Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

GRAND CHAPTER COMMITTEES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother ,

Last year I encroached on your columns , urging that the companions elected by the Grand Chapter should be other than Grand Ofiicers , so as to extend interest in the proceedings of Grand Chapter , and I venture to ask those present on the 3 rd May to record their votes to that end . —Yours fraternally , HENRY LOVEGROVE .

Reviews.

Reviews .

" ENGLISH CATHEDRALS ILLUSTRATED , " by Francis Bond , M . A ., F . G . S ., Hon A . R . I . B . A . ( London : George Newnes , Ltd ., Southampton-street , Strand , 1899 ) . — This is a remarkable work in many respects , being treated in an original and intensely interesting manner , besides being abundantly illustrated from choice and special photographs by several artists of the first rank . The author has wisely left the "beaten track , " and depended upon his own researches by personal visitation of all the Cathedrals , so that by studying these grand Fanes on the spot he has succeeded in

writing a very valuable and particularly accurate work , full of unusual details and suggestions , and by treating the Buildings on what he terms a biographical method , the various periods of Architectural styles are duly noted , and each successive addition , improvement , or needful alteration are all carefully described and accounted for . It will be found by the perusal of this admirable brochure that many of the alterations in the Cathedrals are not due to the fancies of the later Architects so much as " that the great majority of the alterations in the structure were forced on the Ecclesiastical

authorities of Ihe day by practical considerations , " such as providing foi the great influx of pilgrims to certain shrines ; special chapels had to be built for the devotees of certain Saints , and in the first half of the 13 th century " a great outburst of Mariolatry had to be provided for . " More light was needed in tre early Cathedrals , and the frequent collapses , due to jerry-building , both Norman and Gothic , were a

prolific cause of whole sections being remodelled and in part rebuilt . " The object was , too often , not to build soundly , but to build a bigger Church than the rival over the way , and to hurry it up as quickly as possible . Hence the shocking building done by _ the Peterborough people in their rivalry with Ely . " Though Mr . Bond is intensely critical he is equally enthusiastic as a student and admirer of our magnificent Cathedrals , the beautiful volume being wholly worthy of the subject , and yet published at the small cost of Six Shillings .

Masonic Service At St. Saviour's Church, Southwark.

MASONIC SERVICE AT ST . SAVIOUR'S CHURCH , SOUTHWARK .

A large number of brethren assembled in the glorious nave of the Cathedral on Sunday last . The lessons were intoned by the Rev . Canon Taylor , the lessons were read by Bro . Rev . Canon Thompson , and the sermon was preached by Bro . the Ven . Archdeacon Stevens , P . G . C .

The Grand Officers were represented in the congregation by Bro . P . Nairne P . G . D ., who was in charge of the proceedings , and Bro . Henry Lovegrove P . G . S . B . The musical arrangements were of a very superior kind , and the building was well filled .

East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational And Benevolent Institution.

EAST LANCASHIRE SYSTEMATIC MASONIC EDUCATIONAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

A general Committee of the above Institution was held at the Freemasons ' Hall , Manchester , on the 21 st instant , Bro . Capt . C . R . N . Beswicke-Royds , P . G . D ., Dep . Prov . G . Master , presiding . The meeting being opened , a vote of condolence was accorded to the widow of the late Prov . G . Master ( Bro . Col . Lc Gendre Starkie . )

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . C . D . Cheetham , P . P . G . W ., was unanimously elected Chairman for the third year in succession , and Bro . T . j . Hooper , P . P . G . Treas ., Vice-Chairman for the thiid time . A proposition to hold a Festival in 1900 was carried unanimously . The conclusion of the business was the election of a child on the Education F ' und , and an aged brother on the Annuit y Fund .

Annual Festival And Supper Of La Tolerance Lodge Of Instruction, No. 538

ANNUAL FESTIVAL AND SUPPER OF LA TOLERANCE LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 538

The annual festival of this lodge of instruction , attached to Lodge La Tolerance , No . 53 8 , was celebrated on Wednesday , the 19 th instant , at the Restaurant Frascati , Oxford-street , W . A company of nearly 200 ladies , gentlemen , and brethren sat down to an excellent supper under the presidency of Bro . T . A . Tidy , W . M . of the mother lodge , who was president of thc evening . The

Vice-Presidents were Bro . L . S . Genese , P . M . 2265 , and Bro . Howard E . Mullins , S . D . 211 , Sec . 538 . Bro . J . Paul , P . M . 1287 , 1482 , Preceptor of the lodge of instruction , was also in the numerous party , which consisted , among others , of Bros . Smale , P . M . ; James Kench , P . G . P ., Treas . and P . M . 538 ; G . A . Sturgess , Ausperg , P . M . ; and Clear , I . P . M .

At the conclusion of the supper an excellent programme of entertainment was given under the direction of Bro . Bannister Howard , by Miss Faith Laborde , Miss Ruby Darrell , Bro . Walter George , Miss Katie Thomas , R . A . M ., Bro . Paul Mill , Mr . James Dunn , Mr . F . A . Sly , Bro . Louis Harfeld , Mr . Alexander Price , Mr . Avon Saxon , Bro . C . Cuming , Mr . Harry Pleon , Mr . Wilfred Edwards , and Miss Josephine Bennett .

Bro . TIDY , in proposing " La Tolerance Lodgeof Instructioi , " said too much importance could not be attached to lodges of instruction , for they were the very foundation on which lodge working was erected . As a Master of a lodge he had had to perform work at a moment ' s notice , and it was then that one found out

Annual Festival And Supper Of La Tolerance Lodge Of Instruction, No. 538

what was thc usefulness of lodges of instruction , for it was only those brethren who had been in the habit of attending those meetings who were proficient both in ritual and in working . Although a man might know the ritual , very few brethren who did not attend lodges of instruction could , if called upon at a moment's notice in a regular meeting , go through the work . La Tolerance was extremely indebted to its esteemed Preceptor , Bro . Paul , P . M ., for the time and attention he gave to the lodge , and for the very

able and efficient manner in which he discharged the duties of his office . Bro . Paul was always to be found in his place every Wer . desday , and willing to give instruction to all those who asked . If they attended they would have a very pleasant and instructive evening . They would find Bro . Genese , the Treasurer , ready to take the dues —( laughter)—and apply the money to Masonic Charity . And , last , they would find the energetic Secretary , Bro . Mullins , always at work

and ready to promote the success of Masonry . Few brethren paid more attention to work than the Secretary . These brethren had taken a foremost place in promoting the success of the present evening , with the assistance of Bro . Bannister Howard . He could not describe the amount of work those brethren had gone through . Work to them was as nothing ; it was like throwing water on a duck ' s back , and all the brethren , gentlemen , and ladies were under a deep debt of gratitude to them for that very pleasant and successful evening .

Bro . PAUL , P . M ., Preceptor , in thanking the W . M . for proposing , and the brethren and ladies for drinking , that toast , expressed his great gratification at the progress of the lodge of instruction . There was no limit to that progress , and he hoped it would always be so . Bro . GENESE also replied . No doubt they had had hard work , but they had obtained a fine gathering , which was very gratifying . Bro . MULLINS said they were greatly indebted to Bro . Paul for his

instruction ; he was a most courteous and efficient Preceptor ; it would be hard to find a better , and he was utterly indispensable . To Bro . Genese they were also much indebted . The success of the evening was chiefly due to Bro . Bannister Howard . He was pleased to report that the lodge of instruction ' s progress was very satisfactory . The attendance for the year was 671 . After the small

expenses of the lodge had been paid , when five guineas were reached they were balloted for and the successful brother purchased a life subscribership of one of the Charities . In this way £ 73 ios . had been subscribed- The previous association had 15 of these sums paid up . He advised all those who did not attend lodges of instruction to come up to La Tolerance and place themselves under Bro . Paul .

Bro . PAUL , in proposing "The President , " said all the brethren were pleased to see Bro . Tidy present and that he had got over his illness . It was pleasant to Bro . Tidy to see this festive occasion so well supported . Bro . Tidy had been a very old attendant at the lodge of instruction , and being now the Master of another lodge he was the right man in the right place . Bro . TIDY , in reply , said it gave him very great pleasure to be present , and

to find himself surrounded by so many friends and visitors . Anything he could do for the lodge of instruction he should be most pleased to do . He had had very many happy evenings in the lodge . Although the lodge of instruction was composed of brethren from different lodges there was always that love and harmony prevailing which should exist among the brethren . ( " Hoar , hear , " and applause . )

The toasts of "The Ladies" was responded to by Bro . J . BANNISTER HOWARD , and that of " Thc Visitors " by Bro . J AMES BROWN , I . P . M . 1446 , and Uro . PERCY HOUSE , before the company separated .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Lodge of Industry , No . 48 . The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 24 th inst ., when there was a very busy night for the W . M . and his ofiicers , who were honoured with a numerous attendance of members and visitors . Bro . John Armstrong , W . M ., presided , and was supported by the following brethren : Bros . VV . C . A . ilolzapfel , I . P . M . j H . Jackson , P . M . ; Wm . Stafford , P . M . ; W . J . lobson , P . M ., Treas . ; Wm . Brown , P . M ., D . C . ; A . Dodds , P . M . ; Robt . Whitfield , P . M . ; J . T . Pragnell , S . W . ; Thos . Douglas , J . W . ; Rev . W . Bowker , Chap . ; H . II . Pitt , Sec . ; W .

E . Peacock , S . D . ; R . Laverick , J . D . ; R . Ferry , Org . ; T . H . Armstrong , I . G . ; G . T . Bootes , W . W . Nichols , and Joe Moffat , Stwds . ; J . Curry , Tyler ; Wm . Blythe , R . Dobson , J . Lawson , J . Hocking , VV . Witherington , IT . Coulson , P . Cash , G . Matthewman , VV . Campbell , J . Lightbown , J . Carr , E . E . Elliott , G . Gillespy , ] . R . Lightbown , S . Brown , J . Charlton , C . G . Nichols . T . Hastie , and l ) . Porter . Visitors : Bros . J . T . Stark , W . M . 2 < 3 Soj J . Sutcliffe , J . W . 26 S 0 ; G . Copeland , Sec . s 6 So ; F . G . Thompson , 26 S 0 ; T . Elder , 2 CS 0 ; T . E . Todhunter , 2 OS 0 ; T . R . Jobson , W . M .

2 G 74 ; D . Sincl . ir , P . M . 2 G 74 ; W . D . Rich , 2674 ; M . Marks , S . W . 2557 ; K , Dahle , 2557 ; W . T . Phillips , VV . M . 421 ; J . Burrell , P . M . 424 * R . Stewart , P . M . 424 ; J . Howe , S . W . 424 ; W . J . Davidson , J . W . 424 ; J . Wright , Sec . 424 ; J Ross , S . D . 424 ; R . 13 . Ferry , J . D . 424 ; T . VV . Purser , I . G . 424 ; J . J . Simpson , 424 ; VV . D . 'Tindale , 424 ; N . Knox , 4 : 4 ; II . A . Ward , S . W . 541 ; A . Man , jun ., 1427 ; E . Bowman , S . VV . 1427 ; J . Dawes , 1 O 7 O ; H . J . Chard , W . M . 1342 ; Jos . Cook , P . M . 1342 ; E . Scurlield , 2674 ; VV . VV . Macfarlane , and VV . King , 44 S ( S . C . )

After the confirmation of the minutes the ballot was taken successfully for a candidate . A communication from Grand Lodge was then read , alter which Messrs . J . B . Makepeace , T . B . Thompson , R . VV . Baty , and T . Buckham , all previously elected , were duly initiated by the VV . M ., who also explained the tracing baard in an effective manner . The working tools and the charge incidental to the First Djgree were

undertaken by the J . W . The working was qu te praiseworthy in all the ollicers . The Treasurer ' s report and balance sheet showing a balance of £ 170 55 . SJ . to cr : dit was received and adopted . The following amounts were afterwards voted : 20 guineas to the Durham Masonic Festival Fund ; £ 25 for a new organ ; and £ 100 to purchase shares in the Industry Masonic Hall Company . After receiving the good wishes of the visitors , the proceedings closed , and an adjournment was made to the refreshment board , where the remainder of th : evening was spent in harmony .

Agriculture Lodge , No . 1199 . The above lodge held its usual monthly meeting at the Assembly Rooms , Yatton , Somerset , ou Monday , the 17 th inst ., when there were present Bros . A . W . Metcalfe , VV . M . ; J . VV . Pitts , P . G . Stwd ., I . P . M . ; VV . A . Lyddon , S . VV . ; R . VV . Mattock , J . VV . ; R . VV . Statham , Chap . ; C L . F . Edwards , P . G . Treas ., G . S . D .. Treas . ; T . A . Smith , P . P . G . O ., Sec . ; VV . W . Collins , P . S . G . W ., S . D . ( pro tern . ); E . H . Openshaw , J . D . ; VV . Reece , P . P . G . D . C , D . C ; E . Thatcher , P . P . G . O ., Org . ; K . J . Davey , 1 C . ; C . Winker and C . II . Hristowe , Stwds . ; F . VV . Hesse , P . P . G . O . ; G . W . Knowles , P . M . ; J . H . G . Evans , P . P . J . G . W . ; F . VV . Hck , IIDayF | Savageand T . S . Cudli

. , . . , p . Alter the usual routine business , Bro . II . W . Collins , P . M ., proposed , and Hro . C . L . F . Edwards seconded a motion that a Past Master's jewel 1 >; presenteJ to 15 ro . I •A . Smith , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., who has been the indefatigable Secretary of the lod ^ e for the past 11 years . This motion was carried unanimously , and Bro . Smith was then invested with the handsome jewel by the VV . M . Bro . Smith said he was taken by surprise , and suitably thanked the brethren for their great kindness and good op inion ot " " •11 t 4 The lodge was closed , and some of the brethren adjourned to the Railway « and partook of a first-rate supper provided by Bro . Mountstevens .