Correspondence.

Asking you to favour me with the insertion of this letter in the Freemason , I remain , yours faithfully and fraternally , WILLIAM BAEL , P . M . 45 . 31—45 , Gresham-street , E . C . August 13 th .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

flDasontc IRotes anb ( Queries

993 ] — EARLY EDITIONS OF THE ENGLISH BIBLE . Bro . J . R . Dore , of Huddersfield , delivered a lecture lately before the " St . Paul's Ecclesiological Society , " on " some early printed editions of the English Bible , " the paper being now printed in the Transactions of that learned body . The lecture was full of interest to

students of the same cult as our enthusiastic brother , whose success in tracing hitherto unknown editions of the" Volume of the Sacred Law " ( or portions thereof ) , is something phenomenal ; and what is more , he is always ready to make his discoveries known , as also courteous in his replies to correspondents who , like myself , write him for information . On the conclusion of the lecture ,

Bro . Dore exhibited , as important selections from his valuable biblical library , an unknown edition of Tyndal ' s New Testament of 1535 ( circa ) , and one of 1548 . Also a portion of Coverdale's Bible of 1537 ( circa ) , and other great curiosities . An extraordinary find is his recent discovery of an edition of Coverdale ' s

version , in 16 mo ., the type used being similar to Nicholson ' s founts , who published the premier English Bible of 1535 . Not a few of us would like to be the owner of the copy of Bro . Dore ' s valuable work on "Old Bibles , " which is illustrated "with a genuine leaf of every known version . " W . J . HUGHAN .

Reviews.

Reviews .

BURNS : POET LAUREATE OF CANONGATE KILWINNING A MYTH . Letters reprinted from the Freemason , with Prefatory Note by W . OFFICER , P . M ., the Lodge of Edinburgh ( St . Mary ' s Chapel ) , No . 1 , & c .

Tradition it has been said does not invent , it only exag . gerates . To what extent it can do this Bro . Officer has clearly shown in the correspondence which originally appeared in this journal in reference to the belief so long entertained that the Poet Burns held the office of Poet Laureate of Lodge Canongate Kilwinning . That Burns was associated with the lodge there can be no doubt , but it is clear from the evidence brought forward by Bro .

Officer that Burns was never its Poet Laureate . This is conlirmed by Bro . D . Murray Lyon , the Scottish Masonic historian and present Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , who quotes the actual minutes of proceedings at the meeting of the Canongate Kilwinning , at which Burns is alleged to have been inaugurated as Poet Laureate . We are willing to concede that Bro . Allan Mackenzie contends bravely for his opinion that Burns did hold the office in question , but the absence of any

direct or positive evidence in its behalf must be held to be fatal , nor do we think that any dispassionate reader , after carefully weighing the circumstances , can possibly come to any other conclusion than that the poet ' s inauguration inlo the poet laureateship of the Canongate Kilwinning is a pretty myth , which people may accept if it pleases them , but which has no foundation whatever , except in the imagination of historians who lived and wrote some 50 years after the poet was dead .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

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PROVINCIAL MEETINGS . BRADFORD . Acacia Lodge ( No . 2321 ) . —A regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , on Thursday , the 14 th ult ., when there were present Bros . E . P . Peterson , W . M . ; S . A . Autv , I . P . M . ; John Xiven , S . W . j Joseph Wilson , P . M .. P . P . G . S . B ., acting J . W . ; Chas . II .

Ellis , Treas . ; | ames Ii . I'earnley , Sec . ; Alfred Stephenson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , D . C ; S . A . Bailey , P . M ., Chap . ; T . Wainman Holmes , P . P . G . Org ., Org . ; John Thornton , as S . D . ; John Morton , as J . D . ; Robert S . Hird , as I . G . ; and John W . Bland . Visitors : Bros . R . Wilson , 1303 ; James Tilley and F . W . Galpine , Coo ; Frank Lees , 16 4 S j and Isaac Bromberp , 4 SG .

The minutes having been read and confirmed , the W . M . announced that the illness of Bro . Thomas joweit , P . S . W ., referred to therein , had proved fatal , and that he , with other brethren , had attended the funeral of the late lamented brother . Bro . T . W . Holmes played the " Dead March in Saul , " and Bro . S . A . Bailey , Chap ., read the yoth Psalm . After the hymn " O God our help in eges past" had been

sung , Bro . Auty delivered an address , referring to the great loss the lodge had sustained by the decease of Bio . Thomas Jowett , whose kindliness , geniality , and many other admirable traits of character hadso endeared him to his brethren . Whilst deploring the loss which it had pleased the G . A . O . T . U . to inilict upon the lodge , Bro . Auty expressed the joy which was born of the conviction that Bro , Jowett had entered upon his final rest in the Grand Lodge above .

Ihe anthem O rest in the Lord was sung by liro . Frank Lees . Bro . John William Bland was raised to the Sublime Degree of a M . M ., the ceremony being conducted in an impressive manner by Bro . Stephenson . It was resolved that on account of the death of Bro . Jowett , the lodge should be placed in mourning for three months , and that a letter of condolence should be forwarded to Mrs . Jowett . Two candidates for initiation were proposed , and the lodge was then closed .

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Acacia Lodge ( No . 2321 ) . —A lodge of emergency was held at the Masonic Hall , Darley-street , on Thursday , the 2 Sth ult ., when there were present Bros . E . Pearson Peterson , W . M . ; John'Niven , S . W . ; JohnT . Last , J . W . ; A . J . Boyle , S . D . ; Robt . S . Hird , as J . D . ; Samuel Robinson , I . G . ; G . Root , Tyler ; S . A . Auty , I . P . M . ; Chas . H . Ellis , Treas . ; James B . Fearnley ,

Sec . ; S . A . Bailey , P . M ., Chap . ; A . Stephenson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , D . C . ; J . Wilson , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; John Wm . Bland , J . A . Drake , John Morton , and C . Wood . Visitors : Bros . J . Wilson , W . M ., and R . Wilson , of 1619 . 'l'he lodge was opened by the W . M ., and Bro . Wood was raised to the Third Degree by Bro . Stephenson , P . P .

G . D . C , with his usual ability , and after " Hearty good wishes" from the visitors , the lodge was closed . At refreshment which followed labour , the toast of "The Visitors " was ably proposed by the W . M ., who bade the guests—who were both from the Province of Sussex—a very hearty welcome . In responding , Bro . J . Wilson , P . M ., W . M . 1610 , expressed the pleasure it had given him , a Yorkshireman , to

visit the lodge , and contrasted the working he had witnessed in the lodge with the Emulation Lodge , which was almost universal in the southern provinces , but he nevertheless admitted that there was much to be admired in the old York working which he found was much in vogue in the north of England . A very pleasant evening was spent , several of the brethren contributing to the harmony .

BROXROURNE . KingSWOOd Lodge ( No . 2278 ) . —The regular meeting was held on Saturday , the 13 th inst ., at the Crown Hotel , when there was a good attendance of members and visitors , including Bros . C . M . Coxon , W . M . ; J . G . Cobb , Prov . G . Stwd ., I . P . M . ; H . T . Nell , P . M ., S . W . ; W . Ball , P . M ., as J . W . ; J . T . Bell , P . M ., Sec ; E . H .

Moore , S . D . ; R . W . Nicole , J . D . ; G . T . Chretien , I . G . ; E . Blinkhorn , P . M ., Stwd . ; T . Williams , Tyler ; N . Pearce , W . Kennedy , J . W . Rattenbury , R . Von der Sahl , \ V . E . Goodwins , J . R . Bickers , J . Gravatt , and C . C . Renaud . Visitors : Bros . Philip Sharpe . P . M . SGg , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . J . Morris , P . M . 403 , P . P . G . S . B . ; E . R . May , 177 ; C . H . Stevenson , Stwd . 1471 ; j . H .

Watson , Treas . 1 C 41 ; T . G . Carpenter , 270 ; R . McCarthy , 1021 ; H . M . Hind , 1489 ; W . W . Hind , 14 S 1 J ; S . R . Walker , P . M ., Sec . 733 ; R . L . Smith , P . M . 10 , St . John's , New Brunswick ; and D . B . Cummings , 43 , Nova Scotia . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes confirmed , Bros . J . R . Bickers and W . E . Goodwins were passed to the Second Degree . A ballot was then taken for

Mr , C . C . Renaud , a candidate for initiation , and proving unanimous , he was duly initiated , Bro . E . Blinkhorn , P . M ., at the request of the W . M ., taking part in the ceremony . After " Hearty good wishes " from the visitors , the lodge was closed . After the interval , which was spent by the brethren in boating or in witnessing some athletic sports which were

being held on the grounds adjacent , the brethren reassembled to partake of an excellent dinner , after which the usual programme of toasts was gone through . In replying to that of " The Prov . Grand Officers , " Bro . W . J . Morris , P . P . G . S . B ., said that it was just 12 months since he had been present at one of their meetings . He was pleased to see their familiar faces once more , and

congratulated the lodge on the progress it was making . " The Health of the Worshipful Master" was proposed in very kindly terms by Bro . J . G . Cobb , I . P . M ., for which compliment he briefly returned thanks . I n proposing "The Health of the Past Masters , " coupling the toast with the name of the LP . M ., the Worshipful Master said that the brethren who had filled the high office

of Master of the lodge had earned the respect of the brethren by the efficient manner in which they had carried out their duties , their watchful care for the interests of the lodge , and their geniality and kindliness to all the brethren . It was only the W . M . who could fully appreciate the services of the Past Masters , he alone could know how much he depended upon them tor support and guidance ,

assistance in emergencies , and wise counsel in difficulties . He was glad of the opportunity of acknowledging his obligation to them . Bro . Cobb , I . P . M ., in reply , said that any services the Past Masters could render were but a labour of love , and thanked the brethren for the cordial manner in which they had received the toast .

"The Initiate" was next proposed , the W . M . stating that he had known him for-iC or 17 years , and he had every confidence in introducing him to the lodge . Bro . C . C . Kenaud briefly thanked the brethren . The W . M . then gave " The Visitors , " remarking that it was a great pleasu e to them to be honoured by the presence of such a number of visitors on that occasion . It was a

compliment which they appreciated , as it showed in some degree the estimation in which the lodge was held . They were very pleaded to entertain brethren irom other lodges in the province , as well as their London friends , but more especially did they welcome at all times the colonial brethren who occasionally favoured them with their company . He hoped that whenever they were on this side they would not

fail to pay them a visit . Ihe toast was heartily received . Bro . Philip Sharpe , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., said that as a member of a sister lodge in the province he was very pleased to be present . They were interested in the progress that was being made . He complimented the lodge on the uniform good working which was displayed . Bro . Walker , P . M . 733 , 3 ) 50 replied .

Bro . R . L . Smith , P . M . 10 , St . John ' s , New Brunswick , gave a very interesting reply . It was his lirst visit to the Kingswood Lodge , though he had visited other lodges since he had been in this country . He must say that the working of the lodge did not compare unfavourably with that of some of the older lodges he had visited . The English working differed from that of lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of New Hrunswick . He must say he

preferred their own ; it was fuller ; but in one respect he must confess they were entirely eclipsed—that was in the " Fourth Degree . " He hoped the opportunity would occur for him to return to some representative of the lodge the hospitality they had extended towards him . Bros . Cummings , 43 , Nova Scotia , and E . R . May , 177 , also replied . Alter the toasts of "The Treasurer and Secretary " and '" The Oliicers of the Lodge , " The W . M . said they must not separate until he had , on

Craft Masonry.

behalf ot the brethren and in his own name , tendered their hearty thanks to Bro . Stevenson , Moore , Watson , H . M Hind , W . W . Hind , and W . E . Goodwins for their able musical services , which had given so much pleasure to the brethren . The Tyler ' s toast and " Auld Lang Syne " brought to a close another most enjoyable and successful meeting .

CROYDON . Mozart Lodge ( No . 1929 ) . —The installation meeting of this popular and musical lodge was held on the 6 th instant , at the Greyhound Hotel . Present : Bros . VV Jolly , W . M . ; G . J . Barnett , S . W . ; F . Flood , J . W . ¦ T . T . Phillips , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., Sec . ; R . S . Taylor , S . D . ; R . Groome , J . D . ; H . J . Macfarlane , I . G . ; G .

Harrison , Tyler ; H . E . Francis , P . P . G . U . ; W . Weschc , L . R . Dicksee , A . R . Vanden Bergh , R . J . Porter , E . Branscombe , H . S . Bugby , G . Baxter , W . H . Squier , Stanley Smith , G . Forey , W . Thomas , Dan Price , G . C . Tegetaeier , and others . Visitors •- Bros . H . King , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . Middx . ; G . J . Baker , I . P . M . 108 ; the Rev . H . V . 'Tyrrel , Chap . 1685 and 2369 ; G . H . Kitson , P . M .

54 S ; R . Poore , P . M . 1 949 ; G . Long , 23 G 9 ; J . Leyland , J 343 j H . J . Dean , 45 ; A . F . Harris , 214 S ; J . Lesquire , 1669 ; and F . Dawson , 1364 . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed . Bros . H . S . Bugby and Dan Price having been raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M ., Bro . H . E . Francis , P . G . D . C , acting D . C ,

presented Bro . G . J . Barnett , W . M . elect , for the benefit of installation , the ceremony being performed by Bro . W . Jolly , W . M ., in a very creditable manner . The newlyinstalled W . M . afterwards invested his officers as follows : Bros . F . Flood , S . W . ; R . S . Taylor , J . W . ; A . Briscoe , P . M ., Treas . ; T . Phillips , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., Sec . ; H . J . Macfarlane , S . D . ; C . H . Hewlett , J . D . ; W .

Wesche , LG . ; L . R . Dicksee , D . C ; A . R . Vanden Bergh , A . D . C ; E . Branscombe , Org . ; R . J . Porter and W . D . Tulloch , Stewards ; and G . Harrison , Tyler . The ballot having been taken for Mr . G . C . Tegetmeier , as a candidate for initiation , and proving unanimous in his favour , he was initiated by the W . M . in a most efficient manner , the ritual being interspersed with vocal and

instrumental music , thereby enhancing the solemnity of the occasion . Many eulogies of praise were given by the visiting brethren for the capital working and beautiful rendering of the sacred music . The balance-sheet was accepted unanimously , the lodge being in a sound financial condition . The lodge being closed , the brethren adjourned to a sumptuous repast , provided by Bro . J . A . Williams , the host .

The preliminary toasts having been disposed of , Bro . W . Jolly , LP . M ., in proposing "The Health of the W . M ., " said it needed no words from him to insure the toast a hearty reception ; they had no brother who had performed his duties in a more exemplary manner than the W . M . Let them hope that his year of office would be a happy one . He . was sure the brethren would do their best

to make it a pleasant year . The Worshipful Master thanked the brethren most heartily for the very cordial manner in which they had drunk his health . Ithad been a very great pleasure to him to preside over them for the first time . He had been initiated in the Mozart Lodge , and it had always been his ambition to occupy the chair ; it was a position a man must

accept and take with the sole idea of doing good . He thanked them again most heartily for their kindness , especially the visitors for supporting him on that occasion . The toast of "The Installing Master , Bro . W . Jolly , LP . M ., " was given and drunk very heartily , and was duly responded to . " The Health of the Initiate " received a very warm

reception , he replying amid much enthusiasm . Bro . Phillips , P . M ., Sec , in giving the toast of " The Visitors , " complimented the lodge upon having such a distinguished and numerous assembly of eminent Masons and workers . On behalf of the lodge he gave them a most hearty welcome . It had been the desire of all the brethren that they should be made as comfortable as possible .

Personally , he had a sneaking regard for some of them , the Mozart Lodge being in want of a Chaplain . Bro . Tyrrel said he was very grateful to the Master and brethren for their kind reception , also the great compliment they had paid him ; possibly at some future time he might identify himself with them . Bros . King , Baker , and Ketson also replied in very

felicitous terms . The toasts of "The Past Masters , " "The Treasurer and Secretary , " and "The Working Officers of the Lodge were g iven in very complimentary terms , the W . M . declaring that every one of them were fully qualified to carry out the various and important duties in assisting him in the good working of the lodge .

Die brethren replied , pledging themselves to be loyai , and support the W . M . The Worshipful Master , in giving the toast of " I he Musical Brethren , " said it was one ot the most important toasts of the evening . They had the pleasure of listening to one of the most beautiful and pleasing programmes ot tnawt

music , and he , on behalf of the brethren , begged to Bro . Dicksee for arranging it , and Bro . Weschc for presiding at the piano , and especially Bros . Groome , Ley lano , l-ranscombe , Macfarlane , Dan Price , and Stanley braitn for their delightful harmony ; truly it might be said to be a musical feast . , The Tyler ' s toast brought the meeting to a close , one 01 the most memorable in the annals of the Mozart Lodge .

HEATON MOOR . Ashton Lodge ( No . n o ) .-The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Reform Hall , on Wed " * day , the ioth instant . In the absence of Bro . I" ? . ™/" Uostron , W . M ., the lodge was opened by Bro . Moila » . LP . M . Bro . Hairy Gordon Small , W . M . 23 , occupied tne chair , and passed Bro . McKechine , and also presented in uinrLmtr tnnk . Th » r » w « r » nrw » nl Hrni . lohn MOllf "'

I . P . M . ; H . G . Small , S . W . ; W . W . Wilson , l - ^' P . P . G . D ., Treas . ; R . V . Cutchley , Sec ; John K- f Jeffery , S . D . ; Geo . Rostron , J . D . ; G . Metcalfe ; JWood , P . M . ; E . T . Everitt , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; . "' Hopkinson , P . M ., Org . ; J . B . Grimshaw , H . B . McKechine W . G . Seal , Jno . Scholietd , W . T . Cairn , W . E . Harw ** C . E . Hale , C . P . Ellington , K . M . Stewart , Dunn Murray , H . B . Everet , P . M . ; and Geo . L . Mills . y ' . ' , Bros . R . li . Walker , S . W . 993 ; John Coupland , 03 , S . Smith , P . M . ; W . T . Hesketh , P . M . ; and W . ™ lOlj .