The Illusions Of Life.

cytiical , a desponding , a distorted , a morbid view of things in general and in particular . Like soldiers in a fray , let us hope rather that we- may resolve to fight on bravely to the end , without one thought of surrender , withont one apprehension of defeat . And after all , though the

illusions have left us one by one , never to return , they were very pleasant while they lasted . To believe firmly in the fidelity of a friend , to bask in the sunshine of affection , to cheer ourselves amid the concerns of each returning day with the warmth of earthl y heart companionship , to find a charm and a solace amid weariness and

adversity in the hallowed circle of domestic happiness j all these are very pleasant conditions of life , and as elevating as pleasant . If we fondl y hope that they will last our time , that they will accompany us while we linger here on the plain , the illusion is after all not hurtful or unnatural . And

if they do leave us , if we find that the weakness and taint of earth have marred all this world ' s associations , and all human fellowship , if we let go each dear illusion with a sis ; h , nay , a tear , let us be content with what we have enjoyed , let us not look for perfection here , let us believe

that on ( all of this fair earth of ours , high or low , grave or gay , beautiful , graceful , loving , tender , true , the affections of the heart , and the fasci-. nations of the intellect , there is graven as with an adamantine pen , the mournful words , weakness , imperfection , decaj' , destruction . Now we do

not wish to drift into a sermonette , and so we stop here to-day , or , as our friend Robinson says , "pull up . " Freemasonry , like life , has also many illusions , but happily our true Masonic philosophy comes in to induce us one and all to regard them with equanimity , and to endure

them with cheerfulness . All is not gold that glitters " is true of Freemasonry as of any other earthly institution and thing . Freemasonry is after all only like ourselves , mortal . Its practice does not always square with its precepts , its outward progress with its professions , its

exoteric acts with its esoteric system . We are sometimes greatly disappointed when we find that with all our own hi gh views of it , our lofty notions of its work or influence , that it is still marked , more or less , with most of the imperfections of earth . We preach , for instance ,

habitually , brotherly Jove , alas ! how few of us all really practise it ! We avow ourselves " brethren one of Another , " alas ! how unbrotherly we can be , and often shew ourselves to be when the occasion serves . We proclaim beneficence and concern for others one of the

great aims of our Order , alas ! how purely material are our normal masonic life and work for the most part . Still , let us not be disappointed , or disheartened , or complain over much . Freemasonry is , nevertheless , a very great , a very useful , a very benevolent Order , making

allowance for all its shortcomings , and though perhaps we may regret that what some may term our high-pitched notions are illusionary , yet wc will not be too exacting , we should not be too sentimental . We accept to-day , as we

did years ago , our Masonic teaching and Order in the full faithfulness of loving children , believing that it has a great future yet before it , of usefulness , benevolence , and good for man . So mote it be !

Old Masonic Apron.

OLD MASONIC APRON .

We have to call attention to an old and verycurious Masonic apron , which originall y belonged to a member of the Lion and Lamb Lodge , and can now be seen at our publisher ' s show rooms , i , 2 , and 3 . Little Britain . We

understand that our Rev . Bro . J . Hordern Jukes , its possessor , intends kindly to present it to the Lion and Lamb Lodge , through Bro . Kenning . A fuller account of it will appear in the November or December " Masonic Magazine . "

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of theopinions expressed by ourcorrespomlcnls , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . ] RRO . RnCHAN AND HIS CONSTANT

QUESTIONINGS . To the Editor ofthe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I am very sorry to find , from the style of his remarks at page 423 , that I appear to have offended my es-

Original Correspondence.

teemed friend Bro . Hughan . There is not one in all the circle of my Jlasonic acquaintances whom I esteem more highly , consequently I hope that if he has taken offence at any remark of mine he will believe me when I state that it was not my intention to give offence , and especially not to htm . In fact , my last remark in connection with his name was really intended as a compliment to him . Bro . Hughan objects to my " constant questionings , "

and to my " pegging away at the subject , " but I am not aware that I have really been asking so very many questions of late ( what is " Multum in Parvo ; or Masonic Notes and Queries , " for , unless for questions ?) , and as to the " pegging away , " that is often a very laudable as well as serviceable way of attaining one ' s object . It was by " P eg S _ i"if away " at it , so folks say , that Grant captured Richmond , so if by " pegging away " I can manage to capture or upset the " Guild Theory" Bro . Hughan must

excuse me . Bro . Hughan wishes to engage me in a regular battle upon the " origin of Freemasonry , " but as I am " over head and ears " in other matters at present , he must excuse me postponing that in the meantime . There is another reason also , viz ., this : —Bro . Hughan stated a few weeks ago that he accepted the " Guild Theory " of " A Masonic

Student" as the true theory of the origin of Freemasonry . It so happens , however , that so far as the hitherto published statements of these two distinguished brothers arc concerned , they are decidedly opposed to each other upon several very important points ; consequently , before entering into any regular battle on the subject , I consider that I and all other readers of the " Freemason " are entitled to

receive an explanation as to this , and to ask Bro . Hughan if his ideas regarding the history of our Freemasonry , and its rise and progress , have undergone any important change within the past few months ? " A Masonic Student" has repeatedly stated that he considers our three degrees existed long before A . D . 1717 . Bro . Hughan , again , has repeatedly denied that ; now ,

with such an important difference existing between them I must say that I cannot sec how Bro . Hughan can consistently support the " Guild Theory " of " A Masonic Student . " If Bro . Hughan has a "Guild Theory" of his own I would beg of him to explain it , as by doing so all difference between him antl me might possibly cease . Yours fraternally , W . P . BUCHAN .

GRAND MASTERS OF ENGLISH FREEMASONS . To the Edilpr of the Freemason .. Dear Sir and Brother , — In answer to Bro . T . W . Whitley , I would beg to say that , so far as historical evidence is concerned , there has not as yet been produced any substantial evidence whatever to show lhat the English Freemasons ever had

any " Grand Master " before A . D . 1717 . 'I he list from A . D . 59 to A . D . 16 98 , inclusive , is purely imaginary . Until within the last few years the modus operandi of Masonic "historians "—save the mark—was to draw upon their brains for fancies instead of consulting Masonic records for facts . I am , yours fraternally , W . P . BUCHAN . Glasgow , Sept . 25 th , 187 ,.

To the Editor if the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — In reply to the letter from Bro . Whitley , I think the list of Grand Masters which appeared in the "Builder " newspaper in 1844 must have been taken from Dr . Anderson's Book of Constitutions , published in 1738 , for in it the names given can easily bc traced ; in this book there is

an earlier mention of a Grand Master than that given first on the list , namely that of St . Alban , who died A . D . 303 . From page 57 I have taken the following passage : — " St Alban loved Masons well , and cherished them much , and he made their pay right good , viz ., two shillings per week and threepence to their cheer , whereas before that time through all the land a Mason had but a

penny a day and his meat , until St . Alban amended it . He also obtained of the king a charter for the Freemasons for to hold a general council , and gave it the name of assembly , and was thereat himself as Grand Master , and helped to make Masons , and gave them good charges . " I am , dear Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully and fraternally , Tin ; SECRETARY OF No . 38 .

GRESHAM LODGE , No . 86 9 . To the Editor ofthe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — 1 have much pleasure in informing you that the Gresham Lodge , 8 G 9 , formerly meeting at the Four Swans , Waltham Cross , will for the future hold their meetings in the Banqueting Mall of Cheshunt Great House , Cheshunt

Park , one of the palaces of Cardinal Wolsey , Bro . Rev . C . Erskine Mayo , M . A ., Chaplain , and Prov . Grand Chaplain of Herts , having kindly given the brethren the free use of that ancient historical place for that purpose . I may here remark that for a long time past there has been a desire amongst the brethren to remove the lodge , but they have not been able to find the necessary

accommodation in any tavern in the neighbourhood , when it occurred to me , " knowing the place well from living in the neighbourhood , " to ask Bro . M . iyo if he would have any objection in allowing the use of the Hall of Cheshunt Great House for the purposes of the lodge . He at once consented , and informed the brethren that such a change he thought would materially enhance the respectability of the lodge ,

and that he knew of several of the resident gentry who w'ould like to become members of our ancient fraternity , but objected to attend a tavern for that purpose . We have now received the consent of the R . W . Prov . Grand Master to the removal , and will shortly hold an emergency meeting to receive several of the proposed initiates . t Our regular meetings will be , as heretofore , the second

Original Correspondence.

Saturday in the months of May , June , July , August , and September , and I can assure you a visit will gratify ami amply repay you for the trouble of a journey to visit the lodge . The appointments and associations of the place hung round as it is with a number of very ancient porl traits , some armour , and a variety of curiosities , cannot fail to impress one , and lend an additional charm

to our ancient ceremonies ; and , congratulating ourselves on our good fortune , in obtaining such gootl quarters for our own lodge , I feel very seriously for the honour of our Craft , unless measures are promptly taken to check lodges being held at second , and even third rale public houses , where there is no accommodation for holding a lodge with anything like decency . Gentlemen

of good social position are naturally averse to having to force their way through a public bar , surrounded b y a number of persons , to get to the lodge room , and then onl y to find an inefficient retiring room before entering the lodge . I know of several warrants granted lately where there has scarcely been sufficient room and convenience for the consecration ceremony , and at the cud of the first

or second year the landlord of the house has found it so inconvenient to him , and interfere so much with his ordinary business , or the brethren for the want of room , have been obliged to seek other accommodation , ami then find their warrants endorsed for that neighbourhood only , where it is almost impossible for them to continue their meeting's . Such a state of thinirs must sooner or later

bring our Order into contempt ; could you not call attention to the growing evil ? There may perhaps bc some able member of Grand Lodge , who , if it were represented to him , would frame a motion , that it be required of some Grand Officer to visit the place at which it is proposed to hold a new lodge , and report to the Board of General Purposes , whether the accommodation is such as is consistent with our

requirements , before the petition is allowed lo bc presented to the M . W . Grand Master . Such a course I feel assured would check the growth of public houSe lodges , and save our Order from reproach . Apologizing for thus troubling you , I am , dear Sir nnd Brother , yours fraternally , WAI . TKH E . GOMIMCIITZ , P . M . and Sec . 86 9 , S _ . pt . 27 th , 187 ; . P . P . G . P ., Herts .

MASONS AT SIGHT . . . . ; STo ihe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — A very wrong impression seems to prevail as to ' the power of the M . W . G . M . to " make Masons at sight . " One brother , a high dignitary in the Province of East Lancashire , has the idea that the G . M . can invite a " profane "

into a room , and without any assistance or ceremony simp ly create him a Mason in the three degrees . I have always held the opinion that this power only consists in the G . M ., if presiding in a Craft Lodge , being able to dispense with any proposition , or ballot , and permitting the candidate to be at once initiated with the usual ceremonies . I do not think it is within the power of the M . W . G . M . to give a dispensation to admit a candidate to

two or more degrees on one night . At least , it is so in England . Would that it were so in Scotland . I have read in to-day ' s "Freemason , " an account of the meeting of St . John ' s Lodge , J , Glasgow . I find that two gentlemen received the whole of the three degrees in one night , and this , also , the night on which they were proposed and ballotted for . Three Entered Apprentices were passed and raised at the

same time . In another lodge repotted in the same number , St . Vincent 553 , 7 6 candidates were admitted to the Order in one year , at an initiation fee of two guineas each , and nearly all received the three degrees on the same night

they were proposed . This certainly is making " Masons at sight . " Will you kindly give the Craft the benefit of your large experience . I am , yours fraternally , AI . NI . Sept . 25 th .

FREEMASONRY AND THE RITUALISTS . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir , — I observe in the " Freemason " that there is a not unnatural feeling of annoyance among Masons at the attitude assumed towards the Craft by various religious badies . Romanists , Presbyterians , Baptists have more or

less officially inveighed against Masonry , and to them you add the " sect everywhere spoken against" of the socalled Ritualists . I , Sir , should probably be numbered amongst them by those that allow themselves to use such nicknames , though I neither desire n ir adopt any name but that of a Catholic Will you allow me , therefore , utterly to disclaim on

behalf of " Ritualists , " as a school of thought , any such antagonism to Masonry as you suppose . Your gravamen against Rome is that she has argued from particulars to universals , and condemned all Masonry for the faults of some of the ledges of some of its territorial divisions . Have you not unawares fallen into the same error when you ascribe to a party the views advanced by one alone

out of several papers which would be called " Ritualistic . ' I am not a Alason , though the son of one and tlie brother of another ; my poverty and not my will consent's to my remaining outside a body which I consider so much entitled to the respect of all who have the cause of philanthropy and brotherhood at heart ; but I would say that

I agree with every word of the able " Defence of treemasonry " published at your office . I have read this twice with much attention , and am convinced that the majority of " Ritualists " would adopt its views . I was present recently at a large meeting of " Ritualistic " clergy , at which the subject of the attitude ot the Church towards Freemasonry was ( inter alia ) exhaustively