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 .

THE GRAND TREASURERSHIP . To the FBEEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Will you permit me to record my thanks to all those Brethren who so kindly attended at Grand

Lodge on Wednesday last , and recorded their votes in my favour . I pledge myself to contest tho next Election , and trust that the efforts of my friends on that occasion will place me at the head of the poll .

Yours fraternally , CHAS . W . HUDSON P . P . G . W Brighton , 9 th March 1894 .

To the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR , —As it is impossible for me to thank personally the Brethren who supported me yesterday in the election for Grand Treasurer , I ask you to allow me space in your valuable paper to convey to them my appreciation of their kindness , and thanks for their votes and interest .

It will be my earnest endeavour to retain their confidence by doing all in my power to uphold the dignity of such a high position in the Craft .

I am , Dear Sir , Yours fraternally , JOSEPH C . DIMSDALE

50 Cornhill , London , E . C . 8 th March 1894 . o o o

To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I can hardly endorse the views of your correspondent whose letter appeared last week under the above heading . I do not see that Grand Officers of the year should be expected to support the Charities of the Order any " more than

GRAND OFFICERS AT THE FESTIVALS

other Craftsmen , and I argue on the line that , after all , the Institutions are merely off-shoots of Freemasonry , and nothing whatever to do with it officially . The Grand Officers are not appointed for mere energy displayed on behalf of the Charities , and it would be a poor look out for the Order as a whole if any such test was

applied . Freemasonry has many important duties to perform besides supporting its Charity funds , not the least of which is to do good to others as we would like it done to ourselves—that is , rather by stealth than by flaunting it publicly before the world . I tt . dmit the Institutions are a splendid adjunct to Freemasonry ,

but there is a far wider field for the exercise of Masonry than they present , and a vast amount of good to be done without the expenditure of money . The Grand Officers should set an example in good works , and in dohig that would prove their fitness for the honours conferred upon them .

Yours fraternally , A WORKER IN FREEMASONRY London , 7 th March 1894 .

Freemasons' Treat To Old People.

FREEMASONS' TREAT TO OLD PEOPLE .

OF all the charitable entertainments provided from time to time for the poorer part of the population of Northampton , not one is looked forward to with more pleasurable anticipation than the annual treat to the aged poor given by the local Masons . The custom was initiated some few years ago , and has always been attended with great success . This year was no exception to the general rule , for a brighter and more cheerful company than that

¦ which assembled in the Corn Exchange on a recent Thursday it would be difficult to imagine . Altogether some 740 tickets were distributed , the recipients of the invitations all being old people over 60 years ol age . Some imposition having been experienced in the distribution of the tickets , extra care was this year taken in this respect , so that no stone was left unturned to make the

gathering a complete success . The whole of the old folks were seated at the tables before four o ' clock , at which time the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master ( the Right Hon . the Earl of Euston , D . L . ) , the Mayor of Northampton ( Aid . H . E . Randall ) , the Ex-Mayor SBro . Councillor Henry Martin ) , the Worshipful Deputy Grand faster ( Bro . Butler Wilkins ) , accompanied by the Masters , Past

Masters , and Wardens of the Pomfret , Eleanor Cross , Delapre , and Kingsley Lodges , entered the hall , and marched to the orchestra amid ringing cheers . Grace was sung almost immediately , and then the old folks set to with a will . Bro . Captain Hughes was entrusted entirely with the management of the commissariat department , and many of the willing helpers were members of the

Freemasons' Treat To Old People.

local Volunteer companies , whose assistance proved most acceptable . The fare was of the best , everyone was well looked after , and as a result all thoroughly enjoyed themselves . Altogether the use of twenty-eight long tables hat to he requisitioned in order to satisfactorily accommodate the large number of visitors .

During the tea selections were rendered on the organ by Bros . Brook Sampson , C . J . King , It . W . Strickl md , and T . H " . Vials . After grace had been sung , a short u idress was given by Lord Euston . On behalf of the Masons of the town he welcomed the company to their third gathering , which he hoped in the future

would become an annual occurrence . He hoped those present had enjoyed themselves as much as the Masons had enjoyed seeing them . Ho believed the event would show to the people that the Masons , although some persons called them secret societies , did not limit their charity to themselves alone . The great object was to do good to all .

Tho Mayor , who was accompanied by Mrs . Randall , thanked the Masons of the town for the invitation given to himself and the Mayoress , and expressed the great pleasure it gave them to accept it . He was glad to see the large assembly of townspeople so thoroughly enjoying themselves , and was gratified to think that the local Masons were carrying out the traditions of thoir Craft in

entertaining those who stood in need of it more than they did themselves , and those who were not provided with tho comforts of life . He spoke of the feelings of love and sympathy shown by tho Masons , and was pleased to see the spirit in which the affair was carried out . No doubt thoy would like to seo three or four similar gatherings in each year . His Worship concluded by again thanking

the Masons for the invitation to himself and the Mayoress , and hoped that the rest of the evening would prove enjoyable in every sense of the ward . The speechmaking having concluded , drinks of various kinds were given to those who liked them , and tobacco was distributed to smokers , and snuff to the snuff takers .

A musical entertainment followed . Tho whole of the arrangements for the entertainment were made and capably carried out by a committee comprising Bros . J . J . Hart , C . E . Thorpe , C R . Noble , C . J . King , T . H . Vials , Brook Sampson , and R . W . Strickland . A cordial vote of thanks to the Mayor and Mayoress for their attendance was accorded with great heartiness , on the

proposition of Lord Euston . On leaving the hall each old lady was presented with a quarter-pound packet of tea . The general arrangements were entrusted to a committee consisting of Bros . Butler Wilkins D . P . G . M ., C . E Thorpe , G . Ellard , S . B . Wilkinson , T . Merry , A . Cockerill , H . Martin , It . W . Strickland , the Rev . F . W . Thornton , J . Eunson , J . Haviland , W . G . Hobbs , W . H .

Hodges , H . Manfield , A . Jones , J . Currall , J . Hughes , W . J . Hull , G . Butcher , W . F . Tipler , J . J . Hart , T . H . Vials , T . Emery , and C J . King . The honorary secretarial duties were in the hands of Bro . H . W . K . Markham . Subsequently the members of the committee sat down to a dinner at the Masonic Hall , Prince ' s Street . —Northampton Merciuy .

The Old Acquaintance Musical Society.

THE OLD ACQUAINTANCE MUSICAL SOCIETY .

THE annual dinner of the members of this , the oldest musical society in London , was held on Wednesday , the 14 th ult ., at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen Street , W . C , when upwards of 230 guests assembled to enjoy a capital dinner , and spend a pleasant evening in the realms of Melpomene . Mr . S . J . Pallant , one of the oldest members , presided , and soon struck the kej'note

of the entertainment , for after very impressively saying grace before meat , he immediately added , " Now , gentlemen , you may smoke . " During the repast a small but well organised orchestra , under the direction of Mr . Thomas Batty , discoursed some excellent morceaux , the solos by Messrs . Hanson ( Oboe ) and Preveneers ( 'Cello ) being much appreciated . The principal

performers at the concert were the Meistersingers , Messrs . Sexton , Haste , Forrington and Norcross , whose contributions were excellently rendered and loudly applauded . The other artistes were Lionel Brough , one of the best raconteurs in England , whose " yarns " were received with roars of laughter , Mr . Creswick , who showed what charming music can be obtained by an artistic

manipulation of the banjo , Mr . Carsdale , with his " life-like " imitations , and Miss Katie James , whose songs were intensely funny . Mr . James Kift , the society ' s musical director , officiated at the piano in his usual able manner . The society numbers 401 members , which is its full strength , and considering the popularity of the chairman , no one need wonder at its success .

Ad00804

HOTELS , ETC . — : o : — TTIALING—Feathers Hotel . EASTBOURNE—Pier Hotel , Cavendish Place . View of Sea and Pier . A . TAYLOR , Proprietor . EAST MOLESEY—Cattle Hotel , Hampton Court Station . Specimen Menus , with Tariff , on application . JOHN MAYO , Proprietor . HAVERFORDWEST—Queen ' s Family and Commercial Hotel . BEN . M . DAVIES , Proprietor . RICHMOND—Station Hotel , adjoins Railway Station . Every accommodation for Large or Small Parties . SANDWICH—BELL FAMILY and Commercial Hotel . Good Stabling . J . J . FILMER , Proprietor . COWES ( WEST)—Gloucester and Globe Hotels . G . A . MUR 3 ELL , Proprietor .