Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

NEW BOYS' SCHOOL . To the Editor of the '' Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , My letter is quite clear , each of six competitors will receive . £ 100 making £ 600 in all , and 2 * . per cent for the successful one on £ 100 , 000 is £ 2500 , total £ 3100 .

Should the School be erected the commission would be five per cent ., say £ 5000 , and in addition there would be £ 600 besides sundries , fees for arbitrator , & c , making a total of about £ 6000 . Would it not be well to delay the selection of plans until at least a sum of , £ 50 , 000 can be secured ' •* —Yours fraternally ,

LIFE GOVERNOR . [ There is no justification for " Life Governor ' s " statements . We can insert no further letters on the subject . —ED . FM 7 \

DIAMOND JUBILEE . To the Editor of the ¦ " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Among the many suggestions from public bodies and private persons to celebrate the Queen ' s Jubilee day , from the building of town clocks to feeding little children , the most charitable of all , yet we see nothing for the old and infirm ,

not yet in the workhouse , but very near it . May f suggest that Grand Lodge should stir in the matter of the old and crippled members of the Craft—being indigent not in receipt of pensions or annuities—of same age as our beloved Queen . For myself it would be acceptable , being one of those I would propose that some form be sent to the mother lodge and lodges of instruction , that they may choose those they think the most worthy of relief . —I am dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , B . 51 , Rosemary . road , Peckham . May 4 th .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"MASONIC CALHNDAR FOR THE POVINCE OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE I SLE OF WIGHT . 1897-8 . "—This is one of the largest and best of these exceedingly useful Calendars published , and is edited by Bro . Edgar Goble , the esteemed Prov . Grand Secretary , and Bro . G . F . Lancaster ( P . Prov . G . Reg . ) , the zealous Asst . Prov . G . Secretary , the Printers and Publishers being the firm of Holbrook and Son , of Portsmouth . The Calendar portion runs from April , 1897 , to March , 18 9 S , and contains well-arranged notices of all the lodges , chapters , and Mark lodges held in the Province , which must

have been no little labour to compile . It is a large Province , there being 48 lodges , with 3699 members , 24 R . A . chapters , having 89 G companions , 13 Mark lodges , with 343 members , besides numerous other ^ Masonic Bodies , particulars about all of which are both ample and well arranged . The information , in fact , is much more than any anyone could reasonably expect , so it is very welcome , doubtless , to all concerned j and it also proves that the Province is ably managed , for it is not many that could boast of such a general response to the enquiries of the Editors from all these Masonic Organisations . The number of meetings , number of initiates , and joining members , and total

number of members to 31 st December , 1 S 9 6 , are all duly detailed under each lodge , chapter , & c , and besides all these , there are most interesting tables as to extinct lodges , & c , Roll of Past Provincial Grand Officers from earliest dates , and many historical items of value . One would like to know the voting strength of the Province in the Central Masonic Charities , but , really , there is so much else , and the accounts as to the several Institutions are so well condensed , that it would be ungracious to press for more . Any way , the Editors may be assured that they have earned the warm gratitude of the Province for providing such a valuable Annual .

"THE INDIAN FREEMASONS' ALMANAC AND DIARY , 1 S 97 . "—This remarkable publication is edited by Bro . P . C . Dutt , P . Dep . D . G . M . Be ngal , and is the largest of the kind issued by any Masonic body authorised by the Grand Lodge of England . It is in the 29 th year of publication , and is valuable and interesting as ever , the details being so ample , that the work is brimful of information , as well as complete as a calendar for the Calcutta lodges . There are over 160 lodges attended to for India and Burma , and

all Ihe other Masonic bodies , Royal Arch chapters , Mark lodges , K . T . preceptories , Rose Croix chapters , & c , are also carefully noted and described . The historical data is most interesting , and useful withat , as the "Masonic Notabitia " begin from 17 zS , and aie brought down to date , based upon the accepted authorities , only condensed as much as possible . The book is an extraordinary production , and only needs the statistical information to make it complete . Bro . Dutt has earned and should receive the best thanks of his large constituency .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Indefatigable Lodge , No . 237 . WELCOME TO THE MASONIC MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL UNION OF TEACHERS . With characteristic hospitality , the Indefatigable Lodge , No . 237 , Swansea , tendered a most warm and fraternal greeting on Wednesday , the 21 st ult ., to the brethren of the Craft visiting the town in connection with the National Union of Teachers Conference . This interesting function was performed by Bro . Herbert George Davies , VV . M ., who

was cordially supported by the VVorshipful Masters of the other local lodges—the Talbot and Caradoc—whilst among those who had accepted invitations to pay an official visit were the Worshipful Masters of the Bute , Glamorgan , Tennant , Duke of York , and Llangattock Lodges . Amongst other distinguished brethren who had been invited by the Worshipful Master to meet the guests of the evening were Bros . Marmaduke Tennant , P . A . G . D . C . Eng ., D . P . G . M . j the Right Hon . the Earl of Jersey , P . G . W . Eng ., P . G . M .

Oxfordshire ,- Sir John Jones Jenkins , M . P ., P . M . 1323 , P . P . J . G . W . j Sir J . T . Dillwyn Llewelyn , Bart ., M . P . j Walter Whittington , P . M ., P . G . Sec . j D . Brynmor Jones , Q . C , M . P ., 1724 ,- and Ernest Gray , M . P . for West Ham , all of whom were present . The lodge having been opened , Bros . L . Collwyn Lewis , Sydney W . Harris , and H . J . Nott , were passed to the Second Degree , the ceremony being admirably performed by the W . M ., whilst the lecture on the tracing board was given by Bro . H . J . Thomas , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . Then followed an interesting event , the presentation of a very handsome P . P . G . Treasurer ' s jewel to Bro . J . Lindley Smith , I . P . M ., P . G . Treas ., on

the occasion of his leaving Swansea to take up the important position of Governor of H . M . Gaol at Devizes . The W . M . in requesting Bro . the Right Hon . the Eirlof Jersey to invest Bro . Smith with the jewel on behalf of the brethren of the lodge , said that the jewel was simply a small token of the very high estimation in which the I . P . M . is held by the brethren of thc Indefatigable . His lordship , in pinning the jewel on Bro . J . Lindley Smith ' s breast , took the occasion of congratulating him upon the important appointment which had been given him , and expressed the hope that he would live long to serve his country and to wear the jewel which he now presented him with . Bro . Smith suitably thanked the brethren and

Craft Masonry.

his lordship for his kind wishes , and in the course of liis remarks said that he shoirid ever remember the kindness that he had received at the hands of the Indefatigable Lodge . The hearty good wishes were then tendered to the Worshipful Master by t he many representatives of lodges throughout the kingdom . The W . M . extended a most warm and cordial invitation to all present to accompany him to the Grand Hotel , where supper would be served .

The lodge was then closed , and the brethren sat down to supper . The W . M ., Bro . Herbert Geo . Davies , presided , and was supported on his right by Bros . Marmaduke Tennant , P . A . G . D . C , D . P . G . M . ; Sir John Jones Jenkins , M . P ., P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . ; and R . D . Brymor Jones , O . C , M . P . ; and on his left by the R . W . and Right Hon . the Earl of Jersey , P . S . G . W ., P . G . M . Oxonj Bros . Sir John T . Dillwyn Llewelyn , Bart ., M . P ., and Ernest Gray , M . A ., M . P .

The W . M . submitted the toasts of " Her Most Gracious Majesty the Oueen and the Craft" and "The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " both being drunk with musical honours . Bro . Sir John Jones Jenkins , M . P ., who was most heartily received , submitted •' The M . W . the Pro Grand Master and Grand Lodge of England . '' It afforded him , he said , much pleasure to propose that toast . The Grand Lodge of England stood high in the estimation of all of them , perhaps not so much for its name as for those eminent men who composed it . They had at its head the Prince of Wales , and it was astonishing

how far-reaching Freemasonry was . There they had the Prince of Wales at the head ot the greatest Order in the world , closely connected with a very large number of other Orders , whilst he was also Chancellor of the Welsh University . The Pro Grand Master , the M . W . Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , was well known to a great many of them . They had seen him at Swansea on several occasions , and hoped to see him before long once again . He had also great pleasure to mention the name of the R . W . Bro . the Earl of Jersey , Prov . Grand Master Oxfordshire . In him they had a nobleman who not only made himself useful in many spheres of life , but whatever he did he did

thoroughly . He ( Sir John ) had heard some rumours that there was a probability of the Earl of Jersey , in the near future , living and spending more time amongst them in South Wales . He ( Sir John ) was sure that he was only echoing the sentiments of all the members ot the Indefatigable Lodge when he said that he hoped to see more of his lordship in the future than they had in the past . Sir John then submitted the toast , coupling with it the name of the Earl of Jersey . Bro . the Earl of Jersey , in responding , thanked the brethren for the enthusiastic manner in which they had received the toast , and also Bro . Davies , their W . M ., for

having kindly invited him to be present to meet the distinguished brethren whom he had the pleasure of seeing around him . With regard to the Grand Lodge of England , everybody would agree with what Bro . Sir John Jones Jenkins had said that their Pro G . M . was certainly the right man in the right place , and he thought that the men who belonged to the Order were men who studied the interests of Masonry in every part of their territory , and who exercised a far-reaching public influence . He thought also that

nothing could please the Grand Lodge of England more than to know that upon this occasion the brethren of the Indefatigable Lodge had used the advantages of Masonry to extend their hospitality to those who came to Swansea . In conclusion , the Earl of Jersey expressed the hope that the brethren who came from other parts of the country would go away impressed with the enthusiastic manner in which Masonry was conducted in . Swansea , and also with the hospitality of the lodge , of which he felt proud that he himself was a member .

Bro . Henry Simons , P . M ., submitted " The R . W . Prov . Grand Master and the W . Dep . Prov . Grand Master . " In the course of a few remarks , he said it was with great regret that they had to account for the absence of the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Lord Llangattock , who had intended to be present . They were fortunate in having two such good officers at the head of their province . Since the Right Hon . Prov . Grand Master had been at the head he had made it a point to be with them at least once a year , whilst he had also made several special visits to lodges in the province . Referring to the Deputy G . M ., Bro . Marmaduke Tennant , who unfortunately had to leave early to catch his train , he was one whom every Mason in South Wales reverenced and loved . In submitting the toast , Bro . Simons coupled with it the name of Bro . Grose , Prov . S . G . W .

Bro . Grose , in responding , said that , as Senior Warden of the Province , he was proud of the opportunity given him of returning thanks for the enthusiastic manner in which they had drunk the health of the Prov . Grand Master and the Deputy Prov . Grand Master . Bro . Herbert G . Davies , W . M ., then felicitously submitted the toast of the evening , that of "The Visitors . " He said they were honoured by having around them visiting brethren representing nearly every class of life and from all quarters of the Empire . He could see amongst them members of the House of Peers , House of Commons , and , as they still had their I . P . M . amongst them , he must include the House

of . Correction —( laughter)—Council of Education , and also brethren whom , except upon an occasion such as that , they did not particularly desire to meet , viz ., barristers and lawyers —( renewed laughter)—met in the common bond of brotherhood . On behalf of his lodge , he tendered to the visitors a most hearty welcome to Swansea , and he felt proud that he had the honour to preside over such an important and unique gathering of Masons in that ancient borough of Swansea . He could assure the visitors that he was delighted to see them , glad to welcome them , and to extend the right hand of fellowship to brethren who were engaged in the responsible task of training the future generation .

He had much pleasure in coupling with the toast the names of Bros . C . James , W . M . 1963 j Councillor J . Welch , W . M . 1110 j A . W . Pillinger , W . M . 902 j Ernest Gray , M . A ., M . P ., 22 9 1 , who was closely connected with the Educational Scheme of the country , he having been a couple of years bjck President of the N . U . T . j Sir J . T . Dillwyn Llewelyn , Bart ., M . P ., whom , whatever might be their political opinions , he felt sure every Swansea brother highly esteemed and revered , and who had requested him ( the speaker ) to propose him as a re-joining member of the Indefatigable j D . Brynmor Tones , Q . C , M . P ., who was a member of the Kaisar-i-Hind Lodge j and last , but not

least , G . M . E . Hamilton , P . M . 1641 , also P . M . and Sec . of 144 6 , whose name he had at his own request reserved until the end . Before submitting the toast , he could not refrain from acknowledging the courtesy and kindness he had received from Bro . Hamilton in conjunction with Bro . John Williams , P . M ., and the valuable assistance he had rendered him in getting the members of his Union there that evening in such goodly numbers , and thus making the gathering such a grand success .

Bro . James , W . M . 1963 , one of the brethren of the N . U . T ., responded in a few happy remarks , in which he expressed , on behalf of the other N . U . T . brethren present , the pleasure it gave him to thank the Swansea lodge for the very cordial way in which the toast had been received , and also the felicitous way in which it had been m *> ved . He was glad the N . U . T . had been able to furnish 45 brethren for the occasion , amongst that number being several Past Presidents of the Union , several present and past members of the Executive , and five out of the six present principal officials of the Union .

Bro . Councillor Welsh , W . M . 1110 , also responded , remarking that he had been struck with the work of the lodge and the way it had been carried out . He congratulated the lodge upon the admirable way this was done , and said the day would be a redletter one to them . He might say for his own part that when became to Swansea he was not particularly attracted by the town . On his way to the town last week it was raining cats and dogs —( laughter)—and when he entered it the same process was in progress . ( Renewed laughter . ) He had learnt that it was the habit oi Swansea to have rain some 13 months out of the 12 . ( Loud laughter . ) The climate , he mustsay , was

moist . It had improved during the conference week , and he hoped the conference would be finished with that eclat which had attended its meetings in all other towns . The gathering that evening was , he thought , unique . Bro . Pillinger , W . M . 902 , also responded . Bro . Ernest Gray , M . P ., said he was only a young member of the Craft , but he had learnt that one ^ of the great fundamental truths of Freemasonry was that ot Charity , and the Swansea brethren had that evening given a vivid interpretation of » in its widest sense . The N . U . T . would regard that gathering as one of the most agreeable held in connection with the conference , and no memory would be dearer to

them than that which they would hold of the great kindness shown to them that evenm g-Bro . Sir J . T . D . Llewelyn , Bart ., M . P ., said it was with mixed feelings of regret that he addressed them . He felt that he had been a very bad Mason —( " no , no" ) but he was there that evening because he desired to support the Worshipful Master and brethren in Swansea in the veipy cordial recsptio . i they had given to the brethren of the Craft who came from outside Swansea , and who were paying a visit on this most interesting occasion . He himself was , many years ago , a member of the Indefatigable Lodge , but had had to leave it because the great distance between his home and the lodge s p lace of meeting prevented him carrying out the duties of the Craft as he should have liked to . He deeply regretted not having been an active member of the I ndefatigable