institution , which precluded the possibility of admitting any annuitants on its funds during that year . He made a suggestion to meet the difficulty , and

promised , in the name of St . John s Lodge , not only to support the Benevolent Institution , but also tho other Charities , so that all should not be sent empty away . Bro . Aldrich made an earnest appeal , and we know that such a failure as he referred to in 1856 is scarcely possible now .

We are not disposed to give undue prominence to American Freemasonry . In all essential points the English body stand in tlie first rank of the Craft . Still there are some things worthy of imitation , even in America ,

and one of them is the interest taken in the formation of Masonic libraries . The Grand Lodge of New York are , at the present time , devoting care and money to their library , and have just succeeded , in adding some rare works to

their stock . We should be glad to hear of a similar movement in this country . We have a library , it is true , but who knows anything about it ? how , or under what circumstances it can be used ? Until the brethren themselves

take more interest in this matter , it is scarcely likely that anything substantial will be done either to extend the library or make it more accessible . The Craft have the future in their hands , and we should be glad to hear that they were bestirring themselves .

Special arrangements have been made by the London and North Western Railway for the Christmas Holidays , ancl when the districts this line serves are considered , it will be found that the company offer HQ slight boon to the

public . They run fast trains to such large centres as Birmingham , which is reached in three hours , and to Liverpool and Manchester in four and a half hours . Similar quick times are observed with regard to Edinburgh and

Glasgow and the more northern parts of the same country . The company also provide omnibuses for family parties at very many of their stations , aud undertake to deliver passengers' luggage under conditions highly convenient to

travellers . Whether persons go from or come to London , they will find that the London and North Western Railway Company havo met the wants that are likely to arise in a spirited and enterprising manner .

Bro . James Willing jun . announces that , owing to the large increase of his business as a Government and General Newspaper Advertising Contractor , he has been compelled to remove to more extensive premises , situate at 125 Strand ,

W . C . ( Corner of Savoy Street ) , exactly opposite the premises lately occupied by him . We congratulate our worthy brother on this evidence of his success , and we trust his energy will be still further rewarded .

We understand it is intended to give a Masonic ball in Lancaster , the proceeds of which are to be devoted to a Masonic Charity . The Ex-Mayor and one of the oldest

Town Councillors waited on the Mayor of Lancaster to ask for the use of the Town Hall ( as a matter , of course offering * payment ) , but , we regret to learn , permission for the Hall being used for such a purpose was refused .

We have been requested to state , that in future the meetings of the Emblematic Lodge of Instruction , No . 1321 , will be held at the Rose Tavern , Jermyn Street . The day of meeting will henceforth be Tuesday . The brethren assemble at 8 o'clock .