Correspondence.

of it . The case might be met , first , by a request on the part of the Grand Master for the nomination by the members of a province of several individuals eligible to rule over them , from whom he might make a selection ; secondly , by a periodical re-appointment of Prov . G . Masters , so as to provide for a change

without an absolute removal , in cases where circumstances have arisen which militate against fitness for the office . I cannot see why the rule adopted for the annual re-election of the head of the Craft should not be applicable , at the same or greater intervals , to

his provincial subordinates . Certainly no curtailment of the privileges of the present Grand Master should take place during his occupancy of office , but I conceive that it would be advantageous now at once to make a different arrangement for his successors . With regard to the course recommended by Bro .

Hughan in the particular instance , J quite agree with him as to the principle , but have already stated the obstacles which stand in the way . It is said that " a burnt child dreads the fire . " So those who hai r e

previously made an unsuccessful effort , —whose request for an inquiry was met by a statement that the brother complained of had privately explained away the charges made , and who were refused all knowledge of the line of defence adopted , as well as an opportunity of bringing forward evidence in support of

their allegations , naturally hesitate about again placing themselves in so equivocal a position , feeling that distance is a barrier to full and fair investigation , which can he made only in the locality by an accredited commission of inquiry .

I still retain all the documents connected with the former proceedings , on reference to which I find that in his final official letter the Grand Secretary favoured us with only one instance of the alleged falsity of our charges , which was this . Our petition was dated

April 10 th , 1861 , in which we mentioned a certain circumstance as existing at that time and for some months previously . A document was put in as a reply , dated August 2 nd , 1861 , stating that this circumstance did not exist at the latter date . Notwithstanding the discrepancy of dates , our charge was

pronounced to be " wholly false and groundless , " though we could have proved it , if called upon to do So , by sending a copy of a placard long affixed to the Walls of a public institution . If such a plea could avail in one case , and a decision be given upon it , an

estimate may be formed of the amount of dependence the appellants could place on a full inquiry on the other points . Tours fraternally , March 17 th , 1866 . P . M .

Ar00904

IT is not what people eat , but what thoy digest , that makes them strong .

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

* * * All communications to he addressed to 19 , Salisburystreet , Strand , London , AV . C .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys,

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS ,

ANHTVEESARV FESTIVAL The limited space at our disposal last week for noticing the proceedings of the Festival , aud the lateness of the hour at which they terminated , compelled us to omit the names of most of the memhers of Grand Lodge and Prov . Grand officers wiio were present at the meeting , as well as the speeches

of several brethren who took part in the proceedings ; and on the present occasion we are only able to supply some of the omissions . Amongst the Grand Officers and others supporting the chairman we observed R . AV . Bros . Col . Bowyer , Prov . G . JMJ . Oxford ; G . AV . K . Harvey , Prov . G . M . Staffordshire ; Algernon

Perkins , P . G . AV . ( President of the Board of Steivards ); G . C . Legh , M . P ., P . G . W . ; AV . Bros . J . S . S . Hopwood , P . G . D . ; J . Hervey , P . G . D . ; G . W . K . Potter , P . G . D . ; J . JR . Stebbing , P . G . D . ( Treasurer of the Board of Stewards ); Albert AVoods , G . D . C ; Thos . Venn , G . A . D . C ; John Symonds , P . G . A . D . C . ; Benj . Head , P . G . D . ; Major Creaton , P . G . D . ; W . Young , P . G . S . B . ; E . H . Patten , P . G . S . B . ( Secretary of Girls' School )

W . Farnfield , A . G . S . ( Secretary of the lloyal Benevolent InstU tution ); Sir Manockjee Cursetjee , D . Prov . G . M ., AA esfcern India ( S . C ); AV . Paas ; JE . Farthing ; H . J . Thompson . Amongst the Provincial Grand Officers we noticed Bros . R . J . Spiers , D . Prov . G . M " . Oxon , and P . G . S . B . ; L . Jtfewall , JD . Prov . G . M . ; J . L . Hine , Prov . G . Treas . ; C . Affleck , P . Prov . G . D . ; A . Shellard ,

Prov . G . A . D . C , with several members of the Province of Ease Lancashire ; Bro . Ed . Busher , Prov . G . Sec . of Cumberland and Westmoreland ; Bro . 11 . Thomas , Prov . G . S . AV . Suffolk ; Bro . Langley , P . Prov . G . AV . South Wales Eastern Division ; Mark Frost , P . Prov . G . AV . Hants ; — AVyman , Prov . G . S . B . AA arwick ; — Aveling , P . G . Purst . Cambridge . Besides these

there was a large number of influential brethren whose names ive could not ascertain ; 273 brethren sat down to banquet , and 163 ladies graced the proceedings of the evening with their presence . Two lists were omitted by an unfortunate accident from the total amount , and these with other amounts since received bring the total sum as that which should have

been announced to upwards of £ 5 , 500 . Bro . Sir Manockjee Cursetjee made an admirable speech , wliich we are unable to give on the present occasion .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

E ^ -ocn L ODGE ( N . 11 . ) . — At the meeting of this lodge , held at the Freemasons' Tavern , on the 14 th inst . One brother was passed to the F . C . degree , and one brother was raised to the sublime degree of M . M . Other business being transacted , several of the brethren adjourned to tho baiiquettiiig hall , where , being tho evening of the festival of the Boys' School , they dined under the banner of Bro . AVallace , the Steward representing

this lodge . VITEUVIAN LODGE ( NO . 87 ) . —This flourishing lodge held its usual monthly meeting , on the 14 th inst ., at the AA'hite Hart , Lambeth . Bro . R . A . D . Bain , AV . M ., assisted by tho officers and brethren , opened lodge in due form . Messrs . C . It . Smith , J . S . Druce , and A . Castle were initiated into the mysteries and privileges of our Order . Bros . Covington , Walter , Nichells ,