Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

A FAIR SUBJECT FOR INQUIRY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , 3 Iy attention has been called to the leader in the Freemason of November 29 th , 1 S 97 . As I am the District Grand Lodge Officer referred to , I hope yo » will kindly insert the following -.

I most emphatically deny ever having received a letter from members of an English lodge in reference to obtaining a warrant for a Royal Arch Chapter ; consequently I could not have recommended them to apply to the Grand Chapter of Scotland .

The facts of the case are as follows : In September , 1 S 95 , and some time before the formation of the District Grand Lodge , a letter was addressed to the Royal Arch Chapter in Kimberley , asking for information how to obtain the Royal Arch Degrees , to which letter , as Scribe E ., I replied , and the brethren in due course received their Degrees . Since then others have applied to the Scotch Royal Arch Chapter for their Degrees and received them .

From the above I fail to see the reason for the remonstrance of October 29 th . 18 97 , from the Principals of the English Royal Arch Chapters in Kimberley . The remonstrance was duly forwarded to the R . W . District Grand Master , who at once communicated with me on the subject , and after explaining to him what had taken place , in compliance with his request , I agreed to abstain from taking any further action in the matter , as I was holding an official position in the District Grand Lodge .

These are the facts to which , on account of incorrect information supplied you , it has been thought necessary to give such prominence in your leader , and I feel in duty bound to put the matter straight in the interests of the Craft generally . In conclusion , it is curious to note that the information upon which your

leader is based should have left here prior to the remonstrance being received by the District Grand Secretary . —I remain , dear Sir , yours fraternally , H . W . PETERS , D . G . Secretary , Central South Africa . Kimberley , December 27 th , 1807 .

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Allow me space to reply to the letter of Bro . Smithett . The reason why the candidates appear year after year and make little or no progress towards success is probably that they never ought to have been there at all . Had due

inquiry been made by the lodges endorsing the petitions what Province they come from , it is probable you will find they have the means to elect one or more candidates every election . I know one case , an old man , who will never have the votes of his Province , being deemed unworthy by those who know the case . This being so , why should any Committee have the power to admit these cases to the exclusion of more worthy old men ¦

Of course we must all regret to find candidates unsuccessful . Of the 5 S men and 64 widows for election in May there will probably not be 30 vacancies , if so , there will be 90 left out in the cold . I see no way out of the dilemma unless the funds arc greatly increased . —Yours fraternally

HENRY SMITH , P . M . 3 S 7 , Vici-Patron St . Johns , Wakefield .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1116 J THE MARK GRAND LODGE CALENDAR . I was in error in describing the R . W . Bro . C . L . Mason as the Chairman of the Benevolent l ' estival with the largest receipts , so far , viz ., . £ 2400 , as the R . W , Bro . Col . Cook , last year , as the efficient Chairman , had the pleasure of realising a still larger sum—the largest yet—viz ., . 63100 . It is to be hoped that both these sums will be beaten this year , in July , to the satisfaction of both Chairmen . W . J . HUGHAN .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"TIIK FKHKMASONS' MANUAL AND OI-J-ICIAI . DIRKCIORV OK TIIK PROV . G . LODOK AND Puov . G . CilAi'iliR oi- KHNT I-OR 1 S 0 S . "—This excellent annual is now in its 21 st year cf publication , and so it is of " full Bge , " and about as perfect and complete as it can well be . Our lamented friend , Bro . 1 . S . Warne , was the first editor , and adopted Bro . Hughan ' s Masonic Calendar for Cornwall as his mo lei . He was an apt pupil , and very soon came abreast of his master , and so continued until his regretted decease . Since then Bro . Frank I Iitchens has been the ellicient editor , and has made an

admirable successor , the work being well and most thoroughly done , and all the miny details carefully attended to and excellently arranged . In its present form it has no rivals and few equals , as all are aware who are fiiniliar with these valuible and useful publications . Full particulars are given of the 04 todges , with a total ol 4156 members , of the 2 S Royal Arch chapters , the 20 Mark lodges , as also the tivo Ark Mariners lodges , four Rose Croix chapters , three Knights Templar preceptories , and four Red Cross conclaves . The Grand Officers of each organisation are also givjn , the

by-laws of the Prov . Grand Lodge and the Prov . Grand Chapter , with financial reports of each , and likewise that of the Mark . Besides all this , there is a series of tables as to the votes cf the province in the Central Masonic Charities ; 14 , ( 1 . 27 in number—, ; grand t ^ tal truly—and rather ir . ore than as many pounds were subscribed during the past six jears ; and another table exhibits the cost of the pupils and annuitants

during the past year to the Institutions , viz ., ^ zOnS 4 s , 61 . There are many other attractive features , and Bro . Hughan has again kin lly assisted by contributing a paper on the " Regulations of the Grand Chapter . " The manual is sold at is . per copy of ever 200 pages ; is piinted and published by W . T . Wildish , of Rochester , in a very creditable manner , and is unusually early this year , making it all the more welcome .

"Till C ATHKDRAI . Ciii'KCii or IVVKTKK , by Percy Addleshaw , B . A . { London ) . George Bill and Sjn , iSyS . "—This is the b : h of a remirkible series of " Bell ' s Cathedrals" edited by Messrs :. White and Strange , and each successive issue serves to prove the value and interest of the various monographs , so ably written by gentlemen

Reviews.

fully informed as to the particular subjects treated by them , who are most anxious to make the handy volumes all that can be desired , or possibl y expected in such tasty little books . This work on Exeter is one of the best of the series , undoubtedly , though it is difficult to make a selection for special praise when all are so good . The famous Devon Cathedral , however , with its attractive surroundings and glorious site , is so suggestive , and of such unique interest , in some respects unequalled , tint Mr . Addleshaw has had abundant and rich material to draw from , and right ably has he . done his part in describing the chief features of " the noblest monument of religious zeal of our forefathers in

the West of England . " The exterior has justice done to it with no unsparing hind . Its position is duly appreciated , for " no Cathedral , not even Lincoln , boists one more lovely and appropriate . " The City stands on a hill of gardens , " gay with fliwersand and fair apple orchards , " and though " four distinct styles can be traced , " yet the building is found not " to be a mere jumble , but a complete whole . " The towers—a unique feature—naturally come in for a considerable share of attention , and so " the exquisitely traced windows , sculptured doorway , and titanic roof . " The West Front , with " its Foreign appearance , " and Grandisson ' s work above the Screen , as also the North

Porch , by the same cunning hand , with other attractive externals , are duly detailed ; the Cloisters and the Palace coming in for careful description . The interior is most carefully , thoroughly , and lovingly done , its beauties being sketched in a graphic manner , but so fully that any attempt to furnish sketches of portions would fail by reason of their interdependence and combined power , the necessary condensation being so complete that there is not an unnecessary word . The " Ever faithful City " is likewise

referred to , and especially Rouijemont Castle and the Guildhall . There are over 30 illustrations , mostly full page , from photos by the " Photocrom Co ., " a few beinu reproductions of curious old prints , or charming sketches by Mr . H . P . Clifford . The book is quite a little treasure , and may be ordered through any bookseller for the modest sum of eighteen-pence . Already a . second edition has been called for of one of the series .

Board Of Benevolence

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE

The monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . J . H . Matthews , President of the Board , presided . Bro . D . D . Mercer , Senior Vice-President , and Bro . H . Garrod , P . G . P ., acting as Junior Vice-President , occupied the . Senior and Junior Vice-Presidents' chairs . There were also present Bros . E . Letchworth , G . Sec , W : Lake , Asst . G . Sec , G . Recknell , W . Dodd , and If . Sadler , G . Tyler , representing the Grand

Secretary's office ; and also the following , viz .: Bros . William Fisher , George Graveley , Alfred C . Spaull , W . Kipps , S . H . Goldschmidt , Thomas Jones , John Ellinger , W . H . Caton , Charles Henry Stone , C . Pulman , Henry A . Tobias , John R . Dobree , Laurence Salt , J . Harrison , George Hobbs , Robert Colsell , W . H . Russell , E . Garnet Man , H . Jackson , E . L . Alford , C . Lincoln , H . Massey , H . Babe , Frederick H . Inman , Henry Stiles , Frederick Reed , J . Barry , Samuel H , Parkhouse , J . V . Vesey Fitzgerald , and George R . Langley .

The brethren first confirmed recommendations to the Grand Master , made at the last meeting , in December , 1 S 97 , to the amount of ^ 450 . On the new list were 32 petitions , which were qualified through lodges at Cyprus , Secunderabad , Ryde , Isle of Wight , Eye , Bury , Devonport , Cambridge , Aberavon , Stalybridge , Filey , Havant , Grand Lodge of N . S . W ., Hastings , Plymouth , Tredegar , Old Brompton , Hong Kong , Wareham , Lowestoft , Barton-in-Humber ,

Hyderabad , Helston , Bristol , Jersey , Karrachi , New Mills , Leeds , and London . Two of these cases were deferred . The remainder were voted and recommended a total sum of , £ 850 . One petition was recommended to Grand Lodge for . £ 100 , one for £ 7 $ , and one for £$ o . There were three' recommendations to the Grand Master for ^ 40 each and eight for £ 30 each . Eleven petitioners received . £ 20 each , one r £ ' 5 i two . £ 10 each , and two £ 5 each .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Bedford Lodge , No . 157 . The installation meeting of this old lodge was held on the 14 th instant at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . II . W . Dyne , W . M ,, presided , and there were also present Bros . R . C . Cork , S . W ., W . M . elect ; R . Hill , J . W . ; J . T . Briggs , P . M ., Treas . ; J . C . Main , P . M ., Sec . ; W . Smith , S . D . ; E . Cockerell , I . G . j Sam . J . Owen , D . C . ; T . Walton , P . M . ; Ernest Jones , P . M . ; Layton Richardson , I . P . M . ; Vincent Larncr , P . M . ; lohn P . Morley , H . 1 . Balls , John P . Mann , Edward Thom is , John Hart , D .

Warton , W . C . Dyne , H . T . Brickwell , J . B . Darton , J . J . Queerly , W . S . Hansler , C . A . Dyne , George A . Lesty , G . F . Ridpath , and E . Mallett , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . P . C . Walter , P . M . 2006 ; T . Collins , 4 SG ; C . Anning , S . W . 1002 ; G . C . Frith , 2409 ; C . Rowe , P . M . iSifi ; A . L . Sutherland , 2455 ; James Djbbs , 1310 ; G . G . Rcnnisson , 1305 ; Peter Krbach , Sjo ; F . Morgan , 2535 ; H . Massey , P . M . fiii ; and 192 S ; C Martin , W . M . 65 ; John Loftus , P . M . 130 O ; G ; orge Archer , 127 S ; and several others .

Bros , butler . Balls , Ihomis , and Minn were raised to the Third Degree , and Bro . A . C . Vickerstalf I- ' oden was passed to the Second Digree . Bro . J . T . Briggs , P . M ., Treas ., moved " That in consideration of the valuible services rendered to the lodge by the W . M . during the past two years , the sim of 10 guineas be taken from the funis of the lodge to purchase a suitable present to mirk the appreciation of the brethren for the work done . " This motion was seconded by Bro . Vincent Lamer , P . M ., and carried unanimously . The question of voting ; a substantial sun to the listof the Steivtrdof th :

lodge for the centenary festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Bjys , Bro . J . R . Hill , was deferred until the next meeting of the loi ^ e . This , however , did nit present tie list being sent round after dinner , when it realised a considerable sum . Bro . Dyne , W . M ., after performing the passing and raising , installed Brj . Robert Curies Cork , S . W ., and W . M . elect , as W . M . for the ensuing 12 months . Brj . H . VV . D / ne was

invested as I . P . M . The other officers for the year were Bros . J . R . Hill , S . W . ; VV . Smith , J . W . ; J . T . Briggs , P . M ., Treas . ; ] . C . Mlin , P . M ., Sec . ; E . Cockerell , S . D . ; SimO . vers , J . D . ; W . Jaques , LG . j C . A . D / ne , D . C ; G . Divey , A . D . C ; V . Earner , P . M ., and D . Weston , Stwjs .: and E . Mallett , P . M ., Tyler . After the addresses had been delivered by Bro . Dyne , several nimes of intending initiates and joining members were given in , and the lodge haviig been cbsed , the brtthrer adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern to a choice banquet .

Subsequently the toasts were honoured , and a musical encercainmmt . was given b ) Miss Phyllis Hope , and Bros . Oswald Sharpley and Hirradine . Bro . Dyne , I . P . M ., in proposing "The Health of the Worshipful Mister , " slid i ' - did not need much to be said by him in respect of Bro . Cork , who had been in the lodge many years , in fact many years before he ( Bro . Dyne ) came into it . They all knew

Bro . Coik was a very good brother ; he was not a noisy one ; he was very reticent . But for all that , Bro . Cork had gut something up his sleeve for the brethren . He invested his officers in a very admirable minner , and irom what they had ssen , he thought they would be delightfully disappointed with him . Bro . Cork would have some work before him , and he would be able to master it in an ellicient minner . He had his ( Bro . Dyne ' s ) best wishesand he would also have the brethren's assistance .

, Bio . R , C . Cork , W . M ., acknowledged the toast . He thanked Bro . Dyne for the kind words he had used concerning him . He thought they were very llittering . During his year of office he should do his best to make the brethren comfortable , and the Past Masters would do their besttu assist him in this matter . Bro . R . C . Cork , W . M ., next proposed •¦ the I . P . M ., Bro . Dyne , the lnstallim !

Master . " It was a toast , he said , which deserved a great deal more to be said about it than he could say . lhe brethren had all seen the very excellent work of the I . P . M ; that evening ; all of them were also cognisant of the manner in which he had performed the duties of the lodge during the list two years—very heavy duties indeed ; they all knew he had performed them admirably . According to the minutes of the lodge a