Inauguration Of The Masonic Temple, Hasskeui.

see amongst them their esteemed friend and fellow-countryman , Sir Philip Francis ( loud cheers ) and thanks to his Honour ' s kindness , the pleasure was not a rare one . Individually and collectively they were under many obligations to Sir Philip in his official capacity . He ( the

Chairman ) was sure the Hasskeuites would never lose an opportunity , such as the present occasion afforded , of demonstrating the place which their Consul-General held in their esteem and regard . ( Cheers ) . It would be altogether out of place for him ( the chairman ) to undertake his eulogy .

Sir P . Francis came here from Alexandria , bearing the character of an upright and honourable gentleman , whom every body delighted to honour . Well , everybody knew that he had fully sustained that character in Constantinople . He was always

ready with kindly advice and shrank irom no trouble whenever he could serve the interests of his country men . ( Cheers ) . The founders of this temple were especially indebted to him . In fact , he was very nearly becoming the proprietor of the site on which the buildiii'r stood . Thev

owed much to him for his advice and assistance and the way in which it was given made them doubly appreciate it . He ( the Chairman ) called upon them , then , to drink , upstanding , " Health and long life to our worthy countryman , Sir Philip Francis . " The toast was drunk amidst reiterated rounds

of cheering . Sir P . Francis , in responding , said he was unfortunately not a brother , but though a nonmason he was gratified at seeing the result achieved b y the ori ginators of this undertaking . He had no idea that they had contemplated so considerable a bllildin . " . He could not but notice

the innovation of the presence of ladies at a Masonic banquet . At least , be had called it an innovation , in speaking just now to Mr . Henderson , though he knew that the members of the Craft were very susceptible on the score of

innovations . Mr . Henderson , with more skill than candour , knowing his ( Sir Phili p ' s ) ignorance , rejoined that it was the revival of an ancient custom which prevailed lie did not know how many thousands of years ago . ( Laughter ) With recurd to the flatteriny terms in which the

Chairman had spoken of him , he could only say that he did not think a man in his position could forbear giving all the aid he could to institutions which had for their object the good of all . There was nothing , he hoped , which Englishmen , whether official or non-official , would not try to do

for their fellow-countrymen , nor , he trusted , would it ever be a great reproach to anybody to say that he did more than he ought . ( Loud cheers ) . He , for his own part , would not say that he had done more than he ought for Hasskeui—( renewed cheering)—but he had been brought so

constantly into connection with the Hasskeuites , sometimes on cheerful occasions , sometimes on melancholy occasions , that he had acquired a great affection for the place . It was said once in satire of the English in India , when they were accused of doing so little for the country to which

they emigrated , that were all of them to leave in a mass , all that they had done would soon pass away and there would be no evidence left that an ¦ Englishman had ever been in the country . That was not true at any time , and less so now . However , similar irony could not be employed in

reference to Hasskeui , for were every Englishman and Englishwoman to quit Hasskeui , in a bod )' , they would leave behind them abundant evidence of having dwelt there . All that , had not been done by Government impulse or patronage , but b y the spontaneous energy of thecolonists themselves . He

did not know that some day there would be no English family in Hasskeui . He did not know , because he was told that some noble person had tendered advice to some person in authority to dispense with English labouraltogether . ( Derisive cheering ) . Whether that was a good friend to England and to Turkey , he left them to imagine ;

but he trusted nevertheless that they would continue to do their work here in a way which would be useful to the Government and not unprofitable to themselves . ( Applause ) . Sir Philip concluded by repeating his thanks , and expressing a wish for the prosperity of the temple and of all British institutions in Hasskeui . The- next -part of the proceedings was the pre sentation to the Chairman of a Past Masters

Inauguration Of The Masonic Temple, Hasskeui.

jewel , ( manufactured by Bro . Kenning ) and a life-membership in the Caledonian Lodge ; and of a handsome ring for Mrs . Henderson , the Chairman ' s wife . The presentation was made by the present W . M . of the lodge , Bro . Warren , and was

suitably acknowledged by the chairman . The Chairman , in proposing the health of Mr . Shanks , said they knew what a good friend that 1 gentleman was to all of them—how heartily he entered into all matters connected with their social comfort and welfare . It must be a source

of satisfaction to Mr . Shanks , filling the position he did , inahard critical community like Hasskeui , dearly loving a grumble—part of a Briton ' s birthri g ht—to know that they were not willing to part with him . It must be a satisfaction to Mr . Shanks to know that he was really loved ,

respected and esteemed by such a community . ( Cheers ) . Mr . Shanks said that , though not a Mason , he hoped they would not think he did not take an interest in Hasskeui Masonry , as one of the institutions of the place . He believed , with Sir Philip Francis , that even if they were all to leave this place , they would leave their mark behind

them . It was needless to refer to how Sir Philip had contributed in the establishment of the monuments they saw around them of British spirit and perseverance and social feeling ; but some of them were , no doubt , aware that in an article which had appeared in a certain paper it had actually been imputed as a fault to their revered friend that he took such an interest in the

engineers . ( Loudcheering ) . He ( Mr . Shanks ) was sure , however , ' . that Sir Philip was not ashamed of them . There might be some amongst them who misconducted themselves , but take the community altogether he could assert that they did conduct themselves well . He was very much

pleased m reading Mr . Brown s address to the District Grand Lodge , in which stress was laid on the care which should be taken as to the admission of persons into . Masonry . The world could only judge of the merits of the Order by the conduct of those who belonged to it . ( Hear , hear ) .

He ( Mr . Shanks ) believed the lodges in Hasskeui were very particular in that respect , but he did not think that they would have any frequent occasion to blackball any of the community . The health was next drunk of W . M . Warren , in proposing which the Chairman referred to the

circumstance that Bro . Warren had been Master of lodges in Constantinople under the English , Scotch , and Irish rites . Bro . Temple , W . M . of the Oriental Lodge ; Bro . Wetherilt , of the Leinster ; Bro . Walker , and the Building Committee ; Mr . Burness , Builder of the Temple ; Mr .

I lanky , Editor ol the Levant Times ; W . Bro . Smytlie and the Visitors ; and the Ladies ( reponded to by Bro . Hampton ) were subsequently toasted , some excellent songs being given in the intervals by Messrs . Till , Gowdie , Burfield , and Knighton .

The room was then cleared for the ball , which brought a further accession of guests , especiall y ladies , and was kept up with unflagging animation till dawn .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

THE DISTRIBUTION OF HONOURS IN GRAND LODGE .

( To tiw Editor oj The Freemason . ) SIR , —The period is fast approaching for the election and investment of the officers to serve in the Grand Lodge of England ; many like myself would like to see those honours distributed with a more liberal hand . The two Wardens chairs

should be rigidly preserved for brethren of rank and Jopulence , but below these two chairs the various offices ought to be open to all , if promotion , as we are taught , is to be according to merit and ability . I maintain that every brother , who- is

worthy of the position of a Warden in any Provincial Grand Lodge should have the chance of being an officer of Grand Lodge if he likes . Let all Past and Present Provincial Grand Wardens of all Provinces be returned to Grand Lodge , and let them with others , be drawn from every year , and so fill up the Offices of Grand Lodge below

Original Correspondence.

the Wardens . If a brother who may be drawn declines , the vacancy is instantly supplied . Perhaps if the subject were ventilated in your valuable paper , some good may accrue , and honour be distributed where honour is due , and

many gain a positionwhocannotbelong toacertuin lodge , and who have not the remotest chance of falling into the present whirlpool of honour and promotion . Yours , & c , A P . PROV . GRAND WARDEN .

INSTRUCTION . ( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) SIR — In your "Masonic Tidings" in to-day ' s impression you have inadvertently printed Friday ,

the 26 th inst ., for Friday , the 3 rd of May proximo , as the date of the intended visit of the Fidelit y brethren to the Lodge of Instruction of the Burgoyne . Will you be good enough to correct the error in your next issue , and announce

the meeting on the occasion of the proposed visit as for Friday evening , the 3 rd of May , at 7 o ' clock , at Bro . Green ' s , the Grafton Arms , Prince of Wales ' s-road , Kentish-town , N . W ., at

which Tavern the Burgoyne Lodge of Instruction holds a meeting every Friday evening , as announced in its proper place in your weekly list of Metropolitan Masonic Meetings .

I am , Sir , yours obediently , SAMUEL POYNTER , P . M . and Treas ., Burgoyne Lodge , 902 . Temple , April 13 , 1872 .

Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND .

Freemasons' Hall , 9 8 , George Street , Edinburgh 30 th March , 1872 . R . W . SIR AND BROTHERI have the honour to transmit by command

of the M . W . The Grand Master , the annexed copy of a motion tabled by his lordship , at the last Quarterly Communication , and which will come up for discussion at the next Quarterly Communication , on 6 th May , proximo .

This motion followed the unanimous approval of the Principal of The Grand Master ' s project for reducing the debt of Grand Lodge , the building of Halls throughout the Provinces , and the establishment of the Fund of Benevolence on a

more extended basis , at a very full meeting of Grand Lodge at last Quarterl y Communication , and is now submitted by his lordship to the earnest and favourable consideration of your lodge . I remain , R . W . Sir and Brother ,

Yours fraternally , J LAURIE , Grand Clerk . Moved by the Right Hon . the Earl of Rosslin . W . M . Grand Master Mason of Scotland , and seconded b y Brother William Mann , Past Senior Grand Warden . The motion anent a project

lor reducing debt , ike ., having been unanimously carried , it is moved . " That all lodges holding of this Grand Lodge shall pass a by-law enacting from each of their members an annual payment as a test of membership .

" That this payment in no case be less than 2 d . per month , or 2 s . per annum , and that this sum be collected quarterl y b y the Treasurer of each lodge , and paid over b y him , with a detailed list of Members contributing , to the Provincial Grand Secretary , who will remit the same to Grand Lodge . Should the test of membershi p imposed

by an individual lodge exceed the sum specified , the balance ma ) ' be appropriated by the lodge itself , and from and after the passing of this bylaw , onl y those members who have contributed their list of membershi p can have power to vote or take part in any business of the lodge . " Certified true copy , J LAURIE , Grand Clerk .

" Mom- than a year ago one of my children was attacked with bronchitis , ami , after a long illness , was given up by all physicians as ' past cure . ' I was then induced to try your Vegetable I'ain Killer , and from the time I began the use of it the child rapidly got better , and it is now strong and healthy . — J AVINSTANTLEY , 10 , Whittle-st ., L'pool , i 86 o To P . B . & Son . "