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 .

DISPENSATIONS TO WEAR MASONIC CLOTHING . To the Editor of thc " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , May I venture to hope that the letter published in your columns from the Grand Secretary on the above subject may not deter brethren from applying for authority to wear Craft clothing on any occasion where in the interests of Charity or Christianity they are asked to attend Divine worship in our churches and cathedrals .

I was for some years P . G . D . of C . in Suffolk , then under the beneficent rule of Lord Waveney , and every year at the meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge , whereever we might mee ' , we aiways attended church , and had a procession in clothing through the streets . I remember we used to do the same thing when I was stationed in Cornwall , with the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe as Prov . G . Master .

I believe the public profession of religion in this way did an immense amount of good , and I only regret that in the province in which I now reside the Free masons as a body do not go to church . —Yours fraternally ,

EMRA HOLMES , P . P . G . D . C , P . P . G . Reg . Suffolk Dovercourt , Essex .

THE ANCIENT LANDMARKS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I was very pleased to read that steps have been taken to place some restriction on the modern innovation of special services for Masons at churches and other places of worship . Of course , her Majesty ' s Jubilee services were quite exceptional and were participated in by brethren because it was felt the occasion was unique and certainly not likely to be repeated in our generation .

I am equally glad that caution is given regarding banquets and other functions to which the fair sex are invited to associate with the brethren of the mystic tie , garbed ( the brethren I mean ) in lodge clothing ; it serves to bring the Ancient and Honourable Order into a certain amount of ridicule and lends itself to remarks which are best not mentioned .

There is another matter which gives rise to considerable doubt in one ' s mind as to whether certain brethren are not violating a Mason ' s obligation . I notice in Black and White for June 9 th , a picture , evidently engraved from a snap shot taken inside the lodge , showing the installation of the Earl of Lathom as Prov . G . M ., at Preston , and the question presents itself why Masons are prohibited from entering higher Degrees other than the Degrees to which they are entitled to enter a Iodge

—i . e ., ' we are barred from participating in ceremonies higher than our Degree entitles us—and yet the profane are shown pictures of lodge ceremonies and symbols in public journals . Is this right and in order ? This is not the only instance of excessive zeal and indiscretion as it seems to me in publishing in the popular press matters in connection with the Craft which can have no interest to those

outside the Order . Of course , if brother journalists make gain by supplying these private tit-bits to public journals , I think the point is still more serious . What is the etiquette or rule in these matters ?—Yours fraternally , ¦ L T . MAY , 754 . Tottenham .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Sterndale Bennett Chapter , No . 2182 . This chapter , now io years old , and composed ( . rincipally of members of the musical profession , held its annual installation meeting on the ioth inst ., at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell , when a goodly number of companions were present . Among them were the following members of the chapter : Comps . R . J . Hennings , M . E . Z . ; the Rev . W . R . Finlay , M . A ., H . ( who on the previous Tuesday was invested as one of the Grand Chaplains in Grand Mark Lodee ) : Georrre William Reed , I . ; R . Jackson ,

P . Z ., Treas . ; George F . Smith ( Guildhall School of Music ) , P . Z ., S . E . ; G . H . Kempling , S . N . ; F . Page , P . S . ; F . Blake , ist A . S . ; S . Palmer , 2 nd A . S . j Henry Grey , P . Z . j H . T . Telling , P . Z . ; J . H . Cureton , P . Z . ; H . Walmsley Little , P . Z . ; W . H . Parper , P . Z . ; H . P . Newman , W . H . Cox , F . W . Murton , J . Jobson . A . Strong , and Ernest N . Cullum . The visitors' list included the names of Comps . Henry Massey , P . Z . G 19 and igaSj William H . Cummings , President of the Guildhall School of Music , 2005 ; F . Inskipp , P . Z . 141 ; and J . William Stevens , P . Z . 720 .

The chapter having been opened , Comp . R . J . Hennings , M . E . Z ., installed the Rev . W . R . Finlay as M . E . Z ., and was himself invested as I . P . Z , Comp . W . H . Harper , P . Z ., installed . Comp . G . W . Reed as H . ; and Comp . R . Jackson , P . Z ., Treas ., installed Comp . C . H . Kempling as J . Comps . R . Jackson , P . Z ., was invested as Treas . ; T . H . Cureton , P . Z ., Scribe E . j F . Page , Scribe N . ; F . Blake , Principal Soj . ; E . Palmer , ist Asst . Soj . j T . T . Benton , andAsst . Soj . ; G . F . Smith , P . Z ,, Org . ; and T . Whiteman , Janitor . After the installations and investitures Bros . G . A . Hustler HinchlifF , of the Guildhall School of Music Lodge , No . 24 S 2 , and Benjamin Bramble ,

of the Sterndale Bennett Lodge , No . 21 S 2 , were exalted into Royal Arch Masonry , the work throughout being admirably performed , Comp . Hennings , I . P . Z ., doing the work of First Principal , Comp . R . Jackson , P . Z ., Treas ., that of Second Principal , and Comp . C . H . Kempling , H ., that of Third Principal . A handsome P . Z . ' s jewel was presented to Comp . Henning , I . P . Z ., in recognition of his excellent conduct of the business as M . E . Z . during the past year ; and Bro . Richard Clowes , P . G . Std . Br ., was elected an honorary member of the chapter in acknowledgment of his services as a founder of the chapter and its Treasurer during its early years .

After the chapter had been closed , the companions dined together and honoured the usual toasts .

Comp . G . F . Smith , P . Z ., P . G . Org ., responded to the toast ot " The Grand Officers . " Comp . R . J . Hennings , I . P . Z ., proposed the toast of "The M . E . Z . " Comp . the Rev . W . R . Finlay responded , remarking what a splendid institution Free masonry was . One thing that always appealed to him was the friendships a man msde in Masonry and its branches . Whatever might happen in Freemasonry nothing would take away these . He had experienced it himself . From the first time he entered

the Sterndale Bennett Chapter he had received courtesies and cordiality , to which he had no claim . He hoped that in his year of office he should do , as he should try to do , his level best to contribute to the success of the chapter . Daring its existence the chapter had gone through some dull times , but it was now very successful , and was making itself felt at a power in the Royal Arch world . Cimp . G . W . Reed , H ., in the course of his reply to the toast of ' * II . and J ., "

said he was not aware until that day week that the installation would take place before the exaltations , and consequently he was only prepared to do the J . ' s work . However , the chapter was the gainer by his inability , as all who heard the very beautiful renderin g of the H . address by Comp . Jackson , P . Z ., would , he was sure , join him in pronouncing the same perfectly rendered , and that it had afforded them one and all a great Masonic treat , and personally he took that opportunity of expressing his own individual thanks to Comp . jackson , P . Z ., for his great kindness , and for the very able and instructive

Royal Arch.

assistance he had rendered . He felt sure the members of that chapter would add their thanks to his , and wish Comp . Jackson health and long life in his glorious Masonic career . Comp . Hennings , replying as one of the P . Zs . to the toast of "The Past Principals , " said reference had been made to dull times . in the chapter . Well , he was one of the first exaltees in the chapter after its consecration , and he did not know any bad times the chaptei had had . It was true they had not had so many exaltees one year as they had in another , but that was the case in every chapter and in every lodge . The chapter had no doubt been a ereat success .

In the course of the evening an excellent musical entertainment was given between the toasts by Ccmps . C . H . Kempling , H . ; J . H . Harper , P . Z . j R . J . Hennings , I . P . Z . ; F . Page , G . Hinchliff , and A . Strong . The Rhapsodic Hongroise of Liszt was given by Comps . Kempling and Harper .

Instruction.

Instruction .

HUGH OWEN LODGE , No . 2593 . A meeting was held on Friday , the gth inst ., at the Frascati Restaurant , Oxfordstreet , when there were present Bros . H . Ramsbottom , W . M . ; F . S . Thomas , S . W . ; C . G . Ridgway , J . W . ; H . G . Holland , P . M ., P . G . S . B . Herts , Preceptor ; R . H . Nicholls , P . M ., TreaF . ; Henry T . Kobelt , Sec ; J . B . Schrader , S . D . ; W . G . Read , J . D . j J . W . Hunt , I . G . j J . Mayhew , Jas . Barnett , Benj . Ware , and E . A . Frith .

The Iodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed . The initiation ceremony was rehearsed , Bro . B . Ware acting as the candidate . The ceremony of passing was rehearsed , Bro . Jas . Barnett acting as the candidate . The lodge was then closed .

LOGGIA ITALIA , No . 2 GS 7 .. This lodge celebrated their first annual banquet on the 12 th inst . at Fumagalli ' s Restaurant , 12 and 13 , Wilton-road , Victoria , S . W . Bro . G . Mentasti , W . M ., presided , and was supported by Bros . F . Gallizia , I . P . M . ; C . Spanna , L . Foppoli , L . Verdier , F . Moretti , R . Malpaga , E . Vitali , L . Azario , C . Fumagalli , P . Cariello , V . Gindotti , A . Cogliati , M . Wenborn , F . Guanziroli , P . Conzina , and G . Feloj .

The W . M . having opened the lodge , the minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed . The W . M . afterwards rose for the first and second times , Bros . E . Vitali , G . Feloj , R . Malpaga , P . Couzina , and F . Guanziroli , were unanimously elected members of this lodge . It was also unanimously voted to adjourn the meetings until the 25 th of September next . Rising for the third time , a vote of thanks was recorded to the W . M . and Secretary . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren afterwards adjourned to the adjoining room , where Bro . Fumagalli had prepared a very choice banquet , the tables being most tastefully decorated . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and an exceedingly pleasant evening was spent .

Laying Of The Foundation Stone Of The Passmore Edwards' Convalescent Home For Railway Men.

LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE PASSMORE EDWARDS' CONVALESCENT HOME FOR RAILWAY MEN .

Bro . Passmore Edwards , thanks in a large measure to whose liberally a convalescent home for members of friendly societies was recently established at Heme Bay , has now given the site and a substantial sum towards the cost of erection of an Institution in close proximity to be known as the Passmore Edwards Convalescent Home for Railway Men . The foundation stone of the building was laid on Monday by Earl Amherst , Pro Grand Master of England , and Prov . Giand

EARL AMHERST , PROV . G . M . KENT . Master of Kent , supported by most of the Provincial Grand Lodge Oliicers of Kent and many London brethren , and representatives of the principal railway companies . The ceremony was carried out with ful Masonic honours ; the stone bearing the following inscription : " This stone was laid with Masonic honours on June

12 th , 1899 , by the Right Hon . Earl Amherst , M . W . Pro Grand Master of England , Rt . W . Prov . Grand Master of Kent , in the presence of the generous donor , J . Passmore Edwards , Esq . Trustees : John E . Nichols , Chairman , L . C . & D . R . ; W . T . Culver , Deputy Chairman , S . E . R . ; H . A . Broome , L . B . & S . C . R . ; W . J . Day , G . N . R . ; W . Taylor , L . C . & D . R . ; W . Tyrell , G . E . R . ; J . Webb , G . W . R . ; J . Williams , M . R . ; N . Wilson , L . & S . W . R . W . H . Hawley , Hon . Secretary . "

Subsequently the whole of the brethren and the members of the railway staff were entertained at luncheon in a marquee on the Home site by the Trustees . Mr . J . E . Nichols ( Chairman of Trustees and Committee of Management ) presided , being supported on the left by Bro . the Right Hon . Earl Amherst , and on the right by Bro . ] . Passmore Edwards . Following the toasts of "The Queen , " . " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " and " The Rest of the Royal Family , "

Bro . the Right Hon . Earl AMHERST proposed the next toast— "The Health of the Donor" ( Bro . J . Passmore Edwards ) . His lordship said the Chairman had asked him to propose it , and he did so with great pleasure . When Bro . Passmore Edwards first applied to him to lay the foundation stone of that new Home with Masonic honours , he thought the wish of so liberal a brother should be carried out , and he readily consented to perform the ceremony . But when they looked back on Bro . Passmore Edwards' career , he did not think they could