Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

BRO . KLEIN'S DEMONSTRATION . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , As one of the audience at Bro . Klein's lecture on the Great Symbol , before the Board of General Purposes last week , may I be permitted to say in your columns how greatly it interested and instructed me ? There could have been but one opinion as to the skilful manner in which the lecturer treated his

subject . The esoteric nature of the address debars me from referring in definite terms to the conclusions arrived at , but that these conclusions were come to by strictly scientific and logical methods there could be little doubt . I would not venture to offer an opinion on the desirability of carrying out and adopting Bro . Klein ' s views and suggestions—there is much to be said in favour of letting things alone—but that the reasons adduced were sound , and that the gain to the ritual would be great in rendering it more satisfying to those who desire it to be perfect in all its parts is to my mind clear .

Much to my surprise the lecturer ' s clear exposition of a difficult subject failed to elicit any pronounced opinion on the part of the audience except a wholly irrelevant set of questions from a brother who wanted to know whether the adoption of Bro . Klein ' s views would bring any material gain to the Order ; would it , he said , enlarge its borders , or bring more money to the Charities !

But surely the search for truth and the attainment of knowledge count for something , and if the authors of our grand old ritual had approached their work in such a utilitarian—I might even say , sordid—spirit , we should not now be in possession of that legacy of wisdom and learning which is the inheritance of the Order . —Yours fraternally , PAST MASTER .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1117 ] BRO . KLEIN'S DISCOVERY ! I have been very much interested in reading the welcome Report of the " Meeting of Experts , " to hear Bro . Klein ' s explanation of his Discovery , which has so taken the Masonic world by storm . He is the esteemed W . M . of the

" Quatuar Coronati" Lodge , that was formed , and is continued , to spread Masonic Light and to encourage investigation . So I presume Bro . Klein , or the Editor of the "Freemason , " will kindly enlighten the readers of this paper as to what the discovery really consists of . Many are waiting anxiously to know . 70 , 413-

Reviews.

Reviews .

"BELL ' S CATHEDRAL SERIES" is rapidly becoming a compact little Library on the Cathedral Churches of England , and being published at the uniform price of one shilling and sixpence each ( all being in " Crown Octavo " size , with similar style of cloth binding ) , the set when complete bids fair to be the handiest and most useful manual on this most interesting subject extant . The various volumes are lavishly illustrated and also have plans and maps , so that no expense has been spared by the publishers in making these artistic wee books as perfect , typographically , as the text of

each is fairly exhaustive and scrupulously accurate and complete as to all needful details . Already Canterbury , Salisbury , Chester , Rochester , Oxford , and Exeter have appeared , and been duly reviewed in the Freemason , and now Winchester and Lichfield are issued , three others also being just ready for publication , viz ., Peterborough , Norwich , and Hereford ; 15 others are in preparation . •' * Winchester" is written by Mr . Philip W . Sergeant , and will hold its own with any of this valuable series . "Royal" Winchester has been ably treated by a scholar of note , in love

with his theme , the work itself being also remarkable for the variety of the illustrations . Reproductions of photographs by S . B . Bolasand Co . ( many " fullpaged" ) , are bound in with choice drawings by Mr . H . P . Clifford ; other photographs by A . Humphrey can be compared with those b y the Photocrom Company , Limited , and there are also charming lace-like sketches by VV . B . Robinson , and welcome reproductions of old engravings and small details of interest , that of the "Iron Grillwork frcm S . Swithin ' s Shrine , " calls for special permission , and is inserted by permission

cf the Science and Art Department , South Kensington . The Cathedral Church of Lichfield is by Mr . A . B . Clifton , who seems to have exhausted every source of information to do justice to this grand old Fane of the 13 th and 14 th centuries . lt contains a vast amount of facts , rigidly condensed respecting the ancient city and its cathedral , so that it is really a history in miniature , and yet quite sufficient for all practical purposes ; quite free , as all the rest of the series , of any ordinary guide booh flavour , and valuable tor reference because of unvarying accuracy throughout . There are too many curious p ints treated of to permit of any recapitulation , but it may be taken for granted that it fully holds its place in the set as an equal .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Lodge of Emulation , No . 21 . The installation meeting of the Lodge of Emulation—a lodge which is now 175 years old—was held on Monday evening , the 17 th instant , at the Albion , Aldersgatestreet . Bro . H . L . Truman , W . M ., presided , and he was supported by his officers—Brof . C . W . Sawbridge , S . W . ; T . Evans , J . W . ; Wm . Grellier , Treas . j Walter Willis , Sec . j R . S . Charles , S . D . j R . Leslie S . Badham , ) D . ; S . Willis , I . G . j and R . Hovtnden , P . M . ; R . C . Grant , P . M . j T . S . Peacock , P . M . ; I * . Grylls ,

Org . ; H . VV . Brooke and W . J . Lancaster , Stwds . ; F . Sydney , P . Brown , John Bartlett , R . L . Cock , W . Austin , G . Young , S . G . Atlee , S . Gotto , T . W . Mansfield , T . II . Grylls , G . T . S . Gell , W . Bashall , F . Simon , ^ J . Willis , J . P . Somer . Wm . Stacey , Wm . Hodson , E . Dodd , A . II . Sandilands , J . Crowther , S . Barnby . C . P . Langford , E . Poole , and C . Patrick , P . M ., Tyler . The visitors were Bros . H . Thorps , P . M . 2312 ; R . Cridland , P . M . 255 S ; W . CCusler ; W . H . Greaves , 1 S 72 ; J . Martin , 03 and

2 G 50 ; A . E . leonard , 2530 ; Wm . Mills , P . M . 403 ; A . VV . Barnard , P . M . 1904 ; G . W . Goss , 176 ; Richard Horton Smith , O . C , P . M . 2456 , D . G . Reg . ; W . Berwick , P . M . 2030 ; E . Culver , P . M . O 3 ; H . Massey , P . M . Giy and 192 S j j . Smart , S . D . 65 ; D . Wintringham Stables , S . D . 111 S ; J . Beeby , J . W . 1 S 26 ; Rev . J . H . Smith , P . M . 279 , P . P . G . C ; F . W . Crowther . 21 ; A . W . RowJen ; A . F . Calvert , S . W . 28 ; A . E . Cumberbatch , P . M . 26 , P . G . S . ; W . Nicholl , 2190 ; J . D . Crawford , 1 C 1 O ; Aichdeacon of London , P . G . C . ; and R . A . Smith , 80 .

Bro . Truman , W . M ., installed Bro . Charles Walton Sawbridge , S . W . and W . M . thct , as VV . M ., and was himself invested as the I . P . M . The other brethren invested wilh the collars of office were Bros . VV . T . Evans , S . W . ; R . Stafford Charles , J . W . ; W . Grellier , P . M ., Treas . ; VV . Willis , Sec ; Major R . L . S . Badham , S . D . ; S . Willis , J . D , ; R . C . Grant , P . M ., D . C ; C . P . Langford , I . G . j T . J . Grylls , Org . ; 11 . W . Brooke and W . J . Lancaster , Stwds . ; andC . Patrick , P . M ., Tyler . After Bro .

Craft Masonry.

Truman , I . P . M ., had delivered the addresses to the Master , to the Wardens , and to the other officers and the lay brethren , Bro . Willis , Sec , announced that on Christmas Day and subsequently the following members of the Iodge had died : Bros . D . Clarke , P . M ., who was initiated in 1851 ; Sir Polydore de Keyser , P . M ., who was initiated in 1 SC 2 ; and Zambra , P . G . Stwd ., who was initiated in 1 S 64 . Bro . T . F . Peacock , P . M ., then moved , and Bro . R . C Grant , P . M ., seconded , a vote of condolence and sympathy with the families of the respective deceased . The motion was unanimously adopted , and the Secretary was directed to communicate the same to the families .

The lodge was immediately closed , and the brethren adjourned to one of the Albion ' s best banquets . The usual toasts were proposed in the couse of the evening , which was enlivened by some excellent music and singing by Miss Edith Serpell , Bros . Charles Ellison , P . M , and Heibert Schartau , P . M ., G . Org . Middx ,, and some marvellous whistling by Mr . Charles Capper . The music was under the direction of Bro . C . T . Johnson . Bro . Archdeacon Sinclair , P . G . C ,, responding to the toast of "The Pro Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " said he felt it a high

compliment to the office of Grand Chaplain , which he had had the honour of holding , that he should be called upon in many cases to return thanks for this Grand body ; it was only in that sente he could accept the responsibility . When outsiders said that Masonry was not particularly consistent with religion , or the Christian religion , he always pointed out that there was no lodge without a Chaplain , and that every year two Grand Chaplains were appointed from the Church of England by the Grand Master in Grand Lodge , and that they were received with every distinction to which their position in Masonry hardly entitled them ; at least that was his case , and

it was only by the kindness of his friends he occupied it . On an occasion like that he knew those who came to dinner and not to work were looked upon with a very cold eye . He most sincerely apologised for not being at the working that evening , although it was not his fault . He had travelled from Edinburgh and the train ought to have arrived at half-past six but it did not arrive in consequence of the fog and other impediments , notwithstanding the Great Northern was a most punctual line . He left Edinburgh in the most lovely spring weather , and as they approached London his prejudice in favour of his native country was accentuated . There were

great advantages of course , in London , but if people wanted a fine winter climate , bright balmy days and everything to conduce to health and happiness he thought they should go north of the Tweed . He passed not very far from the celebrated Chapel of Rosslyn which reminded him that his family had the distinguished honour of being hereditary Grand Masters of Masonry in Scotland . The train passed the magnificent Masonic constructions of Durham , Selby , and Peterborough , and he could not help feeling how magnificent were the ideas of Masons in the old days ; but in the present day at any rate he thought we owed it to them , and this thought was constantly present to his

mind that we did owe Freemasonry as a society a very high idea of the dignity of life . All their proceedings were conducted with a decorum and a sense of decorum and of dignity which he thought was of very great importance in the present day when so much was done in a slipshod free-and-easy way and without a sense of responsibility . There was another thing which always delighted him in Masonry , its very great breadth . Masonry was , as they all knew , founded strictly on the principles of religion and morality , but within those principles it admitted to its broad bosom all those who could in any way conform to the ideas of its fundamental principles . They met as Masons men of all

kindsof views , ecclesiastical , political , and social , and did not enquire what they were outside . As long as they were good Freemasons they welcomed them with perfect harmony , affection , and love . Then again , Masonry had a very general harmonising tendency . People were at the present day too much divided in England both in matters of politics and matters of reli g ion ; and he believed Masonry was exercising at the present diy a very strong feeling in favour of unity . The strongest Radical and the strongest Tory could meet in the greatest heartiness and friendship , and discuss their affairs without a too strong divergence of opinion and understanding , and there was an atmosphere of peace , ' and

quietness , and harmony which they did not always get outside . He rejoiced in any great influence which did unite every country instead of disuniting them and pointing out their differences . He had been speaking of some great efforts of the Masonic Craft in the past , and he was reminded we had close to our doors in London the greatest effort of Masonry , St . Paul ' s Cathedral . He trusted there were no Masons present who were disappointed at the recent demonstration in St . Paul ' s , for some weeks after that event he was afflicted with the idea that men were pointing the finger of scorn at him , and that he was met with indignation and reproach . They all knew there was then a mistake ; they invited too many Masons ; but the recollection of that event was that it

was one of great importance to the Church of England and Masonry , and , although , untoward occurrences did transpire , still they might hope in the future to renew that experience and to do it with a greater knowledge of the enthusiasm , and loyalty , and patriotism of Masons , and if they invited the exact number they could seat it would be all agreeable and that they would all appreciate the dignity and purity of worship in the ancient cathedral . He most cordially thanked all those who helped to raise £ 1 ioo towards the scheme of completing and decorating St . Paul's . That was the first opportunity he had had of addressing a body of Masons since that meeting at St . Paul ' s , and he desired to explain the position in which they stood . He desired also to thank the brethren for all their kindness on that occasion .

Bro . R . Horton Smith , Q . C , Dep . G . Reg ., also acknowledged the toas 1 :. Thc Archdeacon had said he was a comparatively young Mason , and having risen to his high position of Grand . Chaplain , gave him seniority over the Dep . Grand Registrar . That he ( Bro . Horton Smith ) did not at all complain of , but it showed that the battle was not always to the strong ; he never was Grand Chaplain , but he ran the risk of being so . It was 40 years and more since he was made a Mason , and one lesson that had stuck to him all his Masonic life was that whatever he did he must obey the W . M . The Grand Officers did everything they possibly could for the benefit of the Craft ,

notwithstanding the remarks of the Freemason , in which he had been taken to task . Some people seemed to imagine that Grand Office was an elysium of repose . He did not know what the feelings of the Grand Chaplain were , but as far as the Registrar and Deputy Grand Registrar were concerned , their office was a monstrous hard piece of work ; there was much to do , you got mighty little thanks , and you were a target for abuse . However , among the advantages of being a Grand Officer was the being invited out as he had been on that occasion , when they could see such excellent working as Bro . Truman had given that evening . But Bro . Truman had told Bro . Sawbridge that

there was scarcely a difficulty that could arise in his lodge that a reference to the Book of Constitutions would not set right . He ( Bro . Horton Smith ) warned Bro . Sawbridge that that was not true . But ior all that , the Book of Constitutions said one of the duties of a Master was to visit lodges and see how they wire managed , that there might be uniformity . It had given him the greatest pleasure to be at the Lodge of Emulation and see its working ; nothing could be better , and if a brother was not sitisfiid with the work in lodge and the dinner which followed he must be very hard to please . Lodge ot Emulation was rather a defiant title , but as far as he had seen it was not an unjustly * used one .

Bro . Truman , I . P . M ., proposed "The W . M . " If he poss : ssed the exuberant verbosity of many high-falutin brethren he might do justice to the toast . The brethren were accustomed to his speaking in the lodge , and they must pardon his inefficiency as a speaker ; but his heart was in the work of the lodge . It was the fashion on these occasions for th . e I . P . M . to indulge the lodge with a few reminiscences of his Mastership . Well , when the W . M . wasan Eton boy in jacket , he ( Bro . Truman ) was emerging from

that state into tails ; buthc must tell the W . M . and the brethren that he ( Bro . Truman ) was invited by thc W . M . ' s father to a banquet of his company in that hill . Bro . Sawbridge ' s father was a good man , a good friend , a good Mason , and malicious peop le would say , a good lawyer . Bro . Sawbridge ' s father on that occasion warned him that punch was a very insidious thing , and he had bejn reminding the W . M . of that fact . However , he wished , the W . M . a very satisfactory and pleasant year of office , and every happiness in his career .

Bro . C . W . Sawbridge , VV . M ., in acknowledging the toast , said , apropos of the story Bro . Truman had told the brethren , he reminded him of that fact just before they offered him punch , and the consequence was he did not take it . With regard to Masonry , he had a very considerable amount of misgiving as to the future . He bslieved it was commotily accepted that the anticipation of most things was rath ; r worse than the realisation . He could only say tint if the opposite happened to be the resi . it with rega ™ .

to that mysterious working which he saw looming in the future , with regard to himsclt he should be excessively sorry for the lodge and more than sorry for himself . Bro . the Rev . J . Henry Smith , responding to the toast ol " The Visitors , " said '" j thought everyone of the visitors would agree with him in saying that the kind words ut the W . M . in proposing the toast , and the genial welcome afforded by the lodge w * received by them with every gratitude . They had been allowed to sit together will ' their friends and so increase that brotherly love , the existence of which tended so tavw