"Origin Of Freemasonry," &C No. 2.

trade of a mason , and , hence , unless the crentlemen who belonged to the old body had conserved its customs and ceremonies the probability is , that , as a society , it would

be now utterly extinct and without a representative . I do not say that our Masonry was theirs , but that their Masonry is contained in ours .

( g ) Bro . Buchan again makes a statement to which all familiar with the English language must object . He says , " The fact is , these ancient lodges were not speculative in any such sense as we now use and

understand the term . " Now , the fact , Bro . Buchan , is this : that they were speculative in the sense zve nozv use the term . What could be more speculative than for gentlemen to join an operative body , and , in some

cases , constitute the majority of the members of lodges ? Such speculative Freemason , at the time we refer to , means one

who is not an operative Mason being admitted as a member of the operative Masonic Body , and thus made a participator in the secrets of the Craft .

( h ) Bro . Buchan observes that , " although Masonic societies used to admit non-operatives , just as did the Tailors' Company , yet they , therefore , no more practised speculative Masonry thereby , than the latter practised

speculative tailory . " Certainly , " no more ;" but we beg to observe they practised it quite as much . A gentleman becoming a member of the Tailors' Company in olden time , if he were made acquainted with

peculiar signs and words , and had charges read to him , and antique customs observed on his admission , was , to all intents and pusposes , a speculative tailor , and so , in like manner , others because speculative Masons .

( i ) I am sorry Bro . Buchan is of the opinion , that the operative masons of the second decade of the eighteenth century endeavoured " to deceive thepublic . " How , he does not say ; but it is possible to guess

his meaning . For that he has but a surmise on his own part , and no proof . These operative and speculative Masons certainly wove their old traditions into the introduction to the Book of Constitutions of 1723

but therewas no deception intendcd . asmany of the charges were well known beforehand , and although in some respects they were erroneous , I have yet to learn that the object of the " Revival " was deception .

Certainly , the practice of the Craft , from that time to this , would warrant us in believing otherwise , and for my part I am proud to be a humble member of a Fraternity that has so noble a history .

Bro . B ' uchan will now have an opportunity to reply to my argumcnts , as in deference to his wishes I have written fully in answer to his second communication ; and I believe that as we have both endeavoured to carry

on this discussion in a fair and Masonic manner , the third articles in support of negative and affirmative will be closed in harmony . W . J AMES HUGHAN .

The Royal Arch Chapter Of Improvement.

THE ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF IMPROVEMENT .

We have great pleasure in reminding our readers that the Royal Arch Chapter of Improvement will now meet regularly throughout the season every Thursday evening at 7 o ' clock . The meetings are held at Freemasons' Hall

and when we add that instruction is imparted by Comp . James Brett , G . D . C ., we have said all that is needed to induce the attendance of every companion who desires to become proficient in the mystic rites , ceremonies , illustrations , and traditional lore of Royal Arch Masonry .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Reports of Masonic Meetings .

- « r . THE CRAFT .

METROPOLITAN . Lodge of Faith , No . 141 . —The brethren of this ancient and flourishing lodge assembled for their first meeting of the season at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Tuesday , the 26 th September , 1871 . Bro . Joseph Speed , W . M ., presided , and was very

efficiently assisted in his laborious duties by Bros C C . Taylor , S . W . ; Green , J . W . ; Themans , S . D . ; Catmur , J . D . ; and Kennett , I . G . There were also present : Bros . William Carter , P . M ., Treas . ; Thomas Anslow , P . M ., Sec . ; Hill . I . P . M . ; W . Stewart , P . M . ; N . Gluckstein , P . M . ; A . E . Harris

P . M . ; E . Gottheil , P . M . ; and a strong gathering of brethren . After the opening formalities were disposed of , the minutes of the last lodge meeting were read and confirmed . A Fellow-Craft lodge was then formed , and Bros . Gluck , Wigel , Berg , Houseman , and Hyman were permitted to pass a

step further into the ancient mysteries of the Craft . On the lodge being lowered to the first degree , the ballot was taken for the following gentlemen : Mr . Hyam Nathan , of Huncisworth , near Birmingham ; Mr . Alf . Challis , " French Horn , " Lambeth ; Mr . Jacob Levy , 14 , Drury-lanc ; and Mr . Fred Stokes ,

11 , Landscer-road-row , which proved in each case to be unanimous in their favour . They were then introduced into the lodge in conformity with ancient custom , and passed through their initiatory probation with admirable decorum , evidently deeply impressed with the beauty of the ceremony , the

performance of which they for the first time witnessed . The evening's programme included the choice of officers for the ensuing year . The ballot was taken for the office of W . NI ., and resulted in the unanimous election of Bro . C . C . Taylor , the S . W ., to that dignified post . The brethren were

pleased to receive the announcement with great Masonic applause . The confidence of the brethren of the Lodge of Faith , No . 141 , in the peculiar fitness of Bro . William Carter , P . M ., as their Treasurer , is so great , and his popularity so universal , that to endeavour to supplant him in that office

would result in total and unmitigated failure . The moment , therefore , his name was mentioned all hands were up in his favour ; and Bro . Longstaff was requested to retain the post of Tyler for the ensuing twelvemonths . —Bro . S . Davis then rose and said : Worshipful Master and brethren , I am

sure it will be pleasant to you to learn that the "Freemason" life-boat was launched during the recess , and is now stationed at North Berwick . The movement commenced in this lodge , which subscribed £ 5 5 s ., towards the fund , and most of the brethren belonging to it added their mite for the

same purpose . It was therefore thought just and proper to identify the boat with the Lodge of Faith ; and as this lodge was first on the list of subscribers , I beg to propose that it again occupy the same place , by subscribing £ 1 is . per annum towards maintaining the boat . — The proposition was

seconded by Bro . N . Gluckstein , and carried without dissent . —The case of the child , Frances Mary Hart , a daughter of the late Bro . S . Hart , P . M ., was strongly and eloquently advocated by Bro . William Stewart , P . M . —The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned from labour to

refreshment . This was bountifully served in the customary satisfactory manner which always characterises the superintendence of Bro . William Smith . The various toasts were proposed and responded to with most delightful brevity and in the following order : 1 st . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts .

2 nd . "The Initiates , " responded to by Bro . Stokes —song by Bro . Maurice Davis . 3 rd , "The Visitors , " replied to by Bro . Major Finney , W . M . 1361 . 4 th . "The W . M ., " to which Bro . Joseph Speed responded—song by Bro . Painter ; recitation , the quarrel scene between Brutus and Cassius , by Bros .

S . Davis and D . Davis . 5 th . " Tiie W . M .-elect , " most feelinglv responded to by Bro . C . C . Taylorsong by Bro . Mallett . 6 th . " The P . M . ' s , " and other toasts were given and received in the usual manner , and the Tyler ' s toast terminated a very happy and enjoyable evening . The visitors were :

Bros . F . H . Thomas , 481 ; \ V . H . Sewivcs , 86 ; Major Finney , W . M . 1361 ; C . H . Finney , jun ., 1361 ; E . G . Hably , 87 ; Wright , W . M . 79 ; Wingston , 1188 ; Batty , 741 ; and Mortlock , P . M . 186 . St . Luke ' s Lodge , A ' o . 144 . —On Monday , 2 nd instant , at Masons' Hall Tavern , this lodge met .

Bro . E . D . N . Walbanckc , W . M ., passed Bro . Heath to the second degree and installed Bro . W . Mann , W . M ., who then initiated Messrs . T . Smith and W . Corby . The officers arc : Bros . Patient , S . W . ; H . Kirke , J . W . ; Birch , P . M ., Treas . ; J .

Todd , P . M ., Sec . ; Wicks , S . 1 X ; M . Edwards , J . D . ; Pullcn , I . G . ; Kirke , P . M ., D . C . ; Maples , P . M ., W . S . ; and Longstaff , Tyler . Banquet was served , after which Bro . Walbanckc had a Past Master ' s jewel presented to him . Visitors : Bros . W . Ough , P . G . P . ; J . Brett , P . G . P . ; Hughes , P . M . 59 ; F .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Walters , P . M . 73 ; Tallent , W . M . 186 ; Mortlock , P . M . 186 ; Beck , J . W . 186 ; & c . William Preston Lodge , No . 766 . —On Thursday , the 28 th ultimo , at the City Terminus Hotel , this lodge held its installation meeting . Bro . Miller , W . M ., presided , and raised Bro . Jones and initiated

Mr . Johnson in an able manner . Bro . H . Garrod , P . M ., in a correct and impressive style , ' installed Bro . W . H . Harper , W . M ., for which he received a vote of thanks , to be entered on the lodge minute book . The W . M . then appointed his officers as follows : Bros . G . Newman , S . W . ; Worrell , J . W . ;

Kain , P . M ., Treas . and Sec . ; Braun , S . D . ; Prmgle , J . D . ; Crag , I . G . ; Jackson , D . C . ; andSpencer , Tyler . A Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . Miller , and banquet followed . Visitors : Bros . J . Hervey , G . S . ; F . Walters , P . M . 73 ; H . Garrod , P . M . 749 ; & c .

PROVINCIAL . HERTFORD . —Hertford Lodge , No . 403 . —The usual meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 26 th September . The brethren present were : Bros . H . B . Hodges , W . M ., in the chair ; J . D . Medcalf , S . W . ; O . H . Wagner , J . W . ; T . S . Carter ,

Sec . ; J . R . Cocks , Treas . ; W . H . Nicolls , J . D . ; C . P . Wyman , I . G . and Org . ; S . Neale , M . C . ; C . Drummond , I . P . M . ; S . Austin , P . M . ; E . A . Simson , J . Boatwright , H . Campkin , E . Salisbury , W . P . Willson , F . Taylor , W . Warrcner , J . Harrington . P . Page , F . Fountain , J . E . Cussans , A . J . Small . Visitors : Bros . H . C . Heard , 449 , and A . H . Bryant ,

12 . Bro . the Rev . Lewis Deedes was appointed Chaplain , and " Bro . Boatwright Senior Deacon . Bro . Harrington was raised to the third degree ; Bros . Small , Page , and Fountain were passed to the degree of F . C . ; and Abel Smith , Esq ., M . P ., of WnodhaU Park , and Robert Dimsdale , Esq ., M . P ., of Essendon Place , were initiated into the mysteries of the Masonic art . The whole of the ceremonies

were worked by the W . M . in a faultless manner . Bro . J . D . Medcalf , S . W ., was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year , and Bro . Cocks was re-elected Treasurer . £ 7 7 s . was voted to purchase a Past Master ' s jewel for presentation to Bro . Hodges , W . M ., for his great zeal and ability during

his year of office . Two candidates were proposed for initiation , and two joining members were proposed . The brethren afterwards adjourned to an excellent supper at the Salisbury Arms Hotel . WALTHAM NEWTOWN . — King Harold Lodge , No . 1327 . —The above lodge met at the "Britannia , "

Waltham New-town , on the 19 th ult . Bro . West , P . M . 1076 , P . G . D . Herts , the W . M ., presided , supported by Bro . Terry , P . M . i 327 , & c ., andP . B . G . S . B . Herts ; Bro . Parke , S . W . ; and Bro . C . W . Barnes , jun ., J . W . The lodge was opened in due form , with solemn prayer , when the W . M . proceeded with the

business of the evening . Bros . G . Clements , Mooney , and Smith were raised , Bros . Auber and Tydeman were passed , and Mr . John Crockett was initiated . Bro . W . C . Barnes , jun ., the J . W ., was elected W . M . for the next year . Bro . Bar wick , the Treasurer , was re-elected for the coming year . Bro . Allison was elected Tyler . The sum of ten guineas

was voted to purchase a P . M . ' s jewel for presentation to Bro . West , the W . M ., on his retirement from office , in consideration of the very valuable services rendered by him to the King Harold this , the first , year of its existence . Bro . West returned thanks in suitable terms . This having concluded the business of the evening , the lodge was closed in perfect harmony , with solemn prayer .

ROYAL ARCH . Victoria Chapter , No . 1056 . —This young , but most prosperous chapter met at Bro . Gosdcn ' s , Masons' Hall , Masons ' -avenue . E . C ., on Monday , the 2 nd October . There were present : Comps . E . Clark , Z . ; Pendlcbury , S . E ., as H . ; E . Gottheil , J . ; Forsyth , N . ; James Brett , P . Z ., G . D . C , Treas . ;

Oliver , P . Z . ; and a number of other companions . The convocation was opened in the usual form , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The Auditors ' report was read and adopted . The following companions were then installed and invested in their respective offices : Long , Z . ;

Gottheil , H . ; Forsyth , J . ; Pendlcbury , S . E . ; Einhous , N . ; James Brett , Treas . ; Newman , P . S . ; Ferguson , 1 st Asst . ; J . D . Taylor , 2 nd Asst . ; and Grant , Janitor , Bros . T . Kingston and Henry Chapman , both of 177 , were admitted to the degree in the manner usually observed by Royal Arch Masons .

After the closing of the chapter , the companions adjourned to partake of a splendid repast , which gave the utmost satisfaction to all present , Bro . Gosden , the present proprietor , being evidently determined to ^ re-establish the high reputation which the house formerly enjoyed , but had latterly lost through mismanagement of a former host . The

usual toasts were given and received , and were interspersed by songs . The principal responses were given by Comps . Patten , Brett , Pendlcbury , and Carpenter , and the songs by Comps . S . Davis , Garrod , and Forsyth . The visitors were Comps . E . H . Patten , P . Z ., P . G . S . B . ; Garrod , P . Z . 507 ; and Mortlock , J . 186 .