Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

RE REMOVAL OF THE BOYS' SCHOOL . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Allow me , through your widely-read columns , to ask the promoters — not so much those brethren who merely are in favour of the " removal , " thc desirability of which , I think , a decided majority recognise—as those who are so

strongly endeavouring to force on the great mass of Subscribers the particular site at " Bushey , " to ask them , I say , whether they are acting wisely in relying mainly on technical rrsolutions , carried , after all , but by comparatively few brethren , and in calling their opponents " hard names ? " for the fact remains that now all large institutions , schools , & c , that need removing go for new sites to the southern breezy chalk downs of Surrey or the sandy uplands of North Hampshire ,

but not to the heavy soil—overtimbered and expensive—of the county of Herts . Bro . Whytehead ' s letter in your issue of the 24 th ult . is unanswerable . If the School is moved , it ought to be to an open , breezy spot , where some 100 to 150 acres could be bought for much less money than the Bushey site , which contains but 65 acres , and is bounded on all sides by public roads . Far better try and come to an amicable understanding with the brethren generally , and thus avoid what may prove a secession of influential provinces . —Yours fraternally ,

DE FERRIERES Bays Hill House , Cheltenham , November 7 th .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , My attention having been directed to the request made by " D . P . G . M . and P . G . O . " in the letter inserted in your last issue , I have much pleasure in giving you the desired information as regards the Provinces from which the 86 provincial brethren came who signed the attendance book , at our Quarterly Court on the 9 th October last .

I may add that the difference in the number now given ( 104 ) and that mentioned by you is accounted for by the fact that 10 well-known brethren who were in attendance did not sign , and are now included , and eight others are members of two Provinces , and are counted in each . —Yours faithfully and fraternally , J . M . McLEOD , Secretary .

PARTICULARS . HOME PROVINCES . Beds , 1 ; Berks , 2 ; Bucks , 4 ; Essex , 6 ; Herts , 8 ; Middlesex , 4 . MIDLAND P ROVINCES . Cambs , 2 ; Northants and Hunts , 2 ; Oxon , 2 ; Salop , 2 ; Stafford

shire , 2 ; Suffolk , 1 ; Warwickshire , 3 5 Worcestershire , 2 . 16 NORTHERN P ROVINCES . Cheshire , 4 ; Cumberland and Westmorland , 1 ; Derbyshire , 4 ; Durham , 2 ; Lancashire ( E . D . ) , 2 ; Lancashire ( W . D . ) , 5 ; Leicestershire and Rutland , 1 ; Lincolnshire , 1 ; Northumberland , 1 ; Notts , 1 ; North Wales , 1 ; Yorkshire ( N . and E . ) , 2 ; Yorkshire ,. ( W . R . ) , 5 . 30

SOUTHERN PROVINCES . Dorset , 1 ; Hants and Isle of Wight , 4 ; Jersey , 1 ; Kent , 4 ; Surrey , 4 ; Sussex , 4 . 18 WESTERN P ROVINCES . Bristol , i ; Cornwall , 2 ; Devon , 3 ; Gloucestershire , 2 ;

Monmouthshire , 1 ; Somersetshire , 1 ; South Wales ( E . D . ) , I ; South Wales ( W . D . ) , 1 ; Wilts , 1 . 13 DISTRICTS ABROAD . 2 Total 104

Reviews.

Reviews .

"MASONIC CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF N ORTHS AND HUNTS FOR 18-36-18 97 . "—fi ?/ -- ? . IF . J . Stanton , , Abingdon-street , Northampton , price is . ) . —It is difficult to see how this excellent compilation , so ably edited by Bro . George Elland , can be improved , for it appears to contain almost every item of information lhat can be reasonably looked for in such ' a publication . If the Editor does not mind a suggestion , it would not be amiss to give the list of Prov . Grand Masters for Norths and Hunts when separate Provinces , and from 1839 , when combined under the Marquess of Huntleyas also the previous Grand Superiniendent tothe Earl of Euston ( 1 S 8 S ) ,

, viz ., the Duke of Manchester , from 1 SS 0 . Statistically , the handsome little Book is ccmplete . There are 15 Lodges , three R . A . Chapters , and three Mark Lodges in the two Ccunties , having 743 , 110 , and 90 members respectively ; and the List of Votes for the Ct ntral Masonic Charities exhibit lhe gratifying fact that the Province has over 1 G 00 Votes for the three Institutions , all of which are duly detailed . The " Masonic Items " for the guidance of the Lodges should relieve the veteran Prov . G . Secretary of much unnecessary labour . His portrait ( Bro . F . G . Buckle ) forms the Frontispiece to this

year ' s issue , and Ihe Editor supplies an appreciative sketch of that Masonic worthy . Not enly aie Ihe Lists of all the Officers of the various Bodies given and duly arranged , but the names of the members are also inserted according to seniority , and neither is the " Northampton Masonic Library" forgotten , with over 200 volumes , and many cuiios , the esteemed Prov . G . M . ( Lotd Fusion ) and other Brethren having kindly supplied thc means for obtaining works for its shelves , and others have lent valuable souvenirs .

Ladies' Night Of The Royal Commemoration Lodge. No. 1585.

LADIES' NIGHT OF THE ROYAL COMMEMORATION LODGE . No . 1585 .

The work at the regular meeting of this lodge , on Wednesday , the 4 th inst ., at the Holborn Restaurant , was somewhat curtailed , the raisings and passings being postponed till the December meeting , in consequence of the members having decided lo hold a " Ladies' Night" to celebrate tin ; 21 st year of the exislence of the ledge . The VV . M ., howcvci , pawed lito * . Joseph Co . * ., Yuuugsun , Kendall , Wood , and Philp , and received the names of five gentlemen for initiation , so lhat he will have a heavy afternoon ' s work at the next meeling .

Ladies' Night Of The Royal Commemoration Lodge. No. 1585.

Lodge having been closed , the brethren , who had been granted a special dispensation to wear Masonic clothing , adjourned to the Throne Room to receive the ladies and visitors . On assembling for dinner in the Crown Room , just over 100 sat down , including , besides the members : Bro . Hatt , P . M ., P . G . D . C . Middx and Mrs . Hatt ; Bro . Sidders , W . M . 865 ; Bro . Betts , 865 , and Mrs . Betts ; ' Bro . Clayton , 865 , and Mrs . Clayton ; Bro . Sellick , 865 , Mrs . and Miss Sellick \ Bro . Blundell and Miss Inder ; Bro . Youngson and Mrs . Youngson ; Bro . Foan

and Mrs . Foan ; Bro . Knight , I . P . M ., Miss Knijjht and friend ; Bro . Collick P . M ., Mrs . and Miss Collick ; Bro . Coombe , P . M . ; Bro . Pardoe , P . M ., and Mrs . Pardoe ; Bro . Fayers , P . M ., and Mrs . Payers and Mr . Wood ; Bro Robinson , P . M ., Mrs . and Miss Robinson , and Miss Abbott ; Bro . Keene , P . M . Bro . Thomas , P . M ., and Mrs . Thomas ; Bro . Hayward , 144 ; Mr . Sullivan * Mrs . Tilley ; Miss Nicholls ; Miss Leonard ; Bro . Montague Austin , 144 ; Mr .

and Mrs . Walker ; Mr . and Mrs . Sanders ; Mrs . and Miss L . Cox ; Miss Wilkinson ; Bro . C . Knight and friends ; Bro . E . R . H . Knight and friends ; Bro . G . Sharpin and friends ; Bro . R . M . Sharpin and Mrs . Sharpin ; Bro . Ward , Mrs . Ward and friends ; Bro . Schwiess , Mrs . Schwiessand friends ; Bro . Sier and friends ; Dr . Sen Y'at Sen ( who lately resided and is well known at the Chinese Legation ) ; Bro . and Mrs . Fenn , and others .

Grace having been said , the toasts of The Queen and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales and the other Members of the Royal Family " were received with musical honours .

Bro . KNIGHT , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the Chairman , Bro . Cox P . M ., W . M . " Bro . Austin kindly obliged with " The Toreador . " The CHAIRMAN * having thanked the members for supporting him by bringing so many of their friends to celebrate the occasion , gave the toast of " The Ladies and Visitors . "

Bro . Choveaux then sang Good company , " which was well received . Bro . AUSTIN replied for the ladies and Mr . SULLIVAN for the gentlemen visitors in very humorous speeches . After the next toast— " The Members of 1585 "—the company adjourned to the Throne Room to enjoy a somewhat long programme of music and dancing . During the evening Miss Abbott kindly obliged by singing a new song , " Hasten to me , " Mrs . Fayers with "The Promise of Life , " and Miss Robinson with "The Enchantress . " Bro . Thomas , P . M ., gave two violin solos , and the company greatly enjoyed a skirt dance by Miss Lennard .

Bros . Thomas , P . M ., and Barber were M . C ' s ., and the musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . Choveaux , assisted by Messrs . Evans and Jones . The programme , however , was not able lo be completed in consequence of its length , but the company thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment , and parted with a hope that it might not be the last that the lodge would provide for them .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Peace and Harmony Lodge , No . 60 . The installation meeting of this lodge was held on the 23 rd ult ., at Freemasons ' Hall , Great Oueen-street . Among those present were Bros . W . H . Kempster , jun ., P . G . S ., W . M . ; H . 1 . Lardner , P . M . 1623 , P . G . S ., S . W ., W . M . elect ; W . H . Kempster , M . D ., P . M ., P . G . S ., as J . W . j H . Young , P . M ., P . G . S ., Treas . ; E . Rogers , P . M ., P . G . S ,, Sec ; Debenham , ' , S . D . ; Polenz , J . D . ; Robinson , LG . ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br ., acting I . P . M ., * Chancellor , P . M ., P . G . S . ;

Barton , P . M ., P . G . S . ; and Evenden , P . M ., Tyler . Among the visitors were Bros . George Everett , P . G . Treas . j W . M . Stiles , P . G . Treas . ; E . Letchworth , G . Sec . ; W . A . Scurrah , G . Std . Br . , * E . S . Lardner , P . G . S . ; T . Simpson , P . M . 1 745 ; G . Herbert , P . M . 1745 ; and N . P . Lardner , P . M . 1745 . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the report of the AuditCommittee was received and adopted . The W . M . electhavingbeenpresented was duly installed by Bro . Capt . Walls . Among the officers invested were Bros . Debenham ,

J . W . ; H . Young , P . M ., Treas . ; E . Rogers , P . M ., Sec ; Polenz , S . D . ; Robinson , J . D . ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . M ., D . C . ; Slade , Stwd . , * and Evenden , Tyler . A Past Master ' s jewel was presented to the LP . M . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros . S . Cochrane , P . G . Treas . ; R . L . Loveland , J . P ., P . B . G . P . ; F . Richardson , P . G . D . ; Baron de Ferrieres , P . G . D . ; and others . The lodge was closed , and the brethren then partook of a very excellent banquet . Bro . George Everett , in responding for "The Grand Officers , " said that as a

member of that lodge he had been greatly pleased with his visit to No . 60 . He could see that it was a very pleasant and happy lodge , and the members had elected one to preside over them who was capable of discharging the duties of the chair as well as any brother in London or elsewhere . He had known their W . M . almost from boyhood , and he had known the Installing Officer from his advent into Freemasonry some 23 years ago . In conclusion , he trusted that No . 60 would always act up to its very excellent name and preserve its traditions .

Bro . W . M . Stiles said that the first speaker ' s remarks were in very good taste , and he had nothing to add except that he hoped the W . M . would have plenty of work to do during his year . He had seen Bro . Lardner work in various Degrees , and it was always a pleasure so to do , because the ceremonies were always nicely performed , in fact , left nothing to be desired . Bro . Scurrah said that he regretted that Bro . Letchworth had been unable to stay to the banquet , as no doubt hc would have said something very kind and gracious

about the lodge and its W . M . His ( the speaker s ) fuends had spoken well and had left him but little to say . It was a great honour to visit so old and distinguished a lodge , and the pleasure was enhanced when its W . M . was one so will and deservedly known , not only as a gocd fellow , but an expert worker in all Degrees of Freemasonry . "The Health of the W . M . " followed , and was drunk with acclamation . In his reply , the W . M . brii Hy said that he looked upon the hjnour conferred upon

him that night as thc gieatest he had jut received in Masonry . The Peace and Harmony Lodge had had an uninterrupted career of upwards of 15 S years . * It had given Masonic tilth to many who had ultimately held high positions in the Craft , and he trusted that it would receive many more such . He hoped to have some initiates during his tenure of office , and , with the assistance of his officirs , he trusted that the work would give satisfaction not only to the members of the lodge , but to those visitors who might honour him with their presence .

The other toasts were " The Installing Office ** , " " The Visitors , " " The Past Masters , " " The Treasurer and Secretary , " and " The Ollicers . " Thanks tothe l < indnes . s of the W . AL , a very excellent programme of music was furnished , and gave great gratification to the members and their visitors . The proceedings throughout were of a most enjoyable nature , and passed off without a hitch .

Lion and Lamb Lodge , No . 192 . A meeting of this lodce was held on Thursday , the 5 th instant , at Cannon-street Hotel . Present : Bros . Robt . Sarson , W . M . ; C . Garton , J . W . ; T . Selby Henrey , Chap , and J . D . ; Thomas Cohu , P . M ., Tieas . ; II . Legge , P . M ., See . ; William Baker , S . D . ; Jas . Smith , P . M ., D . C . ; Thomas Stokes , A . D . C ., J . G . Robeson , LG . ; T . W . Fisher , I . P . M . ; Mower , P . M . ; Hughes , P . M . ; Abbott , P . M . ; Gocdcs , P . M . ; Fair , Peach , Lloyd , Fishleigh , Pcirson , Pitt , Collins , Dixon , S . Rippin ,

A . J . Kippin , , Lockctt , Fergusson , Doody , Welch , Roche , Virgo , Wetton , Puibrook , and Crawshaw . Visitors : tiros . Vignes , 2501 ; Hallow , ( 1 $ ; and Faulconbridge , i . l ** - '* The lodge having been opened , the minutes were read , after which Bro . Dixon was passed . The ballot lor Mr . G . II . Puibiook proving unanimous , lie was then initiatedliro . Geo . Wetton , n n , was unanimously elected a joining iiicmbst * . The sum Ll > £ 13 ios . was voted to the widows of two loriner members of the lodge . Notice of motion was given by Bro . William Baker to amend thc bye-laws so that no Degrees should be worked on installation night .