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 limits—free discussion .

THE STATUS OF A PAST MASTER . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , By accident I have only just seen the letter of Ex-Secretary P . M . in your issue of the 9 th inst . Rule 9 clearly defines the requirements to be fulfilled to qualify a brother to claim a seat as a member of Grand Lodge as a Past Master ; and Rule 81 clearly shows that all Past Masters in a Provincial lodge are members of the Provincial Grand Lodge , so long as they are members of Grand Lodge .

In the case put by your correspondent , may I suggest to him as a possible explanation that Lodge B . had omitted to return Bro . Smith as P . M . and that the Prov . G . Secretary did not recognise the identity of Bro . Smith of the rank and file of Lodge B with Bro . Smith formerly P . M . of Lodge A ? A courteous letter of inquiry as to the reason of the omission to receive the usual notices would , I take it , put the matter right , or at all events elicit the reason for the omission to send/—Yours fraternally , LEX SCIRPTA . May 18 th .

GRAND LODGE HONOURS—DISTRICTS ABROAD . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I thank you for inserting my letter last week , and for your editorial comments thereon . Will you kindly allow me space to reply to one or two points raised by your criticism ?

In speaking of the absence of the names of District Grand Officers from th list of Grand Officers you say " we fail to see how any Colonial brethren , however distinguished , could be appointed to Grand office , considering that , except under the very rarest circumstances , it would not be in their power to attend and be in their places in Grand Lodge . " Now , I do not for one moment admit that Grand

Officers are so regular in their attendance as to warrant this assertion , but assuming that it is impossible for Colonial brethren to attend Grand Lodge , and carry out their duties as Grand Officers , surely the disability does not exist as regards the conferring of Past Rank . And yet not a single honour is conferred on the Colonies .

You say , too , " what we do object to is the slighting manner in which our correspondent speaks of the feelings , which , in his opinion , the M . W . G . M . and his advisers entertain towards Colonial Masons . '' Here you entirely miss my point . What I complain of is the roant of feeling . And , surely the fact that in the past two newly-appointed Colonial Governors , " who happened to be Masons , " have had brevet rank as P . G . W . conferred on them , can only be considered as a very left-handed compliment to the Colonies .

Colonials pay dues to Grand Lodge , and fees ; some of them have a vote in Grand Lodge which they can but seldom , if ever , exercise . They are members of a self-governing body , but practically have no voice at all . These are their misfortunes ; and their misfortunes do not , I regret to say , excite any sympathy at home . I enclose my card , and remain yours fraternally ,

PAST DISTRICT GRAND OFFICER May 13 th .

GUY'S HOSPITAL RE-ENDOWMENT FUND . To tlie Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I read with much pleasure in your valuable paper of last Saturday that some five or six of the West-end clubs had contributed . £ 1000 each for the purpose of endowing a bed at Guy ' s Hospital . I should very much like the Grand

Lodge and Chapter of England , the Ancient and Accepted Rite , and the Grand Mark Lodge to follow so praiseworthy an example . The object requires no words of mine to recommend it ; suffice it to say that our Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , is rendering his personal and powerful influence to the good work by acting as Chairman at the Festival of the hospital . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully , P . M .

A CORRECTION . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Permit me to call your attention to some inaccuracies in your kind notice anent my appointment to Grand Office . I was not given the "brevet rank of Past G . Asst . Director of Ceremonies , " but was appointed one of the Asst .

Directors of Ceremonies for the year , and so chronicled by you in another part of your paper . 1 should not add that I was the founder of the Savage Club Lodge , but for the fact that you say I was the " founder of the Eccentric Lodge , " the foundation of which was not my idea , but that of Bro . J . A . Harrison , as that of the Savage Club Lodge was of mine . It" was the collar of Prov . S . G . W . which was conleired upon me in Bucks , and not that of Prov . G . Supt . of Works . Finally , it was not from any lack of interest in our Society that from 18 71 to

1 S 86 1 made no Masonic record . From 1871 to 1884 I travelled twice round the world . I visited lodges , wherever I could find one , in the East and West Indies , throughout North ar . d Scuth America , in Africa , Syria , and Palestine , and in Austialia and New Zealand ; but never ic-mained long enough in any place to woik my way into effice . But that my interest in our Society was kept green in my heart , may be inlc-rred from lhe fact that , in 1884 , after filling the chair of S . W . for the night in the Royal Solcmon Mother Lo ^ ge at Jerusalem , I was elected a " Honorary Life Member . "

Trusting you will pardon this very personal explanation and correction , —I am , yours fraternally , WILL E . CHAPMAN .

Royal Arch Masonry In Scotland.

ROYAL ARCH MASONRY IN SCOTLAND .

The formation of a Provincial Grand Chapter for Ross and Inverness look place at Dingwall on the afternoon of Tuesday , the 12 th inst ., in the Masonic lodge in said town , when Comp . Sir Hector Munro , Bart ., of Koulis Castle , was installed as Grand Superintendent by Comp . Major F . W . Allan , of Glasgow , M . E . Depute First Principal of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland , and who was accompanied by a deputation from said Grand Chapter . There was a good attendance of companions of the province .

Reviews.

Reviews .

MASONIC MISCELLANEA . —This is another volume In memoriam of the fate Bro Thomas W Tew , J . P ., the lamented Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire , who did so much on Lehalf of the province in respfct to the Masonic Charities , and especially the literature of the Craft . The introduction , explanatory and historical matter and notes , are by Bro . J . Matthewman , P . M . 1019 , the esteemed Provincial Assistant Grand Secretary , who has been the able Editor throughout , and has done his part in the best of taste , good judgment , and in a most interesting minner . It may fairly claim to be

the most important volume of the kind ever published , for not only have the selections from the Masonic addresses and speeches by the late Bro . Tew been most carefull y made and rank as masterpieces by that distinguished and enthusiastic Craftsman , but papers are reprinted or published by several of the best known and respected Masonic authors and orators , including "Brotherhood , " by the V . Rev . Dr . A . P . Purey-Cust Dean of York , P . G . C . , * the Oration , delivered by Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . G . D . ( which has had an enormous circulation at home and abroad ) , at Dawlish , Devon ; " Class

Lodges , " by Bro . R . F . Gould , P . G . D . ( a subject rarely tieated , and yet of special value and interest ); "A Masonic Curriculum , " by Bro . G . W . Speth , Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies , the Secretary of the celebrated " Quatuor Coronati " Lodge , No . 2076 , London ( who has rendered a real service to students of Masonic History by its preparation and publication ) ; " Some Ancient York Masons and their early Haunts , " by Bro . T . B . Whytehead , P . G . S . B . ( one of the most able and accurate writers on Freemasonry in the city of York ) , and " Lodge Warrants , " b « Bro .

William Wafson , the honorary and most efficient librarian of West Yorkshire , who has made not only the province , but the Craft his debtor for the valuable services he has so long and so ably rendered . These papers are all of a most important character , and not hitherto thus collected and printed , and there is also a choice " Oration " by the late * Rev . W . C . Lukis , M . A ., F . S . A ., & c . Then there are the " Denton Papers , " which are so numerous and varied , that they must be read to be appreciated ; besides which there are two monographs on the centenary of No 306 , Leeds , and the consecration of No . 255 S , Sheffield , the concluding chapter being devoted to the revered Bro . Tew , his

death , funeral , and a warm-hearted sketch of his career as an earnest and devoted Freemason . It should be stated that excellent portraits of the late Bro . Tew and the celebrated Craftsmen mentioned adorn this grand volume , which alone are more than worth the small sum asked for the work . It is not likely that any can be purchased now , but should brethren desire to obtain copies , enquiries may be made of Bro . J . Matthewman , Horsforth , Leeds . These particulars do not exhaust the attractions of this large book , for there are five chapters devoted to the resignation of the Prov . Grand Mastership by the late Bro . Tew , the feeling in the province , the appointment of his successor , and Masonic incidents in West Yorkshire .

"WEST LANCASHIRE MASONIC CALENDAR , 1 S 96-7 . "—This large and most accurate annual has been edited by the indefatigable Prov . Grand Sec , Bro . W . Goodacre , whose labours on behalf of the Craft in West Lancashire are well-known and much appreciated . If such useful work can be done so well for the largest province in England ( numbering as it does 113 lodges ) , surely smaller provinces , so far without such a compilation , might fellow the example thus set , and provide handy little books for reference , thus adding much to the efficiency of the lodges . The calendar portion

represents an unusual amount of sheer hard work , having the days of meeting for all the 113 lodges , nearly jo Royal Arch chapters , 18 Mark lodges , seven Knights Templar preceptories , and three Rose Croix chapters are given , and there is also a table of the installations . The roll of Prov . G . Officers from 1826 to 1895 of the Prov . G . Lodge and that of the Prov . Grand Chapter from 1867 onward to date are very helpful indeed , and must prove especially so to the active members of the province , who need such information , in the absence of the regular officers at provincial meetings . If " stars " were appended

to indicate those who have died , their usefulness would be still greater for matters affecting precedence and such like points . One of the latest lodges constituted in the province , viz ., the " Stanley of Preston , " No . 2 C 00 , has the Earl of Derby as the first W . M ., who is a P . G . W . of England , and was Deputy Prov . G . M . from 1 S 72 to 1 SS 7 . The Prov . G . M . is the esteemed nobleman the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , G . C . B ., Pro Grand Master of England , and the present Deputy Prov . G . M . is that ( rood friend

of the province , Bro . Robert Wylie . Lord Lathom is also the Grand Superintendent for West Lancashire and Prov . G . Mark Master of all Lancashire , having Colonel Le Gendre N . Sterkie as his efficient Deputy . Bro . Edmund Ashworth is Prov . G . M . ol the Royal Order of Scotland for Lancashire and Cheshire , and the Educational and Benevolent Institutions of the province are also duly noted . The senior lodge on the roll is No . 32 , Liverpool , and the oldest is No . 86 , Prescot .

" FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OI NORFOLK , 1896-97 . " — Brother G . W . G . Barnard , Provincial Grand Secre tary , is the editor of this neatly-printed annual , which , although one of the smallest published , is brimful of information , the particulars being well-arranged and ably condensed . The Calendar is continued to April , 1897 . Lord Suffield , K . C . H ., is the Prov . G . M ., and the respected historian of the province , Bro . Hamon Le Strange , P . G . D ., is the Deputy Prov . G . M . For the Charities Committee , Bro . H . G . Barwell , of Norwich , is thc Secretary . There are iS lodges in the province , the particulars for

each being most precise and complete . The senior and oldest lodge is No . 52 , Norwich , dating from 1736 , and thc junior on the roll is No . 2602 , Cromer , warranted ioth February , 1 S 96 . The seven Royal Arch chapters are evidently in a prosperous condition , and so also are the three Mark lodges , the latter being * in the Province of East Anglia , Lord Henniker being the Prov . G . M . There are two Rose Croix chapters , and the same number of K . T . preceptories . It seems a pity that Bro . Hamon Le Strange ' s history of the province is not advertised or noted in this directory . It may be had of Bro . George Kenning , 16 A , Great Queen-street .

"HISTORY OF THE STEWART LODGE , NO . i 960 ( S . C . ) -Holding at Rawal Pindi and Murree , under the District Grand Lodge of the Punjab . By W . Bro . Major J . H . Leslie , Royal Artillery , Past District Junior Grand Warden , Punjab , and Past Master of the " Stewart '' Lodge , 1 S 96 . W . H . Lead , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., printer and lithograp her . —A lodge which has been in existence for the brief period of 15 years can hardly be said to have a history . Ic lus surmounted thc difficulties of its early career , it is in a mere or less prosperous condition , and to judge from what has happened in the p . ** . **' .

there is every likelihood that it will continue to prosper and ultimately become a centre of interest and influence in the particular group of lodges of which it is a constituent member . This is probably the sum and substance if what Major Leslie has said in this history which he has so carefully compiled of the "Stewart" Lodge , No . 19 G 0 on the roll of United Grand Lodge . But we are very far from regretting , indeed , we are very grateful to him , that he should have written a connected and circumstantial account of the proceedings of this yourg lodge from the date cf its first meeting under a

dispensation from the Distiict Grand Master of the Punjab until the close of last year . Ihe lodge was founded by some very prominent memOEis of our Order , among whom were the late Bro . Colonel Anthony Siewait , fioin whom the lodge derives its name and who was at the time District Grand Master of the Punjab , and the late Bro . H . } Whymper , a writer of eminence on Masonic subjects and a leading member uf the Craft in the Punjab , who was only prevented by the state of his health from accepting the office of Dist . G . M . Under such auspices , the lodge was certain to

make a fair start , and though it has since had its vicissitudes of fortune , and atone tnn * - appears to have been in a somewhat critical state , it has gone on prospering until at the present time it is one of the strongest and most influential of the lodges in tin District of the Punjab . This is no doubt due , primarily , to its having been careful to accept only good men and true as initiates or joining members , and in the next p lace , to there having been among ils elected members a very large proportion ol brethren who were prepared to devote all their energies to ensuring the success of the lodge . As to Stewart

the manner in which Bro . Major Leslie has fulfilled his duty as historian ofthe " Loilt . e , we can only say lhat it reflects on him the very greatest credit . He has laKei the lodge records as his b ** sis , and from these has compiled a succinct and vary readable narrative , not loo much overlaid with detail , but with chapter and verse for all tin . facts he has thought it necessary to introduce . I here are , indeed , not a few <*'" - " . "'"_ stances—such as the temporary loss of the warrant ; the passage at arms 11 " tween the lodge and the authorities of Distiict Grand Lodge over . O , communication of news to the press ; and the Duke of Connaught's visit to the loaf ? 6