Original Correspondence.

according to this suggestion a grand sum of two thousand guineas could be annually relied on , and if but only one half of them gave in their allegiance to this Charitable " Plan of campaign , " one thousand guineas per annum , and that a reliable sum would be of enormous advantage ,

norie the less because reliable to our Chanties ; of course 1 do not enter now into matter of detail as to carrying out the proposition , this may be deferred until opinion of the feasibility of its success be obtained . —I am , sir , faithfully and fraternally yours , S . VALLENTINE , P . M . 9 .

"HEARTY GOOD WISHES . " To the Editor of tha "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , As an old member of the Craft , I feel deeply the attempt to deprive me of a privilege I have enjoyed ever since my initiation into it .

Has it never occurred to those who are trying to put a stop to a brother giving the " Hearty good wishes " from his own lodge when visiting another lodge , that such a custom has existed long before they were born . And so long and universally has it been established , not only in Englandbutfrom what I can learnall over the world

, , , , that it may fairly rank as one of those ancient usages and established customs referred to in clause 132 , book of constitutions , and as such , I am of opinion that it is beyond the power of any individual Grand Officer to interfere with it , unless in Grand Lodge assembled in accordance with clause four .

In addition to the above , 1 think it is a great pity to have raised this vexatious question . So long as a brother is a subscriber to a lodge , he is part of that lodge , and his giving a hearty greeting to those who have entertained him as part of such lodge cannot do any harm , it does not pledge his lodge financially or otherwise . O ie great authority in West Lancashire says that only the W . M . of a lodge can give " Heaity good wishes" on behalf of his lodge , if that is so , it is rather hard upon the War ens , who , equally with the Masters , are enjoined to vfsif I . irlcrpc . RPR f'lause r . ffi .

I have searched in vain for any clause in the constitutions —or any single sentence—in our ceremonies , which gives this exclusive power to the W . M . outside his own lodge . Perhaps some of the great luminaries in Masonry will kindly enlighten me upon this point . —I am yours fraternally , P . M . Manchester , Gth February .

A QUESTION OF CUSTOM . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In reply to " Caps' " query in your issue of 28 th ult ., let me say that it is the right of every Master to install his successor , and that no one can do so unless

requested by , or with the permission of , the VV . M . In the event of a Master refusing to perform the ceremony , or in in his absence , the chair would be taken by the I . P . M ., or , in his absence , by the Senior Past Master of the lodge , and so on in succession . It is clear a Master elect cannot choose his own Installer against the wishes of the Master of the lodge , nor can he demand to be installed by anyone

who happens to be a P . M . in the Craft , but is not a P . M . of the lodge . In my opinion , a Past Master performing the ceremony without proper credentials would put himself as well as the new Master in the position of being fined by the Board of General Purposes , even if the warrant of the lodge ivere not suspended for the grave irregularity . —Yours fraternally , PAST MASTER .

To the Editor of the " Freemasoiu " Dear Sir and Brother , I beg to offer the following solution to your correspondent " Cap " in your issue of January 28 . An outgoing W . M . 's authority does not cease until his successor is " reeularlv appointed and installed in his stead . " A

retiring W . M . when present may therefore perform the ceremony himself , or delegate to any Past Master the function of installing his own successor up to the point of actually placing the W . M . elect in the chair of K . S ., from which moment the new W . M . has the power of naming a P . M .

to complete the ceremony . No " right" attaches to the I . P . M . or any other P . M . in this or any other ceremony to do the work uninvited by the W . M . if he is present . — Yours fraternally , AN INSTALLING MAS TER . February 6 .

"The Old Masonians."

" THE OLD MASONIANS . "

The above association held their seventh social evening on Friday , the 3 rd inst . Mr . A . H . Stephenson presided , in the absence of Mr . S . Speight , who had promised to take the chair , but was unfortunately prevented from doing so . Mr . Stephenson , who deserves great credit for the excellent programme which he had prepared at so short a notice , was well supported by members of the association , and there

were a large number of visitors present . Mr . C . A . Stephenson presided at the piano in good style . Mr . G . Secretan deserves special notice for his excellent songs , " Ora pro nobis" and "The miner , " whilst Mr . John Hutton gave two banjo solos in his usual accomplished style . Mr . G . Ward gave a good rendering of " My queen " and "Thcu att so near . " Mr . H . Seyd introduced a novelty at these

concerts by giving two solos on the zither , which were very favourably received by those present . Mr . Kendal sang "The tempest king" and "The old brigade . " Amongst the Old Masonians who sang were Messrs . Gedge , Uwins , Watkin , Garstin , and Whiteley , the last two receiving encores for their very clever rendering of comic songs , whilst the comic element was further represented by Messrs .

Humphreys , Irenson , and G . Elgar , the latter of whom was very funny in his song , " Later on . " During the evening the honorary Treasurer , Mr . C . H . Uwins , announced that the Committee had determined to close the season with a ladies' night , which will take the

form of a Cinderella , to be held at their head-quarters , Anderton's Hotel , on March 16 h . The tickets for this will be 2 s . each , and , as this wi 1 include light refreshment , we think it is very reasonable . We trust that it will be well supported bv the members , and we wish them a pleasant and enjoyable evening ,

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

jjfljggMSlKgfm ^

EUPHRATES LODGE ( No . 212 ) . —The installation meeting of this old and flourishing lodge was held on the 25 th ult ., at the Holborn Restaurant , when there were present Bros . J . Basset , W . M . ; Thos . Boyden , S . VV . ; F . G . Burstow , J . VV . ; John West , S . D . ; H . Wagstaff , J . D . ; R . Woods , I . G . j R . H . Recknell ,

Treas . ; Chas . G . Cutler , P . M . ; Thos . Rushtor , P . M . ; L . Stean , P . M . ; H . J . Wood , P . M . ; T . R . Martin , P . M .: J . Halsey , P . M . ; W . J . Cooper , P . M . ; James Carte ' r , P . M . ; J . W . Frank , P . M . ; J . J . Marsh , Tyler ; F . H . Fullcher , D . Jenkins , C . Mills , E . T . Sacheverell , Thomas Pryor , J . B . Copson , C . Elbright , Max Mendelssohn , W . McLean , J . J . Stanley , J . Louis ,

E . Sadler , G . Coak , S . D . S . Gypocd , John Elston , G . Dann , Geo . Braund , W . P . Edivards , T . R . Stein , John Day , S . E . Sadlor , W . E . White , J . B . Riches , and G . Smith . Visitors : Bros . Francis Ashton , J . D . 1366 ; James F . Haskins , Org . 1364 ; E . D . Soffe , Stwd . 1732 ; Walter Snodin , P . M . 157 ; W . J . Ferguson , P . M . 177 ; Wm . H . Staff , 1900 ; G . E . Southgate , S . D . 700 ; T .

Wallmau , S . D . 27 ; W . G . Norman , 174 ; J . F . Wood , S 79 ; A . W . Weston , S . W . 127 S ; and others . The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the last meeting were read and confiimed . Bro . T . Boyden , S . W ., having been presented as W . M . elect , -he was regularly installed into the chair , according to ancient custom , by Bro . Louis Stean , P . M ., who peifoimed the ceremony in a

most imptesswe mariner . In presenting the warrant to the W . M . he said it had been his proud piivilege to perform that ceremony for many years past , and it was a privilege he highly esteemed , but consideiing his advanced age he did not know how long he might be permitted to peiform it . By request of the W . M ., Bro . Louis Stean , P . M ., then invested the officeis for the year as follows : Bros . F . G .

Burstow , S . VV . ; | . West , P . M . 933 , J . W . ; R . H . Recknell , H . M ., Treas . ; 0 . Glass , P . M ., Sec ; H . Wagstaff , S . D . ; R . Woods , J . D . ; VV . J . Henry , I . G . ; J . F . Haskins , Org . ; and j . J . Marsh , Tyler . In investing the Sec , Bro . Glass , P . ivl ., Bro . Stean congratulated him on the prosperity of the lodge during the time he had been Secretary , and trusted it would continue .

The addresses were delivered in a most clear and able manner , which reflected the highest credit on the lodge of which he was so old and esteemed a member . Bro . Gypord was then passed to the Second Degree . A ballot was then taken for Mr . John Joseph Stanley , which proving unanimous he was duly initiated into tne mysteries of Ancient Freemasonry by the W . M ., in a manner which augurs well

for a prosperous year of otbee . A few minor items on the agenda having been disponed of , the lodge was closed . Ihe brethren then adjourned to a sumptuous banquet , served under the personal superintendence of Bro . Hamp . After the removal of the cloth the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly given , and received in a most enthusiastic manner , 'ihe W . M . intimated tbat in view of

the long musical programme to be got through the speeches would have to be brief . The toast of " The Past Masters , " responded to by Bro . Cutler in an amusing speech , "The Visitors , " & c , having been given , the Tyler's toast brought this most successful meeting to a close .

An excellent programme of music was provided by Bro . J . F . Haskins , Organist , assisted by Miss Lavina Walker , Miss Minnie Kirton , Mr . Arthur Weston , Mr . Charles Barton , and Mr . Alfred Alderton , all of whom fully sustained their reputation , and elicited frequent marks of approval .

HORNSEY LODGE ( N 0 . S 90 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge took place on Fnday , the 3 rd inst ., at Anderton ' s Hoiel , Fleet-street . There were present Bros . H . Brandon , VV . M . ; H . W . Jones , S . W . ; J . T . Axford , J . W . ; Dr . W . H . Kempster , P . M ., Treas . ; Major J . C . Gant , P . M ., Sec ; E . L . Axford , S . D . ; G . A . Pickering , J . D . ; S . J . Pitt , D . C ; J . B . Cumming ,

P . M . ; H . P . Rickman , P . M . ; J . West , P . M . ; and many other members . The visitors included Bros . R . H . Smith , 1196 ; B . J . Lord , 1 ( 373 ; A . Clark , S . W . 2191 ; J . L . Barrett , S . W . 1201 ; C . j . Richardson , P . M . 1420 ; W . Jaques , W . M . 1744 ; G . II . Kempster , Co ; E . W . Carter , 1614 ; J . Woodward , 1614 ; J . I ' . Harrison , 211 ; H . C . Hart , J . W . 2087 ; J . Davis , iSS ; C . Lovebond ,

P . M . 1707 ; J . D . Davis , 10 ; G . Mansell , P . M . 1595 ; M . Dickei , P . M . 1470 ; F . W . Frigout , J . W . 171 ; F . Foster , 1964 ; G . Reynolds , Sec . 2191 ; J . Clark , 155 S ; F . Kedge , J . W . 2191 ; H . Evans , 1636 ; R . S . Sturgis , 90 ; G . H . Reynolds , I . G . 2191 ; F . Bevan , 1716 ; J . T . Pilditch , P . M ., Treas . 1257 ; T . M . Waller , S . D . 2191 ; VV . VV . Lee , 1897 ; and others .

Lodge was formally opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , after which Bro . Donbavand was passed to the Degree of F . C . Bro . H . Wilkie Jones was then presented as W . M . elect , and a Board of Installed Masters having been formed , he was installed into the chair by Bro . Drew , P . M . The following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . J . T . Axford , S . W . ; E . L . Axford , J . W . ; Dr . W .

H . Kempster , P . M ., lreas . ; Major J . C . Gant , P . M ., Stc . ; A . Drew , P . M ., Charity Steward ; G . A . gickering , S . D . ; A . Myers , J . D . ; S . J . Pitt , I . G . ; E . Canderlier , D . C ; R . Garrard , Steward ; and Bowler , Tyler . The usual addresses were delivered by Bro . West , P . M . On the motion of Bro . Kempster , P . M ., Treas ., the sum of 10 guineas was unanimously voted from the Benevolent Fund

to be placed on the list of Bro . Major Gant , P . M ., Sec , vvho intends serving as Steward at the Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . Other business having been transacted , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet . After dessert , the usual toasts were duly honoured .

Bro . Brandon , I . P . M ., said it was with considerable pleasure that he rose to propose "The Health ot the W . M . " From the excellent manner in which Bso . Wilkie Jones hid performed various duties he was quite satisfied that the work during the forthcoming year would be carried out by the W . M . with credit to himself and advantage to the lodge ,

Bro . H . Wilkie Jones , W . M ., in reply , thanked the I . P . M . and brethren for the hearty reception accorded the toast . He believed it was the privilege of the W . M ., especially on occupying the chair for the first time , to be allowed to "spread himself "—as an American would say . The only way , however , in which he should desire to " spread

himself would be to endeavour during his year of office to cultivate the goodwill and affection , and even the love of the brethren . Since he first had the honour of being initiated in that lodge , under the auspices of an old P . M ., he had appreciated the kindness and forbearance shown him , as only those in a similar position could appreciate it . He would try to carry out his duties to their satisfaction , and should feel proud if he could gain the merest whisper of their esteem .

The W . M . said that a pleasant duty had now devolved upon him , which was to present Bro . Brandon , I . P . M ., with the P . M ' s . jewel voted by the lodge . The I . P . M . was known to all present as a worthy Mason and a good representative of the Crait , and under his rule the members had enjoyed a very pleasant vear . It therefore

afforded him ( the W . M . ) considerable pleasure to pin the jewel on Bro . Brandon's breast , as a token of their appreciation , and he was convinced that the honour had been attained by no more worthy Mason . Bro . Biandon , I . P . M ., tendered his sincere thanks for the hearty manner in which his health had been received , and also for the handsome jewel presented to him . He was glad of this opportunity of thanking the officers with whom he had been associated during the past year for their kind assistance .

" The Visitors" was next given by the W . M . There was no lodge in the metropolis where visitors received a heartier welcome than at the Hornsey Lodge , and he was pleased to say that on the present occasion the visiting brethren outnumbered the members .

Bros . Jaques , W . M . 1744 ; Lovebond , P . M . 1707 ; Pilditch , P . iVl . 1257 ; George Reynolds , bee . 2191 ; and several others having replied , Bro . Consul-Genetal f . M . Waller responded . He did not know why he should be called upon to reply except it was for the fact that there were several Anglo-American brethren present . It was no doubt attributable to that splendid courtesy which the

Masonry of England was always extending to the Masonry of his own country . He would limit himself to a tew words , and emulate the example of brevity set by the brethren who had preceded him . The country which he represented was large in politics , in commerce , and in everything , and the brethren must remember that the people represented were licensed to "spread" themselves .

He took a very national pleasure in saying to the Masons of England that he was in this country as the accredited representative of America , and in numbers he spoke for Goo , ooo Masons , Among that number many were good men and many were as splendid specimens of men as could be found on God ' s earth . There were a few reasons why he was gratified at being present that evening , and

there was one reason peculiar to himself . A tew years ago he was for the first time an honoured guest at that lodge . It was when Bro . Cummings was installed into the chair . Some would remember , but he could vividly recollect , that it gave him ihe opportunity of speaking with the feivency of his soul to the Masonry of England . In his country Englishmen had made many institutions , splendid lodges , and Masonic precedents . He was sure it would be

so in the future , and tnat the place ot honour in politics , in commerce , in social life , and in Masonry , would be found occupied by native-born Englishmen . It was so when he came over here from America . He knew Englishmen , personal friends of his own , born in England , who had aiound them in Masonic lodges the most fervent friends , and so it was grateful to him two years ago to see the

installation of a brother into the highest honour—that of W . M . It gave him a real heartfelt pleasure to see a body of Englishmen unanimously elect such a man to the highest place among them . Bio . Cummtngs had won position in America by his courage , had taken part in their war , had cume abroad in the interests ot commerce , and had found a small lodge of Englishmen proud to elect him as their

W . M . Was there a man present that evening with a soul in him who could not understand the heartfelt pleasure he felt two years ago under these circumstances ? Those two years had passed , and on the present occasion , looking to the east , he saw Bio . Wilkie Jones , and had heard him speak with that grace which several years in America had given him . Never was there a merrier companion atthe

banquet table than that brother . But that day he had witnessed the solemn and beautiful ceremony of the installation of Bro . Jones as the W . M . of the lodge . If a man with a thought in him would reflect for a while he would understand that men , whom God had made , had come together in solemn conclave , and said , " We will make him W . Master . " It was a solemn thing , and he that was selected

for that honour ought to feel himself , in the language of old "anointed . " The jovial fellow atthe table two years ago had that day been put—where ? In the chair as the VV . M . of an English lodge . Those who were the friends of the VV . M . that evening , and there were none others present , remembered the pleasant reminiscences of the past , and were convinced that he had in him that which

would make him equal to the grave position he occupied . He , of whom they could say two years ago , " He is a jolly good fellow , " had been put in a place where , for the next year , he would occupy the highest position that Masonry could give him . Might those who came after him in the place he occupied be able to say that he had emulated those before him , as far as man could do ; that hehad shown

forbearance , was fair to the brethren , and dignified always ! Let the frivolities of the past be forgotten , and let the W . M . maintain , for one year at least , the dignity of this respected lodge . When their W . M . had finished being impressive , had put aside his grave looks , and had become a Past Master , might he ( Bro . Waller ) be in England and be present again at that table . But for the present , the

frivolous members wished the W . M . "good bye . " There was not a brother , however , who respected and loved the W . M ., who would not look forward with eagerness for one event , and that was for the time when he vacated thc chair . Tnere was one other word he should like to say .

ln the peculiar policy of his country , representatives sent here did not stop too long . They did not want him to come here to enjoy hospitality for too long a time . For three years he had enjoyed that hospitality , and at the end of another year , with the policy he had suggested , he mig ht be recalled . When he returned to America , among the pleasant reminiscences his visit would supply , there would