Correspondence.

whioh follow labour in our Masonio Lodgea must be made something superior fco a mere ordinary club feasb or friendly society dinner , and thafc their accompaniments must be in accordance with the position whioh Masonry holds above all other Institutions in whioh beneficence , mutual help , and conviviality are inseparably connected . Young Masons , in fche full glow of their early enthusiasm , may be

content ( and rightly so ) with what you designate the " feast of reason , " bufc fche old hands like myself will most assuredly vote for a judicious admixture of the "flow of soul . " Permit me to remain , Dear Sir and Brother , Very fraternally yours , QUIZ .

PLUNGING INTO EXTRAVAGANCE . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The rebuke administered in your leading article last week fco certain prodigal sons of the Craffc was nofc more severe perhaps than deserved , though in justice to fche general body of Masons it must be said thafc fche instance quoted of extravagance is

a rarity . As a rule such plunging into excess is carefully avoided by those who have fche administration of the funds of Lodges in their hands ; fche aim and desire of Masters and Treasurers is fco conserve fche money subscribed for general purposes , so that as large a proportion as possible shall be thrown into the coffers of our Charitable

Institutions . We have before us another splendid example of what the brethren are prepared to do when specially called npon to lend a helping hand to the cause of Charity , and the magnificent total announced afc the Annual Festival of fche Eoyal Masonio Benevolent Institution affords us fresh proof of the truly charitable spirifc which

pervades the whole bulk of English Freemasonry . There are no doubt many items of expenditure in most of our Lodges that might be judiciously curtailed without seriously interfering wifch the luxury and comfort of the brethren in fche " after labour" degree . Bat , after all , if our Lodges are to fulfil the objects they have in view , of

cementing their members in fraternal amenity and social intercourse , the dry monotony of work must be varied with a due share of entertainment and hospitality , for therein lies the secret of much of the cohesion of Lodges , the happiness of fche brethren , and the inducement which is provided for interchange of

visits amongst the members of various Lodges . Whilst , therefore , an occasional instance may crop up of unnecessary prodigality in the matter of hotel expenses , it is nevertheless desirable that reasonable care | be exercised in providing such accessories fco the banquet table as shall attract a fair proportion of

members to attend , and to enable them gracefully to invite Visitors to join them in the amenities of the fourth degree . For my own part , I prefer a plain , substantial supper fco the heavy dinners of so many courses , embellished with flowers , gilded menus , books of words , and liberally—often too liberally—paid artistes . All these

extras are unquestionably enjoyable , and add much to the harmony and brilliancy of Masonic banquets , provided the Lodges can afford the expense , and it does nofc stultify their power of doing good work in fche cause of charity . Moreover , ifc is open to question whether a frugal repast would prove sufficient to tempt all members

of Lodges to assemble at the monthly gatherings ; for , however unpalatable the truth may be , there are many Masons to whom the pleasantries of the banquet table are preferable to the solid routine of work in the Lodge-room . Afc any rate , the gentle reminder proffered

in your article as to the combination of prudence wifch comfort and hospitality is well timed , and ib may be hoped thafc ifc will be taken duly fco heart by those who are most nearly concerned in the matter .

I remain , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , AEGUS .

In view of the meeting of United Grand Lodge on Wednesday next , when it may be expected a large nnmber of Provincial brethren will attend to take part in the election of Grand Treasurer , "we note that special arrangements for the comfort and convenience of visitors are being made by the proprietors of the Holborn Restaurant . A

speciai table d bote dinner will be provided at four o ' clock , instead of half-past five , the usual hour ; thus ample time will be afforded the brethren to lay in a substantial basis before proceeding to Freemasons' Hall , to record their votes , and to assist in the other business of the day . This

will prevent much of the inconvenience and confusion that has been experienced on some former occasions , and give our Provincial brethren more leisure to inspect many objects of interest in the locality . The Holborn Restaurant

is , in itself , a sight worth seeing , with its marble and gilded salons and splendid appointments for satisfying the requirements of the inner man , and as here the luxuries of a first class table are to be secured at so cheap a rate as three

shillings and sixpence , brethren cannot do better than dine at this eminently popular establishment . The Holborn Restaurant has of late years become an important

head centre for Masonic gatherings , many well-known Lodges and Chapters having taken up their abode there ; whilst its close proximity to Freemasons' Hall renders it a most convenient and desirable resort for the brethren who assemble on important occasions , such as that of Wednesday next is certain to prove .

A Masonic Alphabet.

A MASONIC ALPHABET .

XIII . —MERCY .

When a fallen foe , 'Neath a deadly blow , 'Fore his victor helpless lies ; With wild despair , What a world of prayer , He looks in his conqueror ' s eyes ?

Then the flashing blade , In its course is stay'd , And it seeks a stronger foe ; While the wounded feels , That his mute appeals , Brought mercy to check fche blow .

We often are apt , In our goodness wrapt , To press on fche erring one j To censure and blame , With indignant flame , An action our Brother has done .

Bnt the culprit may Show penitent trait ; Then crush not the struggling beam , But give ifc a chance , Its power to advance ; Oar mercy will gain his esteem .

XIV . —NOBILITY . A fine Newfoundland , trotting down fche road , Shows calm contentment in his peaceful eyes , When , sudden from his owner's rude abode , A pigmy , yelping cur , upon him flies . As if unconscious of the rude assaults ,

He jogs along , nor turns his shaggy head ; Until at last he on a sudden halts , And his assailant runs , and yells with dread . Onward he goes , and rapid now his stride , He sees the River water juafc before , And , too , an infant struggling in the tide ,

He plunges in , and brings ifc safe fco shore .

The thorough Mason , in his conscious worth , Can well afford all jealous taunts to scorn , And treat wifch silence those who give them birth ; Thus , malice dies directly it is born . We have an aim , which cannot be miscast ,

The target is , the good of human kind , To draw our fellows from misguided past , And place fchem where a future they can find .

Heedless of all our enemies may say—Careless of all their envy bids them do ; We'll still press on our world enlightening way , And bring a pure nobilifcy to view . W M . H . ORE , W . M . 10 , Grand Bard .

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

All Books intended for Review should be addressed to the Editor of The "Freemason ' s Chronicle , Belvidere Works , Hermes Hill , Pentonville , London , ET . The Life and Reign of Queen Victoria . London : Cassell and Co ., La Belle Sanvage Yard .

THIS work , which opens appropriately with the Jubilee year , will form , when complete , a valuable and elegant addition to our drawing room literature . We have seen fche firsfc number , which is got up in the very best style of the typographic art , and neatly bound in blue and gold , whilst the portraits of the Queen and other members of the

Royal family—especially thafc of our Mosfc Worshipful Grand Master the Prince of Wales—are excellent . We are pleased to observe that Bro . T . A . Alcock , who was for over fifteen years associated with fche Integrity Industrial Assurance Society , has taken up the publi .

cation of this very fine work , fche style of which compares favourably with any thafc have hitherto emanated from the eminent Ludgafcehill firm , and is issued afc a price which brings it within the easy reach of all classes of her Majesty's loyal subjects .

MIND MAOIC is fche title of a paper that will appear in Cassell's Magazine for March , on some of those curious psychological phenomena thafc have been vexing scientists and amateurs so much

lately . The March number of the The Quiver will contain a sermon preached on the accession of Queen Victoria , by the late William Jay , of Bath , a noted preacher of his generation . This is the firsfc of a series of hitherto unpublished sermons by Mr . Jay thafc has fallen into the editor ' s hands , and will appear in the course of the Jubilea

year . To the March part of fcho Magazine of Art Sir James Linton will contribute his views on the practical education of an artist . The same number will contain a description , by Mr . Grant Allen , of Wotton House , near Woking , and the surrounding scenery , illustrated

by Mr . Biscombe Gardner ; and somo notes on London Monuments by Mr . Francis Ford . Mr . Cosmo Monkhouse will continue his disquisition on some of the treasures of the National Gallery ; and

Mr . Alfred Sfc . Johnston will describe the great progress made by Birmingham of late years in matters artistic . The frontispiece will consist of an etching of Mr . Solomon J . Solomon ' s picture " Cassandra . "