Correspondence.

Correspondence .

PUBLIC APPEARANCE IN MASONIC CLOTHING . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Is it quite within the knowledge or Grand Ollicers that many curious things happen when dispensations are granted to wear Masonic clothing at church

services , and at balls , & c . Only recently , at a service on a Sunday afternoon in a locality within easy distance of town , some of the brethren paraded the church in the clothing of the principal officers . of the chapter . In the parish magazine , in which special mention was made of the approaching service in this church , it was

announced that Bro . Blank would appear as the " Arch-Priest Zerubbtibel , " another as " The Great Haggai , " and a third as "Joshua , " the editor betraying the most complete ignorance of Masonry . This journal going into the hands of many people supremely ignorant of Masonry , has proved a source of annoyance to many

brethren in the neig hbourhood , who have been saluted by references to the names given above . Is it not time that this nonsense shall cease , and if the brethren wish to attend church to do so without all the paraphernalia of jewels and clothing ' t The number of old Stewards' jewels trotted out on the occasion mentioned was a sig ht to behold . —Yours obediently , A SIMPLE MASON .

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METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Faith Lodge ( No . 141 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 25 th ult . Among those present were : Bros . Trott , W . M . ; White , S . W . ; Godfrey , | . W . ; VV . [ . Hakim , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Stuart , P . M ., Sec ; Swan , S . D . ; Moss , I . G . ; O . Sharpley , Org . ; J . C . Taylor , l . P . M . ; Charles Dairy ,

P . M . ; G . Rumball , P . M . ; Capt . Walls , P . G . Stwd ., G . Std . Br ., P . M . ; Fromholtz , P . M . ; Hudson , P . M . ; and E . Hopwood , P . P . G . S . B , P . M ., hon member . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . VV . J . Smith was passed to the Second Degree . Bro . White was unanimously elected W . M ., Bro . Hakim

reelected Treasurer , and Bro . Longstaffe , lylcv . A Past Master ' s jewel was voted to Bro . Trott . The Audit Committee was elected and date of audit fixed for the oth inst . Apolcgies for non-attendance were received from Bros . C . Wetzlar , P . M . ; J . Welsh , P . M . ; Gluckstein , J . D . ; and others .

The lodge was then closed , and thc brethren adjourned to refreshment . A few toasts were proposed and duly honoured . Burdett Coutts Lodge ( No . 127 S ) . —The 26 th installation meeting was held at the London Tavern , Fenchurch-street , on Wednesday , the 19 th ult . There was a capital attendance of brethren and a large gathering oi

visitors . The lodge was opened by the VV . M ., Bro . W . II . Toye , supported by his ollicers . The confirmation of the minutes and the audit report having been taken , the ceremony of installation was at once proceeded with . Bro . J . Joseph Hall , S . W ., W . M . elect , was duly installed as W . M . in the presence of a Board of 24 Installed Masters , the ceremony being performed by the outgoing Master in

splendid style . The VV . M . afterwards , in an effective and impressive manner , invested the following as the officers for the ensuing year : Bros . W . 11 . Toye , l . P . M . ; G . F . Gildersleve , S . VV . ; IL Grant , J . W . ; W . J . Crutch , Treas . ; G . W . Verry , Sec . , * F . 'Toye , S . D . ; J . Islip , J . D . ; T . Lloyd , I . G . ; IL Bond and C . Leyroy , Stwds . ; and 1 . Lcgge , Tyler . A feature of the investiture was that

of Bro . G . W . Verry , P . M ., as Secretary for the 25 th consecutive time . Bro . VV . II . Toye delivered the three addresses to the W . M ., Wardens , and brethren with great ability and effectiveness . All business being completed , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet , which was served in a manner which gave universal satisfaction .

The VV . M . proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , which were heartily responded to . Bro . VV . IL Toye , I . P . M ., was well received on being presented with a Past Master ' s jewel , and , in reply , stated that his interest in the lodge remained unabated , and his greatest wish was to sec the lodge still prosper as it had hitherto done . He ielt sure that tV . e ollicers would support

the W . M ., as he himself intended to do , and should any of Hie officers or brethren present require any instruction in the work of their various offices , he , as one of the Past Masters , would only be too pleased to offer them his services . Bros . Bromhead , P . M ., and Oxley , P . M ., responded for " The Visitors . "

The pleasure of the evening was greatly enhanced by the excellent rendering of a number of songs , duets , glees , and recitations by thc Misses Hamilton and Rolfc , Bros . Making , P . M . ; Weston , P . M . ; Taylor , and others ; thc musical arrangements being unuer ( lie direction of Bro . Dr . Haskins , Org .

Clapton Lodge ( No . 1365 ) . —The installation meeting of this distinguished City lodge was held at the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpool-street , on thc 20 th ult ., at which there was a good muster of the brethren to do honour to the installation of Bro . R . E . Fairclough , an esteemed

member . There were present * . Bros . D . CampUell , VV . M . 1 W . Forty , l . P . M . ; R . E . Fairclough , S . W . j E . C Robinson , J . W . ; VV . Blackburn , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . Mid . dlesex , Treas . ; VV . ' D . Church , P . M ., Sec ; J . Geddes , S . D . ; A . H . Church , J . D . ; F . C Lintott , I . G . ; T . T

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Gething , D . C . ; R . Devcreux and VV . Shurmur , P . G . T . Essex , Stewards ; VV . Finch , P . M . ; VV . Lutwyche , P . M . - " C E . Lukcr , P . M . , * J . S . Radkin , P . M .: VV . IT . Caton ' P . M . ; Dv . ] . N . Bredin , F . J . Thayre , F . C . Minter , S ' Hartogs , 1 . Whitehead , Henry C . Muckley , F . Ovfeur , ]' Vincent , II . Green , W . D . Seaton , J . Parfitt , T . VVVaughan , P . Becker , ] . Dolman , VV . H . Fufcher , H . C Amende . E . Schilling , R . C . Flint , C . R . Campbell , and J .

Very , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . C . Horst , 1471 ; Edgar SWaterlow , D . C . 29 ; ] . Miller , W . M . i _| yi , * S . AStanger , P . M . 12 ; F . L . Otter , G 57 ; J . H . Watts , 317 ; VV . H . Lee , P . M ., W . M . elect 1897 ; Dr . W . Jordan , W . M . 2424 ; \ V . A . Finch , 2256 ; S . Pocock , 1 S 1 S ; IT . Trot ere , 1920 ; R . Loomes , VV . M . 1471 ; J . Bunker , P . M . 1158 ; S . Willoughby , 189 . ) , P . P . G . S . B . Devon ; E . Wickenden , I . W . 1599 ; H . F . Bromhead , 2501 ; E .

Fairclough , J . W . 21 * 55 ; C . IT . Badmor , Sec . 2155 ; VV . Gladding , 1 S 1 C ; VV . T . Christian , P . P . G . S . of Works Essex ; F . Campbell , 19 S 7 ; E . Montague Edwards , 2077 ; W . B . Elliot , 17 s ; 1 . Pearce ; P . E . Campbell , P . M . 1670 ; and R . T . West , 1744 . 'The minutes of the last lodge and emergency meetings having been read , Bro . J . Djlman , 2374 , was unanimously elected a joining member . The Auditors' report was

received , and Bro . R . E . Fairclough , the W . M . elect , was presented and duly installed into the chair by the outgoing VV . M ., Bro . D . Campbell . The new W . M . then appointed and invested the following as his officers for the ensuing 12 months , viz .: Bros . J . D . Geddes , S . VV . ; A . H . Church . ( . VV . ; VV . Blackburn , P . M ., Treas . ; VV . 1 ) . Church , P . M ., Sec ; F . C . Lintott . S . D . ; W . Banks , l . D . ; T . T . 'Gething , I . G . ; R . Devereux , Org . ; F .

Orfeur , D . C ; H . C . Muckley , and J . Holland , Stwds . ; and J . Very , Tyler . The installation ceremony was most ably performed by Bro . D . Campbell , who gave the addresses in a manner that made it impossible to have been better rendered , for which he received the hearty congratulations of the brethren . The W . M . then rose and stated that he had a most important and pleasant duty to perform , and , addressing Bro . D . Campbell , he presented him with

a Past Master's jewel , remarking that no brother had more worthily earned it , and that it was given as a small token of the great esteem in which he was hell by the members , and he earnestly hoped he would be with them for many years to give the lodge his valuable assistance . Bro . D . Campbell , in eloquent terms , tendered his heartfelt thanks for tbe kind appreciation o ( his services as W . M . Other business being disposed of , the lodge was closed ,

and the brethren partook of a mvWiv / i / banquet , for which Bro . H . C Amendt , the general manager of the Great Eastern Railway Company ' s hotels , was responsible , and it was well served , under his personal superintendence , and that of his able lieutenant , Bro . P . Becker . After the repast , the Worshipful Master gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts in eloquent terms , but with commendable brevity , which were duly honoured .

The I . P . M ., Bro . D . Campbell , on rising to propose "The Health of the Worshipful Master , " had a hearty reception . He said that thc gavel was an old friend of his , but it seemed to whisper that it must leave him , and it was so . It was more than a pleasure to him to submit the toast , which would be received with enthusiasm . From what they had seen of the working of Bro . Fairclough , he would be second to none as VV . M ., and the members were proud of hiin , and in conclusion , hc congratulated him and wished

him every happiness during his year of office . The toast was drunk with acclimation , and Bro . R . E . Fairclough , on attempting to reply , was enthusiastically received . He remarked that the hardest duty of a W . M . was to respond to the toast which had bcen so ably given by Bro . D . Campbell . He did not know if he deserved such kind words and the flattering reception he had met with , but he would do his utmost to warrant the manner in which hc had been toasted that night , and in concluding a happy speech , he

said" Thus have 1 begun my reign and tis My hope to end successfully . " In submitting the toast of "The l . P . M . and Installing Master , " the W . M . said that Bro . D . Campbell had carried out his duties during his year of oflice in an excellent manner , his working of the ritual was perfect , and his rendering of the ceremony that evening was more than admirable , and there was no one in the lodge more genial or held in higher

esteem . Bro . D . Campbell , I . P . M ., who was again received with much warmth , stated in reply that if he had merited the approbation of the members for the little he had done during his happy year as W . M . he was satisfied , but if they grumbled he was , using the words of the W . M ., " willing to have it all over again . "The Joining Member " was next given . Bro . Dolman

responded , observing that he was honoured by having been accepted in their lodge , and hoped all would be spared for many years to spend similar enjoyable gatherings like the present one . The VV . M ., in giving " 'The Visitors , " said that they had a goodly number , many of whom were distinguished , but they were all welcome , and he coupled with it the names of Bros . Lee , Bromhead , Waterlow , Willoughby , Dr . Warwick

Jordan , Bunker , and E . Fairclough . Bro . Lee responded . He said that it was not his first visit , as he was there 20 years ago , but he was sorry to see so few present of those whom he knew so many years ago . It was his good fortune to have had a great experience in Masonry , but never had he seen better working than that of Bro . Campbell , their I . P . M ., and the new VV . M . had installed his ollicers in so pleasant and able a manner

that the members were to be congratulated in having so efficient a ruler . Bro . Waterlow also said that he had visited many lodges , hut had never met with a heartier reception . Bros . Bromhead , Willoughby , and Dr . Warwick Jordan also responded , all bearing testimony to tbe excellent working , the lavish hospitality of the members and for the great reception to the visitors . In giving " The Past Masters , " the W . M . mentioned

each by name , and observed that they were both ornamental and ustful , and would adorn any lodge . Bro . Lutwyche , P . M ., responded . He said that the I . P . M ., Bio . Campbell , could not have done better during his term of office , and the members appreciated his great worth ; he also referred to the good work done by thc other Past Masters , and if the officers who were coming on would follow in the footsteps of the Past Masters , he ventured to think that the lodge would not go wrong .

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Bros . Badkin , Finch , and Forty , also replied in appropriate but eloquent terms . The W . M . gave "The Treasurer and Secretary , " remarking that they , vcre both good fellows and no lodge could have two better officers , and the members knew their great worth . Jiro . !>! acl * burn , P . M ., Treas ., responded , lie said that the lodge was most prosperous , and the members were the

finest men he knew ., Bro . W . I ) . Church , P . M ., Sec , also replied . He thanked the VV . M . for re-appointing him Secretary , and hc hoped that in carrying out the duties of that office he had given satisfaction to them all . He was more than proud that his son , who was his first initiate , had been invested as J . W . that evening , and that three others of his initiates had also received collars . He was sorry that in thc lodge he omitted to propose a hearty vote of thanks to

Bro . E . C Robinson , the Hon . Secretary of the Outing Committee , and to Bro . 11 . C . Amendt fur their great efforts which made their splendid outing the great success it was . The ladies were already asking when the next outing was to be , which he thought spoke volumes that the ladies had enjoyed themselves very much . "The Masonic Charities , " having been honoured , The VV . M . gave , in happy terms , " The Officers . " Bro . Geddes , S . W ., responded , and said Vie would do his best to keep up the great reputation of the lodge .

Bro . A . II . Church also replied . 1 le should never forget the kind words of the VV . M . in investing him as J . W . lie and the other officers would do their utmost to assist their genial W . M ., and he referred to the great energy displayed by Bro . Muckley that evening as Steward . Bro . Banks , J . D ., also responded . The Charity box was passed round during the evening and the respectable sum of £ 2 os . 3 d . was the result . The Tyler ' s toast brought to a close one of the most

successful installation meetings of the Clapton Lodge , and there is no doubt that it will continue to prosper during the reign of the VV . M ., Bro . R . E . Fairclough , whose portrait will be found in our " Gallery of VVorshipful Masters . " . An excellent musical entertainment was provided under the able direction ot Bro . A . IT . Church , in which the following also took part : Bros . Green , Banks , Luker , Futcher , Stanger , and P . Becker , but special mention may be made of Bros . Green and Stanger .

Henry Muggeridge Lodge ( No . 1679 ) . — This well-known lodge met at Anderton ' s Hotel , fleetstreet , on the 22 nd ult ., when there were present Bros . J . VV . Woodthorpe , VV . M . ; T . Sibley , S . W . ; R . J . Hall , J . W . ; A . Sack , P . M ., Treas . ; G . Clark , P . M ., Sec ; C J . Soivton , S . D . , * J . VV . Gomra , J . D . ; J . Worthington , Org . ; VV . Boyce , l . P . M . ; S . Stampfer , P . M . ; A . Street , P . M . ; C E . Blogg , M . Henry , and J . Rawles ,

Tyler . Visitors : Bros . C . S . Mote , P . M . 1732 ; A . Arrowsmith , W . M . 733 ; and R . T . West , 1744 . The minutes of the last meeting having been read , Bro . A . Sack , P . M ., proposed that a donation of 10 guineas be given to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ,. remarking that the three Charities were the best managed in the world , and were a credit to the Craft . This having been unanimously carried , thc W . M . announced that he would

go up as Steward for the Boys . There was a brother to be pissed and another to be raised , but neither were able to attend , and the brethren were disappointed at not seeing the working of the VV . M . ( who has the reputation of being a good worker ) , and it would have been his lirst work of the ritual since his installation . The lodge was closed , and the brethren partook of an excellent dinner and was well served , for which Bro . Evans

was responsible . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts followed . Bro . Boyce , l . P . M ., gave the toast of "The W . M ., " observing that Bro . Woodthorpe was well able to do any work required of him , and he would be an honour to and make one of the best Masters the lodge had ever had . Bro . Woodthorpe , in reply , said that he was gratified hc had the appreciation o £ the members , and he hoped to

have plenty of work , which would be done to the best of his ability , and that he would make it his study to promote thc welfare of the brethren and keep together that good fellowship which had always existed in the lodge . " The Visitors" having been honoured , Bro . Arrowsmith responded . He said that their hospitality was grand , but he was disappointed in not seeing any work that night , as hc had heard great things were expected of their W . M .

Bro . S . Mote , P . M ., also replied . He was glad to see the unanimous way the 10 guineas were voted to the " Boys '" that evening , and might-he take the opportunity of mentioning that he knew one member in the flesh who was covered in jewels for earnest work done for the Charities . He referred to Bro . VV . M . Stiles who was a Vice-President of the three Institutions , and if the office of Grand Treasurer was to be given to one who had been an ardent worker ,

Bro . Stiles was the man , as it would be impossible to find anyone who had done more than he had for Masonry and Ihe Charities . The VVorshipful Master gave "The l . P . M . and Past Masters , " remarking that they had done well for the lodge , to which some excellent speeches were made in reply by Bros . Boyce , l . P . M . ; Sack , George Clark , Stampfer , and Street . . . .

1 n giving " The Treasurer and Secretary , " the Worship ful Master stated that no lodge could have two better officers , and their great services were much appreciated by the members . Bro . Sack , P . M ., Treas ., responded . He said happy ' the man who holds office under such a W . M . He was pleased to have as a colleague , Bro . Clark , Sec , who had been his L'reat Iriend since bovhood .

Bro . Clark , P . M ., Sec , also replied , lie was glad to do anything for the lodge , which had ever bcen one 01 concord . The toast of " The Officers " was responded to by Bi ° * Sibley , S . W . He said that it would be to him a labour ol love to do any bidding of the VV . M ., and when it fell to lj * hannv lot to OCCUPY the chair , he would do his best to

harmonise the "Stability" and "Emulation" workings . Suitable replies were also made by Bros . Hall , J-W . J Soivton , Gomm , and Worthington . The 'T yler ' s toast ended a very enjoyable evening . Bros . Blogg , Sibley , Henry , Clark , Mote , Gomm , Street , Sowton , and Worthington vocally and otherwise entertained tne brethren .