Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

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

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —So far as essential principles are involved in the discussion as to the wisdom or otherwise of professional concerts at installation banquets , yonr article , entitled " Dangerous Tendencies , " answers " J . G . ' s " letter that appeared in the same issue . There are pointshowever , that may be briefly dealt with , if

INSTALLATION CONCERTS .

, only to show how real the dangers are of the besetting sin of the pride of the purse . "J . G . "is evidently sore at the remarks you were pleased to make in connection with the proceedings at the installation banquet of St . Martin's Lodge , and in his anger he is somewhat reckless . He sneers at myself and your other correspondent " R . L . X . " for taking a fortnight to muster np " boldness" to

support your views , but he forgets that editors are sometimes compelled to postpone the appearance of letters and other matter to make room for more pressing claims . I presume that is the explanation of the delay of the appearance of my own letter at least . But suppose it were otherwise , how does the question of time affect the matter at issue ? Not at all , and the reference to it by "J . G . " only serves

as a peg on which to hang an unworthy suspicion . It required no boldness on my part to attack an evil that is only too apparent , and I may add that my courage , unlike that of Bob Acres , is not in danger of oozing out of the palms of my hands . The boldness , even unto rashness , seems to me to lie with " J . G ., " who assumes so much and proves so little . He regards his own experience as conclusive , and

poses in the character of " Sir Oracle" with more assurance than characterises wise and modest men . Referring to myself and "R . L . X ., " he says onr " effusions appear . . . foil of contradictions and beside the question at issue , " and that he did not propose to dilate npon them ; yet he proceeds to do the very thing he promised not to do . This contradiction mig ht be passed over had he dealt

fairly with the views he appears to hold in contempt . No one ques - tions the desirability of arranging the bnsiness proceedings of a banquet , and to assume that I hold a contrary opinion , and the contrast " J . G . " has instituted in the second paragraph of his letter , is simply begging the whole question . It does not follow that no provision is made by members of a Lodge

because professional . singers are not engaged , and how business can be expedited by lengthening the proceedings passes my comprehension . I question " J . G . 's " judgment as to the relative value of the entertaining powers of members of , and visitors to , Lodges and professional artistes . I do not desire to disparage the skiH of trained musicians , but Lodge banquets are not the occasions for its exercise .

Rivers ceased to flow and mountains danced to the piping of Orpheus , but there came a time when circumstances were more powerful than the god's charms . Music , no doubt , is beautiful of itself , but there are times when it is not desirable , or when its use would interfere with the performance of necessary duties . Set concerts and Masonic banquets do not agree ; they are objectionable because they prolong

proceedings , sometimes prevent the full and free exchange of those courtesies which brethren and visitors have a right lo expect , stop the friendly chat , limit the action of the W . M ., and g ive an unnatural and strained tone to everything around . In fact , they are the sur . vival of the nnflttest , and would not be tolerated for a moment were the members generally heard as to the arrangements , especially if

they had to bear the expense . What is more p leasant than the fraternal greetings of the brethren , and where can they be so well exchanged as at the banquet table ? What affords more fun than joking a brother about his harmless eccentricities of speech or song ? All this is impossible where professional artistes are engaged ; stiff , ness and formality prevail where all should be free and joyous . The

W . M . feels tbat he must get through the programme if only to secure his money ' s worth ; all is hurry and very often confusion . There is no real pleasure except to a few musical enthusiasts , and probably to the author of the extravagance , who may pride himself upon the show he has made , in the end to discover tbat be has been following a " Will-o ' -the-wisp , " the phantom of respect and not the reality .

" J . G . is as much in fault in his inferences as in his assnmp . tions . He takes strange liberties with his opponents . I am not in favour of anything in Masonry being done by " hook or by crook . " The idea is one of " J . G . ' s " fictions . I believe in good men and true being appointed to fill the chair of K . S ., but I object to the creation of inequalities which are the result of a lavish , or , if the term is

preferred , generous expenditure of money . Social distinctions exist outside the Lodge , not within , and he who contributes to their formation violates the fundamental principles of the Craft and sets up a false and artificial standard . Freemasonry should make the poor brother richer because of his brotherhood , and the rich brother is certainly made poorer when he indulges in show and sets up as a

cash-proud Pharisee . Every brother is entitled to equal respect unless found unworthy , and the possession of riches count as nothing in pure Freemasonry . Money is needed to carry on the work of charity j it is necessary for the usual expenses of tbe Lodge . Beyond these wants all else is show and fanfaronade , shoddy , the vice of

prosperity , and the curse of unlawful ambition . It is unmanly to point the finger of scorn at a poor brother ; it is an outrage upon the principles of the Order . Each Lodge judges as to the fitness of a member before he is initiated ; once admitted he stands primaril y on the same footing as any other member . Work , attention to duty , and the cultivation of Masonic virtues alone are the passports

Correspondence.

to office and to fame , and whatever militates against their exercise ia injurious to the Craft . The Lodge invariably marks the honour done to a brother when he is promoted to the chair by providing a special banquet according to the funds at its disposal , which renders it unnecessary for any additional outlay by the W . M . The " extra five-oonnd note . " therefore , is not required , but if the W . M ., in the

fullness of his joy , " on one of the most ausp icious occasions of his life , " wishes to make a money-offering , there is his own Lodge Bene * volent Fnnd , or should be , and the several Charities open to receive it . No Lodge acts niggardly that provides according to its means , and if a member , because he happens to be the W . M . for the time being , takes upon himself to supplement the arrangements out of hia private purse , he insults the Lodge , sets an example which his sue . cessor may not be able or willing to follow , and creates a distinction

that is opposed to the truths of Freemasonry . Yours fraternally , I . P . M .

" Poor Candidates And The Voting System."

" POOR CANDIDATES AND THE VOTING SYSTEM . "

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I dare say many , like myself , have read the letter of " The Mother of a Candidate , " that appeared in your last issue , with mingled feelings of compassion aud regret . The writer has passed through the ordeal of canvass and voting in con . nection with one of our Charities , and she knows by experience the

difficulties that have to be encountered , especially by those of limited means , and who have but few influential friends to back their efforts The task is indeed hard , and , I fear , often impossible to accomplish , owing to the lack of a sum of money absolutely necessary to make known their claims to those who can sustain them . The poor , struggling widow demands compassion , but the regret is that so

little can be done for her by any general legislation . I quite agree with the suggestions you made in your article under the above heading , and which appeared in the CHRONICLE of the 27 th ult . It occurs to me that those who take especial interest in cases should assure themselves that the applicants have the necessary means to put their claims fnlly and fairly before the subscribers . They should

do this in justice to themselves , but more particularly out of compassion for claimants of limited means , who otherwise might be tempted to spend their little all upon one child , and incur liabilities that would perhaps weigh them down for years . It should not be forgotten that the extent of their poverty is the measure of their

necessity , and that to help the poorest ia even better than to hel p the poor . I wish all applicants could be successful , but as that cannot be , it surely is right to give the preference to those who need help the most . The arguments that apply to individuals are equally applicable to Lodges , with this difference , that the latter could , in nearly all oases , better afford the inevitable outlay consequent upon

contests than the former . I do not approve of the new plan of election your correspondent has sketched oub . Were it feasible , I do not think it would be prudent to issue presentations to any one , muoh less to Her Majesty and to the Prince of Wales . The holders of presentations would be subject to pressure from friends , and the carrying out of the scheme

would entail an amount of attention and labour that neither the Queen nor the Prince ¦ of Wales ought to be expected to undertake . The selection of candidates would be limited in an arbitrary manner , and might be so exercised as unwittingly to exclude deserving cases . As it is at present , all candidates who comply with the necessary regulations which experience has proved to be essential , can have a

chance , and if the precautions I have pointed out as to means are taken , there is no reason why the poorest case shonld not have an equal if not a better chance than any other . " The Mother of a Candidate " is strong when dealing with the difficulties of canvass , but her remedy , I fear , would but intensify the evils that unfortunately exist . It is a knotty problem to solve , and while I differ from your fair correspondent , I sincerely respect

the motive and courage that have prompted her to offer a solution . She has evidently pondered over the matter , and if others would do tbe same and send the results to you , perhaps some method might be devised that would be welcome to the great body of subscribers , more hopeful for the candidates , and better calculated to secure the noble ends of charity . I trust the question will receive attention at the hands of those who have had experience in charity voting especially in connection with our own institutions . Tours fraternally , WATCHMAN .

Oh! Frederic, How Many Frauds Have Masons Committed In Thy Name?

OH ! FREDERIC , HOW MANY FRAUDS HAVE MASONS COMMITTED IN THY NAME ?

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Every reader of your paper has doubtless heard or read about the forged charter at Charleston , South Carolinanpon which the high degree luminaries have erected their

, superstructure of the so-called " Ancient and Accepted Rite , " but very few know that numerous Masonic forged letters have been printed , signed " Fredric . " Hero is one of these I copied about four months ago from the Keystone , Philadelphia .

FREDERIC THE GREAT AND FREEMASONRY . The Freemasons' Lodge at Aashen , which had been defunct for some time , was resuscitated and newly installed by her mother Lodge , at Wetzlui , in the year 1778 . -, The Lector Greinesman , of the Dominihuner cloister at Aashen ana