Original Correspondence.

means for protecting their passengers from the insolence of the fellows who infest Folkestone in the summer and

. Your obedient servant , EDW . VAUGHAN RICHARDS . Sir , —I have twice landed at Folkestone during the past fortnight , and each time have witnessed the extreme rudeness of the Folkestone crowd . Some nervous people of my acquaintance dread the landing almost as much as the

horrors of the middle passage . It is not generally known that only privileged persons are allowed on the Folkestone Pier to witness the arrival of the steamer ; therefor " " S . P . ' s " excuse , which appeared in The Times of to-day , falls to the ground . I am sorry to say that the fellows who congregate on the pier are cf better position than the regjlar excursionist . Yours obediently , C . F . D .

Mr . B . Robinson writes from thc Verulam Club , 54 , St . James ' s-street , S . W .: — " Seeing some sensible letters in the late impressions of The Times on the subject of " Seaside Manners , " may I bc permitted to ask in your columns , what is being done by the Sowh-Eastern and the London , Chatham , and Dover Railway Companies to alleviate the

wretchedness of their Continental passengers on their Channel passage ? This has been the occasion ( most improperly , no doubt ) of the miserable three young men ' s amusement at Folkestone . The scenes which 1 myself have witnessed in bad weather this season in crossing the

English Channel are a disgrace to modern civilisation . It has been proved that something can be done for the comfort of the travelling public , by the Castalia boat ; and yet economical considerations prevail , and the public are suffered to travel between England and the Continent like cattle . "

Sir , —Will you allow me to endorse emphatically all that is said by your Folkestone correspondent ? It is disgraceful conduct in any one , but most of all in young ladies , who , I am sorry to say , in the boisterous excitement of sea-side spirits , sometimes forget all that is " gentle " on the arrival of the boat at Folkestone . It is

not only grossly rude , but exceedingly cruel to subject suffering members of their own sex to their thoughtless and unfeeling remaiks . In thc case of " men , " summary vengeance taken by the objects of criticism would be richly deserved . I do sincerely hope that the South-Eastern "Railway will close its pier in future on the arrival

of the boats ; but it is a sad reflection upon English manners that such strong measures should have been rendered absolutely necessary . We are apt to be very exacting with our foreign friends across the water , but I have never seen any approach to the conduct oi the Folkestone visiters out of England . —I am , Sir , yours very obediently , CHANNEL PASSAGE .

GRAND LODGE MEETING . To Ihe Editor if Ihe "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Btothtr , — Adverting to the meeting cf Grand Lodge on Wednesday last , I mean no disrespect to thc M . W . the Grand Master in thc chair when I say that the resolution

for granting one thousand guineas to the Indian I'amine Relief Fund was unduly hastened to a vote , immediately after the motion was proposed and seconded ; not an instant of time was permitted for criticism . For myself I did not intend to move an amendment , and I think I may say as much for Bro . Raynham Stewart , but I wish to remind

the brethren that in June , 1874 , at the last Grand Lodge at which the Marquis of Ripon presided , he himself proposed a grant ot five hundred guineas towards the relief of the famine in Bengal , and that amount was then deemed sufficient . If the tendency of the brethren present was to make a grant of double the amount on this occasion , it

would have been easily demonstrated , and the vote would have been carried in spite of opposition , even had an amendment been proposed . Bro . Clabon , -with characteristic benevolence , desired to obtain Ihe grant , but I submit that members of Grand Loilge who did not attend the Board of Masters might fairly have been entitled to express their

views on the subject , without tear of his motion being negatived . The question was an open one , on which discussion might have been permitted . The previous grants of two-hundred guineas to the sufferers by the fire at St . John , New Brunswick , and of one hundred guineas to alleviate the distress caused by the " cataclyism " ( what

that may mean ?) in Peru , were proposed under the auspices of the M . W . Grand Master , and not a word was uttered on the motions . The grant proposed for the Indian Famine Fund might have been discussed , if an opportunity had been aftorded . Yours fraternally , BRACKSTONE BAKEII , P . G . D .

A QUERY . To the Editor of Ihe " Freemason . " * " Dear Sir and Brother , — ' With all due deference to your correspondent " E . M , " I dissent from the views he expresses that , under the circumstances , the W . Master of a lodge

would be censurable for admitting a visitor to his lodge . A having had an opportunity of retiring to arrange with a brother , a visitor , which he declines . Will you , Sir , kindly favour a brother with your valuable opinion in your next edition ? Yours fraternally , P-M .

MASONIC SONGS . —A selection of Masonic Songs set to popular airs , written by Bro . E . P . Philpots , M . D ., F . R . G . S ., is now ready , forming a handsome volume , bound in cloth , with gilt edges , 3 s . Sent post free from the office of this paper on receipt of stamjii or post-office order value 3 s . 2 d . —ADVT .

Provincial, Grand Lodge Of South Wales.

PROVINCIAL , GRAND LODGE OF SOUTH WALES .

On Thursday , thc 30 th ult ., the first meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons since the installation of Bro . Sir George Elliot as Provincial Granel Master , was held at the New Masonic Hall , Working-street , Cardiff ,

under the banner of the Glamorgan Lodge . ' 1 here was a good attendance . The lodge was a special Grand Lodge of Emergency , called for ehe purpose of passing two resolutions—one having reference to the late Prov . G . M ., Bro . Mansel Talbot , and the other Bro . E . J . Morris , junior , Grand

Deacon of England . Bro . D . Watson , W . M . of the Glamorgan Lodge , opened the lodge in due form at one o ' clock , after which the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master and his officers , headeel by the new Deputy Provincial Grjfnd Master , Bro . Tennant , honoured the lodge with their distinguished

presence . The Provincial Grand Master having taken the chair , proceeded to open Grand Lodge according to ancient custom . In commencing the business oi tbe lodge , the "Worshipful Provincial Grand Master spoke very feelingly of his

predecessor . He said that this meeting was called for the express purpose , as they were aware , of bearing testimony to the worth with which both he and Bro . E . J . Morris , the late Deputy Prov . G . M ., were held . The lodge , he added , had been called at the earliest possible moment , and he assured thc brethren that both the resolutions had his

entire concurrence . Bro . E . S . Hill , of Cardiff , P . P . G . W ., then moved : — " That the brethren of the Province of South Wales , Eastern Divi > ion , with grateful recollection of the very eminent services rendered to Masonry by the late R . W . Bro . Theodore Mansel Talbot during the eleven years he held the distinguished office of Provincial Grand-Master

—an office the duties of which he performeel with untiring zeal , with dignity worthy of the Craft , and with urbanity endearing him to the brethren—desire formally to record their high appreciation of his services , anel their profound regret at the itreparable loss thev have sustained by his early death . " He said that all who had been acquainted with the late P . G . M . would cordially support

the resolution , for they would be aware of the generous nature , the kindly spirit , and the devotion to Masonry which animated him . Bro . Hill spoke at great length upon the social and public qualities of the late Bro . Talbot , anel was frequently applauded . Bro . Dr . J . G . Hall , of Swansea , seconded thc resolution in a speech of great power , dealing principally with the

subject from a Masonic point of view . Dr . Hall said he had accompanied the late Bro . T . Mansel Talbot in his visits to the various lndges of the Province , and could bear testimony to the rare knowledge which he possessed of the mysteries of the Craft , and to the loving care which he devoted to every detail relating to Masonic subjects which came under his notice . This , said the speaker ,

was a matter with which all the brethren were well acquainted , for the late P . G . M . by his ce mmunications with thc various lodges was well known to all of them . This portion of the speech made a deep impression , and at its conclusion there was a warm outburst of applause . The P . G . M . having , in a few well-chosen words , put the reseilution to thc meeting , it was carried with the greatest

unanimity . Bro . Charles Bath , P . P . G . W ., then moved , "That this Provincial Grand Lodge desires to record its grateful acknowledgments of the eminent services rendered to the Province by the W . Bro . Eelward James Morris , Junior Grand Deacon of England , during the long period he filled the office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and to which

the present high position lielel by the Province is due , and its regret at the loss which the Province has sustained through his withdrawal from active Masonic life . " Having given an outline of Bio . Morris ' s career , he spoke kindly of him as a man , as well as a Mason . When Bro . Morris toe k office , the Masonic charities were in a very low state j but , by hi * efforts , the Grand Lodge of the Province had

become one ot the most liberal contributors of all the Provincial Grand Lodges in the kingdom . He had also improved the condition of tl . e lodges , which lrom having been few in number , sparsely attended , and inefficient in their working , were now increased in numbers , and wellattended , while the work was admirably performed . These statements were earnestly applauded .

Bro . Basselt , P . P . G . W ., sccmidcel thc resolution . Thc "Worshipful Master , in putting it to the meeting , regretted that he had been unable to induce Bro . Morris to continue to hold the rank . He was sorry that he was not personally acquainted with one who was well spoken of by every Mason in the province . The resolution was then carried unanimously .

Bro . E . S . Hill moved , and it was restilved , that a copy of the first resolution should be sent to Mr . C . R . M . Talbot , Lord-Lieutenant of the county , and a copy of the second to Bro . E . J . Morris . There being no other business , the Right Worshipful Grand Master closed the Grand Lodge , after which Bro . D . Watson , W . M . of the Glamorgan Lodge , closed the

Master Masons' Lodge . The brethren then proceeded to the Royal Hotel , where a banquet was provided , presided over by Worshipful Grand Master Sir George Elliot , The usual toasts were given , and several songs were sung by Bros . E . W . Shackell , F . Baker , and D . R . David , of Margam . Bro . F . Atleins accompanied on the pianoforte .

The Duke of Connaught is staying for a week with the Knight of Kerry on his island of Valentia on the west coast of Ireland .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Lanarkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF LANARKSHIRE .

On Friday , the 24 th ult ., the installation of Bro John Clark Forrest , of Auchinraith , Provost of Hamilton as Provincial Grand Master of the Middle Ward of Lanaikshire , anil of other office-bearers of the P . G . Lod ge " took place in the Town Hall , Hamilton . '

1 he occasion was made a gala day by the " brethren of the mystic tie " in the province , there being present in more or less force , deputations from Lodges Hamilton St John ' s Kilwinning , No . 7 ; St Mary ' s , Wishaw No . m ' . Montrose , New Monkland , No . 88 ; Royal Arch , Camfiusl lang , No . 114 ; Royal Arch , Rutherglen , No . 116 ; Airdrie St John ' s , No . 166 ; St James , Old Monkland , No . 177 . Airdrie St

John ' s Operative , No . 203 ; St Andrew , Strath , aver ,, No . 215 ; St Andrew , Hamilton , No . 233 ; St John Woodhall , No . 305 -, St Thomas , Larkhall , ' No . 306 ; s ' t John , Dalzell , No . 406 ; St Clair , Cambusr . ethan , No . 427 . Clydesdale , Larkhall , No . 551 ; High Blantyre , Kilwinning ' No . 557 ; Livingstone , St Andrew , Motherwell , No . 573 . ' St Bryde , Uddingston , No . 579 ; Livingstone , Blantyre '

Stonefield , No . 599 . By permission of His Grace the Duke of Hamilton , the various lodges were permitted to muster in front of Hamil . ton Palace , which they did shortly after 2 p . m ., and were then and there arranged in order of procession by Bro . William Forrest , P . G . Marshall , and his assistants , Bros .

Robert Thomson and William Somerville . When all was in readiness , the procession , which in . eluded various instrumental bands , started from the policies , en route for the Town Hall , by way of the Almada-Etreet Gate , Cadzow-street , Townhead-strect , Patrick-street , and Duke-street .

We need hardly say that the inhabitants , young and old , turned out in force to witness the display ; and , very fortunately , although during the forenoon , and indeed almost up to the hour of assembling , the weather had been more than threatening , the procession throughout was made under the auspices of sunshine and clear sky . The steeple over the Town Hal ) , and other " coigns of

vantage . " rverc decorated with flags , while the bells of the former were kept tolling for half-an-hour or so previous to the arrival thereat of the brethren , and tbe town may be said , in fact , to have been " all agog . " Shortly before 4 p . m . the Grand Lodge was opened ia the Town Hall by Bro . Henry Inglis , of Torsonce , R . W . Depute Grand Master Mason of Scotland -, Bros . William

Mann , P . S . Grand Warden , and F . A . Barrow , Past P . D . G . M . Glasgow , being acting Senior Grand Deacon anel Junior Grand Deacon respectively . Amongst the brethren on the dais were Bros . Hay , Grand Jeweller ; D . Robertson , Grand Bible-Bearer ; D . Murray Lyon , Granel Secretary ; D . Kinnear , Grand Cashier ; D . M . Nelson , Grand SenieT Deacon ; J . C . Forrest , P . G . M . of

Lanarkshire , Middle Ward , elect , and his office-bearers—A . G . Simpson , of Caifin , D . M .-, James Mackie , S . M .-, Colin Spalding , S . W . ; L . Johnstone , J . W . ; Wm . M'Murdo , Secretary ; King , Treasurer ; Gilchrist , S . D , ; Neilson , Dir . of Ceremonies ; J . Andrew , Sen . Steward ; and D . Wright , Inner Guard -, as also Bros . W . H . Bickerton , P . G . Sec . of Glasgow ; Robert Robb , P . G . Marshal Glasgow ;

Robert Jack , R . W . M . Lodge St . John , Shettleston , No . 128 ; John Monro , R . W . M . Lodge Commercial , No . 360 ; Jobn Scott , P . M . Lodge St . Mungo , No . 27 -, Thos . Halkett , P . M . Lodge St . Mark , No . 102 ; Alexander Bain , P . M . Lodge Union and Crown , No . 103 , and others . Tne lodge having been opened , Bro . Rev . R . Dickson , G . C , asked a blessing on the proceedings of the day ,

after which the R . W . Depute Grand Master asked Bro . Forrest to stand up , anel said that he ( Bro . Forrest ) having been elected by the P . G . Loelgc of the Middle Ward of Lanarkshire to be their Master , he ( Bro . Inglis ) should have much pleasure in now formally installing him into that oflice . Bro . Forrest accordingly stood up , and took the oath tie fieleli in the usual manner , and was invested

with the jewel of his office by the R . W . D . G . M . Immediately thereafter the following of his office-bearers were similarly installed and invested with their respective jewels , viz .: —Bros . A . G . Simpson , D . P . G . M . ; J . Mackie , Sub . P . G . M . ; Spalding , P . G . S . W . j Johnson , P . G . J . W . ; and M'Murdo , Sec . The Chairman then , after a few remarks of

congratulation , called upon the brethren of the province to give three cheers for their new P . G . office-bearers , which were awardeel with a will , after which thanksgiving was offered up by the P . G . C . The- lodge was then called for a brief space to refreshment , when the toast of " The Queen anel the Craft , and that of " The Prince of Wales and other members of

the Royal Family , " were given from the chair and duly honoured . That of " The Three Grand Lodges" was proposed by Bro . D . M . Nelson , and acknowledged by the Chairman on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . " The Provincial Grand Lodges of Glasgow and Upper Ward of Lanarkshire " was commended to the accep tance of the brethren bBro . A . G . Simpson , and , in the

uny avoidable absence of Bro . Colonel Montgomerie Neilson , P . G . Master of Glasgow , was acknowledged by Bro . John Monro , R . W . M . No . 3 60 . The remaining toast on the programme , that of " Phe Provincial Grand Lodge of Lanarkshire Middle Warri ' was given by the Chairman , who , in coupling with it the circumstances

name of Bro . Forrest , said that under no could the brethren of the province have elected as their chief a move worthy man than they had done . The £ ""}" pliment was duly acknowledged by Bro . Forrest , who , conclusion , proposed " The Health of their esteemed Clia rman , the Deputy Grand Master of Scotland . " Bro . Ing " having replied , the lodge was recalled to labour , a closed in due form .