Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

THE HONORARIUM TO BRO . MCLEOD . To the Editor ot the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , There is a strong growing feeling of dissatisfaction among the subscribers to the Boys' School , especially among the country members , at the enormous honorarium of iooo guineas , which has been lately voted to the

Secretary of the Institution . In the hope that this grant , awarded in an enthusiastic impulse of gratitude for the unprecedented success of t ' . ie Jubilee Centenary , has not yet been confirmed , the writer would wish to offer a few remarks . Some time previous to the great gathering at the Albert Hall , the Craft unanimously resolved that no efforts should be spared to raise a sum of money that the cost of the new School building should be provided for , and that the surplus should be invested for any exigencies in the future .

The benefit of the Institution alone was the sole aim of the Craft . Had it been previously known that the sum of iooo guineas would , hereafter , be diverted from its legitimate purpose it is very doubtful whether the large amount the Institution received would have been collected . There is not the least question that Bro . McLeod devoted his best energies to the great work , the success

of which was ensured by the gracious presence of the M . W . Grand Master in the chair , but it must not be forgotten that the members of his staff were actuated by the same laudable feelings . The enormous disproportion between the honorarium bestowed on the Secretary individually and on the clerks as a body cannot fail to impress impartial brethren that the principles of justice and equity have been entirely lost sight of .

When the Jubilee of the Masonic Benevolent Institution and the Girls' School Centenary took place , it was acknowledged by all Masons that the Secretaries of the respective Institutions had faithfully and zealously discharged their duties . They were each rewarded with a handsome honorarium , provided out of the surplus of the Stewards' fees , and whilst their merits were appropriately acknowledged , there was no call on the funds of either Charity . But in the case

of the Boys' School we have the first instance , and I sincerely hope it will be the last , where the funds of the Charity are diverted from their proper object . It appears to me that the sense of the subscribers generally , both in town and country , should be taken on this subject , and that , meanwhile , the motion passed at the last meeting should remain in abeyance until their opinions have been obtained . —Yours fraternally ,

P . M . OF 25 YEARS' STANDING . ( If our correspondent will kindly refer to our article of the 29 th ult ., on the Boys' School Court , he will find that , though the greatest , it is not the first , honorarium that has been voted out of Institution funds . —ED . F . M . )

QUAKER AND FREEMASON . To the Editor of the " Freemason " Dear Sir and Brother , In looking through the old registers of the parish of Shirland I came across the following entry : "July 16 , 1699—Isaac Kirk , Quaker & Ffreemason , was married . "

I shall be glad if any of your readers can inform me whether the entry is of interest to " brethren of the mystic art , " as the two centuries' old record struck me as a curious one V—Yours faithfully ,

HOLLAND ROWBOTTOM , P . M . 102 S , P . P . G . S . B . Higham Cliffe , Alfreton .

MASONIC IMPOSTORS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Again I have to caution the various Masonic Almoners against another impostor . A person , calling himself Thomas Peterson , claiming to belong to the Lewis Lodge , No . 872 , Whitehaven , is obtaining relief from the lodge Almoners in our province . The Secretary of the Lewis Lodge says no

person of that name has ever been a member of that lodge . He is believed to be identical with an individual who , under the name of George Scott , was sent to prison lor one month at Ashton-under-Lyne early last month for obtaining relief under false pretences from the Almoner in that town . If so , he is believed to give different names in different parts of the country , viz ., Jas . Purcell , Henry Peterson , Thos . Peterson , R . Gibson , Jas . Ramily , John Mursell , and Stephen Bradburn . He is described as being about 56 years of age , slim build , grizzled beard , and rather long moustache .

There are a great number of impostors travelling about preying on Masonic Charities , and it behoves Almoners to be on their guard against them . I have written many letters of enquiry respecting these itinerants , and in by far the greater number of cases have ascertained that they are impostors . —Yours fraternally ,

JAMES NEWTON , Prov . G . Secretary East Lancashire . November 8 th .

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Another of the gang of Masonic impostors has recently been obtaining relief in this neighbourhood . He gives the name of Andrew Cutler , of

Peace and Harmony Lodge , No . 359 , Southampton . The Secretary of that lodge vrites me that they have no such name on their books . Cannot something be done unitedly to put an end to this system of imposition " r One means is to refuse elief to all itinerants who do not produce Grand Lodge certificates . —Yours raternally ,

JAMES NEWTON , Prov . G . Secretary East Lancashire . 23 , Silverwell-street , Bolton , November oth .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1127 ] BRO . SADLER'S NEW WORK . I have been much interested in reading Bro . Sadler's latest book , and especially the able introduction by Dr . W . J . Chetwode Crawley , which is quite a revelation in itself . All the kind things the Editor of the Freemason has said , typographically and textually , of the volume arc well deserved , and 1 hope the edition will soon be exhausted , so as to tempt both authors to present us with

Masonic Notes And Queries.

more of the same kind . These " Masonic Reprints and Historical Revelations , " by Bro . Henry Sadler , Grand Tyler and Sub-Librarian of the Grand Lodge , and Dr . W . J . Chetwode Crawley , Past Senior Grand Deacon , Ireland , & c , & c , run to some 250 pages demy octavo , and contain much valuable historical material . Dr . Crawley ' s chapter is of a most important , not to say startling , character , dealing , as it does mainly , with Fremasonry in Ireland prior to the formation of the Grand Lodge at Dublin , even us far back as 16 SS

the value of which can hardly be overrated . " Undoubtedly , owing to the learned doctor ' s researches , the history of the Craft in Ireland must be , or is being , re-written , the facts he has traced being so much earlier as to date , and so much more valuable than any other finds concerning the Fraternity in that country during this century . The Reprints include " A Letter from the Grand

Mistress of the Female Freemasons " ( Dean Swift ) ¦ the very rare , if not unique , " Defence of Freemasonry : a refutation of Mr . Dermott ' s absurd and ridiculous Account of Free-Masonry " ( London , 176 $ ) ; several historical Papers by Bro . Sadler on the " Ancients , " & c , besides some most useful Tables as to Lodges and Prov . Grand Masters of the " Ancients . " It may be had , at present , from the Publisher , Bro . George Kenning , tor six shillings ( and postage ) . W . J . HUGHAN .

Craft Masonry

Craft Masonry

Lion and Lamb Lodge , No . 192 . A meeting of the above lodge was held on Thursday , the 3 rd inst .. at the Cannonstreet Hotel , E . C , when there were present Bros . William Biker , W . M . j Robeson , S . W . ; Stokes , J . W . ; Cohu , P . M ., Treas . ; Legge , P . M ., Sac ; Fergusso . i , S . D . ; J . Smith , P . M ., D . C ; A . J . Rippin , I . G . ; Rochs , Stwd . ; Couchmin , Tyler ; Hughes , P . M . ; Mower , P . M . ; Abbott , P . M . ; Williams , Francis , Collins , Farr , Lloyd , Blaxtan , Hipwell , Taylor , S . Rippin , Cowderoy , Bassett , Franklin , Purbrook , Doody , MacLarty , and Crawshaw . Visitors : Bros . Brown , i-i } G ; Miller , S 7 J ; Spencer , 65 ; Harlow , G 5 ; Bliss , 1320 ; Randall , 1799 ; and Witthius , 2550 .

Lodge having been opened and the minutes of last meeting ' read and confirmed , Bro . Blaxtan was raised to the Third Degree , Bro . Cowderoy , pissed , and Mr . Archibald Pollock MacLarty initiated . A committee was appointed to arrange forthe ladies ' night , consisting of the officers of the lodge , and Bros . Doody , Franklin , Collins , Hipwell , Harr , and Williams . Two candidates were proposed for initiation at the next meeting , and the lodge was closed .

St . John the Baptist Lodge , No . 475 . The installation meeting of this premier Bedfordshire lodge was held in the Town Hall , Luton , on Thursday , the 37 th ult . There were present Bros . Henry Gates , W . M . ; G . S . Duberly , P . M ., I . P . M . ; G . J . Wardill , S . W . ; F . W . Faulkner , J . W . ; E . F . Green , P . M ., Sec ; S . VV . Smith , S . D . ; A . Grace , J . D . ; W . Austin , P . M ., D . C . ; A . Hayward , I . G . ; W . E . Dipple , Org . ; Hugh Cumberland , P . M ., and | . H . Staddon , Stewards ; J . Cumberland , P . M . ; F . VV . Beck , P . M .: VV . L . Gate ? ,

P . M . ; H . V . Cavill , P . M . ; J . W . Green , P . M . ; W . H . Hyder , C . Dillingham , W . H . McNamara , A . J . L . Evans , T . B . Ellery , W . Hoyle , G . W . Bindloss , S . Heath , j . W . Bone , C . Amey , and F . Beecroft . Visitors : Bros . G . M . Hamilton , 141 G and 1641 ; C . Slatter , 2490 ; J . H . Folmer , 10 S 7 ; W . C . Clark , 19 G 4 ; C . J . Whitlock , 2343 ; A . Spendlove , 1470 ; J . G . McCubbin , 10 S 7 ; A . E . Langridge , 1470 ; j . Giwthrop , 170 G ; J . Gladwell , 1470 ; W . Deacon , 1470 ; H . Shoppee , v ' -2 and 5 , P . G . Stwd . ; and R . G . Brookes , 449 . Bro . G . J . Wardill was presented as W . M , elect , and was duly installed by Bro . W .

Gates , I . P . M . lhe W . M . duly invested his officers as follows : Bro ? . Faulkner , S . W . ; Smith , J . W . ; E . A . Cumberland , Treas . ; E . F . Green , Sec ; Grace , S . D . ; Hayward , J . D . ; VV . Austin , P . M ., D . C ; VV . E . Dipple , Org . ; VV . H . McNamara , I . G .,- H . Cumberland , P . M ., and J . H . Staddon , Stewards ; and II . Dickens , Tyler . A candidate for initiation was then proposed . An interesting presentation of a handsome silver salver was made to the I . P . M . ( Bro . H . Gates , P . M . ) on the occasion of his marriage during his year of office as

W . M ., the presentation being made infelicitous terms by Bro . J . Cumberlind , P . M . The I . P . M . gracefully acknowledged this token of esteem and regard from the brethren , and the lodge was formally closed . The customary banquet followed at the George Hotel , when the usual toasts were duly honoured , "The Health of the W . M . " being heartily drunk . The musical arrangements were in the hands of Bro . Heath , who sane several solos very acceptably .

isro . Gawthrop sang a couple of songs in admirable style , and Bros . Heath and Gawthrop rendered some due ' s magnificently . Bro . Beck , P . M ., delighted the brethren with a song , and the accompaniments were played by Bro . Dipple , P . M . The evening was a very pleasant one , and it is confidently anticipated that this old-established lodge ( it celebrated its jubilee some years ago ) will have a highly successful year of working under Bro . Wardill , who is an extremely popular brother .

Duke of Edinburgh Lodge , No . 1259 . The installation meeting was held on Tuesday , the ist instant , at the Three Nuns , Aldgate , when a large number of brethren assembled . Bro . J . Coote , W . M ., presided at the opening , and there were , amongst others , also present Bros . Henry Warner , S . W . ; R . O . Hinderwell , J . W . ; C . VV . Chandler , S . D . ; J . H . Wilson , ] . D . ; T . Sweeting , I . G . ; D . Gower , D . C . ; D . G . Lusty , Steward ; T . F . Noikes , Org . ; C . Wakefield , F . M ., Treas . ; G . Parrett , P . M ., Sec . ; J . R . O . ner , P . M . ; W . Esmond ,

P . M . ; VV . J . Trappitt , P . M . ; Frank Adams , P . M . ; J . W . Westmoreland , P . M . ; J . Bailey , Tyler ; and many visitors . After the lodge had been opened by the W . M . and the minules of the regular monthly meeting had been read and confirmed , the W . M . 's chair was occupied by Bro . George Parrett , P . M ., Sec , and Bros . Lewthwaite and Johnson were passed to the Second Degree in a manner worthy of a Past Master . Bro . J . VV . Westmoreland , I . P . M ., next initiated Messrs . G . A . Roberts , J . VV . Kitson , and VV . May , in a most

impressive manner . Subsequently Bro . Morrison was raised to the Third Degree . Next came the installation of Bro . Henry VVarner , S . W ., by Bro . John Coote , P . M ., w : n invested the following officers for the ensuing year : Bros . R . O . Hinderwell , S . VV . ; C . W . Chandler , J . W . ; C Wakefield , P . M .. Treas . ; George Parrett , P . M ., Sec . ; J . H . Wilson , S . D . ; T . Sweeting , J . D . ; D . Giwer , I . G . ; D . G . Lusty , D C . ; R . Court , C . Wakefield , jun ., and C . R . Warde , Stwds . ; T . F . Noikes , Org . ; and Bailey , Tyler . The way the work was dnoe and the ease with which it was accomplished by Bro . J . Coote will live long in the memories of all who were fortunite enough

to witness this magnificent ceremony , and the rewird he received at the end of it was a proper tribute for work well done . The prestation of a Past M ister ' s collar and jewel was very neatly performed by the W . M .. accompanied with the hope that , although retiring from the cares of office , he ( Bro . Coo e ) mijht long be spired to weir it in memory of the occasion . Bro . Coote briefly returned thanks , The only other lodge business was the Audit Committee ' s report , which was adopted and ordered to be entered on the minutes . Although showing a good substantial balance there was a slight falling off , brought abjut by the liberality ot the members in voting the sum of 70 guineas to the Charities .

All Masonic business being ended , the lodge was closed , an adjournment beinj ? made to the banqueting room , the Queen's Hill , where a good dinner wis served in good style and to the satisfaction of all .

Earl of Chester Lodge , No . 1565 . The annual festival in connection wi : h this lod / e wa ; luld at the Misjmic lhll , Lym . 1 , on Thursday afternoon , the 3 rd inst . Amongst the visitors present were : Bros . Henry Stevens , Mus . Bac , P . M ., P . P . G . Org . K . Lines . ; Janus Davenpjrt , W . M . 1045 , P . A . G . IJ . C Cheshire ; Wm . Dykes , I . G . 1045 , P . P . G . Stwd . ; Wm . Hughes , S . D . 1045 ; G . W . Bebbington , W . M . 941 ; R . Thrutchley , S . VV . 941 ; J . II . fJebbington , J . W . 941 ; John Lyness , 941 ; Hy . Lord , 2144 ; and J . A . Lord , 2144 . The W . M . elect , Bro . Geo . J . Plimmer was installed in the chair ina very excellent