Original Correspondence.

on loyalty , business , or pleasure bent . The Freemasons of South Africa share " labour and refreshment " under two Constitutions , the Dutch and the English . The Masonic lodges under the Dutch Constitution are 21 in number , under the English 25 , the Royal Arch numbering 8 . The numerical strength of the fraternity is considerable . Hitherto the brethren there have been without

representative literature . The readers of the Freemason will be glad 10 know that a spirited effort is about to be made by the proprietor of the Freemason to promote a further union of the lodges of the colonies and the mother country by establishing a local agency for your valued journal , and the other three Masemic publications issued from the Fleetstreet depot . On Friday , April 4 th , Bro . A . F . Baxter ,

recently initiated in the Lion and Lamb , sailed m the " Warwick Castle , " with his young bride , to settle as a mercantile agent in South Africa , and to act as special representative for Bro . George Kenniug ' s publications . Tne object of this letter , Mr . Editor , is threefold : 1 . To draw the attention of the brethren at home to the strength and importance of the fraternity in South Africa , and to

ask them to regard their progress with continued affectionate interest . 2 . To acquaint our South African brethren that the four Masonic publications can henceforth be supplied regularly by R . W . Baxter & Co ., Cape Town , and forwarded to subscribers in all parts of the colonies . 3 . To bespeak a kindly welcome from veterans in South Africa to a young initiate and settler , who comes t'i ttieni

with the best and most fraternal good wishes of the "Lion and Lamb . " Apologising for thus intruding upon your valuable space , I am , Sir , yours fraternally , THOMAS JONES , 1657 . Australian Avenue , E . C .

FREEMASONRY IN ASIA MINOR . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In Captain Burnaby's very interesting work , "On Horseback through Asia Minor , " chapter lxv ., I find the following : " 1 have been a great deal in the mountains , and know the Kurds well . There are Freemasons

amongst them . Their Freemasonry dates back from the time of the ancient Assyrians . " Ihe speaker , with whom Captain Burnaby was conversing , was a Turkish colonel of artillery , who had been educated at Woolwich , and spoke English remarkably well . If Captain Bumaby is a member of the Masonic fraternity" himself he might be able to give some more

particulars respecting these Kurdish Freemasons than are embtaced in the above extract . It would be very interesting to know upon what grounds the Turkish colonel believed that the Kurds derived their Freemasonry from the ancient Assyrians . Perhaps Captain Burnaby would not object to give fuller details through the columns of the Freemason , should the subject be brought under his notice . Yours fraternally , G . C . L . Ontario , Canada , 22 nd March .

A QUERY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Is there good reason to suppose that a lady was once made a member of the Craft ; and if so , what was her name and lodge ? Yours fraternally ,

SECRETARY . [ Yes ; the Honourable Elizabeth St . Leger , afterwards the Honourable Mrs . Aldworth . See Kenniug ' s Masonic Cyclopedia . ]

Reviews.

Reviews .

MAY'S BRITISH AND IRISH PRESS GUIDE FOR 1879 . 159 , Piccadilly , London , ll seems , from this most useful and needful work , a rude meciun for all connected with the Press , in its sixth annual issue , that there are now 1924 newspapers in the United Kingdom , and that of these 505 are published in the metropolis alone , 1015 in ihe provinces of England ,

1 74 in Scotland , 148 in Ireland , 62 in Wales , and 20 in the British Isles . Of these 1924 newspapers , 6 93 are published on the Satuiday , 440 on the Friday , 129 on the Thursday , 120 on the Monday , 113 monthly , 112 on the Wednesday , 87 daily in the morning , 6 5 on the Tuesday , 59 dail y in the evening , 27 three times a week , 16 fortnightly , 14 five

times a week , 9 on Sunday , though we are glad only one of these—the Observer—is actually published on a Sunday , and which we regret as a fact . Sunday publication is , in our opinion , a wrong to all concerned . 7 seem to be numbered among the " irregular and miscellaneous , " and one paper is published quarterly . Of these 1924 papers , as the fact may interest our readers , we repeat what Mr .

May tells us , iri his clear tabular statement , that 5 6 7 are of professedl y Liberal principles , 329 of Conservative , 70 of Liberal Conservative , and 95 8 independent or neutial . Of this little army of the press , 1016 are penny paperswhat a wonderful fact in ilsell—261 are at twopence , 108 a halfpenny , losjthreepcnce , 97 sixpence , 91 three halfpence , 61 fourpence , ami the rest vary from threepence-halfpenny U > two shillings , while 11 are published gratuitously . These

are facts and figures which deserve attention and consideration . If we turn to the periodicals ( including magazines and reviews ) , il stems that there are 800 published in the United Kingdom . Of these 580 are monthly , 105 are quarterly , 9 6 are weekly , 49 are irregular and vaiious , and the remaining 24 vary from " twice a week" to "halfyearly . " Ol these publications—equally remarkable fact — 28 3 are issued at id ., 108 at 6 d ., and the remainder vary

Reviews.

from a halfpenny to six shillings , 19 being published gratuitously . We may observe , that in addition there are periodicals varying from 2 JL to 5 guineas per annum , though this note we confess we do not quite understand unless , as it appears this li » t includes about 70 of the 860 . Of this S 60 , 3 60 have a religious tendency , 305 are illustrated periodicals , and of these 25 contain coloured

plates and six are illustrated by photography . 83 periodicals are devoted to the juvenile portion of the community , in are trade journals , 12 represent the labour question , and 5 8 are setters foith of " temperance principles , " 7 seek to advene- ihe interests of women , anil 28 are given up to " fashions . " Several periodicals are issued in the

Welsh and French languages , one in Arabic and Hindustani , and others are partly printed in the Gaelic and Lancashire dialect . Two magazines contain literary compositions by patients ol asylums for the insane . Are not these " facts " indeed woilh noting and which if they would have startled our forefathers , must have even some effect on our apathetic and unimpressed age .

FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE HOME HOSPITALS' ASSOCIATION FOR PAYING PATIENTS . Harrison and Son , 11 , St . Martin ' s-lane , Printers to the Q , ueen . We have read this report with much iutert-.-t , as a tentative effort to what many deem a much needed lelorm . We confess ourselves , however , to be somewhat in a haze

and doubt on ihe subject , inasmuch as the movement , however well intended , seems to us to antagonise the great and beneficent idea of the " hospital , " per se . It may be right , it may be a necessity of our times , but , none the less , it does at firs : sight appear to run counter to the genial and philanthropic principles ot gratuitous hospital aid to the poor and suffering . So many kiuel-he-aitcd and

worthy persons have UKen up , however , the theory , that we feel it deserves hunesl consideration and lespectlul treatment . The report so far is only preliminary . Something like £ 0000 have been received , of which £ 118 5 have been paid as u deposit on the purchase of leasehold properly , Berkeley House , Manchester-square , vvhcie the hospital work is to be can ltd on . We confess we do not exactly see why the block ot St . Thomas's Hospital was

not leased as an experiment . No djubt tbe Committee had good and sufficient reasons for their decision , but we venture to think the experiment weiuld have started as well there as in or near Manches ' . ei -squaie . When " doclors differ who shall agree- ? " is an old adage , and we shall await , with no little interest , the second repott of this new hospital . But we think it light to add that a g od deal ol nonsense , in uur opinion , has been talked 011 the subject , and by those wtio ought to have known belter toei .

THE ROS 1 CRUCIAN for January , 1879 . This number shews p . oof o [ able editing , and is lull ol articles of interest and pleasurable reading . Fur those who affect the mysteries of the " Koseeie Crucis , " to all who care lor abstruse disq ui ; itions and Hermetic researches , we recommend this well-printed and well-edited magazine .

THE MONDE MACONNIQ . UE for March . Edited by Bro . Caubct . This well-known French magaz . ne , ably edited as it always is , though we do not always preitess to agree with it , has its usual articles , all , 110 djubt , full of information for French brethien , but possessing , for various reasons , little interest for English readers . It is , alas ! only too marked , alike in tone and temper , the change which -seems In have come over French Freemasonry .

LA CHA 1 NE D'UNION for March . Bro . Hubert continues the even and useful tenoui of his way , and wc always read his magazine with pleasure . Ot course we do not always agree with the sentiments of the speakers , as French Fiecmasous too often wander , in our opinion , into elevious paths , and un-Masonic regions , butrro one can be insensible to the vigorous and enlightcued editorship of Bro . Hubert , just as no one can doubt his honesty oi purpose ami Masonic singleness of aim .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

THE LODGE OF ANTT & UITY , NO . 2 . It seems , though it is a f < ict which , as far as I know , has escaped even the attention of Bros . Hughan and Gould , and Masonic Student so f 4 r , that in 1794 , the Lodge of Harodim , 467 , was discontinued on being united to No . i , the then Lodge of Antiquity . If I am in error on the point o this being a new statement 1 shall be glad of being corrected . See Freemasons' Calendar for the year 1811 , page 34 . ANTIQUI l"Y .

ANDERSON'S LIST OF LODGES . I should like to draw the attention of Masonic students to " Anderson ' s List of L-jdges for 1738 , " in the Masonic Magazine for April , especially to the valuable explanatory notes . There is no name to the article , but I fancy the writer is well knoivn to me as an earne .-t and able Masonic student .

I have been trying to place the present numbers to those lodges which bear the * , and think that consecutively t . ' ie-y run as follows : 2 , 4 , (> , 8 , 10 , 16 , 14 , 12 , 18 , 20 , 21 , 23 , 26 , 28 , 29 , and 33 . Old ( 18 ( Lonilon in list ) has a * , and also OIJ * . The Utter is evidently 35 , now held at Ide of Wight . Have not yet pi iced 68 * . Then follow 45 , 55 , and 5 6 ( now at 'Aruiiclle ) . For country lodges we have

now 39 ( Axcth ; ; 37 ( Uuliun ); 41 ( Bath ) ; 42 ( Bury ) ; 43 ( Birmingham ) . A fur this il is not easy to follow the stars . Ncwcastlc-uii-Tyne , of 1 735 , has a star . Should it nut be 48 ( Gateshead )' : 51 ( Colchester ); 52 ( Norwich ); 61 ( Halifax ) , then come regularly . \ V . J . HUGHAN .

Masonic Works In The British Museum.

MASONIC WORKS IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM .

I quite agree with our Bro . R . F . G . in his estimate of the value of the catalogue , cimmenced in the April number of the Masonic Magaz ne , of Masonic works in the " British Museum . " I find , however , many names absent of modern English Masonic w- > rks , viz ., several of Dr . Olivet ' s , and ol my own works only one is mentioned

out of five , for which I hold the regular receipts of the British Museum . It certainly does seem strange that well known and useful works like the Cyclopedias published by Bro . John Hogg , and the one published by Bro . Kenning , cannot be obtained by readers in the British Museum .

Why is this . ' Surely both Bros . Hogg and Kenning have sent the reipies , as required , for the use of that Institution and the Universities , etc . Works which allude to Freemasonry , though not strictly Masonic , should also be catalogued , just as Dr . Kloss has ably done to the year 1844 . W . J . HUGHAN .

Funeral Of Bro. John Johnson.

FUNERAL OF BRO . JOHN JOHNSON .

The funeral of Bro . John Johnson look place on Wednesday , the 2 nd inst ., at Abney Park Cemetery . On behalf of West Smithfield Lodge , 1623 , as their representatives , were Bros . E . Mallett , P . M . 141 , Secretary ; H . J . Lardner , G . H . Stephens , J . J . Howes , who were in the grounds , and followed his remains to the church . They

proceeded to the head of the grave , accompanied by Bro . Summers , P . M ., who had provided himself with a spiig of acacia , which he placed in the hands of Bro . T . W . Adams , I . P . M . 1623 , who ( on tne arrival of the deceased brother ' s lemains , and prior to the reading of our beautiful funeral servxe ) put that sprig on the head of the coffin as a token of Masonic respect .

Theie . were at the funeral a numerous assemblage oi the employes of the Gas , Coke , and Light Company , apparently from the highest to the humblest of tbe firm , where he was held in the greatest respect , as he had devoted a lifetime of energy and talent in the best interests for the firm . Upwards of twenty carriages followed in the procession , and ainonast the occupants we noticed

Bros . J . H . Pearson , Cnurch , l- ' raser , Crombie , and many other eminent Masons . Universal sorrow and regret was expressed at liU loss ; great sympathy and condolence was felt for his sorrowing widow and bis three children , theeldest of whom is but thirteen years old . The last pubic act if our worthy brother was his representing West Sinithficlel Lodge-, iGii , when 011 his list he

collected seventy-hvc guineas for the Royal Benevolent Institution Inr Ageel Freemasons and their Widjws . His end was peace , lie lived respected anil died revjreite-d . Apologies wen : received [ rim the S . cietaries of his lodges , ( ram a la'ge number ol the members who regretted their absence , caused by unforseen circumstances , amongst whom were Bios . F . Walters , T . M . Butt , W . Butt , F . Howes , E gbert Roberts , and others .

The Disaster At Szegedin.

THE DISASTER AT SZEGEDIN .

We have been requested to publish the following , which we gladly do : — St . John ' s Grand Lodge of Hungary , Budapest . To the glory of the Great Architect of the Universe . To all W . and W . lodges and to all brethren of the globe-. Or . Budapest , 14 th March , 1879 . W . and Bel . Brethren , —

Sze-gedin , one of the most prosperous Hungarian cities , was inundated on the 12 th March by the floods ol the Theiss river , and was almost completely destroyed . Thousands of inhabitants of that unfottunate city found their death , parents lost their children , and children their protectors and supporters . Seventy thousand persons are exposed to the greatest

misery and privation , and are left to wander about without shelter . Even the hope of gaining a livelihood is taken away from those unfortunate sufferers by the fact of hundred thousands of acres of fertile ground around being completely flooded . In that city , once so industrious and now crushed by misfortune , for which it cannot be made responsible , exists

one of our most active lodges , the Arpad Lodge . Its members have always shown themselves very assiduous in the services of the Royal Art , and have often proved their Masonic spirit by acts of charity . To-day they are themselves in need of help , for their property is destroyed , and the results of years of toil have become a prey to elementary force .

The different lodges working under the authority of St . John ' s Giand Lodge of Hungary have immediately been called upon to render all possible assistance , but , in spite of their readiness to do so , their power to cairy efficient help to the numerous brethren in Szagedin must be pronounced totally inadequate to the magnitude of the calamity . In consideration of this sad fact the Grand Lodge

of Hungary herewith addresses itself to all warranted and worshipful lodges , as well as to all brethren of the globe , with the urgent request to remember the unfortunate sufferers of Szegedin , and to assist them iii . findmg the means for a new existence . We are convinced that you will take part in such aii * cl of humanity , and ask you kindly to direct your contributions t J Hie offiee of St . John ' s Grand Lodge of Hungary ,

in Budapest , Joscphsplatz 11 . The sums received shall be acknowledged in its official paper , Orient , anil the Grand Lodge shall cause their distribution to be conducted by the brethren of the Arpad Lodge working under ils authority in tl . e Orient of Sz- 'gediii . We greet you with brotherly love . For the St . John's Grand Lodge of Hungary , FRANCIS PULSZKV , The Grand Master . ALEX . UIII ., The Giand Sccietary .