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The / Esculapius Lodge and Chapter , No . 2410 , have very considerately arranged to give a Smoking Concert at the Portman Rooms , Baker-street , W .. on Thursday , the 1 st prox ., in honour of those medical Freemasons who may attend the annual meeting in London of the British Medical Association . The Concert will have the patronage of the Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , Bro .

Sir J . B . Monckton , P . G . W ., the Grand Secretary , those members of the medical profession who are Grand Officers , Present and Past , of England , and a very strong array of artistes have kindly volunteered their services for the occasion .

The arrangements are in the hands of a joint Committee of lodge and chapter , of whom Bro . Thomas Dutton , M . D ., 7 , Portland-place , who will furnish any particulars that may be required , is the Hon . Secretary . Bro . Lennox Browne , P . D . G . D . C , is Chairman of the Musical Committee .

We beg to announce that , under the new rule which in cases where a Prince of the Blood is Grand Master of a Province or District , permits of the appointment of a Pro Prov ., or Pro District Grand Master , Bro . Lord Sandhurst has been appointed Pro District Grand Master of Bombay . * * * * * * * Bro . the Rev . A . T . Wirgman , D . C . L , W . M . 711 , Past Dist . G . Chaplain

South Africa ( E . D . ) , informs us of what is undoubtedly an interesting Masonic fact , namely , that Bro . the Rev . William T . Gaul , the newly-consecrated Bishop of Mashonaland , was , at the time of his consecration as Bishop , W . M . of one of our lodges at Kimberley , and he expresses it as his belief—in which we join

—that this is the only instance of a bishop being consecrated to his ofiice whilst occupying the chair of K . S . Bro . Dr . Wirgman further states that it is within his knowledge that the brethren in Buluwayo and Salisbury , who are trying to form a lodge in Mashonaland , are looking forward to the Bishop ' s help on the Board of Installed Masters .

We gladly avail ourselves of the opportunity afforded us by Ihe recei p t oi " the Canadian Craftsman for June , of congratulating our respected contemporary on the completion of its 29 th volume . The Craftsman is a well-conducted , well edited journal . Its comments on men and things Masonic arc invariably characterised by a sense of kindness and courtesy . It is its duty to regard important

questions of general Masonic policy from a Canadian point of view , but while it strenuously upholds what it conceives to be the true interests of Canadian Masonry , it never forgets either its own dignity or that of other sections of the Craft from which it may happen to differ . It is , indeed , a most excellent

publication , and we trust that in the long years before it , it will remain what it has shown itself to be in the years that have passed , the worthy and esteemed organ of one of the strongest and most influential Masonic Organisations in the world . May it go on flourishing , as it deserves to flourish , ever more and more abundantl y 1

We are afraid our worthy contemporary , to whom we have just paid our tribute of respect , has not quite seen the point we were urging in our recent article on the Anglo-Quebec question , when we asked— "What is the law of ' supreme Masonic jurisdiction' which has become so universal throughout the Masonic world as to be considered a ' landmark ' by most of the Grand Lodges :- " The

passage quoted was from the Craftsman ' s own article , and what we were anxious to learn—and what with all deference , our contemporary has failed to inform us—is this . How can " the law of ' supreme Masonic jurisdiction ' have become universal throughout the Masonic world , " when there are many Grand Lodges which had no part in formulating it , and have never , so far as our

knowledge goes , said or done anything to indicate their acceptance of it ' : Had the Craftsman described this law as universal among the North American jurisdictions , or as having been generally accepted throughout the Masonic world , we should have taken no exception to its statement . But , in our opinion , a law

cannot be " universal throughout the Masonic world" unless it has been accepted ol all the Masonic jurisdictions . Has this " law of 'supreme Masonic jurisdiction '" been so accepted , and if so , when V Perhaps the Craftsman will kir . dly favour us with particulars .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

I Wc ilo nut hull ! ourselves responsible for tin- opinions expressed by our corrci . |> nni ] rnt . s but wish , in a spirit ul lair play to all , to permit -within 1 ertain neicssary limits—lrcr CMMutsion

THE GRAND TREASURERSHIP . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sii and Brother , I fear your readers must , like myself , be perfectly sick of the everlasting discussion of the rival pretensions of London and Provincial brethren

to the office of Grand Treasurer . Of one thing there can be no doubt , that the annual election of a Grand Treasurer , with its touting and canvassing , its treating and drinking , its rivalries and jealousies , is having a most mischievous effect in tending to extinguish the true spirit of Masonry ,

If the Craft could only realise the mischief these annually recurring contests produce , they would , with one accord , abolish the office , which is now an empty one , once and for ever . Unfortunately , there are not a few who suein to miss altogether Ihe true spirit of Masonry , and appear to imagine that it exists for their own self-glorification , and to enable those fired with Masonic ambition to gratify their vanity .

They appear to thiiik that the exercise of Ihe admirable principles and precepts of the Order , the avoirj . 'ii . c : of jealousies and rivalries , and the promotion of brotherly feeling and Charily , are mailers ol very secondary importance compared with the acquisition of a right to wear an apron of a particular colour , or tu display on their bodies a blazing mass el Masonic ornaments .

If we are to have another contest for Grand I reasiircr , it is to be hoped the Craft will select some brother of eminence fur the post , without regard to whether lie is put forward as a Loudon or Provincial candidate . The attempt to separate the interests of the Provinces and Loudon is a very unworthy and mischievous one , and can only be rej ; aidi : d as an clct . tiimteiin ;; maim-uvie lor the purpose of causing dissension and catching votes . It is because I desire to see Freemasonry looked up to and respected in the future , as it has been in the past , that 1 venture to appeal , through your columns ,

Correspondence.

to the good sense and good feeling of the Craft to put an end , if possible , to what bids fair to become a Masonic scandal , by abolishing the office altogether or , if that be not practicable , by electing a brother whose social position and Masonic service best entitle him to what should be regarded as a most dignified office , without regard to the precise locality of the lodge or lodges to which he may happen to belong . —Yours fraternally , A . TRUE LOVER OF MASONRY .

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In answer to Bro . Greatbach , I beg to state that I did not misrepresent facts . I stated that Bro . Bailey lives in London ([ have never seen , him myself , but am so informed ) , and Bro . Greatbach does not prove to the contrary . Bro . Bailey having been S . G . Warden of Staffordshire , does not alter the facts , as Bros . Carrell and Cohu are Wardens of the Province of Guernsey , but would not be considered as representative provincial Masons .

1 have myself passed the chair in two provincial lodges , but as I reside in the county of London , I consider myself a London Mason . Bro . Alderman Vaughan will probably be Sheriff of the City of London next year , and it would be an additional reason for his election . —Yours fraternally ,

HENRY LOVEGROVE . Eboracum , Heme Hill , S . E .

VISITING BRETHREN . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The decision of the Grand Lodge of England upon the appeal of Bro . Harris , P . M . Prince Alfred Lodge , No . 956 , Maritzburg , Natal , is a most important one to South African Masonry . Lodges of the English Constitution in this country are very frequently obliged to deal with the question of admitting

visitors from foreign Constitutions . I cannot understand how the District Grand Master of Natal and his Board of General Purposes could possibly have decided that a brother hailing from a foreign Constitution was entitled of ri ght , without producing his certificate , to visit our lodges . The Grand Lodge decision with regard to the interpretation of Rule 150 of the Book of Constitutions was much needed , and will be received with great satisfaction in South Africa . Too much strictness cannot be exercised in guarding the landmarks and privileges of English Freemasonry . — Yours fraternally ,

A . T . WIRGMAN , D . C . L ., P . D . G . Chap . ( E . D . of South Africa ) and W . M . 711 , Port Elizabeth South Africa , July 1 st .

TESTIMONIAL TO BRO . W . LAKE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I was very pleased to read your kind and appreciative remarks respecting the proposed Testimonial to our own good friend and Brother , William Lake , Asst . G . Sec .

Will you allow me to draw attention to the fact that Subscriptions ( not to exceed one guinea each from Brethren ) will be received by the President ( Bro . Charles E . Keyser , M . A ., P . G . D ., & c ) , the Treasurer ( Bro . J . Leach Barrett , P . M ., & c , . ; , ; , Blomfield-road , IF . ) , and the Honorary Secretary ( Bro . James Stephens , P . M ., & c , " Kinds , '' Mnida-vale , W . ) , as well as by—Yours fraternall y , WILLIAM J . HUGHAN , Torquay , 30 th July . Vice-President .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Minerva Lodge , No . 250 . A large number of members of this lodge assembled at the Masonic Hall , Daggerlane , Hull , on the 24 th ult ., to take part in the annual installation ceremony . Amongst those present were Bros . J . A . Brown , VV . M . ; John E . Walker , W . M , elect ; L Todd , G . Std . Br ., Prov . G . Treas .: M . C . Peck , P . G . Std . Br ., Prov . G . Sec ; R . R . 1 lawley , P . M . ; H . Haigh , P . M . ; VV . C . Whitesides , P . M . j 1 . T . Towler , P . M . ; J . Y . Torr , P . M . ; Dr . Holder , P . M . ; L . Stephenson , P . M . ; Worshipful Masters of the Kingston , Constitutional , and Wilberforce Lodges ( Bros . R . Carson . 1 . R . Lane , and

A . Sprint ); G . Leigh , J . Wildbore , T . Heaton Haller , J . Rutter , Rev . F . H . Duggins , M . A ., S . Boyd , S . VV . elect ; A . J . Browne , J . W . elect ; and other brethren . Bro . J . E . Walker having been installed as W . M ., appointed the following brethren as his officers : Bros . J . A . Brown , I . P . M . ; Samuel Boyd , S . W . ; A . G . Browne , J . W . ; Rev . F . H . Duggins , M . A ., Chap . ; H . Haigh , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Lecfure Master and Treasurer Benevolent Fund ; M . C . PeckP . M . P . G . Std . Br . Eng .,

, , Treas . ; Dr . W . Holder , P . M , P . P . G . S . of W ., Treasurer Building Fund ; Frank Hall , Sec . ; 1 . Binmngton ; S . D . ; T . Fawley Judge , J . D . ; Frederick Costello , D . Ci John Mackaill , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Almoner ; G . F . Blackburn , J . F . Wright , J . W . Powell , G . Minns , E . H . Earle , and VV . K . Harland , Stewards ; Wallis Jenkins , F . C . S ., Org . ; William Purdon , LG . ; William Clayton , Tyler ; and Frederick Clayton , Asst . Tyler .

The annual banquet followed , and was attended by about So brethren ., The bancjuel was purveyed by Mrs . Tune , Savile-street . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , The W . M ., Bro . J . E . Walker , submitted "Our Grand Rulers , " to Iwhich Uro . Joseph Todd , Prov . G . Treas ., G . Std . Br . Eng ., responded , and said that in Grand Lodge the Province of North and East Yorkshire was well known and highly esteemed . He recognised in his recent appointment an honour conferred upon the province as well as upon himself .

Bro . M . C . Peck , Prov . Grand Secretary , proposed the toast of the evening , and in doing so said that he hoped all the Worshipful Master ' s hopes and aspirations would be fully excmplilied . The lodge was never so numerous , nor was it in ever such a prosperous condition , and never did greater unanimity exist in any lodge . Bro . Walker ' s courtesy and geniality were well known , and every member congratulated him sincerely on his attaining the position as VV . M ., and wished him health , strength , and prosperity . liro . J . h . Walker was heartily received on rising to respond , and in doing S 3 thanked eck for the

Bro . I kind and flattering terms in which he had proposed the toast , and also the brethren for the enthusiastic manner in which they had received th ' same . I lie pleasure- he felt in attaining the highest position in the lodge was to a small extent minimised by the knowledge of the great responsibilities which the ofiice involved , and a nervous feeling that he might possibly not be able to perform the duties m so worthy a manner as his predecessor , whose Masonic knowledge had been most accurate , and who was in possession of considerable eloquence—two qualities which mad *

it the more difficult lor him ( the W . M . ) to follow . However , he hoped to be able to iuliil the duties to their satisfaction . Man was but mortal , and one could not do « iore than one ' s best ; but he assured them , from the bottom of his heart , that he neve ' undertook a duty m his life in whicli he meant to succeed than he did that as the Mast " of the Minerva Ludge . He had the satisfaction of knowing that the good ship Mme / va was manned by a set of oliicers second to none , who would assist him , as skipper , rig !" loyally in piloting her on a successful year ' s voyage . He believed he was correct 1 "

saying that he was Ihe youngest Master , without exception , who had ever had " ' hum un-of presiding over the fortunes of that lodge , and they might rely upon his ff elloits bi-irig put forward for the good and welfare , peace and prosperity of the good "' , . Minerva , which had given him his Masonic birth , and so soon raised him to the high ' ' position in the lodge . Other toasts followed , Ihe gathering being a most enjoyable one . Bro . Frederick Costello pciloiincd the duties of Director of Ceremonies to the entire satisfaction ol « " brethren .