Correspondence.

face of 54 boys ( all admittedly worthy of admission ) , not because there was not room for them , but because funds were not available , and if this pension of ^ 350 is g iven to Bro . Binckes , it means shutting out at least seven more boys during his lifetime" Unto him that hath shall be g iven , and from him

that hath not shall be taken away even that he hath . " The question may fairly be asked — Why is it necessary for Bro . Binckes to retire ? The answer must be that it is because his continuance in the office of Secretary is inimical to the welfare of the Institution . And why is it so ? It is not the fault of the Institution ,

therefore the cause must be in Bro . Binckes . The wh y and the wherefore of the necessity for the change I do not seek to discuss , but , at any rate , it cannot be an argument in favour of a pension . If the vote of ^ 350 pension is confirmed at the Quarterly Court in January , and so becomes operative ,

I firmly believe that ( in the provinces at least ) it will work irreparable injury not only to the Boys ' , but also to the Girls' Institution , by erroneously checking subscription to each , and forcing to the front the idea of a province or district seeking out means to provide

locally for the children having a claim upon the brethren in those centres—lamentable issue in the face of the enormous capital which has been expended at Wood Green and Battersea-rise . —Yours faithfull y and fraternally , E . V . GREATBATCH . November 4 th . SWIMMING BATH , BOYS' SCHOOL .

To the Editor of the "The Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I objected to the proposed engagement of Bro . Spaull as Honorary Architect for several reasons .

1 . Because it is better to engage an architect in the ordinary way , and pay him the usual commission , leaving him to give whatever he pleases by way of donation to the funds of the Institution . 2 . Because a provincial architect could not give the job the same personal superintendence as a London one .

3 . Because the fair way is to invite all architects who are Life Governors to send in plans , with approximate estimates , thus securing different ideas , and dealing fairl y with all the supporters of the Charity . In conclusion , I know nothing of the architect named ,

or his qualifications , but it appears to me that every effort should be made to secure friends for our Institutions , as in the opinion of most Masons , they have seen their best days , and will require strong efforts to keep them going in the future . —Yours fraternall y ,

HENRY LOVEGROVE , F . S . I ., A . R . I . B . A . BOYS' SCHOOL ELECTION .

To tlie Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In your last number , referring to the motion of Bro . Eve , P . G . Treas ., moving adoption of the Report of Committee recommending the allowance of ^ 350 as a retiring pension to Bro . Binckes , you say the motion

was seconded b y Bro . Col . Brisbane . As my desire was , and is , to register my very high appreciation of Bro . Binckes' services in connection with the School , I shall feel obliged if you will correct the report by saying the motion was seconded b y myself . —Yours fraternally , WILLIAM BRISTOW ( Col . ) , P . G . S . B .

November 3 rd . A CONUNDRUM . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Many thanks to Bro . Cooper , whose letter throws a good deal of light on the matter .

Under the S . C . ( Art . 168 ) service as Warden is not "ecessary as a qualification for the Master ' s chair ; and it would seem from the Book of Constitutions of 1886 ( though I may be mistaken , as I am not familiar with the Scotch working ) that the confirming" of the

Degree" of "Installed Master" ( Art . 4 ) may be , is ? PtionaI , but not obligatory . I gather from the wordjig of the rule , as read by the light of Bro . Cooper ' s Itn lhat the reco gnition b y the G . L . of Scotland of n ^ Degree and its secrets is comparativelmodern

y J "" -1 I presume that English lodges ought to be careful ' f - Scotch P . M . ' s prove they have been put in possession ° t the secrets of the Degree before they are allowed to " present during the proceedings of a Board of '" stalled Masters .

f he brother who wrote to you doubtless received the e gree under the arrangement mentioned b y Bro Q ° per , and I can understand his idea that the recep-° n of the Degree of Installed Master might possibly '' •ole service as Warden to be dispensed with .

I should much like to know if the arrangement 1 oKen of b y Bro . Cooper was onl y a temporary comm ission , or whether the Degree could now be commuit Kit t 0 a Scotch P " - > who ' ras not ' ** possession of alio ha PP ened t 0 be present at an English

instal-« nvicVPn Coo P er cares t 0 send me his address I should Scot 1 , r t 0 ask him a question or two as to the en Constitutions , if he would not mind the trouble y ° urs fraternall y , LEX SCRIPTA .

Correspondence.

MASONIC ETIQUETTE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The case mentioned by " Private Member " may be capable of explanation . But , assuming that his facts are absolutely correct , and that there are no extenuating circumstances which he has omitted to

state , it is a good illustration of the harm that may be done by too great leniency . The brethren by allowing " resignation " make it very difficult for the Craft in general to deal with the matter . His own lodge do not think him a proper person to associate with themselves , yet they leave him free to force his presence

upon other lodges . If , as I gather from " Private Member ' s" letter , the brother of whom he writes belonged only to the lodge from which he resigned , then I think " Private Member ' s " proper course would be to write to the lodge , and call their attention to the fact that "A . B . " has broken Law 152 by attending Lodge No . more than once since he has ceased to be a

member of any lodge . Let him quote all the offences he is able to prove , but no more . Then , if the lodge do not take the matter up , let " Private Member " forward to the Provincial Grand Secretary a copy of the complaint he has laid before

the lodge . If neither the lodge nor the provincial authorities take any action , I think " Private Member " may be content that he has freed his conscience , and that probably there are extenuating circumstances of which he is not aware . —Yours fraternally ,

LEX SCRIPTA . BRO . HUGHAN'S NEW WORK .

Dear Sir and Brother , To the Editor of the " Freemason . " I have carefully read Bro . Hughan ' s " History of the Apollo Lodge , York , " and your appreciative notice of the work in the Freemason , of the 26 th October with which I cordially agree , and I shall be glad if you

will permit me to add a few words in commendation of this latest effort of our talented brother , The " Apollo Lodge , " as you truly state , had ( although a brief ) a most eventful career ; it was undoubtedl y at one time the leading lodge in Yorkshire , having been for a number of years the ruling body of

the province , thus embracing the whole county of York . The facts connected with this celebrated lodge have been worked out by Bro . Hughan , and detailed in a most interesting and able manner , and besides other information of an attractive character , the volume contains an excellent chapter relating to the Royal Arch Degree .

The new work has a value far beyond the local area of the lodge referred to , treating , as it does , upon subjects of general Masonic interest , and as such well deserves the attention of the Craft , and I heartily congratulate Bro . Hughan upon the issue of another exceedingly valuable contribution to Masonic literature . —Yours fraternally , JOSH . TODD . November 2 nd . S ^ s

Reviews

REVIEWS

HOW TO SELECT A LIFE OFFICE . This important step is very fully and ably explained by Mr . G . M . Dent , F . S . S ., of 13 , Chambres-road , Southport , Lancashire , and certainly it may fairly be assumed that under his guidance , those about to decide on the office in which to insure are in safe hands . The pamphlet is altogether different to anything of the

kind previously issued ; the author rigidly keeps to principles and facts , and never in the slightest manner refers to any particular office in which he or any one else has any interest . The style is conversational , and is really quite a little drama in its way , the characters introduced being the broker ( Mr . Dent ) , " Mr .

Aboutto-Insure , " " Mr . Own-Insurer , " " Mr . Prejudice , " " Mr . Can't-Afford-It , " " Mr . Well-to-Do , " " Mr . Too-Old , " and " Mr . Already-Insured . " The scenes are three in number , and the interviews take place in the private office of a firm of merchants , " Messrs . Prejudice and Co . " The technicalities of the insurance business are

occasionally alluded to , but clearly explained , so that all can easily master what else would prove to be dry details and "double-Dutch" to most readers , and the interest is well sustained from first to last . On the fall of the curtain , each time the play takes place , we should hope not a few will be led to insure in an office " as

safe as safe can be ; " and the voluminous tables should aid in that direction , as supplied by Mr . Dent , provided intending insurers communicate with the author , as the names of the offices are not mentioned , the numbers in consecutive order , according to Mr . Dent ' s original plan , being alone supplied , the key being with him .

Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Fife have arrived at their house in Cavendish-square , and will remain in town till the return of the Prince and Princess ot Wales , when they will go on a visit to Sandringham . At the laying of the memorial stone of a new Jubilee

Hospital at Folkestone , a bottle containing coins , & c , was deposited in a cavity under the stone . On Saturday morning a policeman discovered that two courses of bricks underneath the stone had been displaced , and the bottle and contents were missing . The stone was firmly set , and built upon as far as the first floor .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft flDasonrp . flDetropolftan / IDeetiuQS .

Faith Lodge ( No . 141 ) . —The installation meeting of this old lodge was held at Anderton's Hotel , Fleetstreet , on the 29 th ult . Among those present were Bros . W . J . Hakim , W . M . ; Wetzlar , J . W ., W . M . elect , acting S . W . ; Cobham , P . M ., acting J . W . ; Carter , P . M ., Treas . ; Coop , P . M ., acting Sec ; Langdale , S . D . ; Sheppard , I . G . ; E . Hopwood , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . Middx . ;

Rumball , P . M . ; M . Heaphy , C . E ., P . M . ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . P . G . W . Middx . ; J ordan , P . M . ; Fromholtz , P . M . ; and Longstaffe , Tyler ; and among the visitors were Bros . Sapsworth , W . M . ; Hedge , W . M . ; Dehane , P . P . G . D . Essex ; Acworth , P . M ., P . G . S . Essex ; and Page , P . M . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read

and confirmed , the ballot was taken on behalf of Messrs . A . G . Swan and E . Steinfefcf , and , it proving to be unanimous , they were most ably initiated by the W . M . The W . Master elect was then impressively installed into the chair of K . S . by the W . M ., assisted by Bros . E . Hopwood , as S . W . ; Cobham , as J . W . ; Walls , as D . C . ; and Jordan , I . G . The following investitures then took place : Bros .

Langdale , S . W . ; Sheppard , J . W . ; Carter , Treas . ( 32 nd time ); Stuart , Sec . ( by deputy ); Welsh , S . D . ; Taylor , J . D . ; Ryan , I . G . ; Trott and Mold , Stewards ; White , D . C . ; Moss , A . D . C ; and Longstaffe , Tyler . The Installing Master ' s delivery of the addresses to the W . M ., Wardens , and brethren was very effective . It having been announced that Bro . Stuart , P . M . and Secretary , was very

unwell , a resolution of sympathy was unanimously passed . The report of the Audit Committee was then received and adopted , and a vote of thanks passed to the Installing Officer . The lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned to the banquet , which was excellently served under the personal supervision of Bro . A . Clemow , and gave unqualified satisfaction .

The customary loyal and Masonic toasts were given by the W . M ., who prefaced them by well-chosen and eloquent remarks , somewhat out of the beaten track of ordinary after-dinner speakers . The I . P . M ., in giving the toast of "The W . M ., " congratulated him upon the rapid strides made by him in

Masonic work . They all had seen the excellent way in which Bro . Wetzlar had invested the officers that night , which augured well for his rendering of the ritual during the coming season . The W . M . was an old and valued friend of his , and it had afforded him an immense amount of satisfaction to install him in the chair of the old Lodsre of Faith .

The W . M ., in reply , said that he owed | a great deal of his success in affairs Masonic to his friend and brother , the Immediate Past Master . Bro . Hakim had spoken very flatteringly of his efforts that night , and predicted that he would work the ceremonies as well as any Master that had filled the chair in No . 141 . He would try and deserve those encomiums , but he suffered under the great disadvantage

of not being an Englishman . It was a difficult matter to master the intricacies of the language . It had been his good fortune to rise very rapidly in the lodge , and he was not unmindful of the kind offers of those brethren who had placed him where he was , and he would endeavour to deserve their confidence in every way . "The Initiates" followed , and drew from Bros . Swan

and Steinfeld able replies in response . The toast of "The Installing Officer" came next in order . The W . M . said that Bro . Hakim had had a rather trying year of office , but had come out of the fire well . He had done his duty fearlessly , and had left the lodge in a sound financial condition . Bro . Hakim was about leaving England for Egypt , the home of his ancestors . The

meaning of his name signified "a wise man , " and no doubt those with whom he came in contact abroad would acknowledge that the subject of the toast was overflowing with wisdom and understanding . In conclusion , he would say that the I . P . M . was overflowing with kindness and geniality , and had deservedly earned the very handsome jewel which he now had the pleasure of pinning on his breast .

Bro . Hakim having modestly acknowledged the compliment , " The Health of the Visitors " gave Bros . Sapsworth , Hedge , Dehane , Acworth , and Page an opportunity of passing some very flattering comments upon the working and hospitality of the lodge-The toast of "The Past Masters" was coupled with the name of Bro . Capt . T . C . Walls , who duly responded .

In giving " Ihe Health of the Treasurer and Secretary , " the VV . M . spoke in high terms of the services and geniality of Bro . Carter , P . M ., who had filled the office of Treasurer upwards of 30 years with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all . Bro . Stuart , their valued and esteemed Secretary , unfortunately was very ill , but he hoped not seriously . He was a brother who by his kindness and

attention to his duties had given universal pleasure , and although Bro . Stuart was upwards of three score years and ten he ( the W . M . ) , trusted that the G . A . O . T . U . would spare his life for some time to come . Bro . Carter , in reply , briefly said that he would endeavour in the future , as in the past , to discharge his duty . Bro . Coop having said a few words on behalf of the absent Secretary ,

Ihe toast of "The Officers , " coupled with the names of Bros . Langdale and Sheppard , terminated the proceedings . During the evening an instrumental and vocal programme was gone through , under the active and personal superintendence of Bro . E . P . Delevanti , the other artistes being Messrs . John Bartlett and Charlie Wood , and Mesdames Eleanor Howison and Mary Belval , whose respective efforts gave every satisfaction .

Lodge Of Asaph ( No . 1319 ) . —The installation meeting of this celebrated dramatic and musical lodge was held on Monday , at Freemasons' Hall , when 130 brethren were present and witnessed the ceremony . Bro . George E . Fairchild , W . M ., presided , having Bros . James