The Budget.

THE BUDGET .

Though it be a trite remark that Freemasons are not politicians , and know nothing of party , most properly , like other fellow citizens , they are keenly alive to that very serious fact , the " incidence of taxation , " and the amiable calls of the untiring tax collector , with which the

contemporaneous history of our great people is so intimately and closel y bound up . Some of us may remember an olden skit , which declared and demonstrated that Britons were "taxed for everything " in this nether world , yes , " everything , " and though since that time fiscal reforms and happy

alleviations have lightened the burden of our Ang lican " Issachar , " yet , quite enough remains to prove that with us taxation is still a realitv , a necessity , and a luxury combined . It will be a great relief to many honest Masonic breadwinners to be told , on the " best authority , " that ,

except a slight additional duty on cigars , pace our young" men , ( a very proper tax indeed ) , thete is to be no increased taxation in the current year . This will be very good news to many up and down the land who read the Freemason carefully week by week , and , like them , we ourselves feel

to he in a very grateful and contented mood of aiind , when stud ying the formidable array of figures and the bristling army of facts , which constitute the new Budget of her Majesty ' s Chancellor of the Exchequer . We are glad also to note some faint gleams of reviving trade and

of returning prosperity , and we trust sincerely , as despite hasty vaticinations and profound calculations , that most important and able official has so well brought out his own figures in the twelve months that are sped , so in the year to come his auguries may be realized , and his

satisfactory arrangements made still more satisfactory to a confiding and taxoaying people . We shall all of us probably , independently of mere politics , as Masonic philosophers , if you like , take rosy or despondent views of the " situation , "

as the case may be . But , perhaps , after all the best and safest mode of treating all such subjects is to adopt the good advice and better example offered to us by the facetious and friendly poet . So pray attend and practise his directions , kindl y readers

all" Some public principl- s he had . But was no flatterer nor fretter , He rapped his box when things were bad , And said , 'I cannot make them better . ' And much he loathed the patriot's snort ,

And much he scorned the phecman ' s snuflle , And cut the fiercest epjarrcls shoit With ' Patience , gentlemen , and shuffle . ' "

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We ; do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but wc wish in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

THE BOYS' AND GIRLi' SCHOOLS ELECTIONS . Dear Bro . Kenning , — You will perhaps permit me to add in this week ' s impression , that any of my brethren who may kindly retain votes for me will find me ( D . V . ) in freemasons ' Hall on Saturday and Monday next , and I shall be most grateful for every vote . Yours very frattrnally , A . F . A . WOODFORD .

THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I much regret , for one , the tone and temper displayed by " Memphis " in your last issue , in his letter ° n this subject . The most serious objections may fairly be maele , even by the most neutral , much more by the

Partizan , to the whole stvle and verbiage of his diatribe . I am not a member of the Ancient and Accepted mte myself , and , therefore , write quite calmly on the subject , "ut I doubt much the good of such letters as that in your last , ¦ "J'l almost wonder at your allowing it to appear at all , Witfout tremendous pruning , at any rate . For , to say the rutb , the whole animus U as un-Masonicand ungenerous

, , Hud ungcnial as cm possibly be conceived . And knowing hc w many excellent men and Masons form part of the * "cientand Accepted Rite , I think , for one , " Memphis " j > ad better amend his taste , his similes , and his vocabulary , before he ventures to write again on the subject , ' -veil as an outsider his letter strikes me as " mighty of-. —« « - •¦ •>...,., v .... ..... . v ..... it ........ mt eta iiui . iii . je

eie"sive . " 1 know the difficulties editors have , who wish 0 be fair , in pruning or excluding correspondence , anel ( fobabl y the Ancient and Accepted Rite in this country ill say ( « what does it all signify , this ' leather and prusp l- amuscs 'Memphis' anil don ' t hurt us ? " Seriously fro " * 'Memphis" cannot fairly adduce any arguments m the Constitutions of 1786 , which are either real , hisl 0 n cal , or valid .

Original Correspondence.

That the members of the Ancient and Accepted Rite have a rig ht to have a central authority in England is to me clear as day . If . " Memphis" wishes , keeping clear of personalities , attacks , and inuendos , I shall be I appy to discuss the matter with him in the pages of the

/ ' reeniasnn . But I much fear that , the letter from the last paragraph is only another attempt to " puff ' ¦ ' thit ridiculous rite of " Memphis . " I am , vours fraternally , AN OUTSIDER .

THE RITE ECOSSAIS , ANCIEN ET ACCEPTE . To the Editor af the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — My attention has b ; en drawn to the Cosmopolitan Masonic Calendar and Diary for the present year , and as the advertisement on the title page sets forth its being " A comprehensive Masonic book of reference , with full

particulars of every Grand Masonic body throughout the globe , " I am at loss to know how its compiler or editor could possibly have fallen into so grave an error as that which 1 find at page 211 , where , under the heading of "GrandOrient of France , Supreme Council Thirty-Third Degree , " the honoured name of Aeleilphc Cre ' mieux is given as Sovereign Grand Commaneler of that body .

The Supreme Council of France , Rite Ecossiis Ancien et Accepte ' , acknowledges as its T . P . S . Grand Commander , Grand Maitre , the V . 111 . Bro . Adolphe Cremieux , Senator , and not the Grand Orient . As your Calendar circulates extensively throughout these countries anel abroad , it is but right this error should be ceirrected , as it cannot fail to be prejudicial to the interests of the Supreme Council to

attribute its Gr . Commander , Gr . Master , to the Grand Orient , which latter body has completely suppressed the Grand Mastership . 1 am desired by the Grand Treasurer , the V . I 11 . Bro . Maurice Schwalb , 33 ° , to request a correction in the columns of your journal , in the name of the Supreme Council , and as the Council is too important a body to be thus completely ignored , I append a list of its officers and

members . As I am well aware that the position of the Supreme Council and Central Grand Lodge of France with reference to the Grand Orient is not generally understood by the majority of the English brethren , and that too frequently the lodges under its obedience have been confounded with those of the Grand Orient , I will simply

state that the loelge summonses bear a heading which translates thus , "To the glory ot the Great Architect ol the Universe , " and the belter to explain the position , I send you certain short articles on " Freemasonry in France . " Perhaps one of the most important occurrences in the history of Freemasonry during this century took place on the 24 th October last year—I allude to

the Grand Masonic Fete , held uneler the auspices of the Supreme Council of France , in honour of the foreign brethren prior to the close of the International Exhibition . I cannot soon forget the magnificent picture which the interior of the palace of the Trocadcro presented upon that important occasion , nor the brilliant aeidresses elelivered by the V . III . Gr . Commander Cremieux , and the

Gr . Orator , the V . 111 . Bro . Emmanuel Arago . In the words of the Grand Chancellor , the V . 111 . Bro . George Guiffrey , 33 , reviewing this important circumstance : " On the occasion of the International Exhibition we celebrated a Masonic fete , at which Masons from all quarters of the globe were gathered together ; the most distant Supreme Councils and Grand Loelges responded to

our call , and we have seen hastening to this rendezvous , held in honour of peace and labour , the followers of Hiram spread over the entire face of the globe . Even in the outer world , France herself exercises an influence upon the entire destinies of humanity , and in this circumstance we have proved that Freemasonry of the " Rite Ecossais " has been called upon in France to perform an important

role in concert with the Freemasons of the entire world . We fully recognise the proofs of sympathy and regard which have been evidenced to us upon this occasion in assuring to foreign Supreme Councils our spirit of concord anel devotion ; in unison with them wc will onwatei march in the progressive path of civilisation , since it is universal Masonry which should assure to us . the definite triumph

of the great principles of fraternity and justice . " Needless to say this memorable fete was presided over by the V . 111 . Bro . Adolphe Cremieux , and that amongst the visitors and representatives from foreign Grand Bodies were the M . P . Sovereign Grand Commander , the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale ; the Grand Chancellor , J . M . Pulteney Montagu , D . L . ( whose able reply on behalf of

the foreign brethren was admirably given in the rrench language ); the Grand Secretary-General , Lieut .-Col . Shadvvell Henry Clerke , and others ; many of the Supreme Councils and Grand Lodges of Europe and America having been also represented . Yet , in the words of the Orator of the Central Grand Lodge of France , the V . III . Bro . Fabien , 33 , " Who will guarantee but that within a

century it will not be said that the grand Masonic fete of the Trocadcro was presided over by Ad . Ciemieux as Grand Master of the Grand Orient ?" I shall conclude this communication with a passage translated from a letter of the V . III . Bro . Fabien , 33 , addressed to the V . III . Bro . Dclongray ( Grand Capt . of Guards and member of the Administrative Executive

Commission of the Supreme Council)— " Strangers contest the regularity of our lodges ; we should make ourselves recognised , but to do this we must show ouiselves , act , speak , proclaim our principles , since our very existence- , even , is ignored in London . "

I am , Sir and Bro ., Very faithfully anil fraternally yours , J . H . LLOYD , LL . D ., M . H . I . A ., 32 " , France . 7 , Lower Gardiner-street , Dublin , April 7 th , 1 S 79 .

Original Correspondence.

SUPREME COUNCIL FOU FRANCE AND ITS DEPENDENCIES , RITE ECOSSAIS ANCIEN ET ACCEPTE . M . P . Sovereign Grand Commander , Grand Master—V . 111 . Bro . Adolphe Cre ' mieux , Senator . M . III . Lieutenant Grand Commander—V . III . Bro . Baron Taylor . Grand Secretary General , Grand Chancellor , and Keeper

of the Seal—V . HI . Bro . George Guiffrey . Granel Treasurer General—V . 111 . Bio . Maurice Schwalb Grand Orator—V . 111 . Bro . Emmanuel Arago . Granel Master of Ceremonies—V . 111 . Bro . Sapin . Granel Captain of Guards—V . 111 . Bro . Delongray . Grand Stanelard Bearer—V . 111 . Bro . Proal .

Grand Sword Bearer—V . 111 . Bro . Mcige . President of the First Section—V . 111 . Bro . Granvigne . President of the Second Section—V . 111 . Bro . Sapin . President of the Third Section—V . 111 . Bro . Meige . Members of the Administrative and Executive Commission

of the Supreme Council—The V . III . Bros . Proal , Meige , and Sapin . . President of the Financial Commission—V . 111 . Bro . Granvigne . Offices of the Supreme Council , 4 6 , Rue de la Victoire , Pari ? .

THE PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DEVON . To the Editor if the " Freemason . " Dear [ Sir and Brother , — Having of late years left correspondence in your columns very much to younger men , it may appear unseemly to interfere on a question purely local , concerning a province not now my own . My Masonic life has been

spent in four provinces , each respectively for 10 , 9 , 8 , and 5 years , and , having been active in all , I naturally stiil feel an interest in their de > ings , more especially as an honorary member of lodges in all . I see that the venerable and beloved P . G . M . for Devon has at last resigned his high position , which he has so long filled with credit to himself and advantage to the Craft . His love for it has induced

him to retain the office Icr many years , dunug which most men woulel have sought repose ; yet no one who saw him , as I did , at the last provincial meeting could charge him with deficiency in mental vigour during a very lively discussion , for though courtesy and kindness have been marked characteristics of his character , he coulel and did act with t ' ecisicn anel firmness when necessary . When I was first under his rule we several times differed

materially on important points , yet he was open to conviction , anil them was no departure nil either side from kindly personal feelings . My experience in Devon convinced me of the desirability of dividing the province into two portions , and this was greally stri nglhencd by what occurred at the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting at Okehampton last autumn , so much so that I sent you a letter on the

subject , which appeared in your columns on Sept . 7 th . I am glad to find that the course I then advocated commends itself to many brethren in De-von , and that steps are being taken to bring the matter before the M . W . G . M . The following appear to be the chief points in ils favour :

1 . 'I he great extent of the province , about seventy by sixty-five miles . 2 . The large number of lodges , nearly fifty , and more than half that number of chapters . 3 . The scattered position of ihe lodges , and the difficulty the brethren have in attending meetings at so great a

distance . 4 . The impossibility of Provincial Grand Loelge holding meetings , except at very long intervals , at all the lodges , where a hearty welcome would be given . 5 . The fact that there are two great centres , Exeter and Plymouth , widely apart , the one in the south , the other in the north , each somewhat jealous of tbe other in regarel

to appointments in the Prov . Giand Lodge . 6 . There arc now upwards of 400 P . M . ' s , and the number necessarily increases at the rate of more than thirty annually , who stand no chance of the purple , though many of them have proved themselves highly worthy of such distinction . 7 . The ineeiuality between so large a province and

many small ones , with less than a fifth of the number of lodges , where Provincial honours are conferred upon brethren who have never passed the chair . 8 . The difficulty in selection which the Prov . G . M . encounters , and hence the risk of his popularity among those who are passed over . 0 . The present seems a most favourable opportunity for

milking so desirable a change , which may not occur again for many years . Commending the matter to the careful consieleration of those in whose hands the power is vested , and trusting that the examples of Yorkshire and Lancashire in this respect will be deemed ample precedents for the course proposed , I remain , yours faithfully and fraternally , II . H ., P . P . G . S . W ., P . M ., P . Z ., & e .

THE "FREEMASON" IN SOUTH AFRICA . To the Editor of Ihe " Fret mason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Public attention is now largely directed to Her Majesty ' s colonics in the various districts forming South Africa . Far-seeing commercial men regard the whole as a magnificent field of a very immediate future for the display of energy and cnterpiise . The temporary settlement

of 10 , 000 British soldiers , and the arrangement of many disputes other than those involved in the Zulu war , will tend to tbe further development of Ihe material interests of the different colonies forming a South African dominion . The readers of the Freemason will be glad to know that our Craft exists there in strength , numbers , and prosperity . A hearty welcome will , thcrtfere , be in readiness for such of our brethren as may be proceeding to the Cape