Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

SAD FATALITY AT WOOD GREEN . To the Editor of the '' Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , It is with much regret that I have to inform you of a fatal accident to Clement Hedley Cracknell , which occurred on the 2 nd inst ., at the Institution , It appears that the boy was one of a number engaged in working the large roller in the cricket fieldand when finishing , and as the roller was being taken to

, its usual resting place under the trees , he vaulted over the shaft , and slipping , fell underneath , before it was possible to stop the roller . Death was instantaneous . At the inquest which was held laat evening , Bro . Glass , as Vice-Chairman , and Bro . Stanley J . Attenborough were present with me . Full inquiry was made into the circumstances , and it was clearly proved to the satisfaction of the Coroner and the Jury that the occurrence was purely accidental , the Coroner remarking that every supervision was given to the boys when thus engaged . The Jury found a verdict of misadventure .

The mother and other friends of the boy were promptly advised , and I attach a copy of a letter received from the boy ' s brother-in-law . Bros . Glass and Attenborough , thinking it would be the desire of the Board , met at the Institution afterwards and made the necessary arrangements with the Head Master for the funeral , and authorised him to pay the expenses thereof .

The funeral will take place at the Old Church of Tottenham , Lordship-lane , to-morrow ( Saturday ) , at 2 . 30 p . m . Bruce Grove Station is close by . —Yours faithfully and fraternally , J . M . McLEOD ,

Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , Secretary . 6 th May . ( COPY ) . 35 , St . Thomas' Mansions , Westminster Bridge , S . E ., Thursday . Dear Sir ,

I desire to express to you on behalf of poor little Clement Cracknell's family , how very deeply we have felt Mr . Harry Hebb's tender sympathy and thoughtful helpful kindness in our terrible sorrow . In all our grief we have felt that we owe to him and all his staff nought but the deepest gratitude for his care of the little fellow . Only last Easter was he with us and it was easy to see that , with him , School was Home ; and those who cared for him there were dear to him .

And in this terrible accident , which has gone far to break his mother ' s heart —for he was her Benjamin—and to shatter my wife—who was , perhaps , his dearest sister—we have all known to the full the quick suddenness of the event , the little fellow ' s high spirits and exuberant activity , and have fully realised that it was his own happy high spirits and utter oblivion of danger and risk in anything which alone caused the disaster . No care , nor helping hand , nor rules could possibly have availed . No one is to blame , no one to be reproached .

We can but be thankful that the little fellow was at least saved all pain . Permit me to express to you , therefore , the deep appreciation of his family for the unvarying care for several years ( ever to the -eery end ) of Mr . Hebb and all at Wood Green for the little lad . —I am , yours faithfully , ( Signed ) R . L . MORANT .

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION ELECTION , 1898 . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In thanking you for your leading article , which , nevertheless , is not very encouraging , allow me to point out that you have based your remarks on a misapprehension of the object of my resolution . The vacancies , my resolution

applies to , are those that may occur between the Committee meeting in February and the general meeting in the May ensuing , and does not in any way interfere with the three deferred annuities . I regret that you think a desire to remove a blemish , and to assist those who cannot help themselves , is to cause a tinkering with the Rules and Regulations of the Institution , and that consequently it would be better to allow the blemish to remain . Your final remark as to the amount

expended by our three Institutions being now £ 45 , , and that the calls on the Craft should not be increased , does not apply at all , as I have all along argued that my resolution would not cost the Institution one penny more , but , like other Charities , we should be making a small provision for those who are helpless and friendless , and by that means we should endeavour , in some slight manner , to carry out that distinguishing characteristic we have all professed to admire . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours truly and fraternally ,

WILLIAM C . PARSONS , P . M . and Sec . 180 , P . M . and Sec . 1 OS 7 . 51 , Loughborough Park , Brixton , May 10 th .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"MASONIC CALENDAR I- ' OR THE PHOVIN-CE 07 HANTS AMI ISLE 01- Wiuiir " ( Portsmouth : Holbrook and Son , Ltd . ) —This excellent annuil , ably edited by Bros . Edgar Goble ( Prov . G . Sec ) , and G . F . Lancaster ( Prov . Asst . G . Sec ) , and carefully arranged and printed , is one of the largest and most comprehensive works of the kind printed in this country . The Calendar provides for an important province , there being 4 S ledges , wilh 30 S 7 members ; 24 Royal Arch chapters ; 13 Mark lodges ; five Royal Ark Mariners lodges ; live Ros ; Croix chapters ; two K . T . preceptories , and other

Masonic bodies . The information supplied as to all these includes the Present O . ticers , Past Masters , and Presiding Officers , the number of meetings , Initiates , Joining Member ! -, and total number of members Io 31 st December , 1 S 97 . Also many particulars as to the Prov . Grand Organisations , extinct lodges , besides dates of the warrants of all existing bcdiis , and much else , with a very full index in linale . The editors have thus compiled a most useful work of reference for the Province , and deserve the hearty thanks ot all thus benefited .

HRO . HIE I . Mil . AMI COUNIESS or WilAKNi . Lii'iK have been staying at Wortley Hall Sheffield , during the present week . Bito . THE HAUL AMI COUNTESS AMHERST arrived at j , Wilton-terrace , on Monday , from Montreal , Sevenoaks .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Strong Man Lodge , No . 45 . The installation meeting ot the above lodge was held in the Masonic Temple , Holborn Restaurant , on Monday , the 2 nd inst ., when there were present Bros . John Cuer , W . M . ; Wm . G . Mills , I . P . M . ; Tom Taylor , S . W . ; William Briggs , J . W . ; G . G . Symons , P . M ., Treas . ; Thomas J . Burgess , Sec ; T . Ockleford , S . O . ; E . J . Stafford , J . D . ; John Jenkinson , I . G . ; VV . R . G . Emerson and E . J . Vidler , Stwds . ; D . A . Langdon , " P . M . ; E . H . Dove , P . M . ; William H . Liddall , P . M . ; Charles Cordingley , P . M . ; John Briggs , G . F . Ward , J . I . Berry , F . Bristow , John H . Selmes ,

C . J . Brown , G . Smith , A . Smiley , E . Schneitter , Arthur D ivies , Henrv Durell , Edwin Thornicroft , C . Yates , A . G . Peckham , Philip Sharpe , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; VV . Sammes , J . H . Grove , Bromley Hall , A . L . Guittard , M . Weiss , and E . Mallett , P . M ., Tyler . The list of visitors included a very considerable number of Grand and Provincial Rank . Among . them were Bros . E . M . Money , P . M . 23 , P . A . G . D . C . ; E . E . Harding , P . M ., P . A . G . D . C . ; James Terry , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., Sec R . M . B . I . ; J . M . McLeod , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B . ; W . Vincent , P . M ., P . G . S . B . ; J . R .

Green , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; J . Dempster , P . M . 441 , Prov . G . P . ; B . Chennell , P . M . SS , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . Purchas , P . M ., P . P . G . Stwd . ; ] . G . Cobb , P . M . 227 S , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; C . E . Boughton Leigh , P . M . S 59 , P . P . G . D . C . ; T . Steer , S . D . 12 S 7 ; S . Barlet , W . M . 2060 ; Robert Bryant , 2033 ; Charles L . Vasey , 1076 ; Robert J . Voisey , P . M . 1329 ; H . Nowell , 1732 ; W . G . Weller , 2 sso ; N . C . Crewe , S . W .

2006 ; A . D . Hawkins , iSrG ; G . C Paine , W . M . 1507 ; W . G . Feneley , 1 GS 7 ; W . Keith , S . W . 1997 ; H . Wento , 2402 ; VV . Scriven , 1525 ; R . H . Adie , S 59 ; John Petch , P . M . 227 S ; Robert D . Cummings , P . M . 216 S ; VV . J . Sampson , 1716 ; Wm . Briant , VV . M . 101 ; A . H . Cole , P . M . 1744 ; T . Jefferies , P . M . 1744 ; F . Dixon , 171 ; VV . G . Davenport , 239 G ; P . M . Becker , S . W . 23 S ; H . R . Bromley Smith , S 77 ; and II . Thomson Lyon , W . M . 2163 .

Bro . II . Smiley was raised to the Third Degree , and Bro . VV . Briggs , M . A ., LL . M ., F . C . S ., F . R . A . S ., J . W ., was afterwards installed in the choir of King Solomon . The Board of Installed Masters was a particularly strong one , numbering 30 . The W . M . invested the following officers : Bros . John Cuer , I . P . M . ; T . E . Taylor , S . W . ; T . Ockleford , J . W . ; G . G . Symons , P . M ., Treas . ; VV . G . Mills , P . M ., Sec . ; E . J . Stafford , S . D . ; T . J . Burgess , J . D . ; E . 1 . Vidler , I . G . ; D . A . Langdon , P . M ., D . C ; Wm . Sammes , Almoner ; VV . R . G . Emerson , G . Smith , E . Schneitter , H . Durrell , and F . Bristowe , Stewards ; J . Briggs , M . A ., Org . and A . D . C ; and E . Millett , P . M ., Tyler .

The banquet was served in the Caledonian Salon , and the after-proceedings were of a most enjoyable character , thanks to the genial presidency of the W . M ., good fellowship all round , and the assistance of the Westminster Glee Party , with songs and glees , and F . Upton , with smart stories and sensational novels . Bro . Emerson presided at the piano .

The customary loyal and Masonic toasts were given and received with fervour . Bro . E . M . Money , P . M . 23 , P . A . G . D . C , responded for "The Grand Officers . " Bro . G . G . Symons , the oldest P . M ., in glowing terms , proposed " The VV . M . " Bros . James Terry , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I ., and James M . McLeod , P . M ., P . G . S . B ,, Sec . R . M . LB ., with their customary eloquence ^ " dilated on the work of the Charities .

Bro . T . J . Burgess responded for " The Officers . " The evening was a brilliant success , testifying to the continued prosperity of this ancient and worthy lodge . Bro . William Briggs , M . A ., LL . M ., F . R . A . S ., F . C . S ., who has just been installed W . M . of the above lodge , has had a remarkable career in Masonry . Initiated but four years ago , he at once showed himself an indefatigable worker , with the result that he holds no fewer than 12 active offices at the present time . These are—W . M . Strong

Man Lodge , No . 45 ; M . P . S . Plantagenet Conclave , No . 2 , of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine ( of which he is Grand Precentor ) , and various offices in Isaac Newton ( University ) Lodge , No . S 59 ; Euclid Chapter , No . S 59 ; Isaac Newton Mark Lodge , No . 112 ; Scots Mark Lodge , No . 40 C ; Isaac Newton Ark Mariners Lodge , No . 112 ; University Rose Croix Chapter , No . 12 ; Tancred Preceptory ; New Temple Preceptory ; and Constantine Council of Royal and Select Masters . He is also a member of the Royal Order of Scotland ; the Stewart Council , No . 2 , Allied Degrees ; and the Metropolitan Rosicrucian Society . He has also acted as an officer at the ceremonies of

the last three Festivals of the Grand Master's Lodge of Instruction for Mark Master Masons . His work for the Masonic Charities is exemplified by the fact that he is a Vice-Patron of the Boys' School , Vice-President of the Benevolent Institution , and Vice-President of the Mark Benevolent Fund . He has for the last three years acted as Steward at the Festival ot each of the above Institutions and at the Girls' School . At the Centenary Festival of the Boys' School next month he is going up with a list alread y exceeding , ( , 300 . He is a memb : r of the Committee of the Cambridge Masonic Charity Association and also of the Committee of the Strong Man Charity Association .

Amherst Lodge , No . 1223 . The installation meeting of this lodge was held at Riverhead , Sevenoaks , on the 7 th instant , when the full attendance of members and visitors demonstrated the usefulness and comfort of the rooms which have been added to the Amherst Arms Hotel specially for Masonic purposes . Several members of some years' standing , whose visits have been tew and far between , were present , and rejoiced to see such unmistakeable signs of vitality and prosperity . There was only the installation to perform , and Bro . T . H .

Knight was supported by all his officers when he opened lodge . Bro . Evenden , P . M ., took control when the routine business had been got through , and with Bro . Duret , P . M . and Sec , as D . C , Bro . G . VV . Lock was installed as W . M . in an able and impreisive manner . The Wardens' chairs were filled respectively by Bros . W . G . K ; ntish , P . G . Std , Br ., and F . Wilson , P . P . S . G . D ., and exactly a score of Past Masters formed the Board of Installed Masters , which was a goodly show out of a total in lodge of just under 50 . The officers appointed were : Bros . Piers N . HoIm ; s , S . W . ; CS . Bro » n ,

I . W . ; Duret , P . P . S . G . D ., Sec . ; Durtnall , P . P . G . S . of W ., Treas . ; J . A . Hughes , S . D . ; A . B . Bell , J . D . ; J . II . Palmer , D . C . ; T . R . Jones , I . G . ; W . Edmunds and J . Cave , Stewards ; and A . F . Bojra , Tyler . Bro . Evenden closed his du ' . ies with thc addresses , given with much force and eloquence , and well deserved the approbation afterwards expressed by visiting brethren of experience , Bro . Duret was able to report a most satisfactory financial state of affairs , and the Amherst Lodge is evidently firmly settled on a sound basis .

Banquet was served by Bro . Waller , and thc new VV . M . proved hims : lf equil to the task of presiding with acceptance . The usual toasts were proposed . Bro . Kentish made an able response for Grand Lodge . He also responded to the invitation given for criticism , and offered a few remarks in a kindly spirit , which wire well received from one of the leading lights in , and exponents of , Misonic lore and ritual .

Bro . E . J . Djdd , one of the three " fathers " of the lodge , who still stick cbsely to it , viz ., Bros . Dodd , Duret , and Durtnall ( familarlystyled ths three D > " . of the Amherst ) , had his usual opportunity for looking lack when responding for "The Past Misters . He recalled that 22 years ago that night he was installed in the chair of No . 12 : 3 , when the lodge practically consisted of the "three Ds . " and the host of the house where they then met . With the aid of one other lay member and two visitors a lodge was constituted , and he ( Uru . Djdd ) was installed , the ceremony taking p Hce in a room used lor sleeping purposes at other times . Ever since then h

the "three Ds . " had kept together and stuck to the lodge throug many vicissitudes . NJW they had tlvair rewird ; a str . inj lod ; e had arisen , meeting in a most suitable place , and taking a goo . 1 position in the Province of Kent . He then alluded to his oft-rep : at .-d observaion that the Past Misters numbered seven , arid rejoiced that night they were 10 , out of a total of 13 . With a most cordial acknowledgment ol the way in which Bros . Duret and Durtnall had stuck to him for over : > yea' - ' in keeping the Amherst L'jdgc lugctlici under very dillicult conditions at times , l ' '' Djdd closed his annual address to the May meeting at Riverhead

. ,. , A very pleasant time passed and several visitors testified to the gratification which the invite had afforded them . Bro . Herbert Schartau , P . G . Org ., contributed cjnsld ^ rably to the pleasure of all by his inimitable singing .