Original Correspondence.

Association , in their report , rendered at a public meeting held in July last , were enabled to point to many and very decided proofs of the prevalence of a more enlightened opinion among the supporters of Voting Charities , showing that they were beginning to recognise the evils which had grown up around the present mode of admission to the benefits of these institutions .

Recent changes in the direction recommended by tht Committee were cited in proof of tangible progress in no less than ten metropolitan charities , and the cordial support of a considerable number of subscribers to the Voting Charities was attested by the fact that upwards of 4 000 members have joined this association—nearly all being subscribers to such institutions—no less than 1200 having

added their names duringf the preceding year . The Committee further had the satisfaction of seeing their exer . tions emphatically approved , on public occasions , by many of the most enlightened men of the day ; notably by Mr . Gladstone at the Mansion House ; Lord Wharncliffe at the annual meeting of the Albert Asylum for Idiots and Imbeciles at Lancaster : by Lord Aberdare at

the last public meeting of the association ; by letter from Lord Overstone , Lord Shaftesbury , Sir Sydney Waterlow , the Bishops of London and Peterborough , the Dean of Westminster , Miss Florence Nightingale , and a large number of distinguished persons well known for their philanthropic labours . These have , one and all , borne the same undeviating testimony in favour of the efforts of

this association , and atrainst the evils of the voting system . The main object of the association is to abolish the great abuses which have gradually overgrown the voting system , such as—The absence of comparative selection ; Trafficking in votes ; Canvassing by applicants , either personally , or by card

or circular ; Public polling days . The Committee venture to offer the following suggestions , as calculated to correct existing evils arising from admission to charities by the votes of the whole body of subscribers : — 1 st . Thc circumstances of the candidates recommended

by the subenbers should be investigated by the Committee , both as to their positive eligibility and relative urgency , special reference being had to the consideration whether the candidates have claims for support on friends or relatives prior to those upon public charity . 2 nd . Those candidates who are proved by investigation

to be eligible should be arranged according to the strength and urgency of their claims , such moderate number only being included in the list as would be likely to be elected within a reasonable time . 3 rd . Lists so prepared should be sent to the subscribers , and be returned by them to the Committee , with marks againt thc n-imrs of thc candidates for whom they

vote . The lists should then be handed to the scrutineers , and the result should be made known by public advertisement ; thus abolishing public polling days . 4 th . Trafficking in votes , and the use of canvassing cards and circulars , should be prohibited under pain of forfeiture of the candidate ' s claim .

It is fuither suggested that committees of charitable institutions should intimate on their voting papers that subscribers who have no means of ascertaining the comparative merits of the candidates , or who , for any other reason , decline to exercise their privilege of voting , should sign and send their proxies to the committees to be distributed amongst the poorest and most deserving .

One important function of the association , already employed with success , is to prevent , in the case cf new charities , the introduction of thc present system of election , or at least of its admitted abuses . And the Committee may here mention that " the managing boJy of the Rai - way Servants Orphanage having unreservedly adopted the suggestions of the Charity Voting Reform Association ,

have reported that their first election was carried on with perfect satisfaction to their subscribers , and without a penny of expense to any applicant . " To release hundreds of poor toiling widows and ether applicants from cruel and unnecessary labour in canvassing , as well as from heavy and useless expenditure of time and money ; to spare poor maimed and crippled in .

valids a weary and painful hunt for hospital and other letters * , to discourage that systematic and shameless habit of begging , which is the fruitful source ( f pauperism , begging-letter writing , ancl imposture ; to cover rather than coarsely expose the domestic woes and wants of our less fortunate neighbours by not compelling them to parage their sorrows in thousands of printed cards and circulars ;

to try and ensure a measure of attention and justice to the candidates and their comparative claims , rather than to foster a desire to " oblige friends" or gamble in votes ; in fine , to help the most helpless and befriend the most friendless , are objects worth earnestly contending for , even against the most formidable opposition ; objects which , in the opinion of the association , appeal not merely to the

sense of justice and fair play of Englishmen , but to the hearts and the tent ' erest sympathies of a Christian and humane people . That the Committee arc justified in thus speaking of the work of the association is well expressed in the words of one of the Vice-Presidents , a most munificent subscriber to all the great charities , and formerly a large and

influential employer of labour . He writes : — " If my poor name will be of any use as a Vice-President to your very valuable society , pray use it , for I firmly believe when you succeed , as I hope you will , you will moie benefit the impoverished , respectable , suffering classes , than any of the societie-s I have the privilege of supporting . " Their conviction remains unshaken as to the great hardship , injustice , and waste of money which are perpetually

Original Correspondence.

recurring owing to a faulty system of election . In the words of Mr . Gladstone , at the Mansion House , theyemphatically claim to " belong to that section of the community who believe that the system of election for charities , with the expensive operations it entails , is a most ingeniously constructed machine for intercepting on its way to

other benevolent ends a large portion of the alms of the community . " Let me add that there are few , if any , associations ( except Masonry itself ) , that can point to men of such varied opinions in politics and religion banded together for a common object .

In addition to those named in an extract already quoted I may mention as members and Vice-Presidents the Dukes of Northumberland and Westminster , Lord Derby and the Marquis of Salisbury , Lord Shaftesbury and Lord Grey , Earl Percy and Lord Ebury , Lord Overstone and Mr . Plimsoll , Sir Charles Trevelyan and Lord Chelmsford , Mr . W .

H . Smith and Mr . Pease , Lord Lichfield and Canon Miller , Sir Rutherford Alcock and Bro . Thomas Brassey , M . P ., and a host of others , including Lord Justice James , Mr . Russell Gurney , Recorder of London , Bishops of London , Winchester , anu Manchester , & c . You have , dear sir and brother , ably contended that Freemasonry is not a mere

benefit society , and that its three great charities ought not to be based on this idea , and this is in perfect keeping with the spirit of Masonry and of the expressed prefession we make on entering thc Order . It is obvious that the principles and practice I now advocate set in strongly in the

same direction , and may I hope commend themselves favourably to you and to a large majority of our brethren . I am , dear Sir and Brother , fraternally yours , R . J . SIMPSON , P . G . C . 14 a , Clement ' s Inn .

MASONIC HISTORY . Dear Bro . Kenning , I have seen in your last Freemason an address of our worthy Bro . Rogers , Acting D . P . G . M . in Devonshire , which , in these critical times , appears to e ' emand a few queries from one who , like myself , have been for some

years carefully verifying all the facts of our Masonic history . I confine myself , however , to-day to three queries , which , I trust , our good brother will kindly answer . 1 . Bro . Rogers sb-. tcs , that in 1610 and 1625 " Freemasonry was denounced hy thc Roman Catholics especially . " But I know r f no earlier Roman Catholic

attack than tbe Bull of Clement , 1738 . Where , then , did this condemnation take place ? 2 . Bro . Rogers states , that " among the Persians Alexander the Great discovered books which took it , ( Freemasonry ) , back to ages long before even paper-making was invented—some 3000 years ago . " To what transaction does Bro . Rogers allude S

3 . Bro . Rogers states , " they also found allusions to Freemasonry in the Book of Exodus , as well as in other sacred writings of the Bible . " What are these ? Now , I ask these questions in no captious spirit . I agree with Bro . Rogers' exposition of thc historical lines of Masonry ,

but think it is always better to keep to strict and indubitable facts . Perhaps our worthy brother can give us the authorities for these statements ol his , which must have much interest for Masonic students ? Yours truly , MASONIC STUDENT .

A QUERY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — A P . M . jewel has engraved upon it the 47 th proposition , ist Book Euclid's . ilements . Kindly tell me

what is the connection this proposition has with Masonry ? The brethren here cannot ei . lighten me . I am a young M . M ., therefore pray excuse my ignorance and the trouble 1 give you . Yours fraternally , J . W . MAYER .

A CORRECTION . 7 b the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — * In your account of tbe Grand Officers in your impression of last week , I observe that you describe Prince

Leopold as W . M . of the Westminster and Keystone Lodge , No . 10 . This is a mistake , as Bro . Reginald James Mure is the W . M . Prince Leopold is a member of the lodge , but at present holds no office in it . Yours fraternally , OCTAVIUS HENRY PEARSON , I . P . M . 10 .

Reviews.

Reviews .

LA CHAINE D'UNION . The May number of this interesting periodical , most ably edited by Bro . Hubert , is before us , and we venture to commend it to the attention of all who are anxious to know anything about French Freemasonry . The number

for May is full of a * ast deal of information , quite new to English brethren , and though we do not pretend to say that all French Masonic intelligence will commend itself to our English Craft , yet we can say this , that the Chaine D'Union deserves the perusal of all who can read and understand French .

Three memorial windows , by Messrs . Ward and Hughes , have been placed in the chancel of the Church of Te-versal , Notts , in memory of the late Henrietta Anna , Countess of Carnarvon , by her tenantry and other friends , to record their gratitude for her unwearied beneficence and reverence for her Christian character .

Consecration Of The Chapter Of Felicity, No. 58.

CONSECRATION OF THE CHAPTER OF FELICITY , No . 58 .

On Friday , the 27 th ult ., the Chapter of Felicity , No 58 , was consecrated by Bro . Dr . Hamilton , Grand Super , intendent of Jamaica , at the City Masonic Club , ioi Queen Victoria-street . He was assisted by Comp . John Boyd and Comp . Hyde Pullen as H . and J ., and by Comp .

H . G . Buss as D . C . The other com panions present were Comps . A . R . Marten , F . S . Knyvett , W . Smithett , O H . Colvin , C . E . Smith , W . S . Crump , Fred W . Smith , Thos . Reynolds , jun ., James Ford , Capt . N . G . Philips , G . S . N . ; Alex . Cameron , P . Z . 180 ; J . Reed , P . Z . 160 ; A J . R . Trendell , P . S . 10 ; Edw . B . Grabham , 9 ; G . T Carter , 27 ; John Large , H . Massey , 619 ( Freemason ) ; W

Pink , 180 ; A . Tisley , 1 * 19 ; Fred . H . Cozens , Org . 1216 ; John Hervey , G . S . E . ; John A . Rucker , P . G . P . S ; Lovell Keys , 49 . After the chapter had been opened , the introductory portion of the ceremony performed , Comp . Hyde Pullen delivered an oration , and the ceremony of consecration was then proceeded with . Comps .

Theodore Distin , G . T . Carter , Fred H . Cozens , and J . Large performing the musical portion . When the chapter had been duly constituted , Comp . Arthur R . Marten was installed M . E . Z ., Comp . F . Sumner Knyvett , H ., and Comp . William Smithett J . Comp . O . H . Colvin was elected and invested as Treasurer , Comp . Charles E . Smith S . E ., and Comp . Radford , Janitor . The whole of

the ceremony was most fluently and impressively performed , and when the ceremonies were over Comp . Knyvett proposed that Comps . Hyde Pullen , John Hervey , S . E ., Capt . N . G . Philips , H . G . Buss , and J . A . Rucker be elected honorary members of the chapter . The motion was seconded by the M . E . Z ., who said that all the companions were much indebted to those companions for

having so kindly given up a great deal of time and shown so vast an amount of ability in assisting in consecrating the chapter . It was a very small return to make to them to elect them honorary members of the chapter , and the members of the chapter wished them every happines , and hoped that as often as they could use their privilege and come to visit them they would do so . The

motion having been carried unanimously , a vote of thanks was passed to Dr . Hamilton for performing the ceremony of consecration with such distinguished ability . Dr . Hamilton , in acknowledging the compliment , said tbat it was a labour of love to him to perfotm such a work , and he was very much pleased that his efforts had given satisfaction , though he felt he had not been in his

usual training . Comps . Hyde Pullen , Boyd , Buss , and Hervey also acknowledged thc vote . Comp . Knyvett then proposed , and Comp . Smithett seconded , the names of nine brethren as exaltces at the nrxt convocation cf thc chapter . One joining companion was proposed , and the chapter was afterwards closed .

Before adjourning to the banquet , the companions were shown a handsome present made to the chapter by Comp , Surroughes , which consisted of a handsome walnut-wood case containing three dozen firing-glasses , elegantly engraved . The banquet was then partaken of . It was of a rechcrcre description , and was provided by Ccmp . G . S , States , the manager of the club .

When the banquet was disposed of , the M . E . Z . proposed the customary R . A . toasts . After disposing of that of " The Queen , " and "The Grand Z ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " he proposed " The Heakh c . f the Pro Grand Z ., tie Earl of Carnarvon , Lord Skelmersdale , H . ; and Lord De Tabley , J . ; and the rest of the Grand Officers . " Lord Skelmersdale , who had been invited to attend , had

written 10 say that he had every evening fully engaged up to the end of June , and he exceedingly regretted he could not be among the companions . Many of these evenings would be spent in the service of Masonry , and the companions fully appreciated how hard the nobie companion ' s work was as a Grand Officer . TheothcrGrandOfiicersalso did their very utmost to promote the good of Freemasonry .

Some of them were present , and among them was Grand Scribe E ., whom it was no small pleasure to the companions to see among them . He was a very old visitor at the Lodge of Felicity , and he was present there when he ( the M . E . Z . ) was initiated in Freemasonry . So often

was he a visitor there , that any of their meetings without him were incomplete . Comp . Hervey , in reply , said the M . E . Z . in proposing the toast had done so , much too kindly and favourably , as far as he ( Comp . Heivej ) was concerned . He did not remember that he

was present in Lodgeof Felicity when the M . E . Z . was initiated ; but such was the case with many brethren—they forgot things which had passed but a very short time a £ 0 i and yet recollected things which had occurred many years ago . The M . E . Z . had run his course thus far very rap idly , and they found him now at the head of a new chaptc'i which he hoped was destined to play an important part

in the Masonic body of thc country . He would not taJc ' out of the hands of Comp . Dr . Hamilton what he would say at a later period of the evening , but would content himself with thanking the M . E . Z . and the companions Cot the toast , tie Celt also that he ought to thank th ' chapter for having so kindly elected him an hon . mernbef " He was taken quite by surprise that such a proposition was made , because he had done nothing to deserve > ' to

As far as he was concerned he felt that he had simp ly look on and admire the manner in which the ceremony was performed , and all must confess that it was admirably performed . He had no claim and no expectation to W among the honorary members ; but as they had done him the honour to make him one , he had nothing to do but to accept Ihe compliment , and to thank the companions f " it . Thc peculiar honour , though most gratifying , w » quite undeserved . For the rest of the Grand Officers n