Correspondence.

Correspondence .

OLD MSS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , f think many of our brethren will thank Bro . Watson , P . M ., for sending you a copy of the " Beaumont MS . " I have read it carefully through , and find

that it differs but very little from a MS . which appeared in the Gentleman ' s Magazine for June , 1815 , and said to be copied from a long parchment written about 300 years before that time . The difference between the Beaumont MS . in . spelling and phrases are not to be wondered at , as no doubt it was handed down from brother to brother by reciting before it was put in

writing . For the benefit of those interested , and who may not have time or access easily to the above magazine , with your permission , I will give you the beginning , and quote a few of the noticeable differences , so that brethren who have a copy of the Freemason of August nth can compare , and see some of the changes in both articles .

" The might of the Father of Kings , with the wisdome of his glorious grace , through the grace of the goodness of the Holy Ghost , there bene three Persons in one Godheade , be with us at our beginninge , and give us grace so to governe us here in this mortall life liveinge , that wee may come to his kingdome that never

shall have endinge . Amen . "Good Breetheren and Fellowes ; Our purpose is to tell you how and in what manner this Worthy Science of Masonrye was begunne , and afterwards how it was favoured by worthy Kings and Princes , and by many other worshippfull men . And also to those that be

willinge wee will declare the Charge that belongeth to -any true Mason to keepe for in good faith . And yee , have good heede thereto ; it is well worthy to be well kept for a worthy craft and curious science , & c , & c . and that other stone was clipped Interns worthy scoller that height Ettcyldc

... ' .. since longe after when the Children of Israeli were coming into the Land ot Beheast , that is now called amongst us the Country of Jhrlm , King David began the Temple that they called Templum D'ni . . ' . . And he had a son that height Ayrom and this is wittnessed by the Bible , in

libra regum the third ( fifth ) chapter . . . . Curious Craftsmen walked about full wide And soe it befell that there was one cuiious Mason that height Maymus Grecus And there was one of the regal lyne of France that height Charles Mattel ! . . . "

Charge No . 11 reads : " And also that no Mason shall not be any common player att hazard or at the dice , nor at any other unlawful ! playes , whereby the science might be slandered . "—Yours fraternally , T . H . Southampton , August 13 th .

SACKVILLE LODGE , No . 1619 . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , 1 am very sorry to find that the report of the proceedings of the above lodge which I forwarded you contained some trifling inaccuracies . I take the blame

and apologise , although I wrote only from information given me by a brother , but the trifling mistakes as to who presided over the lodge on a certain evening , and whether a new member was initiated are not really the " serious errors" the Secretary terms them . I certainly never asserted that the jewel presented to

Bro . Betchley was already manufactured , and as , when the new member of the lodge is initiated , the number of members will , upon the Secretary ' s own showing , be 39 , there is not much to complain of , when in round numbers the lodge is said to consist of 40 . The tone of my communication was in no way

meant to be unfriendly , far from it ; financially , and , I believe , as to members , Sackville Lodge is in as good , perhaps I should say better , position than it has ever heen , but surely in the important town of East Grinstead , the centre of a district , the population of which is about 6000 , a lodge meeting of even 40

members would very poorly represent our Honourable and Ancient Craft . It was the greatest kindness , in my opinion , to point this out to the members of Sackville Lodge , and to call their special attention to the reason , as given me by several worthy brethren , why Masonry was not the power it ought to be in the

district , because there was no place set apart for Masonic meetings and lodges of instruction unconnected with the sale of drink . I did not wish to put J | so plainly , but the Secretary ' s letter obliges me to f *? ' ' ^ eTe ' growing desire on the part of many '" the noblest and most influential of our brethren to r c' ? . , llc tone of the Craft by encouraging the building of

Masonic Halls and Temples set apart solelv for Masonic purposes . And I have no doubt if the "rethren of Sackville Lodge put their shoulders to the wheel and get their proposed hall built they will find R « k number of members will soon be more like 00 than nearl y 40 , and that , as my present desire is , ineir lod ge will become one of the leading and most "itluential lod ges in the county . . YOUR CORRESPONDENT . August nth .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The results of the examinations in Music at Trinity College , London , and in Science and Art at South Kensington have now been published . In Music they are excellent . Broad , Leeming , Watson , and Chinneck have passed the Intermediate Division , gaining an average of 75 percent , of the marks given .

Whale , Thompson , Bourdeaux , Hitchcock , and Moreton have passed in the Junior Division with an average of 78 per cent . There was only one failure . In Science and Art , the results are as follows : Freehand Drawing—Five in the First Class and five in the Second Class , while in Model Drawing two gained a Second Class .

Mathematics—Three are put in the Second Class of the Second Stage , while eight got a First in the First Stage , 15 being marked as up to the standard of the old and now abolished Second Class . In Practical , Plane , and Solid Geometry the numbers are respectively six and five . In Sound , Light , and Heat , two and twelve .

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SUMMK 1 ! EXCURSION OF THE JOHN HERVEY hOVGE , No . I 2 ( ia The excursion of this lodge took place on Thursdayi the gth inst ., when a goodly gathering , under Bro . E . G . Packman , the W . M ., and his Wardens , Bros . Evans and Barlow , assembled at Waterloo Station to speed

to Windsor by the 10 . 50 a . m . train . Saloons were secured for the party , which at starting numbered 39 brethren , and Windsor being reached , the electric launches Flosshildeand Alpha were in readiness for the down stream trip to Hampton Court . Luncheon of a very substantial character was provided on board the

larger boat ( the Flosshilde ) , and the weather and arrangements generally went far to make the outing one of the most enjoyable yet exploited . In due time Staines bore in view , and here , as the regatta was on , a short stay was made while some of the principal race events were derided .

About five 0 clock , without hitch of any sort , Hampton Court , where the party was to dine , was duly reached , and here Bro . W . F . Potter , with his usual talent , mustered the brethren in artistic form , and took photographs of them , as in former years . The

banquet was served in' the large room at the Mitre Hotel , and Bro . Sadler on the occasion proved himself worthy of the old reputation in providing a wellselected and ample repast . The wines also were all that could be desired .

At the close of the dinner , the W . M ., in happy terms , proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts . These were warmly received , as also were those of "The Initiate ( admitted on the previous evening ) , Bro . Dasloor , " and "The Visitors . "

Bro . DASLOOR , a Parsee , expressed his gratification at the ceremony , and what he had so far understood of the Craft , adding that his best friends in Bombay were members of the Fraternity , and were exemplary in all respects , and that he intended to follow their example , and become a good and true Mason ,

Bro . LE HAY replied for the visitors in a humorous strain , and was followed by Bro . DODD , P . M ., and others , expressing their pleasure at the programme of the day . The toast of "The Treasurer and Secretary " was received with acclamation , it being known that to them

the success of the occasion was largely due . Bro . SORRELL , P . M ., briefly acknowledged the toast , saying that it was to the Secretary all must look . Bro . REEP , P . M . 2241 , then replied , reminding the brethren of the Sub-Committee appointed , and , while congratulating all present on the success of the day , stated he was well content if his efforts had met with

general approval . The Tyler ' s toast brought the proceedings to a conclusion , and the return journey was made in saloon carriages from Hampton , thanks being due to the South-Western Railway and their officials for the manner in which response had been made to the requisitions and enjoyment of all concerned .

Scotland.

Scotland .

EDINBURGH . Lodge of Edinburgh ( Mary ' s Chapel ) No . 1 . —A meetingof this lodge was held in Edinburgh on Tuesday evening-, the 7 th instant , when there was a large attendance of Masters and Past Masters of neighbouring

lodges . liro . Dr . George Dickson . R . W . M ., presided . Three candidates were introduced and admitted in membership namely , Lord Elphtstone , Mr . Cranston ( son of Councillor Cranston ) , and Mr . Cockburn . The meeting was very successfully conducted , and proved one of the most pleasant and harmonious of this ancient lodge .

KILWINNING . Kilwinning Mother Lodge ( No . o ) .-Bro Willia-n Scott , D . M ., presided at a special meetingof the above lodge , held in the Masonic Hall , and was supported by hN Wardens , Bros . James lloyd and John Clark , Bro . Laurence Matheson , Secretary , and other office-bearers

Scotland.

There was a large attendance of the brethren . Two candidates were initiated , one a gentlsrnin from Bjtnbay , and the other a Dane . From the oak II > or of the old Kilwinning Masonic Hall—which dated back about 400 years , and was demolished some time ago—miniature mallets were made . These souvenirs were distributed among members of the Craft , who prize them as relics of Mother K'lwinning , and they have found their way to all parts of the globs , one

even reaching Ceylon . The Secretary of Bonnie Doon Lodge , No . 611 , S C , at Cotomb 1 , Ceylon , has written the Secretary of the Kilwinning Mother Lodge to convey his thanks for one of these curios which was received from Bro . J . A . Brownlie . On the mallet has been inscribsd the following : '' This gavel is made of a piece of wood which formed a portion of the lodge-ro > m of Mother Kilwinning , No . o . Presented to B jnnie Doon Lodge by Bro . J . A . Brownlie , Lodge Mother Kilwinning . June t , 1 S 04 . "

The Craft Aboard.

The Craft Aboard .

MALTA . Bro . Hamilton Sharpe , who has for many years occupied the position of District Grand Secretary , has retired from that position , and takes kave ot his brethren in that capacity in the following circular :

Masonic Hall , Valletta , 19 th May , I 8 J 4-My Dear Sir and Brother , It is with deep sorrow that 1 have to announce my official severance from the District of Malta , owing to circumstances over which I have no immediate control . In offering you this intimation , I desire to couple with it my

personal gratitude for the courtesy and kindness I have received at your hands , and at the hinds of the entire Masonic community . I have laboured as long as it was in my power to maintain and uphold the interest of the Order , and , after active service in the various branchesf ir a period oi six years , lam reluctantly constrained to retire in favour of my ordinary vocation , which has been a heavy sufferer .

To our respected District Grand Master , Deputy District Grand Master , the oliicers of the District , Worshipful Masters , officers , and brethren genenllv , I am deeply indebted , no words of mine being sufficient to express the sorrow with which I leave the happiest associations of my life . I owe to the Order but love and gratitude . In every possible sphere I have tried to do my best as long as my

health and circumstances permitted , and it is only the failure of both that has necessitated a step which is the most honourable of my choosing . I have only to renew my earliest pledges of fidelity to the obligations which have always bound me to the Order with wnich I have been so long and actively associated , and my retirement will be brightened with the recollection of the courtesy , hospitality , and fraternal assistance it has been my good fortune to

enjoy . With kindest fraternal greetings , and a heartfelt wish that T . G . A . O . I ' . U . will ever look with favour upon each and every member of our fraternal union . I beg to remain , in love , peace and unity , Your very obedient servant , HAMILTON SHARPK , P . D . G . Sec . Craft , Mark , Scribe E ., Sec . 349 . & c .

South Africa.

SOUTH AFRICA .

Buffalo Lodge ( No . 1824 ) . —The installation of Bro . William Searle as W . M ., and the investiture of officers of the above lodge took place at the . Masonic Temple , on Monday evening , the 2 nd ult . The ceremony was preceded by a public religious secvics , conducted in the handsome temple by Bro . the Venerable Archdeacon Grant ,

P . D . G . C , Chaplain , assisted by the Rev . John Aldred , Rector of St . Peter ' s West Bank . A great numoer of townspeople , especially ladies , were at the service , the musical portion of which was pleasingly rendered by the choir of St . John ' s Church , with Bro . J . H . Whipp aa choirmaster and Bro . H . Bentley as organist . The bretnren , largely supplemented by Visiting brethren from other lodges ,

attended in the customary regalia and took up their positions along the walls and platform , the oifioating clergy being stationed to the left of the chair of the W . M ., Bro . W . Paterson . The s . 'rmon delivered by the Archdeacon was from the words of St . Paul in one of his closing epistles to the Corinthians , "Covert earnestly the best gi . ts , " and the discourse was a most able one . The preacher touched

upon many points in . connection with the work of Freemasonry , eulogising the Institution as being one of human effort to do good in the world ; as a handmaid to religion ; and as a great educational ag = r . cy . At the close of the sermon , and during the singing of hymn 276 ( A . and M . ) , an offertory was taken on behalf of the Educational Funds , the enlarging of which is so dear to the hearts of the Craft

all the world over . The service being over , the lodge was opened , and after the usual business had been disposed ot the W . M , requested Bro . D . Rees to take the chair as Installing Master , and a lodge of Installed Masters was opened , and Bro . Searle duly installed as Worshipful Mailer , l'he W . M . then invested his officers as follows ; Bros . Wm . Paterson ,

I . P . M . ; H . G . StapyltonSmith , S . W ; W . H . Gordon , J . W . ; Ven . Arch . Grant , P . D . G . C , Chap . ; H . C . O . dough , Sec ; H . E . Knibbs , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Tooley , S . D . ; H . G . Drake , J . D . ; J . H . Whipp , P . M ., D . C ; H . Bentley , Org . ; J . W . French , I . G . ; K . Mitchell , H . M . Hepper , H . B . Cuming , G . Lynn , and M . F . Dickerson , Stwds . ; and J . Lambert , lyler . Before closing the lodge

the W . M . thanked Bro . Rees for the able manner in which he had conducted the installation ceremony . 'l'he lodge being closed , an adjournment was made to the 1 'hi . cnix Hotel , where a sumptuous repast had been prepared by Bro . J . W . French , the popular proprietor , and the decorations and arrangements of the festive board , together with the general surroundings of the supper-room , reflected no small amount of credit on the hostess .

The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and received with great enthusiasm , and suitably responded to , the interest ot the proceedings being enhanced by tne contributions of the musical portion of the brethren , and a true Masonic spirit pervaded the gathering , which dispersed shortly after midnight .