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  • May 12, 1883
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  • REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS.
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Page 7

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Original Correspondence.

At the same time it requires a thorough overhauling , the list as it stands at present being very incomplete , and not in harmony svith the Table of Precedence at the beginning of the book . Why for instance arc not Past Grand Officers of all ranks included in this list as they are in the Table of

Precedence ? Some are , others are not . Past Grand Officers from the Grand Supt . of Works downsvards are totally ignored in it , and why in a Masonic procession the position of Prov . Grand Ssvord Bearer should be advanced as it is in this list , several stages from its proper place , svhich is next above that of Grand Organist , and placed next below

the Past Grand Deacons is an anomally I never could understand . Can any of your correspondents explain hosv it is ? Grand Lodge has created two Grand Standard Bearers —a very proper and dignified office . Is it too late to suggest to the svorthy brethren who are considering the

Soo amendments to the "Revise , " that Provincial and District Grand Lodges might fitly have one Standard Bearer ? There are many provinces and districts -where a Standard Bearer is a feature in grand ceremonials . As the law stands at present hc cannot ( unless othersvise qualified )

rank as a Provincial or District Grand Officer . To my thinking he ought to take rank as such . It does not accord svith the dignity attaching to the rank of a Provincial or District Grand Master that his standard should be borne by a Master Mason only .

1 should rejoice to see a Provincial Standard Bearer constituted a Prov . Grand Officer , equally svith theSsvord Bearer , and this too in all provinces , small or large . The office obtains in the Royal Arch , and svhy not in the Craft . —1 am , dear sir and brother , yours truly and fraternally , A PROVINCIAL G . D . C .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Following up my remarks for svhich you svere good enough to find space in your issue of Saturday last , 1 nosv come to the question of the position of Grand Chaplains , in svhich 1 havebeen anticipated by yourcorresponde nt

H . E . F . Without touching the question of the alleged superiority of spiritual to temporal office , I submit first , that a change is unadvisable as likely to cause irritation , and secondly , that a change of constitutional lasv is outside the prerogative of the Grand Master and svithin thc power of Grand

Lodge only , as the framers of the Constitutions . It may be urged that by the annual appointment of tsvo Grand Chaplains , Grand Lodge may in time find itself overweighted by such Officers . The remedy for this , hosvever , is in the bands of the Grand Master who may , if he so svills it , continue the same brethren in office for more

than one year . On the other hand , it svill probably be admitted that Grand Chaplains form a class of men svho are very valuable to the Order ; of good social position , of high education , and as active svorkers in the Masonic field , they are essentially ornaments to the Craft , and I have never heard

their position in Grand Lodge cavilled against . Why then disturb them ? To let svell alone is an old adage , and I sincerely hope that Grand Lodge svill not permit the status of Grand Chaplains to be losvered . I have a word to add to my last letter on the subject of Grand Masters . How will an alteration in their rank in

Grand Lodge affect them in Grand Chapter , if Grand Superintendents ? There is no such designation as District or Provincial Grand Superintendent , and the introduction of such terms svould , obviously , be out of place . Hosv then is it proposed to mark a distinction between a Grand Superintendent at home , and a Grand Superintendent in the colonies . DISTRICT GRAND MASTER .

Reviews

REVIEWS

" Longman ' s Review re-appears not stronger than before in any respect , and in some points rather more inclined to " gentle dullness . " We do not think there is any special feature calling for remark , or inviting criticism . "Temple Bar" is as usual effective in its special style and characteristic " outcome . " " Mr . Gladstone ' s Oxford Days " are svorth reading . " Belinda , " "Jone Stesvart , and " Uncle George ' s Will , " no doubt have their admirers , and svill be willingly perused . We can also commend " Tcl-El-Kebir " and a " Strange Wooing . " Thc " Century " is a vcry striking number , but perhaps may not please so much as some that preceded it . " Pomona ' s Daughter" svill amuse . "My Adventures in Zuni , " and "Father Junipcro" svill be read svith interest . The illustrations as usual arc most

effective . "All the Year Round" is full of matter , and the Spring number has some very well svritten tales . „ Absent minded People" is laughable , and "An Algerian Story" is thrillinr / . and " Mr . Scarborough ^ Family " and " Gcoffry

Stirling " still svend on their svay . One is very sensational , the other is Anthony Trollopc ' s last effort , the final production of his polished pen , and which will be read svith interest and regret as such . The " Antiquary" contains some valuable communications , though of course all such magazines are " specialites" for " specialists , " " caviare" to the multi-

Reviews

tude ignorant and unconcerned . The Antiquary is full of matter , and touches upon various old-world subjects agreeable and seasonable to those who call for such things . Better old friend than horse racing , pigeon shooting , & c .

MIT DEM WINKELMASSE . LOSE BL . A TI'ER ZUR FREIMAUREREI . Von Dr . I ULIUS GOLDENBEKG . Wien I .. Rosner , 1 SS 3 . This publication , hailing from Vienna , is practically the result of addresses delivered in the Lodge "Zukunft" at Presburg , Hungary , svhich lodge is composed to a great extent of Viennese brethren . Curiously enough , though

Freemasonry is " erlaubt" in Hungary , it is " verboten " in Vienna , and our brethren in Austria proper have to join Hungarian lodges if they wish to practise the Royal and friendly Art . At one time , Freemasonry svas very flourishing in Austria and Bohemia . At a special epoch , one hundred years ago or thereabouts , the lodges in Vienna included all that was eminent in art , science

literature , and social position . The husband of Maria Theresa , the Emperor , was himself a Freemason , and attended the lodge , and Freemasonry enlisted in its service the brilliant genius of Mozart , and the fraternal sympathies of poets and painters , statesmen and soldiers . At the Empress's death , svho svas not herself favourable to the Order , at least her Ministers were not , the Emperor Joseph

personally attempted to regulate I * reemasonry , as he did everything else . But Freemasonry must be free and independent or it cannot live . It dislikes patronage and surveillance , State interference and State control . It prefers to pursue its mission , relying on its inherent excellencies , truth , and benefits to vindicate its proceedings , and illustrate its professions . Accordingly Freemasonry languished , like the

sensitive plant , and Q in 179 + its meetings svere for , bidden . In the French Invasion there was a certain attempt of " a G . Loge Nationale " at Vienna ; but svhen the Fatherland svas again free from the invader this body again svas suppressed . Attempts have been made of late years to reform and revive lodges in Vienna , but thc Ministerial decision has been

adverse to these efforts , though the position of the Craft in Hungary might have assured the most timid of Austrian statesmen , vve venture to think , that there svas really no fear to the " Kaiser und Kaiserthum " from the meetingin Viennaof reasonable , loyal , order-loving , and law-abiding Freemasons . We assume that the Masonic movement in Vienna svas a bona fide one , based on the original

foundation of English I' reemasonry , thoroughly true in tone and teaching . We confess if it were not so , or that there svas any tendency , svhich we do not believe , to the later and rampant ideas of the French G . Orient , if political feelings had anything to do svith the Masonic programme , if the movement svas , in fact , " en dolo , " then sve do not ourselves affect to grieve that it became a " coup manque . "

We had rather have no Freemasonry ut all than the wanton parody of it we see here and there . Anyhow , Bro . Goldenberg ' s work deserves perusal by all svho understand German , not only for its effective sentences , its historical value , but the Masonic spirit svhich pervades it . Wc hope that Bro . Goldenberg ' s aspirations may ere long be realized ,

and that Freemasonry under legal permission may yet revive in the fair town of Vienna , invoking its old glories , and progress as svith the times , in a religious reverence for lasv andorder , obedience to the civil posver , loyalty to the Throne , benefit for the Brotherhood , and help and healing for Humanity .

THE MAGAZINES . Like the ceaseless labour of Sisyphus , our serials again appeal to us in their vehemence and their volubility , in their discoursiveness and their dogmatism . Just now sve are in a " phasis" of life and thought , of teaching and action , alike to our minds unreal and most ephemeral . We accept , not " cum grano salis " as we ought to do ,

the arguments of the " sophist" and the declamations of the " cynic . " We quietly acquiesce in asseverations svhich sve have not thought out , and parrot-like repeat conclusions which are illogical in themselves as coming before us as a " petitio principii , " simply because some " Didaskalos Andron , as sve think , has taken the trouble to put them forsvard , relying on the credulity or idleness of his hearers . We therefore do not

concern ourselves to prove theirfallacy or testtheir unsoundness . Ours is such a whirl of pleasure and excitement that sve have no time left us to reason or reflect . There is no doubt a great charm in serial literature , in that it gives us in a quasi form of intellectualism an easy and agreeable svay of passing time , but it has its great dangers in that general tendency to triviality or affectation , to a skin-deep knowledge and superficial dilettanteism which too often as sve all knosv , develope and expand into sveak and harmful teaching .

THE BIBLIOGRAPHER . This journal of book lore is welcomed by many " Philobiblioi amongst us , in that it treats much and effectually on subjects svhich are cognates to the studies and command the interests of those svho are not ashamed to avosv amid tlie "Incuria " of to-day their regard and love for old books and Dryasdustic productions .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

17 S ] THE LOCKE MS . Why thc Locke MS . appeared under the head of " reviews" I knosv not , except it be for a " printer's reason , " svhich is generally for no reason at all . It ought to have come under " notes , " and the point alluded to is a

very important one . It is very important , for instance , as an historical fact . to ascertain if possible , svhether the publication in the "Gentlemen ' s Magazine" svas actually the first in time , or svhether it was' transcribed from a small sheet or "broadside" of which I have seen one or two copies , but have not one in my possession nosv . Kloss points out

that nothing is proven of an alleged German original , and the document may lie a compilation for the Alchemical German Rosicrucians , as has been suggested , though they are historicall y a little later . The only point as regards Henry VI . is his leaning to Alchemy , and though as an Historical Document the Locke MS . as Bro . Gould svell puts it , is untenable for svhat it professes to be , it does not

Masonic Notes And Queries.

follow therefore , but that it is a compilation from some existing sources whose origin and existence wc have not yet been able to trace . The - remarks in Huddleston ' s Life of Leland are so peculiar and so singular , and his quotation from the "Gentlemen ' s Magazine" so remarkable , when , as Keeper of thc Ashmolcan hc could have verified the fact of the existence ofthe MS . and could have cleared up the mystery as to Mr . Collins , that I feel , and have alsvays felt , very strongly , that wc must still keep the subject before

us , as it is clearly not exhausted , and put out of interest for the Masonic student . Thc idea of the document is of course a " make up ; " the glossary is , there can be little doubt , fictitious , as it is most unreal ; and the compiler of the document had probably some end to subserve in the allegations he makes . But if the Locke MS . be a compilation partly of the Hermetic , partly of the Masonic catechetical form , it remains for us to try and discover if wc possibly can , the origin of this " Pious Fraud . " DRYASDUST .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft jftasonrg . BATH . —Royal Cumberland Lodge ( No . 41 ) .- — The last meeting of the session svas field at the Masonic Hall on Thursday , May 3 rd . At 7 . 45 p . m ., the procession of officers and P . M . 's entered and took their respective chairs , thus : Bros . E . J . B . Mercer , W . M . ; R . B . Cater , I . P . M . ; T . P . Ashley , P . M . and P . P . G . J . W ., Treas . ; C . W . Radway , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W ., Sec ; T . Wilton , P . M .. P . P . G . J . W ., D . of C ; Rubie , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W ., S . W .

Ames , J . W . ; W . Peach , S . D . ; T . E . Wilton , J . D . ; Reynolds , I . G . ; Foote , Org . ; Fortt and Sidwell , Stwds . ; Bigwood , Tyler . Also the follosving P . M . 's : Bros . T . B . Moutrie , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . S . Turner , P . P . G . S . D . ; P . Braham , P . P . G . Org . ; k . P . Floyd , P . P . G . Reg . ; F . Wilkinson , P . P . G . S . Wks . ; Dr . Hopkins , P . P . G . S . W . Warwickshire . Besides these there svas the usual attendance of brethren .

The lodge having been opened and the minutes of the last regular meeting and of the lodge of instruction read and confirmed , the Secretary read the follosving report from a meeting of the Permanent Committee : " Brethren , —On April 2 ( 3 th , 1 SS 1 , this lodge attained the 150 th year of the granting of its Warrant . The members of the Permanent Committee having met to consider the desirability of celebrating so important an eooch in the

history of this ancient lodge , they svere unanimous in the opinion that so interesting an occasion should not be allowed to pass without some special effort being made . " Thc question as to how or in svhat manner the event should be celebrated was the subject of much discussion , and after several viesvs had been expressed , it svas felt that the Charities of the Order most strongly recommend themselves to this Committee . The follosving resolution

svas unanimously agreed upon for the favourable consideration of this lodge . " That the sum of 35 guineas be voted from the lodge funds to endosv the chairs of the I . P . M ., S . W ., and J . W ., svith a vote each in perpetuity for thc Boys' School . " This vote is of course a distinctive lodge one , but your committee trust that as sve are the second lodge in the provinces that can boast of an uninterrupted existence of

nosv more than 150 years , having passed our third jubilee , the brethren generally as individuals svould desire to shosv their appreciation of this dear old lodge by supplementing its action by personal subscriptions svith the view of endosving in a similar manner the chairs of the Treas ., D . of C , and Secretary , and if possible , of the Deacons and LG . " It is not the wish of the Permanent Committee unduly to urge this point upon the brethren , but it must not be

forgotten that this lodge stands in a very proud position on the rolls of the Grand Lodge , and the proposed mode of celebration is one that must commend itself to the feelings and sympathies of all our brethren , for assuredly no other than an affirmative reply can be given to the question— ' Do sve not , by thus contributing to the funds of our Boys ' School , help forsvard some of the great characteristics of Freemasonry , benevolence and charity ?'

Wc are not seckin * - ; to confer upon ourselves some nesv honour of a personal character , but assisting to strengthen that noble Institution which stands forsvard as the pride and beacon of joy in a Freemason ' s heart , svith the full knosvledge that sve are helping to build up to further prosperity and extended usefulness this magnificent Charity , reared and matured svith so much care and , forethought by our ancient brethren .

" Let this be no fleeting compliment , but let us each , according to his means , give svhat best he can to provide the fund required for this purpose . Surely sixty guineas is not beyond the grasp of our members to celebrate so unique a period in the history of this the Royal Cumberland Lodge , No . 41 , on the registry of the rolls of the Grand Lodge of England . " With a view to mark this event for future reference , it has been suggested that a small plate engraved and

showing what sve had done on our third jubilee , might be affixed to the several chairs or pedestals . " To the Royal Cumberland Lodge of Freemasons , No . 41 . April , 1 SS 3 . " This document having been read by the Secretary , a discussion took place , in which Bros , thc Worshipful Master , Secretary , Treasurer , Immediate Past Master , the

Director of Ceremonies , T . Wilkinson , P . M ., and Dr , Hopkins , took part , resulting in a resolution that a donation of thirty-five guineas be made to thc funds of the Boys' School at VVood Green , in celebration of the 150 th anniversary of the foundation of the lodge , thus completing the sum requisite to constitute No . 41 a Vice-President , and that this bean endowment of the chairs of the I . P . M . and Wardens .

Bro . Radway again rose , ancl urgently pressed a proposal that the other six chairs should be similarly endosved by a subscription among the members , which was seconded by the Treasurer , and passed , the W . M ., Wardens , I . P . M ., Secretary , the Director of Ceremonies , and two junior members to be chosen by them being a committee to carry out the resolution . It was understood that the committee svere to aim at the endowment of each of the six chairs , in

“The Freemason: 1883-05-12, Page 7” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 30 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fvl/issues/fvl_12051883/page/7/.
  • List
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Title Category Page
CONTENTS. Article 1
Untitled Article 1
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS. Article 2
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Article 4
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. Article 5
FIRE AT FREEMASONS' HALL. Article 5
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
To Correspondents. Article 6
Untitled Article 6
Original Correspondence. Article 6
REVIEWS Article 7
Masonic Notes and Queries. Article 7
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Article 7
INSTRUCTION. Article 9
Royal Arch. Article 9
fHarfc iftagonrg. Article 9
THE DESTRUCTION OF FREEMASONS' HALL. Article 10
CONSECRATION OF THE PRIORY LODGE OF ACTON, No. 1996. Article 10
Obituary. Article 11
New Zealand. Article 11
THE THEATRES. Article 12
Ancient and Accepted Rite. Article 12
Births, Marriages, and Deaths. Article 12
MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS Article 13
METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS Article 14
MASONIC MEETINGS IN WEST LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE, Article 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Original Correspondence.

At the same time it requires a thorough overhauling , the list as it stands at present being very incomplete , and not in harmony svith the Table of Precedence at the beginning of the book . Why for instance arc not Past Grand Officers of all ranks included in this list as they are in the Table of

Precedence ? Some are , others are not . Past Grand Officers from the Grand Supt . of Works downsvards are totally ignored in it , and why in a Masonic procession the position of Prov . Grand Ssvord Bearer should be advanced as it is in this list , several stages from its proper place , svhich is next above that of Grand Organist , and placed next below

the Past Grand Deacons is an anomally I never could understand . Can any of your correspondents explain hosv it is ? Grand Lodge has created two Grand Standard Bearers —a very proper and dignified office . Is it too late to suggest to the svorthy brethren who are considering the

Soo amendments to the "Revise , " that Provincial and District Grand Lodges might fitly have one Standard Bearer ? There are many provinces and districts -where a Standard Bearer is a feature in grand ceremonials . As the law stands at present hc cannot ( unless othersvise qualified )

rank as a Provincial or District Grand Officer . To my thinking he ought to take rank as such . It does not accord svith the dignity attaching to the rank of a Provincial or District Grand Master that his standard should be borne by a Master Mason only .

1 should rejoice to see a Provincial Standard Bearer constituted a Prov . Grand Officer , equally svith theSsvord Bearer , and this too in all provinces , small or large . The office obtains in the Royal Arch , and svhy not in the Craft . —1 am , dear sir and brother , yours truly and fraternally , A PROVINCIAL G . D . C .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Following up my remarks for svhich you svere good enough to find space in your issue of Saturday last , 1 nosv come to the question of the position of Grand Chaplains , in svhich 1 havebeen anticipated by yourcorresponde nt

H . E . F . Without touching the question of the alleged superiority of spiritual to temporal office , I submit first , that a change is unadvisable as likely to cause irritation , and secondly , that a change of constitutional lasv is outside the prerogative of the Grand Master and svithin thc power of Grand

Lodge only , as the framers of the Constitutions . It may be urged that by the annual appointment of tsvo Grand Chaplains , Grand Lodge may in time find itself overweighted by such Officers . The remedy for this , hosvever , is in the bands of the Grand Master who may , if he so svills it , continue the same brethren in office for more

than one year . On the other hand , it svill probably be admitted that Grand Chaplains form a class of men svho are very valuable to the Order ; of good social position , of high education , and as active svorkers in the Masonic field , they are essentially ornaments to the Craft , and I have never heard

their position in Grand Lodge cavilled against . Why then disturb them ? To let svell alone is an old adage , and I sincerely hope that Grand Lodge svill not permit the status of Grand Chaplains to be losvered . I have a word to add to my last letter on the subject of Grand Masters . How will an alteration in their rank in

Grand Lodge affect them in Grand Chapter , if Grand Superintendents ? There is no such designation as District or Provincial Grand Superintendent , and the introduction of such terms svould , obviously , be out of place . Hosv then is it proposed to mark a distinction between a Grand Superintendent at home , and a Grand Superintendent in the colonies . DISTRICT GRAND MASTER .

Reviews

REVIEWS

" Longman ' s Review re-appears not stronger than before in any respect , and in some points rather more inclined to " gentle dullness . " We do not think there is any special feature calling for remark , or inviting criticism . "Temple Bar" is as usual effective in its special style and characteristic " outcome . " " Mr . Gladstone ' s Oxford Days " are svorth reading . " Belinda , " "Jone Stesvart , and " Uncle George ' s Will , " no doubt have their admirers , and svill be willingly perused . We can also commend " Tcl-El-Kebir " and a " Strange Wooing . " Thc " Century " is a vcry striking number , but perhaps may not please so much as some that preceded it . " Pomona ' s Daughter" svill amuse . "My Adventures in Zuni , " and "Father Junipcro" svill be read svith interest . The illustrations as usual arc most

effective . "All the Year Round" is full of matter , and the Spring number has some very well svritten tales . „ Absent minded People" is laughable , and "An Algerian Story" is thrillinr / . and " Mr . Scarborough ^ Family " and " Gcoffry

Stirling " still svend on their svay . One is very sensational , the other is Anthony Trollopc ' s last effort , the final production of his polished pen , and which will be read svith interest and regret as such . The " Antiquary" contains some valuable communications , though of course all such magazines are " specialites" for " specialists , " " caviare" to the multi-

Reviews

tude ignorant and unconcerned . The Antiquary is full of matter , and touches upon various old-world subjects agreeable and seasonable to those who call for such things . Better old friend than horse racing , pigeon shooting , & c .

MIT DEM WINKELMASSE . LOSE BL . A TI'ER ZUR FREIMAUREREI . Von Dr . I ULIUS GOLDENBEKG . Wien I .. Rosner , 1 SS 3 . This publication , hailing from Vienna , is practically the result of addresses delivered in the Lodge "Zukunft" at Presburg , Hungary , svhich lodge is composed to a great extent of Viennese brethren . Curiously enough , though

Freemasonry is " erlaubt" in Hungary , it is " verboten " in Vienna , and our brethren in Austria proper have to join Hungarian lodges if they wish to practise the Royal and friendly Art . At one time , Freemasonry svas very flourishing in Austria and Bohemia . At a special epoch , one hundred years ago or thereabouts , the lodges in Vienna included all that was eminent in art , science

literature , and social position . The husband of Maria Theresa , the Emperor , was himself a Freemason , and attended the lodge , and Freemasonry enlisted in its service the brilliant genius of Mozart , and the fraternal sympathies of poets and painters , statesmen and soldiers . At the Empress's death , svho svas not herself favourable to the Order , at least her Ministers were not , the Emperor Joseph

personally attempted to regulate I * reemasonry , as he did everything else . But Freemasonry must be free and independent or it cannot live . It dislikes patronage and surveillance , State interference and State control . It prefers to pursue its mission , relying on its inherent excellencies , truth , and benefits to vindicate its proceedings , and illustrate its professions . Accordingly Freemasonry languished , like the

sensitive plant , and Q in 179 + its meetings svere for , bidden . In the French Invasion there was a certain attempt of " a G . Loge Nationale " at Vienna ; but svhen the Fatherland svas again free from the invader this body again svas suppressed . Attempts have been made of late years to reform and revive lodges in Vienna , but thc Ministerial decision has been

adverse to these efforts , though the position of the Craft in Hungary might have assured the most timid of Austrian statesmen , vve venture to think , that there svas really no fear to the " Kaiser und Kaiserthum " from the meetingin Viennaof reasonable , loyal , order-loving , and law-abiding Freemasons . We assume that the Masonic movement in Vienna svas a bona fide one , based on the original

foundation of English I' reemasonry , thoroughly true in tone and teaching . We confess if it were not so , or that there svas any tendency , svhich we do not believe , to the later and rampant ideas of the French G . Orient , if political feelings had anything to do svith the Masonic programme , if the movement svas , in fact , " en dolo , " then sve do not ourselves affect to grieve that it became a " coup manque . "

We had rather have no Freemasonry ut all than the wanton parody of it we see here and there . Anyhow , Bro . Goldenberg ' s work deserves perusal by all svho understand German , not only for its effective sentences , its historical value , but the Masonic spirit svhich pervades it . Wc hope that Bro . Goldenberg ' s aspirations may ere long be realized ,

and that Freemasonry under legal permission may yet revive in the fair town of Vienna , invoking its old glories , and progress as svith the times , in a religious reverence for lasv andorder , obedience to the civil posver , loyalty to the Throne , benefit for the Brotherhood , and help and healing for Humanity .

THE MAGAZINES . Like the ceaseless labour of Sisyphus , our serials again appeal to us in their vehemence and their volubility , in their discoursiveness and their dogmatism . Just now sve are in a " phasis" of life and thought , of teaching and action , alike to our minds unreal and most ephemeral . We accept , not " cum grano salis " as we ought to do ,

the arguments of the " sophist" and the declamations of the " cynic . " We quietly acquiesce in asseverations svhich sve have not thought out , and parrot-like repeat conclusions which are illogical in themselves as coming before us as a " petitio principii , " simply because some " Didaskalos Andron , as sve think , has taken the trouble to put them forsvard , relying on the credulity or idleness of his hearers . We therefore do not

concern ourselves to prove theirfallacy or testtheir unsoundness . Ours is such a whirl of pleasure and excitement that sve have no time left us to reason or reflect . There is no doubt a great charm in serial literature , in that it gives us in a quasi form of intellectualism an easy and agreeable svay of passing time , but it has its great dangers in that general tendency to triviality or affectation , to a skin-deep knowledge and superficial dilettanteism which too often as sve all knosv , develope and expand into sveak and harmful teaching .

THE BIBLIOGRAPHER . This journal of book lore is welcomed by many " Philobiblioi amongst us , in that it treats much and effectually on subjects svhich are cognates to the studies and command the interests of those svho are not ashamed to avosv amid tlie "Incuria " of to-day their regard and love for old books and Dryasdustic productions .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

17 S ] THE LOCKE MS . Why thc Locke MS . appeared under the head of " reviews" I knosv not , except it be for a " printer's reason , " svhich is generally for no reason at all . It ought to have come under " notes , " and the point alluded to is a

very important one . It is very important , for instance , as an historical fact . to ascertain if possible , svhether the publication in the "Gentlemen ' s Magazine" svas actually the first in time , or svhether it was' transcribed from a small sheet or "broadside" of which I have seen one or two copies , but have not one in my possession nosv . Kloss points out

that nothing is proven of an alleged German original , and the document may lie a compilation for the Alchemical German Rosicrucians , as has been suggested , though they are historicall y a little later . The only point as regards Henry VI . is his leaning to Alchemy , and though as an Historical Document the Locke MS . as Bro . Gould svell puts it , is untenable for svhat it professes to be , it does not

Masonic Notes And Queries.

follow therefore , but that it is a compilation from some existing sources whose origin and existence wc have not yet been able to trace . The - remarks in Huddleston ' s Life of Leland are so peculiar and so singular , and his quotation from the "Gentlemen ' s Magazine" so remarkable , when , as Keeper of thc Ashmolcan hc could have verified the fact of the existence ofthe MS . and could have cleared up the mystery as to Mr . Collins , that I feel , and have alsvays felt , very strongly , that wc must still keep the subject before

us , as it is clearly not exhausted , and put out of interest for the Masonic student . Thc idea of the document is of course a " make up ; " the glossary is , there can be little doubt , fictitious , as it is most unreal ; and the compiler of the document had probably some end to subserve in the allegations he makes . But if the Locke MS . be a compilation partly of the Hermetic , partly of the Masonic catechetical form , it remains for us to try and discover if wc possibly can , the origin of this " Pious Fraud . " DRYASDUST .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft jftasonrg . BATH . —Royal Cumberland Lodge ( No . 41 ) .- — The last meeting of the session svas field at the Masonic Hall on Thursday , May 3 rd . At 7 . 45 p . m ., the procession of officers and P . M . 's entered and took their respective chairs , thus : Bros . E . J . B . Mercer , W . M . ; R . B . Cater , I . P . M . ; T . P . Ashley , P . M . and P . P . G . J . W ., Treas . ; C . W . Radway , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W ., Sec ; T . Wilton , P . M .. P . P . G . J . W ., D . of C ; Rubie , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W ., S . W .

Ames , J . W . ; W . Peach , S . D . ; T . E . Wilton , J . D . ; Reynolds , I . G . ; Foote , Org . ; Fortt and Sidwell , Stwds . ; Bigwood , Tyler . Also the follosving P . M . 's : Bros . T . B . Moutrie , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . S . Turner , P . P . G . S . D . ; P . Braham , P . P . G . Org . ; k . P . Floyd , P . P . G . Reg . ; F . Wilkinson , P . P . G . S . Wks . ; Dr . Hopkins , P . P . G . S . W . Warwickshire . Besides these there svas the usual attendance of brethren .

The lodge having been opened and the minutes of the last regular meeting and of the lodge of instruction read and confirmed , the Secretary read the follosving report from a meeting of the Permanent Committee : " Brethren , —On April 2 ( 3 th , 1 SS 1 , this lodge attained the 150 th year of the granting of its Warrant . The members of the Permanent Committee having met to consider the desirability of celebrating so important an eooch in the

history of this ancient lodge , they svere unanimous in the opinion that so interesting an occasion should not be allowed to pass without some special effort being made . " Thc question as to how or in svhat manner the event should be celebrated was the subject of much discussion , and after several viesvs had been expressed , it svas felt that the Charities of the Order most strongly recommend themselves to this Committee . The follosving resolution

svas unanimously agreed upon for the favourable consideration of this lodge . " That the sum of 35 guineas be voted from the lodge funds to endosv the chairs of the I . P . M ., S . W ., and J . W ., svith a vote each in perpetuity for thc Boys' School . " This vote is of course a distinctive lodge one , but your committee trust that as sve are the second lodge in the provinces that can boast of an uninterrupted existence of

nosv more than 150 years , having passed our third jubilee , the brethren generally as individuals svould desire to shosv their appreciation of this dear old lodge by supplementing its action by personal subscriptions svith the view of endosving in a similar manner the chairs of the Treas ., D . of C , and Secretary , and if possible , of the Deacons and LG . " It is not the wish of the Permanent Committee unduly to urge this point upon the brethren , but it must not be

forgotten that this lodge stands in a very proud position on the rolls of the Grand Lodge , and the proposed mode of celebration is one that must commend itself to the feelings and sympathies of all our brethren , for assuredly no other than an affirmative reply can be given to the question— ' Do sve not , by thus contributing to the funds of our Boys ' School , help forsvard some of the great characteristics of Freemasonry , benevolence and charity ?'

Wc are not seckin * - ; to confer upon ourselves some nesv honour of a personal character , but assisting to strengthen that noble Institution which stands forsvard as the pride and beacon of joy in a Freemason ' s heart , svith the full knosvledge that sve are helping to build up to further prosperity and extended usefulness this magnificent Charity , reared and matured svith so much care and , forethought by our ancient brethren .

" Let this be no fleeting compliment , but let us each , according to his means , give svhat best he can to provide the fund required for this purpose . Surely sixty guineas is not beyond the grasp of our members to celebrate so unique a period in the history of this the Royal Cumberland Lodge , No . 41 , on the registry of the rolls of the Grand Lodge of England . " With a view to mark this event for future reference , it has been suggested that a small plate engraved and

showing what sve had done on our third jubilee , might be affixed to the several chairs or pedestals . " To the Royal Cumberland Lodge of Freemasons , No . 41 . April , 1 SS 3 . " This document having been read by the Secretary , a discussion took place , in which Bros , thc Worshipful Master , Secretary , Treasurer , Immediate Past Master , the

Director of Ceremonies , T . Wilkinson , P . M ., and Dr , Hopkins , took part , resulting in a resolution that a donation of thirty-five guineas be made to thc funds of the Boys' School at VVood Green , in celebration of the 150 th anniversary of the foundation of the lodge , thus completing the sum requisite to constitute No . 41 a Vice-President , and that this bean endowment of the chairs of the I . P . M . and Wardens .

Bro . Radway again rose , ancl urgently pressed a proposal that the other six chairs should be similarly endosved by a subscription among the members , which was seconded by the Treasurer , and passed , the W . M ., Wardens , I . P . M ., Secretary , the Director of Ceremonies , and two junior members to be chosen by them being a committee to carry out the resolution . It was understood that the committee svere to aim at the endowment of each of the six chairs , in

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