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 limits' free discussion .

AN HISTORIC PEN . To the Editor of thc "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Very few of the brethren who were present at the grand gathering at the Royal Albert Hall on the 14 th instant were aware of the fact that the pen with which the M . W . G . Master signed the address to her Majesty was the identical pen and nib used by his Royal Hig hness in

signing a similar address in ihe same building on the 13 th June , 1 S 8 7 , when it was purchased for that purpose by the R . W . Bro . Thomas Fenn , who also lent on that occasion , for the use of the M . W . G . Master , the handsome Masonic inkstand bequeathed to him by the late Bro . John Hervey . Bro . Fenn subsequently presented both pen and inkstand to the Grand Lodge , and I naturally took them to the Albert Hall on the 14 th . Being in a

measure responsible for their safe keeping , and knowing from experience how easy it is for a small article to go astray , I concluded that the _ most effective way to prevent the loss to the Craft generally of this now historic and doubly valuable souvenir would be to secure it as soon as the M . W . G . Master had appended his signature to the address , as I knew that my p lace would be at the head of the procession on leaving the hall .

A suitable case has been made for the pen , and it is now on view , with other Masonic curios , at the foot of the grand staircase in this place . I may add that should any brother be at a loss for a really good pen with which to write a cheque for the Prince of Wales ' s Hospital Fund , I feel sure that his Royal Highness will have no objection to its being used here for that purpose . If desired , the unique inkstand can also be available on the occasion . —Yours fraternally ,

HENRY SADLER , Freemasons' Hall , London . Grand Tyler and Sub-Librarian June 21 st .

Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . James Henry Matthews , President of the Board , took the chair . Bros . D . D . Mercer , Senior Vice-President , and C . A . Cottebrune , Junior Vice-President , occupied the Vice-Presidents' chairs . There were also present Bros . E . Letchworth , G . Sec . ; W . Lake , Asst . G . Sec . ; W . Dodd , and G . S . Recknell , representing the Grand Secretary's department ,

and Charles J . R . Tijou , S . H . Goldschmidt , William Fisher , T . W . Whitmarsh , Henry Garrod , George Graveley , Robert A . Gowan , Walter Martin , G . W . Nightingale , William Drewett , John Hampson , H . Massey , James Hills , Fredk . C . Pow , W . O . Welsford , Frank Evans , Henry James Weston , John Ingram Moar , C . Doresa , Charles J . Brown , George Errard , and H . W . Wybowan . The Board first confirmed recommendations to the Grand Master made at the

May meeting that grants should be given to the extent of , £ 315 in 10 cases in sums between £ 25 and £ 40 , and since approved by him . On the new list there were 32 petitions , the presenters of which were qualified through lodges in the London District , and at Clare , Fowey , Newport ( I . of W . ) , Croston , Berkeley , Northampton , Plymouth , Liverpool , Budleigh Salterton , Sunderland , Ipswich , Todmorden , Shipley Gate , Eastbourne , Stoke Devonport , Sittingbourne ,

Kingstonon-Thames , Kidderminster , and Manchester . One of the petitioners had died since his application was sent in ; four of the cases were deferred , being incomplete ; and the remainder were voted a total of £ 665 . One case was recommended for the approval of Grand Lodge for £ 75 ; thiee votes were recommended to the Grand Master for £ 40 each ; eight for £ 30 each ; and two for £ 25 each . Six case ' s were voted £ 20 each , one petitioner was voted £ 15 , and three cases received ^ io each , and three A each .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The meeting of the Stewards of the recent Festival took place on Tuesday , the 15 th inst , at the Institution at Croydon . Upon arriving they were received by the Secretary , Bro . James Terry , and heartily welcomed on behalf of the House Committee . Having inspected the buildings and conversed with the residents , all of whom appeared to be in good health , notwithstanding their age , the Stewards adjourned tothe Hall , where , under the presidency of Bro . J . A . Farnfield , a luncheon was provided and partaken of .

Bro . FARNFIELD genially proposed the toast of " Hcr Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , " which was most loyally received , and afterwards submitted that of "Success to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , " coupling with it the name of Bro . Terry , the Secretary . This toast was most enthusiastically received and responded to . The afternoon ' s enjoyment was added to by the music of the Croydon Town Band under the conductorship of Signor Pattullo .

During the afternoon several successful photographic sketches were taken , and the ladies and brethren departed highly pleased with one ot the most enjoyable and successful meetings yet held in connection with this Institution . The following were present : Mr . and Mrs . Walter Gladding , Mr . Robert Colsell and friends , Bro . Huntley , Mr . Robert Elgar and friends , Dr . W . P , Warren ' and Mrs . Warren , Bro . Truman and friend , Bro . Henry Mason and Mrs .

and Miss Mason , Bro . W . E . Robbins , the Misses Stebbings , Bro . Jos . Cox and friend , Bro . Walter Fielder and friends , Bro . Quelch and Mrs . Quelch , Bro . E . A . Gibson , Bro . W . H . Roberts and friend , Bro . F . Pike , Bro . F . B . Westlake and friend , Bro . Parish and Mrs . Parish , Bro . Baldwin and Mrs . Baldwin , Bro . Challis and friend , Bro . Whadcoat , Bro . Campbell-Johnstone , Bro . Youldon and friends , Bro . W . J . Melling and friends , Bro . Dangerfield and friends , and others .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Anglo-American Lodge , No , 2191 . This well-known lodge , which has recently removed to the Hotel Cecil , Strand , held its annual installation meeting on the 15 th inst . Bro . F . Jackson , W . M ., who has had a mo £ t successful year of office , was succeeded in the chair by Bro . C . O . Burgess , P . M . 24 3 , 1 G 14 and 24110 , P . P . S . G . D . Surrey , whose well-known zeal and activity will , doubtless , result in continued prosperity tothe lodge . Bro . 1 ' " . Jackson , W . M ., was supported by Bros . C . O . Burgess , W . M . elect ; C . G . Rotter , J . W . ; J . J . Woolley , P . M . ; F . Kedge , P . M ., P . G . Beg . Berks ; A . H . P . Snow , J . D . ; W . Hancock , P . M . ; W . J . Thrussell , Org . ; J . Woodward , and many others . Visitors : Bros .

Craft Masonry.

1 . D . Langton , P . D . G . D . C ; J . H . Price , P . P . G . Treas . Surrey ; A . C . Chaplin , P . G . S . B . Dorset ; G . J . Liddle , 106 ; G . Roberts , 74 S ; W . Hurnfrey , W . M . 1305 ; W . Ransome , 13 G 0 ; A . L . Butters , W . M . 2163 ; H . A . Cowan , 2105 ; H . M . Snow , 199 ; I . R . Cleave , P . P . G . D . Surrey ; G . T . Clough , S . D . 2077 ; S . W . Clarke , D . C . 2460 ; S . Lloyd , P . M . 239 S ; W . 0 . Welsford , P . M . 1321 j W . B . Fendick , P . P . G . S . B . ; II . T . Gomin , S . D . 7 S 0 ; W . Pescud , 2400 ; F . W . Buxton , iSgr ; R . J . Frank , 754 j W . Scott , I . P . M . S 57 ; VV . Roots , W . M . 25 S 9 ; Stuart Walker , J . D . 134 S ; C Coram , 1 WT .- — . WT A \ li : il .: . — 1 . / " ¦ T T-.. I DAT . „ 0 ... WT T „ .. l .: _~ „ , — . A 133 rtvviiKiMMJII / /

„ , I . vv . .. ; , vv . . , c-Hi V ^ . J . JC ** yiul , I - IVI . ICJO / , vv . jemima , y ^ , n . Cogliat ., 1 . P . M . 1 559 ; A . Crick , I . P . M . 2192 ; S . Machin , J . W . 231 ; E . L . Berry . I . P . M . 2473 , Prov . G . Stwd . Surrey ; CGrassi . P . M . isjg ; T . E . Shadler , 220 i ; J . J . Wedgwood , P . M . ; W . C . Saunders , 1362 ; W . Rudermacher , 1496 ; O . Sargent , 22 ; W . D . Courtney , 2030 ; H . Machin , S . W . 231 ; H . Tipper , P . A . G . P . ; W . W . Lee , P . M . ; and others . There was a heavy programme of busines to be transacted , and after the confirmation of the minute ? , Bro . C . Guttman was passed to the Second Degree , and Messrs . P . Litchfield , A . Goodman , and C . E . Cottrell were impressively initiated into Freemasonry . Bro . C .

O . Burgess was then installed as W . M . by Bro . F . Jackson , and the following ofiicers were appointed and invested : Bros . C . G . Rotter ,-S . W . ; ] . W . Elvin , P . M ., J . W . ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chap ., Chap . ; F . Kedge , P . M ., Treas . ; F . Jackson , I . P . M ., Sec ; A . H . P . Snow , S . D . ; G . H . Atkinson , J . D . ; W . J . Harvey , I . G . ; W . Hancock , P . M ., D . C . ; W . J . Thrussell , Org . ; Kitto , Asst . Org . ; J . Woodward , Stwd . ; and R . F . Potter , Tyler . The Audit report was adopted , and lodge was

closed-After banquet , the usual toasts were given , but owing to the late hour , the speeches were necessarily brief . The usual loyal and complimentary toasts were first honoured , after which Bro . F . Jackson , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the Worshipful Master . " He said the brethren had seen the last of their 1 S 96-7 W . M ., and had likewise seen the advent of their 1 S 97-S Master . He could not better introduce their W . M . —if introduction was necessary—than by quoting a few words from Shakespeare ' s " Two Gentlemen of Verona "

— " It is an office of great worth , and you are an officer fit for the place . " He ( the I . P . M . ) would have left the chair with a certain amount of regret if it had not been for the fact that he was followed by a brother of such eminence as Bro . Burgess—a brother in whom any lodge could safely place their trust . Bro . C . O . Burgess , W . M ., thanked the I . P . M . and brethren sincerely for the kindly proposition and reception of the toast . At that late period of the evening he would only say that their now prosperous lodge in which they had initiated some 12 new members during the past year , having established for itself a new home , would carry on

its career of usfulness and success . He looked forward to a new lease of life for the lodge , and to the new members to retrieve its ancient prosperity and old reputation . They all regretted that Bro . Jackson had ceased to occupy the position of W . M ., for he had been so successful and so energetic in carrying on the whole of the work , that it would have been of great advantage if he could have been induced to take a second lease of power . A Past Master ' s jewel had been unanimously voted to Bro . Jackson , I . P . M ., in cosideration of his energy and business-like capacity which they had seen for years in the lodge , and in drinking the health of " The Immediate Past Master , " they asked him to accept the jewel with the sincere good wishes of the members .

Bro . F . Jackson , I . P . M ., in his reply said they must excuse him if the personal pronoun predominated in his remarks . He had followed several Masters in the chair to whom he gave every credit for absolving themselves for the benefit of the lodge . In its youth their lodge was a great lodge , but circumstances-altered , and no recruits came in . When he came into power they took a stronger position , and . as he had foreseen , the initiates and joining members came in due course , to the number of 14 during the year . He did not take special credit for that , but it was a great advantage to a lodge which

had been kept back for a few years . Their lodge , which was started with a flourish of trumpets , was now on a fair road to be one of the most successful in London . He thanked every member of the lodge for the kindness extended to him , and hoped he had carried out the duties of W . M . efficiently and to their satisfaction . The lodge was now in a good way for an open sea and fair weather , and he trusted it would have prosperity in every shape and form . He was confident that those who had taken oflice that evening would do all they could to further the cause of the lodge , which was started to

cement the fraternal feelings between the two English speaking nations . He thanked them for the handsome jewel , which he had endeavoured to deserve , and for which he was honestly grateful . "The Initiates " was next given by the W . M ., and duly responded to .. . Other toasts followed before the Tyler's toast closed the proceedings . Under the direction of Bro . W . J . Thrussell , Org ., an excellent programme of music was arranged . Miss Gertrude Snow and Miss Cassie Bruce contributed some excellent songs , Bro . Harry Tipper delighted the brethren with a very clever solo on the handbells , whilst the humorous element was safe in the hands of Bro . W . M . George , whose whimsical sketches were keenly appreciated .

St . Pancras Lodge , No . 2271 . The last meeting of the present session was held at the Midland Grand Hotel , St . Pancras , on the 3 rd inst ., when there was a good attendance of members and visitors . Previous to the lodge meeting a convocation of the chapter was held , at which Comp . Irvine presented a handsomely-bound copy of the Royal Arch Regulations , and was thanked accordingly . The W . M ., Bro . W . A . Scurrah , P . G . S . B ., was supported in lodge by Bros . J . Irvine , I . P . M . ; C . Jacob , S . W . ; G . F . Vine , J . D . ; F . Cuzner ,

I . G . j J . Jefferson , Org . j R . Chattey , P . M . ; W . M . Stiles , P . G . Treas . ; A . Scurrah , P . P . G . S . of Works ; A . Higgins , R . Ireland , and T . E . Mitchell . Visitors : Bros . J . Stephens , D . G . D . C ; J . J . Thomas , P . P . G . Treas . Bucks ; Captain C J . Knightley , P . M . ; H . R . Grice , 534 ; J . C Brock , 1571 ; F . Herbert , 320 G ; T . H . Jarvis , W . M . S 62 ; W . Bradford , I . P . M . SG 2 ; R . jelrih , P . M . 2150 ; W . Lisott , 2427 ; G . H . Wavell , P . M . SG 2 ; W . P . Appleton , P . M . 13 ; J . T . Biron , 1531 j H . R . Myers , P . M . 1494 ; S . Day , P . M . 15 G 3 ; J . Weaver , P . M . SG 2 , 1319 , P . P . G . Org . Middx . ; W . Edwards ; W . W . Lee , P . M . ; and others .

After the confirmation of the minutes , Bro . Milchell was impressively raised to the Third Degree . Bro . C . Jacobs , S . W ., was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year , and , having been congratulated by the present occupant of the chair , returned sfticere thanks for his election . Bro . H . S . Graham , M . P ., was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Whiting re-elected Tyler . On the proposition of the l . W ., seconded bv the

I . P . M ., a Past Master's jewel was voted to Bro . Scurrah , W . M ., and , to mark the Jubilee year , a speciabaddition was decided to be made to the gift . The W . M . expressed his appreciation of their kindness , and afterwards announce ! thit his Stewardship for the Girls' School resulted in a total of £ 170 . Lodge was closed , and , after a well-served banquet , the usual toasts were proceeded with .

" Ihe Queen and the Craft was heartily given with appropriate reference to the approaching Diamond Jubilee , after which " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " was cordially honoured . In proposing " The Grand Ofiicers , " the W . M . referred to the admirable manner in which the Deputy Grand Master conducted the affairs of Grand Lodge on the preceding evening . During the last few years many brethren had been advanced to the

purple who had done good suit and service to the Craft , and in their own lodge Bro . W . M . Stiles—who had done an immense amount of work—had been elected as Grand Treasurer . He ( the W . M . ) should like to mention one brother who received the purple at the last Grand Festival who belonged to many lodges and was founder and first Secretary of thc important Fellowship Lodge , which had sent up lame sums to the Charities . He alluded to his good friend , Bro . Stephens , than whom no broth ir hid deserved the purple more .

Bro . J . Stephens , Dep . G . D . C , thanked Bro . Stiles , P . G . Treas ., for affording him the opportunity of returning thanks for this important toast , and referred in eulogistic terms to the work done by the Pro G . M . and Deputy G . M . He had heard it said that some of the Grand O'lTicers were figure heads . He contended , and always should do , that having rcgird to the fact thit their M . W . G . M . was the Heir Apparent of their vast empire , it was only right that H . R . H . should havj men of hiffh sociil

position to be associated with him in the high offices . It was pleasing to note that in recent times , in the selection of Grand Ollicirs , a dui regard had been mide to the working members of the Craft such as Bro . Scurrah , and Bro . J . J . Thomis , who had been selected for Jubilee honours . Both had worked hard and had ' nevjrbeen unmindful of the fundamental principles of the Order . He was proud to be associated with them and the other Grand Ofiicers who were at all times glad to be thought of on these occas-