Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the writers , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to ** return rejected communications .

VOUCHING FOR CANDIDATES

To the Editor of the FBEEHASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAK SIB AND BROTHER , —With reference to the letter of P . M . upon this subject in your last issue , I am sure that every good and true Freemason will agree with his remarks , for nothing can tend more to the degradation of our Order than the admission of unworthy members . Hence my contention

that the " Ancient Charge to the Initiate " should never be omitted from the ceremony , as is so frequently the ease . It does no harm to remind the Brethren of their duty in this respect , and indeed on the agenda paper of a prominent Lodge in the Province of Essex that I recently received was the following note , which may be recommended for

imitation" Be very cautious whom you recommend as a candidate for initiation ; one false step on this point may be fatal . If you introduce a disputatious person confusion will be produced , which may end in the dissolution of the Lodge . If you have a good Lodge keep it select . Great numbers are not always beneficial . "—DOCTOR OLIVER . Yours fraternally , ANOTHER P . M .

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 . — : o : —

WESTBOURNE LODGE , No . 733 . IT is always with a great amount of pleasure we receive an invitation to the Westbourne Lodge , knowing that the ritual of "Freemasonry will there be heard to perfection ; therefore we postponed other engagements to attend the installation of our esteemed Brother George Weaver as W . M . of this Lodge , which took place , on Thursday , 16 th inst ., at the Holborn Eestaurant , Holborn , W . C .

Bro . F . Wortham W . M . presided , having as his supporters Bros . C . T . Brown I . P . M ., G . Weaver W . M .-elect S . W ., 0 . E . Lilly J . W ., 3 . Welford P . M . Treasurer , S . E . Walker P . M . Secretary , W . Busby S . D ., H . Bagnall J . D ., E . Thomas I . G ., B . B . Hopkins Organist , Fred Beesley and C Halston Stewards , Sam Ellis P . M . Tyler ; . Past Masters

C . A . Cottebrune P . G . P ., A . Arrowsmith , W . Eoberts , L . Ascott , W . H . Faircloth , T . W . Allen , E . 3 . Bogers ; Bros . Thomas Gale , E . Gilling , G . Butcher , 3 . Woodford , F . Brock , N . Bolles , W . Graham , W . Smith , W . Becknel ) , G . Eussell , G . Walker , 3 . Martin , T . Stroud , T . Thompson , 3 . Arle , A . Pemberton , E . Stevens , P . Wheeler , George Goddard , H . Phipps , B . Jackson , W . Bell , 3 . Bees , Norris , & c .

Among the Visitors we had the pleasure of seeing Bros . A . Pettit I . P . M . 1732 , G . Mogford P . M . 2362 Secretary Westbourne Lodge of Instruction , T . Mogford P . M . 2362 , J . Bartlett P . M . 1637 , H . C . Coffin 167 , John Cunning S . W . 538 , John Pickering 1539 , W . Middleweek P . M . 1793 P . P . A . D . C . Middx .,

Reports Of Meetings-.

A . Allenden I . G . 1623 , C . Aubert 1672 , G . Durrant 2291 , F . Pollard 2648 , H . Bolles 1381 , Harry Hatton 2246 , C . Watkins J . D . 1732 , G . A . JeSreys 2024 , W . W . Lee P . M . 1897 , T . Crampton , E . Dale , S . Tomkins , W . Yeo , J . Wynman , and several others . The Lodge having been opened , the minutes read and confirmed , and preliminary business disposed of , the W . M . vacated the ohair in favour of Bro . C . T . Brown P . M .

Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , who acted as D . C , presented Bro . Geo . Weaver for the benefit of installation , and a Board of Masters having been formed Bro . Weaver was inducted into the chair of K . S . and saluted , after which he proceeded to invest his Officers , as follow : C . E . Lilley S . W ., W . Busby J . W ., J . Welford P . M . Treas ., S . B . Walker P . M . Sec , H . H . Bagnall S . D ., E . Thomas J . D ., F . Beesley I . G ., C . A . Cottebrune P . M . P . G . P . D . C , P . Wheeler A . D . C , B . B . Hopkins Org ., C . Halston and G . Goddard Stewards , S . Ellin P . M . Tyler .

Knowing by experience the ability of the Worshipful Master we were not surprised to hear the Officers invested in an impressive and faultleis manner . Great compliment is also due to Past Master Brown , who was unexpectedly called upon to perform the ceremony of installation , and rendered it without the slightest hitch or hesitation . We also congratulate the Brethren of the Westbourne Lodge on having such an excellent worker among their Past Masters .

The W . M . presented to his predecessor in the chair Bro . F . Wortham a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , on behalf of the members of the Lodge , the gift being briefly acknowledged . The labours of the evening being ended the W . M . received hearty good wishes from the visitors , and the Lodge was closed , the company adjourning to the banqueting room , where one of those excellent dinners was provided for which the establishment is so famous .

After the Brethren had done justice to the bountiful supply provided , the W . M . proceeded to honour the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts . That of the Grand Officers was responded to by Bro . Cottebrune , who cordially acknowledged the fraternal goodwill expressed towards the Officers of Grand Lodge in general . The I . P . M . Bro . Wortham , in proposing the health of the W . M ., said

that the able manner in which Bro . George Weaver had invested his Officers was sufficient proof that he would make a perfect ruler in the Lodge . He was sure Bro . Weaver would not require much assistance , and he wished him a prosperous year of office . He took the opportunity to sincerely thank the Officers for the great assistance they had rendered him during his term of office .

The toast was enthusiastically received , as was Bro . Weaver when he rose to respond . He thanked the I . P . M . for his good wishes , and the Brethren for receiving the toast in such a cordial manner . He was proud , honoured and gratified to be the Worshipful Master of the Westbourne Lodge , and could honestly boast of having always endeavoured to discharge faithfully whatever duties had been entrusted to him . He would do his level best to give satisfaction during his year of office , and so gain their approval , and merit the esteem and good feeling of the Brethren of the Lodge .

The . W . M . next proposed the health of the I . P . M . Bro . Wortham , also that of the Installing Master Bro . Brown , saying that the I . P . M . had done his best during his year of office . He thanked Bro . Brown for having honoured him by installing him in so faultless and perfect a manner . He was proud of having him as one of the Past Masters of the Lodge ; the way in which he had been installed was a credit to the acting Master and to the Lodge .

Bro . Brown P . M . thanked the W . M . for his kind remarks . He was pleased to have installed Bro . Weaver , knowing that he would make an excellent ruler of the Lodge . He wished him a prosperous term of office . Bro . Wortham I . P . M . also thanked the W . M . for his kind remarks , and likewise Bro . Brown , for having performed the installation . Any assistance he could render he would be most happy to afford . He felt the W . M . looked very comfortable in the chair , and he hoped he would continue so during his year ' s Mastership .

The next toast the W . M . had very much pleasure to give was that of the health of Bro . Smith , who was initiated at the previous meeting . By the strict attention he had paid to the ceremony on that occasion , the W . M . felt sure their new Brother would make a worthy Mason among them . Bro . Smith most sincerely thanked the W . M . for his kindness , and was

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RoyalMasonicInstitutionforGirls. Offices5Freemasons'Hall,GreatQueenStreet,London,W.C. Chief Patroness—HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN . Grand Patron and President— H . R . H . THE FRINGE OF WALES , K . G ., & c , M . W . G . M . Grand Patroness—H . R . H . THE PRINCESS OF WALES . Bankers— LONDON & AVESTMINSTER BANK , L ^ B RANCH ) , HIGH HOLBORN , W . C . 19 UI Girls hatte been provided vtiith \ Education , Clothing , and Maintenance , the full number of Girls hovQ receiving its benefits being 265 . The i nth Anniversary Festivii will ! take place on ioth May next , under the distinguished Presidency of THE RIGHT HON . VISCOUNT DUNGARVAN , D . L ., R . W . PROV . G . M . SOMERSET . The names of Brethren trilling to serine as Stewards are earnestly solicited . F . JR .. W . HEDGES , Secretary , 5 FREEMASONS' HALL , LONDON , W . C . Registered Office Telegraphic Address : " Girlands , London . " Telephone No . 2952 Gerrard .