Original Correspondence.

THE GIRLS' SCHOOL FESTIVAL .

3 » the Editor if the Freemason . K > ear Sir and Brother , — As the representative Steward this year to the \> i'iis' School festival from the Province of South Wales , Eastern Division , I desire to record my protest against the plan adopted by the Secretary , Bro . Little , of "lump ' ng

together , " in one amount , the contributions from distinctly separate provinces . I ask the favour of your kind permission to do this through the medium of your valuable paper . My Steward's list of contributions from members and lodges of my province amounted to ^ 160 , and not unnaturally 1 looked to find the amount duly chronicled in

your columns as usual , instead of which I find South Wales bracketted with Monmouthshire , a province with which we have no more to do than with Gloucestershire , Bristol , Herefortf r Or Somerset , indeed , far less . The contributions to the Masonic Charities from this province since the establishment in it of the system of Steward representation by our Dep . Prov . G . M ., have

exceeded £ 2500 , but if we had only subscribed £ 10 we should have equally been entitled to ask to have this sum recorded . Having no wish to lessen the credit fairly due to any other province by being associated with it , the record is calculated in the present case to give a wrong impression . You have yourself been misled , as in your leading article you give the whole credit to Monmouthshire , and none

to South Wales . Separate records are given of amounts received from the London lodges ; no two lodges are linked together , each getting credit for its own exertions and liberality . A fortiori separate records should be given of the subscriptions from separate provinces . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully , SAMUEL BROWNING POWBII , P . Prov . G . Registrar , South Wales , Eastern Division .

BALLOT FOR GIRLS' SCHOOL . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I beg to announce in the Freemason that I am about to endeavour to follow the example set by Bro ,

Constable , and carry out a ballot in aid of the Girls' School Festival , 1876 . The only difference between the two being that the present one will be confined to the Province of East Lancashire . Yours fraternally , C . M . STUART , S . W . 934 .

THE BOYS' SCHOOL . To the Editor of Ihe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you kindly answer the following question —I am a member of the Scotch and Irish Constitutions , but not of the E . C . 1 am also a life member of the Boys '

Benevolent Institution , E . C . What I want to know is whether in the event of cither of my offspring requiring at some future time the benefit of this institution , are they entitled ? W . D . 489 , S . C . [ We think net , as W . D . is not an English Mason , but have called Bro . Binckes attention to the question , who will no doubt efficiently answer it . —ED . ]

Multum In Parbo; Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo ; or Masonic Notes and Queries .

MARK MASTER MASONS' LOUGHS IN UNITED STATES LAST CKNTUHY . I enclose an interesting account of a Mark Master Masons' lodge of last century , which was contained in the New York Dispatch for 31 st January , 1875 . The following first appeared in that paper , and on seeing it I at once communicated with my dear friend and brother , Charles

Eugene Meyer , of Philadelphia ( P . G . H . P . of Pennsylvania ) , for the promised notice . Doubtless , M . W . Bro . Rev . G . B . Portal , M . A .. and R . W . Bro . F . Binckes , G . Sec , will be pleased to read the particulars , and so will many others . WILLIAM J AMES HUGHAN . The minutes of I lolland Mark Lodge , formerly held in this city , supposed for many years to have been lost or

destroyed , have recently come to light , and we are indebted to Bro . Edward Bill for an examination of them . " But few of the brethren of the present day have a very distinct idea o ! the earlier methods of Masonry in this country . Doubtless , if asked , a majority would answer , without hesitation , that its organisation had always been the same as at present . This , however , is not the case , as

will be seen by the following : April 8 th , 1788 , a number of brethren , members of Holland Lodge , No . 8 , in this city , were convened for the purpose of , as the record phrases it , founding a Mark Degree in connection with that lodge , and a Mark Lodge was accordingly opened under the symbolic warrant , and a number of brethren received the degree of Mark Master . In 1789 , six members

of Steuben Lodge applied for , and received the degree . In 1791 , the lodge issued a dispensation loa number of breth' ren from Connecticut to empower them to form and hold a Mark Lodge in that State . In this year , also , the lodge began conferring the Chair Degree on Masters elect and other officers . The warrant above referred to bore the name of Hiram Mark Lodge , located at Newtown , Fairfield county , Connecticut . September 22 , 1791 , a

dispensation was issued to form a Mark Lodge in the Dutch West Indies . The lodge , in 1815 , ceased to act under the authority of its Grand Lodge Warrant , and took out a charter from the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the Slate , which charter was numbered 79 . " Among the distinguished members of this Mark Lodge was John Pintard , fourth Master of Holland Lotige ,

Multum In Parbo; Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

antl a well-known citizen , John Jacob Astor , De Witt Clinton , , 1 'eter R . Maverick , Robert R . Livingston , Chancellor of the State , and associated with Robert Fulton in his steamboat enterprises , Wm . Malcolm , Cadwallatler D . Colden , Samuel Jones , jun ., a lawyer and judge , John

Wells , Nathaniel Sandford , David Longworth , of Directory fame , Ebcnezer Irving , Gen . 11 . G . Stevens , of the Revolutionary Army , Stephen Price , of the Park Theatre , his brother , William and John Blake , Fitz Greene Halleck , and others , the mere mention of whose names stirs the

blood of every Knickerbocker . "It will be noticed that this Mark Lodge began its labours and did much of its work under authority of a Blue Lodge warrant , and more than this , assumed authority to create similar bodies in other States , from which may be deduced at least one fact , namely : that Masonry was much less governed then than new . "The warrant of Holland Mark Lodge , in common with

several others existing in the State , was ultimately surrendered to the Grand Chapter , and the degree conferred by them reserved exclusively to the subordinate chapteis , but at what date we are unable at present to state . We take great pleasure , however , in behalf of I lolland Lodge , and in the interest of the Craft generally , in acknowledging the kindness of Bro . Asa Worthington , a veteran of 87 , by whom the records here referred to have been placed in custody of Holland Lodge , of which he is a member . "

A Pontificial Brief.

A PONTIFICIAL BRIEF .

IRAN- SLATED FROM THE "MONDE MACONNIQE" OF MAY . Pius the IX . Dear Son , Salutation and Apostolical Benediction . For a long time already , and almost since the origin of the Masonic sect , the Holy See , which very clearly discovered its malice , had condemned and smitten it

( frappe ) with reiterated excommunications . The Holy See had well predicted all the evils which it was about to cause to religion and to civil society . In truth , this worthy daughter of Satan making man as God , and establishing each as the supreme judge of his own conduct , rejects by this very fact all authority divine and human , and shatters , in consequence , the tie which

constitutes all society . The warnings of the Church have been useless , and many men among those who ought to have suppressed this monster have not I eared to favour it so well that at the present moment no human power is capable of struggling against it . It is necessary then , in order to tear out this venomous root of evils which affects the nations and forces into the eternal abyss the souls which it severs from

life and salvation , to have recouise to the Omnipotent . Alone He was able to drive from ^ heaven the true father of this sect ; alone He can make it at present disappear from the earth . We deem it right then to recommend the project which you have formed of appeasing the Divine Being , offended by this impious sect , which in its lodges ( " antres" ) especially heaps insults and

blasphemies upon Him , to ask at the same time of the Lord the destruction of this sect , and the conversion of those who belong to it , anil for this to form , with the permission of the ecclesiastical authority , a society of which the members , if they are priests , should unite in threes every day to offer up the holy sacrifice of the mass to the Holy Trinity ; and if they are laymen to make to the same

end and every clay three communions . Wc are rejoiced to learn that the society scarcely formed has already received a great augmentation . We wish it still more considerable increase , that so in multiplying those who pray , it may appease more rapidly the anger of God , anil obtain the grace which we desire . It is for this , my dear son ,

that wc give you , with love to you and all your associates in this work , the Apostolic Benediction , mark of the heavenly favour and pledge of our paternal good will . Given at Rome , at St . Peter ' s , the 7 th January , of the year 1875 , of our Pontificate the twenty-ninth . Pi us IX , Poi'E .

Freemasonry In India.

FREEMASONRY IN INDIA .

The regular meeting of Lodge Concord , ( No . 757 ) was held in the Freemasons' Hall , Mazagon , on Saturday , the 17 th April , 1875 . Present : —Bros . VV . C . Rowe , W . M . ; G . R . Henderson , l . P . M . ; B . Robinson , P . M . ; W . W . Whittaker , S . W . ; F . S . Llewellyn , as J . W . ; F . Burdett , Treas . ; O . Tomlinson , Sec . ; J . Spiers , S . D . ; VV . G .

Davie , J . D . ; J . Luke , D . C ; J . E . Tyers , Org . ; J . F , Grew , Steward ; L . Thomas , l . G . ; J . VV . Seager , Tyler , Members : —Bros . W . W . Wilson , C . J . Hall , | . Holt , J . May , W . E . Craddock , J . Weddle , J . 11 . Barrett , 11 . Watson , F . Lean , J . Macdunald , J . Middleton , C . Peters , Sec Visitors : —Bros . H . W . Barrow ; J . Conncll , W . M . Lodge Emulation ; C . Parker , R . Brunlon , W . W . Farmer ,

Pestonjee Hormusjce ; F . C . Lafortl , Sec . The lodge was opened with prayer at 6 . 30 p . m . The summons convening the meeting was read . The minutes of the last regular meeting were read anil confirmed . The minutes of the last meeting of the permanent committee were read and adopted . Bro . Charles Peters was then examined as to his qualifications to be passetl to the Second Degree , and

was entrusted and passed out . All below the rank of Fellow Crafts were then requested to retire . The lotige was then opened in the Second Degree . Bro . Charles Peters was then duly admitted and passetl to the Second Degree . Bro . Issiac Holt was then examined as to his qualifications to be raised to the Sublime Degree of a M . M . ; all below the rank of a M . M . were then requested

to retire . Bro . Issiac Holt was then entrusted and passetl out . The lodge was then opened in the Third Degree . Bro . Issiac I Iolt was then duly admitted and raised to the Sublime D-gree of a M . M . The W . M . then gave the charge and lecture on the Third Tracing Board in a very impressive manner . The lodge was then closed in the Third Degree , and resumed in the Second Degree , then

Freemasonry In India.

closed in the Second Degree , and resumed in the First De - gree . The following'addenda , viz . : "That any mem bet ' of the lodge whose dues are 12 ( twelve ) months in arrears shall be deemed to have resigned , " was then put to the meeting and carried . Bro . G . R . Henderson then proposed , and the W . M ., Bro . W . C . Rowe , seconded , that the

addenda be sent on at once for the confirmation of the Right Worshipful the D . G . M ., and that it be then printed and each member be presented with a copy . A letter was read from Bro . H . Boyen , requesting that he may be placed on the absent list , owing to his being called away on duty to Kantleish . Bro . G . R . Henderson then proposed a vote of thanks

to the W . M ., Bro . W . C . Rowe , for the very handsome present of a wardrobe to the lotige to protect the banner and kit . Bro . J . F . Grew then proposed , an .- ! Bro . F . Burdett seconded , Bro . James Caldcrwcotl , of Lodge St . Andrew , ( No . 46- ;) , S . C , as a joining member .

Bro . W . C . Rowe then proposed , and Bro . VV . W . Whittaker Seconded , that Rs . 50 be granted from the General Charity Fund , for the assistance of the witlow and family of the late Kro . O'Brien . There being no further business before the lotige , it was closetl with solemn prayer at 9 . 1 ; p . m .

Freemasonry In Smyrna.

FREEMASONRY IN SMYRNA .

The Smyrna lodges under the English Constitution held a special meeting on Wednesday , the 28 th of April , in commemoration to H . R . H . the 1 ' iince of Wales' Installation , and was attended by a large number of members and visiting brethren from far and near . The chair was occupied by Bro . Canalc , P . M . 896 , Z . 1-J 2 ; and

among those present at the meeting and at the banquet afterwards may be mentioned Bros . Dr . Cricca , Delegate of the Grand Orient of Italy ; Carver , P . Z . 132 , and others . An address of congratulation to H . R . I I . the Prince of Wales , proposed by Bro . Canale and seconded by Bro . Carrer , was unanimously passed . After labour the lodge was called off to refreshment , and proceeded to the

banquet room , where , in number about sixty , they sat down to partake of the good things provided for them . At ten o ' clock the speaking was commenced by the Chairman , lie saitl : —To-night wc are gathered together to commemorate the great event in the Masonic world , viz . the Installation of H . R . II . the Prince of Wales as M . W . Grand Master of England . On this I will but lightly

touch , for there are present among you eloquent brethrenathletes in the use of language—who will do justice to the subject , and to them I leave it . I therefore esteem it a great privilege to submit to you the toast of the evening , " Ihe Health of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . Grand Master of English Freemasons . " The toast was warmly

responded to by the brethren present . Speeches were also delivered in Italian by Bro . Cricca , in French by Ijro . Carrer , in Turkish by Bro . Gabriel Effcmli , In Aimehian by Bro . Alparian , and in Greek b y Bro . Gregoriades . After a very pleasant evening the lodge was closetl in peace and harmony .

Freemasonry In Jamaica.

FREEMASONRY IN JAMAICA .

The Annual Installation of the Master and Officers of Westmoreland Lodge , 1377 , took place at the lodge-room , Larar . nalamar , on Thursday , 8 th April , at 7 p . m ., when a goodly number of members and brethren were gathered to do honour to the occasion , the inclemency of the weather preventing a much larger attendance .

•The retiring Master , Bro . C . P . Bovell , delivered an appropriate address , at the close of which he summoned Bro . John Williamson Mcnnell , Master elect , to the East , where the several charges wcrefdelivered and his answers returned . The brethren , at the request of the presiding Master , retired from the floor of the lotige while the ceremony ot installation was being performed . The sound of the Gavel

reassembled the brethren , to find seated in the " Oriental Chair" their late Senior Warden , from which opposite direction he now addressed them as their elected and duly installed Master for the ensuing year . He then proceeded to install his officers , which are as follows : —Bro . Geo . A . Dalby , S . W . ; James C . Young , J . W . ; A . M . Forrest , Treas . ; C . II . Distin , Sec . ; Philip Stern ,

S . D . ; John Janueson , J . D . ; K J . Preston , l . G . ; Bros . J . Robert llopwood , George l ' enton , Stewards ; Robert Johnstone , Tyler . The Treasurer and Tyler , with the W . M ., were elected on a previous occasion , in accordance with the Bye-laws of the lodge . The lotige was then closetl in clue and ancient form , and

the brethren , after exchanging compliments and expressing their satisfaction in the wise and commendable selection of officers , bespeak for him a " pleasurable " and " profitable " administration . The banqueting board was replete with such of the gootl things of this life as were within the grasp of the

indefatigable caterer , while the brethren manifested their high appreciation in something more reliable than mere words . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts went the rounds , ami the brethren dispersed before the approach of the small hours . A more agreeable evening is rarely spent out of ladies' company .

We are glatl to be able to call attention , with words of sincere commendation , to Bro . llarty ' s-Chromo Lithograph of the Installation of our Royal Grand Master . It will furnish a handsome pendant , to the Lithograph of our Royal Brother , and we have no doubt that many of our lodges will be glad to adorn their walls with these appropriate mementoes of a very joyful event for English Freemasons .