Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but wc wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion .

ELECTION OF GRAND TREASURER ( MARK ) . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Will you allow me , through the medium of your columns , to thank the 133 brtthren who kindly attended Grand Mark Lodge on the 3 rd inst . to record their votes in my favour . There were many who came a considerable distance

from London to support my candidature , and to them particularly I cannot too highly express my gratitude . 1 wish , also , to be allowed to record my appreciation of the courteous and truly fraternal way in which the contest was carried out by the successful candidate , Bro . Major C . Probyn . As foreshadowed in your " Masonic Notes" of the 29 th ult ., the election " passed off in orderly fashion . "Yours fraternally , London , March 4 th . T . C . WALLS .

PRINCE FREDERICK LODGE , No . 307 . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , My attention has been directed to your " Notes " in the issue of the Freemason , ol the 15 th ult ., respecting the Centenary Celebration of the abovenamed lodge , and also to a ietter from Bro . John Lane , in your last issue , upon the

same subject , both of which I have read with considerable interest , as affecting this lodge , of which , this year , I have the honour to be S . W . I have , never , however , had the pleasure of reading Bro . Lane ' s " Masonic Records , " but I am satisfied that the conclusions at which he ( I believe , alone ) has , both there and in his letter to you . arrived , have been drawn without a full and complete knowledge of the whole of the facts , and I am content to think that , after the Grand Lodge

Authorities had been furnished with a careful statement of the necessary particulars of the lodge ' s origin and proof of its uninterrupted existence for 100 years , as required by the Book of Constitutions , together with a perusal of the pirticular minute book relating to the period referred to by Bro . Lane , the M . W . G . M . rightly exercised his prerogative in granting the Centenary Warrant to the lodge . I have not , now , unfortunately , the time to at once make such a complete inspection of those portions of our minute books as would give Bro . Lane further

light upon these matters , but , as I hope , during the course of the year , to revise the "Brief Epitome of the Lodge History" which I read on the occasion of the Centenary Celebration with the view to its publication , I will then endeavour to conclusively show the continuity of the lodge , with , I trust , the result of satisfying Bro . Lane himself , that he has been , as you , Bro . Editor , say , "too exacting as to what constitutes a lapse of the warrant in the case of this particular lodge . " —Yours fraternally . W . SHAW , S . W . 307 . Glen Royd , Hebden Bridge , 27 th February .

FESTIVAL OF THE R . M . B . I . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I shall feel obliged if you will announce in your next issue the fact that Bro . C . L . Nelson , who was returned in last Saturday's Freemason

as representing Lodge No . 781 , and who took up a very large sum of money , the largest , in fact , I believe , ever taken up to a Masonic Festival by any individual brother , is the Junior Warden of the Sub-Urban Lodge , No . 1 7 , which meets at Great Stanmore , and was , therefore , a representative of the Province of Middlesex , as well as of the Merchant Navy Lodge , No . 781 .

Bro . Nelson was disappointed that this fact was not announced at the Festival when the list of Stewards was read by the Secretary . —Yours faithfully and fraternally , J . TICKLE , March 4 th . P . M . and Treasurer 1702 , P . P . G . R . Middx .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"THE IREEMASONS' CALENDAR FOR THE PROVINCE OF NOTTINGHAMSHIRE FOR THE YEAR 1 S 9 6 . "—The editor , or rather the " compiler " ( as Bro . Arthur Stubbs styles himself ) , has done his work most thoroughly , the compact little volume being complete as to all details , excellently arranged , and neatly printed . Bro . Stubbs , as Provincial Grand Secretary and Scribe E ., is the right brother in the right place as editor , because of his intimate acquaintance with all that interests and concerns the welfare of the province , and to himself , as well as to nit the Master Masons in the

county , whose names were duly returned as members to June 30 th , 1 S 95 , this annual must be a boon and indispensable pocket companion . In addition to the usual features of the directory as ordinarily published , all the names of the members ol the lodges , chapters , and other Masonic bodies are duly inserted , so that the wonder is so much has been compressed in some 150 pages , considering that there are now iS lodges returning 700 members , eight Royal Arch chapters with 225 companions , besides the Mark lodges , & c , & c . The . full list of votes in the Masonic Charities is also carefully arranged , exhibiting a considerable increase on last year ' s total , viz ., 1304 , as compared with 1216 , but there is still room for increase in this department . Is the date , October , 1891 , correct for the warrant of No . 2412 , Sutton-in-Ashfield ? Bro . Lane ' s " Masonic Records , 1717-1894 , " has 25 th July , and October as the month of consecration .

"THE FREEMASONS' CALENDAR FOR THE PROVINCE OF SHROPSHIRE FOR 189 G . "—This rather small province , consisting of only 12 lodges and 354 members , has one of the best Masonic Calendars published in England , the editor being the esteemed D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Rowland G . Venables . This issue begins a new volume , and , what is more , begins well , with full particulars of all the lodges , chapters , & c , at work in the province . The " Masonic Notes , " on the duties of Secretaries of lodges , by Bro . A . S . Townsend , P . Prov . G . Reg ., are very good and most useful , the reference , in each case .

to the " Book tf Constitutions , " supplying the law which enforces the particular instruction . The roll of extinct lodges that was in the previous edition , compiled by the historian of the province ( Bro . Alexander Graham ) , is not inserted : but as there is a verv full and interesting article on " Freemasonry in 1895 , " by Bro . H . R . Giles , P . P . G . Reg ., there is no lack of compensation for its absence . This is a most commendable feature of the hand y and ably-arranged annual , and doubtless will prove of considerable utility , its compilation being in the bands of a competent brother , who has satisfactorily most instructive miormation 1 here

condenser ! an immense amount ot . is also an account of the last Prov . Grand Ledge , and the roll of membership under the several lodges , chapters , tic , is ccmplete to date , as well as a statistical table on the " position of ledges , " iSSy-iSi ) 5 . The list of votes for the Central Masonic Charities exhibits a total of 2072 , which is a very large number for the size of the province . Copies may be had from the editor ( Oakhurst , Oswestry ) , for one shilling each . It is satisfactory to find that the 1805 was subscribed for , and a good balance in favour of the Fund left when all expenses were paid .

Consecration Of The Humphrey Chetham Rose Croix Chapter.

CONSECRATION OF THE HUMPHREY CHETHAM ROSE CROIX CHAPTER .

This important function was performed on Monday , the 24 th ult ., with the greatest pomp and dignity at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper-street , Manchester . 111 . Bro . Arthur Jefferis has been the principal instigator . Feeling quite sure there was a wide field in this province for the careful extension of this delightful Degree , the very commencement of Monday ' s proceedings was sufficient to show his ideas had been quite correct .

The following also concurred with him and became founders : E . and P , Bros . J . H . Sillitoe , 18 ° ; J . E . Lees , 18 ° ; A . Middleton , 18 , P . M . W . S . ; W . B . Akerman , 18 ; Thomas Plumpton , 1 S ; and J . M . Sinclair , 18 ° , P . M . W . S . Unfortunately the latter-named was not present . Preparations of an elaborate description were made , and itwas decided to purchase the whole of the furniture to make it complete , which had been thoroughly carried out .

The following distinguished notables were met at the station by 111 . Bros . Jefferis and J . H . Sillitoe , viz .: III . Bros . Frank Richardson , S . C . ; Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , M . W . S . ; J . H . Matthews , H . Prelate ; A . B . Cook , ist Gen . ; C . R . H . Beswicke-Royds , 33 , ist Lt . of G . ; Gen . J . C . Hay , 33 ° , 2 nd Lt . of G . ; and Sir G . D . Harris , ist Herald ; who , after a very brief rest , proceeded to the Hall to make all arrangements .

This done and the council formed , the following brethren were perfected Bros . William Brookes , Evan Williams , Fletcher Armstrong , Geo . Samuel Smith , Buckley Carr , Isidore Ernest Augustus Gotz , William Alderley Boyer , William Charlton , Arthur Clowes Knight Smith , and John Stanley Derbyshire .

Subsequently the consecration ceremony was performed under grand auspices , and III . Bro . A . H . Jefferis was duly installed , and at once , after appointing his officers , thanked the members of the Grand Council for their presence there that day and performing their work so admirably , and wished the whole of them to become hon . members of the chapter . This was acknowledged and accepted .

In addition to those already mentioned , the following were present as visitors : Bros . J . H . Calvert , 7 ; Jas . Newton , late St . Peter ' s ; W . Cockcroft , 124 ; Thos . Forrester , 114 ; G . A . Myers , 114 ; A . Clegg , 7 ; T . R . Wilkinson , 114 ; R . Newhouse , R . M . S . Cheshire ; Thos . Wilde Rice , 114 ; A . B . Wamm , 114 ; and E . G . Harwood , P . M . W . S . 31 .

Subsequently a banquet was held in the large dining hall , all present speaking 111 the hig hest terms possible of the excellence of the admirable manner it had been prepared by the Masonic Hall Company . The usual toasts were given and responded to , and the pleasure of the evening was greatly enhanced by a capital programme of music .

Masonic Benevolence In West Lancashire.

MASONIC BENEVOLENCE IN WEST LANCASHIRE .

Under the presidency of Bro . Philip Armstrong , P . M . 724 , one of the Life Governors of the West Lancashire Hamer Benevolent Institution , founded for the help of aged and distressed Freemasons , a meeting of the General Committee of the Charity was held on the 21 st ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , and Liverpool , there were also present Bros . W . Goodacre , P . G . Sec . ; J . H . Tyson , P . M . 241 ; J . T . Callow , P . P . G . Treas . ; R . W . Gow , P . M . 823 ; J . C Robinson , P . M . 1070 , P . P . G . D . C ; R . Tunnicliffe , P . M . 1182 ; R . M'Gee , P . M .

1675 ; C . Johnson , P . M . 1756 ; W . Bowdey , P . M . 1814 ; T . J . Jarman , P . P . D . G . D . C , Hon . Treas . ; J . R . Bottomley , P . P . A . G . D . C , Hon . Sec ; R . H . Leake , P . M . 1547 , Hon . Solicitor ; J , Pittaway , P . D . G . S . B ., and W . Hawkings , P . M . 1675 , Hon . Auditors . The cases of five applicants for the benefits of the fund were considered , and it was unanimously resolved to recommend them for election at the next Court of Governors , the extra yearly expenditure amounting to about - £ 110 .

The 22 nd annual report of the Charity , which has just been issued , states that the Committee , on looking through the list of subscribers to the excellent Institution , regretted to find that there were still more than one-third of the lodges of the province which had made no return . Want of knowledge of the local Charities might be the cause of this in some instances , as during the past year they were surprised to receive a letter from a P . M . seeking for information respecting them , and informing them that all their efforts were devoted to the Cosmopolitan

Institutions in London . To the utmost of their power the Committee had endeavoured to bring the claims of the Institution before every lodge in the province , and , after devoting so much time and thought , it was very disappointing to find their efforts of so little avail . They must again call attention to the large amount remitted by the Prov . Grand Superintendent of Works , Bro . John Milne , Charity Representative of the Kirkdale Lodge , No . 1756 , whose noble efforts , crowned with such success , were well worthy of emulation . Their thanks were also due to all the other Charity Representatives and individual brethren who had so generously

supported the funds during the past year ; and to those lodges which had not contributed , they could only draw their attention to the fact that if every lodge and individual had followed their example , no fund would have been in existence from which aid could be received for either their own or other applicants . They were pleased to be able to state that notwithstanding the fact that so many had failed to contribute , they had had a very successful year ; their income from lodges , chapters , and individuals being greater than in any previous year , viz ., £ 49 6 4 s . s d . During the past year the Committee had paid over - & 330 to 21 brethren , as against ¦ £ 32 15 s . 6 "d . paid to three brethren in 1885 .

The Honorary Treasurer ' s statement showed that the balance at the close of last year was £ 1169 ; the donations and subscriptions received during 1895 , £ A ¥ >' < £ 330 was paid to annuitants ; investment , ^ 600 ; cash in bank at the close ot the year , £ 1012 -, and the total capital account was £ 5214 12 s . 7 d .

First Ladies' Night Of The Citadel Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1897.

FIRST LADIES' NIGHT OF THE CITADEL LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1897 .

The members of this nourishing lodge commemorated the second year of its existence by entertaining their lady friends at a supper in the " Caledonian Saloon at the Holborn Restaurant , on Friday evening , 21 st ult ., when 80 ladies and brethren were present . Bro . Fred Dunstan , P . M . 1326 , P . A . G . D . C . Middx ., Preceptor , presided , supported by Bros . T . I . Bird , P . M . 1567 , 18 97 , P . Z ., ¥ ¦ ' G . S . B . Middx ., Treas . ; and Geo . Clark , P . M ., Sec . 16 79 , Vice-President of t » e

Masonic Charities Association , in the vice-chairs . , A few loyal and Masonic toasts were given , that of the " Citadel Lodge ot Instruction" being proposed by the CHAIRMAN and responded to by Bro . !¦ ' BIKIO , who , in the course of his remarks , commented upon the success that had attended the efforts of the members since its formation , and the rehearsal of tne consecration and installation ceremonies by Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., ff R . M . B . I ., in November . 18 94 , more especially as regards the Masonic Charities