Original Correspondence.

guineas , the extra three guineas thus realised to be equally divided between our three great Masonic Institutions . By this arrangement , Charity would be the gainer , and the moral value of the jewel would be greatly enhanced .

It would also be proper if the Masters and Wardens had the emblems of their office added to the jewel in some way or other . Trusting some enlightened brother will improve on this , the suggestion of a very humble member of the Craft , — I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , MASTER MASON . Brixton , February ioth .

BRO . T . W . FLEMING , P . P . G . M . ISLE OF WIGHT . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In your obituary notice of our late Bro . Hyde Pullen , you intimate that the last Provincial Grand Master of the Isle of Wight , is no more . I am glad to inform you that Bro . Thomas Willis Fleming lives on the continent . Yours fraternally , J . E . LE FEUVRE . Southampton , February 23 rd .

Lecture On Freemasonry.

LECTURE ON FREEMASONRY .

On Wednesday evening , the 16 th inst ., at the ordinary monthly meeting of the Lodge of Unanimity and Sincerity , No . 264 , Taunton , Bro . A . Stevens , W . M ., in the chair , a visit was received from the distinguished Bro . W . J . Hughan , of Torquay , P . G . D . of England and P . G . W . of Egypt , & C-, the well-known Masonic historian , who

received a most hearty and fraternal welcome . After lodge business had been transacted , Bro . HuGHAN , at the request of the assembled brethren , delivered a short lecture on the early history of Freemasonry , showing its continuity from the 14 th Century , his remarks being based on facts which can be examined by non-Masons , and proving not only the honourable character , but the antiquity

of the Fraternity . Bro . Hughan commenced with the 14 th century because that is the period of the oldest manuscript that was written , which contains a recital of the ancient charges . This is now preserved in the British Museum . Many of the old records of the Craft were referred to , particularly those in Scotland , where there are lodges with minutes dating from the 16 th century to the present time .

At the conclusion of the address , Bro . HUGHAN said he would be pleased to answer any questions put by the members , and he was well plied with numerous queries , which he answered readily and to the evident satisfaction of all present . A vote of thanks was proposed in lodge to Bro . Hughan , which was carried with acclamation , and ordered to be

entered in the minutes of the evening . In acknowledging the compliment , Bro . HuGHAN referred to the approaching centenary of the lodge , the warrant having been granted by Thomas Dunckerley , the Provincial Grand Master of Somersetshire , in 17 SS . He also mentioned the interesting fact that Somerset had the honour of having obtained the first country warrant issued

by the Grand Lodge of England , namely , at Bath , in the year 1724 . Afterwards , Bro . Hughan joined the brethren at supper in the adjoining room , when his health was cordially drunk at the instance of the I . P . M ., Bro . T . G . Williams , and the hope was expressed that Bro . Hughan would find it convenient to repeat his visit . —Somerset Gazette .

Cardiff Jubilee Masonic Ball.

CARDIFF JUBILEE MASONIC BALL .

In the assembly room of the Park Hall , Cardiff , on Monday night , the 14 th inst ., the Freemasons of the district held a grand ball in celebration of the Queen ' s Jubilee , and also in aid of the Masonic Educational Institution and the Eastern Division of South Wales . The affair was most successful , and it is hoped a similar ball will in future be

held annually . The spacious hall had been very tastefully and effectively prepared for the occasion . The sides of the room beneath the balconies had been laid with crimson carpet , while overhead were pretty striped curtains and Japanese lanterns , while the windows were adorned with curtains of white muslin and shrubs of various kinds . There were suitable cloak rooms and retiring rooms , the

latter being well furnished . The presence of some beautiful shrubs and exotics lent a cool and pleasant aspect to the orchestra , which was occupied by the string band of her Majesty Royal Marine Artillery , which ( under the direction of Bro . J . Winterbothom ) supplied the music . The brethren present were all in full regalia , and the-variety and colour in guests and decorations made the scene a brilliant

one . The balcony was thrown open to visitors , and a good many availed themselves of this coign of vantage to witness the mazy dance below . Bro . Shackell , P . P . G . Director of Ceremonies , and Bro . Peace , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., were the Directors of the Ceremonies . The company present numbered about 2 S 0 . Dancing began shortly after nine o'clock , and was kept

up with spirit until past two o ' clock the next morning . At 12 o'clock supper was served in the Lesser Hall . Much praise is due to Bro . Munday ( of Cardiff ) , the Committee , and Bro . T . Matthews , the honorary Secretary , for the excellence of the arrangements , and the way in which they were carried out . It should be added that the decorations of the hall were done by Messrs . Howell and Co .

On Thursday , the ioth inst ., Bro . J . W . Boughton , the enterprising and popular proprietor of the Theatie Royal , Portsmouth , was unanimously elected W . M . of the Portsmouth Lodge . Bro . Boughton has for several years taken an active interest in the affairs of the lodge and in Masonry in general , and his election to the chair will give great satisfaction to a large number of friends .

HOLLOWAY ' PILLS . —Invalids distracted by indigestion and discouraged in their search for its remedy should make trial of this never failing medicine . A lady , long a martyr to dyspeptic tortures , writes that Holloway ' s Pills make her feel as if a burden had been taken off her . Her spirits , formerly low , have greatly improved ; -her capricious appetite has given' place to healthy

hunger- her dull , sick headache has departed , and gradually so marvellous a change has been effected , that she is altogether a new creature , and again lit for her duties . These Pills may be administered with safety to the most delicate . They , never act harshly , nor do they ever induce weakness ; they rightly direct deranged , and control excessive action . —IADVI , ]

Masonic Notes And Queries:

Masonic Notes and Queries :

713 ] CURIOUS MINUTE , A . D . 175 S , OF No . 1 , EDINBURGH . "Edinburgh , 20 Dec , 175 S . —The Lodge being opened by the R . W . M ., and Brothers William Milne and David Ramsay having given proof of their qualifications as Entered Apprentices and Fellows of Craft , were passed and raised operative Masters , and paid the Treasurer £ 2 each

for the use of the Lodge , and Brothers John Wilson and Alexander Adams at the same time passed Fellow Crafts , and were raised Masters . " Can any one enlighten me as to the meaning of the distinction drawn between the two classes of Masters ? Was the ceremony of an operative Master different to that of the ordinary Master ? If not , why the distinction ? CHISHOLM .

714 ] CORRESPONDENCE CIRCLE . Bro . Hughan well says "its utility will be to a great extent determined by the Craft . " Let me make this clear . As nearly as 1 can calculate the cost of printing one year ' s transactions may be put at £ 30 . Therefore 60 members at half-a-guinea each will just about cover expenses but will enable nothing further to be done . Another 40 members

will give us £ 20 to work with . Say that a volume of interesting and valuable reprints costs £ 50 to bring out , that will leave only £ 30 to be recouped trum the sale of the work , charging the correspondence members of course less per copy than the outside public . Every additional member beyond the first 100 will be a distinct gain to Masonic literature and research . I may mention that the 100 is not

attained , but it is still early to judge how our efforts will be received by the Craft , and I am in receipt of fresh enquiries daily , whilst the list of members is gradually creeping on . If every brother who has already sent in his name will but induce one or two friends to go and do likewise we shall soon see our utmost wishes realised . One great feature is the wide expanse of 1 his small globe already covered by our members : this will enable us to prosecute our

researches in many directions at once . The hies of the provincial papers lor the first half of last century have yet to be diligently searched for Masonic items . Here we have work where our provincial brethren may render great assistance . You will , perhaps , allow me to call attention to our advertisement in your columns this week , stating that the paper for discussion at the lodge , on the 30 th March , will be by the W . M ., Sir Charles Warren , C . G . M . G . Visitors will be heartily welcomed . G . W . SPETH , Sec . 2076 . Margate .

Reviews

REVIEWS

MASONIC CALENDAR OF LODGES , COUNCILS , & c , MEETING AT SA , RED LION SQUARE . LONDON , 1 SS 7 . We are glad to greet another issue of this very useful publication , and are pleased to find that the same excellent features which distinguished the edition for 1 SS 6 , are

continued in the one now before us . The calendar portion appears to us to be absolutely correct , and must therefore prove an unfailing guide to all the regular meetings of the various bodies which make use of the Mark Masonic Hall . These are not a few , for there ] are four Craft and fifteen Mark Lodges , besides a R , A . I , chapter , and many councils which assemble at this well known rendezvous of zealous

Craftsmen . The neat little pamphlet contains several interesting particulars respecting- the lodges , chapters , & c . ( to which purpose it is really devoted ) , and besides all this , a full list of the mark lodges , in , and near London , together with the names of their chief officers , names of Past Masters , & c , are duly recorded . The editorial labour could not have been slight to produce such a work ; and though no name is mentioned , we presume we shall not err

in ascribing it to our indefatigable Bro . C . r . Matier , who takes delight in all such handy and trustworthy sources of information , cheerfully doing his part as one of the editors of English Masonic Calendars , of whom there are now a considerable number enrolled in that honourable capacity . The Directory is published by authority of the " General Board" ( Mark , ) and , was printed at the "Freemason Printing Works . "

CALENDAR OF MASONIC MEETINGS IN EAST LANCASHIRE FOR 1887 . We presume this very useful , unpretentious , but invaluable publication , is the oldest of the kind extant , for it is in the 37 th year of issue ! The present editor is the genial and indefatigable Brother John Chadwick , Prov . G . Sec , who has introduced some new features in this new

edition , which add considerably to the usefulness of 1 he vade mecum for East Lancashire Freemasons . The province is the largest in England , numbering as it does cj 5 lodges , and several thousands of members . There are many Grand Masters who think it a great honour to preside over Grand Lodges , much smaller than this divison of Lancashire , over which Colonel Starkie rules so well , and

whose Secretary is the editor of the Calendar now being reviewed . The towns , places of meeting , names , times of assembly , and days of meeting are all given of these Q 6 lodges , the arrangement being of the easiest form for reference , the towns being in alphabetical order . Similar information is given for the Royal Arch Chapters of which there are 38 , for the Mark Lodges of which there are 27

for the K . T . Preceptories of which there are 20 , and for the Rose Croix Chapters of which there are 5 . The officers of these several provincial bodies are duly inserted , Col . Starkie being the chief for the Craft and Arch , the Earl of Lathom for the Mark , Bro . R . N . Beswicke-Royds , K . T ., and Bro . E . Ashworth for the Royal Order . We should like to see a list of all the subscribers to the Masonic Charities , and the names of the Masters and Wardens of

Reviews

the lodges , & c , & c , added , but must not say so , or Bro . Chadwick might ask us of what use would such a necessarily ponderous volume be for handy reference and to carry in the waistcoat pocket . ' There is one thing we are pleased to see in it , and that is the towns selected for thc annual meetings in 18 S 7 , as well as the dates thereof . This is an excellent plan . Manchester is to have thc

Prov . Grand Lodge on nth May ; Rochdale the Prov . Grand Chapter on the 30 th March , and the K . T . is also to be held in that town in April . The " Masonic Notes " at the end are most useful additions , and we hope will be carefully read by all whom they may concern . We understand a similar publication is issued for West Lancashire , and also tor West Yorkshire . If so , we should be glad to receive copies of such publications .

DEBRETT'S PEERAGE , BARONETAGE , KNIGHTAGE , AND COMPANIONAGE , 1 SS 7 . The 174 th year of publication . Edited by ROBERT H . MOIR , LL . D ., London : Dean and Son , Publishers , 1 O 0 A , Fleet-st ., E . C . We cannot say more of this most valuable work of reference than that , with each successive year of publication , it

becomes a more complete and authentic record of all the titled and otherwise distinguished members of the body politic in the United Kingdom . I'he majority of those whose pedigrees and personal services are described in these pages interest themselves personally in the information furnished of them , supplying particulars that have been overlooked , and correcting , where necessary , the statements that have been made . On the other hand , thc

Editor and his staff of assistants are careful to see that all corrections are made , and all omissions made good , while no pains are spared in order to ensure that the work is carried up to the latest possible date , so as to include the newest and most recent creations and chivalric distinctions . In short , the new issue of Debrett's Peerage , & c , maintains , and has even enlarged the high character it has held for so many years .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

draft faasonrtj * GRAND MASTERS' LODGE ( No . 1 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Freemasons' Tavern on Monday , the 21 st inst ., when there were present Bros . J . W . Fuller , P . G . S ., W . M . ; J . Holah , P . G . S ., S . W . ; G . Ruttcliffe Steel , P . G . S ., J . W . ; Dr . Ralph Gooding , P . G . D ., Treasurer ; Charles Belton , P . P . G . D . Surrey , Secretary ; I . Gordon Brown , S . D . ; Ios .

^ Langton , I . G . ; J . S Dimsdale , Stwd . ; Past Masters Bros . J . M . Case , P . G . D . ; R . M . Bishop , P . G . S . ; B . Brown , P . G . S . ; VV . A . Colls , P . G . S . ; F . Bennock , P . G . S . ; G . Martin , P . G . S . ; E . N . Chambers , P . G . S . ; W . H . Wilkinson , P . G . S . ; G . N . Johnson , P . G . S . ; and Bros . R . Creed , Richard Eve , P . P . G . W . Hampshire ; J . Eyssen , E . M . Morriss , T . P . Griffin , H . Pfungst , J . U .

Langton , Prov . G . W . Surrey ; J . H . Fitch , A . Youle , and W . Lewis Baker . The visitors were Bros . D . G . Macleod , P . D . D . G . M . Burmah ; A . M . Broadley , P . D . D . G . M . Malta ; C . F . Matier , P . G . W . Greece ; Alfred Bacon , W . M . 122 S ; J . M . Collins , P . M . 1 S 61 ; Edward Terry , P . G . S . ; D . W . Pearce , P . P . G . W . Middx . ; Geo . Low , P . M . 3 ; and T . W . Price , S . D . 1910 .

Ihe minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . On a ballot being taken for the election of a Grand Steward for the ensuing year , Bro . Dr . Gordon Brown , P . M ., S . D ., was unanimously elected . The circular from the M . W . the Pro Grand Master , relative to the proposed Imperial Institute was then read and considered , and on the proposition of the W . M ., seconded by Bro . J . M .

Case , P . M ., P . G . D ., it was unanimously approved . There being no other business , the brethren adjourned to the banqueting room , and after the usual formal toasts , The Worshiptul Master proposed " The Health of the Visitors , " coupling with it the names of Bros . A . M . Broadley , P . D . D . G . M . Malta , and D . G . McLeod , P . D . D . G . M . Burmah .

Bro . A . M . Broadley , P . D . D . G . M . of Malta , Sec . 2127 , said , in reply : Brethren , —In responding once again to the toast of the visitors , in the Grand Masters' Lodge , I must say I feel no longer a stranger amongst you . This is , I believe , the sixth occasion on which it has been my privilege to visit you , and on no less than three times out of thc six I have been here as a guest of my good friend , Bro .

R . Eve . Just four years have passed away since 1 went out , as you all know , on a very difficult and arduous business to Egypt , and the first person whom I met over there was our good Bro . Eve , and 1 must confess now , as 1 have confessed scores of times , that it was the recollections of our old friendship in Great Queen-street which materially assisted us in arriving -at that unity of opinion , and that mutual

good fellowship -yhich was so necessary to success . In a lodge so distinguished as yours the addition of one Grand Officer to your list cannot , I imagine , be an affair of serious moment ; but 1 do feel this—that you of the Grand Masters' Lodge must take a considerable interest in the candidature of our Bro . Eve for thc high elective office of Grand Treasurer . I feel sure that you will , one and all of youdo

, your utmost to insure his triumph on Wednesday week , and it is naturally to such men as thc members of thc Grand Masters' Lodge that Bro . Eve must look at this juncture for assistance and support . Since I have been with you this evening , I have heard , to my great amazement , that aspersions of an unworthy and most un-Masom ' c character have been levelled broadcastwith a view to

, prejudice the brethren in the exercise of their lawful suffrages . It has been said , I learn with deep regret , that Bro . Eve is an Atheist and Socialist . Surely , brethren , it behoves you , as members of the Grand Masters' Lodge , to which our brother belcngs , to give the lie to such base calumnies . The manner in which you receive my remarks leads to

me believe that I was not wrong in my surmise , and that your applause may be fairly considered as a token of the repudiatior which 1 sought at your hands . Bro . Richard Eve , far rrom being a Socialist or an Atheist , is a true-hearted , free-handed brother , whose Masonic record has hardly an equal , and I have little doubt that if the 600 members of his Committee , including as it does the Prov .