Masonic Notes.

We have very great pleasure in announcing that practical form is being given to a suggestion which emanated a short while since from the members of the Boys School Committee Dinner Club . The suggestion was that a Scholarship Fund should be formed with a view to providing deserving boys of exceptional ability , who have completed their short career , with the means of obtaining for

themselves that higher education which fits men for a superior class of avocation . The idea is not a new one . On the contrary , it has long been felt by those who take the deepest interest in the School , and consider that its duties towards those it has under its charge does not terminate when they leave the Institution that something of this kind was greatly needed .

A step in this direction was taken when the Board of Management , determining on retaining under their charge for a further period of one or two years pupils who had distinguished themselves in the School , and were deemed worthy

of receiving further educational assistance . But the present proposal goes further still , and if the Fund is raised the Executive will have at their disposal the means for enabling clever boys to continue their studies and compete for University Scholarships , or qualify themselves for professional or scientific callings .

The suggestion is , as we have said , an excellent one , and the Board of Management , at its meeting on the 1 Sth October , unanimously resolved— "That this Board views with satisfaction the proposal to found a 'Scholarship Fund , ' and approves thc scheme submitted by the Committee Dinner Club . " With such an encouraging resolution to back them up , the Committee in question have set about

raising subscriptiors , and a first list of promised donations which has been brought to our notice discloses the fact that a good beginning has already been made . But to carry out the scheme thoroughly a considerable sum must be made , and it is suggested that local Committees should take the matter up , and solicit support among the lodges in their district for this most desirable object .

There are just one or two further points to which we are desirous of referring . The Scholarship Fund will be a separate and distinct organisation , nor will the funds which are so generously subscribed by the brethren for the support of the Institution be in any way or to the slightest extent trenched upon . Moreover , it is not intended to found large scholarships , but just to render that assistance which

will place deserving ex-Masonians on an equality with other promising young scholars in the contest for educational honours and the advantages in after life which such honours are the means of securing . We strongly recommend the scheme to the favourable consideration of our readers , and trust it will receive from them that liberal measure of support to which it is entitled .

We are afraid we cannot offer much consolation to I . P . M ., whose letter appears in our correspondence columns : Article 165 , B . of C . is very clear : " Should the regular meeting of a lodge fall on Christmas Day , Good Friday , or a public holiday , the meeting may be held on the day betore or the day after , at

the discretion of the Master . " To hold a meeting on any other day , a dispensation , either from the Grand Master or , if the lodge is in a Province , from the Prov . Grand Master , must be obtained . But a ftHe-day , an annual market dinner , mayor's dinners , or carnival " do not , in our opinion , come under the head of a public holiday . "

Correspondence.

Gotvesponbence

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 . ]

LODGE MEETINGS ON INCONVENIENT DAYS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Would you or some kind brother inform me , through your columns , what a W . M . can do under these circumstances V When an ordinary lodge night falls on a date that would be very inconvenient for the lodge to be held—say a fete dayJannual market dinner , mayor ' s dinners , or carnival . According to the

Book of Constitutions dealing with public holidays , I have always held the W . M . has power to summon his lodge the night before or the night after ; but I am informed by much older Masons than myself that I am wrong , and that a dispensation must be applied for at Grand Lodge . If you or one oi your many readers will put mc right on this point , it will much oblige—Fraternally yours , I . P . M . Croydon , November 15 th .

VAGRANT MASONS . To the Editcr of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , A short stout man , name " T . F ., " applied to me on the 14 th inst . for relief as belonging to No . 309 , Forfar . I wired as follows .- " V d applies

for relief , how stands he . Reply comes back : " Do not give him anything , trades on the Craft , expose him . " Almoners please note . SECRETARY 1436 . November 16 th .

Reviews.

IRevtews

"TIIK HATTERS' GAZETTE DIARY , I . S < , G . " —Smith , Greenwood , and Co ., iy , I . tidgats Hill , E . C . —This will be found an excellent Diary , replete with all the information which is 1 rdinarily contained in such annuals . In siz ; it is Koyal 4 to , and the Diary is paged to contain the dx working days cf the week , and interleaved with blotting paper . In addition , there is a mass of special information relating to the Hat Trade , such as directories of London shippers of hats ; hat and cap manufacturers , Sic . ; hatters' materials ; together with full particulars of the commercial legislation for 1 S 95 , includirg the Acts passed by Colonial , as well as by the Imperial , Legislatures . It will be fcund of great use in the counting house .

HOOKS , , ^ c ., KKIT . IYKIi . I ran .-a < lion * I ' miiner "I llinli'ltn : I ' rrUnKs Sp . i ial 1 oinlnunh ul ion lirnrid l . nilge-A . S . I ' - , in India : Ma-iiui . Iliuls , Inl . uul l . y llro . M . I ' , Hum .- : I'm , i-i'iluigs lli-lr ,. I ( irand Li . d ^ 'i' 1 Inci'ii laud : SIIIHI . ' IV Tinns : I . tunl IJoi nnlinnl Journal : 1 iciina . niiri : il :. OriKin nnd Naliin-T Tin' ( ' lev HOIIM-: Ci r . ni . iiiii- > n , ( nininn ' noration m ll ,,- II , a . l A . and A . Kill ' , Philadelphia : ( . 'li lid's ' Guardian : New Vurk llispar .-li : 1 ' rinli ' . ul all Kinds Hogg : 'l'he . Science C > 1 ChrulioloL'V llo ^ g ; J In- llonse-u lie ' .- Handy-Hook , llo ; : ^ ' ; and The Montreal ! iines .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Bedford Lodge , No . 157 . The first meeting after the summer recess of this ancient centenary lodge wis held on Friday , the Sth inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , W . C , Bro . Layton A . Richardson in the chair . There were also present : Bros . E . F . Shoebridge , S . W H . W . Dyne , J . W . ; J . Bruton , I . P . M . ; J . C . Main , P . M ., D . C ; V . Lamer ' P . M ., Stwd . ; E . Jones , P . M . ; | . T . Briggs , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Liddall , P . M ' Sec ; R . C Cork , S . D . ; C B . Weedon , J . D . ; andG . H . Cox , I . G . Among the

visitors were Bros . Dr . T . T . Rutherford Adams , P . M . 63 ; J . W . Drysdale , W . M . 263 ; W . J . Flack , 2006 ; G . P . Hanns , 1816 ; and others . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed , and Bro . Harry Rogers was passed to the Second Degree . A candidate for initiation was to have been present , but was prevented by indisposition . On the motion of the Treasurer , seconded by the W . M ., a sum of five guineas was voted from the lodge funds on behalf of the Girls' School . The lodge was then closed .

An excellent banquet was afterwards partaken of . The usual Masonic toasts were given , and a capital programme of music was pro vided under the direction of Bro . James Budd , of the Temple Lodge , assisted by Bros Sydney Hill , Agar Grover , and Geo . P . Hanns .

Zetland Lodge , No . 511 . The annual installation meeting of this lodge , which this year celebrates its jubilee , was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Wednesday , the Gth inst ., when there were present Bros . E . Kraus , W . M . ; F . S . Jarvis , I . P . M . ; M . A . Krellwitz , S . W . j W . S . Thwaites , J . W . ; G . Read , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br ., Sec . ; G . J . Earney , P . M ., D . C ; J . Moore , S . D . ; T . R . Lamble , J . D . ; J . Pringle , I . G . ; F . J . Oliver , P . M ., Org . ; Birch , P . M . ; Avery , P . M . ; Taylor , P . M . ; Cuff , P . M . ; Barker , P . M . ;

Harnell , P . M . ; Mulvey , P . M . ; Essex , Collins , Baker , Renham , Fowler , Aberline , Moses , Pope , Thomas , Parker , Pailthorpe , Riemann , Worssam , Pasfield , Littlechild , Band , and others . Among the visitors were Bros . Harnell , W . M . 707 ; H . F . Williams , P . M . S 34 ; Bates , P . M . 1507 ; Robinson , P . M . 15 S 9 ; 15 S 9 ; Bennett , P . M . 166 S ; Dickinson , P . M . 1 GS 1 ; Mackay , P . M . 1767 ; R . H . Williams , P . M . 1767 ; Bryett , P . M . 1 S 2 S ; Baker , P . M . 1 S 2 S ; Pierpoint , P . M . 1828 ; Wynne , P . M . 1 S 53 ; Whyman , P . M . 2046 ; Peiron , P . M . ( Amitig Boulogne );

Humphrey , 55 ; Bayfield , 145 ; Ritchie , 173 ; Bloxham , 206 ; Shapcott , 733 ; Curtis , 733 ; Howe , 820 ; Whitney , S . W . S 61 ; Groome , J . W . S 61 ; Sanders , S . W . ( ji 7 j Roach , 917 ; Jackson , 917 ; Gilderstein , 917 ; Dyke , 1275 ; Harris , 1275 ; Hiller , 1471 ; Beach , 1563 ; Bannister , 1632 ; Sanger , 1642 ; Huish , 1642 ; Pullin , 1 GS 1 ; Maddick , 16 94 ; Norton , 1694 ; Scott , 17 G 7 ; Baker , 1 S 53 ; Luke , 1853 ; Howard , 1 S 94 ; Crowland , 1 S 94 ; Bramble , 2182 ; Palmer , 21 S 2 ; Markhall , 2346 ; Greenham , 25 G 3 ; Swanson , and Fortescue .

ihe lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Jarvis , I . P . M ., having taken the chair , Bro . Krellwitz , S . W ., was presented to receive the benefit of installation , which was admirably performed by Bro . Jarvis , Bro . Mulvey , P . P . A . G . D . C . Herts , P . P . G . S . B . Surrey , acting as D . C . Having appointed and invested his officers , the W . M . proceeded to initiate Messrs . Evans and Wheeler , previousl y balloted for and elected . The W . M . had then a very pleasant task to perform , which was to unveil portraits of Bros . Asher Barfield , P . M ., P . G . T . —

for 2 G years Treasurer—and George Read , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br . —tor 23 years Secretary—of the lodge , which had been subscribed for by the members to commemorate the jubilee of the Zetland Lodge and as a mark of the esteem in which they held those two brethren , who have rendered such signal service , not only to the Zetland Lodge , but to the whole Craft . Handsome frames for the portraits have been presented by Bro . J . R . Harnell , P . M . Bro . Read , on behalf of his colleague and himself , expressed gratification at so pleasing a compliment , at the same time mentioning that Bro . Barfield was

prevented by indisposition from attending the meeting . After the business of the lodge was completed , the brethren repaired to the banquet ing hall , where a choice repast was provided . The usual loyal toasts having been honoured , the Worshipful Master , in proposing " The Grand Officers , " referred with pride to the fact that the lodge numbered among its members two Past Grand Officers in the persons of Bros . Barfield and Read . In coupling the name of the latter with the toast , the W . M . humorously pointed out the

painful feeling of embarrassment Bro . Read must experience in so often hearing himself extolled as a pattern of excellence , and thought that Freemasons were great offenders in that respect . Bro . Read responded in graceful terms , and stated that he felt particular pride and pleasure in responding to the toast of the Grand Officers in that lodge , for he could not

but feel that the lodge had been honoured through him on the occasion of his receiving the collar of a Grand Officer . Bro . E . Kraus , I . P . M ., gave the toastof "The Worshipful Master , " and in wishing Bro . Krellwitz a pleasant and successful year of office , said that thebrethren had received proof of his efficiency in the ritual from the manner in which he had fulfilled his duties in the lodge that evening .

The Worshipful Master , in reply , said that he must return his sincere thanks for the exceedingly hearty manner in which the toast had been received . It took a good many years to attain the position of Master , and to make one ' s self efficient to occupy that position with credit . From the moment of his first taking office in the lodge , he had striven to perfect himself in the ritual , so as to enable him to carry out the various duties allotted to him . He had been pleased to find some work for him to do on his assuming the chair that evening , and assured the brethren that it would be his earnest endeavour to fulfil his duties to the best of his ability , and thereby satisfy his sense of duty and his conscience ,

The Worshipful Master said that the next toast he had to propose was one which concerned that lodge in particular , but , of course , in a wider sense , the whole Craft , viz-i " The Initiates . " He hoped and believed the members of the lodge had made a fortunate choice in Bros . Evans and Wheeler , who came with such favourable recommendations . At present these two brethren cannot possibly have grasped the purport of Freemasonry , but as they were admitted to more light , they would learn to love and appreciate the grand Institution . As a great authority puts it— " Freemasonry is everything to those who

comprehend it ; it is nothing to those whose heart and soul are dead . " He strongly advised them not to rest on their laurels after passing through the several Degrees , but to remember that there were higher aims and duties which awaited them , and that if they once realise that they could not fail to take a solid interest in the noble Craft . The newly-initiated brethren having briefly returned thanks , The Worshipful Master proposed " The Immediate Past Master , " congratulating Bro . Kraus on thc very creditable and conscientious manner in which he had performed

the duties of the chair during his year of office , and at the same time presenting him with the Past Master's jewel . Addressing Bro . Kraus , the W ; M . said : This jewel not only represents your work as a Past Master , but also represents that jewel which 1 no gold can buy—the brotherly love and esteem of the members of your mother lodge . May the G . A . O . T . U . give you health and strength to wear it for many years to come in the lodge , and may it remind you of the ties which bind us in the noble ciuse . Bro . Kraus , I . P . M ., in response , expressed his heartfelt thanksfor the kind expresbeen

sions that had fallen from the W . M ., and for the Past Master ' s jewel that had presented to him . He knew that they often received things they did not deserve ; tin ' lesson had been taught him in his early youth . He , however , had performed his tasK to the best of his ability , and hoped any shortcomings would be overlooked . , " The Visitors " was the next toast submitted by the Worshipful Master , wW expressed gratification at the presence of so many distinguished guests and old friends . Bros . Harnell , VV . M . 701 ; Bates , P . M . 1507 ; Whyman , P . M . 204 G ; al , a Jackscn , 917 , respcnled . ,, he

In proposing the toastof "The Past Masters of the Lodge , " the W . M . said was pleased to notice that they had appeared in full strength almost . They were tne backbone of a lodge , and its prosperity or failure depends almost entirely upon ^ . l , for although thc Master is supreme , he is always more or less guided by the sense iwhich the P . Ms , desire to manage thc lodge . They had among them brethren who na passed the chair , who were not only willing , but also able to perform any work put up " them , clear proof of which was given that evening in the admirable way in which ' « ' Jarvis , P . M ., had come forward and worked the ceremony of installation . With tn toast the W . M . coupled the name of Bro . II . J . Birch , the oldest P . M . present ol '" Zetland Lodge , initiated about 30 years ago , who responded .