Masonic Notes.

" exempted from the ordinary law regarding secret societies , because il did not interfere with anything outside itself . " There is no doubt that this is a point which is often lost sight of , and Bro . Davie is to be commended for having drawn attention to it thus prominently . *** **** The Alfred Wootton Chapter , to be attached to the Lodge of Union , No . 127 , will be consecrated in the Masonic Hall , New Cross-street , Margate , on

Wednesday , the 4 th prox . The ceremony will be performed by M . E . Comp . the Right Hon , Earl Amherst , Grand Superintendent for Kent , who will be assisted in his duties by M . E . Comps . J . S . Eastes , P . G . S . B ., Prov . G . H . ; Benjamin Snell , Prov . G . J . ; Alfred Spencer , P . G . Std . Br ., Prov . G . S . E . ; and Horatio Ward , P . G . Std . Br ., P . P . G . l . When the chapter has been constituted , the Principals

designate—M . E . Comps . Alfred Wootton , P . Z . 429 , P . P . G . | . ; J . I < . Stanley , M . E . Z . 429 ; and W . H . Marcoolyn , P . Z . 429 , P . P . G . 2 nd Asst . Soj . —will be installed as M . E . Z ., H ., and J . respectively . The proceedings will commence at 3 . 30 p m ., and at 1 . 30 p . m . luncheon will be served at Lilley's Arcadian Hotel , Fort-road , tickets for which are to be obtained cf Comp . W . J . Clarke , Scribe E . designate .

Next week will be a busy one with Lodge Quatuor Coronati , No . 2076 . On Thursday , the 5 th proximo , it will hold its second conversazione in the King ' s Hall of the Holborn Restaurant . From S to 9 p . m . the W . M . ( Bro . E . Macbean ) will receive his guests in the ante-room and will afterwards address to them a tew words of welcome in the Hall . There will be an interesting exhibition of Masonic clothing , jewels , and medals , under the direction of Bro . W . H .

Rylands , F . S . A ., and Bro . S . T . Klein , F . R . A . S ., has kindly arranged to illustrate some of " the hidden mysteries of Nature and Science " by means of microscopes and the Rontgen X Rays . The musical arrangements will be in charge of Bro . G . Greiner , and brethren will appear in Craft clothing , for which a dispensation will be obtained . Members of both Circles are privileged to introduce ladies and other friends , whether Masons or not . Tickets , to include light refreshments , price 5 s ., to be obtained only of the Secretary , Bro . G . W . Speth , P . A . G . D . C .

On Friday , the 6 th prox ., the lodge will hold its annual installation meeting , when Bro . C . Kupferschmidt , Assistant Grand Secretary for German Corres pondence , will be installed in the chair , and appoint his officers . Past Master ' s jewels will be presented to the Past Masters , including the I . P . M . of the lodge , and a paper , entitled" Historical Notes on the German Ritual , " will be read . The brethren will afterwards dine together at the Holborn Restaurant .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

Wc do not hold ourselves responsible tor the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wlfch , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

AN APPEAL . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , It may possibly be in the recollection of many of your readers that at the consecration of St . Mary of the Harbour Lodge , a service was held in St . Mary ' s Church , New Shoreham , and a collection made on behalf of the Tower Restoration Fund , which resulted in a sum of nearly ^ 10 being paid over to that

Fund . This restoration , I am glad to say , is now nearly completed , and on Tuesday , November 3 rd , 18 9 6 , at 3 p . m ., the Lord Bishop of Chichester will hold a service for the purpose of re-opening the tower and dedicating the bells , which have been re-cast . . I am writing you this to ask the assistance of my Masonic brethren to enable us to start again free of debt . I am informed that the sum of ^ 280 is now required for this purpose . Our church is one of national and historical interest , and contains some magnificent specimens of our ancient operative brethren's skill .

Subscriptions may be sent to the Rev . C . M . A . Tower , The Vicarage , New Shoreham ; Bro . the Rev . J . Puttick , The Rectory , Kingston-by-Sea ; or the Capital and Counties Bank , New Shoreham . —I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours tiuly and fraternally , R . B . HIGHAM , 2591 , & c .

New Shoreham , Sussex , October 24 th . P . S . —You will see by the enclosed circular fuller particulars as to this mattei , but I do not like to intrude further on your space .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

St . Marylebone Lodge , No . 1305 . This prospercus ledge met at the Criterion , Piccadilly-circus , on the 12 th instant , when there were present Bros . A . C . Bonham , W . M . ; L . Harcourt Coles , [ . P . M . ; W . Humphrey , S . W . ; W . Brett , J . W . ; J . Chaplin , Treas . ; J . J . Pope , P . M ., Sec . ; J . G . Head , S . D . ; B . H . Head , J . D . ; E . C . Lane , D . C . ; J . Hume , Stwd . ;

R . Wright , P . M . ; R . Raymond , P . M . ; F . Spurgin , P . M . ; E . White , P . M . ; W . D . Schwarz , P . M . ; H . Ansell , P . M . ; C J . Webb , H . Adams , W . A . Shaw . W . J . Benrett , F . Hucklebridge , J . I . Gomm , A . Wheeler , Sydney Chapman , G . T . Beeching , W . Read , D . F . Tuffin , A . Orram , and G . Couchman , Tyler , Visitors : Bros . VV . S . Lincoln , P . M . 534 ; James Kift , 1791 ; C P . Bellerley , P . M . 2021 ; and R . T . West , 1744 . .

After Hie minutes of the previous meeting had been read , the W . M ., Bro . A . C . Bonham , raised Bros . Shaw and Hucklebridge and afterwards passed Bro . A . Orram . The W . M . ' s woiking of tbe ritual was performed in a manner that was faultless , and was much appreciated by the brethren . After some discussion , it was decided to have a ladies' night in Decnnber . Other business followed , after which the lodge was closed . The brethren adjourned to a substantial dinner , which waswtll served under the

superintendence of the manager , Bro . Mantell . The usual toasts having been given , Bro . L . Harcourt Coles , l . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the Worshipful Master , " and said that the toast would be drunk with great heartiness . No words of his were r . ecessaiy to call attention to his great abilities and many viitues , as " Good wine reeds no bush . "

Bio . A . C . Bonham , W . M ., responded . He said he had tried to do the work arr . citaining to his cilice to the best of his ability , and no one could do more . He hoped to do citdit lo Ihe ledge , ar . d when his time came to vacate the chair , he earnestly trusted lhat Ihe little he might do would give satisfaction to them all , which would be veiy gratifying to him . " T he Visiters " having been toasted , Pro . C . P . Bellerley , P . M . 2021 , said he was particularly pleased to be present and to respcr . d lo the toast . The ledge was well-known to him , and many of the members Meie personal friends of his .

Craft Masonry.

Bro . W . S . Lincoln , P . M . 534 , stated that his best thanks were due to them for the happy proceedings in the lodge and at the festive board . Everyone who knew the St Marylebone Lodge was glad to come again and again . He congratulated the W . M on his splendid working—he had never seen better . The Third Degree was very difficult , but the W . M . had performed it with perfection . Bro . R . T . West also acknowledged the toast .

Ihe W . M . gave "The Past Masters , " remarking that for a small gathering- th'y had a goodly number present . The Past Masters were always hapoy and willing to give a helping hand , and without their assistance it would not be possible to conduct the business of the lodge . Bros . L . Harcourt Coles , P . M ., and E . White , P . M ., responded , the latter observing that everything that evening was admirable . It was always a pleasure for him to attend the lodge as a Past Master to enjoy himself , but since he was there last he had

taken the ofhee of Secretary of the London County Council Lodge , as he felt it became the duty of every Mason to act when called upon . He was glad it had been decided to have a ladies' night . Ladies were apt to think that Freemasons were somewhat selfish and he was afraid that there was some truth in that ; but that charge could not belaid to the members of the St . Marylebone Lodge if they had an entertainment for the ladies every year . The last was most enjoyable , and he hoped the one coming on would be , if anything , more so . The next toast was "The Treasurer and Secretary , " the W . M . stating that they

were both good and important officers . Bro , Chaplin , Treasurer , had been associated with the lodge for many years , and took great care of the funds . The Secretary , 3 ro . Pope , P . M ., was the only surviving founder of the lodge , and during his long tenure of office he had been most efficient in carrying out his arduous duties . He was always ready to do anything to promote the interests of the lodge ; his was not an enviable position , but what he did was a labour of pleasure . He loved to be the Secretary , and that he might hold that office for many years to come was the wish of them all . Bro . Chaplin , Treas ., having responded .

Bro . Pope , P . M ., Sec , said he did not deserve all the kind things the W . M . had said c-f him , but so long as he was honoured by being appointed Secretary he hoped to do his duty . The lodge was a very successful one , and he was certain its prosperity would continue under the happy reign of their good W . M . The toast of " The Officers " was responded to by Bros . W . Humphrey , S . W . ; VV Brett , J . W . ; B . H . Head , J . D . ; and J . Hume , Stwd . The Tyler ' s toast brought a very happy evening to a close , which was greatly enhanced by songs by Bros . D . F . Tuffin , J . Kift , J . G . Hcad . G . Beeching , R . Wright , A . Wheeler , and S . R . G . Chapman ( cornet solo ) , who received a well-deserved encore , and he and Bro . A . Wheeler are worthy of special mention for their great efforts .

Blackheath Lodge , No . 1320 . The installation meeting of this piosperous and highly successful lodge was held at the Bridge House Hotel , on Thursday , the 16 th inst . Present : Bros . Augustus VV . Le Cren , W . M . ; E . A . Rice , S . W . ; G . Pike , J . W ., W . M . elect ; W . H . Morson , P . M ., Treas . ; H . A . Stunt , P . M ., Sec ; H . Cornford , acting S . D . ; Thos . Hobley , J . D . j T . Tucker , acting I . G . j J . Whiteman , Tyler ; T . Cass , I . P . M . ; J . Hooper P . M . j E . Hesse , H . Bluff , A . Hesekiel , R . Weller , W . R . King , W . Orton , HI S . Browne , C . W . Robinson , VV . T . Tempest , and VV . Wright . Visitors : Bros . H .

Witney , W . M . SCi j G . Thompson , J . W . 1 744 j J . C Sampson , D . C . 1564 ; F . H . Weare , 1185 ; IT . Buckeridge , J . W . 165 S ; H . Dunstan , P . M . 1326 j Saml . H . Ballard , W . M . 1622 ; CH Wade , 1185 ; W . Dawson , S . W . 1622 j W . R . Barr , W . M . 1632 ; R . Chattey , P . M . 2271 ; Wm . Chattey . 2271 ; W . F . Sarjeant , J . D . 1297 ; E . C Chandler , I . G . 2369 ; J . Chubb , 1706 j F . Mash , Steward 1539 j D . J . Robinson , 1867 ; S . J . Derham , P . M . 1622 ,- C L . Plant , W . M . IOI J Tom Powley , 2032 ; and C . H . Stone , P . M . 507 .

Ihe minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . H . Bluff was raised to the Sublime Degree by the W . M ., and the ballot was taken for Bro . Chas . J , Robinson , 1897 , as a joining member , which proved unanimous in his favour . Bro . A . VV . Le Cren vacated the chair in favour of Bro . T . R . Cass , I . P . M ., who rehearsed the installation ceremony in a most impressive and faultless manner , Bro . G . Pike , J . W . and W . M . elect , being installed into the chair of K . S . in a large Board of Installed Masters

to the number of 20 . The officers for the ensuing year were invested as follows : Bros . A . VV . Le Cren , I . P . M . ; E . A . Rice , S . W . ; T . G . Hobley , J . W . ; W . H . Morson , P . M ., Treas . ; H . A . Stunt , P . M ., Sec . ; W . R . King , S . D . j H . Cornford , J . D . ; T . Tucker , I . G . ; John Hooper , P . M ., D . C . ; E . Hesse , Org . ; W . T . Tempest and A . Hesekiel , Stewards ; and J . Whiteman , Tyler . The balance-sheet as audited wis presented , received , and adopted , and showed the lodge to be in a flourishing condition .

'I he business of the lodge ended , it was closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent repast . The cloth removed , the customary loyal and Masonic toasts were presented by the VV . M . right royally , and were received in the same loyal spirit . ln giving the toast of "The Pro G . M ., Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Piesent and Past , " the W . M . stated they were most efficient officers , and carried out their respective duties for the benefit of the Craft .

Bro . A . W . Le Cren , I . P . M ., next presented what he considered the toast of the evening—that cf " The W . M . " He was afraid he could not do the W . M . justice , for he had shown himself so competent , and had made a very rapid advancement in the lodge . He was already a Preceptor in a lodge of instruction , and he ( the I . P . M . ) was confident he would prove as good a Master as any of his predecessors , and the lodge would lose none of its lustre under his able guidance . If the brethren would only brinf him worthy gentlemen for initiation they would have a Masonic treat in his able working . The toast was drunk most enthusiastically .

Bro . G . Pike , W . M . ( who received quite an ovation ) , said if there was one duty he would wish to be relieved of it was the replying to the toast , proposed so kindly by Bro . Le Cren and cordially received by the brethren . For such fl ittering terms expressed it placed him upon his mettle to follow such a Master as the I . P . M . —an ornament to any lodge . His utmost endeavour would be to uphold the prestige of the Blackheath Lod ^ e . For such hearty and cordial greetings he thanked all most heartily .

The W . M . next presented thetoast of "The I . P . M ., " for whom he had the deepest regard , and whom he huped to emulate . A very pleasing duty now devolved upon him in presenting the handsome jewel , so unanimously voted him in recognition of his excellent services in the chair . None were more proud than himself in handing the jewel to Bro . Le Cren , rot only for valuable services rendered , but also to mark an epoch in his life of having been a member of the Blackheath Lodge for 21 years , which also constituted him the oldest member of the lodge present .

ln reply , Bro . Le Cren tendered his sinccrest thanks , and said the year of office had been one ot very great pleasure to him . His professional duties had necessitated his absence more than he dcsired . and had taxed the esteemed late l . P . M ., Bro . T . R . Cass , very much indeed . He would now thank him for his great kindness in performing the duties during his absence , which was always most cheerfully given , and jnacially for the installation ceremony so perfectly rendered . The jewel he had been presented with was the lirst lie had ever d jnned , and he trusted he should wear the same to the day of his death . For such a testimony of their gooJ < vill he most sincerely thanked them .

T he Worshipful Master , in prestn'ing the toast of "The Visitors , " remarked that it was one which the brethren of the Blackheath Lodge always gave with great cordiality . There were several distinguished and inUuenlial brethren present , and he trusted lhat they would at no distant date honour the lodge with their presence . He would ask the brethren to drink to it in bumpers . Bro . Dunstan , P . M ., stated the delii > ht it gave him to be present at tbe kind invitation of the l . P . M ., who had woikid the Third Degree most impressively . It was always a pleasure to be a visitor In the Blackheath Lodge to witness its working and such a fraternal feeling which peivaded .

Bro . Plant , VV . M . 101 , also was honoured in being present to witness the instillation of tr . e W . M . so efficiently performed by Bro . Cass , P . M . It certainly was a Masonic treat to witness such working . Bros . Ballard , W . M . 1022 , and Witney , W . M . SOT , most ably eulogised the working , specially the installation . Bro . Wm . Dawson , P . M ., S . W . 1622 , thanked the W . M . most sincerely for coupling his name with the toast . He was present as also was Bro . St me , P . M . 5 ° 7 ( respectively as Preceptor and Secretary of the Blackheath Lodge of Instruction ) at tin ; invitation ol the lodge , for which he tendered his thank-i . His labour in the Blackheath