Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

GRAND LODGE LIBRARY AND MUSEUM . To the Editor of the "Freemason '' Dear Sir and Brother , , It would be a great benefit to Masonic Students and the Craft at large if the large number of Masonic books and curios collected by the late Bro .

G . W . Speth , on behalf of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , were located in the new rooms just completed by Grand Lodge for the purpose of a library and museum . It could be a collection by itself , printed in the next catalogue issued by Grand Lodge , as the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , collected by Bro . G . W . Speth . —Yours fraternally , MASONIC . STUDENT .

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION—ANNUAL MEETING , MAY 17 TH . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother . I sincerely hope the motion standing in the name of Bro . F . Craggs , P . M ., will receive the hearty support of the Subscribers of the above

Institution . It has for some time been advocated by me that the retaining the names of unsuccessful candidates for so many years on the list is a contradiction of the first principles of Freemasonry , and certainly is not carrying out the title of the Institution . That candidates should be allowed to remain on the list for upwards of 17 years without the slightest chance of their being elected is a disgrace to

those who nominated them , and is certainly hot to the credit of the Institution or the Craft which allows such a contradiction to continue . I had the honour of bringing forward a similar motion two years ago , and although accorded a patient hearing , nothing resulted . For the sake of the Institution I hope this will bs more fortunate . —Yours fraternally , WILLIAM C . PARSONS , P . M . and Sec . 180 , V . P .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"WEST LANCASHIRE MASONIC CALENDAR , 1901-2 . " ( Wigan , R . Piatt , 17 , Wallgate ) . —This extraordinary compilation is by Bro . W . Goodacre , F . R . G . S ., the indefatigable Prov . Grand Sec . The province is the largest in England , having 127 lodges on its Register , and is still on the increase . Subscribers will be very pleased to see an exctllent portrait of the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , P . G . W ., Prov . G . M ., as the frontispiece . His lordship is in full dress Masonic clothing . There i ; a full report by the Prov . G . Sec , besides the ordinary particulars of the officers , P . Ms ., & c , of the

several lodges , and of the chief oliicers of the R . A . chapters , Mark lodges , & c . Bro . Goodacre favours the granting to Prov . G . Ms ., presiding over 50 lodges in a province or more , the privilege of appointing to past rank , provided that such " appointments do not exceed one for every 10 lodges in the province . " The idea is supported by the other very large provinces , and it should surely be granted . The Editor also mentions the

fact that 77 6 candidates were initiated during the past year , but does not give the total membership , as we hope he will in another issue , though he states that the roll of members is greater than at any previous year . One would like also to know how m any subscribing members were returned by the 4 O R . A . chapters and the numerous Mark lodges . The publication is most valuable , and would be still more so if a few statistics were appended as suggested .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Fitz-Roy Lodge , No . 569 . A meeting of the above lodge was held at the Headquarters of the Honourable Artillery Company on Friday , the 26 th ult . There were present Bros . H . Humphries , W . M . ; H . H . Hillman , I . P . M . ; II . Jarrett , S . D . ; H . Adlard , J . D . ; F . Hall , LO . j H . 1 . Adams , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br ., Treas . ; F . J . Stohwasser , P . M ., Sec . ; C . Draycott , D . of C . ; W . II . Rolfe , Stwd . ; Capt . H . Bertram , P . M . ; R . G . Webster , P . M . ; F . H . Smith , P . M . ; W . Bradley , Org . ; H . Duncum , S . D . Taylor , B . T . Mills , E . H . Girling , H . M . B . Hardy , I . C . Wood , E . T . Newton , F . f . Harrington ,

Major H . Munday , H . C . Simmonds , Ed . risher , T . H . James , E . 1 . Roberts , A . 1 . Cole , H . W . Smart , I . E . Nelson , S . Faulkner , F . P . Matthews , and H . T . Greenwood . Visitors : Bros . T . H . Flindt , 4 63 ; F . W . Driver , P . M . 45 ; D . Wilson , 1197 ; C . Jong , 2598 ; H . W . Moy , 12 SS ; Thas , 2264 ; N . Johnson Smith , 1593 ; and A . G . Young , Tyler . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., and the minutes of the lodge held on the 22 nd March were read and conlirmed . The ballot for the election of W . M . took place , Bro . Thos . Lampard Green was chosen by the brethren , und Bro . H . J . Adams , P . M .,

P . G . Std . Br ., was elected Treasurer . Bros . Taylor , Wood , and Harrington were chosen as Auditors . It was proposed by Bro . H . J . Adams , and seconded by Bro . H . H . Hillman , I . P . M ,, that a Past Master ' s jewel be provided and paid for from the funds of the lodge to Bro . H . Humphries on the termination of his year of office . It was proposed and carried unanimously that the usual gratuities be given to the gatekeepers .

After a capital dinner the W . M . proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . Bro . Hillman , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the W . M . " He spoke of the ability he had displayed during his occupation of the Master ' s chair . The W . M . thanked Bro . Hillman and the brethren for their kind reception of him and for their loyal support during his year ot office . The W . M . proposed "The Health of the W . M . elect , " and said that he regretted

his absence . The toast was cordially received . For "The Visitors , " to whom was accorded a hearty welcome , Bro . Johnson Smith , 1593 , responded in graceful terms . i " The Past Masters , Treasurer , and Secretary , " were given as one toast . Bro . Lieut .-Col . Stohwasser , Sec , briellv replied . "The Officers of the Lodge" and the Tyler ' s toast were duly honoured .

Orpheus Lodge , No . 1706 . Th » re was a meeting of this well-known musical 'lodge at the Holborn Restaurant on Saturday , 27 th ult . There were present : Bros . C . II . Kcmpling , W . M . ; Chas . Sadler , l . l ' . M . ; F . W . Meiton , S . W . j 11 . G . Hast , J . W . ; R . J . Hennings , P . M ., Sec . j W . J . Wimbolt , S . L ) . ; Geo . Ackerman , | . l ) . ; John Cnrran , Org . ; Carrington Wills and Chas . Lewis , Stwds . ; R . A . Kemp , P . M . ; F . Cambridge , P . M .: Henry Guy , P . M . ; II . Walmeslcy Litte , Mns . Doc , P . M ., G . Org . ; Geo .

T . Smith , P . G . Org . ; Chas . Arrow , II . P . Railing , VV . H . Cox . W . S . Gozna . C . W . Dunford , J . A . Patman , G . J . Conning , W . Shorter , C . M . Paine , P . AI . Jobs , Hy . Holyoak , J . L . Haddon , and other brethren . Visitors : Bros . F . VV . Driver , P . M . 415 ; Thos . Powell , W . M . 21 S 2 ; W . T . Snell , P . M . 1 S 1 S ; E . N . Davis , S . W . 181 S ; J . W . Samson , S . W . 201 , 6 j W . Bells , 170 S ; J . H . Cureton , P . M . and Sec . 21 S 2 ; G . W . Turner , J . D . 85 S ; F . Page , P . M . 2 S 2 ; VV . P . Hodges , 2182 ; A . W . Augarde , 1319 ; and E . L . Hatch , 1319 .

Craft Masonry.

The lodge was opened by the W . M ., and a ballot was taken for W . M . Bro . R . J . Hennings , P . M ., late Sec . of lodge for five years , was unanimously elected to the ' chair . Bro . Clowes , the late Treasurer of the lodge , was again elected . Bro . Potter \ 1 ' was e , ected as Ty , er bv srlow ° f hands . Three members were elected to serve on the Audit Committee . The Treasurer , Secretary , and two members of Board of Management of the Benevolent Fund , were again elected . Six lay members were appointed to Board of General Purposes . Bro . Sadler , I . P . M ., proposed , and S . W

seconded , that the lodge expresses its hearty congratulations to Bro . Dr . Walmsley Little upon his being appointed Grand Organist , and presents him with the necessary Masonic clothing as a mark of its esteem . Carried unanimously . A vote of thanks was proposedand carried to Bro . Lohr , and it was decided that the sum of 11 guineas be given to him for his expenses in providing professional music for the lodge . A Past Master ' s jewel was voted to the outgoing P . M . Thefodge wasclosed by W . M . After dinner the W . M . proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . To that of " The Grand Officers " Bro . Dr . Walmsley Little responded .

"The W . M . " was proposed by Bro . C . Sadler , I . P . M ., who alluded to the thorough way in which the W . M . had performed the ceremonies and discharged the duties of his important trust . The W . M . replied that the duties of a W . M . were multiform ; they needed great discretion and tact in their discharge ; courtesy combined with firmness , as a whole maintaining the dignity of his high office , not to offend any brother . He had tried to govern the lodge on this broad principle , and he trusted he had succeeded .

"The Visitors" wasgiven ' by the W . M . Bros . Powell , Snell , and Bells replied . "The W . M . Elect , Bro . R . J . Hennings , P . M ., " was gracefully proposed by the W . M ., and warmly received by the brethren . The W . M . Elect replied in a pleasant and genial way . He said he had no

programme as yet , and thought it better to make no promise in regard to the future . The lodge might feel assured he would do his best . "The Past Masters" was next proposed . Bros . Cambridge and Kent replied . "The Officers" and the Tylei ' s toast concluded a most enjoyable evening , during which several excellent vocal selections were admirably rendered .

Upper Norwood Lodge , No . 1586 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . T . W . EDMONDS . The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the 10 th ult ., at the White Hart Hotel , Upper Norwood . Bro . A . C . Wood , P . M ., occupied the chair , supportedby Bros . H . H . Jones , P . M ., Treas . ; J . A . Stock , P . M ., Sec ; D . Jones . P . M . ; J . C . Lamer , P . M . ; W . F . Redknafe , P . M . ; E . T . Clarke , P . M . ; 1 . Lancaster , P . M .: G . H . Jones . P . M . ; T . W . Edmonds , S . W . ; W . Overbury , J . Wi ; G . R . Huntley , S . D . ; W . J . Wright , J . D . ; H . C . Reynolds , I . G . j H . Thompson

Org . ; W . H . Abbott , F . Ratheram , Strode , C . J . Mallett , W . E . Everard , F . VV . Jollands , I . J . B . Ranee , W . Hawkins , H . Wheeler , A . W . Gatfield , A . E . Russell , W . Hobbs , C . Norrington , F . W . Harris , H . F . Ratheram , G . Lee , G . Morant , J . Allen , E . G . Buckman , J . Fletcher ; A . E . Mackners , J . Waters , A . J . Gardner . W . Turpin , B . T . Welch , and C . J . Barltrop . Visitors : Bros . W . H . Woodward , W . M . 720 ; H . W . Mitten , P . M . 7 65 ; W . N . Jotcham , P . M . 1206 ; J . Lloyd , P . M . 1986 ; R . Bainbridge , P . M . 19 S 6 ; W . Rose , 165 S ; S . Brownhill , 1194 ; J . Spearing , 1625 ; C . W . Hamilton , S 57 ; J . C . Brown , 349 ; R . C Hawkes , 2427 ; W . S . Garzna , 1706 ; F . Lloyd , I . G . 1658 ; R . J . Rayner , 1362 ; A . E . Green , 2622 ; C . E . Coombe , I . G . 162 ; and H . Bowman , 147 .

THK WORSHIPFUL MASTER . After the opening of the lodge and confirmation of the minutes , Bro . Russell was raised to the Third Degree . Bro . T . W . Edmonds was next impressively installed as W . M . by Bro . A . C . Wood , and the following officers appointed and invested : Bros . I . Lancaster , I . P . M . ; W . Overbury , S . W . ; G . R . Huntley , J . W . ; H . H . Jones , P . M ., Treas . ; J . A . Stock , P . M ., Sec . ; W . J . Wright , S . D . ; H . C . Reynolds , J . D . ; W . H . Abbott , I . G . ; A . C . Wood , P . M .. D . C ; B . T . Welch , A . D . C . j F . Ratheram and E . C . Buckman , Stwds . ; H . Thompson , Org . ; II . F . Ratheram , Mus . D . ; and JBaileyTyler .

. , The lodge was then closed , and an excellent banquet was followed by the usual toasts and speeches . The musical programme , under the direction of Bro . E . G . Buckman , was carried out to everybody ' s delight and satisfaction .

Royal Somerset House and Inverness Lodge , No . 4 .

VISIT OF THE M . W . THE PRO GRAND MASTER . The meeting of this ancient lodge , held at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , on Monday , the 22 nd ult ., was attended by a large number of brethren , including many distinguished Grand Officers , to meet the M . W . the Pro G . Master , who honoured the lodge by a visit . The proceedings proved very interesting and enjoyable , worthy of the lodee and the imoortance of the occasion .

Bro . R . Llewellyn Devonshire , W . M ., Grand Steward , presided , and , after the opening of the lodge , raised Bro . II . Evans Austin to the Third Degree in an excellent manner , worthy uf all praise . The M . W . the Pro G . M ., on arrival , was escorted into the lodge by a deputation , and saluted in the customary manner . Several apolog ies for non-attendance were announced from eminent brethren , and the lodge was closed . After a recherche repast had been well served at Freemasons' Tavern , the usual Ioyal and Masonic toasts were honoured .