Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsree discussion .

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In February last I annealed through vour columns , to mv brethren

in England , to support the candidature of Henry Robert Lambert Dacres Baynes , for admission to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ; and I now have the p leasure of asking you to allow me through the same medium , to express my thanks to those brethren who assisted in securing his election on the 13 th October last .

I have written privately to thank those brethren who , I know took a prominent part in furthering the interests of the boy ; but as there are many others who helped with their votes and influence , and whose names are unknown to me , I beg hereby to tender to them my sincere and hearty thanks for their kind support .

If there were any doubt as to the unity and universality of Freemasonry , surely this admission lo participation in the benefits of one of the leading Masonic Institutions , in the Great Mother Country , of a fatherless boy from an impoverished Colony , across thousands of miles of ocean , would effectually dissipate it . —Yours fraternally ,

R . H . KORTRIGHT DYETT , I . P . M . St . John ' s Lodge , No . 492 , P . M . Avondale Lodge , No . 460 ( Mark ) , J . Jlount Lebanon Chapter , No . 492 , P . M . W . S . Antigua Chapter , No . 84 . St . John ' s , Antigua , West Indies , 7 th November .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir , I will be much obliged if you will allow me through your valuable columns to tender to all those who assisted in securing the election of my son " Henry" to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , on the 13 th October last , my deep and heartfelt gratitude for their support .

My earnest prayer is that the Great Architect will pour down his blessing on those who have helped in the case of my fatherless boy . Thanking you for space , I remain , Dear Sir , faithfully yours ,

IDA B . BAYNES St . John ' s , Antigua ( W . J . ) , November 7 th .

MASONIC JEWELS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I shall feel obliged if you will inform me what brethren are entitled to wear the Diamond Jubilee jewel of 1897 . Masonic jewellers in their advertisements say , " to be worn by < i 7 / Master Masons , " but does this apply to brethren initiated since 18 97 ? And are all Master Masons entitled to wear a Master Mason ' s jewel L?—Yours fraternally , FELLOW CRAFT . November 20 th .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Dobie Lodge , No . 889 . A well-attended meeting was held at the Kingston Hotel , Kingston-on-Thames , on the 15 th inst ., when Bro . W . J . Wells had another opportunity of displaying his proficiency in the Craft . Having raised Bros . Beatie ^ and Dyke in a very able manner , he initiated Mr . H . W . Birch into the mysteries of the Order . His working was watched by a goodly number of those who hive oc cupied the chair of K . S . before him , and all were pleased to find the traditions of the lodge worthily upheld by the W . M .

pertorming all duties , and not vacating his seat when ceremonies have to be rendered . Two joining members were accepted , and at the proper time Bro . W . Drewett , P . M . and Sec , introduced the Surrey County Fund for our soldiers' and sailors' families to the notice of the lodge . His appeal for a display of loyal patriotism was responded to by the W . M . proposing and Bro . Hayward , P . M ., seconding , a grant of io guineas to the fund , which was carried , and a cheque sent to Bro . Sir J . Whittaker Ellis , Bart ., the Treasurer of the County Fund . The lodge was then closed .

Kennington Lodge , No . 1381 . A meeting of this lodge was held at the Horns Tavern , Kennington-park , on the 7 th inst ., when there were present Bros . T . Davies , W . M . ; Wolsey , S . W . ; Hopkins , J . W . j A . La Feuillade , P . M ., Treas . ; J . N . Hearn , P . M ., Sec ; Brading , I . G . ; Linwood , Org . ; George Everett , P . G . Treas . Eng ., as I . P . M . ; H . Higgins , P . M . ; Major T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . G . Std . Be . Eng . ; C . H . Kohler , P . M . ; Lingley , P . M . ; Foale , P . M . ; A . Lundie , P . M . ; Dr . Millsom , P . M . ; and Barry , P . M . Bro . TreeP . M . was a visitor .

, , The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and conlirmed , Bro . S . Tull was passed to the Second Degree . The requ est of Bro . Colin Chisholme , I . P . M ., to be placed on the country list was acceded to . Bro . Major Walls gave a notice of motion "That the sum of 105 shillings be voted to the Daily Telegraph Fund for ' Our Soldiers , Widows , and Orphans . '" A letter was read from B ro . W . W . Westley , P . M ., thanking the lodge for electing him as an honorary member . The lodge was closed .

A banquet followed under the superintendence of Bro . Host Bnnkley . Upon the removal of the cloth , the customary loyal and Craft toasts were duly honoured . Bro . George Everett , P . G . Treas ., responded on behalf of "The Grand Officers , " and then gave "The Health of thc W . M . " In submitting this toast he ventured tosiy that the W . M . was the most popular brother in the lodge . The Kennington Lodge was a fairly large one , and to be elected Master unanimously was a proof of popularity . Resides which Bro . Tom Davies , as a vocalist , had contributed " many a time and oft "

to their entertainment at the banquet table . Me did his work well in tne lodge , anu throughout was a good all-round nun and brother . He hoped that during the remainder of the W . M . ' s year of office that no untoward event would mar its prosperity . TheW . M ., in reply , brielly thanked the proposer of the toast for his llitteri ig remarks . He said that he liked to see harmony in the lodge and at the banquet tibl :. He believed that the ceremonies went better when there was appropriate music as it cieated impressions , especially in the minds of the candidates . Bro . Tree having responded on behalf of " The Visitors , "

'Ihe W . M . gave - 'The Treasurer and Secretary . " After speaking of the excellent services rendered to the lodge by both brethren , he said he regretted that their Treasurer had been compelled to leave early in consequence or the serious illness of Mis . Li Feuillade . Hc could only hope that she might get better .

Craft Masonry.

Bro . Hearn having acknowledged the toast , The W . M . next gave "The Past Masters , " associated with the nam ^ s of Bros . Lingley , Lundie , and Barry , who duly responded . The toast of "The Officers , " coupled with , the names of Bros . Wolsey and Hopkins , terminated the proceedings , which were greatly enhanced by the instrumental and vocal abilities of Bros . Hopkins , Herbert Linwood , T . Davis , A . Lundie , Brading , and others .

Aldersgate Lodge , No . 1657 . A meeting was held on the 20 th inst ., at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , E . C . Present : Bros . Rupert Smyth , W . M . ; Ralph Langton , S . W . ; Dr . Milne Hey , J . W . ; George Kenning , P . M ., Sec ; H . F . Woodward , S . D . ; T . H . Jamss , J . D . j A . B . Hudson , P . M ., D . C ; George Rawlinson , P . M ., Stwd . ; Plant , Tyler ; Thomas Briggs , P . M . ; Septimus Croft , P . M . ; A . A . Barnes , A . Clarke Williams , A . P . Cowland , and James C . Hayes . Visitors : Bros . Hamilton Scott , C . H . Enness , A . Burrell Smith . W . T . Roberts . W . H . Greaves . R . I . Elliss . and Walter Litter .

The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the regular meeting , held on the 16 th ult ., were read and confirmed . A ballot was taken for Mr . A . P . Cowland , whic ' i , proving unanimous , he was initiated in an able manner by the W . M . Bro . Ralph Langton , S . W ., was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year ; Bro . Samuel White , P . M ., Treasurer ; and C . L . Plant , Tyler . Bros Hayes , Barnes , and Williams , were elected on the Audit Committee . The sum of five guineas was voted for the Transvaal War Fund .

The lodge was closed , and the brethren dined together under the genial chairmanship of the W . M ., Bro . Rupert Smyth , the usual toasts bsing propjsed and acknowledged . The musical arrangements by Bro . Walter Latter , P . PI-JIT . G . Organist Essex , gave much pleasure and satisfaction .

Addiscombe Lodge , No . 1556 . The installation meeting of this prosperous provincial Surrey lodge took place at the Public Hall , Croydon , on Saturday , the nth inst . Present : Bros . Joseph Harrison , P . G . S ., W . M . ; W . H . Lascelles , S . W . and W . M . elect ; R . F . Grundy , H . G . Thompson , J . P ., P . P . S . G . W ., Treas . ; Alf . Lambert , P . P . S . G . W ., Sec ; j . A . Stovell , S . D . ; P . A . Ransom , J . D . j J . Aris , l . G . ; Rev ; W . H . Braine , M . A ., Chap . ; Leslie H . Smith , Org . ; J . J . Bailey , Tyler ; Stampa W . Lambert , P . M . ;

Huntley , P . M . ; J . H . Moram Hyland , P . M . ; Fenn , P . M . ; S . Smith , P . M . ; E . Green , P . M . ; P . C . Christian , J . W . Robins , R . T . Woulfe , E . Carpenter , T . Lascelles , P . M . ; J . M . Burtenshaw , G . J . Allen , P . M . ; J . J . Pittman , P . M . ; A . C . Oswald , T . J . Paice , H . C . Oswald , M . Luther , Moss E . May , C . VV . Noehmer , J . M . Newnham , L . L . D . ; W . Hooker , F . Brown , Hy . Berney , F . Nicholls , A . H . Rowntree , Sir F . Edridge , and T . G . Edridge . The visitors were Bros . Fred West , P . G . D ., Dep . P . G . M . Surrey ; A . Senior , S . W . 1872 ; F . Ling , S . W . 12 G 1 ; E . W .

Gurney , S . D . 1139 ; A . Cane , 2029 ; A . Roods , J . D . 26 G 5 ; W . Smart , 711 , S , African Port Elizabeth , Goodwill ; E . Ansted , P . M . 6 9 ; Otto Hehner , P . M . 23 S ; J . Langdon , P . M . 2345 ; A . Ford , S . D . 171 ; Hy . Potter , W . M . 1622 ; G . Rawlinson , P . M . 1657 ; L . A . Wietall , 3 ( S . A . C . ); G . Henry , S . W . 1139 ; A . Norton , 1670 ; T . Williams , P . M . S 71 ; J . N . Hamm , P . M . 238 ; D . Ogilvie , P . Horrocks , P . M . 2033 ; and C . H . Stone , P . M . 507 , W . M . elect 1641 . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The Auditors

presented their report , which showed the lodge to be in a splendid financial position . Bros . J . M . Burtenshaw and T . J . Paice were passed in an exemplary manner by the W . M . Upon Bro . F . West , Dep . Prov . G . M ., entering the lodge he was saluted in due form . Bro . Stampa W . Lambert , P . M ., P . P . G R ., next presented Bro . W . IT . Lascelles , W . M . elect , to the W . M . to receive from him the benefit of installation , which ceremony was carried out in a very large Board of Installed Masters in a highly commendable and perfect manner . The new W . M . invested his officers as follows :

Bros . Jos . Harrison , P . M . 99 and 810 , as I . P . M . ; R . F . Grundy , S . W . ; J . A . Stovell , J . W . ; Rev . W . H . Braine , M . A ., Chap . ; Dr . H . G . Thompson , J . P ., P . M ., Treas . ; Alf . Lamoert , P . M ., Sec ; P . A . Ranson , S . D . ; J . Aris , J . D . ; T . W . Dobson , J . P ., I . G . ; J . J . Pittman , P . M .., . D . C . ; T . Lascelles , P . M ., A . D . C . ; Leslie H . Smith , Org . ; A . C . Oswald , Stwd . ; and J . Bailey , Tyler . The three addresses were admirably rendered by the Installing Master , Bro . Joseph Harrison , I . P . M . Bro . Geo . J . Allen , J . P ., ex-Mayor of Croydon , was the capable

D . C . The sum of 10 guineas was voted from the Charity Fund , half to be given to the Reservists' Fund , Croydon District , and the other half to the wives and children of the men serving with the colours ( Surrey Branch ) . The Iodge Is to be congratulated upon its beneficence , having subscribed 550 guineas to the Boys' Institution , and also having among its members such a number of distinguished brethren , three ex-M lyors of Croydon , and being the largest in the province . The W . M ., in very appropriate terms , presented the Past Master ' s jewel to the I . P . M ., and remarked it was his first duty to

express the thanks of the lodge for th-jadmirable manner he had conducted the ceremonies during the past year in occupying the chair . He asked his acceptance of the jewel as a mark of appreciation from the whole of the members with the earnest desire that he might wear the same for many years and shed lustre on the lodge . The inscription : "Presented to Bro . J . Harrison , P . M ., P . G . S ., by the brethren of thc Addiscombe Lodge , No . 1556 , as a mark of respect and esteem . 1898-9 . " Bro . Harrison , I . P . M ., in reply , said he accepted the handsome souvenir of the goodwill and affection

of the brethren with very great pleasure , and hoped to wear it for many years to remind him of their esteem and regard . The W . M . next rose and asked the brethren to accept the handsome banner which would hang beside many others of the illustrious brethren who had preceded him in the chair . It was resolved that a very hearty vjte of thanks be accorded the W . M . for his kindness in making the presentation . The business of the lodge ended , the brethren adjourned to a splendid banquet ,

ably presided over by the W . M ., who , on the removal of the cloth , stated that the toasts would be very brief on account of the excellent array of musical talent . The customary loyal and Masonic toasts were royally given and received , as also that of " The Pro G . M ., Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " which was very ably responded to by Bro . W . G . Fenn , P . G . S ., P . P . G . D . Surrev . D . C .

The W . M . next proposed the toast of " The Prov . G . M ., Earl Onslow ; thc Dep . Prov . G . M ., Bro . West ; and therest of the Prov . Grand Ofiicers , Present and Past , " in most eulogistic terms , and said there were no brethren who more appreciated the eminent services of Broi F . West , Dip . Prov . G . M ., than those in the Addiscombe Lodge . Bro . F . West , who was most cordially received , in a highly intellectual speech , congratulated the lodge upon its excellent working which was a chief characteristic , and its beneficence which had often been exhibited in the lodge before , and now had voted sjrnc

of its funds to the relief of the distressed through the war . It was , indeed , a noble object , and no more fitting place could there bs than in a lodge to disseminate such tenets . He was glad to reply for such an illustrious body of Provincial Grand Officers , many of whom were in the Addiscombe Lodge and did the toast honour . He was delighted , too , at seeing the excellent manner the I . P . M . had installed his successor , and had placed into the chair so worthy a brother as the W . M ., and so long as the lodge continued to make such a choice to it would go on and accomplish thos : excjlUnt tenets and principles of the Cratt . On behalf of the Prov . Grand Ollicers he heartily thanked them .

Bro . J . Harrison , I . P . M ., in most appreciative and becoming terms , proposed " The Health of the W . M ., " who was one of the best , and well deserved the honoured

position . The W . M ., in reply , thanked the proposer ( the I . P . M . ) for his kindly words , and for its cordial reception by the brethren . He could assure them that he was quite overcome by the kindness shown him , and promised to do his best to fully justify then choice , and try and follow in the footsteps of such a worthy army of P . Ms . He was pleased to announce the gavel had produced the sum of £ 6 73 . fid ., which sum would be added to the 10 guineas voted in the lodge . That collection was most gratifying to them all .

The toast of " The Visitors " was most ordial ' y presented by tie W . M ., and responded to . Bro . Smart thanked the brethren for such a reception , and a ' so conjratula ed _ th : lodge on the splendid working he had witnessed . He belonged to two lodges in Ssuth Africa , and he promised the brethren that he should take back with him their hearty good wishes , which would be greatly appreciated .