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 .

RECORD ATTENDANCE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Would you consider the following a record in the Craft ? I was initiated in the Lodge of Benevolence , No . il < 38 , on August 1 st , 1 S 70 , and have only been absent froii one lodge ( 12 a vear ) in 2 g years . I have held office as

Secretary 22 yeays , was W . M . in 1876 , and have received three Provincial collars , namely , those of Prov . A . G . D . C , Prov . G . D . C , and Prov . J . G . W . of Dorset — Yours fraternally , G . F . STOKES . Masonic Hall , Sherborne , June 16 th .

METROPOLITAN DRINKING FOUNTAIN AND CATTLE TROUGH ASSOCIATION . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Sir , Would you , with your usual courtesy and consideration , allow us , through the means of your columns , to appeal to the benevolent public on behalf of the above society , which does so vast a work in relieving suffering animals and in promoting temperance among our itinerant population ?

During the hot weather our expenses are materially increased by the greater consumption of water ; to defray these and pay off the remaining debt of £ 3700 , the generous public are earnestly invited to assist the Association by liberal subscriptions and donations . WESTMINSTER , President .

HERBERT F . EATON , Col ., Chairman HENRY GURNEY , Treasurer . 70 , Victoria-street , Westminster , S . W ., July 4 th .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

" 35 ] — THE MARK DEGREE . I cannot understand my friend , Bro . Ohren ' s communication in last week's Freemason as to the Mark being given in the Second Degree in America , and visitors were , or are , required to be " advanced " prior to being permitted to attend such a lodge . My acijuaintance with American Masonic usages and customs has been very intimate for the last 30 years or more , and the practice alluded to by Bro . Ohren is quite unknown to me . In fact , it is quite contrary to all the rules

and regulations of both the Craft and Royal Arch Masonry in the United States and the Dominion of Canada . The Grand Lodges officially recognise but the first three Degrees , the Mark being worked generally under the Royal Arch Grand Chapters , its possession being a sine qua" non for exaltation . The only exception that occurs to me is in Philadelphia , U . S . A ., where there are three Mark Lodges , with separate warrants ; but even this trio is authorised by the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania .

As to the " Mark " being given to Fellow Crafts , that fancy , doubtless , had its origin in the old custom of conferring the " Mark Man " on Fellow Crafts , but the degree of " Mark Master , " being the important ceremony , was only given to Master Masons . Illustrations of this fact may be seen in the old Records of the R . A . Chapter of Portsmouth , of A . D . 1769 , those of No . 124 , Granby Lodge , Durham , of 1777 , and St . Thomas' Lodge , No . 142 , London , of 1773 . I am in

full sympathy with the Mark Grand Lodge in its decision to claim Sovereignty in this Country as respects full control of that Degree , for we have already too many Governing Bodies , and for another Organisation , small even though old , to claim such a position is really too absurd . I still hope the brethren who have put themselves in such a wrong position will soon acknowledge their error and ask for admission into our fold . W . J . HUGHAN .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Lodge of Harmony , No . 275 . An interesting meeting took place on Thursday , the 22 nd ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Huddersfield . Bro . Sir Walter Peace , K . C . M . G ., presented to the lodge a large three-quarter length portrait , in oils , of his father , the late Bro . James Peace , P . P . G Warden of West Yorkshire . Previous to the presentation , there were two ceremonis , —passing and raising . The W . M ., Bro . Alderman R . II . Inman , was well supported not only by brethren of his lodge , but also by many distinguished visitors , among whom , besides Bro . Sir Walter Peace , were Bros . Henry Smith , P . G . D . England , and John Innocent , P . G . D . North China , and one of the founders ol Union Lodge , No . 11951 , Tientsin .

Thc ceremony cf passing was worked by Bro . A . Armitage , J . P ., and the raising was perfoimed by the VV . M . Bro . Wm . Storry , jun ., explained the traditional history . One of the pleasing features of the raising was that Bro . Alderman Kendall , one of the oldest members of the lodge , acted as S . D ., his son being the candidate . Bro . Sir Walter Peace , in ris ng to make the presentation , was received with rounds of applause . He mentioned that on the occasion of his visit to the lodge last year , he looked round the walls and saw thc portraits of many whom he had known when a boy ; but he missed the portrait of the one he loved best—his father . He considered for a long time

how he should obtain a portrait of him , and at last , with the assistance of some of the brethren of the lodge , he was able to give a commission to a local artist ( Mr . J . VV . Mills ) , who had painted the picture he intended to present from a photograph . It was not for him to pronounce an eulogy upon his own father . There . were others in the lodge who knew better than he did what his father had done for lhat lodge and for Freemasonry in West Yorkshire , but he hoped that the portrait ( which at this point was unveiled ) would be appreciated by the brethren of the lodge and hy Freemascmy in general , and would serve as a perpetual memory of one who , for all in all , was a good Mason , a good citizen , and a good parent . The W . M . then suitably

responded on behalf of the lodge , thanking Bio . Sir Walter for his most generics gift , fie said llic late . Bro . Peace was initiated in this lodge in the year 1 S 43 , and died in 1 S 75 . During his somewhat lengthened Masonic career he was a most enthusiastic Mason , and it was on record that he did not think it too much trouble to travel between Huddersfield and London , which lie did on several occasions , ei .-her by coach or wat .-r from Hull ( tliis being before the time of lailways ) to gain that Masonic knowledge which was his great delight to impart to others . Especially did he attribute to him the credit for the uniformity of woiliing now prevalent throughout the lodges in the district . He assured Sir Walter that the brethren of the lodge were all of them proud to receive a portrait of his father , which would cccupy a foremost place upon the walls of the Iodge . Bro . Edward

Craft Masonry.

Armitage , J . P ., P . P . G . W . West Yorks , a P . M . of 55 years'standing in the lodge , supported the thanks expressed by the W . M ., and in a few feeling and humorous remarks said how well he remembered Bro . Peace , who was always looked up to by his brethren as an authority on matters Masonic ; he was genial and kind , but at the same time somewhat exacting , so the brethren often thought , when he was engaged in that labour of love—the imparting of Masonic ritual .

In the subsequent proceedings Bros . Innocent and Sir Walter Peace responded to the toast of " The Visitors , " the former also giving an admi table address on the formation of his lodge in China 40 years ago , and the progress of Freemasonry generally during that period in that country , and Sir Walter , in a truly Masonic speech , gave many reminiscences of his boyhood and the many kindnesses he had received , both at home and abroad , from brethren of the Craft , and concluded by saying that , considering the special object of his visit , and the fraternal greetings he had received from the brethren , he should not only carry away with him remembrances of pleasure , but feelings of delight .

Chislehurst Lodge , No . 1531 . The installation meeting of this well-known Kentish Iodge was held at Chislehurst on Saturday , the 24 th ult ., when there were present Bros . VV . Kipps , acting VV . M . ; R . G . Robinson , S . W . Geo . Proctor , J . W . ; W . Hollis , P . P . S . G . D ., Treas . C . F . Quicke , P . G . Supt . Wks ., Sec . J . T . Baron , S . D . ; Herbert Ouicke , J . D . ; W , J . Clark , I . G . ; A . Smith , Stwd .,- H . Martin , Tvler ; Nathan Robinson , L . C . C , P . M . ; A . J . Perriam , P . M . ; VV . J . Kipps , P . M . ; J . Stephens , A . Cocks , G . Rule , T . Hosegood , G . Tanner , E . DettmerWalter Scott , S . Suter , H . Hocking , E .

, Evensen , T . Woof , J . Dawson , C . Phillips , W . Coney , Dr . T . Stansfield , VV . Ashley , J . Storey , E . Petersen , and G . H . Dowsett . There was also a goodly array of visitors , amongst whom were Bros . A . A . Frigout , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; W . Finch , P . M . 13 C 5 j E . Ginder , P . M . 1563 ; C Gales , 1563 ; G . Brown , P . M . 933 ; Geo . Robinson , S . W , 55 ; W . Busby , J . VV . 733 ; A . Higgins , S . D . 2271 ; H . Davenall , P . M . 1602 ; A . E . Kipps , S . W . 1275 ; J- Bullock , 155 S ; D . Smith , 4 63 ; D . Fowler , 511 ; H . Eungblut , 2202 ; A . Pratt , 55 ; R . Partridge , 2 C 03 : W . Jones , 1962 ; J . Maynard , 1692 ; VV . Boyce , 170 S ; and Carl Steiner , 21 GS .

The senior Past Master , who has carried out the duties of the chair since the death of the late VV . M ., Bro . J . Muir Smith , opened the Iodge , and the-minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . He then called upon the brethren to salute the newly-appointed Prov . Grand Superintendent of Works , Bro . Charles F . Quicke , P . M ., Secretary , whom the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Earl Amherst , had been pleased to appoint to that important office . Bro . Quicke thanked the brethren for their greeting , after which Bro . Kipps vacated the chair of K . S . , in favour of

Bro . Nathan Robinson , L . C . C , P . M ., who then proceeded to instal his son , Bro . Robt . G . Robinson , S . W ., W . M . elect . This he carried out in a most impressive manner . The newly-installed W . M . then appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . G . Procter , S . W . ; J . T . Baron , J . W . j W . Hollis , P . M ., Treas . ; C . F . Ouicke , P . M ., Sec . ; H . J . Quicke , S . D . ; W . Clark , J . D . ; W . Kipps , P . M ., DLTof C .-

Andrew Smith , I . G .,- A . W . Petersen , Asst . D . of C . and G . H . Dowsett , \ . Stephens , and E . Dettmer , Stwds . Owing to the sudden and lamented death of Bro . E . Mallett , Tyler , that ollice could not be filled . Bro . Nathan Robinson then gave the address to the VV . M ., and Bro . Chas . Quicke the addresses to the Wardens and brethren . The excellent manner in which the VV . M . invested his officers , and the Past Masters rendered the three addresses , left nothing to be desired .

Before the lodge was closed , it was decided to hold a "ladies' day " in connection with the lodge , and a trip on the river Thames was agreed to as the most suitable way of carrying out the proposal . A banquet was afterwards held in the Village Hall , the usual toasts being interspersed with music and singing of a high order , and special mention must be made of Bros . W . and A . Kipps and Carl Steiner in this direction .

Bro . Willian Kipps , I . P . M ., in proposing the toast of "The W ! M „ " made a touching allusion to Bro . Nathan Robinson installing so worthy and able a son into the chair that day , hc could fully estimate the pleasure and pride Bro . Robinson felt , as hc had just a similar expeiience with his son two years ago . The toast was drunk with enthusiasm .

The W . M ., in returning thanks , said it was a proud day for him , and he heartily thanked Bro . W . Kipps for his kindness and assistance . He could promise the brethren that nothing should be wanting on his part , so far as his ability would permit , to keep up the prestige of the Iodge , and the dignity of the high office to which he had that day attained .

Bro . Nathan Robinson , in proposing the toast of "The Prov . Grand Ofiicers , " spoke in a most eulogistic manner of Bro . Charles Quicke , who during the past week had been honoured , after years of devoted service to Freemasonry in general , and the Chislehurst Lodge in particular , by the M . W . Pro Grand Master . No one had ever been appointed to Provincial honours who more worthily deserved the .-n than their most indefatigable Secretary . The toast was received with acclamation .

Bro . C Quicke , in responding , said he desired to thank his old friend for the highly-flattering manner in which he had proposed the toast , and the brethren for the cordiality with which they had received it . He certainly felt proud the lodge had been honoured in his person . So long as he had the confidence of the brethren and the suppoit of the Past Masters he would endeavour to render goad suit and service to happy Chislehurst Lodge . " The Visitors " was responded to by Bros . Finch , P . M . ; Divenill , P . M . ; Jones , and Carl Steiner .

I he benevolent I reasurer of the lodge , Bro . Hollis , responded to the toast of " The Masonic Charities . " The remaining toasts having been duly honoured , a highly successful and red letter day in the history of this lodge was brought to a close .

Wolsey Lodge , No . 1656 . The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Greyhound Hotel , Hampton Court , on the 12 th ult . Among those present were Bros . W . R . Flack , W . M . ; H . C , Crozier , P . M . P . G . S . W . Egypt , W . M . elect ; D . A . Ross , J . W . ; J . Featherstone , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., Treas . ; Major T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., P . G . Std . Br ., Sec , A . S . Jehu , S . D . ; ] . 11 . Gaunt , J . D . ; F . Figg , Org . ; H . J . Bond , P . M ., Stwd . ; It . W . Simpson , I . P . M . ; W . T . Peat , P . M ., P . P . G . O . ; and R . W . Rice , P . M ,

Among the numerous visitors were Bros . R . T . Elsam , P . P . G . D . C . Surrey ; 1 , Murrell , W . M . 51 , G . S . Egypt ; H . J . Cousins , VV . M . 172 ; R . Brooking , VV . M . 2032 ; -O . R . Duncan , VV . M . 2319 ; F . II . Cheesewright , P . M . 997 ; A . R . Finch , P . M . 123 S ; T . L . Ksys , P . M . 2 J 32 ; F . Lxkett , P . M . 214 ;; J . A . Braik , P . M . 2310 ; VV . P . Hatton , P . M . 2240 ; W . R . Hatton , P . M . 224 G ; and J . Mayo , P . M . The minutes of the previous meeting having been reid and onfirm ; d , Bro . Baldock was raised to the Third Degree , Bros . Tapper , McCombie , Hurst , ar . d

Carman passed to the Second Degree . The ballot was taken on behalf of Messrs . John Jacob and Benjamin Thurlow , and it being unanimous , they were duly initiated by Bro . VV . T . Peat . Bro . H . C . Crozier , S . VV ., having been presented , was duly installed W . M . by the W . M . Among the officers appointed and invested were Bros . D . A . Ross . S . W . ; A . S . Jehu , J . VV . ; J . Featherstone , P . M ., Treas . ; Maj . T . C . Walls , P . M ., Sec ; J . H . Gaunt , S . D . ; T . Jones , J . D . ; W . Wainwright , I . G . ; T . Grant , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., D . C ; F . Figg , Org . ; H . J . Bond , P . M ., and J . Pain , Stewards ; and J . Gilbert , Tvler . A vote of thanks was passed to the Installing Ollicer , and he

was presented with a Past Master's jewel . The sum of live guineas was voted to the widow of a late Past Master of the lodge , and the sum of 10 guineas voted to the R . M . LB ., per Bro . T . Grant , as Steward . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros , the Right Hon . Lord Kitchener of Khartoum , P . G . W . ; R . IL Thrupp , Dep . P . G . M . ; IL H . Room , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . Small , P . G . See ; J . C Jessett , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; P . Grant , P . M . ; E . Dare , P . M . ; and many otheis . The lodge was afterwards closed . An excellent banquet was then served , under the able supsrintendence of Bro . E . Btltramo , the courteous proprietor of the hotel .

Upon the removal of the cloth , the W . M . submitted the various toasts briefly , but pertinently . Bro . VV . T . Peat responded upon behalf of " The Prov . Grand OLficers " in a fluent speech of some merit . The I . P . M . gave thc toast of "The W . M . " In the coutsei of hv ; rema-tUs hs said that Bro . Crozier , although but a young Mason , had achieved consid-rable distinction in Freemasonry abroad . He had evidently entered into the cause ardently , and his z ; al and application had been recognised and rewarded by thc Grand Lodge of Egypt .