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the Grand Lodge in 1717 , how did it exist ? Under what condition ? in what name , avowed or secret ? An old friend of ours , S . BARTON WILSON , always asserted to the last that Masonry was Egyptian in its origin . Is there then some truth in OLIVER '

theory , of Masonry orig inating with primaeval truth , and being handed on in pure and partly impure mysteries ? IS ' OLIVER ' S view to be modified , and can it then be accepted as an explanation of the

existence of Masonry ? These arc all questions which are now before us , and in the interests of Masonic truth , criticism , and evidence , cannot be contemptuously ignored , or dogmatically dismissed .

WE have now , thanks to the courtesy of Bro . GOULD , seen a catalogue of the Grand Lodge library , arranged by Bro . HEMSWORTH in 1869 , but " printed for private circulation only . " Curiousl y

enough few Grand Officers or Past Grand Officers know of its existence , and though we do not profess to understand the little " mystery " which seems to hang around our Grand Lodge library , we trust

that the allusion in the last report of the Board of General Purposes , to an " excellent" and "valuable library " is auspicinm melioris arvi for Masonic students generally . We refer our readers to a specific report of it elsewhere .

* * AT a meeting of the Permanent Committee of the Masonic Benevolent Institution on Wednesday , the collectorship was declared vacant , and a Sub-Committee appointed to report "there anent" to an adjournc " meeting , June 22 , at 3 .

* * BRO . WM . ROWBOTTOM , of Alfrcton , who has written much and well on the Pyramids and Masonry , and has recently issued , as one of thc reviews tells us to-day , a lecture for Masons only ,

entitled " 1 he Origin of Masonic Ritual and Tradition , " is now in London , and would , we understand , be happy to give a lecture to a lodge or chapter or brethren assembled . He can be heard of at the office of the Freemason .

* * WE understand that there are now 260 Stewards for the Boys' School festival , which , as we may remind our readers , will take place at the Crystal Palace , on Thursday , July 1 st .

* * * THE Keystone makes the statement that at the last communication of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , measures were taken which will in a short time , it is hoped , bring about peace and harmony between

the Grand Lodge of Quebec and the Grand Lodge of Scotland . We have ourselves not heard of them , and judging from the position which our most esteemed contemporary has taken in respect of this controversy , the " wish" is probably the

" father " to the " thought . " Still , in the interests of Masonic peace , a friendly arrangement , as we ventured to point out from the fact , Was the only possible and safe solution of the matter . Thc " pretensions " which have been put forward , and

called " Masonic law , " are utterly unfounded-and untenable , and what is termed the "American "view " is not , and will ; be accepted "inter nos . " We almost wonder that our acute brethren in

America do not see that they are practicall y throwing away the whole foundation of Craft Masonry , the soundness of lodge life , as given by the ori g inal lodge charters .

* * * WE are glad to see the fashion of " lectures " again setting in . Bro . NATHAN gave , on Monday last , at Golden-square , a learned explanation of

the landmarks of Freemasonry . The great point of interest was the manner in which he handled the Hebrew Cabala . We hope that Masonic "lectures " may be revived in our "little village . "

* * THE important question of the ri ght of non-confirmation has again cropped up , owing to a " de" liverance " accidentally , by our distinguished brother , the President of the Board of General

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Purposes at last Grand Lodge . We do not , we confess at once , agree with his view on the subject . We contend , asWe have always have contended , and always shall contend , that Grand Lodge , and Provincial Grand Lodges , and Private Lodges ,

have a right b y the common law of English Freemasonry to non-confirm any portion of the minutes . When wc say this we wish to guard ourselves within the laws of common sense . There are certain matters , "purely ad hoc , " which can neither be

confirmed or non-confirmed . But the Book of Constitutions giving the special right of " confirmation" in certain special instances , exceptio probat rcgulum , this very exception proves the rule , and , therefore , the proper word

to use is simple " confirmation" of the minutes . The expression " correctly entered " cannot appl y when it becomes the question of the confirmation of a W . M ., the alteration of a law ,

or a vote of money . The Pro Grand Master , in our humble opinion , laid down the law most correctly , and lucidly , and constitutionally , as he always does .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

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

BRO . STEPHEN BARTON WILSON'S COMPLAINT . To thc Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I agree with your correspondent , " A Lite Governor of the Boys' School , " that it is * ' passing- strange " that Bro . Barton Wilson having a grievance against certain members of the Committee , should himself nominate

certain others to replace them . I consider the system on which nominations arc made is most objectionable , and some means should be adopted to put it on a different basis . I have , as we all have , known brethren nominated on our Committees without regard to their fitness for the post , or their knowledge of the duties .

I might further suggest whether there should not be some restrictions as to the notices of motion given at our different Courts , many of which arc given without consideration , and are afterwarcs withdrawn , thus putting the Institutions to a great deal of unnecessary expense . I think , to avoid this , all notices of motion should be submitted to a Committee of first instance , to determine as to their expediency

or not . Yours faithfully , A SUBSCRIBER

THE LAST QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I think that very few who were present last Wednesday week in Grand Lodge but retired humiliated and annoyed by the " scene" they had witnessed , alike derogatory to the dignity of Grand Lodge , and most disrespectful

to the chair . Surely there might be a law , ( not a resolution ) , by which the time and temper of worthy brethren are not to be wasted and tried by any one who will in the course of six months , against all entreaties , take the opinion of his brethre . i twice on a thoroughl y idle and hurtful agitation . In all civilized societies there is a rule that the same

subject shall not again be discussed except at a proper interval . If wc had had so wise a section in our estimable Book of Constitutions , we . should not have been all hurtful by thc melancholy scene of June and . Yours fraternally and obliged ,

MASONIC RITUAL

ELECTION . OF THE BOYS' SCHOOL HOUSE COMMITTEE . To the Editor of thc "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I was present at thel election of the House Committee of the Boys' School on Saturday last , and it appeared to me to be carried on in a very loose and inefficient manner . If the . Committees are to be elected by open voting ,

I say . by . all means let us have open voting ruled by the Chairman ; but if . wc are to vote by ballot don'tialloiv one brother to fill in more than his own balloting paper . I make these observations because my attention was called to a prominent member of the old House Committee who was seen to fill in upwards of twenty balloting papers , and I myself saw him with a goodly pile on which he was very busily engaged . , Yours faithfully and fraternally ,

S . B . WILSON 27 , Walbrook , E . C , 7 th June .

BRO . MONCKTON AND MASONIC LAW . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " DearSir and Brother , — . , < ¦ , , I h f . e heard a good many astounding statements from the-Dais of ; Grand Lodge m times past , especially when a victory over ^ 'blue collar was to be gained , but of all the amazing deliverances ever enunciated I think that of

the President of the Board of General-Purposes is the most wonderful , with reference to Bro . -James-fStevens ' -motion for non-confirmation of part of the minutes of the last Grand Lodge . That motion was plainly irregular ,-because you cannot move to non-confirm a non-confirmationj or obviously the process might' go on for ever . - Bro . Monckton ,

however , missed the true point , and in his hurry to put down an unpopular motion , he stated that "the ordinary proceedings of Grand Lodge did not by'the Constitutions require cofirmation , they merely . came up before Grand Lodge on the question whether they were correctly recorded , " —and the Grand Registrar sat " mute-as Minerva's bird , " and allowed the statement to pass uncontradicted . Why ,

Original Correspondence.

what happened in 1856 , to quote a famous instance ? It was recommended b y a Committee that the Mark Degree should be incorporated in the , Craft . This was approved by the Grand Master , and unanimously adopted at the Quarterly Communication in March . In June , a Past G . Registrar ( Bro . Handerson ) moved the non-confirmation of the minutes relating to the Mark Degree , as being contrary to

the articles of Union , and -the minutes were non-confirmed accordingly ; to the great benefit , I have no doubt , of the Mark Degree . Innumerable instances of the same kind have occurred since . It is to be hoped that the constitutional knowledge displayed in Grand Lodge is not a fair sample of that which regulates Masonic disipline in the Board-room . I am yours fraternally ,

A MARK MASTER

THE RAISON D'ETRE OF ENGLISH MASONRY . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — The very kind and fraternal interest you have taken in my researches in regard to the connection between Great Pyramid , science and symbolism , and English Masonry , gives me every assurance that you will assist me

in bringing a subject of so great interest to the Craft before the London lodges . From the peculiar nature of the subjects treated upon it is possible to convey in a lodge lecture , in a clear , yet brief form , an easy and intelligible explanation of many important points of Masonic ritual and tradition ; and even brethren who have not had leisure and opportunity , or , mav be , inclination , to follow up

Masonic lore , are able to realise and fully grasp a great and fundamental principle when presented to them through the medium of well-known rites and ceremonies . That much apathy exists among many brethren with regard to the due performance of Masonic duties in lodge may be traced , I venture to submit , to a lack of a right interest in our ceremonies themselves . Mere curiosity and noveltv

will not long prove attractive forces , and many weary of Masonry b y forgetting the all-important fact that , while giving due heed to " the letter , " they must also realise " the spirit" of the ceremonies if they would know what Masonry is ; and , above all , that he cannot search out truth who has not faith in the power of truth to make itself manifest .

Many shrink from this subject as too deep for them , yet how often truth presents itself in simple form . To understand the essence of Masonry it is not necessary to know all philosophy . Without that light which illumines the path of every true Mason philosophy often wanders from its goal . English Craft Masonry must have an origin as distinct from a mere philosophic source as its tenets are free

from abstract speculation . Philosophy , if our accepted teaching be right , is the wayward child of Masonry—not its parent . Wc may thus seek for evidences of the existence of Masonic teaching in the works of ancient philosophers , but not for its origin . That in them will be found evidence pointing to its origin is possible , but , even on this point , Hebrew tradition is a surer guide , and the volume of the

Sacred Law the one and only safe landmark . Into thc realms of philosophy few may feel called to enter ; but , surely , every brother who has stood upon the square and been bid to learn thc mysteries of nature and science is interested in knowing why and wherefore Masonry and geometry were in early days synonymous terms . Most of the London lodges are now bringing their labours to a close for the present season ; but in the interval which

will ensue before those duties are resumed , I shall be happy to arrange to deliver a lecture on this intrinsic characteristic of English Masonry in open lodge . As the delivery of the lecture occupies nearly fifty minutes , it is desirable that the regular work of a lodge for the same evening should not be heavy . Letters addressed to the Freemason office , 198 , Fleetstreet , or to Alfreton , Derbyshire , will be forwarded me . Apologising for occupying so much space , I remain , very fraternally yours ,

WM . ROWBOTTOM

NON-CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — . I am very much struck with the casual ruling on this head proffered by our esteemed Bro . the President of the Board of General Purposes on Wednesday week , and as I do not myself agree with it , I venture , in all deference

and humility , to send these few lines to the Freemason . I said that the ruling , was " casual . " It arose out of a discussion on a most puerile proposition , whose absurdity was inherent and self-evident—but still there it is . If Bro . Monckton ' s words are correctly repeated ( which fact I doubt not ) , he would contend that , with the exception of certain definite points , no non-confirmation of Grand Lodge

minutes , except on those points , and on the ground of incorrect entry , is legal . . Where our distinguished brother obtains the law on this subject I know not ; it is quite new to older Masons . He certainly cannot allege precedent , for numerous precedents can be produced on almost every conceivable subject where Grand Lodge has exercised , under Lord Zetland especially , without a doubt as to the legality or usage , the absolute

right of non-confirmation . Feeling myself convinced that this right of non-confirmation is essential alike to the liberties of the Craft and the dignity of Grand Lodge , I hope that we may see the subject fully discussed in your pages . I am aware that there is a new idea-of " correct entry" going round , but the older view was one of simple confirmation and non-confirmation of minutes . . I say no more to-day , and am , yours fraternally ,

A VERY . OLD MASON

THE ROYAL VISIT TO TRURO . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " ¦ Dear Sir and Brother , — In your paper of May 29 th "A Past Grand Officer" brings certain grave , and specific charges against the Committee of Management , the Provincial Grand

Officers of Cornwall , and the clergy who severally took part in the arrangements and the . ceremonial of laying thefoundation stones of Truro Cathedral . The greater number of these allegations are , either explained or flatly contradicted or clearl y disproved by Lord Mount Edgcumbe in his letter inserted in your paper of June the 5 th , T ) ut . there is one part of the letter of " A Past Grand Officer " to wfiich . it would seem that his lordship should have especially