Original Correspondence.

FREEMASONRY IN CHINA . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Thinking a few notes from this distant corner of the earth may be of interest to you and the brethren spread over the surface of the globe , and more especially

to those who have the good of Freemasonry at heart , and take the greatest pleasure in hearing of the spread of its light and knowledge , must bc my excuse for begging a small space in your valuable columns for a brief account of our lodge , The Union , No . 1951 , established last year in this northern city of the Celestial Empire .

The R . W . District Grand Master , Bro . Thorne , and the W . M ., Bro . Menzies , were indefatigable in their labour of love for the establishment of a lodge under the English Constitution . The resident Masons were of various nationalities , and from lodges situated in all the four quarters of the globe , but with that genuine spirit of

brotherly love and fellowship which so distinguishes the Craft in general , and Masons in the East in particular , the brethren all most cordially united in supporting VV . Bro . Menzies in his efforts to establish and build up a lodge in Tientsin , the city known amongst the Chinese as the " Celestial Ferry City , " being the port of entry for the

capital , and outer gate of Pekin . The R . W . District Grand Master for Northern China , Bro . Thorne , took the most lively interest in the establishment of this lodge , and has manifested that earnest feeling for the good of his brethren here , and Masonry in general , by making a sea voyage of over seven hundred miles from Shanghai to

install our Worthy Master , and a second to consecrate our lodge , which he did on the 20 th of June , when we had received our charter from our M . W . Grand Master , a date dear to him and to all Englishmen everywhere . The ceremony of the consecration of the lodge is probably well known to your readers , so that it is unnecessary to

detailthesameagaininyourcolumns . Itwasof greatinterest and value to the brethren assembled here , as few of them had ever witnessed the imposing and solemn , rite of the consecration of a Masonic lodge , and all were impressed with the high aims and exalted nature of Masonry . At the conclusion of this sacred ceremony our brethren felt

truly we were one united body . VVe are also greatly indebted to Deputy District Grand Master , Bro . J . L . Miller , for his great kindness in coming to our assistance , in undertaking an arduous voyage from Shanghai when in an enfeebled state of health , to install our Worthy Master , Bro . Innocent , into the chair of K . S . In fact our young

lodge has received nothing but the most kindly treatment and assistance from these high officials and devoted brethren , and in the name of thc brethren of our lodge we beg to express thus publicly our gratitude and thanks to . them for all their kindness and assistance . Our lodge is composed of English , Irish , Scotch , Danes , Germans , and Americans , and now numbers twenty-two ' members ,

dwelling together in brotherly love , and well deserving the name of the Union Lodge . Visiting brethren will always lind a hearty welcome to our lodge , and should you , dear brother , ever visit this distant part , none will have greater pleasure in introducing to you thc brethren of the lodge than—Yours truly , THE SENIOR DEACON . Tientsin , North China , 14 th November , 1 SS 2 .

REMUNERATION OF OFFICERS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Permit me through the medium of thc Freemason

to ask the Secretaries or Treasurers of lodges where either or both receive remuneration for duties performed for their lodge , to kindly communicate with me , stating the amount , if agreeable . — -Yours fraternally , The Crescent , Peterboro ' . W . DIXEY , Sec . 442 .

A VISIT TO THE BOYS' SCHOOL . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — " Who made thee a judge ? " will probably be the cry of many of the Authorities when they read these few lines relative to the Institution over which they preside , and

for the maintenance of which the Craft in general so liberally provides . But I disclaim the province of judge , nor do I wish to constitute myself a censor , but simply request you , Mr . Editor , to allow me to place a few truths in plain words regarding the " Royal Masonic Institution for Boys " before your readers and the patrons and subscribers , and let them say whether they are satisfied with the present

regime . I paid a visit to Wood-green a short time ago , in company with a Masonic friend of many years' standing—a " brother from abroad "—whose kindly disposition , knowledge of human nature , and devotion to the Craft has been duly recognised in one of the largest of the British

Dependencies . The chief object of my friend ' s visit was to gather information , and pick up hints and details of the internal economy and management of the Institution , with a view to establishing a school on similar principles , though miniature in scale , in the far-off colony whence he hails . The day we selected was a bright and cheerful one , for this time of year , and we arrived at thc gates in happy

humour , prepared to be pleased with all wc were about to see . But , alas , a change soon came over " the spirit of our dreams ! " Wc were hurried through the dormitories , allowed to glance in at the class-rooms ( but not to enter ) , shown the dining-hall , and informed that thc pictures on the walls were " not works of

Original Correspondence.

art , " and were smiled at for asking to be allowed to sec the kitchens , thc laundry , and other offices . As , however , we had come for a specific purpose , we bore gracefully with the undisguised ill-humour of those in charge of the establishment , and penetrated those parts which in most schools are shown with so much pride and pleasure as

evidences of good management in detail . It appeared to us—perhaps we were somewhat annoyed by our reception—that a want of system prevailed , and that several details of the domestic arrangements required more careful " surveillance " by the heads of departments at the School . I cannot conclude without a slight reference to the

awestruck manner of one or two of the poor little fellows who had occasion to address our conductor during our ton 1 ' through the building . " I pity the poor boys here , " said my brother from abroad . " How different is all this from the happy contentment I observed at the Girls' School , at Clapham , the other day . " VVe ventured to remark in

comparison , but received such a conclusive and authoritative reply that we were glad to avail ourselves shortly after ol the pointed hint , if in reply to a query , that there would be a train " back to London in about ten minutes , and that , if we were quick , we might catch it . " Thus , practically , we saw nothing of the School .

In reply to the question , which any visitor might naturally ask at such an establishment , " Do you assist the lads in any way when they leave the School to get placed in the world with afairstart ? " we were answered in the negative . But , Sir , the answer was given so curtly , and expressed in such chilling terms , that I could not but feel sorrow that my

kindhearted friend should have heard it , and pity for the poor boys themselves , whose natures might possibly be influenced through life under such moral training . Not long ago I spent a whole day at the Industrial School at Feltham . There the waifs of society are taught and trained under the strictest discipline . But , throughout the

whole of that great Establishment I did not see an unhappy face , nor did I speak to a lad who did not look up to Captain Brooks with confidence and evident affection . The difference at Wood-green struck me so forcibly that the question arose to my mind— " Is all right here ?" I may add that we have seen both the Girls' School and

the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution at Croydon , at both which places we were received with the greatest courtesy , and readily shewn over all parts of the buildings by those who took a pride in their Institution . I should not have troubled you with this letter , but that 1 think it would be a pity for a worthy and distinguished

brother to return to his far-off home feeling lhat no voice was raised against the unsatisfactory state of things as they appeared to us at Wood-green . 1 may add that none of my remarks apply to the office , where wc have received thc greatest civility from thc energetic secretary , Bro . Binckes . —1 am , yours fraternally , iSth December . S . X .

CANDLES IN CRAFT LODGES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Recently I visited a lodge of which I was once a member , and was very much surprised at the altered arrangements in the lodge . The Ionic candlestick was placed upon the W . M . ' s pedestal , the Doric upon theS . W . 's , and the Corinthian upon the J . W . ' s . As I had always seen

them standing upon the tesselated pavement , 1 was led to enquire why the alteration had been made , and was informed that it was quite correct . Will j'ou kindly inform me through thc medium of the Freemason if it is quite correct , and if it is the usual arrangement in the London lodges . —Yours fraternally , [ Quite correct . —ED . F . M 7 \ P . M . 132 S .

MASONIC ROOMS IN THE CITY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — My name is not unknown to your advertising columns , and I am somewhat reluctant , therefore , to ask froin you the further publicity of a letter , but as I

am assured you sometimes relax thc rigidity peculiar to journalism , I hope you will make a concession to me at this season of gifts . I have a matter of importance to bring before the Masonic public . At an expense of several hundreds of pounds I have built a suite of rooms in these central City premises thoroughly

adapted to the requirements of a lodge or to lodges of instruction . The area , light , ventilation , furniture , decorations , access , cuisine , are pronounced by the critical as perfect ; yet from some unaccountable cause thc entire suite has been unoccupied and unprofitable to me for months . Of course I must follow the Ricardian maxim of

" cutting my losses short , " but I should be sorry to alienate premises so suited to the requirements of Masonry without a final effort to make them known and appreciated ; hence the boldness of a letter to our leading journal . I should be glad to receive a call from any brother who would like to visit the site of one of the most ancient City lodges now re-built and modernised . For lodges of instruction , new

lodges and chapters , and others seeking a change through the great rebuilding now current in London , I think these premises would , if known , be immediately appreciated ; but I would wish it lo be distinctly understood that I have no desire lo disturb existing arrangements , or to interfere with the fair liberty of lodges or brethren . —I am , dear sir and brother , yours fraternally and obliged , TOWNLEY PORTER . Half Moon Masonic Rooms , SS , Graccchurch-st ., E . C .

Reviews

REVIEWS

THE MAGAZINES . With an opening new year the Magazines are necessarily to the fore , and it almost seems a Herculean labour to attempt even to read them , much less to do justice to their multifarious contents . When wc realize , as realize we must , what an enormous amount of time , thought , and toil is involved both in tin- nrpnnrnfirm nnrl ^ -. * m \ .. ( ......

„ , serial literature , we may feel some doubts as to the lasting good , the prevailing effect , such a superabundance of ephemeral contributions can have on the progress of literature , and the education of our age . Still we have to deal with a fact , for a ' . fact it is patent and incontrovertible , and therefore let us deal with it in a lenient spirit , and simply on the principles of true criticism .

Longman ' s Magazine . " No . _ of this last serial venture is before us , and will be studied by many patrons . Wc confess that we are slightly disappointed at its general outcome . The papers are able and readable , the names of the contributors are well known in the literary world , and yet there comes over us a sense of incompleteness , a sensation of wanting something . Wc cannot honestlv sav .

wc cannot critically concede , that the articles arc above the level of ordinary magazine articles . They are , no doubt , interesting and valuable in themselves , and as being in " Longman's Magazine , " have a special stamp of merit in some form marked upon them . "Thicker than Water" ( an old , old , storyj progresses , and "The Lady " Walk " is concluded . We do not like the latterfrom the

, supernatural point of view ; we are not greatly interested in the former , the more so as the piomises cf the opening chapters hardly seem to be fulfilled . However , as tlie Spaniards say , " Pacicncia . " " A Chat about Cricket" is nothing very particular , though easily written , and " Some points in American speech , " & c , though it claims a great writer as its parent , hardlv seems un to the mark . It

anpears to us to be both incomplete in its purview , and inconsequent in its conclusions . " Fraudulent Guests " is not at all bad , but " The New Pygmalion " is meant to be personal , though some may think it a fair skit . The article " About Sisterhoods" is not marked by novelty or power , and we should have preferred cither " The Vicissitudes of Life " or " Some English Ballad Characterswhich we are

, told the Editor is sorry he could not find room for . VVe note that other reviewers even speak more strongly than wc do . "Temple Bar" is certainly quite up to the mark this month . " Belinda , " wc confess , has many attractions for us , and " Unspotted from the World" and " Tone Stewart "are both above thc average . "Monica" is a

very pretty story , gracefully told . "The Captain of the Pole Star" is startling and weird ; "Helena Modjeska " very well written . This month poetry is fully represented b y " Elle est si Jolie , " a sonnet , " In Memoriam—Geo . Eliot , " and "The Death of Oliver Cromwell . " Wc do not care very much for "Thc 'Two Ds ., " or "On Certain Lyric Poets . "

All the Year Round " is a double number , with Mr . W . Besant ' s touching story of " Let nothing you dismay . " It Will be eagerly read , and much admired . Poor Bro . Anthony Trollope's last story , " Mr . Scarborough's Family , " is continued effectivel y , and wc arc told that the whole tale is completed . It is sad to think that that able pen is now still for ever . We cannot trace in

this last and posthumous evidence of his clear intellect that his " coup d ' ceil" had grown "dim , " nor "his natural force abated . " There are three amusing and pretty short stories— "A Cabinet Secret , " " By the Ueedsof the River , " "Christmas Roses , " —and "A Day in Chester , " " Remarkable Comets , " "Courage , " and " Home from Egypt" are all worth reading . " Geoffey Stirling " has many admirers .

" The Antiquary " contains some very interesting articles , among which we may mention " The Days of Good Oueen Anne , " " Ballad Ure , " & c . " " Le Monde Maconnique " is full of information this month , especially for French readers , and we may say the same of our old and valued confrere Hubert , in the " Chaine d'Union . " We do not ahvavs asrree with our

worthy brotherof "Outre Manche ; " his views are not our views , nor his ways our ways , Masonically , for thc most part , unfortunatel y just now ; but we beg to offer him , and Bro . Grimaux , all the " Compliments of the Season , " and tender to them both "Our Hearty good wishes" for

" La Nouvelle Annee . The " Freemason's Repository , " edited by Bro . H . W . Rugg , and published by Freeman and Co ., Providence , U . S . A ., is a well edited and interesting Masonic serial . This is No . 2 of the twelfth volume . Some most valuable papers have appeared in this our old friend .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

[ 07 THE BRIDGE BUILDERS-PONTIFtCES . I have stumbled upon a curious tract on this subject , apparently unknown to most English Masonic writers , though mentioned by Kloss , and , if I remember right , by Mackey , published in 1 S 1 S , at Paris , Baudouin Freres . ft is written by the perhaps too well-known Abbe H . or M . Gregoire , Constitutional Bishop of Blois .

As it contains one or two interesting facts and special statements , 1 think it well to give a sort of summary of thc sixty-four pages . Thc Abbe assumes that these congregations , or corporations , existed from the Roman times ; but his early proofs are rather his own assertions than proofs . The work is termed " Recherches Historiqucs sur les Congregations Hospitaliercs des Freres Pontifes , ou

Constructeuis de Ponts . " He states that their existence is recognised by various bulls of popes and charters of kings , but , curiously enough , though they are termed "Fratres Ponds , " they are not termed " Pontilices " in any charter , & c , he quotes , and , therefore , the terms "Pontilices" and "Freres Pontifes" are of his own coining , apparently . He , indeed , alleges that Ducangc allows that 111 media-val Latin " pontificate" meant to make