Original Correspondence.

rendered , and especially as it is not desired to make this a kind of begging appeal . If by this plan my twofold object is attained , I feel assured all parties will have cause for congratulation ; and no one will more rejoice , that such an excellent Institution has been advantaged , than—Yours Fraternally , HENRY C . TOMBS , P . A . G . Soj ., P . G . D ., P . P . G . Sec , P . G . S . E . Wilts . January 24 th .

P . S . I must not omit to state that on mentioning the matter to Comp . Bambridge he most readily assented to the music being utilized as above as it was to aid our Masonic Charities .

HISTORY OF LODGE INDUSTRY , No . 1 S 6 . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , As I look out with pleasure for any additions to the histories of old lodges , that contained in the Freemason of last week , pages 49 and 5 S , naturally attracted my attention . I was , however , not a little surprised to find

that much information taken from my " Masonic Records , 1717-18 S 6 , " should not only meet with no acknowledgment by the compiler of the history , but that he should apparently go out of his way to state what is not a fact , viz ., that the particulars as to the places of meeting of this lodge prior to 1 S 00 were " necessarily obtained from the entries in the Grand Lodge Registers . "

Your readers may probably be aware by this time that my researches and investigations of the Grand Lodge Records have not been superficial , and they will believe me when I say that the particulars referred to are neither to be found in the Grand Lodge Registers , nor in any other books or documents in Grand Lodge at the time I compiled my book , and , consequently , I do not hesitate to affirm that the writer of this lodge history compiled no small

portion of it from pages 116 and 117 of " Masonic Rerords . " Whilst I do not for a moment object to this use of my work—and , in fact , I am glad that my labours are found useful—I think in all such cases the true sources of information ought to be recognized . Possibly this gentle remonstrance may have the effect of obtaining a more honourable course of procedure in the future . —Yours fraternally , JNO . LANE . Torquay , January 2 Sth .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

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NEPTUNE LODGE ( No . 22 ) . —The installation meeting of the above old and distinguished lodge ( date of constitution 1757 ) was held on Thursday , the 26 th ult ., at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-strcet , City . There were present Bros . Leon V . Walker , W . M . ; J . Corbett , I . P . M . ; E . Y . Jolliffe , S . VV . ; VV . R . Brooks , J . VV . ; Henry Povey , P . M ., Treas . ; T . P . Collings , P . M ., Hon .

Sec ; H . Savidge , S . D . ; W . J . Charles , J . D . ; H . Baily , I . G . ; H . H . Knill , Org . ; VV . Cook , P . M ., D . C . ; B . Fletcher , H . Goss , J . Vanderwick , R . VV . Coulcher , P . M . ; T . Whiting , R . Burt White , E . S . Hopper , N . J . Woodcock , H . VV . Peek , H . G . Swan , P . Saillard , B . Pearl , J . Water-all , P . M . ; A . W . Gregor , and G . M . Vane . Visitors : Bros . John Derby Allcroft , P . M ., P . G . Treas . ;

Edward Anderton , W . M . ; Joseph Renals , J . W . ; George Kenning , P . M . ; Samuel White , P . M . ; VV . H . Froom , P . M . ; John Larkin , George Rawlinson , F . Crockford , and P . Saillard , all of 1 G 57 ; J . Corbett , J . P . Fitzgerald , A . Smythe , W . J . Charles , and R . D . Cummings , all of 216 S ; W . F . Flower , 1901 ; G . E . H . Bannister , 604 ; E . C . Davis , 23 ; T . Carroll , 749 ; N . Goodwin , 176 S ; J . P .

Clayton , 263 ; F . J . Blake , 410 ; E . Holland , W . M . 1969 ; F . Moir , 123 S ; T . Richards , S 13 ; VV . Thomasson , 209 ; D . Tucker , 209 ; F . Varley , 1260 ; E . Dodd , 1223 ; VV . G . Thompson , 1445 ; P . Phillips , S 20 ; and T . M . Clark , 21 S 2 . The minutes of the last regular lodge meeting , also of emergency meeting held Thursday , the 5 th ult ., were read

and confirmed . The report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . Bro . Henry Povey , P . M ., Treas ., installed Bro . E . Y . Jolliffe , P . M . 16 57 , 1460 , Treas . 216 S , Prov . S . G . W . Middx ., as VV . M . for the ensuing year in an able manner , assisted by Bro . J . Corbett , P . M ., and Bro . W . Cook , P . M ., D . C . The newly-instalied W . M . appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . L . V . Walker

I . P . M . ; VV . R . Brooks , S . W . ; H . Savidge , J . W . ; H . Povey , P . M ., Treas . ; T . P . Collings , P . M ., Sec ; VV . J . Charles , S . D . ; H . Baily , J . D . ; J . W . Standerwick , I . G . ; 1 . Corbett , P . M ., D . C ; H . H . Knill , Org . ; R . VV . Coulcher , P . M ., and J . W . Lewthwaite , Stewards ; and J . Parkinson , Tyler . Bro . Jolliffe , in a pleasant speech , presented the I . P . M . with a valuable jewel , voted by the lodge in

recognition of the able manner in which he had presided during the past year . _ A full-sized lodge banner , made of rich sky blue corded silk , with the name and number of the lodge , date of constitution , and a representation of Neptune painted , was presented to the lodge by Bro . E . Y . Jolliffe . The brethren were much pleased with the compliment paid them by the value and the thoughtfulness of the gift .

The brethren afterwards dined together . The usual toasts were proposed by the W . M . Bro . John Derby Allcroft , P . G . Treas ., replied for " The Grand Officers . " Bro . Leon V . Walker proposed " The Health of the W . M . " in a humorous speech . Bro . E . Y . Jolliffe said the toast he was about to propose

, he was pleased to say , was seldom or ever omitted from the VV . M . 's list—he alluded to " The Visitors . " In his own name and that of the brethren of the lodge , it gave them great pleasure to see the visitors , and he gave them a very hearty welcome , and hoped they had spent a pleasant

evening , lime would not permit him to read the names of all the visitors , and that was his excuse to those he did not call upon to respond . Before proposing the toast he must congratulate his friend , Bro . Joseph Renals , who was initiated in the Aldersgate Lodge by Bro . George Kenning , November Sth , 1880 , on being unanimously elected that day to the

Craft Masonry.

Aldersgate Ward as Alderman , and trusted he would live long to enjoy the honour . With the toast he coupled the names of Bros . Edward Anderton , W . M . 1657 ; Joseph Renals , J . W . 1657 ; G . E . H . Bannister , 604 ; and E . C . Davis , 23 , who responded . Bro . Waterall responded for "The Past Masters . " Bros . W . R . Brooks , S . VV ., and J . VV . Standerwick ,

I . G ., responded for "The Officers of the Lodge . " Bros . Povey and Collings replied for "The Treasurer and Secretary . " A good programme of vocal and instrumental music was performed under the direction of the Organist , Bro . H . H . Knill , assisted by Mr . F . Rochester , as accompanist , the

Misses Carlisle , Mr . B . Wood , Mr . Augustus Pope , and the J . W ., Bro . H . Savidge , who contributed a violin solo . The dinner was admirably served under the personal supervision of Bro . Ritter . The banner and jewel were manufactured by Bro . George Kenning . ¦

PEACE AND HARMONY LODGE ( No . 60 ) . —This lodge met at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Queenstreet , on the 27 th ult . Among those present were Bros . A . S . Josling , W . M ., P . G . Stwd . ; Dr . Kempster , P . M ., acting S . VV . ; Rogers , acting J . W . ; H . Young , P . G . Stwd ., P . M ., Treas . ; F . Binckes , P . G . Stwd ., P . G . S . B ., P . M ., Sec . ; A . J . Altman , C . C ., S . D . ; J . Moon , P . M ., J . D . ; Kent , P . M ., Chancellor , P . M ., and Barton , P . M .,

P . G . Stwds . ; H . J . Lardner , P . P . G . O . Surrey ; Debenham , T . C . Walls , P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., Kempster , jun ., G . H . Kenning , E . J . Altman , H . Slade , W . Masters , and others . Among the visitors were Bros . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br ., and Nelson Prower , M . A . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken on behalf of Mr .

O . C . L . W . Polentz , and it being unanimous he was duly and impressively initiated into Craft mysteries by the W . M . Bro . J . P . Cotton was passed and Bro . G . II . Kenning , raised , the latter ceremony being ably performed by Bro . Barton , P . M . Bro . VV . A . Higgs , P . M . 901 , Sheriff of London and Middlesex , was duly balloted for as a joining member . ' Bro . A . J . Altman , C . C ., S . D ., was unanimously elected for recommendation to the M . W .

Grand Master , as Grand Steward for the year 1 SSS-9 . The sum of five guineas was voted to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . The usual toasts followed . Bro . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br ., responded on behalf of "The Grand Officers . " The proceedings were enlivened by some excellent songs given by Bros . Young , Walls , Kenning , Cotton , and others .

MONTEFIORE LODGE ( No . 1017 ) . —The installation meeting of thislodgewasheldatthe Masonic Hall , Air-street , on VVednesday , the 25 th ult ., when Bro . H . H . Myers was installed in the chair of K . S . Prior to that ceremony , however , the retiring W . M ., Bro . John Manger , initiated into Freemasonry Messrs . Isaac Joel and S . T . Joel—two brothers in blood as they now are in the Craft .

1 he ceremony of installation was performed by Bro . S . T . Abraham—the father of the lodge—whose execution of the work was not only faultless , but most impressive . On the dissolution of the Board of Installed Masters , the brethren were admitted and saluted in the various Degrees . The W . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . John Manger , I . P . M . ; Tom Honey , S . VV . ; C . Vandyk , J . W . ; j .

urunebaum , S . D . ; J . Rossdale , J . D . ; Salomon , P . M ., D . C ; A . H . Taylor , I . G . ; D . M . Davis , Org . ; j . Straus and F . N . Hardinge , Stewards . Bro . Davis , on behalf of the lodge , invested Bro . Manger with a P . M . ' s jewel , saying that it would be a memorial of a pleasant and prosperous year in the lodge ' s history and a memento of good service done .

A sumptuous banquet was served by the Cafe Royal , at which , in addition to the members of the lodge , the following brethren were present : Bros . Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . Chap . ; F . Binckes , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B . ; S . M . Lazarus , P . P . G . W . Wilts ; John Aird , M . P ., P . M . 259 , P . G . S . ; A . Bauman , H . Tipper , W . M . 185 ; Lyon , VV . M . iSS ; L . M . Myers , CC , P . M . iSS ; J . Williams ,

P . M . 1791 ; Baron D . Barnett , P . M . 166 S ; C . S . Crowder , 19 S 7 ; R . F . Whur , 1901 ; W . G . Dickenson , 160 S ; Under-Sheriff Rose-Innes , 177 ; L . H . Phillips , CC , 1670 ; M . Frank , iSS ; and E . Samuelson , P . M . Grace having been said by the Rev . R . J . Simpson , Hon . Chaplain to the lodge , the W . M . proposed the toast of

"The Queen and Craft , " which was loyally responded to . In submitting "The Health of the M . W . G . M ., the Prince of Wales , " the W . M . coupled the name of " The Piincess of Wales , " referring to their Silver Wedding , to be celebrated this year , and to the witching way in which the Princess had won all hearts .

The toast of "The Grand Officers" was replied to by Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , who congratulated the lodge on the excellence of its working . Bro . F . Binckes , P . G . S . B ., Secretary Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , also replied , and pointed out that great as may be the services of the Grand Officers , their whole strength and power was derived from the confidence and

support they received from the brethren of the Craft . "The Health of the W . M . " was given by Bro . Manger , I . P . M ., in appreciative terms , and , in response , the VV . M . declared his determination to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors in maintairing the - efficiency and prestige of the Montefiore Lodge . The two Initiates replied to the toast of their health in

modest and interesting speeches , leaving the impression that the lodge had made a considerable acquisition in enlisting them as members . In feeling terms the W . M . gave the toast of "The Installing Master , " who , in his reply , exercised his privilege as father of the lodge in giving some excellent Masonic advice .

The toast of " The Visitors ' •' was eloquently given from the chair , and responded to by Bro . J . Aird , M . P ., who remarked that if Parliament was only impelled by Masonic principles-there would be little difficulty in governing the country . Bro . Tipper , W . M . 1 S 5 , expressed the sympathy of the

sister lodges . Bros . Lyon , Bauman , Crowder , and Under-Sheriff Rose Innesalso replied , the latter brother excusing himself for attending at a time of Civic mourning on account of his personal friendship with the W . M . "The Past Masters , " "The Secretary , " "Treasurer , " and the " Officers " of the lodge were afterwards recognised , and the proceedings closed with the Tyler ' s toast .

A distinguishing- characteristic of the Montefiore Lodge is the charming concert always provided , and on Wednesday excellent music was discoursed by Miss May Hallam , Miss Hortense Samuelson ( medallist R . A . M . ) , and Mr . H . M . Irnam , while Bro . A . G . Pritchard convulsed the company with some humorous sketches of character and song .

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT LODGE ( No . 1524 ) . —The installation meeting of this successful lodge was held on Thursday , the 26 th ult ., at Anderton's Hotel , Fleetstreet . There was a numerous attendance of members and visitors , the former including Bros . R . Polak , W . M . ; Geo . Ferrar , S . W ., VV . M . elect ; W . H . Brand , P . M ., Treas . j W . H . Lee , Prov . A . G . Sec . Middx ., Sec ; A . R . Olley ,

J . W . ; W . Beasley , S . D . ; J . H . Rich , J . D . ; W . Simpson , D . C . ; E . Frisby , Org . ; E . Winch , Stwd . ; F . Brasted , P . M . ; E . Dignam , P . M . ; J . L . Payne , P . M . ; A . Ferrar , P . M . ; C . Lorkin , P . M . ; and others . Amongst the visitors were Bros . Fred . Walters , P . P . G . S . B . Middx . ; J no , Rose , 1607 ; G . W . Larter , I . P . M . 1602 ; M . Christian , P . M . 860 ; Thos . Clark , P . M . 117 S ; D .

Behnfante , W . M . 435 ; A . Cook , I . G . 13 G 6 ; J . H . Hoit , P . M . S 56 , P . P . G . S . B . Cornwall ; F . Dunstan , 1326 ; J . R . Mortord , 569 ; T . Augur , P . M . 1766 ; R . S . Gushing , W . M . 1607 ; F . Matthews , P . M . 1766 ; R . Pascoe , 27 ; VV . H . Webb , 1 S 51 ; J . Doyle , 1926 ; J . McLaren , P . M . 1 S 05 ; A . R . Flack , I . G . 130 G ; and J . R . Hertford , 69 . Ihe lodge having been opened , the minutes of the last

regular and emergency meetings were read and confirmed . The Auditors' report , showing a substantial balance to the credit of the lodge and Benevolent Funds , was received and adopted . The W . Master then generously vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Arthur Ferrar , P . M ., and the installation ceremony was then proceeded with . Bro . George Ferrar having been presented as W . M . elect , and a Board

of Installed Masters having been formed , he had the somewhat unique privilege of being installed into the chair by his brothtr , the Installing Master . The following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . A . R . Oiley , S . VV . ; W . Beasley , J . W . ; VV . H . Brand , P . M ., Treas . ; W . H . Lee , P . M ., Sec ; J . H . Rich , S . D . ; W . Simpson , J . D . ; John Robinson , I . G . ; E . Winch , D . C . ; E . Frisby , Org . ; A .

Langman and Chas . Busbridge , Stwds . ; and J . Marsh , Tyler . The usual addresses were rendered in an effective manner by Bro . Arthur Ferrar , P . M . Ballot having been successfully taken in favour of Messrs . W . H . Burr , J . B . Horton , and G . Callow as candidates for initiation , they were impressively initiated into Freemasonry by the newlyinstalled VV . Master . Bro . W . H . Lee , P . M ., Sec ,

then reminded the brethren that he intended , in conjunction with Bro . F . Braster , P . M ., representing the lodge at the Centenary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . He proposed that the sum of ten guineas should be taken ( from the lodge funds and placed to the credit of the joint-stewardship , and felt convinced that for two reasons the motion would be

unanimously carried . In the first place , he found on reference to the accounts that it was about three years since the lodge was represented at a festival of one of the Masonic Institutions , and secondly he considered that the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls had a prior claim upon them , inasmuch as a child of a deceased P . M . was now being educated in that school . As the brethren were already

aware , strenuous efforts were being made to make the result of the centenary festival of the Girls' School worthy of the occasion , and in order to enable large additions to be made . Under these circumstances , he was sure that the motion he had proposed would be unanimously carried , and that the members of the lodge would considerably enlarge that amount by their individual contributions . Bro .

VV . H . Brand , P . M ., Treas ., having seconded the proposition , it was carried unanimously . All routine business having been transacted , and " Hearty good wishes" having been heartily conveyed to the W . M ., the lodge was closed . The brethren then adjourned to the banquet room , where a recherche repast was admirably served . After dessert the usual loyal and

Masonic toasts were given in the customary hearty manner and with commendable brevity . Bro . George Ferrar , VV . M ., in responding- to the toast of his health , which had been proposed by Bro . Polak , I . P . M ., sincerely thanked that brother for the manner in which he had introduced the toast , and also cordially thanked the brethren for the hearty reception accorded it . Ever since

his connection with the lodge it had been his ambition to occupy the chair , and he was therefore proud at having been installed as the W . M . for the ensuing year . He should endeavour in the future , as he had in the past , to carry out his duty to the best of his ability , and hoped by a strict performance of the work in the lodge , and by attention to the comfort of the members , to merit their

satisfaction and gain their esteem . He again thanked them for their cordial reception of the toast of his health . "The Initiates" was next given , and appropriately responded to by Bros . Burr , Horton , and Callow . " The Masonic Charities " was proposed by the Worshipful Master , who appealed to the brethren cordially to support the Stewardship of Bros . Lee , P . M ., and Brasted ,

P . M ., on behalf of the Girls' School . Bro . F . Brasted , P . M ., replied , and tendered sincere thanks to the W . M . and brethren for the kindly manner in which they had characterised the proposition and reception of the toast . He regretted that Bro . Lee , P . M ., had been obliged to leave , as the duty of responding to the toast would no doubt have been carried out in a more able

manner had that brother been present . He hoped the members would support the joint Stewardship of himself and Bro . Lee , P . M ., and make the amount collected worthy of their lodge . He need not assure them that he was appealing on behalf of a good cause , and by a substantial response to that appeal the brethren would be carrying out one of the great principles of the Order . They had

amongst them that good fellowship which was so characteristic of Masonry , but he hoped they would not forget to carry out the principle of Charity , which was one of the strongest pillars of the Order . "The Visitors" was then given by the W . M ., who tendered a hearty welcome to the visiting brethren .

Bro . Christian , P . M . SGo , returned sincere thanks on behalf of the visitors for the kindly reception extended to them , and personally thanked the W . M . for the comp liment paid him by coupling his name with the toast . It had been a pleasure to him to receive an invite to their lodge , but the pleasure had been doubly enhanced by the gratification it had afforded him to see the admirable man-