Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but wc wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion .

PRINCE FREDERICK LODGE , No . 307 . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Permit me to say that no one would be more delighted than myself to see the old minute books of this lodge , and I await the further communication which Bro . Shaw promises .

Meanwhile , at the risk of still being considered " too exacting , " I must ask Bro . Shaw , and all others interested in this question , if it is right to ignore the facts published in my letter in the Freemason of 22 nd of February , or to treat them as of little or no importance ? And further , if Bro . Crossley ' s History is to be regarded as unreliable , and the extracted minutes of the Lodge of Probity as being untrue ?

The fact is that the warrant of the old Loyal Halifax Lodge , purchased by a new set of brethren in the manner recorded , does not entitle the new possessors or their representatives to the antiquity of the older lodge or to claim the privileges incident to an uninterrupted continuity of lodge working . If Bro . Shaw will kindl y favour me with the early minute and Treasurer's books , I will gladly transcribe such of their contents as bear upon this subject , for publication in your columns without delay - —Yours fraternally , JNO . LANE . Torquay , March 7 th .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1080 ] AN EXTRAORDINARY MEDAL . The chief plate in the "American Journal of Numismatics , " January , 1896 , is devoted to the obverse and reverse of a medal in the Cabinet of Mons . L . Potier , of Paris , reproduced from a photograph sent by Bro . George L . Shackles , of Hull , who has one of the finest two Collections of Masonic Medals in the world . Bro . Shackles sent two photos to me of this most interesting piece , but I have failed to trace or identify it . Mr . Warwick Worth , F . S . A ., British

Museum , has been unable to throw any light upon its history ; but my friend wisely sent the photographs to Bro . W . T . R . Marvin , Senior Editor of the Journal ( as mentioned ) , who has done his best to elucidate the matter . Bro . Marvin ' s description of the medal accords mainly with that of Bro . Shackles ; the former also supplying translations of the legends . The size , in sixteenths of an inch , is 56 ( i . e ., 3-J inches diameter ) , or 95 mm ., Bronze , and it is considered to be a cast . There is an abundance of Masonic emblems on both sides , the obverse being of a very elaborate character , having the legend PRIMAS , ORDINE ,

LOCVS , CONCILUM , CAPUT , CONVENTUS , SYNODUS , TURBA , CONGRESSUS , FMCCR , BRIT , ANNO RUM * Bro . Marvin suggests this should be translated . " First place in the Order (? Head ) , Council , Chapter , Assembly , Synod , People (?) , and Congress of the Free-Masons , Rosy-Crucian-College , in the Kingdom of Britain , " and adds " That the device seems to have reference to a Rose-Croix Degree , in some Rite more or less closely connected

with the Masonic Order , seems to be confirmed in part by the devices to be seen on the reverse . " The six letters , FMRCCR , form the key to the legend , and if correcUy explainer ] , as it seems likely , united with the suggestive emblems , are indicative of a Rosicrucian origin of this remarkable medal . The reverse has two circular tablets like for the " Ten Commandments , " with the motto , EELYTES DE

MOYSE . The date is possibly 1780-90 circa , and as it is believed to be unique . I hope we shall soon hear particulars of its origin . Bro . Shackles deserves the thanks of all students of Masonic medals for thus drawing attention to its character through the best medium for the purpose . W . J . HUGHAN .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

United Northern Counties Lodge , No . 2128 . A regular meeting was held at the Inns of Court Hotel , Holborn , on the 3 rd inst . Present : Bros . R . Davison , W . M . ; R . P . Keates , I . P . M .: W . B . Hextall , S . W . E . C . R . Oxley , J . W . ; W . H . Bullock . Sec . ; W . E . Porter , S . D . ; Wyatt Wingrove , J . D . ; T . U . Chant , I . G . ; F . B . Wood , F . C . O ., Org . ; T . Moysey and C . J . Weller , Stwds . ; Hy . Evenden , Tyler ; W . F . Smithson , P . M ., P . G . D . ; J . S . Cumberland , P . M ., D G . S . B . ; Henry Smith , D . P . G . M . West Yorks ; C . S . Ayling , Newton

Hogg , , Riley , R . S . Ayling , Munro , Reed , R . Bullock , Walker , Davis , and Bevan . Visitors : Bros . Lemere , P . M . ^ 744 ; W . A . Buxton , S . D . 1538 ; W . Craie , I . G . 2319 ; Malcolm , P . P . G . R . 30 O ; and Roberts , P . P . G . W . Middx . 1 he lodge having been opened , and the minutes of the last regular meeting read and confirmed , the brethren proceeded to ballot for Bros . T . D . Jones , 1357 , and J . Dryden , 1 C 176 , as joining members , and both were elected unanimously . Another ballot was then taken for Mr . R . Vivian , and , it proving unanimous , he was initiated into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry by the W . M . the charge being given bBroBullockPM

, y . , .., Sec . Bro . Reed was then passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft by the W . M . Throughout both ceremonies the working of the W . M . was most interesting and instructive , and gave evidence of the careful training he had received at the Emulation Lodge of 1 mprovement . Bro . W . F . Smithson gave notice of motion for next meeting * ' That £ 2 23 . be subscribed to the R . M . I . for Boys' Scholarship Fund . " The W . M . announced that he had gone up as Steward at the recent Royal Masonic Benevolent Festival , and that he was also going up for the Boys in June , and again asked for the support of the brethren . He received numerous and liberal promises of assistance .

1 he lodge was then closed , and the brethren adj jurned to a most excellent supper , over which th « W . M . presided with his accustomed geniality . The usual toasts were given and responded to with commendable brevity , so that the brethren were able to enjoy to the full the entertainment provided for them . Bro . Porter presided at the pianofort " , the vocal items being contributed by Bros . Hextall , Bevan , Oxley , and Ramsden Walker , who also recited . Bro . Buxton , 1538 , gave a couple of songs in a way that delighted the brethren , anel a happy evening was brought to an end with the Tyler's toast .

St Nicholas Lodge , No . 2259 . The monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Rooms , Thorne , on Wednesday , the 4 th inst ,, when there were present Bros . J . Constable , acting W . M . ; T . Baiber , S . W . ; H . A . Fenton , J . W . ; B . Maskill , Ireas . j R . Brew , acting Sec . ; G . Eland , S . D . ; E . Hirst , J . D . ; J . H . Bletcher , acting I . P . M . and Almoner ; W . P . Robotham , Org . ; E . h-impson , I . G . ; F . Pine , Tyler ; T . R . R . Marsdin , W . Hallgarth , J . Dugdale , E . Shillito , W . Pickerintr , and T . Tomlinson .

Bro . Tomlinson was raised to the Sublime Degree of a M . M ., the work being per formed by Bro . Constable , Bro . Pickering giving the charge and working tools . The brethren adjourned after lodge to an oyster repast kindly provided by Bro Fenton . I

Craft Masonry.

Bisley Lodge , No . 2317 . The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Woking , on Thursday , the Gth inst . Among those present were Bros . J . W . H . Littleboy , W . M . ; Jam-s Webb , I . P . M . ; Captain J . Hoey , P . M ., S . VV . ; C . F . Passmore , P . M ., as J . \ v " J . B . S . Lancaster , P . M ., Sec ; J . T . Tomlinson , S . D . ; R . Clamp , J . D . ; 1 ' H . Askham , P . M ., I . G . ; I . Wenham and H . Whitburn , Stwds . ; B . N . Dadrje , G

J . Woolridge , H . W . Gloster , Arthur Althorp , F . Millward Wilkins , A . Gunning , and A . W . Shaw , P . M . Visitors : Bros . R . F . Gould , P . G . D . ; E . Head and G . W . Smith , of 16 S 1 ; H . j . Bidwell , P . M . and Sec , and A . Reed , of 2120 ; and G . Turner , 2153 , The lodge having been duly opened , and the minutes confirmed , Bro . B . N . Dad ge was passed to the Second Degree . The W . M ., who was very ably supported b y his officers , performed the ceremony in a most impressive manner , and concluded with an explanation of the tracing board appertaining to the Degree .

Bro . A . H . Gale was proposed as a rejoining member , after which , there being no furtherbusiness , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent repast , which was served by Bro . G . J . Mason , of Chertsey , in his best style . On the removal of the cloth , and after the recital of the Masonic Grace by the W . M ., the customary loyal toasts were eloquently introduced from the chair , and most heartily received by the brethren . The W . M . then gave "The M . W . Pro G . M ., the Earl of Lathom ; the R . VV . Deputy G . M ., the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . "

Bro . R . F . Gould , P . G . D ., in responding , said that it had fallen to his lot as a frequent visitor to the lodge to express on many former occasions the pleasure it had afforded him , not only to witness the work so well done , but to experience the genial hospitality of the brethren at the festive board . It had been his privilege to see four Masters installed in the Bisley Lodge , and all of them had more than fulfilled the most sanguine anticipations that had been formed with respect to their conduct in the chair . But to whatever extent the brethren who preceded Bro . Littleboy in the ofiice of Master

had distinguished themselves , it might be advanced without the possibility of contradiction , that the achievements of their present W . M ., even during the comparatively short period h ; had occupied that position , were such as to make it quite clear that his own would be a record year , wherein the choicest traditions of the lodge would be as worthily sustained as they had been in those of the most successful Masters who came before him . The toast of " The Provincial Grand Officers " was coupled with the name of Bro . J . H . Askham , P . P . G . D . C , whose response was in his happiest vein .

"The Health of the W . M . " was then proposed , with very warm expressions of esteem and regard , by Bro . James Webb , I . P . M ., and in reply , the W . M . thanked the various brethren who had spoken during the evening ( every one of whom had pissed a glowing eulogium on the work performed by him in the lodge ) , and said that it had afforded him the utmost pleasure to have carried out the duties of the chair in a manner which was satisfactory to those present . Other toasts followed , Bro . I . H . Bidwell responding for " The Visitors , " and Bros .

J . B . S . Lancaster and J . Wenham for "The Officers of the Lodge . " A most pleasant evening was spent , and the enjoyment of the brethren was much enhanced by the admirable singing of Bros . F . M . wilkins , E . Head , A . W . Shaw , J . H . Askham , J . Webb , and H . W . Gloster , combined with one of the most effective recitations in the extensive repertoire of Bro . Bidwell , P . M . and Sec . of the Abbey Lodge , No . 2120 , Chertsey , and Preceptor of the lodge of instruction working in conjunction with it .

Acacia Lodge , No . 2321 . The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Rawson square , Bradford , on Thursday , the Sth ult ., when there was a good attendance . Bro . S . Robinson , W . M ., presided , and was supported by Bros . John Niven , as I . P . M . ; S . A . Bailey , P . M ., Treas . ; J . T . Last , P . M ., Sec ; J . B . Fearnley , S . W . ; R . S Hird , J . W . ; J . Morton , as S . D . ; J . W . Bland , J . D . ; W . S . Smith , as I . G . ; H . Holmes , Tyler ; W . Docksey , Org .: and others . Visitors : Bros . John Hill , 302 :

John Pickles , 302 ; W . H . Briggs , 302 ; B . Hepworth , W . M . 377 ; C . W . Hudson , 600 J H . E . Hodgson , 603 ; A . P . Rendell , S . W . 974 ; R . Spencer , S . D . 1019 j R . J . Smith , W . M . 1042 ; F . C . Nettleton , 1042 ; J . E . Russell , W . M . 164 S ; F . W . H . Durant , P . M . 164 S ; A . G . Collon , 1648 ; R . H . Lindsay , 164 S ; John Shear , 1648 ; B . P . Viret , 2410 ; and Joseph Wilson , P . M . 1034 , P-P-G . Std . Br . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed , after which Bro . Betteridge , B . A ., was raised to the Third Degree by Bro . Last , | P . M .,

the working tools being explained by Bro . Hird , J . D ., and the charge delivered by Bro . Fearnley , S . W . The name of a gentleman was submitted for initiation at a future meeting , and after " Hearty good wishes" from the visitors , the lodge was closed . After refreshment , the usual loyal and Misonic toasts were duly honoured . The W . M ., Bro . Robinson , in proposing the toast of "The Visitors , " expressed the pleasure it gave the lodge to be honoured by the presence of such a goodly number of visitors , several of whom hailed from distant towns , no less than 10 different lodges

being represented . He gave them all a very hearty welcome . The toast was very cordially received . Bio . Benjamin Hepworth , W . M . 377 , in responding , stated that spending a few days in Yorkshire , he was delighted to receive an invitation to visit the lodge , and to have the honour of acknowledging , on behalf of the visitors , the kind and generous hospitality that had been extended to the visitors . Referring to the working in the lodge , he stated that it differed somewhat in detail from the practice in his own lodge . They prided themselves on their good working in his Province of Worcester , but he

was p leased to note that the Masons were equally jealous of the rituil in the northern provinces . Bros . R . J . Smith , W . M . 1042 , and j . li . Russell , W . M . 1048 , also responded . Bro . J . E . Russell , W . M . 1648 , proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " and congratulated him on being so well supported by the officers and brethren of the lodge . Bro . S . Robinson , W . M ., thanked the brethren for the cordial manner in which they had received the toast of his health . He reported that he had heard of Bro . C . IL Ellis , I . P . M ., who had written from Albany , and was then suffering from the intense heat of the climate .

Bco . J . Wilson , P . M . 1034 , P . P . G . Std . Br ., in submitting the toast of " The Past Masters , " referred to his early connection with the lodge , and that it was only the increasing duties of his business which caused him to retire from it , but he did not do so until there was a goodly numberof Past Masters in the lodge who were well able to look to its welfare . He knew them all , and was pleased to bear his testimony to their ability as Masters of the Craft . Other toasts followed .

A very pleasant evening was spent , sjngs and recitations bjing contributed by BrJ > Fearnley , Durant , Hudson , Wilson , Docksjy , Collon , ani Linisiy .

Fellowship Lodge , No . 2535 . A regular meeting of this successful bdge was held at the Frascati Restaurant , Oxford-street , on the 2 nd inst ., when Bro . James Stephens , P . P . G . D . Bucks , Sec , presided , in the unavoidable absence of the VV . M ., Bro . W . H . Bailey , P . P . S . G . W . Stafford , G . Treas . nominate . The officers present included Bros . J . R . Roberta , S . W . ; E . Valeriani , P . M ., J . W . ; J . Welford , P . M ., Treas . ; E . Rogers , P . O . Stwd ., J . D . ; E . J . Reed , I . G . ; R . Carter , D . C ; W . IL Making and J . H .

Haylock , Stwds . ; M . Rubinstein , Org . ; and others . Visitors : Bros . G . Inglish , S . O . 901 ; F . Laurence , P . P . G . D . C . Middx . ; A . J . Turner , S . W . 1787 ; J . F . Smith , 1987 ; II . E . Hecks , 179 ; E . Morgan , 12 SS ; J . E . Tavener , P . M . 1044 ; J . Avery , P . M . si 1 ; C . Toy , i 0 o 8 ; R . G . Edwards , 15 S 3 ; and G . Davis , P . M . , The lodge was opened , the minutes conlir . ned , and Bros . H . GjJin , L , Riche , an G . Bie were elected joining members . Five candidates were raised to the In " Degree , after which Bros . 5 . H . Gibson and B . Morison were passed to the Digree ° F . C Bros . J . R . Roberts , S . W ., was unanimously elected W . M . ; Welford , ?¦» ' ¦•trans

re-elected Treasurer ; and T . C Edmonds , P . M ., Tyler . Ochcr business was - acted , including the despatch of a telegram to the W . M . in Brussels , conveying " Hearty good wishes " Irom the brethren , and the lodge was closed . . The banquet which followed was well up to the standard of excellence hither prevalent at the Fiascali . Thc usual toasts were subsequently honoured . . . i „ In proposing " The Grand Officers , " the acting W . M . telened mote P "J „_ to the excellent work done by the leading Grand Officers in behalf of the Mason Charities .