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 LONDON FREEMASONS AND THE VICTORIAN COMMEMORATION . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Among the many honours and distinctions that are likely to mark the commemoration of her Majesty ' s " record" reign , it is to be hoped that the claims of the enormous body of London brethren will not be overlooked .

It is a notable fact that if a brother , who has devoted all his energy to the cause of Freemasonry , wishes for honours , he is constrained to seek them in a " province , " rather than in the Metropolis , where his labours have made him prominently known , and where he would naturally value any reward very much more .

The ofiices in Grand Lodge at the disposal of H . R . H . the Most Worshipful Grand Master are extremely limited in number , and it is usually only in the higher appointments that " Past " Grand rank is given . The forthcoming commemoration—which has a special interest for

Freemasons—would appear to offer an excellent opportunity for the inauguration of a Province of London—or of London District Grand Lodges—which would place a large additional number of offices at the disposal of the Grand Master for distinguished and deserving Masons in the London district , and the project is largely approved by very many influential London Masons .

It has been suggested on this occasion to present a petition to the M . W . the Grand Master , asking his favourable consideration of the proposal , and the brethren who are interesting themselves in the movement will shortly draw up the form of petition to be adopted . A somewhat similar proposal was submitted for the consideration of Grand

Lodge some time back , but the conditions under which it was brought forward were not favourable to its adoption . It is now hoped that his Royal Highness , upon the facts being laid before him , will lend afavourable ear toits consideration . I should like to invite a discussion of the subject in your columns , so that all sides of the question may be considered , and , at the same time , to invite the cooperation of brethren favourable to it . —Faithfully and fraternally yours ,

W . W ., P . M . 1275 , Founder 1538 ; P . Z . and Founder 1275 ; H . 1615 ; H . 172 j W . M . and Founder ( Mark ) 499 ; Allied Degrees Council No . 16 , & c . THE COLONIES AND THE CONSTITUTIONS .

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , While not intending to discuss at this period the pros and cons arising out of the proposals of the V . W . Grand Registrar , with respect to Districts

and lodges where there are no Districts in the Colonies and foreign parts , nevertheless , I think there can be no two questions , that it would only be just and reasonable , that the brethren most deeply concerned should be permitted an opportunity of expressing their opinions for and against the proposed changes in the Book of Constitutions ,

There can be no necessity for hurry in promulgating the alterations in and additions to the Constitutions , as defined on the agenda for Wednesday ' s discussion , for , as must now be well known all the world over , several of the points at issue have been bones of contention for ten years or more , without the slightest attempt being made to remove the difficulties arising therefrom .

It is , therefore , my intention , should the occasion arise , to move an amendment , to the effect that the notices stand over for one year , so that the Districts and lodges abroad may be enabled to hold special meetings , and report their views " yea " or " nay" to Grand Lodge . —Fraternally yours , W . F . LAMONBY . February 23 rd .

RECORD ATTENDANCES . To ( he Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In the Jordan Lodge , No . 1402 , there are two members whose attendances will compare favourable with any others , the attendance-book giving the following :

Bro . John Dodge , P . M ., P . P . G . T ., initiated in 1872 , has attended 311 out of 323 meetings , the lodge meeting 12 times a year always , often 16 . Bro . John Lane , P . M ., P . P . G . R ., P . A . G . D . C . Eng ., has only been absent from lodge on two occasions since initiation in September , 1878—and then he was in London on Masonic business—having attended no less than 239 out of 241 meetings . —Yours fraternally ,

JOHN TAYLOR , P . M ., Sec , Prov . G . Reg IS , Lucius-street , Torquay , February 22 nd .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I can endorse every word written by Bro . John Wardley , P . M . 381 , Darwen , in your issue of the 20 th instant in reference to Bro . Thomas , P . M . 345 ,

Blackburn , who is a member of our lodge and also Director of Ceremonies . Their are few men who have worked harder and done more for Freemasonry than he has . It there is a brother in England who is worthy of being a member of Grand Lodge it is Bro . F . Thomas . I for one should like to see that honour conferred upon him before he dies . —Yours fraternally ,

GEORGE WHEWELL , W . M . 345 IS , Exchange-street , Blackburn , February 22 nd .

THE INDIAN FAMINE FUND . To the Editor ot the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Ercthcr , Allow me to take exception to a remark in one of your " little leaders " of the 20 th inst . In alluding to the effort of the Prov . G . M . of Devonshire , Sir S . Northcote , nn behalf of that good object the "Indian Famine Relief Fund" you also mention "p lague-stricken fellow subjects of India . "

Correspondence.

I think the latter should have been left out . By all means let us strain every nerve to help the famine-stricken people , but the other poor sufferers we should leave to their own , or local , resources , as their sufferings are due directly to their own indiscretion , and could be avoided , and , secondly , to the repeal of the C . and D . Acts .

What money we have to spare in these hard times should be devoted entirely to the wants of those , who , from no fault of their own , are reduced to the lowest ebbs of poverty and distress . —Yours faithfully and fraternally , P . M ., P . Z .. Edinburgh , February 21 st .

A CAUTION RE MASONIC VAGRANCY . ¦ To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , About 18 months ago a card was brought into me by one of my clerks bearing the name of a notorious Masonic impostor , with the letters " B . A ., T . C . D . " appended . I gave the owner an interview , when he explained that

he called on me to solicit assistance as his means had been exhausted through the failure of the Australian Binks . That he was daily expecting remittances , & c . He made up a plausible tale but I was doubtful as to its genuineness and was finally satisfied there was something wrong , when in answer to my question he stated that a brother ( whose name I now forget ) had suggested his calling on me . I did not even know the brother he mentioned , by name . I refused assistance . A few days afterwards I saw in the Freemason your warning against this man .

To my great surprise he called at my office again on Wednesday last , sent in his card as before ( I now enclose it ) I saw him , when he repeated almost verbatim the tale he told me 18 months ago , adding in answer to my question that his funds had only been exhausted about a fortnight or three weeks and that until then he had not solicited relief .

I then reminded him of his previous visit to me 18 months ago , gave him a candid expression of my opinion and ordered him out of the office . I am giving you these facts so that you may , if you think fit , issue a further warning against this evident impostor and put a stop to his begging under false pretences . —Yours fraternally ,

JULIUS O . JACOBS , I . P . M . 227 16 , St . Helen ' s-place , London , E . G ., February 20 th .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1095 ] — The useful wee Annual or " Freemasons' Directory [ for Dumfriesshire " is in its fourth year of publication - , the originator and Editor being Bro . James Smith , P . M . 63 , Prov . Grand Treasurer , & c , who is well-known as the Historian of the Province , It appears from the numerous particulars afforded that the Province

was formed in 1756 , and that it is the custom to hold the meetings quarterly , the 25 th January in each year being devoted to the election and installation of officers as well as ordinary business . There are 10 lodges in the county , some being very old , and had an existence long before they received warrants from the Grand Lodge , especially No * . 53 . These points will be familiar to students of Bro . Smith ' s

excellent Histories . The History of " St . John's " Lodge , Thornhill , was written by Bro . D . Murray Lyon , the esteemed Grand Secretary and Masonic Historian of Scotland . One of the dormant lodges , No . 194 of A . D . 1778 , will shortly be reopened . There are two active Royal Arch chapters , one in Dumfries and the other at Annan . The third on the roll is , unfortunately , dormant . It is curious

to note that Lodge No . 140 , Dumfries ( charter of A . D . 1776 ) , is one of only two lodges now on the Scottish roll of which the membership is entirely confined to operative Masons . The other is No . 150 , Aberdeen . Formerly there were many of the kind , but the speculative tendencies of modern customs have nearly obliterated this feature of the Craft .. W . J . HUGHAN .

Reivews.

Reivews .

FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF GLOUCESTER , 1897 ( Bro . John Bellows , Printer and Publisher ) . —This artistically got up Annual has been carefully edited and compiled by Bro . R . P . Sumner , the Provincial Charity Secretary , and is published by authority of the Right Hon . Sir M . E . Hicks-Beach , Bart ., M . P ., the Prov . G . M ., and also of the Prov . Grand Lodge . Thereare 16 lodgesinthe Province , the precedence of the first three beinj the reverse of their numbers , in

consequence of their corresponding removals from other Provinces , viz ., Nos . 270 , 246 , and 82 , of the local Roll in 1 S 02 , 1813 , and 1817 respectively , and the total return 709 members , being the largest yet made . The lodges and members have the great number of 4 C 08 votes in the Central Masonic Charities , being an advance of 154 over the year 1 S 9 6 , and a most gratifying result of the well directed labours of the Provincial authorities .

There are four Royal Arch Chapters , and six Murk Lodges in the Province ( the latter including Hereford ) as well as a K . T . Preceptory , and a Rose Croix Chapter . All of these are duly attended , to , but the particulars respecting the Supreme Council of the 33 ° , need revision , as the liarl of Limerick died some time since , and Lieut .-Col . H . S . Burney is also deceased . The Editor has done his work , els ; , mojt thoroughly and well .

"MARINERS' LODGE , No . iCS , GUERNSEY , 1 S 97 . "—This is the first issue of a directory for the Iodge and the province , and supplies a long felt want . The orinter is Bro . H . E . Marquand , P . M . iGS , of the Star Office , and the ed . tor is Bro . A . C . Ouick , P . M . and i-ec . iGS , an enthusiastic Craftsman of the sim ; province . There are six lodges in the Province of Guernsey and Alderney , about which many interesting particulars are given , especially of No . 1 C 8 , which ranks as fi -st , or senior in Giernsey , No . 84 not being formed in that Island until 1 S 0 Q . There are two Royal Arc ' i chapters , viz ., Nos . 84 and 243 , and we hope that the reception of this annual wi . l bs so hearty that an enlarged edition will be published in ISQS .

THE LOUD-LIEUTENANT OF IRELAND purposes giving a State binq-iet in celebration of the Co : h year of her Majesty's reign , and has fixed it for Saturday , the 13 th proximo . BKO . Di-. WARWicKjORDAN . Professor of Organ and Harmony atthe Guildhall Schoo of Music , presided at the Organ at the Albert Uall , on Saturday evming last , duiing thc performance ot his anthem , '"Jubilate Deo , " rendered by the band and chorus of the London Sunday School Choir . The compjser was twic : recalled , and the anthem repeated .

WE LEARN that the late Lady Wallace has bequeathed to the nation the collection of pictures and other objects of art formed by the late Marquis of Hertford , inherited antl considerably increased by the late Sir Richard Wallace , and now at Hertford House , Manchester-square .