Correspondence.

but small , and the original contributors Avill have the satisfaction of feeling , not only that they have lent a helping hand in tlie accomplishment of a good and highly important Avork , but that they have shown the facility Avith which different bodies of the Fraternity may free themselves from undesirable trammels . The result has fully justified the expectations oriinallformed— -naymorefor various brethrenwhose means were

g y , ; , ample , and their inclinations equally good , feeling a just pride in their fixed habitation , have been induced to make numerous presents , Avhich have materially added both to comfort and to usefulness . AUOAV mc to add , that not being a member of this creditable Lodge , I have no motive to sound its praises , other than a general desire to adi'ance the best interests of the Order .

An objection may be made , that iu small towns which will not support several Lodges , no annual revenue can be expected by letting' the rooms . In such cases less pretension may lie made , and such accommodation be found as Avill at any rate be equal to that afforded by a temporary apartment in a hotel , for ivhich , in some form or other , tho landlord must be remunerated . The actual expense AA'ould in the end not be found to be greater ; in all probability it ivould be much less . This is one method of getting over

the difficulty . Perhaps some of your correspondents whose experience may have been different , arc able to suggest aud to give us the benefit of others . Under any circumstances the information AA'ould be interesting and useful to those AVIIO desire to rid the Order of a constant source of accusation and of stigma , and as such cannot be considered as otherwise than valuable ; Many would doubtless be led to think of the matter , Avho otherwise Avould deem the obstacles insuperable . If I remember rihtlthere is an excellent

gy , Masonic Hall at Hull , belonging to a Lodge which has not only been able to pay for its construction , but has since accumulated property to the extent of several thousand pounds , th . e interest of which is devoted to Masonic and charitable purposes . An account of the means by which so great success has been realized might aid the cause . And now , in conclusion , allow' me fo make a few remarks in correction of your register of Masonic Halls . You mention two such iu'Jersey . One of

these is the property of Bro . Jewel , and Avas at one time used as a synagogue . Subsequently it ivas appropriately fitted up , at considerable expense on the part of the proprietor , for Masonic purposes ; but for some reason or other lias been abandoned , and is now entirel y unoccupied . The other rooms , in Museum-street , belong' to Bro . PaA'id Miller , and here all the Lodges ofthe island meet , paying a rent , including one under the Irish registry , except 'die Yarborough Lodge , No . 302 , which still adheres to the Exeter ' hin . It .

may be remarked that neither of the buildings alluded to is the property of the Masons . 'The hall which you mention at Kidderminster as the place of meeting of No . 523 , no longer exists . That Lodge assembles at the Black Horse Inn , for I took part in the proceedings there in the course of hist year . The hall to which you allude was the ' locatiou of No . 730 , the warrant and furniture of which have been transferred to Dudley , and I regret to have to say that this Lodge is now settled at an inn . The mention of a

Masonic hall at Worcester , as such , is incorrect . You clo remark that it is attached to the Bell Hotel , of which it is iu reality the large public room , and is used by Lodge No . 349 as well as by the Chapter , aiid for the ordinary purposes of the proprietor in connection with his trade . I believe that I am' quite correct in making this assertion , having visited it Avithin a year . A IICAV Masonic hall has just been opened at ' Birmingham by the Athol Lodge , No . 88 , the members of which have recently purchased the building , used for many years ( to my personal knowledge more than forty ) ,