Original Correspondence.

a brother to a Provincial Office unless hc attended 'to be invested . At the meeting held at Southampton on Tuesday , thc 15 th inst ., hc appointed several brethren who were absent from various causes . Comment is superfluous , especially as there werc over 200 brethren in attendance to select from . I am , dear Sir antl Brother , faithfully yours , CONSISTENCY " .

We have been requested to publish the following correspondence : —

GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND . To the Editor of the Scottish Freemason . Dear Sir anil Brother , — My attention has been directed to a letter in the North British Daily Mail , of 12 th inst ., signed " Faction , " which contains statements that may mislead many of the brethren . It is stated— " The contest being not between

Edinburgh and Glasgow , " & c , " but between Glasgow , on the one hand , and the rest of Scotland , " & c . The contest is between a certain party of brethren in Edinburgh , who have had for years the control in the Grand Lodge , with results disastrous to the honour and financial position of Masonry in Scotland , and the provinces , whose money has been so fraudulently dealt with . Glasgow being the province nearest to Edinburgh , and which pays the largest

amount of money into the Grand Lodge , naturally comes prominently to the front in the struggle to put the Grand Lodge in a state to support the honour of the Craft , and retain the confidence of the provinces . This , and this alone , is the object aimed at by the brethren of the West , in which they have the support of brethren in all parts of Scotland . I am , dear Sir and brother , yours fraternally ,

W . MONTGOMERIE NEILSON , Queenshill , Aug . 13 th . P . G . M . of Glasgow .

To the Editor of the "Scottish Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I belong to a lodge that scntls its own proper representatives to Grantl Lotlge , consequently , at our last meeting , we were favoured with an account " viva voce" of the recent proceedings of Grand Lodge . Most heartily tlid wc congratulate ourselves on the fact that wc arc not

representee ! by proxy in that august assembly , else wc might have run the risk of being a party to the degrading of the Craft by ignoring , as was done , the rudiment *! and fundamental principles on whicii the grand superstructure has been built . He must be a very contemptible individualin truth , no man and no Mason—who would stoop to be an abettor of thc conduct which seems to be characteristic

of some of the moving spirits of that grantl Edinburgh Masonic forum . It is time that all good ami true Masons were bestirring themselves so as really to feel their responsibility individually and collectively . Let the present vital matters be subject of mutual intercourse inside the lodgeroom , antl of uniteti consideration and action hy sister lodges iu the provinces . For surely we shall not be so base as to

stand idly and silently by , and see the dignity ofthe Order trailed in the tlust , sec thc result of the labours of disinterested men ignobly scouted at and scorned , and see ourselves , in our representatives , scoffed at anil condemned by interested intriguers and ignomir . ious sycophants . —Yours fraternally , SPE-5 . Ayr , 13 th August , 1878 .

To the Editor of the " Scottish Freemason . " Dear Sir antl Brother , — It is believed that a universal feeling of admiration for the personal and Masonic character , anel of gratitude for the services of the Grantl Master , Sir Michael Robert Shaw Stewart of Ardgowan and Greenock , Baronet , pervades thc whole Craft , and a meeting of certain

members of the Order has bc ^ n held , at which it was resolved to give effect to this general opinion , by respectfully requesting the Right Honourable Lady Octavia Shaw Stewart ' s acceptance of a testimonial , in acknowledgment of the high respect in which her husband , the Grand Master , is held , and of the distinguished services he has rendered to Masonry . It is proposetl that tlie testimonial should lie a

bustexecutctl in duplicate— one to be placed 111 the Freemasons Hall to perpetuate Sir Michael ' s connection with the Craft - , antl the other to be presented to Lady Octavia Shaw Stewart ; or otherwise-, that the testimonial shoultl be of such a character as woultl secure in Freemasons ' IIall a lasting memorial of Sir Michael , antl at the same time retain a place in his family . The selection of the testimonial to be left to Lady Octavia .

The Committee beg to reejucst a . subscription tram yciu towards the testimonial , which may be sent lo cither of tlie Treasurers at Edinburgh , or to mc , or any of the Local Treasurers of the fund . Yours fraternally , WILLIAM OFFICER , S . S . C , Past Senior Grantl Warden , Hon . Sec . Edinburgh , 13 , Fietlerick-street , 25 th July , 1878 .

Artlgow . in , Greenock , Aug . 7 th , 1878 . 7 '< i the Editor of the" Scottish Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — It is only within the last few days that I have become fully aware of the proposal to recognise specially my services , such as they have been , to the Grand Lotlge

of Scotland . 1 beg leave vcry respectfully and gratefully to request thnt the proposed presentation be not matle . Anything that 1 may have been able to tin for Grant ! Lotlge has been more than sufficiently acknowledged by the personal kindness 1 have always received from the Craft n general , and by the support ami confidence which have

Original Correspondence.

been given mc by the members of the Grand Lodge ; and it would , under all circumstances , be a matter of regret to me that any other reward or acknowledgment should be maelc to me or to my family . If , as 1 now understand , Ihe Masons of Scotland consider that a bust of their present Grand Master is worthy of a place in Grand Lodge , it would afford tne great pleasure to present such a bust to the Scottish Masons .

I am very grateful for the kindness intended to be shown to Lady Octavia and myself , but I request that you will make known my dccieled wish to the members of the Committee , without delay , and assure them , now that my term of office is drawing to a close , that I shall never forget the fraternal consideration which has been extended to mc during my five years' occupancy of the Masonic throne . I am , dear Sir , yours fraternally ,

M . R . SHAW STEWART , Grand Master . D . Murray Lyon , Esq ., Grand Sec .

A POINT OF PROCEDURE . j To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In the event of any circumstance occurring during the time a lodge is holding its regular meeting which prevents the business which has been placed on the notices

issued to the brethren being completed—say , for instance , an initiation—has the W . M . power to " call off " the lodge for so long a period as a week , thereby adjourning the meeting for that time ? Your opinion on the above ejuestion will he esteemed a favour .

I enclose my card , and remain , fraternally yours , A P . M . and HON . SEC . [ Certainly not . The W . M . can only order the S . W . to call thc brethren from labour to refreshment for a reasonable time . There is no adjournment in English Masonry . —ED . ]

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT .

The Grantl Lodge for this prow ice was held at . South ampton on Thursday week . A Uocal committer , consisting of the Prov . Grand Secretary ( Br . J . E . Le Feuvre ) , the Prov . Grand Director of Ceremonies ( Bro . Moiris Miles , P . M . ) , and the Worshipful Misters of the four lodges in

Southampton , viz ., thc Royal Gloucester ( Bro . C . John Phillips ) , thc Peace anil Harmony ( liro , W . H . Martin ) , the Southampton ( Bio . It . J . Walker , ) and the Twelve Brothers ( Bro . R . S . Pearce , ) had provided the Philharmonic Hall for the reception of Grantl Lodge , antl appropriately decorated it , Bro . W . Waters , P . M ., in this respect rendering valuable service . There was a very full attendance , the whole of

the 28 lodges in the province being represented , and the Portsmouth and Southampton brethren appearing in noticeable strength . Some 230 brethren being assembled in the hall , wearing their Masonic clothing and collars and jewels of office , P . G . Organist ( Bro . Wesllej ) played a march during the entry of the Prov . Grand Master ( Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P . ) , who was attended by the

Deputy Prov . Grand Master ( Bro . W . Hickman ) , antl from 40 to 50 Present and Past Prov . Grand Officers , wearing the purple , who formed a double line extending the whole length of thc hall . In the absence of the two Grand Wardens , Bros . H . M . Emanuel and G . Lancaster , both of Portsmouth , occupied their places . Grand Lodge having been duly opened , the

usual reports were received and adopted , the Treasurers account showing a . balance in hand of . £ ' 25 6 os . id ., alter payment of £ 80 in relief 110 guineas to the Boys' School , and 100 to the Indian Famine Fund , and ten guineas each to the Girls' School and the Benevolent Institution . Bro . Mark E . Frost , of Portsmouth , on the proposition of Bro . F . Hare ( Southampton Lodge ) seconded by Bro . E . Booth

( Royal Gloucester ) , was unanimously re-elected Prov . Giand Treasurer for the year . Among the grants made was one of £ 50 to the widow of a deceased brother belonging to a Portsmouth lotlge , who formely held high Masonic otlice in India . In reporting upon the Charities Committee , the P . G . S ., to show how successful the plan had proved of the brethren in the

province thus concentrating their power , mentioned that in 1872 they succeeded in securing the election on the charities of a boy and a girl ; in 18 73 o ! a hoy , a girl , and a widow -, in 18 74 of a boy , a girl , and an aged brother ; in 18 75 ofa boy , a girl ,. and two aged brethren ; in . 18 7 6 of a girl , two widows , and an aged brother ; 1877 of two girls , a widow , antl an aged brother ; and this

year of a boy , a girl , and a widow . A proposal by Bro . Main to transfer the moneys and securities ofthe province to the CapiLil and Counties Bank in the names ol the Provincial Grantl M .-. ster , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and the Provincial Grand Treasurer for the time being was lost . Bro . Wyatt , of thc Albany Lodge , Newport , gave notice that at the next Provincial Grantl Lodge

mcitinghe woultl move the appointment of a committee for the purpose of revising the lne * - ! atvs ofthe Provincial Grand Lotlge . The * Prov . Grand Master then appointed his officers for the ensuing year tis follows : — VV . Hickman D . Prov . G . M . E . W . Rebbeck Prov . G . S . W . Dr . A . Plait Wilks Prov . G . J . W . Rev . S . Scott Prov . G . Chaplain .

C . G . Brown Prov . G . Chaplain G . Dymott Prov . G . Reg . Mark E . Frost Prov . G . Treas . J . E . Le Feuvre Prov . G . Sec . Lear Prov . G . S . I ) . G . F . Lancaster ' ' rov . G . J . D . Harrison Prov . G . S . of W . John Adams Prov . G . D . of C ,

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight.

E . Low Prov . G . A . D . of C G . Bond Prov . G . S . Bearer-Benham Prov . G . Purst . Batchelor Prov . G . Org . Way , Pring , Whale , Tasker , and Pack Prov . G . Stewards . Biggs and Exell ... Prov . G . Tyleis . The G . S . W . not being present to take his collar , the

P . G . M . said , though his selection would hold gootl this time , it must not be taken as a precedent . Bro . J . Legg , W . M . of the tUnited Services Lodge , Portsmouth , was offered one of thc Grand Stewardships , but respectfully declined its acceptance . At the close of the investment of officers , the Prov . G . Master , in the name of the brethren , presented to Bro . Mark E . Frost , the P . G . Treasurer , a purse

containing 200 sovereigns , together with a silver inkstand and tray , two candlesticks , and a paper knife . Hc rematketl that Bro . Frost had been a Mason twenty-seven years , antl during that time he had rendered most valuable assistance to Freemasonry . He had twice held thc position of Master of the Portsmouth Lodge , No . 487 , and had also twice held thc same impoitant position in the Uniteti Brothers Lodge ,

No . 1069 , lo both of which lodges , and indeed to all the lodges in the neighbourhood , he had rendered services whicii were invaluable . Although , perhaps , Bro . Frost was . known more intimately by the brethren ot Peirtsmouth and thc district , he was still known all over the province as a most active Mason , and one who was always ready to do anything in his power to advance the best interests of thc

Craft . ( Hear , hear . ) The testimonial ot which he would ask Bro . Frost ' s acceptance was subscribed for in the province , and he ( ihe speaker ) was vcry much giatified al having the opportunity of presenting it at that Grand Lodge meeting . There was always something very pleasant about recognising the merits of an old and tried Mason , inasmuch as old associations and pleasant

reminiscences extending over a number of years that ha-1 flown by werc again presented to the mind . Ali who knew Bro . Frost were aware how assiduously he had applied himself to the task tof carrying out in their integrity all tlie glorious principles of the Order , and would agree with him that no testimonial it was in their power to present coultl sufficiently recompense him for the services he hatl

rendered . ( Loud applause . ) Bro . Frost , in recognising the compliment , said he coultl not fintl words to expiess his gratitude for the kind expressions usetl towards him , but he assured them he accepted their testimonial in the same kind spirit in which it was given . It was true he hatl been a Mason for a great number of ycars , but the handsome : present just made him was an ample recompense for all

his labe urs , although the labour of a Freemason was a labour of love * , and he assured them that he would hand down that testimonial as a maik of thc esteem in which he was helil . ( Applause . ) This concluding the business , the lotlge was closetl in due form . The brethten then adjourned to the Victoria Skating

Rink , kindly lent for the occasion by Bro . Jonas Nichols , where Bro . Dartnall . of the High-street , Southampton , hatl spread an excellent cold collation , which was supplemented by a supply of champagne , placed 011 the tables by the entertaining lodges in ihe town . The rink was , as usual , tastefully decorated with flowers anel small Hags , disposed from brackets around the supporting iron p illns , some

large flags , loaned by Bro . | . Blount Thomas , having been arranged behind the cross table at the head by Bro . W . Waters , ami the rink band , under Mr . D . Crook , attended and performed a selection of operatic antl other music during the dinner antl between the subsequent speeches . The Prov . Grand Master occupied ^ the chair , and was suppottul by the Dep . Prov . G . M . and other Grand Lodge ofliccrs ,

the total number of brethren present being about 120 . The repast concluded , the Big ht Worshi pful Chairman gave in order " The Queen and thc Craft" and "The M . W . thc Grand Master of England , H . H . H . the * Prince of Wales , " remarking upon the recent visit of the Prince lo Southampton , and saying he wished it had been possible that thc ceremony taken part in by H . R . H . should be conducted

with Masonic honours . " t he Pro-Grauel Master of England , Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon ; the Deputy Grantl Master , thc Earl of Skelmerstlale ; and the Officers and Past Officers of Grantl Lotlge" was thc next toast , and it having been heartily drank , the Dep . Prov . Gran ! Master pioposed " The Health of the Right Worshipfu ' - thc Grand Master of the Province cf Hampshire and thc Isle of

Wight , " eulogising Btei . Beach Cor the manner u \ which he invariably performed the duties of his high office , antl for his readiness at all limes to place himself at thc disposal of the several lodges in the province . He was always ready and willing to place his time at thc disposal of the various lodges , ami the manner iu which he invariably conducted the ceremonies hail won general encomiums

Irom the brethren . His manner was genial and courteous , and hc so carried out his dutii * s as to secure ( he highest respect antl affection at thc hands of all the brethren with whom hc came in contact . The Provincial Grand Master , in responding , saitl it always afforded him the greattst possible pleasure to come anioiurst the brethren whenever it was possible

for him lo tin so , and he . couM assure them that dur 11 ; the lim * - he had held his pie--, t-nl position he hail nut with nothing but kindiu-s-5 ail . ) ¦ . ¦ . mside-ivittiiii . lie untitled In say that during his tenuic oi office l- ' iccniasoniy in ihe province bad been very prosperous , a circumstance which was in no small degree due to the efficiei i * y of Bro . Hickman and the re st of the Provincial Grantl Officers , who

had all winked wilh a will and as skilled antl excellent Masons in the performance of their various tluties . Those tluties were not s-. i light as iniy lit at first sight appear . Matters came continually liefoic them for de-cision , lor no matter how amicable the brethren nri 4 ht he * , there were : times when points of difference arose which it was necessary lo submit to the Giand Lotlge of the I'lovince fur sttllcment