Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . We ca / nnot undertake to return rejected communications . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee 0 / good faith .

"WHICH IS CORRECT ? To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DIAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In my attempts to answer " P . M ., P . Z , ' s " questions , I have strictly confined myself to saying which of his rival versions is , in my humble opinion , correct . Bro . Prances , however , has gone further , and offers a new reading for the whole Paradox . His version is , in some respects , an

improvement ; and by altering the fnll point after " axis to a comma , and connecting tho two absolute clauses by the insertion of " and , " his reading would be still further improved as a sentence . I fancy , however , objection may fairly be taken to the statement , " round which the earth revolves on its own axis . " As a matter of fact , the earth revolves round the aun , not on its own axis ,

but in a particular path or orbit . Its axial and orbital revolutions are two distinct operations , the former being repeated a certain number of times while the latter is being completed once . There , fore , to say " round which the earth , & o ., on its own axis , " is to say that which is not . If a reconstruction of the paradox is contemplated , I think it will have to be done by expansion rather

than contraction . Each proposition is correct enough . The sun is the centre , & o . The earth does revolve , Ac . Freemasonry is spread , & c . What is wanted is something to connect these together , in such manner that the conclusion therefrom may be immediately apparent . Allow trie to suggest the following , as certainly meeting the requirements of the case : —As the sun is the centre of the .... and

the earth , in its revolution round that centre , likewise revolves diurnally on its own axis , it follows that , Freemasonry being . . . . over the entire surface of the .... the sun must always , & o . This is longer than either of the present versions , but he that runs may read and understand it . Let me now answer , to the best of ray poor ability , the further

questions propounded by " P . M ., P . Z . " As to the first qnery , " with the centre , " or " within a centre , " which is correct ? This depends on the meaning intended . Does he hope to find what was lost -with , i . e ., by means of , the centre , or with , i . e ., where the centre is placed ? I incline to the latter , and for these reasons . So long as we keep within the circle of our Masonic

dnties , being bounded as that circle is by the two great parallel lines representing respectively the greatest lawgiver and the wisest man that ever lived , and supporting as it does the T . of the S . L ., so long will our conduct bo free from material error . Within this circle there is ono point , and one only , towards which all other points gravitate . That point is the centre , on which depends the

accurate description of tho circle . As then we must look to find within this the key to the linear circle , so may a Mason hope to find within the centre of the circle of our Masonic duties that important secret on which depends the perfection of Freemasonry Again , the Mosaic pavement , which is the flooring of tho Lodge , is emblematic of the intimate union which prevails among Masons ,

and the Blazing Star in the centre , of the G . A . to whom we are indebted for all our illumination . The secret wo hope to find , must lie within that mysterious centre , of whose existence we are aware , but with the nature of which we are totally unacquainted . Dr . Oliver , in his Signs and Symbols , points ont , at page 198 , that the Tree of Life was in the midst or centre of the

Garden of Eden ; that the fruit of that tree was reported to convey " the privilege of immortality , and the centre , as being the most honorable situation , would in time bo assigned to the Deity , who alone possesses the attributes of immortality and eternity . Within that centre , which is the emblem of the G . A . and His Infinite Wisdom , must we look to find the crowning secret of

Freemasonry . For all which reasons I hold the proper version to be , "He hopes to find that which was lost within the circle , " or , better still , perhaps , " He hopes to find within the centre that which was lost . " The second question is far easier to answer . Indeed , it is strange that any man of average intelligence should commit any error in

rendering the passage . We are speaking of badges in the passage referred to , and the statement from one point of view is , in fact , that the badge of Freemasonry is more honourable than the badge of any Order in existence . Now , in the words which should follow " more honourable than , " which stands for the badge and which for the Order ? The particular Order referred to is "the Order of the Garter , "

the members of which are most usually distinguished by a Star worn on the left breast , the Garter itself , another badge of the same Order , being worn only on very state occasions . Clearly , then , it appears to me the sentence should run , " more honourable than the Star of tho Order of the Garter or tho badge of any other , " & c , & o . Or . if we take the comparison as instituted between Freemasonry ancl the

highest orders of chivalry , it would read , " more honourable than the Order of the Garter , " & c . The Preceptor who says , " Star and Garter , " and No . 3 , who thinks Star , Garter , & c . preferable , betray a most uncommon ignorance of common things . The Star and Garter is the name of a well-known hostelry at Richmond , and I imagine there are other hostelries of the same name elsewhere . To compare

onr Freemasonry with a tavern may be very complimentary to the latter , bnt it is certainly not very flattering to Freemasonry . There is no Order , so far as I know—certainly no prominent Order of Knighthood—called " the Star , " except , indeed , it be the " Star of India , " which was not in existence when our Ritual and Lectures were prepared , I believe there is a curious ejaculation among old

Correspondence.

women , who oddly express their surprise , when anything uncommon happens or is brought nnder their notice , by exclaiming , "My stars and garters ! " I take it tho origin of this expression will be found in the stars and garters which aro worn by a very limited number of illustrious personages , and may bo regarded , therefore , in an old

womanish kind of way , as emblematical of extraordinary surprises . But one does not relish tho idea of associating old women and Masonio Preceptors in tho same breath . Fraternally yours , "Q . "

Ballots For Life Governorships.

BALLOTS FOR LIFE GOVERNORSHIPS .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — AS the promoter of Ballots for Life Governorships by a shilling subscwptioii , I can heartily sympathise with our Brother J . E . Curteis , and am fully assured that he has already met with many difficulties and severe rebukes in his endeavour to benefit the R . M . B . I .

If such were wanting , I could give proofs of brethren ( Heaven save the mark ) who have denounced my system ; upon investigation I have invariably found their antagonism arise from jealousy , ancl , in some instances , have been nnable to trace their names in the lists of subscribers to onr Masonic Charities . I advise my good Brother Curteis to tako courage ; let him pursue his labour of love , without giving ear to

" envy , contempt , or malice . " Those who have even a small interest in our Charities are now sufficiently well acquainted with the working of ballots , and do not doubt the equitable manner of the appropriation . For the information of the brethren who have so liberally supported JTV SHILLING ENTERPRISE TOR THE BOYS' SCHOOL , I beg to say ,

that already sufficient tickets have been sold to warrant 35 L IFE GOVERNORSHIPS , op TEN GUINEAS EACH , being drawn , and should the same liberal support be continued , I hopo there will be no difficulty in my raising the sum of ONE THOUSAND GUINEAS for the Boys' School . It is most gratifying also for me to add , that I have received the support of my Lodge and friends , in private subscriptions or separate

donations , to the extent of £ 217 , so that , at this early period , I have fair cause for congratulation , having decided to continue my labours to the morning of the Festival , in June 1877 , meantime , the money ia being placed to the credit of the Fund at the Consolidated Bank , and is bearing interest . It is not my intention to appropriate to any Province , Lodge , Chapter , or district , a specific number of Life Governorships , but to

adopt the same principle as is . carried out in tho Art Union of Great Britain , which every subscriber will hold to be fair . The corresponding number of the whole series of tickets sold will be placed in a box together , and each Life Governorship drawn separately , thus if 100 Life Governorships are to be drawn , the first 100 numbers drawn from the box will bo prizes . Referring yonr readers to my advertisement in your columns , I am , yours fraternally , JOHN : CONSTABLE , P . M . 185 , Steward R . M . I . B . 13 Sise-lane , London , E . C . 20 th November 1876 .

Masonic Candidates For The School Board.

MASONIC CANDIDATES FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD .

To the Editor of THE FREEMASON s CHRONICLE . Kennington Cross , 22 nd Nov ., 1876 . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Having read with much pleasure your leading article on the Masonic Candidates for the School Board , I beg to call your attention to one soliciting the suffrages of tho voters for the Lambeth division , Bro . Chas . White , whom I have personally

known for a period of twenty years , and sincerely believe to be duly qualified in every respect to hold such a position . He ¦ ia a true economist in business matters , but in private a most liberal man and philanthropist , being a subscriber to nearly every public charity in London , and also a life governor to our laudable institutions , " The Girls , " " The Boys , " aud " Aged Freemasons , " His Address * will

thoroughly explain his principles , aud I feel assured in supporting him you will elect a gentleman only to be known to be respected , and one who will represent our interests . I might further say , from his great liberality , he is an honour to the Craft . I feel assured you will insert these remarks in support of a gentleman who comes forward in the most independent manner ,

irrespective of any clique or organized body , to . honestly serve , and I am proud to say ho is a believer and supporter of the pnro orthodox Churchman . In his Address , he says , " I am a member of tho Church of England , bnt of no extreme views , as I respect the religions sympathies of my neighbours , and regard the Bible alone as

the basis of religious instruction . Bro . 0 . White is churchwarden of the parish of Lambeth , and connected officially with both voluntary ancl Board Schools in his district . I am , Dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , SAMUEL W . GARDNER , P . M . 1381 . * This will bo f oixmT amongst onr Advertisements on page 3 W .

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