Correspondence.

" Officers , " but from the position I was in I oould not hear distinctly what he Baid , else I would have protested openly and at once . On referring to the Freemason , I regret to find they have the same wording , viz ., " Officers " instead of " Wardens . " If the brethren understood it so it is not so much wonder so many voted against it , as

while I am certain very few would desire to see regularly accredited members of Grand Lodge stripped of their badge of rank while visiting at any other than their own Lodge , still fewer would like to disgrace a Past Master ,- but as to Officers who rank below Wardens , very few would care to have them scampering round Lodges

with collars and jewels of—say Deacons , Inner Guards , or Stewards . It was not my intention that it should be so , and if this word got inserted on the dais intentionally , it must have been done with tho view of upsetting me ; but if it has been done inadvertently , we may have an opportunity of putting matters right on the confirmation of

the minutes at next Grand Lodge ; and with this objectin view I will feel obliged to Masters , Past Masters and Wardens oE Lodges who take an interest in this question if they will do their utmost to make it convenient to be present at next Grand Lodge , and should

any feel disposed to communicate with me previously , with a view to concerted action , I shall be very pleased to give prompt attention to such communications . Hoping you will kindly find space for this letter in your valuable ournal .

I remain , yours faithfully and fraternally , W . NICHOLL P . M . 317 . Freemasons' Club , Cooper-street , Manchester . 24 th Jannary 1887 .

The Jubilee Commemoration.

THE JUBILEE COMMEMORATION .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I fully agree with much that has been stated in your paper in reference to the Jubilee Commemoration . The meeting in the Albert Hall or Olympia would in itself be worthy of the Craft , and result in a grand addition to the funds of the

Charities , but inasmuch as country Masons would be at considerable expense for travelling and other costs , I think an admission fee of one guinea would be sufficient . I do not agree with the condemnation of the Jubilee jewel on the ground that there are already too many jewels . If brethren would discontinue infringing the Book of

Constitutions , and confine themselves strictly to the proper jewels appropriate to the only degrees recognised by Grand Lodge , much of the objection would vanish . It should also be borne in mind that the Jubilee jewel would die with the wearer , and would in a short time

become quite rare . I think the Imperial Institute is outside Masonry , and inasmuch as we shall be called upon to do our duty as citizens as well as Masons , care should be exercised that we be not required to stultify ourselves by giving of our limited means to the same object in two ways .

I ana , Dear Sir and Brother , Fraternally yours , B . EK 1 W ROBERTS , W . M . 1621 . Castle Lodge , Bridgnorth , 25 th January 1887 .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHEK , —Since reading the capital suggestion contained in the leading columns of your paper last week , to raise a Bpecial fund during Jubilee year in aid of the poor old widows , I have attended one or two Lodge meetings at which the subject ha 3

formed a matter of conversation . Your paper evidently gets about , as it deserves to do , for amongst the company one evening was a brother from Devonshire and another from Newcastle , both of whom had read the article and spoke of the suggestion as a grand and appropriate one . Now , as a rule , Masons are somewhat sensitive as

to suggestions ; are not they ? I think ridiculously so , sometimes . They do not like to coincide with even the shadow of what might be construed into dictation . I rather fancy that if our Pro Grand Master ' s circular had been le 3 s suggestive , aud le ? 3 confidential , it would have met a more cordial reception ; but your hint , coming as

it iir-f 3 at an opportuno moment , and going straight to the point of Charity , is most acceptable . I sincerely hope tho brethren will , to a man , rally round the standard you have so opportunely set up , and that if there are any guineas to spare they will he showered into the coffers of this exceptionally deserving fund , for tho benefit of tho

Old People who are still outside onr gates , but who are anxiously seeking a participation in the bounty of the Craft . I have no hesitation whatever in saying the suggestion is one which would receive the sanction of the gracious lady who 30 Jubilee chorus will bo chanted in every corner of her dominions on thiri auspicious

celebration of her coronation , and also of our Most Worshipful Grand Master the Priuco of Wale 3 . Of course tho matter , as you have so well put it , is now before a very large section of tho Craft , and I do hope that between now aud the day of the Benevolent Festival it will be

recognised by Grand Ledge , and that every individual Mason in the Kingdom will bo invited to subscribe his / nito towards so admirable an object . I shall do my best to promulgate the suggestion , and trust it may be universally taken up by all sections of the Craft . I remain , Dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , H , G . P . Belvclere , Kent .

The "Old People's Home."

THE " OLD PEOPLE'S HOME . "

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I have read with interest , not unmingled with regret , the statements recently made in the columns of your own and other journals respecting the number of applicants on the lists for the benefits of our Benevolent Institution , and tha

inability of the executive to meet the pressing demands upon them . It is exceedingly sad to know that there are as many as 130 old people looking askance at the hand of Charity to a partioipation in whioh they are fairly entitled , but whose doors are barred by an inadequacy of funds . Any movement which can tend to act as a golden

key , or to more widely open the portals of the Old Folks' Home at Croydon should command the instant attention and hearty co-operation of every Mason under the banner of the Order ; and I thank yon , on my own part , for the very excellent and practical suggestion contained in your article of last week . There is something eminently

appropriate in choosing the Jubilee year of the reign of " onr Widowed Queen " for raising a special and permanent fund on behalf of the " other widows " who are knocking at the gates of our Institu * tion , and I sincerely trust the matter will be taken up in earnest by every Lodge on the register of the Grand Lodge of England . I

do not think it will be wise to limit the subscription to five shillings . Leave it optional to give a sum of " not less than five shillings , " and then you will see raised not only the mnoh-needed £ 15 , 000 but

double , or , we might hope , treble that amount . Trusting your suggestion may assume a practical shape before the date of the coming Festival , I remain , Dear Sir and Brother , Fraternally yours , CONSTANT BEADEB

The Frederick Binckes Presentation Fund.

THE FREDERICK BINCKES PRESENTATION FUND .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —From representations whioh have reached the Committee of this Fund there is reason to fear that a misapprehension exists with regard to the limitation in the amount of individual subscriptions to one guinea . This was in no way

intended to imply a restriction to that sum , but that they should not oxoeed it . The object of the Committee and their desire is thut th e Fund now being raised should be an evidence of appreciation of th e labours of Bro . Binckes for a period of over twenty-five years , and th s purpose will be better served by the small contributions of the manv , rather than the large donations of the few .

I remain , yours fraternally , CHARLES FREDERICK HOGARD , Hon . Secretary 25 th January 1887 .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

— : o : — Olympic . —Miss Grace Hawthorne gave another matinee of " Heartsease" last Wednesday , when a good audience assembled . The drama is an adaptation from Alex . Dumas' " Li Dame aux Camelias , " and is a piece that requires considerable emotional power to mako it effective . The character of Marguerite Gaut . ier is a

trying one , but with Miss Hawthorne for its interpreter all the points were admirably brought out . In the first act this talented lady was gay and amusing , and as the piece progressed the failure of Marguerite ' s physical power was developed to the fullest extent . The death scene was admirably conceived , and Miss Hawthorne made

a deep impression on her audience . Briefly , Marguerite Gautier is the best character we have yet seen Miss Hawthorne undertake ; and it suits her iu every detail . Mr . Laurence Cautley ( Armand Duval ) and Mr . Leonard Outram ( Count de Vasville ) gave a good account of themselves . Mr . Bassett Roe's was a natnral and finished

portrayal of the peculiarities of M . Duval , while Mr . Arthur Wellesley ( Gaston ) and Mr . Rothbury Evans ( Gustave ) were well fitted to their parts . Mrs . Julia Brutonc was passable as Madame Prudence ;

Miss Alice Chandos made a good Nanino ; while Miss Lizzie Fletcher ( Mdlle . Olympo ) and Miss Emelie Calhaem ( Niohofcte ) rendered capital service . Miss Hawthorne will repeat " Heartsease" next Wednesday afternoon , when we advise our readers to attend .

"A PINT POT NEATLY GRAVEN . "—One of the Old Cock Tavern tankards , with this line from his well-known poem upou it , his been presented by Messrs . Spier 3 and Pond to Lord Tennyson . Ilia lordship , in acknowledging ita receipt , thanks the firm , and says , "I shall keep it as an heirloom in my family , as a memorial not only of the old vanished tavern , bnt also of their kindness . "

Miss Grace Hawthorne lias secured from Mrs . Gooch a lesse of tho Princess ' s Theatre , on the same terms and conditions DK granted te Mr . Wilson Barrett , who 30 lease o this theatre expires on 17 th May next . Miss Hawthorne ' s drab production at the Princess's will be Sardou ' a " Theodora . "

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& "U ! 3 ERALS properly carried out and personally attended , in London or Country by Bro . G-. A . HTJTTOU , 17 Newcastle atrset , Strand , W . c Monuments erected . Valuations mad 6