Correspondence.

London (?) , he will probably find out that Freemasonry is far above the influences of " feasting " in quieter districts , whatever may be the case in the great metropolis . Yours , & c , A PROVINCIAL .

THEEE DEGEEES IN ONE NIGHT .

To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Masons in all parts of the world ought to tender a word of thanks to the St . Andrew Lodge , No . 701 under the Scottish Constitution , for having had the pluck to call the attention of its Grand

Lodge to the slovenly way in which it supervises the instruction ol its Initiates ; and I venture to think the letter of which you gave a copy last week , and the action taken by our neighbours across the Border in regard to it , may have far more effect than all the critical comments of yourself and other writers in the press .

Here we have an ounce of fact , and I doubt not it will prove far more effective than all the pounds of theory that could be produced in opposition to the disgraceful practice of " rushing " candidates that exists in Scotland . Fancy allowing the three degrees to be given in one night , and then sending

awav the Candidates to the other side of the world where , if they claim to be Masons , they cannot prove it by the usual methods . Is it to bo wondered at that Freemasonry gets into disrepute if such proceedings are sanctioned , or at least winked at by what should bo one of the most important Grand Lodges of the world ?

My opinion is that we ought to do everything in our power to raise the standard of Freemasonry , and I firmly believe that the large majority of Brethren make effort to do so , but it is very discouraging to find one's labours upset by such proceedings as are here referred to , and which I am afraid are common in Scotland . I trust a change may be brought about at no distant date . Yours , & o ., ON THE ROAD .

THE BOYS SCHOOL MASTERSHIP

To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I was very pleased to see from your last issue that the Council of the Boys School had unanimousl y adopted Bro . Eve's recommendation to raise the salary of the Head Master at the School

and I was equally gratified to see that you sunk your objection to the proposal , accepted the inevitable , and added your congratulations to Bro . Hebb . That was a display of real Masonic spirit—having been outvoted , you cheerfully bowed to the will of the majority rather than continue an opposition that could do no good , and was , I venture to think , out of place .

I do not wholly agree with the line you took up in the matter , as I am not a believer in " economy at any price , " being rather inclined to liberality in minor matters , in the hope of securing efficiency and careful supervision in higher ones , where there may be scope for large saving . I think all are agreed that the Boys School has a most efficient head in

Bro . Hebb , and I for one think he is deserving of the increase just made in his salary , which 1 hope will give him additional incentive to work for the interests of the School under his care , and cause him to advance the reputation already enjoyed by the Craft for what they do on behalf of the orphan sons of less fortunate members of the Order .

While rejoicing that your view of what was right was not adopted by the Council , I do not wish to discourage your pointing out such matters in the future . It would not do for all to be of one opinion , and neither of us need be offended with the other because we do not agree as to the remuneration of this particular Officer—he has got his rise , and long may he live to enjoy it . Yours , & c , A SUPPORTER OF THE INSTITUTIONS .

POINTS IN WORKING

lo the FREEMASON S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —AS a humble worker in the cause of Masonry I read the item in your last issue under this heading with interest , as it emphasised lessons I have endeavoured to teach to some Brethren who are pleased to put themselves occasionally under my charge .

The item in regard to the Tracing Boards is particularl y appropriate , as I have seen all three displayed as part ol the regular fittings in a Lodge , not only during the working of the first and second degrees , but also before the Lodge was opened , in fact in one case I think they were permanently affixed to the pedestals .

It is because I am particular on this point that I make a rule of stopping the Tyler or Inner Guard telling Visitors and others what degree the Lod"e is working in . A glance at the Tracing Board is—or ought tc be—sufficient for any Mason , and I think it one of the best tests that can be applied to a stranger . I believe I have seen it recorded that in America or somewhere abroad it is so regarded , the Visitor ' s behaviour being most carefully watched on his entrance to the Lodge , and his ability to properly salute without prompting or interference being regarded as evidence of his being a Mason .

Much might be said as to the other " Points , " but I fear I have already trespassed far upon your space . If you will allow me I will refer to the subject again . Yours , & c . DEPUTY PRECEPTOR .

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REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

UNANIMITY LODGE , No . 339 . rX $ Thursday , 1 st inst ., the members of this Penrith Lodge had their V ^ annual trip . Unfortunately , the weather was most unpropitious , and " | a consequence the number was not so large as had been expected . The party journeyed to Shap Wolls , where an excellent dinner was served bv Mrs . Stubbs . J

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The chair was occupied by Bro . W . R . Mounsey , while Brother Fowler Richards occupied the vice-chair . A few toasts were honoured , and then the party amused themselves as well as they could indoors , the rain preventing any outdoor enjoyment .

LODGE OF FAITH , No . 581 . THE members of this Lodge , accompanied by friends of both sexes , paid a visit to Skipton and its delightful neighbourhood on Wednesday , 24 th ult ., the starting point being Victoria Station , Manchester , which the party left by saloon carriages at an early hour in the morning , arriving at the old Yorkshire town soon after 11 o'clock . Conveyances were in waiting at the station , and a drive was soon commenced to the Black Horse Hotel , the house of Bro . J . L . Kidd , Craven Lodge , No . 810 .

After luncheon , which had been provided in the large room of the hotel , the party proceeded to Bolton Abbey and woods , a very pleasant day being spent . In our issue of 15 th July 1893 ( No . 966 ) we gave so copious an account of the district that it is not necessary to repeat it in toto . As , however , we number amongst our readers many new subscribers , an extract from the description referred to may not bo inappropriate .

Passing the fine statue of Sir Matthew Wilson , a former M . P . for the West Riding of Yorkshire , which is erected in the Market Place , Skipton , very lovely scenery breaks upon the visitor . There is Skipton Castle and rocks , and a fine pastoral stretch of country , as yet undesecrated by the financial speculations of the jerry-builder . Passing through the valley of

Embsay , distant two miles east from Skipton , the view increases m interest and magnificence . On the left are the hills leading to Barden Tower , now a mere shell of its former glory , but once the seat of that remarkable martial family the Cliffords ; there is Bolton Hall , a residence of the Duke of Devonshire ; and the memorial fountain erected by public subscription to the memory of the late Lord Frederick Cavendish .

You are now in sight of the famed Bolton Priory , one of those mediseval and religious landmarks , the associations of which date back almost to the twilight of English history . The picturesque remains of this once magnificent monastic establishment are situated in the West Riding cf Yorkshire , on the banks of the river Wharfe , six and a half miles from Skipton . A priory had already been built at Embsay , but was translated

thence to Bolton , through a melancholy event which happened to a youth , called from the place of his birth , the " Boy of Egremond . " This youth , who was the youngest , and only remaining son of his parents , Adeliza Romille and William Fitz Duncan ( nephew of David , King of Scotland ) , was one day roaming through the Bolton Woods , dressed in the garb of a forester

with a greyhound in the leash . Coming to the Strid , which is a narrow passage torn by the river through a bed of solid rock , along which the waters , at ordinary times rush impetuously , he attempted a feat which visitors are warned not to emulate , both on account of the slipperiness of the rocks , and the deception to the eye ; its real width being greater than its apparent one ; a single slip of the foot meaning an involuntary leap into eternity .

Young Romille imprudently took the leap , and as he bounded over , the greyhound hung back , drawing his unfortunate master into the foaming torrent . In Wordsworth ' s poem , "The Force of Prayer , " the accidentia thus alluded to : —

" He sprung in glee , for what cared he That the river was strong and the rocks were steep ? But the greyhound in the leash hung back And checked him in his leap . "

To perpetuate the memory of this event , his bereaved mother determined to move the priory from Embsay , and accordingly erected a magnificent structure at Bolton . It was one of those religious establishments which succumbed to the mighty change wrought by the English Reformation , being dissolved 11 th June 1549 .

A delightful short walk brings us to the celebrated Strid . The Strid possesses a peculiar savage grandeur , and at once impresses the beholder with a sense of its mighty power ; it looks tempting to the adventurous and foolhardy , and in fact gained its name from a feat often exercised by people of more agility than prudence who strode from brink to brink regardless of the destruction which awaited them .

We may mention that the members of the Lodge of Faith , No . 344 ( Radcliffe ) , and also of the Truth Lodge , No . 1458 ( Manchester ) , had chosen the neighbourhood of Skipton for their annual picnic , and during the day Brethren belonging to both Lodges were frequently encountered at various stages of the journey .

The return to Skipton was made at about six o ' clock , and very shortly afterwards the party sat down to an excellent dinner . This was followed by several toasts of the orthodox kind , the same being interspersed with songs by Bros . Edward Roberts P . M ., Chas . H . Griffiths , and Curry . Bro . G . H . Barnes P . M ., in proposing the health of the W . M ., reverted to the excellent arrangements which had been in ide to secure a successful outing . He characterised the surrounding scenery as lovely , and unsurpassed in English landscape .

Brother H . J . Harrison W . M . responded , saying that he thanked his auditors for the hearty manner in which they had drunk his health . Although the return to Skipton had been somewhat marred by a heavy shower , still they must not grumble—it might have been much worse . Personally he had spent a very enjoyable dav , and sincerely hoped they had done the same , and that the return homo would bo a pleasant one . Manchester was reached about 10-30 p . m .

CLAUSENTUM LODGE , No . 1461 . UNDER the auspices of this Lodge a large party of ladies and gentlemen were convejed to Marlborough on Wednesday , 31 st ult ., to view the beauties of Savcrnake Forest . Through the kindness of Mr . J . Malerbi , traffic superintendent of the Midland and South-Western Junct ' on Railway , two saloon carriages were specially reserved , and the necessity of changing

carriages was thus obviated both in going and returning . On reaching Marlborough luncheon was partaken of , then carne the drive through the celebrated Forest . The visitors were full of admiration of the beautiful avenues of beech trees which crossed and interlaced each other in every direction . The weather was perfection , and , of course , this fact added much

to the pleasure of the excursion- On their return they wore conveyed from Wendover by " special " to Southampton , where they arrived about eleven o ' clock . Thanks to the railway companies , and to the admirable arrangements made by Bros . Crook ( W . M . of the Lodge ) and Wise , the whole affair was a complete success , and will long be remembered by those who weje able to attend the excursion .