Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF THE TRANSVAAL , SOUTH AFRICA . To the Editor of the "Freemason " Dear Sii and Brother , I have received a communication from Wor . Bro . Da Silva , the Dist . G . Sec . of the Transvaal , dated from Durban , Natal , 2 oth January ,

in which he informs me that the funds raised there at the commencement of the war for the -relief of our distressed brethren , are now nearly exhausted , although every possible care has been exercised in the distribution , and the Local Relief Committee fear that unless aid is speedily forthcoming , operations will have to be suspended , and thus many a loyal and deserving brother will be deprived of the aid which is sorely needed at the present moment .

The relief fund in Durban was opened in November last , when Bro . Da Silva , and other of the District Grand Officers reached that town after leaving the Transvaal . Our Natal brethren , with that generosity which has always distinguished them , nobly co-operated , handing over a balance of some £ 31 , remaining from the Masonic relief fund raised at the time of the Boer War of 1881 , and collecting locally about £ 150 besides , while some £ 50 additional was also raised amongst some of the brethren from the Transvaal .

Owing to the invasion of Natal territory , our brethren there have now their own members to care for , and we cannot , nor do we wish to encroach further on their generosity , and I considered I was justified , by all the rights of fraternal kinship , in appealing to my brethren in England to help us in tiding over this sad period of our distress .

I have sent my appeal to the W . M . of every lodge in London and the Provinces , and in the face of the advice from the Dist . G . Sec . that the funds of the relief committee in Natal are , by this time , practically exhausted , I would again ask my brethren in this country to bear in mind that '" he gives twice who gives quickly , " and that our need is as urgent as our distress is real and acute .

My appeal was published in December , and I have received up to date from lodges and brethren about , £ 150 , the total of my relief fund coming to roughly £ 250 .

I am deeply grateful to all those who have added to my list , but I do ask my English brethren not to let my appeal slip from their memory . Do not forget that those for whom I am appealing have been brought to their present sore straits because they have remained loyal to their allegiance to their native country , and many of them have offered their lives in defence of the Empire to which we belong .

I hope very shortly that my action in this matter will be honoured with the approval and sympathy of our beloved and M . W . Grand Master , which , if forthcoming , will I am sure stimulate the lodges in their response , and thus once more prove the fraternal value and reality of the Charity of our Order . I feel sure I need not apologise for thus trespassing on your space , for I know

you are glad to help forward my movement , and I trust that the lodges and brethren reached by your journal will understand the motive of my again appealing ; the fact that not only thc brethren of the Transvaal district , but those of Natal and some portions of the Cape Colony , are in circumstances of great distress , and it is on their behalf , all loyal members of our English Constitution , that I ask for the aid whicii I feel sure will not he denied .

Thanking you for the insertion of this letter , I am , yours very fraternally , GEORGE RICHARDS , Dist . G . Master Transvaal 3 , Kensington Palace Gardens , W ., 1 4 th Februaiy .

LABOUR AND REFRESHMENT . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The letters of Bro . J . Ramsden Riley and " Observer" were interesting contributions to the subject of labour and refreshment at lodge meetings , although , perhaps , not altogether in point . Bro . Withey , P . P . G . Reg .

W . Lanes ., has written me that until some 10 or 12 years ago the practice prevailed in several of the lodges in Liverpool of " calling" off to refreshment , and after dinner again " repairing to the lodge room , and , in usual form , closing the lodge , " and again " returning to conviviality . " These old customs appear to have died out , yet , I find remnants of them here and there , particularly in lodges

in small country towns , where , after the installation of W . M . at the Board of Installed Masters , there is a pause in the working for the purpose of drinking to the health of the newly-installed Master , even this relic of the past is being discouraged , and is doubtless more honoured in the breach than in the observance , as the period of refreshment after the lodge ceremonial affords ample opportunity for honouring the usual toast list .

"Observer , " in his letter , deals with certain present-day habits and customs which reflect seriously and injuriously on the Craft , and which , perhaps , may be referred to as the " Three Grand Principles , " said by the profane to characterise Freemasons , namely , " eating and drinking " and " staying out at nights , " which , undoubtedly , bring discredit upon Freemasonry . I have frequently heard it stated that if all lodges met at private premises or Masonic Halls , the drinking

and staying out at nights would diminish . I fear , however , that such is not always the result , for where the lodge meets at an hotel—at least in the provinces —the members perforce leave for home at closing time , but it is not always so where the meetings are held in Masonic Halls , especially where there is a Masonic club associated with the place , late hours are not unknown , and , doubtless , too frequently at some members' homes , the lodgehas to take credit for what the club is more often responsible .

1 well remember on telling a professional friend that I was about to become a Freemason , he replied " Don ' t , " and supported his abjection by citing illustrations of mutual acquaintances , brilliant men , who he alleged had deteriorated from being Freemasons . In each of the instances he mentioned , I well knew that it was the association with the club , and not with the lodge , that had had the unhappy result ; still , being " Freemasons , " the Craft had to take ths credit for the deterioration .

All this , however , is wide of the mark from whence we set out , the digression having been made by your correspondents' letters ; at thc same time , there is food for reflection to be gathered from their remarks , and let it be hoped the Craft may profit by it . I thank you for the space you have afforded for discussing the subject , and remain , yours fraternally , J . T . LAST , P . P . G . Reg . Bradford , Yorks

Reviews.

Reviews .

"THE FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF DURHAM , 1900 . "—This neatly-printed annual has been carefully edited and published , by authority of the Provincial Grand Lodge , by the esteemed Prov . G . Secretary , Bro . Robert Hudson , P . G . S . B . Eng . It is most compact , ably arranged , and full of interesting information , the only lack being a list of the subscribers to the Central Masonic Charities , which would add much to its value and usefulness . As , however , _ it would add to its bulk and expense of production , the want must be mentioned with

"bated breath " and the declaration that the fact stated is not intended to lessen in any way the "arm appreciation by the Craft of such an accurate compilation . There are now 38 lodges on the roll , the latest—the Hudson , No . 2791—not having yet been constituted . In honour of that event , and because of the name it bears , the attendance of the province is likely to be unusually large and demonstrative for such an occasion . The 37 lodges on the roll 31 st December , 1 S 9 S , had 3230 on the register—the greatest ; number yet attained—the average per lodge being 87 , or double that of some provinces ; 53 brethren died during the year , and there were nearly 300 initiations , as well as

55 joining members . The chapters number 13 , with a total of 528 companions , to Feb ? , ruary 1899 . The Prov . Grand Mark Lodge is for Northumberland and Durham ; and contains 12 Marklodges , returning 561 members . The Knights Templar , Rose Croix , and Royal Order particulars are also appended , and besides the current items , the past officers for 100 years or more are duly detailed , ' ihe province is in a very united and prosperous condition , with Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., P . G . W ., as Prov . G . M ., having the Rev . Canon Tristram , D . D . ( P . G . C . Eng . ) , as his Deputy Prov . G . M ., who is Prov . G . M . M . and Prov . Prior .

" HULL MASONIC CALENDAR , 1900 . "—This useful folded Card Directory for the truly Masonic town ot Hull , has been edited by the indefatigable Prov . G . Sec , Bro . M . C . Peck . There are six Craft lodges , some of which meet twice a month : fine Royal Arch chapters , and three Mark lodges ; so that the large number of Com - panions and Mark Masters speaks well for the zeal locally on behalf of the Craft . There

is also the "Antient York Conclave of Redemption , " of the Knights Templar assembling in the same town , besides the " Ancient York Chapter of Redemption , " of the Rose Croix . The days of meeting for the year , with the Installation Festivals noted , are given for all these bodies , as well as places of meetings , & c . On the last page are the Masonic meetings of Masonic bodies in the neighbourhood .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Temple Lodge , No , 101 , The installation meeting of this well-known City lodge was held at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street , E . G ., on Tuesday , the Gth instant , those present bsing Bros . H . Eyre , W . M . ; W . Briant , I . P . M . ; W . A . Perry , S . W ., W . M . elsct ; E . J . Paine , J . W . ; Frank Williams , P . M ., Treas . ; E . S . Lardner , P . M ., P . G . Stwd ., Sec . ; W . A . Williams , S . D . ; Thos . W . Chapman . J . D . ; E . Hall , I . G . ; H . Brandon White , P . M ., D . of C : H . D . Squire , P . M ., and J . Saunders . lStwds . ; Sidney Hill , Org . ;

B . Covell , A . D . of C ; R . Potter , Tyler ; J . M . Flegg , P . M . ; Harry Wood , P . M . ; Frank Wint , - P . M . ; Geo . Harrison , E . Isaacson , A . J . Grover , T . S . Greenway ,. 1 , Mulvany , F . S . Williams . H . Funnell , F . Pratt , T . Haines , W . F . Rose , C . C . Bubb , G . Coram , A . J . Wood , F . Fox , J . L . Leftwich , G . Dennington , T . J . Proctor , H . E . Hayes , J . Budd , and ] . Anderson . Visitors : Bros . Lennox Browne , P . M ., P . D . G . D . C ; John Etherington , P . jNl , „ i 3 io , P . P . G . S . ; Frank Swinford , I . P . M . 2372 , P . P . G . O . ; Walter George . S . W . 1 S 97 ; C . Webster , P . M . 1 S 04 ; A . Atkin , I . P . M . 1341 ; W . C . S .

Burney , P . M . 140 ; H . Eslin , P . M . 1321 ; R . W . Cartwright , J . W . i 8 fj ; r W . Hill , J . D . 2030 ; C . Martin , W . M . 65 ; W . F . Young , 1414 ; W . J . Higgs , P . M . 174 ; J . H . Cooper , W . M . elect 1475 ; F . G . Webster , W . M . 1804 ; W . S . Birch , 177 ; G . Riley Rother ; H . Lewis , 2700 ; G . J . Knight , W . M . el « ct 2192 ; and others . The minutes of the previous meeting being read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Mr . H . E . Hayes , which proved unanimous , and he wis initiated in a most exemplary manner by the W . M . The W . M . vacated the chair in favour of Bro . E . S .

Lardner , P . M ., P . G . Stwd ., and then the D . of C , Bro . H . B . White , P . M ., presented Bro . W . A . Perry , W . M . elect , to receive at his hands the benefit of installation , which ceremony was performed in a Board of 25 Installed Masters . Bro . W . A . Perry then invested his officers as follows : Bros . H . Eyre , I . P . M . ; E . J . Paine , S . W . j Walter Williams , J . W . ; Frank Williams , P . M ., Treas . ; E . S . Lardner , P . M ., P . G . Stwd ., Sec ; T . W . Chaprnan , S . D . ; E . Hall , J . D . ; I . Saunders , I . G . j H . Brandon White , P . M ., D . C . ; H . D . Squire , P . M ., and B . Covell , Stewards ; A . J . Grover , A . D . C ; Sydney Hill , Org . ; and R . Potter , Tyler . The three addresses were most

impressively and eloquently rehearsed by the Installing Master , Bro . E , S . Lardner , P . M ., P . G . Stwd . A vote of 10 guineas was voted to the Lord Mayor ' s War Fund . The Audit report , which was adopted , showed there was a substantial balance on the right side ; and a communication from Grand Lodge was read . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet . When the cloth was removed , the W . M . gave the loyal and Masonic toasts , which were right loyally responded to . The National Anthem and "God bless the Prince of Wales " were sung by Miss Ethel Winn and Bro . Maxwell respectively .

Bro . H . Brandon White , P . M ., proposed the toast of "The Grand Officers , Present and Past . " Bro . Lennox Browne , P . M ., P . D . G . D . C , responded in a few well-chosen words , remarking that though a large sum of monay was voted to the War Fund , he had every confidence that the Masonic Charities would not suffer . Bro . H . Eyre , I . P . M ., gave the toast of " The W . M ., " and hoped he would have a very happy and successful year of office .

The W . M . on rising to respond received quite an ovation , proving the high esteem he was held by the brethren , and in returning thanks for the honour conferred upon him and for the cordial manner in which he was received , said he would do his utmost to keep up the prestige of the Temple Lodge , and with the assistance of his officers and the good fellowship of the brethren , his reign would prove a very happy one . He would now take the opportunity of presenting to the I . P . M ., Bro . Harry Eyre , a gold wnicn ior services tu

jewel , was vorea co mm oy me orcrnren rcnucrcu me toage uurmg the past year , and hoped he would be spared many years to wear it . The W . M . proposed the toast of " The Installing Master and the I . P . M ., " who briefly returned thanks for tbe token of esteem presented to him in the name of the lodge . The Installing Master , in an eloquent speech , thanked the I . P . M . for the privilege of doing the duty of installing into the chair such an old friend in Craft and chapter as Bro . Perry .

The toast of "The Visitors" was ably responded to by Bro * . Wm . Dawson , P . M . ; C Webster , P . M . ; and S . Franklin . The W . M . next proposed the toast of "The Initiate , " who suitably replied . In giving the toast of "The Past Masters , " the W . M . alluded to the excellent work done tn the lodge b y Bros . H . Brandon White , Hatty Wood , J . M . Flege , and Frank Williams , through whose instrumentality ihe was introduced to the Temple

Lodge . Bro . Frank Williams responded in a humorous speech . The toast of "The Officers " was responded to by Bros . J . E . Paine , S . W ., and H . P . Squire , P . M ., Stwd . The Tyler ' s toast brought a most enjoyable eveniag to a close . " A splendid musical programme was provided under the direction of Bro . Sidney Hill , Org ., the vocalists being Miss Ethel Winn , Miss Jessie Hotine , Miss Ethel Bevans , Bros . W . R . Maxwell , Arthur Grover , James Budd , and Charles Conyers .

Stability Lodge , No . 217 . The installation meeting of this ancient and historical City lodge was held at An derton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , E . C , on Tuesday , the 6 th inst . There were present B ros . J . R . Ayris , W . M . ; Wm . Hy . Smith , S . W . and W . M . elect ; H . B . Hancock ,