Original Correspondence.

Masons' -avenue , Basinghall-street , E . C . ; any brother wishing to join , or take the degree , can by previous application to me at that address , receive the necessary instructions I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , SCRIBE , Royal Ark Mariners , and Registrar of Mark Lodge Thistle , No . 8 .

GRAND OFFICERS . ( To thc Editor of Thc Freemason . ) SIR , —AA ith your permission , I will briefly reply to thc two letters in your impression ofthe 4 th inst . on this subject . "A Lover of Justice" has , from tbe beginning to thc end of his letter , shewn utter

misapprehension of all I said , and all I meant ; and this being so , I will borrow his phrase and " excuse his remarks . " Brother '' J . Daniel Moore , " if I may say so of him , sensibly , reasonably , and logically hits thc nail on the head , and with the authority of a P . M . and P . Z ., suggests thc true

remedy for a failure , which results solely from what no one can help or avoid , viz ., excess of numbers in the London District . There are both in town and provinces scores of Masons " capable to impart instruction , " and , as far as one may judge , in every way fitted to fill Grand Office ; but from tlie very condition of things I have pointed out , the town

Masons , with all their work and all their zeal , must needs go short of promotion . Brother Moore's suggestions , if practicable and ever carried out , would tend very much to remedy this , anrl would , as he implies , leave the M . AA ' . G . M . even more free and unfettered than hitherto in making his annual appointments . In such case I shall not regret having written to you on thc subject of " Grand Officers . " AMPHIBIOUS . June 6 , 1 S 70 .

THE LEGEND OF JOSHUA .

( To the Editor of Thc Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I cannot agree with Bro . D . Stolz when he says , "To every quotation I have always given thc correct translation , " for , as to 2 Samuel , 1 . iS , I consider he is wrong . The words " the use of" mislead , because they give thc

idea of teaching thc children of Judah the use of thc bow—that is , . to shoot with the bow—whereas they were to be taught the " Song of the Bow , " which song was written in thc Book of Jasher . This " Book of Jasher" contained such songs , and it was no more the Book of Genesis than was the Book of

Genesis thc Book of Samuel . I say so , ancient Rabbis notwithstanding ; wc do not exactly follow ancient astronomers now-a-days , and I believe in the progress which the nineteenth century has made . I have no reason to suppose that th . e children of Judah required to be taught thc use of thc bow , for

we see Jonathan using it as a matter of course . I require nothing more to show the probability of my idea that the 12 , 13 , and 14 verses of Joshua x ., are an interpolation than the remarks of jlro . Stolz in the 22 nd and following lines of his letter . I am . vours fraternally , AV . P . BUCHAN .

THE LEGEND OF JUBAL . " George Eliot ' s" new poem appears in Macmillan ' s Magazine for May ; the subject being thc "Legend of Jubal , " the first patron saint of musicians . Among the more striking pas-rages , after tlic opening lines ,

AAlicn Cain was driven from Jehovah's land He wandered eastward , seeking some far strand Ruled by kind gods who asked in offerings Save pure field-fruits , as aromatic things " To feed llie subtler sense of frames divine

That lived on fragrance for their foo 1 aud wine ; AA'ild joyous gods , who winked at faults and folly , And could be pitiful and melancholy . He never had a doubt that such go : ! : ; were : He looked within and saw them mirrored there . Some think he came at last to Tartar'

-.. And some to Ind ; but , liow-soe ' r il be , His staff lie planted where s-. vect w-. vcys van , And in that house of Cain the Arts Ix-i-a-i .

is that which describes , with singular force nnd vigour , live first discovery of death , hitherto unknown , save to Cain , whose fratricide had been concealed from his descendants : In Cain ' s young city nine had heard of IValh Save him , tho founder ; and il w . a , his feitli That here , away from harsh Jehovah's law , Man was immortal , since ::. i ' ha ! t or fliw

In Cam s own fame betrayed si- ; hundred years , But dark as pines that auii ' itna never seers ' His locks thronged backward as ! i r . r . i , his frame Rose like the orbed sun each morn the same , Lake-mirrored to his ga .: e ; and lliat red brand , The scorching impress of Jehovah's hand , AVas still clear-ed ged to his unwearied eye , Its secret firm in time-fraught memory .

He said , " My happy offspring shall not know That the red life from out a man may ( low When smitten by his brother . " True , his race Bore each one stamped upon his new-born face A copy of the brand no whit less clear ; But every mother held that little copy dear .

Thus generation in glad kllcasc throve , Nor hunted prey , nor with each other strove ; For clearest springs were plenteous in the land , And gourds for cups ; thc ripe fruits sought the hand , Bending the laden boughs with fragrant gold ; And for their roofs and garments wealth untold

• Lay everywhere in grasses and broad leaves ; They laboured gently , as a maid who waves Her hair in mimic mats , and pauses oft And strokes across her hand the tresses soft , Then peeps to watch the poised butterfly , Or little burthened ants that homeward hie . Time was but pleasure to their lingering thought ,

There was no need for haste to finish ought ; But sweet beginnings were repeated still Like infant babblings that no task fulfil ; For love , that loved not change , constrained the simple will . Till hurling stones in mere athletic joy Strong Lamech struck and killed his fairest bov ,

And tried , to wake him with the tenderest cries , And fetched and held before the glazed eyes The things they had best loved to look upon ; But never glance or smile or sigh he won . The generations stood around those twain , Helplessly gazing , till their father Cain Parted the press , and said , " He will not wake ;

This is the endless sleep , and we must make A bed deep down for him beneath the sod ; For know , my sons , there is a Mighty God Angry with all man ' s race , but most with me . I fled from out His land iu vain !—' tis He AA'ho came and slew the lad ; for he has found This home of ours , and we shall all be bound

By the harsh bands of His most cruel will . AVhich any moment may some dear one kill . Nay , though we live for countless moons , at last AA e and all ours shall die like summers past . This is Jehovah's will , and lie is strong ; I thought the way I travelled was too long For Him to follow me : my thought was vain ! He walks unseen , but leaves a track of pain , Pale Death His footprint is , and I Ie will come again . "

And a new spirit from that hour came o ' er The race of Cain : soft idksse was 110 more , But even the sunshine had a heart of care , Smiling with hidden dread—a mother fair AVI 10 folding to her breast a dying child Beams with feigned jov that but makes sadness mild .

Thc origin of music , suggested to Jub . il by the ring of the hammer and anvil of Tubal Cain , thc Masonic prototype of A ' ulcan , is thus pictured : — Then with such blissful trouble and glad care For growth within unborn as mothers bear , To Ihe far woods he wandered , listening , And heard tbe birds their little stories sin : ?

In notes whose rise and fall seem melted speech—Melted with tears , smiles , glances—that can reach More quickly through our frame ' s deep-winding night , And without thought raise ihoueht's best fruit delight . Pondering , he sought his home arain , and heard

The first fluctuant changes of ihe spoken word -. The deep remonstrance and the argued want Insistent first in close monotonous chant , Next leaping upward to defiant stand Or downward bcatinf like the resolute hand :

I lie mother s call , ihe children s answering cry , The laugh ' s lighl cataract tumbling from on high ; The sua .-ivc repetitions Jubal taught , The timid browsing cattle homeward brought ; The clear-winged Aigee of echoes vanishing ; Aiv . i throue ' i lh . " . n ali live hammers rvth-. nic ri ' . v .

Jubal sal lonely all around vers dim , Vet his faced glowed with light revealed lo him : For as the d .- ' . ieat-e :-lrcam of odour wakes The thought w , . . 1 . ' aii ' . ' cncc and some image tm ' ::- ; From out [\\ e . mingled frig : 11 cats of the pa ; , Finely co-. ioact ia whokuoss thai will l .-.-, l , So s'leimed as from Ihe body nf cell eoirvi

Subtle pulsations , swift as warmth which found All pri-oned genu ; , and ad their piweiv . unheal- 1 , Till ih-iughl yelf-lumkious llama 1 iV > : u memo .-, ' , And in creative W--i-. ii wandered five . Then Jubal , srandia ; , rapturous arms u o raise . 1 ,

An I oa tee Uavk v . uiii eager eyes he gavel , .-As had soare manifested gad been there : It we 1 his thought he saw ; th . e presence fiir Of euichiev . 'd achievement , lheh : "h las ! :, The mighty u-. ii .-.-. - . i spirit that der . h ask AA'idi irresistible cry for blood and breath Till feed i : i" i !; "At lite ws sin ! : in heath .

i'ha .: glorying as a god beneficent Forih from his solitary joy be we-. u ToM .-s ; mankind . Travelling through the world to impart the knowledge otitis lie ir't to mankind , ho return . ; an old man , unrecognised by his kindred , who were , however , chanting songs in honour of the ancestor of music—Thc immortal name of Jubal filled thc sky , AVliile Jubal lonely laid him down to die ,

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS

For the AA cek ending June 18 , 1870 . MONDAY , J 13 . Lodge 29 , St . Alban ' s , Albion Tav ., Aldersgate-street . Sincerity Lodge of Instruction ( 174 ) , Railway Tavern ,

Fenchurch-street Station , at 7 . AA ' cllington Lodge of Instruction , ' AVhite Swan Tavern , Deptford , at S . Camden Lodge of Instruction ( 704 ) , Adelaide Tavern , Havcrstock-hill , at S ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor . Eastern Star Lodgeof Instruction ( 95 ) , Royal Hotel ,

Mileend-road , at 7 . 30 , Bra . E . Gottheil , Preceptor . British Oak Lodge of Instruction , Bank of Friendship Tavern , Mile End , at 7 for 8 .

TUESDAY , J 14 . Lodge 54 8 , AVellington , White Swan , Deptford . ,, 834 , Ranelagh , Windsor Castle , Hammersmith . ,, 1269 , Stanhope , Thicket Hotel , Anerley . MetropolilanChapler of Instruction , George Hotel , Alder manbury , at 7 ; Comp . Brett , Preceptor ,

Domatic Lodge of Instruction , Palmerston 1 av ., Grosvenorpark , Camberwell , at 7 . 30 . Royal Union Lodge of Instruction ( 3 S 2 ) , Hotel de Cologne , 60 and 61 , Haymarket , at 8 ; Bro . T . AAdams , Preceptor . Faith Lodge of Instruction , Metropolitan Railway , Victoria

Station , at 8 ; Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , Preceptor . Yarborough Lodgeof Instruction , Green Dragon , Stepney , at 8 ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preciptor . Prince Fredk . AA'illiam Lodge of Instruction ( 753 ) Knights of St . John's Tavern , St . John ' s-wood ; Bro . F . G . Baker , Preceptor . Prestonian Club of Instruction ( for M . M . 's only ) , Lyceum Tavern , Strand .

AVEDNESDAY , JUNE 15 . Lodge 1 74 , Sincerity , Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street . ,, 700 , Nelson , Masonic Hall , AA oolwich . ,, 11 5 0 , Buckingham and Chandos , Freemasons'Hall . ,, 1159 , Marquis of Dalhousie , Freemasons'Hall . Chap . 10 , AVestminster ami Keystone , Freemasons'Hall . Pythagorean Lodge of Instruction ( 79 ) , Prince of Orange ,

Greenwich , at 8 ; J . Robt . Nash , Preceptor . United Strength Lodge of Instruction ( 22 S ) , Bull & Gate , Kentish' 1 own-road , , itS ; Bro . J . N . Frost , Preceptor . Israel Lodge of Instruction , Rising Sun Tavern , Globeroad , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor . Confidence Lodge of Instruction ( 193 ) , Railway Tavern , Railway-place , Fenchurch-street , at 7 .

Strong Man Lodge of Instruction , The Grapes Tavern , Duke-street , Manchester-square , at S ; Bro . T . A . Adams , P . G . P ., Preceptor . New Concord Lodge of Instruction , Rosemary Branch Tavern , Iloxlon , at 8 . Sydney Lodge of Instruction ( S 29 ) , Cambridge Hotel , Upper Norwood , at 7 . 30 .

Peckham Lodge of Instruction , Maismore Arms , Parkmad , Peckham ; Bro . David Rose , Preceptor . Temperance in the Kast Lodge of Instruction , George the Fourth , Catherine-street , Poplar . Burdett Coults Lodge of Instruction ( 127 S ) , Approach Tavern , Approach-road , A'ictoria-park , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . I . Terry , Preceptor .

THURSDAY , J 16 . Mark Lodge Carnarvon , Mitre , Hampton Court . K . T . Encampment , Observance , 14 , Bedford-row . Fidelity Lodge of Instruction ( 3 ) , Goat and Compasses , Kiiston-road , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor . Finsbury Club of Instruction , Jolly Anglers' Tavern , 42 , Bath-street , City-road . United Mariners' Lodge of Instruction , Three Cranes ,

Mile-end-road , at a ; Bro . T . J . Barnes , Preceptor . Rt . George ' s Lodge of Instruction ( 140 ) , Globe Tavern , Royal Hill , Greenwich , at 8 . FRIDAY , J 17 . Lodge <"> , Friendship , Willis ' s Rooms , St . James ' s .

,, 1110 , 1 . Diversity , Freemasons Hall . Chap . orr , . Moira , London Tavern , Ilisliopsg . ite-slreet . 176 , Cm-eat- , Radley ' s Hotel , Blackfriars . K . T . I'hicampment , St . George , 14 , Bedford-row . Ilo .-e Croix Conclave , Invicta , Freemasons' Hall , AA ' ool v .-if-Ii

Sr . Luker . Lodge of Iii . tiucttoii ( . ' 4 . 1 ) , Pier 1 Iti ., Chelsea . Cn ' ons Emulation Lodge of Improvement for M . M . 's , Freemasons' Hall , at 7 . Dc-malic Chapter of Instruction , Metropolitan Railway A'icioria Station , at 8 ; Com ]) . Coliebrune , Preceptor Pythagorean Chapter of Instruction ( No . 79 ) , Prince of Orange , Greenwich-road , at S ; Comp . AA . AA ' est

. Simtn , Preceptor . Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction , George Hotel , Alderr . i . inbi' . ry , at 7 ; Bro . Brett , Preceptor . Coiled Pilgrims' Lodge of Instruction , Horns Tavern , Ket . uiii 'ton , at 7 . Ilelgrave Lodge of In-e . nic ' . ion , Duke of AVellington lit ! ., Spring-: ; anlens , Charing-cross ; lir . Pulsford , Preceptor Doric Lodgeof Instruction , Three Cranes Tavern , .

Alilcen-1-r .-. i I , at ti ; Pro . Isaac Saqui , Preceptor . Duke of Edinburgh Lodge of InUruetion , Silver Lion , l'eniiy-h .: lds , " Poplar , " al 7 ; Br . U . S . Potts , Preceptor . Temperance Lodge of Instruction , A'icioria Tav ., A'icioriaload , Deptford , at K . Charterhouse Club of Instruction , Hal and Feathers Tavern , 25 , Gosweil-i ' o . id , ai 8 ; Bro . J . Mathei , P . M . 65 , Preceptor .

SATURDAY , J 18 . Lodge 11 S 5 , Lewis , Nightingale Tavern , AVood Green . Star Lodge of Instruction ( 1275 ) , Marquis of Granby , New Cross-road , at 7 .