Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents hut ne wish , in a spirit ot fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitstre discussion .

THE "H . F . BEAUMONT MS . " To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Several years ago Bro . J . W . Cocking , of Huddersfleld , kindly placed in my hands a copy of a Masonic M . S . made by the late Mr . Thomas

Dunderdale , steward on the estate of H . F . Beaumont , Esq ., of Whitley , Beaumont , the text of which I then published in the Freemason , August nth , 1894 . The original had been located at Whitley , Beaumont , the ancient seat of the Beaumonts for many generations , but some time subsequent lo Mr . Dunderdale making his transcript it was lost sight of and although strict search was made it was not forthcoming .

A few days ago , I received a communication from our zealous and respected Bro . W . H . Jessop , of Huddersfleld , stating that Mr . H . F . Beaumont had brought to light what would probably prove to be a valuable Masonic find . Mr Beaumont very kindly allowed me an opportunity of examining the MS . when I was delighted to realise that undoubtedly I had in my hands the long missing document .

Mr . Dunderdale's transcript has a few inaccuracies but not of so material a character as to make it desirable to ask you to reprint the correct text in your columns . I may say that one of \ he regulations which was omitted from Mr . Dunderdale ' s copy appears in the original . The Craft generally will , I am sure , congratulate this province on learning

that Mr . Beaumont has consented to allow the MS . to pass into the possession and permanent custody of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire . He may rest assured that this old family document and precious heirloom from our old-time brethren will be reverently treated and carefully preserved for the benefit of the Craft at large for all time .

The scroll , which is clearly written on sheets of vellum , will be known as " The H . F . Beaumont MS ., " and in due course I purpose following on with a pamphlet reprint in uniformity with those of our other West Yorkshire MSS . already issued .

The following are the MSS . now known to be located in West Yorkshire •. T . W . Ton , William Watson , Clapham , Ilughan , Stanley , Waistell , T . W Embleton , Macnab , and // . F . Beaumont , the property of the Provincial Grand Lodge ; the Probity and the Hope being the property respectively of Probity Lodge , 61 , and Hope , 302 . In all 11 . WILLIAM WATSON , P . Prov . S . G . Warden , and Hon . Librarian West Yorkshire . Leeds , August 23 rd .

MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE . To thc Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In your last publication you correctly state "a conviction for felony is a sufficient ground for expulsion . "

But how does the law provide ( 1 ) if a Mason or Grand Officer has been in public newspaper proclaimed a " Scoundrel of the basest character , " and that orother has taken no steps to vindicate his character , and he does not even contradict such statement V and ( 2 ) if the Judge in Bankruptcy Court refuses for all time to give him his discharge on the ground that he came to thc conclusion that the Bankrupt has been guilty of fraud " ? —Yours fraternally , P . M .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I read with some interest the letter of " An Independent P . M . " in your last issue , especially that portion relating to a Benevolent Fund established by a lodge for the sole purpose of relieving its own members . Surely such a fund is not administered except under duly authorised rules and regulations . I am Hon . Secretary of a Masonic Benevolent Fund which has a capital of nearly

^ 2000 , the benefits of which are restricted to the members of thrce lodges of the town in which I reside or their necessitous widows or children . It is administered by a Committee of Past Masters representing each of the three lodges , and we have a code of rules strictly defining the qualifications of applicants for relief , and the interest on the capital fund only is spent in this way . If the fund mentioned by your correspondent has rules they should be adhered to ; if it has not , I apprehend that the lodge has power to do as it likes with its own money . —Yours fraternally , P . S . G . D .

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In your issues of August iSth and 25 th " M . L . S . " and "An Independent P . M . " bring to notice certain autocratic proceedings of their respective lodge Secretaries .

But your correspondents give the whole question away , inasmuch as when occasion arose they failed lo protest , as provided in Article 181 . That is to say , " M . L . S . " protested , but doesn ' t believe his protest was entered . Can he not be sure P Moreover , such protest can only be made as a preliminary to aprtsaling . Did he give the Secretary notice to that effect when making it ? and has he appealed ? Your second correspondent says that when the vote for improperly employing

the lodge funds came before the lodge no one objected . I presume he was not present . If he was , he has no ground of complaint . If not , he should have been , as the proposition was doubtless given notice of and in the summons . II , however , the proposition was sprung upon the lodge without notice , your correspondent should first of all be quite clear as to the exact nature of the regulations governing the Benevolent Fund . Are they embodied in bye-lawsor in a trust deed—or are they tradition onlv ?

In any case the circumstance is sufficiently important and interesting to justify further inquiry . Speaking generally , the minority in lodges have no option but to acquiesce in the decisions of the majority { vide charge in the 1 " ) . If such decisions appear

to them to be unconstitutional and opposed to the laws of the Craft in general or the by-laws of the lodge in particular , then Article 181 clearly points out the procedure . But if the grounds of objection be of the sentimental kind , as , for instance , that the traditions of the lodge are not being upheld , then I am afraid that the only course left is to retire . lt is hard , doubtless , but the law does not provide p . ny third remedy . Iiut our lodges must bc conducted on a gice and take principle . —Yours fraternally , MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devonshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DEVONSHIRE .

Plymouth was selected this year for the meeting of this Prov . Grand Lodge , and the gathering , which was largely attended by brethren from all parts of the province , was held on the 28 th ult . at the Freemasons' Hall , Princess-square , the large and imposing lodge and hall being most

convenient for the purpose . In the absence of Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Northcote , C . B ., G . C . I . E ., the Prov . G . Master , who is discharging his official duties in India as Governor of Bombay , Prov . G . Lodge was presided over by Bro . G . C . Davie , P . G . D . Eng ., the Dep . and Acting Prov . Grand Master .

Amongst the present and Past Prov . G . Officers were : Bros . John Stocker , P . G . Sec . ; F . B . Westlake , 70 , P . G . S . W ., P . D . G . D . C . Eng . H . B . Sandeman , 2646 , P . D . G . M . Bengal ; H . Driens . 1443 P . P . A . G . D . C ; W . A . Gregory , 1254 , P . P . G . Treas . ; Andrew J . Hamlyn , 954 , P . P . G . C ; J . W , Hammond , 1255 , P . AG .. D . C ; Rev . J . Smart , 4 S 9 , 251 , P . P . G . Chap . ; C . Mutten , 1550 , P . P . S . G . W . ; G . Hooper , P . M . 14 S 6 , P . P . G . S . ; C . A . Nicholson , 1847 ,

P . P . A . G . D . C ; G . S . S . Strode , 1855 , P . P . S . G . W . ; R . H . Grimbly , 1158 , P . P . G . D . ; J . Davidson , 225 S , P . P . S . G . D . ; W . Willoughby , 1247 , R . P . G . Org . ; W . j . Pearce , P . M . ar . d Sec . 2655 , P . A . G . Purst . ; Rev . R . Peek , P . G . Chap . Eng ., P . P . G . Chap . Suffolk and Jersey , 39 ; T . Mitchell , P . G . S . B . ; J . Hayten , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . 223 ; Edwin Roseveare , 1099 , P . P . G . Treas . ; C R . H . Selleck , 10 9 , P . G . S . B . ; Samuel Jones , 112 , P . P . G . W . ; C . A . Cooper , 105 ,

P . P . J . G . D . ; George L . Stile , 1248 , P . G . S . Works ; Geo . Rogerson , 1125 , P . G . C ; Rev . Thomas Russell , 251 and 409 , P . J . G . W ., P . G . C . Oxon ; Charles P ' iper , 1753 , P . P . D . G . D . C ; Wm . Cocks , 100 , P . S . G . D . ; Major Joseph Matthews , 2 S 2 , P . P . S . G . W . ; H . Shooter , 112 , P . G . Tyler ; John Wallis , P . M ., 1355 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; Fred C . Frost , 303 , P . P . S . G . W . ; Ernest W . Lock , 444 , P . P . S . G . D . ; Geo . Dunsterville , 189 , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . W . Cornish , 22 3

, P . P . G . Treas . ; J . Templeton , 225 S , P . P . G . Treas . ; R . Hambly , 1855 , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . Oliver , 123 S , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Clift , P . M . 166 ; J . H . Whidday , 1212 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; Thos . Parker , 156 , P . P . G . Reg . ; Wm . Ferguson , 1212 , P . G . S . ; Alfred Parkhouse , 1247 , P , A . G . S . ; J . Kinton Bond , 1247 , P . P . G . D . C . ; W . R . Lisle , 39 and 2659 , P . P . S . G . D .: Geo . R . Hoarder , P . M . 1138 , P . G . Org . ; Dr . F . Wellesley Kendle , 421 , P . G . S . ; R . E . Drew , 1358 , P . P . A . G . D . of C . ; James

Gidlev , P . M . 2023 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; Edward H . Shorto , 39 , P . P . G . W . ; Wm . Allsford , 202 , P . P . G . Treas . ; John R . Lord , 1247 , P . P . G . Treas ., P . G . D . of C . ; H . L . Friend , 1443 , P . P . A . G . D . of C ; G . Merrifield , 282 , P . P . G . S . W . ; C . E . Withell , 70 and 2025 , P . G . Org . ; Geo . R . Stanlake , 70 , P . P . A . G . S . ; James Kenning , Chap . 32 S , W . M . 2806 , P . P . G . Chap . ; William H . Johns , Sec . 666 , P . G . P . j W . Brockman , 230 , P . D . G . P . Malta ; P . B . Clemens , 156 , P . P . G . O . ;

Thos . F . Bailey , 1247 , P . P . A . G . D . C . Cornwall ; W . Sweet , P . M . 1212 and 70 ; P . J . Dunn , P . M . 1235 , P . P . G . S . B . ; Geo . H . Sellick , 1550 , P . P . G . Reg . ; R . G . Bird , 1550 , P . P . G . Treas . ; W . V . Harris , 230 , P . P . G . Supt . of Works ; J . F , Ellerton , 1125 , P . P . S . G . D . ; T . A . Blackler , 32 S , P . G . S . ; C . Emmett , 1358 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; A . F . Blarney , 1 4 02 , P . P . G . D . ; R . Dickson , 120 5 , P . P . D . G . D .

of C . ; J . Taylor , 1402 , P . P . G . Reg . ; J . H . Blackell , 1099 , P . G . S . ; R . Robinson Rodd , 105 and 2725 , P . G . Reg . ; N . R . Hammett , 666 , P . P . G . P . ; N . R . Radmore , 159 , P . P . G . S . B . ; Geo . Wheeler , P . M . 156 , P . P . G . O ., P . P . S . G . D . ; Charles Allwright , 70 ; VV . Bertram , 225 S ; R . Hooker , 39 ; John du Pre , 70 P . P . G . D . C ; E . Wilson , I . P . M . 124 S ; W . Reynolds , 159 ; W . Chapman , 159 ; E . Tout , 70 , P . P . G . S . B . ; and others .

It has been usual at the close of the Provincial Grand Lodge for the annual banquet to follow , but a more convenient programme was adopted this year . A luncheon was held in the banqueting hall of the Club at two o ' clock . By this arrangement brethren from distant parts of the province were able to go from refreshment to labour , and the business of the

Provincial Grand Lodge having been promptly conducted , return by convenient trains to their various destinations throughout the county . At the luncheon , which was presided over by the acting Provincial Grand Master , the representatives on the Committee of Petitions were the guests of the Three Towns Lodges .

Prior to the commencement of the business of the Provincial Grand Lodge , it was resolved , amid enthusiasm , on the motion of the D . P . G . M ,, seconded by Bro . WESTLAKE , that the P . G . Sec . send the following cablegram to Bombay to the Prov . G . M . ( Lord Northcote ) r " Hearty goud wishes and sincere congratulations of Piovincial Grand Lodge assembled this day at Plymouth . " The P . G . Secretary was directed to forward the

wire . The Prov . Grand Secretarv presented his report which stated that on the 3 ist day of December , 1 S 99 , there were 4065 members in the 59 lodges in the province , and that the fees and dues received amounted to , £ 458 4 s ., an increase of 193 members and , £ 18 9 s . in dues over the previous year . That the names of 271 brethren had been removed from the register by

death , resignation or exclusion , and that there had been 364 new members admitted . The number of Past Masters was 904 . A vacancy having occurred in the office of Prov . Asst . Grand Director of Ceremonies , the Prov . Grand Master had filled it by the appointment in writing of Bro . J . Hammond , P . M . 1255 , who now took office and rank as though he had been appointed at the annual meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge . Attention was

called to the many distinguished , valued and well-known brethren who had lately been called to their rest , especially to the great loss sustained by the deaths of Bros . Jno . Lane and Jno . Brewer , both of whom were Past Officers of Grand Lodge , the former Prov . Junior Grand Warden at the time of bis death , and the laiter had for 10 years faithfully carried out the duties of Prov . Grand Secretary . Another new lodge had recently been

constituted , viz ., the Lodge of the Three Pillars to meet at Cockington , making the 60 th on the roil of the province . Two Masonic Halls had boiii erected and dedicated at llfracombe and St . Budeaux , and progress was being made with the building of another at Okehampton . Two applications had been received from lodges for the supplemental grant to acquire lifegovernorships in the great Masonic Charities , viz ., St . John , No . 70 , Plymouth , and Devon , No . 1138 , Newton Abbott .

The P . G . Treasurer ' s account was presented , showing a balance in hand of i . 354 135 . 3 d . It was reported that , in response to the Prov . Grand Master ' s appeal for Masonic contributions to the Red Cross Fund , to which Lord Northcote , as Prov . G . M ., contributed , £ _' ci , the sum of £ 384 had been voted , all the lodges with three exceptions contributing . At the special

request of the contributors , the sum oi £ 21 15 s . 6 d . was applied to the Fund for Relieving Soldiers' and Sailors' Widows and Orphans . The sum of £ 5 3 s . 6 d . to the Fund for relieving British Refugees in South Africi , and £ 357 3 s . to the Red Cross Fund . The grateful acknowled gments of tht Lord Mayor had been received for the cantrioutions .

The adoption of the reports were unanimously agreed to with the addition of an expression of deep regret at the loss Freemasonry had sustained in the province by the death of such a worthy Mason as Bro . E . T . Fulford , of Exeter .