Correspondence.

Correspondence .

I VV ** rfo not hoM ourselves rennntiRihlp for the opinions expressed bv our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play * o al to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussinn . ]

HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY IN THE PROVINCE OF ROXBURGHSHIRE , & c . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In your issue of the 4 th current 1 note that Bro . Hughan , after passim ; - sonic very complimentary

remarks upon my recently published " History of the Province of Roxburghshire , Peebles , and Selkirk , " asks my consent to allow him to print in your columns his very valuable introduction . I should have thought my permission was hardl y necessary ; but as be basso courteously and publicl y proffered his request ,

I can only grant it in the same public manner , and take the opportunity , at the same time , of tendering him my sincere thanks for his great kindness . Not only has he stamped the work with the mint mark of his approval in the shape of an introduction which is a concise epitome of what follows , but by many valuable

suggestions and careful supervision during its progress through the press , he has laid me under a debt of obligation that makes my words seem all too feeble and inadequate to express my acknowledgments . To his valuable and experienced assistance I can candidly attribute any success the work may have attained , and

I am glad to learn that it has had from both press and the public a very favourable and , 1 might almost say , llattering reception . I am sure if you can find room for Bro . Hughan ' s introduction in your columns , it will be greatly appreciated by the Craft , and more especially by , yours faithfully and fraternally ,

W . FRED VERNON . March 13 th .

A QUESTION OF "HEARTY GOOD WISHES . " To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I should like through the medium of your valuable paper to draw attention to the diversity of opinion among members of the Craft regarding the

correct form to be observed by visiting brothers when reluming " Hearty good wishes " to the W . M . on behalf of their respective lodges . I take it to be generally accepted that this ancient custom lias the approval of the majority of English Freemasons—though perhaps the form of its observance

may not in every instance be the same—and that its expression conveys a token of respect to the Master of the lodge visited , united with the good wishes of the g iver to all and every one of the brethren present . In that excellent work by Bros . Crowe and Hughan , entitled " The Master Mason ' s Hand-book , " it is

recommended that , on occasions when more than , one visiting brother from the same lodge is present , the senior in ofiice acts as their spokesman , the others merely standing to order during the delivery of the "Hearty good wishes , " and resuming their seats on ihe completion thereof .

The point actuall y at issue , and that , too , on which so much diversity of opinion exists , appears to be whether the observance of this custom by a visiting brother should be taken as implying on his part a merely private and personal expression of goodwill and fellowship ; or whether , on the contrary , this

observance resolves itself into a statement by him of the sentiments of the lodge to which he may belong . At a ludgc of instruction recently , it was pointed out b y a Past Grand Officer that 110 brother could legiinately return " Hearty good wishes " unless with the express sanction of the Master of his lodge .

It will be observed that , under the former hypothesis , the addition of the name and number of the visiting brother ' s lodge is made solely with the object of fixing his hats standi , while , under the latter , this addition designates the brother as acting as spokesman and representative of a particular lodge , and also implies a request on the part of such lodge for an expression of

" Hearty good wishes " on their behalf . Since this custom is observed in many lodges almost as a matter of routine , and since also there are equally as many others where its observance is discouraged , I trust that the insertion of this letter may remove some of the misapprehension existing-upon so important and so widely a vexed point . —Yours faithfully and fraternally ,

WINGFlliLD MEADOWS March rtth .

THE BALLOT . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , "Lewis ( I . C . ) " omits to state whether the case he mentions occurred under the E . C . or I . C . 1 imagine , from his allusion to the decision of the

authorities , that it occurred in a lodge holding under the Irish Constitution . If so , the decision was , I think , right . Art . 108 of the Irish Constitutions runs : "Balloting must in all cases be with beans , one black bean to

exclude , except in the case of brethren alread y members of the Order seeking affiliation , where admission may be according to the by-laws of the lodge . If a lodge has no by-law on the subject , the admission must be unanimous ; in every case the proposer or seconder must be present at the ballot . "

Correspondence.

Unless , therefore , the lodge had a by-law on the subject , the admission had to be unanimous ; and unless the last clause of the Article can be held to apply only to joining members—which I hardly think it can—then , as it has already been stated that one black bean is to exclude , the only meaning to be attached to the words , " the admission must be unanimous " seems to be that

on a ballot every brother must vote . I admit that the wording is somewhat ambiguous , but this seems to be the meaning of the law . Bro . Kelly , in his excellent little work , " The Freemason ' s Pocket Companion , "' says , after quoting this article , " Throughout the States of America generally unanimity is necessary in voting for the admission of

candidates . In England , however , the mode is that one or two black balls may , but three must exclude , although according to the Constitutions of 1723 , unanimity was then considered necessary . ' They are to signify their Consent or Dissent in their own prudent way , either virtually or inform , but . with unanimity . ' "

Bro . Kelly then goes on to state that in a ballot for the admission of candidates , no brother should be exempted from a share in the responsibility of admission or rejection , and gives sound reasons why a brother should not be allowed to remain in the lodge without voting . Bro . Kelly , however , quotes " Mackey ' s Lexicon , " p . 3 S 4 : "In reply to the question whether every member

present at a lodge is expected to vote upon a ballot , the Grand Lodge of England has ruled that it is not necessary for a brother to take part in a ballot unless he desires to do so . " I think , therefore , that Bros . Lewis ( I . C ) , and " P . P . S . G . D .. " will see that the answer to the question must depend upon where the case arose . —In haste , yours fraternall y , LEX SCRIPTA .

Reviews.

Reviews .

FREEMASONS' CALENDAR FOR THE PROVINCE OF NOTTINGHAMSHIRE . This most comprehensive Masonic directory is edited by Bro . Arthur Stubbs , the Prov . Grand Secretary , and ably has that brother discharged such an onerous and difficult duty . It is in its 14 th year of publication , and is issued under the sanction and by the authority of the Dep . Prov .

Grand Master . The expenses ot printing are defrayed by the province , and copies are sent direct to all membersof Provincial Grand Lodge and to the Secretaries ot lodges lor distribution to all Master Masons registered in the province on June 30 th , iSyj . There are 16 lodges , eight chapters , three Mark lodges , two Royal Ark Mariners ' lodges , one Knights Templar preceptory , and two Rose

Croix chapters , the names of the officers , and all the members , being given for each of these subordinates . An enormous labour , and yet arranged and placed in order of admission , in an excellent manner . The list of subscribers to the Masonic Institutions has been carefully and concisely arranged by Bro . Thos . Salisbury , Secretary of the Benevolent Committee Notts , and shows a grand total of 1007 , being a large and most gratifying

increase on the roll of honour ol last year . l'he Masonic Notes are indeed valuable'for reference , but would it not be better to add amongst the returns noted to be made annually , that of the list of members of each lodge to the Clerk of the Peace ? What say you , Bro . Stubbsr It seems rather ungracious to ask for more information , when already the Prov . Grand Secretary has sti crowded the pages with so much interesting and valuable matter , but that is a needful return , and is apt to be lost sight of .

FREEMASONS' MANUAL AND OFFICIAL DIRECTORY OF THE PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE , & c , KliN f , FOR 1 S 03 . Bro . T . S . Warne , the originator of this well-known annual , and editor from its lirst issue until now ( 16 years ) , has done his part exceedingly well , and produced a manual of whi h any province might be proud . He has often

obtained Bro . Hughan's services in the supply of notes as to old lodges and chapters in the province . This time Bro . Hughan has most kindly and ably written a sketch of the " Royal Kent Lodge of Antiquity , No , 20 , Chatham , " from 1723 , with several wood-cuts of the signs at whicli that ancient lodge was held , a most interesting contribution and a special featuie of the year ' s directory . Another

addition is a carefully compiled calendar for 1 S 03 of all the lodges , chapters , & c . which cannot fail to prove most useful ; also a list of lodges of instruction , which is an example that might well he generally followed by the editors of these indispensable directories . The 5 S lodges have now 3218 members , or an average of over 55 to each lodge , which is a large proportion , and the largest t ital yet reached . There are 23 chapters with 523 companons , 20

Mark lodges and 472 members , the latter being exceptionally large for that Degree , and suggests ho * popular the Prov . G . M . M ., the Rev . T . Robinson , M . A ., is , and also Mark Masonry . The Charity votes have been again well compiled by Bro . J . D . Terson ( Rover ) , the puhli-hcr , and , as the total aimiints to 14 , 33 s , mia sajs a 0 . 1-al tor tne zeal of the Kentish Gait . Again we say , well done , editor and publisher !

We regret lo hear that liro . the Marquis of Granbv . M . P ., has been sulfciin , ' fr . in an attack of inllujnza . I lis lordship has , in consequence , been ordered by his medical adviser to seek change of air and will consequently be unable to resume attendance on his Parliamentary duties or some days .

The subscriptions to the Liberator Relief Fund now amount to some £ 13 , 000 , among the latest contributors being Messrs . Huntly and Palmer , £ 105 , the Lady Victoria Wellesley , / , ' ioo , and the Duchess of Grafton , £ 100 . Lord Armstrong and Uro . Lord Robartes have been ad led to the Committee .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

" « -- *^ = s ^ - — - - ¦ .. ~ -= as =- ^ Craft flDasonrv .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Faith Lodge ( No . 141 . )—This lodge mot at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 2 Sth ult ., when there were present Bros . J . Cockram Taylor , W . M . ; J . Trott S . W . ; White , J . W . ; W . Carter , P . M ., Treas .,- W . Stuart , P . M ., Sec ; Godfrey , S . D . ; Swale , J . O . ; Gluckstein , I . G . ; E . Hopwood , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B .:

Chas Dairy , P . M . ; J . Rumball , P . M . ; Capt . Walls , P . M . ; Coop , P . M . ; Hakim , P . M . ; Hudson , P . M . ; Langdale , P . M . ; and Welch , I . P . M . Amongst the visitors were Bros . Cottebrune , P . M ., P . G . P . ; Mood y , W . M . 1853 ; T . H . Clapp , P . M . 15 ; J . Nowakojski , P . M . 534 ; Grundy , J . W . 1585 ; A . Clapp , 15 ; Cading , 103 ; and H . Waliart ( G . S . )

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . J . Reichenberg was most impressively raised to the Third Degree . The ballot was taken on behalf of Messrs . William James and Harry Bell , and it being unanimous , the lirst-named , who was in attendance , was duly initiated into Craft mysteries . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to

refreshment . Upon the removal of the cloth , the customary toasts lollowed . Bro . C . Cottebrune , P . G . P ., responded on behalf of " The Grand Officers . " Having fully dealt wilh the subject toast , he said that he had visited the Lodge of Faith several times before , but he had never seen the work better performed

than it had been that night . The W . M . was to be congratulated upon the success which had attended his efforts . The LP . M ., in giving "The Health of the Worshipful Master , " said that Bro . Cottebrune had spoken so kindl y and well of Bro . Taylor , that he had left him ( the I . P . M . ) nothing to add , except to fully endorse all that he had said about the excellent working of the W . M . The Worshipful Master having replied , the other toasts

were given quickly . Bro . Hakim responded for " The Past Masters " in a characteristic and lluent speech . Bro . Mood y and others for ' •The Visitors ; " Bros . W . Carter and W . Stuart for " The Treasurer and Secretary ;" and Bros . Pratt , White , and Godfrey for "The Officers . " During the evening Bros . Langdale , Fawkes , Moody , and others , entertained the brethren .

The Great City Lodge ( No . 1426 ) . —The election meeting was held at the Cannon-street Hotel , E . C , on Saturday , the nth inst ., when there were present Bros . D . T . Keene , W . M . ; G . W . Robson , S . W . ; [ . K . Gwyn , J . W . ; N . B . Headon , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Stevens , P . M ., Sec . ; R . Brookman , S . D . ; F . E . Bailey , W . M . 1 G 7 , J . D . ; G . M . Fraser , I . G . j R . Lawson , D . C . ; R .

Putter , Tyler j C . T . Smith ( Mayor of Chatham ) , P . M . ; W . F . G . Cook , P . M . ; R . Fendick , P . M . ; W . I ' . Kioble , P . M . ; R . Greening , P . M . ; L . B . Mozlcy , P . M . ; J . W . Colmer , H . F . Frost , J . K . Hooper , li . C . W . Peterson , and other members . Visitors : Bros . J . C . Yates and Walter Lawley , of 224 S . The previous minutes having been confirmed , the by-laws

were read . Bro . G . W . Robson was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year ; Bro . N . B . Headon was reelected Treasurer ; and Bro . R . Potter , Tyler . An Audit Committee and Almoners were appointed . Motions for the thorough renovation of the lodge furniture , and for the

presentation ot a Past Master ' s jewel to Bro . Keene , the outgoing Master , were agreed to , and sundry lodge business having been discussed and disposed of , the lodge was closed . Subsequently the brethren dined together , and spent a most agreeable evening under the presidency of the W . M .

Islington Lodge ( No . 1471 ) . — A regular meeting ot this lodge was held on Thursday , the yth inst ., at the Cock Tavern , Highbury , Bro . C M . Coxon , picsiding . The following officers and brethren were present : Bros . R . Loomes , S . W . ; A . Cox , J . W . j A . C . Halestrap , P . M ., Treas . ; E . Blinkhorn , P . M ., Sec ; J . A . Blounl , S . D . ; D . C . Ritchie , J . D . ; C H . Stevenson , 10 . ;

W . G Hiller and E . J . Harrison , Stwds . ; H . Stafford Trego , Org . ; G . Couchman , Tyler ; H . B . Hardin ::, LP . M ; H . Hunt , P . M . ; Sidney Napper , P . M . ; Wm . Pannell , C . Weber , T . E . Newman , G . E . Walker , A . Pope , W . Jarvis , F . Meyer , H . Dove , D . C Attwater , W . TayLr , C Isler , F . Simmonds , and J . Amand . Visitors : Bros . I . Petch . P . M . 227 S , P . P . G . Std . Dr . Herts ; G . 'L

Chretien , W . M . I 3-= S ; J . Duncan , P . M . 59 ! J- " •Clarke , S . W . 1512 ; E . 11 . Moore , S . D . 227 S ; A . r-Bride , P . M . 2045 ; and F . Cakebread , 1178 . ^ The minutes ot the installation meeting in February « irc confirmed , llro . Wm . Pannell was passed to the Degree of F . C ., and a ballot was taken for Mr . David Charles Altivater , and the same proving unanimous in his favour ,

he was duly initiated . Llro . Couchman , absent , throuii n illness , at the installation meeting , was invested as ly lcr : A candidate for initiation was proposed and seconded , a 11 " a notice of motion given by the Secretary to amend a by-law . This completing the business , alter " Hearty good wi .-hes" from the visitors , the lodge was closed . A ttr an excellent < i ner the usual loyal and Masonic

toasts were proposed and heartily received . ( The Worshipful Master , in proposing that of " " Grand Olh ' m-s , " said at their last meeting thoy were honoured by the presence of a distinguished Grand OnW ' Uro . (' . li . Keyser , J . G . ;> ., from whom they heard a " eloquent appeal on behalf of the Masonic Charities ' general and the Benevolent Institution in particular . *' i

successful result of Bro . Keyset ' s Chairmanship at tne « Festival must have been noted by every brother with sal faction . He was proud to be counseled with the Provi " of Herts , which on that occasion made an effort to honour to the Chairman , and contributed upwards of *•. ' ¦*' inclusive of llro . Key .- > cr ' s personal donation of 500 fc ' u" ? ° J the sum being largely in excess of any other P i" ([ They honoured Uro . Keyser for his services to the land its Charities .