Correspondence.

The letter of J . W . which you give to-day fully bears out my assertion , for no attempt is made to refute my statements . There is , however , one portion from which it may be inferred that I have been guilty of direct falsehood . For your information , and to clear myself from such imputationI send a

any , you copy ofthe by-laws of the Cesaree Lodge in French , the only form in which they are published , being in accordance with the language adopted in that lodgef Yours fraternally , Jersey , Dec . 9 th , 1865 . P . M .

Charity Stewards.

CHARITY STEWARDS .

IO THE EDI TOE O * THE FREEMASONS' HAGAZIHE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The annual circulars from Bros . Binckes , Patter , and Farnfield , to the country lodges , respecting the festivals of their respective charities , are , I fear in a majority of instances , a waste of printing and postage . This arises in some

¦ degree , no doubt , from a want of information respecting the expenses and duties appertaining to the office of Steward . I recently asked an important Mason for information on this head , but could get no more than "he thought it cost each ten guineas . " If twenty Masons were asked in this province for similar

information , I should be deceived if two out of that number could supply it . Again many are deterred from accepting the office of Steward from hearing of the large sums returned by some , and knowing their inability to raise anything approaching it , they therefore decline altogether .

These large returns I fully expect are often raised from many lodges , and sometimes from a whole province . Would it not be far better for every lodge to have its own Steward , and if not large enough , for two or three neighbouring lodges to send one alternately to each of the charities with such a sum annually that can be raised without any violent strain either on the lodge funds or its members ? One of my principal reasons for troubling you with this is , that

Lord de Tabley , our Prov . G . Master , will preside at the next Festival of the Boys' School , and I should imagine , judging from his very great popularity among the brethren , that nearly every lodge in his province will endeavour to send a representative next March as a mark of respect and esteem . I feel sure the lodge

over which I preside , although not a large one , will do so for one . There are lodges in this province I hear , with large balances in hand . The objects of hoarding these I cannot divine , but I do hope that some of the Cheshire Stewards , will give Bro . Binckes the benefit of their past economy . I

wouldthere-, fore , ask you , Bro . Editor , to kindly define the whole duties and responsibilities of Charity Stewards in a prominent position of an early issue , stating what would be considered a fair amount for each to return . I would also suggest to Bro . Binckes , the propriety of forwarding something of the kind to each of the

twenty-nine Cheshire lodges , and those of the neighbouring provinces , for if the ice is once broken and a lodge sends a Steward , the good example will emulate others on future occasions . Trusting that the space you kindly award this may be of some little benefit to each of the four great charities . I am , dear Sir and Brother , Yours very fraternally , Dec . 18 th . 1865 . BETA .

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

* st * All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisburystreet , Strand , London , W . C .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

ENOCH LODGE ( NO . 11 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge took place on the 13 th inst , in the new rooms of the Freemasons' Hall . The W . M ., Bro . William Greaves , with his officers , were , as usual , at their posts , with ihe Secretary , Bro . Peter Matthews , P . M ., ancl the Treasurer , Bro . Charles Watson , P . M ., supported hy Past Masters H . Potter , Ruel , Moutrie , F . Ledger , & c . Mr . Henry Whittaker was initiated into the mysteries of our Orderand other business concludedthe

, , brethren retired to a most recherche and liberal banquet provided by the new management , deserving of all praise . A most delightful evening was passed , aided by the vocal and instrumental abilities of Bros . John Baptist Clabatta , C . Watson , P . Matthews , and the W . M ., Bro . Greaves . VITEUVIAN LODOE ( NO . 87 ) . —On the 13 th inst . the regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the White Hart

Tavern , College-street , Belvidere-road , Lambeth . At about half-past five the W . M ., Bro . J . G . Bond , assisted by his officers , opened the lodge in due form . Bro . Whiting , P . M ., Secretary , read the minutes of the previous meeting , and they were confirmed . The next business was the initiation of Mr . Richard Mitchell and Mr . Thomas Willetts ; after which , the lodge being opened in the second degree , Bro . George Gardner

was advanced and passed as P . O . Bros . Woods and Wright were raised to the sublime degree of M . M . The working of the lodge was ably performed by the W . M . and his officers . The business of electing the W . M . elect followed , and Bro . Bain was selected to fill that high position . Bvo . Voke , P . M ., was re-elected as Treasurer , as was Bro . Ellis as Tyler . The election of auditors closed the business of the lodgo . At nine o'clock the brethren proceeded to the banquetwell served

, by Bro . Host Fairman . Upwards of fifty sat down , Bro . Bond , W . M ., presiding , The repast over , the W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , which having been responded to with the usual cordiality , a most convivial and harmonious evening was the result .

EASTERN STAE LODOE ( NO . 9 O ) . —The regular lodge meeting was held on Tuesday , December 20 th , at Bro . Painter's , " Ship and Turtle Hotel , Leadenhall-street . Bro . Goode presided , and with his usual ability passed to the second degree Bros . Johnston and Ward . A candidate for initiation at the next lodge was approved of . The accustomed pleasant banquet followed , at which thirty-three brethren were present , the W . M ., Bro . Griffithsin the chair .

, LODGE OI ? JUSTICE ( So . VA 7 ) . —On the 13 th inst . this old lodge met at the AVhite Swan , Deptford , presided over by Bro . J . Bavin , W . M ., being his last day in office . Five raisings , two passings , and four initiations , conscituted the first part of the business . The brethren then proceeded to elect a W . M . for the ensuing year , and the unanimous choice of the lodge was in favour of Bro . J . LihtfootS . W . Bro . G . BoltonP . M . was

g , , , re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . S . Garrett , P . M ., Tyler . A fiveguinea P . M . jewel was then voted to Bro . . 1 . Bavin , W . M ., and a similar honour was accorded to the excellent Secretary , Bro . 0- II . Davis , P . M ., for his efficient services on behalf of the lodge . There being no further business the lodge was closed . There was no banquet . ST . JAMES ' S UXIOS LODOE ( NO . 180 ) . —This lodge met on

Tuesday , the 12 th inst ., when there were present Bros . H . Robinson , W . M . ; G . H . Davies , S . W . ; Stoner , J . 'VV . ; Gurton , P . M . and P . G . S ., Treas . ; H . A . Stacey , Sec ; Archard , S . D . ; Sams , I . G . ; Herf , ns I . G .,- Sedgwick , Jackson , Simpson , and Francis , P . M . ' s ; and upwards of forty members of the lodge , besides the following visitors : —Bros . Patten , P . G . D ., Secretary to Givls' School ; RussellW . M . 28 Master of Boys' School ;

, , Dr . Harding , 50 ; Heath , 198 ; Browne , 176 ; Sutton , 207 ; Sultro , 239 ; Dettelbach and Winch , 256 ; Fielder , 715 ; Dr . Key Hardey , S . W . 753 ; Smeed , 946 ; Porter ( Monteftore ) . The initiate was Jean Joseph Brice , more popularly known as the Giant " Anak , " whose unusual height of 8 ft . gave him . a