Consecration Of The Brownlow Lodge, No. 2131.

proposed for initation . Tho by-laws were approved , and after hearty pood wishes the Lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Bridgewatei * Hotel , where a banquet was excellently served by Bro . Lawrence . The Loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and it was announced that the Provincial Graud Master , Sir Onlay Wakeman , Bart ., had consented to preside at the Festival of tho Koyal Masonic Institution for Girls , in May 1887 , at the Freemasons' Hall , London .

Unveiling A Statue Of Bro. Sir Henry Edwards.

UNVEILING A STATUE OF BRO . SIR HENRY EDWARDS .

ON 18 th instant a statue of Sir Henry Edwards was unveiled at Weymouth , amidst great rejoicings , by tho Mayor ( Mr B . N . Howard ) . From 18 ( 56 to 1885 , when the town ceased to be a parliamentary borough , Sir Henry Edwards represented it in the Liberal interest , and during that time his acts of munificence were many and great , his latest being to invest £ 5 , 000 for the benefit of the asred poor of the town . It is in order to perpetuate tho memory of hia

public services , munificent charities , ancl private worth , that a statue , erected by public snpscription , at a coast of 800 guineas , has been provided and placed at an angle of the Alexandra Gardens . The work was entrusted to Messrs . W . and T . Will ? , of Gower-Streot , London , who have prodncrd a splendid work of art and a faithful

likeness . The statue , which is 8 ft . high , is carved out of Sicilian marble , standing upon a pedestal of Cornish grey granite 10 ft high . It is io tbe Italian style , engraved with appropriate mouldings , and is altogether a splendid piece of workmanship . One remarkable feature in connection with this memorial was the ready manner in which all classes of the town contributed towards it . The whole of

the friendly and benefit societies of the town formed a procession , which , meeting with the Mayor and Corporation at the Guildhall , proceeded to the statue . The weather was most unfortunate in the early part of the morning , and threatened to mar the whole of the proceedings , but fortunately shout eleven o ' clock sunshine followed

tbe ra ' n and wind , and the unveiling ceremony was performed nnuev fairly favourable circumstances . Amongst the distinguished visitors present were Sir Robert Fowler , M . P . ( Ex-Lord Mayor of London ) , Sir Charles Forster , M . P ., and Sir Gabriel Goldney , personal friends of Sir Henry Edwards , who is at present a gnest of the Mayor . Mr .

Bobins , hon . Secretary of ihe Memorial Committee , detailed the many acts of benevolence and generosity which had marked Sir Henry Edwards ' s connection with the town , and then formally handed over the possession of tho statue to the Mayor on behalf of the town . The Mayor took occasion to point out how in former times Weymouth

was tho only place besides London which returned four members to Parliament . The town had always been able to boast of its representatives in tho House of Commons , not only of a Cecil , but of Sir Christopher Wren , Sir James Thornhiil , Sir Fowell Brixton , and Sir Honry Edwards . Sir Robert Fowler said the inhabitants of

Weymouth were doing honour to one who worthily succeeded thr . se the Mayor hnd mentioned . All in the House of Commons appreciated Sir Henry Edwards ' s genial presence , and it was a source of great regret that he was no longer with them . As a citizen of London ho ( Sir Robert ) could bear testimony to tho great regard in which Sir

Henry was held by alt who came in contact with him , and he was very glad to see that the burgesses of Weymouth had shown their appreciation of the excellence of their late member by erecting in hia lifetime this statue . Sir Charles Forster said he had been a member of the House of Caramons for 33 years , during 20 of which he had beeu

connected with Sir Henry Edwards by ties of the closest friendship . The great characteristic of that gentleman was his universal popularity , both in and out of the House . Though he was no longer their member , he was sure his memory would bo long cherished by the people of Weymouth , and the erection of this statue to him evinced

that they desired to remember hia long services and many acts of benevolence . In order still further to perpetuate this memory of the past , he suggested that the Town Council should exercise the right granted them in the last session of Parliament by conferring on Sir Henry the honorary freedom of the borough . Sir H . Edwards ' s annnal

dinner to the aged poor took place in the afternoon . AU the school childreu were feasted with tea and cake , the varions benefit societies had either suppers or teas , and in tho evening a banquet took place at the Royal Hotel , at which Sir Henry Edwards was the honoured guest of the gathering , and received a most gratifying reception . In

responding to the toast of his health , he traced , his association with Weymouth , and referred to the long and lasting friendships ho had formed . He said that failing health prevented him going through the wear and tear of a contested election for tlio county , bufc had a member been returned for Weymouth he would havo tried to be that inctuber , or have died in the attempt .

ROYAL EAR HOSPITAL , FIUTII STTIKKT , Soito . —Tho useful charity held its annual general meeting in the rooms of the Institution on Tuesday , the 12 th inst . It is oue of the oldest and mnst deserving of special hospitals ; ancl dnring tho 70 years it has been established , over 120 , 000 pafcienfs have been treated for various ear diseases

within its wails . The report of tho surgeons , Dr . Urban . Pritchard , F . R . C . S ., and Dr . F . i ' atheson , CM ., was read . From it wo learn that during 1885 there were 7 , 79 f > out-patient attendances , at which 2 , 163 separate rases received careful treatment . Forty-four patients were admitted into the in-paiient wards , all serious cases ancl mostly

children . This new department was reported to bo a very great success , although it had considerably added to tho expenditure . Tho accounts for 1885 were audited and passed . Tin financial condition of the hospital was shown to be fur from satisfactory , as there was a

considerable falling off in donations and subscriptions , funds are therefore urgently needed to prevent a reduction in tho number of beds . A voto of thanks to surgeon .- ! , treasurer and secretary brought the iirueocdi'iga to a close .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

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

FINANCIAL TABLES FOR THE TEAR .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CnRoxtccE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I was pleased indeed to road Bro . Earlo ' s letter , and to find that tho Province of Herefordshire has contributed so munificientiy to tho various Institutions , bnt if this Province chooses to hide its brilliant li <* ht from the Masonic world ,

I trust to bo excused if I fall into error . I am afraid our * worthy Brother Earle must have been guff-ring from a fit of chafing if he could see anything but good-natured criticism in the remarks I made . I can assure him that "I nothing extenuate , nor sit down aught in malice . " I simply took my figures from the Festival

Reports , and my object is , and ever will b > , to remind the backward Proviuces how small a sum they coutribnte as against the large amounts they take from the funds of tha several Institutions . Likewise to stimulate to further exertion . As , however , theso

conditions ot receiving does not apply to the Province of tierotorusiuve , such a condemnation as Bro . Earle has favoured me with was uncalled for . Yours fraternally , P . M , 1 G 07 .

"Hearty Good Wishes."

"HEARTY GOOD WISHES . "

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I have observed in certain Lodges of late , and with regret , a hesitation on tho part of Visitors to address

those greetings to the Worshiphil Master which it has been , ior the past thirty years , to my knowledge , the general custom amongst Freemasons to otter just previous to fche closing of the work iu Lodge .

On inquiry , I learn that a doubt has been expressed as to the propriety of any individual brother Visitor , not himself the Master of a Lodge , presuming to convey hearty good wishes in the name of tho Lodgo from which he hails , it boing assumed that ho has no direct authority from his Lodgo so to do ; and that this doubt is influencing

some brethren who prefer to follow a lead without reasoniug for themselves as to the direction towards whioh it tends . It appears to many vf my Masonic friends , and fco myself , somewhat lato in the day to make innovation iu respect of a practice which , though not especially ordained , is , nevertheless , le . e non

senpta amongst Masons , having very much to recommend it , and , as far as one can surmise , nothing objectionable in its performance ,- and it will certainly require the exercise of considerable authority , and tho exposition of strong reasons , to secure a general acquiescence in this proposed departure from Masonic etiquette .

If thero wero the slightest interference with any prerogative possessed by our " Rulers in the Craft , " an argument for tho abrogation of the custom might exist , but there is none such . The equality of Freemasons , qua Freemasons , places all present in a Lodge , except merely in respect of official duty then iu course of performance , on a

level , and ono brother has as much right as another , nay , it is even his boundon Masonic duty , to bo courteous to his hosts , aud to offer his salutations on behalf of himself and hia usual Lodgo companions . How the reverse proposition can be maintained I know nofc , ancl should be glad to learn positively on what grounds the abandonment of the Visitors' pleasant greeting is sought for .

Yours truly ancl fraternally , JAMES STEVENS P . M . P . Z , Clapham , lUth January 1888 .

" Sign The Book, Brethren, Please."

" SIGN THE BOOK , BRETHREN , PLEASE . "

To the Editor of ihe FREE \ U . SON ' CHRONICLE , DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Have yon ever heard the above , expression as tlio brethren ara filing out of tho Lodge room to the banqueting ball ? No donbt you hai-e ; bnt havo you ever turned back over tho leave . * of the book aud admired the pretty pictures (?) thero

presented ? I attended a Lodgo meeting the other night , and waa anxious to see how many years hacl elapsed since my lasfc visit . What a set of hieroglyphics met my astonished gaze ! Zounds ! what signatures . Aud how blotchy and blotfcy and smeared the pages were . It seemed to mo that there had been a sort of caligraphic earthquake

amongst the signatures , for they ran higgledy-piggledy one into another , and were leaning in all directions , like you often see totnba ' oues iu an old disused churchyard . It , surely cm not bo that , tho brethren aro "top-heavy" when they enter the Lodge , whatever thoy may bo Iat ; : r on . But there fcho names woro afc all manner of

angles and tangents , smudged with blots—such wretched scrawls Many were the signatures of foreign brethren , difficult enough to decipher under tho most favourable circumstances , but utterly umnfc'illigible now . The reason waa nofc far to seek . At that , hotol , which aha . ll be nameless , they appeared to have raked up the okleiS ami

mosfc worn-out quill pens thafc could be found amongst the sweepings of an office , and with them tha brethren wore expoete 1 to sigu legiblv ! How waa it possible ? Why yon might just as well havo dipped a lucifer mutch into the inkpot . 1 mention this , uot as au isolated case , and brethren will agree with inu that the fault is a very common one nm-jugs ;' . hotel propria-