Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

OUR BRETHREN OF THE TRANSVAAL . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , A few weeks ago , in one of your sub-leaders , you alluded to the probable distress amongst our brethren in the Transvaal , in consequence of the war which is now raging in South Africa .

I did not at that time follow up your suggestion , as I was hoping that our brethren would be able , with the help afforded them from my district , to struggle through the bitter time of waiting for the end . I have , however , received advices from my Deputy that the amounts which have been subscribed amongst ourselves are utterly inadequate to cope with the growing distress and urgent necessity of numbers of our brethren who , driven from their homes in the Transvaal , compelled to leave behind them all their

household goods , and , in the majority of instances , with families dependent on them for their living , now find themselves almost penniless in the neighbouring Colonies totally unable , though eagerly willing , to procure work of any kind , and not knowing from what source to obtain daily food for themselves and their little ones . In many instances , also , our brethren , with that love for the home of their birth , so beautifully inculcated in the teachings of our Craft , have freely and ungrudgingly offered their lives for the cause of Queen and Empire , and are now fighting gallantly side by side with their comrades of the regular army .

_ It is with great reluctance that we appeal to our brethren in England to assist us in seme measure to provide relief for the urgent cases of distress which have arisen in our ranks ; but I now feel it to be a duty forced upon me by the stress of circumstances to enlist the practical sympathy of the English lodges and their members towards their Transvaal brethren in distress .

It may , perhaps , be asked why these brethren do not apply to share in the funds so nobly subscribed by the people of England for the relief of the Transvaal Refugees . It is for the reason that the members of the Craft in my district are but a

very small proportion of the many thousands of families driven from their homes by the Boer Government , and who , through no fault of their own , and sorely against their grain , are absolutely dependent on Charity for a bare existence , and we think that on the general public fund those who are not Masons should have the first call .

I do not ask for large sums , for I know how nobly all ranks and classes have responded , and are still responding , to the call for help from South Africa ; but I specially appeal to my brethren in England , when they have done their duty to those whom they have sent out to fight the battles of our Queen and country , to spare a little of what they have left for the alleviation of the sufferings and wants of the English Freemasons of the Transvaal ; and if I have rightly gauged the spirit of Freemasonry in England , I feel confident I shall not appeal in vain .

If , dear Sir and Brother , you would kindly assist me in the work I have so much at heart , by allowing a list to be opened at your offices for the receipt ol donations for the relief of the English Freemasons of the Transvaal , I shall be proud to head such list , and shall also be very grateful for your fraternal cooperation .

Let me say , in conclusion , that only the sternest necessity has induced me to make this appeal on behalf of the distressed brethren of my district , and I now wait in full confidence for a response from that Masonic Charity which knows no bounds save those of prudence , and which has never yet failed in time of need . I will charge myself with the responsibility of a faithful and judicious distribution of any funds which may be generously given by lodges and brethren for the cause I advocate , and our need being urgent bis dat qui cito dat . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours sincerely and fraternally , GEORGE RICHARDS , District Grand Master Transvaal . Hotel Cecil , Strand , W . C . Sth December .

THE HISTORY OF THE OLD KING'S ARMS LODGE , To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Jn thanking you for the kindly interest which you have displayed in my book , and for the courtesy that prompted you to open your columns to the correspondence that has appeared on the subject , will you permit me to trespass a little further UDOn vour valuable soace . and to acknowledge , with sincere thanks

the many letters which have reached me from Masons in all parts of the country ? I have endeavoured to deal with all letters that call for replies ; others have reached me without addresses , while many more have been of a congratulatory nature , which did not necessitate individual acknowledgment . To all these correspondents , and to the writers of the various interesting letters which have appeared in the Freemason , I beg to tender imy cordial thanks .

The reception which my book has met with , not only in my mother lodge , but throughout the Craft generally , has been a source of surprise and intense gratification . I only regret that I was not in a position to profit by the many valuable hints and suggestions that 1 have received since its publication ; but I shall gladly avail myself of such assistance in the preparation of another work upon which I am at present engaged . —1 am , dear Sir , yours fraternally , ALBERT F . CALVERT . Royston , Eton-avenue , N . W .

Consecration Of The Assheton-Egerton Lodge, No. 2793.

CONSECRATION OF THE ASSHETON-EGERTON LODGE , No . 2793 .

The number of lodges of the fast growing Province of Cheshire was further augmented by still another , -which we are inclined to believe will prove a great acquisition to those already in existence , namely , the Asshcton-Egerton Lodge , No . 270 ^ , consecrated on the 25 th ult ., at the Bleeding

Wolf Hotel , Hale , Bowdon . The new lodge owes its origin principally to the following brethren : Bros , the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., P . G . W . Eng . ; Richard Newhouse , P . G . S . B . Eng ., P . G . Sec . ; Fredk . Broadsmith , P . P . S . G . W . ; John Ferguson , P . A . G . S . ; Henry H . Mainwaring , P . P . G . Stwd . ; Rev . C . Chetwynd Atkinson , D . D ., P . P . G . Chap , ;

Consecration Of The Assheton-Egerton Lodge, No. 2793.

John Hawker , P . P . G . Stwd .: John S . Derbyshire , Alfred W . Boucher , Fred W . E . Mehlhaus , Thomas Stephens , Thomas Smallwood , Edward J . Sidebotham , P . P . G . D . ; William Campbell , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; Henry Walmsley , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; Fred Johnson , P . M . ; Coningsby Disraeli , M . P . ; John T . C . Blackie , and John W . Norcliffe , who are the founders and have signed the warrant .

There was a large number of influential brethren of the Province of Cheshire and neighbouring provinces present , viz . :

Bros , the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., P . G . W . Eng . ; Rev . Newhouse , P . G . S . B . Eng ., P . G . Sec . ; Hy . Jackson , P . P . S . G . W . ; Lilley Ellis , P . J . G . W . ; John Armstrong , P . P . S . G . W . ; Hy . G . Small , P . P . S . G . W ., P . G . D . C . ; Wm . J . Nash , P . P . G . D . ; Wm . Campbell , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; Canon C . R . Nunn , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . Edward Evans , P . G . Chap . ; Wm . Ramsden , P . P . G . D . ; Mark Oliver , P . A . G . D . C . ; Fredk . Broadsmith , P . P . S . G . W .: Wm . Dykes , P . P . G .

Stwd . ; Wm . Peers , P . P . G . Treas . ; John H . Brookes , P . P . A . G . Sec . ; Geo , Fountain , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; T . W . Sheldon , P . P . G . S . ; A . Whittaker , P . G . S . ; Sidney May , P . P . A . G . P . ; Wm . Williams , P . G . P . ; Wm . Rumsey , P . P . G . P . ; J . H . Marsh , P . P . G . D . W . Lanes . ; Hugh Lowndes , P . G . S . of W . ; J . E . Steward , P . P . G . D . ; Jno . Crompton , P . S . G . D . ; John Hawker , P . P . G . S . ; H , H . Mainwaring , P . P . G . S . ; John Lee , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; Hy . Walmslay , P . P . A .

G . D . C . E . Lanes . ; J . F . Swift , P . G . O . ; James W . Shaw , P . G . Std . Br . ; R Blakehurst , P . A . G . P . ; F . G . Bowden , P . P . A . G . D . C . Leicester ; A . Sidebotham , P . J . G . D . ; James Parker , P . P . G . O . ; W . Wildegoose , P . P . G . Treas . ; J . Bowers , P . P . G . P . W . Lanes . ; John W . Byrom , P . P . G . Treas . ; M . H . Wells , P . P . G , Stwd . ; E . J . Sidebotham , P . P . G . D . ; Joel Fowden , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; D . Sutcliffe , P . G . S . ; Thos . Drinkwater , P . G . Reg . ; C . Bennett , P . G . S . B . ; Alfd . Huxley ,

P . G . Tyler ; J . S . Derbyshire , 1565 ; W . Moody , P . M . 2144 ; C . Stoneley , P . M . 267 ; J . T . C . Blackie , J . W . 1161 ; Ed . Dunn , S . W . 322 ; Wm . Bennett , S . D 322 ; A . B . Hale , Stwd . 322 ; Isaac Adshead , 322 ; G . E . Blathewaite , 322 ; Thos . Ivison , 428 ; J . C . Armitage , P . M . 428 ; Wm . Hughes , J . W . 1045 ; A . Whittaker , 295 ; J . H . Brooke , P . M . 295 ; T . W . Sheldon , W . M . 295 ; Rev . F . H . Mentha , W . M . 1357 ; T . Stators , P . M . 317 ; A . Rottmayer , P . M . 317 ;

R . G . Brew , W . M . 222 ; G . J . Critchley , 1161 ; G . H . Podmore , 1045 i A . R . Jeffs , P . M . 533 ; A . W . Boucher , 1045 ; Fred Johnson , P . M . 2144 ; Henry Stanley , 1045 ; T . Margison , W . M . 1126 ; S . J . Brufford , J 126 ; L . Todd , 941 ; T . Jackson , 941 ; T . Ellwood , 941 ; J . W . Baird , 941 ; R . S . Thrutchley , W . M . 941 ; Hy . Holt , 104 s ; F . W . E . Mehlhaus , 2793 ; Thos . Stephens , 1 045 ; G . W . Stephenson , 336 ; R . C . Whitelegg , W . M . 1 045 ; C . Disraeli , M . P ., 1045 ; W . Allwood , 1045 ; and W . G . Groves , 1565 .

It was announced on the summons that the P . G . M ., Bro . the Ri ght Hon . Earl Egerton of Tatton , would perform the consecration ceremony ; but , owing to the unavoidable absence of the P . G . M ., the duty was performed by Bro . the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., P . G . W . England , who was assisted in its performance by Bros . Hy . Jackson , P . P . S . G . W ., as S . W . ; Tilley Ellis , P . J . G . W ., as J . W . ; Rev . Canon C . R . Nunn , P . G . C ., as Chap . ; R . Newhouse , P . G . S . B . England , P . G . Sec ; H . Gordon Small , P . P . S . G . W ., as D . C ; and Mark Oliver , P . A . G . D . C , as I . G .

1 he lodge was opened in the 1 hree Degrees , and a hymn was then sung . The PRESIDING OFFICER then addressed the brethren with regard to the object for which they had met together , after which the Rev . Canon NUNN , P . G . C ., offered up prayer . The D . C . then arranged the founders in order , and Bro . R . NEWHOUSE , P . G . S . B . England , P . G . Sec , read the petition and warrant which had been granted by the M . W . G . M .

The CONSECRATING OFFICER inquired of the brethren ranged before him whether they approved of the officers named in the warrant , and the brethren having signified their approval . The CHAPLAIN then gave a beautiful oration on the nature and principles of the Institution .

The Presiding Officer proceeded to dedicate and constitute the lodge , after which an anthem was sung . The ceremony was brought to a close by the Patriarchal Benediction . The lodge was then resumed in the Second Degree , and Bro . Fred Broadsmith was installed first W . M . of the lodge , the ceremony being performed admirably by Bro . W . Campbell , P . P . A . G . D . C , assisted by Bros . Tilley Ellis , P . J . G . W ., and John Armstrong , P . P . J . G . W .

The W . M . then invested his officers as follows : Bros . John Ferguson , P . A . G . S ., S . W . ; Henry H . Mainwaring , P . P . G . Stwd ., J . W . ; John Hawker , P . P . G . Stwd ., Treas . ; John S . Derbyshire , Sec . ; W . Campbell , P . P . A . G . D . C , D . C . ; Alfred Wl Boucher , S . D . ; Fred . W . E . Mehlhaus , J . D . ; Thomas Stephens , I . G . ; Thomas Smallwood , Stwd . ; and W . G . Groves , Tyler . Bro , Fred Johnson , P . M ., was elected Charity Representative .

At the close of the proceedings the customary banquet followed , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured and responded to . The musical arrangements were ably carried out by Bros . James Parker , P . P . G . O ., and J . S . Derbyshire . The collars , jewels , & c , were manufactured by Bros . George Kenning and Son , Manchester .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Honout * and Generosity Lodge , No . 165 . This old lodge , which was constituted in the year 17 G 7 , opened its new season on Tuesday evening , the aSth ult ., at the Inns of Court Hotel , London , under most favourable circumstances . It had an excellent attendance of members of the lodge , and , as usual , a good gathering of visitors . Several others had been invited , but , to the regret of everybody , illness and other unavoidable causes kept away Bros . Sir Arthur Collins , Sir John B . Monckton , P . G . W . ; Richard Eve , P . G . Treis . ; Edward LetchworthF . S . A ., G . Sec . ; V . P . Freeman , P . G . D ., Prov . G . Sec . Sussex ; Charles

, Belton , P . D . G . D . C . ; R . Clay Sudlow , P . G . Std . Br . ; and John Le Hay . The best arrangements had been made for a successful meeting , and they were admirably carried out , with the natural result that there was not a hitch throughout , whether in the working of the lodge , the beautiful banquet provided , or the capital musical and variety accompaniment of the after-dinner proceedings . Bro . F . Howard Rosher , W . M ., presided , and he was supported by Bros . John Woodhouse , S . W . ; Godfrey Sykes , J . W . ;

A . P . Crabb , I . P . M . ; Frank E . Kosher , P . M . ; Henry Times , P . M ., Sec . ; J . W . n-Thompson , P . M ., Treas . ; Henry William Clarkson , Org . ; Hay ward J . StrudwicK , William H . Burt , Harry Beaman , C . J . Andrews , Joseph W . Edis , W . C . Hulbert , Bertram W . Vaan Praagh , Frank Springlow , and Ernest H . Palin Francis , members of the lodge ; and the visitors were Bros . Walter H . Anns , 114 G ; John Dowdeswell , 114 G ; II . Massey , P . M . Gioana 1028 ; Albert Leighton , W . M . 263 ; D . Marstcn , iSGj ; Willie Drew , Excelsior j Henry Pritchard , P . M . 2 G 3 , P . P . G . Treas . Middx . i