Masonic Work.

loving and indissoluble ties , which , though time mav weaken , it cannot and ought not ever to de / troy . " Happy to meet , sorry to part , happy to meet again , " may well form , so to say , the cheerful and heartfelt motto of our

Masonic gatherings ; and may all our work , begun and ended in the name of God Most Hi ^ h , conduce to the welfare , of our lodges , the honour of Masonry and the happiness of mankind .

A Good Example.

A GOOD EXAMPLE .

Though we often all differ about the means , we are all , Freemasons as well as everybody else , o-reatly interested in the general spread of information and instruction , the study of the elevating arts , and the prevalence of culture and civilization . Though these are not everything in the

history of man , or nations , or the world at large , yet no evenminded person will doubt their value , or question their importance . As Freemasons we are ever favourable to the extension of light , knowledge , and the refining and elevating tendencies of artistic and scientific labours , and we

we may rejoice to find that such is the prevailing sentiment of this locality or that institution . There is a famous old town in England , well known to many readers of the " Freemason " whose associatio ns and memories are ever fresh and pleasant to th at

" Wiccamica Pubes , which once worshipped within its S 3 cred fane , and once ascenJed St . Catherine ' s Hill . And it seems that this good city has not belied its ancient prestige , or forgotten its old renown , seeing that in 1876 it receives from one of our most distinguished statesmen

and lawyer a meed of commendation as striking as it is well deserved . In opening the School of Art , a new institution at Winchester a few days ago , Lord Selborne makes use of language which we commend to the attention of all our readers , as a good example

not only highly to be lauded , but to be imitated in the same kindly and liberally-minded spirit up and down our good old land . The " Times " of November 4 th gives the words which follow : — "Lord Selborne said that he could not pretend to speak with impartiality of subjects connected

with Winchester , and it might be that his partiality led him to see things which related to that city through a highly-coloured medium . Things which to some might appear trivial were not so to him . Though Winchester had no large manufactures , no centres of population , no great

wealth , he thought it interesting in an unusual degree . In the first place , it was the most ancient historical city in the country . Its very name bore witness to a time anterior to the Roman invasion , and it has been a centre from generation to generation of great events . He was

happy to think that although so old , and although it had seen so many privations , yet its public spirit was never higher and its desire to continue its great improvements more manifest than at the present time . Their prosperity and their institututions depended , as every one knew , on the

habit of self-government , and that privilege depended certainly no less on the existence of munici pal institutions , which were as essential as Imperial Parliaments . When he saw the amount spent and the works produced b y munici pal institutions here , he could not but think

that Winchester might well be proud of the part it had taken in respect of having these institutions . When he looked to another part of the town and saw the splendid scale on which the administration of justice had been provided for , he said that Winchester had acted in a manner

worth y of its greatness in honouring that law which was the guardian of all their liberties . Massing to an institution which , above all others , formed the mind of the man , and made what was good and bright , and comely and godl y , he saw reli gion enshrined in a mlding , so solemn in its exterior and sn

gorgeous within , that no man could enter it without feeling something of the solemnity of ne place , without feeling the true association to » < iVeeVellgion and beaut ) - ' * hen they came inJ f Colle S wh'ch had been the seat of learner ! , ; 1 i nearl y - years ' and had from gen " anon to generation sent forth men to take the r st place m the Church , in the Legislature , and

A Good Example.

in all the walks of life , and not a few in the ranks of those who had defended their country by sea and land . Nature , too , had not been wanting in giving to the city natural beauties in the valley in which it was placed . It was his privilege to attend not long ago an Art Exhibition

under their Mayor , and that building had been established under the highest influence . Among the first promoters of the school were the Head Master of the College and one of his most esteemed associates . There had been a cordial union of all parties . In Winchester all the institutions worked harmoniously together . There

was no jealousy that one would be above the other . They saw the Church and the municipality , ths Corporation , the College , and the School of Art all , hand-in-hand , promoting the same good cause—the cause of morality and instruction , improving the cause or religion and learning and art .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible ( or , or even as approving of cheopinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits- * -free discussion . —En . ]

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — i have read with much pain the report of the action in the Westminster County Court by the " Hervey Lodge of Freemasons v . Fielder " reported in your impression of the 18 th ult ., and cannot tliinlc the proceedings conduce much to the credit of the officers of the lodge or

its members , for had the Secretary , or the member introducing the candidate , taken proper steps to investigate his character , such scandal might have been avoided . As regards the case on its merits , the learned judge could not but nonsuit the plaintiffs , as the action was wrongly brought . Freemasons are not a body corporate , and cannot sue as such ; but under Order XVI . Rule 0 of the

Judicature Acts , where there are numerous parties having the same interest in one action , one or more of such parties may sue or be sued , or may be authorised by the court to defend such action ; and by the consolidated County orders , under order V . rule 8 , these courts kave the same power given them . Th' .- judge could not amend the title of the cause without the consent of the defendant , and from

his antecedents , 1 do not suppose such a course would have been assented to , neither could the judge allow an appeal , as the amount sued "for was under £ 20 . i sincerely hope that other lodges will take timely warning bv this miserable affair , and that in their nnxietv to

swell their ranks , greater diligence will hi used in investigating the character of those they introduce into the Order . Believe me , dear Sir , faithfully yours , E . W . DEVERBUX . Grovc-lanc , Camberwell , S . E ., 1 st November , 1876 .

To the Editor 0 / the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In commenting in your last issue on a County Court case , in which the Hervey Lodge sued a brother for fees , you seem to imply blame to some person , and as Master of the lodge in question I will endeavour to shew you how the matter stands .

The brother having expressed a wish to be received into our lodge , and finding he held a high official public position , and " was well and worthily recommended , " no possible objection could be taken either b y his proposer or any member of the lodge . Therefore , having been duly balloted for and unanimously elected , and initiated , his official position was urged as an excuse for irregularity

of attendance at our meetings . His dues fell into arrears , the Secretary wrote to him on the subject , and he promised to attend lodge and settle up ; but failing to do so it was determined , after some fruitless correspondence , and by the advice of a brother in the lodge , who is a lawyer , to take legal proceedings to enforce the payment of a just debt .

The brother had in his communications with our Secretary acknowledged the claim , but he failed to keep his word , and it was because he held a gentlemanly public appointment that it was thought necessary to compel him if possible to pay , rather than his proposer . You are quite wrong in supposing that the case was

decided on its merits—nothing of the kind . VVe were non-suited on a technical question . Our lawyer sued in the name of the lodge , when it appears he should have done so in that of the Treasurer or Secretary . f am , Sir and brother , yours fraternally , G . HARRISON , W . M . 1260 .

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGES . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I have been in the habit of attending , with other Master Masons , the Provincial Grand Lodge to which the lodge I am a member of is attached . This year Master

fllasons are not summoned , and we are informed by those in authority that we are not entitled to be present . I know the Book of Constitutions ( in clause 2 , of l ' rov . Grand Lodges ) lays down who are members of Prov . Grand Lodge but it does not say Master Masons shall be excluded , and , as they have been allowed to attend in former years , their exclusion on this occasion requires some explanation .

Original Correspondence.

Surely if Master Masons were permitted to be present at the Albert Hall on the occasion of the installation of the M . W . the Grand Master of England , they might , f think , be allowed a seat at their own provincial meeting . I would add that all Master Masons of the Receivino- Lodp-e .

are to be permitted to attend . Perhaps some brother wearing the purple will kindly explain this matter for the satisfaction of those who still wear but sky blue . Yours truly and fraternally , MASTER MASON-.

THE GROWTH OF FREEMASONRY . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — In a paragraph which appeared in your issue of the 27 th ult ., it was stated that the rapid increase of members was causing some anxiety in hi gher circles , and that at the consecration of new lod ? es . the officers are

earnestly enjoined to make strict enquiry into the character , and standing of candidates before admitting them , doubtless every right thinking brother already feels that some more stringent means should be adopted in this respect than at present . . In the proii . ices , especially the larger ones , the following case frequently occurs : —A prcposes B for initiation into

his lodge C , the members of lodge C find out that B ' s character is not such as to warrant them in admitting him amongst them , and he is withdrawn . Bro . A then enlists the assistance of a member of a lodge held in a neighbouring town where B is a perfect stranger , and on the recommendation of A ' s friend he is admitted . The only remedy against this evil so far as I can see is

that a Central Committee be formed in each province , and that the Secretary of every lodge be required to read a copy of the circular calling such meeting to them . They ( the committee ) shall compile a weekly report of names proposed , and send tissue conies of same to the adjoining provinces , and different Masonic Halls and meeting rooms in the district , by this means the members of every lodge

would be able to ascertain if their rejected candidate was again proposed , and a communication could be sent to the W . M . of the lodge where his name appears . It may be said , that perchance a brother through some private pique , objects to a candidate being admitted into his lodge , although there may not be the remotest thing against his character . This fact could be communicated

to the committee , who could act thereon . I think some such plan as the above would serve to check , if not prevent the admission of black sheep into our folds . Perhaps some moie able pen than mine will devise a better scheme , or at all events improve upon this one . 1 am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , EAST LANCASHIRE .

FATHER FOY ON FREEMASONRY . 7 b the Editor of " The Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In the " Hastings Observer " of the 4 th November Father Foy defends his addresses . I have extracted the only material portions of it for the information of your readers , which are as follows : 1 am , yours fraternally , A FREEMASON .

I consider that my second lecture was quite a sufficient reply to your other correspondent , signing himself " A Non-Mason , " with regard to the relations between the secret societies of England and the Continent . I showed how the whole of the lodges of the Grand Orient of Italy had recently been aggregated to the English lodges . There was one instance of relationshio . The case of the

assassination of William Morgan in America , in 1826 , proved , again , that the deeds of horror connected with Continental secret societies were not unknown in other directions . And the words of the Scotch Protestant Robison , at page 11 , introduction to his work on secret societies , deserve equal notice : — " This association for the express purpose of rooting out all relitrion still exists .

still works in secret ; and not only several appearances among ourselves show that its emissaries are endeavouring to propagate these detestable doctrines among us , but the association has lodges in Britain , corresponding with the mother lodge at Munich , ever since 17 K 4 . " One of these societies , of which Lord Stanhope and Dr . Price were leading members , sent the following letter to the French

revolutionary National Assembly : — " The society congia ' . ulates the National Assembly of France on the Revolution which has taken place in that country . It cannot but earnestly wish for the happy conclusion of so important a Revolution , and , at the same time , express the extreme satisfaction which it feels on reflecting on the glorious example which France has given to the world . "

( This example contained all the horrors exhibited in France before the month of March , 1790 , which were then fully known in England . ) " The society resolves unanimously to invite all the people of England to establish societies throughout the kingdom to support the principles of the Revolution . " " Accordingly , " says Robison , " this was executed , and Jacobin lodges were established in

several cities in England , Scotland , and Ireland" ( p . 495 ) . I have myself a recollection that the lodge of one ol our northern towns sent similar felicitations to the Commune at Paris , in the midst of its worst impieties . And I cannot but notice how the principle of the connection running all through the secret societies is given , in Germany , in

the Rite for the admission of a Scotch Ancient or Grand Master : — "Friendship is the sacred bonJ which unites together all the brethren of our Craft ; for however much scattered they may be over the face of the earth , they all compose one only body , because one is their origin , and one is their aim . . . and one the spirit by whitW