To Correspondents.

To Correspondents .

Several communications stand over . BOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . " Freemason " ( Christchnrch ) , " Loomis' Musical and Masonic journal , " " Citizen , " " Broad Arrow , " "Royal Cornwall Gazette , " ¦ Sumlav Times , " " Hull Packet , " ' Freemasons' Chronicle , " " Court Circular , " " Le Moniteur de la Chance Universelle , " " The Masonic Chronicle , " " Keystone , " " The English Illustrated Magazine , " "Allen ' s Indian' Mail , " "Boletin Masonico , " "Bulletin du Grand Orient tie France , " "Time . "

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SATURDAY , NOVEMBER I , 1884 .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ Wc do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

MASONIC MENDICANCY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I note your expression of willingness to make public the scheme which is in my mind as a means whereby the existing evil of Masonic imposture can be , if not totally eradicated , at least reduced to a minimum ; and , as many brethren have urged upon me to submit my proposition to the Craft generally through your pages , in the first instance ,

1 accept your kind suggestion . In my former letter , headed " Brethren , Take Notice , " I wrote " Do what we will , we must sometimes be victimised ; but with proper . organization , and a system whereby the particulars of every case relieved should , under compulsion if necessary , be sent to head quarters , and there be dealt with as circumstances might require , the fault would be ours if an imposition was successful more than once . " If this is admitted , as also the following postulates ,

. — 1 . That the subject is of sufficient importance to merit general and earnest consideration from the entire Craft . 2 . That in order to render to every distressed brother his " just due " it is necessary to be assisted to discriminate between misfortune and dishonesty . 3 . That the Grand Lodge has the power of initiating and directing a recommendation to its chief , having for its

object tbe creation of a system such as that above referred to . 4 . That the amount of ordinary Masonic business , present and still increasing , precludes the possibility of the exercise of the necessary supervision by means of the Grand Secretary ' s office ; and , 5 . That having regard to the foregoing , a separate and distinct department is required for carrying out the work

of inquiry and notification—Then I suggest , and will , if desired , move that Grand Lodge do recommend to the M . W . G . M . the appointmeet of a Grand Almoner and a Grand Assistant Almoner ( there is ample verge for such appointments in the Grand Master ' s jurisdiction , and many worthy Freemasons who would grealty esteem the distinction ) , with convenient accommodation at Freemasons' Hall for the carrying on of

the necessary official work . This being acceded to , I would further suggest that the Board of General Purposes should be requested to consider the best method of organizing the new department , reporting to Grand Lodge the result of their deliberations , and asking for powers to carry out such arrangements as may be decided upon . Amongst other propositions I would submit the following ,

viz .: —The Grand Almoner ' s position to be honorary ; that of the Grand Assistant Almoner ( or " chief clerk , " if preferred ) to be stipendiary if considered advisable ; official expenses to be a charge on General Fund . To the Grand Almoner ' s office should be sent from each subordinate lodge the particulars of every application made for casual relief , with the description of the applicant and result of such application . It should be made a Masonic offence

for any lodge to grant any sums of money without production of certificate and proof of signature thereon . The Board of Benevolence requires production and deposit of certificate , and why should not the same precaution , so far as production is concerned , be required of lodges ? No lodge of instruction should be permitted , on any pretence , to entertain the application of unknown brethren , or persons representing themselves to be brethren , eager to

give " proof , " yet unvouched for . By arrangement with the Grand Secretary the notices to W . M . ' s of each Quarterly Communication should be accompanied b y a circular from the Grand Almoner setting forth the particulars of all cases which have been referred to him during the previous quarter of a year . Other methods of communication between the several lodges and the Grand Almoner would doubtless be developed when once the

machinery of organization was at work , and particularly so if the office of "Almoner" were permitted and recognised in each private lodge . Armed with such authority , and protected by such or some such measures , the lodges would soon be freed from the impositions now practised on them by unworthy brethren ; at the same time that no case of known and assured misfortune would suffer for want of Charity . The

difficulty existant is that of being unable , at the moment of appeal , to discriminate between the deserving and the undeserving , and that most frequently , from want of a reliable reference , such as a circular-note from a qualified authority would certainly provide . And another argument in favour of the adoption of such a plan as this is , that inasmuch as we assert with gratification our

readiness at all times to aid the ' poor and unfortunate " of our Order , through the medium of our Board of Benevolence , and actually welcome the brother who calls the attention of that Board to cases of paramount distress , those who make worthy application to our private lodges would assuredly have their position and necessities more favourably and effectually considered by the Board through the recommendation of the Grand Almoner , made , after

Original Correspondence.

necessary inquiry , in the very quarter in which imposition , if any existed , would undoubtedly be discovered . There is much more that could be written in advocacy of the establishment ot a Grand Almoner ' s department , but for the present 1 content myself with this outline of what might be done if only we are in earnest in determining to " put down " the impostures we so much condemn . Of course we must be prepared for any amount of

objectiveness from many who are sincere in their belief that "things are just as well as they are ; " but these are not , I make bold to say , the majority of thoughtful members of the Craft , who see before them much damage to the Order of Freemasonry if the scandal of Masonic mendicancy continues . In the plan I have thus , I fear , imperfectly formulated , there is nothing to prevent the exercise of individual

benevolence , or to interfere with the dictates of a generous heart , willing to consider immediate necessities without regard to " what has been" or " what may be . " Pity and mercy are equally the attributes of true Freemasonry , as are brotherly love and relief two of its grand principles . I am but one , I hope , of many thousands of our Order who would sooner have the unpleasant doubt as to the propriety of a trifling gift , made in good faith to cover

emergency , than the possible reflection that the " entertainment of an angel unawares " has been refused , and a " poor and distressed" worthy brother sent about his business in anger and distrust to hunger and thirst without shelter until the morning ' s light might discover a good Samaritan . Let me not be misunderstood ; it is the imposition on lodges by means with which we are acquainted that is to be condemned , but not the exercise of individual

judgment and mercy tending to prevent a forlorn brother from altogether sinking , and illustrating an engagement to practise a virtue which we have at some period of our lives so sincerely professed to admire . What we would do to assist a non-Mason that we can do to one who represent himself as " one of us , " but in such instance there is no need to import Freemasonry . That has to do with lodges only , and they should be protected . —Yours faithfully and fraternally , JAMES STEVENS ,

P . M ., P . Z . Clapham , Oct . 25 , 1 SS 4 . THE CRAFT AND THE INSTITUTIONS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . "

Dear Sir and Brother , — I enclose some concise tables of the contributions to , and distributions from the funds of the Masonic Institutions . I do not think they require any comment , as they speak for themselves , and will encourage those who have done well to continue and emulate others to follow their example . —Yours fraternally ,

CHARLES J . PERCEVAL . S , Thurloe-place . IS 8 J . 1884 .

= £ « -IS ..-: £ 16 ¦ S r 3 o-S = « 3 ~* = £ = c « 2 : a" " 5 — w r 5 « uS ^ " - c G ii . S > , ° = s < y — = > - c u ££ 5 f n » 5 5 H ™ t » " u £ s . d . £ s . d . , L

London , M . B . G . ... 17 , 295 4 o 18 , 001 4 9 9416 Bedfordshire ... — 12 1 4 o — Berks and Bucks M . B . G 454 <> 6 3 S 9 13 3 162 Bristol , M 293 no 150 4 o 166 Cambridge , B . ... 174 60 46 4 o — Cheshire , M . B . G . ... C 6 9 10 o 97 14 7 773 Cornwall , M . B . G . ... SS 4 o 200 911 280

Cumberland and Westmoreland ... — 276 2 n 271 Derbyshire , B . G . ... 460 14 o 373 3 3 85 Devonshire , M . B . G . 123 6 o 3 CS 10 o 1067 Dorsetshire — 389 12 3 619 Durham , M . B . G . ... 334 S o 422 5 1 477 Essex , M . B . G . ... 1546 17 o 1560 1 G 54 8 Gloucester , M . B . G . 597 g o 703 1 9 343

Hants , M . B . G . ... 1158 14 o 854 14 1 1045 Hereford — 8 16 6 — Herts , M . B . G . ... 470 9 6 606 15 3 194 Kent , M . B . G . ... 12 S 1 13 o 1356 iS 3 1322 Lane . East , M . B . G . 1247 6 o 1072 10 10 1449 Lane . West , M . B . G . 735 12 o 961 12 2 805 Leicester & Rutland , M 350 o o 275 19 5 117 Lincolnshire , B ... 52 10 o 48 14 4 729

Middlesex , M . B . G . 724 6 6 91 S 19 5 324 Monmouth , B . ... 307 13 o 240 4 10 1 S 9 Norfolk — iSS 11 o 334 N . Wales & Salop , BG 266 4 o 280 19 2 293 Norths and Hunts , B . 215 50 15 6 4 3 350 Nortnumberland — 195 17 10 363 Nottingham , M . B . 374 50 133 4 11 36 Oxfordshire , M . B . G . 203 8 6 317 10 5 64

Somersetshire , M . B . G . 640 14 9 3 S 9 12 S 504 S . Wales , Eastern , B . G . 360 o o 305 15 10 243 S . Wales , Western , B . G . 273 00 190 9 n 247 Staffordshire , M . B . G . 646 6 o 532 o S 22 C Suffolk , M . B . G . ... 606 1 6 397 9 10 654 Surrey , M . B . G . ... 585 15 o 464 tg 3 220 Sussex , M . B . G . ... 457 16 o 701 S 2 569

Warwickshire , M . B . G . 242 n o 521 10 2 C 35 Wiltshire , M . B . G . 253 9 G 309 g 5 43 S Worcestershire , M . B . G . 417 2 o 401 iS 2 271 Yorkshire , N & E , M . B . G . 257 10 o 508 5 8 9 S 0 „ W . M . B . G . 1841 17 o 2210 5 3 3010 Channel Islands , M . 21 S 8 o 11 S ig 0 273 M . means the Benevolent Institution ; B . the Boys '

Institution ; and G . the Girls' Institution . MASONIC IMPOSTORS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The question of how we are to prevent Masonic mendicants imposing on lodges and lodges of instruction is one that should , I think , be taken up by Grand Lodge . At the present time they are roaming from lodge to-lodge ,

" gathering honey . " I , as a constant attendant at lodges of instruction , can testify that applications are becoming more numerous ; one case is no sooner relieved than we are beset by others—so much so , indeed , that I am inclined to think that tliey work together . How are we to prevent this ? 1 would suggest : 1 . That Secretaries of lodges and lodges of instruction be directed to inform Grand Secretary of every application

Original Correspondence.

for assistance , stating- name , number of lodge , and a description of supplicant , so that they may be identified , and , if impostors , lodges warned by caution , to be inserted in Freemason , and other Masonic publications . 2 . That lodges be directed not to grant assistance unless applicant produces Grand Lodge certificate or is vouched for .

3 . _ That lodges be directed to grant only a small sum , a nominal one , to unvouched for petitioners , and that applicants be directed to apply to Grand Secretary , who would investigate their case , and , if deserving , take the necessary steps for their relief . _ 4 . Secretaries should be ; directed to forward all documents , including- Grand Lodrre certiftr . ifpsnhmilfprl in fl * . cA CM

_ , ^ to Grand Secretary , and to inform applicants that they must call at Grand Lodge to recover them . If these suggestiods were carried out I feel sure that Masonic mendicants would soon become scarce , and our lodges relieved of what has lately become an intolerable nuisance . —I am , dear sir and brother , yours sincerely and fraternally , VICTIMISED . Chelsea , S . W ., 27 th October .

MASONIC PORTRAITS ( UNKNOWN ) . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I have a very fine mezzotint engraving of a Provincial Grand Master , which I am unable to identify by ordinary means , and should be glad , therefore , if you would assist me by directing the attention of your readers

generally , but more particularly that of our provincial brethren , to the following description of it : The portrait in question is that of a dark person with rather a prominent forehead , seated in a Masonic chair by the side of a large column of the Doric order , the upper part of which is hidden by drapery ; his right hand is holding the arm of the chair and shows a ring on the little

finger ; nearly in front , but a little on his left , is a cushion supporting an open Bible , on which rests a small mallet ; he is wearing a very large white neck-wrapper , and has on the collar , jewel , and apron of a Prov . Grand Master , but no gauntlets . The size of the picture is about 12 inches

by 16 ; it is a proof before letters ; on the plate is the following inscription , engraved in one line : — " Painted by John Eckstein . Engraved and published by S . W . Reynolds , Bayswater , October 12 th , 1 S 1 S . " I shall be pleased to show the picture to any one who will favour me with a call . —Yours fraternally , H . SADLER . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

441 ] EARLY REFERENCE TO "FREE-MASON . " Amongst the monumental inscriptions to be found in the Churchyard of St . Benedict is one to "THO . GRUMBOLD , FREE-MASON , BUR . is AUG ., 1657 . " The reference is to be found in " Memorials of Cambridge " by Charles Henry Cooper , F . S . A ., 1 S 66 , vol . III ., p . 249 . VV . J . HUGHAN .

442 ] THE WREN MS . A correspondent has courteously called my attention to a portion of the Antiquity MS . in Preston , but it does not agree with the Wren MS ., or with Dr . Crane ' s MS . Browne ' s transcript is from another copy , a roll probably , and thus it may come out that we have portions of three MSS ., which I propose we call the Wren MS ., and Crane 1 , Crane-Robinson 2 . Browne's name should disappear . A . F . A . VV .

443 J JOHN DRAKE . Is John Drake , on the Square of 16 G 3 , the son of Humphrey Drake of Halifax , Yorkshire ? If so , John Drake was Sub-Dean of Ripon from 1661 to 16 S 1 . A very learned friend at York refers me to the Pedigrees in Dugdale's "Visitation of Yorkshire , " and Watson's "History of Halifax . " Bro . Whytehead will see what interesting questions may arise out of that old York Square . MASONIC STUDENT .

444 J THE GRAND LODGE LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND . KJoss , in his history of Freemasonry in France , states that C . A . Thory in his quality as Grand Officer of the Rite Philosophique made a truly grand collection of Masonic documents , books , manuscripts , rituals , medals , antiquities , & c , that in 1 S 06 he bought from a Paris bookseller the mystical and hermetic collection of the pre-revolution

philalethes ; that on the extinction of the philosophic Kite the combined collection remained in Thory ' s care ; that on his death ( 1827 ) they were bought up by a Bro . Morison de Greenfield , who ultimately bequeathed them to the Grand Lodge at Edinbro ' . Is Kloss correct on the latter part of this statement ? And if so , has Grand Lodge of Scotland ever issued a catalogue of this priceless collection ? Will some Scotch brother please answer ? Perhaps Bro . Murray Lyon will do so ? 445 ] G . W . SPETH .

THE OLD YORK MINUTE BOOK OF 1705 . Bro . Whytehead ' s seasonable communication anent some old York Masons naturally calls attention to the vellum folio MS . book beginning 7 th March , 1705 , and which Preston had apparently seen , or of which some one had given him an account . Until we see the MS . itself we cannot quite safely pin our faith on Preston ' s words , as in his time

accuracy of quotation orcritical carefulness of usage were hardl y in vogue amongst Masonic historians . He may use it , and quote from it , just as he quotes from the alleged register of Molart . Some one , no doubt , ( had seen ' . the original " Molash" register in the Tanner MSS ., and had misread it or mis-spelled it " Molart , " and also Chicheley's name at the top of the page , and above the names of Magister ,

Gardeani Magister el Apprenticu of the lodge , and the annual grant of " Livery , " and had jumped to the conclusion that Archbishop Chichley presided over a lodge of Masons at Canterbury early in the fifteenth century . Until we see the actual MS . minute book it is impossible to say whether Preston is correct in his details or even in his use of the word "President" ( though , of course , he may be ) ,