Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

MASONIC IMPOSTORS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Having read in your issue of the 14 th inst ., the letter of the Prov

G . Sec . East Lancashire , under the above heading , and knowing that such impostures , as he refers to , are by no means unfrequent , I seek the medium of your journal to inform my brother Masons generally , and Bro . Letchworth especially , that they can easily safeguard themselves against such attempts at robbing the lodges by appealing to their fraternal feelings .

I have devised a system which is impossible to fail in detecting ail wouid-befrauds , be they ever so ingenious , and should like to be favoured with a communication from Bro . Letchworth . In the event of his willingness to hear more of my proposals with the view of laying them before the proper authorities , a line in your valuable columns from him would greatly oblige , A . S . L .

A JUBILEE MASTER'S JEWEL . To ths Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I quite agree with the idea for a " Diamond Jubilee Master ' s Jewel , " as suggested by W . Bro . Purton . —Yours fraternally , W . M . in 1897 , No . 120 .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"SOME AUTOGRAPHS , MANUSCRIPTS , BOOK * - —A SUN DIAI . ANO AN OLD PRINTING PRESS . "—This is the heading to a most artistic and interesting Catalogue , published by Messrs . J . and M . L . Tregaskis , 232 , High Holborn , W . C . Copies of this issue may be had , post free , by application , so long as the limited edition lasts . There is also a large paper _ edition , of value , but the text is the same as the ordinary Catalogue , the pages of which are brimful of old , curious , and valuable Books and MSS .

—some remarkable as to their bindings , and all artistic souvenirs of the past—the prices affixed being generally reasonable for such rarities . There are two items on Freemasonry , No . 335 being ' * a Magnificent Collection of Masonic Portraits , Summonses , Coloured Engravings , Badges , " & c , of the last and present centuries . The whole " get up " of the Catalogue is most creditable to all concerned ; the contents are much beyond the usual , and copies will increase in value ere long .

"MASONIC CALENDAR , MARK GRAND LODGE , 1899 . "—This very useful , compact , and carefully Edited Annual is now in its 14 th year , and was never better arranged or in a more handy form than the present issue . The Editor is the indefatigable Mark Grand Secretary , Bro . C . Fitzgerald . Matier , who has all such matters at " his fingers' ends . " The particulars are varied , and cover all that could be reasonably expected , and even more , concerning Mark Masonry , from the formation of the Grand

Lodge in 1856 down to 1 S 9 S inclusive . The valuable Charities are also duly described and detailed . There are now six Male and 8 Female Annuitants in that Branch , and eight Boys and three Girls in the Educational Division , the whole receipts for which , be it remembered , go direct to these objects , save the necessary expenses for Printing , & c . The Annual is most useful respecting the complete Roll of Grand Officers during the last 40 odd years , besides much other information , which make it indispensable for all Mark Master Masons .

Election Of Grand Treasurer.

ELECTION OF GRAND TREASURER .

A numerously attended meeting of Bro . Alfred H . Sevan ' s Executive Committee was held to-day at Mark Masons' Hall , under the presidency of Bro . Sir John B . Monckton , F . S . A ., when reports were presented of the support received in the provinces and in the metropolis , which gave the Committee the most cheering assurances of the wide-spread interest taken in the cause of the candidate , who , it will be remembered , is a member of the firm of Barclay , Perkins and Co ., the eminent brewers .

Craft Masonry

Craft Masonry

Mount Lebanon Lodge , No . 73 . The installation meeting was held at the Bridge House Hotel , Southwark , on the 17 th inst . There were present Bros . Francis E . Wriijley , W . M . ; Morris Hart , l . P . M . Frank Jennings , S . W ., W . M . elect ; G . Free , P . M ., Sec . ; D . Fairmaner , S . D . ; A . Booth , J . D . ; A . J . Jeffery , I . G . j G . H . W . Grace , P . M ., D . C . j D . Rose , P . M ., Stwd . ; A . G . Young , Tyler ; C . Rayden , P . M . ; H . Moore , P . M . ; D . Rose , P . M . ;

J . W . Mash , P . M . ; A . 5 . Wilks , P . M . ; Wm . Klingenstein , P . M . ; F . G . Spencer , P . M . ; G . Muller , J . P . ; T . Baker , J . H . Mills , H . L . Hart , G . C . Bidgood , George Hook , R . Kemp , R . Dennis , B . B . Joy , G . J . Griffiths , S . W . Frye , and Fredk . Russell . Visitors : Bros . J . Heppel . 1970 , P . P . G . D . C ; Fredk . Sargent , 4 S 1 ; F . Dougall , 1708 ; Professer F . W . Driver , M . A ., P . M . 45 ; Oscar Rose , P . M . 1597 ; J . M . Wimble , P . M . 1901 ; F . Page , P . M . 2102 ; J . Hands , 1 S 8 ; T . W . Fullelove , S . W . 1910 ; B . Faull , 1 C 25 ; Thos . Totts , 1441 "; Thos . Till , 2579 ; Etherington Smith , 2482 ; Horace Reynolds , 24 S 2 ; Chas . Strone , 2482 ; Thos . Powell , J . VV . 2482 ;

H . J . Lamtley , j . W . Co ; W . J . H . Smith , Stwd . 209 G ; and R . G . Minton , W . M . 1708 . The lodge being opened by the W . M ., the minutes of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed . The bye-laws having been read by the Secretary , a ballot was taken for Mr . Arthur Seymour Jennings , and it proved favourable . The W . M . announced the death of the wife of Bro . Dr . John Dixon , P . M ., and it was resolved that a letter of condolence on behalf of the lodge should be sent

to Bro . Dixon by the Secretary . The W . M . elect , Bro . Frank Jennings , S . W ., was presented by Bro . Morris Hart , I . P . M ., to the Installing Master , Bro . VV . Klingenstein , P . M . A Board of Installed Masters was formed , and the W . M . elect was duly obligated as W . M . The W . M . invested Bro . F . E . Wrigley as I . P . M ., and the other oflicers were invested as follows : Bros . D . Fairmaner , S . VV .: A . Booth ,

J . W . ; Dr . J . Dixon , P . M ., Treas . ; G . Free , P . M ., Sec . ; A . J . Jeffery , S . D . ; G . Hook , J . D . ; G . G . Bidgood , I . G . j G . H . W . Grace , P . M ., D . C ; David Rose , P . M ., Steward ; V . Edsall , Org . ; and A . E . Young , Tyler ( for the 20 th time ) . The Installing Master gave the three addresses . Mr . A . S . Jennings wis initiitei b / his brother , the W . M . A vote of thanks was tendered to the Installing Mister , anl the W . M . presented a Past Master ' s jewel to the I . P . M . ; Bro . Francis E . Wrigley , voted

Craft Masonry

to him by the lodge for the efficient discharge of his duties in the chair . The l . P . M returned thanks . After " Hearty good wishes " the lodge was closed . The brethren adjourned to the banquet room , where a wall served rapist was prepared . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and duly honoured . "The Oueen and the Craft " was followed by

"The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales ; " "The M . W . Pro G . M ., the Earl < Vmherst ; The R . W . Dep . G . M ., the Earl of Warwick ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " The toast of "The W . M . " was briefly and gracefully given by the LP . VI . The W . M ., in reply , thanked the brethren for their warm reception of the toast and said he intended to have a ladies' night .

"The l . P . M . " was given by the W . M . The l . P . M . replied . In proposing "The Health of the Initiate , " the W . M . spoke of his relationship to him and of his personal knowledge of his brother in an amusing facetious manner . The initiate replied in a few words , but nevertheless to the point . The toast of "The Visitors" followed , to which Bros . Winton , Brown , Heppel , Wimble , and Page replied .

The W . M . then gave " The Past Masters , " Bros . Klingenstein , Wilks , and Morris Hart , responding . " The Treasurer and Secretary" having been toasted , " The Officers of the Ledge" was given , the S . W . and I . G . replying . The Tyler ' s toast concluded a most enjoyable evening . During the evening some capital songs , & c , were rendered by the Lyric Vocal Quartette ( Bros . Powell , Strong , Smith , and Reynolds ) , Fred Stephens , A . S . Wilks , Griffs , Dutch Daly gave some amusing anecdotes , and a selection from Beethoven on the concertina .

Bedford Lodge , No . 157 . The installation meeting of this old lodge took place at Freemasons' Hall , Great Oueen-street , W . C , on Friday , the 13 th inst . The incoming Master being a highly popular brother brought together no less than iS Installed Masters besides other brethren to assist at this highly interesting ceremony . Among the visitors present were the following : Bros . L . F . Lodge , W . M . 2020 ; W . Wright , P . M . 1897 ; S . Meech , P . M . 2163 , P . P . G . S . B . Middx . ; Hiram Long , 79 ; W . Barry , W . M . 1507 ;

J . Westerby , P . M . 1613 ; W . Stewart , S 9 S ; A . Wood , l . P . M . 11 S 5 ; P . C . Walker , P . M . 2006 ; A . Warren , 1507 ; T . H . Maple , W . M . 107 G ; Chas . Reeve , 1 S 1 O ; VV . Liddall , P . M . 1719 ; F . H . iHarris , S . W . I 3 I 6 ; J . Ruddock , 1 949 ; C . Botterill , 134 S ; J . B . Munday , 239 S ; A . G . Remuison , 1305 ; W . Marsden , Org . 971 ; H . VV . Kemp , Org . S 27 ; A . Farrant , 27 ; W . J . Collvill , 1125 ; W . J . Bennison , 173 ; VV . J . Flack , 2006 ; Ambrose Jones , 2061 ; and G . J . Smith , 1719 . The lodge was fairly full at the opening , and the W . M ., Bro . R . C . Cork ,

proceeded at once with the business on the agenda . Bros . Parker and Webster were passed to the Second Degree , and the ballot being unanimous in favour of Mr . J . W . Parker , he was initiated by the W . M . The W . M . read a letter from Bro . J . T . Briggs , P . M ., Treasurer , resigning his position , on account of failing health . This was received with deep expressions of regret and sympathy . The lodge then proceeded to elect a fresh Treasurer ; the votes on being counted being in favour of Bro . H . W . Dyne , P . M ., who thanked the brethren , and promised to do his best for the interests of the lodge ,

Bro . Main , P . M ., Sec , thought this a fitting opportunity to draw the attention of the brethren to the very valuable services which Bro . J . T . Briggs had rendered the lodge ; first , he was the oldest member but one , having been initiated in it in 1 S 70 , was _ W . M . in I 1 S 74 , and elected Treasurer in 1 SS 0 , and he had continued in that position ever since ; and he ( the Secretary ) was fully assured that , putting for a moment aside his illness , their dear old father , who was senior P . M ., must have been painfully grieved to be unable to come and carry out his duties as he had previously—not having missed

a meeting until last year during the whole of his service . The ; Secretary ^ considered it a matter of high importance that an occasion like this should not be allowed to pass without some recognition of Bro . Brigg's devotion to the best interests of the lodge during all those long years , and proposed that the sum of 10 guineas be taken from the lodge funds to purchase an acceptable present to their late Treasurer . This was very ably seconded by Bro . C . J . Turner , P . M ., who in a few well chosen words expressed his sorrow at the cause of absence of his old friend , and most cordially endorsed the sentiments expressed by the Secretary . The W . M ., Bro . J . R . Hill , later

on desired to add his testimony to the worth of Bro . J . T . Briggs , and hiving put the proposition to the lodge , it was carried by acclamation . The installation followed of the in-coming W . M ., Bro . Joseph R . Hill ; Bro . H . W . Dyne , as D . C , duly presented him , and the Master having addressed the lodge , proceeded with the ceremony , which he carried out in a satisfactory manner , giving the addresses in a highly creditable way . The newly-installed Master then invested and appointed his officers as follows : Bros . W . Smith , S . W . ; E . Cockerell , J . W . ; H . W . Dyne , P . M ., Treas . ; J . C . Main , P . M ., Sec ; S . Owers , S . D . ; C . A . Dyne , J . D . ; W . Jaques , I . G . ; V . Larner , Stwd . ; D . Weston , D . C ; and E . Mallett , Tyler .

The business ot the lodge being ended , the members adjourned to Freemasons ' Tavern , where a substantial banquet was served . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were afterwards given , and received with their accustomed applause , the toasts being interspersed with music . The visitors all desired to return thanks for the two great treats they had had—one inside and the other outside .

Bro . C J . Turner , in response to the toast of " The Past Masters , " mentioned that he had been a Mason 40 years , and a member of the lodge 20 years , and he desired to testify his appreciation of the revivification of the lodge , which was in a great measure due to the energy of the present Secretary , assisted by others , whose hearts were with the lodge . .... The meeting broke up late , the majority regretting that more time was not permitted at the social board .

Brotherly Love Lodge , No . 329 . The annual Festival of St . John , in connection with the above lodge , was held at the Masonic Hall , Yeovil , on the nth inst ., when Bro . E . y . Louch , P . M . 203 S , was installed W . M . There was a large attendance of members , and several visiting brethren were present from Langport , Sherborne , and distant lodges . The ceremony was imnressively performed by Bro . F . W . Gaylard , W . M ., assisted by Bro . C . J .

Hook , P . M . The W . M . appointed his officers as follows : Bros . F . W , Giylard , l . P . M . ; J . H . Bull , S . W . ; J . J . Brook , J . W . ; H . F . Raymond , Chap . ; L . Goodman , Treas . ; T . Neal , Sec . j E . Wilson , S . D . ; G . R . Allen , I . D . ; C . J . Hook , D . C ; J . A . Milborne , P . M ., Org . ; H . W . Marillier , I . G . ; F . Box , J . N . Johnson , N . Buchanan , Percy J . Kingston , Stwds . ; and J . Edwards , Tyler . Before the lodge was dismissed the newly-elected W . M ,, on behalf of the members of the lodge , presented Bro . Gaylard , P . M ., with a handsome Masonic jewel in recognition of the ability and zeal he displayed during the two successive years he held the office of

W . M . A banquet was afterwards held at the Choughs Hotel , to which about 40 members sat down . The catering of Bro . Box was of the usual first-class order .

Gosport Lodge , No . 903 . There was a large gathering of brethren at the India Arms Hotel , Gosport , on the ioth instant , to witness the installation for the ensuing year of Bro . S . M . Burch as W . M . of the above lodge . The ceremony was ably performed by Bro . II . S . Duke , the retiring VV . M ., who was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and presented with a Past

Master ' s jewel , in recognition of the able manner in which he had conducted his duties during the past year . The W . M . appointed and invested the following brethren as the ollicers for the ensuing year : Bros . H . S . Duke , I . P . M . ; A . H . Dove , S . W . ; E . P . Dash , J . W . ; W . A . Rowe , P . P . S . G . D ., Treas . ; W . J . Jago , P . M ., Sec ; E . H . Huxford , S . D . j J . Bond , J . D . ; Sidney Smith , P . M ., U . C . ; James Maling , P . M ., Org . ; J . P . Gray , I . G . ; P . Tostevin and Jesse F . Lee , Stewards ; and G . Slimm , Tyler . At the conclusion of the ceremony the brethren partook of a banquet , at which the usual toasts were given .