Original Correspondence.

absence from his lodge any subscribing Past Master of the lodge may act as Master , pro tempDre . 227 provides likewise for attendance , at the Board of Benevolence , of a P . M . insteadof a Master . In short , so far as I can discover , there is only one place that a P . M . cannot represent his W . M ., namely , at the Board of General Purposes , and the reason is obvious—there are only fourteen elective members , not more than seven of whom

can be Past Masters , unless they are also at the time Masters of other lodges . "LexScriota" also refers to Art . 129 , but I hope he will forgive me if 1 most emphatically say his paragraph on this article is a misrepresentation of that law , and that it is utterly impossible for any unprejudiced critic to deduce from it that " a Past Master , when there is one , is necessarily an officer . " Now , why does "Lex Scripta "

print the word " necessary" in italics ? Art . 129 says "The regular officers of a lodge consist of the Master , & c The Master may also appoint , & c , .... no brother can hold more than one regular office , & c " Observe what a difference it makes in the sense when the proper word is used—a Past Master is not mentioned as either regular or permissory , yet there is no prohibition against his serving again in any " regular " office , whereas ,

if he is a " regular" officer already he could not serve another regular office at the same time—in short , he is not an officer in the lodge , either de facto , necessary , regular , permissory , or in any other light than as an unofficial superintendent to see ceremonies done decently , and in order to give such timely aid as he may see his W . W . stands in need of—and this by virtue of being a Past Master . .. _

But I observe I have yet to notice what he alludes to as " more especially marginal summary of 295 , " viz ., " Jewels of the officers of private lodges—shades of our legendary founders . " Who ever heard of the index to a law being the law itself ? Whatnextwillwebe expected to holdand believe in and obey ? Will " Lex Scripta" turn with me to all the Constitutions that have ever been issued prior to the issue of 1 S 84 , and find any such marginal index , and will he it is therefore of

state that , because this is now added , part the law ? I venture to assert that the question as to whether the marginal index is or is not law never was raised in Grand Lodge , nor in any way dealt with except by the Board of General Purposes and the officials acting under their direction , and 1 have yet to learn that they have the power of making laws .

The jewel of a P . M ., as it is now described , was so described in the first Book of Constitutions , issued shortly after the Union ; but mark hoiv simply the collars were described . After describing all the jewels of Grand Officers , Present and Past , and Provincial Grand Officers , Presentand Past , the law reads * . "All the above jewels to be gold or gilt , and the collars to be garter blue , four inches broad" and then proceeds to describe the jewels of

, the Officers and Past Masters of lodges , and says : " The above to be in silver ; the collars to be light blue ribbon , four inches broad ; if silver chain be used , it must be placed over the light blue ribbon . " But mark whatachange has now taken place . It takes no fewer than 10 distinct rules , occupying more than tivo pages of the Book of Constitutions , to describe the collars and chains of Grand and Piovincial and District Grand

Officers , Present and Past , and only two for " Officers of private lodges , " and one of these a restrictive one , prohibiting these officers , for the first time in the annals of Masonry , wearing their official collars as required by Art . 2 SS , which , so far as I can find , has never been altered . Having proved beyond the possibility of refutation that a Past Master is not an officer , I again assert that although as a Past Master he is a Past Officer , yet there is no

collar described for him in the Constitutions . It seems very puerile for "Lex Scripta" to make the bald and unproven assertions that" Grand Lodge recognises a P . M . as an officer of his lodge , and therefore calls upon him to wear the ordinary officer ' s collar , " while the Constitutions distinctly state he is not an officer , and omits to provide him with a collar at all ; and also that in Grand Lodge he does represent his lodge as a P . M . of it , whereas

Constitutions No . 9 gives him distinctive personal rights . Just for sake of arguing the question a little further , will •' Lex Scripta" call his memory back to the contention there was in Grand Lodge at the last revision over the point as to whether a joining P . M . is a P . M . . " of" or " in " the lodge he joins—see distinction made in Art 141 , as compared with old Clause C , page 7 S ? Would "Lex Scripta " also call a joining Paast Master an officer of the lodge If will

although he never served a office therein . ** so I give him up as hopeless , but if not , then pray what becomes of his supposed collar as an officer ? VVhen thc officers of a lodge rise to respond to the toast of their health , would he have Past Masters to stand also i The very idea is ridiculous . I must apologise for thus trespassing on your valuable space , but I hope the unfortunate and invidious plight a Past Master finds himself in will in some measure excuse the length of this exposition . —Yours very fraternally ,

To the Editor of the " /* reemason . Dear Sir and Brother , Young and verdant 1 may be— " Let the galled jade wince . " I do not propose to follow Bro . Budden ' s arguments . It would be a lengthly task to expose , according to the rules of logic , all the defects of his faulty ( so-called ) syllogisms . Sufficient to say that he commences by misstating my

argument , and that there is scarcely a step in his reasoning up to what he calls my "dictum" that is not palpably arguable . I would remind Bro . Budden that simple assertion is not argument , and I fail to see that he has adduced 3 . single argument to affect my position . If Bro . Budden reads " P . M . ' s " letter and mine with the slightest care , he will see that to meet " P . M . ' s " difficulty I quote certain rules from the Constitutions . I may very possibly be wrong in my deductions from those rules ; but I deduction from the Book of

hardly see how even a wrong Constitutions can with any iairncss be termed an " unconstitutional assertion . " „„ ,,, „ ,, Will Bro . Budden kindly answer P . M . s letter . ' or refer us to the number of the Freemason in which " P . M . ' s " point was discussed in the " exhaustive correspondence ? " or will hc favour us with his exp lanation of Art . 295 . ' I am perfectly open to conviction , and am always glad to . receive sound instruction . —Yours fraternally , LEX SCRIPTA .

Actors And The Craft.

ACTORS AND THE CRAFT .

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , An element of interest , and not the least , in the " List of members of the first lodge that paid for a Warrant of Constitution under the Grand Lodge , " published in the Freemason oi April 17 th , is the number of actors' names

which it contains . One might be doubtful , from the spelling , whether Mr . Quinn was the burly tragedian Quin , were it not for finding associated with him such well-known names as Cibber , jun ., Lcveridge , Milward , Delane , and Giffard—all eminent performers of the period—as well as Laguerre , who , though of little account as an actor , was a celebrated

scenepainter . The theatrical profession seems to have been as well represented in Freemasonry 150 years ago as it is in the present day . Probably many are aware that Matthew Burl ; head , who wrote the Entered Apprentice's song , was an actor . —Yours fraternally , WM . DOUGLAS , J . D . Peckham Lodge , 1475 . Leystone Villa , Stockwell . April 24 th .

Reviews

REVIEWS

FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR OXFORDSHIRE . Our lamented Bro . R . J . Spiers , who so long edited the Oxfordshire Calendar , would scarcely recognize his bulky successor were he to appear on the scene once more . The issue for the present 3 'ear extends to over 100 pages of closely-printed matter , the editor , printer , and publisher

being Bro . \ V . K . Bowden of High-street , Oxford . A 11 thc past , as well as the present Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge from the earliest accounts thereof , are duly recorded , even to the Provincial Grand Stewards ; and so also the Past Masters , Past Z . 's , & c , are given of all the lodges and chapters , and present and past Officers of the Prov . Grand Chapter and Mark Lodge for Oxon ; besides most

interesting particulars of lodges , chapters , & c , in which the brethren are interested , though not held in the province . The Charity Reports bv Bro . Reginald Bird , P . G . D ., D . Prov . G . M ., and Bro . ' F . "W . Ansell ( P . Prov . S . G . W . ) , arc carefully printed , and serve to illustrate the Masonic activity and benevolence of Oxfordshire , the total contributed during the last ten years amounting to £ 3104 ios ., which

we consider a grand record , as the period began with seven and ended with ten lodges , the latter now returning 47 S members , or about 48 to each lodge . We are glad to notice a list of brethren holding * votes for the Royal Masonic Charities in the province , but as these are all arranged under those held for thc "Girls , " "Boys , " and "Benevolent , " and no totals arc given , wc shall not sta \ - to make the

additions , but we recommend to Bro . Bowden ( who has done so much for his province ) the desirability in future issues of printing thc totals , wherever possible , of thc members and votes for the information of all concerned . A capital index adds much to the usefulness of the Directory , and we sincerely congratulate the province on the appearance and contents of their efficient and official publication .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

ffiraft Jftasonrg . ST . MARY'S LODGE ( No . 6 3 ) . —Presentation of Testimonial to Bro . HoHingworth . — On Thursday , the 15 th ult ., the brethren of this lodge assembled at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Dr . Wendt , Grand Secretary for German Correspondence , occupied the chair , when a most interesting event took place , in the shape of a presentation of a silver salver and beautifully-illuminated testimonial on

vellum to Bro . Wilmer HoHingworth , P . M ., P . Z ., and Secretary of the lodge . The Chairman , as an old member of the lodge , and who has been for many years associated with Bro . HoHingworth , in a very feeling speech , enumerated the many good qualities of the Secretary . He

called upon Bro . Wood ( Brighton ) , also an officer of Grand Lodge , and who is the father of St . Mary's . Bro . Wood , in a most affecting speech , presented the massive silver salver , which had been subscribed for by all the members , together with the memorial , handsomely framed .

Speeches full of feeling were also made by Bros . Geo . Kelly , Dr . Grindley Pearse , Page , Cole , Adams , and Dr . Adams . Bro . HoHingworth , the recipient , who , with the greatest physical exertion , was able to be present , then rose amid

the cheers of the members , and , despite his illness , made a most feeling and appropriate reply to the encomiums of the various speakers . The salver wei g hs 51 ozs ., and is of most elaborate design and chasing ; it isa splendid specimen of English silversmith's work .

We deeply regret having to say that since the above was written , Bro . HoHingworth has succumbed to his illness . His loss will be felt by a large number of sincere friends , and his memory will be cherished by every member of his lodge .

VITRUVIAN LODGE ( Xo . 87 ) . —At the last regular meeting of this old established lodge at the Bridge House Hotel , Bro . Thomas Minstrell was installed W . M . for the ensuing year . Alter the ceremony , members and friends to the number of 100 , inclusive of Grand Officers , sat down to a splendid banquet . The newly-elected Master most efficiently performed the duties of chairman . It may be remarked that Bro . Minstrell , who is a member of the

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Honourable Society of the Middle Temple , has served the office of Master of the Gallery Lodge , No . 192 S , of which only journalists arc eligible as members , the preference being given to those connected with the Houses of Parliament ; that within the last few days he has been installed Second Principal of the Gallery Chapter , which also is confined entirely to journalists who are Royal Atch Masons , or desire " to become so , and that he now fills the position of Third Principal in the Metropolitan Chapter ,

No . 1507 , a chapter distinguished by the zeal and utility of those who have hitherto filled the chairs . Anew Royal Arch chapter is in course of formation for the Vitruvian Lodge , and Bro . Minstrell has been requested to take the necessary steps to obtain the warrant and become First Principal . Both the new Master of the Vitruvian Lodge and his highly respected wife are generous supporters of the Masonic and Licensed Victuallers' Charities , and hold several Life Governorships or Life Subscriberships in these Institutions .

SOUTH MIDDLESEX LODGE ( No . 858 ) . — The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 22 nd ult ., at Beaufort House , VVest Kensington , when there was a large muster of brethren and visitors , under the presidency of the W . M ., Bro . Lieut . F . Lamer , who was supported by Bros . C . A . Wilkes , S . W . and W . M . elect ; T . C . Allingame , J . W . ; Major C . H . Reid-Tod , P . M ., Treasurer : W . H . Rawkins , Secretary ; S . E .

H . Walmsley , S . D . ; VV . H . Hobbiss , J . D . ; Lieut .-Col . H . Radcliffe , P . M ., D . of C . ; G . A . R . Ewen , Stwd . ; P . Kirke , P . M . ; W . F . Woods , P . M . ; Francis Egan , P . M . ; C . H . Cumberland , P . M . ; B . Pollard , P . M . ; P . H . Jones , P . M . ; and about , twenty other brethren . Amongst the visitors were Bros . J . Percy Leith , P . G . D . ; J . G . Fisher , P . G . S . Middx . ; E . Clark , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks . ; J . Clulovv , 1 S 51 ; R . Wilson , 3054 ; H . F .

Back , 55 ; F . Prior , 7 65 ; J . H . Townsend Green , l 91 i ' , J- Holliday , 1777 ; F . A . Ford , 2021 ; R . Josey , 1 S 2 S ; and others . The Iodge having been duly opened , and the preliminary business transacted , Bro . W . Graham was raised to the Third Degree , the ceremony being most ably performed by the retiring W . M . Bro . C . A . Wilkes was subsequently presented as VV . M . elect , and the impressive rite was

carried out in a masterly manner by Bro . Major C . H . Reid-Tod , the esteemed Treasurer of the lodge . The newly installed Master , having been saluted with the usual Masonic honours , invested as his officers for the ensuing year the following brethren : Bros . Lieut . F . Larner , I . P . M . ; T . C . Allingame , S . W . ; S . E . H . Walmsley , J . W .,- MajorC . H . Reid-Tod , P . M ., Treasurer ; W . H . Rawkins , Secretary ; VV . H . Hobbiss , S . D . ; A .

Handyside , J . D . ; E . A . R . Ewen , I . G . ; and Woodstock , Tyler . A pleasing incident then took place in the shape of a presentation jewel to Bro . Lieut . Larner , I . P . M ., in recognition of the efficient manner in which he had fulfilled the duties of the Master ' s chair during his year of office . In making the presentation , the Worshipful Master spoke in eulogi . tic terms of the ability and zeal displayed by his

predecessor during the year that had just expired , and of his active practical solicitude for the welfare of the South Middlesex Lodge . Bro . Larner expressed his deep sensibility of the compliment which had been paid to him , and promised a continuenceof his efforts to sustain the prestige and usefulness of the lodge . It was not his intention to pass into the idle stage now that he had lelt the chair , but he should strive

earnestly in the future , as he had done in the past , to forward the interests of the South Middlesex Lodge , and to assist to the utmost of his power in carrying out the work to which they had set their hands . The ballot was then taken for Dr . Gilbert Richardson and Mr . John W . Ransome . The result was satisfactory in each case , and Mr . Ransome was duly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of the Order . Dr . G . Richardson

- was prevented by urgent professional business from being present , so that his initiation was unavoidably postponed until the next meeting . The working of the ceremonies throughout the evening was excellent , and elicited the unqualified approbation of the biethrcn . At the conclusion of the business , a sumptuous banquet was provided by Mr . Maltby , whose arrangements for the comfort and enjoyment of the numerous party were all that could be desired . After dinner the usual loyal and Craft

toasts were honoured . Bro . Percy Leith suitably responded for "The Grand Lodge Oflicers . " The I . P . M ., in proposing "The Health of the Newly-Installed W . M ., " described Bro . Wilkes as a thoroughly good man and Alason , and from what they had seen of him that day he was sure to prove himself an excellent Master of that lodge . It needed but few words to commend that toast to the acceptance of the brethren , as they all knew

the qualities Bro . Wilkes possessed ; but he hoped the officers and brethren would extend to their new Master the same cordial co-operation and assistance that they had accorded lo himself when in office . If they did so , they would have no reason to regret the selection they had made that day . The VV . M . rose with diffidence and pleasure to respond to the toast—with diffidence , fearing he should not be able

to carry out the duties which they had been kind enough to impose upon him to their entire satisfaction ; and with pleasure , because he might say he had leached the summit of his ambition in Masonry . When he had the honour of being initiated in that lodge , only a few years ago , he was vain enough to hope that in time he might attain to the proud position which he now occupied . He had realised that hope sooner than in those ambitious days he

anticipated ; and he thanked thc brethren for the extremely kind way in which he had been received on that occasion . He should strive to do his best to justify the selection they had made , and hoped that at the end of his year of office they might be able to drink his health wilh the same cordiality as they had done that evening . He assured them that nothing should be wanting on his part to maintain and to increase , in his humble way , the welfare of the South

Middlesex Lodge . The W . M . next gave " The Health of the I . P . M ., " paying a well deserved tribute of praise to Bro . Larner for the able manner in which he had conducted the office oi W . M . during the year just ended . They were all extremely indebted to him for the way in which the affairs of the lodge had been administered . It was impossible for any Master to have done his duty in a more efficient manner than