Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do not holel ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our corresponelents , but we wish in q spivit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

THE LAST MEETING OF GRAND LODGE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I must confess my feeling of disappointment at the very slight notice taken by you on the very important meeting of Grand Lodge last Wednesday ; I cannot conceive how any much more important topics could be laid

before you to dilate upon , for the edification of that body which you so ably represent . You certainly throtv out your opinions or . two out of the three important and interesting subjects brought before that meeting . They are thrown down somewliat like in ancient times they used to throw down a challenge or glove for some one to pick up . Now , though I may Burn my fingers or get a

rap over the knuckles for my pains , I fearlessly pick it up , for I consider that unless the several questions arc opened out from both points of view , those members of Grand Lodge who were absent will not be able to form a correct estimate of the different matters at issue . ist . Bro . Hervey ' s retiring pension . I yield to no one in the respect and esteem in which Bro . Hervey must be

held by those who have had the pleasure of knowing him , and cordially ¦ reiterate the words of Bro . Moncklein " thai we may scarcely hope to look upon hi ; like again , " and yet I feci sure that could he express an opinion upon the discussion , ami the result of that discussion , he , whose impartiality to one and all are so well-known , woulel say mat the Craft were

perfectly right in lefusing to grant that abnormally targe sum of £ Soo per annum , or full retiring pension , after being in receipt of that sum ten years , or only eleven years in all , and would feel that it was out of no elisrespect feir himself , or that he was unwoilhyjof it , but that ihcy bail done wisely in not making an exception in his favour , thereby sacrificing principle em the aluireif fricriekship , and forming

a precedent that they would find it extremely difficult tei depart from on future occasions . [ can only finish with , what I know to be the heartfelt prayer of all , " would to God that the ^ occasion for his retirement had not been such as it is , and may the G . A . O . T . U . alleviate his sufferings and restore him to us if such be Mis Divine will . " 2 nd . Bro . Stevens' motion , or rather revised proposition ,

which was carried and confirmed ten years ago , but allowed to subside . I am quite certain I speak the sentiments of every brother who was present and within hearing of our Prov . G . C , Bro . Woodford , when I express thee great interest with which we listened to the short but explicit re > uinej he hael culled from carefully studied re-searches into the

ancient lore of freemasonry , when he told us how that in a space of ninety years , i . e ., from 1723 to 1813 , when Freemasons , ltt alone loelges , were few and far between , the standard ritual put together by Desagulicrs and Anderson in 1723 had been later on altered by Clare , and later ttill emenelated by Dunkerley , and yet again improved by Preston , with either exceedingly interesting matters of

detail , but there , speaking for myself , my admiration ceases , for to my mind a more illogical deduction than his motion for a direct negation of Bro . Stevens' excellent and much needed proposition could not be brought forth . If the ritual required lour revised editions , when Masons and their lodges were so few , how much more must a rcviseel standard be required now alter a lapse of seventy

years , when lodges and chapters are numbered by thousands , anil Craftsmen by hundreds of thousands , when the different workings are so varied , and as many as the weeks , I might almost say days , in the year , when our language even has undergone such great alterations ; when we have no standard or recognised authority to guitle us or to refer to ; when Masters of lodges can work as they

please for want e . f such authority , having no one to sav them nay ; when Grand Lodge ' s chief duty seems to be keeping , an eye that the dues to Grand Lodge are paid , and an occasional insight into the way in which the books of individual lodges are kept , but keeping no check on the several manners of working , which , if I am not greatly in error , is one of their special and paiticular duties ?

When we here of such farce , mummevy , carried on as described by Bro . Stevens from both printeel anel oral evidence , with such painful and patent abuses of our beautift ' l liturgy before us , if now is not the time for the M . W . G . M . to ste-p in , and , nidi the aid of senile of the many eminent anil le-arncel brothers around hini . j cause a thorough and searching investigation into the different

teachings , and from that investigation constitute an authority to which every Master of a loelge can refer who is desirous of fulfilling those duties so graphically laid upon him lor the well ruling and governing of his lodge , and which he has solemnly declared he is able and willing to elo , or ' tc which if in doubt and anxious to prove himself correct in , or improve himself in his work , he might appeal with

the satisfaction and certainty of knowing that he would be set right—I repeat if the time has not arrived , I unhesitatingly afiiim that the time will never arrive , and shortly , instead of the beautiful teachings of which true Masonry consists , and ought to consist , we shall be like the builders of the Tower of Babel jjst before they left off , and be speaking to one another in unknown tongues . 1

therefore , earnestly and elevoutly ; hopethatevery brother who has the good of our noble Outer to heart will raise his voice , and so assist in this much and long needed work of reformation . The third and last important notice of motion on the paper was Bro . Gabon ' s , and the purport of it was thisthat out of the surplus revenue especially set apart for distressed Masons and their widows two-thirds were to be de-

Original Correspondence.

ducted , one-third for the boys and one-third for the girls , which spoliation , to use a mild term , was nipped in the bud , and I trust , not only as Vice-President of all the Institutions but upon principle , and by all that is just and upright , that such a deviation of monies from the legitimate direction of that fund will never be permitted . With all due deference to Bro . Clabon , whose goodness of heart ,

whose benevolence , whose zeal for Masonry no one can for a moment deny , I must say I do think his zeal has run away with him , that , ' the handkerchief over the eyes of Justice must have-have slipped a bit when Bro . Clabon thus sought to rob Peter to pay Paul and Viiginia ; when he attempted to alienate two-thirds of a fund especially set apart fur one purpose for that of another , when he sought

to benefit the children at the expense of the parents , he must have left out of his reckoning the enormous increase of Masons without a corresponding incre-ase of funels , and that there is no telling how soon a great and legitimate call may be made upon that fund which he seeks so ruthlessly to spoil . As an amendment , I would venture to suggest that larger powers be entrusted to the existing Committees ,

both of the Boys' and Girls' Schools , who Have hitherto discharged that trust faithfully and impartially , and instead of limiting their power to £ 20 extend it to say £ 50 , to be left to their judgment to grant that or less , according to the peculiar circumstances of the case brought under their notice . Feating to bore you any more , I remain , yours fraternally ,

CHARLES JOHN PERCEVAL . [ We really du not understand how our worthy correspondent can complain eilhcr of our report or our leader , but s line people are very difficult to please . We say it without offence . —En ]

THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS AND BRO . WILSON . 7 'ei the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Being unable to attend the General Committee

nt the Royal Masonic Institution fur Boys to-day , 1 beg to feirward you copy of a letter 1 have aelelrcssed to them with respect to my dispute with the House Committee . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully and fraternally ,

S . B . WILSON . 27 , Walbrook , E . C , 6 th December , 1879 .

" To the General Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . " Brethren and Gentlemen , "Consequent on the seeming misundeistanding with respect to my account fur business services in connection with the Institution at Wood Green , which were completed more than twelve months ago , 1 beg to lay

before you a brief statement of the facts . "The House Committee having refused to order payment of the balance due to me , 1 was obliged to apply for payment through my solicitors . Since such application I have received payment of £ 100 , without prejudice , with the understanding that the balance was to be referred to arbitration . To this 1 agreed , anil offered to refer the matter

to Sir Henry Arthur Hunt , C . B ., who is the arbitrator for the Office of Works in all such malte-rs , than whom I considered there could be no better authority . The House Committee eleclincd to accept Sir Henry Arthur Hunt as referee , having resolved that they woulel not refer the ejuestion at issue to any Freemason . "My solicitors were , therefore , compelled to inform

them that proceedings would be taken for the recoveiy . On this I was officially informed that Mr . F . Stanley , of 2 i \ , Austin Friars , had been appointed by the House Committee , with full powers to settle with mc . I , accordingly , immediately instructed my solicitors to stop all further legal pioecedings , and reejuested a gentlemi . 11 of my own profession to give Mr . Stanley any explanations he might

requite . It is now more than two months since my friend first eneleavoured to make an appointment with Mr . Stanley , and he has made repeated endeavours since , but hitherto without avail . I may adel that should I be compelled to recommence proceedings , all the professional gentlemen I shall call as witnesses on my behalf , who are of high standing , will give evielence that there are no

overcharges 111 my account , but , on the contrary , that the usual prolessional rates are consielerably higher than several of the charges on which I have based my account . " I do not know where the blame lies , but I do think that I am not being ireated at all fairly in the matter , and

as 1 do not wish to take legal proceedings , I appeal to you with confidence to see me righted . " I am , Brethren and Gentlemen , your obedient servant , "S . B . WILSON . " 27 , Walbrook , E . C , " 27 th November , 1870 . "

A QUERY . To the Editor if the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Seime time ago there was a lodge of Fieemasons formed called — —— Lodge , which was to be held , according to warrant , at the Hotel ,

, ihere being no other place 111 suitable for a lodge of Freemasons . It was consecrated by the Grand Secretary anil officers , and opened , as every one thought , with brilliant prospects , but , unfortunately , those piospects hive been dashed to the ground . Our W . M ., it appears , through some dispute with the proprietor of the Hotel , who is also a brother Mason , has thought fit , without even consulting the lodge or even the officers , to move it from the ¦— Hotel ( a place where the lodge had every convenience and comfort , and

Original Correspondence.

where any member could invite a visitor to with pleasure , even our Grand Master himself ) to a public house some distance from there , and which is not at all suitable for a lodge , not having the convenience in any shape or form when the comfort of the lodge is concerned . Now , sir , I want to ask you as an authority , has the W . M . of any lodge the right to move the lodge to where and when he

thinks proper , without calling a lodge of emergency and stating the facts , simply because he may have a private dispute with the proprietor where the lodge is held , and which does not concern the lodge whatever ? It has caused dissention and unpleasantness among the members of the

lodge , anel a great many members would not have joined the lodge had they known it was going to be moved . I think that out of courtesy the lonlge should have been consulted by the W . M . in the matter . I remain , dear Sir anel Brother , yours fraternally , A MASON . ANNOUNCEMENTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

To the Editor or the " Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I wish you would impress upon Worshipful Masters and Secretaries of lodges the importance , I had almost said the duty , of seeing that the dates of their lodge meetings are correctly announced in our Masonic papers , as the neglect of their doing so often causes annoyance to

visiting brethren . If it be worth while to announce them at all—and I . think it so—common courtesy claims that the announcement be not misleading . Yours fraternally . D . W . FINNEY , P . M . 148 , 1250 , Prov . G . D . Cer . West Lane . Warrington , Dec . 10 th .

OLD MASONS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — lam much obliged to "P . M . and Treasurer . " He is quite right in not considering me responsible for the parenthetical error , and I cannot understand how the

figures 16 35 could have been inserted . Of course I allueled to the United Industrious Loelge , No . 31 , and no other . Fraternally yours , JOHN R . HALL , P . M . and Hon . Sec . 31 . Canterbury , Dec . 6 , 1870 .

Reviews.

Reviews .

THE CHURCHES OF YORKSHIRE . Vol . 1 ., No . 1 . By Bro . H . HATTUN , F . R . H . S ., and W . E . Fox . London : W . H . Smith & Son , 186 , Strand . We highly approve of this publication , both as an archaeological and artistic production , and wish it much ciiculation and all success . The drawings are very good

and true , as our own personal knowledge and memory can safely testify , and wc think the ielca an admirable one in itself , and deserving the patronage of all lovers of art , taste and archa : ology . The churches of Yorkshire are really beautiful old structures , and built by the operative Guilds ,

with the Masons' marks still on many a " perfect ashlar , " speak to Freemasons with special interest and meaning , We trust to hear that this praiseworthy attempt-to make us acquainted with many of the specimens of the ecclesiastic building art may prove to be a thorough success in every respect . It has our hearty good wishes .

HISTORY OF THE HERTFORD LODGE , No . 403 . Stephen Hunter anel Sons , Fore-street , Hertford . This is a most interesting history of a distinguished lodge , anel may be perused with profit by us all . If it be true that its history is uneventful in one sense , it is

equally ceitain that it well represents the normal state of many a good English loelge , and is therefore full of information to the student of to-day who seek to gain a realistic glimpse of the Masonic life of the past , to ascertain precisely what were its actual conditions of practical existence . We have turned over its pages with infinite pleasure .

YOUNG FOLKS . James Henderson , Red Lion-court , Fleet-street . This monthly serial , much read by the young , comes before us with its thrilling tales and startling adventures . It is undoubtedly attractive to the youthful mind in the force of its narratives and the animation of its recitals .

CATHOLIC TIMES . ( Christmas Number ;) This is a Roman Catholic serial and candidate for support , mainly , we apprehend , by the members of its own religious denomination . It is illustrated by a likeness of the late Cardinal Cullen , and is full of stories of incident ,

sentiment , and romance . On our Masonic principle of returning good for evil , though we are somewhat surprised to have it sent to us , we are glad to mention it with literary approval . CHHISTAIAS CARDS . Suottiswoode and Co ., the

Queen s Printers . We are greatly pleased with the selection of these interesting Christmas souvenirs submitred to our notice They are truly artistic in the highest sense , and deserve the notice and patronage of all who wish to give or return sjch pleasant memorials , of a sacred season , or of personal

attachment . As evidences of refined tiste and skilful execution they are Ai ; as pleasant remiiulcrs of present or distant friends they constitute a most rational and enjoyable medium of cmiiing closer to the near , and reminding ourselves of the absent . We , therefore , think it well

to call the attention of our readers to them , for Freemasons , like other mortals , have sympathies to unfold , friendships to avow , and memories of living interest and fond affection to cultivate and confirm . Let our readers see them for themselves .