Original Correspondence.

a post card sent to him after the draw , informing him that he was one of the Life Governors of the Boys ' School . The end may justify the means , and it is right to help them anyway we can , but . I certainly think that our brethren should refrain from asking outsiders to take a chance of becominsr a Life Governor in one of our

schools for the sake of selling a ticket . I may add that this has been writted under purely Masonic motives , and not from any spirit that would tend to mar Bro . Constable ' s undertaking . I remain , yours fraternally , ANCIIOI . ME .

ANALYSIS OF STEWARDS' LISTS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . ' ' ' ' Dear Sir and Brother , — I warmly support your objection to give an analysis of , the Stewards' Lists for the charities by provinces or in any other way , save by individuals , because the figures prove a snare to any would-be analytical editor or

writer . Each Steward eloes his best , and procures subscribers from all parts of the country if he be a London Mason , and from any friends in London if he be a country Mason , so that frequently the names of provinces omitted have done their part , though unrecognised , as was the case of my province ( Somerset ) quite recently . Yours fraternally , J . T . C .

VOTES FOR THE MASONIC CHARITIES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother . — You have done well as Editor to ventilate the i ) uestion of our voting Masonic Charities , and have earned the thanks of all practically acquainted with the subject . 1 know several most willing to support you , and Bro .

Hughan ( P . G . D . ) is ready when needful to give facts illustrative of the value of the present system , indeed he has promised so to do , if anything turns up by way of objection of a character requiring attention and consideration . Yours truly , AN OLD SL ' IISCIIIIIEH .

BOYS' SCHOOL FESTIVAL . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir ami Brother , — In your leading article of last week you state " Bro . Binckes mav pride himself on one great , if simple fact , that he has been privileged to announce the largest

amount ever sent up to our Masonic Chanties , viz . £ 13 . 248 17 s . 6 d . " Will you permit me to state this is scarcely accurate ? While sincerely congratulating my good friend Bro . Binckes on so splendid a result , 1 am bound in justice to the Board of Stewards who worked so zealously for this

Institution in February last , to inform you that the total amount brought in by the-m was larger than that you justly take pride in placing to the credit of the Boys ' School , viz ., £ 13 , 3 ( 18 and there are five lists to come in . Will you kindly insert this in your next , and oblige , yours truly and fraternally , J ANES TERBV , Sec . R . M . B . I .

THE PRESENTATION OF DIAMOND RINGS TO LADIES BY MASONS . To the Editor of Ihc Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I notice that Bro . " Delta " seems to object to such a presentation , but why ? Surely it is a very fraternal proceeding , and is a little " variety" in our Masonic

routine . A visit to your worthy publisher ' s " Emporium " would enable any chivalric brethren to gratify their own taste and that of the fair presentee at the same time . 1 for one quite approve of the idea , and Jones of " ours " adds that it is one of those things which a " fellar can understand . " Yours fraternally , SPOT .

THE ANCIENT CORNISH TONGUE . To the Editor oj the ' \ Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — As I think the enclosed cutting may interest some of our Cornish brethren , I beg to forward it to you . " Next year ( 1878 ) being the 100 th year since the date

when , as is commonly supposed in the West of England , the Cornish language actually ceased to be spoken , through the death of the last person who could converse in it fluently—an old woman of Mousehold , near Penzance , who used the language chiefly for the purpose of swearing in it—it has been proposed to commemorate the

" centenary" by holding at Penzance or at Truroprobably at the former—a congress of Celtic scholars . At this congress papers will be read and discussions invited upon the history and affinities of the ancient and now extinct Cornish language . Although this language has ceased to be vernacular for so long a period , yet it is

well-known that there still remain a number of manuscripts which were written in it , and some of which have been recently translated auel published . For instance , sundry of the old Cornish Scriptural dramas , the ' Origo Mundi , ' the ' Passio Christi , ' and the ' Resurrectio ChrUti , ' by Mr . Norris , and the ' Beunands Meriasek , ' by Mr . W . Stoke . It is expected that other similar

manuscripts will also shortly see the light under the auspices of the " Cornish Manuscript Society ; ' and it may be added , as a connecting link with our own times , that not a few old Cornu-British words are still embedded in the modern Cornish dialect . The celebration of this forthcoming ' centenary ' is expected to prove the occasion of a re-union , in one of the westernmost towns in the kingdom , of some of our leading Celtic philologists and antiquaries ; and the

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gathering , if it should be held , will be one of the results of the interesting congresses of the British Archaeological Association held " in Cornwall in August last . " 1 am , yours fraternally , Ancu . v . oi . ooisT .

SHAKESPEARE AND FREEMASONRY . To Ihc Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Do any of your readers interest themselves in the question , whether Wm . Shakespeare was a Freemason

or no ? To all such I call attention in your pages , to some remarkable lines in King Henry VI ., part iii ., act 2 , sc . v ., which appear to me very Masonic , so much so that , in my humble opinion , Shakespeare ' s quotation and our Masonic verbiage have a common origin .

" When this is known , then to divide the times ; So many hours must I tend my flock , So many hours must I take my rest , So many hours must I contemplate , So many hours must I sport myself . " Perhaps some Shakespearian brother can " cap" this interesting passage . A LOVER OF SHAKESPEAUE .

A Relic.

A RELIC .

A " correspondent of the " Masonic Record of Western India " writes : — I have in my possession a very interesting relic of Freemasonry in the shape of a " List of Regular Lodges

according to their Seniority and Constitution : printed for and sold by J . Pine , Engraver , Little Britain and in Alelersgate Street , " and bears date 1729 . As a short description of the work may interest your readers who have antiquarian tastes , I venture to send you the following

notes : — On the top of the first page is a male figure , clothed in the flowing robes in which the Apostles arc usually depicted . He has in his right hand a square , and with his left he points to a plan e > f which he probably represents the architect . Opposite to him , crowned , and in the costume of a Roman Emperor , stands a figure which appears

to be giving instructions regarding the plan . Behind the latter are discovers ! two Roman soldiers , clad in armour and bearing sabres . The background of the picture is formed by columns and round arches through which the facade of the temple is discovered . Below this is an engraving of the arms of Lord Kingston , Grand Master . On the four next pages is a list of the lo . lge-s , fifty-four in

number . Their names are not given , but the dates of constitution , the days of meeting in each month , together with the names of the streets and engravings ot the signs of the various taverns in which they are held , are given in parallel columns . Without some special research , which I am not at present in a position to prosecute , it would be difficult to identify the several lodges enumerated

in the list , many of -which ha ve probably changed their names . This is actually the case with the very first one mentioned in the list , i . e ., the world-famed " St . Paul ' s Lodge , " then meeting at the Poker and Gridiron , St . Paul's Churchyard , and now known as the Lodge of Antiquity , No . 2 . It was in this lodge that the famous resolution was

passed in the year 17— , to the effect that Masonry should from thenceforth cease to be operative , and should become speculative . Although the lodge in question is now described as dating from time immemorial , still I note that the actual date of its constitution is given in the list curiously enough as 1692 . Lord Kingston appointed George Pomfrrt the first Provincial Grand Master of

Bengal in 1729 , and having resigned in favour of the Duke of Norfolk in 1730 , became the first Grand Master of Ireland in the year following . Findel , I notice , describes him as Viscount Kingston , whereas in my list he bears the title of Baron Kingston . In conclusion , I may mention that besides lodges in London , the list refers to others at Bath , Bristol , Norwich , Chichester , Chester , Carmarthen ,

Gosport , Tottenham , Salford , and Warwick , and even one at Madrid . This latter must , in my opinion , be the one which Lord Coleraine , who was the immediate predecessor of Lord Kingston as Grand Master in 1728 , founded under the name of the Lilies , and I am fortified in this opinion from the fact that the sign of the lodge in my list is that of an escutcheon bearing three fleurs-de-lys . The lodge , however , which Lord Coleraine founded in 1727 at

Gibraltar appears to have been but short lived , as it is not mentioned in the list . On the last page is a table showing the number of lodges meeting on the same day of the week . The result is as follows : — On Monday 13 , on Tuesday 7 , on Wednesday 11 , on Thursday 10 , on Friday 5 , on Saturday 13 , and on Sunday 1 .

Freemasonry In The Punjaub.

FREEMASONRY IN THE PUNJAUB .

"A Past Master" sends the following to the " Masonic Record of Western India" : — I must send you a few lines regarding a most successful meeting of the District Grand Lodge of the Punjaub , held last evening . You may not , perhaps , be aware that our new Lieutenant-Governor , the Hon . R . E . Egerton , is a

Past Master of the Lodge Hope and Perseverance , No . 782 , at Lahore , consequently the members of the Craft were most anxious to present him with an address of congratulation on the honour it had pleased the Empress of India to cor . fer upon him , and to our great satisfaction he was kind enough to attend the meeting of District Grand Lodge to receive the same . Lodge was opened at a quarter before seven , and at seven his honour arrived , and

Freemasonry In The Punjaub.

was received by a deputation consisting of the District Grand Master , his Deputy , the two Wardens and Deacons and conducted to a seat on the left of the throne . He was received with acclamation , and , on silence being obtained , the District Grand Master welcomed him in a few well-chosen words , and read the address prepared for his acceptance . W . Bro . Egerton then responded and retired

being unable on account of a previous engagement to remain to banquet . There were present some fifty or sixty brethren , many of them came from out-stations on purpose to be present on so auspicious an occasion , as this is the first time Dis . trict Grand Lodge has been honoured by a visit from the Lieutenant-Governor of the province . Sir H . Davis was

a member of the Craft , and a Life Governor of the Punjaub Masonic Institution , but never attended a meeting of District Grand Lodge ; in fact , being a Fellow Craft onl y , he could not have obtained admission . I was not at all astonished to see that , at last , out brethren of the N . W . P . are going for a District Grand Lodge of their own . Alas ! poor Bengal , it will be

further deprived of nine lodges , only let me give the brethren one piece of advice , apply for a District Grand Chapter at the same time , and do not follow in the footsteps of the Punjaub in that respect , and put off for a year such an application . If this one is granted , the other will be also ; for I know for a fact , when the District Grand Master of the Punjaub , in i 875 , applied for aDistrict Grand Chapter , the

only question that arose was , why it had not been granted when the District Grand Lodge cf the Punjaub was sanctioned . We in the Punjaub will heartily welcome the new District Grand Lodge , and wish it all success ; I feel certain the more local heads there are the more will the Craft flourish ; take our D . G . Chapter—it started in February , 187 ; , with five R . A . Chapters , and we have now nine in

full working order and doing plenty of work . That shows what a little energy and a hope of the honours of the purple will do . I have no doubt you will in due time receive a copy of the proceedings of the special meeting of District Grand Lodge , with a copy of the address and its reply , and so I will say no more .

Bro. George Kenning's Annual Excursion.

BRO . GEORGE KENNING'S ANNUAL EXCURSION .

On Saturday lastthe whole of the hands employed on Bro . George Kenning's establishment had their excursionfori 877 . Bro . Kenning engaged the Citizen steamboat" R . " to convey the party to Hampton Court , and by 9 o'clock about 200 persons embarked at Paul ' s Wharf Pier . Bro . Kenning , who

defrayed the entire cost of the day ' s amusements , accompan < ied by Mrs . Kenning and the Misses Kenning , Miss Hay ward , Bro . Wood , of the Liverpool house ; Bro . Bickerton , of the Glas . gow house ; Bro . H . Massey and Mrs . Massey , Bro . D . W . Pearse , Bro . B . Wright , Mrs . Wright , Bro . H . Cox , Bro . F . A . Kelly , Bro . Toye , with the heads of the different departments , received the party on board , and to the strains of an

excellent band of music , led by Mr . Stuart Dudley , the boat proceeded up the river . The journey was a very pleasant one , and to while away the time the party engaged in dancing and singing , which was kept up with unflagging vigour . The passage occupied nearly four hours , but the beautiful scenery of the Upper Thames and the numerous boating parties of ladies and gentlemen afforded afund of enjoyment

which made the time pass rapidly . Arrived at Hampton Court the party proceeded to the Cardinal Wolsey , where they sat down , headed by their worthy entertainer and family , to a bountiful dinner , to which ample justice was done , the ride up having given all a keen appetite . At the conclusion of the repast the holiday makers were left to follow their indivioual inclinations , some engaging in

sports on the commodious green in front of the Cardinal Wolsey , and some ( Bro . Kenning and family among the number ) , selecting the objects of interest in Hampton Court Palace for the afternoon ' s occupation . After spending three hours among the pictures , the tapestry , and the gardens , and some of the party having ventured on solving the intricacies of the world-famed " Maze , "

and others the wonderful grape-vine , they returned to the Cardinal Wolsey to tea , which was announced for five o ' clock , and to this meal again the visitors applied themselves with the business-like air which is usually attributed to hunters . As the voyage occupied a considerable portion of the day there was not much time to be devoted to many outdoor amusements after tea , and

therefore by half-past six o'clock every one was again on board the steamer and the vessel under way . Dancing and singing were of course the main portion of the entertainment on the passage down to London , and these were kept up without any cessation till the boat neared Paul ' s Wharf at a quarter past ten o ' clock . Bro . Kenning had arranged for no speeches to be delivered at the dinner or tea , or , as

is the custom on these occasions , some one would have called on the company before re-embarking on the boat to give three hearty cheers for the host of the day . However , as this item had been omitted from the programme to give the pleasure seekers as much time as possible to devote to their al fresco pleasures , the band on passing under Blackfriars Bridge struck up the tune " For he ' s a

jolly good fellow , " which the company , without exception , accompanied by giving the words , and concluded with vociferous hurrahs . Before the party separated " God save the Queen , " was sung and played , and when they wished each other " good night , " expressed their great satisfaction with the cheerful and pleasant day they had spent . These entertainments are given every year by

Bro . Kenning , who selects a different spot and a diflerf mode of conveyance to and fro on each occasion , "he reunion is always a most enjoyable one , and we need no say that it is looked forward to by both young and old with the greatest confidence in its success . The heads 0 the different departments , both male and female , exert