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SATURDAY , MAY 26 , 1883 .

©Rightal Correspondence.

© rightal Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by ourcorfespondents , but wcwish in aspirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . 1

UNEARNED INCREMENT . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I gather from the Freemason that the Boys' School have doubled the number of votes usually given for donations . A few years since , I gave 50 guineas , whicli entitled

me to 10 votes ; had 1 kept back my donation until now I should have received 30 votes . If the purchasing power of 50 guineas has doubled , surely the Institution might give mc the benefit of it , at least , if there is anything in Mr . Mill ' s principle of " unearned increment . " But what a question this opens up . Imagine the effect

if the other Institutions commenced underselling the Boys ' School ; in time we may be able to purchase votes at halfa-crown , or even a shilling , each , and then what would become of our vaunted " noble" Charities . '—Your fraternally , VICE-PRESIDENT . May 2 ist .

THE RECENT ELECTIONS . Dear Bro . Kenning , — Permit me to thank in your pages many kind friends of mine who gave their votes for the last elections . Mrs . Greig , thanks to her friends , was successful , but poor Inwood ' s friends did not support him as was expected .

I was very nearly successful in securing his election , and he received £ 6 ios . as the first unsuccessful candidate . Has any brother any votes for the London Orphan or Haverstock Hill Working School ? Some friends of mine want these votes . —Fraternally yours , A . F . A . WOODFORD . 25 A , Norfolk-crescent , Hyde Park , VV .

THE FIRE AT FREEMASONS' HALL . To the Editor of thc "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Some of your contemporaries have more than once . stated that the architect of the fine block of buildings fronting Great Queen-street , was not a Mason . Now , it is well known that Bro . F . P . Cockerill was a member , and , I

think , a Past Master , of the Westminster and Keystone Lodge at tbe time of his deatb ; and , as be was appointed Grand Superintendent of Works in 1 S 63 , I think that we may fairly assume that he was initiated some years before . . Everything points to Bro . J . _ Gibson , Past Grand Superintendent of Works , as the best architect for the restoration ; he is the most accomplished classic architect of the day . — Yours fraternally , ARCHITECT .

A MIS-NOMER . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Poor Edward Royce is not a Freemason . I often sec you dub Lord Rosebery , Lord Derby , and other public characters Freemasons ; but they arc not . —Fraternally yours , CORRECT . [ Sorry for tbe mistake . A little excess of compositorial zeal . We note what the ' * Correct Card " says . —Eu . F . M . J

A CORRECTION . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Recalling the very pleasant acquaintances we formed when we met in London last summer , I would call attention to a paragraph in the Freemason

of April 21 st , which says , in speaking of the projected visit of the Apollo Commandery to Europe : " Apollo Commandery is the largest Masonic body in the world , numbering between 600 and 700 . " If this had said * ' the largest body of Knight Templars in the world" it might have been correct ; but it is far from being true as regards other Masonic bodies . For example , Ohio

Consistory of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Cincinnati has upon its roll at present nearly 1400 members , nearly double the number of Apolonians . Warmly remembering the cordial greeting which myself and son received from you , and tendering all fraternal greetings , —I am , truly yours , THOS . J . MELISIi . Cincinnati , Ohio , May 4 th , 1 SS 3 .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

181 ] LEWIS . I have just referred to the "Masonic Magazine" for August 18 S 1 . Page 50 gives us a copy of a miniature in Matthew Paris' "Life of King Offa" showing masons at work . The stone which is being hoisted by means of a windlass , is secured to the rope by a species of sling and a hook . We may therefore infer that the " Lewis " was at that time unknown ; and in our researches after the origin of this word need not go back further than the time of

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Matthew Paris . The probability therefore increases that the word came to us through the Norman French and is not indigenous . What is the exact date of Paris ' s writings ? I have forgotten , and my books of reference are not at hand . G . WM . SPETH .

1 S 2 ] MASONIC AND HERMETIC COLLECTIONS . Would it not be a good thing and helpful to Masonic Students if brethren who have Masonic and Hermetic collections of books would publish their catalogues in Notes and Queries . In this way many of us could contribute

" notes , " and those who wish to study Freemasonry really and truly would be able to collate , compare , and collect better than they are able to do now . There are some valuable libraries belonging to individual brethren unknown to the majority of students and collectors . BOOKWORM .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft j-Easoi . ro . LODGE OF FRIENDSHIP ( No . 206 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 10 th inst ., at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street , E . C . Present : Bros . C . St . BarbeWilliams , VV . M . ; Charles T . Scrivener , S . W . ; John L . Anderson , J . VV . j Samuel Gammon , P . M ., Treasurer ; A . R . Rumsey , P . M ., Secretary ; H . M . Collier , P . M . ; E . B . Barnard , P . M . ; VV . Rumsey , P . M . ; E . Squirrel ) , P . M . ; J . Jewitt Stephens ,

P . M . ; and several other brethren . Visitors : Bros . Henry Gorme , 1293 ; R . A . Morgan , 1671 ; B . Richman , S . VV . 975 ; J . W . Benninglield , I . G . 15 S 9 ; Arch . H . Arber , 159 S ; Robert C . Sindall , 1293 ; R . Barclay Brown , 151 ; and VV . M . Robinson , 55 . The lodge was opened in due form and the minutes of the last meeting confirmed . Arrangements were made for the summer banquet , which will take place the second

Thursday in July . Bro . Gammon , P . M , informed the brethren that it was bis intention to represent the lodge at the forthcoming festival for the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , lt was resolved that ten guineas should be added to his list from the lodge funds , and in addition the brethren present made up a further sum of ten guineas . The lodge was then closed and the brethren adjourned to banquet , where the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

NOTTINGHAM . —Newstead Lodge ( No . 47 ) . —This prosperous and time honoured lodge which is always to the front in every good cause , held an emergency lodge on Wednesday , the iOth inst ., at the Masonic Hall , for the purpose of enabling thc Masonicbrethren attending the Annual Movable Committee of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows who during the week were meeting in the good old town of Nottingham for the transaction of their

annual business , to attend a lodge under their banner . The Mayor and corporation and leading citizens had given them a hearty welcome , and at their annual anniversary banquet the previous evening the Pro Grand Master , Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon , honoured them by taking the chair . In response to the invitation sent out upwards of 30 visiting brethren were in attendance viz .: Bros . Curtis ,

P . G . S . Bi Sussex ; Alderman Cox , J . P . ; Alderman Schofield , T . Walton , Bennett , D . P . G . M . ; Flanagan , Cox , S . G . Johnson , J . Young , P . G . D . C . ; Holmes . Grimes , Jordan , Diprose , Vincent , Nichols , Wareing , Walker , Masters , Wollstein , Hind , Carnkin , Hickton , Smith , Church , and others . The lodge was opened at 5 . 45 by the VV . M . Bro . George Chapman , assisted by his oilicers as follows : Bros . | .

Toplie , I . P . M ., P . G . Std . B . ; E . C . Patchitt , S . VV . ; II . Vickers , J . W . ; J . Black , P . M ., D . of C ; G . Baxter , S . D . ; H . E . Wilson , J . 13 . ; and E . L . Gowthorpe , l . G . The business before the lodge was to pass Bros . Newlove , Cox , and VVhite to the Second Degree . This was done b y the VV . M . in his usual able manner . The Lecture on the tracing board being delivered in such a way as to richly gain the approbation of all present .

The lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the supper room , which was served in asatisfactory manner by the stewardess ( Mrs . Simpson . ) After the cloth was drawn the VV . M . rose to propose the first toast " The Queen and the Craft ; " followed b y "TheGrand Master and the Officers of Grand Lodge ; " "The Prov . Grand Master His Grace the Duke of St . Albans , and the Ofiicers of the Prov . Grand Lodge , " all of which were cordially received in the usual Masonic

manner . Bro . T . Robinson , P . P . G . S . W ., responding to the latter . The Worshipful Master rose to propose " The Health of the Visitors , " and in doing so said it gave him and all the brethren of the Newstead Lodge much pleasure to have the opportunity of receiving so distinguished a number of guests as hc saw around the table that evening . Although

the objects which had brought them to the town were not connected or identified with Masonry they were in effect somewhat similar , the grand principles of brotherly love and fraternity being thc foundation of both . In welcoming the brethren that night he felt sure that the visit would not only be thoroughly appreciated by the brethren of the Newstead Lodge , but be regarded as a Masonic greeting ; coupling the names of Bros . Carter and Johnson with the

toast . Bro . James Curtis , P . M ., Brighton , said he was impressed with the kindness of the manner in which they had been received by the Worshipful Master of the Newstead Lodge , and he must say with regard to himself that nothing had given him greater pleasure than the feeling and knowledge that they were presided over by a true and thorough

Mason . _ I hey were proud indeed of this recognition of one society by another , and of this recognition of the brethren who were visiting this good old town in another capacity ; they sincerely trusted that this identification and interest would go on from year to year , and would bind in indissoluble bonds the fraternities which by the favour of the Newstead Lodge had bcen brought together under the Masonic banner that evening .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Bro . John Diprose , P . M ., had great pleasure in responding to the toast of " The Visitors , " he also had been impressed with the very effective way in which the ritual had been performed . It had been a highly successful meeting , ancl he very deeply thanked the VV . M . and the Newstead Lodge for thc handsome way in wliich he and his numerous visiting friends had been entertained .

Bro . S . G . Johnson said he thanked the brethren for the invitation extended to him in connection with the other visitors . He had witnessed the interesting ceremonial with much satisfaction and pleasure . It was the first time that hc had visited the Newstead Lodjjc , but he should certainly avail himself of future opportunities to associate with the brethren of that lodge , to which he hoped there would be

great and long continued success . Bro . T . Walton , S . W . 17 S 0 , in proposing "The Health of the VV . M . " expressed the great pleasure it gave him and thc other brethren in visiting the Newstead Lodge . They had been greatly impressed with the manner in wliich the VV . M . and his ofiicers had performed the ceremonies , differing as they did somewhat in minor details to that

which obtained in his Province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , it showed the great value of the interchange of visits between different lodges , tending as it did to draw them closer together and to make them more perfect in the ritual of the Order . The W . M . had performed tlje ceremony of passing in an admirable manner and he had no doubt the impressive words the candidates had

heard would not easily be effaced from their * memories . Referring to the charitable work of the Order * he said it must be cause of great congratulation to the brethren to know the large amount of good that was being done by the three great charitable institutions in London , and also by local institutions ; but although they were proud of what had been done in this direction in the past and what

they were now doing , he thought that their good work should be more widely extended . Speaking personally , he said he felt much pride in stating that during the previous week the P . G . iVJ . of his own province , Bro . VV . VV . B . Beach , M . P ., had presided at theannual festival for the Girls'Schobl , where he had been handsomely supported by the lodges in his province . Speaking as the principal officer of another

society holding their annual meeting in Nottingham , he felt it a grear honour to have received the invitation to attend the Newstead Lodge , and to receive so hearty a welcome from the brethren . He sincerely hoped that the future of the Order would be more brilliant , if possible , than the past , and that the principles upon which the Order was founded would be more extensively recognised . He begged

to propose "Ihe Health of the VV . M . of the Newstead Lodge . " The Worshipful Master in responding said he felt grateful to Bto . Walton for proposing his health and that of his officers , and to the brethren generally for the flattering manner in which it had been received . Each of the speakers had been pleased to refer to the efficiency of the

Newstead Lodge in the working , and when such was thc case , especially to such an extent as to draw forth the commendation of such brethren , it must be exceedingly gratifying to any Master . But whatever might be said in praise of the Newstead Lodge , it must be remembered that it was not due only to himself and the present officers . For a long time past it had been their good fortune to have not only a

VV . M . who was thoroughly efficient , but a complement of ofiicers who were able and willing to keep up the prestige and reputation of the lodge . As they found the lodge so they had endeavoured to sustain it , and so they hoped they might be able to hand down theiroffices to their successors . During the intervals the brethren were entertained by some excellent instrumental pieces by Bros . VVatsdh and Houseley , and songs by various brethren .

LANCASTER . —Lodge of Fortitude ( No . 281 ) . — 'The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on the 9 th inst . in the Masonic Room , Athen . eum . Bro . B . Gregson , the VV . M ., occupied the chair of K . S ., supported by his respective ofiicers . The lodge having been opened in due

form and the minutes read and approved , Bro . Greenhough was passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft by the VV . M ., the working tools being given by Bro . Bayley , S . W . Other business having been transacted thc usual proclamations vv-evc made , and tbe lodge was closed in peace , love , and harmony .

MANCHESTER . —Lodge of Affability ( No . 317 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper-street , on Thursday , the 3 rd inst . Present : Bros . James Wilson , VV . M . ; VV . H . Cunliffe , S . W . ; J . W . Edwards , J . VV . ; Wm . Nicholl , P . M ., Treas . ; James Dawson , P . M ., Reg . ; J . Smith , Sec ; G . C . Fiihling , Org . ; J . Garside , I . G . ; W . B . Akeman and Walter Wood , Stewards ; 1 . Sly , Tyler

J . R . Lever , P . M . ; John Bladon , P . M ., P . P . G . A . D . C . ; Henry Walmsley , P . M . ; E . Smith , Robt . Tomlins , John Church , R . R . Lisenden , S . D . ( Freemason ); and others . Visitors : Bros . J . R . Blair , 13 S 7 ; H . Smith , 1357 ; Oscar Reuss , 1357 ; J . Heugh , 1514 ; F . Davidson , J . D . 633 ; G . C . Williams , P . M . 152 ; and M . Owen , 163 . The lodge having been opened and the minutes of thc

previous meeting read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Mr . Wm . Hugh Kerr , who was declared duly elected . By request of thc W . M ., Bro . J . R . Lever , P . M ., took the chair of K . S . ( Bro . R . R . Lisenden acting as J . D . ) , and initiated Mr . Kerr into Freemasonry . The VV . M . having then vacated his position in favour of Bro . John Bladon ,

P . M ., P . P . G . A . D . C , that worthy brother raised Bro . Pearson to the Sublime Degree of a M . M . with his customary ability . At the conclusion of the ceremony and at the proper time Bro . Wm . Nicoll , P . M . ' s , motion that the lodge adjourn its meetings during the months of August and September was seconded and , after some discussion ,

carried . Thc lodge was then closed in peace and harmony , and the brethren afterwards sat down to supper , which , when concluded , the usual preliminary toasts were honoured , and the healths of the newly-initiated and raised brethren proposed and responded to .

DARWEN . —Harmony and Industry Lodge ( No . 3 S 1 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held in the beautiful rooms in Bank-buildings , and was well attended , visiting brethren from Blackburn , Liverpool , Manchester , Bacup , & c , being present . Bro . W . G . Thackray , VV . M ., presided , supported by Bros . Lloyd , S . VV . ; Millward , J . VV . ; and thc other officers . After the lodge had bcen opened Bro . John McAdamwas initiated in