What Next?

Surely the authorities of Winchester Cathedral will feel how proper and needful it is " quieta non movere . " We hope that some true Freemasons and worthy archaeologists will be found in the good old city of Winchester to lift up

their voices against this far too common practice of these restoring days , to destroy and erase what is old because it is old , to make way for a new specimen of statuary , or a burnished piece of lacquer work . It is altogether a false proceeding * in the interests of art and ecclesiastical

archneology , and we protest against it , wherever it is attempted to be carried out . Surely some befitting place may be found for a stately memorial of Bishop Sumner without drawing on the projectors of this destructive perversity ,

if the report be true , the curse that William Shakespeare pronounces against all who irreverently move or interfere with the bones of the great , the good , and the departed . Surely we all shall say " requiescant in pace . "

Bro. Major Burgess.

BRO . MAJOR BURGESS .

We are induced to call attention again to this controversy , in consequence of the clear and pointed letter signed " A Mark Master , " which appeared in our last issue . We leave out all the personal questions at issue between the controversialists—unfortunately the whole matter is a

personal one—and we turn to the general principles laid down by our correspondent , " A Mark Master . " If we understand his words right , in his opinion it does not make any difference whether all the signataries are Masonic , for though he does say he understands the Chivalric

degrees to be composed solely of Master Masons , yet we apprehend that under the novel form of the Priory of the Temple such a qualification is no longer a sine qua non . At any rate , we should like to have this point clear . The Scottish Templars do not admittedly require

a Masonic qualification , and if such now be the actual status of the " Priory of thc Temple , " we feel strongly that "A Maik Master" has put forth a somewhat startling proposition . Because if his argument be good for anything , it must amount to this , that the Mark Degree has a

right to make a " concordat " with any grade or Order , Masonic or non-Masonic . He seems however to fc el the incongruity of such arrangements on Masonic grounds , and he therefore skilfully makes a distinction between breaches of Masonic discipline and dishonourable conduct ,

implying thereby that Bro . Burgess ' s case comes under the latter category , whereas in truth it appears to have been a pure case of Templar discipline from first to last . And we would ask " A Mark Master , " how can the Order of the Temple and the 33 ° be judges in a case of Masonic

discipline which can properly only be adjudicated on by a purely Masonic body , which neither of these distinguished Orders admittedly are ? The dilemma in which the Mark Degree now finds itself is very remarkable and clear . By the tripartite treaty it virtually hands over its members

to . the decision of an alien and non-Masonic tribunal , as more or less a supreme court of appeal , so that if a Mark Mason is found guilty , being a Templar , and of the 2 , 3 ° > of some disciplinary delinquency , he is " ex necessitate , * ' suspsndecl from his functions and privileges as a

Mark Mason , though he is utterly guiltless of any breach of Mark Masonic law . This is so serious a position for all Mark Masons , that we cannot believe , on the principles of Masonic equity , it will be sustained by the Grand Lodge of Mark Masons . If it is , we are very sorry for

it and them . We say nothing about what onr able correspondent tfcrms the " more select degrees , " because we utterl y deny the assumption and the claim , as we do not consider that there is , or can be , any superiority or distinction of any kind between the Christian bodies , or the Mark Degree , and Craft Masonry . We would venture

to suggest a practical conclusion of this painful controversy . Let a committee of four , two to represent Bro . Burgess , and two to represent the higher grades , he appointed amicably , the four to select a chairman , and let their a ward be accepted as " amici curioe " to settle a very difficult and intricate matter , which threatens to develope into 3 long and most useless logomachy .

The Picture Of The Installation.

THE PICTURE OF THE INSTALLATION .

We call attention to a circular which we give below , emanating from the company which is p lacing this welcome memorial ol n great event in English Freemasonry before the Craft and the world . We recommend that circular to the

careful perusal of all our readers , and we trust sincerely that those who are bringing out this artistic and valuable souvenir will receive , as they deserve to receive , the support and sympathy , the encouragement and patronage , of our numerous , and intelligent , and loyal Order .

The Installation Picture.

THE INSTALLATION PICTURE .

We have been requested to publish the following : — Mis lloyal Highness the Prince of Wales , K . G ., Most Worshipful Grand Master , ccc , ISTC , & C , & c , having * been graciously pleased to accept the special dedication , a splendid historical steel engraving will shortly be published , of the Royal Installation on the 28 th of April last ,

in the Royal Albert Hall . By special arrangements made previous to the Installation with the R . W . Sir Albert W . Woods , Garter Kingat-Arms , P . G . W ., Grand Director of Ceremonies , thc artist , Bro . Edward James Harty , S . D ., No . 1201 , was granted a special position in the hall , and has been successful in drawing a picture so unique in its conception ,

comprehensive m design , and faithful 111 detail , as to have received , after careful inspection , the gracious approval of His Royal Highness the Most Worshipful Grand Master , and the following distinguished brethren : —M . W . the Right Hon . thc Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master ; R . W . the Right I Ion . Lord Skelmersdale , Deputy Grand Master ; R . W . the Most Hon . the Marquis of Hamilton , Senior

Grand Warden -, R . W . the Right Hon . thc Lord Mayor , Junior Grand Warden ; also K . W . Sir Albert W . Woods , Garter King-at-Arms , P . G . W ., Grand Director of Ceremonies ; R . W . the Right I Ion Lord Holmesdale , M . P . ; R . W . Rev . | ohn Huyshe , P . G . M . Devonshire ; R . W . William Kelly , P . P . G . M . Leicestershire , & c . ; U . W . Hugh D . Sandeman , D . G . M . Bengal ; R . W . Colonel A . W . Adair , P . P .

G . M . Somersetshire ; R . W . H . Scott , D . G . M . Trinidad ; R . W . Colonel Francis Burdett , P . G . M . Middlesex ; R . W . the Right Hon . Lord Dunboyne , Member of the Irish Deputation ; R . W . the I Ion . W . T . Mercer , P . D . G . M . China ; V . W . Samuel Tomkins , Grand Treasurer ; V . W . / Eneas John Mclntyre , Grand Registrar ; V . W . 'John B . Monckton , P . G . D ., President of the Board of General

Purposes ; V . W . John Hervey , Grand Secretary ; V . W . Rev . Charles John Martyn , P . G . C . ; V . W . Rev . A . 1 * . A . Woodford , P . G . C . ; W . Thomas Penn , P . G . D . ; W . John Anthony Rucker , P . G . D . ; W . William Hickman , P . A . G . D . C ; W . ) . Daniel Moore , P . G . S . B . ; W . Charles Banister , P . G . S . B . ; W . John Boyd , P . G . P . ; W . John March Case , Installation Steward ; W . II . Dicketts , P . G . S . ; W .

John Coutts , P . G . P . ; W . Fredk . Whitaker , P . P . G . J . D . To render this work a historical , authentic , and interesting record of thc greatest of Grand Lodges , it has been resolved to introduce portraits , wherever possible , of the most prominent of the brethren , and especially of Grand Oflicers and Grand Stewards , Present and Past , Members of Deputations , & c , and to more fully carry out which

arrangements have been made with the eminent photographer , Bro . E . M . Haigh , P . M ., P . G . S ., of 213 , Regentstreet , to photograph , free of expense , such brethren in the exact position and pose at present represented in the original drawing , for the use of the engraver , and each of whom will be entitled to a proof copy on the terms mentioned on thc order sheet sent herewith .

Arrangements have also been concluded with the eminent engraver , Mr . Charles George Lewis , for the executicn of the work on steel , and he has already commenced on the plate . The order sheet gives the prices which have been fixed forthe various descriptions of impressions , and Grand Officers arc particularly requested to take notice that the

number of portraits which can be engraved being necessarily limited , applications will bc registered in priority of date , and , that tlie accomplishment of the undertaking may be completed and ready for delivery by the First Anniversary of the Installation , it is earnestly requested that brethren who are desirous of having their portraits engraved will at once return the order sheet filled up .

' 1 o the brethren under the constitution of the Grand Lodge of England the Royal Installation on the 28 th of April must ever bc a red letter day in their Masonic career . Unparalleled in importance , and the grandest in accomplishm-.-nt , it is admitted that the picture correctly delineates the unequalled scene , and the noble proportions of the Royal Albert Hall are also faithfully portrayed , the

whole forming a coup d'ceil of surpassing splendour . And whilst it will be universally taken by lodges as an adornment to their temples , it must command a prominent position in the galleries of princes and nobles , as well as in the drawing rooms of th ; wealthy and the halls of the multitude of that class who form the basU of society ; and to all brethren of whatever Grand Lodge , constitution ,

country or clime , throughout th . * globe , it is intended that this historical representation ofthe Installation of our most Illustrious Prince should be a fitting and worthy memorial of the greatest nnd grandest Grand Lodge oi Freemasons ever assembled .

1 he M . W . the Pro Grand Master remarked " that never in the whole history of Freemasonry had such a Grand Lodge been assembled , " and His Royal Highness the Grand Master confirmed this , saying , "That such an assemblage in Grand Lodge had never been before known , " adding * , " When I look round this vast and spacious hall

The Installation Picture.

and see those who have come from the north and the south , from the east and the west , lo be present on this auspicious occasion , it is , I trust , an omen of good . " To perpetuate this to generations of our noble Order yet unborn has been one of the conceptions of the artist , and will be the duty of the engraver to carry into effect .

And bearing in mind the further eloquent remarks of the Most Worshipful Grand Master , that the watchwords of our ancient and noble Order are " Loyalty and Charily , " it has been determined , should the Picture meet with encouragement from the Craft , that a portion of the proceeds shall be divided equally between the three Royal Masonic Charities—viz ., The Royal Masonic Institution for Girls ,

The Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and their Widows . Thc prices of impressions are as under , and for Nos . i , 2 , and 3 , include the expense of the photcgraph and the impression . One moiety payable on subscription and the balance on the delivery of the impression .

As a proper accompaniment to the Picture each subscriber will receive , with his impression , a key , containing the full name and Masonic rank of all the brethren who . e portraits are engraved . £ s . d . 1 . Proofs , signed by designer and

engraver , limited 10 10 o 2 . Proofs , before letters , on India paper , limited 7 7 ° 3 . Lettered proofs , on India paper 5 ¦; o j . Prints , on India paper 550

5 . Prints , oil plain paper 220 Tin-: ROYAI . MASONIC INSTALLATION GALLERY Co . 213 , Regent-street , London , W . August ( ith , 1875 .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We ( In not llolil ourselves responsible for , or even ns approving of the opinions expressed by our correspondents , hut wo wish , in a spirit of' fair - play to all , lo permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —lip . ]

BRO . MAJOR BURGESS AND THE MARK DEGREE . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — " A Mark Master " should perhaps have signed his letter as " A Colquhounic Knight . " When he has courage enough to make under his own name a

statement of fact , instead of anonymously asking questions with the object of conveying insinuations , I think it will be time enough for me to reply to him . If he will even repeat his questions , in his own name , I shall b : happy to answer them . Faithfully yours , Cn . vs . J . Bi'iinr . ss . London , 3 1 st J uly , 187- ; .

Multum In Parbo; Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo ; or Masonic Notes and Queries .

WAS Sin CIIIUSTJPIIEII WHKN A FIIKKMASON ? Post Hoy , No . 5245 , Murch 2 nd- —March 5 th , 1722 . — "This evening the corpse of that worthy Freemason , Sir Christopher Wren , Knight , is to be interred under the dome of St , Paul ' s Cathedral . " Post Man , March jth—March 7 th , 1 72 . 5 . — " Last

Tuesday night the corpse of Sir Christopher Wren was carried from his late dwelling-house to lie interred in the vault under the dome of St . Paul ' s ; the hearse was preceded by a handsome cavalcade , and followed by fifteen mourning coaches and six , as well as by several gentlemen's coaches . "

Post Boy , March 5 th—March 7 th , 1722 . — "The following plain inscription is engraven on the plate upon Sir ChristopherWren ' scoffin , viz . — "Christophorus Wren , Eques awratus , hums Eccles ' uc Architectus , obiit Feb . 25 , Anno Dom . 1723 a-tat , 91 . " I cannot discover any further account . But , please ,

observe the difference in dates , to bc accounted for by the old and new style . The Post Bui / of Match 5 U 1 , 1 7 , prints an inscription that says Sir Christopher Wren died Feb ., 172 . 5 . The Post Man of March jth—7 th , 172 . 5 , says Sir Christopher Wren was buried last Tuesday night . " Such is the result of the search in the British Museum . "

A MASONIC STUIIKNT . I have read the remarks by " A Masonic Student" at page . 5 . 58 , but although he answers the above question iu the affirmative , he brings forward no real evidence in support of his view . The idea that the use of the words , * ' that worthy Freemason" by thc Post Boy , proves the general acceptance of the faclis scarcely the sort of

Masonic evidence that I would put much weight upon . The only real piece of evidence that 1 have yet seen , so far as I can at present judge , is the quotation from Aubrey ' s Natural Ilislory of Wiltshire , but that quotation does not state that he was enrolled among the members of the fraternity , if merely states that on May 18 th , 160 , 1 , he is to be adopted a brother . Consequentlyas " there ' s many

, a slip ' nvixt the cup and the lip , " and as " is to be" and " was " are not exactly equivalent expressions , 1 venture t " consider it possible that Wren never was adopted at all . Of course we read in Preston ' s Illustrations of Masonry , that Wren got on to bc a Grand Warden in 1 ( 1 ( 13 , and a

Deputy Grand Master in i 6 ( id , but as both of these dates occur a considerable time previous to May 18 th , i ( " )\< when even his adoption was still in the womb of futurity , it follows that , to say the least , thc evidence as to Wren ' s Masonic career is somewhat conflicting , not to press the facts that it would appear that no such Masomc