Correspondence.

Correspondence .

Wc do not hold ourselves responsible tor the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

BOYS' SCHOOL . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In my letter which appeared in your issue of the 24 th ult ., I asked Bro . Farncombe a very simple , straightforward question . In his reply thereto , in your current number , he does not even refer to it . Instead , thereof , he quotes the resolution of the Board of Management .

Copy of this same resolution has also been sent to me by Bro . McLeod himself , and by other brethren , so that I am getting tired of this iteration . Besides , this is altogether unnecessary . To us who protest , it matters not how it was done . The fact that it was done at all is the question that concerns us . Whether it was regular , or irregular , we do not care one iota . We have never questioned the power of the Board to vote this gratuity . Instead of ; £ iooo , they could have voted ; £ 5 ooo , or any other sura it they thought well . We simply challenge the exercise of that power .

I quite agree with ' Bro . Farncombe that this discussion may now close , and having accomplished our object , I do not intend to trouble you with any further correspondence . Thanking you for your very kind indulgence . —Yours fraternally , GEO . CHAPMAN , P . M . 47 , P . P . G . D . January 3 rd .

To tht Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Will Bro . George Chapman ( Nottingham ) explain how he sees the reports of the Committee of the Boys' School ; for , whilst stating he knows so much more than thousands of your readers , he evidently reads the said reports to little purpose ?

As a Vice-Patron of the Boys' School , and a Steward on many occasions , 1 may claim to possess some knowledge on the subject , and venture to think your readers will value Bro . Chapman ' s criticism at its proper worth when they learn his interest in the Institutions is solely confined to ungenerous criticism . —Yours fraternally , JAS . WILLING , JUN . London , December 29 th .

A JUBILEE MASTER'S JEWEL . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , For some time past I have intended to write you on a subject that many brethren would support , viz ., permission to have and to wear a " Jubilee Master ' s jewel , " that is to say , a jewel designed and made to be worn by those Masters who were in the chair of K . S . at any time during the " Diamond Jubilee year . "

Might I suggest that any brother who would support this might send you a post card to say so , you could then have an idea of the number that might be wanted before approaching the authorities . —Yours fraternally , JNO . PURTON , P . M . 1541 , I . P . M . 2728 , Chapter 1269 . Clarendon House , Hornsey , December 29 th .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Lodge of Joppa , No . 188 . The installation meeting of this lodge—now in the mth year of its existence—was held on Monday last at Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen-street , W . C . The chair was occupied by Bro . H . Lazarus , W . M ., who was supported by the following : Bros . E . Emanuel , S . W . ; I . Cohen , J . W . ; Rev . S . J . Roco , P . M ., Chap . ; J . Levy , P . M . ; Ernest Davy , P . M . ; A . G . Dodson , P . M . ; W . I . Gardner , P . M . ; N . Garrard , P . M . ; Joshua Hands , Treas . ; Lewis Lazarus , P . M ., Sec . , * J . Hamilton Craig ,

S . D . ; James Edwards , J . D . ; M . D . Armstrong , I . G . ; A . W . Savill and W . L . Rosenthal , Stwds . ; John Ives , P . M ., Tylerj James G . Cross , E . G . Galloway , I . Mott , M . Jacob , W . Jacob , G . Van Polen , H . Witmead , W . Thorpe , H . Emanuel , S . Wibel , A . W . Penfold , H . S . Onken , J . A . Wormald , A . Levay , E . 0 . Lazarus , Saml . Litner , and Isaac Silver . Visitors : Bros . L . J . Aylward , 2467 ; P . Simon , 205 ; I .

Genese , P . M . 1540 ; Moris Hart , 73 ; Geo . Lichtenfield , W . M . 205 ; Horatio Saqui , W . M . 22 G 4 ; John D . Hood , 166 S ; S . Dancyger , P . M . 205 ; E . J . Greaves , 26 < jS ; H . Massey , P . M . C 19 and 192 S ; H . Emanuel , 2265 ; Phillips , 704 ; F . H . Phillips , 704 ; N . S . Lyon , iSS ; J . K . Saunders , 1507 ; C . J . Edney , 16 S 7 ; A . Hago , 16 S 7 ; J . Magnus , 14 S 9 ; T . S . Henson , 109 G ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; J . C . Anderson , 2411 ; Orlton Cooper , P . M . 211 ; Wolfe S . Lyon , 1 S 5 ; W . H . Young , 1 G 01 ; and E . C . Mulvey , P . G . P .

Bros . Wormald ard Jacobs were raised to the Third Degree by the W . M ., who afterwards installed Uro . E . Emanuel , S . W ., as W . M ., and himself received the collar of I . P . M . The other brethren constituting the list of ollicers of the lodge for the new year were Bros . Isaac Cohen , S . W . ; J . Hamilton Craig , J . W . ; Joshua Hands , Treas . ; Lewis Lazarus , P . M ., A . G . P ., Sec . ; Rev . S . J . Roco , P . AL , Chap . ; A . Cohen , P . M ., D . C ; Brewer , S . D . ; M . D . Armstrong , J . D . ; W . L . Rosenthal , LG . ; Rememann , A . D . C . ; A . W . Savill and W . Thorpe , Stewards ; and John Ives ,

P . M ., Tyler . The new W . M . afterwards initiated Mr . Julius Lemel , and presented a Past Master ' s jewel to the outgoing Master . The I . P . M . ' s late officers presented him with a Past Master ' s apron and collar , a vote of thanks to him for performing the installation ceremony was passed , and , on the motion of Bro . Van Polen , seconded by the Treasurer , he was elected an honorary member of the lod ^ e . A vote of sympathy and condolence with the widow of a deceased member was also passed belore the lodge was closed . A banquet followed the working of the day .

Bro . Lewis Lazarus , A . G . P ., in his response to the toast of " The Grand Officers , " said he gathered from the various lodge meetings he attended , indepsndent of the meetingsof Grand Lodge , that there never was a Mason who had left behind him such a gcod name as the late Earl of Lathom . The guiding of the Craft vvas under Grand Lodge , and while Masons had the first gentleman in the world in the chair they might rest assured the conduct of Masonry would proceed and progress in the future as it had in the past .

Bros . E . C . Mulvey , P . G . P ., and H . Sidler , G . T ., also responded . Bro , H . Lazarus , I . P . M ., in proposing the toast of " The W . M ., " observed that one and all of the brethren had something to be proud of in placing Bro . E . Emanuel in the chair . During the time he ( Bro . Lazarus ) presided , liro . Emanuel acted as his S . W ., and carried out his duties to his satisfaction and the satisfaction of the lodge

Craft Masonry.

generally . To-night he carried out the ceremony of initiation most satisfactorily . He hoped the brethren would bring him the work to do . Bro . E . Emanuel , W . M ., replying , said that as far as regarded work the brethren might be sure he should do it , and he should endeavour to give all the brethren as much pleasure as was in his power . He had arranged , with the assistance of the Board of

Management , to hold a ball , possibly in March . He had a very pleasant recollection of the ladies'nights on previous occasions , and he thought most of the brethren also had such pleasing recollections . He hooed manv brethren now present would support the ball . He next proposed "The I . P . M . and Installing Master , " and said it was the second time Bro . H . Lazarus had been Master of the Joppa Lodge . He hoped to see him again occupying the Master's chair .

Bro . H . Lazarus , I . P . M ., in response , said he was glad he had satisfied the brethren during his year of office . Bro . Lemel replied to the toast of "The Initiate . " Bro . W . J . Gardner , P . M ., replying to the toast of " The Lodge of Joppa Benevolent Fund , " said this fund relieved Grand Lodge Fund of Benevolence . The fund was a grand feature of the Lodge of Joppa , and he believed it vvas the origin of similar funds \ yhichotherIodgeshad formed in recentyears . Itstarted in a small way . but by the contribu *

tions of members only—not of strangers—it got a considerable fortune . and with that money they had endeavoured—and he hoped and trusted they would continue to endeavourto do a great deal of good . They assisted the brethren of the lodge privately , even the members of the lodge being ignorant of vvhat was done in relief of distress . He was not advertising the fund or inviting brethren to come to it ; he hoped they would never want to come ; but if they did , and their case was worthy , they would be we II received . The Committeee were as careful as they could be , without bsinsr mjan or stinzy . Thsy

had taken care of the fund ; they had now over £ 700 invested , besides having in the hands of the Treasurer a considerable sum . Last year they gave to one Charity alone ___ , io 5 ; the previous year they had given £ 105 ; and besides that , they had never been backward in putting their guineas on the lists of the Stewards who represented the lodge at the Charity Festivals . A genuine application vvas never refused . They could boast of what few lodges could boast of—that a large number of the members of the lodge were Vice-Presidents of the Joppa Benevolent Fund , as well as life subscribers to the

Masonic Charities ; he did not think any lodge could boast of havinij so many . With £ 200 or £ 300 given in iSgS the Joppa Lodge might well be proud , and it was something for other lodges to imitate . The initiate that evening had shown true Masonic feeling by giving a guinea to the Fund . The W . M . had made himself a Vice-President . Although everyone could not be elected on the Board , they could get a seat there by subscribing at once , or by instalments , five guineas , which qualified them as Vice-Presidents , and gave them a voice in the distribution of the fund . The other toasts followed .

Lodge of the Three Grand Principles , No . 441 . The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Lion Hotel , Cambridge , on Monday , the 2 nd inst ., and vvas attended by about So brethren , some 30 of whom were visitors . The Province of Cambridgeshire was represented by the Dep . Prov . G . Master ( Bro . the Rev . J . H . Gray ) , the Wardens , the Treasurer , the Secretary , and other officers ; and the attendance also included the W . M . and W . M . elect of Lodge No . 88 .

Bro . Luke Hosegood was installed in the chair of K . S . by Bro . F . R . Leach , the outgoing W . M ., and there vvere 24 present at the Board of Installed Masters . The following ; are the officers for the year : Bros . L . Hosegood , P . P . G . Stwd ., W . M . ; F . R . Leach , P . G . Supt . of Works , LP . M . ; F . W . Miller , P . G . Stwd ., S . W . ; G . F . Knowles , J . W . ; Dr . W . R . Roper , P . M ., P . P . G . Stwd ., Chap . ; J . Taylor , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., Treas . ; J . Vail , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., Sec . ; J . Dempster , P . P . G . Purst ., S . D .,- W . H . Berridge , P . P . G . Org ., J . D . ; F . Dewberry , P . M ., P . S . G . W ., D . of C ;

O . J . Hammond , Org . ; W . F . Thompson , Std . Br . ; H . W . Dewberry , I . G . ; F . W . Potts , P . M ., P . P . G . Stwd ., Stwd . ; and A . F . O'C . Hurry , Tyler . Promise of excellent work was given by the newly-installed W . M . in investing his officers . The charges were afterwards given with ability by Bro . J . Royston , P . M . Subsequently the Dep . Prov . G . Master ( on behalf of the lodge ) presented a Past Master ' s jewel to Bro . F . R . Leach , and expressed the sincere hope that he would long live to wear and value it . The visiting brethren having given expression to their hearty good wishes , the lodge

was closed , and the brethren afterwards met at banquet , when the usual Masonic toasts were given . Bro . Rev . J . H . Gray , P . G . Chap . Eng ., responded in behalf of the Grand Lodge Officers and also for the Provincial Grand Officers . The establishment of the St . Audrey Lodge at Ely would ( he hoped ) be soon followed by the foundation of lodges in some other portions of the province . The toast of "The VV . M . " havinir been dulv honoured , as also that of "The

Installing Masters and Past Masters , " Bro . James Catling , P . M ., submitted " The Health of the Visitors , " which was acknowledged by Bros . J . H . Moyes , W . M . SS ; Ward , 1224 ; Colbourn , 1515 ; Pickford , 376 ; and Burton , 2727 . A well-arranged programmeof music , contributed by Bros . A . Burton , P . G . P . ; E , Bowman , F . W . Miller , S . W . ; and W . H . Berridge , J . D ., enhanced tho pleasure of a very happy meeting .

St . James s Lodge , No . 448 . The annual meeting of this lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall , St . John'splace , Halifax , on Tuesday , the 27 th ult ., when Bro . Rufus Charles Skyes , S . W . and W . M . elect , was installed into the chair of K . S . by Bro . Arthur E . Spencer , W . M ., in an able manner . The newly-installedW . M . then appointed and invested his officers for the ensuing year ( addressing to each words of approval and encouragement ) as follows : Bros . Arthur E . Spencer , I . P . M . ; Geo . Tinker , S . W . ; Charles E . Rose , J . W . ; Sykes Broadbent , Chap . ; C . T . Rhodes , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Treas . ; Jon . Jessop , P . M ., Sec . ; Ehud Hanson , Asst . Sec . ; James Milligan , S . D . ; William Fielding , J . D .

SutdiiTe Hanson , D . of C . ; William Crabtree , I . G . ; William Oates , O . G . ; Geo . Whitley , Org . ; G . W . Shaw , Asst . Org . ; Joe Whiteley , Almoner ; Robt . Town , Librarian ; J . S . Hartley , J . A . Worsnop , W . H . Kaye , M . Greenwood , J . H . Sorsby , J . E . Brearley , H . F . Christie , and Alfred Robertshaw , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Charity , Stwds . At the close of the ceremony , Bro . J . T . Simpson , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Mayor of Halifax , presented to the retiring W . M ., Bro . A . E . Spencer , a Past Master's jewel , as a token of respect for the excellent manner in which he had conducted the business of the lodge during the past 12 months . Bro . Spencer suitably and feelingly responded , thanking the brethren for the gift .

The business being concluded , the brethren adjourned to the dining hall , where the usual installation banquet took place . Mr . and Mrs . Hind were the caterers , and provided a first-class menu , which gave every satisfaction . Afterwards a most enjoyable evening vvas spent , the brethren doing their best to contribute to the harmony of the meeting . Special reference should be made to Bros . Ehud Hanson , Sykes Broadbent ,

A . Alderton , W . VV . Smith , E . Lord . A . Robertshaw , S . Greenwood , and E . Ireland , At the banquet the newly-installed W . M . was supported by Bros . J . T . Simpson , P . M , ( the Mayor ); Alfred Arnold , M . P ., P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., and many distinguished Provincial Grand O . licers and visiting brethren from sister lodges of the town and country . The Jewel was manufactured by Bros . George Kenning and Son , London .

Friendship Lodge , No . 750 . The annual ceremony of installation in . ' connection vvith the above lodge took place on the 2 Sth ult ., at Cleckheaton . Bro . C . Broskham vvas installed Worshipful Master of the lodge , and the folio . ving other appointments were midi * . Bros . L . W . Townsend , I . P . M . ; H . B . Goldthorp , S . W . ; S . Robinson , J . W . ; John Birkby , P . M ., Treas . ;

a . Woodcock , bee . ; James finder , L ' . M ., uhap . ; Joseph Brown , b . D . ; fr lestley A . tlentley , J . D . ; Hy . Ellison , jun ., I . G . ; J . E . Slinger , O . G . ; D . Barraclough , Org . ; R . Naylor , R . Thornton , and Titus Healey , Auditors ; E . Rothwell , George Ward , and Henry Brown , Stewards ; and Wm . Townsend , P . M ., Charity Memb : r .

LORD WANTAGE . —A lifelike portrait of Bro . Lord Wantage , wearing his handsome Masonic regalia as Prov . G . Master of Berkshire , taken a week or two since by Mr . Warland Andrew , of Abingdon , has been beautifully reproduced by the Meisenbach Company , of West Norwood , and will appear as a frontispiece in the forthcoming issue of the " Berkshire Masonic Register and Calender , " which is being prepared b y the publisher , Bro . George J . Cosburn , of the Caxton Printing Works , Newbury .