Correspondence.

Correspondence .

Wc do not hold ourselves responsible tor the opinions expressed by our correspondents but we wisb , in a spirit o £ fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , As your valuable paper is extensively read in Ireland , it is advisable , for the guidance of lodges of the Irish Constitution , to point out that the theory and practice of the Grand Lodge of Ireland , with respect to the confirmation ot minutes , differ radically from those of the Grand Lodge of England , as stated in your columns .

Under the Grand Lodge of Ireland the confirmation of minutes simply implies that they are accepted as the accurate and authoritative records of the transactions of the previous communication . If otherwise , those transactions would be without legal or accredited record .

The Grand Lodge of Ireland holds that a legal enactment can only be undone by a similarly legal enactment . That is—that when an enactment has been passed in accordance with the conditions precedent laid down in the Book of Constitutions it cannot be repealed till the same conditions have been complied with as had been required in the preceding case .

This course seems to be justified by the rules of legal construction , recommended by the dictates of common sense , and consistent with the dignity of a legislative body . —Fraternally yours , W . J . CHETWODE CRAWLEY . 18 th June .

" HONORARY " SECRETARIES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , " P . M . and Secretary " has very appropriately directed attention to a practice that prevails here and there—the London district included—viz ., of Secretaries of private lodges appending the word " honorary " to their official title .

Many years ago , when 1 was in Australia , the Grand Secretary of the day issued an official circular , pointing out the irregularity , and I should suppose that said circular would be distributed in England also . I may add that Lodge No . i is not the only offender in London . —Fraternally yours , W . F . LAMONBY . June 2 Qth .

BRO . EVE IN REPLY TO HIS CRITIC . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Some person sent me yesterday a copy of your paper of the nth June inst . The writer of your " Masonic Notes" of that day cannot be complimented on his own correctness , whatever may be his desire for chronological

truth , He states I am reported to have said , before the distribution of prizes at the Albert Hall on the 7 th inst ., that the foundation-stone of the School buildings at Wood Green was laid by Baroness ( then Miss ) Burdett-Coutts in 1862 . Allow me to say I said nothing of the kind . If he and your readers will kindly refer to the report of my speech in the previous columns of the same copy of

your paper , it will be seen that I said the stone was laid " by Past Grand Warden the late Brother Algernon Perkins , who was accompanied by that benevolent lady , now Baroness Burdett-Coutts . " I was present and saw the stone laid on the 8 th August , 186 3 , and if I said 1 S 62 , 1 meant 1863 , having the date in my own diary of that year .

Whenever H . R . H . the Prince of Wales first said that " the watchwords of Freemasonry are Loyalty and Charity" I was present , and heard the words , and can only regret if I have misled anyone or disturbed the mind of the writer of your "Masonic Notes " by suggesting that the words were uttered in 1870 . —Yours fraternally , RICHARD EVE . Aldershui , 15 th June .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

M 23 . J The writer will feel greatly obliged for any information respecting the following lines . Whence are they taken if quoted by any author Quae sunt in Superis Haec inferioribus insunt Quod monstrat coelum Id terra frequenter habet

Ignis -aquaet fluitans — Duo sunt contraria , —felix Tali a si jungis Sit libi scire satis . They are to be found in Mich-Maier Tripus Aureus , seuve Museum Hermeticum Reformatum

in the 1749 Edition . The first edition was published in 1618 . AGNOSTUS .

Craft Masonry

Craft Masonry

Farringdon Without Lodge , No . 1745 . 'The last meeting of the scasoi of this prosperous lod ^ e was held at the Viaduct Hotel , on the 31 st ult . Among those present were Bros . J . Evans , W . M . ; W . R . Witt , S . W ., W . M . elect : W . Wellsman , C . C ., P . M . 15 S 9 , as J . W . ; II . I . Lardner , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C , P . G . S ., Trcis ; W . II . Jackson , P . M ., Sec . ; | . D . Webb S . D . ; E . M . Lott , Mus . Doc , P . M ., P . G . O England , Org . ; J . W . HintonM . A .

, , Mus . Doc , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., Asst . Org . ; Mjjir T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . G . S ., P . G . Std . Br . ; J . Young , P . M . ; T . Simpson , I'M . ; G . Herbert , P . M . ; E Schuliz , o M . ; C . Bichortner , P . M . ; N . P . Lvdner , P . M . ; J . W . Gaze , C . C ., P . M . ; F . » Weinel , P . M . ; F . W . Ramsey , P . M . ; and J . II . Lilc , C . C . Uro . E . S . Lardner , lJ M ., P . G . S ., was amongst the visitors . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , a brother

Craft Masonry

was passed to the Second Degree . Bro . Witt , S . W ., W . M . elect , having been presented , was duly installed as W . M . by the W . M ., the ceremony being well performed . Among the officers invested were Bros . J . D . Webb , S . W . ; W . Wellsman , P . M ., J . W . ; H . J . Lardner , P . M ., Treas . ; W . H . Jackson , P . M ., Sec ; A . E . Cook , S . D . ; F . P . Weinel , P . M ., J . D . ; H . Harding . D . C ; J . H . Lile , C . C , A . D . C ; T . Shapcott , I . G .: Dr . Lott , P . M ., Org . : Dr . Hinton , P . M ., Asst . Org . ; W . T .

Collyer , J . W . Fuller , O . Spelling , and C . Pullen , Stewards ; and E . Mallett , P . M . 141 . Tyler . ' A Past Master ' s jewel was presented to the I . P . M . The report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . It was unanimously resolved that a summer outing take place on the 20 th prox ., and that the lodge contribute a handsome sum towards such entertainment . It having been reported that a member of the lodge had become totally blind , the sum of 20 guineas wis voted to the fund now being raised on his behalf and that of his family

Bros . Alderman W . P . Treloar , P . M . ; T . A . Woodbridge , P . M ., C . C , and others sent apologies for non-attendance . The lodge having been closed , an excellent dinner was partaken of . Bro . Dr . Lott responded on behalf of "The Grand Officers , " and Bro . J . Evans for " The Installing Officer . " Bro . E . S . Lardner , P . G . S ., eloquently responded on behalf of " The Visitors , " and Bros , T . Simpson and G . Herbert for "The Past Masters . "

Bros . H . J . Lardner , P . M ., and W . H . Jackson , P . M ., replied for "The Treasurer and Secretary . " Bros . J . D . Webb and W . Wellsman responded for " The Officers . " An interesting and amusing programme of music wis furnished by Bros . J . L . Haddon , C . E . Nott , E . R . Clemmins , J . Young , P . M . ; and G . Herbert , P . M . Bros . Dr . Lott and Dr . Hinton alternately kindly and effectively presided at the pianoforte . The whole proceedings were an unqualified success .

Kingswood Lodge , No . 2278 . The installation meeting was held on Saturday , the nth inst ., and was attended by Bros . J . Gravatt , VV . M . j E . Blinkhorn , P . M ., I . P . M . ; C . M . Coxon , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; J . G . Cobb , P . M ., P . P . S . G . B . ; R . W . Nicole , P . M . ; A . C Little , A . D . King , A . Palmer-Palmer , R . E . Noble , G . H . Redding , F . H . Johnson , J . E . Little , S .

Butler , M . Weiss , H . H . Broughton , and others . The visitors were Bros . G . Gibson , 1613 ; C Dixon , 1613 ; D . Carter , 236 ; H . R . Grice , 534 ; W . Ball , P . M . 45 and 13 S 5 , Prov . G . D . ; G . Harlow , P . M . 1 G 13 , 2647 , Prov . G . Std . Br . Kent ; W . H . Hood , 1056 ; T . Slater , I . G . 795 5 J- Palmer , 1472 ; Sydney Ford , P . M . 1729 ( Natal ); E . Monday , 1 G 41 ; E . Lloyd , P . M . 795 ; G . Redding , P . M . gi 7 ; and M . Siegenberg , P . M . 2455 .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , a ballot was taken for Bro . Michael Weiss as a joining member . Bro . Sydney Butler was then passed to the Degree of F . C The Treasurer ' s account was submitted , and proved to be most satisfactory . After all accounts had been paid , the balance in hand was in excess of the previous year , and the Benevolent Fund had also been considerably increased . Needless to say , it was unanimously approved . The next business was the installation of Bro . A . Ingram , W . M . elect , which ceremony had been undertaken by

Bro . J . G . Cobb , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., by desire , and with the consent of the W . M . As might be expected from so experienced a brother , it was carried out in a very able and impressive manner , before a Board of Installed Masters numbering 17 . The officers were invested as follows : Bros . C . C Renaud , S . W . ; E . N . Bemngiield , J . W . ; J . Petch , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; J . F . Bell , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Sec ; H . R . Bower , S . D .: F , Pace , P . M ., J . D . ; C . Nicole , I . G . ; A . A . Kelly , Org . ; E . H . Moore ,

P . M ., Prov . G . Stwd ., D . C ; H . Rackham , Steward ; and T . Williams , Tyler . The addresses were admirably given . A Past Master's jewel having been voted to Bro . J . Gravatt , it was then presented to him , and he took the opportunity of thanking the brethren for the support they had given him during his year of office . The son of a late much respected member of the lodge was proposed as a joining member , and a candidate was also proposed for initiation . For the first time music was introduced into the ceremonies with excellent effect .

After an interval , the brethren reassembled , and grace having been sung , they sat down to a most enjoyable banquet , following which the usual toasts were proposed . Bro . W . Ball , Prov . G . D ., replied to that of "The Prov . Grand Officers" in a speech that was well delivered and well received , the older members of the lodge hiving a lively recollection of the services rendered by Bro . Ball as its first Secretary .

Bro . Gravatt , I . P . M ., in proposing " The Health of the W . M ., " reterred to him as an initiate of the lodge who had gone through the various offices . The W . M ., in reply , referred to his Stewardship at the Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and expressed his gratification that so respectable a sum had been collected for his list at such a short notice .

The I . P . M ., Bro . Gravatt , in replying to the toast of his health , expressed the obligation he was under to Bro . Blinkhorn , P . M ., for the assistance he had rendered him during the past year . Bros . G . Harlow , P . G . Std . Br . Kent ; D . Carter , 23 G ; and M . Siegenberg , 2455 , replied to the toast of " The Visitors . " The Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings . A more than usually attractive programme had been arranged by Bro . Nicole , P . M ., the musical director , but it , unfortunately , had to be hurried that the train for London should not be missed . All the items were contributed by members of the lodge , ably accompanied by Bro . Kelly , Org .

Molesey Lodge , No . 2473 . The installatibn meeting of this lodge held at the Castle Hotel , East Molesey , on the 4 th inst ., was numerously attended , the members and visitors numbering about 70 . During the past year the lodge has continued to progress and maintains its standard of work and general excellence . Bro . Walter Dennis , the retiring Master , once more showed his ability to render the litual in an able and impressive manner by installing as his successor Bro . C . G . Sherwood . The members present included Bros . Walter

Dennis , W . M . ; E . L . Berry , I . P . M . ; C G . Sherwood , S . W . ; H . j . Keen , J . W . ; F . W . Buxton , P . M ., Treas . ; E . L . Berry , P . M ., Sec . ; Stuart Walker , S . D . ; C . Morrell , ] . D . ; H . G . Walker , D . C . ; W . J . Harvey , I . G . ; H . J . Foan , Org . ; S . Hewett , P . M . ; C . O . Burgess , P . M . ; J . D . Langton , P . M ., P . D . G . D . C ; H . Woods P . M .,- and others . There was also a large attendance of visitors . Lodge was opened , the minutes confirmed , and Bro . II . R . Carter was raised to the Third Degree . Other business having been transacted , Bro . C G . Sherwood was

presented as W . M . elect , and was duly installed by Bro . Walter Dennis , I . P . M ., Bro . C . O . Burgess , P . M ., acting as D . C . The following officers were invested : Bros . H . ] . Keen , S . W . ; C . Stuart Walker , J . W . ; F . VV . Buxton , P . M ., Treas . ; C . E . Gilbert , Sec . ; C . Morrell , S . I ) . ; A . W . Bray , J . D . ; II . G . Walker , I . G . ; C Britton , P . M ., D . C ; W . J . Harvey , A . D . C . ; II . J . Foan , Org . ; E . Parsons and T . A . Mitchell , Stwds . ; and W . Lane , Tyler . The lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet room .

The usual toasts followed , and selections were given from a musical programme under the direction of Bro . H , J . Foan , in which the following artistes gave able assistance : Miss Agnes Matthews , Misses Norah , Edith , and Annie CaUingVim , Bros . Albon Nash , Stuart Walker , A . H . Botwright , G . Miles , E . L . Berry , and Mr . Fred Upton . Bro . W . Brown , P . G . P ., replied for "The Grand Officers , " and ex pressed his pleasure at visiting the lodge again , having been present at its consecration .

Bro . F . West , P . G . D ., Dep . Prov . G . M ., replying for the toast of " Ihe Prov . G . Master , Deputy P . G . M ., and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , "; said they all appreciated being present at the installation of a Master of such a _ lodge as this . He looked upon it as a duty to visit thc lodges in Surrey from time to time to see they were keeping up the reputation which entitled them to rank amongst the best lodges . It was refreshing to piy either invited or surprise visits and find how Misonic matters were being carried on . On this occasion thev hid a lodge which was worthy of

the province . All eyes were turned to the coming Ujys'School Centenary , when he was sure Surrey would not be at the bottom of the list , and as they hid done all they could for the last of the Institutions to make a special effort he hoped the brethren would do their best to keep them up . The annuil gatherinj of the lodges would be held at Sutton when he trusted this and other lodges would be properly represented . * here was one member of this lodge—Bro . J . D . Langton—who did more than any other brother in the province , next to the Secretary , as he undertook the work of the Charity elections—when the best cases were'taken up and carried through . He wished the