Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , ut we wish , in A spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

THE DIAMOND JUBILEE . To the Editor of the " Freemason : ' Dear Sir and Brother , It is to be hoped that there will be some great meeting of Masons in June , and , in case the M . W . G . M . is pleased to confer honours , I cannot think that the selection of provincial Masons , as suggested by your correspondent , would be satisfactory .

He suggests Wardens of the provinces , and if they are chosen as they are near London , anything but truly representative Masons would be selected , as Wardens are generally half-pay officers for Senior , and doctors for Junior , many of them having the slightest knowledge of the Craft . I think that names should be submitted by the respective Provincial Grand Masters .

If many receive past rank it will be difficult to find room on the dais at Grand Lodge , but probably the Colonies and provinces would be chiefly noticed . —Yours fraternally , OBSERVER .

THE NEW BOYS' SCHOOL . To the Editor qf the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , If the report in your last issue is correct the proposed competition for designs will cost the Craft about . £ 3000 for the six competitions and 2 J per cent ., say . £ 2500 for the successful one , assuming that the school is not built .

Instead of selecting six architects of large practice used to expensive buildings would it not have been more satisfactory to have advertised in the Freemason , and from the names sent in , have selected about a dozen members of the Fraternity who have designed schools successfully . Why allow about ^ 5000 to go to those who have never taken any interest in the Masonic Charities .

Then again is not the proposed school too large ? How will the Craft maintain so many boys , especially when all the invested funds are spent in the new building and pockets are emptied at the centenary festival P I think the proposal to have a new building in many ways desirable , but the scheme has been pushed forward very quickly before any money is in hand , as after the publication of the condition of the existing school and its surroundings it may not be easy to sell the building at all , even at about a quarter its cost .

The members of the Building Committee deserve the best thanks of the Craft ; the expenditure of time will be very considerable and we must all wish for a successful completion of their labours . —Yours fraternally , LIFE GOVERNOR .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORV FOR THE PROVINCE OF SOMERSET , 1897-9 8 . "—This large and widely-known Masonic annual is now in its 16 th year of publication , and continues to be edited by Bro . C L . Fry Edwards , who spares no pains to make it worthy of his province . The portrait for this year will be very welcome to the brethren in Somersetshire , as it is a capital likeness of the esteemed Prov . G . Secretary , Bro . E . F . Wade . A table exhibiting "The Year's Work in the Province" is a good idea , and a most useful compilation . The 26 lodges return 1221 members to December 31 st , 18 9 6 , being slightly less than in January of the same year . There were 63

initiations , but 83 resignations and 12 deaths . The particulars as to the votes for the Central Masonic Charities are most ample , and are of a gratifying character , the total votes being 4829 . There are 11 R . A . chapters , with over 300 members , and nine Mark lodges , with come 250 members . Ihere are also three K . T . preceptories and three Rose Croix chapters in the county , the Antiquity Preceptory , held in the city of Bath , being one of the oldest in England . The Royal Cumberland Lodge , No . 41 , Craft and Mark , and the R . A . chapterof the same name , all held in Bath , are also to be ranked as amongst the oldest and most notable in the country . There is a complete Calendar for 1897-S term , and no lack of interesting information besides .

AN INTERESTING RELIC or reminder of the former days has recently been placed in the hands of the editor of the Repository , viz ., a well preserved and perfect book , printed in the year 1765 , containing a list of regular lodges allegiant to the Grand Lodge of England at that date , with the arms or other insignia of such lodges , time and places of meetings , & c . It has inscribed upon its cover the name of Henry Rishton , Esq ., and the date , presumably of purchase , May 21 , 1765 . We note its announcement of Solomon ' s Lodge , S . C ., as having been

chartered in 1735 ; Boston Lodge in New Zealund , 1733 ; No . 75 , "In the Province of Georgia , " 1735 ; No . 173 , " In the Borrough of Norfalk , Va ., " against which is put the date " 1733 , " evidently a misprint , as it should be 1753 . There have been many editions of the English list of lodges , and the one we have in hand is by no means among the earliest issues ; nevertheless it has value and interest , showing as it does the 33 6 lodges listed in 1765 . —Freemasons ' Repository .

BRO . FREDERICK G . STILES , Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island , placed in our hands , a few days ago , for examination , an interesting reminder of Masonic doings under the administration of Jeremy Gridley , Provincial Grand Master of North America , about the middle of the eighteenth century . The reminder consists of a well preserved commission issued by Grand Master Gridley under date of January 20 th , 1760 , appointing Robert Jenkins Deputy Grand Master . It is attested by the signature of John Leverett , Grand Secretary , and bears the seal of the Provincial Grand Lodge . —Freemasons ' Repository .

THE DIAMOND J UBILEE . —A novel offer is made by the Educational Supply Association , Limited , Holborn Viaduct , London , in connection with the celebration of the Diamond J ubilee , which is well worth the attention of the managers , masters and mistresses of schools , the superintendents of Sunday schools , and others interested in supplying young people with a useful , instructive , and lasting souvenir of the occasion . The Iiim is prepared to supply a special edition of the new illustrated volume of 256 entitled Victoria and le

pp ., " Queen Her Peop" ( published at is . Cd . ) at sixpence net , en condition that the bcoks are either given to the children or sold to them without a profit . The vc lume is well got up and handsomely bound , and the idea of thus providing children with what is at once a handsome memento of the Diamond Jubilee and a graphic history of the Queen ' s reign is one that we heartily commend to the attention of those interested in the education of lhc young . Specimen books and circulars with lull particulars may be had from the publishers .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Skelmersdale Lodge , No . 1599 . The installation meeting of this well-known lodge was held at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street , on the Sth instant , when there were present Bros . E . J . Wickenden , W . M . ; F . W . Horn , S . W ., W . M . elect ; H . Peirce , J . W . ; G . Laker , P . M ., Sec . ; F . Dewsbury , P . M . ; C . E . Cove , S . D . ; W . Callingham , J . D . ; C . W . Hall , I . G . ; C . H . A . Harris , P . M . ; F . A . Lewis , P . M . ; W . Howes , P . M . ; S . Birkin , Fredk . Cundall , J . Cundall , T . Hall , W . E . J . Adams , H . S . Easty , W . Mokler , E . A . Cade , A . W . Diamond , A . Feaviour , P . Callingham , T . Ogden , G . A . Keen , F . F . Smith , W .

J . Keen , and J . Rawles , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . H . Northcroft , 33 ; F . E . Wrigley , S . W . 73 ; G . Evans , 172 ; J . Simpson , 177 ; N . Salmon , P . M . 177 ; R . Raymond , 1305 ; J . T . Davies , I P . M . 134 S ; W . A . Laker , P . M . 1362 , P . P . G . P . Surrey ; J . S . Kingston , P . M . 1420 ; G . Trapp , 1324 ; W . S . Whitaker , P . M . 1572 ; . J . S . Dickson , P . M . 1572 ; H . Leming , P . M . 1 S 15 ; T . S . Henson , P . M . 199 6 ; Geo . Callingham , 2012 ; T . W . Chant , I . G . 2128 ; G . Elliott , 2206 ; C . E . Vaughan , 2455 ; R . A . Thompson , S . W . 2502 ; and R . T . West , 1744 . The minutes of the last lodge meeting having been read and confirmed , and the Auditors' report adopted , the W . M ., Bro . Wickenden , initiated Mr . W . J . Keen in a

manner that should leave a lasting impression upon the initiate , so well was it done . Bro . Wickenden then installed Bro . Frederick W . Horn , S . W . and W . M . elect , as Worshipful Master of the lodge , in a most impressive and commendable manner . The newly-installed Master appointed and invested his ofiicers as follows : Bros . E . J . Wickenden , I . P . M . ; H . Peirce , S . W . ; C . E . Cove , J . W . ; C . H . A . Harris , P . M ., Treas . ; Geo . Laker , P . M ., Sec ; Walter Callingham , S . D . ; C . W . Hall , J . D . ; H . W . Mellor , I . G . ; R . F . Tyler , P . P . G . Org . Middx ., Org . ; and I . Rawles , Tyler .

The delivery of the customary addresses was most ably rendered by Bro . E . J . Wickenden , who completed his brilliant year of office not only with satisfaction to himself , but to the members , and his efficient services will long be remembered . The W . M ., on behalf of the members , presented a handsome gold watch to Bro . J . Rawles in recognition of 21 years' valued services as Tyler to the lodge , which Bro . Rawles acknowledged , thanking the members for the great honour they had conferred upon him . Other business followed , after which the lodge was closed and the brethren

adjourned to a splendid banquet , which was admirably served under the personal superintendence of the Manager , Bro . E . Ashby . In giving "The Queen and the Craft , " the Worshipful Master stated that she was a Oueen in every respect , a mother and a woman . " " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " having been duly honoured , The I . P . M ., Bro . E . J . Wickenden , in giving "The Worshipful Master , Bro .

F . W . Horn , " said the toast was undoubtedly the one of the evening and he was sure it would be received with great enthusiasm . They had seen the working of the W . M . in the various offices he had so ably filled in the lodge during the last five years ; they had a bright future to look forward to and Bro . Horn ' s doings would redound to the credit of the Craft and the lodge . They all loved him and he did not think any one had ever had a wry word with him . He could speak at length as to his many qualifications but it was not necessary , except to add that he would make one of the best of Masters

in the annals of the Skelmersdale Lodge . Bro , F . W . Horn , W . M ., on rising to respond , was received with acclamation . He stated that the toast had been submitted to them in words that were too complimentary to himself , but he thanked them for their great reception . He had had only a little work to do that evening , and if it had given satisfaction to them he was gratified . It behoved all when installed Master to do their utmost , none could do more . He would certainly do his very best to carry out his duties , and he earnestly hoped that at the end of his

year of office they would not regret having elected him to his high office of which he was proud . The Worshipful Master proposed "The LP . M . and Installing Master , Bro . Wickenden , " and said that his working of the ritual could not have been better performed , and his year of office had been one of pleasure to them . He ( the W . M . ) had attended many lodges , but he had never seen better working than that of Bro . Wickenden ' s , and they were all proud of the excellent manner he had carried out the whole of the installation , for which he tendered him their hearty thanks . He then presented him with a

Past Master's jewel , observing that never was a jewel better deserved . ( Great applause . ) And he sincerely hoped that he would live for many years to wear it , not only as a token of their great regard and esteem , but as a small appreciation of his services to the lodge , which it would be impossible for the members ever to forget . The jewel bore the following inscription : " Presented by the Skelmersdale Lodge , No . 1599 , to Bro . Edward James Wickenden , P . M ., as a token of respect for the efficient manner in which he presided as W . M . 1896-7 . " R . * . \ M * I Wif-lrAnnnn I P M . /\ n neintr f / i r . nlu w . o anfh . iciaef . ^ . ^ llu rA ^ a . t . oA j ^ - * # ? £ . w ^ j n » d

u . v . u . . ... » v » uw .., . . . . .. , .. ...... . y ., V . IMIU » IWUI . M ., . M . VIIW ) He remarked that words failed him to express what he then thought . It was a proud moment when he was installed Master 12 months ago , but it was a prouder one to know that he left the chair with their great regard . He thanked the W . M . for his very kind remarks and the members for their reception of the toast , which induced him to think that they were satisfied with his small efforts . _ It was the proudest moment of his life to receive the jewel , which he honoured , and it would ever remind him of the many happy evenings he had spent in the lodge and the friendships he had made and

cemented . He hoped the day was long distant when he would have to leave the lodge , and if he could at any time render any assistance to the lodge , he was only to be commanded and it would be an honour to render any service . In submitting the toastof "The Initiate , " the Worshipful Master stated that as Masons they all welcomed initiates , as without them Masonry could not exist . He hoped to live to see his first initiate installed into thc chair , so that he would feel as proud as he did , but he trusted he would not be as nervous as he ( the W . M . ) was .

Bro . W . J . Keen , on rising to respond , had a hearty reception . He said he thanked the W . M . very kindly and sincerely for proposing the toast , and the great reception he had met with . He esteemed the honour of having been made a Mason , and hoped always to be able to retain their good will . The Worshipful Master gave " The Visitors , " whom he cordially welcomed . They

were always well received in the lodge and they frequently saw them again which he thought was evidence that they liked visiting the lodge . They were honoured that evening » with the presence of 21 visitors , which was a happy coincidence as the lodge was 21 years old that day . He made special reference to Bros . W . A . Laker , W . S . Whittaker , P . M . ; J . T . Davis , P . M . ; T . VI . Chant , T . S . Henson , Northcroft , and R . T . West , remarking that they were all well-known and good Masons .

Bro . E . J . Wickenden , I . P . M ., stated that it was his intention to gj up as Steward at the forthcoming festival of the Boys' Institution . He had only five names on his list , but it amounted to 35 guineas . He would take it round and he hoped the members would greatly augment that amount . He referred at length to the proposed removal of the Institution for Boys , which he was fully convinced would be to the advantage of that institution . In conclusion , he made an eloquent appeal for the Boys , observing that it was some years since they sent up a Steward for that Institution , and he trusted that the members would make his list a record one in amount , in the annals of the lodge .

Bro . W . A . Laker responded to the toast of " The Visitors , " and said that it was not his first visit , but it was years since he was there . The visitors had had a Masonic treat in the lodge which they appreciated , and also the lavish hospitality of the members . Bro . W . S . Whittaker , P . M ., said that , from what he saw of ths installation ceremony , it could leave no doubt that all the visitors thought that the working of the I . P . M ., Bro . Wickenden , was splendid , and , as to their good W . M ., he felt that the members would never regret their choice .

Bro . J . T . Davis , P . M ., stated hc had had the privilege of atten ling the installation meetings of the lodge for the last few years , and the installation ceremony had been carried out that evening in a manner that it would be difficult to excel . Bio . T . W . Chant also acknowledged the toast , and said that he had known the W . M . for 21 years , and he would be a credit tothe lodge ; his only fault being his excessive modesty . •* Bros . T . S . Henson , Northcroft , and R . T . West also responded .

' * The Treasurer and Secretary " was next given by the W . M ., who stated that tfe Treasurer was most jovial and very irrepressible . The Sscretary was a worthy brother , and did everything that was possible in his ofiice and for Masonry in general ; they were both good fellows and excellent officers .