Correspondence.

Finally , I may mention that it is the first time I have written to the Press on this matter , but believing that I have the goodwill of the members of the Craft , both pro and con , I ask you to publish this letter , not only for the good of Freemasonry in general , but in vindication of the good name of my District Grand Master in particular . —I am , yours truly and fraternally ,

SYDNEY JAMES , P . D . D . G . M ., D . G . Sec . Otago and Southland . Dunedin , February 12 th .

CONCORD LODGE OF THE ST . LAWRENCE DEGREE . To the Editor of the '' Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Surely the hour has come for some energetic Liverpool brethren to make an effort to save this ancient and time-immemorial lodge from dickering out of existence !

There are only six of these T . I . lodges on the roll , and unless something is done without delay the number will become reduced by the loss of " The Concord . " Are our Liverpool friends in a difficulty with their finances or working ? If so , they should , lose no time in communicating with some of the Past Masters of other St . Lawrence Lodges in Manchester , Wigan , Preston , & c , where every assistance in their power would be forthcoming . In all probability this Degree contains the only part of Operative Masonry which have survived our times . P . M ., Council B . T . I .

ROYAL ARCH DEGREE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Having heard different opinions as to the proper use of

complementary titles in this Degree , I should be glad if some companion could give us some authority on the subject . I allude to the titles M . E . and E . Is any companion below a chair entitled to E . ? Some say M . E . Z . is very improper , although it is commonly used . Thanking some companion in anticipation , yours fraternally , S . E .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"THE DORSET MASONIC CALENDAR . "—Compiled by Bro . J . A . Sherren , F . R , Hist . S ., & c , under the authority of the Prov . G . M . Weymiuth .- Sherren and Son , St . Mary-street . —This is one of the most complete Masonic annuals published , and is a credit to all concerned , editorially as well as typographically . Statistically , the work is ably arranged , and thereby the condition of each lodge is seen at a glance . There are 14 lodges in the province , the senior being the famous " Amity , " No . 137 , dating from 1765 . The membership considerably exceeds 700 , and b ; tween them they hold nearly

jooo votes in the Central Masonic Charities . A most excellent record . Full particulars are afforded of all these votes , as also a most interesting account of the " Dorset Masonic Charity , " well known through the advocacy of Bro . S . R . Baskett , the Hon . Secretary . There are seven Royal Arch chapters , with some 200 members ; also five Mark lodges , two K . T . preceptories , and a Rose Croix chapter . The numbers of most of these bodies are given in chronological order , besides the lists of officers and Past Masters , & c . There is also a mass of information respecting the Provincial Grand organisations , all of which appear to be in a fairly prosperous condition .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Highbury Lodge , No . 2192-The installation meeting of this well-known and most successful lodge was held at the Highbury Railway Station Hotel on Thursday , the 25 th ult ., when there was a good attendance . Among the membeis present were Bros . Edward S . Crick , VV . M . ; Cornelius Cope , J . W ., W . M . elect ; H . Sprake , P . M ., Treas . ; George W . Bowyer , Sec . ; H . J . Collier , G . S . Collins , C . M . Collings , W . Aldridge , J . G . Knight , James Bailey , Lambert Perry , J . Johnson , L . C . B . Goodacre , W . Maple , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; C . F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; Charles Harvey , and R . J . Morley , Tyler . Visitors Bros . C . H . Bovton . 1830 ; Thos . Oaklev . 1 S 70 : G . P . Pointer . P . M . 1 C 11 ; 1 . Latev ,

2470 ; Fred . Humphreys , Org . 129 S ; D . W . Pearce , P . P . G . R . ; Alf . Humphreys , S . D . 1 G 77 ; W . N . Haydon , J . D . 212 S ; J . Moysey , 212 S ; W . M . Foxcroft , P . M . i 77 and 2 oG 3 ; C . J . Weller , 212 S ; Wm . Hunt , P . M . 172 ; II . M . Cleland , S 62 ; H . Bond , P . M . 1656 ; G . W . Paul , P . M . 1 S 51 ; C . Towley , S . D . 2190 ; H . Trounce , 917 ; J . Bartlett , 2030 ; W . Truman , S . W . 957 ; J . H . Jennings , S 62 ; G . S . Elliott , P . M . 749 ; R . Nettlerield , P . M . GG ; A . Osman , 24 G 6 ; G . E . Evans , 1527 ; James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; W . Steinem ; C . II . Dennv , W . M . 1 G 71 ; H . J . Treadwell , P . M . 91 ; W . J . Styles , S . D . 91 ; D . Lindsay , I . ' G . 957 ; F . Jackson , W . M . 2191 ; H . E . Sanders , P . M . 917 ; A . Moore , g ;; and R . T . West , 1744 .

The minutes of the last lodge and emergency meetings having been read and confirmed , the W . M . elect , Bro . Cornelius Cope , was then presented and installed into the chair by the outgoing Master , Bro . E . S . Crick , in a most impressive and praiseworthy manner . The following brelhren were appointed and invested officers by the new W . M . for the ensuing year : Bros . Edward S . Crick , I . P . M . ; H . J . Collier , S . W . ; G . S . Collins , J . W . ; Heibert Sprake , P . M ., Treas . ; George Wm . Bowyer , Sec . ; C . M . Collings , S . D . ; W . Aldiidge , J . D . ; J . G . Knight , D . C ; James Bailey , I . G . ; Lambett Perry , Ore . ; James Johnson and L . C . B . Goodacre , Stewards ; and

R . J . Moiley , Tyler . The installation ceremony was most ably performed by Bro . E . S . ( . rick , who gave the customary addresses in a manner that made it impossible to have been better rendered , and he closed his year of officewith eclat . It was unanimously tttolved lhat a donation of 10 guineas be given from the Benevolent Fund , to be placed on the W . M . ' s list as Steward for the forthcoming Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Gills . The Auditors' report , showing a substantial amount in hand , was received and adopted . Letters regretting their inability to attend were read from Bros . F . A . Philbn ' ck , G . Rfg . ; J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B . ; and F . R . W . Hedges , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . G .

After other business was transicted , the lodge was closed , and the biethren adlourned to an excellent banquet which was well served . Afttr the banquet ( he W . M . gave "The Queen and the Craft , " and referred to the special arrangements that were being made for celebrating her Majesty ' s Diamond Jubilee . In giving the " M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " the W . M . said that it was the earnest wish of all Masons that he might have long life to reign over the Craft .

The W . M . proposed "The M . W . Pro G . M ., R . W . Dep . G . M ., and the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " remarking that they were honoured with the presence of two Grand Officers , Bros . J . Terry and C . F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br ,, who had both done eood service for the Craft , and he associated their names with the toast . The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm .

Bro . C . F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br ., said lie hardly knew how to respond to such a comprehensive toast , and he would have preferred Bro . Terry to have acknowledged it , as he was better able to do it justice . In eulogistic terms he referred to the great services rendered by Bros , the Earl of Lathom and Earl Amherst to the Craft , and he added that many others of the Grand Officers were good and active workers .

Craft Masonry.

Bro . E . S . Crick , I . P . M ., said that it was his honour and pleasure to propose " The Worshipful Master . " ( Great applause . ) He was very glad to hear by their prolonged applause that no words he could utter would add to his lustre or respect in their estimimation . Bro . Cope was initiated in the Highbury Lodge , and had followed him ( the I . P . M . ) step by steL There were , he thought , two proud moments of one ' s Masonic career , viz ., to be initiated and years after to have the privilege of submitting the tolst of the W . M . The W . M . had been installed in the Diamond Jubilee of her Majesty ' s

reign which added to the honour of presiding over their important lodge , and what would fhey do without him ? He would fill the post with credit to himself and honour to the lodge and they were all proud of him . They had had that evening a good sample of what he could do , whjch was a good omen of what he would do in the future . In conclusion he said the W . M . had reached the goal of the ambition of his Masonic life and he wished him with all sincerity every prosperity and happiness during his year of office . The toast was drunk with acclamition , and

Bro . C . Cope , VV . M ., on rising to reply , was enthusiastically received . He remarked that there were times in one ' s life when words failed and he was in that position that night . For the very kind words of the I . P . M ., Bro . Crick , and the great reception he had met with , he was more than proud . He was honoured to be the Master of the Highbury Lodge and would do his utmost to carry out his duties in a truly Masonic spirit , and when his time came to go he hoped to be able to instal his successor and to deliver up what he had received as pure and unsullied . He was recommended by his old friend , Bro . Sprake , P . M ., to join the lodge , which he had never regretted , and

could never thank him too much for introducing him to the lodge . In submitting the toast of "The I . P . M . and Installing Master , Bro . Crick , and the other Past Masters , " the W . M . stated that ever since he was initiated he had had every help and kindness from Bro . Crick , and he felt sure that would be extended to him during his year of office . Then , as to Bro . Sprake , P . M ., they would all agree with him that he was the actual backbone of the lodge , and in referring to Bro . W .

Maple , P . M ., he said his great services to the lodge would never be forgotten . The W . M . then addressed Bro . E . S . Crick , and presented him with a Past Master's jewel , observing that never was a j ewel better deserved . His year of office had been a most pleasant and successful one in every way , and might the Great Architect spare him for many years to wear that token of their great esteem , and to give the lodge his valuable assistance , and , in conclusion , he coupled his name and that of Bro . Sprake , P . M ., with the toast .

In response , Bro . E . S . Crick , I . P . M ., stated that it was always pleasant to hear nice things about one ' s self , and the Past Masters fully appreciated the kind words of the W . M . That was his first and only lodge , and the jewel , for which he tendered them his heartfelt thanks , was the first he had ever worn , and he should look upon it as his first born , and so regard it . He had worked hard , and thus attained the summit of his ambition in the Craft to be a Past Master of that ( his mother ) lodge . Bro . Herbert Sprake , P . M ., also responded , thanking the W . M . for his kind remarks , and he congratulated the W . M . He was not present at the consecration of

the lodge through some mistake , but he was elected a joining member at the meeting immediately following the consecration . At one time they had a great number of Past Masters , members of the lodge , but some had gone to the Grand Lodge above and others had resigned . The remaining Past Masters and the brethren had done their utmost for the lodge , with the result that it would then vie with any lodge in London . They certainly preferred quality to quantity , and in conclusion he referred to Bro . Bowyer , the first W . M . of the lodge and father of the Secretary , whj did great things for the lodge and the Craft in general .

In proposing " The Masonic Charities , " the W . M . stated that all Masons were very proud of the three Institutions , which were second to none in the world , and that , he thought , was a complete answer to all opponents againt Masonry , and it was the duty of all Freemasons to assist the Charities . In May next he would go up as Steward for the Girls , and he urged the members to rally round him to make his list a substantial one in amount . They were graced that evening with the genial presence of Bro . James Terry , the dear friend of the Old People , and he had very much pleasure in associating his name with the toast of the Charities .

Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I ., on rising to respond , had a hearty reception . He said he thanked them very kindly and sincerely for proposing the Masonic Institutions , which were always cordially received , especially in North London . He referred to the North London ball under thedirection of Bros . Sprake and Humphreys , and said that through their indefatigable exertions the ball , which took place each year , was such a success that much was accomplished for the Charities , and he thanked them

for their hard work in connection with the balls which had been held for many years past . After going into the claims of the three Institutions and giving statistics and other valuable information with regard to income and other matters , he made a strong and eloquent appeal to the brethren for assistance for the Old People to enable them to end the few short years they had to live in happiness , peace , and comfort , and concluding his excellent speech ( which was deservedly listened to with marked attention ) , he said , love the girls , honour the boys , but revere the father and mother .

The Worshipful Master stated that the Charity box would then go round , and he would exercise his right to send the contents ( which it was subsequently announced amounted to three guineas ) to the Prince of Wales's Hospital Fund . The Worshipful Master gave "The Visitors , " whom he cordially welcomed . The lodge was a small one in number , but they had always had the good fortune of having a good number of visitors , and that evening they were honoured with a large array . He hoped they had had a pleasant evening , and that he should see them again during his

term of office . He joined the names of Bros . C . II . Denny , W . M . 1671 ; H . J . Treadwell , P . M . 91 ; and Wm . Hunt , P . M . 172 , with the toast . Bro . C . H . Denny responded , thanking them for the truly Masonic reception the visitors had had . The Highbury Lodge should , he thought , be proud of the working of the I . P . M ., Bro . Crick , which was splendid . He had known the W . M . for 20 years , and he was , indeed , proud and honoured to have had the privilege of seeing him installed , and he felt certain the members would never have occasion to regret their choice

of W . M . Bro . H . J . Treadwell , P . M ., also acknowledged the toast , bearing testimony to the excellent manner the visitors had been received and entertained . Bro . Wm . Hunt , P . M ., also responded , remarking that everything there was of the very best , and the visitors would only be too glad to come again if given the

opportunity . The W . M . gave "The Treasurer and Secretary , " and said they were both so well-known and respected that no words of his were necessary to extol the toast . The Treasurer , Bro . Sprake , had always been the helping hand , and the Secretary , Bro . G . VV . Bowyer , was endeared to them all , there was nothing too much for him to do , and what he undertook he always did with real pleasure .

Bro . Herbert Sprake , P . M ., Treas ., responded , stating that he was honoured to be again elected Treasurer . He trusted the lodge would go on prospering , it was then in a good condition , and there was , he thought , a splendid future in store for it . It was well-named , and he had spent many happy evenings and met many friends there . He had the honour of inlroducing the W . M . to the lodge , who was the son of a very old friend of his , and there could be no better Mason , and in the W . M . they had a worthy

son of a very worthy father . As the Treasurer he was very much indebted to the Secretary for his great assistance , of which he ( Bro . Sprake ) was very much in need of Bro . Geo . VV . Bowyer , Sec , who was received with much warmth , also responded , He said that if they had ever suffered from nervousness they must know how he then felt . He hardly knew what to say , but if they were satisfied with his small services he was more than pleased .

The loast of "The Officers of the Lodge , " was next given by the W . M ., and responded to by Bros . H . J , Collier , S . W ., and G . S . Collins , J . W ., in some wellchosen remarks . The Tyler ' s toast brought a most enjoyable evening to a close . The musical entertainment , which was of superior quality , was under the able

direction of Bro . Alfred Moore , assisted by the following artistes : Miss Stanley Lucas , Miss Emily Foxcroft , Bros . John Bartlett and James Kift . Miss Foxcroft gave Bro . Trotcre's beautiful song , " Manuelita , " most artistically , for which she had a welldeserved encore , and when , later in the evening , she appeared again , she was received with acclamation . Bro . James Kift presided with his well-known ability at the pianoforte . A portrait of the VV . M . appears in another column .

Tin ; LOKIO LIEUTENANT of Ireland has concluded his visit to Bro . the Earl and Countess of Derby at Knowsley , and returned to Chelsea House .