Original Correspondence.

AN ACTING MASTER'S RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I should be g lad to have your interpretation of Rule iS 2 of the Book of Constitutions , which entitles " the Master in the chair to a second , or casting vote . " Does this privilege extend to any other brother ( a member of

the lodge ) than the Master , while presiding ? For instance , a lodge , in the absence of the Master , is being presided over by one of its Past Masters , and proceeds to elect a Master for the ensuing year . There are two candidates ( A and B ) for that office , and the votes for each arc equal .

The presiding officer gives a second , or casting , vote for A , and declares him duly elected . Is this legal ? I quite agree with many of your correspondents that our laws with reference to the ballot are rather vague , and the rule to which I have referred ought , I think , to be made more plain . —lam , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally ,

A BROTHER SEEKING MORE LIGHT . [ The Master in the chair , whether the W . M . in his own person , or an acting Master , undoubtedly exercises all the rights and privileges of the VV . Master , including , of course , that of giving a second or casting vote in necessary cases . -ED . F . M . ' i ' .

BRO . WOODFORD'S LIBRARY . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I would suggest to Bro . Speth that a Committee be formed to advise as to the means to be employed to acquire

Bro . Woodford's library , to present it to Grand Lodge under such conditions as might be determined on , as such a mine of Masonic lore should not be permitted to get dispersed , or allowed to leave the country . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , \ V . MACK 1 E .

Reviews

REVIEWS

THE INSTALLATION OF BRO . T . W . TEW , PROV . GRANDMASTER . By Bro . C . L . MASON , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W . Yorkshire . Our well-known Bro . C . L . Mason , at Leeds , has put forth a very seasonable and effective tractate in respect of the installation of our distinguished Bro . Tew as Provincial Grand Master . To this he has added an epitome of the provincial history of West Yorkshire—verv compact , lucid ,

and well done . West Yorkshire stands so well with the Craft , and is so much before it , alike in its outcome of Charity , work , and hospitality , that any history of its labours or reminder of its proceedings comes agreeably and opportunely hefore the brethren . We are indebted to Bro . Mason for what will become a very useful reference to past deeds and past worthies , bound up with the commendable labours of energy ot West Yorkshire Masonry , and

we feel quite sure that under Bro . Tew's auspices Masonry will not fall back or behind , but will help forward the good cause , as it has hitherto done , under the ready help of most distinguished brethren . Bro . few's heart is with Freemasonry , and he will never be wanting in anything that can conduce to the honour , comfort , and welfare of West Yorkshire . We thank Bro . Mason for an early sight of his carefully compiled work , and are glad to think it is likely to assume a permanent form .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

( Kraft fflasonru .

HIGH CROSS LODGE ( No . 754 ) . — The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday evening , the 25 th ult ., at the Seven Sisters' Hotel , Page Green , Tottenham . Bro . George Rowe , W . M ., presided , supported by his officers , there were also present P . Ms . Bros . J . Wells , J . Linzell ( P . Prov . G . D . C . Middlesex ) , T . Jones , W . Dance , H . Stephens , H . V . Clements , Jas . Garrod , W . M . Tegg , and E . G . Lewis , a large attendance

of members of the lodge , and the following visitors : Bros . A . Bryant , P . M . 1237 , P . Prov . G . J . D . Middx ., and H . B . May , 1237 . The minutes of the last meeting having been conlirmed , Bro . F . Vollerwas passed to the Second Degree , the W . M . performing the ceremony in an able manner . The election of W . M . for the ensuing year followed , the choice of the brethren falling unanimously upon the S . W .,

Bro . A . G . Fidler , P . M . 1237 , P . Prov . G . S . D . Middx ., who returned thanks for the high honour conferred upon him . Bro . Dance , P . M ., was unanimously re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . J . Very , Tyler . A handsome Past Master's jewel was unanimously voted to the retiring W . M ., Bro . Rowe , for his able services in the chair . After the appointment of the Audit Committee the lodge was closed

and the brethren adjourned for refreshment under the presidency of the W . M . The cloth having been removed , the usual ioyal and Masonic toasts were given from the chair and duly honoured . "The Health of the W . M . " and "The W . M . elect " respectively were cordially drunk and suitably acknowledged .

The toast of "The Past Masters " followed , Bro . Wells , the senior P . M ., responding . For "The Visitors , " Bros . Bryant , P . M ., and May replied , expressing their thanks for the kindness always extended to them , and the pleasure they felt at being present at the lodge that evening . Bro . W . Cooper , J . W ., returned thanks for "The Officers , " the proceedings being brought to a close with the Tyler's toast .

WEST SMITHFIELD LODGE ( No . 1623 ) . — The annual election meeting took place on the iCth ult ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Oueen-street , W . C . Bro . G . II . Stephens , the esteemed W . M ., opened the lodge

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

assisted by his Wardens , Bros . J . J . Howes and R . B . Greenwood , and a large number of visitors and brethren . The minutes of the previous' lodge meeting were unanimously adopted . Bro . Stevens was passed to the Second Degree , and Bro . Fleming raised to the Degree of M . M . Ballot was successfully taken for a gentleman for initiation . The election of W . M . for the ensuing year was then

proceeded with , which proved unanimous in favour of Bro . J . J . Howes , S . W ., the W . M . congratulated him as an initiate of the lodge following him ( the W . M . ) step by step from the humblest office in the lodge to the W . M . chair , each of which offices had been filled with credit to himself and the highest satisfaction to all the brethren of the lodge , and he was sure the brethren all united with him in wishing him a pleasant and prosperous year of office .

Bro . J . J . Howes , S . W ., acknowledged the W . M . ' s kind remarks and the confidence the brethren had reposed in him . Bros . W . Malthouse , P . M ., was elected Treasurer , and Smyth , Tyler . Bros . F . J . Rumball , A . W . Price , and G . C . Chatwin were elected Auditors . Masonic business being ended , the lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to the Holborn Restaurant fnr refreshment .

After dinner the usual Masonic toasts were honoured . Bro . T . McClure Butt , P . M ., then proposed that of "TheW . M ., " paying that brother high compliments for his very successful year of office . The Worshipful Master , in returning thanks , remarked that he owed his best congratulations to the officers of the lodge who had so ably assisted him , for without their aid

his successful year would have been greatly marred ; in all the lodges he had visited he had never seen any Master more ably supported than himself ; besides office rs they had lay members waiting for their turn of office , who at the present time were , so far as Masonic ability was concerned , quite capable of filling the Master ' s chair in any lodge equally with himself , therefore , with such an outlook before

them the West Smithfield Lodge had a bright future before them . During his year in the chair he had , with their unanimous consent , been able to send to two of the Charities ten guineas each , and he hoped that his successor would be ably supported and do likewise , for the true Masonic spirit lay in supporting their Charities . It had been his good fortune to twice represent the lodge at the

Festivals ; and also , as W . M . of the lodge , he had attended the Lodge of Benevolence , and could bear testimony to the excellent working of those Institutions . No deserving case ever left the Board of Benevolence unrewarded . He assured them it would do the heart good for any of them to see for themselves what had been his good fortune to sec at those Institutions , he , therefore , begged them to

qualify themselves to be members on the various Boards of our Charities . He had to thank them from his heart for the reception given to the toast , he trusted the G . A . O . T . U . would long spare him to attend and assist at the deliberations of the West Smithfield Lodge . The Worshipful Master next proposed the toast of "The Visitors , " and said it was always pleasant to have them .

They had amongst them that evening some very able workers in the Craft , and to name them he found they were honoured with the presence of Bros . T . H . Baker , S . W . 12 G 0 ; Isaac Charlton , W . M . 1259 ; Frederick Walters , P . M . 1309 , P . P . G . D . Middx . ; F . Knight , S . W ., W . M . elect 1326 ; D . W . Nash , 19 O 2 ; and J . J . Marsh , W . M . 132 C . He could assure those visiting brethren that the

brethren of the West Smithfield Lodge tendered them their cordial greeting . They were always glad to have visitors with them at their meetings . He could only see two of their visitors now with them , Bros . Baker and Charlton , he would couple those names with the toast . Bro . Charlton , in response for himself , expressed the gratification at the reception accorded him . He owed the

pleasure to Bro . A . W . Price , at whose invitation he came , and could assure that brother he would accept another invite at his pleasure . He begged to thank them all for the welcome given him , and wished to enter his testimony to the excellent working of the lodge . Bro . Baker desired to endorse the observations of Bro . Charlton , and was pleased to hear that , while the brethren

of the West Smithfield Lodge full y enjoyed themselves , they did not forget those noble Charitable Institutions . The distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason ' s heart was Charity , inculcated from the first step in Freemasonry . The worthy brother dilated extensively on the good of those Institutions , and trusted to see the West Smithfield Lodge always represented at the Festivals . The open-hearted

reception he had received that evening led him to hope that it was not the last time of visiting them . To the toast of " The Past Masters" Bro . T . McButt responded . The Worshi p ful Master next proposed that of " The Officers , " naming them individually , but more especially

referring to Bro . j . J . Howes , S . W ., W . M . elect , to whom he offered his warm congratulations on his unanimous election to fill the chair he was about to vacate . He believed every officer and member would rally round him and give him that support he so deservedly merited from their hands . For himself he promised him his hearty co-operation during his year of office , and wished him a happy and successful

. Bio . Howes , in response , thanked the W . M . for his hearty good wishes and promised support , which he fraternally accepted . He felt in accepting the important duties of W . M . he had the generous support of them all . He had filled every office in the lodge to his present position with satisfaction , and they might feel assured that he would

make his year of office one of pleasure to them all , and bugged to thank them for the officers' toast . Bros . Mallett , Sec ; Greenwood , J . W . ; Rumball , W . S . ; and Roberts , Asst . Stwd ., also responded . Songs were given at intervals during the banquet , accomler

panied by Bro . E . Roberts on the piano , and the Ty ' s toast brought a pleasurable evening to a close . Before the closing of lodge , Bro . G . II . Stephens , the W . M ., was unanimously voted a 10 guinea jewel , as a reward for his distinguished services to the lodge during his year of office .

THE ABBEY LODGE ( No . 2030 ) . —An emergency meeting of this flourishing lodge was held at the Westminster Town Hall , on Monday , the 20 th ult ., under the presidency of Bro . W . H . Baker , VV . M . The officers present were Bros . F . Seager Hunt , S . W . ; W . Sugg , J . W . ; J . F . Warrington Rogers , Treas . ; J . E . Shand , Sec ; H . B . Spink , acting I . P . M . ; J . Gibson , I . G . ; R . F-. II . Coffin , D . C ; II . Mainwaring Uunstan , A . D . C ;

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

C . C . Piper , W . S . ; G . Wheeler , A . W . S . ; and Rev . R . ] . Simpson , Chaplain . These were assisted by Bros . T . Bull , Jones , P . M . ; and Beazley , P . M . The following brethren were also present : Bros . J . M . Burt , H . O . Hamboig , J . Hayler , C . Sweeting , T . Davies , H . Hambling , R . Baughan , J . Kent , J . Pain , H . Brinkmann , C . Davies , R . Wake , K . D . Wynne , T . Rintoul , T .

Holder , T . J . White , H . Roach , J . M . Hughes , B . Genner , D . Stroud , J . Balchin , A . F . Jeffery , W . G . Holland , J . D . Dick , A . W . Thompson , Sydney Hodges , Z . A . Berry , G . Cookson , A . W . Hillier , T . Butler , J . A . Richards , J . S . Manley , VV . Lloyd , T . Flury , A . Simner , G . White , F . B . Wyatt , G . Dexter , VV . Bonwick , J . Eisdell Salway , H . Cloots , J . Hawkins , A . Talbot , H . II .

Bridgeman , J . Vaughan , W . E . Wood , R . Olivers , and others . The following Past Grand Officers were also present : Bros . Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., and R . Turtle Pigott , P . G . D . C . The lodge having been duly opened by the W . M ., three brethren were passed to the Second Degree , Bro . Bull acting acting as S . W ., and Bros . Gibspn and Dunstan as

Deacons . Mr . Joshua Hawkins and Mr . J . Eisdell Salway were unanimously elected as candidates for initiation , and were duly admitted into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry , the ceremony being most impressively and accurately performed by the W . M . The W . M ., before rising , presented the acting I . P . M ., Bro . H . Bowman Spink , with a jewel , which had been voted

at the last meeting , in acknowledgment of the services rendered by him as the acting I . P . M . during the first year of the lodge . Bro . Spink thanked the brethren for their appreciation of the services he had rendered , and said he should always be pleased to do everything in his power to promote the interests of the lodge . The ceremony having concluded , the lodge was closed in

ancient form . At the conclusion of the lodge the brethren proceeded to Holly Lodge , Highgate , the residence of Bro . Burdett-Coutts , the I . P . M . On arriving at the grounds , being joined by several other brethren who had been unable to attend lodge , they were received by the Baroness Burdett-Coutts and her husband . Bro . W . H . Baker , W . M ., then , in the name of the

brethren , presented the Baroness with a handsome gold brooch , consisting of the jewel of the lodge , beautifully wrought in enamel , and having the following inscription on the back : "A token of affection from the brethren of the Abbey Lodge , Westminster , No . 2030 , July 20 th , 1 SS 5 . " The Baroness was visibly affected by the remarks of the W . M ., and thanked the brethren in most feeling terms for

their kind present , which she said would always be treasured by her . The members of the lodge were subsequently entertained at dinner , Bro . Burdett-Coutts presiding . After the usual loyal toasts , the Chairman proposed " Prosperity to the Abbey Lodge , " coupled with the name of its W . M ., Bro . W . H . Baker , who responded in suitable terms , and

stated that the lodge now consisted of 90 members . Bro . F . Seager Hunt proposed " The Health of Bro . Burdett-Coutts , and Bro . H . Bowman Spink that of " The Baroness , " both of which the Chairman acknowledged . The party left about n o ' clock , after spending a most enjoyable time .

KINGSTON . —Grove Lodge ( Xo . 410)—This ancient lodge held its fourth regular meeting for the current season at the Sun Hotel , on Saturday , the 25 th ult ., under the presidency of Bro . C . Moreton , W . M ., supported by Bro . Eustice Smith , S . W ., and by a large attendance of members with one visitor . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and

confirmed , after which the W . M . graciously resigned his chair to Bro . H . J . P . Dumas , who was desirous of raising Bro . H . J . Fairrie Dumas , his son , and also of passing Bro . H . C . S . Dumas , his second son , to the Second Degree by permission of the VV . M . of the Isaac Newton Lodge , No . 859 . The requisite ceremonies were performed by Bro . H . J . P . Dumas , P . M ., P . G . D ., P . G . W . Surrey , ably seconded by his deacons , to the complete satisfaction of all present .

The business being thus concluded , the lodge was adjourned , and the brethren proceeded to an excellent banquet , where it was noticed that Bro . Greenwood , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., P . G . W . Surrey , and Bro . Lister , P . M ., P . G . S . of VV ., made particular and apt allusion to the fact of a father having been thus enabled to confer degrees upon two of his sons during the course of the same evening . Bro . Porter was unavoidably prevented from attending , and his raising had in consequence to be again deferred .

BELVEDERE . —Saye and Sele Lodge ( No . 1973 ) . —The installation meeting of the above lodge took place on Monday last at the new Masonic Rooms belonging to the lodge , adjacent to the Roya Alfred Institution , Belvedere , when Bro . Dr . J . Elliot , S . W . and W . M . elect , was , with the usual ceremonies , placed in the chair of K . S ., and saluted in due form .

Lodge was opened by Bro . Bateman , W . M ., and Bros . J . Giesman-Chillingworth , P . M ., P . G . R . Kent , and A . Penfold , P . M . 913 and P . G . Stwd . Kent , were received and awarded provincial honours . The minutes of the last and an emergency meeting were then read and passed , also the report of the Building Committee , which showed that the cost of the hall , some £ 300 or more , was nearly liquidated by

private subscription . Bro . Dr , J . Elliot was then presented to the VV . M . to receive at his hands the benefit of installation . Bro . Bateman did the duty of Installing Officer admirably , his eloquent delivery of the addresses being especially admired . The VV . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . E . Bright , P . M . and P . P . G . J . W . Middx ., S . W . ; H . A . de Pinna , J . W . ; F . Wood , P . M ., Treas . ;

S . Heapes , Sec . ; W . O . Robinson , S . D . ; VV . J . Colman , I . D . ; H . E . Russell , I . G . ; C . A . Streeten , W . S . ; H . H . Church , Asst . W . S . ; and A . Creed , Tyler . The addresses having been delivered , the VV . M . proposed a vote of thanks to the Installing Officer , and in so doing spoke highly of Bro . Bateman's services to Masonry , especially in the Saye and Sele Lodge . Bro . Wood seconded , and the resolution was carried " nem . dis . " Bro . Bateman

having returned thanks , he was presented with a handsome and valuable Past Master's jewel , and in feeling language thanked the brethren for their honoured present . It was also resolved that some recognition of his services to the lodge should be taken , and embodied in the shape of an engrossed parchment , testifying to the esteem in which he was held by the brethren , and again Bro . Bateman returned thanks . Bio . Chillingworth was also the recipient of a ,