Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold oursclvts responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but vve wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

A BATCH OF INQUIRIES . To thc Editor of ihe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , B . C . 306 P . Prov . Grand Stwds ' . collars . B . C . 310 „ „ „ aprons .

" so long as they subscribe to some lodge . Does that mean that when Craft clothing may be worn a P . Prov . G . Stwd . is at liberty to wear his apron and collar it he so desires ? I read it that he may do so . I have been told by a P . M . that he may do so in his own province only .

Will some experienced brother give me a correct solution of the matter V Will some brother give me any information respecting the working of 4 ° to 17 " inclusive ? I have taken the 18 , but would like to know more of the above Degrees , if possible . I have some information I will exchange if any brother entitled to same will open a correspondence on the subject . My name is not on the present roll of members of 18 " , but will be on the one published next month . —Yours fraternally ,

THOMAS C . PERKINS , i 8 ' , Prov . G . Stwd . Jersey , 1003 and 491 . Tamworth-road , Ashby-de-la-Zouch , June 20 th .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"FREEMASONS' DIRECTORY . PROVINCE OF WIGTOWN AND KIRKCUDBRIGHT . " ( Castle Douglas , J . H . Maxwell , " Advertiser " OiRce . ) 1 S 97 . —This is a neat little book , and cannot fail to bc very useful to the members ol the Province of Wigtown and Kirkcudbright , Scotland . The Province does not appear to have been started before 1863 , and now numbers 11 "blue lodges , " the oldest being No . 41 , St . Cuthbert's Kirkcudbright , for which a Charter was granted so far back as 14 th February , 1741 . The existing Records date from 176 7 ( Treasurer ' s Book ) and 1797 minutes . There are two other lodges of last century origin , and there is one dormant lodge , No . i 6 i ,

Gate-houseof Fleet , with warrant of 17 S 5 . It seemsa pity to let this old lodge languish and possibly die out , when a few members from other lodges might work in it and secure its complete restoration . Royal Arch Masonry is not in a flourishine condition in this Province , and is very much in need of a brother like Bro . James Smith , of Shotts ( formerly of Dumfries ) , to put fresh life into the old Chapter No . 2 C , and so also as to the K . T . There is but one R . A . chapter working in the two Counties at present . This ably edited Calendar has been the work of Bro . J oseph T . Hewat , R . W . M . of No . 1 S 9 , Castle Douglas , who has discharged the duties as Editor in the most efficient manner , and is the Prov . G . D . of C . of the Province .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF KENT .

The annual meeting and festival of the above Provincial Grand Lodge took place on Wednesday , the 23 rd ult ., at Plumstead , under the banner of the Pattison Lodge , No . 913 , and was well attended . The Prov . G . Lodge was opened by Bro . James Smith Eastes , P . G . D . Eng ., D . P . G . M ., in the

unavoidable absence of the Prov . G . M ., Earl Amherst , Deputy G . M ., his lordship having at the last moment been summoned to attend her Majesty the Oueen at Buckingham Palace upon particular and important business .

Bro . EASTES , in opening the Prov . G . Lodge , referred to the sorrow he and they must all feel at the fact of his lordship ' s inability to attend the Prov , G . Lodge that day , and trusted they would extend to him their forbearance , he having to supply the place of so good a Mason as Earl Amherst .

Bro . A . SPENCER , P . G . S . B . Eng ., P . G . Sec , read the minutes of the previous Prov . G . Lodge , which were confirmed . The accounts as presented by Bro . W . RUSSELL , P . A . G . D . C . Eng ., P . P . S . G . W ., P . G . Treas ., were taken as read . They showed the province to be in a most flourishing condition , notwithstanding the heavy grants to the

Charities , the " George Adamson " Testimonial , Canterbury Cathedral and Chapter House , & c . Bro . Russell was unanimously re-elected P . G . Treasurer . The following brethren were then appointed and . invested as Prov . G . Officers for the ensuing year :

Bro . B . de B . Lopez , P . M . 913 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ R . M . Mercer , P . M . 31 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . C . M . Bevan , P . M . 1414 ... ,., 1 „ ^ r .. " Rev . R . A . Fawssett , M . A ., W . M . , ( S ... I ' r 0 V- G' Cha P S-„ W . Russell ( re-elected ) ... ,., Prov . G . Treas . „ A . Spencer , P . M . 106 3 ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ F . Hitchens , P . M . 77 ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

,, 1 . Kingsford , P . M . 2305 ... -An c < -- 1-, " F . B « ch , M . U ., P . M . 183 7 ] Prov . S . G . Ds . „ D . Baker , P . M . 1206 ... ¦¦¦ 1 i > ,,.,, A . H . Lee , P . M . . 223 j Prov . J . G . I ); . „ W . Reeve , P . M . 1973 ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ H . Sadler , P . M . 2 MS . G . Tyler ... ... Prov . G . D . C . .. K . W . EllisP . M . 1314 ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C .

, „ C . L . Graham , P . M . 133 ... ... " ) „ G . J . Bussey , P . M . 199 ... ... [ Prov . A . G . D . Cs . „ H . Morris , P . M . 1273 ... ... ) „ A . Mcintosh , P . M . 1096 ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ G . Harlow , jun ., P . M . 21 . 17 ... ... | ,, f . < .. „ „ T . T . Hogg , P . M . 483 - } 1 rov . G . Std . Brs . „ A . Sharp ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ S . Newton , P . M . 784 ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ W . H . Atkinson , P . M . 184 ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ H . Hurrell , P . M . 19 G 7 ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

Bro . J . T . Funnel ) , P . M . 20 ... ... " ] „ R . Preston , P . M . 167 S ... ... | " 'r R R r , P / ' p ^ - " , L Prov . G . Stewards . ,, 1 . B . Kosseter , P . M . 972 ... ... | „ A . S . Baskett , P . M . 158 ... - ... |

„ T . Ryder , P . M . 2200 ... ... J „ J . Orum , 20 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

The Prov . Grand Lodge vvas then adjourned , and the Deputy G . M . and his officers and the brethren generally went to St . Margaret ' s , Plumstead , where the Rev . Bro . C . M . BEVAN preached a sermon from 1 st Peter , Chap , ii ., v . 5-17— " Love the brotherhood , fear God , honour the King . " Several other clerical brethren assisted , and the choir sang an anthem . The offertory was divided between the Masonic Charities , " and the Building Fund of St . Margaret ' s School , and on their retirn the Prov . Grand Lodge was closed in ample form .

The banquet was served in the upper hall of the building , and was in every respect most enjoyable , a portion of the Royal Artillery Band playing selections during the repast . Among the other brethren present , and not above enumerated

were—Bros . C . Coupland , P . M . 913 , P . A . G . D . C . England and P . P . G . S . W .,, * W . P . Brown , P . M . 1424 , P . G . Std . Br . England ; J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B . England , and Secretary Boys' School ; L . Gait , P . M . 1424 ; S . Wilson , P . M . 1209 , P . P . J . G . D . ; F . Cronk , P . M . 1414 , P . P . S . G . D . ; F . Hitchins , P . M . 77 , P . P . G . S . B . ; E . White , P . M . 244 S , P . P . A . G . S . ; T . Hastings , P . M . 615 , and P . P . G . P ; R . W . Walker , P . M . 1107 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; C . S . Atkinson , P . M . 709 , P . P . G . R . ; J . King , P . M . 1692 , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; A . H . Lee , P . M . 1223 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; R ,

Fuggle , P . M . 1 S 5 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; A . Pocock , P . M . 1965 , P . P . G . O . ; T . Jenkins , P . M . 299 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; G . Spurgin , P . M . 558 , P . P . J . G . W . ] A . Ford , P . M . 784 , P . P . S . G . W . ; G . Goble , P . M . 1273 , P . P . G . D . C ; J . W . Longley , P . M . 299 , P . P . J . G . W . ; Capt . W . Weston , P . M . 2195 , and P . P . S . G . D ., * W . Tongue , P . M . 13 , P . P . J . G . W . ; R . J . Cook , P . M . ; R . H . Mason , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . ; Col . E . Hughes , M . P ., P . M . ; W . Bushbridge , P . M . ; W . C . Taylor , P . M ., Sec ; C . J . Clapham , P . M . ; Dr . E . Bryceson , M . A ., M . D ., P . M . ; W .

T . Vincent , P . M . ; C . Jolly , P . M . ( hon . ) , P . M . and Sec . 1472 , 2184 ; G . H . Letton , P . M . 615 ; J . Farrier , P . M . 829 ; S . Horton , P . M . 706 ; E . W . Lockwood ; G . Denton ; Isaiah Turton , W . M . 615 ; Dr . J . Clarke , W . C . Hallam , A . Wallis , W . H . Pryce , C . W . James , G . Frost , W . Squires , G . Lawrance , J . Griffiths , J . T . Taylor , and A . Tasker , all of 913 ; G . W . Townsend ; G . H . Porter , W . M . ; G . F . Nichols , P . M . 1567 ; E . B . Hobson , P . M . ; W . Webber , P . M ., and H . Pammant , S . VV . 700 ; D . H . Bernays , P . M ., and F . G . Nichols ,

P . M . and Sec , 706 ; A . W . Russell , W . M ., G . B . Davies , P . M ., F . Geraud , and C . Pilcher , all of 13 ; Captain G . Spinks , P . M . 1536 , P . P . S . G . W . ; R . Fowler , W . M ., F . Reed , P . M . and Sec , S . W ., A . Hill , J . W ., E . W . Sinnett , and A . Andrews , all of 1536 ; H . Crowdy , W . M . 2399 ; T . Hastings , P . M . 829 , P . P . G . P . ; W . Moulder , P . M ., Sec 829 , P . P . G . P . ; H . S . Syer , P . M ., Treas . 13 and 829 ; A . Sharpe , P . M . 829 , P . P . G . O . ; A . H . Bateman , P . M . 1973 ; G . H . Mitchell , P . M ., Treas ., P . P . G . D . of C . ; W . L . Doddrell , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., J . D . Brooks , Sec , and E . J . Valon , J . D ., all of 615 ; W . L . Hithersey , J . D . ; Capt .

W . Shipman , 1789 ; the Rev . H . H . Walker , S 59 , Hon . Chap . 1536 ; J . Cook , W . M . 957 ; G . Ingatt , 1692 ; W . Mabbett , 1692 ; J . Harlow , 2194 ; G . Blackler , 116 ; W . Burr , P . M . 1692 ; H . Cleasby , P . M . 1623 ; H . Horrell , P . M . 1967 ; S . Cottercll , P . M . 1314 ; A . E . Perkins , S . D . 1314 ; J . G . Penfold , 1536 ; G . Knowles , 2305 ; J . Holmes , 1208 ; H . Sells , 1464 ; T . West , W . M . 299 ; J . Powell , P . M ., Sec . 2404 ; F . Berch , 1837 ; J . Jackson , 77 ; W . Hawkins , P . M . 483 ; R . Klyn , W . M . 2266 ; W . Oliver , P . M . 507 ; E . Broughton , 615 ; C . Wood , P . M . 2345 ; A . Ronaldson , 48 3 ; H . Black , 1273 ; J . Terry , P . M . 991 ; R . Taylor , 1692 ; C . A . Harris , W . M . 1273 ; and others .

In proposing the toast of "The Queen and the Craft , the D . P . G . M . said they were all well aware of the peculiar circumstances that put him in the position of their presiding officer that day . Until he came down to Plumstead he had not the slightest idea that their Prov . Grand Master would not be present . It was a great misfortume for them , but he felt sure the great kindness of the Masons of Kent would enable him to get through the duties of the position he then occupied . He had nothing particularly fresh to say

more than to heartily endorse every word that had been said by their Grand Master at the recent meeting at the Albert Hall , that her Majesty was not only the mother of Masons , but a patron of Masons , and one of the oldest supporters of their Charities . The previous day the Queen'had celebrated her Diamond Jubilee , and her reception , as they expected it

would be , was a glorious one , at which they all heartily rejoiced , and when the history of her reign was written in years to come it would be spoken of as one of the grandest things that had taken place for years , if ever such a thing had taken place . Her Majesty was one of the greatest supporters of the Craft , and would , as long as she lived , keep up her interest in it . He , in their name and in his own , wished her long life and happiness .

The toast was drunk most loyally and amidst ringing cheers , and the National Anthem was sung with lusty lungs by the brethren present . The D . P . G . M . then proposed the toast of "H . R . H . the Prince of VVales , Grand Master of the O . der . " He said that those who were present at the recent meeting at the Albert Hall , must have been delighted lo have heard the splendid speech made by his Royal Highness , and gratified at the grand

reception given him . As most of them were aware , the fact of their G . M . accepting the office had given a rare impetus to Freemasonry , and under his rule the Order had gone on and on increasing in number and importance , and , while they hoped the Q ueen might live for many years to come , they also hoped that his Royal Highness might be spared for many years to rule and govern them as their Grand Ma ter . The toast was dunk in bumpers , and the brethren sang in unison " Gjd bless the Prince of Wales . "

Rev . Bro . BEVAN , Prov . G . C , proposed thetoastof "The Pro G . M ., the Dep . G . M ., and thereto ! the G . Offi ; ers , Present and Past . " He said he wa > p leased to see Bro . ICistes amongst them , and in such good health , and they were , he felt sure , also pleased to see him and the admirable manner in which he had conducted lhc proceedings of Prov . G . Lodge that day . They all missed the presence of their esteemed Prov . G . M ., Earl Amherst , than whom no man or Mason in Kent was more loved and looked up to , and he and they regretted his unavoidable absence on that occasion . Any one who

was privileged to be present at the late Albert Hall gathering could not fail to be struck wilh the admirable order maintained throughout , and that showed how admirably the D . Cs . had discharged their duties . He trusted his lordship might long be spared to discharge the important duties of his hig h office . One word more—they were all pleased to see thiir esteemed Bro . Coupland had received at the hands of his Royal Hig hness their G . M . the brevet rank of a P . A . G . D . C . There vvas no one more respected in the province than Bro . Coupland , and they all trusted he might long be spared to enjoy the honour conferred on him .