The New Grand Officers.

Arch in 1867 , and after holding the office of Principal Sojourner , passed the three Principals ' chairs of J ., H ., and Z ., is at the present time Prov . G . S . E . ; in the high degrees he was advanced to the Mark in the Fowke Lodge , No . 19 , Leicester , and after holding various minor

offices , became W . M . in 1875 , 0 n ° ls now " - Senior G . Warden ; is a Knight Templar ; also a member of the 30 , and of the Royal Order of Scotland , a Past Sov . and member of the Grand Council of the Red Cross Order , 3 Life Governor of the Boys' School , and an occasional subscriber to the Girls ' .

ASSISTANT GRAND SECRETARY . Bro . H . G . Buss was W . M . of the Egyptian Lodge , No . 27 , in 1850 , Secretary from 1851 to 1874 , and is now Treasurer of that Lodge ; was M . E . Z of Domatic Chapter , Ho , 177 , 0118 5 6 , S . E . for several years , and now Treasurer of that

chapter . Bro . Buss occupied the post of Secretary of the Canonbury Lodge , No . 6 57 ( of which he was a founder in 18 5 6 ) for the last 11 years . He was a founder and the first Secretary of the Rose of Denmark Lodge , No . 975 , in 1863 , and a founder , and now Treasurer , of the

Chapter 975 ; also a founder ot the Royal Albert Lodge , No . 780 , in 1859 , and Secretary of that lodge for 14 years . He took an 3 Ctive part in the formation of the province of Middlesex ( Col . Burdett , Prov . G . M . ) , and was appointed Prov . Grand Treasurer from 1870 , and was appointed

P . J . G . W . in 1 S 76 , and is Treasurer of the Prov . G . Chapter of Middlesex . He was also a founder , and is now Secretary of the Burdett Lodge , No . 1293 , and a founder and Treasurer of the Burdett Chapter , No . 1293 ; a founder and Secretary of the Mizpah Lodge , No . 1671 ,

consecrated in March last . Bro . Buss is an hon . member of many lodges and chapters . He was appointed clerk in the Grand Secretary ' s office by the late Bro . W . W . White , Grand Secretary in 18 55 ; and has served Stewardships of the three charities , and is a Life Governor of each .

GRAND PURSUIVANT . Bro . W . T . HOWE was initiated in the Euphrates Lodge , No . ai 2 , Feb ., 187 a , and was the founder and first W . M ., and is the present Treasurer of the Prince Leopold Lodge , No . 1445 ; he joined the Thames Valley Lodge , No .

1460 , in 1874 , and is now the W . M . of that lodge , and received provincial honours from Col . Burdett in 1875 ; he was exalted in the Doric Chapter , No . 933 , June , 1873 ; joined the Chapter of Stability , No . 217 , and is the present M . E . Z . of the latter chapter . Bro . Howe is a

Life Governor of each of the Masonic Charities , having served four Stewardships ; and is Steward for the forthcoming festival in May , and has for the fourth year been elected one of the twelve Past Masters on the Board of Benevolence . Bro .

Howe is well known for his rendering of the ritual and the sections , installation ceremony , & c , both in lodge and lodges of instruction . He is also one of the Grand Senate of the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine , and S . D . of No . 1 , Mark Lodge .

Russia And Turkey.

RUSSIA AND TURKEY .

The war has commenced , and Russia has apparently gained some slig ht successes in Asia M inor , and the R ussian troops have taken Bay azid . We can rejoice that the English Government has manfully laboured always in the cause of peace and the best interests of all concerned .

In Memoriam.

IN MEMORIAM .

Most of our brethren who read American Masonic literature will be deeply sorry to hear of the death of that well-known Masonic " litterateur , " Bro . Frank George Gouley . His , as the Keystone says , was a truly " tragic " end , for he fell a victim to that sad conflagration , at the

Southern Hotel St . Louis , on the 10 th April last . His wife was saved , but he perished , though how is still somewhat of a mystery . In Bro . Gouley American and Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry lias lost a most clear and able writer , and a most

zealous and highrninded brethren , and we sincerely condole with his afflicted family and his many mourning friends in the United States . He will be a missed man in Freemasonry in his native land and the Craft generally .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even AS approving of die opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to ail , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . }

THE COMMEMORATIVE LIFEBOATS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Kindly allow me to confirm the statements of " Jebah , " respecting the serious loss of life and property on the coasts of Scilly . Beyond all question if the statistics furnished by various competent authorities are to be

relied on , Scilly waters , according to their area , are the scene of more shipping calamities than any other in Great Britain . No one acquainted with the position of the group of islands there , and the various phenomena ol which they are the centre , can at all be surprised at this ; yet , although the destruction of one vessel with the drowning of her crew scarcely fades from our memory before

another like tragedy is announced , year after year rolls on without any adequate measure being adopted to lessen the casualties or their attendant horrors . From a special and close study of the whole question I am prepared to admit that there are peculiar difficulties in connection with it , but if the proper authorities will but address themselves to it in earnestness I am very well assured that the

result would be eminently satisfactory to the' nation at large , and I see something very lamentable in the decay of national philanthroyjy , national prudence , and national genius which this continued apathy , neglect , and timidity very clearly indicate . 1 have felt myself , from the data placed in my hands by those most competent to estimate their value , justified

in advocating , as preventative and remedial appliances for the protection of the maritime interests of the various nations which send their ships to ami from these latitudes , five different kinds of appliances , namely : 1 st . A steam fog-horn of first-class power to be placed on St . Agnes Island . 2 nd . A complete system of telegraphy , to embrace the

whole of the five inhabited , islands , and to communicate with Penzance . 3 rd . Lifeboats to be placed on each side of the Main or Broad Sound , say at Iiies-: o and St . Agnes . 4 th . Rocket apparatus for St . Martin ' s Island . 5 th . Telegraph-buoys , upon the principle designed by A . SI . Festiug , Esq ., and submitted by myself , with that

gentleman's permission , to the Board of Trade . Mostof the features of my plan have been before the world in the columns of the Times , Standard , and many of the leading daily and weekly journals of this kingdom , ever since September last . They have been brought specially by private letters from myself before many of our leading men , most , if not all , of whom say they agree with mc

in the main . These views , then , of mine , have been criticised , and generally accepted as sound , practicable , and economic . But nothing lias really been done . Ir . is true the Board of Trade have consented to send their Inspector General of Life Saving Apparatus to Scilly to examine and fully report on his branch of the question . The Royal National Lifeboat Institution , Lloyd ' s ; i ;; ent

says , have , since my complaints were made current , sent Lieut . Jones to the islands , and I suppose from what Mr . Banfield writes in the Plymouth Mercury , consented to my proposal , so far as to where lifeboats should be p laced are concerned ; but no lifeboat has , upon the lieutenant ' s shewing , been voted by the Institution , and this is why I have taken the liberty of addressing Lord

Carnarvon and yourself respecting the two " Commemorative Boats , " given so generously by the Freemasons . The Trinity I louse write me to say that they have the question of fog signals for Scilly under consideration , but that is not a very encouraging reply , and if it is the best they can give so much the more is it to be regretted . Let me say , in conclusion , that I do not care as to the

form of the appliances , be they what I recommend or not . What I plead for is , that something be done of a practical nature , by which shipwrecks may , if possible , be averted 011 these uniquely dangerous coasts , and if that be not possible , then to save the lives of those who may

have the misfortune to be m the vessels when they come to grief . Freemasonry is essentially philanthropic , aud I know that in your columns the cause of the widow and orphan cannot be pleaded in vain , no matter howunskilful the advocate may be . Vours faithfully , LIXHETILS .

FREEMASONRY IN SOUTH AFRICA . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , —" As a subscriber to the Freemason , I take the liberty to request a space in your columns for the following important matter . My reason for so doing is , that among your numerous and talented correspondents not one is

aware of the many causes which tend to create a disunion among the brotherhood in South Africa . At present we have many lodges in South Africa established under various constitutions , English , Scotch , and Dutch . But , notwithstanding the good and fraternal feeling which appears to exist among the brethren working under these different constitutions , there are barriers which prevent social intercourse , and naturally create a

feeling antagonistic to the spirit of Freemasonry . For instance , a brother working under the Grand Lodge of England , and possessing the Rose Croix degree , U not allowed to enter a Dutch Hose Croix chapter when wo ; king the " Elu , " which is only the Fourth in the Reformed French Rite . Again , an English Royal Arch is not admitted to a Scotch Royal Arch chapter unless he is in possession of the Mark degree .

Original Correspondence.

Now , as I consider these serious and important matters I trust they may not escape the notice of the Grand Offi . cers , and that they will not forget the alliance entered into ( at a meeting held on the 25 th April , 1770 ) , when Charles Baron de Boetzelaer , en behalf of the Grand Lod ge of Holland , promised that " if the Grand Lodge of England

would agree in future not to constitute any new lod ge within his jurisdiction , the Grand Lodge of Holland would observe the same restriction with respect to all parts of the world where lodges were already established under the patronage of England . " Why this was net enforced when the colony became a British possession I am at a loss to

understand . The only remedy I now see is to allow the brethren in South Africa to unite themselves into one grand body , as a Grand United Lodge ; then they would work harmoniously together , ever remembering that although each , of us are independent of each other , we , like links of the same

chain , are bound together . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , P . M . and M . W . S . DUTCH CONSTITUTION . [ We do not agree with our good correspondent . We do not think that our English system ought to be made to dovetail in with any other . We recommend our brethren to adhere to our Grand Lodge . —ED . ]

THE ORGAN AT GRAND LODGE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Is there any reason why the organ should only be used at the entrance and exit of the Grand Master ? If Bro . Willing be true to his name he would not object

to attend half an hour earlier , when more scope might be afforded for both performer and instrument than is possible in the two minutes during which it is now used . Trusting he may take the hint , and remember that he can do much to relieve the unavoidable weariness of waiting for the commencement of proceedings , 1 am , fraternally yours , P . M .

TRUE MASONIC CHARITY . ' To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — The following incident of truly Masonic charity displayed by the brethren of Mount Hope Lodge , Fall River , Mass ., U . S . America , has recently come under the notice of the brethren of Hope Lodge , 54 , Rochdale , and

we think it is one which should be generally made known through the Craft , and we know of no other means belter than through the columns of your respected and widely circulated paper ; and the brethren requested me to furnish you with the facts , which I now do in the form of a letter , The following are the facts of the case : — " Some five or six years ago Bro . Luke Schofield , of

No . 54 , left England for America , where , after several severe struggles for success , he ultimately had to succumb to failing health , and died at Fall River on the and of February , 1 S 77 , leaving a widow and four children perfectly destitute . Dr . Tourtellot , a Mason , discovered the deceased was a Freemn son , and immediately acquainted his father-in-law , John B . Whittaker , M . D ., and who was

the Master of Mount Hope Lodge , of the facts of Bro . Sehufic ' . d ' s death and the destitute position of his family . The brethren c . f that lodge , at their own expense , buried Bro . Schofield in due and ancient form , took care of the widow and family , arid in < luc course sent them to England , the passage being paid by Mount Hope Lodge . " I consider that this is one of the noblest acts of charity

that ever was performed by any lodge , and at our lodge meeting on the 1 ith ult , 1 proposed a resolution , a copy of which , and the letter by which the same was forwarded tc the brethren of Mount 1 lope Lodge , I enclose herewith , and shall be obliged if you can find room to insert the same in your next or the following issue . Yours fraternally , T . BAKER ASIIWOHTH , P . M . 54 , 3 63 , and 367 .

" To the W . M . of Mount Hope Lodge , Fall River , Mass ., U . S . America . " Dear Sir and Brother , — " I am instructed by the W . M ., Wardens , and Brethren of the Lodge of Hope , 54 , Rochdale , England , to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 10 th of February , A . 1 .. 5 S 77 informing us of the death of our late Bro . Luke

, Schofieici . The brethren were sorry to hear of his death , aud especially as it occurred so far from home and in a strange land ; but their hearts rejoice to know that in the midst of strangers he found brethren who , in a truly Masonic spirit , dirl all they could to relieve the distress of himself and family . As an expression of the brethren s feeling respecting the noble and truly Masonic conduct

displayed by the brethren of Mount Hope Lodge towards our late and lamented brother and his bereaved familyr the enclosed resolution was unanimously passed at our monthly lodge , held on the 1 ith day of April , A . I .. 87 " - " I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , " T . BAKER ASIIWOHTH , " P . M . 54 , 3 63 , and 3 67 , " Sec . pro tem . "

[ R ESOLUTION- . ] "Thatthis Lodge oi Hope , No . 54 , Rochdale , * Eng land ) has heard with regret and sorrow of the decease of oto . Luke Schofield , at Fall River , Mass ., United States ° > America , but their grief is assuaged by the knowledge that , though far from home and in a strange land , n nl

was not without friends , for , actuated by a pure ^* ° . _ spirit , ( he brethren of Mount Hope Lodge of A . F . A . I » ' sons , of Fall River , hearing that one of the Craft lay "P " a bed of sickness himself , and that his family were in state of destitution , immediately went to offer assistan 1 when they found our late Bro . Schofield dead , whose : r e - mains they buried according to the rites of our Order ,