Original Correspondence.

AN OLD LODGE AT CHICHESTER . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Your corresnondent , Bro . Lane , is in error in attributing the remarks made at the Lodge of Union banquet , and reported in Ihe Freemason of the nth inst ., to Bro . Molesworth . That worthy brother was good enough

to propose my health as W . M . of the lodge , and , as Bro . Lane will see if he again refers to the repoit , I , in my response , introduced the subject of the antiquity of Masonry in Chichester aud the long connection which has existed he ' ween the lodges and the family of the Duke of Richmond , whose youngest son I had just invested as my

S . W . I had before me "The New Book of Constitutions , " published bv James Anderson , D . D ., in 1738 . This volume , which is now the property of the Lodge of Union , No . 38 , has the following autograph inscription :

"To the Right Worshipfull Master , & Wardens & the rest of the brethren of the holy lodge of St . John , now kept at the Whi'e Horse , in the South Street , in the Citty of Chichester : This book of the Constitutions of Masonry is presented by their most affectionate brother , " RICHMOND , LENOX & AUBIGNV . " April 2 S : A . L . 5739 . "

At page 192 of this volume I find the following : " These and other Grand Masters have also granted Deputations at the Request of some good brothers in cities and towns throughout England for constituting the following lodges , as recorded in the Grand Lodge Books , and in the engraven List , who have their rank of seniority at the Grand Lodge according to the date of their constitution , viz . "

Here follows a list of 47 lodges , the second in order being "Chichester at the White Horse , constituted 17 th July , 1724 and meet 3 rd Friday . " 1 dare say Kro . Lane is correct in his contention that the lodge originally met at the Swan . I was not concerned to prove where the lodge met , what I wante . l to point out was

that Masonry undoubtedly existed in Chichester at the end of the 17 th and the beginning of the iSth centuries . The word '' consecrated" in the report should have been " constituted . " —Yours fraternally , J . H . HAWES , February 22 . W . M . No . 38 .

A QUESTION OF CUSTOM . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Referring to the letter of " VV . M . "in your issue of the iSth inst ., I do not see that his answer to " ap ' s " quer » differs from mine , nor do 1 see that my opinion is not it

aM « tMAA .-f 3 nrtj- * A IIT . ^ I * A * - { " T y \ f ^ IT rt Mrtr \ I » / - * f f rtnpl-i ^ lil-innp in accordance with Art 141 of the Hook of < onstitutions , of which I was quite aware when I wrote my letter . My opinion seems to have been confirmed by your correspondents regarding the status of a W . M . on the day of installation . —Yours fraternally , PAST MASTER .

OUR MASONIC CHAR 1 T 1 ES-A SUGGESTION . To the Editor of the " Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , Permit me a few words in answer to the remarks of "Q " in your last number . 1 jdladly find that in his opinion I have " struck the ; right note in sugget-ting that some scheme should be formed and

adopted for strengthening the permanent income of our Institutions , " and that to far at least we are in unison ; but he appears to tear that my plan would be found difficult of execution—granting ! here may be some difficulties in starting it , but I can see none that are either great or unsurmountable , which could not be overcome by a few earnest and energetic workers .

The plan would , of course , have to be carried out voluntarily—what in Freemasonry from our initiation onward is not so?—but I have not thought on anything so ridiculous as to compel a lodge to voluntarily give a guinea a year in perpetuity ( the form in which " Q , " not myself , places it ) . The proposed bylaw would be the result ot a voluntary vote of the members of the respective lodges , but it

would not be complusory on them in perpetuity , inasmuch as the by-law would at any time be subject to rescindment , but 1 think , if once passed , the chances of its abrogation would be slight indeed , and therefore I believe 1 was justibed in using the word "reliable . " " Q , " as the result of such by-law , acknowledges that , while some lodges are generous in their contributions , others "give nothing . " To

get those nothings to contribute something is one of the objects I aim at . " Q " may be better acquainted than 1 am with the financial statistics of our Charities , and , if so , he would know what amount is contributed to them by the lodges , irrespective of the sums voted to the Stewards' lists and those obtained by the independent canvassing of the brethien by these Stewards . I cannot suppose that in that

Society of men , one of whose proud boasts it is that the Charities of Freemasonry know no bounds but those of prudence , should withoraw their generosity because their lodge funds would be mulcted of a sum which , in , say , a lodge of 50 members , would represent 5 d . a head , and in one of 100 2 nd . per head annually ,- and this collected in the same quiet and practically imperceptible manner , would be

regarded as a matter-of-course transaction , as in the gathering of our Grand Lodge dues . " Q " uses big words when he terms 2 id . a year or thereabouts a "forced levy , " and yet he suggests that Grand Lodge should vnte ( I presume in perpetuity ) £ 2000 annually to the Girls' and Boys' ( he leaves the Old M < n and Women out in the cold ) . Add £ iouo to these , and £ 3000 would

be required . I grant that this amount would be well expended , and would not be too much ; but how is it to be obtained ? Grand Lodge , I think , is not in possession of t ^ e" purse of Fortunatus . " The requests of the Board of Benevolenre are increasing , and in all probability will increase How then is this additional great sum to be obtained ? Only , I fear , by adding to our Grand Lodge dues ,

and thrrvby sensihly adding to ihe outgoings of our respective Indges . As to whether 1 propose that the provinces should be asked to contribute their quota to my plan , why not ? They send up candidates for election to the Charities , and it would be unjust to them to imagine they would shrink from the opportunity of contributing to their efficiency in so inexpensive a manner .

I agree with " 0 " as to the amazing development of Freemasonry during the Victorian era , but with this strength there are also the elements of weakness . Our " Institutions" have had many years of the " fat-fleshed and well-favoured kine , " but among them there are , and

always will be , many " poor and ill-fleshed , " and it therefore behoves us to be cautious that Grand Lodge , which 1 will call the pastures from which so much charitable iood is obtained , be not imprudently eaten up . —I remain , Sir , fraternally yours , S . VALLENTINE , P . M . 9 . February 20 th .

THE BENEVOLENT FESTIVAL . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I would suggest that as our W . Bro . Terry is himself the Steward representing the lodge of which he is the first W . Master ( I forget name and number ) that all brethren not otherwise subscribing , who can afford to do so , send him a guinea ( or more ) each to add to his list , for

next Wednesday's Festival . As I am not otherwise subscribing , I enclose cheque for one guinea , and may I ask you of your kindness to forward it to Bro . Terry . —Faithfully and fraternally yours , 22 nd February . " P . S . Prov . G . W . [ This is a capital idea , and we trust will be productive of a substantial addition to Bro . Terry ' s list . We shall have much pleasure in forwarding the cheque as requested . — ED . F . M . ]

MASTERS' LODGES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Will you allow me to ask , through the medium of your columns , if any of your readers who are members of

Installed Masters' lodges will kindly send me copies of their by-laws ? I shall be glad to return such , if required , and promptly acknowledge the kindness . —Yours truly and fraternally , Bradiord , Feb . 23 rd . J . RAMSDEN RILEY .

Reviews

REVIEWS

FREEMASONS' CALENDAR FOR DORSET , 188 S . This most useful and exhaustive Masonic Directory is now in its 20 th year of issue , so is one of the oldest of the kind , if not the senior . It is ab ' y edited by Bro . John A . Sherren , of Weymouth , the publisher , who deserves much more support than he has , as yet , received from the province . It is edited on same lines as formerly , and affords

so much information that it would almost puzzle a " Philadelphia Lawyer" to suggest any improvements or additions . We note , however , that Bro . Sherren gives this year as A . L . " 589 2 , " instead of A . L . 5 SSS . We much prefer the latter to m of chronology , not because , as a malter of fact , one is more correct than the other , but we do well to folloiv the usage of our Grand Lodge . A fresh

list is given , after ihe Prov . Grand Lodge Officers , peculiar to this edition , and not , we believe , in any other calendar . It is the roll of " Members of Provincial Grand Lodge not holding Past Rank as officers of Provincial Grand Lodge of Dorset . " Owing to Dorset not containing more than 13 lidges , the names are not numerous as in some provinces , the whole not exceeding 50 , whereas in some Provincial

Grand Lodges the list amounts to several hundreds . The statement of accounts are most valuable , as also the particulars respecting "The Dorset Masonic Charity , " founded in 18 S 0 , in whose success our lamented friend Bro . Budden took such a lively interest . The rules are given , and many facts relating to that excellent Society ,

the successor in the Secretarial department being Bro . S . R . Baskett , who is one of the most zealous and efficient Craftsmen in the province . The list of votes in the Central Masonic Charities does not supply the totals , but it looks well . Thirteen stamps sent to the publisher at Weymouth will secure a copy by post , and be found a useful aid to any enquiring brother .

THE MASONIC YEAR BOOK FOR CAMBRIDGSHIRE , 188 S . Bro . W . Spalding continues his labour of love , and , as usual , in a most attractive form . The Province is a small one , and so is the "Year Book , " but there is no lack of information for those interested in that Province , and the Summary of the past year , customary with this publication , is sriven in a comoact and readable form . The unusual

fact , noted by the Editor , that out of 343 brethren in the Province , only one death was recorded in the year , is certainly a remarkable experience , and we sincerely hope , with Bro . Spalding , that as favourable result may be noted during iSSS . This time the number of members is given under each lodge , which entirely meets our view in respect to such matters , only we still need a list of votes in the Masonic Charities for the Province . We again congratulate Bro . Spalding on the appearance of his protege .

DEBRETT'S PEERAGE , BARONETAGE , KNIGHTAGE , AND COMPANIONAGE for 1 S 8 S . Illustrated , Royal Edition . 175 th'year of publication . London DEAN AND SON , Publishers , 160 a , Fleet-street , E . C . Of a work which has been issued annually for so long a term of years , and the merits of which are so universally recognised , it is difficult , if not impossible , to say anything

fuither in the way of comment or commendation than has been said already . The Royal Edition of " Debrett" was so nearly complete and accurate before , that the editor can have found little else to do in the compilation of this issue than carefully revise the contents of last year's edition , striking out whatever may have become unnecessary and inserting such new honours as the year 18 S 7 may have produced . As it happened to be Jubilee year , these

honours must have been far more numerous than in ordinary years ; but the changes and emendations , the additions and deaths , appear to have been all most carefully and , as far as we have had an opportunity of testing the volume , accurately made , so that one step further has been made towards attaining that approach to completeness and perfection which alone is possible in a reference work of this class , the contents of which , from its very nature , must be always varying .

Masonic Notes And Queries':

Masonic Notes and Queries' :

761 1 BROTHER SPETH'S "FINDS , " RE MSS . Biother Speth has done well through his pilgrimage to Cheltenham , not only in trac'ng another Masonic MS ., but in establishing- the rather awkward fact , that what are known as " WiI ? on MSS ., Nos . 1 and 2 , " ( Gould ' s 6 and 7 ) are not the " Wilson MSS . " at all . Our lamented Bro .

Woodford considered he had traced the missing MS . to the Fenwick Collection at Cheltenham . Some of us thought it strange that there was a duplicate of same character and period , but felt persuaded that our departed friend had good grounds for his belief . Bro . Speth , however , through fixing the dates of the purchase by the previous owner of the MSS . in question , has demonstrated the impossibility

of either of the documents being the celebrated MS . alluded to by Preston . They are now "Phillipp ' s MSS ., i and 2 , " or in other words Gould ' s 6 and 7 , but not "Wilson's . " Phillipp's No . 3 ( 18 , 851 catalogue ) entitled , "Constitutions of Masons , " ( of which Bro . Speth sent me a transcript , so as to determine its value and report in due course ) does not seem to me to be an exact copy of any

known original , but so far is a sui generis , the text being in some respects different to all others , though generally it partakes of Dr . Begemann's "Grand Lodge" Family . There are unusual departures from the regular text , which will require more attention and examination before I shall be quite qualified to speak definitely on the subject , beyond fixing the Class to which it belongs : of the latter there

cannot be a doubt . The period of its transcription would have been dated about a quarter of a century earlier than that announced by Bro . Speth ( 1750—1725 ) , but as our energetic Secretary hasseen the MS ., it is not for me to question his estimate . After Bros . Gould , Speth , and myself have been able to compare notes on the points involved , I shall hope to announce our united

decision—approximately , of course—as to the character and date of the new MS . discovered or traced by our friend , who so kindly and promptly forwarded me the document for examination . Whilst writing on this interesting study I desire to make a correction . Dr . Begemann has " caught me napping . " How the mistake arose is to me quite inexplicable , but the error is patent to all who have made

themselves familiar with the 50 and more copies of the "Old Charges . " In the Christmas Number of the Freemason MSS . 33 and 34 are classed by me as similar to 47 ( Cole ' s MS . ) , whereas it should have been that they are like No . 2 { Cooke's MS . ) . The "Woodford MS . " ( 33 ) is now the property of the " Quatuor Coronati" Lodge , and is the gem of its library , which is rapidly becoming of great value and

importance . The other ( No . 34 , " Supreme Council MS . " ) is in the justly celebrated lihrary and museum of the Supreme Council of England ( Golden-square ) . I alluded to these both some years ago as being transcripts virtually of the famous " Cooke's MS . " of the fifteenth century . These and all the others will be given in the magnum opus of the "Quatuor Coronati Lodge , " as promised by Bro . Speth , ana which I hope we shall all welcome in due course , W . J . HUGHAN .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft JEagonrjL ,

UNITED STRENGTH LODGE ( No . 228 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Guildhall Tavern , E . C , on Tuesday , the 14 th inst ., when the following brethren were present : Bros . I . F . Quartly , W . M . ; VV . Smith , S . W . ; H . Langley , J . W . j G . C . Fidge , J . D . ; J , T . Ashby , I . G . ; J . Jennings , Assist . Sec ; J . Terry , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; A . C . Woolsey , D . C ; J . Holland , A . D . C . ; R . H . Halford , P . M .,

and T . Baxter , Stwds . ; J . Curtis , Org . ; C . Thomas , Tyler ; J . Hillhouse , P . M . ; R . Griggs , P . M . ; R . Snare , P . M . ; A . H . Hickman , P . M . ; H . W . Alford , P . M . ; F . J . Hunt , P . M . ; G . H . Edis , P . M . ; E . A . B . Wearing , H . F . Wearing , W . Robertson , C . Keepe , H . Paine , P . Woodman , J . Woodman , W . Cambden , C . W . Butler , J . Lobb , C . Tayler , G . R . Lambert , G . W . Pitt , G .

Willsmer , G . Booker , C . Clark , W . H . Cook , J . Bruton , B . G . Brinkley , H . Joyner , F . W . Moss , A . j . Monck , T . Danington , and several other brethren . The following visitors were also present : Bros , R . T . Ay res , 1838 ; H . Burgh , 1693 ; J . VV . Chapman , P . M . 1922 ; H . Colley . M . O . ( S . C . ) , D . C . 1571 ; J . C . Davis , P . M . 198 ; W . Dickson , P . M . 170 ; VV . Groves , P . M . 740 ; W . Hug hes ,

P . M . 179 ; G . Hughes , Sec . 21 S 4 ; J . Hammond , 1693 j T . Holmes , 141 ; G . Haydon , S . D . 46 ; J . H . Joyce , 214 S ; J . Large , P . M . 1607 ; C . T . Lewis , P . M . i 47 > W . M . 21 S 4 , P . G . S . Essex ; J . J . Newsome , S . D . 2545 J . Potter , 16 93 ; M . Smith , 19 ; R . Shepherd , S 61 ; VV . Tarbet , 1017 ; J . Tongue , W . M . 534 ; J . E . Terry , S . U .

19 C 4 ; C . 1 hompson , 1597 ; W . Wilson , W . M . 502 ; ^ - H . Webb , P . M . 174 ; E . Woodman , P . M . 1897 , P- - G . P . ; A . Whitby , 45 ; and G . Westfield , J . W . 3184-The lodge having been duly opened , and the minutes ot the last lodge meeting read and confirmed , the W . M . proceeeded to instal Bro . W . Smith as W . M . for the ensuing

year . The ceremony was performed in an impressive manner , and the newly installed Master then invested his officers as follows : Bros . H . Langley , S . W . ; J- " ' Miller J . W . ; J . Terry , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., Treasurer ; JJennings , Acting Sec . ; J . T . Ashby , S . D . ; J . Hoi and , j . D . ; J . CurtI , I . G . ; C . Taylerf D . C ; G . R . Libert , A . D . C ; R . H . Halford , P . M ., and G . Booker - then

Stwds . ; and C . Thomas , Tyler . The ballot was taken for Messrs . A . j . Neale , W . A . Elston , and G . «• Williams , which proving unanimous , they were du y initiated into Freemasonry by the W . M . in such a m . atln ££ as to leave no doubt as to his efficiency in the working the lodge . The W . M . having received hearty congt ^' lations from the visiting brethren present , the lodge w closed .