Original Correspondence.

of his letter , the course pursued in the case of the by-laws of private lodges abroad , has altogether overlooked the obligation to obtain the approval of the Grand Master in London ; without this none of his by-laws are valid . In his 17 th paragraph ( his letter is very long , and the question lies in a nutshell ) he refers to some unknown date when Lord Zetland was Grand Master , * but is it necessary to

remind him that the Constitutions of those days are totally different from those of 1 S 84 now in force , the question now under discussion being one amongst the principal alterations ? Having now , I hope , proved that all lodges are under the same law , I will proceed to deal with the proper treatment of brethren in arrear . I contend that no brother ' s

name should be excluded from the list of members unless in a regular manner . I differ , therefore , from Bro . Pope , who suggests it can be quietly dropped out . This is not the way to meet a difficulty , for a difficulty there is , in the omission in the rule as to the defaulting brother's address . A brother ' s address once given holds good till altered . I consider that , before excluding a brother , it is the duty

of the Secretary to send him a notice , addressed to his last known residence , that so much money is due from him as subscriptions to the lodge , and that on a certain day , at the next meeting of the lodge , in the event of these arrears not being then paid , a motion will be made to exclude him from the lodge . Only thus can you comply with Rule 210 , and " give due notice of the complaint made against him

and of the time appointed for its consideration , when he may attend and be heard . " . Of course , in quoting Rule 162 , I take for granted that the Grand Secretary will not sanction any by-law , at home or abroad , which is not consistent with Rule 210 .

I repeat that a brother excluded without notice would successfully appeal to Grand Lodge and be restored to membership , lt is obvious that no monthly foot-note can make a by-law valid which is not so originally . —Yours fraternally , 16 th January . FLEJ .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Bro . E . Lytton Hitchins is entirely mistaken as to the powers of District Grand Lodges respecting private lodge by-laws—a District Grand Lodge , has no such special authority in the matter . L ' p to 1 SS 3 , by-laws , both in provinces at home and

in districts abroad , were simply confirmed by their Prov . Dist . G . M . ' s , but in the new Book of Constitutions issued ist January , 1884 , it was ordered that in every case the final approval of the M . W . Grand Master is requisite before the by-laws , or any alterations of them , can become valid ( see Art . 162 ) , and this rule applies equally to districts abroad and provinces at home . —Yours fraternally , P . M .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

826 J THE CADOGAN LODGE , No . 162 , LONDON . I do not know whether there are other warrants similarly situated , but that of the Cadogan Lodge , now No . 162 , chartered on gth February , 1767 , 1133 3 S 4 as its original number , whereas it evidently should have been 383 . In an interesting sketch of its history , compiled by Bro . Hildebrand Ramsden , P . M . and Treasurer ( 1 S 81 ) , a copy

of the warrant is given , bearing the number 384 , and as I noticed that did not agree with Bro . John Lane's " Masonic Records , 1717— -1 SS 6 , " p . 103 , nor with any of the MS . Registers , Lists , or Calendars , 1 wrote Bro . Ramsden thereon . He confirms the fact that the charter is numbered 3 S 4 , not 383 , and I anticipate that the error arose from Bro . Samuel Spencer ( G . Sec . in 1767 ) transposing

the numbers of the two warrants for London ( the first of which was the "Cadogan " ) granted on 9 th February and 16 th February , 1767 , respectively . The junior lodge has long been extinct , but it is just possible that the old warrant is preserved in the archives of the Grand Lodge of England

about which Bro . H . Sadler could tell us , as he has made a list of those curious and interesting documents . I wish that all old lodges had their histories described in as pleasant a manner as that of No . 162 , for , failing a more extended history , such sketches are of considerable value and interest to the members , and preserve the chief facts , at all events . W . J . HUGHAN .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft JUasonrg *

# BEDFORD LODGE ( No . 157 ) . —Tne installation meeting was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Friday , the nth inst . The attendance included Bros . Ernest Jones , W . M . ; Thos . Cubitt , P . M . ; John Soper , P . M . ; A . G . Creak , P . M . ; T . Walton , P . M . ; T . Hall , P . M . ; J . T . Briggs , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Liddall , P . M ., Sec ; and other officers and brethren ; whilst there were iS visitors

from various parts . After the W . M . had passed Bros . G . J . Millen , the chair was taken by Bro . J . Soper , P . M ., who in a most efficient manner proceeded to install Bro . C . Jenner in the chair of K . S . The newly-installed W . M . then appointed and invested his oflicers as follows : Bros . V . Larner , S . W . ; J . C . Main , J . W . ; J . T . Briggs , P . M ., Treas . ; W .

Liddall , P . M ., Sec . ; Dr . D . J . W . Donovan , S . D . ; E . F . Shoebridge , J . D . ; and J . Bruton , I . G . An intimation was here given of the serious illness of Bro . F . Millis , P . M ., Stwd ., and a vote of sympathy with him was subsequently passed . The W . M . warmly eulogised the work of Bro . Ernest Jones during the past year , and , on behalf

of the lodge , presented him with a P . M . 's jewel . Bro . E . Jones suitably replied . The report of the Audit Committee showed the Treasurer ' s accounts to be in a very satisfactory condition . There was a balance in hand of £ 35 18 s . id ., and a balance on the Benevolent Fund of £ u 17 s . / d .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Bro . Thomas Walton then made a presentation of a most pleasing character to Bro . Ernest Jones , on behalf of his wife , that lady having presented the l . P . M . with a daughter during his year of office . The gift was in silver , and of an appropriate design . Bro . Jones was taken by evident surprise , and the reader must be left to imagine the reply he made .

The brethren afterwards adjourned to the usual Bedford banquet , which was of a recherche character , and was excellently served in Freemasons' Tavern . The W . M . kindly provided professional harmony . In the course of the evening the toast of " The Visitors " was responded to by Bros . Frank Piggott , SS , and J . T . RoweP . M . 167 two Past Provincial Grand Officers . The

, , former , after a humorous allusion to the Bedford ' s summer outing to Virginia Water , with its varied experiences , mentioned with pleasure the fact that the Province of Cambridgeshire had within the past six years contributed over £ 1900 to the Masonic Charities , and thus raised itself to a position of credit amongst the Craft in regard to relief . Tbe response to the toast of "The Past Masters , the

Treasurer , and the Secretary , " fell to Bro . W . Liddall , who informed the brethren of an important discovery which he had made on his table in lodge in the shape of a printed copy of the by-laws of Bedford Lodge , when standing at No . 257 in the Masonic register , together with an appendix containing extracts from the proceedings of the lodge from 1766 to 1831 . He read several extracts , and

called special attention to By-law 25 , which ran thus : — "That at all times a profound silence shall be observed on the usual notice given by the Master . Any member introducing obscene or profane discourses , starting religious or political disputes , or be disguised in liquor , sitting down unclothed while the lodge is open , proposing wagers , distributing shop-bills or tickets , interrupting a brother while

speaking , hissing at what has been said , or is not standing while he addresses the chair , such offending brother shall be subject to any censure the majorityjof the members present may think proper to impose . " Bro . Liddall further showed that a hundred years ago their initiation fee was a guinea , the visiting fee ( supper included ' , is . 6 d ., suppers 6 d . each , punch or negus 2 s . 6 d . per bowl . It was equally

curious to note that in 1 S 04 Bro . R . Jones was made W . M ., and that from 1 S 0 S to 1 S 17 inclusive he also filled the chair , whilst the number of members ranged from 65 to 9 S during that period . This was very apropos , as the l . P . M . is a brother of that ilk . Bro . T . Walton , who had initiated Bro . E . Jones , replied on behalf of "The P . M . ' s , " and trusted that their

conduct would a hundred years hence bear comparison with that of their predecessors in the old days . Whereupon the Secretary rose and called attention to the record that in December , 1797 , Bro . Walton vvas " expelled for repeated irregular and improper conduct during lodge hours . " This verily convulsed the brethren , and none laughed

more heartily than Bro . T . Walton . Indeed , the production of these old by-laws and reminiscences afforded immense pleasure , and a very general wish was expressed that they should be reprinted . Not the least singular part of the business appears to be the fact that Bro . W . Liddall does not know to whom he is indebted for the copy alluded to which was placed in the lodge .

DOMATIC LODGE ( No . 177 ) . —The installation meeting of this ancient lodge took place on Friday , the nth in it ., at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , and was , as usual , attended by a large number of brethren . The members included Bros . H . J . Chapman , W . M . ; Richard Harvey , S . W . ; R . Salmon , J . W . j G . Everett , P . M ., Treas . ; T . Morris , Sec . ; J . E . Spurrell , S . D . ; T . B .

Goodfellow , J . D . ; R . Hewetson , I . G . ; Ii . A . G . Smith , D . C . ; A . Piper , Stwd . ; E . Riechelmann , Org . ; W , J . Ferguson , P . M . ; H . N . Price , P . M . ; J . McLean , P . M . ; R . Pierrepoint , P . M . ; E . White , P . M . ; W . M . Foxcroft , P . M . ; J . Buseult , P . M . ; H . B . Spink , P . M . ; J . E . Walker , P . M . ; W . Herbage , P . M . ; J . Barnett , jun ., Plenderleith , and others . Visitors : Bros .

C . F . Matier , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . Mason , P . P . S . G . D . Middx . ; W . H . Baker , P . M . 2030 ; C . F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; R , R . Harker , P . M ., Sec . 813 ; G . Goble , l . P . M . 1273 ; D , J . Trollery , P . M . 209 ; J . J . Cook , 11 S 5 ; J . B . Whitworth , 1150 ; A . Wood , 11 S 5 ; G . P . Britten , P . M ., Treas . 183 ; J . R . Duff , 145 ; T . E . Mundy , J . W . 1670 ; T . F . Cook , 158 ; R . E . Feuillade , P . M . 13 S 1 ; A . Aird

j . D . S 20 ; R . Turle , 261 ; H . Mogel , 174 ; W . Wingham , 25 ; R . Barker , P . M . 104 ; C . Tovvnley , 2190 ; M . W . Halliday , P . M . 1205 ; H . J . Deaton , I . G . 25 ; Augustus Harris , P . M . 2127 ; W . F . Herbage , SS 7 ; J . L . Mather , P . A . G . D . C . ; W . Bailey , S . D . 1732 ; G . T . Miles , 1929 ; A . M . Broadley , P . D . D . G . M . Malta , Sec . 2127 ; and W . W . | Lee , 1 S 97 .

Lodge having been opened in due form , and the minutes read and confirmed , the Auditors' report was received and adopted . Bros . Baker and Simpson were then passed to the Second Degree . The installation ceremony was next proceeded with , and Bro . R . Harvey duly installed into the chair as W . M . for the ensuing year by Bro . H . J . Chapman , l . P . M . The officers were appointed and invested as

follows : Bros . Salmon , S . W . ; Spurrell , J . W . ; George Everett , P . M ., Treas . ; T . Morris , Sec . ; Goodfellow , P . M ., S . D . ; Hewetson , J . D . ; Riechelmann , Org . ; E . Smith , I . G . j Piper , D . C ; J . Barnett , Stwd . ; and Walkley , Tyler . The addresses were ably delivered by the Installing Master , Bro . Chapman , l . P . M . Messrs . Norton and Farman were impressively initiated into Freemasonry

by the newly-installed W . M . A handsome P . M . ' s jewel ( manufactured by Bro . George Kenning ) was presented to Bro . Chapman , I . P . M ., by the VV . M ., who referred to the excellent work done by the I . P . M ., and expressed the hope that he would be spared for many years to assist in the lodge . Bro . Chapman , I . P . M ., in

returning thanks , said he had endeavoured to win the approbation of the members , and was delighted to think he had succeeded . On the motion of Bro . G . Everett , P . M ., Treas ., the sum of 25 guineas was voted to the R . M . B . I ., to be placed on the list of the W . M . The resignations of Bros . Thwaites and Owen were accepted with regret . Other business having been transacted , the lodge was closed . After an excellent banquet the customary toasts were heartily honoured . Bro . J . L . Mather , P . A . G . D . C , returned hearty thanks for the toast of "The Grand Officers . " He said it was a great pleasure , a privilege , and he might say a great

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

honour , for a brother to be able to stand up in response to this toast . It was also an honour to be associated with the names of two of the most eminent members of the Craft . He was sorry that so old and ancient a lodge as the Domatic had not some Grand Officers amongst its members to respond . He , however , hoped the day was fast approaching when they would have a most distinguished

member and Past Master of the lodge who would , by their suffrages and kindness , have a right to take a prominent place in Grand Lodge . The brethren knew he referred to Bro . George Everett , P . M ., Treas . He hoped they would put their shoulders to the wheel so that at their next installation meeting they could have the privilege of hearing a speech from the Grand Treasurer and a member of their

lodge . It was a great pleasure to him to be present , as he knew many members , and it was also a gratification to see the good working . Bro . Chapman , I . P . M ., in proposing " The Healthof the W . M ., " said they had not yet seen much of Bro .

Harvey , W . M ., but they had seen sufficient to satisfy themselves that he would do honour to them . During the past year he ( the I . P . M . ) , had had the forbearance of the brethren , and he knew that would not be wanting during the forthcoming period . He asked them to heartily welcome the W . M .

Bro . Richard Harvey , W . M ., returned hearty thanks for the manner in which the toast had been given and received . The l . P . M . had thought fit to use kindly expressions , but whether he deserved them he left the brethren to judge . He trusted he should always have the interest of the lodge at heart , and that he should carry out his duties to their satisfaction and the credit of the Domatic

Lodge . " The Initiates" having been duly honoured and responded to by Bros . Norton and Farman , "The Visitors" was given by the VV . Master . The members , he said , were at all times pleased to see visitors present , for to hold out the right hand of fellowship was one of their first duties . That evening they were honoured

by a considerable number of most distinguished Masons . As it would be impossible for all the visiting brethren to reply , he would couple the names of Bros . Broadley , Britten , Augustus Harris , and Wingham . Bro . A . M . Broadley , P . D . D . G . M . Malta , in reply , said that in the face of the admirable example which the members of the lodge had set in the matter ot brevity , and also

as three other brethren were to succeed him in the pleasing task of responding , he should limit his remarks to a few words . Although a visitor he did not now come before them as a stranger , for this was the third time he had visited the lodge . He remembered coming to it many years ago when he returned to England after long absence and made the acquaintance of his Masonic friends in London .

He remembered the pleasing affect on his mind produced by the hospitality which they then exercised , and it was his privilege some years after to assist at that Festival whichcommemorated the Centenary of the lodge . Coming amongst them that evening he not only saw a worthy brother installed in to the chair , but healsosaivgood work and the same charming hospitality with which the name of this lodge

had ever been associated . When he last came among them he told them a great deal of what they were doing in other climes and other countries . Since that time he had become one of themselves and it had been his privilege to perform some work in one of the successful lodges , known to many as the Drury Lane Lodge . It gave him pleasure in returning thanks to have on his right so good and excellent a

friend as Bro . Augustus Harris , to whom the Drury Lane Lodge was mainly indebted for its success . He was afraid the days were past when he could appear as often as he used in Masonic lodges . It was only on rare occasions that he was able to avail himself of those kind invitations of which the one he received that evening was an example . It was a privilege for any brother to visit a lodge like theirs ,

and when in the lodge room he took up the case containing the warrant which had been transmitted from generation to generation , and also the centenary warrant , he thought it was a pleasure to come to a lodge which had so honourable and ancient an history . The lodge had numbered many illustrious Masons on its list , and a proud day was in store when it would number its respected Treasurer as the

Grand Treasurer of England . He made the acquaintance of that worthy brother when he came amongst them for the first time and they had remained friends ever since , and he would do anything he could to assist him whose life had been an honour to himself and to the lodge which he had served so faithfully . He had no doubt that with the assistance of those he saw around the table they would be

successful . If he might be excused for indulging in a little prophecy he would express a hope that they had , in that room , the two next Grand Treasurer's of England . Bro . Augustus Harris , who was a young Mason , would always , he was sure , do his best , and if successful in obtaining that distinction ds his utmost to carry out and follow the example set by so old a Mason and so worthy a veteran in Masonrv

as Bro . Everett , whose record entitled him to that office which the suffrages of the brethren would doubtless confer upon him . He hoped he should be present at the next installation meeting and that they would see Bro . Everett in the position to which he aspired , so that they could congratulate him upon the addition cf one more laurel to the crown of honourable and venerated traditions vvhich the

Domatic Lodge might justly claim . Bro . Britten , P . M . 1 S 3 , having responded , Bro . Augustus Harris , P . M . 2127 , replied , and returned thanks for the kind greeting he had leceived . He little expected to be called upon for a speech , and in fact he vvas not sure he should be able to have the pleasure of attending . He shovld always remember that evening as a red letter day .

Bro . Wingham also responded . Bro . H . j . Chapman , I , P . M ., replied for the toast of " The Past Masters , " and said he felt it an honour to be the leading speaker for such a distinguished body . He thanked them for the warm manner in which they had received the toast . Bro . Furgeson , P . M ., said the P . M . 's would endeavour to merit the same good feeling they had received in the

past . They had all read the graphical description by Charles Dickens of a character who could not keep out the head of Charles I . from any document he wrote . He was in the same position respecting their having a Grand Officer in the lodge . He did not take up his subject until he found one in this lodge , one who was worthy of the suffrages ot all the members of the Craft . In Bro . Everett they had an esteemed brother whom they had known for 25 years , and no worthier brother could be found . He was