Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

IWe do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of thc opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . ]

THE INSTALLATION OFTHE PRINCE OF WALES AS M . W . GRAND MASTER . To the Editor ofthe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — It is extremely gratifying to observe the efforts which are being made by tlie executive of Grand Lodge to ensure the comfort of the brethren at the approaching

installation of H . R . H . the M . W . G . M . on the 28 th of this month , and I have no doubt all and every arrangement will be as satisfactory to the Craft as it is possible for them to be . Part of the special Stewards will probably act as scrutineers ( accidentally printed sentinels in my last letter to you ) , others would , I should think , be appointed to see the brethren take their proper scats according to their

names and the numbers on the tickets , corresponding with the number on the seat allotted to them . I would suggest that the brethren should be admitted by different coloured tickets . Say Grand Lodge , Blue ; Grand Stewards , Red ; Provincial Officers , Blue and White ; Past Masters and Wardens , Pale Blue : Master Masons , White ; and that a

large banner ( calico would answer the purpose ) , should be placed over each entrance corresponding with thc colour or pattern of the tickets to be admitted at that door . This would tend to prevent confusion , and greatly facilitate ingress . I would also suggest to thc brethren , not to go without their certificates , as , in the event of not being known to the

scrutineers , and not vouched for by some well-known brother , they might be spared thc disappointment of not obtaining admission . And I beg to assure the brethren there are very strong reasons , ( whether well founded or not ) , for urging the adoption of this suggestion . Yours fvateroaUy , Jon-- Bo _ i _ , P . M .

To the Editor ofthe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — It being decided that a jewel to commemorate the above event should be struck , to be worn by Hie brethren acting as Stewards on thc occasion , do you 11 ol think it would be a splendid opportunity to benefit the whole of the Masonic Charities by extending the pri vilege

of wearing thc jewel to the whole of the members of the Grand Lodge , such as Past Masters , Masters , and Wardens , or even to the whole of the brethren who attend on the occasion , it being understood that they should give a subscription of one guinea to one of thc chanties , which could be easily managed by the subscriptions being sent to the Grand Secretary ' s Office , at which place the jewels

could be obtained or forwarded to Provincial brethren . As a London brother , and also a subscribing member to provincial lodges , and knowing the large number who intend being present , I apprehend that not less than from £ looo to £ 8000 would easily be obtained in that manner .

The jewel would be a gratification to the brethren , the subscription a benefit to the charities , and the event a red letter day in the annals of Masonry . Should you deem this worthy of consideration , kindly grant space for this letter in your next issue . Yours fraternally , M . E .

To the Editor if the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Permit ine to add my suggestion to the rest , by expressing a hope that brethren acting as Stewards on this occasion will be permitted to wear some " special " jewel as a recompense for the labours they will undertake and perform , distinct from a mere commemorative jewel ,

which may be bestowed on the Order in general . I also Uust that members of thc Craft who may be photographers may be engaged to take views , which might be sold for the benefit of the charities . " * " Could not some opportunity be given to ladies to view the hall after the ceremony—just a quiet march past the throne . Yours faithfully and fraternally , N . R ., VV . M .

To Ihe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Feeling deeply for the W . M ., who docs not possess a dress coat , I beg to enclose thc following advertisement out of thc Standard of thc 26 th March , which may enable

him to tide over ] this difficulty , without preventing him from becoming a life subscriber to the Masonic Boys ' School . Yours fraternally , A RUSTIC- BIIIURK . "D IIESS COATS LENT . ¦ of 13 , —————

street , lends the finest of Clothes for all occasions . Also Ladies' Riding I Iabits , Opera Cloaks , and Glasses . Thc Largest Stock of superior Clothes in London . "

THE ORDER OF THE TEMPLE . To the : Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Can any of your correspondents learned in Masonic Archa'ology , inform me what is tlie meaning of the letters P . X . J . H ., now used by officials cf "The Order of the Temple , " so called , after their signatures ? Yours fraternally , CHAS . J . BUIIOKSS .

The Directors of the " Hackney Public Hall Company , Limited , " have altered their title to that of the "Hackney Public and Masonic Hall Company , Limited , " and propose to adopt the plans of the front portion of their building , now in -ourse of erection , by Messrs . Jno . Waldram & Company , of Kingsland-road , tor Masonic purposes . ; *

Reviews.

Reviews .

" Dedication Memorial of thc new Masonic Temple , Philadelphia . " A review by Bno . WILLIAM J AMES HUGHAN . This grand and superb book has been already much admired ; and no wonder , for it is without an equal of its kind , and Masonically immortalizes tlie Library Committee , to whom its compilation and publication was

entrusted hy the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania . The names of tlie biethren selected for such an important undertaking were Charles Eugene Meyer ( Chairman ) -, M . Richards Mucklc , thc Rev . Robert H . Pattison , D . D . ; William II . Burkhardt , Charles K . Ide , Treas . ; John L . Young , and Phincas Garrett , Sec . ; who engaged to complete thc work on their own responsibility , which meant

a pecuniary loss of several hundreds of dollars , and not only considerable trouble in the providing the material , but also much anxiety during the progress of the several portions of the work . Thc volume has been produced through a wise division of labour , ami a most judicious selection of assistants in the enterprise , represented by F . Faas , engraver ; Thomas Hunter , lithographer ; Collins ,

printer ; J . 1-agan and Son , stereotypers ; and Claxton , Remsen , and Haffelfingcr , of Philadelphia , publishers . The photographic artist for thc various views of the exterior anti interior of the extraordinary building , is thc skilful Bro . Gutekunst , who had previously issued some really excellent views of the Masonic Temple . Eacli of the thousand coi > ies of the work bears thc certificate signed in

facsimile by the committee , with the number of the copy inserted , and there is a complete list of the subscribers printed , including only some eight brethren under the Grand Lodge of England . 1 lad it not been for the copies being so quickly applied for , and had it been known that the " Memorial volume" was to assume its present imposing character , many more would have gladly subscribed .

Unfortunately , it is now too late , unless the library committee decitle to publish a second edition , wliich wc hope they will do . We should state that thc typographical merits of thc volume arc of the highest class , and reflect the greatest merit on all concerned . The size of the type is most pleasing to the eye , and a more ju licious arrangement of

tlie contents seems to us impossible . The " Introduction " declares that the " volume is given to thc Masonic world without any claim to originality . " Certainly there is no such claim made , but any who would infer the absence of originality because of thc statement , would err indeed . The committee , each in their own departments , have

not only presented in a connected form all the incidents of interest connected with the Masonic Temple—the grandest in the wide world—but the work contains a really valuable sketch of the history of Freemasonry down to the present time , evidently written by a brother well skilled in the art of Masonry , and thoroughly conversant with the eventful career of the Craft .

Various important documents have been carefully transcribed , and inserted to elucidate certain doubtful points , and an interesting letter is given in reduced facsimile , which was sent by Bro . Lawrence Dermott , Grand Sec . of the " Grand Lodge according to the old Constitutions , " to the Grand Master of Pennsylvania , Jan . nth ., 1765 , thc earliest of its kind so far published in any Masonic work .

In it is also clearly proved that so far Philadelphia has established its claim to possess evidence of being the oldest Masonic city in the United States , a lodge having been warranted there as early as A . D . 1730 by Daniel Coxe , whose patent as Prov . G . M . for New York , New Jersey , ami Pennsylvania , was dated June 5 th ., 1730 , and issued by thc authority ol the Duke of Norfolk , M . W . G . M . uf

England . As this lodge was formed i-luiing the fall " of 1 730 , and the patent as Prov . G . M . was only issued in June , it was scarcely possible to have constituted a lodge earlier , and so thc "Keystone" slate may await thc trial with confidence . Thc City of Philadelphia also establishes its claim to have built thc first Masonic Hall in America , thc

subscription list for which , dated March 13 th , 1754 , forms a splendid facsimile—large and faithful—of the original document , which is interesting to all students of American Masonry . We have not noticed any more special claims on behalf of the State of Pennsylvania , excepting that , without doubt , the New Masonic Temple ( which was dedicated in

"Ample Form , " in September , 1873 ) stands unrivalled for its grandeur , proportions and magnificence in the " Old Country , " or tlie " New . " Thc " corner stone" was laid by the Grand Officers on the 24 th June , 1 S 68 , in the presence of 10 , 000 Freemasons and a vast concourse of spectators , the gavel used by Bro . George Washington , at the laying of tile corner stone of

the Federal Capitol , being employed for thc occasion . A capital photograph of the six Grand Oilicers who officiated follows the description . The total cost of this wonder of the Masonic world was more than a million anil a half of dollars , or about £ 300 , 000 . The portion raised by a loan might have been doubled oi- trebled with ease , so well does the credit of tlie Grand

Lodge stand in the estimation of the " outer world . " The architect of the imposing structure was Bro . Jas . VVindrim , of the Philadelphia Lodge Hope , No . 72 , the plan being adopted by the Building Committee with great unanimity , ami afterwards duly approved by tlie Grand Lodge . We should state that no less that 12 . 000 Masons

assembled to take part 111 the dedicatory procession , many Grand Lodges being represented , and no expense or pains were spared to make tlie ceremony in every sense a reflection of the noble principles of thc Order . The Grand Lodge entered thc building at three p . m ., but it was not until six that the youngest lodge passed through its portals .

Reviews.

The photograph exhibiting the Grand Officers at the Dedication , contains three brethren who took part officially in the Corner Stone Ceremony , viz .: M . W . Bro . Samuel C . Perkins , G . M ., ( then S . G . W . ) , R . W . Bro . Alfred R . Potter , G . M . ( then J . G . W . ); and our well-beloved M . W .

Bro . John Thomson , the Grand Secretary . Words fail us to adequately describe this great undertaking so successfully begun , continued and completed by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , and which thc Memorial Volume , ably and graphically pourlrays , so we conclude by savins-, " well done ! " °

Presentation Of An Address To Bro. Sir Michael Costa.

PRESENTATION OF AN ADDRESS TO BRO . SIR MICHAEL COSTA .

An invitation having been issued by the W . M . of Fidelity Lodge , 28 b , Leeds , to the brethren of thc neighbourhood of Leeds to celebrate at a lodge of emergency the winter Festival of St . John on the 16 th ult ., about sixty members of the Craft assembled at the Masonic

Hall , Carleton-Hi'l , Lceds , under the Mastership of Bro . William Spark , MM ., P . Prov . G . O . of West Yorkshire . The object of this gathering of Masons was to welcome Sir Michael Costa on the occasion of his second visit to Leeds for conducting a performance in thc Town I lall of his own oratorio of Eli . Bro . Thomas WiUiam Tew , J . P ., P . M . of the Saint Oswald's Lodge , 910 , Pontefract , P . Z .

495 , ccc , was invited to present the address to Sir Michael Costa . The Fidelity Lodge was opened by the W . M . at 5 . 30 p . m ., the other officers being Bros . Bakewell , S . W . ; Walker , J . W . ; Dixon , S . D . ; Ostler , J . D . ; Rowbottom , I . G . ; Rawling , Tyler . Thc Fidelity brethren mustered strongly . Amongst the visiting brethren we

noticed—Bros . 11 . Smith , ' . > . G . Secretary of West Yorkshire ; Collinson , P . lVov . G . S ' . B . North and East Ridings ; Dr . Taylor , of Bradford , Captain E . T . Clark , of Snaith , John Simpson , P . M ., Castlefortl ; R . Holmes , Sir Michael Costa , T . VV . Tew , with several others from nei ghbouring lodges . The lodge was opened by the W . M . at = 1 . 45 p . m . in the first degree . Bro . Sir Michael Costa vvas introduced to the lodge

by the Deacons and Stewards of the lodge , the brethren rising whilst their distinguished brother took his seat on thc right of thc W . M ., " Bro . Tew , P . M ., being requested to be seated on the left of the W . M . The Master of Ceremonies of tlie Fidelity Lodge called upon the brethren present to salute Bro . Sir Michael Costa in the manner becoming Sir Michael ' s Masonic rank .

1 he W . M . then briefly addressed Sir Michael Costa , and said how gratified he and all the brethren present were at the opportunity afforded them cf giving a right hearty Masonic welcome to Sir Michael , who was not only one of the most distinguished Masons—but one of the most accomplished musicians of the day , and that he had come to Leeds to conduct the performance of his own oratorio of Eli . The brethren of the Fidelity Lodge had drawn up

an address wliich he hoped Sir Michael would accept as a testimony of the high esteem in which he was held by the brethren of thc Craft , and which would be to him a record of the pleasure his second visit to Leeds had conferred . The W . M . would call upon Bro . Tew to present the address , which he had much delight in reading . " The Worshipful Master , Officers , and Brethren cf the Lodge of Fidelity at Leeds . No . 28 9 , and in the province of VVest Yorkshire .

" I o Bro . Sir Michael Costa . "Tuesday , March 16 , 1875 . " We , the Worshipful Master , Officers , and Brethren , of the Lodge of Fidelity , at Leeds , desire to convey to you " , Sir Michael Costa , our hearty welcome on your visiting Leeds a second time ; and this gratification is further enhanced that we are able to greet you as a distinguished

member of the Ancient Order of Freemasons . " Our sentiments towards you on this occasion of your coming amongst the brethren of the Craft are intensified by the recollection of thc great pleasure you conferred upon all classes of the community at thc Leeds Musical Festival last October . "No one possessed of the smallest musical taste could

but appreciate at that festival your masterly powers over masses of musicians , making choristers and performers so blend tlieir voices and instruments together in one harmonious whole as if there had been but one single person sounding one single note . Your talents as a conductor of mighty Oratorios always rule supreme , and by the best use of these thus give

adequate interpretations of the sacred work of thc giant masters of music , and which have universally received for their productions thc hearty appreciation of all admirers of classical music . Many times at the Royal Opera House , Covent Garden , the Crystal Palace , and Provincial Town Halls , have wc listened to your direction of the masterpieces of Handel ,

Haydn , Mozart , Beethoven , Mendelssohn , Meyerbeer , Rossini , Donizctta , and Verdi , and greatly have we been impressed with the genius of your abilities in giving full force ami meaning to such oratorios as ' The Messiah , ' ' The Creation , and your own composition ' Eli , ' as well as those lighter sparkling works the Barliere de Siviglia , Don Giovanni , Der Freischutx , Kotert le Dial-le , Lucrexia

Borgia , and Fidclio . To-day then you have afforded us the opportunity of welcoming you in a Fremason's Lodge , and of offering our congratulations to an accomplished musician , as well as an eminent menber of the brotherhood .

In conclusion wc beg to assure you of the gratification you have conferred upon us by this visit , and wc trust that tlie blessing of the Most High may ever rest upon you , and that it may please Him to grant you a long life , not only to fulfil the important duties attaching to your musical attainments , but that He may also long spare you