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 limitsfree discussion .

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . To the Editor of the '' Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Will you kindly insert the following gratifying letter received from Bro . Whatcoat in the hope that it may inspire some other brethren to follow so excellent an example . —Yours fraternally ,

JAMES TERRY , , Secretary . 4 , Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C . 26 th April .

[ COPY . ] Poole , Dorset . 18 th April , 1900 . My dear Bro . Terry , Do me the favour of accepting the enclosed cheque £ 210 as a further donation to the funds of your Institution , with which I have the honour of

connection in the double capacity of Trustee and Member of the House Committee . This I give as a thank offering for the providential escape of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the M . W . Grand Master , and in the hope that it may help to alleviate the haul lot of those 60 poor souls who have no chance at the approaching election .

I am , Dear Bro . Terry , Yours faithfully and fraternally , J . H . WHADCOAT . James Terry , Esq ., Sec . R . M . B . Inst .

MASONIC SCHOLARSHIP RECOGNISED IN THE REPUBLIC OF LETTERS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Last year attention was directed in your columns to the spectacle—

alas ! the unwonted spectacle—of the work of a Masonic student receiving well-weighed commendation from the most competent tribunal that England can produce in the department of Philology . The independent investigations of Bro . G . W . Speth , F . R . Hist . S ., into the original force of the word Free in the compound Freemason have won for themselves a permanent place in the great Oxford English Dictionary , the glory of the Clarendon Press .

For the second time , a similar triumph has been achieved by the same Masonic student . That eminent writer , Mr . Grant Allen , B . A ., whose untimely decease has so recently been equally deplored by Literature and Science , had occasion , in the course of his exhaustive Enquiry into the Origins of Religions , to invest the curious and almost world-wide custom of immuring living victims in

thc walls of cities and public edifices . It is to be presumed that all reading Freemasons know that this subject is one which Bro . G . W . Speth has made peculiarly his own . And it will surely be a source of unalloyed gratification to them to find Bro . G . W . Speth's work appreciated by so competent and unbiassed an authority as the late Grant Allen .

Here are Mr . Grant Allen ' s own words at the close of his elaborate review of the origin and survivals of the custom : But since this chapter wns written , all other treatises on tlie subject have been superseded by Mr . Speth ' s exhaustive and scholarly pamphlet on " Builder's Kites and Ceremonies , " a few examples from which 1 have intercalated in my argument . { TheEvolution of thc Idea if God : an Inquiry into the Origins of Religions : by Grant Allen , London . Chapter xii , p . 254 ) .

Nor is this the only passage in which Mr . Grant Allen bears testimony to the value of Bro . G . W . Speth ' s labours in a field which belongs , as he himself says , " no less to the Psychologist and the Sociologist than to the historical student . " Later on in his book , when summing up thc methods of such sacrifices as spring from primitive animism , Mr . Grant Allen singles out by name ( p . 271 ) Dr . Tylor and Mr . Speth as the authorities on foundation sacrifices . To be thus bracketed with a scholar who has claims to bc regarded as the foremost living exponent of Anthropology is praise indeed .

We must all feel a glow of conscious pride that thc labours of thc Secretary of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge have again made their mark in the world of scholarship . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally ,

W . J . CHETWODE CRAWLEY . Trinity College , Dublin , April 12 th .

RECEIPTS FOR FEES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Will some of your readers kindly tell me what is the custom in thc Cfaft among Treasurers as to affixing the Inland Revenue stamps , value one penny , in giving receipts to brethren and to candidates for Freemasonry when the amount is over £ 2 ' : Thanking them arid you in anticipation , —Yours fraternally , PYRO , ( newly-elected Treasurer ) .

THE GRAND LODGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Your valued correspondent , Wor . Bro . W , F . Lamonby , was evidently not conversant with recent Masonic history of Western Australia when he penned his remarks , which appeared in your issue of February 24 th . Had he been so he would not have urged the claims of our Scottish brethren with such fervour .

That we brethren of the Grand Lodge of Western Australia desired a United Grand Lodge for the Province goes without saying . In furtherance of that enda United Grand Lodge—brethren of lhe sister Constitutions were , in the circular which was issued by the District Board of General Purposes on the 15 th December , ign ? respectfully invited to co-operate in the establishment of a

Sovenign Grand Ledge . To that invitation there was , 1 regret to say , no general response on the part of the rulers of the S . C . in the colony , though their R . W . D . G . M . on many occasions slated that he personally was in entire accord with the movement . The hope waf , however , entertained that our Scottish brethren would unite with us and tt . e final steps in erecting the Grand Lodge of Western Australia were not taken until the nth October of last year .

Correspondence.

It is not necessary to comment upon the reasons which have been advanced by the District Grand Lodge , S . C , for holding aloof from this movement which has the best interests of our beloved Craft at heart . Suffice it to say that the influences which stayed them were no doubt local , for we can hardly believe that the Grand Lodge of Scotland would have withheld its sanction to our brethren to unite with us .

In conclusion , Bro . Sir Gerard Smith , M . W . G . Master of Western Australia , voiced the feelings of his brethren when he said : — " That we must deeply regret not having been able to be united with the District Grand Lodge of Scotland and the lodges holding under the Grand Lodge of Ireland , in this territory , in the movement of forming the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Western Australia ; unfortunately our esteemed and loving brethren of the sister Constitutions were

precluded by their loyalty to their own laws and regulations from joining hands with us But he could assure the brethren present that thev had the best wishes of the R . W . D . G . M . of the S . C , Bro . G . E . Rowe , for the success of the important advance they were about to make . He would be visiting Great Britain early in the new year , and he knew he would bear their unwritten mandate to do all that was in his power and influence to weld ourselves and our brethren of the S . C . and I . C . into a lasting union . "

Hoping I have convinced our W . Bro . that the members of the Grand Lodge of W . A . have striven for a united Grand Lodge , and thanking you in anticipation . —Yours fraternally , W . WALLWORTH KNIGHT , ' S . W ., LodgeiAustralia , W . A . C . Albany , W . A ., 24 th March .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"MASONIC CALENDAR FOR THE PROVINCE OK HANTS AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT . Portsmouth : Holbrook and Son , Limited , Queen-street . 1910—ot . "—This comprehensive and well-arranged annual is edited by Commander H . G . Giles , R . N ., and Bro . Geo . F . Lancaster . It is but fair to add that these two zealous Craftsmen maybe congratulated as being the literary heads of One of the largest and most complete publications of tbe kind issued in this country . T | iere are 4 S lodges in the united province , 26 9 initiates , & c , having been admitted during the year 1899 , ' and there were

3963 on the roll on December 3 ist , being an increase of 6 7 as compared with 1 S 9 S . The Koyal Arch chapters number 26 , which return 1037 companions , being no more thin in the previous year . There are 13 Mark lodges , with 365 members , exhibiting an increase of five . These figures , especially as to Royal Arch Masonry , are of a most encouraging character . Particulars are also afforded of the other Decrees worked in the Province , and the information supplied as to all the lodges , chapters , and other Bodies is most minute as to detail , and suggestive of considerable labour in obtaining

and ai ranging such a mass of figures and returns of one kind and another . There are some special features in this accurate annual , and an excellent summary of contents adds much to its usefulness for reference . Though the Charities are duly represented in relation to the Province , there are no particulars as to the voting potver for each Institution , which considering that else the information is so varied , seems a pity , and should be remedied , though it will entail still more labour for the . Editors . The Calendar is certainly unrivalled in this country .

"FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OV GLOUCESTER , 1900 . Compiled by Bro . R . P . Sumner , Gloucester . Printed by John Bellows , KJSO . "—Bro . Sumner has done well as the Editor of this beautifully printed Annual , and the Province may well be congratulated on the issue of such a typographical and litetary Masonic souvenir . As the famous "Quatuor Coronati Lodge , " No . 2076 , London , has selected the County of Gloucester ~ for its outing in July the abundant particulars afforded as to the lodges , chapters , & c , in the province

will be welcomed this year by a larger circle of readers than usual . In this compact and well-regulated province , over which the Right Hon . Sir M . E . Hicks-Beach . Bart ., M . P . ( the Prov . G . M . ) presides , there are 17 lodges with" SoS members to January ist , 1900 , being the largest returns yet made . Ten years ago the total membership was 200 less . The votes for the Central Masonic Charities in 1 SS 0 did not exceed 600 , whereas now they are 60 S 9 ! The comparati / e statement of vo'es and membership is a well-arranged and most suggestive Table . The D . Prov . G . M . is Bro . R . V .

Vassar-Smith , P . G . D ., and the Prov . G . Sec . is Bro . J . R . Winterbotham , P G . D , of Cranley Lodge , Cheltenham . Of the lodges , the Foundation is the senior , dating from 1753 , and has a special centenary jewel warrant . The senior P . M . is the well-known clergyman , the Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . C . of England . The second oldest lodge is the Loyal Union , No . 246 , of A . D . 1 S 13 ( "Ancient " ) , and the third is Faith and Friendshi p , No . 270 , Berkeley . The history of No . 246 has been written and published in an able and sumptuous manner by Bro . George Morgan , P . M ., who is Mayor of Cheltenham for the present year . The Directory is a most creditable production .

New Lodge At Torquay.

NEW LODGE AT TORQUAY .

The lodge of " The Three Pillars , " No . 2 S 06 , Cockington , Torquay , is lo be constituted on May Sth by the acting Prov . G . M ., Bro . Major Davie , D . L ., J . P ., & c , D . Prov . G . M ., assisted by Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . S . G . D . of England ( who has kindly promised to deliver the oration ) , Bro . John Stocker , Prov . G . Sec , and other distinguished brethren . The first W . M . is Bro . the Rev . James Henning , P . M ., P . P . G . Chap ,, the two Wardens being Bros . W . Pierpoint Roberts ,

P . M ., & c , and the Rev . W . E . Windle , P . M ., & c . Bro . F . J . W . Crowe , P . M . 328 , P . P . G . Org . Devon , has worked hard and well to arrange matters satisfactorily , and to him the credit is mainly due Jon * the excellent start the lodge is expected to make . A special medal is to be struck , as a coin , in commemoration of the event , the design and production being entrusted to Bros . G . Kenning and Son ,-who also supply the furniture and other accessories for the lodge . The number of members is to be limited to 40 , and five honorary membjrs .

National Union Of Teachers And Freemasonry.

NATIONAL UNION OF TEACHERS AND FREEMASONRY .

MASONIC REUNION IN YORK . One of the most , if not the most , representative gatherings of Freemasons ever held in the provinces took place in York on the 19 th instant . When it was known that many members of the Natiunal Union of Teachers , holding its annual Conference in York , were also members of the Craft , Bro . J . A . Askew ,

W . M . of the Ycrk Lodge , No . 236 , which holds its meetings in Duncombe-place , summoned an emergency lodge , and invited the Masonic brethren of the N . U . T . to attend and inspect the valuable documents and relics which are in the possession of the lodge . In response to his invitation 95 brethren attended , representing over 90 lodges in all parts of the United Kingdom . Universal tradition , whicli is supported b y the evidence of the ancient Cons titutions , declares York to be the birth place—or at least the primitive seat- ^ of