Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WEST YORKSHIRE . To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Under this heading , I observe in your impression of the ? th April , an account of the

meeting of Mark P . G . Lodge for W . Yorkshire . When I first noticed this heading in your columns , I concluded at once that the paragraph related to the real and undoubted " Provincial Grand Lodge of W . Yorkshire . "

i Let me then enter a respectful protest against a practice far too common just now—that of appropriating and adopting names to which persons , and even associations , have no possible right whatever .

It is altogether a misnomer to call this assembly of Mark Masons the " Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire . " As an old provincial officer of W . Yorkshire , I

beg , in your columns , to call the attention of the brethren concerned , in all good feeling and fraternal sympathy , to so great a forgetfulness of Masonic propriety and etiquette .

There is only one " Provincial Grand Lodge of W . Yorkshire , " presided over by our M . E . Grand Master , and of which the V . W . Bro . Huntley Shaw is the effective Deputy . I am , dear Sir and Brother , A . P . P . G . O . for W . Yorkshire .

ROYAL ARCH CEREMONIES . To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you kindly inform me , through the medium of your columns , on the following points : —

ist . When addressing the Z . in open Chapter , is it proper to say " Most Excellent" or simpl y " Excellent ? " And is it correct to say on the summons " By command of the M . E . Z ., " or "By command of the Excellent Principals ?"

2 nd . In a certain portion of Craft work , the "words " with the centre" are used in some lodges , while in others , the preposition is " in . " Which is ri ght ? Should the preceding question

commence with " How or " Where' do you expect , Ike . I am , Dear Sir and Brother . Yours fraternally , CHESHIRE .

THE "PROVINCE OF CORNWALL " AND BRO . H .

To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — If our Bro . H . will refer to the report of the meeting of the Province of Cornwall , in the Freemason ( No . 211 ) , he will find that the business was almost exclusively to decide on

certain laws to regulate the Cornwall Masonic Annuity and Benevolent Fund . The only matters else which occupied the attention of the members were —( a ) propositions respecting the very kind vote of condolence from the Province of Devon , and ( b ) the election of the Prov . G . Treasurer .

The Prov . G . M . Designate , the Rt . Hon . the Ear ] of Mount Edgecombe , did not attend the Prov . G . L ., but the R . W . Brother presided over a private meeting of the brethren , preparatory to the holding of the Prov . G . L ., at which all the business was virtually transacted , but which was

subsequently formally duly proposed , seconded , and carried ( seriatim ) by the members composing the Prov . G . Lodge . It is , therefore , a fact that His Lordship did not attend the Prov . G . Lodge at all , but it was held by his D . Prov . Grand Master , who has been so appointed by the present Trov . G . Master , as well as by our lamented R .

W . Bro . Augustus Smith . 1 am informed that Bro . Reginald Rogers has been regularl y registered in Grand Lodge , and is therefore entitled to act in such a capacity . Our esteemed Prov . G . M . was anxious to have our charity laws passed , so that we , as a province , may at once be able to grant aid when required , and hence his lordshi p ' s laudable anxiety not to keep the members waiting

Original Correspondence.

until his installation , about the autumn of this year . The Pror . G . M . considered that the law , ably described by our friend Bro . H ., meant that he ( the Prov . G . M . ) should " be installed at the first Prov . G . L . which he may hold after his appointment"butnot necessarily the first P . G . L . held

after his appointment , because he need not hold it , but his deputy might . On this ground the Prov . G . L . was held , and as the Prov . G . M . did not attend , he cannot be said , strictly speaking , to have held it . I am not myself clear on the point , but but rather incline to the belief that the province ,

Masonically speaking , does not exist until the installation of the Prov . G . M . is an accomplished fact . The only thing is , if the D . Prov . G . M . was allowed to be registered , that brother was rig ht in holding the Prov . G . L . 1 shall be glad to know authentically when the Prov . G . L . commences to really exist under circumstances such as Pror . G . L . of Cornwall . —W . J . HUGHAN .

Musical Ritual.

MUSICAL RITUAL .

To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Your impression of The Freemason for Saturday , March 29 th , having fallen into my hands , and a letter therein having attracted my attention , permit me through the medium of your wide circulation to endorse the observations of

your correspondent s suggestive communication . This letter , to which I would again draw your readers' attention , bears the signature of that distinguished musician , Bro . Dr . Wm . Spark , who has done so much for , and is still labouring in the cause of , Masonic Music , and alludes to " the introduction of suitable music into our various

Masonic ceremonies . He has , for some time past , taken up , in an intelligent and noble spirit , and brought to bear upon this hitherto somewhat neglected branch of Masonry in this countrywith all the genius of his great abilities—the consolidation , into one admirable work of the highest

class , of vocal and instrumental music applicable for all our Masonic ceremonies in the lodge , in the Church , at the refreshment , as well as at the banquet table . In his magnificent collection , "The Freemason ' s Liber Musicus , " now in course of

publication , the Craft have , for the first time in their history , a musical work worthy of their " Order , " and which enjoins the cultivation of music , amongst the six other liberal arts and sciences , as one of the especial studies to every Fellow Craft Freemason upon his passing the second

degree . Hitherto I have frequently—either as a W . M ., or as Installing Master , or attending at the consecration of a lodge , or the ceremony of laying some foundation stone , or as a visiting brother to some one or other of the numerous lodges in

the provinces—felt the urgent necessity of some fixed but classical standard of music , recognised by the Craft generally to be used , instead of the voluntary selections , often most unsuitable , if not trashy and vulgar , which have marred , rather than given sublime dignity to , our beautiful rites and

ceremonies . To Dr . Spark , the brethren of the Province of West Yorkshire are greatly indebted for his noble collection of the compositions of the best masters ( as also for contributions of his own ) into one homogenous work of glees , duets , songs ,

and also instrumental melodies either for the organ , harmonium , or pianoforte , peculiarly applicable to Jail occasions fof the solemn or festive gatherings of the Craft . The lodges of this province are paying the highest tribute to Dr . Spark ' s genius and

labours in taking up this matter of the introduction of good music in an earnest spirit , by making , thc " Liber Musicus " the foundation of their musical programmes at all their important meetings , and which will "tend to sublimate their workings in a manner unknown in this country . "

So highly did the St . Oswald s Lodge appreciate the labours of this talented brother , that last October , on the occasion of the laying the foundation stone of a new church near Pontefract ( promoted entirely by the Freemasons ) , by the Most W . Grand Master of England , and P . G . M .,

Musical Ritual.

of West Yorkshire that the music from the " Liber Musicus" was performed exclusively . Hardly any composition could be more touching or more solemnly appropriate , when the upper stone was being slowly raised and the lower one adjusted , than the music and the ode which the choir

sung : — " Round the spot , Moriah's Hill , Masons meet with cheerful will ; Him who ruled as king that day , We as cheerfully obey ; Lord we love Thy glorious name ,

Give the grace Thou gavest him . " It is as an ardent admirer of good classical music myself—and warmly wishing that English Provincial Lodges would take up Dr . Spark ' s efforts , by following the example of Continental lodges , in the introduction into their home ritual of tasteful , classical music—that I have

ventured to trespass on your columns in bearing my testimony to the great value I attach to Dr . Sparks "Liber Musicus , " in the hope that every lodge in this kingdom may be induced to adopt his excellent music also . I remain , yours respectfully and fraternally , P . T . W . PEW . P . M ., P . Z ., P . S . G . W . Province of West Yorkshire .

Presentation To Bro. Jas. A. Gore Of Norwich.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . JAS . A . GORE OF NORWICH .

NORWICH . —Somefew weeks since , Mr . James A . Gore , the well-known cutler in the Haymarket , attended a Masonic lodge in this city , by invitation , and was very rudely treated by a brother of the Mystic Craft ; indeed the insult was so unwarranted that several brethren at once took

the matter up and placed the whole circumstances before the Provincial Grand Lodge ; and as that body has it now sub judice , no doubt justice will be done . Meanwhile , these said brethren—foremost among whom we may note Mr . James S . Oirbrd—determined on salving

the wounded feelings of their brother with a substantial expression of their sympathy ; and on Monday the 31 st ult ., they met at the Rampant Horse Hotel , where , after partaking of a splendid banquet , such as Host George only can serve , the " expression "—in the shape of a huge silver

goblet—passed into the hands of Bro . Gore . It was richly gilt , elegantly chased ( Arabesque pattern ) , had a cover to match , stood 17 inches in height , [ weighed over 5002 ., and bore the following inscription : — " Presented to James A . Gore , by some of his brother Masons , in token of

their esteem for him as a Mason and their regard for him as a friend . March 31 , 1873 . " The subscribers' names , engrossed and framed , accompanied the gift .. A novel feature in the affair was that to each subscriber was given a faithful photo of the cup , as a memento . To judge of

its capacity , four quart bottles of champagne were emptied into the loving cup , which was replenished again and again at the expense of its generous recipient . Bro . Loftus ( P . M . 93 ) very kindly attended from Braconash , and made a

capital chairman , faced by Bro . Baxter ( W . M . 807 ) , and supported by Bros . Gore , OlTord , R . Baldry , P . Soman , { Norwich Argus ) , H . J . Martin , Buttifant , Lamb , Juler , G . Kersey , R . Colby , J . E . H . Watson , & c . Appropriate and deserved were the remarks of Bro . Otlbrd in

handing over the massive piece 01 plate , which , valued at 40 guineas , was subscribed for in about as many hours . So well respected was the cutler among the Craft in Norwich and London , that , had a house been fixed on for presentation , the cash would have been forthcoming . Bro ,

Gore made a feeling reply , and almost executed a break-down at its close . Song , toast , and jest , by turns , enlivened the social board , not one word being uttered that could have hurt the feelings of the most sensitive brother , present or absent ; and high twelve came upon the convives almost unconsciously . The Host had , however ,

conciliated the " powers that be " by securing a two-hours " special , " and the party did not break up till " the small hours ayant the twal ' , " thus bringing a long March to a pleasant halt . Such a spontaneous and successful affair has seldom been known in this city . We shall take care to let our readers know in due time the result of inquiry referred to above .