Correspondence.

Correspondence .

Wc 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 limitsfree discussion .

QUEEN VICTORIA LODGE , No . 2655 . —AN EXPLANATION . To the Editor ol the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , My attention has been called to a report in your issue of May Sth ,

of the consecration of the above lodge , and one part of it has caused some unpleasantness in consequence of its incorrectness . You state that I " kindly undertook the musical arrangements of the ceremony at very short notice , & c , " and "that the excellent choir of Lodge Metham , No . 1205 . all of whom volunteered their services , " & c .

It is manifestly unfair to have omitted any recognition of the thoroughly efficient services of a choir of brethren , who , personally paid their expenses to come from Exeter to Plymouth , to render the music under the direction of Bro . Luget , the P . G . O ., at whose request I presided at the organ . The evenl * ng previous I attended at Metham and rehearsed some of the service with Metham choir , but our Exeter friends sang an anthem , which neither the choir nor myself had seen before .

I trust you will allow me to give publicity to this explanation , and also give honour where honour is due . You will oblige me if you will assure our Exeter brethren that I did not forward you the report . —Yours fraternally , W . WILLOUGHBY , Mus . Bac . Oxon . F . R . C . O . S . D . 1247 .

, , 16 , Addison-road , Plymouth . [ We corroborate Bro . Willoughby ' s statement as to thc report hc speaks , of not having been received from him . —Ed . Freemason . ' j

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Isle of Axholme , No . 1482 . The installation meeting of this lodge was held on the 13 th ult ., when Bro . W , S . Scholey was duly installed in the chair of K . S . by Bro . T . Staniforth . P . P . S . G . W ., assisted by Bros . J . Constable , P . P . G . O . ; M . J . Behrendt , P . P . J . G . W .,- and C . Fox , P . P . G . S . Just before Bro . Hemingbrough vacated the chair , the Installing Master , Bro . T . Staniforth , presented to him , on Behalf of the members of the lodge , a jubilee jewel of very handsome design , as a memento of his year of office . Bro . Hemingbrough

briefly thanked the brethren for their valuable gut , and said it would be worn by him with great pleasure and pride on all Masonic occasions . The newly-elected W . M . then invested the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year : Bros . J . Hemingbrough , P . P . G . S . B ., I . P . M . ; J . Franks , S . W . ; G . S . Tyack , P . P . G . C , J . W . ; T . Staniforth , P . P . S . G . W ., Treas . ; J . H . Lee , S . D . and Sec . ( pro tem . ); A . W . Cundall , J . D . ; J . G . Barratt , I . G . ; F . H . Waite . Std . B . ; W . Chamberlain , D . C ; T , Staniforth , Almoner and Ch . Stwd . ; and G . Naylor , Tyler .

After the duties of the lodge were over , the brethren assembled in the banquet room , where a splendid spread awaited them , prepared by hostess Cranidge in her noted dainty style . The tables and room presented a refreshing appearance , produced by plants and dowers placed here and there , and both catering and attention were commendable . The duties of the Stewards were commendably attended to . The regular and Masonic toasts were honoured in due form , intermingled with vocal renderings by the brethren , amongst whom were Bros . C . Fox , A . W . Cundall , j . H . Lee , M . W . Renton , and VV . S . Scholey . Accompanist , Bro . H . L . Burtonshaw , P . P . G . O .

United Military Lodge , No . 1536 . The last of the anniversary festivals of the Woolwich and Plumstead districts , at least for the year of grace 18 97 , took place on Tuesday , the 27 th ult ., when the above excellent lodge celebrated its installation meeting at the Masonic Hall , Mount Pleasant , in the presence and with the assistance of a goodly array of the brethren and visitors from the neighbouring and other lodges . The lodge was opened by Bro . R . Fowler , W . M ., who commenced his arduous duties by raising a candidate . The W . M . elect ,

Bro . F . Reed , S . W ., was then presented to the W . M . to receive at his hands the benefits of installation , and Bro . Reed was , in the presence of a Board of Installed Masters , placed in the chair of K . S ., and saluted . It was then announced that Bro . Walter Martin , A . G . Purst ., sought admission , and he was conducted to his seat , and saluted , for which he greeted the brethren .. The W . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . R . Fowler , I . P . M . ; A . Hill , S . W . ; A . Simmonds , J . W . ; Rev . H . H . Walker , M . A ., Chap . ; J . W . Gee , Treas . ; E . W . Sinnett , P . M ., Sec . ; S . G . Meredith , S . D . ;

A . G . SwansonJ . D . ; F . Hully , P . M ., I . G . ; A . B . Arthur , D . C ; Lieut . H . Chase and J . Howe , A . D . Cs . ; W . Redman , Org . ; and VV . Shackleton , P . M ., R . F , Cockrane , and S . J . Hackworthy , Stewards . Bro . Fowler then completed the ceremony by giving the addresses admirably , for which he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks . The new W . M . commenced his reign by initiating a candidate in grand style , and after Bro . Capt . G . Spinks , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., had been re-elected to represent the lodge on the Provincial Grand Charity Committee , and " Hearty good wishes" had been tendered by the visiting brethren present , the lodge was closed .

The banquet was served in the Concert Hall of the building by Bro . G . Cashfield , P . M . 615 , and mine host of the Earl of Chatham , Woolwich , and was , in every respect , worthy of his fame as a munificent caterer . Among the other brethren present were Bros . G . Kennedy , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; VV . Mould , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; G . W . Ingle , P . M . ; T . ( iNeill , P . M . ; C lolly P . M . ( hon . ) , & c . ; G . Davis , P . M ., P . P . G . P . Essex ; C . Warren , T . Brooks , G . Hook , L . E . Gee , E . VV . Searle , A . Andrews , and J . Horton , all of the lodge . Among

the visitors were Bros . A . McQueen , S . W ., II . Jacobs , J . W ., and T . Chambers , all of 15 ; H . Pammant , W . M ., and VV . Long , J . W ., both of 700 ; J . O . Cook , W . M ., E . M . Taylor , J . VV ., and B . Littleword , all of 913 ; W . Turvey , W . M ., J . Palmer , S . W ., and J . Smith , all of 1472 ; II . Crowdey , W . M ., G . Dyer , S . W ., and ( . Wcatley , all of 2399 ; A . G . Collins , VV . M . 2041 ; W . J . Kipps , S . W . 1531 ; J . Ward , J . D . 2041 ; G . Harlow , 2175 ; and W . Poxton , 1977 .

The toasts of "The Queen and the Craft" and "U . K . II . the Prince of Wales , Grand Master , " having been drunk , that of "The Pro G . M ., thc Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was coupled with the name of Bro . W . Martin . Hro . W . Martin , in response to an enthusiastic reception , said it gave him ex'rame pleasure to bc present at their meeting that afternoon , more especially as their VV . M . was not only an esteemed fiier . d of his , but was one of his pupils at thc lodgeof

instruction over which he ( Bro . Martin ) presided as its Preceptor , and he was proud to sly lhat in Bro . Reed they would iind a Master who was a good worker , and thoroughly un in the ritual of the Degrees , and in every respect an excellent Mason . After referring to a former visit to Woolwich on the occasion of Uro . J . Terry performing the ceremony of consecration , and of the pleasure that visit afforded him in seeing the splendid muster

of Masons who attended that important function , he assured the brethren that the officers of Grand Lodge were always ready and willing to do anything in their power to forward the interest of Freemasonry , and as long as the brethren of the Craft were loyal to the true principles of the Order and the grand tenets of Masonry—brotherly love and Charity—so long would Masonry flourish , and spread its branches still longer and stronger to every corner of the habitable globe . He need hardly say that he was proud of the honour conferred upon him by their Grand Master , as wcre the whole of

Craft Masonry.

the Grand Officers , and he felt sure that they would only be too glad to do whatever they could to prove how highly they esteemed that honour . He was exceedingly pleased to see an old friend , Bro . Jolly , present , and could assure that brother that his appeal in the cause of Charity would receive his ( Bro . Martin ' s ) hearty support . He felt sure that under the guidance of Bro . Reed their good old lodge would go on and prosper , and in the nameof the Grand Officers of Grand Lodge , he heartily thanked them for their kind and genial reception of the toast . Our distinguished brother , who had been frequently applauded during his speech , resumed his seat amid great cheering .

The next toast was that of " Earl Amherst , P . G . M . of the Province of Kent ; Bro . James Smith Eastes , D . P . G . M ., and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past ; " and Bro . Spinks , in responding * , said their VV . M . did quite right in omitting the toast of their P . G . M . as a separate toast , as the last time , he ( Bro . Spinks ) had the honour of seeing his lordship , he requested him to omit the toast , and make it one with the other Provincial Grand Officers . He was exceedingly sorry that their P . G . M . was not able to be oresent at their recent Prov . Grand Lodge meeting held in that hall , but his lordship

was summoned to attend H . M . G . M . the Queen , at Buckingham Palace , that day , and so could not possibly attend . There was not a Prov . G . M . in England more popular , if so much , among his Masonic subjects , than Earl Amherst was among his . As _ to the Charities of the province , they had given no less than £ 2500 to the Charities during the past year , being £ 1250 apiece to two of the Charities , most of which came from the funds of Prov . Grand Lodge . After enumerating at length the many gifts to the Charities by Prov . Grand Lodge , he concluded by assuring the brethren that the Prov . Grand Officers did good and faithful service to the cause , and for the interest and advancement of Freemasonry in the Province of Kent .

Bro . Kennedy spoke highly of the geniality and kindness of heart of Bro . Eastes , and of his care and judgment in the selection of the P . G . Officers , and Bro . Moulds added briefly his testimony to the merits of their rulers in the

pro-. Bro . Penfold wanted to know what anyone could have to say after Bro . Spinks . If he were to say that the Province of Kent was a grand province , he should only be repeating a fact that was like a household word amongst them . Yet he could fairly say it , and , further , that they were proud of it , and still further proud to know that their P . G . M . was also D . G . M . of England—a position that the highest in the land might be proud to occupy . VVhen the P . G . M . took office there were but three lodges in the

province , now there were 63 ; that showed to what an enormous extent Masonry had nourished under his rule in the province alone . After speaking of the £ 1000 given by the brethren for the erection of a window of the Chapter House at Canterbury , not one penny piece of which was taken from the funds of the province , he assured them he was proud to be an officer of such a province , and thanked them heartily for their reception of the toast . Bro . Fowler then proposed the toast of "The W . M ., " and said they had installed

a Master who would be a credit to the lodge . As Bro . Martin had said , their W . M . was a pupil of his , and that he was proud of him , they might rest assured that Bro . Martin ' s estimate of their W . M . ' s abilities was a correct one , while the manner in which Bro . Reed had initiated a candidate that day was an earnest of what they might expect at his hands . He asked them to drink the toast as it deserved . The W . M ., in response , regretted his inability to properly respond to the toast , or in a manner equal to that which it deserved . That lodge was not his mother lodge , but

ever since he had joined it his ambition was to some day achieve the proud position of its Mastership , and fill the chair into which he had been that day installed . For their unanimous vote that had placed him there he thanked them , and they might b : assured that nothing would be wanting on his part to deserve their approbation , for he had sold himself heart and soul to the lodge , and meant to show them that they had not purchased a bad bargain . Let them find him plenty of work , and then , if he did not do it to their

satisfaction , it would not be for want of trying . He thanked them for their hearty reception of the toast . Bro . Fowler , in responding to a hearty toast to him as Installing Officer , said he did not intend to make a long speech , as they had a real musical treat before them . He could assure them that he had endeavoured to do the work to their satisfaction , and if he had pleased them he was satisfied .

"The Visitors , " "The Initiates , " "The Past Masters , " "Thc Officers , " and " The Masonic Press" were the other toasts . Some splendid vocal and instrumental music was much enjoyed . The contributors were Miss E . Hope and Miss Annie Cheal and Bros . G . Roberts , R . Fowler , E . Walford , Robinson , and C . Parsons , Bro . Kipps presiding at the piano .

Scots Lodge , No . 2319 . This flourishing lodge held its installation meeting on the 22 nd ult ., at the Masonic Temple of the Holborn Restaurant . Bro . James Thomson , W . M ., presided at the opening of the lodge and during the performance ot all the preliminary business , and there were also present Bros . Dr . D . M . Forbes , S . W . ; D . R . Duncan , J . W . ; A . Ritchie , Treas . ; D . A . Ross , Sec . ; E . Johnston Gordon , S . D . ; Wm . Craig , J . D . ; I . Paere . D . C . ; A . Davidson Arnott , Org .: T . Sandilands and I . Duncan Balfour .

Stwds . ; Thomas Grant , P . M . ; Joseph Whitehead , P . M . ; John Whitehead , P . M . ; P . MacLean , Piper ; J . Latta , Tyler ; Percy G . Mallory , John . Imray , T . M . Burnside , W . McClure , James Edmeston , Robert Watt , J . M . Barclay , Ashley Gordon , D . M . Smith , Wm . Gray Greig , John Plenderleith , A . Whitehead , VV . MacLean , H . C . Rendall , Robert S . Darling , A . J . Macmaster , Thos Wright , P . Black , W . W . Arnott , James Anderson , John Nicol , and Edward Watts . Visitors : Bros . R . W . Rice , J . "• RVatWefm ,. 1 .. C . Venahleq . W . P . West . R . C . nnrh . R . W . Pavne . Tnhn . Sandeman .

F . S . Toogood , F . J . Smith , Robert Evans , j . G . Gordon , H . J . Inderwick , J . Little , W . Bussey , H . Massey , James Gray , J oseph Cox , Edward T . New , Edward Gabriel , J . Smith , E . J . Harrison , W . Martin , G . D . Lister , C . Funegalli , H . T . Desch , A . C . Woolsey , Chas . F . Ouicke , E . G . Van . Tromp , Henry F . Foale , G . Pett Smith , Albert Reed , G . Rossiter , G . T . Clough , I . Webb , George Basset , H . W . Parker , W . C . Warley , Thos . Mackenzie , W . Syckelmore , A . VV . Weston , W . H . Wheeler , and W . J . Scrivener .

When the time came round for the installation of the new Master , Bro . James Thomson , VV . M ., gave way to Bro . Duncan F . Gellion , P . M ., who had expressed a desire to instal his old friend , Bro . Dr . D . M . Forbes , P . M . 9 O 9 , S . VV . and W . M . elect . "Bro . Gellion then went into thc chair , and in excellent style performed the ceremony . After Bro . Dr . Forbes had been placed in the chair , Bro . James Thomson was invested as I . P . M . of the lodge , and later on he received the presentation of a Past Master ' s jewel . The other officers were Bros . D . Robertson Duncan , S . W . ; E . Johnston Gordon , P . M ., P . Z ., J . W . j the Ven . William Macdonald Sinclair , D . D ., Archdeacon of London , P . G . C , Chap . ; Alexander Ritchie , J . P ., CC , Treas .: David Angus Ross ,

Sec ; Duncan F . Getlion , P . M ., Trustee ; William Craig , S . D . j Ashley O . P . Gordon , J . D . ; Thomas Sandilands , I . G . ; John Page , P . M ., P . Z ., D . C ; J . Duncan Balfour , A . D . C ; Frederick John Young , Peter Black , Thomas Charteris , John Macgregor , and Walter D . Home , Stwds . ; John Plenderleith and P . C Mallory , Auditors ; A . Davidson Arnott ( M . B . Dunelm ) , A . R . C . O ., Org . j Sergt . Peter Maclean , Piper , and John Latta , Tyler . After the delivery of the address by Bro . Gellion , P . M ., the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a choice banquet . The usual toasts followed .

Bro . Dr . D . M . Forbes , W . M ., in proposing " The Queen and the Craft , " said her Majesty the Queen was the most queenly of women and the most womanly of queens that ever reigned over this or any other country . She was "a pattern to all princes living with her and to all who shall succeed . " 'I he letter to her loyal subjects , thanking them for their loyalty was one , not only of the most womanly , but one of the most motherly expressions of a grateful heart anyone ever read . She addressed her people as " my people . " Her people had shown in this Jubilee year , by their good humoured

behaviour and their attachment to law and order , that they were patterns to all people and all nations on the face of the earth—worthy subjects of so good , so great , and so worthy a Queen . Bro . Dr . Forbes , W . M ., in proposing "The M . W . G . M ., " said the Prince of Wales had ruled over English Masons nearly a quarter of a century , and during his time Masonry had flourished more than it ever had before . Masonry was not only most

loyal , but it was one of the most Charitable institutions in Great Britain and Ireland . Masons collected far more money for Charity than any other body of men . One or the Prince of Wales's great acts which became him better than any other was the expression of his feelings of love for the sick poor of London ; there was no brighter crown of g lory than to be merciful to thc pour and sick . 'Ihe next toast was "Thc Grand Lodge of England , and all thc Grand Lodge