Original Correspondence.

Now , Sir , speaking on behalf of some 30 or more members of No . 656 , who never in any way countenanced , but at all times opposed the tactics adopted by the few who took possession of , and now detain our charter , I can safely say that the Cambrian Lodge of Australia will long retain its allegiance to its Mother Grand Lodge , unlass that Mother decides that the daughter must cease to pay her

allegiance . We are now the only English lodge in existence in New Sou'h Wales ; but through the conduct of two or three of our late members , in handing over our charter to a ( at that time ) foreign and unrecognised body , and which body we believe

at the present time improperly holds our charter , though repeatedly applied to for its return , we are unable to meet and make Masons at present . When we do recommence work we feel sure that English Masonry will shine in S > dney as bright as in days of old . — Yours fraternally ,

CAMBRIAN LODGE OF MJSTRALIA , No . 656 ( E . C . ) SYDNEY . ELECTION OF MEMBERS FOR THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Is it not contrary to the Regulations , the issuing of circulars , cards , & c , such as is being done by certain

candidates for the above office ? I certainly think it is a practice that should be done away with . If I recollect right it was spoken of two years ago , and I trust some member of Grand Lodge will take the matter up on Wednesday , June the 5 th . —I am , yours fraternally and faithfully , W . M .

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

OFFICIAL DIRECTORY OF THK PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CORNWALL . This useful compilation is in its iSth year of publication , having been started in 1 S 70 . Bro . Hughan , who originated the plan and has been editor from its commencement to the present time , has furnished for collectors the dates of all the series . The Directory is now in its fourth volume ,

the years 1 S 72 and iSSt naving been omitted from 1 S 70 to l 8 Sg . The " Devon and Cornwall Masonic Calendar , " edited by the same brother for four years , thus dates back his editorial experience to 1 S 65-S . We have often explained the method followed in the preparation of this Provincial Calendar , so that there is no need to again note the matter . Suffice it to say that there is no

lack of information relative to the Cornish Craft , cither as respects the personnel of the Province , or its statistical position . There are 30 lodges under the genial rule of the Right Hon . theEarlof Mount Edgcumbe , Prov . G . M ., and according to the Table of Returns , 187 S-1 SSS , there have been six years when the numbers of members were larger . The total now is 1506 , the votes for the Charities

not averaging quite one to each brother . There is no lack , therefore , of work to do in this direction by Bro . G . B . Pearce , the Secretary of the Cornwall Masonic Charity Association , about which excellent Society , and others , . the editor supplies a list of very interesting details . Copies may be had of Bro . T . Gill ( Prov . Asst . G . Sec ) , Aurti'in ^ er , Pfnrvn , Cornwall , at sixpence each .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

S 41 J fcAKLY FRENCH MASONS IN ENGLAND . I have recently noticed that one of the early English lodges in which Frenchmen tonk a definite part met at the "Crown and Sceptres , " St . Martin ' s-lane , in 1725 . The lodge was originally constituted at the " Blue Posts " in

Holborn on 27 th March , 1724 , removing to the " Crown and Sc < ptres , " in St . Martin's-lane , in 1725 . ( It was numbered 27 in 1725 , and erased in 1745 . ) The first edition of the Engraved List for 1725 describes the lodge as meeting on the " Second Saterd . French , last Monday , English . " This notification does not appear in the second edition . An

examination of the names of the members of this lodee in 1725 , as well as in 1731-2 , shows that about one third of them were Frenchmen . The reference in the Engraved List to a specific day for working in French ( for I assume that to be the correctsignification ) is the earliest of the kind I have met with . JNO . LANE .

Fourth City Masonic Benevolent Association.

FOURTH CITY MASONIC BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION .

A meeting of this Association ( which is connected with the Sincerity Lodge of Instruction , No . 174 ) took place at the Railway Tavern , Fenchurch-s-trect , on Monday , the 27 th ult . Present : Bros . J . Newton , President ; J . Ward

Verry , Treas . ; J . S . Fraser , L . C . Haslip , C . Lacey , H . Mayce , and C . H . Webb , members of the Committee : H . M . Hobbs , Secretary ; and others . The balance sheet for the first year of the society ' s operations was duly audited , showing that £ 267 10 s . 6 d .

had been collected , and 25 ballots for Life Governorships oi 10 guineas each had been obtained . The TREASURER having intimated thai he had sufficient in hand for six ballots , the following members drew ballots of 10 guineas each : Bros . A . Toulmin , H . J . Tippett , A . Adams , W . T . Abnett , C . E . Ferry , and T . Huntley .

The annual meeting of the Royal Geographical Society was held in the hall of the London University , Burlington House , on Monday , when the various medals for the year were awarded , and Memorial and other awards were made .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft Jlasotxr ^ HYDE PARK LODGE ( No . 1425 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at The Westbourne , Craven-road , Paddington , on the 2 nd ult ., when there were present Bros . J . R . Allman , W . M . ; C . A . Bond , S . W . ; A . C . Stephens , J . W . ; W . Langridge , Treas . ; G . Read , P . M ., Sec : J . Hutchings , S . D . ; C . Coleman , J . D . ; A . Barrodell , I . G . : I . H . Dew , Org .: W . Craig , P . M . ;

J . Mickelburgh , P . M . ; W . H . Chalfont , P . M . ; J . Whitehead , P . M . ; S . Sims . P . M . ; D . F . Gellion , P . M . ; James Stevens , P . M . ; Durbin , Jackman , Howe , Huntley , Woodman , Cruttenden , Edridge , Hayes , Chappie , Churchman , Smith , Rosenberg , Grant , Morrell , and Barrow , Visitors : Bros . Barclay , W . M . 176 7 ; Boswell , P . M . 1559 ; Freeman , l . D . 1767 ; Barfield , P . G . Treas . ; Dehane ,

P . M . 1543 , P . P . S . G . D . Essex ; Walter , P . M . S 65 ; Ross , 1744 ; Ao . amson , P . M . 202 , P . P . S . G . W . Kent ; Whitehead , 1446 ; Ward , 1744 ; Duke , 753 ; Hollands , 2030 ; Duke , 733 ; and Cordingley , P . M . 45 . Ihe lodge was opened , and the minutes of last lodge and lodge of emergency read and confirmed . Bro . Edridge was raised , and Bro . Bond was presented for installation .

A Board of Installed Masters was formed , and Bro . Bond was duly placed in the chair of K . S . The W . M . then invested his officers as follows : Bros . A . C . Stephens , S . VV . J . Hutchings , J . W . ; W . Langridge , Treas . ; G . Read , P . M ., Sec ; C . Coleman , S . D . ; Barrodell , J . D . ; J . Dew , I . G . ; J . Stephens , P . M ., D . C ; J . Wyndow , A . D . C .: and Gullick , Tyler .

After " Hearty good wishes , " the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a banquet . TheW . M . gave "The Oueen and the Craft , and the G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . " Then followed " The Pro . G M ., the D . P . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " Bro . Batfield , P . G . Treas ., in responding , congratulated

the W . M . on the continued prosperity of the lodge , and also said the Grand Officers weie always ready at ail times to do all they could to further the interests of Freemasonry . Bro . Allman then , in very felicitous terms , proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " and promised should he require assistance that he would give him his hearty support , bu : was sure he would require little , if any , as he had

always performed his duties so satisfactorily since he had belonged to the lodge . The toast was received with considerable applause . Bro . Bond , in replying , said it would be his greatest ambition to give satisfaction and to leave the chair with their hearty good wishes and esteem , and he would do his utmost to keep up the reputation of the lodge , and

concluded by proposing the toast of "The I . P . M ., Bro , Allman , " who had so ably discharged the duties of W . M . during the past year as to have gained the affection and esteem of all the brethren by his affability to one and all . Hi then , on their behalf , fastened the beautiful jewel of the lodge to his breast , and also presented him with a Past Master ' s collar and jewel , which the brethren had procured

\ and handed him to invest him with as an extra mark of the esteem they held him in . He thanked Bro . Allman for his kindness and the able manner he had installed him that evening , and trusted he might have his assistance and active cooperation during his year of office , and wished him and his family many years of health and happiness . Bro . Allman , l . P . M ., in reply , said that when the

brethren did him the honour to elect him as W . M . he promised them he would do his best to maintain the prestige of the lodge . For the past 12 months he had been working to that end , and had devoted his time and attention to carrying on the business of the lodge and rendering the ceremonies in an efficient and proper manner . He was gratified to find from the kind expressions which had fallen from the W . M . and

brethren that his labour had not been in vain , and his efforts had been amply rewarded by the kindness and support he at all times received from them . He had to thank them most sincerely for the very handsome jewel they had presented him with ; handsome as it was and much as he should always prize it , it was still more precious to him knowing it carried with it the goodwill and esteem

of all the brethren , and coming from his first love in Freemasonry , the Hyde Park Lodge . He also thanked them most heartily for the collar and jewel they had presented him with , which he valued all the more as being the private gift of the brethren . The proceedings of that evening must have been very encouraging to those brethren who were wot king towards that chair which he had that evening

vacated , proving to them that their efforts would always be gratefully recognised by the brethren of the lodge . He expressed his gratitude for the enthusiastic manner in which they received the toast of his health , and trusted they would extend to his successor the same support and confidence he had always enjoyed . They were all animated by that spirit of brotherly love and unity which should

always exist amongst Freemasons . He trusted the lodge would go on and prosper more and more , and assured the brethren his best services were always at their disposal . The toast of "The Visitors" followed , Bro . Bond Welcoming them heartily , and said the lodge was always pleased to have visitors among them . Several of those present that evening were eminent Masons , and well

known to the majority of the brethren . Bro . Adamson , in a fluent speech , congratulated the W . M . on his accession to office and in having officers that performed their duties so perfectly , and was sure there was a bright future for the Hyde Park Lodge . Bro . Dehane endorsed the words that had fallen from so able and hard-working a brother , whom he had known for some years as the representative ot the Province of Kent

at the elections , and trusted that the officers and brethren would continue to avail themselves of the oppoitunity of " officers' night " at the lodge of instruction , and continue to merit such words of praise for the working as had just been btstowed upon them by Bro . Adamson . Bro . Ross also added his testimony of praise as to the working of the lodge , and added theW . M ., whom he had known for years , would add lustre to the already noted lodge .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Bro . Gilston Holland said he had known the W . M . for many years , and congratulated him upon having attained the chair , which he was sure , from the manner he had performed the duties so far , he would fill with credit to himself , the lodge , and Freemasonry in general , a .,, } thanked him for his invitation and the unbounded hospitality he had received . Bros . Walter , Dr . Duke , and Cordingley also responded

The Past Masters " followed , responded to by Bros . Whitehead , Gellion , J . Stevens , Read , and Chalfont . " The Officers " was responded to by the S . W ., Bro . A . C . Stephens , and Bto . Langridge , Treasurer . The Tyler's toast concluded the evening . Songs and recitations by Bros . Bond , Allman , Chalfont Read , Gellion , and Stephens added much to the harmony of the meeting .

HENRY MUGGERIDGE LODGE ( No . 16 79 ) . —This lodge held its installation meeting on Saturday last at the Masons' Hall Tavern , Coleman-street . The lod ge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . James Thomas Penney and the ordinary business of the lodge was then proceeded with . Bro . Alfred Allengame was raised to the Sublime

Degree of M . M ., the ceremony being performed in a masterly style by Bro . Penney . The names of two gentlemen , Mr . Richard Russell and Mr . A . F . Moore were entered on the summons as candidates for initiation but as unfortunately both were prevented by unforeseen circumstances from being present , all the relative proceedings , including the ballot , were postponed ' until next

meeting . At the conclusion of the work , Bro . J . T . Penney W . M ., vacated the chair , and requested Bro . James ' Terry , P . G . S . B ., to assume it and perform the ceremony of installation , and then proceeded to present the W . M , elect , Bro . Thomas Underwood , S . W ., to receive at his hands the benefit of installation . Bro . Terry then addressed the assembled brethren upon the subject of the

periodical election and insolation of lodge Masters , and then obligated Bro . Underwood as W . M . elect . A Board of Installed Masters was formed , in whose presence Bro . Underwood was duly installed by Bro . Terry into the chair of K . S . The new W . M . was then saluted and congratulated , and the Board of Installed Masters was closed . The W . M . invested Bro . Penney as I . P . M ., and requested

Bro . Terry to invest the officers of the lodge , which he did . The list for the ensuing year is as follows : Bros . S . W . Reddall , S . W . ; Clarke , J . W . ; Scriven , P . M ., Treas , ; Sachs , P . M ., Sec ; Boyce , S . D . ; Hembrow , J . D . ; Woodthorpe , I . G . ; Salmon , P . M ., D . C . ; Arnold , P . M ., Stwd . ; Elstobb , Org . ; and Marsh , Tyler . Bro . Penney , I . P . M ., proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . Terry for having

so readily and in so able a manner officiated as Installing Master in the absence of Bro . Scriven , their Treasurer , who usually performed the ceremony . The motion having been seconded , was carried unanimously . Bro . Terry acknowledged the compliment , saying that when he received a letter from their Secretary , asking him in the name of Bro . Henry Muggeridge , whom he had known for

some nine-and-twenty years , to come and perform the ceremony , he at once acquiesced , as it was his duty as a Mason Jo do . He admitted that he had attended at some persdnal inconvenience , as it was his birthday , and his children and brothers and sisters were waiting for him at home to commemorate the day in a family gathering . Under the circumstances he hoped the brethren would excuse him

from remaining for the banquet , which he could not do without detriment to himself and his connections . The W . M . then rose , and addressing Bro . Penney , said that it was his pleasing duty to present him with a P . M . 's jewel , voted to him by the lodge , and the pleasure he had in investing him with that decoration was enhanced by the knowledge acquired , by having seen the admirable manner

in which Bro . Penney had discharged the duties of Master during Mie _ past year , that the compliment which the lodge had paid him was thoroughly well deserved . Bro . Penney having briefly made his acknowledgments , then proposed that leave be asked of the M . W . G . M . for the lodge to remove from its present quarters , and to meet for the future at Anderton's Hotel .

1 he proposition was seconded , and on being put to the meeting was carried , there being only one dissentient . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren re-assembled at the festive board , and did ample justice to an excellent dinner .

"The Queen and the Craft" was , of course , the first toast , and equally , of course , was enthusiastically drunk , and greeted with a hearty fire . A similar reception was accorded to " The Health of the Grand Master . " "The Health of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " called forth a few remarks from the W . M ., who said that in Grand Lodge the Craft possessed a Grand Council of

Masters , Past Masters , and Wardens , including a number of eminent and devoted Freemasons , who had dedicated a vast amount of time and trouble , and no small measure of material help , in promoting the well-being of the Craft . He had been present on a recent occasion , when the D . P . G . M . of the Isle of Man had invested Bros . Lord George Hamilton , Sir John Gorst , and Edward Terry , their recently

elected Grand I reasurer , and it was greatly impressed upon him how truly men of every rank in life became brothers on the floor of a Masonic lodge . Like its predecessors , this toast was very heartily received by the brethren . Bro . Penney , the I . P . M ., then proposed the toast of the evening— " The Health of their Newly-installed Master . "

Bro . Underwood , he said , was above all things anxious that the brethren should enjoy themselves on that occasion . He would be sorry if any one should go away dissatisfied , but he felt confident that it would be the fault of the brethren themselves if they went empty away . They had known their Master for many years , and they knew he was well qualified for the chair . He was very pleased to think

that the W . M . would have three initiates at their next meeting . Bro . Underwood had gone through all the offices in the lodge , and had at length attained the chair of K . S ., which he was so well fitted to adorn . In reply , the W . M . said that it was the first time he had either there or elsewhere had the opportunity of returning thanks for that toast , because he was not a P . M . He

hoped that in due time all the brethren of the lodge would arrive at the same honourable position . It was now nine or ten years ago that he sat on the right of the W . M . He had then said as it was the first so it would be the last time that he would occupy that position ; and he ( Bro . Underwood ) had wondered how long a period would elapse before heshould occupy the Master's chair . Now that he had