Correspondence.

2 nd . The Secretary gave notice of a motion , in the regular way , brought it before the lodge and carried it , I myself voting in its favour . At the next regular meeting , on reading the minutes , I found a whole line added . I protested , said the Secretary cooked the minutes , but only a few members being present , the minutes were carried . In respect of such acts must the members be quiet and say nothing for the good harmony of the lodge .

When your correspondent answers this I will communicate to you the sequel . —Yours fraternally , M . L . S .

In Memoriam.

IN MEMORIAM .

W . Buo . GEORGE GRAVELEY , P . M ., P . G . P DIEU SUDDENLY , 13 ™ J , 1900 . Dear , worthy friend , whose loss vve all deplore , By sudden summons lately called away To join thy brethren on the heavenly shore ,

Where perfect bliss reigns through eternal day . Though mute the voice which ever urged the claims Of sacred Charity , by word and deed , " " Grateful remembrance will preserve thy name By those thou hast befriended in their need ; Sincerely simple , as an honest man ,

The precepts of the Craft thou did st uphold . Ready in counsel , foremost in the van Of those who nobly work for young or old ; May the Great Architect in Lodge Above , Reward thee with the bounty of His Love ! F . W . DRIVER , M . A ., Prof ., P . M . 45 , P . Z . and E . 742 . 23 rd July , 1900 .

New Masonic Hall, Leeds.

NEW MASONIC HALL , LEEDS .

LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE BY THE R . W . DEPUTY GRAND MASTER , THE EARL OF WARWICK .

On Wednesday , the 18 th inst ., the R . W . Deputy Grand Master of England , accompanied by many Grand Officers , paid his first Masonic visit to West Yorkshire . The occasion was a very suitable one . On the invitation of the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., the Earl of Warwick consented to lay the corner stone of the new hall which the Freemasons of Leeds are building , particulars of which appeared in our

columns a fortnig ht ago . The event excited considerable interest , and a very large gathering , not only of Freemasons , but also of the general public , assembled to witness the ceremony . Platforms draped with scarlet cloth were erected for the convenience of those who vvere privileged to take part

in the proceedings and a spacious gallery was provided for the ladies . This , it is almost needless to say , was filled to overflowing , for Masonic matters appear to have special attractions for the female mind , and the gay summer attire and charming toilettes formed a pleasing adjunct to a very striking scene .

A special meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire vvas summoned to do honour to the R . W . Deputy , and the response was enthusiastic and general , for on the roll being called it vvas found that of the Si lodges in the province three only were unrepresented . At three o ' clock the R . W . Prov . G . Master , Bro . W . L . Jackson , accompanied by his Deputy , Bro . Richard Wilson , entered the Albert Hall , and

opened Provincial Grand Lodge . 'J . he officers present wereliros . F . Cleeves , 904 , Prov . S . G . W . ; H . Gaskell Blackburn , 1 3 , Prov . J . G . W . Rev . Canon Glendenning Nash , 974 , and Rev . Geo . Ford , M . A ., 2558 , Prov . G Chaps . ; C . F . Bennett , 226 S , Prov . G . Reg . ; H . G . E . Green , 1019 , Prov . G Sec . ; E . S . Tozer , 139 , R . Hodgson , 44 S , J . Mallinson , 1645 , and J . W . Foster , 2 S 9 l ' rov . G . Ds . ; J . L . Fox , 208 , Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; J . Millington , 1221

l'rov . G . D . C . ; S . Mortimer , 603 , W . C . Fox , 22 O 3 , C . Middleton , 206 9 , and J . Sykes , 1514 , Prov . A . G . D . Cs . ; W . J . Morris , 173 G , Prov . G . S . B . ; C . Lingard , 1513 , and J . Constable , 2259 , Prov . G . Std . Brs . ; J . Dunnill , 1019 , Prov . G . Org . ; H . Banks , 10 4 , Prov . A . G . Sec ; W . Townsend , 750 , and W . Akeroyd , 971 , Prov . G . l ' ursts . ; E . Newsum , 242 , W . E . Turner , 110 S , G . Williams , 139 , E . R . Dickenson , 308 , and J . H . Greaves , 910 , Prov . G . Stwds .: and T . Lei ghton and I . Chester , Prov . G . Tylers .

There vvas a strong muster oi Past Prov . G . Oflicers , amongst whom were the following :

liros . John Seed , 1302 , P . P . G . Purst . ; W . Butterworth , 1-503 , P . P . A . G . Purst . j I . T . Simpson , 61 , P . P . G . D . ; T . J . Walker , 12 3 , P . P . G . D . ; C . Stokes , 2558 , I ' . l ' . G . D . ; E . Billington , 1462 , P . P . G . Purst . ; Wm . Cockerlync , 304 , P . P . G . Org . the Rev . F . li . Egerton , 910 , P . P . G . Chap . ; J . Jackman , 139 , P . P . G . D . ; Win . Flockton , 10 4 2 , P . P . G . D . ; R . Jackson , 28 9 , P . P . G . Treas . ; the Rev . L . S . Calvert , M . A ., 208 , P . P . G . Chap , j D . R . Glover , 289 , P . P . G . D . ; J . Dobson , 2 S 9

l ' . P . G . D . of C . ; T . Richards , 208 , P . P . G . Treas . ; C . Scriven , 1211 , P . P . G . S . of W ; D . Salmond , 302 , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Richardson , 2695 , P . P . G . P . ; F . W . Turner , 408 , I ' . P . G . P . ; W . Greenwood , 439 , P . P . G . D . of C . ; the Rev . T . H . Greenhough , 27 s , P . P . G . Chap . ; S . T . Steele , 3 S 0 , P . P . G . D . of C . j T . ISrayshaw , 2091 , P . P . G . Keg . ; F . Smith , S 37 , P . P . G . D . ; F . G . Dimery , 2069 , P . P . G . D . of C . ; J- Wrigtl .: swo th , 1783 , P . P . G . D . of C . : T . Woods , 26 95 , P . P . G . Treas .

loseph Matthewman , 101 9 , P . P . A . G . Secretary ; A . Fawthrop , 1302 , P . P . G . Std . Dr . ; G . Thompson , 1101 , P . P . G . P . ; T . Harrison , 29 G , P . P . G . ' Treas . ; J . T . 1-i . t , 2 3 , P . P . G . Reg . ; J . A . Heastii-, 652 , P . P . G . P . ; G . H . Robinson , 275 , I ' . l ' . G . D . ; J . H . Hartley , Sio , P . P . G . D . C . ; J . H . Bolton , 173 6 , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Watson , 6 l , - P . P . G . Std . Br . ; W . W . Clayton , 1 3 11 , P . P . G . D . ; T . Gaukroger , 3 u ; , P . P . G . P . ; Rev . J . J , Needham , 910 , P . P . G . C . ; John Barker , 1102 , P . P . G . S . 1 IW , ; Wm . Blackburn , 306 , P . P . S . G . D . ; R . Fisher , 1221 , P . P . G . S . B . ; W .

Gocdycar , 149 , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . B . Browne , 1 C 48 , P . P . G . D . ; W . Cockcroft , 307 , P -I ' . G . D . ; J . R . Mellor , 652 , P . P . G . D . C ; R . Castle , 7 ^ 0 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; T . Oakland , 12 3 , P . P . G . Org . ; G . Hoyle , M . D ., 12 3 1 , P . P . G . D . ; J . I .. Brayshaw , 2091 P . P . G . D . ; W . R . Thompson , 208 , P . P . G . D . C . ; I . W . Monckman , J . P ., 1018 , P . P . G U . C ; Rev . W . H . Stansfield , 1221 , P . P . G . C ; " W . H . Bradford 1211 P . P . G . D .-

, , Ptv . II . R . Harrison , gio , P . P . G . C ; | . Diwson , S 21 , P . P . G . D . C ; A . Armitage 5 = i , P . P . G . D . C . ; W . Laycock , 1108 , P . P . G . S . B . ; A . Robertshaw , 44 8 , P . P ! ' P > . ; H . Columbine , 1221 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; J . Harrison , ioj | , P . P . G . S . of W W . Smith , un , P . P . G . Treas ., and W . F . Tomlinson , 304 , P . P . G . D . C .

New Masonic Hall, Leeds.

Amongst the visiting provincial officers vvere—Bros . T . G . Wallis , 1511 , P . P . G . D . C . N . and E . Yorks ; T . Hewson , 1616 , P . P . G . D . Surrey ; G . Proudman , ion , P . P . G . St . Br . W . Lanes . ; W . Richmond , 267 , P . P . G . St . Br . Cheshire ; W . Wilkinson , 566 , P . P . G . D . C . N . and E . Yorks ;

E . Fox Thomas , 312 , P . P . G . C . N . and E . Yorks ; H . Bonser , 460 , P . P . G . S . B , Staffordshire ; A ' . T . Akeroyd , 21 3 , P . P . G . D . C Salop ; and J . M . Bottomley , 1848 , P . P . G . S . of W . N . and E . Yorks ; also Bros . A . C . Ranhant , 1342 , Northumberland ; G . F . Taylor , W . M . 1040 , N . and E . Yorks ; and G . W . Browne , W . M . 1 5 , N . and E . Yorks .

. The Leeds lodges were in strong force , being headed by Bros . Martin Frobisher , I . P . M . 289 ; F . Hinchliffe , W . M . 304 ; C . Fenton , W . M . 306 ; H . Whitfield , W . M . 1042 ; John Haigh , W . M . 1211 ; A . Gardiner , W . M . 1221 ; E . L . Frazer , I . P . M . 1311 ; J , Buckley , I . P . M . 206 9 ; and J . Pryce Lewis , P . M . 260 S . Every lodge in the province except three sent its quota of brethren , so that the gathering was eminently representative in character .

After some routine work had been got through , the R . W . Deputy , the Earl of Warwick , was announced . He entered , accompanied by a great number of G . Officers , many of whom , as will appear later , were also West Yorkshire Freemasons .

After the usual salutations , the PROV . G . MASTER rose , and , turning to the noble earl , said that he had been requested to present to their guest on this , his first appearance amongst them , an illuminated address of welcome , which he also hoped would prove a souvenir of a distinctly pleasant visit . He then read as follows :

To the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Warwick and Brooke , R . W . Deputy G . Master of England , and R . W . Prov . G . Master of Essex . R . Worshipful Sir , We , the brethren of the 81 lodges of Antient , Free , and Accepted Masons of the Province of West Yorkshire offer to your lordship a real hearty Yorkshire welcome , and express to you our sincere appreciation of your acceptance of our invitation to lay the corner-stone of a new Masonic hall in Leeds .

We beg to assure you of our devoted and loyal attachment to our M . W . G . Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and to the Grand Lodge of England , and of our great respect for the M . W . Pro G . Master , Earl Amherst , and for yourself , the Deputy G . Master . We hope that your lordship may long live to continue those valuable services to the Craft which have characterised your distinguished Masonic career .

We ask to bc allowed to include in this our welcome all Officers of Grand Lodge and other distinguished visitors who have honoured us with their presence to-day . ( Signed on behalf of the Province ) W . LAWIES J ACKSON , Prov . G . Master . RICHD . Witso . v , Dep . Prov . G . Master . Albert Hall , Leeds , iSth July , 1900 .

The Earl of WARWICK , on receiving the beautifully-bound and executed address from the hands of the Prov . G . M ., offered his thanks for the welcome so charmingly expressed ; he had often , he said , heard of , but never before experienced , a Yorkshire reception , and it had given him very great pleasure . He regretted the absence of the Pro G . M ., but would do his best to supply his place . He was much struck with the popularity of

Freemasonry in West Yorkshire ; they had a strong sense of Masonic duty , too , as shown by the noble response which they invariabl y made to the calls of Charity , and his presence amongst them was but a sli ght acknowledgment of the support which Freemasonry received from the brethren before him . The noble Earl concluded by saying that it would be a pleasing duty to him to express to the M . W . G . M . the satisfaction which that visit had afforded him .

The-brethren then turned their attention to the business of the day . A procession was formed of the lodges in order of rank , juniors going first ; then followed the Prov . Grand Lod ge comprising thebrethren named above , These were succeeded by the officers of Grand Lod ge and others as follows Bro . I-I . Sadler , G . Tyler ; Bros . F . Hinchliffe , W . M . 304 , C . Fenton W . M . 306 , and H . Whitfield , W . M . 1042 ( all Leeds lodges ) , bearing thc

corn , wine , and oil : Bro . Fitzroy Tower , D . G . D . C .: Bros . J . S . Rymer and Ensor Drury , 29 6 , G . Deacons ; Bro . W . F . Smithson , 1211 , as G . S . of W . ; Bro . E . Letchworth , G . Sec , carrying the plate for the stone ; Bro . W . H . Brittain , J . P ., 139 , 3 s President of the General Board , carrying the Book of Constitutions ; Bro . John Strachan , Q . C , G . Reg ., with the Great Seal ; Bro . G . Smith , 61 , as G . Treasurer , carrying the coin to be deposited ;

Bro . J . C . Malcolm , 306 , with plumb rule , as J . G . W . ; Bro . Henry Smith , 302 , with the level , as S . G . W . ; Bros . J . H . Whadcoat and D'Arcy Power , G . Deacons ; Bro . Rev . T . C . Smyth , D . D ., 20 G 9 , as G . Chaplain , carrying the Bible on a cushion ; Bro . Kichard Wilson , as acting Deputy G . M ., with the square ; Bro . Col . Blunt , G . S . B . ; Bro . the Earl of Warwick , as Pro Grand Master ; and Bros . Dan Meyer and W . C . Lupton , 974 / G . Deacons . Bro . F . Richardson acted as D . C .

On the arrival 01 the brethren at the building they opened out to form lines , through which the officers of Grand Lodge passed , and afterwards grouped themselves on the platforms which had been erected . The Deputy Grand Master having taken up his position near the stone , the Prov . G . M . invited him to undertake the ceremony , for which purpose he handed him a handsome presentation silver trowel bearing an appropriate inscription .

i'he Deputy Grand Master having brielly explained the objects and scope of Freemasonry , prayer was offered by the acting Grand Chaplain . The Grand Secretary then read the inscription on thc brass plate which was to cover the cavity in the lower stone forming the bed for the corner stone itself . In this cavity thc Grand Treasurer deposited a phial containing current coins , copies of the Freemason , Yorkshire Post , and Leeds

Mercury newspapers , and the prospectus and articles of association of the Masonic Hall Company , and , the plate having been adjusted , the Deputy Grand Mastfer spread the mortar on the upper surface of the bed stone . The corner stone was then slowly lowered , with three distinct stops . In accordance with Masonic rites , the Deputy Grand Master then proved the stone with the plumb rule , declaring : " I find this stone plumb and that

, the craftsmen who prepared it are true and trusty . " Then appl ying the level to the top of the stone , added : " I find this s ' tone to be level , and tint the craftsmen have laboured skilfully . " Next applying the square , the Deputy Grand Master declared : " I find this stone to be plumb , level , ' and square , and I declare it to be duly prepared and dul y laid , and that the

craftsmen have worked well . " Satisfied in these particulars , the Deputy Grand Mastcr gave the stone three knocks with the handsome presentation mallet , aad proceeded to strew corn ( the emblem of plenty ) , and to pour wine ( the emblem ol joy and happiness ) , and oil ( the emblem of peace and unanimity ) over the stone , accompanying each ceremony with the ancient Masonic formula , after which he said : " May prosperity , happiness , and