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 MARK DEGREE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I bave read with interest Bro . Hughan's note on the Mark Degree in your issue of the Sth instant , and I quite agree with him that we have already

far too many Governing Bodies in Masonry and its Allied Degrees and Orders . I remember very well the Grand Mark Lodge taking over the Ark , Mark and Link some years ago , which I thought a wise plan , and , like Bro . Hughan , I still hope the lodge now under review will put itself in line with Mark Masonry generally in this country and come under the banner of the Grand Mark Lodge . EMRA HOLMES , P . G . M . Supt . of Works .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"PAIGNTON ON TORBAY " (\ o \ in . by 8 in . ) . —This remarkable sixpenny worth ( postage i £ d . ) may be had from the publisher , Mr . W . A . Axworthy , New-street , Paignton . There are 30 views from choice photographs by local artists , and the text has been written by Bro . W . Eliot Thomas , M . J . I ., in an admirable manner . This popular pleasure holiday health resort has had justice done its many attractions by Bro . Thomas , who is a Past Master in the art of description , and has an eye for the

beautiful as well as an artistic mind to appreciate ] " the surpassing loveliness of Paignton , situated in the centre of crescent-shaped Torbay . " This brief notice should lei i to many requests for copies , as the pretty souvenir well deserves an extended circulation ; its style and contents being all that could fairly be expected for the small subscription , and even more , for it is a marvel at the price .

"VISITORS' GUIDE TO TORQUAY , THE PREMIER PLEASURE AND HEALTH RESORT . "—This is another of Bro . W . Eliot Thomas's local triumphs , having a map , 30 illustrations , and some 40 pages of letter press , for 2 \ d „ post free ! It must be seen to be appreciated , the Guide being wonderfully comprehensive , useful , and entertaining , and the numerous views are quite new , and of a most artistic character . Its handy form adds much to its utility for reference purposes , and , being a new edition ,

revised , corrected , and amplified from authentic sources , it is practically an official publication . Not only has the Corporation of Torquay circulated it most extensively , but copies of both issues have been accepted by H . R . H . the Duke of York and other distinguished visitors to this " most delightful indendation on the South Coast . " Thanks to Bro . Eliot Thomas numerous excursions can be arranged and enjoyed by consulting this unerring Guide and reliable map . Post free from the author , Diinraven , Torquay , for zici ., in stamps .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The Quarterly Court of Subscribers to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys was held on the 14 th instant at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Charles E . Keyser , P . G . D ., Treasurer and Patron , in the chair . There were also present Bros . Henry A . Tobias , William Harris Saunders , William Radcliffe , Robert Manuel , H . Thomson Lyon , Charles Sheppard , A . J . Thomas , J . J . Thomas , T . V . Bowater , J . H . Whadcoat , C . Pulman , H . Massey , Richard Eve , James Whitaker Surges , James Stephens , James Speller , F . Trehawke Davies , W . S . Emden , and J . M . McLeod , Secretary .

Bro . RICHARD EVE , P . G . Treas ., Patron and Trustee , moved "That Law 46 be altered to read as follows : 'Patrons , Vice-Patrons , Vice-Presidents , L , ife Governors , Life Subscribers , and Annual Subscribers of one guinea , of at least two successive years' standing—not being Minors—shall alone be entitled to attend and vote at Quarterly or Special Courts . '" He said he trusted the alteration would meet with the Court's approval . Bro . WHADCOAT seconded .

Bro . H . THOMSON LYON moved as an amendment to insert the words " unless being Freemasons . " He thought Bro . Eve ' s words would disfranchise some people . Bro . EVE said surely Bro . Thomson Lyon did not suggest that ladies should not be allowed to vote if they were of full age . The reason for proposing the amendment was that at the last election of the Board of Management , when he

was Chairman some brother brought his son , a lad , with him to vote , and he ruled that he could not , that he was not of an age to understand the nature of his voting . He did not want to prevent subscribers from voting for candidates for admission to the Institution , but minors ought not to vote for members of the Board of Management . They could not be admitted as members of the Board . Bro . THOMSON LYON said a brother cculd be a member of the Board .

Bro . KEYSER-. Not a minor . The alteration did not mean that a minor should not be allowed to vote for a candidate for the School . Bro . THOMSON LYON : You will be disfranchising a lewir . Bro . EVE ' S objection to the amendment of Bro . Thomson Lyon was that it

would disfranchise ladies who were subscribers . If they were of age , and understood they might vote . If ihe law stood as it was now , some brother who had an interest in carrying a special matter might bring up minors to help him carry it . The Board did not want to disfranchise anybody , but those not of full age . They only wanted the crdinary rule of voting .

Bro . THOMSON LYON : You want to disfranchise Masons who are under the age of 21 . Bro . W . RADCLIFFE : I suppose they are entitled at present ' : Bro . J . M . MCLEOD . * They are entitled at present to vote for the Board of Management . Bro . McLeod went on to say that Law 47 introduced the words " not being minors , " and as to the eligibility of members of the Committee specified , " twelve life or annual subscribers who shall be Freemasons . "

Bro . KEYSER enquired whether it could possibly be said that when the votes were handed in at the Quarterly Courts for the election of children to the School they disfiain-liised minors ? Bio . W . RADCI . H ' IE said such election did not take place until the other business of the Court had closed .

D 10 . RICHARD EVE said the election for the Board of Management did . The diction of candidates for the Institution tcok place in one room , and the election of the Board ot Management in another , and there were separate set utineers .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

Bro . H . THOMSON LYON : You propose to disfranchise all Masons under 21 years of age . Bro . RICHARD EVE : Only from voting for the Board of Management . Bro . C . E . KEYSER : It is a proposal to restrain the vote cf those who are not capable of discriminating . Bro . Thomson Lyon's amendment was not seconded , and Bro . Eve's motion was put and carried .

The list of candidates for the October election was then settled at 34 , and the vacancies at 15 . Bro . J . M . MCLEOD reported the result of the 101 st festival of the Institution under the Chairmanship of Bro . C . E . Keyser , as £ 8599 17 s . 6 d . Since then additional sums had been received making the total £ 8756 17 s . 6 d ., or an increase of . £ 157 . ( Hear , hear . )

Bro . WHADCOAT then moved— " That this Quarterly Court of Governors and Subscribers desires to tender to Worshipful Bro . Charles E . Keyser , P . G . D ., Treasurer and Patron of the Institution , its warmest thanks for , and appreciation of , the eminent services rendered by him to the Institution as Chairman of the 101 st Anniversary Festival held at Brighton 28 th June last , and for his continued munificence , and resolves that a replica of the album address as presented to Lords Lathom and Leigh last year be prepared for presentation to Bro . Keyser at the next Quarterly Court . " He remarked that nothing he could say would tend

to enhance the opinion they all had of Bro . Keyser not only as a liberal Mason , but as an attached and valuable worker on behalf of the Institutions . He was sure the brethren would pass tharesolution with acclamation . The brethren knew that Bro . Keyser had been Treasurer of that Institution since 1894 ; he had also been a member of the Board of Management since it was first formed in 189 , 1 He had likewise always been present when there was anything to do , and very often with great inconvenience to himself . This testimonial would remind him in time to come of the great affection felt by the brethren for him , and of the thanks they all presented to him for his great kindness .

Bro . R . EVE , in seconding the motion , said he joined very cordially and heartily in the proposition so very nicely made by Bro . Whadcoat . Bro . Keyser was fully entitled to all thegood things that could besaid of him with respect to what he had done in the past , and in hopes of his untiring efforts in the future ; and not only for what he had done for the Craft , but outside the Institutions . The motion was carried unanimously .

Bro . C . E . KEYSER said he did not expect this , but he thanked Bros . Whadcoat and Eve very sincerely for their kind remarks and ths brethren of the meeting for their kind reception of them . He considered the result of the Festival satisfactory . After the splendid success of last year they all felt they ought to give the Festivals of the other Institutions a thoroughly good chance before they helped the Boys this year . It occurred to him that , as the Boys' School had such a success last year , the brethren ought to help the other Institutions to make

up their lists before they began to ask assistance for the lists of the Boys . He thought it a fair and right principle , and he told the brethren so at the meeting at Brighton . If he had ignored the other Institutions , and used his influence in his two provinces of Berks and Herts , no doubt he might have gained more money for the Boys' School this year ; but he thought the other Institutions should have their turn . It would be ungrateful as representing the Boys' Institution , especially after its great success of last year , not to mention the immense

success of the other Institutions this year . No doubt it was said the Craft was last year drained for some time to come ; but he did not think so ; he believed that where there was a good case made out the money would be always forthcoming ; and although at the last Festival of the Old People ' s Institution over ^ 19 , 000 was obtained , and at the Girls' School over , £ 12 , 000 , yet they got over ^ 8000 for the Boys ' . A better Chairman might have brought in more money —( No , no)—but they did all they hoped to do , and that was to do the same as

the Benevolent Institution did in 1 893 , after its Jubilee Festival of 1892 ; they got in 18 93 £ 8000 , and considered it very good . When the Girls' School , in 1888 , at its Centenary , managed to get over ; 65 o , ooo , '" ' following year they did not come up to their average . ( Hear , hear . ) He fancied that if it was taken as a principle all round that each year until one Institution had had its Festival , the brethren should not exert themselves for the others , it would be wrong ; that was not a principle he would follow , for the effect would be that the Benevolent

Institution would have eight months to get up lists , while the Girls' Institution would have only two months , and the Boys' School but six weeks , and really be out in the cold altogether . But when they had settled down he hoped they would all be instrumental in working hard , with the assistance of the three Secretaries , for all the Institutions . He hoped they would yet make more money for thc Boys ' School . He should jog the memory of the Provincial Grand Master for Berkshire again , and in Hertfordshire they were going to have the Provincial Grand

Lodge in a fortnight . That province did not Send up a Steward , and he should try them . However , whether they got more money or not , they felt they would get enough to go on with . ( Hear , hear . ) He could only thank the brethren for the kind support they gave him , and assure them that he esteemed it a very great honour to preside at the Festival . The support he received from the

Board of Management was most gratifying . Although they worked wonders last year , they came up again this year and supported him on this occasion . ( Cheers . ) Bro . W . RADCLIFFE asked whether there was any report as to the progress that was being made with the new School at Bushey . It was usual for the council to lay before the brethren at the Quarterly Courts an account of what had been done .

Bro . RICHARD EVE said the contractor was hard at work taking out the foundations , and everything was going on as quickly as possible in his own interest . The building must be finished in two years and a half according to the contract he had signed . Those who wanted to see the extent to which the work had gone on had better go down to Bushey and see , Bro . W . RADCLIFFE : I only wanted to know . I think I have a right to ask . Bro . H . A . TOBIAS -. Is there any ceremonial arranged for the event of laying the first stone ?

Bro . C . E . KEYSER : We are all agreed that there must be a ceremony if we can find a distinguished brother to lay the foundation stone . We all hope to do so . We do not want to interfere with the other Institutions . As we have passed our festival I think we might wait until the spring of next year . But nothing is settled . It has , of course , been under the consideration of the Boird of Management . ( Hear , hear . ) A vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding at the meeting , closed the proceedings .

Fortescue Masonic Annuity Fund.

FORTESCUE MASONIC ANNUITY FUND .

The annual meeting of the Governors and Subscribers of the Fortescue Annuity Fund of the Province of Devon was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , on the evening of Tuesday , the nth instant , Bro . F . B . Westlake , P . M . 70 , P . D . G . D . C . Eng ., P . P . G . W ., occupying the chair in response to the hearty and unanimous wish of the meeting . There were also present Bros . John Stocker , P . M . 39 , Prov . G . Sec . ; E . H . Shorto , P . M . 39 and 2 ^ 59 , P . P . G . W . ; J . F . Ellerton , P . M . 1125 , P . P . G . D . ; S . Jones , P . M . 112 , P . P . G . W . ; W . Allsford , P . M . 202 , P . P . G . Treas .: Major Mallett , P . M . 18 S 5 , P . P . G . S . B . ; Major