Correspondence.

and valuable books , " where antiquity should be represented , and modern research garnered . We ought to have a reading room where such works could be consulted ; and above all a librarian able by his energy and learning to further such a work . Now , all this might be ; and whilst the outer world

is making such strides , the initiated could do their part in the aid of progress . Are there none in Grand Lodge of the Duke of Sussex ' s way of thinking ? Are there none to bring the matter persistently forward ? Where is this place of darknessand where are the catalogues of

, these hooks to which Bro . How refers ? Must I become a shade , too , to get at them , or wait . " Infin che il Veltro . " "Verra . " X am yours fraternally , A DESCENDANT OE DE WITTE .

The Masonic Charities.

THE MASONIC CHARITIES .

, T 0 THE EDITOR OP TnE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND A 1 AS 0 NIC MIRROR . DEAB SIE A - BEOTII . EE , —In your issue of the 22 nd ult ., Bro- Binekes , the indefatigable Secretary of the Boys' School , suggests that , in the school established for charity alone , some twenty to thirty boys should be admitted on payment of from twentyfive to thirty pounds per annumas the education

, , clothing , and boarding they Avould upon payment of this sum receive would prove of great benefit to their parents , and doubtless it would ; but I fear there would be a tendency on the part of the payees to look down upon the other scholars , and a jealous rivalship and contention be the result . Only a short

time back it was stated that to get a boy into the school free was worth two thousand pounds ( sic ) . Perhaps two hundred pounds was meant , for this latter sum would be nearly equal to seven years ' schooling at £ 30 per annum . Now , what I consider we should endeavour to avoid is the possibility of our Boys' School becoming the same as the Bluecoat School , which , though originally established for really poor children , it is now a very difficult matter indeed

for any but the children of the rich to gain admission to it ; and the same perverted state of matters is to be found in other large public schools and charities . . Again , Bro . Binekes remarks thai if every lodge could be induced to subscribe twenty guineas per annum , what a large amount ifc would yield , and render other subscri

ptions unnecessary . I am afraid Bro . Binekes has not been in the habit of visiting many small lodges , or he would be aware of the impraefcicabily of the scheme which he proposes . Does Bro . Binekes mean that the total amount collected in the way he suggests should he divided between the three

great Masonic Charities ? There are certainly many lodges that could afford , and some that do subscribe a greater amount than that named , hut I would remind Bro . Binekes of the opposition that was advanced some time ago at the formation of the Annuity Fund to Bro . Crucifix's motmn to raise

the dues of country lodges from two shillings to four shillings per annum . I am afraid Bro . Binekes had . better let well alone , as the proposed scheme would in all probability be a failure . Yours fraternally , W . D ., P . M .

Ar00903

THE MASONIC MIBROE . * * All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury-street , Strand , London , W . C .

Masonic Mems.

MASONIC MEMS .

EmJATor . — In our issue for last week , in the report of the meeting- of the Grey Friars Lodge , iSo . 1 , 101 , line three from end of the report , for "bye-laws" read "by-laws . " THE GEEAT HUREICANE AT TTJEK ' S ISLANDS . —Wo feel assured the brethren will learn with satisfaction that we understand prompt action will be taken by the M . W ., the ] Grand

Master , in bringing this unfortunate calamity officially under the notice of the lodges under the English Constitution , with a view to cany out the wishes of the petitioners from tho Turk ' s Islands Forth Lodge , ^ o . G-i ? - We briefly referred in our issue of the 16 th inst ., to the subject of the special appeal made by the petitioners to our Grand Lodge , and now that we learn the matter

will be brought before the attention of tho brethren of all lodges under the jurisdiction of our M . W . G-M ., we congratulate our brethren in the west and their warm-hearted sympathisers at home upon this most effectual step to ensure an alleviation of our distressed brethren ' s privations being brought about . Forus to dilate further upon this subject would be but

to interfere disadvantageous ^ with the plans being taken by the M-W . G . M . to make known officially to the brethren in England the full extent of the distress of our brethren in the west , and also to indicate the channel through which subscriptions shall be paid . We will also add that we trust the lodges when they receive from the Grand Lodge the official

communication upon the subject will make a hearty response to the call made upon their liberality . Wc should remember that the present is a most deserving occasion for the display of that truly Masonic virtue—Charity .

GEAXD MASONIC BALI ,. —We are requested to convey an intimation to the stewards of this ball , to be held on Monday evening next , that their presence will be desirable not later than nine o'clock , when they will receive final instructions from the executive committee as to their duties . Up to tho time of going to press nearly the entire number of tickets intended to

be issued were disposed of , so that the full success of the ball is plac cd beyond all doubt . Mrs . Lane Freer , widow of the late Archdeacon Lans Freer , and D . Prov . G . Master of Herefordshire , has recently published a magnificently bound and illuminated volume containing the portrait of the deceased brother , the church at Bishopstonc of

which lie was rector , and his memorial window in Hereford Cathedral , together with a memoir , extracts of his speeches many of them Masonic . Diary of journey to America , & c . " InM ' cmoriaiv" of her late beloved husband . It is dedicated , "To tho Masonic and other lay friends of tho late Archdeacon , in the hope that bis memory may be cherished by them here until the

hereafter , when all shall meet again , " and is a glorious example of tho power of the Craft for good , and of the pure love and devotedness of a good wife for tho memory of a good husband-Such a mark of respect to tho Craft must be highly gratifying to every member , and especially to him who becomes the fortunate possessor of so interesting a volume , full of such excellent

speeches ; and , Mrs . Freer may congratulate herself in not only rendering a proof of her sincere love for him , who is only gone before , but also in giving tho most convincing evidence to the world of the great strength of the Masonic bond that exists among good Masons , and also of the real value of that Craft which was so highly prized by her husband . We feel surotha