Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . 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 .

GRAND LODGE HONOURS . To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — " Ecco homo , " or , in plain English , " Behold tho man , " He is in our midst . There is not a particle of a mistake about it . All history proves that " with the hour cometh tho man . " Then why should the trite saying bo falsified in Masonio history . The fires of discontent and disaffection which are supposed

to be smouldering beneath the placid , bufc treacherous surface , will soon bo fanned into lurid flame . Tho first note of the coming tempest was sounded in my former letter . I again feel bound to raise a voice of warning , for the letter of " Enquirer , " which appeared in your pages of 25 th March , contains confirmation , strong as " Holy Writ , " that my apprehensions were only too well founded . In it we find

openly proclaimed what was until then only vaguely and insiduously indicated . It behoves us , therefore , be on tho alert . Protestations of loyalty notwithstanding , our vigilance must not bo relaxed . Great captains permit themselves all manner of stratagems to gain an advantage . Wo havo no reason to assume that the great leader of tho coming revolution will be less expert in their use . Already a step in advance

has been taken . The programme is published . It is tho manifesto of the chief . It has probably been read and commented upon by thousands . Why should we hesitate to analyze it ? The first portion has reference to my personal self . As a rule I hato egotism , and upon principle like to remain in the back-gronnd . But I feel so positively grateful to tho writer for expressing a fear that by his agency

my mental and physicial equilibrium has been rudely shaken , that I hasten to re-assure him . He may banish all anxiety about mo , and undisturbedly enjoy "his night ' s rest . It may also be gratifying to him to learn that it takes a wonderful deal to " disturb my equanimity . " My peculiar temperament enables mo to tako part in a discussion , however intensely interesting , with calm and dispassionate

deliberation , and to bear with exemplary meekness any amount of abuse an opponent might see fit to heap upon me , always provided it is undeserved . In the present controversy , as well as in all others , personal feelings should bo held in abeyance ; I endeavour to follow this rule , and confine my observations to combat such arguments as may seem worthy of consideration . " Enquirer " describes mo as a

" dogmatic critic . " I have never hoard that dogmatism is sinful , or even a breach of propriety . I can , however , conscientiously say , which somo that I could name cannot , that if my opinions aro flavoured with dogmatism , thoy havo at least tho merit of being unbiassed by any hope of gratifying personal vanity or latent ambition . And if such views as I happen to entertain upon this or any other

subject aro not acceptable to " Enquirer , " and those who think with him , I shall be perfectly contented if I secure the approbation of those whoso fairness , impartiality and good sense are universally known and beyond question . Personal matters are of course uninteresting ; wo will , therefore , drop them , and proceed to the next point , which must certainly be regarded as of tho highest importance

to mankind in general . In somewhat bombastic language the world is given to understand that " Enquirer " is stoutly resolved to " hold fast the Englishman ' s privilege of freedom of speech . " Let ns sing Hallelujah , and rejoice in the fact . But as I am unaware of any one over having attempted to deprive him of his undoubted right , tho pompous outburst seems gratuitous . Yet , while loudly claiming

the privilege for himself , he furnishes proof thafc had ho the power , he wonld deny it to others . As , for instance , the views expressed in my last letter , he designates " a string of invectives , " and declares that he " refuses to have my opinions thrust down his throat , " as he elegantly and classically phrases ifc . It is , however , vastly amusing to note tho extreme caution with which he exercises tho much

vaunted privilege securely under cover of the safe and convenient shelter of a noni de plume . Unfortunatel y , I labour under the disadvantake of being a foreigner , yet do I most highly value and appreciate the great boon of freedom of utterance , written or verbal . But , in common with all peace-loving men , I would rejoice in its restriction , or even total suppression , were ifc generally used at tho

expense of honesty and truth . Liberty of speech , degenerating into licence becomes a curse , especially when employed in unjust and unfair criticism , or taken advantage of for tho purpose oi ; garbeling or misconstruing the statements of an opponent . These truisms are in no way intended for personal application . Until the contrary is proved , we are bound to suppose every one actuated bv the

worthiest of motives . I should bo very sorry even to hint that , with '' malice aforethonght , " my opponent has treated my remarks with wilful aud intentional dishonesty , yet how am 1 to account for the fact that not one of my statements is fairly represented , and plain and obvious meanings so misconstrued , twisted ai .-L perverted , as tc obliterate all resemblance IO the original . I will charitably ascriW

it to misconception on Ids part . I am prompted to do so . not onl > from benevolent motives , but from the consideration of his notion ' - of refinement . A gentleman " who is able to dance , and has the yract to lisp sweet nothings to brainless young ladies , " ho conceives to bt endowed with the tastes , habits and usages of refined society ! L

it credible , a man possessing more than average intelligence , unless his mind has suddenly become unhinged , or in moments of mental abstraction , can seriously entertain an idea so preposterous , 01 honestl y maintain that that was the meaning it was intended to convey , Perhaps the writer meant to he jocular when penning that

part of- his letter . Ho next volunteers tho unnecessary information that he did not seek to oppose the re-election of H . R . H . Whoever said ho did ? Consistently with tho principles he advocates ho ought to havo done so . It is to that end they naturally and inevitably tend . If , as ho asserts , as Masons wo aro all equal , in tho sense ho wishes us to understand the term , then I maintain Bro . Growler has

as good a light to the Grand Mastership as tho Prince , for where , is the lino to bo drawn ? Tho last part of this extraordinary document contains the programme . In the view of the coming liberator tho Grand Lodge , as at present constituted , is an oligarchy , which he thinks it his mission to destroy . To do this effectually he must secure the dethronement of tho present Ruler , ho being tho Chief Oligarch .

We are further informed of his determination to form a healthy (?) public opinion amongst tho members of Graud Lodge , and make them shake off their indifference or apathy ( which you prefer , my Masters ) to enable him to achieve his purpose . Ho promises to try to emulate the zeal and earnestness of Peter tho Hermit' ( he , being only half fledged , modestly refuses to bo called by that name as yet ) in

preaching a crusade againgst the , to him , so obnoxious oligarchy , by and bye . Then let the Grand Lodgo shako in its shoes , for its days will be numbered . Tho restorers of our newly regained liberties will sing " Tommy make room for your Uncle , " and the despotic oligarchs who so long and tenaciously have kept their grinding heels upon our slavish necks will havo to evaporate . A few words more and I have

done . In many respects tho principles of Freemasonry aro democratic , but not in tho sense Red Republicans or Communists understand it . Our traditions show tho chiefs to havo always been selected from tho highest in the land . Tho first Grand Lodge was presided over by three of tho greatest men in Israel , tho second , from which , be it observed , wo are taught to believe is derived

our present system of government , by two kings , and one who was " of living men best dowered of Heaven , " tho third by a princo , a prophet , and a high priest . Would ifc bo wise , prudent or politic , to discard an inheritance whose value has stood the test of ages , for an innovation , the merits of which , to put it mildly , aro at least problematical . In the outer world , republicanism has of late cut but a sorry figure . Jobbery , peculation , dishonesty

in every shape , and all manner of odious and disgusting vices have been dominant amongst men who attained high positions in the state upon the principle of perfect equality , which " Enquirer " so strongly advocates , and promises to do his best to establish . Honest men are not likely to bo charmed with , a'system which can produce no bettor results , aud Masons will scarcely be induced to accept ifc in exchange for their ancient landmarks and time-honoured traditions . lours fraternally , E . GOTTHEIL .

Centenary Lodges.

CENTENARY LODGES .

To the Editor oj THE I UEEMASON s CHUOMCLE . DEAR BRO . —I notice that Bro . Spencer intends publishing a history of the Lodges under tho Grand Lodge of England . Such a work is much wanted , and would , iu my opinion , be as acceptable to our foreign brethren as to the Craft at home . I write ( of course , with all due deference to Bro . Spencer's views )

to suggest the publication , in the columns of your readable paper , of a list of all the Lodges entitled to a centenary jewel , according to the designs submitted for the approval of the M . W . G . M . prior to the new regulations requiring all the members of centenary Lodges ( since 186 G ) to wear a jewel of a uniform pattern , issued by the Grand

Lodge-of England , and not to be obtained elsewhere . Such a list would prove most valuable and interesting , as also one affording information as to all special jewels allowed to be worn by the members of certain Lodges . Yours fraternally , S . 0 .

Those who may have cast a glance at our advertisement columns last week must have noticed , in the announcement of the business that will be submitted to the Quarterly General Court of tho Girls' School to-day , a notice of motion by Bro . Kenyon , to the effect that a

Committee of five Governors be appointed to inspect certain freehold lands at divers places near London , with a view to the erection of enlarged school premises thereon . However , onl y four names appear in t . iiu advertisement . , namely : —those of Lieut .-Colonel Burdett , Dudley R > 1 U

Ivsq ., Dr . R .-iiiisay , and ii . ICenyon , ( llsq . Limit .-Colonel Ureaion ' s name was ori g inally included , but wiDhont his sanction , aud , ; is soon as he heard this , he gave peremptory infractions for its withdrawal . Hence the apparent inoinalv of a Commhioe of live , ronsis : of four members

only , fanace then Lieun .-uohmol Bnniei . ; , h ; is written , to . he effect that his name likewise has boon used , -i , hunt : iis sanction , and that he , too , d'Hiue .- ; to act upon the Committee . Of course , Bro . Kenyan m iy ho in a podfcion r . explain his monstrous presumption in usiai ' , without

heir . sanction , the names of r , wo gentlemen , of whom one it least , we know , is committed to a particular pron .. sit : on re the enlargement of the Girls' School . But the fc . egoing information is perfectl y trustworth y , and , knowing this , we consider comment on Bro . Kenyou ' s conduct supsjrfhiotis .