Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

MASONIC BALLS . ( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) SIR AND BROTHER , — I am always glad to read the able antl useful remarks of your correspondent who signs himself " Lupus , " but I do not think his

recent letter quite clears up the question raised under the above heading . ist . Under what special view the Prov . Grand Master for Somerset prohibited the wearing of the decorations and clothing of the high degrees , nothing can be affirmed .

2 nd . Your correspondent " Lupus says the nobleman in question ( the Earl of Carnarvon ) is " not at the head ofthe high degrees ; " but he is really in the S . C of 33 .

•3 rd . Your correspondent says that no permission is required for wearing the decorations of the high degrees or of the Temple " ' anywhere or at anytime . " I would simply remark that it is not usual to wear these in a Craft lodge , though

sometimes done . 4 th . The S . C of , 3 , 3 ° do object to Masons in their degrees wearing their decorations in public , except under dispensation .

With the wisdom of these injunctions I am 111 no way concerned . Yours fraternally , W . L . ' A . -o . 28 th Feb . 1872 .

AIDS TO STUDY . ( To the Editor ( if Tire Fret'iuamn . } DEAK SIR AX 11 BROTUKR , — I have—perhaps I should be ashamed to confess it —only just read the address delivered by the Rig ht Worshipful John P . Brown , Deputy Grand Master to the District Grand Lodge of

Turkey , as published in The Freemason of Sept . yth , 1871 , and I cannot but , though so long after its appearance , express my admiration of its comprehensive , catholic , and truly practical character . But my object in troubling you with this is to recal attention to a recommendation which our

R . W . Bro . urges upon the attention of the Turkish lodges , in connection with a lodge of instruction about to be established , and the benefits of which I am ashamed to think no in England should need to be reminded of . by a brother in Constantinople . We in England pride ourselves upon being a practical people , and we certainly have

facilities for bringing together and adapting to various useful purposes means of instruction and improvement , such as are not enjoyed by the dwellers in Turkey . Let it not be said that they are making more use of their small opportunities than we of the greater ones we have al command . But to our R . W . Brother ' s recommendation . He savs : .

" I cannot too strongly recommend the gradual formation of a Masonic Library , composed ol such books anil periodicals , in various languages , as refer fti our order , and that fixed periodical meetings should be held , in strict accordance with its rilles and regulations . I hope that the youngei

brethren who meet here will be able to learn something more than the forms ot the ritual and the ordinary signification of the material objects whicli tbey behold in a lodge , and be enabled to penetrate the real signification of both , and retain them in their minds and hearts . If this be

the result , they will hereafter be able to form a correct estimate of the great bearings of Fncmasonry on the life of man , during , all the seasons of his short cycle of existence in this world , as well as more fully to appreciate those indubitable truths which are tauirht by a careful study

of the works of his Divine Creator ; all leading onward and upward lo the Great Architect ofthe Universe , typified in the construction of this humble lodge . " Many of us , I believe , have often felt the want

of such a collection of works on Masonry , and such other works as may be rendered contributory to masonic knowledge in its diversified departments , as is here reiainnnended , and we should no doubt gladl y avail ourselves ofthe books , if within reach .

Original Correspondence.

I hope I shall not give oftence if I say that Masonic literature does not occupy the position which it should occupy in the present day . Some few of our brethren are evincing great industry , and are doing good service in bringing to light materials contributory to authentic Alasonic

history , but that is too exclusive in its range , and too dry in its details to greatly interest the thousands of readers , who would gladly avail themselves of an opportunity to read more diversified works , and such as might be more or less contributor } ' to Masonic acquirements , including

as they do , all the more hidden mysteries of nature and science , as leading to a more comprehensive perception of the wonderful works of the Almighty . But there is another recommendation of our R . AV . Brother ' s , in . connection with thc library ,

which should not he overlooked , lie says : " Would it not also be well to add to this something of a general literary character , so that , from time to time , lectures may be delivered on the various subjects of the arts and sciences , and the progress mankind makes in useful

knowledge ? Such an arrangement woultl tend to promote the best interests and welfare of our Order , and sustain it in public opinion . " It is not now , for the first time , that such a suggestion has been made . I remember that after having bad the gratification of being present

at the open night ofthe Prudent Brethren Lodge of Instruction , 1 called attention to it in the columns of the Freemason , and expressed a hope that such a night would lead to something of a more permanent and comprehensive character , embracinn - not only the ritualistic and symbolic

teaching and instruction with which we were then deli g hted and edified ; hut also , conversations and lectures on tlie arcana of both the Craft and the Arch . Aiy hope has been partially realised , in the establishment and success of the Roval Arch

Chapter of Improvement . For the working and illustration of Arch Alasonry , we can wish for nothing beyond that ; but we lack the opportunity for conversation , and diversified oral information , which mig ht , I think , be rendered exceedingly iutercstin » - and instructive . Why should we not

make an attempt to realise il ' : Wo have brethren in that Chapter of Improvement , who might easily do it . The libraries , the lectures , and the conversations , in favour of which a voice coines to us from the East , are surely not lx-vond the reach of the brethren residing in Loudon , ^ ours fraternally , Wii . i . i \ M C \ RI ' ; NTI : K .

Division Of The Province Of West Lancashire.

DIVISION OF THE PROVINCE OF WEST LANCASHIRE .

( To the Editor of the Freewuioit . ) SIR , a ver \ - important motion to divide the Province of \\ est Lancashire , and niakea Southern province thereout , is in the notice paper for a . ' ferial Provincial Grand Lodge , lo be held at lhe Bull Inn , Preston , on the ; th of April , next .

Very 11 tile time is now left to consider individuallythat is lodges—what the elf ' cct of such a measure will be , if confirmed . The province of West Lancashire is financially wealthy , and how that interest will be adniinistered . justlyundequably , in the event of a division , will require time and

good management . How far any yore ol a Provincial ( hand Lodge will be compulsory in determining what division a lodge shall hereafter belong to , cannot surely be concluded in a summary manner . The regular meeting of manv lodges will be so nearthe Provincial meeting lhat

without steps are immediately taken , througa Lodges of Emergency , to obtain information , and decide what , ought to be done , much perplexity will prevail as to the consequences of this movement , judging from the fact that Lodge Jijj tf , Poulton le l- ' yhlo , is iu Fast Lancashire province , and all the neighbouring loibcs in West

Lancashire , it must be eligible for any lodge when instituted to choose its own province . Of course- —by the book of constitutions—when attached it can only remove with the Provincial Grand . Master ' s permission . It will be interesting to know if the notice of motion is merely to test tbe feeling ofthe Province . Can the division reall y be effected , and

Division Of The Province Of West Lancashire.

its landmarks prescribed at a Provincial Grand Lodge . A month ' s notice of the discussion of a question , involving snch great interest , if there is a determinate jurisdiction , ( which I very much question . ) is indeed a most summary proceeding .

1 ours most respectfully , A SKCRKTARY 01- \ WEST LAX CASH IRK LODGE . Alarch 6 th , 1872 .

INSTRUCTION . ( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — W ill you kindly make it known through the columns of your valuable Alasonic Journal

that it is the intention of the United Pilgrims Lodge of Instruction , No . ^ 07 , to accept an invitation from the Pythagorean Lodge of Instruction to attend at the Prince of Orange , Greenwich , on Friday , the 15 th inst , at 6 ., 3 o , p . m ., for

the purpose o working th : Fifteen Sections . We have started the movement for interchange of visits between Lodges of Instruction for the purpose of endeavouring to assimilate the

uniformity of working in our several bulges , and have every reason to anticipate success . The two lodges above named will be happy to have the attendance of brethren interested in this movement .

Bro John Thomas , P . M ., & c , will preside on the above occasion , and the Sections will be worked by brethren under his preceptorship .

Yours Fraternally , J AMBS STEVENS , P . AL , & c , Hon . Sec . United Pilgrims Lodge of Instruction . March 4 th , 1873 ' .

Masonic Tidings.

Masonic Tidings .

BRITISH , FOREIGN , AND COLONIAL . ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS . — To give a practical direction to the various suggestions and proposals for the expression of

gratitude by the members of the Craft on the happy recovery of II . R . II . the Prince of Wales , it has been determined , with the sanction and approval of the General Committee , to endeavour to raise

a special fund , lobe called " The Prince of Wales ' Thanksgiving Fund , " with which to defray the debt of f ^ ooo still encumbering this Institution . Contributions of any amount , from

Lodges , Chapters , or individuals , will be most thankfully received , and one brother , ( alread y a Vice-President of the Institution ) has ottered Fifty Guineas additional , if ninety-nine other similar donations can be obtained .

Mvitfi MVSONKY . —Thc " Birchall Lodge" of . Mark Master Alasons will be consecrated at the Bull Hotel , Preston , Lancashire , on Wednesday , the 1 , ] th inst ., by the R . W . Provincial Grantl

Alark Alaster , Bro . Wm . Romaine Callender , Jr ., assisted by his Grand Oflicers and others . Lieut .-Col . Thomas Birchall is the Worshipful Alaster designate .

I Icil . l . nv .-. W ' S UINT . MKST AM ) I'l l . l . S . CoU ^ llS , lllHUCllZa . —The _ ,. i , _ t __ in ;; piopc-i ' ies nf these medicaments render them well 'voitriy of l . ial in all diseases nf the lespiralory O ;; . ;; I : IS li . iiiir . nien ci Ids and hi ; : i : cnza the Pills , taken I inniM . 'ilh . and tl . e Oirinu-nt rubiie . t ener the chest and raoia , au- c .-: c . vdiiy _>; h , cii : < -. K-ioi _ s . When influenza is eiii ' -leiiii .-, ihis t . c .-iiment i .-- the c-asicsl , safes ! , and surest .

I l . iilinvax's til ! - ; puiifv t . - . r bluo . l , remou : ail obstacles toils fiee ciiculaticn I iio .. ;; h l . ie ! unt .. s , relicu- the mer-i ^ or ^ ed air tubes , and tender rcspiialif * n Ire ; :, without reducing Ihe : Ue . e . Ja , iriieilin ;; the neius , cr depics .-in . t ; the spirits ; such aie t :. e iea . lv means of escaping fiom suffering when afilicleil with colds , coue . hs , biomhit . t , .-i . itl oilier chest complaints , by which the health of sa many ' seriously and permanently injured in most countries .

" Mom ; than a year ajfo one of my children vvas attacked with bronchitis , and , after a loiii ; illness , was i ; iven up by all physicians as ' past cure . ' f was then induced to try your Vegetable Pain Killer , and from the time I he ; . ; - . in the use of it thc child lapiilly i ; ot better , and it is now stront ; and healthy . — J WINSTANTLHV , 10 , Whitllc-st ., l .. ' p'X > l , iK 6 < i . —To l > . U . , V Son . "