Original Correspondence.

paid them by the Association . But it is not because these officers are thus easily satisfied that the amount of good they do should always be treated so cavalierly . It is no joke to collect five or ten guineas each from 80 or 100 members in weekly subscriptions of a shilling per member extending over two or four years , especially as the members are rarely confined to one locality , but are scattered about in all

directions ; and only those who have undergone the trouble know what it involves . But the question is—How can we reward them for their services ? Bro . Finch , in his speech the other day at the annual supper of the Clapton Lodge of Instruction , No . 1365 , suggested they should be made Life Governors or Life Subscribers of our Charities ; while "A Member of a Benevolent Association" has proposed that

permission should be accorded them to wear " a special Charity jewel as an outward and visible recognition of services rendered for the good of Freemasonry . " But one of our Institutions—the Boys' School—has a rule which might easily be adopted by the Girls' School and Benevolent Institution , and made specially applicable to the officers of these Masonic Charitable Associations . Law 20 of the

Boys' School provides that " Any brother not serving the office of Steward , who may collect for the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys the sum of 25 guineas , shall , when that sum is completed , be made a Life Subscriber , and have one vote for life , and should he collect a further sum of 25 guineas , shall , on the completion thereof , receive an

additional vote , and so on for every 25 guineas he may collect . " Let some such rule as this be adopted by all three Institutions , and specifically applied to the Secretaries , and possibly also the Treasurers , of our Masonic Charitable Associations , and the thing is done , without trenching upon any one else's privileges , or even the trouble of framing an absolutely new law . —Fraternally yours ,

YET ANOTHER MEMBER OF A M . C . ASSOCIATION . London , January 9 th .

MASONIC CHARITIES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Referring to the recent correspondence , I have waited to see whether any other letters would appear that I might be further informed upon the points raised by " Zeta" before again addressing you . Nothing being forthcoming , I presume all has been said . My conclusions

are that " Zeta , " before he again attempts to condemn provinces for neglecting the interests of the Charities should satisfy himself that such is the case . As to " St . Augustine , " he should read letters with great care before he turns critic . In his letter of November 19 th he says , referring to Bro . Vickers' letter— " Granting that he has sent £ 42 during the last four years , or an average of £ 10 ios . per year . " 1 believe Bro . Vickers said he had

sent £ 42 since last November—that is , in one year ; so that " St . Augustine " is off the track altogether . I have not learned what I wished—that is , how to get votes without payment , as was suggested by " Zeta , " but I have learned , that if a province gets its candidates elected it has votes at its command , which votes represent money paid , and such provinces should not be held up to criticism as though they had stolen the votes . —Vours fraternally , ZETETES .

"MASONIC BAZAARS . " To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Will you kindly say , for the benefit of the Craft generally , if bazaars are allowed in connection with lodges for the purpose of raising money ; also if raffling at Masonic bazaars is permitted ?

1 am not by any means fastidious ; but I asked this information from an official of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and am not satisfied with the reply . The Constitutions of Grand Lodge of Scotland , Bylaw No . 200 , strictly forbids both—so far as 1 am able to interpret—but perhaps you , or some of the brethren , will enlighten me , —Yours fraternally , JOHN WEBB . January 5 th .

Reviews

Reviews

MASONIC ALMANAC , PROVINCE OF SUSSEX , 18 SS . ( Farncombe and Co ., Lewes ) . This is the first of the kind for the year , and , though termed an " Almanac " only , it forms an excellent Masonic directory generally for the province . The name of the editor is not given , but we are not likely to be far wrong in ascribing the compilation mainly to Bro . V . P . Freeman

, J . G . D ., the Prov . Grand Secretary . It is a great improvement on its predecessors , and the additional information will prove most useful to the many concerned . There are 27 lodges in Sussex , with over 1100 subscribing members , the senior being No . 3 S , Chichester , and the junior , No . 2201 , at Brighton . The Prov . G . M . is H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught . P . S . G . W . of England , who , in 18 S 6 ,

succeeded the late R . W . Bro . Sir W . W . Burrtll , Bart . The names of all the Prov . Grand Officers from 1854 are given , as also those of all the Mastr-rs of lodges from the same year , when the province was resuscitated . An interesting table is likewise inserted of statistics relating to the lodges for the past year , in which financial and other matters are ably arranged and chronicled . The Prov . Grand Chapter

was revived in 1881 , and similar items are arranged under the various headings relating to that Degree , as also in relation to Mark Masonry . There are nine Royal Arch chapters , with 260 members , and four Mark lodges . There are also two each of Knights Templars' preceptories and Ruse Croix chapters . Hro . Gerard Ford , P . G . D ., the D . P . G . M ., presides as the Grand Superintendent of the Royal

Arch ; Lord Arthur Hill , M . P ., is the Prov . Grand Master for the Mark Degree ; and Col . Shadwell H . Clerke is the Provincial Prior for Knight Templary . The calendar of the meetings for 1 S 88 appears to be well and carefully compiled , and we feel assured that it will be eagerly sought for by London Masons who enjoy visiting the Prov . Grand Lodge of Sussex .

Reviews

FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF GLOUCESTER , 1 S 87 . This handsomely printed wee book , turned out from the press of Bro . John Bellows , of Gloucester , is rather late in its appearance for 1 " 87 , but is none the less welcome , for its editor , Bro . R . V . Vassar-Smith , always does his work well , and the various tables complied by him for the

publication are always of special interest and value . The present issue is on the same lines as that of 1 SS 6 , and so our remarks as to the one , may be taken as applying in like manner to the other . Typographically and Masonically , it is difficult to see how any improvement can be made , so that , save and except , the ever varying personnel of the officers , and the statistics of the province , the Directory

from year to year looks , to all appearances , the same . The Right Hon . Sir M . E . Hicks-Beach , Bart ., M . P ., P . S . G . W ., is the Prov . G . M . ; the W . Bro . J . Brook-Smith , P . G . D ., being the D . Prov . G . M . Bro . Edward Trundle has been the Prov . G . Sec . from 1856 , and for several years the editor of the Calendar has acted most energetically as the Prov . Charity Secretary . There are

14 lodges in the province , there having been no additions from 1871 , the members running to 575 , an average of 41 to each lodge . There are three Royal Arch Chapters in the province , with 169 members , and there are four Mark Lodges . Also one each of the bodies working the Knight Templar and Rose Croix . The information

respecting the Chanties is most elaborate , the details being instructive and suggestive . Some ideaof the efficient manner in which this department is managed may be obtained by noting that there are 3137 votes held by the 14 lodges , and 575 members in the province . We wonder how many provinces can beat this record ?

DOD'S PEERAGE , BARONETAGE , AND KNIGHTAGE OF GREAT BKITAIN AND IRELAND FOR 1888 . Forty-eighth year . London : WHITAKER and Co ., 2 , White Hart-street , Paternoster-square , E . G . ; GEORGE BALL and SONS , York-street , i _ ovent Garden , W . C . 1888 . The distinctive merit claimed for this important

yearbook is that it includes brief biographical sketches of all titled personages , not only those belonging to the peerage and baronetage , but also Knights , Bishops , Privy Councillors , Judges , and the Widows of deceased Baronets and Knights . Thus all who have won for themselves titles or inherited them from others—in fact , all who in this one particular have been " born great , " have " achieved

greatness , " or have had 'greatness thrust upon them , have places assigned to them in the pages of Dod , and what is recorded of them will be found sufficient , notwithstanding the modest size of the volume , and , above all things , accurate . The contents are well arranged . First comes a series of illustrations of the insignia which distinguish the various titled casses , and the most important orders of

knighthood ; a table of precedence ; and the inferior titles of Peers . Then follow in 10 classes , in the form of a dictionary , short sketches of all titled persons , giving full particulars as to their birth , descent , achievements , & c , & c . These constitute Part I ., while Part II . includes several articles , among which should be specified one concerning the sons , daughters , & c , of Peers , bearing courtesy titles ; a second as to the mode of " addressing letters ; " a third

on the "Ordersof Knighthood ; " and a fourth on "The Privy Council . " Thus nothing appears to have been omitted which was likely to enhance the value of the book for purposes of reference . To those who think that completeness and comprehensiveness , as well as accuracy , are not impossible in moderate-sized volumes , we can strongly recommendthe new edition of " Dod ' s Peerage , Baronetage , and Knightage . "

THE BRITISH ROLL OF HONOUR . By PETER LUND SIMMONS , F . L . S ., F . R . C . L ., Author of "A Commercial Dictionary of Trade Products , " & c , & c . London : DEAN and SON , I ( 5 OA , Fleet-street ,

E . C . This useful work contains , in the first place , descriptive accounts of the several recognised Orders of Chivalry , not only at home but in foreign countries , and of their respective insignia ; and in the next , detailed lists of British subjects still living who have been enrolled in these Orders . It has the further advantage of being embellished with

numerous coloured and other engravings of the decorations , so that the reader may learn all it is important to know , whether pictorially or historically , about these various Orders , and also the names of those British subjects whom foreign States and Sovereigns have deemed worthy of honour . Mr . Simmons appears to have fulfilled his task satisfactorily , The information

he has collected has been carefully arranged , and , so far as our personal researches have gone , he does not seem to have omitted any particulars of importance , or to have been too brief in his description ; indeed , as a first issue of so voluminous a work , and one involving such innumerable inquiries and references to other persons , it is remarkable that the author should have succeeded so well , and that his details should apparently be so accurate . We

trust the author will receive sufficient encouragement to renew his labours in future years , and that by constant correction and emendation , and by introducing improvements where they seem desirable , Mr . Simmons will succeed in bringing his " British Roll of Honour" to as great a state of completion and accuracy as the well-known " Dcbrett ' s Peerage , Baronetage , " & c , issued by the same publishers .

The annual show of the Oxfordshire Agricultural Society , of which Bro . Lord Wantage is President for the year , will be held at Abingdon on the 23 rd and 24 th May next . The Committee nominated by her Majesty to consider the best method for appropriating the balance , amounting to about £ 70 , 000 , of the Women ' s Jubilee offering to the Queen , to the provision of nurses tor the

sick poor , recommend the establishment of an institution for training nurses for the purpose , the chief centre being in London , and similar central institutions in Edinburgh and Dublin ; that other institutions of a like character should , if they desired , be affiliated ; and that , in some way or other , it should be connected with St . Katherine ' s Hospital , of which , ever since its foundation in 1146 , the Cjueens of England have been patrons ,

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

draft jHHasonrg , ROBERT BURNS LODGE ( No . 25 ) . —The installation meeting of this old lodge was held on Monday , the 2 nd inst ., at Freemasons' Hall . Present : Bros . J . T . Ford , W . M . ; W . Wingham , S . W . ; G . Deaton , J . W . ; J . Lindner , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Dyte , P . M ., Sec ; E . J . Wall , S . D . ; J . L . Elliott , acting J . D . ; J . L . Jaquet , l . G . j G .

Smith , Chap . ; G . F . Smith , P . M ., P . P . G . O . Essex , Org . ; A . Walkley , Tyler ; T . Hawkins , P . M . ; J . VV . Harvey , P . M . ; T . J . Robins , P . M . ; J . J . Wilson , P . M . ; J . Moorcroft , P . M . ; F . G . Baker , P . M . ; J . S . Hodson , P . M . ; H . R . Maynard , R . S . Home , P . Boswell , F . J . Deaton , P . E . Barnes , F . N . Farmer , A . Wingham , and S . E . Burton . Visitors : Bros . A . W . Catterson , P . M . 548 ; H .

C . Ball , P . M . 144 ; B . R . Blatenford , P . M . 1196 ; S . Wood , P . M . 2004 and 2005 ; G . Reynolds , J . W . 1614 , Sec . 2191 j b . Renaut , 1623 ; W . Hurst ; G . Burford , P . M . 445 ; W . H . Hunt , 2021 ; H . Privett , 534 ; H . C . Reeves , P . M . 1381 ; Wm . Roots , 1273 ; F . H . Williams , 72 ; G . W . Ruffee , W . M . elect 1381 ; C . E . Stott , W . M . 999 ; R . D . Hilbard , P . M . 172 ; J . Cox , P . M . igo ; M . Conrad , P . M . 813 ; J . Shipley , P . M . 30 ; A . E . Austin , W . M . 619 ; J .

Hattersley , 1607 ; G . T . N . Fannan , 1257 ; S . Kideal , 1601 j C . Graham , 874 ; F . Croake , P . M . 185 ; P . Wells , P . M ., P . S . G . W . South Australia ; H . G . Cannon , 1539 ; H . J . Smith , 1475 ; W . Land , P . M . 742 ; W . Cock , P . M . 1597 ; E . Stimson , P . M . 15 ; C . W . Cole , 65 ; J . H . Birch , 1305 ; J J . Eedle , 1441 ; Biggs , W . M . elect 25 ; M . J . Mumford , 153 S ; F . M . Noakes , 2148 ; and otners .

Ihe lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Home was passed to the Degree of F . C . Bro . Walter Wingham being introduced by Bro . J . Lindner , P . M ., Treas ., as the W . M . elect , was duly obligated and installed by Bro . J . T . Ford , W . M ., in a very impressive manner . The newlyinstalled Master invested his officers for the ensuing year

as follows : Bros . G . Deaton , S . W . j E . J . Wall , J . W . J . S . Elliott , S . D . ; J . L . Jaquet , J . D . ; H . R . Maynard , I . G . ; T . J . Robins , P . M ., D . C ; M . D . Loewenstark , P . M ., Stwd . ; J . Lindner , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Dyte , P . M ., Sec ; G . F . Smith , P . M ., P . P . G . O . Essex , Org . ; and A . Walkley , Tyler . Bro . J . T . Ford , I . P . M ., then delivered the charges to

the Master , Wardens , and brethren clearly and forcibly . Ihe Auditor's report was read and received . Messrs . Arthur Wingham and Samuel E . Burton were initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry . The W . M . having received the " Hearty good wishes" of the visitors , the lodge was closed .

'Ihe brethren expressed themselves much delighted with the perfect manner in which Bro . J . T . Ford , I . P . M ., had performed the ceremony of installation , and Bro . Walter Wingham , VV . M ., for the impressive way in which he had initiated the two newly-made brethren into the mysteries of the Craft .

The brethren adjourned to the Crown Room , where a banquet of a most recherche kind was served by Bro . Madel , manager of the Freemasons' Tavern , under the personal superintendence of himself and Bro . Berther . After the removal of the cloth , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured with the customary

heartiness . In proposing the toast of "The Queen and the Craft , " the W . M . said that as good citizens and good Masons they supported one of the best monarchs . the W . M . next proposed the toast of "The M . W . G . M , " and in doing so , said it was one that always recommended itself to the brethren , because of the personal interest the

Prince of Wales always took in all Masonic matters . The W . M . gave "The Grand Officers , " and said their services on behalf of the Masonic Order ivere always available , and they never seemed more pleased than when performing the duties incident to their exalted position . Bro . J . T . Ford , I . P . M ., in proposing the toast of "The Worshipful Master , " said it needed a tongue far more eloquent than his to do justice to that toast , as their VV . M .

was in every respect one of the best Masons in the world : there was not an office in the lodge but what he was absolutely perfect in . From what they knew of him ever since he had been a Master Mason , andfrom the influence of his father before him , he had no doubt his conduct in the chair would amply justify their most sanguine expectations . He need only add that he had filled every office in the lodge , and trusted he might long be spared to be a credit and ornament to the Robert Burns Lodge .

" By sure ye follow out the plan , Nae waur than he did . Honest man . " The W . M ., in rising to respond , thanked the brethren for the very enthusiastic manner in which they had received the toast , and said that he had that night reached the summit of his ambition . He had gone through the various offices , and after seven years they had placed him in the chair

which had been occupied in the past by his father . It haa struck a heartfelt note , which to him was very solemn , inasmuch as he stood in the shoes of one who not long since was amongst them . He thought there was that in their society to toster such a feeling , and he trusted he should have their affection and sympathy beyond the grave . He trusted that he should , during his year of office , merit the

eulogistic terms in which they had spoken of him , as nothing on his part should be wanting to make it a success . He was sure that if his father had been there he would have been as proud as he was of the position in which they had placed him . Bro . 1 ' . J . Robins , P . M ., by the request of the W . M ., next proposed "The Health of the Initiates , " and in doing so , said he had been requested by the W . M . to propose

this toast . He was sure they could understand the pleasure it must have been to him to initiate his younger brother , who , having accepted the responsibility , would , he trusted , turn out as good a Mason as his brother in the chair . They were accused of being very fond of the Fourth Degree , and no one was more fond of a good dinner than he was , but he assured them at the same time that they did not neglect the first three . They were very pleased to see two initi-