Original Correspondence.

In the fourteenth century , in ' London in Ancient and Modern Times , ' I observe it stated that Edward III . enrolled himself as a member of the ' Linen Armourers , now Merchant Tailors' Company . ' This was too badhe shoulel have joined the Masons I Only , as is more probable , he might pass laws to prevent overcharges in their work , and appoint referees to settle disputes

between the Masons and those who employed them . 1 he Lairds of Roslin , in the seventeenth century ( who Bro . Paton erroneously calls ' Grand Masters' ) , were referees of this sort ; or , as the charters in the Advocates' Library , which Bro . Baton refers to , styles them , ' patrons and judges . ' The dates of these charters are A . D . 1600 and A . D . 162 S , anel they only refer to pure Operative

Masonry , and have not the remotest connection with our Freemasonry and its system of three degrees , Grand Masters , & c . —the ' masters ' there alluded to being purely employers of men . The Masons accuse themselves of great misbehaviour , faults , and controversies , and of' not being able to waite upon the ordinair judges and judgment of the rcalme . ' Hence they simply ask for a man

to settle their trade disputes . And while the Laird of Roslin is chosen or appointed , ' with express consent and assent of William Shaw , maister of wark , to our Severable Lord , 'juelge or referee for a certain district , with continuation to his heirs , he became no more ' Grand Master' or ' Hereditary Grand Master' thereby than I did . Thcprsl Scottish 'Grand Master' was a St . Clair

of Roslin , but that was not till 1736 , when the Grand Lodge of Scotland was first constituted , and he was then elected to that office . More , while the Lairds of Roslin were referees or juelges for the Masons in one part of the kingdom , we perceive a Royal grant made by James VI . in 1590 lo Patrick Coiplanel , of Udaucht , and his heirs ( his progenitors had it also ) giving him full powers as

Wardane anel Justice within the ' hail thrie sherilfdomes of Aberelene , Banff , anel Kincarne . ' I ask , was he another ' Hereditary Grand Master ? ' Perhaps Bro . Paton , who is so good at re-retailing dreams and exploded notions , will kindly solve this problem . " I have saiel that Freemasonry about the fifteenth century , & c ., was the art of building ; but the Freemasonry

of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries is quite different . It is not the art of building , where apprentices come to learn their trade , journeymen to work at it , and masters to employ men anel profit by them—it is a system of morality , in which the candidates arc put through three ceremonies or ' degrees' before they are full members ; the ' secrets' then communicated are the passwords , fee ,

for said degrees , with explanations of the symbols , Sec . ; and as for the vulgar idea that the Freemasons are possessed of some extra knowledge , that is quite erroneous . Suppose all the worlel knew to-morrow that the password of the first degree was Adam , that of the second Noah , and that of the third David ( these are merely illustrations ) , would people be any the better for that ?

Certainly not . The ceremonies of the different degrees are beautiful when well done , and were it not for the baneful drinking customs of lhe Fraternity , which do far more harm than any other portion of their practices does good , they might often have a very good effect upon the candidates . However , I understand this matter is to he looked after , in the Glasgow Province at least , more than it has

hitherto been . The working of the Master Mason degree , when well done , is just as solemn as the ordination of a minister , and , of course , far more dramatic ; and if the Masons would only stop the drinking customs altogether , and take more interest in the ceremonies of the Order , they would find a far better class of members attending their meetings .

" Thousands of Freemasons high in office are ready to assert that our 'Craft Masonry , ' with its system of three degrees , was in existence long before the last century ; but I etcfy them all to prove such an ieica by giving the name of any man who received the Master Mason degree , and the lodge which gave il , before 1717 . The fact is , as I have already stated elsewhere , that the system of

Freemasonry which was manufactured in London about A . u . 1717 is that system which all the world lias adopted since . My friend , Bro . D . Murray Lyon , who has examined the records of the two old lodges , Mary ' s Chapel and Mother Kilwinning , considers that 1721 may be pointed to as the lime when this system was first introduced inlo Scotland , and lhat is four years after 1717 .

l ! ro . Paton must be a very careless writer , or he would not nou < refer lo the imaginary ' 1140 ' date of Mother Kilwinning Lodge . I think I showed up the absurdity of that legend well enough two years ago ; and if anything were wanting , the remark of Iiro . Lyon , lately given in TUB Fui-. i-MASON' of March 261 I 1 , should have satisfied him—viz ., ' the , r /«//' lhat is propagated in regard lo its

antiquity and former position !' " As to the ' Canongate Kilwinning , ' which , I admit , existed in 1677 as a lodge of Operative Masons , proves that it received a charter then , or proves thai il ' nevei consisted of Opeialive Masons , but always of noblemen and gentlemen , ' by giving a list of these supposed 'noblemen and gentlemen' who joined , say between 1700 and

1720 . I am quite well aware many noblemen , ike , joined this lodge about and afler 1736 , hut the point is to prove what took place before 1717 . I am not aware that the Canongate Kilwinning Lodge was alive in 1717 far less did it then know aught of , or practice , our system of Freemasonry in 1716 . The fact is , there were many friendly and convivial societies m existence before 1717 both amongst the Masons as well as amongst other trades ,

but none ofthe members of any of these societies , clubs , gilds , or even 'lodges , 'knew aught of or practised our system of Freemasonry before 1717 . In the old gilds the opened box was the sign that the meeting had begun , just as with the Craft gilds , see Toulmin Smith ' s new work on ' English Gilds , ' which I consider supports my ideas , as it seems to me do also the works of the various Burgh Rccorel Societies which I have been able to peruse .

Original Correspondence.

" Bro . Paton tells us that he is ' at present busily engaged on several Masonic works . ' If so , he shoulel have everything at his finger ends , and be able now to ' show it ( the 1717 theory ) to be a mistake ; ' instead of which he makes this an excuse for delay . —I am , yours respectfully , " W . P . BUCHAN . "

I shall leave your readers to judge for themselves , only I would respectfully ask them to think over and digest my remarks before putting them aside . If they are true they will stand ; and it is the truth alone that I want . I am , yours fraternally , W . P . BUCHAN . Glasgow , June 4 th , 1870 .

Happy We Meet, Happy We Part.

HAPPY WE MEET , HAPPY WE PART .

BY XV . I-I . ETHERIXGTOX , GRESHAM LODGE , NO . 869 . When Masons round the festive board Are met in hallow'd mirth , 'Tis then we seek with one accord To own each other ' s worth ; For all are not alike create ,

Each has his part to play , Ther . love each Brother , small or great , And work while it is day . For happy wc meet , happy we part , Happy we'll meet again , There ' s no alloy in a Mason ' s joy , And our secrets are sought for in vain . In angry strife we ne ' er engage , Our time is short below , . Of war ' s alarms , and battle ' s rage We little care to know . Give us the truthful man , and who O'er self the victory ' s won , And " dares do all a man may do , Who dares do more is none . " For happv , etc .

Then , Brother , grip the friendly hand , Let heart to heart beat true , United , we ' re a happy band , And each shall have his due . With all mankind we sympathise ,

In health , in wealth , or pain , For we've that bright licav'n before our eyes , Where all shall meet again . For happy , & c . R . S . A . F ., Enfield , June 15 th , 1870 .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS

For the Week ending July 9 , 1070 . MONDAY , J 4 . Lodge 16 , Royal Alpha , Willis's Rooms , St . James ' s . ,, 25 , Robert Burns , Freemasons' I fall . Chap . 28 , Old King ' s Arms , Freemasons' Hall .

Sincerity Lodge of Instruction ( 174 ) , Railway lavern , Fenchurch-street Station , at 7 . Wellington Lodge of Instruction , While Swan Tavern , Deptford , at S . Camden Lodge of Inslruclion ( 704 ) , Adelaide Tavern , Haverstock-hill , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor . Eastern Star Lodgeof Instruction ( 95 ) , Royal Hotel ,

Milcend-road , at 7 . 30 , Bro . E . Gottheil , Preceptor . British Oak Lodge of Instruction , Bank of Friendship Tavern , Mile End , at 7 for 8 .

TUESDAY , J 5 . Colonial Board , Freemasons' Hall , at 3 . Lodge 167 , St . John ' s , I lolly Bush Tavern , Hampstead . ,, 1259 , Duke of Edinburgh , New Globe Tavern , Mile End . ,, 1261 , Golden Rule , Gt . Western Htl ., Bayswatcr . Chan . 169 , Temperance , White Swan , Deptford .

MeliopolilanChapler of Instruction , George Hotel , Aldermanbury , at 7 ; Comp . Brett , Preceptor . Domatic Lodgeof Inslruclion , Palmerston Tav ., Grosvcnorpark , Camberwell , at 7 . 30 . Royal Union Lodge of Instruction ( 3 S 2 ) , Hotel de Cologne , 60 and 61 , llaymarkel , al 8 ; Bro . T . AAdams , Preceptor . Faith Lodge of Instruction , Metropolitan Railway . Yictovia

Station , at 8 ; Bro . C . A . Coltehrune , Preceptor . Yarborough Lodgeof Inslruclion , Green Dragon , Stepney , at 8 ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceplor . Prince Fredk . William Lodge of Instruction ( 753 ) Knights of St . John ' s Tavern , St . John ' s-wood ; Iiro .. F . G . Baker , Preceptor . Prestonian Club of Instruction ( for M . M . ' s only ) , Lyceum Tavern , Strand .

WEDNESDAY , J 6 . Lodge 10 , Westminster & Keystone , Freemason * ' Hall . ,, ' 1044 , New Wandsworth , Spread Eagle Tav ., Now Wandsworth . Mark Loilge , Samson and Lion , Freemasons' Tavern .

Pythagorean Lodge of Instruction ( 79 ) , Prince of Orange , Greenwich , at S ; J . Robt . Nash , Preceptor . United Strength Lodgeof Instruction ( 228 ) , Dull & Gale , Kentish Town-road , at 8 ; Bro . J . N . Frost , Preceptor . Israel Lodge of Inslruclion , Rising Sun Tavern , Globeroad , al 7 . 30 ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings

Strong Man Lodge of Instruction , The Grapes T avcm , Duke-street , Manchester-square , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , P . G . P ., Preceptor . New Concord Lodge of Instruction , Rosemary Branch Tavern , Hoxton , at 8 . Sydney Lodge of Instruction ( 829 ) , Cambridge Hotel , Upper Norwood , at 7 . 30 .

Peckham Lodge of Instruction , Maismore Arms , Parkroad , Peckham ; Bro . David Rose , Precei-itor . Temperance in the East Lodge of Instruction , George the Fourth , Catherine-street , Poplar . Burdett Coeitts Lodge of Instruction ( 1278 ) , Approach Tavern , Approach-road , Victoria-park , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . T- Terry , Preceptor .

THURSDAY , J 7 . LodgeS 54 , Yarborough , Green Dragon , Stepney . ,, 822 , Victoria Rifles , Freemasons' Hall . ,, 1155 , Excelsior , Sydney Arms , Lewisham-road . ,, 1178 , Perfect Ashlar , Gregorian Arms , Bermondsey Ch . 733 , Westbourne , New Inn , Edgware-road .

,, 742 , Crystal Palace , Crystal Palace , Sydenham . General Committee Girls' School , Freemasons' Hall , at 4 . Fidelity Lodge of Instruction ( 3 ) , Goat and Compasses , Euston-road , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor .

Finsbury Club of Instruction , Jolly Anglers Tavern , 42 , Bath-street , Cily-roacl . United Mariners' Lodge of Instruction , Three Cranes , Mile-end-road , at 8 ; Bro . T . J . Barnes , Preceptor . St . George ' s Lodge of Instruction ( 140 ) , Globe Tavern , Royal Hill , Greenwich , at 8 .

FRIDAY , J 8 . St . Luke ' s Lodge of Instruction ( 144 ) , Pier Htl ., Chelsea . Unions Emulation Lodge of Improvement for M . M . ' s , Freemasons' Hall , uc 7 . Domatic Chapter of Instruction , Metropolitan Railway Victoria Station , at 8 ; Comp . Cottebrune , Preceptor Pythagorean Chapter of Instruction ( No . 79 ) , Prince of

Orange , Greenwich-road , at a ; Comp . XV . West Smith , Preceplor . Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction , George Hotel , Alder-. manbury , at 7 ; Bro . Brett , Preceptor . United Pilgrims' Lodge of Instruction , Horns Tavern Kennington , at 7 . Belgrave Lodge of Instruction , Duke of Wellington Htl ., Spring-gardens , Charing-cross ; Br . Pulsford , Preceptor

Doric Lodge of Instruction , three Cranes Tavern , Mileend-road , at S ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor . Duke of Edinburgh Lodge of Instruction , Silver Lion , Penny-fields , Poplar , at 7 ; Br . D . S . Potts , Preceptor . Temperance Lodge of Instruction , Victoria Tav ., Victoriaroad , Deptford , at 8 . Charterhouse Club of Instruction , Hat anel Feathers Tavern , 25 , Goswell-road , at 8 ; Bro . J . Mather , P . M . 63 , Preceptor .

SATURDAY , J 9 . Lodge 176 , Caveac , Radley ' s Hotel , Blackfriars . Star Lodge of Inslruclion ( 1275 ) , Marquis of Granby , New Cross-road , at 7 .

THE Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire will be held at Whitby on Wednesday next , the 6 th July , at two o'clock in the afternoon . A banquet will take place the same evening , at five o'clock , at the Angel Hotel , tickets for which , 5 s . each , may be obtained of the Scribes of the Whitby Chapter .

WASTE OF LAND . —tew seem to to think ofthe prodigious waste of land by hedges . Hedges arc sometimes useful for shelter , and sometimes for ornament ; but many of our hedges arc neither the one nor the other . They are intended merely as fences ; but they are tbe most expensive of all fences . They arc not the mere lines , having length

without breadth , which they appear on the plan of an . estate . The best trimmed hedge consumes at least 3 feet of land on each side of it , and many of our English hedges arc far from being well trimmed . —Food Journal . HOLLOWAY ' S PILLS . —Aches and Pain . —There is no doubt lhat man is less sensible of the most perfect

health than he is of the least sickness . By this means does kind Nature forewarn him to guard against a coming malady . Were these alterative , aperient , and purifying Pills had recourse to when the first departure from ease proclaims the approach of disease , how many tortures would be spared—how much misery avoieled .

Holloway ' s Pills need no comment here on lhe good services they render in resisting or remedying complaints ; they have been on their trial before the great tribunal of public opinion for more than forty years , and its favourable verdict is attested by the growing demand for these Pills . —[ Advt . ]

Ad01105

^ bfaevtrscments . " H ALF A MILLION HAS l' . EEN PAID HY Till' . Railway Passengers' Assurance Company , AS COMPENSATION l'OR A C C 1 1 ) E N T S () F A L I . K I N D S , I liidiiig , Driving , Walking , Hunting , Crc ., ) An -. t . mml payment nf £ 3 lo /< . 5 ... insures Xinoo at dc .-uli . nii'l an alln " . r .-uicc at the rate vf £ C J per « eck fur injury . . 1 l > e : i'is tt' . ill IWicy tti' / . ters of free years standing lias teen declared , payable in and ajter _ 3 ; i . Fur p ; ul : cit !; i _ - _ . apply lo the Clerks at tlie Railway Stations , to the Local Agents , or at the Olliccs , di , COKMIII . I ., and 10 , RiaatNT STRI _ I _ T , LONDON . WILLIAM J . VIAN , Secretary