Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

— : o : — 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 good faith .

VANITAS VANITATUM . To the Editor of Tin : FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Tho comments of Bro . "T . F . " upon this subject possess ono especial merit , namely , they show that ho is thoroughly iu earnest . He does not mince matters , and disdains to disguise the supreme contempt in which he holds Masonio decorations . His zeal , however , has led him into rashness . In his desire to teach

us our duties , ho forgets that modesty and moderation are absolutely necessary to render tho lessons effectual . He must surely bo endowed with a vast amount of pluck , for few will be found sufficiently daring to prefer an indictment , Avholesale and unmistakable , unflinchingly and Avithout reserve . On roading his remarks in your last issue , I positively became terrified ; my heart almost stood still , aud I verily

believe all and every one of my limbs would have obstiuately refused to perform their functions had I attempted to move , because , to my utter amazement , I found—I , who had hitherto deemed myself ono of the most loyal of Mtsons—that I was one of the " chief lawbreakers , and persistently continued to violate the Book of tho Constitutions . " " T . F . " is not a man of half-and-half or milk-and-water

measures . Ho goes the wholo hog , and includes W . M . ' s , P . M . s , M . M . s , and , indeed , indirectly , the officers high and low of the Grand Lodge itself , in his sAveeping denunciation . For many years past , my confreres and myself have attended Grand Lodge , brave with silver taus on our badges , and our manly breasts decked Avith glittering gold jewels , unmolested by the scrutineers , and unopposed by tho vigilant

functionary who guards tho portal of the sanctum . Poor deluded creatures that we Avere , to imagine ourselves obedient to the laws , while in reality pursuing a course of misdemeanour . 0 , Bro . " T . F . " you havo rudely and cruelly disturbed our pleasant repose . Thero is , however , one consolation ; wo aro , taken altogether , a goodly company . Silver taus and gold jewels are patronised by the highest dignitaries

of the Order . A wonderful display of the latter may be observed on the dais at every assembly at Grand Lodge , and resplendent is the aspect of many occupying a placo in the body of tho hall . Indeed , the authorities , and , I think , Avisoly , encourage tho use of these ornaments . Why should Masons affect to despise that Avhich is valued so highly amongst every class of human kind ?

Royalty has its distinctive emblems , and is proud of its ribbons and stars . Soldiers and sailors risk their lives , incited , first of all , by a spirit of patriotism , theu stimulated by the prospect of possible distinction in the shape of a medal conferred by the sovereign . Tho young lawyer dreams of the silk gown , and tho aspiring citrate of the

lawn sleeves . The successful trader spends his thousands to attain tho dignity of the crimson robe , and to be called , if oven only for ono short year , " my Lord Mayor . " Diplomatists have been known to sell their A ery souls for a decoration from a foreign potentate , and great monarchs , upon occasions , bestow orders of distinction upon each other . The Prince of Wales iu India distributes stars and orders not

only upon the faithful native chiefs , but upon the tried English servants of the Cx'own . Great events are commemorated , and ingenuity , skill , aud invention frequently rewarded with a medal . Our own Grand Lodgo has instituted the Charity , Past Master , Centenary , and lately the one in hononr of tho Grand Installation . Is it to bo asserted that all this money is ill spent , and ought to be bestoAved upon charity ?

Such a policy Avould be suicidal , and defeat its own ends . For in the production of these gew-gaws , which some so highly prize , and others pretend to despise , many thousands of hands aro employed , and thus the most valuable aid is afforded to a large and deserving section of our fellow creatures by enabling them to earn an honest independence . Onr accuser asserts that Lodge funds are misappropriated

Avhen applied to the purchase of a testimonial for a retiring W . M . This , I think , is a mistake , Lodgo subscriptions are intended and regulated for three distinct and specified purposes . First , for payment of Grand Lodge dues , second , to defray expenses incidental to the Avorking of the Lodge , and tho remaining portion to be expended , in most Lodges , part to bo set aside for the private benevolent fund ,

and part for refreshment , or to bo applied in any other way tho vote of the majority might decide . Isow , if from this last moifcy a sum is taken for tlie purchase of a presentation jewel , can it fairly be said to haA'o been misapplied ? or that it is " applied to a purpose it was never intended ? " I speak of somo friends , who , after going in for all the fancy tlegrees , Sancl spending no end of money , pronounced them

" all liumbng . I do nob wonder at that , excess of any kind is tinwholesome , and too much eating or drinking will often produce nausea ; bnt that is no reason why the temperate should be deprived of their quiet enjoyment , or relinqnish the advantages of their sober and legitimate pursuits . Bro . " T . F . "is not content to limit his strictures to the conduct of Craft Masons , but characteristically has a

ilmg at the Royal Arch , which he all but includes in the Schismatic degrees . But , nil desperandum , let us acknowledge our innocent follies , rejoice in the possession of our gilded and bejewelled toys , and refrain from any attempt to hide Avhat may be termed a childish delight in our bright coloured ribbons , but at tho same time continue ,

as most of us have hitherto endeavoured , to do all in our power to ameliorate the condition of the aged , the widow and the orphan , not only in the household of the faithful but to eveiy human creature who claims onr consideration . Neglect in these respects on onr part would indeed entitle us to the appellation of " law breaker ; -, " While

AVO continue to act in conformity Avith tho principles of the Craft , onr little innocent vanities Avill be readily overlooked by every good man and true . It has nover appeared that gloom aud cynicism havo wrought much good in tho Avorld , or that a long face and sombro

clothing havo accelerated human happiness . Tho Creator's OAVU work is fnll of bright colours and gorgeous decorations , and I am inclined to think we cannot do better than humbly and reverently follow His example . YOQI'S fraternally , 27 th December 1875 . E . GOTTHEIL .

Bro. Gottheil's " Suggestion To Our Jewish Brethren."

BRO . GOTTHEIL'S " SUGGESTION TO OUR JEWISH BRETHREN . "

To the mitor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . RESPECTED FRIEND AND BROTHER , —Brother Gottheil is of the opinion that something still remains to be done to render our Masonic Charitable Institutions thoroughly effective . Tho orphan children of Jewish brethren , so ho tells us , hitherto " have been unable to

participato in tho benefits of either of them . The charities are , of course , open to them , as to others , but the systoin of management is not such as our Jewish brethren desire for their children . We are bound to consider this statement from a brother who is a representative of a class of men and brethren Avho have nobly done their part ,

not only for Masonic charities , but on behalf of many other such benevolent institutions . In considering Bro . Gottheil's letter , it will be Avell for us to remember a fact or two about which he says nothing , and Avhich has an important bearing on the case .

"ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOU BOYS . " 1 ( xli . x . ) It is " a fundamental principle of this institution that its benefits shall bo extended to the sons of all brethren under the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of England , without any distinction

arising from religious belief . The benefits offered by the system in operation prior to tho establishment of tho school houso shall be continued to the sons of brethren Avhcse parents or friends may object to their being placed on tho establishment . " ( Page 11 , Laws 1873 . )

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS . 2 ( xlix . ) " All girls duly elected become inmates of the establish , ment , with the exception of the daughters of Jewish parents , who may be educated out of the establishment , if their relations and friends so desire . " ( LaAvs 1873 , page 11 . )

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS AND GIRLS . 3 ( lxiv . ) " The General Committeo may pay for the education of each boy ( or girl ) to tho ago of sixteen years , any sum not exceeding twelve pounds per annum . " ( Pago 15 , Laws 1 S 73 . ) ( Then follow rules as to tho education , examination , and such like

of children educated iu schools approved by tho committee ) . ' 1 . It is evident , then , from the foregoing extracts , that a child of Jewish parents , if elected into cither of our Masonic institutions , and

whose tnends object to his or her being educated with the other children , may bo educated in a Jewish school , approved of by the com . mittee , at au expense of twelve ponnds anunally ( or less , if deemed desirable ) , though of this fact our Brother Gottheil makes no mention ,

5 . In view of the preceding , we have simply to consider the question of maintenance ( not education ) , and for an additional £ 1 S or £ 20 per annum we presume all that is necessary may be obtained , tho cost per head of each child in the Institution being materially affected

by the expenses ot the secretarial and collecting departments , as also of the building fund , of which those out of the Institution would not require to bo paid for , though , of course , on tho calculation of tho expenses , their nnmber Avould be included .

G . Our able brother then alludes to tho excellent funds of certain HebreAV lodges in London and in the country , which , for the nnmber of the members , aro equal to tho best of any ordinary lodge funds in this country , aud says , " the calls upon which are unfrequent , and comraratively insignificant . The rest remains unproductive , and no benefit to anybody . "

7 . Assnming the total funds of the HebreAV lodges to be £ 5 , 000 , we have an annual ( and increasing ) income of £ 250 , and taking it for granted that the number of children elected annually who desire to be boarded and educated according to the Hebrew faith would not exceed from three to fir .: then surelv £ 100 to £ 150 of such income

aught Jairhj he devoted , to the object which Bro . Gottheil has at heart , and which object AVO most fraternally wish him success in achieving , S . Should the lodges object to such a , use of thoir funds , though , ri 3 Bro . Gottheil tolls us , these funds are of little benefit to any one , not

being much asked for , then we think it Avon Id be desirable io - '¦' . crease the sum payable by our Institutions to such children who wish to come under special regulations , so as to include board , clothing , and eclucatiou . With all respect , yours fraternally , V . P .

Masonic Jurisprudence.

MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . SIR , —In my poor judgment , it seems that the only Avay of dealing with the obnoxious motion referred to by "W . M , " in your issue of the ' ¦ 23 lU nit . U b y motion , made aud CJcoii ' . kd , Unit .- ; o mudi ul' < . hc