Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of onr 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 .

MASONIO FACTS AND FICTIONS . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHKONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I have carefully read and re-read Bro . Henry Sadler's work , entitled " Masonic Facts and Fictions , " but whilst heartily acknowledging ita general value and accuracy , I am quite nnable to accept his theory of the origin of the " Anoients . "

To my mind , the evidence he submits does not , in any way , invalidate the statement recorded by Dermott in the Becords of his Grand Lodge ( and doubtless confirmed by the Brethren in due course ) on 6 th Deo . 1752 , that as the "Ancient Craft was not suffered to be revived or practised , " it was " for this reason so many

of them withdrew from Lodges ( nnder the Modern sanction ) to sup . port the true Ancient , system . " The ¦ natwnaliti / of the original Schismatics is one thing , their origin being qnite another . I , for one , belong to the class that Bro . Sadler is pleased to term " the most sceptical , " and cannot accept

his dictum that the secession story was a combination of ignorance and malice , and nnworthy of credence , " becanse my researches tend in precisely an opposite direction . Holding the opinion Bro . Sadler does of those who differ from him , with every respect for his valuable labours on behalf of our beloved Society , I must decline discussing the subject with him . Yours faithfully and fraternally , VV . J . HUGHAN . Torquay , 24 th Jan . 1889 .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

KING SOLOMON LODGE , No . 385 . AT the regular meeting , on Wednesday , 9 th instant , presided over by Bro . Hohert Eoy W . M ., afc fche Masonic Hall , Eed Lion Square , W . O ., Bro . Sir Philip Cnnliffe Owen and Bro . Dr . Richard Paramore were advanced to the honourable degree of Mark Master Mason . After fche Lodge fche brethren adjourned to 278 High Holborn , where an excellent vegetarian dinner was partaken of . The

members of this Lodge are all teetotalers , bufc , with the exception of the J . W ., nofc vegetarians ; they nevertheless expressed themselves well pleased with the repast . The usual Loyal and Masonic sentiments were heartily responded to , Bro . Edward Macbean R . W . M . Lodge 50 S . O ., Glasgow , replied on behalf of the visitors , and gave an interesting account of Masonry in Scotland .

MASONIC AFFAIRS IN ABERDEEN .

THE affairs of the Aberdeen City Province of Freemasons have for some time back been directed under tbe supervision of the Grand Lodge by a Committee of Masters from all the Lodges in the Province , bufc a new arrangement is now fco be enforced . On Tuesday last Lord Saltoun was installed as Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , and in future the Province will be governed by its

own officials . The ceremony was performed by the Mosfc Worship . fnl the Grand Master Mason of Scotland , Colonel Sir Archibald Campbell , of Blythswood , the Province being consecrated at three o ' clock , and fche installation taking place two hours later . In fche evening a banquet was held in the Imperial Hotel .

A Council of the Order of the Royal and Select Masters of England and Wales , the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown , will be opened in connection with the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of West Yorkshire , and it

has been arrauged to have the same consecrated at Leeds , on Monday next , at 4 * " 30 , when Lord Euston and several members of tho Grand Council will attend .

The members of the West Yorkshire Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons will hold a meeting at Doncaster , on Tuesday , 29 th inst ., at 2 * 30 p . m ., to consecrate tho Danum Lodge , No . 398 . The ceremony of consecration

will be performed by the R . W . Provincial Grand Master , assisted by Bros , the Earl of Fusion Grand Senior Warden , 0 . F . Matior P . O . W . Secretary of Mark Benevolent Fund , Rev . T . C . Smyth , D . D ., Past Grand Chaplain D . P . G . M ..,

Chas . H . Driver Grand Mas ( or O vet seer , Robert Berrid ge P . G . M . O . Grand D . of C , B . R . Bryant P . G . Standard Bearer , anl the Provincial Grand OHic * rs of Wesfc Yorkshire . Th * - c-cremony of installation will l : e performed b y Bro , C . F . Matter P . G . W .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

. v Toole ' s . —Good wine needs no bush , " and a play that haa already stood the test of 225 performances needs very little criticism to commend ifc to the notice of our readers . To pursue fche simile further , the good things in Mr . and Mrs . Herman Merrivale's successful comedy "The Don" have , like good wine , matured in the hands

of the artistes , until we have a highly finished representation of college life of the merriest description . Mr . J . L . Toole's impersonation of fche kindly hearted but sorely tried college tutor merits all the applause so cordially bestowed upon ifc , while the assistance rendered by bis excellent company is no less well deserved . Thus fche cynical

humour of the confirmed old bachelor , as presented by Mr . John Billingfcon ; fche homely landlady of fche " Bull and Mitre , " Miss Emily Thorne ; the captivating widow sparkle of Miss Kate Phillips , and the insouciance of the young collegians Horace and Lionel , are real pictures of unexaggerafced every day life . The two girls Dora and

Kitty are prettily portrayed by Miss Eva Moore aud Miss Wolseley , and the minor characters are all in experienced hands . There is nothing to mar a pleasant evening at this prefcfcy little house , except fche " harpy system , " complaints against which were loud and frequent on the occasion of our visit , and we cannot but express our surprise thafc so genial a manager as Mr . Toole should allow ifc to continue .

Myddelton Hall . —A most enjoyable evening ' s entertainment was provided by a rising young artist , Bro . R . Henri Goddard , on the occasion of his Fourth Annual Dramatic Recifcal , on the 14 th inst . Bro . Goddard , the son of a popular and respected member of the Craffc , has , on more than one occasion , proved himself a thorough

master of the Histrionic Art , and whether engaged in making his audience laugh or making them cry , he is equally at home . This was distinctly shown on the occasion under notice ; piece after piece was given with but one result , and that a successful one . Brother Goddard ' s rendering of " Early Rising" was intensely humorous ,

while " The Captain ' s Daughter" was delivered wifch suoh feeling and true pathos that the reciter thoroughly carried his audience with him . We have especially mentioned these two pieces as examples of Bro . Goddard ' s ability , but all his efforts met with equal approval and praise . During the evening Madame Annie Williams sang , wifch

marked success ; and Miss Amy Florence rendered , with pleasing result , " Le Carnival-de-Venice , " and the ever-welcome " Home , Sweet Home . " Mr . G . 0 . Richardson was the accompanist , while Sir Julius Benedict accompanied Bro . Goddard in one of his recitals . In conclusion , we trust we may have the pleasure of hearing Bro . Goddard on future occasions .

THE ICE CARNIVAL . —Arrangements have jusfc been completed for the holding of a great society fete , to be known as " The Ice Carnival , " in the Eoyal Albert Hall and Conservatory , on behalf of the Wesfc End Hospital for Paralysis , which is under the patronage of the Princess of Wales . The dates fixed are 14 fch , 15 th , 16 th March , and

the fete will represent winter scenes and festivities in various countries . Each of the scenes will be carried out with nearest possible approach to realism , and will include the games , sports , and pastimes of the different nationalities . The general effect of ice and snow everywhere , added to the variety of the scenes and costumes , all

bid fair to realize an altogether novel and pretty picture . Sevei * al well known ladies have consented to preside at the different stalls . Mr . William Whiteley has kindly undertaken the necessary works and preparations , ancl Mr . D'Arcy de Ferrars ( " ye Master of ye Bevels " ) has been appointed general manager , and who may be communicated wifch at the Royal Albert Hall , Kensington .

We are glad to hear that Miss Grace Hawthorne is slowly recover , ing her health , and there is now every reason to hope that sho will be able , in the course of a few weeks , to join Mr . Wilson Barrett in the cast ; of " Now-a-Days . " New scenery is being specially painted ,

and new costumes made , for the production of " Hamlet , " on Monday , fche 28 fch instant , the booking for which already exceeds the expectations of the management . " Hands across the Sea , " continues to draw crowded houses .

A correspondent of the Bazaar asked the Editor for somo information about Freemasonry , and the following judicious

reply appears in our contemporary : — " Freemasonry is not a benefit society ; ifc offers no pecuniary advantages whatever ; its benefits are purely intellectual , social and moral . This should be clearly understood by all who would be Masons . Tho objects of Freemasonry are : To diffusa a knowledge of

the secrets preserved amongst Freemasons , and fco promote brotherly love , relief , and truth . Tho mode of admission is by initiation . Freemasonry is generally diffused over the earth , and ifc has no hea 1-qnarters ; bufc , as far as the United Graud Lodgo of England is concorned , its headquarters may bo said to be Freemasons' Hall , Great

Queen-sfcroet , London . Provincial Grand Lodges usually migrate from one to another , and are held under the banners of the respective Lodge or Lodges of fche town they visit-, an 1 the town in which the Proviuoial Lodge meets is tho headquarters for the time being . The fees vary iu different Lodges . By the Hook of Cuu-ititu . t * , ious , the

Jos . !? ; , -urn allowed to be charged is three guineas , oxcep : in the caso of a serving brother . As a rule , the initiation fee is about ten guineas ; this includes registration and Grand Lodge certificate , bnfc not Masonic clothing , whioh costs two or three guineas more . Tho annual subscription to the Lodge is two g-. muvis or up . vard ? ,

ficeordiiii * ' to tho by-laws , ^ o man shmld offer liiunolf m a candidate nnleas hois well able to pay t-io l-us and ejoiributiuns without injury to himself or his ootiiioutious , and also to imbscribe to the various Masonic Charities , an ** , above all , his a ddiiro f a * knowledge and a sincere wish to r-.-n J or himio . i . ' mote extensively iisui ' ul bo his follow creature ;? . "