Original Correspondence.

CANTERBURY AIASONIC HALL . To ihe Editor ofthe "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Wc are anxious to remove the erroneous impressions you entertain respecting * our new Alasonic Hall in course of erection , andean assure you it will be amply large enough for our requirements . We can , moreover , assure you that it will be devoted entirely and exclusively to the

purposes of Freemasonry . None other than our beautiful and solemn rites and ceremonies will ever be performed within its walls . With respect to not having built also a ball room , our reply is , there is no necessity for one . If wc want to have a ball there are rooms existing in Canterbury which will accommodate any number , say from one hundred to one thousand people , I remain , dear Sir and Brother , fraternally yours , JOHN R . HALL , P . AL , and Hon . Sec . 31 .

LODGE PRESIDENCY . To the Editor nf thc "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — With reference to a letter in your issue of thc 14 th February ult ., signed "Enquirer , " which is evidently from India , permit mc to quote the law in the Book of Constitutions on thc s ubject he refers to . Vide Edition 1 S 73 , page

78 : Head Alaster ' s and Wardens' clause . 6 . " In the Alaster's absence , the immediate Past Alaster , or , if he be absent , the Senior Past Alaster of the lodge present , shall take thc chair . And if no Past Alaster nf the lodge be present , then the Senior Warden , or in his absence the junior Warden , shall rule the lodge . " It is not easy to understand how in the face of this plain

direction any one else but a Past Alaster of thc lodge , much less a Past Alaster of a sister Constitution , can legally preside in an English lodge . Why , you might as well say that a Yankee Colonel can take command of a British regiment , for the jirinciple is the same—as thc one owes no allegiance to the Queen of Britain , so the other owes no allegiance to the Grand Alaster of the English Craft , and

could not be held amenable to English Craft laws in the event of non-observance of its rules and regulations , and as some of the laws of the Scottish Craft are vastly different to the English , serious mistakes could easily be made unwittingly ; e . g ., with the Scotch a candidate may have three Degrees conferred on him in one day ; with the English , Degrees cannot be conferred at a less interval than one week

between each . Both Scotch and English Alasons are working in India side by side on the most friendly terms ; indeed there is only one way in whicii more perfect harmony could exist , viz ., by uniting under one banner . Yours fraternally , A VOICE FROAI INDIA . Bombay , 6 th Alarch .

LODGES OF INSTRUCTION . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — With due submission to you , "Observer" does not answer my query . He tells us of a fact , but he gives us no authority for the practice . What say you ? YOUNG ENQUIRER .

[ We have read " Observers" reply , which amounts to this , that a well-known and able brother rehearsed the " consecration ceremony "—that is one thing . But , as wc said before , all work at a lodge of instruction is " preparatory , " or * " preliminary , " and there is clearly no authority for any assumed representation , as an opening ceremony of that .-ljijiointed for consecration of lodges . Indeed , thenarc many potent constitutional objections to any such jnacticc or jirccedent . —En . ]

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Hear Sir and Brother , — If it be desirable lo have a sort of opening ceremonial for a lodge of instruction , such should be , at any

rate , used with the express sanction of Grand Lodge . There woultl be no difficulty , one would think , in obtaining from our Grand Secretary a suitable form of " address " for opening a lodge of instruction . Of course the ceremonial of consecration ought not to be used , for many reasons which arc patent to "bright Alasons . " PROVINCIAL .

SWEDENBORG . Dear Bro . Kenning , — 1 quite agree with Bro . Mackenzie , that if thc evidence of Swedcnborg's initiation took place at Lund exists really , it is undoubtedly decisive of the question , but I also feel , with Bro . Hughan , the greatest doubts on the subject . Swedenborg , or as he was then called "Sweborg , " was at Lund with Charles XII . and Counsellor " Polheim " ill

171 ft , when lie iv .-i . s- twenty-eight , but no ( race appears of the fact of his initiation in any of his works , nor any allusion that 1 am aware of to Freemasonry . He no doubt travelled a good deal , and was mixed up with Parisian mystics . Can the extract from " Latoinia " be found ? 'There was a good deal of High Grade mystification from Sweden . Swedenborg died in London , 29 II 1 Alarch , 17 S 5 , but his connection with Alasonry seems to be known to no Alasonic English writer . A . F . A . VV .

AIASONIC EMBLEMS AND CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE . To the Editor ofthe "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — With regard to this subject allow me to offer thc readers of your most valuable journal a passage from Bro . J . II , Ingrahaiu's "Throne of David . " It occurs at page 3 ( 13 , nnd runs thus : —

" 'The Pyramids and other stupendous structures on the Nile bear Alasons' marks , as fresh as though chiselled yesterday . Similar traces have been discovered lately on the monuments of Nineveh and Babylon , that undoubtedly have reference to the Alasonic mysteries , and , among them , to the Great and Occult Name . In regard lo the ' Bool ; of

the Dead , ' which , in whole or part , is contained in a papyrus roll laid up with the Kgyjilian mummy in the Sarcophagus , there are many symbols and names , probably Alasonic , and inure esjiecially the name of Deity among the Egyj-tian writings , which may have an iiiijjort .-ni ! bearing upon Alasonic history , " Yours fraternally , ' BRIGHTON .

Original Correspondence.

AIASONIC REGALIA . To thc Editor of thc "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , —¦ I noticed in your issue of thc 20 th ult . a letter on the above subject from " P . AL 176 S , " etc . It is somewhat important to the Craft to adhere with as much fidelity as possible ( o the instructions , & c , contained

in the Book of Constitutions , and , therefore , 1 think the matter is of considerable interest . Bro . Horsey has referred to thc second paragraph , page 124 , of the Book of Constitutions , as a vindication of thc use of the " chased metal emblems" of your corrcsjiondent , "P . AI . 17 OS , " & c . On carefully reading that paragraph , 1 sec that " may have emblems of their

offices in silver or white , in the centre of the apron . This , wherein lies the whole gist of the matter , evidently refers only to the square in the case of a VV'AL , or the square and its pendant diagram in that of a P . AL ; not to the levels , as Bro . Horsey seems to imagine , for these , I believe , are never worn in tbe centre of the apron , but on the flap , and at the two lower corners only . That , I think ,

admits of no doubt . The question of "P . AL 176 S , & c , appears to resolve itself into something- like this : " Does the Book of Constitutions give any authority for the use of other than blue ribbon levels on W . AI . 's and P . AI . 's aprons ?" I have carefully examined everything I could find bearing on the subject , but up to the present have been unable to discover any authority for what I fear I must now consider

to be an innovation . I , for one , should much like to see this matter more fully discussed , as , until pointed out to the contrary by your correspondent , "P . AL 176 S , " etc ., I had looked upon the metal levelsof Alasters of lodges and Past Alasters as almost as requisite for their correct attire as other jewels they are entitled to wear . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , M . M .

AIASONIC REGALIA—APRON . To the Editor nf the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — The quotation by Bro . John G . Horsey , VV . AI . 1619 , in your last issue , docs not refer to the irregularities pointed out by "P . AL 176 S , 421 , etc . " - — "No other colour or ornament shall be allowed except to officers and past

ofliccrs of lodges , who may have the emblems of their ofiices in silver or white in the centre of the apron . " If Bro . Horsey will rend over the paragraph he will find that the three sets of right angles in silver or while are not in accordance with the Book of Constitutions , as they arc not jilaced in the centre of the apron . The paragraph means that an emblem in silver or white can be put in the

centre of the apron of thc office of the wearer of it , the square for thc W . AL , thc xlvii . prop , of the 1 st Book of Euclid , thc level for the S . VV ., & c . I have waited over a year and a day for some good brother to give an account of the different styles that the apron has gone through . See Freemason of February Sth , 1879 , p . Oi—Aprons . I cannot find any authority for having the blue edging of

the Alaster AIason ' s apron two inches in width . The Book of Constitutions , cd . 1 S 71 , j » . 124 , after describing the K . A . and F . C . ' s apron , describes the . Master AIason ' s apron"The same , with sky-blue lining , and edging one-and-ahalf inch deep . " Alay I ask some kind brother lo give an account of the different styles it has gone through lo thc present time up to Alaster Mason ' s apron ? Yours fraternally , R . VV . 0 .

VVAS SWEDENBORG A FREEAIASON > Dear Sir and Brother , — Having been baptised into the New Church ( Swedenborgian ) in 1 S 29 , and a Freemason since 1 S 55 , I have noticed with interest the articles in Bro . Kcnning ' s Freemason relative to the great seer having been a Freemason . As for myself 1 have seen nothing in his writings

to justify lhat belief , nor any of "those traces of thought couched in such language as to be only intelligible to Freemasons of experience and high degree . " ln answer to your enquiry on the subject I would ask you to see " Alackey's National Freemason , " vol . 111 ., pp . 133-G ( December , 1 S 73 ) , and , if you can , have Bro . kcnning ' s copy , the article in answer to Bro . Alackcnzic , Freemason , Feb . 28 th , 1880 , page 99 . 1 have Bro . Beswick ' s work alluded to , but cannot see that it jiroves the iioint at all .

As for Bro . Mackenzie ' s closing jiaragraph , 1 might say that a Alaster Alason sees "clearl y " several traditions lhat no profane ever did see , and which no history will substantiate . It is far easier to build up a Rite and prove back from it than to do the reverse . Fraternally yours , WILLIAM VV . AUSTIN , K . T . 32 " . Richmond , Inch , Alarch i . jlh .

Reviews.

Reviews .

LE MONDE . MACONNIQUE for Alarch . Paris . Edited by Bro . ADRIEN GRIMAUX . This ably conducted French Alasonic Alonthly is this month jiuiely French in its information and sentiments , and though deeply interesting , no doubt , to its readers , from

their " point de mire , " has not a great deal to interest English Alasonic readers . At the same time we feel bound to do justice to thc moderation by which the French theories of Alasonry are propounded and marked . We note that Bro . Caubet , its late Editor , has received the Legion of Honour .

GESCHICHTE FRE 1 A 1 AURER 1 SCHER SYSTEA 1 E , etc . By BRO . FUEIIIEKR C . C . F . VV . VON- NICTTEl . Hl . Al-n * . Berlin : Alittler and Sohn . This is a very remarkable work on the English , French , antl German systems , of much value to the Alasonic student . If is marked bv much careful research and

accurate statement , and if not altogether free from error , which is insejiarable from all similar works , is a most convenient handbook for information and authority on the matters treated on so persjiicuousiy . It is rather " stiff" reading being , with the notes , a book of 812 closely jjrinted pages . To all who arc conversant with German it is a book worthy of note and perusal .

Reviews.

GRAND LODGE OF QUEBEC . Extracts , & c . By command of the Grand Alaster . J . H . ISAACSON , G . S . This is an official statement of thc " vcxata qurcstio " as between thc Grand Lodge of Scotland and thc Grand Lodge of Quebec . Tbe documents speak for themselves , but as wc never have been able to ajiprove of the origina proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Ouebec "hine ilia *

lachryrme , we think it best for us to say so . How far it was jirudcnt in the Grand Lodge of Scotland to reconstitute a Prov . G . Lodge is , in our opinion , a matter on which thc Grand Lodge of Scotland itself is alone able to exjiress an opinion , but it must always be remembered thai the G . Lodge of Quebec " threw the first stone " in ignoring the legal jjosition of and practically excommunicating loyal Scottish lodges . A LIST ' OF VALUABLE OLD BOOKS . Bernard

Quantch , 15 , Piccadilly , VV . Wc have received this very interesting catalogue , No . 331 , and have perused it with much jnleasure . Many of our readers , like ourselves , ave lovers of " old books , " and the collection which Mr . Quaritch now offers to thc public is alike curious and rare in the highest degree . We call attention to a few of the choicest morsels , sufficient to make a book epicure ' s mouth water— " Psalterium et Preces , "

illuminated English manuscript on vclluin , 1420 , 30 , £ 100 ; " Sydvac and Hocthius , " 1330 , 40 , £ 36 ; "An Enclyclop .-cdia of Mcdi-cval Wisdom ; " Sir Richard Holland ' s " Buke of the Howlat , " £ 125 ; " Le Livre des Trots Filz de Roi , " Lyons , 150 S ; "Fox's Book of Alartyrs , " first edition , black letter , £ 63 ; " Psaultier , " I 5 i 3 > £ o 5 ; " Bocthius Historiic , " 1526 , £ 84 ; "Cervantes , "

iCioS , £ . ; " AlttTor of Knighthood , " 15 S . -- , £ 16 lfis . ; and when wc mention that many other books in the 106 pages refer to almost every branch of literature and of archaeological curiosity , we have said enough to induce some of our readers to get thc catalogue and study it for themselves . ¦ ——INDUSTRY : An illustrated weekly journal of science , applied to manufacture and art . 29 . " -, Strand , London ,

VV . C . This is the eleventh number of a " new series " of a very interesting journal . 'The portrait of Robert Boyle is that of one of the eminent firm of R . Bovlc nnd Sons , Glasgow . Among other striking accounts and illustrations is that of a new pleasure boat , which strikes us as something , if new , both valuable and sensible . We can conscientiously commend the journal to our readers .

A GUI Div TO ELECTION LAW . By the Hon . CHANDOS LEIGH and YARBOROUGH ANDERSON , Barristers-at-Law . 'Third edition . Davis and Son , 57 , Carey-street , Lincoln ' s Inn Fields . Though as Freemasons , we are not Freemasons , and know nothing qua Freemasonry of jiolitical strife shibbolition , yet as many of our readers may possibly be voting as citizens of our great and common country at the general election now before us , we are glad to mention a book which

may be useful to many . It is written by two well-known barristers , one of them the brother of Lord Leigh , Prov . G . AL Warwickshire . We have glanced over its well printed pages , and are struck alike b y its lucidity and yet its comprehensiveness . It is admirably printed , in a becoming binding , am / is in itself a neat , creditable contribution to the better and safe knowledge of election law . It will be to many , we do ubt not , a needful vadc mccum , and a most reliable reference .

Literary And Antiquarian Notes.

Literary and Antiquarian Notes .

the Athauciim understands that some hitherto unpublished letters and documents connected with Oliver Cromwell ' s movements in Ireland , together with an original contemporary narrative of his proceedings there , will appear in the course of the present month in the second volume of the " History of Affairs in Ireland , 1 ( 141-1652 , " edited by Air . J . T . Gilbert , F . S . A ., for the Irish Arch . eological and Celtic Society .

M . M . Frckmann-C'lialrian have published anew volume of short stories , "Grand Pete Lehigre . " Academy says : Mr . Thorolri Rogers is engaged in printing a second edition of his "Adam Smith "for ( he delegates of the Oxford University Press . 'This edition will contain an unbroken series of wheat juices by the quarter from 1259 to the jiresent time . The Rev . J . Stevenson is preparing for publication a very interesting memoir by

Nan , the secretary of Alary Queen of Scots . It may be regarded as containing in substance the Queen ' s account of her life , and especially of those pails winch have been the subject of so much controversy . The Rev . Professor Wace ' s "Bampton Lectures for 1 S 79 " arc in the press , and will be ready very shortly . It is stated that the delegates of the Oxford University Press contcmjilate the issue of a series of volumes on subjects of original research , especially , and

in the first jilace , with a view of communicating to the public such materials as exist in great quantities in the Bodleian and the college libraries . Alessrs . Cecil Brooks and Co , will publish earl y next week a pamphlet by Cardinal Manning entitled , " The Catholic Church and Modern Society . " Professor Montagu Burrows is engaged in writing a work upon the foreign policy of Great Britain during

the reign of George III . Air . Holman Hunt has promised the Society of Arts a paper on the materials used by artists in the present day as compared with those employed by the old masters . Le Livre announces the discovery in the Treves Library of a French poem entitled , " Sa ' inte Nouna et son Fils Saint Devy , " composed by Richard Cceur de Lion during his captivity in Tyrol .

'The German Publishers' Journal has issued statistics concerning the number of periodical publications jiublished in the world . According to them the total number is about 23 , 000 , which Germany boasts the greatest number—vi : * ., 377 S ; England , 2509 ; France , 2000 ; Italy , 1226 ; Austria , 1200 ; Russia , 5000 . Asia produces 3 S 7 ; Africa , 50 ; America 9129 ; antl Australia , 100 .

Htii . t . tnv . w ' s OiNTMir . vr AMI PILLS . —Thoti'di it is impossible , in this climate or changine , temperature , so prevent ill-ht-.-iltli altogether , yet its form ,-tntl freqneney may he nitteh mitigated hy the earlv ailnj > tion of remedial measures . When hoarseness , cough , thick breathing , nntl the attending slight fever indicate irritation of Ihe

throat or chest , Holloway ' s Ointment should he nibbed ujion these jiarts without delay , and his Pill * taken in appropriate , doses , to promote ils curative .-union . , \ o catarrhs or sore throats can resist these remedies . Printed directions envelojic every package of 1 lolloway ' s medicaments which arc suited lo all ae . es anil conditions , and to every ordinary disease to which hiimanily is liable . —( Advt . )