Correspondence.

It is absolutely incorrect to infer that the work of the Colonial Board is performed in a perfunctory manner . All matters referring to the Colonies are submitted tc the Board , and are most carefully considered . —Yours faithfully , GEORGE D . HARRIS , P . G . D ., Chairman of Colonial Board .

PROVINCIAL GRAND OFFICERS . To the Editor nf the "Freemason " Dear Sir and Brother , I should be glad if any brother could give me some definite answers to the following queries about which there appears a diversity of opinion .

1 . Is a Provincial Grand Officer permitted to visit any lodge in his province without invitation V 2 . Has he any authority when visiting ? a lodge , if he observes anything wrong , or un-Masonic , has hepower to speak on the irregularity or in any way to interfere , or

is the purple of no more authority than the blue ? I am myself of opinion that a Provincial Grand Officer , particularly a present one , has such authority , but I should like to see the question thoroughly decided . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully , PLUMB RULE .

CHARITY JEWEL FOUND . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , A Charity jewel found at the beginning of this month has just been handed to me for the purpose

of discovering its owner , if possible . If the brother who lost it will communicate full particulars and description to me that I may satisfy myself he is the owner , I shall have much pleasure in restoring it . —Yours faithfully ,

A . J . STACEY , 2374 . 7 , Staniforth-road , Walthamstow . July 19 .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1033 ] A CURIOUS JEWEL . Impromptu on receiving from my friend , Bro . W . J . Hughan , a rubbing of a curious R . A . jewel ( found in some ruins at Exmouth ) , owned by Bro . Harry Perry , P . M . 106 :

I hree arches , roughly drawn , unfold The plain intent—the destin'd use . The hand that form'd it , shaped the ore , And gave it moral shape , is still . The mind no longer works its mystic bent Within the halo of a chapter ' s spell , Yet lives once more to-day ! And , as we know

How little lcarn'd , and dim our keenest sight To solve the mysteries of life and love , We pause as Moses did , and bow the head , For now , whereon we walk is holy ground . A message from the past comes fresh and clear , A beaming radiance through the symbols shine ! They tell us how , when faithful work is done The good wc strive for may , enshrin'd above

Be gentl y dropp'd , unseen , where it may live A stronger life , and never die ! Thus speaks This jewel of a by-gone troublous time , When men put trust in God . The voice is sweet And plaintive , yet it thrills our very soul!—" 'Tis heav'n-sent joy that breaks through sorrow ' s tears ! " J . RAMSDEN RILEY .

I We are not able to give an illustration of the jewel , and therefore depart from our usual rule with regard to contributions of verse to our pages by inserting Bro . Riley ' s graceful effusion | .

Presentation To Bro. Ii. Folsom.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . II . FOLSOM .

The members of the Sheffield Masonic Club met on Friday evening , the ! . ) th instant , to take leave of Bro . B . Fulsom , the retiring United States Consul , who has been an honorary member during his residence in Sheffield , and has taken great interest in the club . Bro . J . 1 * . Moss , P . M . 2 ci < 5 , P . P . G . D ., presided , and

lira . Lieut .-Col . Bingham , J . P ., P . M . 2 y 6 , P . P . S . G . W ., occupied the vice-chair . Alter dinner , the PRESIIIENT , in the name of the members of the Club , handed to Bro . Folsoin a parting gift , in the shape of a silver tea and coffee service of exquisite design , in Oueen Anne style , and traybeautiful specimens of Sheffield art workmanship .

The service bore no inscrip tion save the letter ' 'I ' , but along with it was handed to Bro . Folsom by the Vice-President an illuminated record to the following effect : "Sheffield Masonic Club , 14 th July , 18 93 . —To Bro . Benjamin Folsom , United States Consul . —The members of the Sheffield Masonic Club , in asking you to accept a silver tea and coffee service on

the occasion of your leaving Shellielil , wish to place on record their high appreciation of your many excellent qualities , and of your sterling worth as a man and as a Freemason . The esteem and affection with which you are regarded are such that whatever distance may divide you from Sheffield in the years to come , you will

oflen be present in the thoughts of those who have enjoyed your society in this fraternal circle . None can more fervently wish you and yours every blessing which the Great Architect of the Universe may be p leased to vouchsafe than those whose names are appended hereto . "

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft jODasonr ^ . METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Union Waterloo Lodge ( No . 13 ) . —The above grand old centenary Iodge held its installation meeting on the 12 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Mount Pleasant , Plumstead . The lodge was opened by the VV . M ., Bro . J . Mattey , and Bro . G . A . Gordon , uoo , was elected a joining member , and Bro . Littlewood passed . Bro . G . B . Davies , P . M ., then , by request , assumed ! the chair as

Installing Officer , and installed Bro . A . jDeans , S . W . and W . M . elect , into the chair . Bro . Deans appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros , John Mattey , I . P . M . ; W . J . Barnes , S . W . ; W . A . Anson , J . W .: H . S . Syer , P . M ., Treas . ; Thos . Hutton , P . M ., Sec . ; A . H . Russell , S . D . ; A . McOueen , ) . D . ; G . B . Davies , P . M ., D . C ; H . Jacobs , A . DTC . ; B . J . Hancock , F . C . O ., Org . ; J . A . Bailey , Asst . Org . ; and A . Cleall , P . M ., James Quick

John Home , and G . Dennison , Stwds . Bro . Davies then recited the charges admirably , and was accorded a vote of thanks for his excellent working of the ceremony . Bro . Mattey was presented with a handsome and valuable Past Master ' s jewel , and Bro . Hutton 10 guineas for services rendered to the lodge for some years past as Treasurer , and then the lodge was closed .

The banquet was partaken of at the Holborn Restaurant , and among the other brethren present were the following : Bros . W . P . Applebee , P . M . ; G . W . Reed , P . M .: N . Brown , P . M . ; H . Giice , P . M . ; J . K . Blakey , P . M . ; C . Jolly , Hon . P . M ., and P . M . and Sec . 1472 and 21 S 4 ; and a numerous body of the lav brethren . Among - the visitors were Bros . C . J . Clapham , W . M ., and Dr . E . Bryccson ,

S . W ., of 913 G . II . laylor . W . M ., W . Lawson . S . W .. and W . M . elect , II . Tufncll , J . W ., S . E . Southgate , P . M ., G . H . Porter , S . D ., andH . Garland , of 700 ; T . 'Hastings , P . M . and Treas . . S 29 , and P . P . G . T . ; B . C . Curtis , W . M . J . Glading , S . W ., J . Delo , J . W ., and C . Stamford , of 1472 ; ] . Bilt ' on , W . M ., and f . Lee , S . W ., of 2 ' , 9 'j ; W . Sayle Edwards , W . M ., and E . Sinnett , J . W ., of 15311 ;

Sidney Horton , S . W . 706 ; G . Dunstan , 1949 ; A . Knoblanch , 3 y 2 ; W . Brickl ' ord , 11 S 5 ; and F . Korb , 33 . The usual loyal and Grand Lodge toasts having been honoured , the I . P . M . proposed the toast of "The Worshipful Master , " saying that among the list of toasts to be proposed , that was the most important one of the evening . They had seen a little that day in the lodge , anil that

evening at their social board , of what their esteemed W . M . was capable of , and it would give them an idea of what they might expect of him when , at the commencement of their winter session , he a t' -.: ' . « ed the reins of government as Master , the working . Master of their lodge . Under his rule their grand old Iode . 1 : would glide into the harbour of prosperity , and his year ot office would be a red letter one

in its history , famous as it was for its pure and unsullied traditions and its good workings , lie asked them to drink the toast heartily , and wish Bro . Deans a happy and prosperous rule . The VV . M ., who was received with great cheering , said , in the course of a lengthy and brilliant speech , that he had not words sufficient at his command to thank them for

their kind reception of his name , so eloquently put by their esteemed I . P . M . They had honoured him by placing him in the chair of the grand old mother 01 every lodge in the district . The ) ' had been in existence for over a hundred years , and in a hundred years' time , when they were departed , a W . M . would , as he had been that day , installed in the chair of the I ' nion Waterloo Lodge , and so he

trusted for many hundred years to come the grand old lodge would go on and hand down to posterity its record of good deeds , and its unblemished charter to succeeding Masters from generation to generation . He came into oflice with a roll of 119 members , and felt sure that if the brethren would only support him , the sunshine of prosperity would so beam upon the lodge , that instead of as now ,

having the handsome balance in hand of / .. . 130 , he would be enabled to hand over to his successor a largely increased and handsomer balance than fie had that day received at the hands of his predecessor . I le again thanked them for their generous reception , and assured them that nothing should be wanting on his part to secure the continued prosperity of the lodge and the happiness of the brethren .

The other toasts were " I he Visitors , " Ihe Installing Officer , " "The Past Masters , " "The Officers , " Sc , and then the Tyler's toast concluded the proceedings . Madame Florence Logan and Miss Gwendoline Martin , Bro . V .. C t ' : ell , and Mr . llcngler contributed ballads and part songs , and Iiro . A . Cunningham played violin solos . Bro . Hancock presided at the piano .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

II RADFORD . Acacia Lodge ( No . 2321 ) .- —One of the most successful meetings of this lodge took- place at the regular monthly meeting at the Masonic Hall , Raw-son-squire , on Thursday , the 6 th inst . The W . M ., Bro . John IN'iven , in honour of the Rnyal wedding , had invited the brethren ,

their wives and sisters , to take tea with him and Mrs . Niven at the lodge rooms . The brethren in goodly numbers atundud the duties of thelodge at half-past six , and the ladies assembled at half-past seven o ' clock . 'The invitations , as might have been expected , were generally accepted , and the arrangements for the happiness of the guests were carefully carried out by the VV . M . and hit ; b -Her h :, lf ,

Amongst the members of the Iwl ^ e who alUuJcd to support the W . M . during the evening were Bros . S . A . Auty , P . M ., Chap ., as I . P . M . ; Alfred Stephenson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , as S . W . ; John T . Last , Treas .. as J . W . ; lames II . Fearnlev , S .-c . ; Chas . II . Ellis , S . D . ; S . A .

Bailey , P . M ., as J . I ) . ; Kobt . S . Ilir . l , as l . G . ; II . Holmes , Tyler ; Joseph Wilsun , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . lir . ; A . E . Harris , S . of VV . ; John VV . Bland and John A . Drake , Stwds . ; Richard Harland , John Harland , Albert Gwaine , John j . Whitaker , John Morton , R . J . Marsland , and others . Visitors : Bros . F . VV . Durant , W . M . 164 S :

Provincial Meetings.

j A . T . Akeroyd , P . M . 1432 , P . P . G . D . C . Salop ; Jas . Till ev 600 ; Henry Waddington , Sec . 603 ; and A . Selbr P . M . 414 , P . P . G . D . C . Berks . _ r ' The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . On the motion of the VV . M ., a resolution was unanimously passed adnntm „ .

telegram to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M / conveying the hearty congratulations and fraternal greet ! ings of the W . M . and brethren on the marriage that dav of H . R . H . the Duke of York and the Princess May . In due course the W . M . received the following teIeTam from the Grand Master :

" Marlborough House . "To Worshipful Master Lodge Acacia , 2 3 21 , Masonlr Hall , Bradford . " I sincerely thank you and brethren for kind congratulations . "ALBERT EIIWARI ) . " The lodge by-laws were read , and the recommendation of the lodge given to a petition on behalf of a daughter of a deceased member for admission to the Royal Masonic

Institution for Girls . Notice of a proposition of a candidate for initiation and apologies from several absent brethren were tendered . After " Hearty good wishes " the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the reception room , where the ladies had already assembled . After a substantial tea had been discussed , under the able

presidency of the W . M ., the usual loyal toasts ( including " The Royal Bride and Bridegroom " ) were given from the chair . " The Visitors " was ably proposed by Bro . Stephenson P . P . G . D . C , the senior P . M ., who , on behalf of the lodge ! gave the ladies and also the visiting brethren a very hearty welcome . He referred to the fact that the members of the

lodge had entertained their lady friends on previous occasions , but that was the first time the brethren had been joined by the ladies on a regular lodge night ; the VV . M , had found the Royal wedding a peg to hang the ivitations on , and it was very gratifying to see such a goodly number of visitors present , and he hoped they would all enjoy themselves .

Bro . F . W . Durant , W . M . 1 O 4 S , responded on behalf of the visitors , and stated that it was a pleasing duty to acknowledge the generous hospitality of the W . M . lie ( Bro . Durant ) looked upon the gathering that evening as somewhat ot an innovation , but it was nevertheless a splendid innovation worthy of imitation , and he complimented the W . M . for having had the distinction of being

the first VV . M . amongst the lodges in the to . vn to have invited the ladies to join the brethien at refreshment after the duties of the lodge , and he was delighted to see that the experiment had been so eminently successful . "The W . M . " was ably proposed by Bro . Durant , W . M . 1 G 4 S , who expressed the pleasure it had given hhn and his wife to accept the W . M . ' s invitation that evening ,

and he gladly undertook the duty and privilege of submitting the toast of the W . M . 's health . He had , as a visitor , from time to time with much interest watched lire . Niven ' s progress step by step until he had reached the chair of the lodge , and he was glad to know that the VV . M . was so highly esteemed by the brethren . The toast was very heartily received .

Bro . Niven , VV . M ., in responding , tendered his warmest thanks to the brethren for the very cordial manner in which the toast of his health had been received . He was proud to preside over the lodge , and since his installation lie had been waiting for a fitting opportunity for inviting the ladies to join them at refreshment . This had been most opportunely furnished by the fact of the Royal

wedding occurring on the day of the regular meeting of the lodge , and he accorded to the ladies a most hearty welcome . He was glad to see them present on such an auspicious occasion . When he first suggested this gathering it was by one or two discouraged as an innovation and out of order . He had , nevertheless , persisted in it with such a happy result that he sincerely trusted that the

innovation would become a precedent , and that all the future Masters of the lodge would , on suitable occasions , give the brethren pleasure by inviting the ladies in like manner to join their assemblies , lie had no doubt that the ladies were alike curious to know something of their secrets , an ! he thought he might , perhaps , disclose to them this much , that the brethren acting up to the secrets or principles ,

they , as Masons professed , were calculated to be belter husbands , better men , and better members of Society , The W . M . concluded by inviting all the ladies and brethren to a garden party at his residence the following Saturday , The Tyler's toast concluded a most enjoyable meeting . Bros . Auty , Wilson , Tilley , Harland , Waddingwn , Akeroyd , and Harris , and several of the ladies contributed

to promote the harmony of the evening by music , songs , and recitations . The Wor-. hiplul Master ' s garden party , at 0 » lwi >« House , Clayton , on Saturday , the yth inst ., was well attended by the brethren and the ladies , who spent a very enjoyable afternoun . The Host and Hostess spared nu pains to promote the pleasure and comfoi t of their guests .

HAMPTON COURT . Bushey Park Lodge ( No . 33 S 1 ) . —ThcthifJ installation meeting of this nourishing lodge—the J "" lodge in the province—was held at the Greyhound Hotel "" Saturday , the 15 th inst ., when the steady progress made during its short career was found to be maintained , and happy augury given for its continuance . Lodge "

opened by Hro . W . VV . Lee , W . M ., supported by » " * Raymond 1 ! . Thrupp , P . A . G . D . C , D . P . G . M . ; A . W * karn , P . M ., S . W . ; B . Forster , P . M ., as J . W . ; . 1 ; '' / E . Tarr , P . P . G . D ., Treas . ; Gen . K . Langlej , ' - 'V S . G . D ., I . P . M ., Sec . ; VV . II . Lee , P . M ., ^• ¦^¦ > ) - \ ± W . Castle , S . D . ; C . I'Vuen , P . M ., l . G . ; S . II . La " *"' D . C . ; J . G . i . albraitli , jun .. Stwd . ; W . T . 11- " ?>¦"»' P . M . ; J . J . Newlan . l , II . W . Weston , Mus . Bac , < " Gi'l-r , ) . Muni .,, . M . U ., and ovhers . Visitors : l » ' .

VV . Kuberts , P . M . 120-1 , P . P . G . W . ; V . Orchard , > ' ¦ 1293 ; J . Ellinger , W . AI . 2222 ; VV . Martin , I ' . M- % ; , | . Liglm ' oot , I . P . M . iyoi ; E . A . Francis , P . M . ' ^ ' 1 , Pritchard , I . P . M . 9 ; | . G . Garson , P . M . ""'' , ' , 1 Hcarsuin , P . M . 167 ; 1 J . McNish , S . W . " J ' , ' .. ^ , Gardiner , J . I ) . 1261 ; II . Yates , l . G . 2395 ; "'"' 0 , 449 , ; Nauti , 155 S ; llolden , ' ... ; and J . A . May ,- ' ^ t , The minutes were confirmed , and the bain" - v 0 . showing substantial balances on the General an " .. pities lent Accounts and no amounts due to the lodge or " ? ^ sly outstanding , was received and adopted . Itwas unan