Correspondence.

Correspondence .

VVe 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 limitsiree discussion .

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , My old friend and fellow worker in Masonry , Bro . W . C . Parsons ,

the worthy Secretary of my mother lodge , St . James' Union , No . 1 S 0 , in a second letter of your issue of to-day ' s date , expresses surprise that no one has troubled to discuss the subject of his first communication to you of October 30 th , viz ., the unsatisfactory state of the lists of candidates of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution .

On May ist , 1 S 97 , you inserted a letter on this subject in which I fully pointed out the requirements and funds needed to put the "list" on a footing more in accordance with our Masonic professions ; and suggested the special relief of the candidates , whose names had appeared for a number of years on the lists , as a fitting method of commemoration of the Queen ' s 60 th year on the Throne of these realms .

I know that this letter was brought before the Committee and received full consideration , but it was thought imprudent to attempt to appeal for more than the absolute annual needs of the Institution , having regard to the probable diversion of the flow of Masonic charity in the direction of the Boys' School at the following centenary .

I am , however , thoroughly in accord with Bro . Parsons in this matter and feel that an early opportunity should be taken and a special effort made by the Committee to clear the lists of all those candidates who are on the lists for the third time and upwards . I still feel that the Committee alone can deal with this subject and hope that they will , at an early date , remove what Bro . Parsons has fitly designated as "a dark spot" in the distribution of our Masonic Benevolence . —Yours very truly and fraternally . W . SMITHETT ,

P . G . D . and a Vice-Patron 41 , Mincing-lane , E . C ., January Sth .

A CORRECTION . Tothe Editor ot the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In thc report of the entertainment given to the Aged Freemasons at Croydon on the 5 th instant , there are three inaccuracies , which I would ask you to correct .

I am reported as saying that in 1892 the funds contributed at the Jubilee Festival were not divided—I stated that they were divided . Further on it is printed that the resolution to hold the Jubilee Festival of the Widows' Fund in 1899 was carried by a large majority , and that I knew how that majority was constituted—what 1 stated was that it was carried by a small majority , and that I knew how the minority was composed . Your compliance will much oblige . — Yours fraternally ,

JAMES TERRY , Secretary . 4 , Freemasons' Hall , W . C , January 12 th . CHRIST'S HOSPITAL . To thc Editor of the '' Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Will you help us to reach the . many " Old Blues" among your readers by inserting the enclosed letter in an early issue V—Yours sincerely ,

E . H . PEARCE , Hon . Sec . { pro . tem . ) The Vicarage , Christ Church , Newgate Street , E . G ., January 13 th .

Dear Sir " At the Founder ' s Day Dinner ol 1897 , two days after the laying of the Foundation Stone at Horsham by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , a suggestion was made by the Treasurer , Mr . Alderman Vaughan Morgan , that many " Old Blurs" would value the opportunity of making , according to their ability , a thank-cllering for benefits received at Christ ' s Hospital , and that these offerings might be devoted to the furnishirg and decorating of the School Chapel at Horsham .

" Accordingly , a few representative " Blues " met in the Court Room on January 5 th , 1898 , when it was resolved to call a General Meeting of former Scholars of the House to further this project , and by the kind permission of thc Treasurer , this will be held in the Court Room , Christ ' s Hospital , on Monday , January 31 st , at 5 p . m . " Yours sincerely ,

"E . H . PEARCE , " Hon . Sec . { pro . tem . ) " The Vicarage , " Christ Church , " Newgate Street , "January 13 th . 18 9 8 . "

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Lodge of Loyalty . No . 1607 . An emergency meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday evening , thc Sth ' nstant , for Ihe purpose of passing to the Second Degree Bros . Hinls and Mumlord and of initiating three gentlemen who had been . duly nominated at the . preceding regular meeting of the lodge . Thelodge was opened by Bro . Walter Lovell Barker , the popular VV . M ., and he ,

in a most able and impressive manner , passed the two brethren above nam id to the Degree ol Fellow Craft . The ballots were then taken for thc following three gentlemen : Messrs . Walter John Barker , Clarence George Walter Gregory , and James A . Chubb , vho were declared to be unanimously elected . An interesting feature of the proceedings was the fact that the first-named candidate was the eldest son of the W . M ., and the happy event was made the occasion of most sincere ard hearty felicitations lo thc W . M ., with which we desire to sincerely associate ourselves .

Craft Masonry.

The lodge was honoured with the presence of several visitors , am ongst whom we noticed the following : Bros . A . J . Phillips , W . M . 1 C 01 , who rendered kindly and valuable assistance as Organise ; John Hampson , W . M . Leopold Lodge—a lodge associated with the Loyalty Lodge by many dear ties ; G . W . Kemp , 1361 ; Ernest G . Law , 21 . S 3 ; and J . J . Berry , 45 . The Iodge having been closed , the brethren dined together , and the evening was devoted to harmony . The speeches were few , short , and bright , the visitors generally offering their congratulations to the Worshipful Master upon the occasion of his initiation of his son into Freemasonry .

The several candidates modestly responded to the toast of their health , and the Entered Apprentice's song was sung with great feeling and appropriate emphasis by Bro . John Newton , P . G . P ., the oldest P . M . of the lodge . The visitors rendered good service in contributing their share of the musical portion of the entertainment , Bro . Berry especially delighting the company with his magnificent bass songs . The Tyler ' s toast brought a very enjoyable evening to a fitting close .

Rothesay Lodge , No . 1687 . A regular meeting was held at the Frascati Restaurant , Oxford-street , on the 5 th inst ., when some excellent working was witnessed , and several items of interesting business transacted . The latter arose from the fact that the lodge will shortly attain its majority , and as the members are amongst the foremost in Charitable work , a natural desire was evinced to mark the 21 st year by a special effort in this direction . To this end a notice of motion was moved by Bro . T . J . Bjlton , I . P . M ., seconded by Bro . E . Valeriani , and carried , rescinding the by-laws ot the Benevolent Fund , and transferring

the balance of £ 162 ios . - } d . to the General Fund . This will make a total balance in favour of the lodge of over £ 600 . At the next meeting it will be proposed to vote £ 147 5 s . to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and £ 105 to the Royal Misonic Benevolent Institution , completing the sums necessary to make the lodge a Patron of both those Instituticns . A sum of £ 115 105 . has already been voted to the Royal Masonic Institution lor Boys for a similar purpose , so that if the proposed amounts ar ; voted the grand total contributed by the lodge—which is also sending up 16 Stewird ; to

the Boys Festival—will be £ 3 ( 17 15 s . during the year—1 truely noble record , and the lodge will still retai n a balance of over £ 300 . In the unavoidable absence of Bro . Wortman , W . M ., through nines' :, Bro . T . 1 . Bolton , I . P . M ., presided , as W . M ., supported by Bros . J . H . Citten , S . VV . ; C . Herbert Burns . J . VV . ; E . Valeriani , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., Sec ; L . Verdier , S . D . ; R . Ballhger , J . D . ; E . J . Mills , I . G . ; VV . II . Buller , D . C ; T . F . Mattei , Org . ; W . A . Shaw , P . M . ; ' F . Gallizia , P . M . ; R .

Shaw , P . M . ; J . Blundell , P . M . ; VV . Clements , P . M . ; and | . Lusty , W . M . 1259 . Visitors : Bror . T . Smith , 25 S 3 ; J . Blundell , P . M . 742 ; W . Freeman , 201 ; S . R . Deacock , 201 ; ] . W . C . Bridgman , S . W . 2255 ; A . E . Solomon , soy ; W . Trueman , W . M . 7 ; R . Gillard , P . M . yoi ; J . K . Pitt , 4 O 3 ; A . Beech , P . M . 1707 ; Courtenay , 2255 ; Mackay , 17 ^ 7 ; J . H . Hart , 500 ; J . Milroy , 2255 ; J . H . Hatt , 509 ; W . W . Lee , P . P . G . D . Middx . ; and others .

Lodge was opened , the minutes confirmed , and Bros . Vital ! , Hope , and Hooper , raised to the Third Degree . Several candidates were passed to the Second Degree , and Mr . C . VV . Garner was initiated into Freemasonry . The whole of the ceremonies were very ably rendered by the LP . M ., Bro . Bolton , who undertook them at a few hours ' notice . The notice ot motion referred to above relative to the Benevolent Fund waS then discussed and carried , and a committee was appointed to consider the most

appropriate manner in which the majority of the lodge should be celebrated . Notice of motion was given by the I . P . M . to vote £ 147 5 s . to the Girls' School , and £ 105 to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . Lodge was closed , and an excellent banquet was well-served under the personal supervision of Bro . Kella . The customary toasts were given by Bro . Bolton , LP . M ., who presided .

Bro . E . Valeriani , P . G . S . B ., replied for " The Grand O . Iicers , " and expressed his pride in doing so . He felt it would be ungrateful to . take entirely to himself the honour he had received from the M . W . G . M ., for he did not consider that honour was given for his own personal services , but as an honour to the Rothesiy Lodge . All his energy , love , and best wishes were with this lodge during his remaining years , and in conjunction with the Past Masters he hoped to see the good work carried on as it had been that evening under the direction of Bro . Bolton , the LP . M ., who , although a young Mason ,

could teach many . They had had hard work in the past , and the Iodge had suffered from almost every complaint , but it was now in the finest condition and second to none in England . Bro . W . A . Shaw , P . M ., proposed ''The VV . M ., " and said he was pleased to sec Bro . Bolton in the chair again , for he was thoroughly capable of doing the work . They knew the enthusiasm with which Bro . Bolton worked while in the chair last year , but that night he had worked with more vigour than before , and had carried out the work

of thc Three Degrees to perfection . Bro . T . J . Bolton , I . P . M ., acting W . M ., leturned thanks , and said it had afforded him pjreat pleasure to again occupy the chair . Anything he hid done that evening to contribute to the success of the lodge or the enjoyment of the brethren had been a labour of love . Like the Secretary , all the Past Misters had but one aim and object in view—the welfare of the Rothesay Lodge . It had , as they had been told , passed through

many trials and troubles during childhood and in passing its 'teens ; but it was now on the eve of its majority , and was on such a sound footing that they need not fear for its future . Hc had every faith in those following him in the chair , and the VV . M . —whose absence they all exceedingly regretted—and others would uphold the traditions of the lodge so firmly established . If what he had done that evening had been to their sitisfactionhe was proud and pleased , and as that was tlieir first meeting in iS'jS , he wished them a very happy , prosperous , and joyful new year .

Bro . C . N . Garner responded for" The Initiate , " and thanked the members for the cordial and kind reception given him . Bros . Trueman , W . M . . 357 ; Blundell , P . M . 741 ; GilUrd , P . M . yoi ; and Bridgman , S . W . 2255 , acknowledged "The Visitors , " expressing their gratification at the woiking witnessed and their thanks for the generous hospitality . "The Past Masters , Treasurer , and Secretary" was next given . Bros . R . Shaw , P . M . ; VV . Shaw , P . M .: and Clements , P . M ., replied .

Bro . E . Valeriani , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., Sec , also replied , and slid that if the young members wanted advice the Past Masters were always at their di .-posal . As far as his position as Secretary was concerned , all he had done had been for the honour and goodwill of the lodge . The lodge had voted no guineas to the Boys'School , and as there were iG Stewards , each brother could place £ 7 3 ; . yd . on his list as a donation from the lodge , which amount their friends would doubtless increase . Ai long as he had health and energy it would be devoted to the success and benefit of the lodge .

" The Officers " was duly honoured , and replied to by the S . W . and J . W ., and the Tyler ' s toast concluded the proceedings . Bro . Tito Mattei , Org ., kindly presided at the pianoforte , and materially contributed to the enjoyment of the evening .

Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No . 2076 . The above lodge met at Freemasons' Hall on Friday , the 7 th instant . Present : Bros . Sydney T . Klein , W . M . ; C . Kupferschmidt . A . G . S . G C , I . P . M . ; C . Purdon Clarke , S . VV . ; Hamon Le Strange , P . G . D ., as J . VV . ; G . VV . Speth , Sec ; G . Greiner , I . G . ; VV . M . Bywater , P . G . S . B . ; and Rev . J . W . Horsley ; also the following members of the Correspondence Circle : Bros . Dr . C . J . Egan , Dist . G . M . of S . E . Africa ; " G . Richards , Dist . G . M . Transvaal ; S . G . Kirchhoff ; r , P . D G . D . C ; Dr

G . Mickley , P . A . G . D . C ; J . J . Thomis , P . G . Std . Br . ; W . S . Nicholes , A . C Chapin , E . A . T . Breed , Gen . Astley Terry , | . L . Gardiner , T . Lawrence , T . Whittle , E . M . Searle , A . Conycrs Haycraft , W . S . Boteler , C Hcitzman , I . C . Edmonds , F . F . Giraud , M . Pulvcrmann , F . VV . Levander , Dr . T . Charters Wnite , J . R . Reep , Capt ., G . A . C . Gibbs , Surgeon-Captain C A . Hile , 11 . M . Hole , | . Songhurst , J . Peeke Richards , C Isler , A . Henning , G . Powell , F . J . Rebmin , W . N . Cheesman , J . F .

Henley , W . C Baines , J . W . Barnes , G . Bailey , F . Ihllows , J . N . Poirin , E . J . Turnbull , C . M . Brandon , F . J . Greenwood , G . L . Symonds , L . Daniclson , J . Wakelin , Dr . F . ( . Allan , VV . F . Allvey , 1 . L . Miller , W . Makein . J . II . Ihurman , J . R . White , J . Thompson , E . Armitage , I " . Cohu , W . Briggs . F . VV . Mitchell , H . Salter , R . S . Ellis , F . A . Powell , C . B . Barnes , C . H . Birnes , M . F . Tweedie , P . H . Horley , W . Himsher , G . Pidduck , E . VV . Gurney , T . Adams , R . A . Gowan , Dr . E . Iliward , C . H . Cox , J . Lloyd Bennett , J . Mossop , H . E . Mullins , J . Leach Barrett , F . E . Hamel , O . Green-