Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents ' but we wisli , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certaiu necessary limitsrce discussion .

"ENGLISH LODGES" IN MONTREAL . To the Editor ot the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I have been very much interested in reading your brief introduction to Bro . David McCord ' s excellent circular respecting the three lodges that assemble in Montreal , though on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England . You remark

that , coming as it does " from a well-known Mason , it seems to be entitled to some weight . " My opinion is that Bro . McCord ' s letter , and most opportune communication as'to the subject , is entitled to great weight , as he is a P . M . of one of the three lodges concerned ( viz ., St . Paul ' s ) , and , in recommending that the members throw in their lot with the Grand Lodge of Quebec , he loyally promises to abide by the decision of the brethren ; so that his motives and aims are truly Masonic .

He stales that the three lodges hold in their hands the happy solution" We are in a position to obtain any fair terms wc like to ask , but , what is of far more value , in a position to give a practical object lesson in the princip les of the Craft which are dear to us—peace and unity . " It is quite true that should the brethren decide to unite with the local Grand lish in their

Lodge—the governing Body of the Province—they will be no less Eng views , and , for my part , I hope and pray most fervently that , for the sake of Masonic fraternity and good fellowship , and to present a united front as one undivided Brotherhood in Quebec , the members of the trio of " English lodges " will unanimously and heartily agree to return their warrants , and become an integral part of the Grand Lodge of the Province .

As to terms , they need not fear but that more than justice even will be done them , for their adhesion will be a source of joy and delight to the governing Body ; and as to England , the members may rest assured that we under our own Grand Lodge will bid them " God-speed " in their new relationship . I fail to see any reason why the Board of General Purposes of England should take steps in the matter " to assist in bringing these three lodges into the

fold of the Grand Lodge of Quebec , " for neither it nor have we , as members , any rig ht to interfere in the slig htest degree . It is purely for the brethren of the lodges immediately affected . They have demonstrated their right to keep on our roll , and now I trust they will exercise the privilege to join the Grand Lodge of Quebec . They can do either as they please ; but I hope they will choose " the more excellent way . " —Yours fraternally ,

WM . JAMES HUGHAN ( Formerly Hon . Past S . G . W . of Quebec ) . " Dunscore , " Torquay , May 26 th .

THE PROPOSED ROSE CROIX SERVICE AT SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , ' It may interest your readers to know that only three names were sent in so that if the consent of the Supreme Council had been obtained the meeting could not have been held . I simply write as requested , as I am not much in favour of public parades of Masons . —Yours fraternally , H . LOVEGROVE .

MEETINGS OF GRAND LODGE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , 1 hope that the proposed alteration in the time of meeting will be carried out without a dissentient voice , as the present arrangement has been

grumbled about for years . The present early hour of five for the Grand Officers mess is very inconvenient , and keeps many away from the meetings . It will , I think , be found that meeting at six the Grand Lodge will be over by half-past seven , and if at times the proceedings are prolonged , there is nothing unusual , as many installation banquets are half-an-hour to an hour behind the time fixed by the summons . Let every member of Grand Lodge be prepared to support the

motion . , , r , ... .. I conclude that the alteration has the approval of the authorities . —Yours fratCrna , ly ' PAST GRAND OFFICER .

Reviews.

Reviews .

AMERICA AIIKOAIO . —The Annual Handbook for American travellers , for igoo . Tenth year of Publication , Edited by J . W . Cundall , London ; Published for the Proprietor , Sand 9 , Essex-street , Strand , London , W . C . ; and Lawrence Greening and Co Limited , 20 , Cecil Court , Charing Cross-road , W . C . Americans visiting this and the different continental States in Kuiope will lind " America Abroad " an invaluable guide to all the places of interest in London and the other capitals and most important

rorovincial cities . Churches , public buildings of every kind , theatres , museums , art galleries are all accurately lecated and sufficiently described , and the fact of the handbook having reached its 10 th year of publication is ample proof of its popularity . Moreover , every alternate page contains an illustration of a building or street and there is to crown all , a very good map of London . We have , therefore , very great pleasure in recommending it to intending American visitors . The price is only sixpence per

opy- Bvr v . B ALI .. The Book of Individual Cricket Records , & c . 1 SC 04-1 . J 00 . Compiled by J . H . Lester , Nottingham : Published by Boots , Wholesale Printing and Stationery Department . London : Simpkin Marshall , Hamilton , Kent & Co ., Limited . —The issue ot such a book as this must have entailed upon the publisher as well as upon the compiler an enormous amount of labour and anxiety , lout both appear to have Lestehas accumulated amount ot statistical in

done their paitadmirably . Mr . r an - formation lelaling to cricket extending over some . 55 or 3 O years , which can only be realised by those who dip into the pages of the Handbook ; while , as regards accuracy in Ihe details , so far as we have tested it , there appears to be nothing wanting . Lovers of cricket , and especially those who take pleasure in keeping records of matches , will do well to invest a shilling in the purchase of a copy ; wcare certain they will declare it to be money well and usefully spent ,

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

102 NO ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL . The first meeting of the Board of Stewards for this Festival , which is to be held on the 10 th prox ., was held at Freemasons' Hall on Friday , the 25 th ultimo . Bro . Charles E . Keyser occupied the chair . Amongst others present were Bros . E . L . Berry , J . Block , C . E . W . Boughton-Leigh , R . C . Blundell , T . A . Bullock , ] . W . Burgess , W . C . S . Burnc , C . W . Carrcll , H . Carman , R . Clowes , G . Corbie ,

¦ W . A . Dawson , C . J . Dillnutt , P . Dodd , W . S . Emdcn , G . Everett , J . W . Elvin , H . Ensoll , V . P . Freeman , J . K . Frost , H . Homer , C . H . Jackman , R . W . James , E . L . Keates , G . T . Langridge , C . H . Le Maistre , T . S . Lee , J . Lonsdale , R . Manuel , W . J . Mason , T . S . Melville , W . Metcalfe , W . C . Parsons , J . . Reed , J . W . Spcdding , J . Speller , J . Stephens , J . T . Sweet , W . Short , W . A . Scurrah , A . J . Thomas , J . J . Thomas , H . Thorpe , H . A . Tobias , J . H . Whadcoat , and J . W . Woodall .

Bros . Eve , Keyser , Manfield , Woodall , Everett , and Dr . Cooper Smith were elected Honorary Presidents ; Sir W . T . Marriott , D . P . G . M . Sussex , President ; R . Clowes , and T . A . Bullock , acting Vice-Presidents ; J . M . Reed , P . G . Treas . Sussex , Honorary Treasurer ; and J . M . McLeod , Secretary of the Institution , Honorary Secretary of the Board of Stewards .

The SECRETARY reported the number of Stewards to dale was 386 , and informed the meeting that H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught had fixed Tuesday , 10 th July , as the day for holding the Festival . It had originally been intended to hold the Festival in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex at Brighton on that day ; but circumstances had since arisen which in all probability would prevent the conjunction of these two events .

Correspondence with the Brighton Railway Company was read showing that the privileges extended in former years for the return tickets of visitors to this Festival being available for two days beyond the date of issue , had been withdrawn , and that the Railway Company proved obdurate on this point . Having made enquiry , the Secretary reported that the Freemasons' Tavern , Hotel Cecil , and the Crystal Palace were available for the day fixed . After considerable discussion it was ultimately resolved that H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught be requested to allow the Festival to be held in London at the Freemasons ' Tavern .

A Festival Committee , consisting of the President , two Vice-Presidents , Honorary Secretary , and nine elected members , was appointed to make all arrangements for the Festival . '

Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

At the annual convocation of the above Prov . G . Chapter , held in the Church Institute , North-parade , Bradford , on Wednesday , the 16 th ult ., under the banner of Charity Chapter , No . 302 , Bradford , there were present : Comps . Richard Wilson , P . Z . 2 S 9 , Past G . Soj ., Prov . G . H ., as G . Superintendent ; Henry Smith , P . Z . 302 , Past G . Soj ., P . P . G . H ., as Prov . G . H .: C . L .

Mason , P . Z . 304 , and John Wordsworth , P . Z . 1541 P . Prov . G . Hs . ; Thomas R Vaux , P . Z . 208 , P . P . G . J ., as Prov . G . J . ; W . C . Lupton , J . P ., P . Z . 302 , A . G . Soj .. P . Prov . G . J . ; Major H . G . E . Green , P . Z . 1019 , Prov . G . S . E . ; Wm . Laycock , P . Z 1001 , l' . P . G . S . N ., as Prov . G . S . N . ; Thomas Woods , P . Z . 448 , Prov . G . Treas . ; Wm . Smith , P . Z . 289 , P . Prov . G . Treas . ; Wm . Hy . Hewson , P . Z . 304 , Prov . G . Reg . ; J . Corrin Bell , P . Z . 1283 , P . Prov . G . Reg . ; Geo . Hy . Robinson , P . Z .

275 , P . P . D . G . R .,. as Prov . Dep . G . Reg . ; Edwin Uiiiington , P . Z . 1462 , P . P . G . D . of C ., as Prov . G . Prin . Soj . ; Dr . Isaac Mossop , P . Z . 974 , Prov . G . ist Asst . Soj . ; John Seed , P . Z . 448 , John Shoesmith , P . Z . 521 , Alfred Verity , P . Z . 208 , J . W . Monckman , J . P ., P . Z . 600 , Cornelius Wheawill , P . Z . 290 , Wm . Flockton , P . Z . 1042 , Thomas Riley , P . Z . 600 , Hy . Blackburn , P . Z . S 27 , Wm . Watson , P . Z . 304 , Wm . Haigh , P . Z . 1283 , T . I . Walker , P . Z . 448 , F . C . Robinson , P . Z . 302

and Jas . Wm . Tanner , P . Z . 337 , P . Prov . G . Sojs . ; F . W . Holden , P . Z . 1462 , Prov . Dep . G . S . B . ; Wm . Bingham , P . Z . 1042 , and Wm . Harrison , P . Z . 265 , P . Prov . G . S . Bs . ; Jas . Pelham Brown , P . Z . 600 , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; F . W , Turner , P . Z . 408 , Joseph Hartley , P . Z . 495 , Joseph Wilson , P . Z . 302 , W . D . Shoebridge , P . Z . 448 . Wm . Cockcroft , P . Z . 307 , and C . W . O . Smith , P . Z . 974 P . Prov . G . Std . lirs . ; Walker Dyson , P . Z . 1645 , Prov . G . D . of C . ; Fred . G , Dimery , P . Z . 2069 , Prov . A . G . D . of C ; Thos . Gaukroger , P . Z . 307 , John R .

Fawcett , P . Z . 1214 , Wm . Metcalfe , P . Z . 600 , Thos . Lawrence , P . Z . 1001 , J . K , Blakey , P . Z . 1214 , W . D . Quarmby , P . Z . 208 , and F . S . H . Wilson , P . Z . 139 , P . P G . D . Cs . ; E . Rowe Dickenson , P . Z . 308 , Prov . G . Org . ; Simeon Whiteley , J , 302 , P . P . G . Org . ; Wm . Towers , P . Z . 306 , Prov . A . G . S . E . ; Alfred Leach , P . Z . 495 , P . P . A . G . S . E . ; T . Chester , Janitor 904 , Prov . G . Janitor ; Charles Stokes , P . Z . 139 , and Alfred Cocker , P . Z . 128 3 , Prov . G . Stewards ; and acting Principals , Past First Principals , and companions of all the chapters , except Nos . 242 , 264 , 458 , and 910 .

Apologies were received from Comps . the Right Hon . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., Grand Superintendent ; \ V . F . Smithson , Past G . Soj . ; and others . Comp . Richard Wilson , P . Z . _> 8 y , Past G . Soj ., acting G . Superintendent , accompanied by the Prov . G . Officers , entered , and Prov . G . Chapter was opened .

Ihe Principals and Prov . Grand Ofliccrs having been saluted , and the roll of chapters , as well as of Present and Past Prov . Grand Officers , called , the Prov . G . S . E . presented the minutes of the half-yearly meeting , held at Milnsbridge on Wednesday , 22 nd November , when it was moved , seconded , and resolved- — " That the minutes be taken as read and confirmed . " The ACTING GRAND SUTERINTENDENT , in a brief address to the companions ,

remarked—That he did not like to begin with an apology , but under the circumstances he had to do so on behalf of the Grand Superintendent . They were all aware that he had been appointed Chairman of the War Office Contracts Committee , which had sat the previous day and was again sitting that day . Then there was a Bill coming before the House of Commons with respect to the passing of which E . Comp . Jackson was required to take an active part . The Grand Superintendent had

written stating that he might perhaps have slipped away from the Committee , but , under the whole circumstances , he found it an impossibility to meet the companions as he should like to have done . That was the ninth time they had met at Bradford since the formation of Provincial Grand Chapter in 1 S 58 . He was glad to bcablc to state that all the chapters in Bradford were in a nourishing

condition . While he thus congratulated the chapters , in order to mark the advance of time , he thought it was wise to draw attention to an important fact , which was that they hud lo regret that during the period since Provincial Grand Chapter last met at Bradford many active members had passed away by death , the memory of whom was still fresh amongst them—E . Comps . Benjamin Broughton , Sir John Cass , G . Pearson , and j . G . Hutchinson . Many more hud passed away whom they could