Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . AU Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarihj for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith .

OUR FREEMASONRY . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —There is considerable force in the criticisms of Bro . Buchan and Masonic Investigator upon my last ; but they fail at this point : the two documents I quoted as proving the antiquity of the three degrees , are not the Masonry of 1717 , but both are of a period long anterior to Grand Lodgo of 1717 ; therefore ,

whatever these two documents prove together , is pre-1717 Masonry and three ranks—Apprentice , Fellow , and Master . The best published manuscripts are those of Bros . Hughan , Lyons , & c , and sight should not be lost of the Pritchard and other revelations .

With regard to the Marks of the Alnwick Lodge , that was bordering on Scotland ; but had Mark registration existed generally in England , we should have , most certainly , found it in some of our ancient MSS ., and it is never alluded to in this country , whilst frequent mention of ifc exists in Scotland . Truly and fraternally yours , JOHN YARKER .

PRESENTATIONS TO RETIRING MASTERS . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The letter of M . P . in your last issue is to tho point , and there is no cause to withdraw or modify in any sense the salutary remarks he offered . It is patent to tho mind of every right thinking brother that profuse decorations are of little use beyond satisfaction to the ignorant of our benevolent principles .

I would suggest that to carry out our virtues , of " Loyalty ^ and Charity , " a law be framed in Lodges to prevent any member receiving a second jewel as Past Master . There are thousands of brethren who pass the the chair , yet know little of our Charities , or " charity jewel" ( a decoration of moro value than the majority of thoseworn ) , and who , no doubt , would be pleased to see their names inscribed on

tho Life Governors' List by the appropriation of tho money voted as a testimonial for their Mastership . Notwithstanding tho vast sum contributed this year to our three institutions , it will be totally inadequate to meet the increased and urgent claims arising out of the numerous accession of members , and the daily application for new warrants . Very recently I was in the presence of a brother who was

bedizened with a mass of jewels , almost countless , and upon being interrogated how he gained them , he said they were all purchased , save three , and if I chose , ho would sell , at a discount , tho tawdry tinsel on view , as he was a jeweller , aud could readily replace . Those whose means permit the outlay should be taught the beneficent effect of onr Charities before they purchase jewels which detract from the character of a true brother . I am , yours fraternally , P . M .

Answers To Correspondents.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS .

M . M . —Every Master , Past Master , and Warden is eligible to attend Grand Lodge at the Quarterly Communications—but they must have previously signed their names at the Grand Secretary ' s Office , and their signatures on the occasion of Grand Lodgo Meetings will entitle them to admission . The same applies to Principals in Grand Chapter .

A MASONIC INCIDENT . —The "Minerva , " a Dutch merchantman , returning from Batavia to Europe , 14 th June 1 S 23 , with several rich passengers , most of them Masons , amongst whom was Bro . Englehardt , Deputy Grand Master of the Lodges in India , arrived on tho coast of Brazil , where it encountered a corsair , under Spanish colours . The Dutchman was attacked , and after a severe struggle was obliged to

yield . The corsair , iritated , ordered pillage and massacre . The conquerors had fastened one party of the vanquished to the mast , but the passengers , by tears and entreaties , ultimately were taken on board tho corsair . Nothing , however , appeared likely to assuage the captain's fury . In this extremity , Bro . Englehardt made the sign of distress , and tho man who a moment before would not listen to

prayer and entreaty , became at onco softened to kindness . He as well as several of his crew were Masons , members of a Lodge at Ferrol . However , although he acknowledged tho appeal , he did not at once believe it , for the signs , tokens , and words were a little different from his own , and ho demanded somo other proofs . Unluckily the Dutch brethren , fearing to excite the anger of the pirates ,

who they considered to be the enemies of Freemasonry , had , before the commencement of tho fight , thrown overboard all their jewels and Masonic papers , with the view of preserving them from getting into the possession of the pirate . Luckily , however , amongst the floating fragments was a parchment diploma . It was seized , and on being

shown to the captain his doubts were removed . He acknowledged the brethren , restored their vessel and property , repaired the damage , demanding , as the only return , affiliation with a Dutch Lodge . He then gave the ship a safeguard against the Spaniards for the remainder of the voyage . —Canadian Masonic News ,

Addiscombe Lodge, No. 1556.

ADDISCOMBE LODGE , NO . 1556 .

'T'HE Consecration of this new Lodge took place at the Alma - * - Tavern , Addiscombe , on Tuesday , 31 st August . The ceremonies of consecration and installation were most ably rendered , by the V . W . Bro . Major-General Brownrigg , C . B ., Provincial Grand Master of Surrey , assisted by W . Bro . H . E . Frances P . M . P . G . D . D . C .

The brethren met at 4 o ' clock , and the Provincial Grand Master nominated Bros . H . S . Brownrigg as S . W ., Magnus Ohren P . G . W . for Surrey as J . W ., Charles Greenwood Prov . G . Sec , as acting Secretary , Rev . C . W . Arnold Prov . G . Chaplain for Surrey as Chaplain . The Lodge was duly opened , and the following beautiful and impressive oration was delivered by tho Chaplain : —

Before the consecration of a Lodge , it is customary to say a few words on the nature and Principles of Freemasonry . I shall then endeavour briefly to point out what ought to bo tho character of Masons in our Order , that they may carry out faithfully the duties of their profession . There are three great virtues that should strive in

each man's breast , —Sincerity , Truth , and Brotherly Love , —without the two former , the latter cannot exist . The love of Masons must be pure and unalloyed—their friendship sincere and genuinetheir cordiality without hypocrisy . The true Mason will not live for himself , but for those around him , despising all

selfishness . What a different aspect would the world wear if all men were but truly actuated by the principles of Masonry . No longer would our hearts suffer at the horrors of war . Peace , with her olive wand , would descend from heaven ; succour would come to tho distressed , comfort to the afflicted ; everywhere would be the voice of

joy and gladness , and no complaining in . our streets . What are tho jewels and ornaments sparkling on your breasts but the emblems of the virtues which should dwell within . Like the medals of the soldier , they tell of noble and heroic deeds . Small may be their intrinsic value , but great ; aro tho truths they symbolise . We must contradict , by our

lives , the statements of those who assert that trifles aro our ambition , and that our meetings are but an excuse for conviviality . God teaches us , aud we are reminded by Masonry that Ho came into tho world poor and penniless , under the fostering care of the Great Architect of the Universe . We have passed through the days of childhood ,

and arrived at man's eslato . Wo pass on by regular steps across the chequered flooring of the world , learning lessons as we go , looking from Nature to Nature ' s God . In tho third degree yet more knowledge is given to us , and wo behold tho emblems of mortality everywhere around ; and the star above , whoso

bright light pierces through the darkness of the tomb . Thus , in every step ia Masonry , great lessons are inculcated , and the best instruction given . How man must live ou earth—how die—how rest in heaven , when he has ascended to those immortal mansions whence all goodness emanates . Just as King Solomon , in the glorious

building which ho raised , iu every ornament ho used , conveyed a solemn message to his people , so the Mason is tiught a lesson by every thing he sees aud handles . But let us remember that theso symbols are only useful as long as they inculcate and keep iu view somo truth , somo vital principle . Above all , Masonry directs us

to tho volume ot the Sacred Law , to guide our actions and govern our faith . Thus is Masonry the handmaid of religion , echoing the Apostle's advice , " that , avoiding all ungodliness and worldl y lusts , we should live soberly , righteously , and godly in this present world , "

and that now we see but through a glass darkly , yet the time is drawing near when Masonry and all other human institutions will have passed away , and we shall see the Most High as He is in His temple , not built with hands , but eternal iu the heavens .

The ceremony of consecration having beeu completed , tho Lodge was resumed in the second degree , and a board of Installed Masters was then formed . The W . M . elect , Bro . G . J . Tnrquand , was installed into the chair in ancient form , by Bro . H . E . Frances , in amost careful

and satisfactory manner , and the appointment of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows : —F . T . Mullett G . W ., J . Parsons Smith J . W ., John W . Gray S . D ., S J . Pitt J . D ., H . E . Frances , Secretaiy , W . S . Masterman , Treasurer .

Votes of thanks were passed to the Provincial Grand Master for the honour he had done tho Lodge in consecrating it , and to Bro . H . E . Frances for the care and trouble bestowed in getting up the petition , and bringing the affair to a successful close . Bro . Frances

was also complimented by the P . G . M . for tho very able manner in which the duties of installation were performed . The P . G . M . also complimented the Chaplain , who had come at short notice all the way from Woking to tako part in the proceedings .

Five candidates were nominated for the ballot for initiation and to join the Lodge . The brethren then adjourned to a very excellent banquet , provided by the Lodge , at tho Alma Tavern , where the future meetings will be

held . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to , and a very pleasant evening was spent . The following were the visitors : —Edward King , St . Marks 857 , E . Crouch , St . Marks 857 . Henry Davis , Lion and Lamb 192 , Fred Cambridge , Granite 1328 , John Rhodes , Granite 1328 .

Addiscombe is near Croydon , and the Lodge Room is close to the Addiscombe Station on the Mid-Kent line . It is jusfc . outside the 10 mile radius , and so becomes a Lodge within the Province of Surrey ,