Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . 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 .

two shillings each , post free . Bro . Taylor had a large number printed so aa to supply brethren with copies of the Catalogue who were unable to attend that noted Exhibition . Impressions also of

THE WORCESTER EXHIBITION . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAU SIK AND B ROTHER , —Will you allow me to add to your interesting series of articles on the Catalogue of the Worcester Masonic Exhibition , that copies may be obtained from Bro . George Taylor ( Provincial Grand Secretary ) , Summerdyne Villa , Kidderminster , ut

the Commemorative Medal may be obtained from the same brother , at 2 s each ( white metal ) , 3 s 6 d ( brome ) , 10 s 6 d ( silver ) , carriage free . The interest exhibited in the matter mast be my excuse for thus troubling you and trespassing on yonr valuable space .

Yours fraternally , WM . JAMES HUCHAN . Torquay , 20 th Sept . 1884 .

LEGALITY OF FREEMASONRY . To the Editor o ' f the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —About a month ago yonr Masonic contemporary started a correspondence as to the legality of Freemasonry in England , but it has not gone on , and the Editorial remarks made npon the subject were so very unsatisfactory that I venture to ask you to throw some further light upon the point , if you can , or to lot

the information the subject demands be given to the public by correspondence in your columns . The Act of 1799 clearly makes those Lodges which were then existing legal , provided they complied with certain properly denned regulations . These regulations , however , are such that no Lodge , not existing at that time , can comply with them .

The Act of 1817 only differs from the Act of 1799 in respect of Ireland , which is excluded from its operation by clause 39 . Perhaps some of the learned archaeologists of the Craft can throw light upon this subject , as , seeing the position in which we stand in relation to the Grand Lodge of Quebec , it is of grave importance to every English Mason . Tours fraternally , THE W . M . or A LONDON LODGE .

SOMETHING NEW ABOUT THE "AMERICAN MASONIC MOTHER . " To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —When I first received the Keystone and the pamphlet reprinted therefrom , containing the copy of the new discovered record of a Lodge of 1731 , at Philadelphia , my attention was mainly directed to the list of figures , in search of the two guineas and a-half , which ought to have been recorded in that book if the

Philadelphian brethren ever had an English charter at thafc period . But no " two guineas and a-half , " or the word charter or warrant did I find therein . And I believe I mentioned it in a letter to your paper some months ago . My thoughts were then so much absorbed in looking after evidence for the Philadelphia charter as to cause me to overlook a very important item , viz ., that William Allen in 1731

was not the W . Master of a Lodge , but a Grancl Master . Thus much is stated in the printed form . Bnt Bro . MacCalla left out of print the fact that William Pringle was Grand Master Allen ' s " Deputy " on 24 th June 1731 . And now read the opinion whioh Bro . H . Drummond P . G . M ., of Maine , has inferred from his newly discovered facts . Bro . D . says , " Quite recently the Ledger of St . John ' s Lodge at

Philadelphia , existing . as early as 24 th June 1731 , has been discovered . It is a very important historic document , and we congratulate onr Pennsylvanian brethren npon its discovery . It was found by Bro . CliSord P . McCalla , in the Library of the Pennsylvania Historical Society . " Portions of it have been photographed , and we have taken the

opportunity to acknowledge the receipt of a copy sent to us by order of the M . W . Grand Master by his private Secretary , and to tender our hearty thanks for it . " It shows that a Lodge was formed early in 1731 and maintained its organisation for several years . It confirms our former belief that the Lodge spoken of by Franklin was a permanent organisation , like

the four English Lodges in 1717 . "The accounts all commence 24 th June 1731 ; but the Lodge had previously existed , although , as we judge , only as brethren met and opened one . But on that date it seems to have been determined to make a permanent organisation . There is no evidence that it had any warrant , or existed under any other authority than that of the

brethren who formed it . The 'Stock Account' is given , and while it shows a payment for the book itself , there is no item of payment for any warrant or of any sum whatever for expenses of organisation . "Benjamin Franklin was a member , and v , ¦ ¦ - . have no doubt that he was made a Mason in it in the early part of 1731 . " William Allen was also a member , and his account is given . It

Correspondence.

affords conclusive evidence that on 24 th Jnne 1731 the Lod ge knew nothing of Daniel Coxe as Grand Master . For the account is headed 'William Allen , Esq ., Grand Master . ' In tho 'Stock Account ' William Allen is also designated ' Grand Master . ' In the ' Stock Account' also William Pringle is designated on the same date ( 24 th June 1731 ) as ' Deputy Master . '

"The Pennsylvania theory has been , that in 1732 Allen was elected Grand Master to succeed Coxe . Bnt here we have evidence that on 24 th Jnne 1731 William Allen was recognised aa Grand Master , and William Pringle as his Deputy , and this , too , when the Lodge first took on the form of permanent organisation . " The discovery of this book settles that , so far as is known , the first Lodge organised in permanent form in this country existed in

Philadelphia , bnt it also shows that the Lodge recognised William Allen as Grand Master ; of course it did not recognise Coxe as Grand Master at the same time , and therefore could not have existed under the authority of Coxe . " ( Report of Committee o * " F . C . for Maine 1884 . ) Comment npon the above opinion is unnecessary , as far as I am concerned , but perhaps Bro . Hnghan or Bro . Q . may have something to say upon the subject . Fraternally yours , JACOB NORTON . Boston , 8 th Sept . 188 = 1 .

The Prince Leopold Lodge of Instruction , No . 1445 , will commence the Session on Monday next , 29 th September , and continue its meetings every Monday evening , at

seven o ' clock p . m ., at the Printing Works , 202 Whitechapel-road , near the London Hospital . Bro . W . H . Myers , the Preceptor , will rehearse the installation ceremony at the first meeting .

The Doric Chapter of Improvement , No . 933 will meet on the following Wednesday , at the same place , and continue its meetings every Wednesday evening , at 7 . 30 p . m . Comp . T . J . Barnes Preceptor .

Our Masonic vacation is nearly over , and the members of the various Lodges are looking forward to their regular meetings . During the vacation changes have taken place , and familiar faces will be missed , but this will be counterbalanced by many recollections of happy meetings in

the past . Aspirants to office should avail themselves of the advantages offered by Lodges of Instruction , while those in office will feel a pride in resuming their various chairs , ready and able to give a perfect rendering of our beautiful

ritual . We would recommend brethren especially to exercise care in introducing candidates . Due regard should be paid both to their moral and social position ; once a Mason always a Mason is a maxim that should be well pondered .

Madame Worrell announces that her Annual Evening Concert will take place on Tuesday , 14 th October , at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell New Road , when the following artistes will assist : —Madame Adelina Paget , Misses Spencer Jones and Pauline Featherby , and

Madame Raymond ; Bros . Henry Ashton , Henry Guy , Alfred Kenningham , Frederick H . Cozens , Frederick Bevan , and Mr . James Budd . Pianoforte—Miss Bessie Waugh . Violin—Miss Adeline Dinelli . Conductor—Bro . Turle Lee . Tickets ( 3 s , 2 s , and ls each ) may bo obtained of Madame Worrell , 52 Knowle Road , Brixton Road , S . W .

The Fifteen Sections will be worked in the Emblematic Lodge of Instruction , No . 1321 , on Tuesday , 30 th of September next , at the Red Lion , York Street , St . James ' s Square , S . W .

A Royal Arch Chapter in connection with the Gallery Lodge , No . 1928 , will be consecrated in November . The consecration has been postponed , in consequence of the

alterations at Brixton Hall not being yet conpleted . The intention of the petitioning Companions is that the Chap ter shall , if possible , be consecrated by the same Grand Officers as consecrated the Lodge in August , 1881 .

On and after Friday , the 26 th September , the Ubiqufl Lodge of Instruction , No . 1789 , will hold its meetings at the Crown ancl Anchor , 79 Ebury Street , Pimlico , instead of , as formerly , at the Guardsman Army Coffee TaverD ) 106 Buckingham Palace Road .