Original Correspondence.

tably that the proper clothingof Rule 2 SS is for Worshipful Masters , Past Masters , and Wardens of lodges , as set forth in this and in my pre / ious letter ; and as set forth in the rules which follow 288 . It is strange and unaccountable that the same official brethren who ex'ended to Past Prov . Grand Stewards ( who previously had no past rank ) the privilege of wearing their

distinctive collars at all Masonic meetings ( a privilege never before permitted to them ) , should at one and the same time take away and deprive a Past Master ( whose services in the Craft may be ten times greater than those of the P . P . G . Stwd . ) of the collar , which the Constitutions , and the invariable custom and practice of Grand Lodge , say is necessary to complete his /' proper clothing , " and should

prohibit him from wearing his proper clothing on every occasion he visits a lodge ' . There would be more consistency in the prohibition if it were extended to other cases . Thus , it Grand _ Lodge clothing were confined to Grand Lodge , Provincial aad District Grand Lodge clothing to Provincial and District

Grand Lodges , all the clothing rules would then be consistent with each other ; but , they would exhibit such a depth of paltry red-tapeism as would seriously reflect on the sanity of the rule makers . It only remains to do away with the unfortunate 308 , and all the rules will be in harmony , and be consistent one vvith another throughout the Book of Constitutions . —Yours , very fraternally ,

E . T . BUDDEN . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The incisive diction and the flowing periods of Bro . Budden I am quite ready to acknowledge as undoubtedly superior to the halting lines I addressed _ to you in your number of the 5 th inst .

I am ready to acknowledge , that my poor little letter deserves that epithet of " weak" which he attaches to it ; but , Sir , it is evidently weak only in its expression , it must be faulty grammar , and elliptic argument , with which our respected brother feels dissatisfied , for has he not avoided giving a direct answer to either of my propositions ? The little tales , the well told anecdote , with which he has

embellished his production are interesting , but quite beside the point at issue . " It was quite a red letter lodge . " Doubtless ! " All agreed that a more impressive ceremony they had never witnessed , " " ca va sans dire" ! But are we to understand ( Bro . Budden will forgive me if , to his hypercritical eye , my question appears " weak" ) that the ceremony was impressive , because the visiting P . M . 's

wore their collars ? " I need not assure you , Sir , but I do assure" Bro . Budden that in such a case , it is more than probable the impressiveness of the ceremony depended rather from the grandeur of our ritual , and from the excellence of its delivery , than from the evidence of any number of P . M . 's collars , or the glint and glamour of their jewels . Bro . Budden will , however , pardon me if I point out to

him , as a simple fact , that in no part of my letter did I imply that any confusion would arise between the officers of a lodge and visiting P . M . 's ( "officers" here bearing its usual signification of S . W ., J . W ., S . D ., j . D ., I . G ., and Tyler ) 5 but I did , and do , most explicitly state that confusion would arise in distinguishing between the P . M . 's of a particular Iodge and the P . M . 's of other lodges visiting

thereat . As to an inadvertent contradiction in the terms of our Constitutions , that doubtless will be rectified in proper time and place by the constituted authorities , but , in conclusion , permit me , Sir , to point out to Bro . Budden that , although in his own immediate circle , he may be omnipotent and

allsufficient , yet there is just a possibility of someone else being right , although that someone may not agree with Bro . Budden on all points , and that a definition of his opponents' opinions as " childish twaddle" is not only un-Masonic and unfraternal , but vulgar . Apologising for taking up so much of your space . —Yours fraternally ,

ARTHUR ROGER CARTER , W . M . 1728 . Blackheath , February 16 th .

THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I cordially support the proposition of Bro . Room . It seems fitting that all those who are bound to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , our Most Worshipful Grand

Master , by the Masonic tie of Brotherhood , ought to do what lies in their power to further the noble plan so clearly enunciated by his Royal Highness as a suitable Jubilee Memorial , and as a mark of attachment to our Gracious Queen , who lives , and will continue to live , in the affections of a loyal people . —Yours fraternally ,

SIDNEY B . JOPSON . Bective Lodge , No . 1532 . Carlisle , 16 th February .

Masonic Notes And Queries:

Masonic Notes and Queries :

713 ] CORRESPONDENCE CIRCLE . I should like to add a word to the many weighty observations of Bro . Speth ' s , respecting the utility and value of the " Correspondence Circle" ot the " Quatuor Coronati Lodge . " As respects its utility , that will be to a great extent determined by the Craft , for if the number join who

should , we shall have at least one hundred intelligent and zealous correspondents who will co-operate with us , the members , in Masonic researches . The value of such an organization , to my mind , is self-evident , especially when we have such a model Secretary as Bro . Speth to work it . He never tires when the interests of No . 2076 are

concerned , and certainly if the objects of its promoters arc not attained in the near feature , the failure cannot result from any lack in the Secretarial department . One hundred brethren in the " Correspondence Circle , " and forty zealous students in the lodge should effect much good work , and I believe such a result will follow Bro . Speth ' s well-directed efforts . W . J . HUGHAN .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

( Craft ilagfmrg . FIDELITY LODGE ( No . 3 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the 9 th

inst ., at the Freemasons' Hall , in the presence of an unusually large gathering of members and visitors , there being as many as 37 of the latter , many of whom hailed from the provinces . Bco . J . W . Squire , W . M ., presided , and the minutes of the previous meeting having been read

and confirmed , the report of the Audit Committee , showing the largest balance ever known , was submitted and approved . Mr . Thomas Patterson Riddle , who had previously been balloted for and accepted , was impressively initiated into Freemasonry , the ceremony being very ably performed by the W . M . Bro . J . W . Block , S . W . and W . M . elect , having been presented for installation , a Board of Installed

Masters was constituted and the ceremony carried out efficiently by the outgoing Master . Bro . Block then appointed and invested as his officers for the year Bros . Weeks , S . W .: Cochrane , J . W . ; Low , P . M ., Treas . ( re-elected ); Squire , Sec ; Larkin , S . D . ; Dr . Lovell , J . D . j C . Smith , I . G . J Perryman , P . M ., A . G . P ., D . C . J Sebastian Hart , Org . ; and Potter , Tyler .

The circular of the Pro Grand Master on the subject of the Jubilee celebration was considered , the suggestion that the lodge should contribute towards the Imperial Institute being negatived , and a resolution to mark the event by granting aid to the four Charities was unanimously passed . Bro . J . W . Squire , I . P . M ., announced his intention of becoming a Steward for the Girls' School Festival in May , and Bro . Dr . Sandberg followed suit by undertaking a like

charge in behalf of the Boys ' , Bro . Larkin , S . D ., being already a member of Bro . Terry ' s Board for Tuesday next , so that the Iodge will be efficiently represented this year at all three anniversaries . The lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned to the banquet , a very pleasant evening being the result , the speeches to , and in acknowledgment of , the various toasts , being interspersed with some admirable singing under the direction of Bro . Hart , Organist .

JOHN HERVEY LODGE ( No . 1260 ) . —This lodge met on Wednesday , the 9 th inst ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , with Bro . F . Taylor , C . C ., in the position of Master . Among those present were Bros . J . B . Sorrell , P . M . ; S . H . Baker , S . W . ; Stevens , Manger , Evans , Harris , Henry , and Walter Potter . The visitors were Bros . Rev . F . A . Ormsby , M . A ., J . Mason

P . P . S . G . D . Middlesex ; A . F . Asher , W . M . 1391 ; E . S . Strange , W . M . 1223 ; J . Home , 163 S ; and H . W , Percy , 1 S 53 . The brethren proceeded to ballot for Bro . John Robertson Reep as a joining member , the result of which was an unanimous election . The principal business of the evening was next the initiation of the Rev . Richard Colvin Lewis ,

M . A ., and was performed in an able and impressive manner by the W . M . The brethren then unanimously elected the S . W ., Bro . S . H . Baker to the position of Master for the ensuing year . The honour he acknowledged in a few but well-chosen words . A communication was read from the M . W . Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon suggesting means for the Freemasons to celebrate the Jubilee of her Majesty , and this proposition , with the acknowledged loyalty of the

Order , found hearty support . Two amounts of 10 guineas were voted , one on the Master ' s list for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and another to the widow of a late indigent brother . The Master was also awarded a jewel to mark the appreciation of the lodge at his excellence as a man and Master . A banquet followed , at which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and properly received .

ISLINGTON LODGE ( No . 1471 ) . —The installation meeting of this Iodge was held at the Cock Tavern , Highbury Station , on the 10 th inst . The chair was taken by Bro . William Shurmur , W . M ., and amongst the brethren present were Bros . T . Hunt . S . W . j J . H . Thompson , J . W . ; E . Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br ., Treas . ; D . P . Holness , P . M ., Sec ; 1 . Pctch , S . D . ; H . Hunt , J . D . ;

S . Napper , D . C ; H . Cox , P . M . ; A . C . Halestrop , P . M . ; E . Blinkhorn , P . M . ; Scarlett , Harding , Braham , Tyrrell , and others . The visitors included Bros . A . M . Broadley , P . D . D . G . M . Malta , Sec . 2127 ; Augustus Harris , W . M . 2127 ; C . E . Soppett , P . G . Stwd . ; W . R . King , 167 ; C . W . Woods , P . M . 145 ; W . D . Church , D . C . 1365 ; J . Bell , 45 S ; J . Speller , 16 77 ; F . J . Beard ,

1432 ; T . Wells , P . M . 754 ; R . Kelley , P . G . S . B . W . Yorks ; J . Wulmot , 1223 ; R . Walker , 60 ; H . Green , iSS ; J . Mason , P . P . S . G . D . Middx . ; J . A . Barton , W . M . 1924 ; J . Osborn , P . P . G . Std . Br . Middx ., P . M . 1897 ; J- Barnet , 177 ; W . E . Sutton , 209 ; T . Mayes , 1613 ; G . F . Salmon , W . M . 82 ; J . Bayne , D . C . 1 S 97 ; R . P . Forge , W . M . 1 ( 393 ; W . Airey , 70 ; J . Lister , S . W . 1745 ; A .

AUard , 1421 ; R . Brookman , 1426 ; R . H . Cumming , 1343 ; W . Bright , 860 ; W . J . Crutch , 1580 ; Baker , P . M . 196 4 ; J . Cox , 1613 ; J . W . Cluff , 59 ; W . T . Laws , S 20 ; J . Michael , 435 ; M . Cohen , 101 7 ; J . Snook , S . W . 16 93 ; W . W . Lee , 1 S 97 . The lodge having been opened in due form , the minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed . Bro .

John Horace Thompson was then presented as W . M . elect , and duly installed into the chair as W . M . for the ensuing year . Bro . Thompson , W . M ., appointed and iuvested the following officers : Bros . Thomas Hunt , S . W . ; Petch , J . W . ; E Bower , P . G . Std . Br ., Treas . ; Blenkhorn , P . M ., Sec ; H . Hunt , S . D . ; Napper , J . D . ; Scarlett , I . G . ; Harding , D . C ; Braham , W . S . ; Tyrrell , A . W . S . ; Couchman , Tyler . Bro . D . P . Holness , P . M ., the Instating Master , then

delivered the usual addresses in a very impressive and praiseworthy manner . On the motion of tiro . Holness , P . M ., seconded by Bro . Bowyer , Treasurer , a vote of condolence was unanimously passed , expressing the sympathy of the brethren with the widow and family of the late Bro . Davis in their sad bereavement . It was next notified to the members by Bro . Holness that the W . M . intended serving as Steward at the forthcoming Festival of

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and he proposed that ten guineas should be taken from the Iodge funds and placed on thelistof Bro . Thompson , W . M . This having been seconded by Bro . Shurmur , I . P . M ., was carried with acclamation .

The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a sumptuous banquet , which fully maintainedj the reputation of Bro . Baker . The usual toasts were then honoured . "The Queen and the Craft , " and "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " were received in a hearty manner . The Worshipful Master proposed " The Grand Officers , "

and said that in a company suoh as the present , where there were many Past Masters who had seen the interest taken by the Grand Officers in the Craft , few remarks would be needed from him to ensure a warm reception for the toast . The brethren present were fully aware how important it was for Freemasonry to have at its head men of such rank and eminence . As long as they had such men to further

the principles and tenets of the Craft it would continue to flourish and prosper . He had much pleasure in coupling this toast with the name of their Treasurer , Bro . Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br . Bro . Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br ., heartily thanked the W . M . and brethren for the very kind manner in which the toast had been proposed and receive . 1 . The VV . M .

had stated that the Grand Officers perform , in an unexampled manner the duties that fall to their share , and he could assure the brethren that they all tried their utmost to give satisfaction to the Craft . "The Health of the W . M . was given by the I . P . M ., " who expressed the pleasure it afforded him to introduce the toast to the notice of the brethren . Bro . Shurmur , l . P . M .,

further remarked that any feeling of regret that he might have had on leaving the chair was more than fully compensated for by the fact that he was succeeded by a brother of such skill and ability as Bro . Thompson . The members would ' look with assurance to their VV . M . to fulfil the duties of the chair to the credit of the lodge and the comfort and satisfaction of the brethren .

Bro . John Horace Thompson , W . M ., in reply , said that that night , long before ever he expected it , he had attained the summit of his Masonic hopes . He now held , by their suffrages , the important position of W . M . of the lodge , for their S . W ., whom he had expected to see installed that evening , had deferred , for reasons which did him credit , his accession to the chair . If only half the expectations of the

l . P . M . were realised , and if he only reached the standard that brother had placed before them , he would be able at the end of his year to deliver up his trust to them with the consciousness that he had fulfilled it to their satisfaction . Although he had to follow so great a man as the I . P . M ., he would do his utmost , and would leave nothing undone that would further the best interests of the lodge . As he was

sure they would not wish to hear long speeches , he would simply thank them from the bottom of his heart , and assure them that he had never felt a prouder moment than when rising to respond to that toast . The next toast proposed by the W . M . was "The In- I stalling Master . " The W . M . said that the brother who j had fulfilled the duties of Installing Master that evening

was a brother who had filled every office in the lodge , and who had for many years past performed the duties of Secretary in a manner of which any lodge might be proud . He had worked through every office until he reached the chair , and when his year of office expired as W . M ., he had taken up the Secretarial duties , which he had performed without a single neglect of any kind . Being now about to

leave those duties , and retire to the cold shade of the-P . M . ' s , he had crowned the edifice of his work by performing the installing ceremony in a most perfect manner . All present would acknowledge that he must have placed himself under a considerable amount of discipline to enable him to carry out that ceremony in so praiseworthy a manner . He ( the W . M . ) asked the brethren to give Bro .

Holness a mark of their appreciation by cordially drinking his health . Bro . D . P . Holness , P . M . responded , and said he scarcely knew how to return thanks for the toast that bad been placed before them in such flattering terms . As one of the first initiates , his interest in the lodge bad been undivided , but he could not think that the simple services he

had rendered were adequate to the terms in which the W . M . had introduced this toast . It was his pleasure some years ago to propose their S . W ., Bro . Hunt , and he could hardly express the disappointment he had felt to see that Bro . Hunt was not in a position to take the position of W . M . This he very much regretted , for their S . W . was a great personal friend of his . He was , however , very pleased to find

that another personal friend of his occupied the ehair , for Bro Thompson was one who took a great interest in the wellbeing of this lodge . The small services he had rendered on the present occasion fell upon him as a surprise , for it was only owing to ill health that the l . P . M . was precluded from performing the installing ceremony . He ( Bro . Holness ) had occupied the position of Secretary for many

years , and as the duties had considerably increased , he felt compelled , in justice to himself and the lodge , to resign that office . He took this step with regret , for it severed him officially from the members , whose respect and esteem he hoped he had gained during his term of office . He begged again to thank them for their kindness in receiving the toast with so much cordiality . The Worshipful Master , in proposing "The Visitors , "

said that when they found they had a large number of distinguished visitors present such as they had that evening , it behoved them to do what they could to show them hospitality . He offered all the visiting brethren a hearty welcome , and was certain they would all find their sentiments conveyed by the four brethren he would couple with the toast . They were Bros . Kelley , P . G . S . B . West Yorks ; R . P . Fw & ' W-M - l 6 93 i W . J . Crutch , 1580 ; and Salmon , W . M . S 2 .

Bro . Kelley , in response , cordially tendered his thanks on behalf of the visitors for the profuse hospitality shown them . He had travelled 200 miles to be present , and wished to express his appreciation of the manner in which Bro . Holness had rendered the installation ceremony . It would always afford him pleasure to visit them , and he

hoped their lodge would continue its prosperous career . Bro . Crutch also returned thanks , and expressed the gratification it afforded him to see Bro . Thompson installed into the chair , for he had watched his career in another Iodge , where he had performed the duties entrusted to him with skill and ability . The W . M . would fulfil all the pledges he had given , and at the end of his year the