The Grand Orient Of Rome

possible . " All Anglo-Saxon Freemasons will rejoice to receive such an assurance on such an authority , and to which we beg to call the serious attention of the Grand Orient of France , and of Bro . Desrnons , who has stated just the contrary , in a recent and too famous report .

Exclusion Of The Hebrews In Germany.

EXCLUSION OF THE HEBREWS IN GERMANY .

We are glad to note by the Agenda paper , that this subject is going to be brought before the next Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge , and that in answer to 300 petitions our Grand Lodge will be invited to take im mediate and proper action . We do not shut our eves to

some difficulties attendant , necessarily , on the course which it is suggested Grand Lodge and the Grand Master shall now pursue under the circumstances in respect of the independence of National Grand Lodges , and we should perhaps have been inclined to recommend another course ,

namely , tbe affirmation of the rig ht of the Hebrew to admission , and the antagonism such exclusion of the Hebrew creates to the true principles of Universal Freemasonry . But we are quite sure that Grand Lodge will come to a right decision in the matter .

Literary Garbage

LITERARY GARBAGE

We are just now inundated with a plethora of personality which threatens to undermine and degrade our English Press . Jf any one doubts our humble words , let them read a recent article in the Contemporary Review , which points out , in terms by no means too strong , how , at

the very moment we write , the public taste is vitiated , aud public morals are weakened , by the infusion into our weekly literature of the stale jokes of uneducated scandal , the off-scourings of the smoking room , the tittle-tattle of the clubs , and the personal antipathies and

proclivities of brainless and enervated individuals . It has been said , and perhaps truly , that the real social state of any nation is best reflected by the literature which " pays , " and the theatres which are attended ; and if we were to judge of our national position in respect of morals ,

and manners , by these two tests , just now , we should have to confess , we fear , that the prospect before us would be alike most disheartening and depressing . In the literature of the press , the papers which are apparently most sought alter , are those which pretend to impart fragrant

scandals and to draw aside the curtains which properly close private life from our viewwhich seem bent on retailing the droppings from gin-palaces , and the last coarse joke of some " free-and-easy " or " coachman ' s club . " We are to be told everything about everybody ,

what Royalty itself has said and done , even in most private life , what Lady C lacker has been about , what Lord Charles Piper has remarked , and what Tommy Tippets has not achieved . For those who revel in the annals of "Low Life above Stairs , " there are many weekly papers just now , which seem a sort of refuge for those dear ,

destitute young men of ours , who never think , never read , never do anything but smoke and nip , and spit , and bet , and which even are read with ' ' gusto " by middle aged ladies and gentlemen , who seem always to be saying " militavi non sine gloria . ' To please some of our readers we give a free translation of our words . "We carried on the

war with signal success . In our opinion nothing is so lamentable as this condition of a great class of society , settling down on the lees of a barbaric sensuousness , of a debasing and unrestrained effeminateness of habits , tastes , and feelings . But the evidences abound on every

side , which serve to convince us , that that which best " pays , " is most read , and even highly prized , is that style of literature which descends to the lowest source of scandal and ill living , repeats the vile anecdote , or the treacherous canard , and abounds in those edifying records of personal

wrong-doing which seem to be " caviare" to countless gaping ganders and geese of both sexes , and all conditions . Under present circumstances neither private life nor the confidence of a club are exempt from these breaches of public and personal honour . Stories are repeated which some ingenious and ingenuous young gentleman

Literary Garbage

has heard in the " Poluphloisboio Club , " and straig ht away sends off to those immaculate journals , ( being paid for his pains ) , which are named " Honour" "High Life , " ' ' Confidence , " & c , & c , and which duly edify those countless " gobemouches , " who are weak enough to buy

and still weaker to read such " garbage and such rubbish . Let none be offended at our plain speaking . As regards our theatres , while we make some exceptions , we regret that " many pieces ever see the light , much less ever are played on our English boards . The true end ofthe theatre ,

as we hold it , is to amuse , to inform , to instruct , to impress , to satirize the amiable weaknesses and vanity of each passing age , and we always grieve wnen we behold the English stage reduced , in order to secure attendance and applause , to pander to a relaxed code of morals ,

and to pourtray in inflammatory language , not the wickedness , but the palliations of vice ; to use words which bring a blush to the cheek of innocence , and undermine , while they contaminate , the higher sentiments of virtue . But we forbear for the present to dwell on this topic ,

which deserves to be treated by itself , since we are among those who have always seen . as Dr . Johnson saw , the actual good of the stage , amid no doubt many deteriorating influences and tendencies . If we are wrong , we are content to be in error with that stout old moralist . We have been

led into these remarks by the accumulating testimony before us to the extent of this evil of personal attack and scandal , affecting the press . We would say to all , especially brother Masons who allow themselves on any grounds whatever , to descend to the vulgar use of personality and

calumny , the anonymous letter , or the coveit inuendo , that such proceedings are an absolute degradation to them as men and Masons , an utter bunesque on every principle of Masonic profession . The brother who , for causes of private " pique , " or personal jealousy , attacks another , brother behind his back , " willing to wound

but yet afraid to strike , is the most contemptible of men , nay of reptiles , and we beg to commend to his very serious attention , for his improvement and edification , some little words of our immortal brother and bard , from that noble play " Othello , " with which we desire respectfully to conclude this , our earnest

deliverance : — " A slippery and subtle knave ; a finder out of occasions ; that has an eye can stamp and counterfeit advantages , though true advantage never present itself : a devilish knave . "

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

f " , Ve do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as 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 . —ED . 1

KNIGHT TEMPLARS OF IRELAND . To the Editor oj the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — As my esteemed and valued R . W . Bro . W . J . Hughan calls on me by the article in your paper of 17 th inst . to furnish you with a copy of the charter granted by Mother Kilwinning on the Sth of October , 1779 , to " The

High Knight Templars of Ireland , Kilwinning Lodge , " I have great pleasure in not only sending you at foot a copy of that charter , but also of thc petition , praying Mother Kilwinning to grant that charier . Some time since I compared both of these with the originals . lt will be at once seen that the petition only prayed for authority to work Craft Masonry , and that the charter

only confers power to work the Craft degrees , and that the working of Knight Templary under it was unauthorised . The original minute-book of this High Knight Templars of Ireland Kilwinning Lodge is in my possession , and shows that not only the Craft degrees were worked under this charter , but also those of Knight Templary , Excellent , Super-Excellent , " Royal Arch , "

" Prince Masonry , " and " Knight of Red Cross , " were worked assumedly ( as is stated in the circular of 30 th Jan ., 1806 ) by virtue of this charter of Sth Octuber , 1779 . Holding as I do the high honour of honorary membership of Mother Kilwinning , and having had the great pleasure ot reading her original records and minute-books from the nth day of December , 1642 , up to the 14 th of August , 1876 , being nearly a period of 234 years , I can

vouch from these invaluable records that Mother Kilwinning has never worked or sanctioned the working of any degrees save those of Craft Masonry . I have long since written our valued and esteemed IU . Bro . the Great Prior of Canada , promising him every Masonic information and assistance I can give him , as it is a real pleasure to have the honour of corresponding with such a true Mason as our 111 . brother . I may also mention I am at present procuring for our

Original Correspondence.

III . brother all the information I can as to Irish Knight Templary . I remain , yours fraternally , J AMES H . NEILSON . tj , Upper Mount-street , Liverpool .

PETITION FOB CHAPTER . To the Grand Master and Brethren of the Mother Lodge of Kilwinning . Brethren , —Studious to follow Freemasonry on the justest principles of thc Ancient Craft , and willing to derive an authority from the first source , a regular lodge of Free and Accepted Masons , held in Dublin , have been

long desirous to obtain a charter from their esteemed brethren , the Ancient Lodge of Kilwinning , as they are fully satisfied of their just title cf piimogeniture . Anxiously solicitous alter the attainment of this much desired object , but at a loss to whom to turn for advice , or where to apply , they count it a fortunate era theic meeting with their much loved brother , George

Cunningham Esq ., whose friendship has pointed out a clue to lead them out of their labyrinth of doubt . Under his auspices , therefore , they apply for a chatter from you to hold a lodge , to bs called the High Knight Templars Lodge oE Ireland , and hope ever to walk worthy of their vocation , and the high favour you will confer on them by granting it . We remain , with the greatest respect , wishing you thc

salutation of peace , love , and harmony , your truly affectionate brethren , HENRY WHEELER , Master . PETER GRANT , S . W . ROBERT COLVILLE , J . W . RICHARD GANDEY , Sec . Dublin , April , 1779

COPY OF CHARTER . " We , Archibald , Earl of Eglintoune , Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Mother Lodge of Kilwinning , having taken into consideration the request of certain Masons in the City of Dublin , in Ireland , praying our authority to be formed into a regular Lodge or Society , being well-assured of their moral character , and of their inclination to

promote thc good of Masonry : We , with the consent of our Wardens and other brethren , do constitute and erect them into a regular lodge , by the name of the High Knight Templars of Ireland Kilwinning Lodge . And we grant them all powers and privileges which now are , or for any time past may have been , legally enjoyed by any other lodge of our creating ; the same to be always holden of

the Most Worshipful Grand Master of thc Mother Lodge of Kilwinning and his successors in office , upon the yearly payment of one merk Scots money ( , 13 ¦}¦) sterling . atthe anniversary meeting of the Mother Lodge in December , and upon the attendance of one of their members , if required , at said meeting . " Given at Kilwinning the 8 th of October , 1779 . " ROBT . LAUGHLEN . "

LODGES AT HOTELS . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I have noticed lately some letters in your good paper about holding Masonic Lodges at Hotels , and leannot see why the hosts should be so unceremoniousl y snubbed as some of your correspondents have snubbed them .

What have they done ? I have a little experience in the Craft , and am obliged to express my opinion , that more hearty and sincere Masons than " Publicans" do not exist , and that as a body they have done as much for Masonry and our Charities as any other men . Your correspondents must surely have met with some very objectionable " Pub , " as he calls it . If so , why dub them as a rule ?

I think it would be more courteous to our hosts if he would point out wherein they overstep their duties , and then call them to order . I mean the especial ones . We all have that privilege . Few Masons , I think , will deny that the Hotel , Hostelry , or Inn , is a convenient place to hold a lodge . Solitary " Bethels " may be very good , in some parts of the country , some of whose members may prefer their good dinners at

home , but I believe they , as a rule , would be all the better Masons ajler their occasional banquets together . No place in my opinion supersedes a well managed Hotel . Masonry is charity , in its highest sense , and good " refreshment after labour " certainly induces charity , and the best of refreshments can be had at good Hotels . Vours fraternally , G . TIOCOMBE , Jen . Abereorn Lodge , Stanmore .

LODGES OF INSTRUC HON v , PRECEPTORS . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I am surprised that your correspondent , G . M ., as an old M . M ., should ask such questions , although I have often heard of complaints respecting Preceptors , who are ignorant , conducing themselves without due respect to

those brethren , who look to a Preceptor as dutiful scholars to a teacher , but the Preceptor should also look to his scholars as superior pupils . In my experience I have always found a good preceptor to regulate his teaching according to the majority of the brethren . As to the right of a Preceptor to make bye-laws , I never

heard of such , and would be surprised if a Preceptor would doit . Altering rituals is out of question altogether , and As to voting , no doubt he has a right , but what decent and proper Preceptor would do it , except advising . A preceptor ought to be neutral on every question when ritual and the Book of Constitutions is not concerned . Yours fraternally , 1346 }