Correspondence.

5 ' . —Bro . John Durell , P . M ., gave his word to the Prov . Grand Master that he would send his son ' s request for a' clearance certificate to the February ( 1891 ) meeting of La Cassaree Lodge . On February j 9 th he presented a sealed envelope to the Secretary of the lodge , and told him that it contained the necessary

paper'for obtaining the clearance certificate for his son . A few days afterwards he made a similar statement to the Deputy Prov . Grand Master of Jersey . At the meeting of the lodge on February 26 th the envelope presented to the Secretary was found to contain nothing but a letter from Bro . John Durell , neither the request

for a certificate nor a copy thereof was enclosed . 6 . —No representative member of the lodge , nor any other member to my knowledge , ever stated , or caused to be stated , to Bro . John Durell , P . M ., that he would be refused admission to the lodge on February 26 th . 7 . —On no occasion whatever has the slightest proof

been offered to myself or to the lodge that Bro . John Durell is authorised to ask for a clearance certificate on behalf of his son . The complete text of the postscript from Bro . Walter Durell was first known to me from the letter of Bro . John Durell which appeared in your columns .

8 . —The lodge has not desired at any stage of the proceedings to push the matter to its extreme point , viz ., to question the credibility of Bro John Durell ; the only wish of the lodge has been to meet Bro . John Durell on the ground which he himself has chosen , the letter of the Book of Constitutions .

La Csesaree Lodge has , of course , exhausted its rights of appeal , so far as recognised Masonic tribunals are concerned , but I feel certain that the more the true facts of this case are known , the more will La Caesaree Lodge obtain the sympathy of brethren who

think that Masonic law—like all other law—is to be interpreted in accordance with its grammatical meaning and not according to feelings of expediency which false sympathy may for the moment suggest . —Yours fraternally , H . BECKER , W . M . 590 . Jersey , September 28 th .

ARTICLE 213 . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I have read , and re-read , with some surprise your leader of to-day and my letter of the 12 th , and

I fail entirely to see where I have attempted to establish a case" against the Grand Registrar and Bro . Prinsep . I do not think my letter will fairly bear any such construction , and in fact you seem entirely to have misread the letter .

You say that I "maintain the Lodge ( La Caisaree ) was justified , " & c . I expressed no opinion whatever on the merits of the unfortunate dispute between Lodge La Cassaree and Bro . John Durell—nor do I now . I wrote simply on the general law . You say I " appear to have ignored the dictum that

there are exceptional cases to every rule , and that this was just one of those exceptional cases . " But the very point of my letter was to accentuate the fact that this was an exceptional case and must be so considered , and your present article full y admits all that I contended for , viz ., that the decision was under such exceptional

circumstances that it must not in any way be considered to abrogate the general rule , which general rule you now practically admit to be that I quoted . I repeat my position that before granting a brother ' s clearance certificate to a third party a lodge is bound in the interest of the brother to demand sufficient

evidence that he has authorised the application being made , and that it must , indeed , be an exceptional case when the lodge can be justified in granting it on any evidence less than the brother ' s own handwriting . With this you now seem to agree , and this is all I contended for . —Yours fraternally , September 26 th . LEX SCRIPTA .

EAST LANCASHIRE CHARITY COMMITTEE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , My attention has been called to a paragraph in the report in your journal of Saturday last of the meeting of the East Lancashire Charity Committee , which says— " After some discussion and comments

as to the refusal of the Province of Derbyshire ( in which province the deceased brother vvas also a subscriber ) to assist in the election , the petition vvas unanimously adopted . " Permit me to say that refusal should read inability ,

as this province is still heavily in debt , owing to its recent successful exertions . I may add that the case in question vvas placed upon the list unknown to , and entirely independently of , the Derbyshire Charity Committee . —Yours faithfully and fraternally , PERCY WALLIS , P . M ., September 28 th . P . P . S . G . W ., V . Pat . R . M . I . B .

Bro ; Lord Egerton of Tatton , in his speech at the Altrincham Agricultural Society on the 24 th ult ., expressed the hope that under the County Council scheme of technical education in farming attention would be directed to the revival of the Cheshire cheese manufacture , so , that it might secure the -prestige it enjoyed some 30 years ago , when it vvas to be found in nearly every hotel on the Continent .

Reviews.

Reviews .

DEVON MASONIC REGISTER , 1891-2 . This nicely got-up guide for the county of Devon , concerning all matters Masonic in that large province , is edited , printed , and published by Bro . W . Frank Westcott , P . M . 70 , P . P . J . G . D ., of the Frankfort Press , Plymouth . It seems a pity that this very useful annual

is always issued so late in the year , though it is most valuable whenever it is ready for consultation by the brethren , and the delay in publication has some advantages , because of including lists of officers of lodges , & c , not appointed until after June in each year . Still , its issue does not begin until the Provincial Grand

Lodge is to be held , and hence the rank inserted of the members is exactly one year behind date . The " Register " for the current term is one of the best of the series , and so far as we have tested it its accuracy cannot be impugned . Some of the new features introduced by Bro . Westcott will prove most useful ,

especially the index , the list of brethren officially connected with the province , with their addresses , and the roll of lodges with centenary jewel warrants ( which we recommended to be inserted on reviewing the edition for 1890-1 ) . These are all welcome additions . The full particulars afforded of 52 lodges , 29 chapters ,

23 Mark lodges , six preceptories , three Rose Croix chapters , & c , & c , occupy over 100 closely printed page ? , though everything is done to condense the information without omitting any facts of local interest to the Craft . The names of the subscribers to the Central Masonic Charities are all carefully arranged and tabulated , the

total amounting to 266 3 votes . The number is not favourable to the province , as there are some 3000 members , the benefits accruing to Devon apparently being in excess of their donations . The vigorous and wellmanaged "Devon Masonic Educational Fund" is to the fore as usual , and its long list of Vice-Patrons , Vice-Presidents , and Life-Governors testify to the

esteem in which that excellent Society is held . The " Fortescue Annuity Fund" is also doing good work , and is duly represented in this very handy and useful guide , copies of which may be obtained from the publisher for 13 stamps . It is to be hoped that its sale will correspond with its real worth and value as the " Masonic Register" for one of the largest provinces in England .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

952 ] — HISTORY OF THE SKINNERS' COMPANY

I have been much interested in reading the following work on one of the old Companies of the City of London , entitled " Some Account of the History and Antiquity of the Worshipful Company of Skinners , London , " by J . F . Wadmore ( 18 7 6 ) * We are told , by - way of introduction , and certainly indicative of

antiquity , that " From the time that God clothed our first parents with coats of skins to the present time , skins , or furs as we now call them , have been used . " Earl y in the 14 th century the Skinners' trade-guild is mentioned , and by 1 339 it had become a powerful Company . The rights and privileges of precedence , and the

natural anxiety for some of the old Guilds or Companies seeking pre-eminence , led to a dispute between the Skinners and Merchant Tailors , and eventually to blows . At last the matter vvas referred to arbitration , and resulted in the two Companies

concerned , enjoying the priority in civic processions alternately I which award has continued operative to this day from the 15 th century . Many vvere the Royal and noble personages of both sexes who joined the Skinners , and doubtless , subscribed to

" The othe of netve entres , " & c . " Ye shall swere that ye shall be good and trewe liege men unto oure liege lorde the Kyng , and to his heyres Kynges ; * * ' * * * the secretis and councells of the same , ye shall well and trulie kepe and hold ; * * * and all the poyntes and ordenaunces longing to the fraunchise of the said Citie ; & c , & c . So god you

helpe , and all scyntis " ( A . . 1366 circa ) . Apprentices had " to be free-born and not lame or disfigured of limbs , whereby the city nor craft take disworshi p in time coming" ( A . D . i 486 ) . Strangers and foreigners vvere not to work as skinners under penalty of fjs 8 d ., and members of the fellowship or Company were onl y to employ freemen of the City , the penalty being one pound ( A . D . 1493 ) . W . J . HUGHAN .

Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND .

At a meeting of the Grand Committee of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , held on the 24 th ultimo , in Edinburgh—Bro . Sir Charles Dalrymple in the chaira letter was read from Bro . Sir Archibald Campbell intimating his desire not to be re-elected Grand Master Mason of Scotland . Bro . the Earl of Haddington vvas unanimously nominated as Grand Master . Among the

other nominations were the following : Bros . Dalrymple Duncan , S . G . W . ; Colonel Campbell , J . G . W . ; Rev . White , G . Chap . ; Colonel Stirling , S . G . D . ; Collin Gellatley , J . G . D . ; and G . C . H . M'Naught , G . B . B . We understand that the brethren intend to place a bust of Bro . Sir Archibald Campbell in the headquarters of the Grand Lodge , an honour which is done to every Past Grand Master .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft flDasonr ^ . METROPOLITAN MEETINGS .

United Pilgrims Lodge ( No . 507 ) . —The duties of this flourishing lodge were resumed on the 24 th ult . at the Bridge House Hotel , Southwark , when there were present Bros . Ellson , W . M . ; Thomas , S . W . ; Stone , J . VV . ; Peters , P . M . and Sec . j Gilson , S . D . j Laing , J . D . ; Beste , I . G . ; Terry , P . M . ; Levy , P . M . ; Joyce , P . M . ; Noakes , P . M . ; Cockell , P . M . ; Dixcee , Lipscomb

, Bowles , Davies , and Knowles . The visitors vvere Bros . Nutting , W . M . 231 ; Sanders , 1 S 53 ; F . C Atkinson , P . M . 164 S ; G . A . Pickering , VV . M . S 90 ; H . T . Bing , P . M . 1912 ; F . Ainsworth , 569 ; Lancaster , P . M . 1668 ; W . Bacon , 2024 ; W . Davies , l . P . M . 1901 ; J . W . Moorman , P . M . igSi ; H . B . May , S . W . 1237 i J- D . E . Tarr , 1293 , P . P . G . D . Middx . ; R . Temple , 1319 ; and

A . K . Sternberg , 64 , Quebec . The minutes of the last regular lodge meeting vvere read and confirmed , and the ceremony of passing was performed in an excellent and most impressive manner . The W . M . then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Levy , P . M ., who raised a very old friend in Bro . Davies . The VV . M . having resumed the chair , the ballot vvas taken for two

gentlemen to be initiated . The J . W ., Bro . Stone , thanked the brethren for the most hearty and generous support given him on the occasion of his Stewardship to the Girls ' Institution at the last Festival , when he vvas enabled to take up a list worthy of the lodge . The lodge vvas then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a capital banquet , which vvas highly appreciated .

The cloth being removed , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given in an excellent manner by the W . M ., and responded to with enthusiasm . The Worshipful Master then proposed " The Pro Grand Master and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and their valuable services having been commented on , the toast vvas well received .

The toast of " The Worshipful Master " vvas very ably put by Bro . Cockell , I . P . M ., who remarked the high esteem he was held in by all the brethren ; in fact , the more he vvas known the greater vvas their love for him . The toast vvas drunk most enthusiastically . In reply the Worshipful Master stated he vvas delighted

to have the confidence of the brethren , and he could assure them the welfare of the lodge was very dear to him , and he trusted to do his duty always by the lodge . "The Visitors" was next given by the Worshipful Master in a few very appropriate terms , giving them all a most hearty welcome , for which the United Pilgrims Lodge is noted .

This was responded to very ably by Bros . Pickering , Nutting , and Temple , who one and all congratulated the lodge on the working , and thanked the brethren for the excellent repast they had partaken of and the hearty welcome which had been extended to them . The toast of " The Past Masters " the Worshipful Master gave in a capital manner , remarking their great assistance to the lodge and willingness at all times to undertake any duties most readily .

In reply , Bro . Cockell , I . P . M ., said he vvas proud of the honour to respond as Past Master , and in the name of all he heartily thanked the brethren for so cordially receiving the toast . The Worshipful Master next gave the toast of "The Officers , " eulogising their work , which enabled him to carry out his duties so well .

This vvas responded to by Bros . Thomas , S . W ., and Stone , J . W ., who stated they would all emulate the Worshipful Master and perform their duties to the utmost of their abilities . The Tyler ' s toast brought a very successful meeting to a close . The evening was enlivened by some excellent music by Bros . Cockell , Knowles , Beste , and Temple .

Corinthian Lodge ( No . 1382 ) . —A regular meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the 16 th ult ., at the George Tavern , Cubitt Town , under the presidency of Bro . R . J . Pitt , W . M ., supported by Bros . R . Perry , l . P . M . ; W . J . Millington , P . M . ; I . Morrison , P . M . ; G . A . Saunders , S . W . ; J . Limn , J . W . ; J . Carnaby , Treas . ; A . H . Oakley , Sec ; W . Blois , J . D . ;

T . Bassett , I . G . j and E . Brindley , Stwd . Among the members present were Bros . A . H . Flint , H . Lane , H . A . Dunn , J . Higgs , A . J . Echevarie , A . G . Harper , R . Wild , R . Ralston , W . H . Freeman , G . Plant , J . G . Bonner , E . T . Selves , J . S . Inns , L . J . Prindcent , F . S . Hince , T . Gilvisley , G . Turton , H . Rogers , H . H . Welsh , G . Bartlett , and B . Boreham . Among the visitors were Bros . R . W . Dodridge , 202 and 3 S 1 ( S . C ); W . T . Keddellj

Lewis , 1185 ; and J . Mills , 1765 . As usual in this active lodge the agenda contained a good number of candidates for all the Degrees . The lodge being duly opened , the minutes were read and confirmed , and Messrs . W . J . Matthews , J . J . Harper , A . J . Morrison , and C . T . Davis vvere initiated . Bros . Inns and Selves vvere then passed . The brethren on the list for raising not being present , after other business the lodge was closed .

1 he brethren afterwards adjourned to a substantial and well-served repast , which , as usuil , reflected credit on the purveyorship _ of the worthy host , Bro . Innocent and his son , who both looked well after the creature and other comforts of the brethren . The W . M . having proposed "The Oueen and the Craft , " "The Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . / and the other Grand Officers , Present and Past , " vvas proposed , and duly honoured .

The remaining toasts , as the hour vvas advanced , were briefly proposed , and responded to , and the Tyler's toast brought the proceedings to a close .