Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

Wo do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must boar tho namo and address of tho Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee ot" good faith . Wo cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

LODGES OF INSTRUCTION " . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S C * TI * ON [ CLE . DEAR SI it AND HI-OTHER , —Tlio nrticla on the above subject in your last issue is one that must appeal most forcibly to all right-minded Masons , as there can be bat littlo doubt tho interest taken in the Lodge is materially enhanced by the lessons learned in Lodges of Instrnction . When a brother knows how the various ceremonies

should be conducted , he ] naturally follows the working of tho W . M . with greater attention , and thus gradually prepares himself for those dnties to which every trne Mason aspire ? . I see no just cansa why refreshments should bo prescribed at Instrnction Lodges ; on the contrary , I consider it forms an important factor in promoting harmonious working , and no brother , however z ° alons for the cause ,

need fear that the ceremonies aro less revered in consequence . Of course nn intelligent Preceptor—one who can be both courteous in address and firm in principle—is of the utmost importance ; and here I maintain the doty of tbo Past Master comes in . Wo frequentl y hear that when a man " has passed throngh tho chair " he considers himself relegated to the fossils of the Lodgo . If that be so be only

has himself to blame , for thero is plenty for a Past Master to do should he desire to make himself nsefnl . I might considerably enlarge on this topic , bnt refrain in consideration of your space . You ask for a remedy . Here is one that could not fail to remove the evil if honestly carried out . Let every W . M . resolutely refuse to appoint

any brother as an Officer nnless he has good ground for believing that he is properly qualified for the duties . I am aware that snch a course would need the exercise of considerable moral courage , and might subject the Master to some unpopularity among the unthinking ; but it would have a beneficial effect npon tho brethren , who would be incited to make themselves competent by attending Lodges of

Instruction . Yours fraternally , London , 18 th January 1893 . W . M .

Bro . Dr . Chas . Forshaw , LL . D ., having sent a copy of tbo FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE to the Prince of Wales , containing his Sonnet " In Memoriam , " has received the following reply : — Sandringham , Norfolk .

General Sir Dighton Probyn presents his compliment ! to Dr . Chas . Forshaw , and writes to acknowledge the receipt of his letter of the 14 th instant , enclosing copy of the FREKSIASON ' CHRONICLE , which , as requested , he ( Sir Dighton Probyn ) will not fail to lay before H . K . H . the Prince of Wales . 17 th January 1893 .

The Committee of Management of tho Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution held their regular meeting at Freemasons' Hall , ou Wednesday , the llth inst . Bro . C . E . Keyser G . J . D ., Patron , presided , and there were present Bros . E . Letchworth G . Sec , James Brett P . G . P ., Henry

Mason , John Barnett , Isaac Dixon , C . A . Cottebrune P . G . P ., C . F . Hogard P . G . Standard Bearer , A . Mullord , R . Griggs , J . Newton , W . H . Hubbert , T . B . Pnrchas P . G . A . D . C ., 0 . Kempton , A . Durrant , E . Terry P . G . Treasurer , S . V . Abraham P . G . P ., Jabez Hogg P . G . D .,

Hugh Cotter , E . M . Money , 0 . H . Webb , J . P . Fitzgerald , V . F . S . d'Archy Brennan , W . Bolchamher , J . Harrison , Alfred Moore , John Laskin , Hngh H . Hobbs , and James Terry P . G . S . B . ( Secretary ) . Tho minutes ofthe previous Committee having been read and verified , the Secretary reported the death of three male and three widow

annnitants , of one widow half annuitant , who was a candidate , and of ono male and one widow candidate . The Warden ' s report for the past month was read , aa well as that of the Finance Committee . The applications of two widows of lately deceased annuitants for half their late husband ' s

annuities were granted . Tho Committee then dealt with the petitions of 10 men—including tho ono deferred from the December meeting—and 7 widows , with tho result that all

the former , with five of the latter were accepted , and their names ordered to be placed on the list of candidates for the election in May next , while those of the two remaining widows were deferred for further information . A . vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings .

Masonic Sonnets.—No. 33.

MASONIC SONNETS . —No . 33 .

Bv BRO . CHAS . P . F ORSHAW , LL . D ., 205 , 1214 , 2417 ( E . G . ) , 7 G 1 ( S . C . )

— : o : — LET US BE " TRUE AND TRUSTY ! ' * Now we have crossed tho threshold of the year Wo piiuao to think of days that wero before- ; Whether of gladness they hold bounteous stove ,

Or if they bo tinged with sorrow ' s dismal tear . 'Tis well we seo not all that will appear ; 'Tis good we are not prophet ? , ns of yore , Who could , by God ' s most mystic learuau love ,

Foretel who soon wonld lay on Death a grim bier . Lot us be ready for whate'er befall—Oar days are mostly hewn by our own hands ; Our Architect will never hear ns call

For Him to take us to those Better Lands , When earthly life is ended , bat Ho'll hesd ; Let ns ba " True and Trusty , " then wo ' ro saved indeed . Winder Honse , Bradford , 18 th January 1893 .

Never Slight A Hailing Brother.

NEVER SLIGHT A HAILING BROTHER .

BY BRO . ROB MORRIS . Never slight a hailing Brother—Be it Blue or Grey he wear ; Never ask his creed or country

So he's faithful to the Square ; Only know he ' s true and faithfnl To the solemn vow he swore And then a generous hand extend him . As in peaceful days of yore .

Sad the strife , and fearful , Brother , Almost hopeless seems the end ; Some havo felt its utmost horror , In the loas of home and friend ; Yet the fire and shot have left ns Even stronger than we wore—And oh ! this day Freemasons conquer , Faithfnl , faithfnlfo the Square . .. ** ¦

When sweet peace shall bless us , Brother , : And tho fire and shot have ceased , Then we'll strive not to remember All the cruel things that passed ;

But there's one thing we 11 forget not , While a memory we bear ; It is the sacred tie so cherished By the Brothers of the square . —Keystone .

Masonic Balls.

MASONIC BALLS .

ON the 13 th inst . this annnal event took place at the Town Hall , Dewsbury , and was a brilliant snccess . The hon . Secretaries , Bro . Sarn Shaw and Bro . Lewis Lee , assisted by a committee con . sistingof Bros . T . B . Fox P . M ., W . D . Qnarmby P . M ., E . Leo P . M ., J . L . Fox W . M ., A . Harrison W . M ., J . E . Vans , T . L . Chad wick , Chaley Fox , J . Tweedale , H . Hill , directed the arrangements to tho

satisfaction of all . Dancing commenced at eight o ' clock , tho mnsic being supplied by Robinson's band , Clockheaton . Daring the night snpper was excellently served by Mrs . Bailey , of the Lodge , Long Causeway , in the Mayor's Eeception Kooms , which were engaged for the occasion . Dancing was kept up with vigour nntil threo o ' clock in the morning .

ON Wednesday , the llth inst ., the annual ball in aid of tho Masonio Charities was held at Doncaster Mansion Honse . The handsome suite of rooms was beautifully decorated . The gathering was under the patronage of the Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire , Bro . T . W . Tew , and by a special dispensation tho brethren were permitted to wear their Masonic clothing . Bro . J . IT .

Pawson officiated as M . C . and Secretary , and was assisted by Bros . F . Webb , F . D . Walker , E . T . Bellerby , F . Band , and W . S . Peacock . Dancing commenced shortly after nine o'clock , tho band being supplied by Mr . S . Wilson . The card contained eighteen dances .

THE 44 th annual ball of tho Western Division of Lancashire in aid of the West Lancashire Masonic Edncational Institntion , was held on the 10 th inst ., in the Town Hall , Liverpool , and turned ont to be a most brilliant gathering , and is likely to provo an successfnl financially as any of its predecessors . Tho guests , to the nnmber of 700 , were received bv tho

Mayor and Mayoress of Liverpool , and dancing was indulged in to tho evident enjoyment of the vaat company till the early hours of the morning . A large staff of Stewards , hearted by Brother A . J . J . Bamford , looked after the general arrangements most efficiently , and Brother John Edwards proved an ablo nnd energetic Secretary ^ while Brother E . Collister Jones again worthily filled th « nfUce ot * Treasnrer ,