Masonry Returning Homewards.

have often admired , whose sublime duty we have often appreciated . But in this go-ahead day , when we have given up so many of the ways and manners , nay morals , of the past , it does seem very hard on a married man , with cheap trains and excursion tickets , that he can ' t go where he

likes , and we know as a fact that our good Bro . Panther declares , in which statement he is eagerly joined by Bros . Pope , Trippet , Carver , and Crome , that he " don ' t like the sea side , " at all , and that it will be " some time before ' chicken pox , ' or ' school starvation , ' or any other marital or matrimonial mystery will take

him to that most dreadful of all spots on earth , ' Sliddle-on-the-Sea . '" If he must go any where , he declares loudly , he will go to Harrogate , Scarborough , or Brighton , where there is something to Jo and something to look at , and where life is agreeable , and one can find a " little society . "

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spivit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

BOYS' AND GIRLS' SCHOOLS ELECTION . Dear Bro . Kenning , — You were good enough to allow me to make an appeal last year , and I venture to trespass on your space to-day to ask all my worthy brethren who have votes to spare , and no case to support , to let me have their proxies for several very deserving London cases .

I am , yours fraternally , A . F . A . WOODFORD . 10 , Upper Porchester-slrcet , Hyele Paik-square , W ., October i st , 1879 .

LAUGHTON CHURCH TOWER RESTORATION fUND . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Allow me to draw the . attention of your readers to an effort that is being made to liquidate a debt which has suddenly fallen on our much esteemed brother ( the

Rev . Daniel Ace , D . D ., Past Grand Chaplain Prov . Lincolnshire ) , owing to the failure of the contractor . Di . Ace ' s income from his living is very small , and the village is but a poor one . The repairs which have been effected were such as were absolutely necessary for the preservation of the structure , and as there are no church rates , the sum cannot be paid by that means .

The following sums have already been received or promised , viz .: — £ s . d . Rt . Hon . R . Winn ... ... ... 500 Sir John Astley ... ... ... 500 G . Fletcher , Esq . ... ... ... 500 Rtv . Mr . Teague ... ... ... s o o

R . J . H . Saunders ... ... ... 500 Several Ladies ... ... ... 5 00 Miss Beckett ... ... ,,, 500 Miss Embleton ... ... ,., 3 3 a T . Saunders ... ... ... 300 Several Ladies ... ... ... 300

Mrs . Botley ... ... .., 200 J . Sutcliffe . Esq ., J . P ., P . G . D . Lincolnshire ... 220 Sub-Dean of Lincoln ... ... .., 220 Mrs . Tayler ... ... ... 220 W . Piggott , P . G . S . W . Lincolnshire ... 200

Several Ladies ... ... .,. 200 George Kenning , Esq . ... ... ... 220 Rev . C . Babbington , D . D . ... ... 1 1 o T . Forrest , Esq . ,.. ... ... 1 1 o Miss Coleman ... ... ... 100 Essey ... ... ... 100 Protestant ... ... ... o 10 o F . Austin , Esq . ... ... ... o 10 o

L . Saunders ... ... ... 050 W . H . Saunders ,.. ... ... 050 Miss Soper ... ... ... 050 George Clarke , Esq . ... ... ... 0 5 ° Aberdeen ... ... ... 050 Paling ... ... ... 050 R . ... ... ... 020 Rickite ... ... ... 010

Any further contributions will be thankfully received by the Rev . Daniel Ace , D . D ., Laughton Viearage , Gainsborough ; Rev . J . C . K . Saunders , M . A ., Fritsthorpe Rectory , Market Rasen ; T . Oldham , Churchwarden , Laughton , ^ Gainsborough ; J . Hannan , Bookseller , Gainsborough ; or by Vours faithfully anj fraternally , W . H . SAUNDERS , P . P . G . S . D . Middlesex . 27 , Walbrook , E . C .

THE NEW FOREST HOTEL . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — When it has been my lot to come across something particularly good I like that my brethren , my friends ,

and my neighbours should be equally able to enjoy the •ike pleasure . On Saturday last I availed myself of an invitation to attend the installation meeting of Lodge 453 , or 1 higwell L : ) < ige , at the New Forest Hotel ( in conjunction , or rather in

Original Correspondence.

close proximity to , the old Hunting Lodge of Queen Elizabeth ) , in Epping Feircst , in the parish of Chin . ford . The hotel is owned and has heen built by the wurld-renowned Mr . Geirdem , of Creisbie Hall , Hulborn Restaurant , etc . The hotel has been designed by Bro . Ebenezer Saunders , and the work carried out by Bio . John Egan , of Buckhurst Hill . To each one great praise is due for their several

parts in the undertaking . The position cannot be surpassed for loveliness of aspect , or fr-r interest in the days of yore . I feel quite sure that it must necessarily be a great success , not only from the beautiful scenery surrounding it , or for the elegance of the structure , but also from the easy access to the mettopolis , and the known good qualities of Mr . Gordon as caterer

for the public . I shall content myself with describing the banqueting hall . The floor is of oak and American walnut in parqueterie ; the walls are lined with French cretonne , 42 s . per yard , representing various kinds of Sylvan spo'ts ; the roof is of pitch pine , panelled ; windows commanding lovely views of the forest are placed in the N . E . and South . The table was regally furnished with massive gold and

silver and silver-gilt ornaments , many of them having historic and regal memories attached . Some of the private sitting-rooms are furnished in the elaborate and costly styles of ^ various foreign courts . Now if I have not said enough to whet your appetites , and to cause you to go and prove in propria persona the truth of my words , then indeed I have written in vain . Yours fiaternally , CHARLES JOHN PERCEVAL , W . M . 1607 .

The October Elections.

THE OCTOBER ELECTIONS .

The Committee of the London Masonic Charity Assocition wishes once more to call the attention of the voters for the Boys' anil Girls' Schools to the cases which it has selected with great care . As some brethren seem to think that because the

London Masonic Charity Association has taken up a case , therefore all individual exertion becomes superfluous , the Committee think it right to disabuse the minds of their London brethren of so great an error . All exertions are needed to secure the election of the candidates , and all proxies should be sent at once to Bro . A . Tisley , 1 , Clifford ' s Inn , Fleet-street , E . C .

Provincial Grand Preceptory Of Cornwall.

PROVINCIAL GRAND PRECEPTORY OF CORNWALL .

The Province of Cornwall in Knights Templary has been dormantfor some years , the last appointed officers dating from 24 th October , 1871 , when the Earl of St . Germans ( then Lord Eliot ) was the Provincial Grand Commander . On his lordship resigning the post the late Sir Frederick Martin WilliamsBart

, ., M . P ., was appointed to the Provincial Grand Commandership , lut died before he could be installed , and after his lamented death it was generally felt that the choice should fall upon Colonel John Whitehead Pearel , J . P ., of Trenython , Par , who is the Provincial Grand Master for the Mark Provincial Grand Lodge . This well-known brother , harpily for the

Degree , has been appointed by patent to the office in question , and Friday , 26 th ult ., was selected for his installation . Since 1871 a variety of alterations have been made in the statutes of the Order , and manv of the titles have been changed , the head of the province now being styled the Provincial Pri r , and the variojs provinces being united in this country under Lord Skelmersdale as Great Prior of

England . England , Ireland , and Canada have united to form the "Convent General , " over which presides the Grand Master , the Piince of Wales , and Her Majesty is the patroness . It is lu . ped ire long that Scotlaml will join in this organisation—being now independent of all others—and ultimately it is hoped that all the Englishspeaking languages throughout the world will accept the

Prince of Wales as sole eirand Master , leaving each Great Priory for the various countries or States to make their own separate statute ' . When this occurs there will be upwirdsof 100 , 000 members , many of whom are of the first rank in society , and enthusiastic and zealous Craft Masons . Lieut-Colonel Shadwell Cleike , Prov . Prior of Sussex ,

and Great Sub-Prior of England and Wales , had been deputed by Lord Skelmersdale as " acting Great Prior , " and effectually fulfilled his high and responsible , position on Friday at the Masonic Hall , Public Reioms , Truro , in the piesence of the most distinguished buely of Knights Templar that has ever assembled in the province' . Among the numerous Sir Knights who attended in honour of the

occasion were R . W . Hoskins Giddy , Prov . Prior of South Miica ; J . M . P . Montagu , Prov . Prior of Dorset ; Hugh David Sandeman , Past Prov . Piior of Bengal ; General H . E . Doherty , C . B ., Past first Grand Captain of England ; Emra Holmes , Hun . Prov . Prior of Canada and Representative , & c . ; William Tweedy , Past Preceptor of the C- mubian ; S . G . Bake , Preceptor of the Restormal ;

Richard John , Preceptor of the Cornnbian ; Edward Dixon Anderton , Past Preceptor ( C ) ; T . C . Stephens , Past Preceptor ( R ) ; Charles Truscott , jun ,, ( R ) , Past Preceptor , M . A ; W . Polkinghornc , Past Preceptor ( R ); John Stephens , Past Preceptor ( R ) ; Dr . Mason , Past Preceptor R ); A . Luke , Past Preceptor ( R ) ; Richard Carter , the

Rev . W . H . Bloxsome , Dr . Hugh de Legh , the Rev . F . B . Paul , George Brown , Samuel Harvey , W . D . Rogers , William Ronks , and H . Elliott . The various banners of the Great Officers and of the Prov . Priors , & c , aelded much to the effect of the scene , which was very imposing , on the reception of Lieut .-Col . Shadwell Clerke as acting Great Prior , and of Lieut .-Col .

Provincial Grand Preceptory Of Cornwall.

J . W . Peard , the Prov . Prior nominate . The minutes of the last Prov . Priory having been read , the patent of Colonel Peard was announced , and he was then in a very efficient manner obligateel , invested , and proclaimed as the Prov . Prior for Cornwall . He afterwards appointed the following as his officers for the ensuing term : Wrn . Tweedy ( C ) , Prov . Sub-Prior : Rev . W . H . Bloxsome ,

M . A . ( C ) , Prelate ; Edward Dixon Anderton ( C ) , Chancellnr ; Charles Truscott , jun . ( R ) , Constable ; Dr . Wm . Mason ( R ) , Marshal ; Thomas Couch Stephens ( R ) t Registrar ( reappointed ); William Polkinghorne ( R ) , Treasurer ( re-elected ); Rev . F . B . Paul ( R ) , Almoner j Richard Carter ( C ) , Organist ; Col . S . G . Bake ( R ) , Captain of Guard ; R . John , Sub-Marshal ; John Stevens ,

Aide-de-Camp ; Alfred Luke , First Herald ; Dr . Hugh de Legh , Sword Bearer ; Samuel Harvey , Standard Bearer ; H . Elliott , Equerry . A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the members of the Great Piiory fur their kindness in attending , and particularly to the acting Great Prior . Sir Knight Emra Holmes proposed a grant of five

guineas to the " Cathedral Fund , " but was ruled out of order as no notice had been given ; but he gave due notice to 1 hat ( fleet for the next Prov . Priory . The banquet at the Red Lion Hotel , presided over by Colonel Peard , was a brilliant one , and gave satisfaction to the members who participated , the brethren of the Rose

Croix Chapter , of which the Prov . Prior is a member , having joined the Sir Knights at the festive board . A very hearty reception was given to Lieut .-Colonel S . H . Clerke , especially for his valued and able services as the Installing Great Prior ; and the other members of his distinguished staff were most warmly greeted and entertained by the Cornish fraters . —Western Morning News .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Tunis And Malta.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF TUNIS AND MALTA .

The first and inaugural meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge took place on the nth ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Valetta , Malta , in the midst of a very large gathering of Mark Masters belonging- to the three English lodges forming the province , numerous members of the Leinster Mark Lod and Mark Master to

ge , a belonging the Scottish Constitution . The Keystone Lodge having heen opened in due form by the W . M ., Bro . W . Read , the P . G . Secretary , Bro . Lieut . C . E . Coffey , R . A ., W . M . Broadley Lodge , No . 248 , was called upon to read the patent from the Grand Mark Lodge of England appointing W . Bro . Alexander Meyrick

Broadley , W . M . Ancient Carthage Lodge , No . 1717 , and P . M . Kingston Mark Lodge , No . 222 , barrister-at-law and advocate of the Consular Courts at Tunis , the first P . G . M . M . M . of this province . The letter of authority for W . Bro . Read to instal W . Bro . Broadley was also read . An alarm having been given , W . Bro . Broadley was announced , and the first P . G . M . M . M . of this province

entered the lodge in procession , preceded by Bros . R . F . King , P . G . D . of C . ; Miller , Sec . Keystone Lodge , 107 , Sword Bearer ; and followed by Bro . Starkey , Sec . Broadley L . idge , No . 248 , and two P . G . Stewards . The P . G . M . M . M . was escorted by Bros . Westrup , P . M ., and Rotherham , P . M . Having advanced to the pedestal , Bro . Broadley was

obligated by W . Bro . Read , placed in the chair , duly pro . claimed to the brethren by the D . of C , and saluted with grand honours by all present . Addressing Bro . R . V . Westrup , P . M ., the P . G . M . M . M . expressed his satisl action in nominating him his Deputy for the coming year , and invested him accordingly . The Grand Wardens and other officers having been appointed ,

to each of whom the P . G . M . M . made suitable addresses , P . G . Lodge was opened . Bro . G . Segond was elected P . G . Treasurer , and Bro . Beck P . G . Tyler . The P . G . M . M . M . then addressed the founders of the Broadley Lodge , announced his intention of consecrating it , and called upon the Secretary , Bro . Starkey , to state the

proceedings which had been taken up to the day of meeting . The petition and warrant of the Broadley Lodge having heen read bv the P . G . Secretary , the P . G . M . M . M ., as Consecrating Officer , delivered the following eloquent oration , which was received with the most marked signs of approval : — Mark Master Masons of the Province of Tunis and

Malta : Wc are assembled here this evening for the purpose of inaugurating the Grand Maik Lodge of this Province , and at the same lime consecrating , as an addition to its mustcr-rnll , Lodge No . 248 , upon which the kindly feelings of its founders have bestuwed my name . The forri ation of this Provincial Mark Lodge on the classic soil of ancient Carthage on the one hand , and the last

residence of the Knights cf St . John on the other , may , perhaps , have an interest for Mark Master Masons beyoi d the bounderies of the district itself ; indeed it is difficult to imagine any given combination of localities which could afford more food for the study and contemplation of the- , thoughtful brother than the two countries comprised in this united province . Our imagination may well carry

usback through the vista of centuries to the distant epoch when the immediate descendants of the Operative Masons of Tyre , " going westwards" reared on the shores of North Africa that magnificent metropolis which for a time mled the ancient world , and then pass from the consideration of their labours to the more recent period , when under

Roman rulers , Masons of the Roman College of Artificers raised on the same site a second city which vied in architectural splendour with the Phoenecian capital , upon the ruins of which it was erected . Turning to the part of the preivince in which we now stand , the eye rc « ts on the varied proofs of the cunning and skill of that great military Order , the customs of which ( to say the least ) have