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Article CORRESPONDENCE. ← Page 2 of 2 Article REVIEWS. Page 1 of 1 Article THE QUARTERLIES. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
under all circumstances . To put a bar on the door of my lips , and at the same time to offer me the free use of my pen , is , to mo , a refinement of inconsistency that my plain reason does not permit me to comprehend . This is the way in which I purposed making the attempt . For several years past I have felt that the time must have arrived when
Grand Lodge might fairly be asked to re-consider the amount annually contributed from its f nnds to the two educational institutions , though guided solely , I am prepared to admit , by the exigencies of the Boys' school . Knowing how strong a feeling existed in opposition to the terms of Bro . Clabon's motion , it was my intention to propose an amendment , to the effect" that it be referred to tho
Board of General Purposes to consider the amount of the annual grants by Grand Lodge to the charitable institutions associated with the Order , and to report thereon to Grand Lodge . " No large amount of " sentiment" here , nor any very forcible " argument ad misericordiam . " I should have based my proposition on these statistics : — In the year 1812 , 3 rd June , " It Avas resolved and ordered that
every Lodge in and adjacent to the cities of London and Westminster , upon tho registering of every new-made Mason , shall contribute and pay the sum of five shillings ; and that every Country , Foreign , and Military Lodge , upon the registering of every new-made Mason , shall in like manner pay the sum of two shillings and sixpence j which sum shall go , and bo paid , in aid of the Institution for
clothing and educating the sons of deceased and indigent Freemasons . " In the year 1812 , the number of boys " clothed and educated " { notmaintained ) was 50 . The total payments to this Institution by Grand Lodge , for a period of 14 years , from 1826 to 1839 , was £ 1 , 536 6 s 3 d , Avhioh gives an average of some few shillings less than £ 110 .
Estimating the fee all round at 2 s Gd this would represent 880 certificates to " new-made Masons . " For the year ending March 1839 the total expenditure of the Institution was £ 536 . The payment of 2 s 6 d on each certificate was , in the next year , commuted for an annual subsidy of £ 150 , and at that amount it has remained ever since . Up to 1840 , therefore , Grand Lodge saw fit to
undertake about 20 per cent , of the total expenditure of the Institution . In the year 1874 tho number of boys educated , clothed and main ' lained was 176 , and tho total expenditure was ( in round figures , subject to audit ) £ 7 , 800 . In tho same year , 1874 , 1 apprehend , at a low estimate , the issue of
certificates will have reached 8 , 000—which , had the fee of 2 s 6 d remained , vrould have yielded £ 800 . If , therefore , the commutation of the fee of 2 s 6 d was fair in 1840 , it is manifestly not equitable to continue it at the same sum in 1874 , and surely thero is nothing censurable in attempting a revision . From my point of view , I think , Sir and Brother , here is contained the
" hard reality of figures , " and I have no wish to weaken their force by any farther comments of mine . " Quieta , non movcre" is all very well in some affairs . Ifc has not , BO far as I am aware , been adopted as a Masonic adage , certainly not so far as our Institutions are concerned . They have grown with Masonry—with the progress of tho Order they have progressed ,
more than pari passu . The principle oi a grant has been conceded , and I ask that , from the largely augmented annual receipts of Grand Lodge , some considerably increased annual help should be given , to relieve those Institutions from the heavy burdens which they have been called upon to bear .
In conclusion , I would express tho fullest confidence that such a revision of the grants by Grand Lodge would in no way interfere with the contributions from Private Lodges , Chapters , and Provincial Grand Lodges , nor would it in any way operate to dam the stream of individual benevolence .
I am , Sir and Brother , Yonrs fraternally , FREDERICK BINCKES . London , 18 th January , 1875 . [ Wo readily insert this letter , but we beg to direct Bro . Binckes ' s attention to the notice at the heading of our correspondence column . —ED . FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . ]
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
All Books intended for Beview should be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , 67 Barbican , E . C . — : o : — The Old Constitutions belonging to the Ancient and Honourable Society of Freemasons . Eeprints of the Editions of 1722-1723 . London
and Dublin . 1730 . Edited by the Itev . John Edmund Cox , D . D ., F . S . A . London : Itichard Spencer . 1871 . THESE beautiful reprints should be in the hands of every Freemason who is interested in the Archeology of tho Order . They are
exquisitely printed in the old face type , as nearly like the originals as possible , while some of the wood-cuts , and two frontispieces have been produced in facsimile . Apart from their Masonic interest , these reprints show that the printer ' s art , early in the last century , was
guided by the best taste . The title pages are really admirable examples of letter-press , and the headings and tail-pieces to the chapters are very characteristic , as records of Masonic affairs , and as
contributions towards that comprehensive history of Freemasonry which will some day be written , they are invaluable . The Editor ' s preface , and the Publisher ' s remarks upon the originals embody much interesting information .
The Quarterlies.
THE QUARTERLIES .
OUR readers AVIII find much to interest them in the latest issues of these important periodicals . Tho opening article in the Quarterly is a long and very elaborate review of the " Groville Memoirs , " It was only last week that , in noticing " Social Pressure , " we took occasion to illustrate the author ' s remarks on " Over-Publicity " by
a reference to the publication of these very journals . AVe had not , of course , then seen this article . It is the more gratifying , therefore , to find that the Quarterly critic holds exactly the same opinion as ourselves as to the more than indecent hasto which has been shoAvn in publishing memoirs which should certainly not have seen tho light
of day for at least the next fifty years , and then not in tho form iu Avhich they have appeared . AVe cannot do better , perhaps , than quote the concluding paragraph of this most valuable protest against the evil of " Over-Publicity . " " AVe are not aware , " says tho writer , " that we have overstepped , by a hair ' s breadth , the strictest limits
of literary courtesy in onr strong condomziation of this book . AVe have tacitly assumed that Grevillo wrote the most objectionable passages without a view to publication , and that Mr . Eecvo published them without intending to injure or annoy anybody . AVhat is dono cannot be undoue . But a grave error has been committed , which
must not and ( we think ) will not be repeated . AVe venture to prophesy that the remaining portions of the Journal will not see tho light in our time—certainly not in the samo crude , mischievous , unsatisfactory form . Nor will the world be ranch tho losers should any meditated publication of the same sort be deferred for tho next
hundred yeiirs . If contemporary history cannot be written Avithout the aid of such memoirs , we had rather do without contemporary history ; AVC can Avait , for it is our firm conviction that any inforuiamation or entertainment Avhich may be derived from them is far more than counterbalanced by the annoyance they create , the distrust they
inspire , the angry feelings they foster , and tho false impressions of character and conduct they diffuse . " Thero arc also admirable notices of tho "Life of the Prince Consort , " " Farrar ' s Life of Christ , '' a paper on " Friendly Societies , " and two articles on matters
connected with Legal Reform . In the first are considered the relations that exist between " The English Bar and the Inns of Court . " In tho other , " The Judicial Investigation of Truth " is handled Avith a skill aud sense that are worthy of all praise . Tho points to which the writer of tho second article devotes his chief attention are these :
( a ) the laAV must be applied to every particular case with the minimum of error ; ( b ) the law should work Avith the minimum of delay , ( e ) with the minimum of expense . Our readers will agree with ns that the attainment of these several objects is highly desirable , and wo strongly advise them to study the many and excellent suggestions to this end Avhich the writer offers .
Among the most valuable contributions to tho Edinburgh , may be mentioned a review of " Lord Ellenborough ' s Indian Administration , " based on the recently published memoirs , edited by Lord Colchester . Two critical notices of " the Life of the Prince Consort" and " Cox ' s History of Greece , " and " a Memoir of Archibald Constable . "
Other articles deal with . " Lnsio Pilaris and Lawn Tennis , " iu which the writer ably sketches the old game of tennis and the more recent and highly popular one known as Sphairistikc or lawn tennis , offering , at the same time , many practical suggestions for the perfection of the latter;— " The Agricultural Labourers of England , "
in which their complaints are analysed in a perfectly impartial spirit , aud their condition compared with that of labourers in different continental countries;—aud " Tho Heart of Africa and tho Slave Trade , " Dr . Sehweinfurth ' s well known work being one of the
bases of tho last mentioned article , Sir Samuel Baker ' s "Ismailia " the other . Those persons Avho have not read these very valuable works will be enabled to form a capital idea of their merits , assuming , at least , that they have little or no leisure for the private study of the original Avorks themselves .
Among the contents of Popular Science we noticed especially au elaborate article on " Gunpowder : its Manufacture and Conveyance . " Considering the terrible effects of the "Regent ' s Park Explosion , " the question of conveyance is of tho first importance , aud we aro glad to learn from this article that every possible precaution is
observed in conveying gunpowder from the Government factory to the stores at Purflcet . As to its manufacture , we are freely initiated into the system pursued at AValthatu ; and here , too , it scetns tho authorities observe the utmost care , so as to reduce the possibility of
any accident to a minimum . Kor is this all : the process of inanu . facfcnre is fully described , and an insight given us into the several descriptions of powder in use , so that any of our readers who may have a taste for this kind of study will derive much valuable infor . mation from this article .
Civs HOUSE PIAYTITO CAKBS . —Mogul Quality , picked is 3 d per pack , lis per dozen f cks . Do . seconds Is per pack , lis per dozen packs . If by post lid per pack extra . Cords for Piipiet , I 56 ziyue , Kcarte , & c , JIosn . il Quality lod per pack , Oi per dozen packs—London : AY . W , Jtorpmn , e 7 Barbican , E . O .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence.
under all circumstances . To put a bar on the door of my lips , and at the same time to offer me the free use of my pen , is , to mo , a refinement of inconsistency that my plain reason does not permit me to comprehend . This is the way in which I purposed making the attempt . For several years past I have felt that the time must have arrived when
Grand Lodge might fairly be asked to re-consider the amount annually contributed from its f nnds to the two educational institutions , though guided solely , I am prepared to admit , by the exigencies of the Boys' school . Knowing how strong a feeling existed in opposition to the terms of Bro . Clabon's motion , it was my intention to propose an amendment , to the effect" that it be referred to tho
Board of General Purposes to consider the amount of the annual grants by Grand Lodge to the charitable institutions associated with the Order , and to report thereon to Grand Lodge . " No large amount of " sentiment" here , nor any very forcible " argument ad misericordiam . " I should have based my proposition on these statistics : — In the year 1812 , 3 rd June , " It Avas resolved and ordered that
every Lodge in and adjacent to the cities of London and Westminster , upon tho registering of every new-made Mason , shall contribute and pay the sum of five shillings ; and that every Country , Foreign , and Military Lodge , upon the registering of every new-made Mason , shall in like manner pay the sum of two shillings and sixpence j which sum shall go , and bo paid , in aid of the Institution for
clothing and educating the sons of deceased and indigent Freemasons . " In the year 1812 , the number of boys " clothed and educated " { notmaintained ) was 50 . The total payments to this Institution by Grand Lodge , for a period of 14 years , from 1826 to 1839 , was £ 1 , 536 6 s 3 d , Avhioh gives an average of some few shillings less than £ 110 .
Estimating the fee all round at 2 s Gd this would represent 880 certificates to " new-made Masons . " For the year ending March 1839 the total expenditure of the Institution was £ 536 . The payment of 2 s 6 d on each certificate was , in the next year , commuted for an annual subsidy of £ 150 , and at that amount it has remained ever since . Up to 1840 , therefore , Grand Lodge saw fit to
undertake about 20 per cent , of the total expenditure of the Institution . In the year 1874 tho number of boys educated , clothed and main ' lained was 176 , and tho total expenditure was ( in round figures , subject to audit ) £ 7 , 800 . In tho same year , 1874 , 1 apprehend , at a low estimate , the issue of
certificates will have reached 8 , 000—which , had the fee of 2 s 6 d remained , vrould have yielded £ 800 . If , therefore , the commutation of the fee of 2 s 6 d was fair in 1840 , it is manifestly not equitable to continue it at the same sum in 1874 , and surely thero is nothing censurable in attempting a revision . From my point of view , I think , Sir and Brother , here is contained the
" hard reality of figures , " and I have no wish to weaken their force by any farther comments of mine . " Quieta , non movcre" is all very well in some affairs . Ifc has not , BO far as I am aware , been adopted as a Masonic adage , certainly not so far as our Institutions are concerned . They have grown with Masonry—with the progress of tho Order they have progressed ,
more than pari passu . The principle oi a grant has been conceded , and I ask that , from the largely augmented annual receipts of Grand Lodge , some considerably increased annual help should be given , to relieve those Institutions from the heavy burdens which they have been called upon to bear .
In conclusion , I would express tho fullest confidence that such a revision of the grants by Grand Lodge would in no way interfere with the contributions from Private Lodges , Chapters , and Provincial Grand Lodges , nor would it in any way operate to dam the stream of individual benevolence .
I am , Sir and Brother , Yonrs fraternally , FREDERICK BINCKES . London , 18 th January , 1875 . [ Wo readily insert this letter , but we beg to direct Bro . Binckes ' s attention to the notice at the heading of our correspondence column . —ED . FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . ]
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
All Books intended for Beview should be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , 67 Barbican , E . C . — : o : — The Old Constitutions belonging to the Ancient and Honourable Society of Freemasons . Eeprints of the Editions of 1722-1723 . London
and Dublin . 1730 . Edited by the Itev . John Edmund Cox , D . D ., F . S . A . London : Itichard Spencer . 1871 . THESE beautiful reprints should be in the hands of every Freemason who is interested in the Archeology of tho Order . They are
exquisitely printed in the old face type , as nearly like the originals as possible , while some of the wood-cuts , and two frontispieces have been produced in facsimile . Apart from their Masonic interest , these reprints show that the printer ' s art , early in the last century , was
guided by the best taste . The title pages are really admirable examples of letter-press , and the headings and tail-pieces to the chapters are very characteristic , as records of Masonic affairs , and as
contributions towards that comprehensive history of Freemasonry which will some day be written , they are invaluable . The Editor ' s preface , and the Publisher ' s remarks upon the originals embody much interesting information .
The Quarterlies.
THE QUARTERLIES .
OUR readers AVIII find much to interest them in the latest issues of these important periodicals . Tho opening article in the Quarterly is a long and very elaborate review of the " Groville Memoirs , " It was only last week that , in noticing " Social Pressure , " we took occasion to illustrate the author ' s remarks on " Over-Publicity " by
a reference to the publication of these very journals . AVe had not , of course , then seen this article . It is the more gratifying , therefore , to find that the Quarterly critic holds exactly the same opinion as ourselves as to the more than indecent hasto which has been shoAvn in publishing memoirs which should certainly not have seen tho light
of day for at least the next fifty years , and then not in tho form iu Avhich they have appeared . AVe cannot do better , perhaps , than quote the concluding paragraph of this most valuable protest against the evil of " Over-Publicity . " " AVe are not aware , " says tho writer , " that we have overstepped , by a hair ' s breadth , the strictest limits
of literary courtesy in onr strong condomziation of this book . AVe have tacitly assumed that Grevillo wrote the most objectionable passages without a view to publication , and that Mr . Eecvo published them without intending to injure or annoy anybody . AVhat is dono cannot be undoue . But a grave error has been committed , which
must not and ( we think ) will not be repeated . AVe venture to prophesy that the remaining portions of the Journal will not see tho light in our time—certainly not in the samo crude , mischievous , unsatisfactory form . Nor will the world be ranch tho losers should any meditated publication of the same sort be deferred for tho next
hundred yeiirs . If contemporary history cannot be written Avithout the aid of such memoirs , we had rather do without contemporary history ; AVC can Avait , for it is our firm conviction that any inforuiamation or entertainment Avhich may be derived from them is far more than counterbalanced by the annoyance they create , the distrust they
inspire , the angry feelings they foster , and tho false impressions of character and conduct they diffuse . " Thero arc also admirable notices of tho "Life of the Prince Consort , " " Farrar ' s Life of Christ , '' a paper on " Friendly Societies , " and two articles on matters
connected with Legal Reform . In the first are considered the relations that exist between " The English Bar and the Inns of Court . " In tho other , " The Judicial Investigation of Truth " is handled Avith a skill aud sense that are worthy of all praise . Tho points to which the writer of tho second article devotes his chief attention are these :
( a ) the laAV must be applied to every particular case with the minimum of error ; ( b ) the law should work Avith the minimum of delay , ( e ) with the minimum of expense . Our readers will agree with ns that the attainment of these several objects is highly desirable , and wo strongly advise them to study the many and excellent suggestions to this end Avhich the writer offers .
Among the most valuable contributions to tho Edinburgh , may be mentioned a review of " Lord Ellenborough ' s Indian Administration , " based on the recently published memoirs , edited by Lord Colchester . Two critical notices of " the Life of the Prince Consort" and " Cox ' s History of Greece , " and " a Memoir of Archibald Constable . "
Other articles deal with . " Lnsio Pilaris and Lawn Tennis , " iu which the writer ably sketches the old game of tennis and the more recent and highly popular one known as Sphairistikc or lawn tennis , offering , at the same time , many practical suggestions for the perfection of the latter;— " The Agricultural Labourers of England , "
in which their complaints are analysed in a perfectly impartial spirit , aud their condition compared with that of labourers in different continental countries;—aud " Tho Heart of Africa and tho Slave Trade , " Dr . Sehweinfurth ' s well known work being one of the
bases of tho last mentioned article , Sir Samuel Baker ' s "Ismailia " the other . Those persons Avho have not read these very valuable works will be enabled to form a capital idea of their merits , assuming , at least , that they have little or no leisure for the private study of the original Avorks themselves .
Among the contents of Popular Science we noticed especially au elaborate article on " Gunpowder : its Manufacture and Conveyance . " Considering the terrible effects of the "Regent ' s Park Explosion , " the question of conveyance is of tho first importance , aud we aro glad to learn from this article that every possible precaution is
observed in conveying gunpowder from the Government factory to the stores at Purflcet . As to its manufacture , we are freely initiated into the system pursued at AValthatu ; and here , too , it scetns tho authorities observe the utmost care , so as to reduce the possibility of
any accident to a minimum . Kor is this all : the process of inanu . facfcnre is fully described , and an insight given us into the several descriptions of powder in use , so that any of our readers who may have a taste for this kind of study will derive much valuable infor . mation from this article .
Civs HOUSE PIAYTITO CAKBS . —Mogul Quality , picked is 3 d per pack , lis per dozen f cks . Do . seconds Is per pack , lis per dozen packs . If by post lid per pack extra . Cords for Piipiet , I 56 ziyue , Kcarte , & c , JIosn . il Quality lod per pack , Oi per dozen packs—London : AY . W , Jtorpmn , e 7 Barbican , E . O .