Original Correspondence.

Grand Lodge or elsewhere and are the only and constant designations of such officers , and in order that uniformity may be observed and every brother be styled according to the authority mentioned it is desirable when another such communication is printed that copies be sent to the Worshipful Masters of lodges as well as to the Provincial Grand Master as formerly . I confess to have formerly

had a different opinion on the subject until the circular in question was kindly lent me for perusal , and doubtless others have been misled the same way , for it is unfortunate that the Book of Constitutions is not fully explicit on the matter . Yours fraternally , WILLIAM JAMES HCOIIAN .

To ( he Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Our brother "W . Master " will find an answer to his query in the quarterly communications of the Grand Lodge , and especially in the official report of the Grand Festival held at the Royal Albert Hall , 28 th April , 1 S

75-The Rt Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon is therein described as M . W . Pro Grand Master , and rightly so , as the Pro Grand Master enjoys similar privileges to the Grand Master , just as the Deputy ( or Pro ) Master of a lodge has the same position in the Craft as the Master , when the

latter is one of the Royal Family . Reciprocating "W . Master ' s" kind wishes , Yours fraternally , WILLIAM J AMES HUGIIAN Truro , i ; th April , 1876 .

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF EAST LANCASHIRE . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — In your report of the meeting of the above chap ter at Bury there are several inaccuracies , viz .:

—The Prov . G . Sword Bearer should be " Sallon , " not "Salton . " The Prov . G . Director of Ceremonies should be " J . 11 . Sillitoe , " not " Sidall . " The sum granted to the East Lancashire Systematic Benevolent Society should be £ 5 o , not £ 59 . Yours fraternally , P . Z . Manchester , 1 cth April , 18 7 6 .

AFTER-DINNER PROMISES . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — In your report of the installation meeting of the Lion and Lamb Lodge in the " Freemason " of January , the 1 sth , I read as follows : —

"The W . M . then proceeded to propose 'The Masonic Charities , ' and spoke of the endeavours needed to place the son of the late Past Master Trott in the School , this being the only occasion upon which the boy could stand lor election . " Bro . Binckes , in his response to the toast , speaks as

follows : — " And then , with regard to the candidature of their late Past Master ' s son , he warned them that they would require 2000 votes to warrant them in looking for success . " Further on we read that certain brethren then promised their votes for the boy .

Meantime vve were gathering our strength , and applied to one of the brethren for the promised votes , when jue ' ge our surprise at receiving a reply written on a post card as follows : — " I can ' t conceive the possibility of getting a child in on a first application . I am most earnestly pressed to

support the cth application of Gardner . " As you are aware , sir , vve did succeed in electing our boy ; in fact , he was third on the list , with 19 ( 12 votes , and that without the promised help . So much for their scepticism , as well as fur the value of after-dinner promises . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , A PAST MASTEII HI- 192 .

BY-LAWS OR BYE-LAWS . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — As you published a letter on the subject of the correct spelling of the above a few weeks ago , I would point out to you that in the Constitutions as published in

iHis under the authority of the United Grand Lodge by Wiliiam Williams , Esq ., Prov . Grand Master for Dorset , the words are by-laws , and the sime spelling exists in the edition of the Constitutions published in 1873 . Ne Varietur should be our motto in this matter also . Yours fraternally ,

A Piiov . G . SEC . [ The fact is as our correspondent states . But vve think a great deal may be said for Bur . —ED . ]

MASONIC PROGRESS IN GALASHIELS . To the Editor if the Freemason . Dear Sir and Bro ., — In Scotland Masonic progress is tlow but sure . We are not an enthusiastic people , still , in our Masonic lodges I believe there is as much warmth of affection and

brotherly love as in any other country . The Freemasons of Galashiels , St . John ' s Lodge , No . 262 , having long felt the want of a hall of their own have resolved to supply that want . They have formed themselves into a limited liability company , but as they are neither rich nor numerous brethren at a distance would

render us a great favour by taking tickets for our Grand Pri 7 e Drawing . The foundation-stone of our new Masonic Hall is to be laid by Bio . Henry Inglis , Esq ., ofTorsoncc , Provincial Grand Master of Peebles and Selkirkshire , assisted by deputations from Grand Lodge of Scotland as per enclosed circular , which perhaps you will copy on Friday 12 th of

Original Correspondence.

May . It is expected to be the largest Masonic demonstration that ever took place in the south of Scotland , and it would be a great pleasure to the brethren of this lodge to have deputations from some of the English lodges . 1 am , yours fraternally , ADAM J OHNSON , R . W . M . Lodge 2 G 2 .

Consecration Of The Skelmersdale Lodge, No. 1599.

CONSECRATION OF THE SKELMERSDALE LODGE , No . 1599 .

This new lodge was consecrated on Friday , the 7 th inst ., at Mascn ' s hall , Mason ' s Avenue , Basinghall-street , by Bro . James Terry , P . M ., 228 , 1278 , 1366 , Prov . G . D . C . Herts , and Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , who was assisted by Bros . John Hervey , G . S .,

as S . W . ; H . G . Buss , Grand licas ., Middlesex , as f . W . ; Hill , S . W . Higbgate Lodge , as D . C . ; Lucking , P . P . A . G . D . C , Essex , as I . G * . ; and W . H . Lee , P . M . 1524 , as Sec . The musical brethren who also assisted were Bros . F . II . Cozens , Theodore Distin , and Seymour Smith , under the direction of Bro . Cozens . The lodge was attended by about forty brethren , among whom

were John Bingcmann , P . M . 55 ; F . Newcombe , 77 ; W S . Kiileter , 77 ; George Regan , 55 ; S . Steed , 177 ; W . M Snelling , 180 ; W . Perrin , 1056 ; J . W . Skelton , 1056 F . W . Melhish , 55 ; A . Lucking , P . M . 166 and 1056 E . Miroy , 5 ^; J . L . Hcymans , 22 ; T . B . Linscott 5 ; j E . Driver , I . P . M . 45 ; Alex . Pilbeam , W . M . 45 ! . !• J- Dcfriez , S . W . 4 ^; G . Laker , 55 ; Alfred

Sargant , :: ; E . Abell , =. 5 ; C . A . Woods , 145 ; J . R . Foulger , P . M . 177 ; John II . R . Buckets , 55 ; W . T . Howe , G . P . Middlesex ; G . Saul , 1201 ; W . H . Marston , e , i , ; H . Roberts , ^ 51 Rich .-. rd Stan way , 1426 ; and C . B . Payne , G . Tyler . The lodge having been opened by Bro . Terry , assisted by the other brethren , was afterwards in due form

consecrated , Bro . Terry delivering the oration on the nature and principles of Freemasonry , which was heartily cheered at its conclusion . The ceremony of consecration was most beautifully and fluently performed , anil it was rendered the more agreeable by a nice musical accompaniment , under the direction of Bro . Fred . H . Cozens , by Bros . J . W . Simons , Seymour Smith , and Theodore Distill . When

the ceremony of consecration was completed , Bro . Hill , acting D . C , presented Bro . John Bingcmann , P . M . 55 , W . M . designate , to Bro . Terry , for installation , which ceremony was afterwards ably performed by Bro . Terry . The officers appointed and invested were Bros . W . Henry Marston , S . W ., and Bro . George Laker , J . W . Bro .

Henry Roberts , No . 55 , was then unanimously elected Treasurer , and was invested as such by the W . M . Bro . W . H . Lee was invested as Secretary ; Bros . Abell , S . D . ; Sargant , J . D . ; Miroy , I . G . ; and Rawles , Tyler . Bro . Terry then delivered the addresses . The Secretary afterwards read letters of regret for absence from Lord Skelmersdale , Sir Albert W . Woods ( Garter ) , and the Rev . R .

J . Simpson , P . G . C . O . i the motion of the W . M ., seconded by the S . W ., a vote of thanks was passed to Lord Skelmersdale for granting the use of his coat of arms for the purposes of the lodge ; also on the motion of the W . M ., seconded by the S . W . ; Lord Skelmersdale was elected the first honorary member of the lodge . On the motion of the W . M ., seconded by the S . W ., a

vote of thanks was passed to Pro . lerry for consecrating the lodge , and to Bros . Hervey , Buss , Hill , and Lucking for assisting him in the ceiemony . Bros . Terry , Hervey , and Buss were then elected honorary members of the lodge , on the motion of the W . M ., seconded by the S . W ., and Bro . Terry responded for the compliments on behalf of himself and the otlnr brethren . A long list of gentlemen

as candidates for initiation and brethren fur joining was afterwards read by the Secretary . Lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , provided by the new management of Masons' Hall Tavern . The usu . nl toasts followed . In proposing " The Health of Lord Skelmersdale , D . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , " the W . M . referred to

his lordship ' s presidency at the last festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , when no less a sum than £ 9200 was subscribed for the aged Freemasons and widows of Freemasons . Bro . John Hervey , Grand Secretary , responded , and after referring to the able discharge ol the Grand Master ' s duties in his absence by Lord Carnarvon and Lord Skelmersdale , said that it was

well known that the other Grand Officers endeavoured to do their duty ably , lie himself knew this from personal observation , and whether in the highest position or the lowest he could testify to their ability , lie knew peifectly well that llro . Payne , who was present , did his duty . He could vouch lor him in the most confident manner ; would that he ( Bro . Hervey ) could do as much for himself . At

least he cvuld say he endeavoured to do it , and if he had succeeded to some extent , as he hoped lie had , and from the manner in which he had been received that evening lie did not doubt he had—at any rate he passed muster , and he was satisfied . Referring to the ceremony of the evening , it had given him great pleasure to be present , and though he was not going to take the wind out of another

brother ' s sails he could not refrain from congratulating the brethren on having the ceremony of consecration so splendidly performed as it had been by Bro . Terry . The W . M . had also discharged his duties in a style which filled the brethren with confidence that he had in him all the elements which would make him succeed . ( Hear , hear . ) He trusted that the lodge would have a great

future . He himself had some mtevest . ir . it , inasmuch as the brethren had been kind enough to elect him an honorary member . I le felt therefore that he had a great interest in it , as he also had in other lodges which had passed a similar compliment on him . Without exception all the lodges where he had assisted at the consecration had succeeded , some to a marvellous extent .

Consecration Of The Skelmersdale Lodge, No. 1599.

I here was one , the Prince Leopold , No . 1445 over which Bro . Howe , who was present , two or three years ago presided , which had proved a great success , and which had in it all the germs of a great success in the future . The Great City , No . 1426 , be need scarcely ' allude to , because it had made itself prominent in the City , and did not requite an exponent of its principles . He " would

not refer tii its bread and cheese . ( Laughter . ) All he could say was , that whenever he had been there there bad been splendid banquets , and a large assemblage of friends around the table , who had been most cordially and hospitably received . ( Cheers . ) If The Great City Lodge had refrained from giving large banquets , it had succeeded in one of its principles—charity . No doubt Masons would do

well to restrict their banquets somewhat , and they would have the more means of supporting the institutions . However , he had no doubt that the Skelmersdale Lodge would be fully equal to the support of the great institutions . ( Cheers . ) Bro . James Terry proposed " The Health of the W . M . " Prefacing his remarks by a reference to the name of the

lodge , he took the opportunity of saying how largely and how justly Lord Skelmersdale was estimated in his own Province of East Lancashire . This was the first time a lodge in the metropolis had been named after his lordship , and he ( Bro . Terry ) was glad to see that his friend , Bro . Bingemann , was its first W . M . Every one who knew Bro . Bingemann knew how well he had performed his duties

as Master elsewhere . He was a fit Master of a lodge named after such a Freemason as Lord Skelmersdale , a nobleman who had proved himself such an able president at a festival , who was a polished gentleman , an illustrious statesman , and a thorough-going Englishman . He ( Bro . Terry ) was especially pleased that such a name had been given to the lodge , and that his lordship had given permission for his coat of arms to be used on the

banner of the lodge . The great fame , the honour , and the reputation of the D . G . M . of England might now be considered in the keeping of the W . M ., and he had no doubt it would be perfectly safe . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Bingcmann , in reply , said the lodge bad conferred on him ' a high honour by entrusting him with the first Mastership of the lodge . 1 le would endeavour to bring it to a state of great prosperity . If he could only have the assistance of the brethren he had no doubt of beinir able to succeed .

Bro . Pilbeam replied as the Master of the lodge who hail signed the petition for the warrant , and said how cheerfully he acceded to the wish of Bro . Bingemann in that respect . » The W . M . proposed "The Health of Bro . Terry , he Consecrating Officer , " and said he was sure the brethren must have been as thoroughly dt lighted as he was

with the explicit and genial way in which Bro . Terry performed his duties . It was something beautiful to hear . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Terry , who was received with great applause , in reply , said how readily he accepted the invitation to consecrate the lodge when he knew of what materials it was to be composed , and that it was to be named after a noble lord who had done him such excellent service by

taking the chair at the last festival of the institution of which he had the honour to be Secretary . He then referred to the ready way in which hit institution was supported , and the liberal subscriptions which were paid to ir . He had no doubt , from his knowledge of the W . M ., that this lodge would also support it , and for any support it might extend to it he should always feel grateful . Bro . W . T . Howe , P . M . 1445 , replied for "The Visitors , " and the other toasts having been honoured the brethren separated .

Consecration Of The Ley Spring Lodge, No. 1598.

CONSECRATION OF THE LEY SPRING LODGE , NO . 1598 .

On the i Uun-t . Hro . Terry , P . M . ujS and P . G . D . C . Herts , assisted by Bro . C . G . Hill , S . W . 1366 , consecrated at the Red Lion Hotel , Leytonstone , the Ley Spring bodge , No . ( 598 , after which Bro . Harford , P . M . 55 and 1228 , proceeded in the most able manner to instal Bro . P . A . Branchi as first W . M .

I he officers appointed were Bros . G . E . Walters , S . W . ; J . Buscoll , J . W . ; J . W . Roberts , Sec . ; R . Hogg , S . D . ; W . Allen , J . D . ; L . Lewis , I . G . ; T . Varky , D . C ; S . Pott , Tyler . The usual charges were then given , and the customary congratulation made . It was proposed and seconded and unanimously carried

that Bro . Perry should become an honorary member of the lodge . Bro . Terry in reply assured the W . M . of the pleasure it had given him to consecrate the Ley Spring Lodge , and expressed his wishes for its future prosperity . After a short interval the brethren sat down to an excellent repast provided in Bro . Barford ' s usual recherche style ,

the W . M . presided , and upov the removal of the cloth gave the toast of " ll . M . the Queen , " and referred to the pleasure which the whole of the Craft must feel at the early return of the M . W . G . M . ' Bro . Terry then proposed " The I lealth of the W . M ., " and passed some very high eulogiums upan the working capabilities of the ofiicers ; the toast was honoured in a

most hearty manner . The W . M . said he had to thank Bro . Terry for proposing his health and the brethren for the hearty way in which they had responded to it , and assured them of his conviction that the brethren whom he had appointed to office would give him that assistance

that woald enable him to carry out the duties of the chaw in such a manner as would do great credit to the lodge . We woultl remark that great praise is due to the founders of this lodge , more especially to the indefatigable exertions of the S . W ., who ever since the idea was formed of starting a new lodge has not left a stone unturned to make it a success .