Correspondence.

MASONIC FEMALE ORPHAN SCHOOL , DUBLIN . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , . The insertion of the following letter in your next issue will greatly oblige me * .

I have been asked to obtain signatures to the memorial of a little girl whose friends wish to get her into our Masonic Female Orphan School . She is the daughter of the late Bro . Joseph Sharpies Dalton , Sergeant-Major York and Lancaster Volunteers , who died at Doncaster in October last from cancer .

He was , I find , a subscribing member of Danum Mark Lodge , No . 398 , Doncaster , and it occurred to mc that the some of the brethren of this lodge , who know personall y about the case , might be willing to add their names to those of their Irish brethren who are working the matter in Dublin .

Should this meet the eye of any brethren of 39 8 , they will be materially furthering the cause of Masonic Charity if they will forward their names to me , and 1 would suggest that some one brother of the lodge should collect the names , and send them all together , as we could not keep adding them one by one to the

memorial , which should be printed very soon . —Yours fraternally , JOHN XV . GODDARD , P . M . No . 72 S ( I . C ) . 13 G , Leinster-road , Rathmines Co ., Dublin , February 20 th .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Graft flDasonrp

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Merchant Navy Lodge ( No . 781 ) . —A regular meeting was held at the Silver Tavern , Limehouse , on the 7 th inst ., under the presidency of Bvo . F . H . Gooch , VV . M . when the following were present : Bros . G . Palmer , P . M . I . IT . Pringle , P . M . j Reeves , P . M . ; S . N . Timson P . M . ; VV . E . Turriff , S . W . ; Anderson , LW .: T . B . Daniell , P . M ., Treas . ; C . Breden , P . M ., Sec . ; G . H . Seagc , S . D . j T . D . Burges , j . D . ; J . Grout , Org . ; A . Bebrouth , D . C ; J . Lancett , LG . ; A . VV . Ellingford , Tyler ; J . R . Speck , F . C . Richards , IT . T . Mitchell , jun ., F . Iluett , H . E . VVest , 1 . R . Butler , T . Howell , H . Lane

O . h . Morrow , J . XV . Shaw , A . Jacobs , R . Saville , XV . H . Thrift , J . Spurgeon , sen ., R . T . Reader , II . Truscott , A . Hurrey , F . Hughes , H . V . Vickars , and others . Visitors : Bros . J . J . Walker , 1 S 05 ; G . | . Burrows , 1 S 05 ; A . Aves , SuS ; G . VV . Scratton , U . S . Reed , J . Mills , 1765 ; and others .

The lodge being duly opened , the work of the lodge was proceeded with . Messrs . VV . Ruck and A . Wintle were initiated , and Bros . Brown , Matthews , Runce , and Shaw having been passed and Bros . Speck and Colquhoun raised , thc Auditors were elected . Other Masonic business having been transacted , the

lodge was closed , and thc brethren adjourned to ( he banquet room * The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly proposed and honoured . Bros . Anderson , Palmer , Burgess , and others contributed to the harmony , Bro . J . Grout , the able Organist , acting as accompanist .

Duke of Edinburgh Lodge ( No . 1 * 259 ) . — On Tuesday , the 7 th inst ., a regular meeting of the above lodge took place at the Eastern Hotel , Limehouse , Bro . XV . J . Truppitt , W . M ., presiding . The ollicers pre-ent included R . Fielder , S . W . ; J . Lusty , J . W . j C . Wakefield , P . M ., Treas . ; G . Parrett , P . M ., Sec ; Frank Adams , S . D . ; | . Westmorland , J . D . ; | . R . Omer , P . M ., D . C .

J . Code , I . G . ; li . H . Seddon ; .- , Org . ; I . Wry , Tyler ; Geo . Dixon , J . R . Laurance , IC . Grant , W . Mitchell . II . Warner , li . Loader , W . Hancock , J . E . Wright , W . Davies , R . McPhee , II . Loader , and J . F Munroc . Visitors : F . Neale , 17 S 1 , and J . Mills , 17 ( 15 . Lodge being opened , Mr . R . O . Hinderwill was initiated , and Bros . Hancock and Mitchell were raised to the Sublime

Degree of M . M . lt was urop ' . scd by liro . tj . Parrett , P . M ., and seconded lay Bro . J . li . Oini-r , that ( he sum of 15 guinea ; he placed on the list of Bro . Fielder , S . W ., who rcpiesrnts thc lodge as Steward at the forthcoming Festival of the Hoys'Institution . All Masonic business being-ended , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshments .

The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were heartily proposed and responded to . Bro . Parrett referred in sympathetic terms of lhe serious illness of the late Secretary , Bro . Buchan , P . M . Various musical brethren contributed their share of songs to enliven the proceedings , Among them were Bros . Hinderwcll , Parrett , Adams , and others . The Tyler ' s toast closed a well spent evening .

Granite Lodge ( No . 1328 ) . —A very successful meeting of this lodge was held at Freemasons' Hail , Great Ouetn-stieet , on Saturday , the nth instant , when liro . G . I . Chretien wan installed as W . M . The mcin \ , urs present were Bros . !•' . II . A . Hardcastle , W . M . j G . T . Chretien , S . W . j W . ) . Mason , P . M ., J . W . ; P . West , P . M ., D . P . G . M . Suncy , Treas . j | . Lewis I homas , P . M ., P . A . G . D . C , Hie ; U . Philip Cptur , l . D . ; Chas . Smith ;

V . A . R . Longman , I . G . j W . 11 . Tonkin , P . M . ; I . Oliver , P . M . ; T . Wilson , P . M .: B . Turner , P . M . ; " I . W . J . Oswald , P . M . ; K . Masefield , P . M . j R . White , P . M . ; and others . Visitors : Bros . Kev , | . S . Brownrigg , P . G . C ; Col . J . Peleis .: P . G . S . H . ; E . ' lilinkhorn , P . M . i-i * 1 ; C . M . ( .. " oxon , W . M . i . |/ i ; 1 * . IC . Hennell , P . M . 773 ; ) . Duncan , P . M . Vj ; A . Lamb , P . P . G . D . of C Surrey ' ; J . VV . Hare , P . M . nyj ; G . C . Castrull , P . M . 1502 ; W . II . Richards , P . P . G . C Warwickshire ; R . E

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Glassponl , P . P . G . S . B . Hants ; S . Gabriel , 1201 ; George Davis , P . M . 1 G 7 ; T . P . Dorman , P . P . G . S . oi VV . Hants ; E . T . Rodney Wilde , P . M . 171 S ; VV . R . Emerson , Org . . j *;; VV . de Manby Sergison , P . M . 13 S 3 ; F . H . Cheesewright , I . W . 907 ; VV . Stevenson Hoyte , VV . M . 4 ; P . Sharpe , P . M . 8 C 7 * ; E . Gray , jun ., I . G . 63 ; S . Barnby , 21 ; L . VV . Woodhouse , 19 ( 12 ; A . Blackmore , 1319 ; J . A . King , ifii ; and VV . W . Lee , W . M . 23 S 1 .

Lodge was opened , the minutes were confirmed , and a candidate was raised to the Third Degree . Bro . Geo . T . Chretien was presented as W . M . elect , and was duly installed into the chair in the presence of a large number of Installed Masters . The following oflicers were appointed and invested : Bros . W . J . Mason , P . M ., S . VV . ; R . P . Upton , J . W . ; F . West , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Lewis Thomas , P . M ., Sec . ; E . Fawkes , S . D . ; C . Smith , l . D . ; and V .

A . R . Longman , I . G . Bro . Hardcastle , I . P . M ., was presented with a Past Master ' s jewel in recognition of his services to the lodge . The VV . M . having expressed his intention of serving as Steward for the Boys' School , Bro . J . Lewis Thomas , P . M ., Treasurer , immediately proposed , and it was unanimously resolved , that 10 guineas should be voted to support his list . An anthem was sung by Bros . Barnby , Prenton , Evans , and Emerson , and the lodge was closed .

A banquet at the Holborn Restaurant was followed by the usual toasts , the speeches in connection with which were commendably brief , in order that an excellent selection of music might be enjoyed . Bro . the Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chap ., replied for " The Grand Officers , Present and Past , " after which Bro . Hardcastle , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " and said he had been acquainted with Bro . Chretien for 13

years , and there was no sounder Mason than their W . M . in the lodge . Bro . Chretien was a Mason who took up Masonry , not for amusement , but , liking it from the first , believed in it , and it was therefore a great joy to sec him occupying the chair . Bro . G . T . Chretien , VV . M ., thanked the LP . M . and brethren . Every initiate , he said , looked forward to occupy the chair , and having passed through the inferior offices , at

last attained the position . He could only say that the brethren having elecled hun , he should do his best to carry out the duties in the way they shou'd be done , and if hc failed it would not be from will , mi * power . Bros . Lamb , P . P . G . D . C . Sumy , and Colonel Rodney Wilde , P . M . 171 . S . acknowledge 1 the toast of "The Visitors " in cordial terms , and congratulaed the lodge on its satisfactory position and its present W . M .

Bro . F . 11 . A . Hardcastle , LP . M ., on behalf of " lhe Past Masters , " said there were many members of that body who had preceded him , who had conferred more honour upon thc lodge than he had been able to do , but there were none among them more an admirer of the beautiful ritual and principles of the Craft , of which they had heard something that night . He had confidence that the Past Masters would be amongst the lodge ' s most

faithful . friends and firmest adherents . Bro . F . West , P . M ., Treas ., responded for "The Treasurer and Secretary , " and Bro . Lewis Thomas , P . M ., Sec , expressed his pride at seeing the great success ot thc lodge , and he was never more proud of it than that night , to see one of their oldest members filling the chair . He was very glad to lind they had such an excellent occupant of the chair , who would perform the ceremonies in a

manner equal to thu best working in thc Metr . polls . Bro . W . J . Mason , e > . W ., in responsefor " The Oflicers , " said the brethren need be under no apprehension that he should mar their enjoyment by any lengthy speech . I hey were pleased to see the W . iU . occupying the chair in his mother lodge , and the oflicers would do their best to carry out the best traditions of Freemasonry . Every member would extend to the VV . M . the rght hand cf fellowship ,

and when he vacated the chair would be able to say he had been well suppoited . The Tyler's toast then closed a pleasant evening . Under the direction of Bro . VV . Emerson , the following artistes assisted in an excellent musical programme : Madame Dunbar Perkins ( violin ) , Master Hopkins , Bros . Sidney Barnby , Richard Evans , Hy . Prenton , and Tom Tavlor .

Kennington Lodge ( No . 1381 ) . —This flourishing lodge held its installation meeting at the Horns Hotel , Kennington Park , on Tuesday , the 7 th instant , when there was a large attendance of brethren . Amongst the members present were Bros . J . Dennis , W . M . ; A . Lundie , S . W . ; J . N . Hearn , J . W . j George Everett , P . M ., P . G . Treas .. Treasurer ; W . Stuart , P . M ., Secretary ; Geo . Millson , J . D . ; C Colwell , I . G . ; R . B . Hopkins , Org . ;

C II . Kohler , P . M . ; J . La Feuillade , P . M . j Capt . T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . P . G . W . Middlesex j J . Cockburn , P . M . j II . Higgins , P . M . ; VV . W . Westley . P . M . ; R , La Feuillade , P . M . ; II . F . Foale , P . M . ; R . Lingley , P . M . ; amiotlwrs . Visitors * . Uros . J . M . McLeod , P . P , S . G . W . Derbyshire , Sec . R . M . I . B . ; J . Wilson , P . M . 209 ; J . Bunker , P . M . 115 S ; C . J . Kimbell , 234 S ; W , Radcliil ' e , P . M ., Sec . 211 ; C . Crowther , 230 S ; VV

Barnes , 1 G 24 ; A . Robertson , J . VI 5 ; Wm . Life , 1313 ; J . Hudson , 975 ; F . VV . Upton , S . D . 619 ; S . G . Murray , liiy j W . D . Becket , P . M . 7 S 0 ; S . ¦ F . Lucas , 2395 j F . G . Holden , 2202 j John llatteisley , P . M . 1600 ; Kdward Ayling , P . M . 975 j F . Arnold , 1024 j A . Walker , 234 S ; II . Keep , P . M . 146 41 F . Peck , 2272 j VV . G . Lo . ve , W . M 1234 S ; M . Brousson , 1 . S 39 ; J . jFarmer , 1 ( 1 5 * - !; R . C . Davis , P . M . 22 CO ; S . Horton , 72 ; VV . Smith , 72 ; W .

Sycklemore , 12 S 6 ; C . J . Williams ; Geo . White , VV . M . 'J 75 i J . P- Rent , 6 T 9 ; C . Taylor , P . M . 1624 ; S . G . Stuart , 1 O 02 ; and VV . VV . Lee , VV . M . 23 . S 1 . Lodge having been op-iud , ami the miuu ' es duly conlirmed , two ciiidi : iate-, weie initiated . liro . Alfred Lundie was thin presented aa W . M . elect , and was duly installed inlo the chair by liro . Dennis . The following ollicers were invested : Bros . J . N . Hearn , S . VV . ; Geo . Millson , I . W . ;

G . Everett , P . M ., Treas . ; W . . Stuart , P . M ., Sec ; C Colwell , S . D . ; C W . G . Buiiows , J . U . ; A . C . lhomley , I . G . ; R . B . Hopkins , Org . ; J . Harry , D . of C ; J . 1 * . P-uratt and C . Clusholin ^ Slewawls j and R . Reinhardt , Tyler . On the motion ot lhe Treasurer , the sum of 15 guineas was voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ,

to be placed on the list of the W . M . Other business was transacted , and the lodge was closed . After banquet , the usual toasts received due recognition . liro . George I ' . verclt , P . G , Treas ., relurned thanks for " 'I he I irand Ollicer . * ., Presentand Past , " and said the zeal and ability with which they performed their duties fully justified the great confidence reposed in them . The Past

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Grand Officers were always expected to be doing some duty , and they were only too pleased to visit lodges and assist in any way in * furthering the interests of Freemasonry . He felt a peculiar pleasure and great pride in responding in a lodge of which he had been a member since its foundation , and in which he was now the father . He was glad to see installed into the chair of W . M . one who had gone through the various offices with great credit

to himself and satisfaction to the lodge , and who had now arrived at the lushest position possible . He congratulated thc lodge upon the fact that the I . P . M . had gone through his year in a manner of which they were justly proud , and had installed his successor in a style that had given the greatest satisfaction . He was pleased to notice that they had with them Bro . McLeod , the Secretary of the Boys ' School , for the Kennington Lodge was the first to

congratulate him after his appointment , and hold out the right hand of fellowship to him . The Boys' Institution was a most deserving one , and he trusted the remarks that Bro . McLeod would make at a later period would induce the members to send the W . M . up with a good list for his Stewadship . Bro . J . Dennis , I . P . M ., said he rose to propose "The Health of the VV . M . " with very great pleasure , as Bro .

Lundie , VV . M ., and he had worked hand in hand together through the various offices . The members could rely upon their W . M . doing everything in his power to create a good feeling , and keep up the the good working of the lodge . Bro . Lundie had filled all the offices with great satisfaction to them all , and in the difficult position he now held would carry out his duties in a manner that would be to the credit of himself and advantage to the lodge .

Bro . Alfred Lundie , W . M ., returned thanks , and said he had always met with a hearty reception from the members , for the simple reason that they were all so united , that they were pleased to see a brother succeed to the chair in his turn . Having served the offices , he now found himself VV . M . of the lodge , which he esteemed a very great honour . It was one he had coveted for some few years , and he could only return his best thanks for having been

elected . He should endeavour to do all that was possible for the harmony and welfare of the lodge . "The Initiates " having been given and responded to , The W . M . pioposed "The Masonic Charities , " and expressed the hope that he would be enabled to take up a good list on behalf of the Boys' School . Bro . J . M . McLeod , Sec . R . M . I . B ., in reply , expressed his sincere thanks for the proposition and reception of the

toast , and also for the kindness and consideration shown in placing the toast earlier on the programme than was customary . They were very proud to acknowledge the generous support accorded the Masonic Institutions last year , when £ 90 , 000 was subscribed . That year was an exceptional one on account of the Jubilee Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , when £ 09 , 000 was realised . They were satisfied that that money was being

advantageously used , for , ( , 50 , 000 had been invested to provide an income for annuities . He was glad to be able to speak to them that evening on behalf of the Boys ' School , as the VV . M . bad kindly consented to act as Stcvard . Three years ago a great r : form was cariied out in that Institution , and it now stood in a very much better position . The boys were better fed , clothed , and educated , and the moral tone was in a better state . The boys were now

bright and happy , and had nothing but kind words to say of their Master . By the balance sheet which was sent to every individual subscriber , they would find the boys were better clothed , and there was no garb of charity about them , for the boys were decent , respectable , and tidy , and that would commend itself to all . The sanitary arrangements were altered , and these were a few of the many benefits which the Committee had carried out . Every brother was

invited to visit the Institution and see the many improvements which had been arranged with due regard to economy . A few boys were now kept on after 15 years of age in order that they might gain a scholarship or take some proud position in lite . He was happy to have in the Board of Management Bro . Everett , who particularly looked after the boys' outdoor sports , and the manner in which the annual sports had been carried out during the

last three years was a credit to him . As regards funds , the Boys' Institution was the weakest of the thiec Institutions , only possessing a funded capital of £ 30 , 000 . In order to carry out the work of the Institution , about £ 1200 a year was required , and heapp-aledto the brethren to generously suppoit the list of their W . M . In response to "The Visitors , " Bros . Clare , W . M . SC ; Lowe , W . M . 234 S ; G . White , VV . M . 975 ; and

\ V . w . Lee , VV . M . 23 S 1 , acknowledged the hearty reception accorded them . The Worshipful Master next gave "The Installing Master and Past Masters , " and endorsed every word spoken as to the success of the 1 . P . M . ' s year of office , and the manner he had cariied out the ceremony ot installation . He asked Bro . Dennis , I . P . M . to accept a jewel unanimously voted by the lodge for his services , and the members hoped he would be spared for many years to

wear it . Uro . J . Dennis , I . P . M ., flunked thc members for that signal mark ol their esteem and appreciation . As regarded the work in the lodge , his duty had been a labour of love , lor it had bun his ambition to carry out that work satisfactorily . If he had done that he had been amply

icpaid . He assured the brethren of his best wishes lor the continued success of the lodge , and whatever he could do to promote its best interests would lie cheei fully done . He thanked them for the handsome jewel , and hoped to be amongst them for many years to render any assistince in his power .

"illy : [ reasurer and S . cretary , " "Ths Officers , " and the Tyler ' s toast were given , an J a pleasant evening was brought to a close . Under the direction of Bro . R . B . Hopkins , OrgmUt , a good mu ic . il programme was carried out . In addition to a solo ou the silver bells by Bro . Hopkins , the following rendered valuable assistance : Masters R . and A . Hop kins , Bros . Capt . T . C . Walls , Ton Davies , and C . Tay lor , P . M ., and Wr , A . Rogers .

Mount hdgcumbe Lodge ( No . 144 6 ) - lhe inslallation meeting of this highly successlul and flourishing lodge was held at the Bridge House Hotel , on Saturday , the 1 ilh instant , when there were present B ros . 0 . P . Buret , W . M . j J . Wynne , S . W . ; 11 . A . Brownacting J . VV . ; G . W . Perry , P . M ., Treas . ; G . I ' - Hamilton , P . M ., Sec ; G . H . L . Ronton , S . D . ; I ** *