Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . All Letters musf bear the name an . address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAK SIR AND BROTHER , —I very much regret that your contemporary has not adopted the same tone as yourself in dealing with the question of the status of Past Masters . As you justly observe in your lasfc issue , no good can come of turning a fair contention into the strife of parties . It is not a battle between the Provinces

GRAND LODGE AND THE STATUS OF PAST MASTERS .

and London , but a question of practice of so important a character as to demand the most serions consideration . Anything , therefore , tbat tends to distract the mind and turn it into other and bitter thoughts , is simply multiplying difficulties and rendering a pleasant solution well-nigh impossible . I have too much regard for our Provincial brethren to believe for one moment tbat they desire to create

" bogus " Past Masters , or that they prefer what is termed a " fad " to the reproach of their oomraonsense and to the injury of the Craft . It is nofc pleasant for a P . M . to have to separate from his mother Lodge and lose all the honours years of labour have brought him , and it is not so very unreasonable after all thafc he should sei * k to retain his rank when he joins another Lodge . Allowance must bo

made for disappointment , for the feeling arising out of the loss of prestige , and for the efforts that are being made to retain some of the sweets of authority . I do nofc believe in the new rule j I fear ifc will nofc work for the good of Freemasonry , but in order to arrive afc a judgment that shall have the sanction of justice and reason ifc will be necessary to show that the proposed cure is worse than the

complaint . I do not think that it can be shown that there is no grievance , and it certainly has not been settled that private Lodges have the power to grant rank to joining members who come as Past Masters from other Lodges . That some Lodges have acted upon such an assumption is beyond doubt , and according to the Grand Reuistrar , there is no written law to forbid the practice . The uncertainty on

this point is alone justification for raising the question , which cannot be settled by the use of offensive phrases . To let matters go on in the future as they have gone on in the past does not appear to me to be a statesmanlike way of meeting a vexed question . Ifc would not be worthy of the intelligence of the Craft , and would most likely lead to much diversity of action and friction . I do not see that there

would be any great harm in empowering private Lodges to deal with the question of rink , so far as joining Past Masters are concerned . It is a matter affecting themselves only , and they are tho best judges of fitness and merit of those they accept as members . Such a system would destroy the necessity , even the motive of blackballing , for Lodges could accept a joining Past Master without

pledging themselves to do more than grant bim the rights of any other joining brother . That condition should be plainly stated , so that the joining Past Master would enter with the clear understandinst that merit , and the peculiar circumstances of the case wonld be the determining causes as to the position he shonld hold in the Lodge . Snch a method wonld give freedom to all alike : it would

enable a P . M . to prefer his claim for honour , and it would give the members of the Lodge the opportunity of exercising their discretion , without which there can be no valid responsibility . To make it part of the Constitution to say that a joining P . M . shall take a certain rank only admits of the alternative of rejection . That is the inevitable consequence , and I fear it would more frequently happen

than those who favour the new rule anticipate . To let matters re . main as they were would not be wise , and the only other alternative would be to make it illegal to give rank to a joining P . M . unless he passed through the chair again . That would be an easy and a very direct way of getting over the difficulty , but wonld it be satisfactory ? Would it meet the wants of those who now feel they have a griev .

ance ? If no harm would be likely to follow upon the granting of the liberty I have referred to , I think it would be the wiser course to follow , especially as there seemed to be a feeling in thafc direction at tbe recent Special Meeting of Grand Lodge . _ I do not know whether the question will be raised on Wednesday night or not , but if ifc is , I hope the points I have mentioned will be remembered and will afc least receive consideration . I shall endeavour

to be present , and most assuredly I shall be prepared to deal with any well-considered plan that may be proposed without the least reference as to whether it comes from a London or a Provincial brother . I know no distinction between brethren on all matters affecting the Craft at . large , and if the question is approached in that spirit there is no reason why a happy solution should not be

arrived at . I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully and fraternally , I . P . M .

The New Temple Question.

THE NEW TEMPLE QUESTION .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR Sin AND BROTHER , —In looking over the agenda paper for the forthcoming Quarterly Communication of AVednesday next , I find matters of the gravest importance set down for disposal . Among other questions that will come before the brethren is that relating to the rebuilding of the Temple and certain contemplated alterations .

The New Temple Question.

I qnite agree with the decision arrived afc with regard to the site of the Temple , and I believe tho scheme of the Special Building Committee as a whole to be worthy of acceptance . Ifc contemplates uniting the banquetting hall now in existence , belonging to the hotel , with the Temple to be rebuilt , arranged to accommodate 1 , 500 brethren , the whole forming the Temple of the future . Tho space beneath

is to be granted to Messrs . Spiers and Pond for their use . The kitchen is to be removed to tho top of the building , and the space below used as a supper-room . Certain rights are to be purchased of Mr . Bacon , and in view of sundry improvements of the hotel Messrs . Spiers and Pond are to pay a rental of -62 , 000 a year upon the leaso for fifty years from the completion of the alterations .

Now , although there can be no doubt that arrangements have been made for the erection of a new banquetting ha ' l of sufficient capacity , not a word is said about it in the report of tho Committee . Tho hall is indicated on the plans laid upon the tabic in the Library at Freemasons' Hall , it is trne , but comparatively few will see the plans , and possibly still fewer sufficiently understand them to bo able

to make the matter clear to those they represent . We never knew a building yet of any magnitude that was erected within tho contract price . The estimate for tho new Temple and the necessary works is £ --0 , 000 ; most likely that total will be increased by £ 10 , 000 or £ 15 , 000 , and shonld this be tho case , it will be set down to the erection of the new banquetting hall , and the outlay may

possibly be regarded with suspicion . Ifc would be better , therefore , that there should be no doubt on the matter , and that it should be set forth in clear and definite terms what is contemplated to bo done . The estimated cost is before ns—thafc we know ; what the brethren want in addition is a simple statement in which every alteration is described in absolute terms . There should be no ambiguity now , in

order that there may not be any cause of grumbling in the future . I am , Sir , Fraternally yours , WATCHMAN .

Masonic Literature.

MASONIC LITERATURE .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I endorse the views of your correspondent "BOOKWORM , " who under the above heading , in your last issue , called attention to the utter want of facilities for studying the literature of the Craft . I know nothing about the American papers and journals . I know enough of our own to warrant me in saying

that they are not supported as they ought to be . Why is this ? The answer , to my mind , seems plain . There is nothing to stimulate inquiry ; nothing to satisfy the fancy as well as the mind . I am convinced thafc if a museum and library were established afc Queen Street there would soon be a disposition manifested for inquiry , aud Masons would want handy references for home use which would of

course be supplied by the current Masonic literature . I admit all that can bo said about the generosity of the brethren , but if one fraction of what is spent over the table were applied iu the manner I have described there would soon be an alteration in the character of Freemasonry in this country . I have no hesitation in saying thafc fche Craft generally are ignorant of the elements of the history and

philosophy of the Order to which they belong . They learn the ceremonies and repeat them parrofc-like ; they say " Amen " to words of praise that may come from the lipsof those better informed than themselves , which gives encouragement to their pride . I want Masons in England to be worthy of their high calling , of their grand inheritance . I would not , upon any acconnt , have the heart neglected , but I

contend thafc the head sadly needs cultivation . I hope , therefore , tbat something definite will be done at once to provide a museum and library , and the appointment of a librarian , who shall devote his time to classifying works , making himself acquainted with their contents , and shall keep his eyes open to any desirable work that may

be offered for sale . An active , intelligent mau would soon get contributions to both museum and library were the matter taken up by Grand Lodge . Until I th-it is done there is no hope for real progress . The present condition of matters is a disgrace to the Craft and a reflection upon its leading spirits .

I am , Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully , GRUB .

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EDUCATION . — HAMBURG . Bro . JOHN A . NEECK , 9 Bundesstrasse , HAMBURG , Is prepared to receive into his Family TWO OR THREE ENGLISH YOUTHS AS BOARDERS , During the time they attend School in this City . CAREFUL SUPERVISION , KIND TREATMENT , BEST BODILY & MENTAL CARE . High References in England , and Hamburg . -P-ESOS-P -SCTTTS IFie-IEIE-

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DANCING . —To Thoso Who Have Never Learnt to Dance . —Bro and Mrs . JACQUES WYNMANJJ receive daily , and undertake to teach ladies and gentlemen , wlio have never had the slightest previous knowledge or instruction , to go throngh every fashionable ball-da-. ca in a i " e-v easy lessons . Private lessons any hour . Horning and evening classe PROSPECTUS OS APPLICATIOIf ACADEMY—74 NEWMAN STREET , OXFORD STREET , W . BRO . JACQUES \ V ___ rA __* WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE THE 3 IAITAO __[__ - HASOS - BALLS . FIBST-CLASS BANDS PBOVIOKD .