Correspondence.

Correspondence .

Wc do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

THE COMMITTEE OF THE SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I trust that those brethren who were elected will feci that I had no personal objection to them , but proposed two First Principals , good , hard-working

Masons , and pne , to my knowledge , fcr several years one of the best workers of thc ritual . I consider that as a number of distinguished Past Grand Ofiicers are annually appointed by the Grand Principal , the members elected by Grand Chapter should be chosen from the rank and file of that body . Elections in the Grand Chapter are so rarely competitive , that very few voted for my candidates , but as the voting went on the warmth increased .

I did not think the matter of sufficient importance to raise the question , but I very much doubt the legality of the election taken b y show of hands , and many think with me . —Yours , & c , HENRY LOVEGROVE .

FREEMASONRY IN SOUTH AFRICA . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , It is nearly a year ago since I promised to send your readers my impressions of Masonry in the Central District of South Africa . Many a time and oft have 1 attempted to fulfil this promise , but the exigencies of a busy life have prevented .

The first impression made on the " tenderfoot " ( for so is the new comer called here ) will be that Masonry is rather a benevolent , than asocial , Institution . Very little time or money is spent on banquets and ' . he like , and the receipts are used to maintain a fund which is frequently called upon to relieve the necessities of brethren in temporary or permanent distress . The communities being small , every case of distress becomes speedily known , and the sick brother is constantly visited and cared for by members of bis lodge , and in the event of his death their fraternal kindness follows him to the portals of the grave .

There is , or has been , great cordiality existing between members of the three Constitutions in the Diamond Fields . The English are the most numerous , the Scotch the most lenient as to the i ) ualification of candidates , and the Dutch the most regular in attendance at lodge . The visitor from London will be struck with the novelty of the work clone in the English lodges . There is one thing to be said of it , there is no sameness in it , for it is never a twice-told tale . Whenever a W . M . sees or hears anything

in a Scotch or Dutch loelge that takes bis particular fancy , he straightway introduces it into the next ceremony lie conducts , with the result that the ritual becomes intensely polyglot and cosmopolitan . There is a degree of life and " go" in the working which will startle the visitor versed in Emulation working , and like the sailor ' s parrot , he will be continually exclaiming , " Wonder what they will do next . '' The District Grand Lodge in 18 97 established a lodge of instruction fo as to secure uniformity of work in the district . The matter was taken up

warmly by some of the brethren . md for a few meetings , excellent Emulation working was done in the three Kimberley lodges . Some of the old Past Masters , however , found themselves in the coW and demurred . Tfiey did not care to learn the new work and were , therefore , bitterly opposed to it . Others , higher in authority , used as they were to bits of Scotch and Dutch business ( never elsewhere seen in English lodges ) , looked upon the changes as innovations in the Kimberley ritual , and so the polyglot ritual was re-established— -except in the Cosmopolitan Lodge—and one of the best Emulation workers in South Africa

during his year of office restored the Scotch-Dutcli-go-as-you-please working and was heartily applauded by his seniors . The District Board of Genera ! Purposes in its report this year to the District Grand Lodge disposes of the lodge of instruction by saying that an effort was made to establish uniformity of work , but that brethren took no interest in the matter . Had the report been made by the outgoing Board it would have been surprising , but as it is the custom for the Board that is to be appointed to make out the annual report they , of course , could know nothing of it officially . You see , Alice in Wonderland is not unknown in this part of the world .

There is another innovation here in the appointment of D . G . Lodge Officers . These are promoted annually as in private lodges . This promotes a feeling of intense satisfaction and keen emulation in the minds of all . The active Mason has always something to look forward to , which will soothe his declining years . His ambition is not crushed by the approach of the sere and yellow time . There

are always vistas of future greatness opening up before him . There are always Masonic heights to be climbed . Having worked his way to thc chair of K . S . he may in time be honoured with the red collar of a D . G . S ., afterwards to become a D . G . P . and so on—il he be a semi-immortal to thc chair of D . S . G . W . The novel idea will probably be sized with avidity by Grand Lodge .

The last meeting of the D . G . Lodge was presided over by the District Deputy , VV . Bro . D . J . HaarholV , in the absence in search of health of the D . G . M . The proceedings passed oil' smoothly , except Ior a ripple of excitement caused by an edict of the D . G . M ., to thc effect that members of the English Constitution , while permitted to visit " foreign lodges , " were forbidden to take any part whatever in any ceremony without a dispensation . It has hitherto been the custom

for visiting brethren to be asked to give the working tools , charge , or some similar position of the ceremonies ( as W . Ms , here very rarely do all the work themselves ) . Now , the visitor must refuse , or keep the lorl ^ e waiting till he ran apply for , and have granted , a dispensation . I hope the edict will not disturb the Iriendly spirit which has existed throughout all the Constitutions working here . It probably will among those who take any interest in the Order , as a whole .

Royal Arch Masonry is not nourishing in the District . Five out of the eight Cralt lodges have R . A . chapters , but three of the five are said to be working under lhe Grand Chapter of Scotland . There is a Mark lorl ^ e with a fair number of members , a preceptory of K . T ., which met this -ear fur the first time since iSy 3 , and a R . C . chapter which meets occasionally . So that the Order and its branches may be said to be pretty well represented in and about Kimberley . —Yours fraternally ,

WILL E . CHAPMAN Kimberley , S . A ., lSi . li April .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"OI'HCI . M . I HHKI TIIKY 1 nn THE I ' <<>\ I . NVIAI . GRAND LIUII . E HI- CORNWALL , 1 S 9 S . "—Bro . J . C R . ( rewes , thc pusent Editor of this compact and ably-arranged Annual has c ' one his work well and given particulars 0 / considerable interest and utility to thc province fo date . It is now in its 2 / th year of publication , and was never more valuable than at the pretent time . The Analysis of the Annual Returns has long been

Reviews.

a feature of this Directory , as also the "Annals of the Cornish Craft" from 1751 . There are 30 lodges on the Cornish roll , having 1925 members , being the largest return yet made . The initiations during 1 S 97 numbered i 5 o . The chapters run to 13 and the Mark lodges to 12 . There are also a lodge of Royal Ark Mariners , a Rose Croix chapter , and one Knight Templar preceptory in the province . The Table of Votes far the Cential Masonic Charities is very complete and shows a grand total of 4756 votes , which is creditable for the size of the province .

" FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF DERBYSHIRE , iSyS . "—The Editor of this artistic Annual is Bro . Wm . Naylor , the esteemed Prov . G . Sec , the arrangement being similar to the previous issues . The Portrait Gallery this time is engaeed for a "speaking likeness" of Sir Henry Howe Bemrose , Knt ., M . P ., the Prov . S . G . W . of Derbyshire for this year . There are 27 lodges having a total of some 1370 members , i < -., an average of 51 to each lodge . There are eight chapters of the Royal Arch and seven Mark lodges , besides other Masonic Bodies duly described , and a full Table of Votes for the Masonic Charities , numbering in all 256 O , in addition to the large number of 1061 for the Mark Educational and Annuity Fund .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

St . George Lodge , No . 242 . The annual installation meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Rooms , Doncaster , on Friday , the dth instant . Present : Bros . F . II . Buckland , VV . M . ; R . Bridge , l . P . M . ; G . Smith , S . W . ; T . VV . Turner , J . W . ; J . W . Hainsworth , Sec . ; II . C . White , S . D . ; II . Foster , J . D . ; C . Reasbeck , I . G . ; W . C . Wright , Steward ; J . Mason and C . Richardson , Tylers- A . VV . Fretwell , P . M . ; J . II . Pawson , P . M .,

P . P . G . R . ; C . Goldthorpe , P . M . ; C . M . Hartley , P . M . ; J . Fitzgerald , P . M . ; J . Denison . C . Barrett , L . Ii . Castle , A . Bridge , Francis Duff , and J . W . Chapman . The visitors were Bros . J . V . Thomas , P . M . 1 S 02 , P . P . G . P . ; Jno . Constable . P . M . 2257 , P . P . G . S . B . ; H . A . Fenton . W . M ., S . H . C . Ashlin , P . M ., G . Eland , S . W ., and Thos . Barber , l . P . M ., ol 2259 ; Thos . Hodgson , 5 G 5 ; G . Milner , P . M . 1511 , P . P . G . S . B . j J . Smith , Org . 1 S 02 ; J . Franks , S . W . 14 S 2 ; Jno . Kelley , VV . M . 667 : E . Simpson , 1221 ; C . Pascall , S . D . 2090 ; and others .

Bro . G . Smith , S . VV ., W . M . elect , was presented for the benefits of installation . The outgoing W . M . undertook the duty of Installing Master and did his work wonderfully well , giving both spirit and feeling to the many beautiful expressions of the ritual . The charges to the oflicers and brethren generally were given by Bro . Parson in a very appropriitc manner . Tbe following held office pro tem . during the installation ceremony— Hrcs . C . M . Hartley , S . W . ; C . Goldthorpe , J . W . ; A . W . Fretwell and J . Fitzgerald , Deacons ; and J . Constable , I . G . The W . M . appointed his officers as

follows : F . II . Buckland , l . P . M . ; T . W . Turner , S . W . ; F . Duff , J . W . ; F . Rand , Treas . ; J . Fitzgerald , Chap . ; J . VV . Hainsworth , Sec ; IT . Foster , S . D . ; C . Reasbeck , J . D . ; J . 11 . Pawson , Org . ; A . VV . Fretwell , D . C ; C . Goldthorpe , Almoner and Chariy Steward ; W . C . Wright , I . G . ; J . W . Chapman and W . Hunt , Stwds . ; and J . Mason and C . Richardson , Tylers . Before the close of the ceremony the W . M . said he had a very pleasing duty to perform . In recognition of the services of liro . Buckland during his year of ollice as VV . M . the brethren had subscribed and

purchased a Past Master ' s collar and silver jewel attached , and also a gold Past Master s jewel for decoration , and he , the W . M ., had the greatest pleasure in investing Bro . Buckland with the collar and placing the jewel on his breast . That was done amidst great applause . Bro . Buckland , in response , thanked the brethren from the bottom of his heart , but words failed to express his feelings at the moment ,- he should never forget their kindness and the appreciation of his services more than repaid him for all he had done .

It is worthy of note here that Bro . Buckland having obtained a faculty has placed at his own expense in the noble edifice St . George ' s Church , Doncaster , a beautiful brass tablet in memory of thc late George Hirst , the late Tyler of 242 , who had held that office for many many years . After the ceremony , the brethren adjourned to the banquet room where a splendid repast had been prepared by the Club Steward , Bro . Richardson . After which the usual Masonic toasts were given interspersed with music .

" The Oueen and the Craft , " " The Grand Lodge and H . R . H . the Grand Master , " given by the " W . M ., and the National Anthem and " God bless the Prince of Wales , " being sung . The W . M . next gave" The R . W . P . G . M ., liro . Jackson , and the Prov . Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire , " to which Bros . J . II . Pawson , P . P . G . R ., and J . Constable , P . P . G . S . B ., responded . " The W . M . " was given by Bro . Bentley the oldest Mason present .

The W . M . responded , and hoped the brethren would not regret the choice they had made in placing him in the honourable position he then held , he , himself , would do his best . The other toasts were " The Installing Master , " " The Visitors , " " The Charities , " and "The Oflicers of 242 . " Songs were given by Bros . Pawson , Hainsworth , and Smith ( Retford ) -, recitations by Bros . Milner and Turner , and the band , li .-os . Reasbeck ( violin ) , Venus ( ilate ) , White ( piano ) , and Duff ( organ ) , played som * . splendid selectioas . Altogether it was one of the most pleasant installation days St . George ' s have ever seen .

Ubique Lodge , No . 17 S 9 . Installation anniversaries of this lodge of the Royal Artillery are usually attended by a large number of distinguished brethren , and the gathering at the Criterion , Piccadilly , on the yth inst . was no exception . Among the visitors were Bros . VV . W . B . lieach , M . P ., Prov . G . M . Hants and Isle of Wight ; E . Letchworth , G . Sec . ; R . F .

Gould , P . G . D . ; Dr . Clement Godson , P . G . D . ; C . Hammerton , P . G . S . B . ; VV . Rufsell , A . G . D . C , Prov . G . T ' . Kent ; A . Spencer , J . P ., P . G . S . B . ; A . C Spaull , P . G . Std . Br . ; the Rev . H . W . Turner , Prov . G . Chip . Surrey ; Gen . F . T . LI > yd , CB . ; F . A . Hazcland , P . J . G . W . I long Kong ; Maj . de Pinna ; Capt . C . Reynolds , P . G . S . B . Ilurg Kong ; and others .

T lie kelge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . Capt . II . L . A . Jenkirsm . R . H . V ., who having requested Bro . Lieut .-Col . I . I ' . Ritchie , R . A ., P . D . G . S B ., to olliciate as Installing Ollicer , the W . M . elect , Bro . Major ( O . M . ) E . II . Murdoch , R . A , S . W ., wis presented by Bro . Capt . W . A . Weston , P . S . G . lj . |{; n ' , anl the cerum my of install 1-tion was carrieil out wi'li thc care and ability for which liro . C ilonel Ritchie is nited . 'lhe newly-installed Worshipful Master invested the following brethren as his oflicers : Bros . Captain II . L . A . Jenkinson , K . II . A-, l . P . M . ; O lartermister-S-rgeant W . IL

K . Prewer , \< A ., S . W . ; Major F . E . Cojper , R . A , P . M ., P . J . G . W . Cheshire , J W . j Rev . W . George Howard , M . A ., Ch . I <\ , Chip . ; l / eut .-Col . ) . T . Rrtc ' iie , R . A , P . M , P . D . G . S . ' - ., Treas . ; Lieut . ( K .. \ L ) | . bunn > nt , K . ILA , Sic . ; Capt . A . Ii . Chamberlin , R . A ., S . D . ; Mijur J . W . Mi ' rslen Niwtjn , K . A , J . D . : Opt . IL L . Powell , R . A ., I . G . ; Col . II . M . Hc / . i er , C . B ., late R . A ., D . C . ; Cant . S . II . Hooper , R . A .,

A . D . C ; Maj-ir II . B . Lewis-Uarnc . l , Kent Artillery , O . g . ; Sjrgeent-M ijor ( W . O . ) G . Robert .- - , R . A ., Lieut . II . Coni ij . luni , R . A ., and Capt . J . W . Ormiston , R . A , Stewards ; and C Warren , lite R . A ., Tyler . Tie Anlitors el ; cte 1 wire li .-os . Lieut . W . Robson , R . A ., Capt . M . D . Ii . 11 , K . A ., and Warrant Ollicer W . II . Neville , R . A ., and the Committee on Lwelge Chuitcs : Bros . Capt . C , E . Reynolds , Lieut .-Colonel Ritchie , Capt . Weston , and the l . P . M .

Grants of 25 guineas to the li-. t of the Steward of the lodge , Bro . Capt . Jenkinson ( . P . M ., for the approaching Centeniry of the R . M . I , for Boys , and of 10 guineas to the list o ! Bro . Capt . Weston , for the Centenary Charity , in recognition of Bro . Westcn ' s zeal and ability during the recent successful election of the child O'Neill , were voted this being Bro . Weston ' s fifth Stewardship in the cause of Masonic Charities , and with the presentation of a jewel to liro . Caut . Jenkinson , l . P . M ., lodge was closed . and

About So of the brethren dined in the sumptuous Victoria 1 ( ill of the Criterion , a strong contingent of the Royal Artillery Band executed a choice programme of miisiCi under the coneliictorsliip of Bro . Conductor Robinson , which had been arranged oy Bro . Major Lewit-liarned , the lodge Organist . , „ The Royal toasts were duly honoured . In proposing that of " The Grind O . licers the VV . M . remarked that the Ubique Lodge now musters 190 members , including » ve Past Grand Ollicers and 27 Past Masters of , and belonging to it , but does not possess