To Correspondents.

To Correspondents .

An interesting communication about Cleopatra ' s Needle will appear next week . A Provincial Companion ' s communication on Comp . Smallpeice ' s motion in Grand Chapter stands over until next week for want of space .

Thc following reports stand over : — Avon Lodge , No . 16 33 , Manchester . Adam's Ledge of Mark Master Masons , No . 6 , Sheerness .

BOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . " Jewish Chronicle , " " Freemasons' Calendar and Directory for the Province of Gloucester , " " Royal Cornwall Gazette , " " Alliance News , " "Edinburgh Courant , " "The Masonic Newspaper , " " Der Long Islander , " " Broad

Arrow , " " Croydon Guardian , " " Bcletin Official , " " Die Baiihutte , " " Reeves'Musical Directory for 1880 , " "The Egyptian Gazette , " " The Warden , " " Hebrew Leader , " " Canadian Craftsman , "" Keystone , " " Paper Consumers ' Circular , " " L'Ordre Social , " " Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of all Scottish Freemasonry in India . "

Births, Marriages, And Deaths.

Births , Marriages , and Deaths .

[ The charge is 2 S . 6 d . for announcements not exceeding Four Lines under this heading , ] BIRTHS . Doni . E . —On the 9 th inst ., at 11 , Pcnn-road-villas , Camden-road , thc wife of Mr . Arthur Dobie , of a son . JOHNSON . —On the Sth inst , at 379 , Euston-road , thc wife of Mr . M . H . Johnson , of a son .

MARRIAGE . MONTAGU—VIGNE . — On the 5 th inst ., at St . George ' s , Hanover-square , by tbe Rev . Canon Broadley , Vicar of Bradpole , Dorset , assisted by the Rev . G . W . Heathcote , Rector of Ashe , Surrey , and the Rev .

W . H . G . Mann , Curate of St . Michael' ? , Chestersquare , John Montagu Pulteney Montagu , of Downe Hall , Bridport , Dorset , and 51 , St . George ' s-road , Eccles ' on-square , to Catherine Anne , daughter of the late Mr . Charles J . Vigne , of Westfield House , Weston , Bath .

DEATHS . FonsTEn . —On the 9 th inst ., at Highbury , Mr . J . Forster , in his 67 th year . HOPWOOD . —On the 7 th inst ., at 196 , Sloane-square , S . W ,, Mr . Owen Hopwood , aged 75 .

To Our Readers.

TO OUR READERS .

THE recent demands on our space has necessitated the frequent issue of an enlarged sheet , and as the proprietor is desirous not only of maintaining the present position of the Freemason as the faithful recorder of Masonic doings , and the recognised exponent of Masonic principles , but

of increasing its influence and usefulness , he has determined on continuing the issue of these supplements whenever necessary . The Free-Vinson of this week consists of twenty pages , and amongst other matters of special interest to the Craft cantains a full report of the

anniversary festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , held on Monday last . With the hope of bringing tbe claims of this great Charity more fully into notice , the proprietor has determined on posting a copy of the Freemason to

the Master of every lodge under the roll of the Grand Lodge of England , and earnestly solicits the co-operation of each W . M . in laying it before the members of his lodge at their next meeting .

The Freemason.

THE FREEMASON .

SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 14 , r 83 ;

THE result of the first great anniversary festival of our Metropolitan Masonic Charities for 1880 is now before our readers , and we have now to congratulate our readers and the Craft on this auspicious commencement of our real charitable festivals for JSSO . What ever else tbey may like

to say against Freemasonry , they cannot happily accuse it of deficiency cr backwardness in charity . Bro . Terry announced tlie grand total on Monday night of ^' , 00- ; , with several lists to come in . It seems that London has sent up 126 Stewards with £ 7270 , the provinces 9 8 Stewards with £ 47 , 35 . Other lists have to come in , which may

interfere a little with these " totals , ' but not much . Of the London lodges the three highest returns were those of No . 1642 , Earl of Carnarvon , Bro . S . Hy . Parkhouse , £ 400 ; No . 145 , Prudent P , rethren , Bro . John Henry Leggott , V . P ., £ 276 5 s . < 5 d . ; and No . 147 1 , Islington , Bro . Wm . Bauscr , £ 228 13 s . 66 . Of the provinces N . and E , Yorkshire sent up , £ 8 . 5 . 5 >

The Freemason.

Sussex £ 600 •and West Yorkshire £ 391 . We congratulate N . and E . Yorkshire on its handsome return , which reflects the highest credit on all concerned . VVe shall recur to this interesting subject in our next .

* We beg to announce for the information of those who take an interest in that most excellent and well managed Institution , the Girls' School , that the date of its anniversary festival has been fixed

by H . R . H . Prince Leopold , the Chairman , for Friday , April 16 th , somewhat in advance of the usual time . We , therefore , think it right to call the " . attention of our readers specially to this announcement , and venture to express the hope

that Bro . Hedges , the zealous Secretary , may receive , as soon as may be , in order to facilitate the needful arrangements , the names of all brethren desirous of serving as Stewards on this interesting occasion and for so good a cause .

* # WE believe we are revealing no secrets , and by no means improperly intruding upon the privacy of domestic relationship , when we say that we

believe that another marriage is contemplated in our Royal Family , which will have a special interest for our Masonic body , and will greatly add to the happiness of both of the illustrious persons mainly concerned .

* * OUR esteemed and much valued Bro . the Pro G . Master , who suffered some time ago from a severe attack of gout , has been sojourning at Torquay , and is , we are happy to add , greatly improved in health and strength .

* * SOME anxiety has been recently felt with respect to the health of a most valued and distinguished member of our Order . We allude to our Bro .

John Havers , whose services to English Freemasonry we all are sensible of . We are happy to be permitted to say that he is now considerably better and regaining strength .

* THE " situation" seems very critical , according to the Chaine ct Union , between the Roman Catholic Church and the Freemasons in France , until it has become not one merely of

" extreme tension" but one of hopeless and irreconcileable antagonism . This we much regret to note , and beg as lovers of peace and always " amici curiae , " to counsel a little

moderation and less self assertion alike for Freemasons and Roman Catholics . Properly religion and Freemasonry ought always to go " hand in hand . " We fear that it must be fairly confessed that there are faults on both sides .

* * IT is amusing to see what fearlthe " " Ultramontane papers " have of the occult and dangerous designs of Freemasons and Freemasonry . We were thinking the other evening when we were

assembled in a genial circle , and heard the kindl y conversation of our brethren , if the Roman Catholic authorities only knew us as we really

are , wo should hear the last of" jeremiades" and '•' vituperation , '' which are a positive disgrace both to intellectual enlightenment and reli gious charity .

* * THE Masonic intelligence from France is not reassuring to English Masons . The "movement party " in the" Rite Ecossais " have established a schismatic Grand Lodge , called " La Grande

Lodge Symboliquelndependante Rite Ecossais , and which is , in fact , composed of Master Masons . We have from the first expressed our sympathy , ( though not High Grade Masons , ) with the ru ers of the " Rite Ecossais Ancien et

Accepte' in France , and we heartily deplore such unjustifiable proceeedings . But the truth is , as has been most truly expressed , that this lamentable state of things arises , more of less ,

from the Ancient and Accepted Rite abroad " working the Symbolic Degree . " This new and irregular body is not likely under any circumstances to obtain recognition from Anglo-Saxon Masonry .

The Freemason.

THE question of the " * confirmation of minutes " is one of those matters which always remain debateable points . There have always been two views respecting it . But the probability is that the truth , ( as usual , ) runs in a "via media "

between the two . It is quite clear that one of the main objects of the reading of the minutes is to see that the same are correctly recorded , but it is as clear that some portion of the minutes , by the Book of Constitutions , require absolute

confirmation at a subsequent lod ge . We think there will be no difficulty in discriminating between those matters which require and which do not require confirmation according to the Book of

Constitutions . A good deal , however , as always , turns in Masonry on our special lodge bye-laws ' . This is a fact often overlooked in the heat of discussion .

* * WHAT course it may please Grand Lodge in its wisdom to take at its next meeting with respect to the confirmation of the minutes of the prececeding Quarterly Communication , it is not fair

to say , or even , perhaps , to speculate upon , but we think it ri ght to remind our readers , as the lawyers say , "without prejudice , " that there is a question involved in the whole of this discussion of intense importance to our bodv , namely , the

integrity of our present ritual . From speeches we have heard in private lodges , as was indeed to be expected , and as we have always forewarned our readers , there is a sort of idea afloat that it would be a "good thing " now to " revise " the

entire ritual . But that we need not say is altogether beyond the objects , as we understand them , of the present movement , and might be productive of most serious consequences in more

ways than one . We are among those who are quite contented with our present ritual , and wish " to leave well alone . " We ask only that the " wise toleration " of the Grand Lodge may be allowed to continue .

* * THE installation meeting of the Aldersgate Lodge No . 1657 , took place last Monday under exceptionally brilliant circumstances . Bro . George Kenning , was inducted into the Master ' s

chair by Bro . Rev . Dr . P . H . Ernest Brette , before one of the largest Boards of Installed Masters it has ever been our lot to witness . The proceedings went off with " eclat , " and we refer our readers to a report of the proceedings elsewhere .

* * * WE have receivsd the January-February number of the Monde Maconnique , a very interesting one , to which we shall call attention in our next .

* » WE rejoice to note that at the Aldersgate Lodge a vote of ten guineas was unanimously carried for the Duchess of Marlborough ' s Fund through our Bro . the Lord Mayor . We hope that many

other lodges and chapters will at once assist to such needful claims on our best feelings of sympathy and humanity . We call attention to the letter of our distinguished Bro . the President of the Board of General Purposes elsewhere .

* OUR noble Bro . the Earl of Zetland , who presided so well at the anniversary festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution on Monday last , received a most markedly warm

reception from thc crowded gathering , not only for his own Masonic work and merits , but for the always happy " souvenirs " which are unchangeably connected with the name of his lamented uncle , our old and admirable Grand Master , through so many long years . *

* * BRO . Hubert , in the Chaine d'Union for January , gives an account of the establishment of a separate Grand Lodge of the " malcontents " of the Rite Kcossais in Paris . It seems that as the

symbolic lodges were not a majority in the governing body , a large number of Master Masons of the Rite Ecossais commenced an agitation which has led to so deplorable a result , from a Masonic point of view . We have always