Correspondence.

its hig h position and precedence on the roll . I assume there was no warrant of consolidation , but that the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Lodge is still working under its warrant of 1813 . Will Bro . Strachan kindly furnish a clue to the Grand Lodge records , which , he says , state " That the St . Nicholas Lodge had met continuously

from I 755- " Is this another instance of a lodge meeting and working for many years without a warrant ? The first trace of the St . Nicholas Lodge I have met with is in W . Cole ' s "Engraved List of 1766 " —11 years after the date given by Bro . Strachan—its warrant bearing date 29 th November , 1766 . —Yours fraternally , JNO . LANE .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

| Bw * i—^ - 'G —^—— ^ *** ^ B ^—859 ] FREEMASONRY AND MARRIAGE . In looking over my file of the Freemason for last year , the other evening , I came across the letters and leaderette on the subject " Is Marriage a Failure ? " It occurred to me that the following extracts from the " Masonic Notes and Queries " column of the " Freemasons' Magazine" for 1861 rather bore upon the subject :

MASONIC MATRIMONY . " March 16 th , 1861 . " I have been much interested in the advertisement of a reverend brother , that appeared in your last number , seeking a wife , and am desirous of knowing whether it is absolutely necessary that a young lady ,

answering the description the Rev . L . T . inserts , must be the daughter of a Mason . " I would also inquire if the Rev . Bro . L . T . is the first of the Craft that has resorted to this means to make his brethren acquainted with his wants ? "S . S . G . "

And in the following number for March 23 rd"Masonic Matrimony "" [ In our last we published under this head a reply to an advertisement from a reverend brother for a wife , looking upon it , however , as such an evident quiz , that we did not expect anyone could by possibility take it in

earnest . It appears , however , that our rev . brother has done so , as Will be seen by the subjoined communication . We also publish a protest from a Benedict against such advertisements . We certainl y do not approve of them as a rule , neither should we have published that of our rev . brother had we not known

him to be what he represented himself , and been fully convinced of the genuineness of the advertisement , whilst , at the same time , we regret that our lot has not been cast in such pleasant scenes as the residence of our reverend brother . —ED . ] " I beg to say , in reply to the query of S . S . G ., in

your last number , that it is not absolutely necessary that the young lady should be a Mason ' s daughter . I should be glad to make the acquaintance of S . S . G . ' s nieces , who appear to be imbued with a true love of Masonry . Only the strongest confidence in my brethren of ' the mystic tie' could have induced me to

make my wants known through an advertisement . I am living in a pretty , though sequestered part of England , where there are no eli g ible young ladies . I have , therefore , ventured to apply to my brethren in Masonry , to whom I have never applied in vain , many of whom , doubtless , possess charming and accomplished

young lady relatives , who would not , perhaps , object to share the joys and sorrows of a rural parsonage . —L . T . A Benedict writes " I exceedingly regret that any brother ( more particularly a reverend one ) should resort to the advertising columns as a means to obtain a wife . Surel y the sweet relationship that should exist between

man and wife is too sacred a subject for an advertisement , like the sale of broad acres or of fat oxen . I would ask any sensible man what respect he could Possibl y feel for such a woman who is so lost to delicacy to answer such an advertisement . I suppose the next thing vve shall have will be paterfamilias

advertisingms daughters for marriage , and expatiating on their various charms in not over chaste language . In contusion , Mr . Editor , I would say that any man who is Enable to obtain a wife without such means is by far be tter without one . —Nottingham , March 18 , 1861 . " Can any brother supply me with a copy of the

advertisement , which I cannot give , as my " Freemasons' Magazine" has not the advertisements bound U P with the paper ? 1 should much like to know whether L . T . obtained n 's wife ? and , if so , whether he found " Masonic

Matrimony" "failure" or otherwise ? It would be very '¦ "liable if he could recommend a poor bachelor rother circumstanced somewhat similarly to himself 0 adopt the same plan . If our reverend brother L . T . s st'll alive , and should happen to see this query , I feel Ure he will willingly comply with the request of BRO . "CCELEBS IN SEARCH OF A WIFE . "

Saturday , the 26 th inst ., has been appointed for the private r le w of the Autumn Exhibition ( the Nineteenth ) , of the 19 th th " p ?• r' Society , at the Conduit-street Galleries , and •>

Lo 7 ' Henry Isaacs , Lord Mayor elect of the City of Co , P > ' accepted the office of President of the London l £ vil v ' ? - which will assist in promoting the International holrl •r ° ^ Metrical Engineering , which it is proposed to " m Edinburgh next year .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft flDasonrp . Metropolitan Meetings .

Ranelagh Lodge ( No . 834 ) . —A meeting was held on Tuesday , the Sth inst ., at the Criterion , Piccadilly , when there were present Bros . W . J . Coplestone , W . M . ; H . Shaw , P . M ., S . W . ; F . Craggs , J . W . ; H . Purdue , P . M ., Sec ; H . F . Williams , S . D . ; A . Williams , J . D . ; E . Newland , D . C . ; W . W . Williams , I . G . ; H . Scharien , Steward ; F . ] . Oliver , P . M ., Org . ; A . Walkley , P . M .,

Tyler ; f . Sims , P . M . ; W . Fisher , P . M . ; C . Dopson , P . M . ; " G . E . White , A . Pouchin , R . Phillips , R . Shaw , C . Southwood , H . S . May , E . D . Richards , R . Gerbert , W . Iredale , H . Hewett , H . Spencer , S . M . Segar , W . Iceton , E . Curtis , J . Worth , T . Jobson , R . S . Cartwright , A . J . Hardwick , H . R . Spooner , H . Stokes , and A . Abrahams . Visitors : Bros . R . Kirk , 16 S 1 ; H . A . K . Davies , 177 ; and

T . Meacock , 1512 . The lodge having been opened , Bros . White and Pouchin were raised by the W . M . in a most praiseworthy manner . A letter was then read from Bro . Himemann , expressing his regret that pressing business in Germany prevented him attending . Bro . J . Sims , P . M ., Preceptor of the Ranelagh Lodge , and Deputy Preceptor of the Chiswick Lodge of Instruction , announced his intention of standing as

Steward at the next Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and asked for the cordial support of the lodge . All business being ended , the brethren adjourned to refreshment , during - which the following" brethren added to the enjoyment by singing - : Bros . T . J . Oliver , Hardwick , May , A . Williams , F . Craggs , Shaw , P . M-. ; Segar , and Phillips . The usual Masonic toasts were done justice to , and a most pleasant evening was spent .

John Hervey Lodge ( No . 1260 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the 9 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , under the presidency of Bro . Wm . Henry , W . M ., supported by his officers and about 30 brethren . The lodge was opened , : _ nd all the preliminary business disposed of , and Bro . R . H . Syrett was passed . The lodge was closed , and the ' brethren subsequently

dined together in the Sussex Room . The enjoyment of the evening was greatly enhanced by the performance of a capital selection of orchestral music during dinner , provided for by the esteemed W . M . The programme , of music was ali that could be desired , and so well was it rendered by the director and musicians of the Austrian Band of the Corinthian Club , that they were

compelled to respond more than once to a re-call . After the usual loyal toasts were disposed of , Bro . Jabez Hogg , P . G . D ., Treas ., proposed "The Health of the W . M . " in very appropriate terms , which was duly responded to . Other toasts followed , and , after a few songs from some of the brethren , a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close .

Islington Lodge ( No . 1471 ) . —The opening meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 10 th inst ., at the Cock Tavern , Highbury , under the presidency of the W . M ., Bro . H . Hunt , supported by the following officers and brethren : Bros . John Petch , I . P . M . ; S . Napper , S . W . ; J . M . Scarlett , J . W . ; J . L . Mather , P . M ., P . A . G . D . C , Treas . ; E . Blinkhorn , P . M ., Sec . ;

H . B . Harding , S . D . ; R . Loonies , D . C , acting J . D . ; C . M . Coxon , I . G . ; A . Cox , Stwd . ; G . Couchman , Tyler : D . P . Holness , P . M . ; H . Cox , P . M . ; A . C . Halestrap , P . M . ; C . Isler , G . W . Hooker , E . J . Harrison , J . A . Blount , Chas . Hijler , C . H . Stevenson , D . C . Ritchie , C . A . Chapman , Christian Horst , F . W . White , F . Simmonds , J . J . Samuel , B . Bridgwater , C . Weber , W . Taylor , J . Baker ,

W . G . Hiller , and A . Snook . Visitors : Bros . Arthur Hart , P . M . S 14 , P . P . G . Stwd . Somerset ; J . E . Powell , 991 ; J . McLaren , P . M . 1 S 05 ; and C . J . Balfour , 902 . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , Bros . Isler and Hooker were raised to the Degree of M . M ., and Bros . C . Horst and White were passed to that of F . C . Bros . Chapman , Harrison , and Taylor

signed and received their Grand Lodge certificates . Two candidates for initiation were proposed and seconded . Letters were read from Bros . Cobb , 45 and 227 s , and Amy , resigning their membership of the lodge ; the resignations were received with regret . The by-laws of the lodge were read according to rule ; and , after some conversation respecting a petition from a late member , and a vote towards

his relief , nothing further offering , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were afterwards proposed by the W . M ., and duly responded to , brief speeches being the order of the evening . Songs and recitations were given by Bros . Blinkhorn , Holness , Hooker , Simmonds , and Stevenson , and a pleasant evening was spent .

Strand Lodge ( No . 1987 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , on Thursday , the 10 th inst ., when a large number of brethren attended to evince their interest in the lodge and their appreciation of the Masonic qualities and geniality of the retiring Master , Bro . W . Madge , and of the popular W . M . elect , Bro . W . M . Stiles , P . M . The members present

were Bros . W . Madge , W . M . ; W . M . Stiles , P . M ., S . W . ; E . N . Dale , J . W . ; Jas . Willing , jun ., Treas . ; J . R . Stacey , P . M ., Sec . ; H . G . Foster , S . D . ; F . Jackson , J . D . ; C . ] . Taylor , I . G . ; J . Potter , D . C . ; E . Evans , A . D . C ; J . Hare , P . M ., and J . T . Barton , Stwds . ; W . M . Ewett , Asst . Sec . ; and over 40 lay members . Visitors :

Bros . C . I ' . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; H . Longman , S . D . 2271 ; T . Jefferies , 1744 ; A . H . Cole , Stwd . 1 744 ; E . Styles , J . D . 704 ; J . Parsons , 901 ; G . VV . Fenner , 1662 ; T . R . Cross , 1330 ; T . E . Jacobson , P . P . G . W . Lincolnshire ; T . Vernon , 25 ; C S . Mote , W . M . 1732 ; H . Warner , 2265 ; G . Motion , P . P . S . G . D . Essex ; A . H . Scurrah , S . W . 2206 ; H . J . Kimber , 1541 ; W . M . Ward . 1962

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

W . A . Scurrah , I . P . M . 167 , P . P . G . S . of W . Middx . ; J . Irvine , W . M . S 62 ; J . C . Edmonds , P . M . 1507 ; C . Burston , 1365 ; Edwin Storr , P . M . 1 C 7 ; C . H . Fry , P . M . 167 ; C . VV . Mayo , 1541 ; E . P . Ralstebb , 1541 ; and W . W . Lee , 1 S 97 . Lodge was opened , the minutes confirmed , and the Audit Committee ' s report received and adopted . Bro . R . J . Roafers was then raised to the Sublime Degree of a M . M .

by Bro . J . Stacey , P . M ., who then impressively installed the W . M . elect , Bro . Wm . Mason Stiles , P . M ., as the W . M . of the Strand Lodge for the ensuing year . The officers were appointed and invested as follows : Bros . E . N . Dale , S . W . ; H . S . Foster , J . W . ; Jas . Willing , jun ., P . M ., Treas . ; J . Stacey , P . M ., Sec ; Jackson , S . D . ; Taylor , j . D . ; Potter , I . G . ; Evans , D . C . ; M . Ewett ,

A . D . C ; Hare , P . M ., and Busting , Stwds . ; Seary , Org . ; and Whiting , Tyler . The W . M . said the first duty he had to perform was of a very pleasant nature , being to carry out the wishes of the brethren by presenting Bro . Madge , I . P . M ., with a handsome P . M . 's jewel , unanimously voted at the last meeting . It afforded him considerable pleasure and gratification to make the

presentation , as their highly esteemed I . P . M . was one of the founders of the lodge , had worked hard to bring it to its present prosperous condition , and had , moreover , done excellent suit and service during the past year . In placing the jewel on the I . P . M . 's breast , he was but echoing the sentiments of every individual member in wishing him many years of health and strength to wear it in their midst , to

greet them with his customary geniality , and to assist them as a valued Past Master . Bro . Madge , I . P . M ., appropriately acknowledged the gift , thanking the brethren for the handsome present and for their uniform kindness to him , and the W . M . fur the kindly manner in which he had presented the jewel . It was true he had taken a great interest in the formation of the Strand Lodge , and was more

than gratified at the strides it had made . He trusted it would continue to prosper , and that , as the W . M . had so kindly said , he should be with them for many years to come . The W . M . then initiated Mr . George Warman into Freemasonry with the ability characteristic of his Masonic work and which is so well known and appreciated by metropolitan Masons . The Installing Master

Bro . J . Stacey , P . M ., then concluded the ceremonial portion of the evening ' s work by delivering the addresses with his usual ability . Two resignations having been accepted with regret , and several propositions for new members received , the lodge was closed . An excellent banquet , for which this establishment is so well noted , was served in the Victoria Hall , at which the

VV . Master presided in a genial and kindly manner , and subsequently gave the loyal and Masonic toasts in his happiest style . Bro . C . F . Hogard , replying for "The Grand Officers , " said it afforded him a great deal of pleasure to respond for the toast . It was not alone by the attendance of the Earl of Carnarvon and Lord Lathom at G . Lodge that their

services should be judged , for tbey were at all times ' at the disposal of the Craft . On their behalf , he returned sincere thanks . That was his first visit to the lodge , but he had found so many old friends , in the persons of the W . M ., P . M . ' s , and others , that he felt quite at home , and was obliged to Bro . Warner for the invitation . Knowing the W . M . had provided some talent to amuse the brethren , he

would not detain them , but simply thank them . Bro . W . Madge , I . P . M ., said he wished he could emulate the celerity with which the W . M . had got through the previous toasts , but he felt he had come to the toast of the evening . It would be indecent were he to hurry such an important toast . He looked upon that toast , having regard to all the associations , as the most important , it being " The 5

Health of the VV . Master of the Strand Lodge . ; He therefore felt considerable gratification in proposing it , because not only was he the I . P . M ., but he felt that in taking the step which he did , and asking Bro . Stiles to give up the Secretaryship , he had done that which was for the welfare of the lodge , and enhanced its reputation for good working . Although that was , perhaps , drawing a comparison between

himself and the W . M ., he was only too pleased to be the means of placing Bro . Stiles in the position which he now holds , and which he would fill with honour to himself , and to the advantage and strengthening of Masonry in general and of this lodge in particular . He would conclude by asking the brethren to drink , with the utmost cordiality , to the health of the W . M ., wishing him a successful year .

Bro . VV . M . Stiles , W . M ., in response , said he could only say how deeply sensible he was of the kind manner in which his health had been proposed by the I . P . M . and received by the brethren . He was not going to detain them with a long speech as there was some good intellectual talent and some excellent harmony to follow , but he would say he appreciated the fact of the brethren of the Strand Ljdge

having placed him in his present position , and having received him with such cordiality . He was pleased to be the W . M . of the Strand Lodge , and he sincerely thanked them for placing him in the chair . He hoped when he was leaving the chair , some 12 months hence , they would appreciate him as kindly as they had that night . "The Initiate" was next honoured , and replied to in an

appropriate manner by Bro . Warman . "The Installing Master and Past Masters" was then proposed by the VV . Master . He said that the Installing Master—Bro . Stacey , P . M . —having left , he could say what he thought of that brother . Bro . Stacey , P . M ., had done his duty very ably , and had his best and hearty thanks . Their esteemed P . M . was a great Preceptor in Freemasonry ,

and took a deep interest in the lodge . Coming to the Past Masters , they would take first the " baby" P . M ., Bro . iVIadge , the I . P . M ., who , during the past year had discharged his duty very ably , and had , since the conception of the lodge , assisted them very materially . He had left to the last the mention of their first W . M ., Bro . Jas . Willing , jun ., P . M ., Treas ., who had done a very great deal for the

lodge , and had , in fact , managed to convince the Grand Secretary of the necessity for the lodge . Their existence had been more than justified , as they numbered nearly 100 . About 12 months ago they regretted Bro . Willing ' s ill-health , but they now rejoiced to find him so much better . Bro . Madge , I . P . M ., returned hearty thanks for the way

in which the toast had been proposed and received . Bro . Jas . Willing , jun ., P . M ., Treas ., on behalf of the Installing Master , Bro . Stacey , P . M ., thanked the W . M . for his kind remarks , for if he had done his duty to their satisfaction he was satisfied . They were delighted to see Bro . Stiles in the chair , and from his vast experience—and he was a tower of strength in Masonry—the lodge would go