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 .

THE GRAND MASTER'S WORK .

To the Editor of tho FREEMASON s CHRONicr . *** :. DEAR SIB AND BBOTHEB , —I was somewhat surprised on reading in your pages the paragraph from "Modern Society , " as to the Prince of Wales's work in years gone by in the laying of foundation stone i . Surprise because it seemed to me the bantering spirit in which it was written was anything but complimentary to our Grand Master but , following the advice you have lately given , to look carefully at both sides of the subject , I have come to the conclusion that the paragraph is really a compliment in disguise .

Let us suppose that the suggestion of the writer was carried into effect , and a monument made of stones similar in measurement to those the Prince of Wales has "laid " in the course of his career , what would be the size of the memorial ? I fancy it would be enormous , and as such would represent an amount of hard work few give our Prince credit for accomplishing , for I can hardly believe any one who was fair upon the point would refer to a stone

laying function as anything but " work " for the principal performer . It may be very light work , but if one takes into consideration tha probable long railway journey it entailed , the excitement of a public appearance , the speech making , and the other necessary adjuncts it must really be a very trying matter , and recognising it as such I am converted to the opinion that the erection of the proposed monument would he a great compliment .

I may now touch upon the suggestion of the writer that a copy of the menu of the substantial lunch or dinner which followed these different ceremonies should be placed on the side of the respective stones ; that I suppose is intended as the " sting " of the item , but even if it were done I do not see it would bring any discredit on the Prince , but might rather , on the contrary , cause sympathy for His Royal Highness , who probably entertains the same opinion of public dinners as I and many others do—votes them an awful nuisance , only tolerated because it is quite English , you know , to have a feast in association with any and every , celebration .

I an one of those who think the Prince of Wales ably fills the high position in which fortune has placed him , and I must say my feelings were somewhat assailed when I read the paragraph I refer to . Yours fraternally , LOYALTY .

THE POLICE A * ND * MASONIC MEETINGS .

To the Editor of the FBEEMASON ' CHBOMCLE . DEAB SIB , —I hope you . will allow me to challenge the remarks ol " CO . A . ! ' under this heading , in your issue of the 13 th inst ., as I do not believe it would . be any advantage to Freemasonry if Lodge meetings at Hotels or other licensed premises were discontinued and such gatherings only held at " suitable Lodge rooms or Temples " belonging to the Brethren themselves .

Freemasons Lodges are not held at such frequent intervals as are absolutely necessary to keep premises properly " aired , " if I may so put it ; besides which it seems to me a waste of capital to sink it in the erection of a building only , required perhaps about a dozen times a year , or , if two or three Lodges use the same quarters probably twenty or thirty times at the outside . One result is that the Masonic Hall may bo looked upon as suitable

Correspondence.

quarters for a Masonic Club , and I do not think that feature a desirable one to encourage . Clubs , whether Masonic , political , or , indeed , any other , aro very apt to be abused , and it is usual to give all the discredit under such circumstances to tho " cause " to which the Club is attached . For instance , any trouble that arises at a Masonic Club is almost necessarily put down to the account of Freemasonry , jnst as the evils of card playing and betting are

associated with politics , because the political Club sometimes provides the means of indulging in the one or the other . I am quite prepared to admit there are advantages in having a Masonic Hall for Lodge meetings , but with very few exceptions iny experience is that the disadvantages far outweigh them , and , provided that well regulated establishments are selected , there is little or nothing to complain of in holding Masonic meetings on licensed premises .

I do think , however , that the power possessed by the police , to enter Masonic meetings so held , at any time , is somewhat arbitrary , but it has been so seldom exercised in the past as to be virtually unknown . May we not , therefore , comfortably rest in the hope that it will be the same in years to come . Yours fraternally , S . H .

One of the most enjoyable concerts ever given at llfracombe was that on the 18 th inst ., in aid of the Devon Masonic Charities . An appreciative audience filled the large hall of the llfracombe Hotel , and the Masonic clothing of local and district Brethren added variety to the surroundings . Bro . J . T . Gardner organised the concert , and the instrumental items were one more tribute to his scholariness . A dance followed the concert .

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Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . Offices—5 Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , London ; W . C . Chief Patroness . —KE ~ R MAJESTY THE QUEEN . Grand Patron and President . — -H . E . H . THE PKINCE OF WALES , K . G ., & c , M . W . G . M . Grand Patroness . —R . ^ . H . THE PKINCESS OF WALES . Bankers . —LONDON & WESTMINSTER BANK L TD . ( BLOOMSBURY BRANCH ) , HIGH HOLBORN , W . C . THE 109 th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL will take place on Wednesday , 12 th May next , under the distinguished presidency of THE RIGHT HON . LORD LLANGATTOCK , R . W . Prov . G . M . South Wales Eastern Division . * 1875 Girls have been provided with Education , Clothing , and Maintenance , the full number of Girls now receiving its benefits being 287 . The Names of Brethren willing to serve as Stewards are very earnestly solicited . P . E . W . HEDGES , Secretary , 5 FREEMASONS' HALL , LONDON ,- W . O .