Original Correspondence.

has been done in this way , is to bring Mr . Cuffe ' s conduct before the Colonel of the regiment , requesting him to take official steps in the matter . If Mr . Cuffe is a paid Chaplain , it is quite clear he should be brought to account for refusing to perform part of his duties as Chaplain . I mav mention that the late Dr . Leeson

informed me that not only was the present Pope a Freemason , but of the highest rank in the hi gher degrees . Yours fraternally , P . M .

MASONIC CYPHER . To the Editor of the . Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , Either I am very stupid , or the mystery is very deep ; but I am a Mark Master , and 1 cannot read the advertisement in The

Freemason , of May 2 nd , in cypher . If you could explain it , or the advertiser , or if you could in your answers to correspondents , next week 5 should be obliged . Yours fraternally , M . M .

[ We are sorry our brother is not np in the Masonic cypher ! The cypher is very easy to read , but far be it from us to reveal the secrets ofthe advertising brother . —ED ]

PROV . G . LODGEOF HERTFORDSHIRE . ( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) Dear Sir and Brother , — If your reporter had spoken tome or to the Secretary of the Hertford Lodge , some mistakes in the report might have been avoided , but I never knew he was there , until I made

enquiries during dinner . I would merely point out , first , that only five out of eight lodges in the province are mentioned , secondly , that the banquet was provided by the Hertford Lodge , whereas the tickets were £ 1 is . each , thirdly ,

that the dinner was supplied by Bro . Andrews , of the Salisbury Arms , whereas Bro . Andrews is the Secretary of Hertford Lodge , and has nothing to do with the hotel . Yours fraternally , P . H . WILSON ILES .

MASONS' MARKS . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — In looking over this amusing controversy , I note that , in my last communication , I made a slight slip ofthe pen , by substituting " equal" for

odd , " twice at the very least . Curiously enough this mistake , unlike many others , has no appreciable bearing on cither the context of the sentence ^ or the " points " of my argument .

There is no custom in operative Masonry , there is no rule in speculative Masonry , which demands or enforces , either an equal or an unequal number of points . Those who contend for any such rule or custom betray an utter ignorance of the subject of

which they profess to expound , with the "dictum " of a skilled Master , the leading principles . I should not have intervened in this discussion at all , as Bro . W . J . Hughan is quite able to encounter Bro . C . I . Paton , on any ground , but that , I was amused with the startling

audacity with which Bro . Paton propounded gravely the ridiculous dogma , that , the double triangle could not be a Masonic Mark because it had an even number of points . Having studied the question many years , in all its bearings , and having had the advantage of

listening to the lectures , and sharing in the researches of our lamented ancl able Bro . E . W . Shaw , who was most truly " facile princeps" in all questions anent Masons' Marks , having made by hard and persevering labour the largest collection extant , I felt that I could not allow

Bro . C . I . Paton to come out , like the "jay in borrowed plumage" and assert , what I know to be archseologically incorrect and historically untrue . The fact is , that Bro . C . I . Paton , like a good many other people now a days , not having studied

Original Correspondence.

the question profoundly " ab origine , " seems to think that , if he will onl y boldly assert or sententiously put forth , some very novel and startling view , everybody else must " vail his bonnet , " and go to the wall ! Now I have always contended , and always

intend to contend , as long as discussion is permitted and intellect is free , that " ceteris paribus , " we are all also equally competent to form an opinion and to express it . If persons indeed propound untenable theories , merely for the idle purpose of controversy or

sensation ; if they rush into print on the sli ghtest provocation ; if they will argue where they have not studied , and adduce second hand authority , when they should have verified their references , they must not be surprised if in the melee of our Masonic criticism , they sometimes get

rather roughly handled , unhorsed from their infantine hobbies , and comfortabl y rolled over on the ground . Their fall will do them no harm , if it teaches them a little less egotism , a little less looseness of assertion , and if it renders them a little more tolerant and more respectful of the words and

statements of others , who really do understand what they write about , and who actually , too , have thought out for themselves , relying on no second-hand "data , " what in their desire to diffuse Masonic information , and to advance Masonic arch-cology , they seek to impart to others .

1 he question of the " Marks ' is one of the most abstruse , and yet one of the most interesting , of the whole range of subjects which fall under Masonic discussion . It cannot be decided off-hand by any one , who on a most superficial acquaintance with the

subject , and on an utterly rotten foundation , attempts to build up a showy but viciously planned and constructed edifice . Many people , too , confuse the merely operative period of Masons' Maiks with the purely speculative .

Learned men are not b y any means agreed yet what Masons' Marks are in themselves , whether corporate or personal , whether mystical or purely tokens of Craft labour and convenience , but in discussing the question of Marks at all , to limit the discussion to the speculative period , is as reasonable as to play Hamlet , omitting the

part of the chivalrous Prince . I say all this by way of warning , all Masonic discussions having been next to nigh impossible hitherto , because they have always drifted into personalities . We seem to be doing the same , even about "Marks . "

But those '" ho , like myself , look at the question , after many years study , purely from an archaeological , and not from a personal point of view at all , we cannot allow any one to use such uncotirteous and unmasonic language as Bro .

Paton thought well to use in writing about Bro . Buchan and myself , though we have nothing in common , that we did not know what we were talking about , that we only displayed our ignorance , & c , and several other equally choice expressions .

Coming from Bro . C . I . Paton , this was a little too bad , as all I had done , my only offence , had been to point out that this view of the necessity of odd points was an utter absurdity ,

that there was no warrant for it to be found anywhere , at any period , either in speculative or operative Masonry , and that the double triangle was a Masonic operative mark , though Bro . Paton did not seem to know it . I referred him

to Laurie and to Lyon to refute his own ill judged and hasty assertion . And so I leave the question , having thought well to admit a slight error , and to restate my own position more carefully to-day . A MASONIC STUDENT .

THE LOST TEN TRIBES . To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Two words misprinted in my letter which appears in to-day's Freemason so alter the sense , that I must request you to kindly correct them . The ancient pronunciation of " Vivam" is

Original Correspondence.

' * Weewam" and if you try to pronounce " Weewam" in thesortof guttural pronunciation ofthe Indians , it sounds very like Weegwam . Also present subjunctive " word" should be present subjunctive " mood . " Faithfully yours , HERBERT B . HODGES .

Masonic Bibliography.

MASONIC BIBLIOGRAPHY .

In continuing this interesting department , so ably supported by Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , M . A ., P . G . C , I wish to give the titles of two curious pamphlets I have lately purchased .

Any brethren who have others of a similar character about the same date would confer a favour on all Masonic students by furnishing particulars through the same medium . W . J . HUGHAN .

"THE FREEMASONS'ACCUSATION AND DE - FENCE , in six genuine letters between a gentleman in the country , and his son , a student in the Temple , wherein the whole affair of Masonry is fairly debated , and all the arguments for and against that fraternity are curiously and

impartially handled . The third edition . London , printed for J . Peele , at Locke ' s Head , in Paternoster-row , and N . Blandford , the " London Gazette , " Charing-Cross , 1726 . ( Price sixpence ) . " Size Svo . pp . 39 .

' A full Vindication of the Ancient and Honourable Societ y of Free and Accepted Masons from the malicious aspersions and sly insinuations of ignorant and envious slanderers , particularly , the author or authors of a

scandalous pamphlet , intitled , ' The Freemasons ' Accusation , ' whose false charges are here fairly confuted , his false reasonings , and false English set on a true li ght . By a lover of harmony and good fellowship .

" ' This maxim still the good wives hold , One story ' s good till t ' other ' s told . ' —HUDIU . " London , printed for J . Roberts , in Warwick lane . 1726 . ( Price 6 d . ) Svo . pp . 27 . ' '

ERRATA . —In that part of our report of the Stability Lodge of Instruction last week iu which we referred to Bro . Ransford ' s English version of thc non nobis , for the words " Many say that

the words as arranged by Bro . Hansford go very well to the music , " read " We may say that the words , & c ., __ c . " There can be no two opinions about it .

In our notice of the Temple Lodge 1094 , last week , it should have been stated that Bro . Ball , the House Steward at the Masonic Temple , was the purveyor of the excellent banquet , and not Mrs . Wright , as our reporter was informed .

In the report of the Commercial Lodge , No . 1391 , in last week ' s paper , for Bro . " George Watts" read " George Matts" Assistant Secretary . ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS . —

The Stewards' visit to the Girls' School will take place on May nth , at 3 p . m . A very attractive programme of the proceedings on this interesting occasion has been issued , and will

doubtless induce many brethren to be present . The prizes will be presented to the children by the Right Hon . the Countess of Shrewsbury and Talbot .

The meeting of the Board of Stewards for the Girls' School Festival will take place on Saturday , 8 th inst ., at 2 . 30 precisely .

HOLLOWAV ' S OINTMENT AND PILLS . —UNSERMLY ERUP - TIONS . —No means heretofore discovered are so competent to cone with and conquer all Blemishes , Uoils , Eruptions , Kedness and Roughness of the Skin , as these celebrated medicaments , which are valued wherever they are known . Holloway ' s remedies cool the system , regulate the circulation , and so thoroughly purify the whole body , that

whatever is hurtful must inevitably be swept away , and be succeeded by healthy structure , whieh is derived from rich and pure blood . The cosmeti- viitues of this Unguent have been long appreciated ; no toilet table is well appointed which lacks its presence , it soothes and cleanses the mo _ t fair and tender skins , and when assisted b y Holloway ' s Pills , is the most valuable bcautifiei " ,