W. Lancashire Educational Institution.

W . LANCASHIRE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION .

A MEETING of the General Committee entrusted with the arrangements in connection with the annual Festival and Ball , to be held in aid of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution—an institution which at the present time is clothing , educating ,

and maintaing nearly 400 children—was held at the Masonic Hall , Hope Street , Liverpool , on Friday of last week , Bro . W . Simpson P . P . G . S . W . in the chair , and Bro . J . Edwards P . M . 1182 in the vice chair . A large number of patrons and stewards were

proposed . The Hon . Secretary ( Bro . Povey ) announced that the Chairman had generously offered to defray the whole cost of the commemorative jewels to be presented to patrons and stewards , an announcement which was received with much pleasure and applause . A special and attractive feature in this year ' s ball will be a

procession in full dress Masonic regalia of the different degrees in Freemasonry at certain intervals during the evening , and at 12 o ' clock , amidst illuminations of electric and coloured lights , the Royal Lancers will be

danced beneath the Ancient Arch of Steel . This spectacular scene will be very interesting to both the Masonic Fraternity and the public generally who attend the ball , as it has not been seen in Liverpool for many years past . —" Liverpool Courier . "

Order Of St. John Of Jerusalem.

ORDER OF ST . JOHN OF JERUSALEM .

A MEETING of the Provincial Priory of Devon of the Order of St . John of Jerusalem , Palestine , Rhodes , and Malta was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , on Friday of last week , under the banner of

the Royal Veterans Priory , for the purpose of conferring the Degree of Knight Hospitaller of the Order on such Knights of the Temple that presented themselves . They were Sir Knight Grey Skipwith , Sir Knight A . Roberts ,

and Sir Jimght J . CJJilt , ± toyai Veterans Encampment , and Sir Knight A . W . King , Loyal Brunswick Preceptory . The ceremony was a very impressive one , and was ably conducted by Sir Knight Rev . Dr . Lemon , Prior , who was supported by other well known Officers .

We would respectfully suggest to some of our contemporaries that an article lifted from our columns loses none of its merit if acknowledged . We think it no discredit to state the source from which we cull the different items we deem likely to interest our readers , but

our ideas on the point appear to be somewhat eccentric , as we notice . piece after piece of our matter reproduced without being accredited to us . Of course it is an honour to be so widely copied , but much of the charm disappears when it is done without the customary recognition . o o o

On the 22 nd ult ., a ball , in aid of the building fund for a Masonic Hall at Blyth , was held in Grantham ' s Assembly Rooms there , and passed off most successfully . The ball was under the distinguished patronage of the Right Hon . Sir M . W . Ridley , Bart ., M . P ., Prov . G . M . and many other celebrities .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

" A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

THE announcement of the death of Bro . W . S . Gover , which occurred on Saturday morning , has been received with universal regret in the city of London , where he occupied a prominent position as Deputy of his

among the subscribers to all three . He was the promoter of the British Equitable Assurance Company , and

Ward , and will call forth equal expressions oi sympathy in the Masonic world . Our late Brother was a Past Grand Steward of England , a Past Master of the Grand Master ' s Lodge , a P . Z . of the St . James ' s Chapter , and a consistent supporter of the Institutions , he appearing

presided over its destinies up to the time of his death . He also took the lead in several other civic and general matters , and will be sorely missed by many of his fellow citizens and Masonic Brethren .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications ;

HEARTY GOOD WISHES

To tht FBEEMASON ' S OHBONICLE . SIB , —In reading your leader of 17 th November , on " Hearty good wishes , " I have been somewhat surprised to notice that you do not discriminate between the Visitor who does this in his own name and for himself , and the one who does so in the name of his Lodge without any authority whatsoever . Your remark that "tha

Craft has permitted this form of fraternal greeting from time immemorial" remains unproven unless " the records of long ago " state distinctly that the '' hearty good wishes" tendered by the Visitors were in the name and on behalf of their Lodges . For years past I , and others , have considered this latter form not only absurd , but altogether out of place and incorrect , in other words , bad form .

I have been present at meetings when an old P . M . has expressed his hearty good wishes to the W . M . and Lodge , and immediately after , a young fledgling belonging to the same Lodge has tendered them in the name of the Lodge . If correct form , who had the greater right to speak on behalf of the Lodge , the young Mason , or the P . M . ? The position seems ridiculous . To call the ventilating

of the subject , or the opposition to it , a " little outburst of enthusiasm in the way of reform , " or a " particular fad , " is not proving that " the little band of reformers " is in error , but rather goes to establish the position it has taken up . No one , I presume ,

would wish to take from " Masonry" any of its charms , but it remains to be demonstrated that this form of greeting is other than a parasite , of somewhat recent growth . Yours , & c , VlSITOB . 21 st November 1894 .

The services of Stewards for the Mark Benevolent Fund Festival of 1895 are fraternally invited . As is well known to supporters of this Fund of Masonic Benevolence the whole of the receipts are equally divided between the Benevolent , Educational and Annuity Branches . Further particulars may be had of the Secretary of the Fund , Bro . C . F . Matier , at Mark Mason ' s Hall .

PRESENTATION TO BRO . G . W . SPETH .

A MAGNIFICENT chronometer , with chain and jewel , waa presented to Bro . G . W . Speth on the Sth ult ., from a few members of Lodge Quatuor Coronati , No . 2076 , and personal friends . Bro . Speth fills the office of Secretary to the Lodge and Editor of its transactions , and in making the presentation Bro . Sir Charles

Warren , the first W . M . of 2076 , said—The days of small things with our Lodge have now passed by , and we have entered on a career of greater magnitude than any of us could have anticipated when we inaugurated this Lodge for the purposes of unique and special duties . During the eight years it has been in existence , the

Correspondence Circle has risen to 1 , 900 members , hailing from all parts of the world , and the work carried on by the Lodge is known far and wide , and I am sure I am only echoing the sentiments of its members when I say that this remarkable structure has been in a great measure built up by the admirable administrative skill and

ability of our Secretary . I havo not had much opportunity of observing the details of the work in the mother country , but I can say that in our colonies and in America the fame of our Lodge is spread throughout the Masonic Lodges , and its work is held in the highest esteem .

MUSICAL EXHIBITION .

THE next display at the Boyal Aquarium , which building has so completely established itself as the best Hall in London for Exhibitions , will deal with Music , and judging by the advanced copies of the catalogue , will be of striking interest and value . The Loan Collection will be unusually complete , and will afford an infinite amount of pleasure to all students of matters musical .

The Exhibition , which commences on the 12 th inst ., will remain open until the 20 th of January " next . The Aquarium entertainments will continue as usual , there being no extra charge for the Exhibition . Mr . Eitchie the Managing Director appeals for loans of objects connected with Musical Art .

The last great show of the year by the National Chrysanthemum Society will open on Tuesday next at the Koyal Aquarium for three days , and will embrace late Flowering Chrysanthemums of every section , Persian , Cyclamen , Chinese Primroses , Fine Foliaged and Berried plants , and an especially magnificent and varied display of Table Decorations . Lovers of Chrysanthemums are promised a grand show .