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Article Original Correspondence. ← Page 2 of 2 Article Original Correspondence. Page 2 of 2 Article REVIEWS Page 1 of 1 Article REVIEWS Page 1 of 1 Article Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution or Royal Masonic Institution for Boys will have the slightest chance of trying the experiment for many years to come , if ever ) but as the Girls at least have had one opportunity recently , and possibly may have another ere long , I will therefore take the liberty of trying to exemplify what I mean by taking a
case from the Girls' School list , not by any means with the intention of making an inviduous distinction , but simply because I know all about it . Very far down on the list of unsuccessful candidates at last October election stands the name of a gill who but for some unaccountable dilatoriness would have been on
the list for previous election period , and consequently would now doubtless be in the Institution receiving free education , board , clothing , and other home comforts at the expense of the charity . Her father , who was only about eleven years a subscribing member , resigned Masonry over thirteen years
ago—a few months after his marriage—his children , some five in number , were consequently bom since he resigned , and although in tolerably easy circumstances , moving in respectable and affluent society , a merchant and a property owner , his name cannot be found as a contributor on the lists of any of our Charities , either local or general , but on
the contrary when asked to become a contributor is reported to have expressed himself to the effect that those who were likely to stand in need of such institutions might support them , but that neither he nor his would ever require or accept such aid , and consequ ently he would not contribute anything .
Of course the widow s petition was in due form and as duly recommended by the YV . M ., YVardens , and a majority of the brethren of his lodge then present , but out of some 65 membersof that lodge there was not at the moment the petition was approved a single contributor to the Girls' School , and even the lodge itself has less than half-a-dozen Girls' votes ,
and yet this case was approved , adopted , and entered on the list of eligible candidates by the Committee of the Institution simply on the merits of the petition and recommendation without further reference . But as the case is not approved and will not be adopted by . the provincial charity organisation to which the case
belonjis , it may remain on the list till disqualification by age necessitates its removal , unless there is another grand clearance of the lists . In face of these facts I cannot agree with Bro . Mason that even if there were room it is desirable at any time , in order to avoid a contest , to declare vacancies for all the
approved candidates . The province from which a case comes has more facilities for discrimination than a committee of London brethren who do not consult the Provincial organisations , and as the voting power has to come at all events to a very large extent from the candidate's district or province * tthe voting recorded shows their appreciation of the eligibility of the candidate .
In what I have already said I do not wish to be understood as disapproving of the present mode of placing candidates on the list , but I do disapprove of clearing the list even if there were more vacancies thin candidates , simply because it may thereby happen that a candidate from a province will get into the Institution although disapproved by the province in question . —Yours fraternally ,
DESERVING CHARITY ' . P . S . —This case is not supported by the province because the widow had , to say the least of it , a moderate competency left hcr , has influential and prosperous connections , and had got already through their influence two of her children into other benevolent institutions .
THE GRAND TREASURERSHIP . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In view of the forthcoming quarterly meeting of Grand Lodge on Wednesday next , the 7 th inst ., when the brethren will elect a Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year ,
I venture to express the hope ( which I believe is widely shared in ) that a " successor will then be appointed to the distinguished brother who has occupied that position for several years past . The Constitutions provide that all Grand Lodge offices shall be vacated annually : and although it may be
expedient at times to re-elect , this can hardly apply to the Grand Treasurership , and there is no reason why one brother should hold the office in perpetuity to the exclusion of brethren equally worthy of preferment . Moreover , it may fairly be questioned whether thc members of Grand Lodge are justified in relinquishing the trust
which is vested in them of making an annual selection for this office , seeing that the evil consequences arc that emulation , which is the life of Masonry , is discouraged , and an indifference engendered whicli ultimates in secession . Practically , the Craft have but this one purple collar at their disposal ; and the responsibility rests with them if
they do not confer it year by year , upon one of their fellows who is deserving of the distinction . Our ranks abound with brethren who would reflect honour upon the office , and whose worth and services the Craft cannot recognise in any other way than this . 1 am glad
therefore to know that one of this number , who has been a member of the Order for nearly 40 years , and is P . M . and Treasurer ot a well-known lodge , and also a Vice-Patron of all our Institutions , is to be proposed as Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year .
Original Correspondence.
Few , I think , will disagree with the correctness of the principle of electing a new Grand Treasurer annually . It is only because this proper course has becn deviated from that now it seems like an innovation , and to savour of invidiousness to go back upon the constitutional lines . 1 feel sure , however , that our present Grand Treasurer will not for one moment entertain the thought that any
personal reflection upon "him is involved or intended in what is about to be done . Hc has hacl ample evidence of the high regard he is held in , and cannot possibly be insensible to the fact that he is a general favourite throughout the Craft . —I remain , dear sir and brother , yours fraternally , N . B . HEADON , P . M . and Treasurer The Great City Lodge , 1426 . 65 , Friday-street , 1 st March .
RE THE EXLRA GRAND LODGE GRANT OF £ Soo TOTHE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , —
May one inquire why only £ 540 of the extra _ £ Soo voted by Grand Lodge in June last to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution is to be granted in annuities ? and why £ 2-0 is withheld from being applied to purposes of relief for whicli it was voted ? According to your computation , 22 additional candidates
might be placed on the list of annuitants this year ; but only 15 are at present so placed , and seven who might be relieved are to be turned away , not for want of this £ 260 , but for some other reason . Surely , when Grand Lodge made this handsome addition to the funds of the Royal Masonic Benevolent
Institution it was that the money might be applied to help the old Masons and widows to the full extent of the grant , and not that one third may be locked up . Grand Lodge had better save its own money than make grants simply for other bodies to put by . No doubt there are reasons , good or indifferent , but one would like to know them . —Yours fraternally , A SUBSCRIBER TO BOTH FUNDS .
Reviews
REVIEWS
LE MONDE MACONNIQUE .
This French Masonic monthly comes before us this week , under a new editor . Bro . Grimaux having been called to the Secretariat of the Grand Orient of France , a Bro . Rocher becomes the editor in his place . Who Bro . Rocher is , or what his services to Maconic literature arc we know not , YVishing well to the "Monde Maconnique" as we do , we
cannot fail to be struck with its new departure . Up to the present the rulers of the Grand Orient have asserted constantly and the " Monde Maconnique " has repeated habitually thc statement , that the French , Freemasons had nothing to do with political questions . And if the practice of many French brethren denied the theory , we were assured that there was no authoritative sanction for these constant
irregularities in speech and action . The " Monde Maconniijue" under Bro . Rocher in an article " La Franc Maconneire , " with'the signature of C . M . Limousin , Alpina , 15 th January , 1 SS 3 , and which article is in no way objected to by Bro . Rocher , uses these remarkable words which to all who understand French must have very serious significations : " Aujour , qui nesauraitetreeloigneou nousaurons
completcment tnomphe sur lc terrain politique , nous aurons a poursuivre la lutte sur le terrain sociale , & c . L ' encore il appartiendra a la Franc Maconnerie dont le symbole est absolumcnt sociale , d ' cntreprendreetaccomplir l ' emancipation du peuple . "— " In the day which cannot be far distant , when we shall have triumphed in the political , we shall have to continue the struggle in the social arena . Then , again , it will belong to Freemasonry , whose symbol is absolutely
socialist , to undertake and accomplish the emancipation of the people . " YVe wish to protest here , in the name of Cosmopolitan Freemasonry , against this attempt to mix up political factions and a socialist propaganda with the loyal , religious , reverent , and law-abiding principles of true Freemasonry . It is the destruction , nay , the curse , of some branches of foreign Freemasonry that they will most improperly associate themselves with political movements and socialistic programmes .
THE CENTURY . Second Notice . There is a remarkable article in the last " Century " on Locker and Praed , which deserves study and careful consideration . Admiring and appreciating Frederick Locker as we do , heartily and entirely , we cannot concede that in any one particular he is superior to Praed . Praed , the " facile princeps" of the Rotnantico-Rococo School , —or anything
else you like to term it , —is still untouched in his supremacy . He has had many imitators , but no equals . In his powers of vesication , his sense of harmony , his liquid n-imbers , his pointed alliterations , his wondrous pathos , and his latent wit , in fact , alike in mechanism and spirituality , he is still " anax andron" of his own specific poiesis . To say that Locker has a wider range or more deep r . ense
of humanity and life , or greater knowledge of the woild is a very dubious proposition , inasmuch as in his general poems and his political ballads , never yet edited , Praed evidences far more acquaintance with alf subjects and all points which rule the intellect , move the sympathies , touch the hearts of men . Praed no doubt is to some extent
immature in his wondrous effusions , and what he would have been had his life been preserved who can venture to say ? All his latest productions seem to point yet to an " Ultima Thule " of poetic excellence yet to be reached . What can be said is we think this : Praed wrote in 1 S 30 , Locker a generation later , and therefore Locker appeals more forcibly to us " ad homines" than does the dead and buried bard of an older generation . But as long as the English lan-
Reviews
guage remains , these unapproachable verses of Praed will ever be appreciated by the educated , the cultured . and the sympathetic , as containing in them many a touch of the beautiful , many a glimpse of the sublime , many an ideal of thepoet , manyahealinghopeof humanity ; and which alike their matchless softness and sweetness of perfect harmony can linger with us through the brighter and darker days of life , to refresh us with their wit or their tenderness , to cheer us with their reality or their truth .
THE STORY OF THE BIBLE . By CHARLES FOSTER . Charles Griffin and Co ., Exeter-street , Strand . The idea of this work is a very good one , and is admirably carried out in this compact volume . It is an attempt to tell the story of the Bible to children in simple common language . It is a work of 6 97 pages , illustrated by 2 S 6 engravings , and several maps , some of them full naire .
We confess we like the plan of the book , and think it a very useful present for young people . With too many thc annals of God ' s antient people and the records of the Inspired Volume are a mere matter of past history . It is most important for after life to impress on thc vivid and retentive mind of childhood the actuality of the events and personages whom wc read of in the Bible , and of their examples of imitation or warning for us . Just as in
life to-day and in the world around us we behold hourly how the twisted skeins of good and evil , joy and sorrow , are gradually unrolled in the good overruling providence of T . G . A . O . T . U ., so in the sacred volume wchave lessons and warnings in moving events and examples set before us constantly for our instruction and solemn edification to the very end of time . This would be a very good volume for any library destined for the young , and some of us older boys and older girls might well peruse it for the matter of that .
Reviews . GLIMPSES OF OUR ANCESTORS IN SUSSEX . By Bro . CHARLES FLEET . Second Series . Farncombe & Co ., Lewis . This is the " second series '' of these justly popular papers . We alluded to the first series in the Freemason , and ventured to predicate for it much deserved popularity . The result has verified our expectations . Bro . Fleet takes us
, with a very agreeable pen , to interesting scenes and ancient houses , and gives with a graphic skill a glimpse into old world life and old world ways in a famous county of ours . YVe like to follow him amid theSussex high ways and by ways , and whether he discourses of Sussex nobles or Sussex farmers , the middle class of two centuries ago , the
cricketers of the day , the ancient halls and the venerated customs of bye-gone days , flourishing or extinct families , we are pleased to accompany him on his pilgrimage , to pore over his effective illustrations , or listen to his easily tripping words . Many of us will spend half-an-hour very well indeed in dipping into these glimpses of the Sussex of old days .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
i 2 _ l OLD MASONIC MSS .
1 have great pleasure in announcing the discovery of two more copies of the "Old Charges , " through the medium of Bro . J . H . Sillitoe , P . M ., & c , of Manchester . YVe have been corresponding lately about old Royal Arch records , and in his examination of the records belonging to
the ancient chapter at Colne , No . 116 , came across two paper scrolls which he thought worthy of special mention . 1 at once recognised them as transcripts of the "Old Charges , " and they are now before me for collation , & c , with some 50 others I have copies of . The YV . M . and AI . E . Z . of No . 11 G Lodge and Chapter respectively , kindly granted this favour to me through Bro . Sillitoe , the latter brother having already done such good service to the l
_ rattby his researches and zealous endeavours to promote its best interests . According to Bro . Gould ' s numeration in his invaluable history , this raises the total to 53 . I propose to call the documents : Colne MS . No . 1 , A . D . 16 S 0 ( circa . ); Colne MS . No . 2 , A . D . 1700 ( circa . ) The elder one contains the rare "Apprentices Charges , " and so is valuable ; the junior though of the ordinary text , having a few specialities . Hope to report more soon . I am ready for the next . YV . J . HUGHAN .
127 J CHARLES SACKVILLE . The more I think over the medal the more I begin to doubt its reality . I lighted since I last wrote on a quotation from Spence in a letter to his mother , dated Turin , August ' 5 th , 1740 , who mentions the " adepts " ( Rosicrucians ) , and as knowing one of them then at Turin . This adept was a Frenchman , called Aubry , who told him . there were only 12
in the world , and that he had met 11 lately in England . I am now endeavouring to see if any light can be thrown by Spence ' s known works on this medal . Charles Sackville , Earl of Middlesex , was clearly in England in 1734 , though he may have been again in Italy in 1740 . Perhaps 1 740 is a mistake for 1730 . DRY'ASDUST . isS ] I am glad to be able to give you information which
determines the date of the visit paid by Charles Sackville , Earl of Middlesex , to Florence , in company with the Rev . Joseph Spence . It is from the life of the latter by Mr . S . Weller Singer , prefixed to the "Anecdotes , Observations , and Characters of Books and Men , collected from the conversation of Mr . Pope and other eminent persons of his time . By the Rev . Joseph Spence . " It was towards the close of
the year 1730 that Mr . Spence " received an invitation to v accompany Charles , Earl of Middlesex , and made the tour ' ° I , N ran . cc and Italv with that nobleman " in quality of a companion , not as governor . Their route was by Lyons , Turin , Milan , and Venice to Rome , taking Florence on tlieir way back , and from thence by way of Paris they returned to England . " Later on the biographer says : At Florence their
" stay was protracted through the winter months , and the society and other enjoyments of the place were so delightful to them that they again saw the carnival here , and were not unwillingly detained by an uncommonl y inclement spring until the month of June , when they repassed the Alps , stayed at Paris a few days , and returne d to England at the commencement of July , 1733 . " There is also an editorial foot- , rte in another part of the book ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution or Royal Masonic Institution for Boys will have the slightest chance of trying the experiment for many years to come , if ever ) but as the Girls at least have had one opportunity recently , and possibly may have another ere long , I will therefore take the liberty of trying to exemplify what I mean by taking a
case from the Girls' School list , not by any means with the intention of making an inviduous distinction , but simply because I know all about it . Very far down on the list of unsuccessful candidates at last October election stands the name of a gill who but for some unaccountable dilatoriness would have been on
the list for previous election period , and consequently would now doubtless be in the Institution receiving free education , board , clothing , and other home comforts at the expense of the charity . Her father , who was only about eleven years a subscribing member , resigned Masonry over thirteen years
ago—a few months after his marriage—his children , some five in number , were consequently bom since he resigned , and although in tolerably easy circumstances , moving in respectable and affluent society , a merchant and a property owner , his name cannot be found as a contributor on the lists of any of our Charities , either local or general , but on
the contrary when asked to become a contributor is reported to have expressed himself to the effect that those who were likely to stand in need of such institutions might support them , but that neither he nor his would ever require or accept such aid , and consequ ently he would not contribute anything .
Of course the widow s petition was in due form and as duly recommended by the YV . M ., YVardens , and a majority of the brethren of his lodge then present , but out of some 65 membersof that lodge there was not at the moment the petition was approved a single contributor to the Girls' School , and even the lodge itself has less than half-a-dozen Girls' votes ,
and yet this case was approved , adopted , and entered on the list of eligible candidates by the Committee of the Institution simply on the merits of the petition and recommendation without further reference . But as the case is not approved and will not be adopted by . the provincial charity organisation to which the case
belonjis , it may remain on the list till disqualification by age necessitates its removal , unless there is another grand clearance of the lists . In face of these facts I cannot agree with Bro . Mason that even if there were room it is desirable at any time , in order to avoid a contest , to declare vacancies for all the
approved candidates . The province from which a case comes has more facilities for discrimination than a committee of London brethren who do not consult the Provincial organisations , and as the voting power has to come at all events to a very large extent from the candidate's district or province * tthe voting recorded shows their appreciation of the eligibility of the candidate .
In what I have already said I do not wish to be understood as disapproving of the present mode of placing candidates on the list , but I do disapprove of clearing the list even if there were more vacancies thin candidates , simply because it may thereby happen that a candidate from a province will get into the Institution although disapproved by the province in question . —Yours fraternally ,
DESERVING CHARITY ' . P . S . —This case is not supported by the province because the widow had , to say the least of it , a moderate competency left hcr , has influential and prosperous connections , and had got already through their influence two of her children into other benevolent institutions .
THE GRAND TREASURERSHIP . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In view of the forthcoming quarterly meeting of Grand Lodge on Wednesday next , the 7 th inst ., when the brethren will elect a Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year ,
I venture to express the hope ( which I believe is widely shared in ) that a " successor will then be appointed to the distinguished brother who has occupied that position for several years past . The Constitutions provide that all Grand Lodge offices shall be vacated annually : and although it may be
expedient at times to re-elect , this can hardly apply to the Grand Treasurership , and there is no reason why one brother should hold the office in perpetuity to the exclusion of brethren equally worthy of preferment . Moreover , it may fairly be questioned whether thc members of Grand Lodge are justified in relinquishing the trust
which is vested in them of making an annual selection for this office , seeing that the evil consequences arc that emulation , which is the life of Masonry , is discouraged , and an indifference engendered whicli ultimates in secession . Practically , the Craft have but this one purple collar at their disposal ; and the responsibility rests with them if
they do not confer it year by year , upon one of their fellows who is deserving of the distinction . Our ranks abound with brethren who would reflect honour upon the office , and whose worth and services the Craft cannot recognise in any other way than this . 1 am glad
therefore to know that one of this number , who has been a member of the Order for nearly 40 years , and is P . M . and Treasurer ot a well-known lodge , and also a Vice-Patron of all our Institutions , is to be proposed as Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year .
Original Correspondence.
Few , I think , will disagree with the correctness of the principle of electing a new Grand Treasurer annually . It is only because this proper course has becn deviated from that now it seems like an innovation , and to savour of invidiousness to go back upon the constitutional lines . 1 feel sure , however , that our present Grand Treasurer will not for one moment entertain the thought that any
personal reflection upon "him is involved or intended in what is about to be done . Hc has hacl ample evidence of the high regard he is held in , and cannot possibly be insensible to the fact that he is a general favourite throughout the Craft . —I remain , dear sir and brother , yours fraternally , N . B . HEADON , P . M . and Treasurer The Great City Lodge , 1426 . 65 , Friday-street , 1 st March .
RE THE EXLRA GRAND LODGE GRANT OF £ Soo TOTHE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , —
May one inquire why only £ 540 of the extra _ £ Soo voted by Grand Lodge in June last to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution is to be granted in annuities ? and why £ 2-0 is withheld from being applied to purposes of relief for whicli it was voted ? According to your computation , 22 additional candidates
might be placed on the list of annuitants this year ; but only 15 are at present so placed , and seven who might be relieved are to be turned away , not for want of this £ 260 , but for some other reason . Surely , when Grand Lodge made this handsome addition to the funds of the Royal Masonic Benevolent
Institution it was that the money might be applied to help the old Masons and widows to the full extent of the grant , and not that one third may be locked up . Grand Lodge had better save its own money than make grants simply for other bodies to put by . No doubt there are reasons , good or indifferent , but one would like to know them . —Yours fraternally , A SUBSCRIBER TO BOTH FUNDS .
Reviews
REVIEWS
LE MONDE MACONNIQUE .
This French Masonic monthly comes before us this week , under a new editor . Bro . Grimaux having been called to the Secretariat of the Grand Orient of France , a Bro . Rocher becomes the editor in his place . Who Bro . Rocher is , or what his services to Maconic literature arc we know not , YVishing well to the "Monde Maconnique" as we do , we
cannot fail to be struck with its new departure . Up to the present the rulers of the Grand Orient have asserted constantly and the " Monde Maconnique " has repeated habitually thc statement , that the French , Freemasons had nothing to do with political questions . And if the practice of many French brethren denied the theory , we were assured that there was no authoritative sanction for these constant
irregularities in speech and action . The " Monde Maconniijue" under Bro . Rocher in an article " La Franc Maconneire , " with'the signature of C . M . Limousin , Alpina , 15 th January , 1 SS 3 , and which article is in no way objected to by Bro . Rocher , uses these remarkable words which to all who understand French must have very serious significations : " Aujour , qui nesauraitetreeloigneou nousaurons
completcment tnomphe sur lc terrain politique , nous aurons a poursuivre la lutte sur le terrain sociale , & c . L ' encore il appartiendra a la Franc Maconnerie dont le symbole est absolumcnt sociale , d ' cntreprendreetaccomplir l ' emancipation du peuple . "— " In the day which cannot be far distant , when we shall have triumphed in the political , we shall have to continue the struggle in the social arena . Then , again , it will belong to Freemasonry , whose symbol is absolutely
socialist , to undertake and accomplish the emancipation of the people . " YVe wish to protest here , in the name of Cosmopolitan Freemasonry , against this attempt to mix up political factions and a socialist propaganda with the loyal , religious , reverent , and law-abiding principles of true Freemasonry . It is the destruction , nay , the curse , of some branches of foreign Freemasonry that they will most improperly associate themselves with political movements and socialistic programmes .
THE CENTURY . Second Notice . There is a remarkable article in the last " Century " on Locker and Praed , which deserves study and careful consideration . Admiring and appreciating Frederick Locker as we do , heartily and entirely , we cannot concede that in any one particular he is superior to Praed . Praed , the " facile princeps" of the Rotnantico-Rococo School , —or anything
else you like to term it , —is still untouched in his supremacy . He has had many imitators , but no equals . In his powers of vesication , his sense of harmony , his liquid n-imbers , his pointed alliterations , his wondrous pathos , and his latent wit , in fact , alike in mechanism and spirituality , he is still " anax andron" of his own specific poiesis . To say that Locker has a wider range or more deep r . ense
of humanity and life , or greater knowledge of the woild is a very dubious proposition , inasmuch as in his general poems and his political ballads , never yet edited , Praed evidences far more acquaintance with alf subjects and all points which rule the intellect , move the sympathies , touch the hearts of men . Praed no doubt is to some extent
immature in his wondrous effusions , and what he would have been had his life been preserved who can venture to say ? All his latest productions seem to point yet to an " Ultima Thule " of poetic excellence yet to be reached . What can be said is we think this : Praed wrote in 1 S 30 , Locker a generation later , and therefore Locker appeals more forcibly to us " ad homines" than does the dead and buried bard of an older generation . But as long as the English lan-
Reviews
guage remains , these unapproachable verses of Praed will ever be appreciated by the educated , the cultured . and the sympathetic , as containing in them many a touch of the beautiful , many a glimpse of the sublime , many an ideal of thepoet , manyahealinghopeof humanity ; and which alike their matchless softness and sweetness of perfect harmony can linger with us through the brighter and darker days of life , to refresh us with their wit or their tenderness , to cheer us with their reality or their truth .
THE STORY OF THE BIBLE . By CHARLES FOSTER . Charles Griffin and Co ., Exeter-street , Strand . The idea of this work is a very good one , and is admirably carried out in this compact volume . It is an attempt to tell the story of the Bible to children in simple common language . It is a work of 6 97 pages , illustrated by 2 S 6 engravings , and several maps , some of them full naire .
We confess we like the plan of the book , and think it a very useful present for young people . With too many thc annals of God ' s antient people and the records of the Inspired Volume are a mere matter of past history . It is most important for after life to impress on thc vivid and retentive mind of childhood the actuality of the events and personages whom wc read of in the Bible , and of their examples of imitation or warning for us . Just as in
life to-day and in the world around us we behold hourly how the twisted skeins of good and evil , joy and sorrow , are gradually unrolled in the good overruling providence of T . G . A . O . T . U ., so in the sacred volume wchave lessons and warnings in moving events and examples set before us constantly for our instruction and solemn edification to the very end of time . This would be a very good volume for any library destined for the young , and some of us older boys and older girls might well peruse it for the matter of that .
Reviews . GLIMPSES OF OUR ANCESTORS IN SUSSEX . By Bro . CHARLES FLEET . Second Series . Farncombe & Co ., Lewis . This is the " second series '' of these justly popular papers . We alluded to the first series in the Freemason , and ventured to predicate for it much deserved popularity . The result has verified our expectations . Bro . Fleet takes us
, with a very agreeable pen , to interesting scenes and ancient houses , and gives with a graphic skill a glimpse into old world life and old world ways in a famous county of ours . YVe like to follow him amid theSussex high ways and by ways , and whether he discourses of Sussex nobles or Sussex farmers , the middle class of two centuries ago , the
cricketers of the day , the ancient halls and the venerated customs of bye-gone days , flourishing or extinct families , we are pleased to accompany him on his pilgrimage , to pore over his effective illustrations , or listen to his easily tripping words . Many of us will spend half-an-hour very well indeed in dipping into these glimpses of the Sussex of old days .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
i 2 _ l OLD MASONIC MSS .
1 have great pleasure in announcing the discovery of two more copies of the "Old Charges , " through the medium of Bro . J . H . Sillitoe , P . M ., & c , of Manchester . YVe have been corresponding lately about old Royal Arch records , and in his examination of the records belonging to
the ancient chapter at Colne , No . 116 , came across two paper scrolls which he thought worthy of special mention . 1 at once recognised them as transcripts of the "Old Charges , " and they are now before me for collation , & c , with some 50 others I have copies of . The YV . M . and AI . E . Z . of No . 11 G Lodge and Chapter respectively , kindly granted this favour to me through Bro . Sillitoe , the latter brother having already done such good service to the l
_ rattby his researches and zealous endeavours to promote its best interests . According to Bro . Gould ' s numeration in his invaluable history , this raises the total to 53 . I propose to call the documents : Colne MS . No . 1 , A . D . 16 S 0 ( circa . ); Colne MS . No . 2 , A . D . 1700 ( circa . ) The elder one contains the rare "Apprentices Charges , " and so is valuable ; the junior though of the ordinary text , having a few specialities . Hope to report more soon . I am ready for the next . YV . J . HUGHAN .
127 J CHARLES SACKVILLE . The more I think over the medal the more I begin to doubt its reality . I lighted since I last wrote on a quotation from Spence in a letter to his mother , dated Turin , August ' 5 th , 1740 , who mentions the " adepts " ( Rosicrucians ) , and as knowing one of them then at Turin . This adept was a Frenchman , called Aubry , who told him . there were only 12
in the world , and that he had met 11 lately in England . I am now endeavouring to see if any light can be thrown by Spence ' s known works on this medal . Charles Sackville , Earl of Middlesex , was clearly in England in 1734 , though he may have been again in Italy in 1740 . Perhaps 1 740 is a mistake for 1730 . DRY'ASDUST . isS ] I am glad to be able to give you information which
determines the date of the visit paid by Charles Sackville , Earl of Middlesex , to Florence , in company with the Rev . Joseph Spence . It is from the life of the latter by Mr . S . Weller Singer , prefixed to the "Anecdotes , Observations , and Characters of Books and Men , collected from the conversation of Mr . Pope and other eminent persons of his time . By the Rev . Joseph Spence . " It was towards the close of
the year 1730 that Mr . Spence " received an invitation to v accompany Charles , Earl of Middlesex , and made the tour ' ° I , N ran . cc and Italv with that nobleman " in quality of a companion , not as governor . Their route was by Lyons , Turin , Milan , and Venice to Rome , taking Florence on tlieir way back , and from thence by way of Paris they returned to England . " Later on the biographer says : At Florence their
" stay was protracted through the winter months , and the society and other enjoyments of the place were so delightful to them that they again saw the carnival here , and were not unwillingly detained by an uncommonl y inclement spring until the month of June , when they repassed the Alps , stayed at Paris a few days , and returne d to England at the commencement of July , 1733 . " There is also an editorial foot- , rte in another part of the book ,