Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother I think our Grand Master might Masonically celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of our Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , by conferring Past Provincial

rank on all Worshipful Masters occupying the chair of King Solomon during the year 1897 . That a jewel be struck consisting of an eight-sided figure , with the portrait in the centre of Her Majesty , and on the obverse side that of our Grand Master . This to be worn by all Jubilee Master Masons . In the case of Jubilee Worship ful Masters that the jewel be attached to a Past Master ' s jewel . The jewel to be called the Victorian Diamond jewel . —Yours fraternally ,

MASTER MASON Blackburn , March 23 rd .

THE FORTHCOMING ELECTION OF THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , A case in which I am much interested is that of Albert Leslie Spurgeon , whose father , amongst other Masonic engagements , was not only W . M . of the Ixion Lodge , 2 5 , but also a member and Secretary of the Lennox

Browne Lodge , 23 18 . It is somewhat unfortunate that by inadvertence I was not asked to give my name in favour of the candidature of the boy , because some of my friends consider that the omission thereof from the circulars indicates that I am not in sympathy with the case . On the contrary , I believe it to be a most deserving one , and as it is both a first and last application , any votes that your readers can afford will be thankfully received and faithfully applied . —Yours faithfully ,

LENNOX BROWNE , P . D . G . D . C , P . P . G . S . W . Essex 15 , Mansfield-street , Portland Place , W . 23 rd March .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Warrant Officers Lodge , No . 2346 . The installation meeting of this young and prosperous lodge , which has attained phenomenal success during its short career , was held at Freemasons' Hall on the 19 th inst . Among those present were Bro . W . A . Greene , W . M . ; H . B . Dickens , S . W . ; John D . Lidbury , J . W . ; W . F . Cheeseman , P . M ., Sec . ; 1 . P . Newsham , S . D . ; W . H > Smith , J . D . ; R . H . Johnson , D . C . ; G . Gale , I . G . J W . J . Boyle and W . Bailey , Stewards ; M . A . Mclnerny , P . M ., P . Z ., P . D . G . Std . Br . Gibraltar ; J . Hitchings ,

P . M .: C . A . Pugh , P . M . ; L . Solomon , J . Betts , A . Lrow , W . Callow , li . Betts , u . Exton , J . Laughton , F . Gumbridge , J . Duffy , Woodcock , J . Buckland , W . Morgan , J . Smith , P . W . Mitchell , W . Norman , C . Woodhatch , F . R . Bruskin , H . Iggueden , G . George , A . Childs , H . Crichton , Parton , J . Dyer , J . F . Dewdney , Shorter , J . Williams , J . J . Mumford , Slade , E . Arnolp , A . G . Bingham , S . T . Hayman , J . Beaven , L . H . Harris , A . Copsey , A . Joyce , J . Depledge , R . B . Depledge , J . R . McGill , J . Winzar , and I . W . Baldwin . Visitors : Bros . Laughton Field , 2308 ; H . Milward ,

1797 ; J . A . Walter , W . M . 2203 J J . Young , 902 ; 1 . Berry , b . W . 1817 ; l . H . Gardner , 2524 ; A . H . Marks , 1563 ; Green , 6 s ; W . Hill , 2030 ; and others . Lodge having been opened , th » minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed , after which Messrs . Wm . Kennedy , John Depledge , Richard Barber Depledge , and Alfred Joyce were duly initiated in an impressive manner by Bro . M . A . Mclnery , P . M ., P . Z ., P . D . G . Std . Br . Gibraltar . Bro . W . A . Greene then assumed the chair and installed Bro . H . B . Dickens as W . M . for the ensuing year , which he did with

precision and dignity . The following are the officers : Bros . W . A . Greene , I . P . M . ; I . D . Lidbury , S . W . ; J . P . Newsham , J . W . ; A . Malony , P . M ., Treas . ; W . F . Cheeseman , P . M . 39 S , Sec ; W . H . Smith , S . D . ; G . Gale , J . D . j W . j . Boyle , I . G . j R . Jennings , P . M . 907 , D . C . ; W . E . Bailey and J . Betts , Stwds . ; H . Wall , Org . ; J . A . Dent , Asst . Org . ; and A . G . Young , Tyler . The delivery of the usual addresses was given by Bro . W . A . Greene , I . P . M ., in a very able and masterly mannerand he is to be heartily congratulated on the efficient way in which he carried

, out the installation ceremony . Bro . H . B . Dickens , W . M ., on rising , said a verj pleasing duty then awaited him , viz ., to present to Bro . Greene , in recognition of his successful year of office , a Past Master ' s jewel , value £ 10 10 s ., together with a Past Master ' s collar , and , in pinning it on his breast , said— " May it ever remind you of your pleasant year of office as W . M . of the Warrant Officers Lodge . " Bro . Greene thanked the W . M . and brethren for the beautiful jewel and collar . The little he had done had been a labour of love .

After " Hearty good wishes" had been offered by the visitors , the brethren adjourned to the Gordon Room of the Holborn Restaurant , where an elegant banquet was served , at which the W . M . very ably presided . The menu card was well got-up , and special care had evidently been given to this detail , and we noticed some capitally-appropriate Masonic quotations at the heading of each course . The W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts in brief , but happy , terms . Bro . W . A . Greene , I . P . M ., in proposing "The Health of the W . M ., " said the

W . M ., his working , and all his excellent , genial qualities were so well known to the numbers of the lodge , that he need not recapitulate them . Bro . Dickens was their oldest initiate , and one who would carry out the duties of his office to their satisfaction . 'Ihe W . M . proposed "The Initiates , " remarking that it was the toast of the evening , and one that was always welcome . He had every reason to believe they would make true and loyal brethien . Bros . Kennedy , J . Depledge , U . 11 . Depledge , and Alfred George replied . In proposing the toast of "The I . P . M ., " the W . M . referred to the amount of work Bro . Greene had had during his year of office , and the success attending it .

Bro . W . A . Greene thanked the W . M . and brethren for the kind reception of the toast . What he had done in the past he wculd only be too ready to do in the future for the gocd of the lodge . The toast of "The Past Matters" was replied to by Bro . Mclnerny , one of the founders , and in few words , said there ought to be six P . Ms , present . It was an honour to be their first W . M . He initiated nearly all the officers , and was proud to see

the Warrant Officers Lodge in such a flourishing condition . "The Visitors" was the next toast , proposed by the W . M ., to which Bros . Harris , Walker , Wood , and A . H . Marks replied , Bro . Marks , P . M ., observing that it afforded him great pleasure to be a visitor amongst them . It was through lodges of instruction that the good working of any lodge could b : a success , and he strongly advised the younger brethren to be members of it .

' The Treasurer and Secretary , " and "The Officers" having been given and responded to , 1 he Tyler ' s toast came , and thus concluded one of the most enjoyable and phasant evenings of this young and prrospsrous lodge . The Warrant Officers Lodge is noted not only for "The feast of reason and the flow of soul , " but for its love of instrumental and vocal harmony . On this occision the brethren were greatly entertained by Bros . Day , J . Ayrey , D . Cornish , H . Jinks , A . Sladc , and W . F . Cheeseman , P . M ., the worthy Secretary , and his two comic songs , "Tie noisy cats , " and "My pretty Jane , " were sung in such a masterly style that those who had the privilege of seeing the wonderful expression on his face will not easily forgtt . Lucky is the lodge who has such a talented brother .

Craft Masonry.

Alleyn Lodge , No . 2647 . The first meeting of this new lodge was held on Saturday , the 20 th inst ., at the Half Moon Hotel , Dulwich , S . E ., when there were present the following brethren , viz ., Bros . C . J . Axford , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . Middx ., W . M . ; John Read , I . P . M ., and Sec . ; 1 . Songhurst , P . M . 227 , Treas . ; Rev . A . V .. Woodward , M . A ., Chap . ; G . W . Cape ! , S . W . ; J . Joel , J . W . ; W . H . Stone , S . D . ; T . C . Stanley , J . D . ; E . J . W . Scott , D . C ; J . F . Henley , Stwd . ; and W . A . Hine , W . M . 933- Visitors : Bros . W . H . Barnford , 1580 , as Org . ; R . Omash , A . D . Jollye , M . R . C . S . ; and F . G . Mitchell , Tyler .

The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the consecration meeting held on the 27 th ult ., were read and confirmed . Ballots were taken for Messrs . Walter Mars , Harry Harwood , F . J . Ritson , and E . J . Austin , as candidates for initiation ^ in this lodge , which proving favourable , these four gentlemen were regularly initiated into the Order in a very able manner by the W . M , the charge being given by Bro . J . Songhurst , P . M . 227 , Treas . Ballots were also taken for the following brethren as joining members of this lodge , viz ., Bros . R . Omash , A . D , Jollye , M . R . C . S ., and J . W .

Stevens , F . S . I ., A . R . I . B . A ., I . P . M . 2234 , which resulted in their favour . Bro . W . H , Stone being present , was invested by the W . M . as S . D ., and subsequently Bro . Baron W . E . Von Reiffenstein as I . G . A draft copy of by-laws was submitted and approved . A letter from Bro . H . Lovegrove , G . Std . Br ., stating his inability to be present was read . Nothing further offering , the lodge was closed . The W . M . presided at the supper , supported by all the above mentioned brethren , and including Bro . J . W . Stevens , when a very pleasant and agreeable evening was spent .

The usual loyal and Masonic toasts being given , a very successful evening was brought to a close at an early hour . A vote of thanks was given to Bro . Hine and Mrs . Hine for the admirable manner in which they catered for the material comforts of the brethren on this occasion .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Fidelity Chapter , No . 3 . A convocation of this ancient chapter was held on the 5 th inst , at Freemasons ' Hall , when there were present Compt . Maj . T . C . Walls , P . Z . 1 S 5 , P . D . G . D . C , M . E . Z . ; W . Radcliffe , P . Z ., as H . ; H . ] . Lardner . P . Z . 1623 , P . P . G . Std . Br ., J . ; W . ) . Collens , P . Z ., P . P . G . S . N ., S . E . " ; Lieut .-Col . Wyndham-Hart , S . N . ; J . Heming , P . Z ., Treas . ; H . Nash , P . S . ; G . W . Larter , D . C ; A . B . Spawforth , Stwd . ; F . McDougall , P . Z . ; A . W . G . Weeks , P . Z . ; C . E . Birch , P . Z . ; A . H . Larcome , P . Z . ; and R . H . Goddard , P . Z . 1623 , J anitor . Comps . Dr . J . W . Hinton ,

P . Z . 84 , P . P . G . O . Middx ., and Nash were visitors . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken on behalf of Bro . John Cooper , P . M . 3 , and it being unanimous , he was duly exalted . The ballot was also taken on behalf of Comp . Thomas Kayler , P . Z ., late of No . 3 , as a joining member . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Comps . Sir George D . Harris , President of the Grand Chapter Committee ; S . Cochrane , P . G . Treas . ; F . Graves , P . Z . ; C . Greenwood , P . Z . ; J . B . Stevens , P . Z . ; C W . Mapleton , J . ; and J . J . Birch , 1 st A . S . The chapter was then closed .

An excellent banquet was subsequently partaken of at the Freemasons Tavern , which was served under the personal superintendence of the manager , and the repast gave unqualified satisfaction . The customary toasts received full justice . The evening ' s proceedings were greatly enhanced by the musical efforts of Comps . Dr . Hinton , J . Heming , P . Z . ; W . Radcliffe , P . Z . ; and H . Nash ; the humorous recitations of Comp . Weeks , P . Z ., and the clever card tricks of Comp . Spawforth , whose manipulations are performed with the grace and skill of a professional adept .

Unity and Perseverance Chapter , No . 580 . On Tuesday evening , the gth inst ., the annual installation of Principals and investiture of officers of the above chapter "took place in the chapter-rooms at the Wheat Sheaf Hotel , Ormskirk , when the following were duly installed in their respective chairs as follows : Comps . C . Buchanan Spittall , as M . E . Z . ; G . Lea , H . ; and T . Robinson , J . The Installing Officer was Comp . J . Pemberton , P . P . G . S . B ., who performed the

ceremony in a most able and impressive manner . The officers were then invested by the newly-installed M . E . Z ., Comp . C . Buchanan Spittall , as follows : Comps . H . Pemberton , S . E . ; J . Orritt , P . Z ., S . N . ; J . Eastham , P . Z ., Treas . ; R . C Ivy , P . S . ; G . Ashurst , A . S . ; J . Pemberton , P . P . G . S . B ., D . C ; and W . Martindale , Janitor . Afterwards Bro . G . H . Buck , 5 S 0 , was exalted to the Supreme Digree of a Royal Arch Mason .

Amongst others present were Comps . R . Walker , P . P . G . S . B . ; T . Ball , P . P . A . G , D . of C ; Dr . Soldat , P . Z . ; R . H . Leake , P . Z . ; R . Winrow , P . Z . ; and R , Taylor , It was announced during the evening that the Grand Superintendent , Comp . the Earl of Lathom , G . C . B ., would this year hold the Provincial Grand Chapter at Ormskirk , on the 23 rd prox ., and a Committee of the companions of the chapter was chosen to assist in the arrangements . After the close of the business the companions dined together .

Farnngdon Without Chapter , No . 1745 . A meeting of this chapter was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 22 nd ult . Among those present were Comps . Plummer , M . E . Z . ; T . Simpson , P . Z ., as H . j H . J . Lardner , P . Z , P . P . G . Std . Br ., Treas ., as J . ; and Major T . C Walls , P . Z ., P . D . G . D . C , S . E . Comp . W . Wellsman , C . C , P . Z . 1589 , & c , was a visitor .

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The name of Como . the Rev . R . C Fillingham , M A ., was proposed and seconded tobe balloted for as a d joining member at the next meeting . Communications regretting inability to attend were received from Comps . H . Herbert , H . elect ; P . Murphy , J . ; J . Young , P . Z . ; and G . Herbert , P . Z . The chapter was then closed ; a banquet followed . A few toasts were given .

Comp . W . Wellsman , C . C , P . Z ., in responding to the toast of " The' Visitor , " expressed regret that there had been no exaltation that evening . He bad a great liking for the Royal Arch Degree , and nothing pleased him better than to see the ceremony properly worked . No . 1 745 boasted of several good companions , whose abilities as Masonic workers were widely and deservedly known . He had been pleased to visit the chapter , and had thoroughly enjoyed their profuse hospitality . In conclusion , he trusted that he mig ht have an opportunity of visiting them again , and that at no distant date . The proceedings then terminated .

Lodges And Chapter Of Instruction.

Lodges and Chapter of Instruction .

YORK LODGE , No . 236 . At a monthly meeting of the above lodge held at the Masonic Hall , Duncombep ' ace , York , on the 8 th inst ., Bro . F . W . Laughton in the chair , the ceremony of passing was gone through , and subsequently officers for th ? ensuing year were appointed as fo'low : Bros . H . Foster , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , Preceptor ; J . H . Wray , Treas . ; and T . C Thompson , Sec .

HARMONY LODGE , No . 29 S . The third monthly meeting was held on Friday , the 19 th inst ., at the Masonic Rooms , Ann-street , Rochdale , when there were present Bros . Townend , W . M . ; Oldham , 2120 , I . P . M . ; E . D . Taylor , 2 i 5 C , S . W . ; W . Shepherd , J . W . ; W . Butterworth , 363 , Chap . ; W . Kenworth , S . D . ; James Clegg , J . D . ; F . W . Turner , I . G . ; John Whitaker , P . M . 298 ; C . E . Collingwood , P . M . 29 S , P . P . J . G . D . ; J . Tonge , P . M ., 20 S ; W > O . Steinthal , J . Meadowcroft , J . J . Taylor , 3 O 31 F . Simpson , and J . E . Kay , 2156 .