A Life Service.

" laissez faire system has great evils , and has led to many anomalies and more complaints . But why then rush into the very opposite extreme , and fall , as the old English proverb has it , " out of the frying pan into the fire ? " We choose to forget daily in public matters especially

that the abuse never " takes away the use of a thing , " and that , admitted a first principle is sound and healthy per se , its practical application is quite another thing . It is to this forgetfulness of such obvious and primary truths that we owe almost all ofthe unreality , the " high falutin , "

the fallacious argument , the unreasoning sentimentalism of the hour . Before we then join a senseless ^ crusade against our admirable charities , let us remember what signal good they have done , alike for honest poverty and for suffering

humanity , and let us gratefully recall the services of fellow citizens and brother Masons like Foster White , who gave up to the noblest of all duties the power of their intellect , and the energies of their lives .

Bathing Places.

BATHING PLACES .

As Freemasons we take an interest in all social questions which affect the peaceful progress of the world , or the comfort and welfare of the various layers of society which comprise the pyramid of our English monarchy . We always remember Prince Albert ' s golden axiom , that

" the happiness of the most widely contrasted classes is identical , " and therefore we always feel that the social improvement ? nd well-being of the people is alike the highest and truest aim of the philanthropist and the statesman . We then are always averse to petty restrictions , the

interference of " Red Tape in whatever form , which seem to diminish in any way or to antagonise social freedom or elasticity of social arrangements , and that which tends to enhance our public orindividual privileges as afree andcontented pecpie . With such feelings we agree heartily with the

remarks of our contemporary the Graphic on bathing places , which are as follows : " Bearing in mind as we do how the poor suffer from heat during the hot weather in their small rooms , which often lie under the roof , we feel indignant to read of small batches of boys being fined

for the shocking offence of trying to cool their bodies by bathing in the Regent ' s Canal or elsewhere . Surely such an injustice as this mi ght be avoided by the expenditure of a little trouble and common sense . Why should not the police be empowered to permit

bathing at certain spots , on the condition that all bathers should wear drawers , constables being on duty at the places in question to prevent disorder ? The worst of it is that our period of heat is so brief that the bathing enthusiasm of our populace speedily abates , and so the scandal

is repeated year after year . On the one hand , respectable peoples' sense of decency is outraged ; on the other hand , poor lads are punished for doing that which is in itself a natural and creditable action . And yet we prate about encouraging

people to learn to swim ! No doubt certain rules are requisite and must be enforced , but , surely , as our contemporary well puts it , to the police may be fairly bs left much common sense and needful arrangements .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do nat hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondenls , but we wish , In a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . * 1

THE RITE OF SWEDENBORG . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — With reference to Bro . " Craftsman ' s " letter in your _ issue of the 27 th ult ., I have to say that the question of whether Swedenborg was himself a Mason

scarcely enters into the general problem . It is true that Bro . Bcswick argues this point with considerable ingenuity , but that in no way touches the Rite itself . It is wrong to class the Rite ameng the Apocalyptic systems , for the ceremonies in no way refer to the Apocalypse , nor do the reveries or writings of Martin at all allude to the Rite .

That Benedict Chastanier had to do with it is not at all improbable , but it has nothing to do with the Masonic IIluminati , by which I neither mean the Avignon body or the Weishaupt llluminati . Except that Swedenborg ' s name has been , rightly or wrongly , associated with it , I . do not perceive any indication of Swedenborgian influence , unless-

Original Correspondence.

certain passages of his works , particularly his doctrine of correspondential colours , may be thus regarded . In any case , however , the Rite is worthy of the attention of Masons for the very reason that ,, in no fantastic manner , and without any far-fetched analogies , it completes the curriculum of the Craft Mason , and assigns proper meanings to the ceremonies of the Mark Degree , the Ark ,

Link , and Wrestle , and also the Royal Arch . Of course , my obligation prevents my saying any more in your columns . Sooner or later , 1 am convinced the interest of my brethren will be permanently and increasingly excited in this valuable Rite . There is evidence in existence to prove that Swedenborg belonged , after his theological illumination , to some secret socieiy , probably thesoe ' ety of the Sons of Mercy , of which

Pernetty , the author of the Hermetic Dictionary , was a leading member . But of mysticism the Rite of Swedenborg , as at present practised , presents no traces—it is not theo-ophical nor anthropomorphistic . Any Freemason familiar with the csateric meaning of Craft Masonry on being made acquainted with the Rite will perceive its enormous value in obscure points . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally ,

KENNETH R . H . MACKENZIE , Supreme Grand Secretary , Swedenborgian Rite Hounslow , 27 th July , 1878 .

ORIGINAL RESEARCH . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I beg to present you herewith printed copies of prospectus of contents of pamphlet , in two parts , to be published at one shilling , in the course of the year , entitled "Original Research , " containing about 120 pages

MS ., with two ancient pictures , in illustration , one Egyptian , on the cover , the other solstitial , at the commencement of second part . I also beg to thank you for assenting to receive the names and addresses of subscribers to the pamphlet . Von will perceive that the contents embrace fifty-two sul jects , relating to , and interpreted by the rediscovered

science of speculative astronomy , on which the ancient , pure , and simple Masonic faith in God , the Grand Architect of the Universe , was founded . At this critical epoch , when men ' s minds are agitated by wars and rumours of wars , as well as by religious distrust , scepticism , and infidelity , the science appears as a Divine messenger , not only to ratify and confirm that faith ,

but the superscriptions on the Royal Arch jewel , or celestial keys of the Order , that exhort brethren , as citizens of the world , to cultivate God , fur He alone reigns , while wisdom , strength , and beauty are visible in all His glorious works of creation ; also to cultivate truth , peace , and concord , fraternity , honour , fi lelity , and benevolence . Then the science not only disperses all religious

mysticism , but virtually unites all men , of all creeds , within one fold and under one Divine Shepherd , however visionary that unity may previously have appeared . If not trespassing too much on your space , I would suggest that the contents referred to be subjoined to this letter , for the perusal ol your readers . Meanwhile I remain yours faithfully and fraternally , Orchard Hill , Guernsey . W . N . CRAWFORD .

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .

ENGLISH TEMPLAR CEREMONY . I can confirm most of the statements of our excellent Bro . Col . W . J . B . McLeod Moore as to some of the Templar ceremonies of the last century . I know of a curious ritual , at least of the year 1780 , which partakes of the character noticed by Bro . Moore , and which has so excited the interest of " Masonic Student . "

Knowing well the labours of the latter on behalf of our Craft , I can promise him full information as to its contents after he has become a Sir Knight "Masonic Student -, " meanwhile we may state that mention is made of a Knight Templar being admitted "a member of the Holy Fraternity of the Lilie Crucians , out of the ashes of the R . C . Phcenix in seculo spiritus Sanctis . "

Many titles are recorded quite different to the present nomenclature , and several of the preliminaries agree with those peculiar to the present Rosicrucian Society of England , as also with the Royal Order of Scotland . The obscurity of the language at times is such that I have failed adequately to master the meaning intended , and , in fact , the degree is as different to " modern "

Knights Templar , as I anticipate thc reception of an Entered Apprentice in our lodges noiv differs from that peculiar to " the olden tyme . " My opinion , however , is , that the ritual in question was not generally worked , as one I have seen about 1790 is quite of another character . Both 1 take it were unknown before thc middle of last century . WM . JAMES HUGHAN .

A correspondent of the Times notices that if extremely cold weather is prejudicial to the health of the aged , excessively hot weather has the same effect on them , as the deaths of eight persons were recorded in Friday ' s paper , four of each sex , whose united ages amount to 674 years , giving an average of 84 years and 3 months to each .

I he oldest was a gentleman who had reached the great age of 92 years , the youngest of the same sex being 80 . Ol the ladies the oldest was 85 and the youngest 81 years of age . There 'vere the same number of septuagenarians also , whose ages ranged from 71 to 78 , four of each sex , and averaged rather more than 74 years and a month each .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hertford.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF HERTFORD .

The Provincial Grand Lodge of the province of Herts was held at the Freemasons' HaU at Watford , on Friday , the 26 th ult ., the Right Worshipful Bro . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., Provincial Grand Master , presiding . He was sup . ported by Bros . Lambert , acting Deputy P . G . M .: John

Livingston , P G . S . W . ; Rev . H . F . H . Brunkhill Heme , P . G . Chaplain ; Rev . G . Finch , P . Assist . G . Chaplain ; A , Copland , P . G . Treas . ; H . J . C . Finch , P . G . Reg . ; Dr . F . H . Wilson lies , Prov . G . Secretary ; G . Askew , P . G . S . D . ; E . Bowyer , P . G . J . D . ; J . Terry , P . G . D . C . ; Venables , P . G , Pursuivant ; W . Webb , Assist . Prov . Grand Pursuivant ; John Parrott , J . Britten , E . Berrard , Thos .

Thomas , and Thos . Wright , P . Grand Stewards . Among the visitors were Bros . W . Wilson , 504 j W . Bywater , P . M . 19 and 504 ; H . Hollis , 504 ; W . C . Maddever , 504 ; J . Gray , 504 ; E . Baxter , 504 ; T . S . Carter , 403 ; J . C . Dick , 403 ; A . Wiley , 404 ; G . E . Wade , 404 ; Faulkner Leigh , 404 ; F . Levick , 404 ; J . Knight , 134 ; G . F . Cook , 1480 j H . Cox , 1480 j T . J . Hellier , 1480 ; F . D . Rees Copestick ,

869 ; C . J . Hogard , 453 ; W . W . Hay , 1480 ; W . H . Etherington , 869 ; A . Malcolm , 327 ; W . Cook , 1480 ; T . J . Hyland , 1480 ; P . Stern , 1377 ; G . C . Plank , 404 ; J Lee , 404 ; T . Kent , 1479 ; W . O . Thompson , 1759 ; J . Lowther , 1385 ; H . Mallard , 404 ; F . Webster , 1479 ; E . Palin , 404 ; G . Tideombe , jun ., 1549 ; C . W . Reynolds , 1477 ; W . Wells , 1479 i G . D . Groom , 449 j W . Stedman ,

754 ; W . Bauser , 1580 ; J . Johnson , 504 ; C . E . Keyser , 404 ; W . J . Green , 404 ; H . Crutch , 1278 ; J . Benkin , 404 ; J . Middleton , 864 ; J . E . Cussans , 403 , and P . M . 13 66 ; H . Massey ( Freemason ) . Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened in due form and with solemn prayer , Bro . Dr . lies read the minutes of the last Prov . Grand Lodge , which were duly confirmed ;

after which Bro . Copland was re-elected Provincial Gtand Treasuier . The next business was the appointment and investiture of the Prov . Grand Officers for the ensuing year , of which the following is the list : Sedgwick , 404 D . Prov . G . M . Copland , 404 Prov . G . Treas .

Jno . E . Dawson , 404 Prov . G . S . W . fames ferry , P . M . 1327 , 1580 ... Prov . G . J . W . G . Finch , 404 ... ' . Prov . G . Chaplain OswaM Thompson , 404 Prov . A . G . Chap . G . E . Lake , 404 Prov . G . Registiar Dr . F . H . Wilson lies , 404 Prov . G . Sec . G . D . Groom , 449 Prov . G . S . D .

T . Kent , 1479 Prov . G . J . D . f . E . Morris , 407 Prov . G . S . of W J . L . Mather , 15 80 Prov . G . D . C . W . H . Etherington , 86 9 Prov . A . G . D . C . H . Hollis , 504 Prov . G . S . B . Faulkner Leigh , 404 Prov . G . Org . A . Malcolm , 321 Prov . G . Purst .

F . Levick , 404 Prov . A . G . Purst . A . O . Wiley , W . J . Green , W . Cook , Flint , Hare , and Bedall Prov . G . Stewards . Bros . T . Thomas , 404 , and J . Wright , 403 , were reappointed Prov . Grand Tylers . Bro . T . S . Carter , P . P . S . G . D ., moved that the sum of twenty guineas be voted from the funds of Provincial Grand

Lodge to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , which was seconded by the Prov . Grand Secretary , and carried unanimously . Bro . J . Terry , P . J . G . W ., proposed that the sum of ten pounds be voted to the Watford Lodge towards defraying the expenses of entertaining Provincial Grand Lodge , which was seconded by Bro . Livingston , and carried nem .

con . Bro . Copland , P . G . Treas ., proposed " That the sum of £ 10 be given from the funds of Provincial Grand Lodge to the three unmarried daughters of the late Bro . F . Westcott , a member of the Watford Lodge , No . 404 , who has lately died , leaving them unprovided for . " He said that , as the brethren would see from the agenda paper , this

resolution was to have been proposed by the Deputy Prov . G . Master , Bro . John Sedgwick , but unfortunately Bro . Sedgwick was unavoidably absent , being detained at home by illness . He said that Bro . Sedgwick would have been able to do greater justice to the subject than himself , having known the late Bro . Westcott better than he

had . Bro . Westcott he believed had been a subscribing member of the Watford Lodge fifteen years , and a member of the Watford Chapter . He was an artist of considerable note , though he believed not a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy , but it appeared when death overtook him that be bad not been able to provide for his family . Three of the efforts of his talents were before the brethren

on the walls , he having painted the portraits of two of the Past Grand Officers , besides that of the present Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master . Bro . Copland spoke very ably in support of his motion , showing clearly that the case was worthy of the liberal consideration of Prov . Grand Lodge . Bro . Dr . lies in seconding the motion said that this was

one of the sad cases which too often occurred of daughters left unprovided for who had not received such training as would fit them for any special career . Whatever Prov . Grand Lodge might do for these ladies would enable them to tide over present difficulties . They hoped in a little time to be able to establish themselves in some suitable business , but in the meantime the object of the . present motion was to assist them with a trifle just to help them

on their way . The Right . W . P . G . M ., Bro . Halsey , expressed his entire approval of the object of the motion , which he then put , and it was carried unanimously . Bro . C . E . Keyser said the next motion on the paper was " That the Provincial Grand Lodge do invite the Masons o { England to contribute towards the erection of a .