The London Cabmen.

as was the English Hansom cab to vehicles which were used for a similar purpose in his country . Although they bad received such high commendation , yet , nevertheless , 3500 cabs were condemned last year . There was one point to which he wished to draw particular attention ,

and that was the marvellous improvement which had occurred in the return of lost property , since an alteration in a clause of the lost property rules for cabs . In 1870 only 3 . 500 articles which had been left in cabs had been brought to Scotlandyard , whereas during the past twelve months

16 , 000 were deposited at the same place . The present hackney carriage regulations , he thought , were just both to cabmen and the public . One circumstance had recently occured which showed the appreciation in which cabmen ' s honesty was now held by the public . Two

persons were the other day disputing about the ownership of a diamond necklace valued at Xioco . As the disputants could not agree , one of them threw the necklace into a cab , the driver of which immediately took it to Scotland-yard , for which act of honesty Colonel Henderson

hoped he would be handsomely rewarded . In conclusion the Chief Commissioner earnestly hoped that the Mission would long prosper , as it was doing a great amount of good among the cabmen of London . " These simple yet striking words require no comment of ours . They will

speak home to the minds of us all . May the good work thus happily begun be continued and expanded ; until the Chief Commissioner can report a still greater and more enduring reformation , alike in the condition of our cab system and the general morale of the Cabmen . On the whole we are inclined to think that though there

are some sad exceptions every now and then , " Cabbie" is often more " sinned against than sinning , " and we ought , we think , always to seek to mete out to him that justice and liberality and fair play which we like ourselves , but which we sometimes forget is due from us all to the humblest of our fellow creatures .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do net hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving ofiheopinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in n spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary : i nils—free discussion . —ED . 3

WIDOWS OF FREEMASONS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — If "West York" ( page 514 , Nov . 18 th , " Freemason " ) -will only ask what is generally done about ' widows of Freemasons marrying non-Masons" in connection with other bodies , he will find that in the

mill-: ~ . ry service in India a widow or a daughter of an officer 1 ses her pension on marriage j and in other services do the - ime , so that there seems to lie no hardship in the case riferred to . And as to the " son of a deceased Freema-• > n , " if "West York" can clearly prove that the widow

i a Mason married before the boy was elected to thc ' : ' iys' School , then he ought not to have the privileges of a free education . Believe me , yours fraternally , AtGrsTLs A . UAGSIIAWE . P . M . and Z . 123 $ .

u \\ 0 . JOHN CONSTABLE'S DRAWING FOR THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

To the hditor of Ihe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — For several years now I have annually alluded to Bro . John Constable's system of shilling tickets in support if our " Great Masonic Charities , " as they are truly called . For 1877 the programme is a more extensive one than iny of the urccedinsr ones , as it is intended to render thc

ensuing year memorable by the raising of one thousand pounds through the excellent medium noted . It is a bold project , but I believe it will be done , and in a few years will not be considered much to do , though just now it is looked upon by many as quite impracticable . Bro . Constable is the originator of shilling tickets for drawings for Life Governorships in our Masonic Charities , and deserves

-ven more support than he has yet received . We cannot understand how there can be any objections to such a scheme , for , as you have pointed out in times past , it is shfcrall but a kind of Masonic "Art Union , " if I may so '" press it , and each shilling goes to swell the amount until Un guineas are obtained , when a Life Governor is balloted ! ' > just as if it were an engraving , and the happy and s « vccssful number ( a brother , or a ladv , or a non-Mason ,

r a <™ ge ) , has the ten guineas paid in his or her name J the society in question . If a brother or a non-Mason , he . amount thus obtained would confer two votes at every election for life . In the event of the winner being a lady ie extra privileges would be granted , as in thc case of 0- ™ % donations i and of course should a lodge be the ¦ vner of the successful number , only one vote at each be secured . I cannot , for the life of me , under-

Original Correspondence.

stand the opposition which this capital scheme has received in some quarters , unless , indeed , it is , as I proved it to be last week in one case , an attempt to hide the sheer greed and selfishness of the objectors . Then , again , others stupidly talk as if Bro . Constable was to make his fortune out of the transaction ! Once for all let me say , that as in all thc former Stewardships ( and as , in fact , in all

Stewardships ) , the full amount paid to our friend and brother will be paid to thc Secretary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , without any deductions whatever , the expenses being defrayed by Bro . Constable himself . I have promised Bro . Constable to raise one hundred guineas to assist him in his truly Masonic work , and as the money is coming in I pay the sums at once over to him . The contributions are placed in the Consolidated Bank , to bear

interest until the festival , and in the event of Bro . Constable ' s decease , which I pray may be long distant , the Secretary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys has authority to draw the amount , to use in accordance with the purposes intended . In conclusion I have but to say if any brother is deserving of our aid , and has started a plan worthy of acceptance , to collect the odd shillings on behalf of our Charities , that brother is John Constable . W . J . HLGIIA . V .

ITALIAN FREEMASONRY . To Bro . George Kenning , Publisher "Freemason . " Dcaj : Sir and Brother , — Though 1 quite agree with all that has been said in thc " Freemason " about the foolish attack recently made by the " Unita Cattolica " on English Freemasonry , and its utter insensibility to the claims of truth , and quite

concur in all your remarks about an eminent member of your English Order—Bro . Parkinson—I yet think that there is some ground to be very apprehensive as to the present position and future condition of Italian Freemasonry . Certain facts , I apprehend , are incontestable , namely , firstly , that Italian Freemasonry mixes itself up far too much with politics -, secondly , that men of very advanced views on

religious matters , to say nothing more , are prominen personages in it ; and thirdly , that there is a grea tendency in a large portion of it , at any rate , towards what may be termed , without offence , polished Heathenism . Without at all approving of the complaints of the Ultramontane party , many of which are chimerical , or childish

apprehensions or unscrupulous allegations , yet I fear it must be confessed by an impartial English Freemason that there is quite sufficient tojexcite alarm and justify anxiety . There seems to be a wish to imitate in a portion of Italy the foolish proceedings of the Grand Orient of France , and to expunge from the constitution and the ritual all acknowledgment of the Most High . As regards politics , it

often happens that at thc meeting of the lodges thc candidature of men of the most advanced type , ultra-republican , is advocated . Thus , for instance , " 11 Picciolo " of Naples , of 20 th November , tells us that thc brethren ( fratelli ) of the Masonic Lodge Unita e Liberta held a meeting the day before , and determined to support the political candidature of Signor Biondi Luigi .

Even the profane paper remarks , whose editor is " neither a Mason nor thc son of a Mason -. " "Wc do not understand this Masonic lodge interfering in politics ; if it docs so it is quite clear that it has two professions of Masonic principles , one for the world without , one for the initiates within . " We fear that the little incident mentioned at Naples has been reproduced " ad infinitum" up

and down Italy . Of a well-known official of one of the Italian Grand Lodges it is credibly stated that his reply to a Masonic letter recently was , " I cannot attend to Masonic business until after the elections . " Now all this and a good deal more requires attention and surveillance , and if any of your correspondents could

give us an actual account of Italian Freemasonry , especially as regards the points I have mentioned , about which I apprehend there is really no doubt , it might do a deal of good . There is no reason why Freemasonry , and English Freemasonry above all , should not flourish in Italy , inasmuch as the Italian mind is very favourable in itself alike to toleration and freedom of conscience , to culture and refinement ,

to the elevating studies of art , science , and literature , to the ennobling and sanctifying claims of morality and religion . It is because I wish well , like our estimable Bro . J . C . Parkinson , to Italian Freemasonry that I pen these friendly lines to-day—and because the facts I state are , I fear , however veiled over , only too well , known to those who are " behind the scenes" in Italy . I am , dear Bro . Kenning , yours fraternally , A ScnsciiniEti 1110 M THE BEOINKINU ,

THE HERVEY LODGE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I think the Hervey Lodge committed an egregious error in departing from the rules of the Craft , and afterwards exposing the error in a court of justice . Doubtless at the initiation thc candidate was told before shewing him

their charter or warrant of constitution , that during the evening he would be called upon for thc fee , and had he been applied to at the time and refused ( which 1 much doubt , if told , it would prevent him passing in the next degree ) the lodge should then have declined to pass him , and the world be no wiser . The suggestion of the D . G . M ,

of Bath , that the initiation fees be previously demanded , is diametrically opposed to the custom of the Craft , and our greatest virtue—honour . The discussion cannot fail to convince the fraternity that the rules as laid down n quire adhering to . Yours fraternally , A SOUTH LINCOLN J . W .

Special Grand Lodge.

SPECIAL GRAND LODGE .

To tne Editor ot the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In reference to a notice in your paper of the 25 th November , of the Pro Grand Master calling a special Grand Lodge on Bro . Simpson ' s notice of motion , for commemorating the return of our Grand Master , the Prince

of Wales , from India , I trust that all M . M . ' s will have an opportunity of seeing our beloved Grand Master . I and many hundred others have never had that honour , and I hope that Bro . Simpson will take it into consideration , that we should like to be present to do honour to him upon so auspicious an occasion , and , if I might make a suggestion , why not make the Alexandra or Crystal

Palace the centre of attraction , and let us receive our Royal Master there , when all M . M . ' s that like to come would have an opportunity of seeing him ; and by issuing tickets at 10 s . each , it would amply pay all expenses , and not encroach on the funds of the Grand Lodge . Trusting that some abler pen than mine will take the matter up ,

for if held at the Albert Hall , the space being so limited there , it will be only the P . G . M . ' s , P . M . ' s , and those hi gh in office , will have the privilege , whilst we of the lower grade will be left out in the cold . *^ t Trusting you will favour me by inserting this letter in your valuable paper , * - * I beg to remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally ,

M . M . Duke of Connaught , 1558 . [ The favour which our good brother asks for is an utter impossibility . —ED ] .

THE ORDER OF THE TEMPLE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — As many knights who have a right to attend thc Special Convent General , which has been summoned

by special direction of H . R . H . the Grand Master for the 8 th inst ., are unaware why such Convent General has been convened , may I through you state that the " vexed question" of past rank , & c , is the business which will be discussed . Yours fraternally , J . E . C .

CANDIDATES FOR INITIATION . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Sir , — Having for a long time past entertained the ardent desire of becoming a Freemason , I should esteem it a great favour if you would kindly inform me in your next issue as to the steps necessary to being admitted a

Member of the Craft . By doing so , you will greatly oblige , Sir , Yours respectfully , J . K . 22 . [ In answer to this , one of many similar letters , wc have lately received , wc can ( only say that ) the applicant must apply to some friend who is a Mason who can recommend him to his own lodge . There is no general system of Masonic recommendation or initiation . —ED . ]

NEWGATE . The following most sensible letter appears in the " Times " of Saturday : — To the Editor of the " Times . " Sir , —Anticipating a hope which I fear will not be realized—namely , that during my year of office I should not have to be present at an execution , a duty which I am

sure all the officials concerned consider a most painful one , and the desire to be present by those not concerned , in my opinion , being a morbid one , affording no reflective satisfaction , I shall feel obliged by your inserting thc notice that during my year of office , it is not my intention 011 any occasion to avail myself of the privilege ( if it be one ) of

issuing tickets to Newgate on such occasions . Of course , the recognised members of thc London Press will , as usual , be present . Apologizing for troubling you , I am , yours faithfully , W . Q . EAST , Sheriff of London and Middlesex . Central Criminal Court , City of London , Nov . 24 .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

A Special General Court of the Governors and Subscribers to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls was held on Monday in the Board Room , Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Lieut .-Colonel Creaton , V . P ., presided , and there were also present Bros . Raynham W . Stewart , S .

Rawson , Joseph Smith , H . G . Warren , Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , Hyde Pullen , Dr . Woodman , Henry Venn , Capt . J " . Wordsworth . H . A . Dubois , Thos . W . White , Herbert Dicketts , John Boyd , Geo . M . E . Snow , E . Harris , H . Massey ( "Freemason" ) , John M . StedweN ,

F . W . Ramsay , M . D ., C . A . Lee , George Powell , D . W . Pearse , Major E . H . Finney , Thos . Mnssa , C . R . Clasey , Thos . Cubitt , J . H . Stead , Thos . Kingston , D . Nicols , James Terry , E . Letchworth , VV . Barrett , Thomas Meggy , J . Baxter Langley , Henry W . Hunt ,

Eugene H . Thiellay , J . Marsh , and R . W . Little ( Secretary ) . The meeting was called in compliance with a requisition signed by Lieut .-Col . John Creaton P . G . D ., Vice-Patron and Trustee , " To receiv , the Report of the Special Committee upon the