Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

THE OLD KING'S ARMS LODGE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Referring to the above work , which 1 havc read with interest , 1 can only regret that it is silent on one point—with which I hoped Bro . A . F . Calvert would have dealt—viz ., the important part played by his ancestor , Charles Calvert , sixth Lord Baltimore , from about 1717 almost up to the date of his death in 17 S 1 .

The Rev . G . Oliver , D . D ., in one of his Masonic works , says that Charles Calvert assisted Dr . Desaguliers in renovating the Order about 1717 , and Anderson , in his valuable work , savs that " on Nov . Sth , 1737 , thc Hon . Charles Calvert , sixth Lord Baltimore , attended an occasional lodge at the Old Palace , Kew , and assisted the Rev Dr . Desaguliers in initiating H . R . H . Frederick , Prince of Wales , into the mysteries of Freemasonry . "

Some friends of mine in Baltimore , U . S . A ., wrote asking me to look into this matter , and during my investigations I happened to meet with Bro . Albert F . Calvert , the author of the above work , and he supplied me with the information I required , and also happened to be wearing the original watch ( a most beautiful specimen ) belonging to H . R . H . and bearing his ' arms , which was presented by him to the before-mentioned Charles Calvert .

I also understand that from that date to the present we have a direct line of Calvert Masons , although , perhaps , they have not done such useful work as Charles did in 1717 and onwards , and as the present member of the family , who has undertaken the production of such an interesting work as " The History of the Old King ' s Arms Lodge , " and also other work equally interesting , which he is engaged upon at the present time .

As I have been , more than once , asked the connection between the present member of the family and Charles Calvert , perhaps you will permit me to give this interesting information in this letter in their order , giving only the eldest son in each instance : Charles Calvert , sixth Lord Baltimore ; Frederick Calvert , seventh Lord Baltimore ; Roland Edward Calvert ; Edward Calvert , the well-known

artist ; John Frederick Calvert , Frederick Calvert , and Albert Frederick Calvert . I do not think many families can claim such an interesting Masonic record as this , and the members of the Old King's Arms Lodge are to be congratulated on having amongst its members a brother who has already done sufficient to show that he is a worthy representative of such an old and distinguished family . —1 am , yours fraternally , T . WILLIAMS .

ROYAL ARCH MUSIC . To the Editor of thc " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Will any R . A . companion kindly intorm me what music can be introduced into the Arch ceremonies ?

Any suggestions will be thankfully accepted . —Yours fraternally , M . E . Z . Denison Chapter . Masonic Hall , Scarborough , November ioth .

CHRISTMAS DINNERS FOR POOR AND CRIPPLED CHILDREN . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The Corporation has again granted the use of the Guildhall for the

annual banquet to the Ragged School Children of London , and the Prince of Wales has once more sent me a donation to , if I may quote the words of his Royal Highness , "the excellent Fund which you are again kindly raising for providing dinners and hampers for the poor and cripp led children of the Metropolis at Christmas . "

Last year , after providing a banquet at Guildhall for about 1400 poor children , I was enabled to send 4324 hampers to deserving little cripples whose affliction very often keeps them prisoners in one-room homes from year ' s end to year ' s end . I trust that , with thc renewal of your valued sympathy and assistance , we shall do better still this year , by increasing the number of hampers to 5000 .

May 1 ask your readers to help me again this winter to brig hten the lives of some of London ' s little cripples . Sumbscriptions should be sent to me here , marked " Children ' s Fund . —I am , Sir , yours truly , W . P . TRELOAR , Alderman and Sheriff . Ludgate-hill , London , E . C . November , 1899 .

Reviews.

Reviews .

" FREKMASONRY \ ND THE TAIiliKNACLB AND Tli . MI'LES OF THE JEWS . " liy Robert Woodgcr Bovvers , P . AL 15 , VV . AI . IJ .-I , & c , & c . London , iSyy . —This very interesting quarto volume has been written by an enthusiastic Craftsman , who has spared no pains ( by the consultation of numerous authorities and careful study ) to compile an accurate and well-arranged work on thc Tabernacle and Temples that shall not only be popular as to style , but fairly exhaustive and comprising the latest discoveiies as resnects the text . The " booklet . " as Uro . Bowers terms it ( running to considerably

over 100 pages ) is really an extension ot a lecture given by him lo thc Israel Lodge ol Instruction , at which assembly of Craftsmen it was well received . Bro . G . W . Speth , Secretary of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No . 207 ( 1 , London , who was present , observed at thc conclusion of the lecture that " Thanks to Bro . Bowers , they had been able that evening to spend a pleasant couple of hours in Palestine , and failing an actual visit , it was almost as good as having paid a tourist agent for the journey . " Freemasons ccrtainlv would do well to read this work and thus the better understand the character ,

extent , and importance of these Temples , as they derive " essential teachings from the Israelitish Tabernacle and Temple , and also the Craft blends itself so indestructibly with the Rites , Ceremonies , and Traditions of Hebrew worship . " The authorities consulted , some 40 in number , include names well known as trusty writers on the subject , such as Professor Rawlinson , J . Ferguson , D . C . L ., F . R . S ., & c . ; Robert Kreke Gould , Professor T Hayter Lewis , Dean Milnian , Sir Charles Warren , Marcus N . Adlcr , M . A ., and others . The illustrations arc very helpful in understanding the numerous details , and though no expense has been spared in its production , the handsome volume miy be had , 55 . net * , from Bro . George Kenning

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Lodge of Asaph , No . 1319 . The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the Gth instant , at Freemasons' HaU , W . C , Bro . Luigi Lablache , W . M ., presiding . A company of same 150 brethren attended , Grand Lodge being represented by Bros . Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . C ; John Strachan , O . G ., G . Reg . ; James Fernandez , A . G . D . C ; James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . gtl . ; and Rev . C . E . L . Wright , Dist . G . Chap . Egypt . The Past Masters of the lodge present were Bros . James Weaver , Sec . ; Edward Swanborough , William Lestocqlames D . Beveridge , Tom de Brunnow Holmes , J . E .

, Hambleton , F . H . Macklin , C . C . Cruikshank , Samuel Johnson , and W . J . Holloway . Thc brethren of the lodge wore mourning on account of the lamented death of Bro . Tinney , P . M ., during his year ot office as Secretary , and , the lodge being opened and the minutes of thc last meeting read and confirmed , Bro . Lablache rose , as hc said , to exercise his sad privilege to call thc brethren ' s attention to thc melancholy event of Bro . W . A . Tinncy ' s death , a brother who , as a Mason , was perfect . He was of good rcpoit , true and trusty , and held in high estimation among his brethren and

fellows ; he was courteous in manner , easy of address , steady and firm in principle , well skilled in the ancient charges , regulations , and landmarks ol thc Order , able and willing to take the management of thc work ; as a man hc was one of thc kindest , sweetest , gentlest beings it had ever been his privilege and happiness toknov . He proposed that a letter of condolence with the members of the late brother's family expressing the deep regret the lodge felt at the loss the brethren had sustained , and his family had sustained by his death . Bro . James Weaver , P . M ., Sec , who was

specially asked by liro . Lablache to second the motion , was so overcome by emotion that he was scarcely able to obey the commind . However , he managed U say that he and the late Bro . W . A . Tinney were children together . Of course he seconded the motion , but he must be excused from saying more . The motion was carried . Bro . Weaver informed the W . M . that Bro . C . E . Wellard , P . M ., Treas ., would not be in attendance that day as he had lost a boy ; would the W . M . authorise him to send at once a telegram to Bro . Wellard sympathising with him in his bereavement . The

authority was given , and the wire sent . Bro . C . C . Cruikshank , P . M ., was deputed to assist Bro . Weaver in the receipt of the dues . _ The Worshipful Master gave notice for next meeting of a motion " That 30 guineas be voted from the lodge funds towards a monument to the late Bro . W . A . Tinney , which was being contributed to by the Asaph Chapter , another lodge to which the late Secretary belonged , and the Dramatic Mark Lodge , of which he was W . M . at the time of his death . The Au Jitors ' report was adopted , and Bro . Lestocq . P . M ., said that since the printing of the report

another £ 65 had come in to the Benevolent Fund and been invested , and that the total amount now invested was over £ 1200 . The installation was then proceeded with , and Bro . Luigi Lablache , W . M ., installed Bro . Charles Blount Powell , S . W . and W . M . elect , as Master of the lodge for the then ensuing 12 ' months . Bro . Lablache was imest ' d as I . P . M ., and the other brethren who are the W . M . ' s officers for the year were Bros . J . W , Matthews , S . W . ; Algernon Sims , J . W . ; C . Wellard , P . M ., Treas . ; James Weaver , P . M ., Sec . ; Louis Honig , S . D . ; Akerman May , J . D . ;

W . Lestocq , P . M ., D . C ; C . E . Tinney , P . M ., Org . ; Herbert Lennard , I . G ., * Frank Wheeler , Carl Keifert , and Edward W . Whitmore , Stwds . ; and J . Gilbert , P . M ., Tyler . On the motion of Bro . F . H . Macklin , P . M ., seconded by Bro . J . D . Beveridge , P . M ., 10 guineas were voted to the Daily Telegraph Shilling Fund . This amount was afterwards supplemented by £ 4 in private subscriptions . After the closing of thc lodge thc brethren banqueted at Freemasons' Tavern , and subsequently honoured thc usual toasts .

A grand musical and variety entertainment was given to thc brethren in conjunction with the toasts , the executants being Bros . Kelson Trucman ( tenor ) , Leonard Russell and Richard Green ( baritone ) , and E . Woolhouse ( solo ' cello ) , Miss Cora Cardigan ( Madame Louis Honig ) ( solo Dure and piccolo ) , and Bros . Harry Nicholls and George Robins . The conduciors were Bros . Louis Honig , J . Carrodus , E .

Woolhou ' . c , and J . E . Hambleton . Bro . Louis Honig , S . D ., had composed anew flute solo ( to be published ) and dedicated to the W . M ., in remembrance of thc day . Miss Cora Cardigan ( Bro . Honig ' s wife ) played the composition , assisted by Bro . Woolhouse with a ' cello obligate , and the composer at the piano . The piece is called " Southern Breezes , " ( a Souvenir of Nice ) . Bro . George Robins gave a capital humorous sketch , and also astonished the brethren with a memory feat .

Bro . the Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . Chap ., responded to the toast which included " Thc Grand Officers . " Bro . Luigi Lablache , I . P . M ., in proposing the toast of "The W . M ., " said that Bro . Powell had always been of a very retiring and modest disposition ; he was an older Mason than most of the brethren of the lodge and many of the P . Ms ., and all these years he had hid his light under a bushel ; he had attended the lodge meetings year after year , and listened to the words which fell from each successive Master ,

afterwards going home and studying them , and getting a perfect knowledge of them , yet believing he must remain one of those who must learn , submit , and obey . At last a Master was installed who said he was sure Bro . Powell was one of the brethren who would one day grace the chair of K . S ., and so hc gave him the first step on the ladder of fame . Since then Bro . Powell had not looked back , and through his own energies and industry had at last succeeded in rising to th : high honour of being W . M . of the Asaph Lodge . He hoped that Bro . Powell would live long * to wear the

badge of W . M . with credit to himself and satisfaction to the lodge . Bro . C B . Powell , W . M ., in acknowledging the toast , said he was not insensible of the honour conferred upon him . ln taking his mother lodge under his care he should do all in his power to merit the confidence the brethren had placed in him . He waa very proud to say he claimed to be one of the oldest numbers of the Asaph Lodge . He had had the pleasure of seeing 24 Worshipful Masters occupying the chair . When he lirst saw Masonic licht in the lodge he never thought the time would come when the

brethren would honour him with the ofiice of W . M . But as the brethren had si honoured him he should do all in his power to advance the prosperity of the lodge and work with his utmost skill and ability during his year of office . Bro . C . B . Powell , W . M ., in proposing thc toast of " The I . P . M ., " said some ol thc visitors might not know the peculiar construction and constitution of the Lodge of Asaph , so hc would inform them that the only persons eligible for thc lodge were those who were nrofcssionaliv actors and musicians . In their distiimuishcd P . M . Liblache

they had a combination of the two in a remarkable degree ; he was descended from thc great Lablache , one of thc greatest o ( singers in this country , and hims ; lf one ol the most popular exponents of thc drama of thc present , with the greatest possibility for the futuie . It was lifting that such a brother should rule over this representative bjJy . Bro . Lablache had done his work right royally , with great delight to himself and to the greatest delight of all those who had the privilege of witnessing his work . On behalf of the brethren he now Dinned a Past Master's iewel to his breast , and asked him to

accept it in the kind spirit in which it was given . He asked the brethren to drink " Long life , health , wealth , and happiness to Bro . Liblache . " Bro . Luigi Lablache , I . P . M ., responding , Slid that in doings ; he felt distinctly at a disadvantage . There were so many P . Ms . of years gone by who had responded to the toast that any remarks hc might make would bc stale , Hat , and unprofitable . Whatever hc had done to further this Lodge ot Asaph had been very little . When hc had thc honour of being installed in October , iSy'S , he had been for some tim s prevented by professional engagements from attending . Five days after his installation he sailed

tor America , lie had , however , the pleasure of presiding over the May , June , and July meetings , and tu-day he had the honour of installing the W . M . Hi should try to make up for his enforced absence by doing his work to the best of his poor ability . But why thc brethren should be generous enough to present him with thc beautiful jewel was beyond his comprehension ; he was sure hc did not deserve it . However , lie had got it , and he meant to keep it , and when he wore it ( he hoped hc should wear it very otten ) , and when he looked at it—and hc should look at it very often—hc should always remember this auspicious occasion , and thank all thc brethren from thc bottom ol his heart for thinking him deserving of it .

Bro . F . H . Macklin , P . M ., proposed "The Visitors . " It was no slight test of friendship to ask a visitor to attend the Lodce of Asaph . Visitors were asked to sit down at an unearthly hour to dinner ( four p . m . ) , and they had to think what they would have afterwards for supper—bones or tripe and onions . Hut the lodge- were pleased to see visitors , and were glad to show them every feeling of brotherly love . The true spirit of Masonry was now striking a chord which dominated the heart oi every man , woman , and child in the United Kingdom . They were all united in respect