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lodges , as well as to uphold the central Benevolent Fund , and thus our charity would not only be more unconstrained in its extent , but would be more fully available for its proper objects , which comprise , not only the poor , but more especially the distressed , the decayed , the widow , and the fatherless . Let us earnestly wish and work for such a result . I am , yours fraternally , JOHN MONRO , Prov . G . J . W . of Glasgow .

GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND . To the Editor ol thc " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — The following letter was sent to the Scottish Freemason lor insertion in last week ' s issue , but heltl over for

reasons best known to thc Editor of that journal till next issue—a fortnight hence . As it bears upon topics under present discussion anent Grand Lodge of Scotland meeting on the 5 th ult ., will you kindly give it a place in . your journal of this week , and oblige the writer and other brethren ?

To the Editor of the " Scottish Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I was disappointed in not finding a report of thc proceedings of the meeting of Grand Lodge on August 5 th in your issue of the 16 th inst ., and I was pained lo notice the reason assigned by you why the meeting was not reprinted in the Scottish Freemason . Has the "fine

gold" of Freemasonry indeed "become so dim" that an Editor whose position as a journalist ought to be independent of all proceedings , must " refrain from reporting such , even when he thinks these proceedings are of a shameless and un-masonic character ? " Methinks , in such a case , the Masonic reporter should have the courage to speak out the more boldly—even though he should sully his dainty fingers

by such dirty work—and not refer his readers to garbled misrepresentations in daily papers outside our Order . In the North British Daily Mail of the 6 th , we find a long article headed " Threatened Masonic Disruption . " The " wish " of thc writer in this case would , we think , be " father to the thought ; " in this article there is much that _ as not before Grand Lodge at the meeting . In the

Glasgow News of same date , we elo find an epitome of the business , and a fair report so far as it goes . Both papers , however , do notice what , to my mind , was the crowning " shameless un-masonic " act of the day , viz . —the " one hundred " of Glasgow , when they could not carry their points , abruptly leaving the meeting—without obtaining leave from the throne—and rushing in disorder past the

guards out of thc hall . Where was the voice of the Grand Master that hc did not thunder behind them ? Where was thc Grand Tyler , that he elitl not bar the way in " front of them ' : " Where were the Wardens , and brethren " to the right and left of them , " that " the one hundred , " who so ingloriously forgot their Masonic position—and its corresponding duties—were ? wt prevented from leaving the

Grand Lodge till they had asked leave to do so in something like proper form—and with at least a show of honour to themselves , and respect to the Craft , of which they are members . I humbly venture to affirm , that if the Grand Master had exercised the authority of his high office at this juncture—( and in doing so he would have had thc support of the

meeting ) the " scene , " which every lover of order must deplore , would not have taken place . There can be no doubt whatever , that the action of " thc < ne hundred" was that of insubordination , and their subsequent conduct in holding meetings , passing

resolutions , issuing circulars , e _ c , smacks of open rebellion . Surely every right-thinking loyal Mason in our jurisdiction will tleprecate such conduct , and consider matters well before lending any countenance to the ( I will not use your word " shameless , " but will say ) " unmasonic " proceedings of our brethren in the west . I am , yours fraternally ,

A READER . [ VVe are informed that the 100 seceders had permission of the Grand Master to do so . —ED . Freemason . ' ] Dear Sir and Brother , — I feel quite sure that every English Brother will bear you out in your remarks regarding thc needful reforms in Scottish Masonry , and I am just as sure that all the

best class of Masons in the Land o'Cakes will do the same . But unfortunately there seems to be a strong body of brethren of a class that should never have been initiated at all , who violently oppose any such ideas as you have enunciated , and who ate prepared to bring all tlieir influence of numbers to bear upon the Grand Lodge in order to prevent any reform . It is a very significant fact , as you

observe , that the greatest proportion of Masonic vagrants hails from Scotland . Nor can we be surprised at this when we consider that the ease with which a man can be received into the Order north of thc Tweed is an actual temptation to a professional mendicant to become a Freemason purely for begging purposes . Many brethren are of opinion that the minimum

initiation fee even in England is too small , anti certainly low fees tend greatly to the admission of cantlidates who are n-t in what coultl be fairly called reputable circumstances . My observations lead me to think that many peisons mistake the aim and scope of Freemasonry , anil enter with the indistinct idea of obtaining some financial support from the general body . In some provincial lodges this notion

is to a certain extent cncouiagetl by the practice of including in the O . B . a pledge to prefer a Master Mason in all trade dealings , which , I think , most objectionable and lowering to the high tone of the pure ceremony . I hope I am mit wrong in thc opinion tbat no man should le accepted as a candidate for Freemasonry to whom thc loss of his situation woulel mean utter penury , or whose death would throw his family at once upon the charily of the

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Craft . Unforseen circumstances may , of course , bring about such a state of things , but at the actual period of his introduction a candidate should be in reputable circumstances , which I understand to mean , not only a respectable social position , but either means or friends or both to

fall back upon . If , at the time he desires admission , he is not in that happy position he would , I submit , be far better advised , and the interests of the Craft would be far better consulted , if he entered the ranks of a friendly society . I am , yours fraternally ,

T . B . WHYTEHEAD . Since writing the above I have read the excellent letter of " Spero , " in your last issue , in which I perfectly agree , as regards the point on which I have written .

SCHOOLS BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF MASONRY . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Some few elays ago thp idea of forming schools based on the principles of Masonry was mooted by one or more of your correspondents . There can be no question as to the

great necessity and importance of such institutions . It would be a boon to many a fellow ciaftsman who is able to commit the training of his children to those who would care for them on the ground of common brotherhood . But such a -cheme as that proposed by your correspondents , would involve a great amount of care , thought , and expense , and after all it would be but an

experiment . Would it not be better therefore in the meantime to select some already existing school , say such as that advertised in your educational columns viz ., Tollington Park College , as the basis of thc experiment , and not only so but as forming a very desirable centre for the pieliminary operations of a Masonic school . It appears from the deputations of the above College and its

principals that it is adapted in every way for the purposes suggested . I should be glad if brethren interested in the education of their offspring in its Masonic aspects would ventilate thc subject at greater length . As Masons it is of all things of thc greatest impoitance that our offspring should be taught to revere and embrace the principles so sacred to their parents , amid the uncertain ring in mo

dern educational establishments . I as a parent would hail with pleasure an institution of a Masonic character where my children could be taught not Masonic vices as that poor unfortunate woman , wife of a New York Mason , inscribes it , but Masonic viitues , which arc only real when th ; y shew themselves iu sobriety , grace and serenity of conduct , and an earnest desire for thc higher culture of our children . Yours very sincerely , -J . H . TOWNEND . M . D .

WENTWORTH LITTLE MEMORIAL . To thc Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I was very glad to see the advertisement in your last week's issue asking for donations for the above object , I think the appeal shoultl be most generously and heartily responded-to . When we consider the great zeal and

talents displayed by our late brother , who tlevoted so much of his time , not only for thc practical benefit of the Order , but in the elucidation of the historical and mystical teachings of our rites and ceremonies , and there were many brethren who were brought under his personal influence , there should not be any fear for the attainment of the objects the

Committee have in view , which I perceive are threefold : ist The Mural Tablet . 2 nd The benefit of the widow . 3 rd Thc perpetuation of Bro . Little's name in the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . I will send my donation to Bro . Buss . Yours fraternally , AN ADMIRER OF OUR LATE BROTHER .

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT . To thc Editor if the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother . In reply to D . P . G . M ., I must congratulate him on the very able defence he made of a somewhat batl case ; but a reply to one or two of his statements is necessary .

istly He bases thc defence mainly on the fact , that the day of the meeting was altered , and consequently may have interfered with the arrangements of those intending to be present ; but he seems to forget that a " second" return was called in consequence of this alteration , and therefore renders this portion of his argument valueless . zndly Whether thc appointments are intendeel as

compliments to deserving lodges , or in recognition of a brother ' s high Masonic worth , or in deference to the weight of a brother ' s social position or money bags ; is entirely beside thee | uestion raised , viz ., the inconsistency of procedure at these P . G . L . meetings . 3 rdly As to the inconvenience of altering the officers after they are called out ; I contend since the announcement

at Basingstoke , it only implies a want of forethought in theise who are responsible in arranging the list , in not having some alternative names ready , and thus provide for the absentees . There cannot be any difficulty in this course , as we are duly informed at each meeting ho , v difficult it is to select names from amongst so many deserving brethren for the few collars at the disposal of the

P . G . M . I am , dear Sir and Bro . faithfully anti fraternally yours , CONSISTtNCY .

MASONIC ELECTIONS . To the Editor of the " Frctntason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — It appears from the agenda of GrantI Lotlge that the Boartl of General Purposes " have appointed a Committee to cntiuirc and report whether any better mode

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can be devised than lhat specified in the Book of Constitutions , which may ensure greater accuracy in conducting the elections by Grand Lodge of members for the several Boards and Committees . " Colonel Creaton has proposed , for the next Quarterly Committee of the Girls' School , " That a sub-committee of five brethren be appointed to consider and report to the

Quarterly Court , in January next , on the advisability of revising the laws of that Institution . " Thus , in two important directions , thc necessity for thc reform , which was so repeatedly urged in the columns of the Freemason during the early part of this year , has been practically admitted . It now remains for the General Committee of the Boys '

School to follow in the same direction , and , if any good is to result , the subscribers would do well , not only to appoint an independent Sub-committee , but also to add to the instructions , that a special report be made on the regulations for the election of Committees , and thc alterations that are necessary to prevent irregularities . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , . H . T . THOMPSON .

OLD LIST OF LODGES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — One of your correspondents is writing for an old register of lodges . I have in my possession " a List of Regular Lodges , according to their Seniority of Constitution ,

by order of the Grand Master , " printed for and sold by Wm . Cole , engraver and copper-plate printer , opposite Warwick-lane , in Newgate-street ; it is printed in copperplate with emblems . Unfortunately the title page is gone , but I think it was issued about 1770 . Yours fraternally , SAMUEL JONES . J . G . Warden of Devonshire .

LEADER ON THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , You say : "In England our G . L . lays down Q 3 3 s . as a minimum of initiation fees . " See B-okof Constitutions , Ed . 1871 , p . 86 , art . q . "No person shall be made a Mason for less than £ 3 3 s ., exclusive of thc registering

fee . " I have not noticed that it was altereel in the Quarterly Communications of Grand L . dge since that edition ; it may be for all that . If it is a slip its wjll to be pointed out , and wc always look up to you as being almost infallible ( its not every one that " lays his two pence to sec for himself , " ) although its a great pity . I am , dear Sir and Brother , vours faithfully and

fraternally , ROBERT OWEN . [ ft is a mistake , sec leader . —ED . ]

SOCIAL C-1 HERINGS . To the Editor if the " Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , — Brother " Omicron , " whose letter appeared last week , has thrown out an invaluable suggestion , by urging that we have social meetings in which our one-sided scUfishness ought to be abandoned , and to which ladies can be introduced with safety , as in other respectable and

religious societies . I am proud to find , for thc honour of the Craft , that this is a growing desire for this , and I am in correspondence with lodges now , with the view of holding first-class soirees , followed by suitable Masonic addresses -, musical and other amusements , dissolving views , & c . These may be got up at one-eighth the expense to the brethren , keep them from

the ruinous society of those who go to extremes , draw others into their habits , and bring Masonry into disrepute . Another grand object may thus be accomplished , both provident and philanthropic , viz ., a valuable aid to thc funds of the charities , anel the pleasing prospect if generally adopted throughout the various lodges , that the case of every applicant to those institutions may be easily met ,

I would say to Bro . "Omicion" and others , I shall be most happy to join them to addtess meetings got up either in London or thc provinces , with that object , and to receive communication from those interested in so desirable a reform , observing that to the honour of the brethren ol the Surrey Masonic Club , at Camberwell , they have

recently made a start , and are worthy of every support from brethren in the South of London , who wish to do good to Masonry . I especially and with confidence urge the subject on the brethren of the clergy . With best wishes , W . DARLEY , P . M . P . S . —Ladies will be delighted to aid the movement .

The pulp it in Hereford Cathedral will be occupied every Sunday evening during the present month t >{ Bishops . Bishop MacDougall preached on Sunday night , anil the other preachers will be the Bishops of Dunedin , Missouri , Kingston , and Iowa . An unknown malady has attacked the crawfish

in thc canal and streams near Luneville . They are found dead in the holes serving as their retreat . The Consecration of the Eldon Lodge , No . 1 j 55 , took place on Tuesday last , in the large room over the Pier Refreshment Hall , Portisheatl . It was a very full meeting , Bro . R . C . Else , V . W . D . P . G . M ., was the Consecrating Officer . A full report will appear in our next .

Bro . Sir F . M . Williams Bart ., M . P ., died suddenly at Hcanton Court , near Barnstaple , on Tuesday evening . An obituary of this popular brother appears in another column .