Holiday Haunts.

Castle , one of Mary ' s favonrite resorts , some of the most prominent views of Edinburgh come into sight . The city is itself called " Cale . donia ' s Queen , " but when Sir David Wilkie avers that " What the tour of Europe was necessary to see 1 find congregated in this one city , " we may be pardoned if wo say that he has borrowed a good deal of the colour of language to paint his flattering picture . That

Edinburgh is beautifnl goes without saying ; it possesses grand natural advantages , and then it has such a history , such thrilling associations , as to endear it to all who love their country . Before leaving Edinburgh a trip should bo taken to the Trossachs . This tonr involves variety in the mode of travelling as well as of scene , ancl such places as Linlithgow , where Queen Mary was born , Stirling and

Callender are embraced in it . Loohs and glens are intorspersed , rail , coach , and river are utilised , and the whole journey is one of picturesqne beauty and change . The route from Carlisle to Glasgow is not so full of historio interest as that to Edinburgh , and yet it passes through some choice bits of scenery , a great deal of it associated with Burns , Scotia ' s immortal

bard . A few miles from Carlisle is Gretna Green , where marriage difficulties used to be settled in the most summary manner . Either along the lino or not far from it are many interesting spots , notably Dumfries , where Burns spent the latter part of his life ; tho Ettriok Hills , where Hogg wrote and gained his inspiration ; Closebutn Hall , once the seat of the Kilpatricks , from the male line of whom it is

stated the ex-Empress Eugenie is descended . A capital view is obtained of Drumlanrig Castle , one of the choicest bits of scenery in Nithsdale . At Mauohline , where the Covenanters obtained a great viotory , a branch line leads to Ayr , a shrine which attraota pilgrims from all parts of the world . Amid the scenes around Burns wrought as a ploughman and drank deep of nature . It is hallowed ground , sacred to genius and the memory of a great , loving , and tender

heart . There is little else on the journey after Ayr to gratify the tourist . Glasgow is a busy hive , and possesses some fine buildings , among which the New University is one of the most beautiful and conspicuous objects . From what we have written it will ba gathered that the Midland Hue affords ample resources for the gratification of all ploasure seekers , and that it leads in some cases to spots of excelling charm .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . All Letters must bear the name anl acZcZrcss 0 / the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

THE PRICKED WINDBAG . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —It is evident that Brother Perceval is determined to achieve a cheap notoriety by his persistence in his somewhat reckless charges against the executive of Grand Lodge and the late Board of General Purposes , and by his not accepting the crushing defeat inflicted on him by " W ATCHMAN " in the CHRONICLE

of the 21 st July . There are , however , two of three points not touch : d on in that letter which I should ask a little space to advert to . Brother Perceval makes four specific charges : — 1 st . That tho Grand Registrar and Grand Director of Ceremonies conspired together to obstruct the business of Grand Lodge of

6 th June until 10 o ' clock wa 3 reached , in order to prevent Brother Perceval ' s motion as to the Revise of the Constitutions coming on . 2 nd . That tho Board of General Pnrposes iu fixing the day for the Special Grand Lodge to consider that revision , carefully selected a certain day and hour in order to stifle debate , and neglected their duty by not informing the Grand Lodge of 6 th June of the fixture .

3 rd . That the Board of General Purposes had officiously and improperly undertaken the Revision , thus showing great disrespect to Grand Lodge . 4 th . That the Board of General Purposes having had the amendments referred to them for consideration , with instructions to report to Grand Lodge in June , had failed to mako any report , thus

committing a hreach of their duty . That each charge is nttorly nnfouiidod I now proceed to point out . 1 st . Tho chargo of conspiracy is so serions that Brothor Perceval might fairly oxpect to bo summoned to answer for it before a Masonio Tribunal , hut I fancy the two distinguished brethren incriminated will treat it with the contempt it deserves . Thoso who know them

—and they aro legion—well know how utterly incapable they aro of such conduct . But the question in all such cases is , what would the object be ? the answer is , none whatever . Had Brother Perceval brought on his motion , it would , no doubt , havo been at once gladly met by the President of the Board of General Purposes , stating what was the fact , that the Board had just finished their work , and that

the result was ready for the consideration of Grand Lodge . As for the Grand Director of Ceremonies consulting his watch , Brother Perceval forgets that it is bis duty to inform tho Grand Master when tho time arrives , after which no fresh business can be commenced . 2 nd . Bro . Perceval nets himself up as au export iu Matsonic law . May I ask him where he has ascertained that it i 3 within the power

ot-auy part of the duty of the Board of General Purposes , to iix the day and hour for Special Graud Lodges ? Let me tell him that it is no more their business than his—but belongs to the Grand Mastsr or Pro Grand Master alone . I have some reason for believing th ; it in this prewnt ense the day aud hour were fixed by the Pro Grand Master ttftwr the meetiug of 6 th Juuo . The late Board cannot there-

Correspondence.

fore take credit for the deep cunning which Bro . Perceval so charitably ascribes to them . 3 rd . The Board of General Purposes ( of last year ) are charged

with acting improperly in suggesting certain alterations in the Book of Constitutions . I refer Bco . Perceval to paragraph 21 , page U 3 , Book of Constitutions , wherein he will find ample and clear powers given to the Board to originate such matters .

4 th . As to the Board of General Purposes neglecting to comply with the order of Grand Lodge to report on the amendments to the Grand Lodge of Jane . This is so precise a charge that your readers have no doubt accepted it as of necessity correct , they will probably be astonished to hear that Grand Lodge , in referring the amendments

to the Board , prescribed NO DATE on or before whioh their report was to be furnished . I think I have now said sufficient to satisfy your readers , and even

Bro . Perceval , that he nas put forward charges which are entirely groundless and untrue , aud I therefore call on him to fulfil the promise contained in his letter iu the CHRONICLE , of the 28 th July , as to making " the most ample apology that can be required . "

lam , Yours faithfully , A MEMUER Otf THE LATE BOARD Oi' GENERAL PURPOSES . 2 nd August 1883 .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —As Bro . "W ATCHMAN" declines die . dosing his individuality , I must decline continuing this one-sided correspondence with an unknown adversary who persists in shooting from behind the hedge . I will , therefore , leave unanswered any of the accusations he has brought against me in his last letter , which

appeared in your issue of the 4 th instant . I would , however , recom . mend him , when quoting from mine or anybody else ' s letters , that he do so directly ; for instance , in my letter of the 16 th July , " a Committee should be formed outside of the Board of General Purposes ; " aud yet in his of the 21 st the following appears : —He ( Bro . Perceval ) " condemns the Board of General Purposes , and yet

he would select six of their number , " and other instances in which he has misrepresented the meaning of my text , though he may have nearly quoted tho words correctly . I now say , good day to Bro . " WATCHMAN , " and when he feels inclined to reveal himself I shall have no objection to enter the arena with him in friendly contest . The Special Graud Lodge , with Bro . Lord Holmesdale in the chair ,

completed its work on Wednesday . There was not much discussion , except with regard to the status of joining Past Masters . The decision arrived at , as I understand it , is this , " That upon any P . M . of one Lodge joining another Lodge , he shall take rank immediately after tho Junior or Immediate P . M . " It is a very vexed question , and it is difficult to satisfy all . How this new law will work time alone

can show . There are some Lodges where even the promoters , if Past Masters , are debarred from passing the ohair , or where a brother belonging to two Lodges , and holding office in each , in the one in which he elects to pass the chair first he is of course a P . M . ; but the other chair is forbidden ground to him . He may serve aa S . W ., and then be relegated to the ranks . I think that something of

this kind might meet the caae—that the Past Masters have a distinot status of their own in a Lodge , without interfering with the members proper , and have a distinctive title , say extra P . M . Something of this kind might be done to do away with any little acerbities or chances of P . M . ' s of one Lodge being excluded by withdrawal or blackballing from others .

A large number of the clauses required slightly tochnical alterations ; these were generally received and adopted . Many others remained without any alteration , and altogether this meeting was far more satisfactory and successful than the former 5 the contrast between the attendance of Provincial and Loudon brethren was strikingly in favour of the former , and if the latter are not satisfied

with what took place , they will only have themselves to blame . As it seems impossible to obtain anything like a unanimous feeling amongst them to fight their own battles , it is hopeless for one or two individuals to take upon themselves tho thankless task , thus being deemed obnoxious and troublesome , causiug ill-feeling amongst friends , for which no occasion ever existed . Yours fraternally ,

P . M . 1607 . THE INSTITUTION AT CROYDON .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I am not unmindful of the interest taken in Masonic matters once a week by the Evening News , a paper I read and often enjoy . I know the writer of the " column" by repute , but I have not the pleasure of his acquaintance . It appears , Sir , I have excited the ire of the writer referred to ; it may

be also that I have offended Bro . Terry . I intended no such offence . There ia not a word in my letter which appeared in your last issue reflecting upon the treatment of tho inmates of the ' ¦ Institution . " I called tho houses there Almshouses , and still maintain that that is a proper name for them . My argument went to show that the cost of the " Institution , " meaning of course the houses in question , was

in disproportion to their real value , and that it would be better to allow all tbe recipients of the Benevolent Fund a fixed sum of money , to enable them either to live in their own homes or with their frieods , so that they might " be free in the sight of the world from the badge of dependence . " I do not question for one moment the assertion that the inmates are kindly treated . I huvo said nothing to the contrary , nor do I wish to imply censure of any kind ou the mauogeiaeui"