Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

CLEARANCE CERTIFICATES . To the , Editor of the '' Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In answer to the letter of ' •' D . C , " allow me to say that when I was W . M . of No . SS , in the year 1 S 91 , we adopted a form of Clearance Certificate , and have found it useful . Our Secretary ' s address is 9 , St . Andrew ' s-hill , Cambridge . —Yours fraternally , FRANK PIGGOTT , P . M .. D . C . 88 .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I have a clearance certificate , on parchment , from a plate engraved by Messrs . Stubbs and Church , No . 4 , East Cheap , in i 860 , and shall be pleased to show it to " D . C . " if he would call here . —Yours fraternally ,

CHAS . HUNT , P . M . and Hon . Sec' 194 . 29 , Chapel-street , Belgrave-square , S . W ., October 23 rd .

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS . To thc Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , You will be glad to learn that our ex-pupil , Mr . J . A . Coupland , has gained an Entrance Medical Scholarship of the value of 64 guineas , at the Yorkshire College of Medicine , at Leeds .

This Scholarship will enable Mr . Coupland to continue in his course of Medical training , and is a striking proof of the value of our retention scheme for deserving boys . It will be rembered that Mr . Coupland was the first recipient of our " Grand Lodge Scholarship , " founded in 18 9 6 , by means of which he has been able to pursue his studies for medical career . —Yours faithfully and fraternally , J . M . McLEOD ,

6 , Freemasons' Hall , Secretary . Great Queen-street , W . C , London , 20 th October , 1897 .

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother At the next election of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution there will be 17 candidates ( six men and 11 widows ) who have been on the list from six to 16 years . Surely , this a sad state of affairs and very much belies our

title to the distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason ' s heart . In other Institutions , a certain number of those who have been longest on the list are annually admitted without further polling , and why should not our Benevolent Institution carry out the same humane policy . I have ventured to suggest to the Treasurer and Secretary that this cruel blot on our Institution mi ght be easily removed by reserving a certain number of vacancies which arise after the polling papers are

issued for those brethren and widows who have been longest on the list . I regret to say my proposition has not found favour with either of those brethren , so that unless the general body of the Subscribers insist upon this blemish being removed we shall see these poor old candidates still remaining till death relieves them from the sickness of hope deferred . Surely if we cannot take them in as I have suggested above , it would be greater kindness to make a law , that after a certain number of elections proving unsucessful , the said candidate ' s names should be

removed , as the older they get the fewer friends they have left and the less probability is there of their election . Until this is altered it will be difficult to plead for our Benevolent Institution , which , although doing splendid work , allows this cruelty to be continued . I trust this question may be discussed in your valuable paper , and that the future voting papers may contain an intimation that the above suggestion has been or will be carried out , —I am , dear Sir and Brother .

yours fraternally , WILLIAM PARSONS , P . M . and Sec . 180 , 4 c , & c . 51 , Loughborough Park , S . W ., October 20 th .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1107 ] MASONIC VETERANS . In my article on " Masonic Veteran Associations , " in the Freemason Diamond Jubilee Number , " of July 3 rd last , I omitted the name of my friend and brother , Charles Fendelow , P . G . Std . Br ., from a list of the brethren who are members of Veteran Associations in the U . S . A ., and also connected with the "National Masonic Veterans' Association " for this country , having its home , for the time

in the Central Masonic Hall , Newcastle-on-Tyne . I am sorry for the error , and cannot explain how it occurred . Bro . Fendelow was one of the first to be eleued as a veteran member of the Pennsylvania Organisation at Philadelphia , U . S . A ., the English Branch practically being a " swarm " from that well-known Society . Bro . Fendelow was elected the first President , and takes a very lively interest in

its welfare . The handsome lodge of the New York Vetcians was credited to the Association at Brooklyn in error in the same article . W . J . HUGHAN . - * THE QUICK . " . ' , accompanied by Princess Henry of Battenberg , drove in an open carriage through Braemar on Tuesday to Mar Lodge , where she remained to tea with

the Duke and Uuchess ot Pile . SIR ALFRED MILNER , the Governor and High Commissioner for South Africa , arrived at Kimlerley on Saturday last and met with the most enthusiastic reception . The streets ard buildings were gay with all kinds of decorations , and the route followed by his Excellency on leaving the station was thronged by crowds of people , who cheered him to the icho . In the market square hc was presented with an address , while hc was also pitsenled with a second address at Beaconsfield , a suburb of Kimberley .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"THE MINERVA LODGE DIRECTORY , 1 S 97 06 th rear of publication ) . Hull M . C . Peck and Son , Market-place . "—The series of this most useful and well-printed Directory would make a valuable addition to any library , as the various editions include many particulars respecting this famous lodge , and other bodies meeting under its protecting wing , as well as a complete history of the Lodge No . 250 . The present publication comprises a list of members of the Iodge , including the honorary memb 2 rs , the Earl of Londesborough , P . M ., P . G . W . Eng . ; Bro . J . G . Findel . of Leipzig ; Lord Bolton , P . G . W . Eng ., D . Prov . G . M . ; and Wm . J . Hughan , P . G . D . Eng . The

W . M . is Bro . H . Colbeck ; the Treasurer is Bro . M . C . Peck , P . G . Std . Br . Eng . ( who joined as far back as 1859 ); and Bro . J . E . Walker , P . M ., is the Secretary , who holds a similar position on the Library Committee . The roll of W . Ms , is given from 17 S 2 to 1 S 97 . Then follows the roll of members of the Royal Arch chapter , with but one honorary member ( Lord Londesborough , P . Z . 236 ) , the register of the P . Zs . being complete from 17 S 5 to 1 S 97 . The Mark lodge , No . 12 , is practically of "time immemorial " origin , the W . M . of the "Minerva" holding the same office in that Degree , if otherwise qualified , previous to 1 S 53 . Bro . M . C . Peck , P . M ., heads the list of members , and there are no honorary members . The " Antient York Conclave of Redemption " is of time

immemorial , and placed on the Great Priory roll as 8 . The members still subscribing number 65 , beginning with the Earl of Londesborough , P . Prov . Prior , followed by Bro . M . C . Peck , P . E . P ., who is a P . Prov . Chancellor . The only honorary member is Bro . W . J . Hughan , Past Great Constable of England , elected in 1 S 69 . The roll of " Eminent Commanders " is printed from 17 S 4 . The " Antient York Chapter of Redemption , S . P . Rose Croix " has 31 members and two honorary—Dr . Charles Dickson , Knight of the Order of Charles XIIL , Prov . G . M . Gothenberg , and Bro . W . T . Ewart , Prov . G . Sec . of the same District . The presiding M . W . Ss . are given from 1876 , when the chapter happily joined the Supreme Council .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Alfred Lodge , No . 306 . An interesting gathering in connection with the above lodge , took place on Friday , the 22 nd inst ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Carlton Hill , Leeds . The " Ladies Night , " when the lady friends of the brethren are invited to join them at banquet , has becom e an annual iris'itution . These occasions have proved most enjoyable functions , and that of Friday night proved no exception to the rule . Previous , however , to the introduction of ladies , an emergency lodge was held for the purpose of presenting to Bro .

Blackburn , P . M ., the Worshipful Master during the year the lodge celebrated the centenary of its existence , a portrait of himself as a mark of appreciation in which he was held by the brethren and of his able services on behalt of the lodge during that memorable epoch in its career . The portrait , which is painted in colours , represents Bro . Blackburn in full Masonic clothing as Provincial Seniot Grand Deacon of West Yorkshire , the office which he now holds . The was a numerous attendance of the brethren . The chair was occupied by thc W . M ., Bro . Alfred Redmayne , there also being present Bro .

J . C . Malcolm , Dep . Prov . G . Master . The Worshipful Master in making the presenta tion referred to the services of Bro . Blackburn in restoring peace and harmony to the lodge , and expressed a hope that he would long be spared in health and strength . The Dep . Prov . G . Master , in endorsing the remarks of the Worshipful Master , said they had two or three Past Masters who were capable of and willing to take the position of W . M . during the centenary year , but in Bro . Blackburn , the coming Master , they knew they had a brother who would carry out the duties to the satisfaction of the brethren and would uphold the honour of the Alfred Lodge , and that opinion had been

amply justified by the manner in which Bro . Blackburn had carried out the onerous duties of the position . Addresses of congratulation were also delivered by Bros . J . Dyson , P . P . G . D . C , and VV . C . Compston , S . W . Bro . Blackburn suitably responded , and presented to thc lodge a coloured portrait of himself to be hung upon the walls of one of the rooms belonging to the Iodge . About 60 ladies and brethren took part in the after proceedings . An excellent banquet was set , and the room was profusely decorated with flowers and foliage plants .

The musical portion of the evening s entertainment was provided by several ladies and a quartette party , consisting of Bros . Miller , Sharpe , Varley , and Hunt . A very enjoyable evening was spent .

Beadon Lodge , No . 619 . The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday evening , the 20 th instant , at the Holborn Restaurant . The Iodge then entered on the 45 th year of its existence , it having been consecrated in the year 1853 . It took its name from the late Bro . William Frederick Beadon , who died nine years later , and who in 1849 received the collar of Junior Grand Warden from the late Earl ot Zetland . Bro . Beadon was well known , both in Masonry , of which he was a very active member , and as a Past Master of the Bedford Lodge , now 157 , and as one of the most popular of the

metropolitan police magistrates . The _ lodge which perpetuates his revered name has had throughout what it now maintains—one of the highest characters among the London lodges . The domie'le of the lodge was first at ihe Star and Garter , Kew Bridge . Ten years after the consecration the Greyhound Hotel , Dulwich , afforded the brethren accommodation . The Crystal Palace Hotel entertained it for a couple of years , and now it has come into London proper , having had the sanction of the Grand Master to abide at the Holborn Restaurant , as move convenient to the members than places out of town , which necessitate leaving business earlier than is the case when the trysting site is the metropolitan flags .

The meeting was attended by Bros . E . Croft Wise , S . W . ; C . A . Adams , J . W . ; Charles Norrington , P . M ., Sec . ; Charles Hunton , S . D . ; Lorenzo Faull , J . D . ; G . Hall , I . G . ; W . Seaman , P . M . ; H . Massey , P . M . ; Carl T . Fleck , P . M . ; Albert E . Austin , P . M . ; J . W . Harrison , L . Hampson , C . E . Baggs , M . Beedle , S . G . Murray , M . Fanner , W . M . Foster , F . W . Philpot , VV . Greenway , Jam : s R . Kent , C . F . Turner , W . J . Phillips , R . Henchley , and Thomas Clothier . Visitors : Bros . H . J .

Salmon , 1929 ; John H . Wright , 574 ; J . W . Avery , P . M . 619 ; Howard E . Mullins , Steward 511 ; J . H . Chriton , P . M . 2182 ; C . Cope , W . M . 2192 ; J . Barry , W . M . 1381 ; S . Leny , 1178 : J . A . Fleck , 172 ; N . Finch , P . M . 1305 ; R . Midworth , 2 G 01 ; H . E . Cockell , P . M . 507 ; Charles Lewis , P . M . 1706 , 250 S , P . G . D . Essex ; G , Lavington , P . M . 857 ; Ernest Levre , J . W . 1599 ; Ernest Joseph , 185 ; W . Martin , A . G . P . ; George W . Beste , P . M . 507 ; James Speller , P . M . 1677 ; and F . Stephens , P . M . 1348 .

Bro . Moss Chapman , I . P . M ., presided . The Iodge having been opened , Bro . Norrington informed the brethren that Bro . Charles Meierhoff , the W . M ., was unable to be present , his wife having died on the previous Monday , and he read a letter from the bereaved brother conveying the mournful intelligence . The lodge then passed a vote of sympathy with Bro . Meierhoff , on the motion of Bro . Carl T . Fleck , P . M ., seconded by Bro . II . Massey , P . M . The formal business was then proceeded with , and Bro . Norrington , P . M ., Sec , was asked to perform the installation ceremony . Having

taken the chair , Bro . Norrington had presented to him by Bro . Carl Fleck , acting as D . C , Bro . Edward Croft Wise , S . W ., who was elected W . M . at the August meeting . The ceremony of installation having been completed , the following brethren were declared officers for the year : Bros . C . Meierhoff , P . M ., I . P . M . ; C A . Adams , S . VV . ; C . A . Hunton , J . W . ; J . C . Hayes , P . M ., Treas . j C . Norrington , P . M ., Sec ; L . A . J . Faull , S . D . ; M . Beedle , J . D . ; Carl T . Fleck , P . M ., D . C . ; and 1 ' . Bowler , Tyler . The appointment to other offices was postponed until the January meeting .

Alter the transaction of the remaining business of the day , the lodge was closed , and the brethren partook of a choice banquet , under the presidency of Bro . Croft Wise ,

VV . M . 1 The toasts were subsequently proposed , honoured , and responJ : d to very brielly , and a nice musical entertainment was given by Miss Evelyn Russell—Miss Gertrude Russell accompanying—and Bros . G . W . Beste , Charles Norrington , and Frei Stephens . Bro . Walter Martin , A . G . P ., responded for "The Grand Officers , " and said he thought the lodge was to be complimented on having such a W . M . as Bro . Croft Wise . Bro . Croft Wise was an old pupil of his in Freemasonry ; a gentleman he had a great