Original Correspondence.

convincing proofs ; 2 nd , in other cases their conclusions have been founded upon rotten and tainted evidence , contradicted by all who could testify to facts ; 3 rd , in others assertions are contradicted by documentary evidence ; and 4 th , in another case the authority they quote in support of their conclusion directly negatives that conclusion . One word as to the bathing arrangements . The Head

Master should have seen that the boys had their baths in divisions , on different nights , and then there would have been plenty of water for all . So much for the past . As to the future—in my opinion , expressed to the House Committee and others—that if the Inquiry Committee did their duty they would report in favour of an expenditure approaching £ 10 , 000 to bring the

Institution up to modern requirements . They have done _ so , and more , inasmuch as their recommendations will , unquestionably , in addition to this capital sum , entail an increased annual outlay of some £ 400 . The House Committee have for a long time considered the necessities referred to , and are glad to find that their views have been generally accepted by the Inquiry Committee . —Yours faithfully and fraternally , A . F . GODSON .

New Grand Lodges.

NEW GRAND LODGES .

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In your very fair leader of March 23 rd last you have failed to quite interpret my letter on the above subject , no doubt owing to your not knowing " the whole circumstances " of our particular case . Believe me that , so

far as the Cambrian Lodge , No . 656 ( E . G . ) , is concerned , there is no heartburning over the change , and 1 have clearly stated in the second and fourth paragraphs of my letter of February 4 th last , the opinions of those members , upwards of 20 of the regular attendants at lodge , who are with me in this matter .

I have shown your article to several of these brothers , and , whilst weare pleased with it , we would like to say that the only rivalry which we wish to know will be to excel in our work , to carry out the tenets of the Craft , and to make ourselves still more worthy of our Mother Grand Lodge . We are sorry that you did not reply to the three questions

submitted in the letter alluded to in your leader , but we expect long ere this reaches you it will have been dealt with in your columns , and we will read with interest the opinions expressed therein . Whilst agreeing , to a certain extent , with your remarks anent the " higher interests , & c . " ( and here I may be permitted to say that it was only at the last

moment that I went into opposition— -forced , by the conduct and action of a certain few who improperly gave away our charter ) , we are still _ determined to remain loyal and true to our old Constitution , and when you become fully acquainted with the treatment we have received , you will freely say , "Well done , good and faithful servants . " — Yours fraternally , GEO . ROBINSON , Sydney , May ist . No . 656 , E . C .

Reviews

REVIEWS

A DICTIONARY OF HERALDRY , with 2500 Illustrations , by CHARLES NORTON ELVIN , M . A . London Kent & Co ., 23 , Paternoster-row . East Dereham : W . H . Brown . This work has the merit of answering perfectly to its title of a" Dictionary of Heraldry . " It does not profess to deal with the subject of heraldry from the antiquarian

or historical point of view , and will therefore be found to be of great advantage to those who have to deal with the subject practically , such as the herald painter and engraver . It begins by giving concisely all the terms used in heraldry , and the author claims that among the large number of engravings and terms there will be found a great many that have not appeared in any other glossary .

1 he engravings are not only strictly correct , but are very finely drawn and printed , and the letterpress descriptions are so clear that not only will the practical artist find it a most useful help , but the amateur may as readily gain all the knowledge he requires from its pages . The work is very handsomely got up , both in printing and binding , and should be in the hands of all interested in this ancient art .

LONGLEY'S HOLIDAY GUIDES-ILLUSTRATEDE . A . LONGLEY , 39 , Warwick-Iane , London , E . C . These are veritable pocket guides , and for the bulk of tourists who do not wish to be burdened with Murray or Baedeker , or even the small but often toolexhaustive local

guides , this series will be very acceptable . We have not room for a complete list of the series , but they number close upon 60 , embracing nearly every locality of interest in the United Kingdom , and many on the continent . At the price of one penny they are a marvel , and should sell in thousands .

The Queen arrived at Balmoral from Windsor Castleon the 7 th instant , a large concourse of people being in waiting at the Aberdeen Station to give her Majesty a hearty greeting . _ Bro . Lord Mayor Whitehead ' s Bund for Equipping the Volunteers of the Metropolis is making rapid

progress , some £ 40 , 000 out of the £ go , ooo required having been already paid or promised . Bros , the Marquess of Hartington , Alderman Sir P . de Keyser , Sir S . Waterlow , Bart ., Lord Alcester , Sir J . W . Ellis ,. Bart ., M . P ., and Augustus Harris are among those who have recently joined the Mansion House Committee of the Fund .

His Majesty the Shah of Persia has already arrived at Berlin , and will very shortly be amongst us , and the arrangements for his reception are already in an advanced stage . They include a State Reception and State Ball at Buckingham Palace , a visit to the Royal Italian Opera House , Covent Garden , a concert in the Royal Albert Hall , and a visit to the City , where an address of welcome will be presented to his Majesty in the Library , and a dejeuner will afterwards be served in the Guildhall .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft J & asonrg . OLD ENGLAND LODGE ( No . 1790 ) . —The installation meeting of this successful Iodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Thornton Heath , on Thursday , the 6 th inst ., when there were present Bros . F . T . Ridpath , P . G . Stwd . Surrey , W . M . ; Jonathan Kilvington , S . W ., W . M . elect ; Hugh M . Hobbs , P . J . G . W . Surrey , P . M . ; W . H . Ransom , P . M . ; F . C . Pascall , P . M . ; H . Baler , P . M . ;

J . Sergeant , P . M . ; R . G . Fleming , J . W . ; G . S . Horsnail , Sec ; VV . Foulsham , P . M ., Treas . ; P . Budd . J . D . ; E . G . Symmons , I . G . ; C . Tarry , Stwd . ; J . Buckley , J . S . Mortimer , W . Turpin , A . J . Ryball , VV . A . Andrews , W . Shakespeare , A . Wilmot , and others . Visitors : Bros . G . T . Crockford , 1905 ; A . W . Smith , J . D . 1044 ; G . Milton , 1987 ; W . Prince , 127 S ; W . G . Edridge , 538 ;

T . Morey , 1578 ; and W . W . Lee , 1897 . Lodge was opened and the minutes confirmed , after which Bro . Dr . Julius Klein was admitted as a re-joining member , and Bro . Rev . R . Patterson elected a joining member . The following candidates having been duly balloted for were impressively initiated into the Order —Messrs . Geo . Hampton , William J . Day , and C .

Norwood . The W . M . elect , Bro . Jonathan Kilvington , was next presented , and regularly installed into the chair by the retiring Master , Bro . Ridpath . The newly-installed W . M . appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . R . G . Fleming , S . W . ; J . S . Horsnail , J . W . ; Rev . R . Patterson , M . A ., Chap . ; W . Foulsham , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Buckley , Sec . ; P . Budd , S . D . ; E . C . Symmons , J . D . ;

W . Turpin , I . G . j J . Bolton , D . C ; C . Tarry and H . C . Sherry , Stewards ; A . Wilmot , Org . ; and Lane , Tyler . The Installing Master , Bro . Ridpath , I . P . M ., delivered the usual addresses in an effective manner , after which the Audit Committee's report was received and adopted , and the lodge was closed . An excellent banquet followed , presided over in a genial

manner by the W . M ., and the usual toasts were subsequently duly honoured . Bro . Ridpath , I . P . M ., said it was his peculiar province to propose a toast which had always been received with acclamation and respect in their lodge , and that night would be no exception to the rule . It was " The Health of the W . M . " The brother whom they had installed to

preside over them was well known to every brother present . Bro . Kilvington , W . M ., was initiated some years ago , when some of the P . M . ' s on his left weie present , and they witnessed his installation by one of the initiates of the lodge . He was sure he need not say much in favour of the W . M ., as they all felt sure he would prove himself to be a man and a brother worthy of the position with which he

had been entrusted . Bro . Jonathan Kilvington , W . M ., who , on rising met with a very hearty reception , said he was exceedingly obliged for the manner in which the toast had been proposed and received . His installation was one of the greatest honours he could receive , and had afforded him a great deal of pleasure . Did he not feel competent to

perform the duties he should not have undertaken the position , but he felt satisfied he should carry out the wishes of the members , and give satisfaction to the lodge generally . It was seven years since he was initiated , and at that time had no idea ot filling the chair . He hoped to do his duty as W . M ., and would leave no stone unturned to give them satisfaction . He had filled every office , being appointed

in his first year as Assistant Steward , and he hoped to fill his present position in as creditable manner as he had the minor offices . With the assistance of the brethren and the officers he was convinced that when he left the chair he should have nothing to complain of , and the brethren would reciprocate that feeling . He again thanked them one and all , but before concluding he wished to say how

pleased they all felt at seeing Bro . Shakespeare present , for it was not that brother's fault that he had not been with them more frequently , and they hoped to see him with them for many years to come . The W . M . next gave "The I . P . M ., Bro . Ridpath , " and said that no words of his could adequately express the able manner in which the I . P . M . had performed his work .

He had heard Bro . Ridpath , I . P . M ., for years past in various offices , but never to more advantage than when he filled the chair , for he had filled that position with honour to himself and credit to the lodge . In their I . P . M . they had a worthy Mason and a good brother . He had a very pleasing duty to perform in presenting Bro . Ridpath , I . P . M ., with the P . M . ' s jewel so cordially voted by the

brethren , and if ever anything was deserved for merit and ability it was the jewel he now presented to the I . P . M . That gift was well earned , and would be appreciated as a kindly recognition by the lodge in which the I . P . M . was initiated . He hoped Bro . Ridpath vvould live for many years to wear it . Bro . F . T . Ridpath , I . P . M ., in response , said it was a

proud moment in any man ' s life , and especially a Mason's . It was one he did not have in view when he joined the lodge , but when he was placed in office he looked forward to it with a degree of pleasure that had never been excelled by his feelings at that moment . He hardly knew what to say to th ' ank the W . M . for his kind expressions or the brethren for the manner in vvhich they had received the

toast . During his year he had much to be thankful for , having received unlimited kindness from the Past Masters , and from the I . P . M . in particular he received great attention . It was only due to the manner in which the officers carried out their duties that he was enabled to perform his duty to the satisfaction of the brethren . Words failed him to adequately thank them , but thev must take the will for

the deed and accept his best thanks for the great honour done him in presenting him with the handsome jewel . He hoped he should live many years to wear it in their lodge , and trusted he should never lose his interest in Masonry , for he regarded it as one of the greatest Institutions in

existence . If a man was a good man it vvould tend to make him better , and it would not make a bad man worse . Whilst the principles of Masonry vvere carried out as they vvere in that lodge , he could only hope it would spread , for it would not only be of advantage to the brethren , but to the community in general .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

" The Past Masters " vvas proposed by the W . M ., who expressed the pleasure of the brethren at seeing such a good display of P . M . ' s present . Bro . Foulsham , P . M , was the father of the lodge , and one whom they all ret spected . The P . M . ' s had all worked hard forthe lodge and the members owed a great debt of gratitude to Bro ! Hobbs , P . M ., in particular , for he was a perfect man , and a perfect Mason , and one of the most energetic brethren

they could know . Bros . Foulsham , P . M ., and Hugh M . Hobbs , P . M . replied . ' " The Visitors " vvas given in cordial terms by the W . M . and responded to by Bros . Edridge and Lee , after which "The Initiates" was duly honoured , and appropriatel y replied to by Bros . Hampton , Day , and Norwood . " The Treasurer and Secretary , " and " The Officers , " were honoured , and the Tyler ' s toast closed a pleasant

evening . An excellent programme of music vvas arranged by the W . M ., and ably carried out by Bros . F . Laughlin , Grew Wilmot , Rayner , Buckley , and others . ' The jewel vvas manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

ST . PANCRAS LODGE ( No . 2271 ) . —The election meeting of this lodge was held on the 6 th inst ., at the Midland Grand Hotel , St . Pancras . In the absence of the W . M ., Bro . Sir R . N . Fowler , P . G . W ., the Mastes ' s chair was taken by Bro . W . A . Scurrah , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . Middlesex , and among the other brethren present were Bros . John Powdrell , S . W . ; H . R . Graham , J . W . ;

H . Longman , S . D . ; W . T . Kelly , J . D . ; P . R . S . Chatty , I . G . ; H . Wilcox Lawrance , Org . ; and Richard Whiting , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . E . Storr , P . M . 167 ; Geo . Lewis , S . D . 2206 ; E . C . Mulvey , P . M . 179 , W . M . 2446 ; W . M . Stiles , P . M . 1507 ; E . M . Weston , 1764 ; Hy . Massey , P . M . 619 and 1928 ; T . B . Williams , W . M . 227 ; F . VV . Hearn , 2206 ; and James Hemming , W . M . 1287 .

Bro . Scurrah raised Bro . H . S . Samuel , passed Bro . H . E . Jay , and initiated Mr . Robert Chatty . Bro . H . Ruttey , 55 , vvas elected a joining member . Bro . Dr . Powdrell , S . W ., was elected W . M . for the ensuing year ; Bro . H . E . Jay , Treasurer ; and Bro . R . Whiting , P . M . 87 , Tyler , bios . Dr . Smith , Chatty , and Jacob were elected Auditors , and , on the motion of Bro . Scurrah , seconded by Bro . H . R .

Graham , J . W ., a P . M . ' s jewel , of the value of 10 guineas , vvas voted to Bro . Sir R . N . Fowler . The Organist , Bro . H . Wilcox Lawrance , presented the lodge with a large number of copies of opening and closing hymns and the music , of his own composing , and Bro . Dr . Powdrell proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . _ Scurrah for his services to the lodge , during the past year in performing the duties of

Secretary as well as the duties of W . M , in the absence of Bro . Bro . Sir R . N . Fowler . This motion , however , Bro . Scurrah prevented being seconded , stating that nothing of the kind was required , that what he had done had been done simply from a sense of duty , and from a desire to act for the best in the interests of the lodge . All Masonic business being concluded , the lodge was

closed , and the brethren adjourned to an elegant banquet , over vvhich Bro . Scurrah presided . The usual toasts followed . Bro . Stiles proposed " The W . M ., " stating that Sir R . Fowler had rendered great services to the lodge in allowing himself to be chosen as its first Master . For Bro . Scurrah , who was a very assiduous Mason , he must say , as one who

had the pleasure of seeing him initiated , he had watched his progress for some years , and had seen him rising by little and little , until he had arrived at the proud position of being returned third on the poll at the election of members on the Board of General Purposes . Bro . Scurrah , replying for Sir R . N . Fowler , said that very worshipful brother was so much engaged during every

week of the year that it was impossible for him at all times to attend the St . Pancras Lodge . He was sure that when he informed Sir R . Fowler of the heartiness with which his health had been drunk , he would be delighted to hear it . With regard to himself ( Bro . Scurrah ) , he was , so to speak , on his last legs . During the past year he had acted as I . P . M ., as W . M ., and as Secretary , and he had

made it a special study to do all he could for everything to go on comfortably in the lodge . But he knew all the brethren vvho had joined it were thorough good Masons , vvho were conscientious in every respect , and desirous of acting up to theirobligation . Understanding those circumstances , he had made more than special efforts to do everything he possibly could to make the work in the lodge a

success , and had endeavoured whenever an initiate had come forward , to perform the ceremony perfectly and impressively , so that the beauty of Freemasonry mig ht be fully shown to the candidate ; and this , also , he had endeavoured to do in the passing and raising . Several of the brethren had told him how they were impressed witn the ceremoniesand that was sufficient for him to know

, that he had in some little sense succeeded in doing his work to the satisfaction of the brethren and the candidates who had been presented . In addition , hehad not forgotlen the comfort of the brethren . The lodge had met now some five or six times , and he had been at special pain 5 —as the S . W . vvould bear him out—in providing a djji n c acceptable to all the brethren that none of them would be

ashamed of , and vvith which they were all satisfied , a" ° which they thoroughly enjoyed . All this , too , whj'e , P g had been very careful of and jealously guarded ' » funds . He had tried to be generous and liberal a the same time , in order that there mi g ht be no dissat' ¦ faction . They might , perhaps , think him a little selfish i " referring to these matters , but he vvas that night acting * the W . M . for the last time , and he might be forgive" ^ he brought these little matters before the minds ot c brethren to show them that he had not been unmindlu '

tUA M . A . 1 , ' . r , t-Ua liul . a r . C H , « ~~~ . t ~ -t . ~ C i-Ur . 1 . 1-, 1 fhfl ? HI ^ , the work in the lodge , of the comfort of the brethren , * ^ of carrying out the duties of deputy Master to the b es A his skill and ability . If the brethren were satisfied w what he had done , he was sufficiently rewarded , " ^ hoped to live many years to be connected with the T ^ J . and to retain the esteem and respect of every bro belonging to it . . aSt Thp initiate CRm . -ThattvV in rpcmnndinir to the t «» „ iat

proposed in his honour , expressed the p leasure ne ^ l : nle , in joining the Brotherhood , and trusted that in the 1 t whether it vvere long or short , that Providence ™ s ^ allow him to be with the lodge he might show himsei be a good Mason . „ . , ing Bro . Scurrah proposed "The W . M . Elect , " , ,, h 6 that , if Sir Robert Fowler did not instal Dr . Powdreu-