Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I should be glad if you will kindly allow me to make a suggestion in the Freemason , anent the forthcoming Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Victoria .

I have ; , een it announced that special united prayer is to be read in all churches at a specified hour on Sunday , June 20 th , to be followed by the singing of the National Anthem , and I would suggest that the members of all Masonic lodges in the country should take part in this service at the church of the parish where their Lodge premises are situate , and join in the religious thanksgiving for the prolongation of the life and reign of their Queen . The Vicars of all such churches would , doubtless , gladly make provision for the Masons to be seated

together , on an intimation being given that such a visit was contemplated . This method of joining in the national thanksgiving for the long and beneficent reign of the Patroness of our Order would , in my opinion , be far preferable to having larger processions in the more important towns which , I learn , in some cases , it is proposed to organise , these processions to be swollen by Masons from surrounding smaller towns . That would disturb the regular attenders at these central churches , who would naturally desire to be in their places at Divine Service on so important a day as that of the Sixtieth Anniversary of Her Majesty ' s Accession .

No , let every Freemason in the land who is able to go to his ovm parish church ( the parish church where his Lodge is situate ) , and there offer up to the Great Jehovah his reverent prayer for our Queen and country . This method would also rejoice the hearts of many of our clerical brethren who would be

ministering in various churches , and the knowledge that we were taking part in thanksgiving simultaneously with thousands upon thousands of our brethren in almost innumerable churches throughout the land could not fail to arouse in us feelings of the greatest satisfaction . I feel sure , also , that such a manifestation of our loyalty would be gratifying to our Grand Master .

Personally , I should prefer going to church without the badges of our Order , and thus to walk humbly and without ostentation into the more immediate presence of the Great Architect of the Universe , there to praise Him for the manifold blessings we have enjoyed during her Majesty's reign . It , however , it were thought advisable to wear them , provincial authorities might be empowered to grant a general dispensation for the wearing of Masonic clothing in the morning only of the day indicated .

If any lodge wishes to adopt the course I have suggested , I trust its Master will leave no effort untried to get every one of his brethren to join him in this unique service . Trusting this suggestion may meet with approval , I am , yours fraternally , WM . ACKROYD , P . M . Sowerby Bridge , Apiil 12 th .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , During the last few weeks I have attended several Masonic meetings in the northern counties and find there is considerable eagerness on the part of the brethren to know how the above is to be celebrated . It is generally anticipated that there will be a monster meeting in the " Albert Hall , " when Past Grand rank will be conferred on numerous brethren . I find that it would be most

popular if the Senior and Junior Wardens in the larger Provinces and the Senior Wardens in the smaller Provinces were the brethren selected for the honours to be conferred and thus mark the auspicious year and event , in connection with those in office on the 20 th June . If they are thought worthy of the office of honour in their province for the great year , they should be equally entitled to the especial mark of honour ( to be conferred in respect of the great historical event of the year ) in connection with Grand Lodge .

As a great number of ladies will doubtless accompany brethren to London for the celebration would it not be possible to organise a soiree or fete , at which they might be present , and which , if properly organised , might possibly be graced by the presence of our M . W . Grand Master and his family?—Yours fraternally , P . P . G . D . C . Liverpool , April nth .

HISTORY OF STABILITY LODGE , No . 217 . To the Editor ot the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In your last issue—No . 1465 , p . 172—at the end of a notice by Bro . Hughan of a History of Stability Lodge , it is stated that copies may be obtained of the printers , Messrs . Lawrence and Symcox . This is a mistake , and has caused that firm to be troubled with some applications for the book .

The History can only be obtained from myself at the address below . Might I claim your kind indulgence to add a corrective note to that effect in your next issue ?

We do not want to make any profit on a little book prepared for the members of No . 217 at their centenary . Copies can be sent , as far as supply goes , at 2 s . 2 d ., post free , from W . R . Smith , Esq ., 31 , Octavia-street , Battersea , S . W . I am very sorry to give even this trouble to you . —I am , yours fraternally , W . R . SMITH , P . M . 217 . 31 , Octavia-street , Battersea , S . W ., April 7 th .

THE ROYAL ARCH DEGREE , To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother Bro . J . G . S . does nol know it all , although from his letter one would think he was supreme .

I hold a letter from the late G . S . E ., Col . Shadwell Clerke , in which he informs my chapter that the Z . is to be styled M . E . and the other Principals and Past Principals E . I suppose Col . Clerke is as good an authority as J . G . S . — Yours truly , SCRIBE . April 9 th .

THE J APANESE war vessel , Fuji , now lying at Tilbury Docks , fully equipped and manned , will , by the kind permission of the Japanese legation , be thrown open to the public , on Easter Monday , on payment of is each , the proceeds to be handed over to the Seamen's Hospital Society ( the Dreadnought ) .

Reviews.

Reviews .

_ "MASONIC CALENDAR FOR THE PROVINCE OF NORTHUMBERLAND , 1 S 97 . " — This handsomely got-up , thick volume for the pocket is full of valuable and much hitherto unknown information about the Province of Northumberland . It is the first of the kind ever published , and its issue now is entirely due to the generosity of Bro . Arthur Connor Richardson , the W . M . of the "Hotspur" Lodge , No . 1626 , Newcastleon-Tyne ( of "Granville House , " Jesmond , Newcastle-on-Tyne ) , who has had the whole edition printed , published , and circulated at his own cost as Editor and

Proprietor . Our zealous brother has been helped by many willing friends to make the work as complete and perfect as possible , who are duly thanked for their assistance , that of Bro . F . F . Schnitger , P . M . 541 , & c . ( who has done so much good work for his province ) , and Bro . Seymour Bell , P . M ., & c , being particularly and warmly acknowledged . We are glad to note that it is to be continued , not only to make a few necessary corrections in the next year , but also , that now it has once been started , the province should step in , and not only heartily thank Bro . Richardson for his spirited and truly

Masonic enterprise , but resolve to have one published annually on the same lines , and , if possible , with the same Editor . Every province should have such an one . There are 2 S lodges in Northumberland with 2599 to December , 1 S 95 , being the very large average of fully 90 members to each lodge , possibly the largest proportion in England . There are 10 Royal Arch chapters with 417 members , which is a good average . About all these very full particulars are given , as well as the Mark Provincial lodge and all other Masonic Bodies either directly or indirectly connected with the

province . The grand total of votes for the Central Masonic Charities exhibits 2705 , which is not much of an aggregate for so many members , and those for the Ma'k Benevolent run to 494 . One of the most interesting features of the calendar is a compilation entitled " Memorable Dates in Northumberland History , " and Bro . Hughan ' s valuable sketch of the "Book of Constitutions 1723-1 S 96 " has been condensed , by his consent , and also published in this vade-mecum for the province . We congratulate Bro . Richardson most sincerely on his debut as editor , and thank him for his most generous gift of such a useful and much needed publication .

" MASONIC CALENDAR FOR SHROPSHIRE , 1 S 97-S . "—This compact Directory for a small but united and energetic Province is edited by Bro . Rowland G . Venables , the Deputy Prov . G . M ., and is published by the Provincial Grand Lodge . There is an excellent portrait of the Prov . G . M ., Sir Oflley Wakeman , Bart ., P . M . 47 S , Oxford , and 262 , Shrewsbury . An interesting sketch of the worthy Baronet is appended . The Calendar contains very full information as to the Prov . G . Lodge , the 12 lodges , with

359 members , and the other Masonic Bodies , as well as particulars as to the Central Masonic Charities . There are 2154 votes held in the Province , which is a good record considering the number of members . There is a most readable account of " Freemasonry in 1 S 9 G , " by Bro . H . R . Giles , Prov . S . G . W . ; a full report of the Prov . Grand Lodge held at the Town Hall , Ellesmere , in July last , " Masonic Notes " on the Duties of Secretaries of Lodges , by Bro . A . S . Townsend , P . Prov . G . Reg . ( a model compilation ) , as also several useful tables and an Index .

"OFFICIAL DIRECTORY FOR THE _ PROVINCE OF CORNWALL , NO . 3 , VOL . 6 , 1 S 97 . "—This old favourite was started in 1870 by Bro . Hughan , when Prov . G . Sec , but is now edited by Bro . J . C . R . Crewes , P . Prov . S . G . D ., who has made an admirable successor . The method of editing this Directory , the pioneer of several others of the kind , is well known to the Craft , so need not be again noted now . The 30 lodges have

returned iSGS members , the largest yet . The 13 chapters have 340 companions , and the 11 Mark lodges , 338 members , the latter being a remarkable total . The senior P . M . in the Province , Bro . Hughan was W . M . in 1 S 65 , of No . 7 S . The list of votes for the Charities in London exhibits a total of 4477 , being in advance of 1 S 9 G . The "Annals of the Cornish Craft , 1751—1 S 96 , " will be perused with great interest by Cornish brethren , the compilation being very complete . Copies may be had post free , from the obliging editor , Bro . J . C . R . Crewes , Truro , Cornwall , for 7 d .

"FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND , 1 S 97 . "—The Editor of this ably-compiled and artistically-printed Annual is Bro . B . A . Smith , M . A ., LL . M ., & c , the Calendar being in its 25 th year of publication—its silver Anniversary . There is not a more carefully edited work of the kind , and it concerns one of the most united , compact , and truly Masonic provinces in _ England . The plan of this most useful Annual has been often referred to in the Freemison , and the present issue being similar in arrangement to late issues , there need not be any explanation of its varied

and interesting contents . The 14 lodges exhibit a total membership ol 753 , and the five chapters have 212 companions . There are also five Mark lodges in the Province with 211 members , the Mark Masons thus equalling the Royal Arch companions . Full particulars of these and all other Masonic Bodies in the Province are duly recorded , and also as to the Provincial Organisations of all kinds . The Central Misonic Charities have been nobly supported in Leicestershire and Rutland , the grand total of votes bsing now raised to 2391 , with some 300 for the Mark Benevolent Fund , which is an excellent showing . Bro . Smith deserves , and no doubt will receive , the hearty and most appreciative thanks of his Province for his able services as Editor . The Frontispiece this year is devoted to the lamented Bro . George Oliver , J . P ., so long Prov . G . Treas . The printer is Bro . E . Shardlow , of Leicester .

"THE CRAFTSMAN "—Bro . F . J . Harries , 2 S 3 , Cowbridge-road , Cardiff . —The April or Spring number of this excellent periodical contains a series of articles and a supply of local Masonic news which make it particularly readable . Perhaps the most attractive item is the report of the consecration of Lodge No . 2 G 51 , at Warrington , to which is added a sketch of the Masonic career of Bro . John Armstrong , author of " The

Descent of Symbolic Masonry , " an admirable portrait of whom serves as a frontispiece to the number . There are likewise sundry well-written editorial notes , reports of local lodge installation meetings , with several of which is presented a portrait of the newly installed Worshipful Master , together with reports of meetings in other parts of the country . It is one of the best numbers we have seen of a journal which is always wellwritten and contains plenty of information .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Fulham Lodge , No . 2512 . The installation meeting of this lodge took place at the Town Hall , Walham Green , Fulham , on Thursday , the ist inst ., at which there was a good muster of the members and a large number of visitors , to do honour to the installation of Bro . William Hunt , a highly-esteemed member of the lodge . There were present Bros . Dr . J . Charles Jackson , W . M . j Tom Green , I . P . M . ; William Hunt , S . W ., and W . M . elect ; S . J . Parker , J . W . : C . A . Walter , P . M ., Treas . j Frank Adams , P . M ., S . D . j George

May , J . D . ; E . G . Easton , I . G . ; W . U . Lacy , Org . ; W . A . Wild , btwd . ; Richard Eve , P . G . Treas . ; C . Bottcrill , Chas . Tijou , P . A . G . P . j B . T . Wright , B . G . Battson , E . C . Ashford , H . Hudson , A . H . Dabbs , D . Shopland , R . J . Laidlow , G . F . Abery , W . 11 . Brand , F . VV . Gibbs , J . P . Flew , jun ., C . S . Hanson , S . Jones , A . Janes , E . Parry , F . Boyton , C . J . Pegram , F . II . Barber , J . S . Bradford , Thos . C . Beales , II . J . Figg , . H . Tucker , H . M . Owen , F . Louis Schneider , and G . ; K . Haines . Visitors :, Bros . J . C . Radford , 777 : C . W . Chandler , 1259 J

A . Southam , 1420 j F . Bainps , 1 C 94 ; W . Rees , 1 C 94 ; R . Burleton , P . M . 860 ; J . W . Westmoreland , 1259 ; S . 11 . Bradford , SG 2 ; George Parrett , 1259 ; G . Bird , S 79 ; H . P . Squire , 15 s ; F . Todman , 2030 ; A . Saunders , P . M . 144 ; P . P . Perry , P . M . 1891 ; F . W . Smyth , 1238 ; A . Robinson , 198 ; H . Lovegrove , G . S . B . ; Cooper , 144 : A . Lichtwitz , 1891 ; F . A . Jewson , 181 S ; John Bartlett , 2030 ; W . J . Harris , 1321 , E . A . Cornwall , 2 G 03 ; VV . A . G . Woods , 2456 ; J . Lusty , P . Dodd , 1420 ; G . T . Miles , 1929 ; T . McCutcheon , IS < JI ; and R . T . West , 1744 .