Masonic Notes.

The other case was that of a candidate admitted into Lodge No . i , in July , 18 95 , as to whom the Board was instructed to make inquiries and report to Grand Lodge as to whether such admission was in accordance with the requirements of the Book of Constitutions . The necessary inquiries were made , and after a lengthened examination , the Board report that the initiation was not in accord

with the said Book , firstly , because the cause of emergency had not been stated to the lodge , and , secondly , because it had not been recorded in the minutes of the lodge . We are glad to find that this young Colonial Grand Lodge is jealous for the honour of the Craft and resolved on upholding it in matters apparently so small and yet of such great importance .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

REMOVAL OF THE BOYS' SCHOOL . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , 1 have read the leading article in your issue of the 14 th inst ., in which you comment on my previous letters to you us to the removal of the Boys ' School .

You say " are we to infer that the Committee .... must never adopt any proposal . . . unless or until it commands the unanimous approval of the Subscribers in the Provinces . " Certainly not . If you will refer to my letter of the 29 th June you will see the following : " Let me urge the Council to adopt the suggestion of ascertaining the views of all Governors and Subscribers by means of voting papers . If a substantial majority support the views of the Council they may fairly appeal to , and will doubtless obtain , the support of the Craft in general . "

The late proposal was one of the most exceptional character , and should have been treated as such . You would put it on the same level as engaging a junior master or buying a set of chamber ware . I will not dispute with you whether the question is of more importance to those who have to send children lone distances to London , or to the brethren in the

Home District , who , you say , find the larger portion of the money . It may be a matter of opinion . But whatever it may be to the latter , it certainly is of grave importance to those poor parents who have to pay the cost of sending their sons long journeys to receive an education which they can obtain equally well in the neighbourhood of their own homes .

You say " we have taken upon ourselves to assume that there is a decided preponderance of opinion in favour of this particular proposal . " This , of course , begs the whole question . Where no real oppportunity has been afforded of expressing opinion , such " assumption "—on either side—must be of little value . You name various provinces as having " expressed themselves more or less favourably , " and that in the case of others " there are grounds for believing " that they are prepared to support the proposal . I cannot contest the latter proposition—it is altogether too airy and unsubstantial . But as to those who have

" expressed themselves , " I observe from your reports that the expression has always taken the form of a " vote of confidence" in the Committee—rarely , if ever , is there any direct expression of approval of Ihe thing proposed to be done . Now , Sir , is not this the usual course taken by a more or less discredited Ministry in the House of Commons . Something is proposed which is known will meet with strong opposition and probably be defeated by those from whom they usually obtain support . A " vote of confidence" is proposed , and the matter is conveniently shelved .

You say I am "inconsistent" with respect to the General and Local Chanties . That I must put up with ! No doubt the views you set out as mine are inconsistent . My reply is that they are not my views . I thank our Bro . Secretary for his analysis of the attendance , and observe that each of 16 provinces were represented by one Subscriber only—in some of such cases such Subscriber being a member of the Committee of Management . Herefordshire , Huntingdonshire , and Norfolk were not represented . I also observe that Kent and Surrey are " Southern , " and not " Home , . Provinces . " Technically , perhaps right !

What an overwhelming expression of opinion , and how the " un-Masonic opponents of the scheme ought to collapse ! I thank you for your courteous expressions towards myself , and will take care lo recollect in future that , when used in the freemason , "un-Masonic" ( applied to those who take a contrary view to those you advocate ) is a term of extreme courtesy—even of affection . —Yours fraternally , D . P . G . M . AND P . G . O . Bristol , November 18 th .

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I have gathered from ^ your paper that the resolution passed at the Quarterly Court confirming the removal of the Boys' Institution from Wood Green is being opposed by some of our brethren in the Northern Provinces , and it has occurred to me to consider what such opposition is worth as a matter of £ s . d ., it being pretty well known that the brethren to whom I have referred are generally anxious to get at least 12 pence for every shilling .

I have only had time to look back 12 years , which I think affords sufficient basis for my calculations . During that period the contributions given by East Lancashire , divided by the number of boys that Province has had in the Institution , gives an average of £ 22 Ss . gd . per boy per annum , whilst the same average from North and East Yorkshire is ^ ' 28 4 s . 3 d . per boy per annum .

Now , as each boy costs the Institution on an average about £ 44 per annum , it seems to me that our brethren of those Provinces have had an ample quid pro ijtio , and I venture to ask whether their opposition is entitled to much weight as against what otherwise appears to be the unanimous wish of the Craft . —I am , Sir , yours fraternally , A P . G . SECRETARY WHO KNOWS .

Reviews.

Reviews .

i . "BEslriE THE B ONNIE BRIER BUSH ; " 2 . "THE DAYS UI AULIJ LANU SYNE ; " 3 . "K ATE CARNEGIE AND THOSE MINISTERS . " ( Lom / on . •H odder and Stoughton , . 7 , Paternoster-row ; fo . each . ) . —It wouldihe unwise to attempt a review , or even a brief notice of this very remarkable trio , hy considering the merits and chief points ui interest of each separately now that we have read Die three volumes , as they should be perused and described as complementary one of the other . Any one who has only read the " Bonnie Brier Bush , " or either ol the others , necessarily loses much of the beauty and interest of the three books as one work , concerning the grand characters so graphically described by Dr . Watson . 'Ihe "Doctor of the Old School , " Marget of

Reviews.

"Whinnie Knowe , " the trio of Ministers—the "dear old Rabbi , " Dr . Davidson and Carmichael—and other magnificent moral heroes are so often alluded to in the three volumes ( even some after they have died and been buried ) , and so appear and re-appear in such unorthodox fashion and at such unexpected times , that a special feature of " Ian Maclaren ' s " method of treatment as a novelist cannot fully be appreciated save by reading the series . The " Bonnie Brier Bush , " the first in the field , is now in its Soth thousand , "Auld Lang Syne" has reached Co . ooo copies , and " Kate Carnegie "

will soon be a friendly rival of her two immediate predecessors . Though each volume is complete in itself so to speak , it is understoodall the better by being studied with its near relatives . The books are like nothing else in the English-Scottish-language , and the chief inhabitants ot Drumtochty have been so vividly pourtrayed by Dr . Watson that they seem to be enrolled with our dearest friends and cherished ideals . " Dumsie , " Drumsheugh , Hillocks , Jamie Soutar , " Posty , " Burnbrae , and other worthies are now remembered as actual dwellers along the banks of the bonnie river Tochty rather than

as creations of the novelist . The hundreds of thousands of Ian Maclaren's readers are anxious to hear more about these men and women who were veritable saints on earth , and would turn even a lonesome village into a real Paradise by reason of their intense love for the beautiful , their determination to bear adversity and be superior to fear , their delight to do good hy stealth , and their desire to live as becometh the " Images of God . "

" Kate Carnegie " in some respects is more English in some of its characteristics than the other two , though essentially Scottish at heart . General Carnegie and his daughter are truly noble conceptions , and the final chapter which introduces us to the two lovers—Kate and Carmichael—provide a natural and happy finish to this series of realistic novels , to read and study which cannot fail to benefit , and lift us many steps higher in the attempt to be more worthy of our benefits and privileges .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Royal Kensington Lodge , No . 1627 . The installation meeting of this flourishing lodge took place at Freemasons' Hall , Great pueen-street , on the Oth inst ., when there was a numerous attendance of members and visitors . The former included Bros . Carl E . Bennewitz . VV . M . ; Otto Heinemann , VV . M . elect ; I . B . Ehrmann , S . W . ; J . B . Stevens , P . M ., Treas . ; H . P . Hay , P . M ., Sec . ; F . Walker , E . N . Glaeser , F . M . Prince , E . Delacoste , P . M ., D . C . ; H . F . C . Sander , H . T . Pitt , P . M . ; W . Bellerby , P . M . ; J . H . Jarvis , P . M . ; J . Percy Leith , P . G . D . ; and many others . Visitors : Bros . E . Letchworth , G . Sec . ; F . R . VV .

Hedges , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . G . ; H . Lovegrove , G . S . B . ; C . Antonelli , 1659 ; R , Batchelor , 2579 ; C . Woodrow , P . M . 170 S ; E . R . Bartley Dennis , P . G . W . Middx . ; A . J . Lewis , W . M . 140 ; C B . Tipton , J . D . 2550 ; G . Robinson , 134 S ; C . Muddle , 15 O 3 ; VV . Elphinstone , 506 ; H . C . T . Hunt , J . D . 134 ; L . Lipscomb , 147 ; VV . Parsons , 247 J ; T . Hammond , 569 ; C . Wright , P . M . 14 G 0 ; G . Samuel , S . VV . 170 S ; E . Culver , P . M . 63 ; H . Lewis Browne , 130 ; H . Bateman , P . M . 29 ; C James , P . M . 15 ; J . Toye , 1791 ; W . Morgan , J . B . Levy ( New York ); A . Ramsay , 1 S 67 ; G . Marshall , 2455 ; C H . Bull , I . P . M . 1791 ; J . M . Crosley , S . W . 2095 ; W . VV Lee , P . M . ; and others .

Lodge was opened , the minutes confirmed , and Bio . Bargate was raised to the Third Degree . Bro . O . Heinemann , W . M . elect , was presented for installation , the ceremony being admirably performed by Bro . Bennewitz , the retiring Master . The following oflicers were appointed and invested : Bros . Carl F . Benne . vitz , LP . M . ; I . B . Ehrmann , S . W . ; F . Walker , J . VV . ; J . B . Stevens , P . M ., Treas . ; H . P . Hay , P . M ., Sec ; E . N . Glaeser , S . D . ; F . M . Prince , J . D . ; A . Y . Wilson , I . G . ; E . Delacoste , P . M ., D . C ; H . F . C . Sander , Steward ; and Potter , P . M ., Tyler . A Past Master's jewel was presented to Bro . Bennewitz , LP . M ., in recognition of his valuable services during the past year , and was duly acknowledged . Propositions were received , and the lodge was closed .

After a well-served banquet at Freemasons' Tavern , the customary toasts were given . Bro . H . Lovegrove , G . S . B ., replied for "The Grand Officers , " and referred to the services rendered to the Craft by the Earl of Lathom and Earl Amherst . The G . Officers were all selected for their exertions in the Order , and although he had been so rewarded , he went on still the same . He had passed through 15 chairs in Freemasonry , and had

done a little in his humble way for that branch of Freemasonry represented by Bro . Hedges . That branch appealed to the outside world , although they must not let the world think Masonry was a sort of benefit Institution . The Charity was for the relief of those who , through misfortune , had fallen upon evil days , and the brethren would be amply rewarded by giving to those Charities . The Grand Lodge of England was the mother lodge of the world , and was respected by all others , and altogether her position was

unique . Bro . C . F . Bennewitz , I . P . M ., said it was with great pleasure he found it had fallen to his lot to propose " The Health . of the Worshipful Master . " Bro . Heinemann was known to many members before he entered Freemasonry , and since his initiation he had passed through different offices , and proved his ability , and had done his best to perform his duties . The W . M . had reached the chair 12 months earlier than he expected , as the

S . W . had stood aside , and he hoped the members would support him as they had supported their Master for the past year . Their lodge had been a little sleepy , but was now waking up , and if they continued to progress would be one to look up to . Bro . Otto Heinemann , VV . M ., briefly replied , expressing his pride at being their W . M ., and thanking the brethren for their cordial reception . As the members had shown their confidence in him by electing him , so he could rely upon his officers to support him in the hour ot need .

The W . M . next proposed " The Installing Master , " and said he could testify to the manner in which the I . P . M . had performed his labour of love . Bro . C . F . Bennewitz , LP . M ., in response , said he desired to thank the brethren for the kindness shown him in presenting him with the handsome Past Master ' s jewel . He did not know whether he quite deserved it , but was told it was the usual custom . fie felt very proud of having gone through a year of successful work , which had been

completed by the help and kindness received from the oliicers and members . They had supported him in every way , and the result had been a most successful ye jr . It wis with regret that he left the chair , for he felt quite at home in it . He hoped for some time to work with them in the lodge , and the jewel presented to him would be a souvenir to remind him of their kindness . If they progressed as they had done for the last tc « years theirs would be one of the most successful lodges in London .

" The Visitors" was yiven in cordial terms by the W . M ., and acknowledged hy Bros . Bateman , James , and Dennis . "The I . P . M . and Past Masters" was next proposed , for which Bro . Benne » fe . I . P . M ., returned thanks . Bro . J . II . Jarvis , P . M ., on behalf 0 { the Past Masters , expressed his gratification at the progress and prosperity of the lodge . The Worshipful Master then submitted the toast of " The Masonic Charities " ami kindly consented to serve as Steward on behalf of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls .

Bro . F . R . VV . Hedges , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . G ., said he deemed it a great _ pnvilege to have the honour of thanking them on behalf of the Masonic Charities , [ lh cse Institutions were never doing greater work than at the present time , or more ellicicntly . The Benevolent Institution , with 440 annuitants , was expending no less a sum than C , 1 C , ooo a year , and greatly needed all the help possible . The Boys'School was c < " > templating a very large undertaking in the way of removing from its present unsatisfactory situation to one more satisfactory for an Institution such as the boys 01 Masonrv should have . He had been associated with the Girls' Srhnol for a nuarter ol »

century , and now thefV ; were 26 9 daughters of Freemasons being educated and clothed "" girls who where either fatherless , or whose fathers had fallen into misfortune . '''' education was being carried out in a thoroughly sound manner , and the results of ' various public examinations would compare with any institution in the country . , " The Treasurer and Secretary " was replied to by Bros . J . B . Stevens , P . M" ' . " genial Treasurer , and H . P . Hay , P . M ., the indefatigable Secretary , who assured "

VV . M . of their cordial suppurt during the coining year . •' The Oliicers " and the Tyler ' s toast concluded a most successful gathciintf •. s Bro . Chas . Butler arranged a splendid programme of music , which included it ?' by M ss Blanche Powell , Miss Kate Hemming , Bros . Sam . Masters , Robert Grice , ' ' R . bins , and Milliccnt Prince . Bro . Sanders kindly supplied a large number of orchid blooms .