Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

CONGRATULATIONS TO BRO . J . LEWIS THOMAS , F . S . A ., P . A . G . D . C . St . John's Lodge , 492 , E . R . ( formerly No . 723 ) , St . John ' s , Antigua , W . I ., nth March , 1901 . Dear Sir and Wor . Brother ,

Wor . Bro . R . H . Kortnght Dyett , P . M ., having drawn the attention of che members of this lodge ( of which you were formerly a member ) to an announcement in the Freemason newspaper of the 12 th January last , of the celebration on the 9 th Tanuary of the 50 th anniversary of your marriage to Miss

Hodge , formerly of this Island , a resolution expressive of the hearty congratulations of the brethren on the happy event was unanimously passed at the regular meeting of the lodge , held in this city on the 8 th instant ; and I have r . ow the honour , by the direction of the Wor . Master , to forward to you the enclosed copy of the

same—/ \ At a Regular Meeting of the " St . John's" Lodge of / _ \ A . F . and A . M ., No . 492 ( FORMERLY 723 ) , E . R ., held at I beal . I the Masonic HaIlj Nevis street , in the City of St . John , N . J Antigua , W . I ., on Friday evening , the Sth March , 1901 . The following Resolution was moved by Wor : Bro : R . It . Kortright Dyett , P . M ., duly seconded by Bro : the Reverend Joseph Emrcy , S . W ., and carried unanimously

WHKREAS the attention of the Brethren of this Lodge has been drawn to a copy of the " Freemason " Newspaper of the issue of I 2 th January , 1 9 , containing an announcement of the Celebration , on the 9 th January last , of the Golden Wedding of Wor : Bro : James Lewis Thomas , F . S . A ., P . A . G . Dir : of Cerms ., England , late Chief Surveyor , War Office , London , who , on the 6 th day of November , 1851 , was admitted a Joining Member of this Lodge :

BE IT RESOLVED : That this Lodge tenders to the said Wor : Bro : James Lewis Thomas its hearty congratulations on the auspicious event , and expresses the Hope that the Great Architect of the Universe will long spare himself and Mrs . Thomas to celebrate many more Anniversaries of their Happy Union ; AND that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the said Wor : Bro : Thomas with the fraternal regards of the Members of the Lodge .

A true Copy : THOMAS S . G . PIGOTT , W . M . W . LLEWELLYN WALL , Secretary . Assuring you of the fraternal regards and good wishes of the brethren of your old lodge . I remain , Dear Sir and Wor . Brother ,

Faithfully and fraternally yours , VV . LLEWELLYN' WALL , Secretary . Wor . Bro . James Lewis Thomas , F . S . A ., Past A . G . Dir . of Ceremonies ( England ) , 26 , Gloucester Street , London , S . W .

REV . BRO . COOPER'S RESTORATION TO HEALTH .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I this mail have received a letter from one of the Council of the " Home of St . Barnabas , " asking if I would consent to a sum of about ^ 100 , which had been collected by me from my Masonic brethren to erect a small almshouse in connection with the Home of St . Barnabas for disabled Masonic clergymen , being directed from its original purpose , and put into the general

building fund . I have written to say that I have no power to divert money given for one object to another , and that I cannot recommend my brethren to consent to anything of the kind . I believe that funds given for a certain specific purpose should be expended for that purpose , and no other . I am by this mail writing to the Secretary of the Hostel of St . Luke , 16 , Nottingham-place , London , W . —a Medical , Surgical , and Nursing Home for poor Clergy—to know if the Committee

will undertake to keep one bed in their new building for Masonic cases if we hand over the £ 100 to the building fund of the new Hostel . It is a most deserving and useful institution ; 1 send you the last report ; it will be a much better way of helping our poorer clerical brethren ( and that is what I am anxious to do ) than allowing our contributions to be aborbed into the general fund of St . Barnabas Home .

Will you allow me to inform my brethren who were so kind to me in my time of distress and illness this time 12 months , and whose help I shall ever remember with gratitude , that the dry and warm climate of Australia has so completely restored my health , that I am able to undertake the missionary work in a large district , in the centre of which we have a well-worked Masonic ! odge , of which I am Chaplain . Thus , though so far from home , I am not without friends and sympathy . —Yours fraternally ,

W . HENRY COOPER , P . M ., & c . Temora , N . S . W ., March nth .

Reviews.

Reviews .

OUKKN VICTORIA , 1 S 19-1901 , by Richard R . Holmes , M . V . O ., F . S . A ., Librarian at Windsor Castle ( l . onf > mans , Green , and Co ., London , New York , and Bombay ) . — This opportune publication , is a reprint of the expensive work , issued in I . 8 < 7 by authority of Queen Victoria , only without the illustrations of pictures from the Royal collections . ~ 'Ihis edition , however , has an admirable portrait of the beloved Queen from a photo by Chancellor and Sons , which is one of the best of her Majesty , and adds much to the value of the volume . There is a supplemental chapter , which brings

the intensely interesting narrative down to the end of the Queen ' s reign , so that now the biography is complete , and literally covers all the chief points in the lite of the lamented Sovereign from the cradle to the grave . For the first time , Mr . Holmes was able to present an accurate account of the childhood and youth of Queen Victoria , based upon notes on her infancy and girlhood , supplied by the Queen , and matters of fact have been duly corrected , in reference to the period before ner accession to the

Throne . Her Majesty ' s published Journals and Sir Theodore Martin's Life of th ° Prince Consort have also been consulted , so that the tasty volume is authoritative and fairly exhaustive , considering the size of the welcome brochure . It is sure to have a very large sale , for notwithstanding its attractive aid semi-official character , it is published at the popular price of live shillings net , and may be ordered of all booksellers .

Reviews.

"FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF DERBY - SHIRE , 1901 , "—This compact Masonic Guide for Derbyshire is in its 26 th year of publication , and has long been compiled by the ever-courteous Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro . William Naylor , who still occupies the Editor ' s chair . The particulars concerning the Province in relation to all the Degrees are well arranged and are ample , so that members of all or any of the Masonic Rites practised in the county are well provided for . There

are 27 lodges , eight R . A . chapters , and eight Mark lodges , besides other Bodies , all of which are duly described ; besides which there is no lack of information respecting the Central , Mark , and local Masonic Charities ; the total votes for the first mentioned , now being 6196 and those for the Mark Degree numbering 1535 ; the names of the subscribers being given in alphabetical order . The frontispiece this time is appropriately devoted to a Portrait of the genial Mayor of Derby , Bro . Edgar Home , P . P . S . G . W ., who is popular in the town , Masonically and generally .

"MASONIC CALENDAR FOR THE PROVINCE OF HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT , 1901-2 . "—This is one of the largest , fullest , and best of the series of Pro - vincial Calendars , and continues to be ably edited by Bros . Commander H G . Giles , R . N ., and G . F . Lancaster , who certainly succeed most admirably in the discharge of their duties as editors . Everything that may fairly be looked for or expect : d in such a publication is to be found in this well-arranged Annual , even to an excel . ent Summary of Contents . There are 4 S lodges , returning 4114 members , or an average of over S 5 per lodge , being a very high proportion , and one of the largest in England . One

lodge has 364 members , another 214 , and several over 100 each . The R . A . chapters number 2 ( 5 , also a large number proportionately , and the Mark lodges total 13 , with several K . T . preceptories and Rose Croix chapters and other Degrees also at work . About all these there is a mass of details that would almost be bewildering were the facts not so well marshalled , and even extinct lodges arc not overlooked , or the " Quatuor Coronati " literary lodge neglected . The work has now been edited for iS years , and the present issue cannot be beaten by any of its useful predecessors in any respect . We most sincerely congratulate the editors on such a successful completion of their arduous labours .

THE LITERARY NEWS SERVICE . —The announcement by Messrs . Archibald Constable and Co . of a new book by K . and Hesketh Prichard suggests again to us the pleasing and uncommon relationship existing between these two writers , namely , that mother and son collaborate . Their first book , " A Modern Mercenary , " won golden opinions . Since this appeared Mr . Prichard has by himself published an important book of travel entitled "Where Black Rules White , " and he is now in Patagonia ,

leading an expedition of great geographical and scientific importance . On the 7 th prox . there will appear , simultaneously in England and America , the " Further Memoirs of Marie Bashkirtseff , " the publication of which has been looked forward to with much eagerness . The volume will be illustrated , and will contain a diary , a very daring correspondence with Guy de Maupassant , and an introduction by Mr . G . H . Perris . Mr . Grant Richards is the English publisher .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Era Lodge , No . 1423 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . E . C . ST . AUBYN . This lodge held its 141 st meeting at the Albany Hotel , Twickenham , on Saturday , the 13 th instant , when there were present : Bros . D . Hart-Davies , W . M . ; E . C . St . Aubyn . S . W . ; E . Croft Wise , J . W . ; J . Beresford Ryley , P . M ., Treas . ; G . L . Wingate , P . M ., Sec . ; C . E . Dowling , S . D . ; W . Anning , J . D . ; H . Saunion , P . M .,

D . C ; S . Enever , I . G . ; C . R . Conway , Stwd . ; F . W . Tallack , P . M . ; J . Wheatley , P . M . ; J . H . Anderson , P . M . ; H . T . Tallack , P . M . ; J . T . Skelding , 1 ) . Pennellier , and J . A . R . D . Doris . Visitors : Bros . W . H . C . St . Clair , 77 S , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . Middlesex ; Dr . S . Lloyd , P . M . 1201 ; Louis Verdier , W . M . 16 S 7 ; T . D . Bounsall , 36 ; W . C . Freeman , 206 j W . VV . Read , J . D . 2502 ; C . B . Enever , 2455 ; Barclay Gammon , Org . 2540 ; and F . D . Lewis , 3 .

After the lodge was opened and the minutes read and confirmed , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Rear-Admiral William H . C . St . Clair , P . G . D ., entered the lodge , and was saluted in due form . The report of the Audit Committee , which was adopted , showed a balance in favour of the lodge of , £ 72 Ss . 1 id ., and £ 11 153 . 3 d . to the credit of the Benevolent account . The ballot was taken , and proved unanimous , for Mr . Jean A . R . Duchon Doris , who was initiated by his friend , Bro . H . Saunion , P . M ., in an impressive manner , which included the initiate's charge . A Bjard of Installed

Masters having been formed , Bro . E . C . St . Aubyn , S . W ., was installed into thy chair of K . S . by the W . M ., Bro . D . Hart-Davies , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C . Middlesex . The W . M . then apoointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . D . Hart-Davies , P . M ., l . P . M . j E . C . Wise , S . W . ; C . E . Dowling , J . W . ; W . Anning , S . D . ; S . Enever , J . D . ; J . Beresford Ryley , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Middx ., Treas . ; G . L . Wingate , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., Sec ; II . Saunion , P . M ., D . of C . ; C . R . Conway , I . G .: J . T . Skelding , Stwd .: and F . G . Mitchell . Tyler . A

handsome bar and diamond jewel was presented to the l . P . M . in recognition of his services as P . M . for the second time . The Secretary announced the death , since the last meeting , of Bro . Mathews , P . M ., who was initiated in this lodge in 1 SS 1 , and was the W . M . in 1 SS 7 ; also of Bro . Eugene Henri Thiellay , who was initiated in the Lodge of Prudent Brethren , No . 145 , in 1 S 6 S , of which lodge he became the W . M . in 1 S 76 , elected as a joining member of the Era Lodge , No . 1423 , in 1 S 72 , and was installed as W . M . in 1 S 77 . A Founder , Past Master and Treasurer of the New Cross Lodge , No . 1550 ; Founder and first W . M . of the La France Lodge , No . 2063 ; Past

Provincial Grand Sword Bearer Middlesex . In the Royal Arch , he was Past Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Middlesex ; First Principal , in 1 S 7 S , of the Era Chapter , and for many years the Treasurer . A Past Master of the St . Mark ' s Mirk Master Masons Lodge ; Past Most Wise Sovereign of the Palestine Chapter Rose Croix , No . 29 j a member of the 30 ; a Past Celebrant Metro College Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia ; a Knight Templar ; Past Sovereign Plantagenet Conclave of the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine ; and a Knight Holy Sepulchre . The resignation of Bro . Stiles was accepted with regret , and a unanimous vote of sympathy passed on acciu . it of his sad illness .

" Hearty good wishes were offered to the W . M . by the visiting brethren , and the lodge was closed . The brethren then adjourned to the banquet , when the loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . The brethren were entertained by Bro . Verdier with feats of conjuring , and by Bros . Freeman , Bounsall , Anning , and others with song , music , and recitations .

Skelmersdale Lodge , No . 1599 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . H . VV . MELLOR . PRESENTATIONS TO BROS . W . CAI . I . INGHAM , I . P . M ., AND GEO . LAKER , P . M ., SECRETARY , The annual installation ceremony in connection with the above lodge was held at the lodge-room at the Bridge Mouse Hotel , London Bridge , on the evening of Thursday , the nth instant . Bro . Walter Callingham presided , and officiated as Installing Master , in the presence of a very large attendance of membsrs and visitors , whose number

taxed the seating capacity cf the lodge-room to the uttermost . The W . M . was supported by Bros . F . Lewis , P . M . ; H . Pieice , P . M . ; E . L . Miroy , P . M . ; C ECove , P . M . ; F . VV . Horn , P . M . ; C . II . Harris , P . M ., Treas . ; and Geo . Laker , P . M ., Sec . The lollowing Past Masters were included in the very large number of visitors present : Bros . J . R . Omer , P . M . 1259 ; F . J . Ruse , P . M . 65 ; J . Ling , P . M . 2469 ; Francis , P . M . ; Cirte , P . M . ; 11 . Wrigley , P . M . 73 ; | . T . Cobb , P . M . 2 .-7 S I Atkinson , P . M . ; and W . N . Haydor , P . M . 212 S .

The lodge haviig been opened , routine business wis transacted , the mist impirtan ¦ of which was the reading of the Audit Committee ' s report . t ' ne treasurer drew special attention to this report , emphasising the fact that the lodge had a recird balancs of three fignres , which had been obtained at no ost to the Chanties . Though the lodg " funds showed a credit balance of over . £ 120 , . yet the lodge Benevolent Association had