Original Correspondence.

favour in this State . Its candidate , Gen . Phelps , received the not very cheering vote of seventy-five . Thc days for narrow bigotry proving successful in this country have passed away for ever . " We shall all in _ England be very happy to hear of this result , as anything more absurd than this anti-Masonic cry and electioneering movement in America I have never yet before realised .

We can hardly believe in England , I venture to add , that respectable American citizens should make such " geese " of themselves ; but I presume it is the " outcome" of some very irreligious attacks on Freemasons and Freemasonry in America . Freemasonry in America has had a great trial and persecution , and has come out of it

unscathed and triumphant . On these grounds and many more even , I venture to think that American Masons and Masonry deserve well of the Cosmopolitan Fraternity . I am , " yours fraternally , ANGLUS . P . S . —I am aware that it is sometimes harshly alleged that American Freemasons do nothing for Charity . This , I apprehend , is a complete misapprehension ; they do it differently from us .

SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Bro . Gould denies , I see , in your last impression Sir Christopher Wren ' s membership of the Lodge of Antiquity , and even that he was a Freemason at all . In a previous letter I had corrected an error of the non-Masonic

press , relative to our esteemed Bro . Letchworth ' s position in the Lodge of Antiquity . What that fact has to do with Sir Christoper Wren I know not ; or how I " strained at a gnat and swallowed a camel , " because 1 corrected one patent error , and did not allude to Sir Christopher Wren , who was not in question , I cannot _ profess to understand . But as Bro . Gould sees something in it , I suppose there is

something . With regard to Sir Christopher Wren and his Masonic membership in general , and of the Lodge of , Antiquity in particular , the ^ "hole argument of Bro . Gould rests , 1 beg . to observe , or . a pure assumption . " Non constat , " it is not a logical consequence , that because Sir Christopher Wren ' s member hip generally and particularly is not proved by

existing evidence , that , therefore , there was no evidence tormerly to prove both propositions , and consequently all that Bro . Gould can fairly say is , that at present the fact either way cannot bc evidentially proved . If 1 admit , for argument's sake , that saving some old lodge traditions that are very strong , there is no historical evidence of the fact , yet a good d « al may be said inferentially in favour of such

traditions , and such is probably the reason which induced Anderson in 173 S to number Sir Christopher Wren among the rulers of 'the Craft . It seems pretty clear that at one time there were earlier records of the old Lodge of St . Paul ' s , and which seem to be those alluded to by Preston as destroyed by " scrupulousbrethren . " The Lodge of Antiquity has wisely , and as is most

consonant with its dignity and position , always declined to enter upon such discussions , and , so far , no one has been authorised to speak for it . In all I say 1 do not , therefore , profess to speak officially or to commit the lodge in any way , but simply to express my own opinion in answer to the hasty remarks of Bro . Gould . He seems to forget tbat

before 1717 we have only one lodge minute book sofar extant , as far as research has extended . The York minute book of 1705 is missing , and I know of no other so far than the Alnwick minute book , to which Bro . Hughan called attention some time back . VVe must not , therefore , be too hasty in rejecting long continued TRADITION , I am , yours , A MEMBER OF THE LODGE OF ANTIQUITY .

To the Editor of the Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I note Bro . R . F . Gould ' s remarks in this week's Freemason respecting the doubt of Sir C . Wren having belonged to the Masonic body . 1 note in Preston's " Illustrations of Masonry" ( my copy published in 1841 ***) , page 163 , "That Thos . Savage , Earl of Rivers , having succeded the Earl of St . Alban in the oflicc of G . M . in June ,

•6 ( 5 ( 5 , Sir C . Wren was appointed Deputy under his lordship ; in which office he distinguished himself more than any of his predecessors in promoting the prosperity of the few lodges that occasionally met at this time , particularly the old Lodge of St . P aul ' s—now the Lodge of Antiquitywhich he patronised upwards of eighteen years . " Fraternally yours , ENCERPTA . Birmingham , Dec . 24 th , 1 SS 1 .

A CORRECTION . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your " Summary for 1 SS 0 " you state that "on the 29 th of June , Lord Holmesdale , Provincial Grand Master for Rent , laid the foundation-stone of a new Masonic temple at Canterbury . " This is an error which 1

am sure you will be glad to have corrected . The foundationstone was laid on the 4 th of March by the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Canterbury , Bro . John Hemery , P . M . 31 , P . P . J . G . W . Kent , and on the 22 nd of June , Lord Holmesdale , P . G . M . Kent , performed the ceremony of consecrating the same . Faithfully and fraternally yours " JOHN R HALL , P . M . and Hon . Sec . 31 , P . P . X . G . Sec . Kent .

A WORD OF WARNING . _ To the Editor of thc "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother . — As robberies like that of the Masonic Hall , Newport , seldom come singly , it behoves all lodges who have

jewels or valuables in their charge to be especially careful of them during thc next few months . I am , dear Sir , yours fraternally , F . F . 1702 , December 15 th , 1 SS 0 .

THE CITY COMPANIES . —The Citizen states ;—" Seventy-eight of the eighty-nine Livery Companies of the City are in possession of over 1000 trusts , representing a capital of half-a-million of money , or an income of nearly £ 190 , 000 a year . Considerably more than half of this sum is spent in pensions and special gifts of money , coal , food , anti clothing . "

Literary, Art, And Antiquarian Notes.

Literary , Art , and Antiquarian Notes .

The Dials of the Clock Tower of the House of Parliament are now illuminated by the electric light . Native Girls in Bombay are slowly but surely taking their place in the public educational examinations . Recently a pupil of the Government Girls' School at

Karelwady was the only Gujerati student who passed thc examination for admission to the public service , and a young Parsee lad y has just gone in for matriculation at the Bombay University . The native journals in general are very severe on what they style this " indelicate forwardness" of Parsee females .

A GERIIAN TRANSLATION of Lord Beaconsfield ' s " Endymion " is being prepared at Leipsic . THE GOVERNMENT AND THE TELEPHONES . — The Electrician says that the Post Office authorities have given an order for 20 , 00 c Gower-Bell telephones .

THE SCHLIEMANN COLLECTION OF TROJAN ANTIQUITIES . —This collection , which has been lentforthe last two years by Dr . Schliemann for Exhibition in theSouth Kensington Museum , will be removed after the Christmas holidays .

THE PARIS ACADEMY OF S CIENCE . —At the sitting uf thc Academic des Sciences , Paris , on thc 27 th inst ., Mr . Warren De La Rue , F . R . S ., was elected corresponding member for the section of astronomy . ARMY COFFEE TAVERNS . —The Duke of Connaught has graciously consented to act as president of the Council for establishing coffee taverns for the army and auxiliary forces . General Sir Charles Daubeney and Colonel Sir J . Stokes have joined the Council .

CHRISTMAS CORRESPONDENCE . —Over andabove the ordinary correspondence passing through the Liverpool Post-office , the number of Christinas letters posted was 402 , 402 . while the number delivered was 396 , 100 . The aggregate is 157 , 016 in excess of last year's Christmas correspondence .

Ihe Austrian artists weddirg present to Prince Rudolph and Princess Stephanie of a splendid album of original water-colour drawings is nearly finished . It contains sketches of thc fiances' respective homes , of historical episodes in the Belgian and Austrian Royal Families , and of the noted buildings and landscapes in the two countries , while one of the most prominent designs is the consc-vatory at Laeken , where the young couple were betrothed .

THE PADDINGTON STATION . —The Paddington Station of the Great Western Railway was lighted for the first time on Friday last by the Brush electric light . Thirty-four lamps have been hung from the roof of the station over the various platforms , but only thirteen were lighted . The experiment was made under the supervision of Mr . Spagno-Ietti , telegraph superintendent of the Great Western

Railway ; Mr . Allen , engineer of the Anglo-American Electric Light Company ; Mr . Kirtley , locomotive superintendent ; Mr . W . l Gooch , Mr . Hart , and Messrs . Brotherhood and Oughterson . At half-past eight the wires were attached to the terminals of one of the dynamic machines , and the terminus in a moment was illuminated amid the cheers of the spectators .

THE SADLERS' COMPANY . — The Sadlers ' Company have made grants enumerated in the accompanying list : —Pcn-y-Craig Colliery Explosion , Mansion-house Relief Fund , £ 26 5 s . Royal Free and other Hospitals , including St . George's and Charing-cross ; National Refuges for Homeless and Destitute Children , Destitute Children ' s Dinner Society , £ 21 each ; Victoria Hospital for

Children , Dreadnought Seamen's Hospital , and several other hospitals , Royal Alfred Aged Seamen's Institution , Convalescent Home for Children ( St . Leonards ) , Royal Albert Orphan Asylum , Earlswood Asylum for Idiots , Providence Row Night Refuge , Brixton Orphanage for Girls , Convalescent Home ( Seaford ) , Orphan Working School , ( Haverstock-hill ) , London Orphan Asylum , Infant

Orphan Asylum ( VVanstead ) , Shipwrecked Mariners ' Society , Clergy Orphan Corporation , National Truss Society , City of London Truss Society , Convalescent Home , Mansion-house Poor Box , Guildhall Poor-box , Worshipstreet Poor-box , Thames Poor-box , ^ 10 ios . each ; Royal Hospital for Women and Children , City Dispensary , Home

for Little Boys ( rarmngham ) , Farringdon Within Ward Schools , Aldgate Ward Schools , Field-lane Ragged School , King Edward's Ragged School , Society oi Friends of Foreigners in Distress , Thames Church Mission , Tower Hamlets Mission , Cripples' Home , £ 553 . each ; Stanhopestreet Dispensary , Finsbury Dispensary , Fox and Knot Ragged School , £ 3 3 s . each . Total donations £ 712 ios .

AGRICULTURAL HALL . —On Bank Holiday the Agricultural Hall opened with the usual " Christmas Entertainment and Fair , " and was very largely patronised . From ten o ' clock in the morning visitors flocked to the hall from all directions , and b y noon it was difficult either to obtain entrance or exit . Amongst the greater novelties was Sharman ' s circular railway , the carriages being drawn

by a small locomotive , which is said to travel at the rate of twenty miles an hour . Suitable mountain scenery is erected to make it appear as much like a real tunnel as possible , and behind this scenery or through this imaginary tunnel the train passes , emerging at the other side after the interval of a few seconds . Bailey ' s steam yachts , or "Sea on land , " Mauley's Continental Circus , Richardson's Theatre , with a " thrilling and sensational drama , " Wombwell ' s

menagerie ; and amongst thc other objects of interest are wax-work shows , marionettes , shooting galleries in strong force , cocoanut-shying , portraits taken by aid of the electri light , performing dogs and monkeys , ghost illusions or spiritualist exposures , magic and sleight of hand , the mystic chamber , and Beckwith ' s swimming tank . The number of persons who passed the turnstiles on Monday was 47 , 363 , arid there seems every probability that the fair , which is to be kept open for six weeks , will be a great success ,

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings.

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS .

For the Week ending Friday , January 7 , 1 SS 1 . The Editor will be glad to receive notice from Secretaries of Craft Lodges , Royal Arch Chapters , Mark Lodges , Encampments , Conclaves , & c , of any change in place , day , or month of meeting . * -

SATURDAY , JANUARY 1 . Gen . Com . Boys' School , at 4 . Lodge 1572 , Carnarvon , Albion Tav ., Aldersgate-st . „ 1622 , Rose , S . M . H ., Camberwell . LODGES OF INSTRUCTION . Manchester . 17 , London-st ., Fitzroy-sq ., at S .

btar , Marquis of Granby , New Cross-rd ., at 7 . Percy , Jolly Farmers , Southgate-rd ., N ., at 8 . Eccleston , King ' s Head , Ebury Bridge , Pimlico . Sphinx , Stirling Castle , Camberwell . Alexandra Palace , Masonic Uub , Loughborough , at 7 . 30 . King Harold , Britannia Hot ., Waltham New Town , at 7 .

MONDAY , JANUARY 3 . Lodge 25 , Robert Burns , F . M . H . „ 72 , Royal Jubilee , Anderton's Hot ., Fleet-st . „ 144 , St . Luke's , Anderton's Hot ., Fleet-st . „ iSS , Joppa , Albion Tav ., Aldersgate-st . „ 1319 , Asaph , F . M . H . Chap . 2 S , Old King ' s Arms , Freemasons' Tav .

LODGES OI- INSTRUCTION . Lily , Greyhound , Richmond , at 7 . Prince Leopold , Milford Tav ., Sandriiigham-rd ., Dalston , S . London Masonic Club . Wellington , White Swan Hot ., High-st ., Deptford , S to 10 . St . John , Gun Hot ., Wapping , S to 10 . * Sincerity , Railway Tav ., Fenchurch-st . Station , at 7 .

Camden , 174 , High-st ., Camden Town , at 8 . Tredegar , Royal Hot ., Mile End-rd ., at S . St . James's Union , Union Tav ., Air-st ., Regent-st ., at S . Perfect Ashlar , Victoria Tav ., Lower-rd ., Rotherhithe , at S . Upper Norwood , White Hart Hot ., Church-rd ., at S . Marquis of Ripon , Pembury Tav ., Amherst-rd ., Hackney , S . Loughborough , Cambria Tav ., Loughborough Juneat 7 . 30 .

, Hyde Park , The Westbourne , 1 , Craven-rd ., at S . West Smithfield , New Market Hot ., West Smithfield . S t . George's , Globe Tav ., Royal Hill , Greenwich , at 7 . Doric Chapter , 24 S , Globe-rd ., Mile End-rd ., at S . Royal Ccminemoration , R . Hot ., High-st ., Putney , S till 10

British Oak , Bank of Friendship Tav ., Mile End . Eastern Star , Royal Hot ., Mile End-rd ., 7 . 30 . St . Mark ' s , S . M . H ., Camberwell New-rd . John Hervey , Albion Hall , London Wall , at S . New Finsbury Park , Hornsey Wood T ., Finsbury Park , at S . Metropolitan , "The Moorgate , " Finsbury Pavement , 7 . 30 .

TUESDAY , JANUARY 4 . Colonial Board , at 4 . Lodge 9 , Albion , F . M , II . „ 101 , Temple , Ship and Turtle . „ 1 C 6 , Union , The Criterion . „ 172 , Old Concord , F . M . H .

„ 7 5 . St . James , Bridge House Hot . ,, 129 S , Royal Standard , Wellington Club , N . ,, 13 S 1 , Kennington , Surrey Club , Kennington Oval . „ 1472 , Henley , Three Crowns Hot ., Woolwich . ,, 16 SS , Samson , F . M . H . Mark 1 , St . Mark ' s , Freemasons' Tav .

LODGES OF INSTRUCTION . South Middlesex , Beaufort House , Walham Green , 7 . 30 . Pilgrim , F . M . H ., ist and last Tues . Yarborough , Green Dragon , Stepney , at 7 . Domatic , Surrey M . H . " , Camberwell New-rd ., at 7 . 30 . Faith , 2 , Westminster Chambers , Victoria-st ., S . W ., at P . Prince Fredk . Wm ., Lord ' s Hot ., St . lohn's Wood , at 7 .

Prosperity , Hercules Tav ., Leadenhall-st ., at 7 . 30 . Dalhousie , The Sisters'Tav ., Pownall-rd ., Dalston , E ., 7 . 30 . Florence Nightingale , M . H ., William-st ., Woolwich , 7 . 30 Constitutional , Bedford Hot ., Southampton Bdgs ., at 7 . Israel , Rising Sun Tav ., Globe-rd . Royal Arthur , Duke of Cambridge , 216 , Bridge-rd ., Battersea Parkat S .

Beacontree , Red Lion , Leytonstone , at 8 . Excelsior , Commercial Dock Tav ., Rotherhithe , at 8 . St . John of Wapping , Gun Hot ., High-st ., Wapping , at 8 . Islington , Moorgate Tav ., 15 , Finsbury Pavement . Leopold , Gregorian Arms , Jamaica-rd ., Bermondsey , at S . Mount Edgcumbe , ig , Jermyn-st ., St . James's , at S . Duke of Connaught , Palmerston Arms , Grosvenor Park , S .

Sir Hugh Myddelton , 162 , St . fohn ' s-st .-rd ., at S . St . Marylebone , Eyre Arms . Fmchley-rd ., at S . Corinthian , George Hot ., Millwall Docks , at 7 . Henley , Three Crowns , North Woolwich , at 7 . 30 . Royal Naval College , Greenwich Hospital Schools , at S . Eleanor , Angel Hot ., Edmonton . Metropolitan Chapter of Improvement , Jamaica Coffee House , St . Michael ' s-alley , Cornhill .

WEDNESDAY , JANUARY 5 . Lodge 1 CS 7 , Rothesay , Inns of Court Hot . „ 1707 , Eleanor , Anderton ' s Hot ., Fleet-st . „ 1 S 27 , Alliance , Guildhall Tav . Chap . 55 , Constitutional , Private Rooms , Leytonstone . LODGES OF INSTRUCTION . Confidence , Railway Tavern , Fenchurch-st ., 7 till 9 . New Concord , Jolly Farmers , Southgate-rd ., N ., at 8 .

Mt . Lebanon , Horse Shoe Tav ., Newington Causeway , 8 . Pythagorean , Portland Hot ., Greenwich , at 8 . Burdett Coutts , Lamb Tav ., Bethnal Green Railway Stn . La Tolerance , 2 , Maddox-st ., W ., at 7 . 45 . Peckham , Lord Wellington Hot ., 516 , Old Kent-rd ., at 8 . Finsbury Park , Alwyne Castle , St . Paul ' s-rd ., N . Southwark , Southwark Park Tav ., Southwark Parkat 8 .

, Dukeof Connaught , Ryl . Edwd . Hot ., Mare-st ., Hackney , 8 . United Strength , Hope & Anchor , Crowndale-rd ., N . W " ,, 8 . Whittington , Red Lion , Poppin ' s-court , Fleet-st ., at 8 . Royal Jubilee , 81 , Long Acre , at S . Langthorne , Swan Hot ., Stratford , at 8 . Temperance in the East , Geo . the Fourth , Ida-st ., E ., at 7 . 30 . ' Thistle The

, M . M . M ., Haro Tav .. at 8 . Eleanor , Trocadero Hot ., Liverpool-st ., Edmonton . Ranelagh , Six Bells , Hammersmith-rd ., at 8 . Zetland , King ' s Arms Hot ., High-st ., Kensington , at 8 . Merchant Navy , Silver Tav ., Burdett-rd ., Limehouse . 7 . 30 , Creaton , Prince Albert Tav ., Portobello-ter ., Notting hill , 8 . Stockweil , Crown , Albert Embankment , at 7 , Panmure , Balham Hot ., Balham , 7 ,