Original Correspondence.

CONSTITUTION DE L'ORDRE M ACJONNIQUE EN FRANCE ARTICLE L ' ER . ORIGINAL FORM . La Franc-Maconnerie , Institution essentiellement philanthropique , philosophique et progressive , a pour objet la recherche de la ve ' rite ' , l'e ' tude de la morale univcrselle ,

des sciences et des arts , et l'excrcise de la bienfaisancc . Elle a pour principes l ' existence de Dieu , l'immortalite de l'ame , et la sulidarite' humaine . Elle regardc la liberie' de conscience comme un droit propre ; i chaquc homme et n ' exclut personne pour ses croyances . Elle a pour devise ; Liberte ' , Ei > alite ' , Fraternite ' .

AMENDED FORM . La Franc-Maconnerie , Institution essentiellement philanthropique , philosophique et progressive , a pour objet la recherche de la ve ' rite ' , l'e ' tude de la morale universale , des sciences et des arts , et l ' exerciee de la bienfaisance . Elle a pour principes la liberte' absolue de conscience et la solidarity humaine . Elle n ' exclut personne pour ses croyances . Elle a pour devise : Liberte , Egalite , Fraternite ' .

THE TEMPLARS IN IRELAND . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your issue of the Freemason of the 6 th ult ., our learned and most accurate Masonic historian , Bro . Wm . J . Hughan , referring to my address to the Templars of Canada , states : — " It is not correct that the Earl of

Eglinton granted a warrant to work the Knights Templar Degree in Ireland , by authority of the Mother Kilwinning Lodge , Scotland , and that R . W . Bro . Jas . H . Neilson had fully exploded such a notion in the columns of the Fi-ee mason . " I would beg to draw the attention of Bro . Hughan to an article in the Freemason of the 30 th December , 1876 , under the signature of " Bro . H . Neilson , Upper

Mount-street , Dublin , " in which he quotes the warrant in question , granted by and holden from the Royal Mother Kilwinning Lodge of Scotland to the Grand Kilwinning Chapter of High Knights Templars , Ireland , with a note of the late Grand Secretary for Ireland , Bro . Fowler , to which is also added one from the present Secretary and Registrar , " That the Grand Chapter of Knights Templar

was held by virtue of the full power granted by the Royal Mother Kilwinning , as expressed in the body of the warrant . " Bro . Neilson adds to this : —'' The warrant referred to is dated 27 th October , 1779 , and is at present in the custody of the Irish Chancellor . From the original lodge minute book it appears the first time the High Knights Templar degree was conferred was on the 1 st May ,

1780 . " ( Signed ) , J . H . Neilson , Upper Mount-street , Dublin . This statement in the Freemason b y Bro . Neilson was my authority as to the introduction of the Templar Order in conn ction with Freemasonry in Ireland . I am myself but a searcher afttr truth , and feel flattered

that one si thoroughly informed as our Bro . Hughan should have noticed my efforts to elucidate the vexed question of the Templar Order in connection with Freemasonry . I am , dear Sil and brother , fraternally yours , WM . J . B . MACLEOD MOORE , Great Prior Canada .

PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND PURSUIVANTS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — With respect to the discussion at present taking place in your columns regarding these officers , will you allow me to remark that if the bye-laws of a Provincial Grand Lodge declare Past Pursuivants of that P . G . Lodge

to be Past Officers of the same , then no doubt can be entertained of the right of those Past Pursuivants to assume the clothing and status of Past Provincial Grand Officers , because the bye-laws of Provincial Grand Lotlges must be sanctioned by the Most Worshipful Grand Master , who thus confirms the permission given by the Provincial Grand Master by means of these bye-laws to Past

Pursuivant" to wear the clothing and take the status of Past Provincial Grand Officers . But in cases in which the bye-laws of a P . G . Lodge do not mention Past Pursuivants , I apprehend that without the special permission of his Prov . Grand Master , no Past

Pursuivant of that P . G . Lodge can lawfully wear the clothing and claim the status of a Past Provincial Grand Officer . I entertain no doubt of the power of a Provincial Grand Master to accord such permission . . I remain , yours fraternally , PAST DISTRICT GRAND MASTER .

OBJECTIONS TO PUBLICATION . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — It will be with surprise and a certain degree of regret that you will hear that one of your correspondents was bullied—in a friendly and Masonic spirit , by the way —for sending in an account of the proceedings of a certain

lodge , without having first asked the consent of the W . M . It was , indeed the W . M . himself who remonstrated with your correspondent , whom he referred also to a certain law in the Constitutions , to the effect that no brother , under pain of a certain penalty , must report the proceedings of a lodge without special sanction . That there exists such a law we do not dispute , but that was made prior to—and in my opinion , overridden by—the sanction of Grand

Lodge for us to report matters of moment to our Masonic brethren occuringin Grand Lodge . It shows a retiring disposition , and one , perhaps , 'o be commended , for a brother to object to his name appearing in punt . I see , however , no just cause for such objection , but on the contrary , think it beneficial to the Craft that the business of the various lodges , as set forth in the agenda papers , should receive publicity in Masonic jour-

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nals ; for , of course , there is the guarantee of your editorial experience and discretion that nothing detrimental to the interests of Masonry shall escape your attention . But the key to the objection in the particular instance I have named apprars to be in the fact that a difference —in common parlance a " split" —was mentioned in the report as having existed between the lodge and the

landlord of the hotel at which it was held . As even this was fair matter for comment , and also information to the readers of the report , I do not think that your correspondent—who , by-the-by , is connected with the Press—was to blame for mentioning it . In some lodges we know that

the brethren are most anxious that their " proceedings " should go forth to the Masonic world , and to them it is often a matter of regret that the Secretary or some other brother has not the time or inclination to give a fair epitome of their doings . ONE or VOIR CORRESPONDENTS .

THE " COSMO . " To the Editor of the "Freemason " Dear Sir and Brother , — I always look out for the " Cosmopolitan Calendar , " and expect it daily for 1878 . It is a most useful

publication , and as you are so fond of Latin I will call it a " sui generis , " which means " nothing else like it , " so that the Calendar is bound to sell , and is equally bound to please . NEMO .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I am glad to welcome the " Cosmo " so early , and think it reflects credit upon your establishment . It is very wonderful to note how few errors creep into such works , which require immense care of

compilation . We ought , it appears to me , to be very grateful for those labours which tend to give the Craft and High Grades so useful and correct a vade mecum . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , COSMOPOLITAN .

RED TAPE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Why is it that our : harity organisation societies will pour such " bolusses" of unfeeling red tape down our poor throats ? Why will they make sensible people doubt their utility and question their work . '

Mr . Wightman Wood , Hon . Secretary of the Strand Charity Organisation Committee , writes to the Times : — "M . de Lally-Tollendal , whose death in very distressed circumstances you commented on last Thursday , was the great nephew , and not the great grandson , of the famous but unfortunate Count de Lally , the opponent of the English arms in India . We have in this office his own

statement in writing to this effect . I may add that M . de Lally had for the last eight years been in receipt of precarious assistance from societies and private individuals , but he was one of those unfortunates whom it is impossible to keep permanently afloat outside a poorhouse . " Is this the proper view of a sad episode ? Is the statement in fact true ? Yours fraternally , CHARITY .

LOOSE RECEPTION OF CANDIDATES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your last impression appears a letter signed "P . M ., " censuring the members of Eccleston Lodge for not making due enquiries at West Cowes before admitting a candidate to that lodge . As the proposer of the candidate

allow me to give a few reasons in answer to " P . M . " why these enquiries were not made . That the candidate was personally known to myself and other members of Eccleston Lodge . That he had been a near neighbour for many years . That he was of good repute , never having heard a word against him . That I did not consider it necessary to go to West Cowes for a

reference , he having resided there only a few months , when I had known him as a respectable resident of Pimlico over 15 years . In conclusion , allow me to say if " P . M . " had made a few inquiries himself ( outside his exclusive circle ) before

censuring our lodge , he wonld have found the candidate quite worthy to have been admitted to a country lodge , as we considered him a fit and proper person to be admitted to a London lodge . Yours faithfully and fraternally , A . B . BECKHAM .

LODGES AT TAVERNS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In the Freemason of Oct . 13 th , 1877 , a letter signed " Sigma , " appeared on th ; subject I called your attention to nearly two years ago , viz : "The hulling of Lodges in Public Houses . The sentiments of " Sigma "

are endorsed by every Mason , and if a feasible pUn could be only devised to obviate the nuisance and free Freemasonry from the yoke of the publican , it would be a boon to us all . We are under the present regime , becoming a Society of wincbibbers and gormandisers , instead of carrying out the principles of the Craft we all profess to admire Why , asks "Sigma , " should this be ? and every

truehearted Mason echoes the same query . The answer is still more plain than the question , when next at your lodge , watch carefully the movements of the " host . " See the light-hearted way in which he attends the convivial board , when the wine stewards' book is freely used , stay that Guiding Star of his Masonic principles , an 1 you will find mine host of not such an agreeable temperament , in

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fact everything not in accordance with the views of mine host must be immediately abolished from the lod ge . Un doubtedly , the publican element is supreme , and unless the axe is laid to this Upas iree of Freemasonry , no man who has the slightest self-respect will enter our ranks . Let us build our Halls . How do the " Conn- re ' , gationalists " manage with their fine edifices

we see rise here and there , beautiful and artistic in their appearance , it is by the various members of the churches combining together . They possess a large church fund in London , from which the smaller churches are assisted , and all receive help without payiinr interest for their money . And why not , brother Masons , unite and do likewise . Are vvc too weak to form a general fund

from which our smaller lodges can borrow their monies without interest , to raise a small hall for the use of lod ges in any given district , and remove all ceiemonics from the taint of the public house . Alter our solemn meetings outbrethren can adjourn to where they may think proper , but let there be no lodge held in a public house : In my own humble way I would willingly put my shoulder to the wheel .

It was not my intention to have made my letter so long , but I cannot rest upon so warm a subject . I feel the need of immediate action . Yours fraternally , A SINCERE MASON .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Wiltshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WILTSHIRE .

• The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Wiltshire took place at the Town Hall , at Devizes , on Friday , the 2 nd instant , under the banner of the Wiltshire Lodge of Fidelity , No . 663 . The brethren of that lodge , duly appreciating the

honour of the visit , had been most assiduous and successful in their endeavours to give their visitors a befiting reception . The assembly room at the Town Hall had been fitted up with great good taste as ' a lodge room , and here lodge was opened by the-W . M . of 663 , Bro . Riymond , at 1 . 30 . At 2 o'clock the Provincial Grand Master , Lord Methuen , and his Provincial Grand Lodge were announced

and on entering were received with the usual honours . Amongst those present were Lord Harry Thynne , P . G . W . of England and P . G . Supt . ( Royal Arch ) Wilts ; and the following brethren : —E . Turner Payne , P . G . D . England ; Henry C . Tombs , G . D . Eng ., and P . S . G . W- Wilts . ; Rev . T . Ravenshaw , P . G . C . Eng . ; S . G . Homfray , P . G . A . D . C . Eng ., and D . P . G . M . Monmouth ; William Biggs ,

P . P . S . G . W . Wilts ., and P . P . G . Sec . Berks , and Bucks . ; F . H . Goldney , P . S . G . W . Wilts . ; CapUiu Bradford , P . G . Treas . Wilts . ; John Chandler , P . P . S . G . W . Wilts . ; Gen . Dohcny , P . P . S . G . D . Wilts . ; Wm . Pickford , P . P . S . G . W . Mom ; William Nott , P . P . G . Reg . Wilts . ; J . L . Whatley , P . P . J . G . D . Wilts . ; John V . Foone , P . S . G . n . Wilts . ; Robt . Stokes , P . P . S . G . W . Wilts . ; T . Graham , P . P . J . G . W .

Wilts . ; Col . Magrath , P . G . S . B , Wilts . ! and otners . After the roll of the lodges in tne province had been called , and the Provincial Grand Lodge had been duly opened , the R . W . P . G . M . called upon the acting Grand Sec , Bro . Henry C . Tombs , to read the minutes of the last Provincial Grand Lodge held at Warminster in November last . This was done , and such minutes were

duly confirmed . A letter was read from Captain Bradford , P . G . Treas ., expressing regret that the state of his health compelled him to ask the P . G . L . to elect another brother to rill that office . He then was called upon to read the accounts for the past year , which had been duly audited , and the same were now approved .

The next business was to receive the Charity Committee ' s report , which was read by Bro . Tombs . From this it appeared that they had voted £ 52 10 s . to the Girls ' School , and £ 50 to the Benevolent Institution , to endow in both instances the chair of the D . P . G . M . It also appeared that Bro . W . Nott , Secretary to the Provincial Charity Organisation Committee , has offered to represent this

province as Steward at the next festival of tne Girls' School , and Bro . S . Gauntlett to fill a similiar Stewardship as regards the Benevolent Institution . The report was approved , and the two brethren named appointed as Stewards to represent the province . In the absence of the P . G . Reg ., Bro . Blackmore , his report was readby Bro . Cormnans , P . P . G . Keg ., shewing

a sttady increase in the number of subscribing members in the province , which now stood at 419 . The report , after analysing the income and expenditure of the various lodges , went on to recommend that a ttrict compliance be enforced with the bye-laws as regards the returns to be made by the Secretaries of lodges . The report was adopted .

The report of the Charity Organisation Committee was read by the Secretary , Bro . William Nott ( Devizes ) , and stated that the committee was in thorough working order , and had to their mutual advantage established terms of reciprocity with many surrounding provinces . The number of votes for the Masonic CharitLs placed at the disposal of the committee by subscribers in the province

had been in April—Boys , 17 6 ; Girls , 106 ; Aged Males , 250 ; Widows , 140 ; and in October—Boys , 219 ; and Girls , 103 ; there being no election in the autumn for the Benevolent Institution . The committee had supported 2 cases during the year both of which had been successful , namely a girl ( Keltham ) , at the April eleUion , and a boy of the

( Shrapnel ) , in October , and had atlopted the case late Bro . Joseph Burt , of Devizes , for the next election 01 the Benevolent Institution in May . The committee at its last meeting had resolved that as a general rule no petition foe admission as a candidate from this province for either of the charities ought to be presented without being nrsc approved by this committee , so as to secure unity of actio and avoid any clashing of candidates . On the motion 01