Our Twenty-Eighth Volume.

OUR TWENTY-EIGHTH VOLUME .

IT hardly seems possible that one half of 1888 has passed away , yet such is the case , and with the turn of the year we have the pleasure of

introducing to our readers the TWENTY-EIGHTH VOLUME of THE FKEEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . In doing so we hope we may not say anything likely to weary our friends . It is not to be supposed all feel as we do on this

subject , and we have so often spoken on a similar topic that we cannot even hope to create an interest by saying anything very original ; hence we shall consent ourselves with a , brifif notice of the

eventan event which is to us the source of pleasure and gratification . We are very proud we have been able to complete another volume of our paper , and that we start its successor with the good wishes

of a large number of Craftsmen . It will be our constant endeavour to merit a continuance of these kindly sentiments , and at the same time so to act as to secure many new friends for the future . In regard to the

past , we are thankful for the support accorded us , and trust we have done our duty . As we had occasion to say last week , this duty is self-imposed , and when , as recently happened , we consider it desirable to be somewhat outspoken , we lay ourselves

open to the charge of interfering in other people ' s concerns . If we have interfered , we have only our love for the Craft and a desire to see its honour maintained to offer as excuse . We are sorrv tha . t even in

high quarters our motives have been somewhat misinterpreted . In the particular case to which we refer it would have been to our immediate advantage if we had acted differently , but we are convinced

that it would not have been to our credit if we had allowed the consideration of a business transaction to influence our remarks , or if we had passed

over in silence domgs which we consider call for close investigation . Until we are convinced that our action in the past is not the correct course to pursue

we shall use every endeavour to continue on the same lines we have hitherto adopted , and in doing so we hope to please our readers , and merit the approval of the Craft at large .

The Barnato Lodge.

THE BARNATO LODGE .

OUE attention has been directed to certain errors —so-called—which appeared in our last issue when referring to the recent consecration of this Lodge . In the first place we are told "the Lodge

Was called after the Barnato mine , in Kimberley , with Which most of the founders are connected—the fact of the mine being called after a man did not in any wav

appear . " This method of meeting our comments as to the name of the Lodge may appear plausible now , but it was not adopted by the founders previous to the establishment of the Lodge , or even at the entertain- '

The Barnato Lodge.

ment which followed the consecration . The object all through was stated to be to establish a Lodge to be called after Mr . Barnato : the gentleman who was pronosed as the first candidate for initation therein , and j

_ 7 the gentleman who is accredited—and justly so , we believe—with having paid every farthing of the expenses incidental to the starting of the Lodge , including—out of pure love for the cause (?)—the

presentation of a valuable jewel to each of those who took a prominent part in the founding of the Barnato Lodge . We are next questioned as to the correctness of

our remarks that Mr . Barnato was present at the banquet during Masonic "fire . " We saw for ourselves what we complained of , and are prepared to prove what we stated , although we believe our critic has since discovered that he was mistaken , and not us .

The next point of objection involves a question of opinion as to the jurisdiction of Grand Lodge over Masonic assemblies other than actual Lodge meetings . We shall not argue the point now , but

may briefly say that , in our opinion every meeting at which Masonic clothing is legally worn comes under the head of Masonic , and the proceedings thereat must be ruled by the laws and established customs of the Craft .

We are next told that our estimate of the value of the presentation jewels ( MO ) is grossly exaggerated . If so , the founders only have themselves to thank for the inaccuracy , as , in public , they have frequently referred to them as being worth fifty guineas each

From another source we were told they cost thirty guineas each—we adopted a medium figure . We now hear that a well-known Masonic jeweller has valued the material used in one of the jewels at £ 27 10 s , so

that we may be said to have erred on this part of the subject—but we did so without any desire or intention to mislead . It would just as well have suited our purpose to mention the lower amount as that we did name , and we may say we are still unable to

recognise the presentation , by the gentleman after whom the Lodge is named , of eight jewels—seven to the principal founders , and one to the Consecrating Officer—each of the value of £ 27 10 s , as coming

within the scope of Freemasonry . We fully expected our remarks of last week would call forth adverse criticism , but the "unkindest cut of all" comes from a high dignitary of the Craft

—one who appears to have taken our comments as , in a measure , applying to him personally . He tells us it is clear to any one who cares to give the matter consideration , that the man who wrote the article expected one of the jewels himself , and , in his

disappointment at not getting it , he turned round and abused the founders . Such an accusation is as discreditable as it is absurd , and if it is the only defence its author can give for the part he took in the affair it shows he has a poor case . We certainly never intended he should apply our remarks as personal ;