Correspondence.

Correspondence .

V ' c do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , bjt -ne wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

QUALIFICATION OF PAST PRINCIPALS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Bro . Lovegrove , P . G . S . B ., in a letter in your worthy publication on the 3 rd September , expressed his surprise that an Old P . Z . should ask the question with-respect to the qualification of a P . Z . to attend Grand Chapter who is not a subscribing member , as Rule 2 is quite plain on the subject .

When I first raised the question , on the 27 th August , I had a very good reason for doing so . I have always ' jbeen under the impression , like Bro . Lovegrove , that a non-subscribing member cannot attend Grand Chapter or Grand Lodge , but I have now a very good authority for stating that a non-subscribing P . Z . cannot be prevented attending Grand Chapter ; even more so , he can be appointed a Grand Officer , in accordance with Law 32 . " It seems strange , but it is so . "

No doubt Bro . Lovegrove will be surprised at this information . I shall feel very grateful if you will give this letter a small space in your next publication . —Yours fraternally , v AN OLD P . Z . November loth .

THE BOYS' SCHOOL . FESTIVAL . To fhe Editor ot the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I think that you have done good service in calling attention to the fact that no final meeting of Stewards has taken place . but

The amount of the Stewards'fees in question is not a few pounds , I should think will exceed £ 5000 , and every Steward should know how every shilling has been expended . I have not met a single member of the Craft who approves of the donation to the Secretary , and unless something is done I fear that the next festivals will show a very decided falling off in the number of supporters . —Yours fraternally , LIFE GOVERNOR .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother Of a large number of brethren with whom I have discussed the honorarium to Bro . McLeod , a considerable majority ( of whom I am one ) cor - dially approve the action of the Court of Governors , & c , and I think it only right and just that I should ask you to allow this fact publicity in your columns . — Yours fraternally , „ .. . „„ .. 34-i YEARS AN INSTALLED M .

CRIPPLES' HAMPER FUND . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , May I once more invite your valuable assistance by affording me space in which to solicit subscriptions for the fund which has been re-opened to provide for the usual annual banquet to be given to 1500 poor Ragged School children in the Guildhall , and also for the distribution of Christmas hampers to

5000 poor cripple children *¦ * For this double object last year upwards of ^ 1000 was collected , and the number of hampers then reached 4000 . The promoters owed the deepest debt of gratitude to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales for his generosity , and they also recognised to the utmost the cordial support of the Lord Mayor and SheriiVs and of the Corporation in granting the use of the Guildhall . Members of the Court and several of the City Guilds also extended their sympathies in a very practical way .

There are exceptional reasons why the Marquess of Northampton and myself should ask in the name of the orga ' nisers for the help of the public at large this year . We want to leave no cripple child who is thoroughly deserving out of the distribution , for in making the selection last year no preference was given to creed oi denomination , and priority was always accorded to the bedridden and the incurables . We were , nevertheless , confronted with many painful cases

amongst the 1000 applicants whom we could not include for want of means . Though the fund is , I am glad to say , so closely associated with the City of London , the recipients of the gifts are spread throughout the whole of the Metropolis : and we , therefore , confidently appeal to the generosity of Suburban as well as to that of Greater London to enable us to continue a work which is productive of so much good , lasting throughout the year .

It would be a pity if London now were to take a second place , having regard to the fact that the success of previous distributions has led to their being imitated by several provincial cities where hampers to crippled children are now regularly distributed at Christmas time . Subscriptions for the Cripples' Hamper Fund may be sent to me at 6 ( j , Ludgate-hill , or to the Marquess of Northampton , 37 , Norfolk-street , Strand . — Yours fraternally , W . P . TRELOAR , Alderman . 60 , Ludgate-hill , E . C .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Robert Burns Lodge , No . 25 . A meeting was held on Monday , the 7 th ult ., at Freemasons' Hall . Present : Bros . VV . Baddeley , P . P . G . Std . Herts , VV . M . ; J . Jacobs , S . W . ; A . Pinnington , J . W . ; T . S . Elliott , P . M ., Treas . j J . W . Harvey , P . M ., Sec ; V . R . Romilly , S . D . ; Sydney Davies , J . D . ; C . Lee , l . G . ; I larding , Tyler ; IL L . Davies , P . M . ; T . Hawkins , P . M . ; W . C . Maynard , P . VI . ; F . S . Deaton , P . M . ; Elsdon , Oscar Osborn , Woolf , Mathew , Wilson , Lewis Abrahams , II . Simon , A . Osborn , Schroeder , Carrt'' --, E . Abrahams , and F . Holden . Visitors : Bros . A . Mackenzie , Treas . 2543 ; Engel , 1 G 04 ; J . Perkins , 2 O 6 S ; and Boddy , 2077 .

Lodge being opened , and the minutes read and conlirmed , a ballot was taken for Mr . F . M . Trevoe , which was unanimous . The W . M . passed Bro . J . Wilson , giving the lecture on the Second Tracing Board aftenvirdi . l ' he bye-Uws having baen read , Bro . II . L . Davies gave notice of alteration of bye-law to have one black ball instead of three to disqualify candidates for admission . Lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern to banquet . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts , speeches , & c , brought to a close an enjoyable evening .

Craft Masonry.

Eldon Lodge , No . 1755 . The regular monthly meeting was held at the Masonic Rooms of the Royal Hotel , Portishead , on Saturday , the 12 th inst . Bro . J . W . Harris-Hall , W . M ., presided , and was supported by a large attendance of members and visitors , including the following brethren : Bros . J . H . Stafford , S . VV . j E . Tedder , J . W . ; James R . Thebridge , P . M ., Treas .,- A . J . Tonkin , P . M ., Sec , pro tem . ; F . G . Moore , P . M ., D . C . ; ¦ Thomas Turner , I . P . M .,- I . W . Roberts , S . D .: C . 1 . Tonkin , I . D .,- T . Cox , I . G .: 1 . 1 .

Sheasby , Steward -, C P . Billing , P . M . ; A . ] efferies , P . M . ; W . K . Thomas .-P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . ; W . Rice , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ,- W . G . Smith , J . Sheppard , G . A * Craddy , J . McLean , F . Dwelly , H . E . Smith , C . W . Noble , E . Porter , C . Hazel , H . W . Call , H . Sheppard , F . Simpkins , Tyler ; Rev . J . Wright , 2191 ( I . C ); C . E . Cowlin , 6 SG ; and S . G . Moxey , W . M . 610 . There were several apologies received for nonattendance . The ceremony of raisins was unavoidably postponed in consequence of the brethren

interested being on the high seas . Bro . Billing was invited to become Steward for the Girls' Festival in May next , when the P . G . M ., Bro . Viscount Dungarvan , will preside . The W . M . next rose and said : Officers and brethren , the next business on our summons is one which I know will afford you as well as myself , vary much pleasure . It is the presentation of jewels to several Past Masters ; and I little thought when you elected me to the chair of this lodge , that such a treat was in store for me . It is quite a unique event and a ted-letter day in the history of this lodge that five Past Masters '

jewels should be presented on one occasion , and our thanks are due to the one who conceived the idea—Bro . Tedder . VVe have heard of many presentations lately , consisting of addresses of various kinds , bejewelled and glittering swords , freedoms of cities , grants of moneys , and the thanks of tumultuous crowds ; and we would not begrudge the recipients one of them but rather add our tribute of praise to the many already received . But the presentation which we make to-day—or rather which 1 have the honour to make in your name—is one in which we all have a personal interest , as it

concerns our own lodge , or as I like to term it our own family . There is an old saying — "honourto whom honour is due "—and the Past Masters to whom these jewels go to-day , are men whom we all delight to honour . To name them singly , and to especially dilate on their individual qualities , is a task which I feel unable efficiently to perform . It would take too Ion ? , and I have not the command of language equal to the occasion ; but I am glad to say their past services are recognised by you—services in a cause which to my mind is second to none , namely , that of Charity . It has been my privilege to

serve under all these Past Masters , and I can truly say that the way in which they performed their work , made * that service in no way irksome but truly one of delight . They have shown that they possess the true characteristics of Freemasonry—brotherly love , relief , and truth—and their voices and practical sympathy have ever been at the command of all poor and distressed brethren . They have each maintained and uphold the honour of this lodge as symbolised by its glorious charter , and have , each in his turn , handed it down to his successor—not only pure and

unsulliedbut with ever-increasing lustre . _ These then are some of the reasons , brethren , why I deem this occasion an honour and a privilege ; and now to bring this pleasing duty to a climax I will request the following P . Ms , to step forward to the pedestal—Bros . C . P . Billing , A . J . Tonkin , F . G . Moore , A . Jefferies , and T . Turner . The VV . M . continued : Bro . P . Ms ., as I said previously I am not able to address each in turn , but 1 say this to one and all , all honour to you , my worthy brethren , for your past services in the cause of Freemasonry ! It is my joy and

pleasure to pin tnese jewels to your breasts , and my prayer is that l . O . A . U . l . U . may permit you to live long to wear these emblems , which express in a faint degree the confidence and love of your brethren , and the great respect in which you are held by them . The inscription on each of the several jewels ran as follows : " Presented to Wor . Bro . , b y the Eldon Lodge , No . 1755 , as a mark of affection and esteem . November 12 th , 1 S 0 S . ' Bro . C . P . Billing replied : VV . M ., will you allow me to thank you for the words you have just spoken , which certainly apply to four ofthe P . Ms ., but

1 cannot feel that they apply to myself . Still I should be lacking in gratitude if I did not tell you how much I appreciate the double honour you have done me , for this is the second time I have received a similar honour from the chair of this lodge . To the younger brethren the Past Master's jewel denotes a mark of rank and position ; but to us who wear them it marks out the fact that the hearts of the brethren are in sympathy with us , and these emblems will serve as a lasting link of love and affection . Bro . A . J . Tonkin made acknowledgment in these terms .- W . M ., permit me to thank you for this

handsome presentation , which is a recognition of one's having done one ' s duty , and 1 shall be proud to wear it upon all Masonic occasions , and to look upon it as the most valuable of my numerous Masonic possessions . I think , too , it should be a reminder to keep free from Masonic rust , and to ever be able , ready , and willing to assist in the work of the lodge should occasion require . Bro . F . G . Moore next made a graceful reply in these words : W . M ., —It gives me very great pleasure to thank you for your very great kindness , and I am sorry ( was not the

lirst to reply . I really appreciate very much the mark of honour you have bestowed upon me ; I realise the kindly feeling shown by the brethren , and think how little we have done to deserve it . I am sure the recipients treasure the incentive that has prompted the giving of these jewels , and it will , I am convinced , be the means of their renewing their energies in future Masonic work . Sometimes brethren who have passed the chair are referred to as " extinct volcanoes , " but if this is sojl am reminded of one line in Gray ' s Elegy , which runs something like this— " E'en in their ashes live their wonted

lire . " Bro . A . Jefferies said there was very little for him to say , but he could not help adding that he thanked them from the very bottom ot his heart , and assured them that he was proud to receive the honour . If thc brethren were satisfied with his services , then he was more than pleased . Bro . T . Turner brought up the rear of the long list of respondents by saying : I can only reiterate similar sentiments to the others , and thank you for this handsome jewel , not for its intrinsic value , but for the kind and graceful

words which fell from the VV . M . in making the presentation . Upon these I hope to look back in years to come , and to think of the happy meetings we have had in this lodge . I sincerely trust the present W . M . miy experience all the respect and good feeling from all of the brethren that 1 have had . After the lodge was closed , the brethren sat down to a banquet . The VV . M . presided , and submitted in graceful terms the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . The presentation jewels , manufactured by Bros . George Kenning and Son , were much admired .

Claremont Lodge , No . 1861 . The installation meeting of this highly flourishing provincial lodge took place at the Greyhound Hotel , High-street , Croydon , on Monday , the 7 th inst ., when there were present Bros . T . Bowler , W . M . ; Jos . S . Pointon , S . W ., W . M . elecit ; E . W . Trelawny Hoare , J . W . ; Terry Horsey , P . M ., Treas . ; H . E . Frances . P . Prov . S . G . D ., Sec . ; W . Rogers , S . D . ; Thos . Foulder , J . D . ; T . R . Dickason , l . G . ; B . Williams , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., D . C . ; W . Jaggard and W . I * . SmithStwds . ; E . MallettP . M . Tyler ;

, , , Wm . Greenland , Org . ; Sam . Cooper , H . Cogswell , J . Lees , and J . W . Bastone , P . M . ( hon . member ) . The visitors were Bros . Walter Alartin , P . G . Purst . ; Arthur Bentley , 21 S 2 ; B . C . Kirby , 22 S ; II . Moseley , 214 O ; J . M . Wimble , P . M . woi ; J . Ellinger , P . M . 2222 ; F . Pow , P . M . i < pi ; Frank Swiniord , W . M . 2272 , P . P . G . Org . Middx . ; Jos . Dickason , lyoi ; Fred . A . Bint , J . D . 704 ; A . E . Pusey , 179 ; Walter Sykes , P . M . 1537 ; W . G . Simmons , P . M . 1155 ; W . H . Wheeler , 2454 ; and C H . Stone , I ' . M . 5 : 7 , J . VV . 1641 .

the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . B . Williams , P . M ., D . C , presented Bro . J . S . Pointon , W . M . elect , to the W . M . to receive the benefits of installation , which cersmuny was performed in a creditable m inner in a Urge Board of Installed Masters . Bro . J . S . Pointon , W . M ., invested his ollicers as follows : Bros . E . W . T . Hoare , S . W . ; W . Rogers , J . W . ; Terry Horsey , P . M ., Treas . ; H . E . Frances , P . M ., Sec . ; B . Williams , P . M . D . C . ; 1 * . R . Dickason , S . D . ; W . Greenland , J . U . ; Thos . Fouliier , l . G . ; W . Jaggard , A . D . C ; W . Smith , G . Rochester , and S . Cooper , Stwds . ; and E . MallettP . ALlyler . The addresses were

, , ably delivered by the Installing Mister . The Auditors' report was presented , which showed the lodge to be in a thoroughly prosperous condition . The W . M . next presented the handsome jewel unanimously voted by the brethren to Bro . T . Bowler , I . P . M ., and remarked that the lodge had prospered considerably during the past year under his able guidance . Hc hoped that Bro . Bowler would gaze upon that jewel and feel that the brethren were grateful to him and that he was held in high esteem , and their earnest desire was that he might live many years assaciated with the Past Alasters of the Claremont Lodge . Bro . Bowler most gratefully -replied , and thanked the brethren for such