Correspondence.

Correspondence .

\ e do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondent ? , but \ se wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

MASONIC REPRINTS AND HISTORICAL REVELATIONS . To the Editor of the '' Freemason . ' Dear Sir and Brother , I am glad to find that Bro . John Lane endorses , so to speak , the note of interrogation which stands appended to the name " Ger . Rorke " in the Introductory Chapter of Bro . Henry Sadler's new volume—a note which , by-the-by , has slipped out of the quotation as printed in your columns . The starting point of the confusion between the names would seem to be that , in an old and

indistinct transcript , Geo : Rooke , Esq ., was so written as to be indistinguishable from Gcr . Rorke , Esq . My learned Bro . R . F . Gould , who has been , with his wonted courtesy , in private communication with me on the point , apprises me that the name also appears as Rorke in one of the transcripts in his possession . Our good brother , the Sub-Librarian of the Grand Lodge of England is on his well-earned holiday , which will not terminate till after his lecture at Leicester on the 26 th instant , so that the original MS . List is for the moment inaccessible . Nevertheless , I have little doubt that Bro . John Lane ' s reading is the correct one ; it is of those qui sautent aux yeux , as the French have it .

When Bro . Henry Sadler's book reaches a second edition , I shall avail myself—not for the first time—of Bro . John Lane's exact labours , and shall see to it that the sentence is recast . Meantime , as every reader of Bro . Henry Sadler ' s volume is sure to be a reader of the Freemason , the preferable reading of the name will have received due publicity through Bro . John Lane ' s praiseworthy promptitude . —Yours fraternally , W . J . CHETWODE CRAWLEY . September 10 th , 1 S 08 .

THE LODGE CHARTER OR WARRANT . I To the Editor ot the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Is the presence of the lodge warrant in the lodge room necessary to a valid communication ? Is the work done or business transacted in the lodge in the absence of the Charter or Warrant irregular or illegal ? In London lodges

which are mainly held in hotels or public buildings , I find the custom prevails lor the lodge warrants to be kept bookwise in a portable form and produced at the regular meetings of the lodge ; in the provinces , as a rule , the lodge warrants are usually framed and hung upon the walls of the Masonic halls or buildings where the meetings are held . An emergency lodge was recently called for an evening

when the regular meeting hall or room where the lodge warrant was hanging was occupied by another Masonic body , and so the emergency lodge had to meet in another room in the same building and it was deemed advisable to have the warrant fetched from its place at a certain amount of inconvenience and placed in-the room where the emergency lodge was meeting .

My point is—Was such a removal of the lodge warrant from its posilion on the wall in the main hall to the temporary meeting room necessary for the purpose of the emergency lodge ? and of submitting , through your columns , for the opinion of your readers as a point of practice . For aught I know , the matter may have been settled by Grand Lodge . Such a point appears to have been submitted in 1895 to the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Wisconsin ,

U . S . A ., who is reported to have decided as follows : "lam not unmindful of the fact that some writers of Masonic jurisprudence maintain that the literal presence of the charter is indispensable to the valid communication of the lodge . While I would not knowingly depart from either a landmark or any of the principles of ancient Craft Masonry , I am unable to see why under our system such a rule shall be adhered to , when the fact that the lodge is a chartered lodge is

well known . In the case in point , the lodge was regularly chartered , and the charter was in its possession and under its control though not within the room when the work was done , it could and would have been produced if called for , such being the case it would be extremely technical to hold that the proceedings were invalid because the charter was not present , I therefore held that while the proper place for the charter was in the lodge room its literal presence is not indispensable to a valid communication ; it

necessarily follows that work done under such circumstances is not for that reason illegal . " In deciding as he did I venture to think that the Grand Master of Wisconsin Freemasonry took a sensible view of the matter . My object in writing is to ascertain if the decision referred to was correct according to Masonic jurisprudence under the English Constitution . —Yours fraternally , I . T . LAST P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . West ' Yorkshire .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Royal Victoria Lodge , No . 1013 . The annual installation meeting of the above lodge , which enjoys the special permission of her Majesty to use the Royal arms in connection with its oflicial documents , and whose Diamond Jubilee illuminated letter of congratulation to the Queen has a place along with that trom the Grand Lodge in Windsor Castle , was held on the 7 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool , the chief visitors being Bros . Alderman Houlding ( Lord Mayor of Liverpool ) , S . G . D . of England , and W . Goodacre ,

P . G . S . B ., Prov . G . Sec . of West Lancashire . 'I here was an attendance of about 70 brethren , many of whom represented the Prov . Grand Lodje , W . Ms , and P . Ms ., and others identified with the Craft . The ceremony of installation of Bro . J . R . Bromley , a > W . M ., was impressively performed by Bro . W . H . Cooke , P . M ., D . C , and subjoined is a list of the officers invested : Bros . E . A . Davies , I . P . M . ; F . Holgreaves , S . W . ;

A . J . Mackay , J . W . ; James Jack , Treas . ; J . SV . Worrall , Sec ; W . J . ) ones , S . D . ; Alfred Shawfield , J . D . ; W . H . Cooke , P . M ., D . C . ; J . B . Jones , P . M ., O . g . ; A . F . Wareham , Asst . Org . ; R . W . Pierpoint , I . G . ; R . H . Perrin , James Cargil , G . A . Westworth , and James M . Hall , Stwds . ; F . Du Chemin , Tyler ; and T . P . Bithell , P . M ., Charity Representative . The retiring Master , Bro . G . A . . Davies , was presented with a valuable Past Master ' s jewel in recognition of his services .

An after-banquet musical programme was given by Bros . Bantock Pierpoint , G . Broadbent , P . M . ; E . A . Davies , V . Needhan , Parkinson , G . Proudman , S . Howard , Jack , Belhell , and Wareham .

Jordan Lodge , No . 1402 . Tuesday , the 13 th inst ., was a red-letter diy with the members of the above lod „ 'e . Since the constitution of the 1 idge in the year 1872 the members have met in the Masonic Hall , 'Park-street , Torquay , which is the property of the sister Lodge of St . John ' s , No . 32 S . Some few months ago , the members of the Jordan Lodge decided to

possess a home of their own , and having found a suitable site in Tor Hill-road , the corner stone of their nun temple was laid by Bro . G . C . Uivie , Dip . Prov . G . Master of Devonshire , on the 4 th of May last . The building being suliiciently completed for use , although not for decoration , the inaugural meeting was held on Tujsdiy , the 13 th inst ., and was . Iargely attended .

Craft Masonry.

The lodge having been opened by the W . M ., Bro . Charles Hill , he briefly welcomed the brethren to their new lodge room , and congratulated them on the success of their undertaking . The lodge Treasurer's account , which showed a balance in hand of £ 25 Cs . id ., having been received and adopted , Bro . J . G ' . anville Turle , S . W ., the W . M . elect , was installed in the chair as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , the ceremony being ably performed by Bro . J . Lane , P . M ., P . A . G . D . C . Eng . The working tools were presented by Bro . S . Wills , P . M . and Treas ., and the Charges

delivered by Bro . W . Winget , P . M ., D . C . The Board of Installed Masters included Bros . J . Murray , P . P . G . D . C . ; J . Dodge , P . P . G . Treas ., A . T . Blarney , P . P . J . G . D ., J . Lane , P . P . G . R ., P . A . G . D . C . Eng ., T . W . Morgan , P . P . G . O ., T . H . Wills , P . G . Stwd ., J . Taylor , P . P . G . R ., S . Wills , W . Hersey , W . Winget , ] . W . McKellar , T . J . Crossman , and C . Hill , all of 1402 ;

W . S . Wakeham , P . P . G . Std . Br ., J . Grant , P . P . J . G . D , E . Richards . P . P . G . S . of W ., H . R . Beer , Thos . A . Blackler , and G . H . Halls , all of 32 S ; G . S . Bridman , P . P . G . S . of W ., C . Emmett , P . A . G . D . C , R . E . Drew , P . P . G . G . D . C ., H . P . Rabbich , and W . P . Roberts , all of 135 S ; W . O . Beazley , 172 ; S . Knapman , 2374 ; R . Hambly and H . A . Parker , of 113 S ; and J . H . J . Child , P . P . G . C , and W . Bidgood , 261 , P . P . G . D . C . The newly-installed W . M . appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . C .

Hill , I . P . M . ; W . T . Gale , S . W . ; R . 0 . Scholes , J . W . ; J . Dodge , P . M ., P . P . G . I ., Chap . ; S . Wills , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Taylor , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., Sec . ; J . Glanfield , S . D . ; W . Grist , J . D . ; W . Winget , P . M ., D . C . ; W . E . Thomas , I . G . ; C . Bunow and H . A . Brock , Stwds . ; and J . E . Newton , Tyler . A Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . C . Hill , the retiring W . M ., whose labour in promoting the erection of the new temple has been most heartily appreciated , and who was thanked for his untiring efforts . A special feature of this inaugural meeting was the presentation to Bro . John Lane of a large portrait of himself as a Past Grand Officer of the Grand Lodge of England , which had been subscribed for by members of the lodge , of which he has been a member for 20 yearsand which bears this inscription on a silver and gilt plate :

, "Presented to W . Bro . John Lane , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ( Devon ) , P . A . G . D . C . ( Eng . ) , by riiembers of Jordan Lodge , 1402 , as a mark of their high appreciation of his many and valuable services to Freemasonry in general , and to the Jordan Lodge in particular . Sept . 13 th , 1 S 9 S . " The presentation was made in felicitous terms by Bro . J . Dodge , the senior P . M . of the lodge present , who expressed , on behalf of the brethren , their cordial and fraternal regards and good withes for Bro . Lane ' s health and prosperity , and a desire that he would accede to their unanimous wish by allowing the portrait to be hung in the

lodgeroom , to which Bro . Lane , in thanking the brethren for their very kind recognition of his Masonic , literary , and other services , readily assented . A beautiful and valuable engraving was also presented by Bro . J . D . Beer , which was thankfully received by the W . M . on behalf of the brethren . Other routine business having been attended to and hearty gotd wishes for the success and continued prosperity of the lodge having been given by the visiting brethren , the lodge was closed and the brethren adjourned to their new banqueting hall for their annual banquet , which was presided overby Bro . J . G . Turle , W . M ., when a very pleasant evening was spent , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts being duly honoured .

The brethren of the Jordan Lodge are to be congratulated upon their success in providing a new home for themselves . Every convenience has been studied in the new building , and the furniture and fittings are all voluntary gifts from the officers and brethren . Especial notice was taken of the very handsome oak pedestals , the gift and work of Bro . H . C . Goss . A number of portraits of Past Masters of the lodge have been presented by Bro . J . C . Dinham , all photographed to one size and framed in unison . The new work does not yet admit of the intended interior decoration of the lodge , which , when completed , is expected to be one of the best in Devonshire .

Sackville Lodge , No . 1619 . The annual installation meeting of the above lodge took place at East Grinstead , on the Oth inst . The meeting was held in the new Masonic Hall in St . James's-road , which , though not yet completed , was made to look very pretty with decorative material . Bro . F . J . Budd-Budd , P . M ., P . S . G . D ., was installed as W . M . for the third time as a compliment to him for being mainly responsible for the erection of the Masonic Hall .

Bro . Budd-Budd invested his officers as follows : Bros . Adolphe Brandt , S . W . ; James Harrison , P . M ., J . W . ; the Rev . R . B . Matson , Chap . ; E . A . Head , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Treas . ; A . M . Betchley , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Sec . ; J . E . Lark , I . P . M . ; W . H . Hills , S . D . ; H . Young , J . D . ; W . H . Dixon , D . C . ; W . J . S . Mann , I . G . ; E . F . Hunt , Org . ; W . J . Dunthorne and E . P . Whitley Hughes , Stewards ; and C . J . Rowe , Tyler . A banquet was subsequently served at the White Lion Hotel .

Eldon Lodge , No . 1758 . An Saturday afternoon , the 10 th inst ., there was a large gathering of brethren at the Royal Hotel , Portishead , to witness the ceremony of installation of the W . M . elect , Bro . J . W . Harris Hall , S . W ., which was performed by the D . P . G . M . of Somerset , Bro . R . C . Else , P . G . D . Eng . The following officers were invested and appointed for the ensuing year : Bros . T . turner , I . P . M . ; J . H . Stafford , S . W . ; E . Tedder , J . W . ; A . W . M . Weatherly , P . M ., Chap . ; James R . Thebridge , Treas . ; E . Davey , P . M .,

Sec . ; J . W . Roberts , S . D . ; C . | . Tonkin , J . D . ; F . G . Moore , P . M ., D . C . ; 1 Cdx , I . G . ; A . E . Craddy , Org . ; W . L . A . Pizzey and J . J . Sheasby , Stwds . ; and F . Simpkins , Tyler . After the ceremony the annual banquet was held at the Royal Hotel . The W . M . presided , and was supported by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Else , and Bros . E . Fry Wade , P . G . Sec . ; John Gard , P . P . S . G . W . ( Bristol ); and others . The usual . Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

Whitworth Lodge , No . 1932 . On Wednesday , the 14 th inst ., the annual meeting of the above lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , Spcnnymoor . There was a large attendance of members and visiting brethren . The principal business was the installation of Bro . Thompson Raine , S . W ., as vV . M . for the ensuing year , and the appointment and investiture of officers . B : o . Raine was presented by Uro . W . Cowley to the acting W . M ., Bro . R . Brown , whi performed the of installation impressively . Bro . Raine afterwards invested

ceremony the following as his ollicers : Bros . R . Hogg , S . W . ; J . Chisholm , J . W . ; Rev . S . M . Thompson , Chap . ; W . Sanderson , Treas . ; R . G . Fleming , Sec . ; R . Brown , D . C . ; A . Chailton , S . D . ; J . Fleming , J . D . ; Sam Millwood , I . G . ; G . Farthing , Org . ; R . Hedley , J . Bethel , J . Rutter , and J . Sedgwick , Stwds . ; and R . Richardson , lyler-The annual binquet was afterwards held Jn the Town _ Hall , the new W . M ., Bro . Raine , presiding , and Bro . R . Hogg occupying the vice-chair .

Blackwater Lodge , No . 1977 . The installation festival in connection with the above lodge was held at the Blue Bo 2 r Hotel , Maldon , on the 5 th inst ., when Bro . A . J . Bennett , S . W ., was installed W . M . for the ensuing year , the ceremony being ably and impressively performed by B-o . E . E . Eve . P . G . Stwd . I . P . M . The VV . M . appointed and invested his ollicers ai

. , follows : Bros . E . K . Eve , P . G . Stwd ., I . P . M . ; A . H . Brook , S . W . ; F . W . Rudrum , J . W . ; G . A . Eustace , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C , Sec ; Rev . T . Lloyd , P . M . 2342 . P- ';' G . Chip ., Chap . ; S . Shawvn , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; W . Frost , S . D . ; KL Banyard , J . D . ; II . Wright , I . G . ; H . A . Genty and A . Jackson , Stwds . ; W . Rudrum , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., D . C . ; W . H . Daughtry , Org . ; and W . R . Hince , Tyler .

Subsequently the brethren and visitors to the numb ; r of 40 sit down to the banque , served by the hostess , Mrs . E . S . Hickford . The newly-appointed VV . M ., Bro . A . > Bennett , presided , and among the visit irs were Bros . J . VV . Moss , VV . M . 2342 ; ) ° ™ Spencer , VV . M . 1437 ; A . Barritt , P . M . 1024 , P . P . A . G . Sec ; W . E . Fac < jy , W . M . 1024 , P . I . G . D . j E . Cowers , P . M . 1024 , P . P . G . O . ; F . Geo . Green , P . M . and in *; U .. 2 J . P . P . S . G . W . : VV . H de Caen . P . M . 103 aP . P . G . P . ; Joseph Sexton , 133 ' ! .. );

, Anderson Marks , 1 O . S 1 ; W . Wilkinson , S . W . 2- | UQ ; John Wood , 17 S ; R . B . snW "; Smith , J . I ) . 23-12 ; R . Sargent , S . D . ; W . Siggcrs , Sec . 2342 ; W . C . Gnce , M > J . Fiux , Cij 7 ; arid A . VV . Galley , 697 . . . ., The loyal and Masor . ic toasts were duly honoured and songs were given by " > : A . ] . Bennett , G . A . Eustace , and S . Shawytr , F . Rudrum , R . Sargent , J . Setton . a A . il . Brooks ; and recitations by Bros . A . Barritt and W . H . de Caen . Hanasu » buttonholes were provided by the daughters of the newly-elected W . M . The Tyler's toast brought a very pleasant evening to a close .