Original Correspondence.

hope in my last communication that either Brother Hughan or some other worthy brother , would be pleased to print in a book or books all the charters , charges , notices , or allusions to " our ancient brethren , " wheresoever scattered , either in the public libraries or in private records of old lodges ,

& c , & c , so that we may all be able to judge in future the relative quantity of milk and water in the compositions of our Masonic writers . This wish of mine , I noticed in the New York Dispatch of Feb . 19 th , is about to be accomplished . Brother W . J . Hughan appears to have anticipated my desire , and

is actually engaged in the compilation of such a work . It cannot indeed be expected that the first effort of such an undertaking can complete the desideratum , or that a single man , howsoever industrious , can explore all the mines where our desired

information lies buried . But yet Bro . Hughan will render good service by making a beginning , and his effort will either stimulate others to follow in his track or , may be , convince us that the discoveries , whatever they may be , are not worth the labour bestowed on their research .

This week I came across a book called " Memorial of London and London Life in the 13 th , 14 th , and 15 th centuries , from the early archives of the City of London ; selected and translated by Henry Thomas Riley , A . M . : Longman , Green and Co ' , 1868 . " In that book I found an anecdote and a code

of laws , interesting to us as forming links in the historic chain of our fraternity , and as I have no recollection of having seen either the book or the City of London records alluded to in THE FREEMASON , I herewith send you the extracts , hoping that they will not only prove interesting to your

readers , but by making known the source whence they are derived , it may perhaps be the means of attracting the curious into a new region , or a region not yet thoroughly explored . A complete collection of all the old Constitutions , charges , documents , anecdotes , etc ., etc ., of bygone days cannotindeed

, , benefit speculative Masonry , but it may be a benefit in serving to disabuse the minds of many worthy brethren from a notion of the superior sancity , morality , religion , & c , of " our ancient brethren , " and the inordinate desire to restore , or abide by , what they imagine to be thc ancient landmarks of

the fraternity . A better acquaintance with the manners and customs of the middle ages , derived from history and from these very old documents , must tend to give us more a correct idea , and will demonstrate that the object of the Masonic organization in the middle ages was not for the purpose of

inculcating religion , morality , & c , but for securing bread and butter . The very extracts I now enclose will show that the then organization meant business . Masters tried to grind down their workmen , and working-men were often turbulent and boisterous . Disputes between Master Masons were settled , not in the lodge but by giving bonds to the City officials

to keep the peace , and the laws and regulations for the government of thc Craft , were not drawn up "in due manner by the government folks of their own trade , " as other trades did , but the Mayor , Aldermen , and Sheriffs had to step in to put down dissensions , " for the profit , " as they said , " ofthe common people . " But here are the extracts , and let the reader judge for himself : —

Terms of Reconciliation of two Master Masons , 26 H 1 Edward I ., A . D . 129 S . Letter Book C „ folio xxiii ( Latin . ) On Monday , the morrow of St . Lawrence [ 10 August ] , in thc 26 th year of the reign of King Edward , there came before Henry le Galeys , Mayor , Thomas RomeynWilliam

, de Leyre , Geoffrey de Nortone , Walter de Fcyingefend ( generally written as " Fincliingfeld " ) , and certain other Alderman , Master Simon de I ' abingham and Master Richard de Wetham , masons , who were then reconciled as to certain abusive words which had before passed between them .

And the agreement was to this effect : —That the said Simon and Richard did grant , each for himself , that if cither of them should be able lo give information against the other that he had by the same abusive words , or in deed , committed trespass against the other ; and such

person should , upon the faith of two trust worthy witnesses , be found guilty thereof , he should give 100 shillings towards the fabric of London Bridge ; and they further agreed that in case such person should not do so , the Chamberlain should cause the same amount to bc levied & c .- ( Pagc S . ) ( To be continued . )

BRO . THOS . VERITY , we arc happy to see , has obtained tlie first prize for the drawings for thc " Criterion , " to bc built by Messrs . Spiers and Pond in Piccadilly . " I HAVE one more word to say , before I close , of thft Perry Davis Pain Killer—a most valuable

medicine . I have travelled a good deal since I have been in Kansas , and never without taking a supply of it with mc « . t used it freely in my practice for cholerain 1849 and again in i 8 s 5 , andwithbcttursuccess than any other medicine . —A . HUNTING , 3 U . D ., Manhattan , Kan ., Ap ., 1866 . —To P . Davis & Son . "

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The General Committee of this institution was held on Thursday , the 30 th ult , at Freemasons ' Hall , Bro . J . Nunn in the chair . There were present : Bros . J . Hervey , Major Creaton , W .

Young , B . Head , Rucker , J . R . Sheen , E . Cox , Paas , F . Walters , Hemsworth , White , Corben , Moutrie , and E . H . Patten , Secretary . Minutes of previous meeting were read and verified .

Two petitions were received , and the candidates accepted—one deferred . Ten guineas were unanimously voted to be given to the servants for services rendered

during the sickness which had prevailed at the schools , the same to be divided amongst them . Some notices of motion were given and other business disposed of .

Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

MOUNT SINAI ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF INSTRUCTION . This excellent chapter of instruction , which diffuses light and knowledge in the mystic art to brethren resident at the west end of town , held its annual festival on Saturday , the 18 th ult ., at the

well-known hostelry formerly kept by the late Bro . Adams , the Union Tavern , Air-street , Regentstreet . Comp . John Boyd , P . Z . of 145 and 534 , occupied the honourable post of chairman , supported by Comps . J . Brett , P . Z . 177 , as H ., and J . L . Thomas , H . 13 , as J . ; . " * jor E . Hamilton

Finney , P . S . ; John Hervey , * ' . S . E . ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . Z . ; W . Mann , P . Z . ; E . C . Cockcraft , P . Z . ; R . W . Little , P . Z . ; Rice , Z . of the parent chapter ; E . H . Finney , jun . ; T . W . White , G . A . Ibbctson , C . F . Hogard . T . Selfe , M . D . ; J . E . Walford , L . Mercik , P . Z . : Cameron , D . C . M .

Gordon , D . D . Beck , and Stevens , Z . 185 . A most capital banquet was served , and after the cloth was cleared , the President proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . Comp . Hervey , G . S . E ., responded most eloquently for the Grand Officers , and Comps . Little and Cockcraft for the

visitors . " The Health of the M . E . Z ., Comp . Boyd , " was greeted with unanimous approval , and that worthy companion expressed his acknowledgments in a brief but effective speech . With the healths of the two other Principals , Comps . Brett and Thomas , thc enthusiasm displayed may be said to

have reached its acme—thc former being the renowned teacher of Royal Arch Masonry under whose fostering care the working of that supreme Order in the metropolis has attained to such comparative perfection ; and the latter being a most genial and hard-working Mason in several degrees

of Freemasonry . Both companions returned thanks , and hoped thc Chapter of Instruction would continue to flourish and rival even thc great Chapter of Improvement at Freemasons' Hall , or the Metropolitan Chapter in Fleet-street . Comp . Rice , of the Mount Sinai Chapter , expressed his gratification at being present , and echoed thc wish

ofthe other companions . Major Finney , thc P . S ., replied to thc toast of the Vice-Chairman with great earnestness , and after thc loving cup had been passed round , the companions separated—all truly delighted with tlie evening ' s extcrtainment . Comps . Stevens , Walford , & c , charmed the company with their choice songs and recitations .

HOLLOWAY ' S PILLS . — Nothing preserves the health so well as an occasional alterative in changes of weather , or when the nerves are unstrung . These pills act admirably on thc stomach , liver , and kidneys , and so thoroughly purify the blood , that they are ihe most efficient remedy in wardingoff derangements of thc stomach , fever , tliarrhcca , dysentery , and other maladies , and giving tone

and energy to debilitated constitutions . All who have the natural and laudable desire of maintaining their own and their family's health cannot do better than trust to Holloway ' s Pill ' s , which cool , regulate and strengthen . These purifying pills are suitable for all ages , seasons , climates , and constitutions when all other means fail , and arc the female ' s best friend . — fAdvt . ]

GALVANISM . —Pulvermachcr's Monthly Record of Cures is now ready for Ihe benefit of Sufferers , containing documentary evidence of remarkable Cures effected by Pulvermachcr ' s Improved Patent Self-applicable Volta-Elcctric Chain-Hands and Pocket Batteries , and may be had on application to the Sole Inventor and Patentee—J . L . Pulvcrmachcr , 200 , Regent-street ,

London , W . A Test on Loan sent gratis if required . Caution . —Spurious Electric Appliances being advertised by Quack Doctors , Patients should consult Pulvermachcr ' s Pamphlet on that subject ( free by post ) , embodying other most interesting matter for those suffering from Rheumatic and Neuralgic Pains , Functional Disorders , & c , & c —[ Advt ]

The "Little" Testimonial Fund.

THE "LITTLE" TESTIMONIAL FUND .

LIST OF SUBSCRIPTIONS . £ s . d . Grand Conclave Red Cross ... 52 10 o Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex 10 ' 10 o Premier Conclave , No . I ... ... 10 10 o Rose and Lily Conclave , No . 3 ... 550 Roman Eagle Conclave , No . 6 ... 5 5 o

Whittington Lodge , 862 ... ... 5 5 o Bro . W . B . Woodman , M . D ., P . M . 66 550 „ George Kenning , W . M . 192 ... 550 „ J . T . Moss , W . M . 1326 , P . M . 169 S 5 o ,, Bayles , 297 ... ... ... 500 „ Paton , 393 ... ... ... 33 ° „ W . Bustin , P . G . S . B ., P . G . S .

Cumberland ... •••3 3 ° ,, John Whitwell , M . P ., D . P . G . M . Cumberland ... •••3 3 ° „ Col . F . Burdett . P . G . M . Middlesex 220 „ Rev . C . J . Martyn , Grand Chap ., P . M . 82 ... ... ... 220 ,, Roebuck ... ... ... 220

,, Captain J . Bertrand Payne ... 220 ,, Capt . Irwin , Bristol ... ... 220 „ Rev . G . R . Portal ... ... 220 „ J . L . Thomas ... ... 220 ,, Sir Gilbert Campbell ... 220 ,, Raynham Stewart ... ... 220 ,, J . Trickett , P . M . ... ... 220

„ A . Schmitt ( Conclave No . 8 ) ... 1 10 o „ Tanner , 1 77 ... ... 1 1 o ,, Sillifant , P . M . 217 ... ... I I o ,, Hughan , P . M . 137 ... ... 1 1 o „ F . Walters , P . M . 73 ... ... 1 1 o „ Smeed , G . P . Middlesex ... I 1 o „ Yeoman ... ... ... I I o

,, Mann , W . M . 1306 ... ... 1 r o „ Rosenthal , P . M . ... ... I 1 o „ Hy . Parker , G . O . Red Cross .. I I o „ Fairlie , 33 ... ... ... I 1 o ,, Gumbleton , io , P . G . D . ... 1 1 o „ Weaver , S 62 .. ... 1 1 o „ Brett , G . P ., 862 ... ... 1 I o

,, Dr . Daniel Moore , Lancaster ... I I o „ John Dyer , 22 ... ... 110 ,, C . Coote , P . M . 1319 ... 1 1 o ,, J . M'Kiernan , 192 ... ... 1 1 o „ Angelo Lewis , 78 S ... ... 1 I o „ J . W . Barrett , P . M . 169 ... I I o ,, H . C . Levander , W . M . 507 ... 1 1 o ,, A . B . Donnithorne ... ... 1 1 o

„ E . H . Thiellay ... ... 1 10

,, H . W , Hunt , No . 463 ... 1 1 9 ,, Chas . Gosden ... ... 116 ,, W . E . Johnson ... <> ... 1 1 o „ H . G . Buss , P . M . 27 1 1 o ,, Ed . C . Malet de Carteret , Jersey 1 I o ,, Rev . T . F . Ravenshaw ... 1 1 o

„ W . H . Hubbard I I o ,, Thos . Cubitt ... ... 1 1 o ,, W . Carpenter ... ... 1 1 o The Caveac Chapter , 176 ... ... I I o Bro . Gottleib ... ... ... 100 ,, The Earl of Limeriek ... 100 „ StedwellJ . M ., P . G . S ., P . M . 788 I o o

,, W . C . Barlow , P . M . 174 ... o 10 6 „ Commander Chas . Scott , R . N . o 10 6 ,, R . M . Bowman , 79 ... ... o 10 6 „ Rev . W . Church , 165 ... o 10 6 „ Ohren , W . M . 452 ... ... o 10 6 „ Smith , 76 ... ... ... o 10 6 ,, Dr . Jones , Carlisle ... ... o 10 6

,, Hurlstone , S 62 ... ... o 10 6 „ Quilty , „ ... ... o 10 6 „ Smith , „ ... ... o 10 6 „ Garu , „ ... ... o 10 6 ,, Kaye , ... o 10 6 ,, Whitehead , ,, ... ... o 10 6 ,, Jones , ,, ... ... o 10 6

„ rnckenhaus , „ ... ... o 10 6 i > Moll , ,, ... ... o 10 6 „ Voigt , ... o 10 6 ,, Bergmann , ,, •... ... o 10 6 ,, Oswalt , ,, ... ... o 10 6 ,, Sissons , ,, ... ... 010 6 „ Haley , „ ... ... o 10 6

,, Kingston „ ... ... o 10 6 ,, Steiner , „ ... ... o 10 6 ,, Anderson , ,, ... ... o 10 6 ,, R . Robinson , 1002 ... ... o 10 6 ,, J . Pearson , ,, ... „ . o 10 6

,, J . 1 * . Taylor , ,, ... ... o 10 6 „ W . Taylor , ,, ... ... o 10 6 ,, J . D . Larsen , C . 177 ... ... o 10 6 ,, R . J . Mansfield ... ... o 10 6 ,, C . K . Roberts ... ... o 10 6 ,, Lord Eliot , 6 ... ... o 10 o

,, Morton , 9 ... ... ... o 10 o ,, T . J . Sabine ... ... o 10 o

,, P . W . Benham , Jersey ... o 10 o ,, W . Coombes ... ... 050 ,, Thomas , John , P . M . 507 ... 050 ,, Neimann ... ... ... 050 „ Gottheil ... ... ... 050 ,, S . Carey ... ... ... 050 ,, G . Darcy ... ... .., 050

,, II . Darcy ... ... ... 050 ,, 1 Ienry Luce JManuel , Jersey ... 050 ,, A . Schmitt 050 ,, Joseph Gregg 050 ,, John Blanqued ,, ... 026 ,, John Oatley ,, ... 026 ,, A . J . Bouillier 026 ,, E . M . Lolt 026