Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of mod faith .
BRO . JACOB NORTON AND HIS CRITICISMS .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I havo read most of Bro . Norton ' s letters and articles which havo appeared in your columns . I concede that he has the pen of a ready writer . He is smart—there is no doubt about that—and I often laugh over his critioisms , but one thing I have noticed . I cannot call to mind a single line in all his
many letters and reviews , & c , which contains even ono short passage of faint praiso of Masonry . Somebody has a kind word to say in behalf of the A . and A . Rite , when up springs Bro . Norton and denounces it unsparingly as the grossest of modern shams . The members aro described as the " High Degreers , " and so hardly aro they used that one might be almost pardoned for imagining they had been one and
all guilty of somo petty larceny , instead of being a body of gentlemen respooted by all who know them . The High Grades do Bro . Norton no harm , and why , therefore , these furious dennnciatious against many worthy Freemasons , whose only sin is that they take an interest in whatever relates to Freemasonry—whether it be Craft , Arch , Mark , or High Grade ? Then the religious element , which I am
glad to say is retained in English Freemasonry , sticks in Bro . Norton s throat , and at once he sets to work to attack those who hold that Freemasonry may have a religious basis and yet not be a religion , that it may inculcate a belief in the existence of God without giving ofFence to the members of any religious faith . Last week it was Bro . Woodbury who came in for a double dose of Bro . Norton's
mixture of abuse and ridionle . In fact , as far as I can make ont , Bro . Norton has a fling at every one who has a word to say in behalf of Freemasonry , unless he holds with the French Masons that a belief in God and a future state is no part of our Craft teaching . I know there are abuses and humbug in Masonry as in other human institutions , but I also know that it is quite as difficult to find people who have no single good point about them , as it is to find one
Avho is faultless . I should think more , therefore , of Bro . Norton s criticism if I found him occasionally speak well of somebody . I dare say he has heard of the old man in the fable who tried to please everybody and failed . Perhaps some one will write another fable showing how another man tried to displease everybody and succeeded . Yours obediently , TAU .
CHARGES FOR BANQUETS
To the ' Editor of the FREE 3 IASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I am glad that yon and 3 omo of your correspondents have drawn attention to the heavy charges made in some Provinces for banquet tickets at the annual meetings of their P . G . Lodges . A friend of mine tells me he was at Hatfield the other day , at the P . G . Lodge of Herts , and that what with his dinner ticket
( one guinea ) , travelling expenses , and efc ceteras , he found he had very little left at the day's end out of two sovereigns . And what Avas his chief quid pro quo ? dinner and divine service , Avith a journey of some fifteen or twenty miles out and home again . The game I suggested was not worth the candle , and we went and dined at the Holborn Restaurant for about three half crowns a-piece , Avine and music included . I fancy that is quite good enough for men with no
pretensions to rank or wealth . At all events though one expects , and is quite willing , to pay something more on special occasions , and in outof-the-way places , I cannot see why that " something more " should bo nearly twice as iriuch again as the reasonable charge I have quoted . Fraternally and faithfully , SAM .
THE HIGH GRADES .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I quite agree with "CRAFTSMAN , " that , considering the A . and A . and A . and P . Rites form no part of pure and ancient Freemasonry , as defined in our Book of Constitutions , it is very ungonorous—shall I say most un-Masonic ?—Avhen the former behaves so cockily towards the latter , and treats it with such scant
courtesy . I do not for one moment imagine that any brother is envious of the High Degrees , as " BRO . 32 "' has suggested is tho case with " CRAFTSMAN . " On the contrary , I should think most Freemasons will respect degrees which aro patronised by our most illustrious and distinguished chiefs . But then the High Grades must begin by respecting themselves , and this they cannot be said to do Avhen they go out of their
way to vent their petty spite on a rival body which i 3 also entitled to decent Masonic treatment . A glance at Kcnning's Cosmopolitan Calendar will show how many high and sido degrees there are . Yot with the exception of the Mark degree , there is not one of thorn Avhich has the slightest right to be mentioned in the same breath as the legitimate—that is Craft and Arch Masonry . Tho man who is entitled to write LL . D . and A . S . S . after his name , should not be ( oo proud to associate with him who describes himself a 3 D . C . L . and A . S . S . TOM STILES X HIS MARK .
Ad00701
Second Series , now ready , Grown 8 vo > Cloth , price Ss 6 ( 1 , post free . MASONIC PORTRAITS . SKETCHES 01 ? DISTINGUISHED FREEMASONS . REPRINTED MOM "THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . " BY G . BLIZAED ABBOTT , OP LODGE NO . 1385 , ASSOCIATE or KING ' COLLEGE , LONDON . LIST OF PORTRAITS , NESTOR AN INSTALLING MASTER ( Bro . W . Hydo Pnllen , 33 ( leg ., rust ( Bro . W . Biggs , Past Prov . G . S . W . G . S . B ., Past Dep . P . G . M . Hants , AVilts , and Past Prov . G . Sec . Assistant Secretary Sup . Coun- Borks and Bucks ) , cil A . and A . Rito . j A VETERAN THE STATESMAN ( Bl . . AV . Kelly , Past Prov . G . M . and ( Tho Right Hon . Karl of Carnarvon , Prov . G . Sup . Leicestershire and 33 do ? ., Pro Grand Master , Pro Rutland , Prov . G . M . M . M . Lei-Grand Z ., Past G . M . M . M ., and ccstcrshiro ) . Past M . P . S . G . Commander A . A GRAND STEAYARD and A . Rito . ( Bvo . Jolm Wordsworth , 30 dog ., THE TREASURER past G . Steward , Past Prov . ( Bro . F . Adlard , P . M . and' Treasurer G . J . AV . AV . Yorkshire , an d Prov . Royal York Lodge of Porsevor- G . M . M . M . AV . Yorkshire ) . ance . No . 7 ) . VlR Fm ' TnE DEPUTY ( Bro . G . Ward Verry , P . M and Past ( Tho Right Hon . Lord Skelraorsdale , Prov . Grand . Soj . [ Arch ] Herts ) . 33 dog ., Deputy G . Master . Grand ACHILLES H ., G . M . M . M ., Great Prior of ( Bro . E . j . Morris , Past G . J . D ., and the Temple , and M . P . Sov . G . Past Dop . Prov . G . M . of Eastern Commander A . and A . Rite . ) Division of South Wales ) . A PROVINCIAL MAGNATE A DEVON CRAFTSMAN ( Bro . W . W . B . Beach , MP ., Prov . ( Bro > j , K Curteis , 30 deg ., Past G ? kr ™\ G . Sup . Hantsandlslo Prov . G , g . Wnrden Venn ) . of Wight , Past G . M . M . M . and « . „ TJ „ , „ ., „ ~ CT Prov . G . Prior of the Temple , for Sl £ RHATUMANTH jj nnt ; S ) ( Bro . J . M . Pultenoy Montagu , J . P ., TlME-H 0 N 0 UREB LANCASTER ^ i' ^& . ^^ S . ( BlVa 4 anc 1 aste T r Hmo , P . Prov . G- Snp ) Dorsetshire , and G . G . S . Warden Last Lancashire ) . Chancellor Supremo Council A . THE ScnoLAR and A . Rite ) . ( Bro . John Newton , F . R . A . S ., P . M ., HIPPOCRATES P . Z ., Author of Works on Navi- ( Bro . j . p earson Bell , M . D ., Past n , g ! "ion ) . G . Deacon , Dep . Prov . G . M . and OUR NOBLE CRITIC pr v . G . Sup . N . and B . York-( Tho Right Hon . Lord Leigh , 30 dog , shire ) . Prov . G . M . and G . Sup . War- A . CESTRIAN CHIEF wickshiro . Past G . M . M . M . ) ( Tho Right Hon j ^ rd do Tabloy OUR PERIPATETIC BROTHER p ast G . S . AV ., Prov . G . M . Che ( Bro . C . Fitz Gerald Matior , 30 deg ., shire , Grand J ., and Prov . G . G . Steward Scotland , and Past Sup . Cheshire ) . G . S . Warden Greece ) . A HARBINGER OF PEACE A BOLTON LUMINARY ( Bro . Charles Lacey , P . M ., Past ( Bro . G . Parker Brockbank , 31 dog ., Prov . G . J . D . Herts ) . Past Prov . G . S . D ., and P . Prov . TlIE LORD Of UNDERLEY G . Treas . [ Arch ] E . Lancashire . ( The Earl of Bectivo , M . P ., Prov . A WARDEN OF THE FENS G . M ., Prov . G . Sup ., and Prov . ( The lato Bro . John Sufccliffe , Past G . M . M . M . Cumberland and Prov . G . S . Warden , and Prov . AVestmoreland , and Past . G . G . M . M . M . Lincolnshire ) . Sov . of the Order | of Rome and A WARDEN OP MARK Red Cross of Constantino ) . ( Tho Right Hon . tho Earl of Don- A BOON COMPANION oughmore , 32 deg ., Past G . S . ( Bro . E . C . Woodward , P . M . 382 , AVarden , and Dep . G . M . M . M ) . 1637 , & c . ) A MASTER OF CEREMONIAL A GRAND SUPERINTENDENT ( Bro . Thos . Entwisle , 30 deg ., Past ( Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., M . P ., 30 Prov . G . S . ofAVorksE . Lan . ) deg ., Prov . G . M . and G . Sep , OUR COSMOPOLITAN BROTHER Berks and Bucks ) . ( Bro . Samuel Rawson , 33 deg ., Past JESCULAPIUS Dist . G . M . and G . Snp . China ) . ( Bro . j . Dani 0 i Mooro M-T ) 33 A GREAT ARITHMETICIAN ( \ eg ., Past G . S . B ., Craft , and ( Bro . R . B . AVebster , Member of tho Past G . St . B ., Arch , Intcndant Finance and Audit Committees ' General Order of Rome and Red of tho R . M . Girls' and Boys' Cross of Constantino for North Schools . ) Lancashire ) .
Ad00702
Uniform with above , price Ss 6 d , Crown Svo , cloth , gilt . MASONIC PORTRAITS , FIKST SERIES . REPRINTED FROM " THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . " LIST OE THE PORTRAITS . 1 OUR LITERARY BROTHER . 17 Tun CHRISTIAN MINISTER 2 A DISTINGUISHED MASON . is Tim MYSTIC . 3 THIS MAS OF ENERGY . ID A MODEL MASON . I FATHER Turn . 20 A CHIP I ' JOPI-A 5 A COBNEU STONE . 21 A PILLAR or MASONRY . G THE CRAFTSMAN . 22 BAYARD . 7 THE GOWNSMAN . 23 A RIGHT HAND MAN . 8 As EASTERN STAR . a-i OUR OITIZKN BROTHER . "fl THE KNIGHT ERRANT . 25 AN ABLE PRECEPTOR . 10 TnE OCTOGENARIAN . : 2 ( 1 AN . ANCIENT BRITON . 11 A ZEALOUS OFFICER . ; 27 THE ARTIST . 12 T HE SOLDIER . ' 28 TUB FATHER or THE LODGE . 13 FROM UNDER THE CROW . . 2 !) A SHINING LIGHT . It OUR HERCULES . j 30 AN ART STUDENT . 15 A MERCHANT PRINCE . I 31 TUB MARINER . 16 THE CHURCHMAN . 32 SOLDIER OE FORTUNE . 33 . "OLD MUG . " London : W . W . MORGAN . By Order of all Booksellers , or will bo sent direct , by post , from the Office , 23 Great Queen Street , London , W . C
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
CORRESPONDENCE .
We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of mod faith .
BRO . JACOB NORTON AND HIS CRITICISMS .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I havo read most of Bro . Norton ' s letters and articles which havo appeared in your columns . I concede that he has the pen of a ready writer . He is smart—there is no doubt about that—and I often laugh over his critioisms , but one thing I have noticed . I cannot call to mind a single line in all his
many letters and reviews , & c , which contains even ono short passage of faint praiso of Masonry . Somebody has a kind word to say in behalf of the A . and A . Rite , when up springs Bro . Norton and denounces it unsparingly as the grossest of modern shams . The members aro described as the " High Degreers , " and so hardly aro they used that one might be almost pardoned for imagining they had been one and
all guilty of somo petty larceny , instead of being a body of gentlemen respooted by all who know them . The High Grades do Bro . Norton no harm , and why , therefore , these furious dennnciatious against many worthy Freemasons , whose only sin is that they take an interest in whatever relates to Freemasonry—whether it be Craft , Arch , Mark , or High Grade ? Then the religious element , which I am
glad to say is retained in English Freemasonry , sticks in Bro . Norton s throat , and at once he sets to work to attack those who hold that Freemasonry may have a religious basis and yet not be a religion , that it may inculcate a belief in the existence of God without giving ofFence to the members of any religious faith . Last week it was Bro . Woodbury who came in for a double dose of Bro . Norton's
mixture of abuse and ridionle . In fact , as far as I can make ont , Bro . Norton has a fling at every one who has a word to say in behalf of Freemasonry , unless he holds with the French Masons that a belief in God and a future state is no part of our Craft teaching . I know there are abuses and humbug in Masonry as in other human institutions , but I also know that it is quite as difficult to find people who have no single good point about them , as it is to find one
Avho is faultless . I should think more , therefore , of Bro . Norton s criticism if I found him occasionally speak well of somebody . I dare say he has heard of the old man in the fable who tried to please everybody and failed . Perhaps some one will write another fable showing how another man tried to displease everybody and succeeded . Yours obediently , TAU .
CHARGES FOR BANQUETS
To the ' Editor of the FREE 3 IASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I am glad that yon and 3 omo of your correspondents have drawn attention to the heavy charges made in some Provinces for banquet tickets at the annual meetings of their P . G . Lodges . A friend of mine tells me he was at Hatfield the other day , at the P . G . Lodge of Herts , and that what with his dinner ticket
( one guinea ) , travelling expenses , and efc ceteras , he found he had very little left at the day's end out of two sovereigns . And what Avas his chief quid pro quo ? dinner and divine service , Avith a journey of some fifteen or twenty miles out and home again . The game I suggested was not worth the candle , and we went and dined at the Holborn Restaurant for about three half crowns a-piece , Avine and music included . I fancy that is quite good enough for men with no
pretensions to rank or wealth . At all events though one expects , and is quite willing , to pay something more on special occasions , and in outof-the-way places , I cannot see why that " something more " should bo nearly twice as iriuch again as the reasonable charge I have quoted . Fraternally and faithfully , SAM .
THE HIGH GRADES .
To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I quite agree with "CRAFTSMAN , " that , considering the A . and A . and A . and P . Rites form no part of pure and ancient Freemasonry , as defined in our Book of Constitutions , it is very ungonorous—shall I say most un-Masonic ?—Avhen the former behaves so cockily towards the latter , and treats it with such scant
courtesy . I do not for one moment imagine that any brother is envious of the High Degrees , as " BRO . 32 "' has suggested is tho case with " CRAFTSMAN . " On the contrary , I should think most Freemasons will respect degrees which aro patronised by our most illustrious and distinguished chiefs . But then the High Grades must begin by respecting themselves , and this they cannot be said to do Avhen they go out of their
way to vent their petty spite on a rival body which i 3 also entitled to decent Masonic treatment . A glance at Kcnning's Cosmopolitan Calendar will show how many high and sido degrees there are . Yot with the exception of the Mark degree , there is not one of thorn Avhich has the slightest right to be mentioned in the same breath as the legitimate—that is Craft and Arch Masonry . Tho man who is entitled to write LL . D . and A . S . S . after his name , should not be ( oo proud to associate with him who describes himself a 3 D . C . L . and A . S . S . TOM STILES X HIS MARK .
Ad00701
Second Series , now ready , Grown 8 vo > Cloth , price Ss 6 ( 1 , post free . MASONIC PORTRAITS . SKETCHES 01 ? DISTINGUISHED FREEMASONS . REPRINTED MOM "THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . " BY G . BLIZAED ABBOTT , OP LODGE NO . 1385 , ASSOCIATE or KING ' COLLEGE , LONDON . LIST OF PORTRAITS , NESTOR AN INSTALLING MASTER ( Bro . W . Hydo Pnllen , 33 ( leg ., rust ( Bro . W . Biggs , Past Prov . G . S . W . G . S . B ., Past Dep . P . G . M . Hants , AVilts , and Past Prov . G . Sec . Assistant Secretary Sup . Coun- Borks and Bucks ) , cil A . and A . Rito . j A VETERAN THE STATESMAN ( Bl . . AV . Kelly , Past Prov . G . M . and ( Tho Right Hon . Karl of Carnarvon , Prov . G . Sup . Leicestershire and 33 do ? ., Pro Grand Master , Pro Rutland , Prov . G . M . M . M . Lei-Grand Z ., Past G . M . M . M ., and ccstcrshiro ) . Past M . P . S . G . Commander A . A GRAND STEAYARD and A . Rito . ( Bvo . Jolm Wordsworth , 30 dog ., THE TREASURER past G . Steward , Past Prov . ( Bro . F . Adlard , P . M . and' Treasurer G . J . AV . AV . Yorkshire , an d Prov . Royal York Lodge of Porsevor- G . M . M . M . AV . Yorkshire ) . ance . No . 7 ) . VlR Fm ' TnE DEPUTY ( Bro . G . Ward Verry , P . M and Past ( Tho Right Hon . Lord Skelraorsdale , Prov . Grand . Soj . [ Arch ] Herts ) . 33 dog ., Deputy G . Master . Grand ACHILLES H ., G . M . M . M ., Great Prior of ( Bro . E . j . Morris , Past G . J . D ., and the Temple , and M . P . Sov . G . Past Dop . Prov . G . M . of Eastern Commander A . and A . Rite . ) Division of South Wales ) . A PROVINCIAL MAGNATE A DEVON CRAFTSMAN ( Bro . W . W . B . Beach , MP ., Prov . ( Bro > j , K Curteis , 30 deg ., Past G ? kr ™\ G . Sup . Hantsandlslo Prov . G , g . Wnrden Venn ) . of Wight , Past G . M . M . M . and « . „ TJ „ , „ ., „ ~ CT Prov . G . Prior of the Temple , for Sl £ RHATUMANTH jj nnt ; S ) ( Bro . J . M . Pultenoy Montagu , J . P ., TlME-H 0 N 0 UREB LANCASTER ^ i' ^& . ^^ S . ( BlVa 4 anc 1 aste T r Hmo , P . Prov . G- Snp ) Dorsetshire , and G . G . S . Warden Last Lancashire ) . Chancellor Supremo Council A . THE ScnoLAR and A . Rite ) . ( Bro . John Newton , F . R . A . S ., P . M ., HIPPOCRATES P . Z ., Author of Works on Navi- ( Bro . j . p earson Bell , M . D ., Past n , g ! "ion ) . G . Deacon , Dep . Prov . G . M . and OUR NOBLE CRITIC pr v . G . Sup . N . and B . York-( Tho Right Hon . Lord Leigh , 30 dog , shire ) . Prov . G . M . and G . Sup . War- A . CESTRIAN CHIEF wickshiro . Past G . M . M . M . ) ( Tho Right Hon j ^ rd do Tabloy OUR PERIPATETIC BROTHER p ast G . S . AV ., Prov . G . M . Che ( Bro . C . Fitz Gerald Matior , 30 deg ., shire , Grand J ., and Prov . G . G . Steward Scotland , and Past Sup . Cheshire ) . G . S . Warden Greece ) . A HARBINGER OF PEACE A BOLTON LUMINARY ( Bro . Charles Lacey , P . M ., Past ( Bro . G . Parker Brockbank , 31 dog ., Prov . G . J . D . Herts ) . Past Prov . G . S . D ., and P . Prov . TlIE LORD Of UNDERLEY G . Treas . [ Arch ] E . Lancashire . ( The Earl of Bectivo , M . P ., Prov . A WARDEN OF THE FENS G . M ., Prov . G . Sup ., and Prov . ( The lato Bro . John Sufccliffe , Past G . M . M . M . Cumberland and Prov . G . S . Warden , and Prov . AVestmoreland , and Past . G . G . M . M . M . Lincolnshire ) . Sov . of the Order | of Rome and A WARDEN OP MARK Red Cross of Constantino ) . ( Tho Right Hon . tho Earl of Don- A BOON COMPANION oughmore , 32 deg ., Past G . S . ( Bro . E . C . Woodward , P . M . 382 , AVarden , and Dep . G . M . M . M ) . 1637 , & c . ) A MASTER OF CEREMONIAL A GRAND SUPERINTENDENT ( Bro . Thos . Entwisle , 30 deg ., Past ( Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., M . P ., 30 Prov . G . S . ofAVorksE . Lan . ) deg ., Prov . G . M . and G . Sep , OUR COSMOPOLITAN BROTHER Berks and Bucks ) . ( Bro . Samuel Rawson , 33 deg ., Past JESCULAPIUS Dist . G . M . and G . Snp . China ) . ( Bro . j . Dani 0 i Mooro M-T ) 33 A GREAT ARITHMETICIAN ( \ eg ., Past G . S . B ., Craft , and ( Bro . R . B . AVebster , Member of tho Past G . St . B ., Arch , Intcndant Finance and Audit Committees ' General Order of Rome and Red of tho R . M . Girls' and Boys' Cross of Constantino for North Schools . ) Lancashire ) .
Ad00702
Uniform with above , price Ss 6 d , Crown Svo , cloth , gilt . MASONIC PORTRAITS , FIKST SERIES . REPRINTED FROM " THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . " LIST OE THE PORTRAITS . 1 OUR LITERARY BROTHER . 17 Tun CHRISTIAN MINISTER 2 A DISTINGUISHED MASON . is Tim MYSTIC . 3 THIS MAS OF ENERGY . ID A MODEL MASON . I FATHER Turn . 20 A CHIP I ' JOPI-A 5 A COBNEU STONE . 21 A PILLAR or MASONRY . G THE CRAFTSMAN . 22 BAYARD . 7 THE GOWNSMAN . 23 A RIGHT HAND MAN . 8 As EASTERN STAR . a-i OUR OITIZKN BROTHER . "fl THE KNIGHT ERRANT . 25 AN ABLE PRECEPTOR . 10 TnE OCTOGENARIAN . : 2 ( 1 AN . ANCIENT BRITON . 11 A ZEALOUS OFFICER . ; 27 THE ARTIST . 12 T HE SOLDIER . ' 28 TUB FATHER or THE LODGE . 13 FROM UNDER THE CROW . . 2 !) A SHINING LIGHT . It OUR HERCULES . j 30 AN ART STUDENT . 15 A MERCHANT PRINCE . I 31 TUB MARINER . 16 THE CHURCHMAN . 32 SOLDIER OE FORTUNE . 33 . "OLD MUG . " London : W . W . MORGAN . By Order of all Booksellers , or will bo sent direct , by post , from the Office , 23 Great Queen Street , London , W . C