Correspondence.

Correspondence .

\> e 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 limits—free discussion . )

" OUR BROTHER'S BED . " To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sii and Brother , Will you kindly allow me state , for the information of those brethren and lodges that responded to our appeal in your columns , that the list of

contributors for 189 s is now in the hands of the printers , and that a copy will be forwarded to every donor in due course . The required amount was raised for last year , and I trust our brethren will continue their support for this special bed , which saved two worthy brethren from death in the workhouse during the year just ended . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , W . PORTLOCK-DADSON , 13 S 3 , Hon . Sec . 281 , Strand , W . C , January 16 th .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"ST . PAUL ' S . " —( By Bro . T . C Walls , P . G . Std . Br . Author of "Westminster Abbey , " " The Tower of London , " & c . )—No visitor to London should be without the three poems in which Bro . Walls has fitly and beautifully enhanced our appreciation of her three greatest buildings . Indeed , Londoners themselves think far to 6 little of these monuments of antiquity in our midst , and we can recommend Bro . Walls ' s poem to many who imagine themselves fairly acquainted with the history of their great city . It is a very happy circumstance that Bro . Walls is a competent historian as well as a graceful

poet , for the two things are rarely combined . In the poem before us , the writer , " in a dreamer's mantle clad , " passes in review the various striking incidents in the history of Old and New St . Paul ' s , and we propose to select two stanzas—one from the earlier and one from the later portion of the poem—in order to show that Bro . Walls is equally at home in all periods of English history — " Gory Senlac's victor , Normandy ' s warlike Duke , To London's fane a Prelate gave endeared to all .

His tomb for ages in great reverence was held ; ' Good Bishop William ' was he called , and known to fame . The year that saw the death of England ' s Norman king Alas ! proved fatal to the City ' s ancient shrine . The god of fire with ruthless zeal the structure razed , Black remains , ruined walls , where once resplendence reigned . " We think it would be difficult to say more in eight lines . There is not a word that mi g ht not be with advantage committed to memory ; and , for our part , we find the Alexandrine

line ( which Bro . Walls will no doubt make popular ) particularly easy to learn by heart . After all , the 12-syllable line was the line of the Greek dramatists , and is still the orthodox line of poetry in France . In England , unfortunately , poets are , as a rule , unable to break away from the io-syllable English metre , and Bro . Walls has shown moral courage , as well as originality , in so doing . The truth is that the io-syllable line suits one kind of poetry , and the 12-syllable line another . Bro . Walls does not confine his attention to kings and generals . He is equally well acquainted with those who have made their country famous in the arts of peace—painters , scholars , and literary men . Let us look at this instructive

stanza" Opie , who was for a space the wonder of his age , Lies near gentle Joshua , his friend and patron true . What an array of great names to memory crowd ; West , Laurence , Dance , and Barry , Erin ' s clever son , Here mingle their dust in noble company . Old Fuseli , the Poe' of the pencil weird ,

Turner whose matchless works with wealth of colour glow , And other gifted souls of lesser fame lie there . " St . Paul ' s is , indeed , a Pantheon ( as Bro . Walls says later on ) of great Englishmen , and it is a temple of which we all ought to be proud . In this poem , as in his former ones , Bro . Walls shows the deep patriotism of his thoroughly English heart ; and we think that nothing but good can result from a study of his works , not only from the literary point of view , but also as works leading to a stirring of our English spirit .

MASONIC CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF SURREY . Issued under the authority of the R . W . Provincial Grand Master . Edited by VV . Bro . Chas . Thos . Tyler , P . M ., Prov . Grand Secretary of Surrey , and Bro . W . A . Latham , Assistant Prov . Grand Secretary of Surrey . London : Printed by John Truscott and Son , Suffolk-lane , E . C—Any addition to the number of Provincial Calendars that are annually published must always be most welcome , and when that addition relates to the important Province of Surrey , and contains such a mass of interesting and valuable

information as the joint Editors , Bros . C T . Tyler and W . A . Latham , respectively Prov . Grand Secretary and Asst . Prov . Grand Secretary , have accumulated it is needless to say the welcome we extend to it is of the most cordial nature . This is not the first Calendar that has been issued for Surrey ; Bro . Charles Greenwood , the late Prov . Grand Secretary , having compiled one in 1 S 92 , to which the Editors of the present issue tender their grateful acknowledgments ; but we judge , from the invitations addressed to Secretaries , Scribes E ., and others to forward suggestions , corrections , returns , & c , & c , & c , that it is in

contemplation to publish one annually . Indeed , having made so admirable a start , it svould be a great pity if for lack of support and encouragement or other reasonable cause the compilers of this annual should feel themselves under the necessity of discontinuing it . They have done their part well . The . Preface contains a short account of Surrey as a Province , with particulars relating to the Masonic career of each successive ruler . Then follows a table headed— " The Royal Family and Freemasonry , " in which are given in chronological order the leading events in Freemasonry in which members

of the Royal Family who have been , or are Masons , have taken part . Then follows a Masonic Calendar , with instructions how to find the year for the various branches of Mascnry ss compared with the ordinary Calendar , and then the officers for the current year of Grand L edge and Prov . Grand Lodge , and certain statistics relating to the s ' rerglh rf Masoniy in the County , with annual statement of accounts , and reports of Ihe vaiicus Prcvir . cial Committees . A complete roll of the Prov . Grand Officers from 1 S 37 'S followed by lists and particulars relating to each lodge , in numerical order ,

together with the needful particulars relating to Lodges of Instruction . Similar information is furnished in respect of Royal Arch Masonry , the Mark Degree , and Templar Masonry , there being lists of the Officers of Grand and Prov . Grand Chapter , and of Private Chapters , as well as of the Mark Grand and Prov . Grand Lodge , Private Mark Ledges , and Ledges of Royal Ark Mariners ; and of the one Preceptory of Knights Templar in Suney . Tlcreare also furnished Memoranda of interest to Freemasons iieneially , and full particular , but in a concise form , relating to each of the three great

Masonic Institutions ; and lastly , a Calendar containing dates of meeting of the various Masonic bodies in Surrey , each page of Calendar having a blank page opposite for entering engagement . In short , the new " Masonic Calendar and Directory for Surrey " has all the appearance of being very carefully compiled , and contains just that amount of irloimatkn relating to general and local Masoniy to which it is most desirable that individual brethren should have ready access . We congratulate Bros . Tyler and Latham e n Ihe care and ability they have shown in their compilation .

"Tin-: INDIAN 1-KKK ; MASON "—Calcutta—for December contains a further instalment of Bro . Andrew D'Cruze , jun . 's , "History of Freemasonry in Bengal , " as compiled by him from the records ot the District Grand Lod ge . There are also reports of the proceedings at the regular communication of the District Grand Lodge of the Punjab on the 9 th September last ; of a special convocation of the Grand Chapter of the same District on the nth of the same month ; of the regular convocation 01 the Provincial

Grand Chapter ( S . C ) at Freemasons' Hall , Bycutla , Bombay , on the 2 nd September ; and of the St . Andrew ' s Festival of the Grand Lodge of all Scottish Freemasonry in India in Freemasons'Hall , Byculla , Bombay , on the 30 th November ; together with those of various private lodges and chapters , with Notes , quoted articles , and other matter of interest to brethren . It is , indeed , an excellent number , with plenty of information relating to current Freemasonry in India .

Reviews.

"THE SQUARE AND COMPASS "—Denver , Colorado—for last month has an excellent programme of original and quoted matter . Under the former we have "A Backward Glance , " from the report on Correspondence to Grand Lodge of Colorado , 1 S 95 , by Bro . Lawrence N . Greenleaf , in which are given the opinions of Bros . W . I . Hughan and R . F . Gould on the subject of Masonic Degrees , Bro . Greenleaf himself , in the course of his own remarks , expressing his belief that the " component parts or

Degrees of our Masonic symbolism " are so" interwoven and interdependent that the theory that any one of them ever stood for Freemasonry at any period of its existence seems untenable . " There are also Notes , and quite a number of reports of the meetings of lodges , chapters , and other Masonic bodies , which are for the most part locally interesting , but from which we are able to form a tolerably clear idea of the admirable manner in which the duties of these bodies are carried on in Colorado .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

107 SJ BARTON LODGE CENTENARY . The Canadian Craftsman for December , 1895 , is a most interesting number and a great credit to editor and publisher , because of the space devoted to the " Barton Masonic Lodge Centennial , " and the valuable information afforded as to the early records of that old and venerated lodge . The lodge was formed by a Provincial Dispensation on 20 th November , 1795 , the first meeting apparently for business being on 31 st January , 1796 . At the head of the able sketch of its

history is a representation of the arms or seal of the lodge , having as supporters a beaver and a sheep . Fifty-seven names are appended to the original by-laws , facsimiles of these being reproduced in the magazine and likewise particulars of the fees for warrant and dues of November , 1795 , and the receipt of the money , dated March 14 th , 17910 , from " D . Phelps , G . Sccy . " No portion of the payment seems to have found its way to head-quarters , so that the lodge was not registered until 28 th August , 1844 , in our Grand Lodge , when a warrant was granted and the

number 733 was allotted , on due payment . I maintain , however , that the date of the lodge should be recognised on our books as from 1 795 , it being no fault of the members that the fees were not paid by the Grand Lodge representative . The locality is given as Hamilton , but the lodge assembled in the neighbourhood some 18 years before that place " was known even as a village . " It was '' No . 10 Atlwl Provincial , " according to Bro . John Lane ' s invaluable " Masonic Records ,

1717-1894 , " and was removed from our register in 1861 , being now No . 6 , Grand Lodge of Canada . There are several plates of illustrations , over 50 Past Masters being represented therein in full Masonic clothing , the frontispiece being especially artistic . I anticipate that the M . W . Bro . J . Ross Robertson , P . G . M ., will have a lot to say about this old lodge in his great history of the Grand Lodge of Canada . W . J . HUGHAN .

Craft Masonry

Craft Masonry

Albion Lodge , No . 9 . The installation meeting of this ancient lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , W . C , on the 7 th instant , when there was a " record " attendance of brethren . There were several particularly interesting features in the proceedings , including the presentation of special jewels to Bros . Friend , P . M ., Treas ., and Harvey , P . M ., Sec , for long and faithful service , the installation of Bro . Sydney H . Meyers as W . M . by Bro . Poupart , P . M ., who had the pleasure of initiating him seven years ago , and the appearance of the

father of the lodge—Bro . Vallentine , P G . P . —in improved health . The members of the lodge present included Bros . R . Stratton Gerrish , W . M . ; S . H . Meyers , S . W ., W . M . elect , W . Dennis , J . W . ; H . S . Friend , P . M ., Treas . ; L . W . Harvey , P . M ., Sec ; H . F . Cain , S . D . ; F . C . Evans , J . D . ; W . H . Holroyd , P . M ., D . C ; J . Pritchard , P . M ., Org . ; J . R . Francis , I . G . ; E . H . Bradley , Stwd . ; G . A . Bickerton , P . M . ; VV . Poupart , P . M . ; W . Willey , P . M . ; S . Vallentine , P . M ., P . G . P . ; G . Russell Beardmore , P . M . ; H . Gow White , and many others . Visitors :

Bros . E . Parsons , 1 G 27 ; C E . Ferry , P . M . 105 ; H . E . Walker , W . M . 1614 ; C . T . Ravner , J . W . 25 S 0 ; F . J . Eedle , P . M . 179 ; J . Hills , J . W . 1441 ; H . J . Abrahams , S . W . 25 S 0 ; H . N . Morgan , 115 S ; E . C . Holland , 3 ; R . J . Steel , J . W . 2012 ; J . M . McLeod , P . P . G . W . Derbyshire , Sec . R . M . I . B . ; A . Appleby ; J . M . Myers , P . M , 1 S 5 ; R . R . Banks , 1347 ; J . H . Pavitt ; S . D . Isaacs , 185 ; F . Hurdle , 15 ; W . A , Dowling , P . M . 2012 ; J . P . Hay , P . M . 1 C 27 ; C Townley , 2190 ; C . J . Page , S . D .

190 ; J . Bartlett , Org . 2030 ; H . W . Schartau , P . P . G . Org . ; W . Bradford , I . G . 21 OS ; J . Brinkley , 959 ; J . Millen , 2184 ; J . W . Gibb , P . M . 1804 ; G . H . Foan , P . M . 1614 ; A . Cocks , I . P . M . 959 ; J . M . Whitehead , D . P . G . M . Aberdeen ; F . J . Whitehead , W . M . 7 G 1 ; E . Phillips , W . M . 2400 ; H . Bott , P . M . 2400 ; C . Dearing , P . P . G . S . of W . ; C Slater , J . W . 2409 ; J . F . C . Bell , 59 ; A . J . Millington , 1227 ; F . Izard , I . G . 1017 ; and H . Dare , 13 S 5 .

Lodge was opened and the minutes confirmed , and Bro . D . Cartwright was raised to the Third Degree , Bro . J . F . C . Bell was elected a joining member . Bro . Poupart , P . M ., then assumed the chair and impressively installed Bro . S . H . Meyers as W . M . The following officers were invested—Bros . E . Stratton Gerrish , I . P . M . ; Walter Dennis , S . W . ; IT . F . Cain , J . W . ; H . S . Friend , P . M ., Treasurer ; L . VV . Harvey , P . M ., Secretary ; F . C . Evans / S . D . ; J . R . Francis , J . D . ; W . H . Holroyd , P . M ., D . of C ; A . G . Pritchard , P . M ., Org . ; F . B . Smith , I . G .: E . II .

Bradley , P . M ., Stwd . ; and J . Rawles , Tyler . In investing Bros . Friend , P . M ., Treas ., and Harvey , P . M ., Sec , the W . M . referred to the excellent services rendered by these brethren to the lodge and presented them with a speciilly designed jewel as a mark of the appreciation of the members . A handsome Past Master's jewel , and collar and jewel were presented to Bro . Stratton Gerrish , I . P . M ., in recognition of services in the

chair during one of the most successful years known in the lodge . The sum of 10 guineas was voted to the R . M . I , for Boys to be placed on the list of the W . M ., who will represent the lodge as Steward . The lodge was closed , and an adjournment was made to Freemasons' Tavern , where a well-served banquet was enjoyed . The usual toasts were subsequently given , the W . M . setting an excellent example in the brevity of his remarks .

Bro . S . Vallentine , P . G . P ., replied for "The Grand Officers , " and said their kindly reception had touched him very m ^ ch . He was once a strong young son in Freemasonry and in his old age it was gratifying to find his conduct approved by them . During the time he had been a Mason he had done his best for the benefit of Freemasonry . It took him 45 years to attain Grand Office . He was proud of that position and also of the fact that his conduct had given them satisfaction .

Bro . Stratton Gerrish , I . P . M ., in giving " The Health of the W . M ., '' slid it wis particularly gratifying to him to be able to propose that toast . They were initiated in the same evening , and had climbed the ladder step by step until they reached the chair , and it was only the merest ohance that Bro . Meyers followed , instead of preceding , him , Of the Worshipful Master ' s many good points he should say but little , as he was well known to the members , who keenly appreciated the genial spirit and hearty good fell > wship that always distinguished him . They had hoped to hear the W . M . render the initiation ceremony that evening , but they were well aware he was as perfect in that

work as he had proved himself in the other offices . As W . M ., they might rest assured the ancient warrant would be in safe keeping . That night Bro . Meyers also figured before them as their Charity representative , and there was no doubt they might look to him to beat records , and place that lodge in a higher position . They hoped the W . M . would have a successful year , and afterwards be spared as a Past Master to continue the useful work he was so well qualified to give . In congratulating Bro . Meyers as W . M . they also congratulated themselves , for their old lodge was particularly fortunate in being able to look forward with confidence to a happy and successful year of work under his rule .