Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

THE R . M . B . I . ELECTION . To the Editor of the " Freemason . ' ' Dear Sir and Brother , Your valuable articles on the elections and the Festival returns are usually so accurate , and therefore so useful , that I am sure you will allow me to call your attention to a sli ght error in your issue of the 24 th ult .

No . 5 of the successful male candidates was not from Dorset , and , as far as I am aware , had no connection with that province , but was a Devonshire brother . Whilst I am writing I should like , in reference to your analysis of the Girls' School Festival , in which Dorset is gibbeted amongst the absentees as having done nothing since the R . M . B . I . in 188 9 , to say that

Dorset is a small province , and as a rule cannot take up the cause of more than one Charity at a time . I may mention that the £ 156 ios . announced at the Festival of the R . M . B . I . last year was raised to £ 240 or more before the end of the year , which following its £ 294 for the Girls in 1888 , was rather a severe strain . —Yours fraternally , DORSET . June 3 rd .

Reviews

REVIEWS

FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF ESSEX , 1890 . This handsomely printed and most useful annual has reached its sixth year of publication , and doubtless is highly valued by the members of the province . The editor throughout the period has been the Prov . Grand

Secretary ( Bro . T . J . Railing ) , whose exertions on behalf of his province are widel y known and as warml y appreciated . This year ' s issue is adorned with a fine portrait of Bro . Lord Brooke , M . P ., the esteemed Prov . Grand Master , who appears in full dress Masonic clothing , and makes a fine picture . The editor rightly

surmises that this excellent portrait " will prove both interesting and acceptable to the brethren generally , " and we are glad to note that this new feature is likel y to be followed in succeeding editions "by the issue of a series of portraits of local brethren of distinction . " Another capital feature of this annual is the "Events

of the year 188 9 , " which Bro . Railing regularly presents from year to year , the plan serving to keep the main points of local Masonic history well before the Essex Craftsmen . The " Masonic Notes , " which are of considerable utility and importance for Masters and Secretaries of lodges , we duly noted last year , and

much wish that similar data was furnished in every directory published . There are 29 lodges in the province , the last addition being the Lennox Browne , No . 2318 . Since then two more lodges have been warranted , viz ., No . 2339 , Manningtree , and No . 2342 , Kelvedon , so that there are now 31 lodges , and the

Prov . Grand Master will thus have three more collars at his disposal at the Prov . Grand Lodge meeting this year . There are six Royal Arch chapters only in the province , so that for some reason or other that Degree is not so popular in Essex as it is generally , or as it deserves to be . Neither is the Mark Degree so strong

in proportion as Craft Masonry , there being but four lodges as yet chartered . The votes for the Charities are all that could be well desired or , at all events , expected , the average being unusually high for each lodge , the total amounting to the large number of 4190 votes .

ROYAL ARCH MANUAL FOR PROV . GRAND CHAPTER OF SUSSEX . Seeing such an intimate acquaintance with the Province was manifested by the Editor , we naturall y thought that Comp . V . P . Freeman had been at work

but the surmise was unwarranted ; the whole credit for the very complete Manual , as originator , compiler , and donor , being due to the new Grand Superintendent , General ^ Randolph . We congratulate the Royal Arch companions of Sussex in having such an efficient ruler .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

903 ] BRO . GOULD ON LODGE No . 66 . I am very pleased to see that my brief article on the "Grenadiers' Lodge" ( May 17 th , 1890 ) has "drawn " my friend Gould , who is emphaticall y the Masonic historian . In 901 " Notes and Queries , " our brother

in last week ' s Freemason certainl y furnishes a by-law , overlooked b y me , which suggests a military origin or connection for the " Grenadiers' Lodge , " the clause respecting fines for non-attendance being non-operative when members were absent " on the King ' s duty , " thus directly favouring Bro . John Lane ' s view of the matter .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Possibly Bro . Gould may be able , by looking up his notes , to give the date of this by-law . What Bro . Gould alludes to in reference to Lodge No . 66 is what I have long been after , and was most anxious to trace . I refer to the certificate of constitution , " which

remained for some time the sole authority for its assemblies . " When Bro . Asher Barfield was in Torquay , and he , Bro . Lane , and myself made a trio of Craftsmen in the yacht of the former , I asked particularly about such certificate but Bro . Barfield has not succeeded

in finding it . No such record is in the volume I have described , and so shall be glad of Bro . Gould's authority for the statement that it exists , the matter being of special interest . Nos . 58 and 60 , London , have such

certificates still preserved , but I was not aware that No . 66 has . Should any others be known , I hope we shall soon have news of such , it being important to fix the date when certificates ceased to be given , and actual warrants began . W . J . HUGHAN .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

| R € PORT & KS ^ ffiS MW ^ wswmstm

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Temperance in the East Lodge ( No . 898 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Assembly Rooms , Newby-place , Poplar , on the 2 Sth ult ., under the presidency of Bro . J . Gordon , W . M . The lodge having been opened , the minutes were read and confirmed . Mr . Tatham who had been previously duly proposed ,

was balloted for , and proving unanimous in his favour he was initiated . Bro . G . Shearman , the W . M . elect , was presented and a Board of Installed Masters was formed , and the W . M . elect was duly installed in the chair of K . S ., aud he appointed the following officers for the ensuing year—Bros . J . Gordon , I . P . M . ; J . Armstrong , S . W . ; A . G . Duck , J . W . ; J . R . Walley , Treas . ; C W . Smith , Sec ;

W . Bigg , S . D ; E . F . Williams , J . D . ; T . Craze , I . G . ; T . Ringrose , W . Legg , and W . Bussey , Stewards . Bro . J . Gordon then impressively delivered the addresses to the VV . M . and his officers , and the lodge was closed . The brethren then adjourned to the banquet at the Liverpool Hotel , over a 100 being present . After grace the toasts of "The Oueen and the Craft "

and "The M . W . G . M ., the Prince of Wales ; the Pro G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon ; the Deputy G . M ., the Earl of Lathom ,- and the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " were received with the enthusiasm and respect always accorded by Freemasons . Bro . James Terry responded on behalf of the Grand Officers .

The Worshipful Master" was then proposed in brief and fitting terms by Bro . J . Gordon , I . P . M ., and responded to as succinctly by Bro . Shearman , W . M . The toasts of " The Installing Master " and "The Past Masters " were responded to by Bros . J . Gordon , J . Terry , P . G . S . B . ; H . Rogers , G . Gravely , G . Siddars , and J . Byford .

In proposing "The Charities , " Bro . Gordon , I . P . M ., spoke of his visit to the Girls' School , and vouched for their flourishing condition . The children , he said , were evidently well taught and cared for . He saw a feat that evinced their ability in music , viz ., seven pianos played by 14 players simultaneously . Bro . Hedges was present , and would doubtless say a few words for himself .

Bro . J . Terry , Sec . R . M . B . I ., briefly , but humorously , replied . Bro . Hedges , Sec . R . M . I . G ., also responded , and thanked the lodge for the noble contribution of £ 140 brought up by Bro . J . Gordon . The children were certainly well looked after . At present there were 260 inmates in the Institution . The remaining toasts were proposed and responded to , the justice being done them by both , and a pleasant evening

was brought to a close with the Tyler ' s toast . Brevity was the character of all the speeches of the evening . Besides the officers named above , the following were among the brethren present : Bros . J . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Secretary R . M B . I . ; F . R . W . Hedges , P . G . S . B ., Secretary R . M . I . G . ; J . J . Carter , P . M . ; J . Williams ,

P . M . ; F . W . Pulsford , P . M . ; G . Siddars , W . J . E . Butcher , P . M . ; C . Chapman , P . M . ; J . Byford , P . M . ; T . S . Craze , F . Baker , J . J . Pavey , F . J . Burdett , E . F . Clark , F . J . Jeves , R . H . Simpson , J . Denison , W . Bussey , W . H . Dartun , W . Gibson , F . J . Gardiner , T .

Arthur , C . Cooper , J . J . Lowman , F . Hawksworth , and E . W . Crosby . Visitors : Bros . J . H . Duckham , 1593 ; D . K . Duncan , 2319 ; J . Holland and J . R . l'ijou , of 1 S 04 ; B . H . Spencer , 1076 ; Jas . Banlin , P . M . 115 S ; G . J . Thompson , 1457 ; Jeffrey Stewart , 171 O ; G . H . Seage , 7 S 1 ; and about 30 other visitors .

Anglo-American Lodge ( No . 2191 ) . —The election meeting of this nourishing lodge was held on Tuesday , the 20 th ult ., at the Criterion , Piccadilly , S . W ., when there were present Bros . F . Kedge , VV . M . ; A . Clark , I . P . M . ; T . H . Tilton , S . W . ; J . J . Woolley , J . W . ; J . B . Gumming , Treas . ; G . Reynolds , Sec . ; VV . Hancock , S . D . ; J . Woodward , D . C . H . VV . Schartau , Org . ; F . Jackson

and J . B . Grieve , Stwds . ; R . F . Potter , Tyler ; C O . Burgess , J . Rowe , A . Barnard , E . J essurun , G . A . Bergholz , J . F . Thomson , J . Williams , C Hirsch , J . Hansen , H . F . Dessen , F . VV . Frigout , G . T . Atkinson , H . Lewis , B . R . Paul , Curtis D'Alton , W . Donald , Dr . Wedgwood , G . P . Bertini , A . II . P . Snow , G . A . Bowles , W . S . Lincoln , S . Spooner , W . J . Thrussell , and J .

Coltart . Visitors : Bros . W . Howard , I . P . M . 94 S ; VV . Kedge , 749 ; F . Calvert , 749 ; H . W . Percy , VV . M . 18 53 ; D . Haslett , P . M . 143 ; VV . Grove , P . M . 749 ; B . Good , La Fayette , U . S . A . ; W . Lloyd , VV . M . 145 ; | . G . James , 1602 ; . and F . M . Noakes , 214 S . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed . A ballot was then taken for Messrs .

Craft Masonry.

David Allen , A . II . P . Snow , Alexander Bowie , and George A . M . Bowles , which having proved unanimous , and all , with the exception of Mr . Allen , being in attendance , they were duly initiated , the ceremony being most impressively performed . Bros . Atkinson and Hansen were passed to the Second Degree , and Bro . Norcross , by request of the Worshipful

Master of the Emulation Lodge , Liverpool , raised to the Third Degree . Bro . H . E . Sanders was duly elected a joining member . The brethren then proceeded to the election of W . M ., which , proved unanimous in favour of Bro . T . H . Tilton , S . W . Bro . Cumming was unanimously re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Potter , Tyler . The Audit Committee having been appointed , the lodge was

closed , and the bret' ren adjourned to the Prince's Room , where an excellent banquet was served under the personal superintendence of Bro . Bertini . After the removal of the cloth the usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been given and received , The Worshipful Master proposed "The Sister Grand Lodges of the United States and the Dominion of Canada , " which he said was a toast peculiar to that lodge " , it was

instituted by Bro . Brackstone Baker , their first Master ; it was his opinion , and an opinion shared by the members of the lodge , that it should be given at every meeting . Bro . T . H . Tilton , in reply , said that he had responded to that toast so often that he had nothing new to say . Of the 4 S Grand Lodges that of New York was the largest , second only to the Grand Lodge of England , which they look upon as the best in the world .

Bro . A . Clark , I . P . M ., next proposed the toast of "The W . M . " He said it wasa duty and pleasure to propose that toast . The very able way in which he had carried out the arduous duties of his office was rarely excelled , and it was seldom that a W . M . was able to perform the three ceremonies in such a perfect manner as he had done . They were fortunate in having such a W . M ., who had presided with

ability , dignity , and advantage to the lodge . The Worshipful Master , in reply , thanked Bro . Clarke for the very nice way in which he had proposed the toast , and the brethren for the very hearty way in which they had received it . As an amateur he had endeavoured to perform his duties to the best of his ability , and it was very gratifying to him to see those endeavours appreciated . He

had never been once absent from the lodge since . its foundation , and should always take the greatest interest in its affairs . - ' The Worshipful Master , in proposing the toast of " The Past Masters , " regretted the absence of Bros . B . Baker and Major Lambert . He thanked Bro . Clark for the support he had given him during his year of office . The Past

Masters were the backbone of the lodge , although in their case they were but few ; but what they lacked in numbers , they made up in quality . Bro . Clarke , in reply , thanked thebrethren most sincerely . He regretted the other Past Masters were not there that evening to respond , as they were natural orators . He could only reply in his humble way . He always tried to do his best ,

and hoped that he had given them satisfaction . Perhaps their coming W . M . might give them some exemplification of American working during his year of office , which he was sure would prove of great interest to the members oi the lodge . The toast of " The Initiates" was next given , and in doing so the W . M . said they must have all been

struck with the very great interest they appeared to take in the ceremony . He was sure they would not regret the step they had taken . Bro . Snow , in reply , said he hardly knew how to thank the brethren for the very kind manner in which the initiates had been received . He hoped his shortcomings would be forgiven , and in due course become a good Mason .

Bros . Bowie and Bowles also replied . The W . M ., in proposing the toast of "The Visitors , " said that was a toast that was always given with a great deal of pleasure—they were always pleased to see a good number present and extend to them a hearty welcome . Bro . Good , in reply , thanked the brethren for the very hearty way in which the toast had been drunk . He had

known Bro . 'I llton for many years and was very pleased that he hacl been elected W . M . of the Anglo-American Lodge . He was highly worthy of it , having worked hard and zealously in Masonry . Bros . Lloyd , Groves , and Percy also replied . The VV . M ., in giving the toast of "The W . M . elect , " said that those who were present at the opening of the

lodge had heard from him that circumstances over which he had no control had prevented him from being present in the lodge during the past year , but he trusted in the future to be able to be regular in his attendance . The officers whom he would be pleased to appoint would , he was sure , support him with an earnestness and zeal that would materially assist in the continued success of that most

successful lodge . Bro . T . H . Tilton , W . M . elect , thanked the brethren for the very cordial manner in which he had been received , and for the great honour that had been conferred upon him . When he was asked to be one of the founders of the lodge he readily assented , but declined office ; but having been prevailed on , he re-considered his decision , and now stood before them as their W . M . elect . During the first

years he had never missed a meeting , but during the last year he had , through circumstances over which he had no control , been isolated from English Freemasonry . He felt that a great honour had been conferred upon him in being elected as VV . M . of the Anglo-American Lodge of London . The toast of "The Officers" was next given , and responded to by Bros . Cumming , Treasurer , and George Reynolds , Secretary . The Tyler ' s toast brought to a close a most successful

meeting . The toasts were interspersed with some excellent music b y Bros . Bowles , Lloyd , Curtis D'Alton , and others , Bro . H . W . Schartau presiding at the piano . -A-

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS . BOGNOR . Gordon Lodge ( No . 1726 ) . —The installation meeting was held at the Assembly Rooms on Tuesday , the 27 th ult . The lodge was opened by the retiring VV . M ., Bro . H . L . Staffurth , and the minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed , Bro . Alfred Lloyd assumed the chair as Installing Officer , and in an impressive manner