Original Correspondence.

being placed in the center ( sic ) on a couch , and the coffin in which it is laid being uncovered , the Master proceeds to the head of the corpse , and the service begins . " Later on the Master strews herbs or flowers over the body , and after a quotation from the Psalms , " puts the Sacred Roll into the

coffin . " After a short prayer , prior to which the brethren have given "the grand honours" thrice , an oration is said and the coffin is covered . Has such a custom ever been in vogue among the brethren ? R . 0 . DAVIES , 555 . January 19 th .

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

PROVINCIAL CALENDARS , 1889 . 1 . YORKSHIRE . Bro . Whytehead is always early with his " Masonic Guide for the County of Yorkshire , " and hence , every year , amongst the first , we have pleasure in welcoming his gift to the two provinces located in the county . It is a remarkable fact , that save a card published for

West Yorkshire , there is nothing in the shape of a Calendar else to be met with in the two provinces , though West Yorkshire has 73 lodges and 3416 members , and North < md East Yorkshire has 29 lodges , with 2104 members . Why this is we cannot tell , but the fact remains ; and it does not seem fair that it should be left to our ever active brother to produce , at his own cost , the only Directory

worth y of the name in a county having 5430 members The little "Guide" is similar to previous recent issues , and is now in its 13 th year of publication . We trust that its courteous editor will be spared many years thus to meet the wants of his province , for which he has so long and so ably laboured . The wee brochure is neatly printed and carefully edited , as usual , and is a capital friend for the pocket .

2 . HERTFORDSHIRE . The " Masonic Calendar for the Province of Hertfordshire , " edited by the indefatigable Prov . Grand Sec , Bro G . E . Lake , is a credit to the province , and deserves an extensive circulation . There are 17 lodges , with 571 members , being an increase of 41 brethren and one Iodge ( "No . 227 S ) , or an average of over 33 members to each- lodge .

North and East Yorkshire , however , averages nearly 70 to each lodge , which is possibly the largest in England . In West Yorkshire the average is close on 47 members ; both provinces being much heavier than usual . Bro . Lake gives ( under each lodge ) the name , number , place of meeting , date of consecration , and date of the warrant . Then follows a list ot the officers , with the date

of investiture , the roll of Past Masters ( the year of office and Provincial rank being noted ) , the number of members , all the days of meeting ( each Festival being stated ) , and finally , the names and addresses of the Secretaries . Joining P . M . ' s ate 'distinguished by having their lodges of service noted by numbers in parentheses . Lodges of

instruction are prominently described , and the four R . A . chapters are duly detailed , as with the lodges ; so also "Knights Templar Masonry" and "Mark Masonry , " & c . The particulars respecting the Central Masonic Charities are very fully given , and it would not be an easy task to indicate any omissions in any part of this excellent Calendar , printed by Gilbert and Rivington ( Limited ) .

3 . SUSSEX . The " Masonic Almanac , Province of Sussex , " is edited anonymously ; but one can easily fancy who has undertaken that duty , and , what is more , done it exceedingly well . As before , Farncombe and Co ., Lewes , are the printers , and have ably arranged the work , as respects type , to secure clearness of details , there being * a mass of

figures and particulars in a small compass . The Masonic Calendar is wrong as to the " A . L ., " which is found by adding 4000 , not 4004 , under the G . L . of England . Look at your certificate , Bro . Editor I There have been eight Prov . G . Masters from 1774 , and the lists of Prov . G . Officers appended , for many years past , adds much to the value of the information in this part . There are 27 lodges ,

with 1179 members ( an average of over 43 to each lodge ) , being a slight advance on previous year ; nine R . A . chapters , with 253 members , being a decrease on last return ; and six Mark lodges , with other Degrees . We should much like to see the names of the W . M . ' s and

Wardens of the lodges added , and a roll of Past Masters , with their Provincial rank ( if any ) , as the lack of such particulars is a misfortune to any Calendar , however good else . The annual reports of the energetic Prov . G . Sec . ( Bro . Freeman ) are published separately , and cannot be surpassed .

Presentation To Bro. Harling, P.M., Treas. No. 30.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . HARLING , P . M ., TREAS . No . 30 .

At the installation meeting of the United Mariners Lodge , No . 30 , held at the Guildhall Tavern , Greshamstreet , City , on Tuesday , the 15 th inst ., the brethren of that lodge made it the opportunity of presenting to Bro . J . K . Harling a handsome testimonial in the shape of a

clock , which bore the following inscription : "Presented to Jos . E . Harling by the brethren of the United Mariners Lodge , as a token of esteem after 25 years membership . January 15 th , iSSg . " The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in making the presentation , said it gave him great pleasure to bear testimony to the many services rendered to the Iodge by Bro . Harling ,

and he trusted that he might live many years and continue to be a member of the United Mariners Lodge . Bro . HARLING , in thanking the brethren , said that if he had had any notion that so great an honour was to be bestowed upon him he should have taken care to be prepared with a speech , but it had taken him so much by surprise that he found himself at a loss how to express

sufficiently his thanks . Whatever he had been able to render to the lodge he looked upon it as a labour of love , and if he had given satisfaction in the past heshould strive to d ) even more so in the future . He was very thankful that he had been blessed with excellent health , which enabled him to make his record a good one ( only absent four timesfrom the lodge during 25 years ) and he trusted that he might fee spared an equal term to be still identified with the good old United Mariners .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft Jtaotxrp

FiMOIRA LODGE ( No . 92 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge took place on the 22 nd inst ., at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street . Present : Bros . Adam Pringle , I . P . M ., in the chair ; G . C . Andrew , P . M ., as S . W . ; G . Greiner , J . W . ; T . L . Wilkinson , P . M ., Treas . ; Josiah Howie , Sec . ; J . P . Murrough , S . D . ; Sir Alfred Dent , K . C . M . G ., P . M . : J . A . Maitland , W . Kidner , and J . P .

Fearheld . After the transaction of some routine business , it was proposed by Bro . Sir Alfred Dent , seconded by the I . P . M ., and carried unanimously , "That the sum of 10 guineas should be voted to the testimonial which had been recently set on foot , to mark the exceptional services to the literature of the Craft of Bro . R . F . Gould , P . G . D ., and P . M . 92 . "

MANCHESTER LODGE ( No . 179 ) . — The installation meeting of this old lodge was held on Thursday , the 17 th inst ., at Anderton ' s Hotel . Bro . Arthur Hughes , W . M ., and Bro . EUwood , P . M ., passed Bros . Hoggins and Austin to the Second Degree , after which Bro . James Kew , P . M , and Sec , installed Bro . Ebenezer Charles Mulvey as Master of the Iodge . As Bro . Mulvey

is W . M . of the Cyclists Lodge , a dispensation was granted by the M . W . G . M ., authorising him to hold the two offices at the same time . This dispensation was read in open lodge previous to the installation . l'he following brethren were appointed and invested -. Bros . Arthur _ Hughes , I . P . M . ; J . Gittens , S . W . ; J . H . Kew , J . W . ; James Kew , P . M ., Sec . ; Walter Hopekirk ,

P . M ., G . P ., Treas . ; James Cain , S . D . ,- E . J . D . Bromley , j . D . ; R . Hughes , LG . ; Scheu , Asst . Sec ; Simkins , D . C ; W . Hughes , P . M ., Stwd . ; C . J . Eastman , Asst . D . C . ; R . Peace , Musical Director ; Angel , Asst . Mus . Director ; A . E . Holt , Asst . Stwd . ; and R . Whiting , P . M ., Tyler . A handsome P . M . ' s jewel was presented to Bro . Arthur Hughes . A choice banquet

followed the working of the Iodge , which was numerously attended . Among those present were Bros . H . A . Lovett , P . M . ; W . J . Mason , J . W . 2246 ; W . J . Mulvey , P . M . 1230 ; C . Barrett , 743 ; C . Sheppard , P . M . 1366 ; T . Dally , 1475 ; A . 6 . Shenstone , 2077 ; A . Woolsey , 22 S ; N . Goodchild , 207 ; G . Wood , W . M . elect 1681 ; R . A . Homan , P . M . 1602 ; T . E . Pratt , P . M . 957 ; F . W .

Harvey , P . M . 25 ; A . Seary , 19 S 9 ; G . Bickerton , P . M . 9 ; F . Jackson , 2191 ; A . S . Lyons , 2246 ; J . J . Blyth , 16 S 1 ; F . J . Eedle , W . M . 1441 ; J . Lewis , 16 S 1 ; C . B . Shemmonds , 201 ; J . H . Wood , 145 ; G . Garrett , P . M . 1366 ; G . Spinks , VV . M . 39 S ; T . C . Edmonds , P . M . 1507 ; T . Goldfinch , 1664 ; P . Wharton , 65 ; M . H . Embley , 2202 ; C . H . Thomas , 1696 ; D . VV . Tough ,

905 ; H . Massey , P . M . 192 S ; B . Ricketts , 1777 ; H . Dickey , 1764 ; H . Slyman , P . M . 753 ; F . Marks , P . M , 957 j J- Hooper , 19 86 ; F . J . Holden , 2202 ; G . Langley , 1 S 3 ; J . P . Poynter , 1420 ; and R . Ball , 134 . After the banquet the usual toasts were honoured . Bro . Walter Hopekirk , P . M ., P . G . P ., in reply , to the toast of "The Grand Officers , " said the brethren

all knew the Pro G . M * * did all that was possible in the high position he filled to carry out the great principles of Masonry . When he came back from his journey to Australia it was found that he had created feelings there that he was one who was an honour to Masonry . With respect to the Deputy Grand Master , they all knew how well he supported the Masonic Institutions ; and the officers

of the past had done good service to the Craft . They had been placed in positions on account of their great ability . The present Grand Officers were anxious to follow in the footsteps of those great , good , and clever men . He hoped Masonry would always havesuch brethren , who wouldconfer honour to the Craft , and the popular world would look up to them with respect .

Bro . Arthur Hughes , I . P . M ., in proposing " TheW . M ., " said he had known that brother now some time , and he knew him to be a good fellow . He hoped he would carry out the W . M . ' s duties in the lodge in a way that would please the brethren , and he believed that this would be so , and that during the coming year the brethren would have a treat . The Worshipful Master , in acknowledging the brethren ' s

kindness , said he would do his best in the forthcoming year to please the brethren . As the Master he was still the servant of the lodge . He considered that the Master was the lowest servant in the lodge . As their servant and their Master he would endeavour to meet the brethren in every way . He now begged to propose "The Health of the I . P . M ., Bro . Arthur Hughes . " Bro . Hughes was now

among the rank of the P . M . 's , but he could safely say he had been as good a Master as they had in stock ; he was a jolly good fellow . Bro . A . Hughes , I . P . M ., in response , thanked the brethren for the toast and for the support they had given him during his year of office . He was pleased , and he was sure the brethren were pleased , with the little services he had rendeied to the lodge , or they would not have presented

him with the beautiful P . M . jewel he had received in the lodge . He hoped he should live long to wear it . He should prize it very much indeed . He thanked the brethren for assisting him , especially the brother who was absent that night through illness . Now he had got through the chair , he would say when he went into it he never thought he should live to see the end of his year , but he had had support on every rainy day , and had got through his work well . He hoped he should meet the brethren on

many . The W . M . proposed "The Installing Master , Bro . James Kew , P . M . " Those who had listened to Bro . Kew knew they had in him a brother as Secretary , and an Installing Master , who was the best of Masons , an old member of the lodge , and a respected one .

Bro . James Kew , P . M ., and Sec , thanked the W . M for the very flattering manner in which he had proposed his health , and the brethren for the hearty way in which they had drunk it . Since he had been a member of the Manchester Lodge , he had always endeavoured to do his duty whether as Secretary or in any other office . As to the

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

installation of the W . M ., he knew the ritual of Freemasonry , and had always paid a great deal of attention and care to render it in a proper way . If they were pleased with the way he had performed the ceremony , he was amply repaid ; to him it was a work of love . The W . M ., proposing "The Visitors , " the complete list of whom he read , said he and the lodge were pleased

to see so many . They had quantity and quality too in the visitors . Bro . Eagle , in responding , said he had met the W . M . in Masonry and out of Masonry , and , from what he knew of him , he congratulated the brethren of the lodge on the choice they had made of a W . M . Bro . Slyman , after recognising the most hospitable

reception of the visitors , congratulated the W . M . on the working of the Iodge from beginning to end , and on the installation ceremony . The lodge was most fortunate in having a brother in it who could perform the ceremony so admirably at a moment ' s notice . He was pleased with the perfection with which the W . M . invested his officers , and all this was a convincing proof that the prestige of the

old Manchester Lodge would be sustained by the W . M . and his officers . Bros . Barnett , W . J . Mulvey , and W . J . Mason also replied . Bro . Dickey said he and the W . M . had known each other several years in Masonry , and he was very proud to see Bro . Mulvey in the proud position he now occupied . He

had not accepted Bro . Mulvey's invitation till that evening , although he knew so many of the members of the Manchester Lodge that he had only to present himself to obtain admission immediately . He gloried at coming at Bro . Mulvey ' s invitation , and he was pleased to know that the W . M . had a first rate set of officers in front of him , and he was sure he would have a very prosperous year of

office . In proposing "The Health of the P . M . 's , " the W . M . regretted the absence of Bro . Dbkeson through illness ; but , though absent in body , he was present in spirit . Bro . Dickeson , if he had been able to be there , vvould have performed the installation ceremony , and the brethren all knew how well and perfectly he could do it . While drinking

that toast the brethren would hope that Bro . Dickeson would soon be with them in his usual health . Bro . H . A . Lovatt , P . M ., replied . The P . M . 's , one and all , individually and collectively , were ever ready and willing to do all they practically could for the welfare and interest of the Manchester Lodge , and of Freemasonry in general . In giving " The Masonic Charities , " the W . M . said that

Freemasons , as a rule , were generous , especially towards those who were not able to help themselves . The Manchester Lodge in particular was generous . For the last three or four years they had sent three Stewards each year , aud made a good list for each of them . That year they were going to send but one Steward , and give him a bumper list . Bro . Hopekirk had kindly consented to act as Steward for

the Old People . It was not the first time or the twentieth he had been Steward for the Charities . He had done it out of kindness for the Iodge , and he would be well supported by the officers and brethren . Bro . Hopekirk , in reply , said Charity was an old tale , but there was nobody of gentlemen upon whom that tale made so deep an impression as Masons . When he looked back

on thetimewhenhe firstbecameimemberof theManchester Lodge , and attended meeting after meeting , and saw the joyous faces of men in prosperity and of advantage , and then as time passed on and stern facts stared them in the face , and some of them were reduced to the lowest state of poverty and distress in their old age , and left to the mercy of the world , he could not but feel that . there was some

need to appeal to the kindness of brethren in Freemasonry . There was no body of men who were more staunch to Charity than Masons . It was looked up to as a sort of life-line—to teach them to feel that they should not trust in their own strength . He felt sure that the money given to the Masonic Charities was never lost to Masons , and he was confidant that they

would be generous and give out of their abundance . Of all the Institutions , the Benevolent Institution was the one that demanded all their support . He saw round the table as distinguished a number of brethren as he had ever seen in the Manchester Lodge , and if they would make the evening's enjoyment bear the morning ' s reflection , they would follow the W . M . 's advice by giving the Steward

such alist as would keep up the prestige ofthe Manchester Lodge . The Boys' and the Girls' Schools , no doubt , wanted all they could get , and he trusted they would get it , but if the brethren would give him their money on this occasion , he could assure them it would be as thankfully received as it would be faithfully applied . Bro . James Kew , P . M . and Sec , responding to the

toast of "The Treasurer and Secretary , " said that both - those officers had worked hard and well for the Manchester Lodge . The Treasurer was the father of thelodge , whom they all looked up to with reverence . For himself , as Secretary , he was quite sure the W . M . would not have re-appointed him if he had not been convinced it was for the advantage of the lodge and met with the approbation

of the brethren . While he had the honour of serving the lodge he should have much pleasure in doing all he could for the satisfaction of them all . Thetoastof" l'he Officers " and the Tyler ' s toast closed the business of the evening .

Bros . C . Eastman , Embley , R . P . Angel , Shemmonde , J . Costello , VV . J . Mason , R . Ricketts , and Messrs . Tom Smart , Rex Watney , and Bro . Cheeseman , largely contributed to a most pleasant evening ' s entertainment by some capital singing and recitations . Bros . Seary and Poynter presided at the pianoforte .

LODGE OF CONFIDENCE ( No . 193 ) . —A large number of brethren attended the installation meeting of this lodge , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Monday , the 14 th inst . Amongst the members present were Bros . Geo . P . N . Nightingale , W . M . ; Samuel Smither , S . W . ; E . J . Davey , J . VV . ; F . Silvester , I . P . M . ; B . D . Kershaw , P . M . Treas . ; J . Shackell , P . M ., Sec ; W . A . Colyer ,

S . D . ; J . H . Clare , J . D . ; J . Hart , I . G . ; W . Sainl , P . M . ; W . Wood , P . M . ; W . A . Cubitt , P . M . ; Jas . Smith , P . M . ; and Samuel Webb , P . M . Visitors : Bros . J . F . Haskins , 1364 ; Samuel Flint , 1613 ; F . Simmonds , 1471 ; G . Edwards , P . M ., W . M . 907 ; VV . Snellgrove , 907 ; W . H , Brand , P . M ., Treasurer 1524 ; j . Botibol , W . M . iSS : J . Wilson , P . M . 1155 : H . W . Humphreys ,