Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for thc opinions expressed by onr correspondents , I - * it we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion .

GENERAL BOARDS . To the Editor of fhe "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , " Observer" is perfectly correct when he refers to the General Boards of the Templar and Mark Orders being composed , year after year , of Past Grand Officers . I would add that the same undesirable state of things prevails in

the Red Cross Order . In other words , it is considered the height of presumption for anyone not belonging to the " Upper Ten " to put himself forward as a candidate for election on a General Board . But lhe ' cutting and drying " process will always prevail until the rank and file rouse themselves , and evince more interest in their voting rights and privileges than they have hitherto done . —Yours fraternally , ANOTHER OBSERVER .

CRAFT JEWELS IN A ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Your recent correspondents on the subject of prohibited jewels will find a list of the jewels which may be worn in Craft lodges and Royal Arch

chapters in my "Master Masons' Handbook ; and , as the proof sheets were examined by the V . W . Grand Registrar before he kindly accepted the dedication , I think the list may be accepted as accurate and authoritative . —I am , very fraternally yours , FRED . J . VV . CROWE , P . P . G . O ., & c . Marsden , Torquay , June 17 th .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"THE INDIAN FREEMASONS' ALMANAC AND DIARY FOR THE YEAR lSyo . " — 1 his very useful and comprehensive Masonic Annual , edited by Bro . Prosonno C . Dutt ( Past Deputy Dist . G . M . of Bengal , & c ) , is in its 2 . Sth year of publication , and uf its kind has ro superiors , and but few equals . Over 200 pages of closely-printed matter , condensed , and excellently arranged , must have required no end of labour , patience , and skill , Ihe particulars being so numerous , and many of the details lacking interest even lo the compiler , though needful in such a work . The Calendar portion supplies the dates of all the Masonic Bodies meeting in Calcutta , according to the Hindu and

English chronology . The whole of the District Grand Lodges , with thtir suboidinate lodges , and also lhe Grand Lodgeof Scottish Freemasonry in India are duly represented in this large Directory , so that its size and importance are equal to that of a Grand Lodge . Bengal has 44 lodges , the courteous Dist . G . Sec . being Bro . IT . M . Rustomjee ; Bombay returns 26 lodges as its quota , the respected Dist . G . Sec . being Bro . Edward J . Smith ; Burma is credited with 11 lodges ; Punjab has 23 ( Bro . William Bull being the effective Dist . G . Sec . ; and Madras reckons 24 lodges on its

roll ( Hro . J . T .. Greatorex , Past Asst . G . D . of C . of C . England , Dist . G . Sec ) , the grand total on the English Registerfor India being 12 S lodges , without those of Scottish origin , numbering feme 45 more . All the ether Masonic Bodies are also duly attended to , including the Koyal Arch and the Mark especially , and the work is likewise historical , particulars of the oilicers from the earliest dates , and much else of a most instructive character being also given in detail , so that Bro . Dutt has most thoroughly discharged his duty as editor .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Sackville Lodge , No . 1619 . The steady and most satisfactory improvement in the working and numbers of this ledge since the installation of the present popular and very energetic W . M . Bro . C . M . Wilson , is most gratifying . There have been a larger number of initiates and joining members since last September than there have been for years during the sirnc time , and now that Bro . Wilson's year of office is drawing to a close , it is felt by man } ' of Ihe members that it would be the best thing possible for the lodge , if he could be- induced to

retain his position for another year . A lodge of emergency had to be held on Tuesday , the 9 th inst ., in order to pet through the work that was lying over . One candidate was passed to the Degree of F . C , and another raised to the Decree of M . M . The revised and amended by-laws were fully and separately discussed , and some impo riant alterations made by vote of the lodge . In the old by-laws three black balls excluded a member . The revising Committee recommended that two should he sufficient , but the lodge , on the motion of Bro . P . M . Hoskins , decided that for the future one black bill should

exclude , Riving the W . M . power to order a second billot if at once requested to do so . A simple , but effectual rule was adopted te » rleal with members win were in arrear with their subscriptions . A motion to raise the fees fur initiation to £ S Si . wis nut adopted . Bro . Canon Ccoptr , P . M ., gave notice that lie would move at the next regular meeting " That a Board of three or more Past Masters be appointed to examine all Wardens in the working of the three ceremonies of initiation , pissing , and raising , before electing them to the Worshipful Master ' s chair . " The lorlge was thn closed after a good evening ' s wcrk .

Doric Lodge , No . 2259 . The seventh installation of this very prosperous lodge was held on Saturday , the 13 th instant , at the Masonic Hall , Chorltcn cum-Hr . rdy . 'Ihe brethren assembled at three o ' clock , and the W . M ., Bro . J . M . Veal , opened the lodge punctually at that hour . The minutes of tie previous meeting were read and conlirmed . We were very pleased to see Bro . Veal , W . M ., undertook to install his successor , which duty he accomplished will ) a very marked cYgiee of ability and inipiessivenoss , his rendering of the ceremony

neirg quite a In at , r . nd subsequently he was highly complimented upon his success . He appointed as Installing Olhccis lire s . George /< lnc-d . Myers , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , as S . W . ; A . IC . Boothroyd , P . M ., as J . W . ; G . S . Smith , P . M ., P . P . G . Org ., as D . C ; and Thcnias Cavanah , P . M ., as I . G . 'I he D . C presented Bro . J . Win Walker , S . VV ., W . M . elect , to the Installing Masti r , and lhe ceremony was proceeded with , as before staled . Subsequently Hro . John Walker , the neuly-inslalhd AUs ' er , was saluted , proclaimed , and greeted in each Degree , ar . d he proceeded to invest the olliceis lor the ensuing year as follows : Bros . J . M . Veal , I . P . AI . ; F . Thomas , S . W . ; Jos . Ward ,

J . W . ; A . K . llcolhicyd , P . M ., Ireas . ; K Morgan , Sec . ; ] . Launsch , S . D . ; J . Lawrenson , J . D . ; G . S . Smith , P . M ., P . P . G O . Fast ami West Lanes ., D . C ; F . | . Brundrett , Org . ; R . J . II . Sayers , I . G . ; _ W . F . Jepson and J . J . Booth , Stewards ; and G . Metcalfe , Tjli-r . 'Ihe olher poilions of ihe installation were undertaken by the Past Masters as follows : proclamation conducted by the I . ) , if C . ; Bro . Geo . Alfred Myers addressed the W . M . and Wardens ; whilst lhe brethren were addressed by Bro . A . K . Boothroyd . 'lhe balance-sheet showed the lodge to be in a very prosperrus condition , the balarce in the ' «• .-iii'rev ' sli . inels being upwards of ^ , ' , and during the six years of the lodge's existence it has contributed no less a sum than X ' 235 is . Cd .

Craft Masonry.

to various Chanties . We congratulate the new W . M . upon ruling such a successful lodge , and trust he may have a very prosperous and happy year . When all lodge business had been attended to , and "Hearty good wishes" had been expressed by the visiting brethren , the lodge was closed , and the brethren subsequently dined together , when the usual toasts were given and duly honoured . During the evening a magnificent Past Master's jewel was presented to Bro . J . M . Veal , the I . P . M ., forthe affection which the brethren have for him , and for his valuable services as ruler of the lodge for the past year .

bro . Veal suitably acknowledged the handsome gilt . The following brethren were present : Bros . J . M . Veal , W . M . ; A . IC . Boothroyd , I . P . M . ; John Walker , S . W . ; F . Thomas , ' j . W . ; Joseph Ward , Sec ; Fred . Morgan , S . D . ; G . S . Smith , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., D . of C . ; J . Laurisch , J . D . ; Fred . J . Brundrett , Org . ; J . Lawrenson , Stwd . ; R . J . IT . Sayers , G . A . Myers , P . P . G .

D . cf C ; James Sharpies , F . B . Ratcliford , J . Morris , John H . Morris , J . H . Wardle , li . H . Jackson , A . W . Moore , J . Dearnesley , H . A . Kay , VV . P . Jepson , F . J . Passmore , W . Ruwsell , and A . L . Boothroyd . Visitors : Bros . James Walker , P . P . G ' W . ; H . S . Miles , W . II . Anderson , P . M . ; Thos . Cavanagh , P . M . ; A . H . Duffin , P . M ., P . P . G . D . of C ; W . Campbell , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . of C . j VV . R . Box , C . H . Clubb , H . B . Dresser , R . Wotham , andR . Dothe , P . M .

Kingswood Lodge , No . 2278 . On Saturday , the 13 th inst ., at that charming quaint hotel , the Crown , at Broxhoumc , the members of the above lodge assembled to instal for the current 12 months a new W . M . The distinguished position has been held hitherto by Bros . Kelly , P . P . G . W . ; J . Fetch , P . P . G . Std . Br . j J . G . Cobb , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; C . M . Coxon , P . P . G . D . ; the late lamented Bro . H . J . Nell , Prov . G . D . ; C . H . Moore , and R . W . Nicole , who occupied the chair for the year 1 S 95-9 G , and who presided last Saturday at the opening of the lodge , and until his successor , Bro . E . Blinkhorn , was installed .

There were present at the meeting the following : Bros . R . W . Nicole , I . P . M . ; Edwin Blinkhorn , S . W . ; John Petch , P . P . G . S . B ., freas . ; John F . Bell , P . M ., P . P . G . Stwd ., Sec . ; J . Gravatt , S . D . ; A . Ingram , J . D . ; J . G . Cobb , P . M ., D . C ; Arthur A . Kelly . Org . ; Charles E . Renaud , Stwd . ; C . M . Coxon , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; A . Donald King , A . T . I ) . R . Palmer-Palmer , H . R . Bower , A . Franklin . D . Taylor , C Nicole , E . N . Beningfield , IT . F . Packs , F . Page , J . Stephens , and F . H . Johnson . Visitors : Bros . F . Hallows , P . M ., W . M . 1082 ; James Palmer , J . W . 1472 ; J . lienidge , 11 ) 62 ; H . VV . Lee , P . M . 1056 ; G . Redding , P . M . 917 ; Tom Taylor , l . W . 45 ; H . Massey , P . M . Gin and 10 S 2 ; and T . W . Williams , Tyler .

After the preliminary business had been performed , Mr . Francis Henry Johnson was initiated , and then Bro . C M . Coxon , P . M ., was requested by the W . M . to take the chair for the installation ceremony . This he did , and on presentation duly made to him by Bro . Cobb , P . M ., D . C , he installed Bro . E . Blinkhorn as VV . M . in a truly masterly style . The brethren invested as his officers were Bros . J . Gravatt , S . W . ; A .

Ingram , J . W . j J . Fetch , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., Treas . ; John F . Bell , P . M ., P . P . G . Steward , Sec . ; C C Renaud , S . D . ; E . N . Beningfield , J . D . ; H . R . Bower , I . G . j J . G . Cobb , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., D . C . j F . Page and C . Nicole , Stewards j and T . Williams , Tyler . Propositions for the next meeting were then made , and the brethren after closing the lodge sit down to a delightful banquet .

The subsequent proceedings consisted of honouring the customary toasts and the rendering of an excellent musical performance by Bros . R . W . Nicole , Donald King , E . H . Moore , Charles Nicole , F . N . Johnson , Tom Taylor , H . J . Macfarlane , A . Kelly , H . R . Bower , E . N . Beningfield , anel J . Stephens . Bro . Blinkhorn , W . M ., after proposing the toast of " The Prov . Grand Master , llro . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., " whom he described as a thorough gentleman and a thorough Mason , having the interests of Masonry at heatt in every particular , submitted to the

brethren the toast of "The Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bro . G . E . Lake , and the rest of the Provincial Grand Ofiicers . " He said it was a very gratifying thing to know that the interest of the brethren of the Kingswood Lodge in the province had been recognised by the Provincial Grand Master appointing many of its members to Provincial Grand Oflice , and those brethren had distinguished themselves . When Bro . Halsey appointed Bro . Coxon , whose name he was going to couple with that toast , he did a very wise thing , for he appointed a brother who was well able to perform his duties , as the brethren could

testify after seeing him perform the installation that day . llro . Coxon , P . M ., in acknowledging the toast , said he felt it a veiy great honour to belong to the Prov . Grand Lodge of Herts , and particularly to . be connected with the Kingswood Ledge , which always did its best to forward the interests of Freemasonry in the province . While they had such men in the province lo rule over them as they had

now Masonry must nourish . He did not take any credit to himself for being one of the founders of the lodge , but the Provincial Grand Lodge showed its appreciation of the efforts made in forming the Kingswood Lodge by giving Provincial Grand office to its members , and so far the lodge had been a great success . He was only too pleased to do all he could to help Masonry in the province . He was quite sure the lodge would be a great success in the future .

Bro . R . VV . Nicole , I . P . M ., proposed " The W . M . " He did it with great pleasure because Bro . Blinkhorn had the interests of the lodge at heart . Bro . Blinkhorn , W . M ., said , in the course of his reply to the toast , which was most cordially drunk , that , as he had observed on former occasions , he was afraid he was going into the chair with an awful reputation . When became up to London he was said to be a great sportsman , but that was the last thing he was . He went to cricket , and by some chance he made one or two splendid hits ,

and got lhe reputation of being a great cricketer . lhat character hung on him several years , and he was much afraid that that was the position he held in the Kingswood Lodge , for he came in with the reputation of being a shining light . He had been 20 years in Freemasonry and he could lay some claim to ability to perform the ceremonies ; but that was not all that was wanted ; more was required from a VV . M ., for instance , the capacity to preside at the table . His experience of Freemasonry had shown him that if they wished to be thoroughly happy and successful they must have a

Master who could preside at the banquet . He should endeavour to peiform that duty properly . The brethren had the idea he was a shining light , but he was afraid he should not be able to preside over them as they would wish . It was not in the lodge alone that the cementing of good fellowship was effected because inside the lodge everything was to a certain extent formal and it was difficult to fix up brethren . It was at the banquet table they were able to form their great friendships , and the social side of

Freemasonry was what he greatly appreciated , b reemasonry was like a good many other things—a clubj there they became acquainted and were well known to each other . That was what he was anxious should take place in the Kingswood Lodge . At these tables hc should be very pleased if the brethren would sit down at their social gatherings and stay in the room and enjoy each tithei's society . He was very proud to be their Master , and as far as he was concerned he should endeavour to keep the brethren together and make his year of oflice a pleasant one .

Bro . Blinkhorn , VV . M ., next gave "The Installing Master . " Bro . Coxon and he had been associated together many years in Masonry . He initiated Bro . Coxon in another lodge , and had watched his career . Bro . Coxon was an enthusiastic Mason , and when he took up anything he went on with it . The lodge had very great reason lo be proud of him , for he took an active interest in its formation , and had also had a great deal to do with the success of Masonry in the province . He was glad to instal Bro . Coxon in the chair of the Islington Lodge , and was sorry he could not dosa in the Kingswood Lodge . He could 1 ot , however , trench on the rights of the then outgoing VV . MHe was delighted that Bro . Coxon installed him that day in the lodge .

Bro . Coxon , P . M ., in acknowledging the toast , said he was pleased he had been allowed by the I . P . M ., Bro . Nicole , the privilege of installing Bro . Blinkhorn . H ' W . M . heel said lhat he ( Bro . Coxon ) took great interest in Masonic matters . Whatever he had done was due to the example set him by his seniors in the Llington Lodge and the Kingswood Lodge . The W . M ., his sponsor , had set him an example he ha 0 done his best to follow . When he was introduced to the Islington Lodge by Bro . Petch he took particular care that he entered lightly on his duty as a Mason , had done his 1

best to follow his precepts a « d example , and if in anything it had been his privilege tj do the Kingswood Lodge good , it was a source of pleasure and gratificition to him . ' had been his privilege and pleasure to assist in the installation of four Misters of that ludge , but ail the Masters were capable of doing the ceremony , and he did not suppose he would have tu do it again . Iiro . Blinkhorn , VV . M ., in proposing "The Initiate , " said he believed in keeping up the Craft , and not in crowding people into it whether they were lit or not . }' believed they ought to be very careful whom tbey admitted . Some thought that getting into a lodge a man who could sing was 1 iireat idea ; but thit was not the be-all and the