Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

"THE OLD KING'S ARMS LODGE . " To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I can fully endorse what Bro . Hughan has written about the valuable records of this lodge , which are contained in a handsome volume from

the pen of Bro . A . F . Calvert , its late W . M ., one ' s only regrets being that the excerpts given from the old minutes are too few . For instance , one is anxious for every possible scrap of information in reference to that most interesting subject , the inception of the Third Degree . The introduction of that Degree in a " Masters' Lodge" was evidently a new thing to the members of the King ' s Arms Lodge in 1733 .

In a paper I read before the Lodge Quatuor Coronati on 25 th June , 1888 , I cited the cases of several early Masters' Lodges taken from Pine ' s engraved list of 1734 , and ventured to state that these new lodges , which appeared never to have been formally constituted , to have been free from any obligation either to obtain or to pay for a warrant or constitution , and whose members were not required ( as were the members of other "regular " lodges ) to be represented at

the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge , " were formed for working the principles and ceremonial of the Third Degree . " And in reference to one of these lodges , No . 117 , I further stated that it was "highly probable that , meeting at the same place , during the period of 1733 to 1735 , No . 117 was composed of members of , or worked in connection with , No . 43 " ( the King ' s Arms Lodge ) , adding that " here , again , the old minutes , if extant , would be very helpful in arriving at an absolutely accutate and satisfactory conclusion . ''

The present "History of the Old King ' s Arms Lodge , No . 28 , " in my opinion , fully confirms the statements I made in 1888 . Its minutes of 1 st October , 1733 , refer in unmistakeable terms to the "the Master Lodge , " which " was Just opening , " whilst , in 1734 , " An Invitation from the Master ' s Lodge to the Masters of the Constituted Lodge to become Members , " demonstrates that the two organisations must , at that period , have been perfectly distinct .

Is it not , therefore , obvious that the newness of these Master ' s Lodges , constituted , as they undoubtedly were , for the purpose of conferring the Third Degree , or the " Master ' s Part , " can only point to the fact that the Degree itself was then of recent creation ? I am hopeful that other old minute-books will yet be discovered , which will throw still further light on the development of Masonic Degrees . —Yours fraternally , JNO . LANE . Torquay , October 14 th .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

It will be remembered that at the Local Examination in Musical Knowledge " , conducted by the Trinity College , London , in June last , five boys passed in the Junior Division ( three with honours ) , and one in the Intermediate Examination .

The last named was William Denis Coales , aged 13 ] , years . He has now been awarded a special prize , being first of all the boys and girls at the two examinations of the London centre under the age of 19 , and having gained 95 per cent , of the possible marks .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Dorset.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF DORSET .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Mark Lodge was held recently at Wimborne , under the rule of Bro . Colonel Brymer , M . P ., P . G . M . M . The following Prov . Grand Officers were elected :

Bro . T . George ... ... ... ... D . P . G . M . ,, G . Habgood ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ W . Board .,. ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . G . P . Balleine ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ S . Milledge ... ... ... ... Prov . M . G . O . „ A . Budden ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . O . „ F . P . Oakley ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . „ A . Rayner ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ R . Score ... ... ... ... Prov . G . R . Mks . „ B . Morris ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ N . Bowes ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ J . M . Luff ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . ,, J . Lawrence ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . ,, H . Saunders ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br ,, C . Hutchings ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, G . Turner ... .. ... ... Prov . G . I . G .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Hugh Owen Lodge , No . 593 . This lodge , which was consecrated in January , 1 S 9 6 , for the adv intagc and convenience of officials engaged in the administration of the Poor Law , held a very successful rmeting at the Frascati Restaurant on Friday , the 13 th inst . After a very busy jear Bro . R . H . Nicholls , W . M ., was succeeded by Bro . Ur . W . Chapman Grigg , whose installation in the chair had been postponed until this meeting owing to absence abroad . Bro . Grigg is a well-known member of the Craft , and is a P . M . of Lodges Nos . 10 and 1 C 35 .

Brn . R . II , Nicholls , W . M ., was supported at the opening of the lodge by Bros . W , Chapman Grigg , P . M ., W . M . elect ; J . W . Hunt , S . W . ; H . Ram . sbottom , J . W . ; Rev . F . J . Greenwood , Treas . ; W . B . Neville , P . M ., Sec ; C . G . Kidgway , S . D . ; E . A . Frith , J . D . ; II . G . Holland , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . Herts , D . C . ; A . E . Lee , A . D . C . ; H . lull , A . D . C . ; J . 11 . Schrader , Org . ; H . T . Willis , I . G . ; J . A . Battersby and Claxton , Stwds . ; J . G . Swinton , Asst . Sec . ; J . H . Rutherglen , P . M ., Dep . G . S . B . ; W . Hhownagree , M . P ., and others . Visitors : Bros . F . E . Pocock , I ' . D . G . D . C , D . P . G . M . Isle of Man ; II . Sadler , G . Tyler ; F . H . Nesbitt , 1004 ; II . Levy , 1 S 05 ; W . H . Cave , 17 G 7 ; F . W . Curdall , P . M . 631 , P . P . G . Std . Br . Bucks ;

Craft Masonry.

R . H . Williams , P . M . 1767 ; Isaac Cohen , S . W . iSS ; J . Lee , 231 ; W . Howell , 1 S 91 ; J . Romaine ; J . Simpson , W . M . 2157 ; J . Mayhew , 2650 ; H . C . Wootton , 742 ; H . J . Ahern , 2353 ; H . B . Spaul , W . M . 145 ; E . Horton , 1677 ; L . Beale , S . W . 17 G 7 ; A . J . Turner , P . M . 176 7 ; R . Hendy , 176 7 ; S . M . Jones , 1767 ; S . P . Adams , j 2 i 5 o ; H . Dudman , 1929 ; W . Hillier , P . M . 1366 ; F . Tebhutt ; G . Stubbs ; F . Atherley lones , M . P .: H . Schartau , P . P . G . Org . Middx .: Dr . W . Roberts ; F .

Hanson , W . M . 2 , P . G . Stwd . ; W . W . Lee , P . M . ; and others . After the opening of the lodge , and formal business , Bro . F . P . Banner was passed to the Second Degree , lira . Dr . W . Chapman Grigg was next presented for installation by Bro . Holland , P . M ., D . of C , and was duly installed as W . M . by Bro . Nicholls , who was thereupon invested as I . P . M . The officers for the year were invested at the last regular installation meeting of the lodge .

After the closing of the lodge , a well-served banquet was enjoyed in the large hall , under the presidency of the W . M . Before proceeding with the usual toast list , the W . M . said he wished to make a new departure . He asked all the brethren to refrain from delivering the fljwery speeches which they had no doubt prepared beforehand , as he had secured superlative talent in the way of musicians ; who were prepared to delight them .

Bro . Dr . Pocock , P . D . G . D . C ., replied for " The Grand Officers , " , and said that this lodge possessed a very distinguished Grand Officer amongst its active members in Bro . Rutherglen , Dep . G . S . B ., who bore the heat and burden of the day in the foundation of the lodge . Bro . R . H . Nicholls , I . P . M ., said the announcement of the W . M . as to the brevity of speeches had taken a great responsibility off his shoulders in the proposition of the next toast— " The Health of the W . M . " If he were able to use the most flowery

language it could not be flowery enough to express the pride and pleasure of the members at seeing Bro . Dr . Grigg in the chair . Since the consecration of the lodge the W . M . had been one of the most able and useful supporters , never leaving anything undone that was possible to add to its success . Bro . Dr . W . Chapman Grigg , P . M ., W . M ., said that instead of making a speech he had asked one of the musical artistes to deputise for him , but as they did not seem satisfied with his deputy , he supposed he must accede to their wishes , and respond

as far as he was able for the kind way in which they had received the toast . He could not forget their kindness and consideration in the early part of the year , but h ; would not refer to that painful story on the present occasion . He desired especially to thank the S . W ., who permitted him to take the post , which he should appreciate and honour , and who stood aside no doubt in regard to his years . He alsi desired to thank the I . P . M . for having fulfilled the office of W . M . ( or so long and so well . Misons of his experience had heard the installation many times , and on three separate occasions

it had been conferred upon him , but until that night he never realised its beauties so thoroughly . He thanked them all from his heart for their kindness in permitting him to forego his installation until that meeting . Bro . Atherley Jones , M . P ., replied for "The Visitors . " He felt somewhat embarrassed because the W . M . had warned them that speeches were to be short , and he seldom liked to speak with brevity . He sympathised with the W . M ., feeling sure that no one suffered more from his self-denying ordinance than the W . M . himself . It

was now some time since he was present at this lodge as the guest of Bro . Rutherglen , and it was a matter of snrprise to find so large an assembly in so young a lodge . H ; had asked himself whether it was necessary that members of the Civil Servic : should form and belong to a Masonic lodge , because there was a generous bond of fellowship existing among members of the Civil Service which rendered it almost unnecessary to

bind themselves by any other bond . But this was the holy of holies , and they were assembled not merely as representatives of that great branch of the Civil Service , but for the purpose of promoting that gojd fellowship which showed itself largely in the dispensing of hospitality to those who did not belong to their body . He cordially congratulated them on the accession to office of the W . M .., who showed himself warthyjof every respect .

Bro . B . Bhownagree , M . P ., said that although he claimed the privileges of honorary membership he had been called upon to respond as a visitor . In proof of that he adduced the fact that although it was his duty as a member of his mother lodge—the Rising Star , East Indies—to offer his felicitations in the lodge , which he should have been proud to do , he only refrained because he did not wish to differentiate . He congratulated the lodge on having so eminent a W . M . as Bro . . Dr . Grigg , and the bond between their W . M . and himself was strengthened by the fact that Bro . Grigg was , a

few months ago , at a place in India which he knew very well . Bro . H . Sadler , G . Tyler , who also said he was an honorary member , expressed his delight at the progress made by the lodge . Personally , he had spent a very pleasant evening , because , as a rule , he had something to do , and nothing to do suited him now a great deal better at his period of life . He had listened with greit pleasure to the working , and should not have been bored if there had been more . Every officer was particularly well adapted for his post . Bearing in mind the W . M . ' s injunction he would

only express his hearty thanks . The W . M . briefly gave " The I . P . M . and Installing Master , " to whom he again tendered his warmest thanks . Bro . R . II . Nicholls , I . P . M ., referred to his year of office as a very proud one , especially as he had been privileged to act for the present W . M . for the past seven months . If . he had given them satisfaction he was amply repaid for any trouble he had taken . It had been a pleasant time for him and he should always be heartily glad to place his services at the disposal of the lodge .

For "The Past Masters , " Bros . Rutherglen , P . M ., and Holland , P . M ., replied , thi former explaining that he appeared before them that evening in the full dress clothing of Deputy Grand Sword Bearer , as the members had been generous enough to present him with it , and also as a compliment to the W . M . ' The Treasurer and Secretary , " was ably replied to by Bro . Rev . F . J . Greenwood , Treas ., and also by Bro . W . B . Neville , P . M ., Sec , to whose energetic action the invaluable services the present success of the lodge is in no small measure due .

The musical artistes who assisted an excellent entertainment included Madame Kate Cove , Miss Greta Williams ( who was specially welcomed after her trying experiences in the wreck of the "Stella" ) , the Schartau Part Singers , and Bro . Holland , P . M .

Lodge of Perseverance , No . 1743 . On Saturday , the 14 th inst ., a large number of members of this flourishing lodge and a strong body of visitors assembled at Anderton ' s Hotel to take part in the work of the day , which consisted of some raisings to the Third Degree , the installation of a new W . M . for the year , the investiture of his officers , and the passing of the Auditors ' report . Bro . H . G . Park , the outgoing Master , was , to the sincere regret of everyone , compelled to be absent through very severe and serious illness , and a general feeling of sorrow prevailed , and was given expression to , for the sad circumstance . In the

absence of the respected and beloved W . M ., his place was kindly occupied by Bro . F . Kearney , P . M ., who was assi'ted in the duties of the day by the following brethren : Bros . W . B . Ccssham , S . W . ; R . Perry , J . W . ; T . Lovell , P . M ., Treas . ; G . J . Tollett , Sec ; John Handley , S . D . ; | . H . Bridgman , J . D . ; J . D . Millman , I . G . ; W . Farrant , D . C . ; John Cunnington , A . D . C . ; J . Darmer , Stwd . ; T . J . O'Brien , P . M . ; C . E . Ferry , P . M . ; H . C . Lonsdale , P . M . ; H . Watts , P . M . ; L . A . Leins , P . M . ; John Stait , P . M ., P . Z ., Prov . G . S . B . Bucks ; W . J . Squire , P . M . ; Bernard Ferry , G . W . S . White , 0 . Rogers , H . H . M . Hancock , W . Tearle , R . F . Sharp , Jas .

Timmins , H . Taylor , A . Taylor , G . Millard , G . Hill , J . E . Lyons , and H . Hawkins . The visitors were Bros . I . Walton , 13 GG ; W . Barrow , J . W . 1420 ; W . Wilson , P . M . 15 S 0 ; W . Grigg , Stwd . 19 S 4 ; W . T . Graves , P . M . 19 S 4 ; R . E . Ferry , J . D . 2241 ; W . Dickinson , 1395 ; G . H . Burns , W . M . 16 S 7 ; G . Booker , P . M . 22 S ; Wm . Roots , P . M . 25 S 9 ; H . Massey , P . M . G 19 and 192 S ; C . H . Perrymin , I . P . M . 2 JQS ; I . H . Johnson , P . M . 2005 ; T . Hughes , 2757 ; W . Wright , P . M . 1572 ; A . G . Lee , W . M . 2492 ; A . J . Stait , 2492 ; H . C . Smith , 72 ; J . Coleman , 19 S 1 ; H . Ward , 170 G ; F . Carter , 153 ; and F . Ferris , 15 G 3 .

The lodge having been opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed , Bros . Alfred Taylor and James Timmins were raised to the Third Degree , and after having performed this work , Bro . F . Kearney duly installed Bro . William Berkeley Cossham , S . W ., and W . M . elect , in the chair of K . S . Bro . Thomas Lovell , P . M . and Treas ., acted as D . C . during the whole of these proceedings . The n : W W . M . invested the following brethren as officers of the lodge for the year : Bros . Richard Perry , S . W . ; John Handley , J . W . ; T . Lovell , P . M ., Treas . ; G . J . Tollett , Sec . ; J . H . T . Bridgman , P . M ., S . D . ; J . T . Djrmer , P . M ., J . D . j VV . Farrant , I . G .: J . E . Millman , D . C ; John Cunnington , A , D . C ; H . Hawkins