Original Correspondence.

whose widow and children would have been destitute had they not ^ been succoured and sent home to England . These facts prove that Masonry is practised by the brethren of Mount Hope Lodge in its simplest and purest form , and they have set an example which might be advantageously followed by all the Craft , and the W . M ., Wardens , and brethren of this lodge therefore fraternally greet their American brethren , and hope that health , peace , and plenty . nay be enjoyed by every member of the Mount Hope Lodge . "

HONOUR BESTOWED WORTHILY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Few appointments have ever been made in the Grand Lodge of England which will give more general satisfaction to a very numerous body of brethren than that of the "Worshipful Bro . E . J . Morris , the late

Deputy Prov . G . M . for the Eastern Division of South Wales , as Grand Deacon of England . There is scarcely an eminent position in Masonry that has not been well and efficiently filled by this talented brother , who has made for himself a well established reputation as one of the best workers in the kingdom . Although most indefatigable in the performance of his

own duties in his own province—for he is anything but a mere show Mason—he has ever been most ready to afford instruction and assistance to the brethren of this , the Western , division of South Wales , to whom his selection to fill the office of Grand Deacon will give as complete and thorough satisfaction as if it had been bestowed on one of themselves . For myself I shall be much obliged if you will permit

me thus publicly to acknowledge in Bro . Morris a kind friend , and a most painstaking and efficient instructor . I am , Sir , yours fraternally , GEO . T . SMITH , P . M . 1072 , P . Prov . G . Sec , P . Prov . S . G . Warden Western Division South Wales . Aberystwith , 25 th April , 1877 .

The Exeter Masonic Hall.

THE EXETER MASONIC HALL .

The Freemasons of Exeter held their meetings for many years at the Tuckers' Hall , on Fore-street-hill . Before that date ( from 1732 ) they held their meetings at private houses , and in the assembly rooms attached to the more famous hostelries of bygone days—such as the George Inn , in North-street , the Half Moon , and others . The

Tuckers' Hall having become dilapidated , the master and wardens of that ancient incorporation found it necessary , for the safety of the structure to repair it and rebuild the frontage . During the time of these alterations , the brethren had to arrange for the meetings of the Craft at the Royal Public Rooms , but on eligible premises being found , a general meeting of the fraternity in Exeter

and neighbourhood was held , and after discussing the advantages of a new building , as compared with adapting premises , and hearing the report of Bro . J . Jerman , the architect , it was resolved to purchase the premises at 27 ' Gandy-street . These have been altered and fitted up in a convenient way for the use of the several lodges . The premises in themselves are interesting as having been the

residence of well-known local families , such as the F ' ortescues , Grangers , Brakes , Snows , and others . There are architectural features in the building indicating work of the late Tudor , Elizabethan , and Jacobean periods . The old front of the house , set back ( after the manner of those days in an enclosed courtyard ) from the Gandy-street frontage , was pretentious , and had the usual massive

moulded oak construction , with heavy mullioned windows , and projecting upper storeys on handsomely-carvcd brackets and beams , with quaint dormer gables , and the spaces between the moulded and framed woodwork pargetted on Iathwork . The premises , as bought , were recently in private occupation , and presented a number of usefulsized rooms , which , with alteration and ingeniously

throwing several smaller rooms together to form larger ones , hate been well adapted for the future meetings of the fraternity . The accommodation obtained is as follows : — Spacious entrance halls and covered ways for access from the street where the brethren may be marshalled for processions , several convenient and well-lighted rooms for the use of the three Exeter Craft lodges , to be used for robing ,

reading , library , and committee rooms . The lodge room , approached by a wide and bold staircase , is on the first floor , and has been fitted up and decorated to suit the purposes of Masonic meetings . The room is of ample size for all local meetings of the Craft , has been carefully arranged as regards ventilation and gaslights , and will be furnished in a comfortable and permanent manner . The

Walls are stencilled , and the ceiling is adorned with golden stars radiating round a blazing star enclosing the sacred symbol . On the floor of the room will be placed a handsome Brussels carpet , the ground-work of Royal Garter blue , specially designed , and ordered of Messrs . Golf and Gully , the pattern being worked up in Royal Arch and Craft emblems . Round the room are

placed benches on a raised floor , and there will be sufficient accommodation for 70 Masons at a lodge . Over the fire-place , in one of the upper rooms , is a portrait of His Koyal Hi ghness the Prince of Wales , Grand Master of the ° rder , which has been presented to the Craft , and the large Portrait , in oil , of Dr . Carwithen , will be hung on the grand staircase . A chamber has been formed lor the

recepf'on of the organ brought from the Tuckers' Hall . This jnstrument is from the well-known old firm of Walker , of London , but has now been considerably enlarged by Mr . "awkcr , of Exeter . Besides the above rooms there are ^ hers which are now being used for lodge meetings , an d "nich will be still used for extra meetings , and those con'ected with the higher degrees of Freemasonry , and the Ti » s of chivalry . There is also a residence for the care .

The Exeter Masonic Hall.

taker , besides all necessary offices , and a spacious garden behind . On the whole the Freemasons may congratulate themselves on having secured premises so conveniently situated , and well adapted for their object , at a comparatively moderate outlay . A building set aside permanently for the purposes of the Craft in Exeter had been long desired , and the brethren having now attained this ,

will be able to carry on more efficiently and advantageously the various duties connected with their ancient and honourable institution , lor the good of Freemasonry in general , and the Exeter lodges in particular . The Committee have been most zealously assisted in their labours by the Hon . Secretary and Treasurer , Bro . S . Jones , P . M ., P . P . G . S . D . Bro . J . Jerman is the architect entrusted

to carry out the works , and Bro . J . Stacker the builder . The decorations have been carefully and artistically executed by Bro . Algar . Bro . J . S . Warren supplies the furniture and benches , and Bro . R . Rouse the gas-fittings . Much trouble has been experienced in adapting such ancient premises , but the result of the endeavours of the Committee , and those engaged with them , will doubtless commend itself to the favourable judgment of the brethren .

The solemn and imposing ceremony of dedication on Monday , the 23 rd ult ., brought to a successful conclusion the important work in which , for sometime past , the Exeter Freemasons have been engaged . The formal proceedings connected with the opening , commenced at the Victoria Hall , where a Special Provincial Grand Lodge of Devon was opened at two o'clock . The brethren commenced to arrive at the hall soon after

one ctclock , and continued to drop in for an hour afterwards . The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened in due form a procession was formed , and proceeded to the new Hall in Gandy-street , in the presence of a considerable

crowd , which had been drawn together by the novelty of the sight . The weather was decidedly unfavourable for out-door show , but although it had rained heavily just before the procession issued from the hall , it cleared up till the brethren had passed along Queen-street to

Gandystreet . On arriving at the new Hall the Lodge vvas opened in the First Degree , Bro . Rogers acting as D . P . G . M . An anthem having been sung , Bro . Jones , addressing the R . W . Prov . G . M ., said it was with feelings of satisfaction , but at the same time with some diffidence , he asked him in the name of

the Freemasons of Exeter to open and dedicate that building , so that they would on that day commence labour in a home of their own . The brethren must be highly gratified that this had been brought about . A few months ago he was looking back at the records of one of their lodges , and he found that 55 years ago a lodge then numbered 178 , passed a resolution that it was most

desirable that the Freemasons of Exeter should have a home of their own , and they-backed up that resolution by voting a sum of £ 31-, towards the cost of it . Of course they would have liked to have seen a larger hall , ami one built especially for the purposes of Freemasons , but they had to cut their coat according to their cloth . The hall was suffiiccntly large to hold a Grand Lodge forall practical

purposes . He concluded by formally calling upon the G . M . to dedicate the building . The R . W . Prov . G . Master , then addressing " Bro . Jones and brethren all , " said he could not help being gratified at the task which he was asked to perform . He quite cor . curred in all that had been said by Bro . Jones . It was a most beautiful lodge , and everything about it was

fitted up most satisfactorily , and he most gladly acceded to the request for dedication . Before doing so he requested his acting D . P . G . M . to deliver an oration . Acting D . P . G . M . complied with the request . He hoped this would prove a new epoch for Masonry in Exeter . He then briefly alluded to the antiquity of Freemasonry , and referred to the statement that it had existed from time

immemorial . It certainly was in existence in England 150 years before the date given by their opponents . It was said that Masonry only dated back to the iOth or 17 th century . He would not discuss all the opposition views , but if they would look back to ifiio and 1620 they would find then that Freemasonry was denounced by the Roman Catholics especially , who in so doing had certainly

overshot the mark . He traced back the origin of Freemasonry , which had certainly existerl amongst the Brahmins , the Mahommeiians , and Parsecs , so that the Masonic idea was cherished in India as in England . Among the Persians , Alexander the Great discoverd books which took it back to ages long before his time , even before writing was invented , some 3000 years ago , right back to

the times of the ancient Egyptians , some of whose records had only recently been described under symbols and allegory , which showed that some ceremonies that existed amongst the ancient Egyptians were the same as existed in our own day . Even Moses was said to be a Freemason , and from him they were able to trace it down to the time of King Solomon . He asserted that it passed through

Egypt to Greece , and from Greece to Rome , and some of the hieroglyphics discovered dated back to ages before Christ . They also found allusions to Freemasonry in the Book of Exodus , as well as in other sacred writings of the Bible . The dedication rite was then proceeded with , and was performed in a most solemn and | impressive manner by the

G . M ., whose venerable appearance and his rich decorations , including a gold chain which had lieen presented to him , rendered him a striking figure , even in the midst of the throng of brilliant officials by whom he was surrounded . A procession was then formed , the G . M . being

followed by his Deputy and P . G . Wardens , bearing the elements of dedication , and proceeded round the lodgeroom , solemn music being played during its progress . On returning to the East , the G . M . was presented with a vessel bearing corn , the emblem of plenty , and scattered it over the lodge , the P . G . Chaplain reading at the same

The Exeter Masonic Hall.

time Psalm Ixxii ., v . 16 . The G . C . thereupon said the first prayer , and solemnly dedicated the Hall to Masonry , and then the brethren chanted " Glory to Thee , most high God , " & c . A second and third circuit were made with the same ceremonial , wine and oil being used

. instead of corn , and the Hall being dedicated to virtue , and benevolence , and charity , which they respectively symbolised . On the conclusion of these dedication acts , a prayer was said by the Grand Chaplain , the brethren all standing .

The musical response , " So mote it be , " having been chanted , the G . M . used the " salt , " being preceded by the Chaplain , acting as bearer of the burning incense . A prayer after the salt and the chanting of Psalm exxxiii . as an anthem having been followed by the Benediction , and

some more chanting , the " Grand Honours " concluded the ceremonial . The procession then returned to the Victoria Hall , in the same order as it had started therefrom , and the actual proceedings of the dedication were thus finished . In the evening nearly 100 of the brethren sat down to a sumptuous banquet at Bro . Pople ' s London Hotel .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Leicestershire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF LEICESTERSHIRE .

The biennial convocation took place at FYeemasons ' Hall , Leicester , on Thursday , the 26 th April , and was attended by a more than average number of members . The chapter was opened by the P . G . Supt ., Comp . W . Kelly , assisted by Comp . the Rev . W . Langley as P . G . H .,

and Comp . H . Deane as P . G . J . The minutes of the previous convocation having been confirmed , the P . G . Supt . proceeded to instal the Principals as follows -. —To the chair of Z ., Comp . S . S . Partridge , 279 ; to the chair of H ., Comps . J . T . Thorp , 279 , E . F . Mammatt , 779 , and H . B . Smith , 1130 ; to the chair of J .,

Comp . J . M . kew , 1130 . On the motion of Comp . the Rev . W . Langley , seconded by Comp . J . C . Duncombe , P . Z ., the thanks of the chapter were accorded to Comp . W . Sculthorpe for his services as Treasurer , and he was unanimously re-elected to that office .

i he Provincial Grand Superintendent then invested the Provincial Grand Officers as follows : — The Rev . W . Langley Prov . G . H . Clement Stretton , Prov . G . J . G . Toller , jun . ( re-appointed ) Prov . G . S . E . Henry Deane ,,, Prov . G . S . N . Jno . C . Duncombe Prov . G . P . S .

E . F . Mam matt Prov . G . 1 st Ast . P . S . R . B . Smith Prov . G . 2 nd Ast . P . S . Wm . Sculthorpe ( re-elected ) Prov . G . Treas . Samuel S . Partrid ge Prov . G . Reg . Robert Waite Prov . G . Swd . B . Frederick J . Baines Prov . G . Std . B . John T . Thorp Prov . G . Dir . of Cers .

I . A . Wykes Prov . G . Org . C . Bcmbridge ( re-elected ) Prov . G . Janitor . Some formal business having been disposed of , the Provincial Grand Chapter was closed , and the regular meeting of the Chapter of Fortitude took place . The officers for the year were invested as follows : — Comps . E . Mason , S . E . ; Dr . Grant , S . N . ; I . B . Hall ,

P . S . ; C . E . Stretton , Assist . P . S . ; W . C . Shout , Treas . ; Jos . Young , Dir . of Cers . ; and T . A . Wykes , Org . Three members of the Knights of Malta Lodge , No . 50 , Hinckley , were exalted to the Sublime Degree ' in a very able manner by the newly-installed First Principal , Comp . Partridge .

The mystical lecture was perfectly given by the Prov . Grand Superintendent . After the close of the chapter the installation banquet took place . Amongst members present , in addition to those above named , was Comp . Sir Henry Halford , D . P . G . M .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of East Lancashire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF EAST LANCASHIRE .

The annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Chapter was held in St . Thomas's Schoolroom , Blackburn-street , Radcliffe , near Manchester , 011 Wednesday , iSth inst ., under the presidency of most Excellent Provincial Grand Superintendent Le Gendre N . Starkie , supported by Comp .

Joseph Lancaster I line , as Second Principal , and Comp . James Arthur Birch , as Third Principal . There were about lfio companions present from the different chapters in the province , all of which , with the exception of two , were represented . The sum of £ 10 was voted in aid of the funds of the East Lancashire Masonic Systematic Educational and Benevolent Institution , and the P . G S .

kindly promised a subscription of £ 25 towards the Masonic charities . During the course of his remarks in acknowledgment of the gift , Comp . Hine stated that the subscriptions in England , during the last twelve months towards the Masonic Charities amounted to £ 40 , 000 . Invitations to hold the next annual Grand Arch Chapter were received from Manchester and Littleborough . A

banquet was afterwards served at the Bull ' s Head Inn Church-street , Radcliffe , of which about sixty companions , partook . Colonel Starkie and Comp . Birch warmly complimented the commiitec of management onthe excellence of the arrangements made for the holding of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter . The catering was briefly eulogised by the P . G . S ., as v / ell | as b y Comp . Hine , who remarked

that during the long number of years he had been connected with Masonry he never remembered partaking of a better served or more palatable banquit . The usual toast list was gone through and was enthusiastically responded to throughout . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Comp . J . Randlc Fletcher , P . P . G . O ., and were all that could be desired .