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BRO . BINCKES PRESENTATION FUND . President—THE EARL OF LATHOM , D . G , M ., & Prov . G . M . W . Lancashire . Treasurer—Bro . GEORGE PLUCKNETT , P . G . D . England , and Treasurer of the R . M . I . B . Hon . Secretary—Bro . C . F . HOGARD , P . M ., P . Z ., & c . Subscriptions to the above Fund will be received by Bro . GEO . PLUCKNETT , 46 , Connaught-pq ., W ., or by Bro . C . F . H OGARD , 45 a , Cheapside , London , E . C , by whom also all further particulars will be furnished . Estab . l D U E R , C' 749 . / 4 ^ , * 146 , NEW BOND ST ., W ., K tyCALLORD & ° CALLORD , ^ X Queen ' s Terrace , St . John ' s Wood . . — ^^ . / Vanstoall parts Daily . Hampers & Tins * VJ / packed for the country with Biscuits , & c . >/ S French & Vienna Fancy Rolls & Bread . WEDDING BREAKFASTS SUPPLIED .

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Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

SATURDAY , OCTOBER 2 , 1886 .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of theopinionsexpressedby ourcorrespondents . but wcwish in aspirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ] ___

THE PROPOSED MASONIC JUBILEE FUND . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , n .. 1 y ? V . proposal for a permanent memorial of the Uueen s Jubilee well deserves th < -. support of all English masons , and I see noreason why , if a strong- and influential ¦ -ommittee is formed , it should not be a rrreat success . The

great aimculty to be overcome will be the apathy with which vU OZH A u . l , P r siti ° n of such a nature is invariably no « S f Kl hebrethren A soodworkinp Committee , com-SSrirf . I " rP-escntativesof London , the provinces , and mfX f „ br 0 a <^ ' and Prepared t ° P « -h its plans vigorously , St & fiJF ex en "" le or no difficulty in raising a subl stantial contribution from individual brethren and private

Original Correspondence.

lodges . I fancy there is hardly a Provincial Grand Lodge which would not give its support , when once the subject has been brought formally under its notice , and I feel sure Grand Lodge will do its part as readily and generously as it did when the question was brought before it of . commemorating the Grand Master ' s safe return from India . But none of these things are likely to happen unless some

brethren of energy and influence are prepared to step forward and offer their services as a Committee , or part of a Committee , to give effect to your proposal . As , however , Committees do not generally constitute themselves , would it not be as well to call a meeting—say at Freemasons ' Tavern , or some equally central spot—where those interested , or likely to be interested , in such a scheme might arrange among themselves the requisite preliminaries for

giving effect to your proposal , or any other which may be preferred ? I will attend for one and lend a helping hand , and I dare say many others will do the same . It is a capital time just now when the lodges are resuming their labours , after the holidays ; but , if anything is done , it should be done quickly , while the idea is fresh , and the brethren have not been worried out of all patience by a host of other schemes which are not so important or , at all events , do not call for such immediate attention . —Fraternally yours , ALL READY .

NOTICES OF LODGE MEETINGS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Craft Masons have always placed implicit reliance on the Constitution as an infallible guide , and a reliable safeguard against any attempted violation of "established usuage and custom . "

Our revision of 1 SS 4 was considered a text book , and no brother ever more earnestly impressed on young Masons the imperative necessity of a close study of the law than the writer ; but all the confidence with which he has hitherto regarded the Constitution has received a somewhat rude shock by a recent decision of the Grand Secretary . I have an extensive knowledge of country lodges , and

never met with an instance in which the seven days' notice was not considered imperative in issuing summonses for regular meetings , but very recently the attention of a D . P . G . M . was called to the fact that five days only would elapse between the date of issue and the meeting convened , and as he proposed visiting the lodge referred to , it was thought that an opportunity would arise for calling

attention to the supposed irregularity . He replied ( after his visit ) that the objection ' * was not serious , " as the bye-laws did " not require a seven days' notice . " Dissatisfied with this ruling , 1 sent a statement of the case to the Grand Secretary , who suggests that I am " entirely in error as to the law , which does not require seven days' notice to be given for lodge meetings , except

in the case of a candidate proposed in writing on emergency under Art . 185 , " adding " that as the bye-laws of the lodge contain no restriction there was no irregularity in the issue of the summons . " I replied , calling attention to Articles 166 and 1 S 5 , taken conjointly , and maintained that inasmuch as the former stipulates very clearly that no business shall be transacted in lodges of emergency

other than that which is stated on the summons , and 1 S 5 further provides that regular meetings of the lodge may have the business of lodges of emergency stated on the summons , and the seven days' notice is to be given in both cases , that I failed to recognise my error , and expressed an opinion that if such error had arisen 1 had the satisfaction of knowing that , so far as my experience of Craft Masonry went , it was universal .

Now , Sir , it may operate as a warning to all lodges whose by-laws make no provision for what appears to me an unfiardonable omission in the Constitution . To revise those aws at an early date , as under existing circumstances , they are absolutely defenceless , if their Secretary studies his personal convenience or caprice . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , fraternally yours , Bath , September 27 th . J . COLL 1 SON .

[ You will do well to accept the ruling of the Grand Secretary that seven days' notice , except in cases of emergency or when specified by the Lodge By-Laws , is not necessary to give validity to a meeting . —Ed . F . M . ' ]

"OLD MASONIANS . " To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , You reported in May last the first meeting of the "Old Masonians" ( an Association formed by the ex-pupils of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ) , and I should esteem it a favour if you will permit me , through the

medium of your valuable paper , to draw the attention of Freemasons generally loan important object of the Association— i . e ., the assisting of those members who are in quest of employment . The Committee feel that there are several Freemasons who would be both able and willing to assist them in this undertaking , and with their co-operation it may reasonably be hoped that no lad will leave the School without a

prospect of employment . I shall be pleased to give any further information in reference to the Association , and should be very glad to receive the names and addresses of gentlemen willing to assist in providing situations for Old Boys of the Institution . —I am , dear Sir , yours truly , 36 , Cologne-road , ALFRED WATKINS ,

New Wandsworth , S . W . Hon . Sec . P . S . —The Presidentof the Association is Bro . Frederick Binckes , Vice-Patron and Secretary of the Institution . Bro . William Roebuck , G . S li ., Vice-Patron and Trustee ; Bro . Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br ., Vice-Patron ; and Bro . John L . Mather , Vice-Patron , have kindly consented to act as Vice-Presidents .

GRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , You will be glad to hear that a great many French lodges under the Grand Orient of France deeply regret the resolutions which enabled some of the lodges to abolish the old formula A . L . G . D . G . A . D . L'U . On thc Sth January of this year the Lodge La France , No . 20 G 0 on the register of the Grand Lodge of England , received a letter of congratulation from the Lodge Concorde

Original Correspondence.

et Perseverance d'Annouay , deploring the abolition of the formula , and sending us " Hearty good wishes . " You are no doubt aware that the Council of the Grand Orient de France , on the 13 th February last , sent a circular to the various Craft lodges inviting observations on the ritual as at present practised . Last week we received from the Lodjje La Bienfaisance ChAlonnaise , Chalons sur Marne , their report on this requU

sition , and they particularly beg that the old formula should be reinstated . They argue that without it a very useful institution may possibly be formed , but that it cannot , under those circumstances , be properly entitled to the name of Freemasonry . La Chaine d'Union , a Masonic paper , under the direction of Bro . Hubert , an old 33 ° , is continually regretting the unfortunate step taken . There is evidently among

French Masons a strong counter-current for the re-establishment of thc old formula . I cannot refrain from the pleasure of imparting to you this good news , as we of the Loge La France are most ardently praying T . G . A . O . T . U . for the re-union of the Grand Lodge of England and the Grand Orient of France .

which will enable us to admit to our lodge many visitors , who are believers , but who , from want of knowledge , have unfortunately joined lodges whose certificates do not bear the proper superscription . In the hope that the day is not far distant which will see this renewed intercourse , I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , EUGENE MONTEUUIS , P . G . S ., W . M . Loge La France , No . 2060 . Marquise , Putney-hill , S . W . 28 th September .

Reviews

REVIEWS

THE GREAT PYRAMID AND FREEMASONRY By Bro . J CHAPMAN , P . M . 1 S 9 , P . Prov . G . D . of Devon ; with an INTRODUCTION by Bro . W . J . HUGHAN , Past S . G . D . This handsome pamphlet , published by Bro . George Kenning , represents the substance of a lecture delivered by Bro . Chapman , in this country and in America on that interesting topic . It is dedicated to Professor C . Piazzi

Smyth , Astronomer-Royal of Scotland , who has shown his interest in the lecture by kindly supplying two excellent plates of the Great Pyramid , thc one exhibiting a" vertical section , " and the other the " Chamber and Passage system . " These alone are worth the sixpence asked for the pamphlet . The lecture deals in a popular and interesting manner with the views of Piofessor Smyth , following the researches most faithfully of that great authority , as

also the labours of Captain B . A . Tracey , R . N ., and others . Bro . Chapman seeks to tread the paths they have already opened out , and by so following up their discoveries , be able to establish some of the truths that their deductions set forth . The geographical position , construction , scientific lessons , and the historical answers in relation to the Great Pyramid are all ably considered ;

and , so far as our researches go , we , without any hesitation , pronounce Bro . Chapman ' s lecture to be the best handy-guide to a study of the subject we have met with . To brethren of thc " mystic tie , " who have not the time or inclination to read more pretentious works on this abstruse study , we can recommend this handsome brochure , which deserves a large circulation , especially as any profits will he handed to " The Devon Masnnir Fdtira'ional Fund . "

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

678 ] THE SHANKLIN EXHIBITION . Bro . Alfred Greenham , of 3 , Alexander Terrace , Shanklin , Isle of Wight , tells me that there are a few of the catalogues still for sale , at 2 s . gd . post free . I feel assured that many brethren will thank me for drawing attention to that important fact , as the work contains particulars of over 1470 lots , and is full of value and interest to students

of the Craft . Bro . Greenham , W . M . 1 SS 4 , deserves to be encouraged in his efforts on behalf of the Shanklin fratres , and I am glad that there were more catalogues printed than were needed at thc Exhibition , as surely there are not a few who will be glad thus to become acquainted with the numerous and costly exhibits , who could not be present on September gth and following days . W . I . HUGHAN .

679 ] VALUABLE MSS ., & c . In continuation of 676 ( N . and Q . ) 1 append another important MS . in M . Claudin ' s List , and a second one of great value historically , with _ the hope that they may be acquired by one of the libraries in this country , especially that of the "Ancient and Accepted Rite , " Golden-square , which has already some invaluable works .

BOOKWORM . 2 S 720 . Franc-Maconnerie . Code et statuts gendraux des tribunaux des Grands-Inquisiteurs , inspecteurs , commandeurs attaches aux ateliers du Rit Ecossais philo & ophique en France . —Pet . in-fol ., v . porphyre , dent . 40 fr . MANUSCRIT DU xvme SIECLE , d'une belle denture . Chaquc page entource d ' un filet rouge . —Ce manuscrit

original est date du loe jourdu prem . mois 5787 ( 10 janv . 1787 ) et porle les signatures autographes des membres du grand , siibrenie ct sottverain Tribunal chef d'Ordre en France . On y trouve les modules de croix de grand-inspecteur et les planches et timbres graves , de couleurs diverses , necessaires pour valider lesdiplomes , brevets et brefs maconniques . —Ce manuscrit , execute avec le plus grand soin

pour les Archives du Rit Ecossais philosophique , dont il porte le timbre , porte sur la reliure les chiffresde la Mere-Loge du Rit Ecossais . 28721 . Franc-Mac ; onnerie . Collection des vignettes employees par le 33 c degre du Rit Ecossais ancien et accepte , dans la dehvrance de certificats de differ , grades ou concessions dc chapitres , etc . —Tie ; grand in-fol ., dcm .-rel . 60 fr .