Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We 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 .

INQUIRY AS TO OWNER OF A "MASONIC SATCHEL . " To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother . It is possible that your paper may assist me to find the owner of a Masonic satchel , with the name of " Brother E . Martin , Bushey Park Lodge , " stamped bn it , which has come into my possession under rather uncommon circumstances . The satchel contains certificates of Master , Mark Master , and Ark Mariner , sundry private documents , and a private letter signed only with a Christian name .

The packet was sent me by my son , a captain in the lyth Lancers , and was found , amongst other things , in a sack under a bed in a farm-house near Smithfield , in Cape Colony , where my son was searching for arms . The owner of the farm was away with a rebel commando , and his wife said that he found the satchel on a battlefield in Natal . On being further questioned , the woman contradicted herself , and , her replies being considered unsatisfactory , my son appropriated the satchel , and sent it to me in the hope that I might be able to trace the owner , which up to the present time I have failed to do .

It has occurred to me that if you are good enough to print this letter it may lead to the discovery of the owner . Some of the papers appear to relate to the transfer of property in Bethulie . —I am , Sir , your obedient servant , JOHN GLAS . SANDEMAN , 33 ° E . Cavalry Club , 12 7 , Piccadilly , W .

A MOST UNIQUE EVENT . To the Editor of the "Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , I was present at the installation meeting of the Rose of Raby Lodge , No . 1650 , Staindrop , in April , 1892 , when Bro , Alderman Joseph Kimber

Wilkes , ex-Mayor of Darlington , was installed into the chair by his two sons—Bro . Alderman John James Wilkes , also an ex-Mayor of Darlington , P . M . of Restoration Lodge , No . in , Darlington , and Bro . Richard Minikin Wilkes , M . A ., P . M . of Restoration Lodge , No . in , P . Prov . G . Registrar of the Province of Durham .

This , I think , will beat the record . —Yours fraternally , JOHN ROBINSON , P . M . 111 and 1650 , P . P . G . W . Durham . 33 , High-row , Darlington , June 17 th .

THEN AND NOW . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The article in the last issue of the Freemason , under the above heading , has led me to call to mind similar changes in the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland , with which I have now been connected 36 years .

At the installation of his present Majesty the King , in 1 S 75 , as Grand Master , the province in question was represented by a "deputation" —as they say in Scotland—of 43 members , headed by the following Grand Lodge Oificcrs - . Bros , the Earl ot Bective , M . P ., P . G . M . ; Colonel John Whitwell , M . P ., P . G . W ., D . P . G . M . ; the Rev . Dr . Simpson , Grand Chaplain ; and Edward Busher ,

P . G . Swd , Br ., not one of whom is now alive . Nineteen others of the total have also left the busy scene , and at the present time there are only a score of us left , most of whom , I trust , will be able to say , on the 17 th of next month , that they have witnessed two Grand Masters of England installed . —Fraternally yours , June 17 . W . F . LAMONBY .

ILLINOIS MASONIC VETERAN ASSOCIATION . To the Editor of thc " Freemason !' Dear Sir and Brother , Referring to the article in your issue of the Sth instant , regarding the Address from the Masonic Veteran Association of Illinois to his Majesty with

which I was entrusted by Bro . General John Corson Smith , thc Venerable Chief of that body , the enclosed copy of the acknowledgment from Lord Lansdoivnc has just been sent to me by General J . C . Smith , who writes to me that our brethren in Illinois are extremely proud of the King ' s acknowledgment . —Yours faithfully ,

THOMAS FRASER , W . M . Eccentric Lodge , No . 24 S 8 . 2 , Princes-street , E . G ., June 19 th .

Correspondence.

[ COPY . ] Foreign Office , London , May 13 th , 1901 . Sir , I duly laid before the King my Sovereign your letter of the 2 nd ultimo transmitting an Address which the Masonic Association of Illinois desired to

present to His Majesty , as a token of their respect for Her late Majesty Queen Victoria , and in which they also express their good wishes on the occasion ot His Majesty ' s Accession to the Throne . And I have received the King ' s commands to request you to be good enough to convey to the Members of the Masonic Veteran Association of Illinois His sincere thanks for their message of sympathy

and goodwill which His Majesty has received with high appreciation . I am , Sir , Your most obedient humble Servant , LANSDOWNE . General J . C . Smith , 65 , Sibley-street , Chicago .

Reviews.

Reviews .

The Pictorial French Course , edited by M . Paul Barbier , lecturer in French language and literature at Cardiff University College . ( The Modern Language Press , 40 , Fleet-street , E . C . ) Price 2 s . 6 d . The object of this useful little work is to enable the learner to converse in French in the most natural and interesting way . The course includes conversatnn , grammar , and exercises illustrated by a large number of beautiful half-tone descriptive picturesthe

, objects in which are numbered , the numbers corresponding to equivalent numerals attached to the French words which denote them in t } ie conversations and exercises . The lessons are eminently practical , dealing with the actual circumstances of daily life in the family circle , the home , the street , at school , by the seaside , the theatre , post ollice , railway station , and shop . All the pictures are illustrative of French life .

Catalogue and Bye-Laws of the Coombe Masonic Library , This is a catalogueof Masonic books collected bythe lateBro . Jno . Coombe , P . M . of the Cornubian Lodge , Hayle , Cornwall , Prov . J . G . of Cornwall , Past Z . of the Hayle Chapter , & c , & c . Bro . Coombe who was a great lover of Masonic literature , intended to bequeath the valuable Masonic library he had collected to the Cornubian Lodge , but dying suddenly before altering his will , the brethren

purchased the works and forming the Coombe Masonic Library , which they value not only for their intrinsic worth , but as a lasting memorial of an esteemed student and craftsman . The catalogue comprises over 240 volumes , including the standard works by the best-known Masonic authors , and also many very rare and valuable books and MSS . There is an appropriate introduction at the beginning of the catalogue from the pen of our valued contributor Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . M ., & c , & c .

Weymouth : a Guide and Souvenir is a useful handbook , published by the Health Resorts Development Association , 21 , St . Bride-street , Ludgate-circus , E . G ., for the Mayor and Corporation of Weymouth . Price is ., or free on application to the Town Clerk , Weymouth . The history and attractions of Weymouth and neighbourhood are eloquently set forth in letterpress of considerable descriptive power , illustrated by handsome reproductions of photographs of the town and district .

The Indian Freemasons' Almanack and Diary for tho Year 1901 . —This large and very useful volume is now in the 33 rd year of publication , and is still edited by Bro . P . C . Dutt , Past Dep . Dist . G . M . oi Bengal , & c . The work concerns all India , and is exceedingly rich in details as to the Craft in that great dependency . All Degrees are duly attended to in this remarkable compilation , and there is also a mass of information respecting the Society in days gone by , as well as numerous facts relative lo present day

Freemasonry . England and Scotland have a considerable number of lodges working side by side in honourable and most fraternal rivalry , the Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India , Loid Northcote , Governor of Bombay , being also District Grand Master of that province for the Grand Lodge of England . Everything that can reasonably be expected in such a publication will be found carefully noted , excepting as to statistics , which Bro . Dutt may yet attempt in a later issue .

The Private Life Of tho King . —By one of his Majesty ' s Servants — ( London : C . Arthur Pennon , Ltd ., Henrietta-street . 1900 . )—This isa wonderfully interesting volume , pleasantly written in a chatty manner , lavishly illustrated , and cannot fail to be one of tho most popular books of the season , because evidently the work of one familiar with the doings of Royalty , discreetly communicated , and free from mere gossip , undue familiarity , or obsequiousness in any

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ROYALMASONICINSTITUTIONFORBOYS, WOOD GREEN , LONDON , N . Office , 6 , Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C . President M . JR . H . TJHJE HUHE OF" CONNAUGHT , Jf . C , & c , Jk . cs ., «&<; ., «& c , IW . W . G . IW . THE 103 ANNIVERSARY JF E STIV J ± X * WILL UK I 1 KL 1 ) AT TIIK CRYSTAL PALACE SYDENHAM , S . E ., on WEDNESDAY , at Six o ' clock , 26 th JUNE , 1901 , UNDKIt TIIK DiSTlXtlLTSIIKI ) I'KKSIDEXC V OI- ' TheRightHon.W.W.BRAMSTONBEACH,M.P. ( Prov . G . M . Hampshire and Isle of Wight ) , Trustee of the Institution . Thi : Services uf Ladies and Hrethren a . s Stewards i >» iliis important ori-asiun arc carncs ! ly solicited , and will lie yj-jil ei ' n Jl y acknowledged . Tin- lirethivn ami Ludi . es will dine together ai- tlie same tabli-. s , d la / able d'hote . Visitors' Tickets , including Kail ( First-class KeUu-n ) . Loudon tu the Palace Hi g h Level Station and Admission : — . Brethren ... ... ... 25 / - Ladies ... ... ... 20 / - The Koyal Naval and JMiliiai-y Exhibition and other Special attractions will be ' open to the Visitors at this Festival . J . MORRISON McLEOD ( Vice-Patron ) , Hon . Sec . to Board of Stewards .