Original Correspondence.

tention of its members , when they must speedily sink deep into the hearts of all true Masons . Let us take the case of a liberal-minded man just received into our Order , with which he is favourably impressed ; put within his reach the means of comprehending its principles , he soon passes his expectations and finds himself on a new track , the surroundings of which surprise , delight , and ultimately

charm him . By the time that he masters but a moiety it elevates his mind , tones down its asperities , and as a Masonic student he does not merely acquire the fascinating lore of the Craft , but attains a calm , peaceful , and Christian-like philosophy , which attribute helps to make up the sum of life into a pleasurable period . We would not suggest that every lodge should possess in

a library , because where there are two or more lodges a town great advantages are to be gained by joining . Wc trust , however , whether singly or united , that the day is not far distant when every lodge will have a Masonic library attached to it . In conclusion , we would remark that in these days of high-pressure matters of this kind are apt to get

overlooked by the younger members , and pooh-poohed by the older members , but we would wish to express a sincere hope that our remarks may be carefully weighed and fall on some good ground , for we should feel proud to record some results . Our readers must see that it stands somewhat to the disgrace of a powerful society like ours if it allows such schemes as Masonic libraries to fail for waut

of funds . The literary ability is (_ at present ) in the hands of so very few members of the Craft that anything that would extend Masonic literature is desirable ; for if we once get Masonic readers they would soon develope into thinkers , and ultimately into Masonic writers . More workers in the field we should welcome with delight . Yours fraternally , S . B . E .

JOINING MEMBERS . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — The letter of " Enquirer" opens up a subject of great interest to many brothers I know , and to myself in particular . I have frequently heard it argued that initiates have a superior claim to office in the lodge to a joining

member . I know that a step-mother will probably have a greater affection for her own children , but , to say the least of it , she is very indiscreet should she allow that affection to cause her to show partiality in her household management . Your correspondent in the instance quoted by him does not say which was the older member of the lodge , the I . P . M . or the I . D ., who was made J . W . ; if the latter ,

I do not see any great cause of jealousy . For my own part , as one who anxiously looks forward to attaining the rank of an Installed Master , I am quite willing that all older members of the lodge , irrespective of the time they may have been Masons ( if qualified ) , should have the precedence , but for one to go before me who was initiated after I joined the lodge would be another thing , and I should " ask the

reason why . " But the whole subject is one of difficulty and delicacy—difficulty from the fact that so many material circumstances may give a peculiarity to any case , and delicacy as it is apt to be an undue interference with the prerogative of the W . M . Yours faithfully and fraternally , A J OINING MEMBER .

A PAST MASTER . To Ihe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I notice in the " Freemason" of Nov . 27 th a letter signed by Henry Ingham ( who styles himself a Past Master ) , Batley . The purport of his letter does not prompt me to reply so much as the manner in which he assumes

the title of Past Master . As a Past Master , and the Secretary of the Trafalgar Lodge , No . < j 71 , Batley , 1 beg to state that Bro . 11 . Ingham has no such rank as P . M ., inasmuch as he has not contributed to any Craft Lodge since March 187 . 5 . I . 1111 , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , J SHEAIII > . Eatlev , Nov . 27 th .

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS . To llie Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I have read many letters on the management of the Masonic Boys' School , none of which appear to mc to meet the object of the writers , nor that of the committee , which is now engaged in investigating the various items

of expenditure of that establishment . I am not going to challenge a figure or a word issued by the committee in their annual report , as to t ' . ieir accuracy or otherwise ; nor will I for one moment call in question the character , integrity , or devotion of my good Bro . Binckes . 1 think he is a most earnest , indefatigable Secretary , and that the school owes much of its success to his untiring industry and love of duties .

I will now take the liberty of drawing the attention of the Boys' School Committee to a few facts , which will show to them the rale of expenditure per head in their and other kindred institutions . At page 42 in the Boys ' report , the ordinary expenses are stated at £ 6840 ; at page 41 a list of extraordinary expenses occur , which I consider nothing more than yearly charges , and must be included with the former , which will make the cost per boy about £ 51 each .

On examining the Commercial Travellers' School , to which I have subscribed from the foundation , I find that the entire cost per head , including all charges , is £ 30 4 s . ; the London Orphan , I am also interested in , costs £ 31 6 s . 3 d . ; Ackworth School , £ 31 10 s . Od . ; Sidcote , £ 33 19 s . 4 d . ; York shire Boys , £ 33 os . od . But to go a little further ino these calculations and costs of the various departments ,

Original Correspondence.

I have prepared a statement of the above schools , anc beg to give them for the information of the committee and subscribers of the Masonic Boys' School .

V > u ri C 15 A " o \ J c JJ a 5-a —¦ r t 1 t > !/) , £ 5 M y c g Z

000 O OD -t 00 M -+ ¦ O o o + o o « N fl 000 O to o O -t -j-000 Z 2 ° *>» re - ^ - 000 -too O N « O re O O O -f . " > "S ° 0 - CO J ? 2 « -r r » ' . VI . i-t ; * ° : "U = V 5 C t . a c-i w jz *¦ : ? . a . •—o 1- ri m O ' o ° TZ E « o o <; ,- ) U

* S O j .--. » o o o o -t CO ro o -J- o « o O O O CO \ a * - o o 0 c \ — rr-. re re O *• » 1 s * s ¦ 3 -3

G c a o JX < rt V . t . tr , u J = o " if . u > ej V . rt u o I * o c 10 ' - * 2 rt « IT . c u a-; x u — . « V ) CJ ° I 39 O o o > -

It will be seen from the above statement that the cost of our boys is £ 20 os . od . above the London Orphan or Commercial Travellers' Schools . I know full well that the education given in the above schools is all that is necessary to fit a boy to fill any commercial situation in life . They arc well fed , clothed , and can take an equal standard with any school in the

kingdom of the same nature . As a life governor of the Boys ' School , I feel that the cost per boy should be reduced to at least £ 36 os . od ., thus saving the large Sum of £ 2340 , or sufficient to educate sixty more boys than the present number . In offering the above remarks , I am actuated with a sincere desire for the extended usefulness of the institution ,

and I trust that the facts which I have brought forward will meet with the kind consideration of the House Committee , who have laboured zealously in the adminstration of its affairs . I beg to remain , yours fraternally , CIIAIII . ES Prni . r . n .

THE LODGE OF TRUTH , 1458 . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — In answer to your correspondent , signing himself " A Junior Member , " lie is evidently annoyed at my " so called " report of the meeting of the above lodge on November Gth . 1 am surprised he should doubt the

truthfulness of the " so called " report , as I am anxious to observe it on all occasions . If "A Junior Member" will communicate direct with me I will put him in possession of a few facts of which he is not aware . 1 may here say that a dispensation would have been granted had Bro . Pearson been elected W . M . I quite agree with " A Junior Member " as to the high esteem in which Bro . Pearson is

held by the members of 1458 , and most deservedly so , and there is no greater admirer of his truly Masonic character than myself . I can only in justice pay the same tribute to Bro . Kent ; and now he is W . M . elect , on his occupying the chair of K . S . I wish him a happy and prosperous year . My " so called" report was not expected to raise a newspaper correspondence , and I do not intend entering upon

one , therefore this will conclude the matter so far as I am concerned . If "A Junior Member" feels himself aggrieved , he can get my address from the Secretary of the lodge , and I will then convince him that my " so called " report was not intended to cause any uneasiness or unpleasantness to any member of the lodge . There are many remarks in a " A Junior Member ' s " letter that I do not consider Masonic . I am not aware

that my " so called " report makes any remark " disparaging " to Bro . Kent ; if it does , I am sorry for it , and offer Bro . Kent publicly an apology . In conclusion , I may frankly say that anything that has emanated from my pen was not intended to cause uneasiness to any member of the lodge . I shall be glad to hear from your correspondent privately , and I think 1 can give him a satisfactory answer to all his

queries . By inserting this in your next impression you will oblige , yours faithfully and fraternally , THE WniTEii OF THE " so CALLED" REPORT . To ( lie Editor of ( lie Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — In your issue of the 20 th ult . appears a report of the meeting of Lodge of Truth , 1458 , Manchester . This

Original Correspondence.

report , so far as it relates to the election of W . M ., is calcu . lated to mislead those not conversant with the circumstance , in consequence of the omission of a very important fact , viz ., that Bro . Pearson , if elected , could not have been installed , except under dispensation from the M . W . Grand Master , he being now W . M . of the Wilton , 1077 , his year of office not expiring until the first Monday in ¦ February .

This is why the J . W . was elected , not that he was preferred to Bro . Pearson , who fully merits all that has been said of his abilities as a worker ; at the same time the reports which have appeared in your valuable paper during the year is sufficient proof that the W . M . elect is well up in his work , and I have full confidence will be found to possess the other qualifications for the duties of Master . That the result cculd be a surprise to many is impossible ,

the J . W . having 17 and the S . W . 3 votes out of 22 members present . I should not have troubled you with these details had I not felt the strong remarks in reference to the junior members unmerited by them , also that they reflect upon the W . M . elect . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully and fraternally , HENRY SMITH , W . M . 145 8 .

FREEMASONRY IN ST . PETERSBURG . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — In reply to Bro . G . C ., I think I may safely say that there is no lodge , either English , French or Russian , in St . Petersburg . Some seven or eight years ago I

introduced into Masonry a friend of mine , who was leaving this country to reside at Moscow . I learnt from him , some time after , that although there were Freemasons amongst the citizens , there was no lodge in Moscow , and he was informed that there were no lodges in Russia . MAGNUS OIIREN , P . P . G . Warden for Surrey .

GRAND LODGE DIPLOMAS . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Could you kindly in your next impression inform me , and several brethren interested , if a brother when he receives the M . M . Degree is bound to come to his mother lodge for his diploma ' and write his signature on the margin in open lodge , or is the lodge bonnd to send his

diploma to his residence and allow him to write his signature on the margin out of lodge room altogether . . By kindly giving information on these questions you will much oblige , Yours fraternally , An INQUIRING M . M . [ As a general rule the diploma is given in open lodge , but we are not sure that there is any law on the subject . — En . ] ' "

Multum In Parbo; Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo ; or Masonic Notes and Queries .

RAMSAY AND FREEMASONRY , A . D . 1738 . I have had my attention drawn to the fact that a copy of the curious work I noticed last week occurred for sale in Bro . Spencer ' s large library ; its authorship being ascribed to Ramsay . 1 am sorry I failed to notice the work in question at

Bro . Spencer ' s sale , and shall feel much obliged if the purchaser of Lot 3 ( in which the book was ) on the catalogue will kindly communicate with me , or mention in the pages of the " Freemason " the charactcr . of the " Relation Historique et Apologetique , " and especially as to the author . WM . J AMES HUGHAN .

HAM MATT LODGE , EAST BOSTON , U . S . A . In answer to Bro . Vinall , I have starched the " Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts" for 187 S , and find that the Hammatt Lodge , East Boston , has for its Secretary Bro . Samuel L . Fowle ( of East Boston ) , through whom application should be made for the purpose

desired . Bro . \ mail's friend surely must know some members of the Hammatt Lodge who can vouch for his respectability , as all would hinge on his character . Added to which , the W . M . and members of the lodge must be consulted , as it is not usual for Grand Lodge in the United States to issue certificates , but the lodges do so . WM . J AMES HUGHAN .

YORK MASONRY . I have perused with interest the letters of Bro . Yarker and the Masonic Student as to the degrees recognised by the " Grand Lodge of all England , " formerly held at York . Bro . Yarker , in the " Freemason " for Nov . 6 th , says that body " never did acknowledge the Mark or any analogous degree ; it only recognised the Royal Arch , Knights

Templar , and Priestly Order of Melcbisedek " ( i . e ., beyond the Master Mason ) . Our brother , the " Masonic Student , " writes in the following number to say such an assertion as to the Knights Templar and Priestly Order is new to him and me . I am quite certain that Bro . Yarker is correct in stating that the Knights Templar Degrees were recognised by the

\ ork Grand Lodge , for such was agreed to at a . meeting of that body held on the 20 th June , 1780 , but not before ; and a few years later it ceased to exist . At the present day , and in fact at the " Union of 1813 , " it had not a legal representative in existence—either a lodge or chapter —and so its extinction is complete , though virtually it

will never be without a relative to carefully treasure its records whilst the York Lodge continues its most useful and honourable career . In page 17 of my "Unpublished Records of the Craft " ( also page 147 , American edition , " Masonic Sketches and Reprints " ) I give full particulars of the event . The re-