Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

RULE 130 BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I rdad with some degree of surprise the report in your columns on the decision of Grand Lodge on the appeal of the Regent Park Lodge , No . 2202 , on Wednesday , the 4 th instant . It appears to me that the result was induced

far moie from sympathy with the gallant officer of the Yeomanry , the W . M . elect of the lodge , than from any regard to the traditions and laws or constitutions of Grand Lodge , which appear to have suffered violence by the decision of the majority of the members attending Grand Lodge at the meeting referred to . Undoubtedly , Bro . Sims , who from no fault of his own , but owing to his selfsacrifice in qualifying to serve his country , was disqualified for election to the

chair of his lodge , would have the sympathy of every brother who attended Grand Lodge , but that he was disqualified the Grand Registrar clearly showed by his references to the rulings and decisions of Grand Lodge from lS 5 i downwards . It is truly said that " hard cases make bad laws , " and for it to go forth that a term of eight months' service as Junior Warden and another term of eig ^ t months' service as Senior Warden , with a hiatus ol four months intervening , is a

sufficient compliance with the requirements , can scarcely be said to be a commonsense interpretation of Rule 130 of the Book of Constitutions . The interpretation of Bro . Philbrick , Past G . Reg ., in 188 S , that the " one year , " referred to l > y Article 130 , meant from the regular day of installation in a certain month , according to a lodge ' s bye-laws , to the corresponding day in the following year

( what might be termed a Masonic year ) , although that period may comprise more or fewer than 365 days , was sufficiently elastic , practically , to meet all cases , and I was glad to find that Bro . T . H . Roberts ' s notice of motion , which , it appeared to me , would ( if carried ) have restricted the liberal interpretation of the Article referred to , was withdrawn .

1 regard the decision of Grand Lodge on the appeal of the Regent's Park Lodge as somewhat accidental , and venture to think that had the appeal been from a lodge , say in the Colonies , or in a distant province in England , the result might have been different , for it is more than probable that a considerable number of the members of London lodges attended to support the appealing lodge

and from sympathy with Bro . Sims , and who , putting aside the local circumstances , would on a careful reading of Article 130 and an uubiascd consideration of the arguments and the rulings of Grand Lodge thereon referred to by the Grand Registrar , have voted witji the minority rather than with the majority . — Yours fraternally , J . T . LAST , P . M . and Sec . 2321 , Bradford , P . P . G . Reg . W . Yorks . nth December .

CAUTION TO ALMONERS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , On the 30 th ult ., a vagrant who was recognised as having been here some 15 months ago and giving the name of John Robert Warwick , of lodges No . 1147 , Manchester , and 1345 , Eccles , with no certificate , applied for relief to

several brethren , being most persistent in his application ; he is a man of 50 years or upwards , with dark hair and complexion , dressed in dark suit with overcoat and hard felt hat . He was seen with a list of names in his hand . He is , undoubtedly , a professional mendicant of the first water , as a letter from the Secretary of No . 1147 testifies to the effect that they know nothing of him for the lost 15 years , except from numerous inquiries from various parts of the

country as to his character , " stating that he is not worthy of any help at all of any kind , " and from the direction he was taking on Monday and Tuesday , I am inclined to think he will be by this time probably on the western borders of Hampshire or well into the county of Dorset . —Yours fraternally , P . M . 804 . Havant , 10 th December .

OUR SAILORS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir , I crave a word this Christmas on behalf of the brave men of our great Merchant Navy . We want to help the poor aged and worn-out tars now " too feeble for another cruise . "

The Royal Alfred Aged Merchant ' s Seamen ' s Institution is the national haven for the worn-out British sailor , and is now permanently relieving—as inmates and out-pensioners—500 aged seamen of all ranks , and hailing from all ports . It is national and unique in object and work , is unendowed , and dependent entirely on voluntary subscriptions .

Hundreds of aged mariners are applying for the benefi s of the " Royal Alfred " Home or Out-Pension , but from want of funds , the Cctninittce are compelled to keep in painful suspense these poor deserving men , who , in their prime , helped to make England the powerful nation she is to-day . We want your help , be it great or small , to in ike the " Royal Alfred Ins ' . itution " an object of national pride and a source of comfort and encouragement to the brave men of our great and grand Merchant Navy .

Please let one of your Christinas gifts this year be for the " Royal Alfred Aged Merchant Seamen's Institution , " Office , 58 , Fenchurch-street , E . C . On behalf of the Committee of Management , J . BAILEY WALKER , Christmas , 19 , 01 . Secretary .

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ARE YOU A MASON ? Ei ^ ery Et / ening at 9 . Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 3 . SHAFTESBURY THEATRE .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"Daily Mail Annual for 1902 . "—( Published by Harmsxeorth Brothers , Ltd ., London , E . C ) . —This is the second year of issue of this wonderful and most useful compilation , known already so well as the " Daily Mail Annual , " and though for 1902 , the very compact and clearly-printed volume is bound in scarlet cloth , the cost is only one shilling as formerly . All who are familiar with the first issue , of 1901 , and used it so frequently as we have done , will gladly

welcome its successor for 1902 , and be pleased to see that the same gentlemin is occupying the editorial chair . Mr . Percy L . Parker , the indefatigable editor , is to be congratulated on the success of this Directory , Peerage , Bironetcy , Gizetteer , Army and Navy Intelligencer , Postal Guide , and Universal Instructor all in one . It will be gratifying to many to find that the special arrangements , novel , but excellent classification , and the whole plan generally if the book rem \ in

practically the same as 1901 , for they cannot be improved upon ; so that for facility of , reference , save as to being to date of issue , the work is on similar lines , and is certainly as valuable and accurate as its predecessor . We are uncommonly satisfied to note that a page has been devoted to the " Freemasons' Lodgesmembers—officials , " and though not a few who consult its unerring pages would

like still more , they will , at all events , acknowledge that the particulars afforded will be much appreciated by the British and Irish Craft , and wherever the annual circulates . As there is something about everything in the volume , it would be absurd to mention aught of its varied contents , but we wish it all the success it so richly deserves .

"Louis Wain's Annual . " Edited by Stanhope Sprigg . —( Anthony Trchernc and Co ., Ltd ., 3 , Agar-street , Charing Cross , W . C . Price one shilling ) . —This is one of the most original , amusing , and instructive annuals of the season , the combination of grave and gay is certainly remarkable , and the contents generally are so different to the ordinary volumes of the kin , d that , in this case , undoubtedly , it has " to be seen to be appreciated . " The numerous

illustrations of cat "high and low life" by the celebrated black and white artist , Louis Wain , are so droll , clever , and striking , that it is not easy to keep quiet whilst looking at them ; and the attitudes of the cats , the [ expression of their faces , and the remarks credited to them are so natural that the pictures are quite a revelation . The articles are varied and interesting , some being most affecting , and as a rule , not of a " pussy " style , as one would suppose by the artist ' s name being so prominently associated with this most entertaining book .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

York Lodge , No . 236 . On Monday evening , the iGth instant , the above lodge held their regular meeting , when the election of officers for the ensuing year was proceeded with . Bro . O . G . Taylor , S . W ., was elected as W . M . elect ; Bro . George Potter Kirby , P . P . G . D . C , the Sheriff of York , was re-elected Treasurer of the lodge ; and Bro . J . Hall was elected Tyler . Messrs . H . R . Morrell and W . A . Jones were initiated by the W . M ., and Bro . Ed . S . Robinson and Bro . A . E . Hodgson were raised by Bro . John A . Askew , I . P . M . Bro . E . J . Biggs , 11 GS , was elected as a joining member . The Audit Committee having been appointed , the lodge was closed in peace and harmony , after which a [ pleasant evening was spent .

St . George s Lodge , No . 242 . The monthly meeting was held on Friday , the 13 th instant , in the Masonic Rooms , Doncaster . Present : Bros . I . Shires , W . M . ; J . w . Hainsworth , I . P . M . ; C . Reasbeck , S . W . ; J . Denison , J . W . ; H . C White , Sec ; A . W . Frctwell , P . A . G . D . C , Chap . ; 1 . Hurst , S . D . ; F . King , J . D . i J . Charles , LG . ; F . Duff , Org . ; W . H .

Ord , W . V . Duthie , U . I'ennell . and l < . VV . Deighton , Stewards ; E . J . Pratt , Asst . Tyler ; Fretwell , P . A . G . D . C , Charity Steward ; T . W . Turner , Almoner ; C . Goldthorpe . P . M . ; J . W . Brown , W . Chapman , W . C . Wright , G . W . Uughton , G . F . Carter , W . G . Morton , D . Charles , and F . E . Shires . Visitors : Bros . F . Rand , P . P . G . D . ; W . R . Eastwood , 1 C 11 ; and J . Constable , P . P . G . S . B .

Bros . D . Charles and G . F . Carter were raised to the Sublime Degree of a M . M ., the W . M . giving the obligation , and Bro . Hainsworth the charge , and the lodge was then closed . The brethren afterwards adjourned to the ante-room for refreshment , toast , and song .

Aire and Calder Lodge , No . 458 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . W . BOULTON . The installation meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Room ; , dole , on Ftiday , the 13 th instant . Present : Bros . H . Lindley , W . M . ; J . Greenwood , S . W . ; F . T . Downing , J . W . ; E . Timm , I . P . M . ; H . Wilson , P . M ., Treis . ; F . H . Jenkin , S . D . ; R . Alcock , P . M ., D . C ; D . Richards , Chap . j E . Hunt , I . G . ; W . G .

Harrison , Org . ; R . Hepitonstall , Stwd . ; W . Bjulton , P . M . ; T . C . Turton , P . M . ; J . Leech , P . M . ; A . Earnshaw , J . Liw , A . C . Smith , U . WhiUorth , E . E . Limidile , J . lbbetson , andothers . Visitors : Bros . W . Long , 17 S 3 ; J . G . Eagland , 1645 ; J . E . Kay ,. 149 ; S . Smith , 260 ; J . Constable , H . A . Fenton , B . Maskell , E . D ; nkin , and T . R . R . Marsden , all of 2259 ; and W . Riley , 1 S 14 .

The lodge having been opened , Bro . Boulton , P . M ., was installed into the chair of K . S ., the wcrk being most correctly rendered by Bro . H . Wilson , Bro . Alcock giving the working tools . Bro . Wilson was unanimously re-elected Charity Representative , after 21 years' service , and Bro . J . 'Robinson was elected Almoii ; r in the place of Bro . Hanison , resigned . Ihe W . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . H . Lindley , I . P . M . ; F . T . Downing , S . W . ; I . H . Jenkin , I . W . j H . Wilson . P . P . G . S . B .,

Treas . ; J . I " . Robinson , P . P . G . P ., Ssc . ; G . J . Hunt , S . D . ; Rev . D . Richirds , J . D . and Chap . ; W . Harrison , LG . ; B . Whitworth , Org . ; R . Alock , DC ; R . S . Heptonstall and CCair , Stewards ; and H . Young , Tyler . Hearty congratulations were given by all the visiting brethren , also from the members of the ledge , and Ihe brethien adjourned to the Lowther Hotel , where Bro . J . Cawthorn had provided an excellent binq let .

The brethren laving done full justice to the good things provided , the usual Masonic toasts were gone through , interspersed with music and song .

Blair Lodge , No . 815 . The regular meeting of this well-known Eist Lancashire lodge was held at the Ilulme Town Hall , Manchester , on Tuesday , the 10 th instant , when the / ollowing brethren weie present : Bros . Jonathan Whittaker , W . M . ; William Sauter , S . W . J Charles llooley , I . W . ; Wm . Peel , P . M ., Treas . ; S . S . Smith , Sec .: Mark

Goldman . S . D . ; Henry L . Rocca , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; J . E . Bowker . I . G . ; James W . White , P . M ., P . P . G . Supt . of Wo . ks ; Charles Mos ; , P . M . ; G . S . Fancourt , \ . llickling , II . Wharton , ilowell , and | . R , Fletcher . Tyler . Visitors : Bros . Thos . S . Tic ' rle , P . M . 126 4 ; John T . Coles , S . D . 1322 ; A . Davies , 1134 ; Geo . J . Critchlcy , 1101 : and Thos . Smith , 204 .

The lodge was opened , and the minutes were read and confirmed . The ballot was then taken for Messrs . Robert Lawrence and John Hamilton , and proving unanimous in their favour , they were initiated , Bro . Jonathan Whittaker , W . M ., performing the ceremony on the first-named randidatc , and Bio . J . W . White , P . M ., P . P . G . Supt . of Works , on the second candidate . The working tools were presented by Bro . E . Hooley ,