Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

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

LADIES AND FEEEMASONEY . To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIK AND BROTHER , —I havo read with interest and somewhat of amusement , the various articles appearing lately in your issues respecting the association of Ladies with the Craft , and I

gather from thc same that the startling news of Women in Masonry emanates from America , which must be taken with a certain grain of salt , especially when we are informed that it is an effusion from a woman politician named Mary E . Lease , who doubtless is boasting of an assumed knowledge in Masonry for political

purposes . It may possibly bo that Lodges for Women exist on the Continent , and in an American edition of tho Ritual of Freemasonry , there is mention of a degree called " The Heroina of Jericho , " which is conferred exclusively upon R . A . Masons , thoir wives and widows ; hence it is sometimes called tho Ladies' degree , convened for that purpose at the house of some R . A . Mason , and

the female candidates are not allowed to bo qualified by their husbands , but this degree declares that the " Heroine of Jericho " was a harlot , and the Editor states that he never heard of the degree prior to the abduction of that traitor , William Morgan . It was supposed to be got up by those concerned in his death , so that they could revenge themselves , aud ovade the laws of tho country .

The " Daily Telegraph " says it is ono of the most cheering signs of the times , the sympathetic attitude now adopted towards Ladies by Freemasonry , and quotes the legend of the lady who hid herself in an eight day clock . This of course refers to the history of the Honourable Mrs . Aldworth , the only Lady Freemason , who was

supposed to have found herself by accident in an adjoining chamber to a Lodge , and owing to some structural alterations in the wall , was enabled to witness a ceremony which nearly cost her life ; as an alternative , she was initiated into the mysteries which she had witnessed . She lived to bo looked upon as a beloved and venerated member of the Order until her death .

I think that tho Earl of Haddington Past Grand Master Freemason of Scotland , at the opening of a Bazaar in Edinburgh , sufficiently explained to tho ladies present tho fundamental principles of Freemasonry , finishing by saying that no man who acted up to the vows and obligations could possibly be a bad citizen , a bad husband , or a bad father .

I am quite in accord with the closing paragraph of your leading article of the 14 th of April last , that the opening of the door to Ladios is so strictly opposed to the general wishes of members of the Craft as to render its adoption virtually impossible . I notice that many Lodges ( although not all ) have their Ladies' Soirees , Balls and Picnics ; surely this should suffice without participation of the

mysteries . Man is supposed to be the stronger sex , yet we all know that making a man a Freemason does not alter his disposition or natural born tendencies ; he is still the same man for good or evil . I will certainly admit that the ritual of Freemasonry tends to make a man a better man , and make him feel more in touch with his Creator , but withal , has the Church of God no

fallen sheep , and can it he said of the roll call of Freemasons that none have fallen from lofty pinnacles , —not even those who have been clothed with robes of purity emblematical of the High Priests of the Most High ? I leave your readers to judge for themselves . Again , —has no Freemason retired from the Order owing to dishonour cast upon him by a Brother in Freemasonry ? This question takes the fate of the former . History rcvealeth not that

the penalties of the solemn obligations in Freemasonry have ever been carried out on their violation , save and except in the abduction of William Morgan ; or if there is any truth in the writings of Continental Freemasonry , yet such is the tendency to secrecy , that it may have been misapplied , and tho expansion of charity so great that a fallen Brother ' s misdeeds may have been hidden from punishment , and posing under the Apron as exemplified in the Masonic Sonnet : —¦

" Emblem of Innocence and Purity I We find its votaries on every side , Earth ' s greatest men have donned it oft with pride ; Time honoured badge of sweet simplicity . Token of Virtue and Morality . " Leaving the retired Brother to chant in sorrow thc Masonic Sonnet to the Most High : —

" Loud let my fervent orisons arise , To Him who is Supreme and is Most High ; Who rules the waves , controls the wondrous skies , And hears in Mercy when His children cry 1 " When man , the stronger sex , is not infallible , and a certain percentage of Freemasons aro no credit to the Craft as a Body , and tarnish thc beautiful teachings of the Ritual until they retire or

are disposed of , surely what could be expected if Ladies were admitted fnto the Order ? The tax then put upon restrained constitutional weaknesses would be so great that the benefits derived from the teachings of Freemasonry might be expected to be absorbed by the spontaneous combustion of Philosophy , and every Brother who was a husband or a father might dearly regret his initiation .

Correspondence.

Freemasonry is too solemn a Ritual to be treated lightly , and when tho principles are strictly adhered to amongst men , it is a perfect boon upon earth when a man can go and pass a few pleasant hours under its canopy and in mutual accord as only man to man understand , leaving tho careo of life ( business and domestic )

behind . He feels that he has formed a connection where respect is both given and received ; and in his daily walks of life there is a moral duty within his own breast to do unto others in similar circumstances as he would wish they would do to him , and above all not to be guilty of anything that would tend to lose him the respect of his Brethren .

I have often noticed Brethren of mature age in Freemasonry , and advanced in honours , purposely refraining from attending gatherings where ladies were present , and silently drawing the curtain between their homes aud their Brethren , which leads mo to think that they are conversant with the frailties that I have foreshadowed , and that they enjoy all the pleasures of Freemasonry without the risk of pitfalls .

In conclusion let me admonish ladies to be content , ever remembering that it was Eve's indiscretion that reversed the Garden of Paradise . Yours faithfully , ROYAL ARCH .

Lecture On The Talmud.

LECTURE ON THE TALMUD .

rpHE Rev . Isidore Myers , B . A ., recently gave an address at a X gathering of East-end Freemasons at tho " Rising Sun , " Globe Road , on " The Talmud and Freemasonry , " and was so successful in gratifying tho Brethren who wero present , that a committee was formed and arrangements made for a public lecture at the Bromley Vestry Hall . This took place on the 24 th ult ., and the hall was well filled , a number of clergymen and leading members ' of the Masonic body being present .

The Rev . J . Parry , the vicar of Bromley , occupied the chair , and , in introducing tho lecturer , said the audience would learn that night something about a remarkable literature which had been the means of preserving the individuality and the unity of the ancient people of Israel during many centuries .

Tho Lecturer , without a note , held the close attention of his audience for an hour and a quarter , during which time the interest never once flagged . He spoke in perfect English , was impressive throughout , and at times movingly eloquent , in fact the lecture , throughout its descriptive , dramatic , pathetic , and humorous parts , was thoroughly enjoyed , and was received with every demonstration of applause .

Bro . Tijou , in eulogistic and humorous terms proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer , which was seconded by the Rev . J . Greaves , who said that above all things he hated flattery , but he felt bound to say that a more lucid or a more masterly lecture ho had never heard in his life .

The vote of thanks was carried with acclamation . A similar compliment was passed to the chairman , on the motion of Mr . L . Levy , seconded by the Rev . J . F . Stern , both of whom spoke of the kindly feeling which characterised such broad minded Christians as the Rev . Mr . Parry . The Chairman gracefully acknowledged the compliment , remarking that he

thoroughly enjoyed the eloquent address of the lecturer , who reminded him very much of the Bishop of Ripon and Archdeacon Farrar , and that he was confident that that evening would help to strengthen the good feeling between the Christians and their Jewish fellow citizens . In conclusion , the Chairman reminded the audience that it was the birthday of Her Majesty that day , and

that , consistently with the sentiments of loyalty inculcated in the lecture in the name of the Talmud , the loyalty of all present should be manifested by singing the National Anthem . This was accordingly done , Miss Dora Da Costa playing the accompaniment as charmingly as she had played other music during the earlier part of the evening .

The committee who had tho management of the lecture , and their energetic Secretary Mr . H . Harris , are to bo congratulated on tho success of the meeting , all the proceedings of which were of an entertaining character . As numerous applications for tickets had to be refused for this lecture , we are informed that at a future date the Rev . Bro . Myers will be invited to give another lecture at the large hall of the Bow and Bromley Institute . —" East London Observer . "

Holiday Arrangements.

HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS .

THE London , Chatham and Dover Railway Company announce that on and from the 1 st of June a now morning express train at cheap fares will leave Victoria at 9 . 45 a . m ., Holborn and St . Paul's at 9 . 40 a . m ., running fast to Heme Bay , Westgate , Margate , Broadstairs , and Ramsgate . The Granville Express will leave at 3 . 25 p . m ., and on Saturdays a special relief express will

leave Victoria at 3 . 15 p . m ., and Holborn 3 13 p . m ., running direct from Heme Hill to Margate , and thence to Broadstairs and Ramsgate . On Monday mornings a special fast train will leave Ramsgate at 7 . 40 a . m . for St . Paul ' s , calling only at Broadstairs , Margate , and Heme Bay . To meet thc increasing demands made

by the traffic to Deal , the company have put on a through express , leaving Victoria at 10 a . m . aud Holborn at 9 . 55 a . m . Passengers wishing to spend Saturday to Monday at Deal or Walmer will find a new through fast train from Holborn at 1 . 20 p . m ., and from St .

Paul's at 1 . 23 p . m ., calling only at Faversham , Canterbury , Kearnsey , and Martin Mill . This train will also convey passengers to Dover and the Kent Coast branch , and cheap Saturday to Monday tickets will be issued to the various stations . Particulars of many other Holiday trips may bo had from the Company .