Correspondence.

Correspondence .

I 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 limits—free discussion . ]

THE PREFIX "WORSHIPFUL . " To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , After the number of instructive letters which have appeared on above subject , perhaps neither you nor W . Bro . Kentish will care to see another , but I

would crave a small space from you in which to congratulate W . Bro . Kentish most sincerely on the plucky manner in which he took his "punishing ! " I would further beg to suggest to him that , if he has not already done so , he should possess himself of a copy of VV . Bro . Fred . J . W . Crowe ' s little work entitled " The Master Mason's Handbook , " where he

will find such very full and authentic information on this and other points of Masonic etiquette as entirely to preclude the recurrence of any similar * ' lapsus" on his part . The perusual of this " Handbook " cannot fail to be of great interest to so enlightened and earnest a Freemason as VV . Bro . Kentish has shown himself to be . —Yours fraternally ,

LEWIS ( I . C . ) March 7 th .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Although I considered it a duty to write my former letter on this subject , I should certainly not have done so could I have foreseen that W . Bro . Kentish would in so honest and so Masonic a manner

have owned himself wrong in the same issue of your valuable paper . I shall greatly regret it if I have caused him any pain , as I am sure he is indeed one who has absorbed our principles in their truest meaning , although I have not the pleasure of his personal acquaintance .

At the same time , I am in other ways glad of the correspondence , as one is so frequently coming across the wildest mistakes on such points , particularly in the provinces where the prefix seems to be regulated by the desire of the writer to do honour to the brother

named , and on the slightest provocation a Prov . Grand Officer is exalted to R . W . rank , reg-rdless of his status in the Craft , or , on the other hand , is not given what title is his just due . Trusting there may be some good results from the numerous letters on this matter . —Yours fraternally ,

PAST PROVINCIAL . March 4 th .

THE BALLOT . To the Editor of thc " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The point raised in your last issue b y " Lewis ( I . C . ) " is , in my view , not capable of argument . The only clauses in the Book of Constitutions ( English ) affecting the case are 185-90 , and there is

nothing in either of these which prescribes an election shall be null and void unless all the brethren present in lodge shall have voted . As all the regul ations up to the time of ballot appear to have beon complied with , and , as the ballot taken came out clean , there appears to me to be no doubt whatever that the candidate was duly elected , and could have claim sd initiation . —Yours fraternally ,

P . P . G . S . D . Southampton .

AFFAIRS IN NEW ZEALAND . Dear Sir and Brother , To the Editor of the "Freemason , " 1 am extremely obliged to you for having so justly reviewed the ill-natured article which appeared in theAVii' Zealand Craftsman , and the malicious letter

that prompted it , in conned ion with the consecration and installation at Reefto-i in July ' ast . I have long since deemed it to be the most prudent course to treat with contempt all sucn scandalous productions , Ior it is not the first time I have been subjected to such vulgar criticism from the same

source in the discharge of my duties . 1 have merely to add that the sum and substance of the allegations are untrue , and that the Masonic event was one uf unprecedented success , the splendid hall being crowded with loyal brethren . I certainly insist on Worshipful Masters recognising the supremacy of

Grand Lodge in not acknowledging or having intercourse with any lodge that does not work under a constitutional warrant or charter , duly recognised , but I deny that any reference is ever made in lodge to the unrecognised New Zealand Constitution or its proceedings .

In conclusion . I shall ever feel proud to uphold the decrees of Grand Lodge of England in the interest of the Order , and for the happiness of the brethren in this jurisdiction , despite thc insolent attitude of Masonic . socialists and their loud-mouthed advocates . —I remain , yours trul y .

J , BEVAN , District Grand Master Hokitaka , December 28 th , 1892 .

Reviews.

Reviews .

A MASONIC CALENDAR FOR THE PROVINCE OF HERTFORDSHIRE . Edited by Bro . CIMKLES BULLOCK . Prov . Grand Secretary , and published by authority of Prov . Grand Lodge , 1 S 93 . No new features have been added to this further issue of the Hertfordshire Provincial Calendar . Indeed , we are at a loss to see how anything could have been done to enhance

its value as a trustworthy guide to thc lodges , chapters , and other Masonic bodies established in Hertfordshire . Under the auspices of Bro . Bullock , as under those of his predecessors who have been in editorial charge of this useful annual , it has been from time to time enlarged and made still more and more accurate , so that nothing now remains but to re-issue it yearly in its present form , but with those changes in the lists of officers , committees , and contributors

to our Masonic Institutions , which fresh appointments and other causes render necessary . But though as regards the contents , we can say nothing more than we have said in respect of previous issues , we are glad of the opportunity of congratulating Bra . Bullock on the manner in which he has discharged his duties as editor , and the Province of Hertfordshire on being the fortunate possessor of so excellent and trustworthy a calendar .

MASONIC CALENDAR FOR THE PUNJAB DISTRICT FOR THE YEA * 1 S 93 . Edited by Captain J . H . LESLIE , R . A ., Rnmbay . Printed at the Education Society ' s Press , Byculla . This is the first year ot publication of this long-needed annual , and assuredly if it meets with the hearty reception its conspicuous merits deserve ; we shall have the pleasure

of seeing it issued from year to year . The retiring Dist . G . Master , the R . W . Bro . E . VV . Parker , writes a most sympathetic preface , and says truly that the editor " has brought himself into the f <* ont rank of Masonry by dint of unstinting hard work . " The changeful character of the Craft in the Punjab is aptly illustrated by the statement that " one-sixth of the Fraternity in the district changes

each year . " The " Monthly Calendar" is a laborious but very useful compilation , and the index is far from being so general a feature of directories as it should be . Cap-am Leslie ' s sketch of the District Grand Lod ^ e of the Puijab is carefully written , and forms a really good introduction to the particulars— corrected and ably arranged—* vh ch follow . The local governing bidy only originated in iSGo ,

and now numbers 21 lodges , No . 45 1 , the s-nior , being nf the year 1 S 39 ; and the junior of \ S _ i . Thirteen extinct Punjab lodges are also duly tabled , copied , with due acknowledgements , from Bro . J . Lane ' s " Masonic R cords , 1717-1 SS 6 . " The fees and subscriptions are noted under each lodge , and invariably inclute extra and Sep irate sums for " Passing" and " Raising , " save No . 2370 . Lihi'c ,

which is a Past Masters' lodge . Tne ' Stewart , " No . i 9 60 , Rawal Pindi , has th ¦ honour of being considered one of the most bnevolrnt and intelligent lodges on the English roll . ' There are 10 chapters , 11 Mark lodges ( this degree being very popular ) , 7 Ark Mariners lodges , 3 Rose Croix chapters , and 2 preo-ptories nf the Knights Templa-s . Fud rolls of District Grand Officers for Craft , A-ch , and

Mark , as well as Grand Ofli-ers , are duly detailed , and many are the items of intelligence besides , which ae dovetailed in all available p laces . The " Masonic Memoranda " is accurately summarised , and nvght be still more extended with advantage . Captain l ^ eslie howeyer , has to abide by the authority of his Grand Lodge as to A . L . 5893 , and not A . L . 5 S 97 , for if one supports a fancy on good grounds

another may cite a weak argument for another departure . Let us follow the example set b y thc Head . So many as 40 children arc being assisted m their education by the noble " Pu ljab Masonic Education , " the names of the schools being appended where they are sent . Bro . Whymper ' s interesting sketch of " Tfte Masonic Library of the District Grand Lodge " is all too brief , for he is well

qualified to speak authoritatively on this subject . Bro . Whymper is the District Deputy Grand Master and Prov . Grand H ., but has declined tie position of District Grand Master to the regret of his 111 my friends . Colonel C . F . Massy , however , has been so honoured by H . R . H . the Princeof Wales , Grand Master , and is a most excellent choice . Captain Leslie his proved an able and painstaking editor , and has done his work exceedingly well ,

MASONIC CALENDVR OF LODGE * * , COUNCILS . & c , MEETING ATMVRK MASON'S * IULL AND ROLL 01 * GrtAND OFFICERS FROM 1 S 5 O . This carefuUy-edited and well-arranged direi-. tory is an official publication of considerable merit and utility . IndeeJ to the Mark Maxter it is as in lispensaolc as the Grand Lodge Calendar to the Crate M isons , and the ' * Cosm 1 " 11

the brethren of all Degrees genera Iy . It is in its ei ghth yrarof publicati > n . and has for editor Bro , C . Fitzgerald M ^ t'er , the est-emed Mark Grant Secretary , and well known in relation to all Ma-oiic cerem mes w irked in London . The calendar portion is a very nan \ i compilation of the numerous meetings , of one kinJ and another , in Mack Masons' Hall . AU beyond this , however , concerns

all Mark Masters , anuen ' . hu-ias ' . ic brethren , who penetrate beyond the fbst three Degrees . Naturally , the particulars as to Mark Masonry are very ample , and embrace a full register of all the Grand Oflicers from the formation of the Mark Grand Lodge , including all the Provincial Grand Masters and Deputy Provincial Grand Misters , under their respective counties . One very interesting table shows the

number of certificates issued , warrants granted and receipts for the General and Benevolent Funds from 1 S 57 t 0 'S ' . i--Nearly 30 , 000 certificates have been issued , and 42 S warrants granted during that period , and the " General Fund " was the largest in iSy 2 during the existence of the G and Lodge , amounting to £ 2261 12 s . 10 J ., the Benevolent Fund also exceeding £ -MO . Surely this is prosperity , and the

" Mark Benevolent Fund is a grand reality . There are eight mile and two female annuitants , and 43 children on thc Institution , full i-iforrnatio .-i being appended as to all the benelicaries , so that it can be seen at a glance what provinces arc receiving the benefits o ! these several branches , and the addresses of the annuitants , & c .

Nothing is lacking as to the Masonic bodies , for even the "Orderof the Secret Monitor" comes in for a share of attention , and the Rosicrucian Society in Anglia , which assembles in the sime couiiii idious building , is also duly noted . Bro . Matier is undoubtedly a must competent editor .

Reviews.

FIFTY YEARS OF A SHOWMAN'S LIFE , OR , T HE LIFE AMD TRAVELS OF VAN HARE . BY HIM . SKLF . Illustrated . New and cheap edition . London : Sampson , Low , Marston , and Co . ( Limited ) , St . Dunstan ' s House , Fetter-lane , Fleet-street , E . C . 1893 . Bro . Van Hare need have no fear that people , when reading the story of his life , will concern themselves seriously about the manner in which it is told . So long as they can

understand and enter thoroughly into the spirit of his adventures , it will matter litde to them that his manner of narrating them is not quite up to the standard of English writing to be found in the pages of Gibbon , Macaulay , Addison , or Johnson . What they will concern themselves about are the events 'that happened to him during his 50 years ' career as a showman ; how he fared in the different countries through which he travelled , how he got on with

his partners , when he had any , and his employes ; where he got his collection of exhibits from , what he paid for them , and whether on the whole the career of a showman is a pleasant one for a man of adventurous spirit to embark in . Bro . Van Hare ' s story of his life will satisfy and no doubt in many instances gratify their curiosity . There is plenty of stirring adventure in his narrative , plenty of amusing episodes , and occasionally a few adventures which are not wanting in dramatic interest . It is , at all events , a

very readable book , and we have no doubt that those of our readers who may not have seen the earlier and larger edition will gladly avail themselves of its republication in a cheaper form , to make themselves acquainted with Bro . Van Hare ' s many and varied experiences . Or , if they care but little for the kind of life that is so graphically described in these pages , we are sure that any youngsters they may know will be only to 1 glad of the opportunity of bee lining acquainted with the author through the medium of this narrative .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft flDaeonrp .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Royal Somerset House and Inverness Lodge ( No 4 )—Tne installation meeting ot tnis lodge wasapp > in : eJ for Monday , the . 7 th ult ., but owing to the illness ofthe W . M . elect , B .-o . R . 1 * . Kingham , P . vl ., G . S ., he wa * ab . ent , and the ceremony did not take place . Bro . William Stevenson Hoyte , GS ., W . M ., presided , and Bro . Dr . Mackintosh , P . M ., P . G . S ., took the

S . W . ' s chair . Bro . Dr . Albert Venn was J . VV ., and there were also present Bros . A . W . Oxford , P . M . ; H . P . Hughes , P . M .: J . A . Hughes . P . M . ; G . Weld in , P . M . ; Charles B . Cousens , P . M . ; H . Lunley , P . M . ; J . A . Joseph , P . M . ; Fredk . West , P . M ., P . G . D ., Sec . ; f . H . Devonshire , P . M ., P . G . D . ; and vVilhelm Ganz , P . M ., P . G . O . Visitors : Bros . K . W . Steggles , S . D . 239 S ; H . W . Turner , P . AL 1347 ; George T . Chretien , W .. vl . 132 S ;

Horace N . Lorner , yi j \\ . A . de Pawa , P . M 176 ; John L . Mather , P . A . G . D . C ; J . L . Haddon , 1076 ; David J anus , 1076 ; S . G . Eiridgc , S . vV . 53 S i T . Drew Bear , P . AL 15 S 4 ; Richard C . Kipier , W . M . 33 ; Percy Simpson , 1210 ; Sidney Hill , 23 ; J . D . Ewart , 91 G ; J ihn Sampson Peirce , 2 , P . G . D . ; J . Lewis Thomas , 142 , P . A . G . D . C ; C . F . Matier , P . G . Std . Br . ; H . Alissey , 160 , P . M . G 19 and 192 S ; George V . Briscoe , 102 ; E .

Letchworth . G . Sec ; A . I . Payne , 2011 ; J . AL McLeod , P . P . S . G . W . Derbyshire , Sec . R . M . I . B . ; VV . A . Hervey , P . M . 2022 ; Walter King , 1710 ; T . Ling Day , 132 S ; Baishaw Brown , Treas . 1 ; Percy W . Bill , z >__; ( as . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; J . Grantham , P . M . 1017 ; VV . B . Duck , 170 O ; J . Gordon , W . M . 1924 ; VV . H . Smith , 1706 ; Sidney Giley , 176 ( 0 ; H . Chester Alasters , 5 ; and H . W . King , 1 .

Bro . Edwin H . Perks was passeJ to ths Second Degree , after which Bro . Or . Albert Venn , was elected to , and he a : cepted , the olfice of Grand Sceward for the ensuing year . Bro . Chatham Ellis took the olfije ol Steward of tne lodge at the next Festival of the Girls' School , and 10 guineas were voted to his list . Bro . Oxford , P . AL , agreed to bc Steward forthe Boys' Festival , and a similar amount was voted to his list . Bro . Oxford presented , on behalf of the

lodge , to Bro . Hoyte , W . M ., a Past Alaster ' s jewel , which was graciously acknowledged by Bro . Hoyte . Lodge was afterwards closed , and the brcthten adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern to banquet , which was of the usuil excellent description , and was followed by the customary toasts , and some delightful muse unier Br . i . J . L . Haddon , by Mdlle . Mane Vag ,. o * ini , tne Celia Quar . ette , Bros . David James , and J . 1 .. Haddon .

The vV . AI , in proposing " The Earl of Lathom , Pro G . AL ; the Earl ot Mount Edgcumbe , Deputy G . M . ; and tne rest of the Grand Odicers , Present and Past , " and calling on itro . Major J . Sa npson Peirce , P . G . U ., to reply , sud it nad always been a custom w tn No . 4 installation n-iftit to have tne pleasure uf the c impany of several Grand Odicers , and thu night was no exception to the rule . It was also a custom 01 all occasions of meeting to invite

members of No . 2 , which lodge reciprocates the compliment , and always invited No . 4 . Bro . J . Sampson Peirce , P . G . D ., in replying , said of course they all understood that this was one of the formal toasts of a Masonic meeting . He should not therefore altogether shelter himself under ths very proper hint the W . AI . gave about short speeches , but as a formal toast he should meet it with a slightly formal renlv . Thev had

drunk the health of the Pro Grand Mister and the Dep . Grand Master , and he did not think better officers were to be found . As to the other G-anJ Odicers , Present and Past , he trusted that those who stood up with him had made some little good impression in their time . He could hardly imagine , looking on his right hand and almost immediatel y in front of him , that they would have been picked out if they had not had some qualities to

recommend them . 'That those qualities inignt still be useful '" years to come he had on his own conscience nothing J < j hope for . He believed it could be found that they would be still useful in Alasonry in the future as he trusted they had in trie past . . So much i ' or the lirst . shot the vV . M . had had at him , and concluded with his second barrel by sta ' - '"' *' that he represented tne Lodge uf Antiquity , tne sister lodge in antiquity to the Somerset House and Inverness .