Original Correspondence.

Bros . Tunnicliff and Greatbatch , and their co-actors , for presuming to remind them of these facts which I have recounted , which are on record in the annals of the Institution , and which , 1 believe , are pretty generally known and recognised throughout the English Craft . But though their letter contains an urgent appeal to the brethren at large , but especially in the provinces , where there is less

familiarity with the history and management of the Institution than among London Masons , to formulate all the complaints they can against the executive authorities , I see no reference whatever to the brilliant services rendered to the Institution by those authorities during the " some years past" to which thn ' r inquiries , present or prospective , extend or will be extended hereafter . 1 shall , therefore ,

leave it to them in any further communication they may desire to address to the Craft through the medium of your columns to express to me their thanks for having supplied an obvious , and no doubt unintentional , omission of theirs . And now for my grievance , which is briefly this—that among the Rules and Regulations ot the Institution there is none which will enable the General Court of Governors

and Subscribers or the General Committee of Governors to visit with condign punishment any brother or brethren , who during the time the said General Court or General Committee is met for the transaction of business shall openly and flagrantly set at defiance the obligations which all men , whether Masons or non-Masons , are under , when assembled together , to maintain order , and observe the

common decencies of life . I would suggest , if it is not too late , that it be a recommendation from the General Court of Governors and Subscribers which will be held on Friday , the 26 th inst ., to the Philbrick Committee to extend their inquiries into the management of the School with a view to preventing a repetition of those scandalous scenes which occurred at sundry Courts and General Committees

during the earlier half ot this year . I would further suggest , for the protection of those who consider it the duty of Masons to conduct themselves as gentlemen , especially when they attend Masonic meetings or meetings connected with our Masonic Institutions , whether it is not desirable that some law be enacted by which in extreme cases

brethren who offend against the laws and established usages of civilised life during the conduct of public business at these Courts and General Committees , shall be relieved of the privilege and responsibility of attending them either for a definite term or permanently . —Faithfully and fraternally yours , October 1 st . " 0 . "

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WORCESTERSHIRE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I see by the report in the Freemason of the Prov . G . Lodge of Worcestershire that Lady Lechmere presented standards for the use of the province , which of course was

most gratifying to the brethren . The leading article in the Freemason states that " this event is unique in the history of Provincial Grand Lodge meetings , " but I may remind you and your readers that it is not the first instance in which a lady has been present in a lodge room previous to the opening of a lodge . Soon after the consecration of the Burdett Coutts Lodge

( 127 S ) , a lodge was held ( by dispensation , I suppose ) in Freemasons' Hall , I think in 1 S 6 9 , when the Baroness Burdett-Coutts was invited to be present in the lodge-room ( previous to the opening of the lodge ) for the purpose of presenting the lodge with a Bible and set of carved oak chairs for the use of the W . M . and Wardens . The Baroness was also present previous to the consecration of

the Abbey Lodge ( 2030 ) , in 18 S 4 , when she presented the lodge with the W . M . 's and Wardens' chairs , and I think other furniture besides ; and I trust other ladies may be induced to follow the example of the Baroness Burdett-Coutts and Lady Lechmere , and encourage the Order as they have done . —Yours truly and fraternally , September 26 . F . B . —MIDDX .

THE ANTI-MASONIC MOVEMENT IN GERMANY . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Having lately been in Germany and attended , among other meetings , one of Lodge Globus , in Hamburg , on 20 th July last , which was their installation night , and also G . L . Visitation , I heard it stated , to my great

regret , in open lodge that an anti-Masonic agitation is at present finding many followers in Germany . The brethren of Lodge Globus were very much afraid that all the lodges in Germany would be prohibited , especially as the present Emperor has not followed in the footsteps of his illustrious father and grandfather , who were enthusiastic brethren of the Craft , and who looked with great favour and interest

on all things which could further the Craft in general . The present agitation , even if nothing worse follows , will be a great blot on the boasted civilisation and liberalism of Germany , and it may not be out of place to mention here that 105 years ago a similar agitation was got up , in the name of Religion , against Masonry , when Frederic the Great wrote the following letter , dated the 7 th of

February , 17 S 3 , and addressed to the leaders of the agitation—two Catholic monks , named Greinemann , of the Dominican Order , and Schuff , of the Capuchin Order , respectively , who were trying to persuade the public to attack the Craft during the ceremony of consecrating a lodge in Aix-la-Chapelle , and to induce them to murder the brethren present at that ceremony . The letter is translated as follows :

"February , 7 th , 17 S 3 , " My Very Reverend Fathers , "Information has reached me , corroborated by the public press , that you are zealously agitating the public to draw the Sword of Fanaticism against quite virtuous and honourable citizens , whose only crime in your eyes is that they are Freemasons . "

"As a past office bearer of this honourable and worshipful Craft , I am compelled to throw your slander and insinuations ' against the Ord r back in your face with all the force I possess , and must decline to allow you to draw aside the veil which hides the Temple of Virtue ( a Freemasons '

lodge ) , although you represent it to be an association of evil and vice . What , my very reverend Father ? , do you intend to enact over again , those centuries of ignorance and barbarism which were a disgrace to humanity and common sense ? Those times upon which we cannot look

Original Correspondence.

back without a shudder ? Those times when Hypocrisy , sitting on the Throne of Despotism , between Superstition and Humility , tried to chain the world in ignorance , and without any distinction , burned all those whose crime was , that they could read ? You have not only called the Freemasons Sorcerers , but have denounced them as vicious people , theives , and

emissaries of the Anti-Christ , and you call upon the whole population to kill * and destroy them all from off the Face of the Earth . Thieves , my very reverend Fathers , do not make it their duty to assist widows and orphans , on the contrary , thieves plunder them , rob them of their patrimony , and fatten themselves on their Booty in the Lap of idleness and hypocrisy . Thieves defraud the

public but Freemasonry enlightens it . A Mason returning from his lodge , where he is taught only what will benefit mankind at large , returns the better father and better husband through going thither to his work . An Atheist would most probably try to destroy the commandments of the Deity , but a Mason cannot go contrary to the Laws of the Omnipotent without trampling down his own edifice of

Masonry . In conclusion , I ask you , how can those possibly be a cursed body of men , whose continual endeavour it is to spread that knowledge which makes a virtuous man and which is to the benefit of mankind at large ? ( Signed ) "FREDERIC . " The foregoing letter has been reprinted in many of the more enlightened newspapers of Germany during the

preceding month , and I trust may find many readers . I may add , dear Sir and Brother , that our Scotch lodges , although far older than any in Germany , might learn a great deal from the latter , particularly in the matter of decorum . Evening dress and white gloves are compulsory at all communications . Of course , as you know , they all work with their hats on , and the Lodge Globus when I visited

it , was beautifully decorated with flowers and exotics round the dais of the W . M . 1 found the S . W . and J . W . sitting in chairs opposite the M . chair , between them the altar in front of the chair , and then three great candelabras , each holding a huge wax candle . The three candelabras were lit by the W . M ., S . W ., and J . W ., and each pronounced a different blessing on lighting it , and also when extinguishing it , after the lodge was closed .

Altogether it was one of the most imposing , decorous , and beautiful ceremonies I ever had the pleasure to witness . Visitors were conducted into the presence of the chair , and introduced by the M . C . and a deputation of brethren with staves ( 12 ) , and the music playing on their entrance . Trusting you will find room for the publication of above in your next issue of our Craft journal , I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , Sept . 24 . HELENSBURGH .

STEWARDS' JEWELS OR BADGES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , At a recent important lodge meeting , a brother , well-known in connection with the Charities , wore several

dozen decorations and was immensely admired . I was told that many of these were Stewards' jewels or badges , honourably enough gained at the Festivals . Kindly give your opinion if these can properly be worn in lodges ?—Yours fraternally , October 2 nd . P . M .

BOYS' SCHOOL ELECTION . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I want your earnest sympathy and help for a sixth and last application . The case I refer to is Harold Gray , who father was initiated in the British Kaffrarian Lodge , No . S 53 , South Africa , Sth Jan ., 1 S 72 , and subscribed till June , 1 S 7 S , when he became mentally incapacitated , and

died shortly afterwards , leaving a widow and three young children . Being a colonial case , very little help has been given , although Mrs . Gray has worked hard . About 1000 votes are carried forward . —With fraternal regards , yours faithfully , Carleton College , W . H . SAUNDERS , Tufnell Park , N . P . P . S . G . D . Middx .

"AN IMPORTANT POINT . " To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I was from home last week or would have replied to Bro . Woodward earlier . I am aware there is nothing in the Book of Constitutions to compel a brother to vote or leave the lodge , but the

Constitutions do not explicitly deal with every question of detail . Robertson in his Digest of Masonic J urisprudence ( under the Canadian system ) distinctly states " Every member of a lodge present must vote on all questions submitted to the lodge , unless excused by the unanimous consent of the rest of the members present . The Master may require any member to vote or to leave

the room , " and I have heard old P . M . 's lay down the law in a similar way , with the exception of the qualifying clause " unless , & c . " Dr . Oliver , ( Mas . Jar ., p . 74 , Ed . 1874 ) , discusses the question whether it is constitutional to remain neutral on tre ballot for a candidate , and considers such conduct un-Masonic , though " not aware of any law to prevent it . "

These and other authorities have made me hesitate how far I have been right when ruling , or advising a W . M . to rule , that a brother might remain neutral , and I worded my letter hoping to elicit Bro . Woodward ' s opinion , for which I thank him . But I regard Rule 210 , whilst it may be held to impliedly sanction a brother ' s right to be present and not vote on

ordinary occasions , as a concession in this particular case to those who hold it un-Masonic not to vote . The question of exclusion is so important , inasmuch as it may amount very nearly to virtual expulsion from the Craft , that Rule 210 says , in effect , that every brother present shall vote upon it . The question before the lodge is

practically a criminal charge , and the consequences of exclusion are so serious that unless those who ask for it can carry with them two-thirds of those who hear the question discussed , those who are not convinced , whether they vote or not , shall be counted as voting in favour of the accused . With all deference to Bros . Woodward and Ohren , I cannot conceive anything fairer and more proper .

Original Correspondence.

In the case of the numbers suggested by Bro . Ohren 1 submit that 14 unconvinced to 25 convinced should not ex elude . But I will put another case—12 present , 6 vote for exclusion , 2 against , and 6 neutral . Could it for " * moment be tolerated that it should be possible for 4 Dr . thren in such a case to inflict a penalty on a brother which in the words of our respected Grand Registrar , " practically prevents him from ioininsr another lodpe unless thai- I . J *

sees the clearest evidence , on going into the whole matteV that he is fit to be a member of it . ? " What lod ge would be likely to go into " the whole evidence ? " It is no stretch of imagination to say the non-voters m a verdict of " not proven . " The refusal to vote in the affirmative is in itself a plain proof either that they do not consider the complainant has proved his case , or else that they are unwilling to inflict such an extreme sentence as exclusion .

I must apologise for taking up so much of your space but much as I regret to differ from Bro . Woodward , I think with him that this is " an important point , " and I , Iike many other brethren , think the present law right , ' and should be very sorry to see it altered . —Yours fraternall y October 1 . LEX SCRIPTA

Masonic Notes And Queries:

Masonic Notes and Queries :

Soo ] ALBANY LODGE , No . 151 , NEWPORT . Adverting to the previous " Notes" on this subject by Bro . J . E . Le Feuvre and myself ( N . and Q . 791 and 796 ) I am now enabled to add further particuIarsT The original Warrant , No . 200 , dated 9 July , 1777 , was undoubtedl y issued to a lodge to meet at the Vine Inn , at Salisbury , where the lodge was duly constituted on 30 th July in the

same year , Bro . Caleb Dyer being Master , Hugh Jeboult , jun ., Senior Warden , and William Redman , Junior Warden . This lodge ceased to exist prior to 1792 , in June of which year the Warrant was returned to Grand Lod ge . After an interval of nine years , No . 200 was "Transferred " to the Isle of Wight , at the Castle and Banner , " on Sth May , 1 S 01 , the usual fee of £ 2 23 . being paid for the

Warrant on that day . The first names registered under the new lodge are " Richard Stevens Innkeeper I . of W ., " "John Stevens , do . I . of VV ., " "Edmund Wavell , " and "John Wavell , Cordwainer . " In the Warrant , as it now appears ( from a photograph kindly lent me by Bro . Le Feuvre ) , the words "Vine" and "City of Salisbury " and the names of Caleb Dyer , Hugh Jeboult , and William

Uedman have been erased , and over the erasures are written the words "Castle" and "Isle of Wight , " and the names " Richard Stephens , " " John Stephens , " and " Jonathan Wavell , " being three of the persons registered for Newport . In the lower part of the Warrant the three old names have also been erased , but no others substituted . These erasures , fortunately , are to some extent

incomplete , and portions of the old writing are legible ; thus , the "C" of City , and the termination " ry " in Salisbury can be distinctly seen , also the initials "H " . and "J" under the name of John Stephens , and in the lower erasure , not written upon , the letters "C . . Dyer" of Caleb Dyer , "H J . . oult " of Hugh Jeboult , and " W . . R . . " 0 f William Redman are

clearly visible , some letters being more distinct than others . The names of the Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master , Grand Wardens , and Grand Secretary remain on the warrant as in 1777 . The warrant appears to have recently been mounted and backed for preservation so that the usual endorsement of the transfer cannot be read . I am strongly of opinion that it was never re-issued from Grand

Lodge in its present condition , and that these erasures were done locally . The difference in the mode of spelling the surname "Stephens" and the substitution of Jonathan for John Wavell strengthen my opinion . The operation of the Act of Parliament passed in 1799 , which led the Grand Lodge of the " Moderns" to re-issue or transfer old warrants to new lodges at this period , i . e .,

from 1 S 00 to 1 S 12 , may have induced the "Athol" Grand Lodge to adopt a similar procedure , and it is therefore probable that the old warrant of 1777 was transferred in 1 S 0 I , by means of an endorsement , and thus made to do duty for , and to take the place of , a new warrant for the Newport Lodge , which , it is evident , was only constituted in 1801 ' JNO . LANE .

S 01 ] LODGE No . 203 , 'AIRDRIE , SCOTLAND . In consequence of a friendly challenge in the Freemason of Sth ult ., I took the opportunity , a week ago , to make enquiry about No . 203 , Airdrie , and allude to it now mainly because of certain peculiarities noticeable in their " Mark ' custom . The Parent " Friendly Society" is now , 8 th Oct ., celebrating the first centenary of its establishment

for the express purpose of affording relief to necessitous persons in any way connected with the building Fraternity . In 1799 , this body was chartered under the title of "St . John's Operative Lodge , " and though till comparatively recently a combination , the Masonic section has of necessity now been separated from the purely Charitable . When funds were running short , in 1 S 17 , they resolved to and

extend their ranks by admitting Wrights , Slaters , Smiths into their Lodge , but only in the proportion of one speculative { sic ) to three of the Craft . The earliest minute book discoverable , in my hurried search , begins " 1813 , and is prefaced by a series of Resolution or Laws signed by the Officers , including Mark Master and Standard Bearers . In iSli , we find the members

were allowed when sick 3 s . per week " as bedfast , and 2 s . " if going about . " The entering fee was 10 s . 6 d ., while the same amount was exacted ' the passing and raising combined , which was an evening's work . The Apprentice paid is . lid . for !? ' * " Mark , " which , according to the verbal testimony ? f too 1

old veterans , carried some valuable trade signals with I can only note here two of these , for the rest are somewhat allied to the present ritual , and therefore not suttaBi in sketch of Craft lodge . The journeyman in ^ g . ^ of employment was taught to tuck up the rig ht low corner of his apron into the left side of his waistban ^ while he who was sufficiently independent , and l" ?^ desired to see whether the job was to his mind , rolled