Contents.

CONTENTS .

LEADERS _ . "_;••• ' ; . " Laying the Foundation Stone of bt . Anne s Church , Bagshot 18 G Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 187 Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 187 Provincial Grand Lodge of Cumberland and

Westmorland 187 Provincial Grand Chapter of Cumberland and Westmorland 187 C ORRESPONDENCEThe Coming Elections 18 9 The Charity Jewel 89 ilr ^ ml I nrliri . nf lr _*]_ an _ l _ l 8 o

Exchanges * 89 The Girls' School 18 9 The Introduction of Freemasonry into Scotland l 8 9 Lodge Receipts lS 9 Bro . Lord Wolseley ' 9 °

Reviews 190 Masonic Notes and Queries 190 Civic Honours to Bro . Lord Wolseley and Lord Alcester 190 Presentation to a Preceptor in Liverpool ... 191

J ottings from the Antipodes 191 Dr . Neale's Punkah or Chemical Lung ... 191 REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 192 Instruction 195 Mark Masonry 19 ;

Ancient and Accepted Rite 19 $ Scotland 195 Obituary jgfi The Theatres 19 Masonic and General Tidings ig " Lodge Meetings for Next Week 19 '

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THE speech of H . I . H . the Crown Prince of PRUSSIA has attracted both remarks and comments at home and abroad . We venture , however , to believe that it is purely Germanic both in tone and scope , and does not deal so much with Freemasonry in general , as with Ger man Freemasonry in

particular . The position of the Teutonic Masonic system is unique and peculiar in many characteristics and arrangement , and the prevalence of distinct and divergent systems of ritual and teaching may we !! lead some of our German brethren to long and look for Masonic unity , alike in actual jurisdiction and esoteric outcome .

# # WE are rejoiced to note elsewhere from a correspondent that great opposition has been manifested by many leading provinces and many brethren in London to the absurd system of " exchanges" of our Masonic votes , which seems to be fostered by , to use a technical term , " a corner . " It is quite

clear , we think , if we will but allow our reason to rule us , not our fancy or our self-interest , that such a course of action must work very prejudicially to all the weaker cases , and can only help those who are so strong as hardly to need help at all . We hope we have heard the last of it , as it is a very vicious system .

## THAT the voting at the Girls' and Boys' School elections will range high , especially for the Boys , is pretty clear , and though there are as always " views and views " on the subject , and a distinct safe medium of certainty as between exaggerated estimates and depreciated difficulties , yet we

apprehend the one rule of all intent on electing their candidate is really and truly to poll their utmost strength . We would urge upon all who have votes to tender for this or that candidate carefully to scrutinize their voting

papers , to see that they are properly signed and marked , for it is a . very curious fact , that notwithstanding our repeated elections , so many voting papers are annually rejected by the scrutineers for want of common care and proper precaution .

* WE call attention to a letter elsewhere which we think deserves attention . It will be a great pity if by any slackness or mistaken ideas brethren should take it into their heads that they may " lie on their oars " as regards the support of the Girls' School , which in truth , as ever , requires a large annual

amount to keep it in activity , efficiency , and happy success . It maybe , that overtures indirectly have been made from time to time , and hints have been given that the land at Wandsworth might be wanted by a railway company near . We venture to add that in our opinion it would be the height of " lAches , " and even discreditable neglect of their functions , and

of needful prevision of the interests of our great School , if the Managing Committee allowed any agitation or opposition to intimidate them in the obvious discharge of their bounden duty , of husbanding as far as possible their funded property , and seeking not unnecessarily to increase yearly

obligations and institutional expenses . We have every reason to hope and believe , that by vigorous and persevering efforts the Girls' School Festival in 1883 will be a great success again , reflecting admirably even in these unquiet times on the unchanged liberality and large heartedness of our Craft .

* * * A FEW days now will reveal the secrets of the Grand Lodge appointments for 1883 . We can only recommend to all anxious " aspirants" for the

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much-coveted purple , patience , good temper , and resignation . It is only th c " few " that can be successful , the " many " must be disappointed .

* * * WE hear that the John Carpenter Lodge , of which Bro . the LORD MAYOR is to be the first W . M ., will be consecrated at the Albion Tavern early in May , and that the Priory Lodge , of which our esteemed Bro . ROEBUCK is the W . M ., designate will be consecrated at Acton on the 3 rd May .

* * IT is sometimes a good thing for us all , especially our younger brethren , to note the advance made in Masonic studies , in the progress of Masonic research , some even during the last few years . Many of us who take an interest in Masonic literature and archaeology may remember how desparing

really was the outlook , say 25 years ago . We were still under the influence of Oliver ' s paramount authority , which despite good intentions on the part of the learned old Doctor , and we must freely admit his real hard work , was neither sound , nor logically safe , nor historically tenable . If any of us then were tempted to explore the high ways and bye ways of

Masonic annalism we soon gave up the attempt , because we were confronted by obstacles we could not surmount in the shape of a defective chronology , unreliable assertions , and dogmatic absurdities . To-day , all is altered for the better . We , perhaps , might be in danger of falling into the other extreme ( we are ever in extremes here ) , inasmuch as just as we accepted

credulously any statement formerly , so now we seem disposed to doubt every assertion . But yet as Freemasons we prefer light to darkness , and certainty to uncertainty , and though it was once rashly said that "ignorance was the mother of devotion , " whereas truly ignorance can only be the " mother of superstition , " we prefer a state of mental activity and

intellectual revival to that stagnation of thought and that idle acceptance of previous authorities , of " sheep walking" in fact which marked the entire outcome of English Masonic literature a quarter of a century ago . Whether we agree with FINDEL or not , whether or no we accept his conclusions , or discover his deficiencies , matters little , for he certainly set us thinking , and

gave us if perhaps an outline , rather than a perfect representation , of an honest , careful , conscientious history of Freemasonry . To-day cooler research and calmer judgments have not failed , to discover certain "lacune " in his valuable work , some defects alike in his plan and performances . But still his work is a great work , and one which all Masonic

students must read and study . We recall pleasantly and gratefully the eloquent periods of FORT , and the matter-of-fact , good , sound , realistic , common sense of GOULD , while we must not overlook the painstaking contributions of D . MURRAY LYON , or the invaluable labours of KLOSS . To MACKEY we are indebted for much that is thoughtful and sound , and lasting

in his remarkable Encyclopaedia , and we cannot fail to be struck with the hopeful appearance Masonic literature now wears in the " abstract" if only we could be equally persuaded of its proper appreciation and acknowledgment in the " concrete . " Still let us hope for the best , and in this , " best of

all possible words , " it is " a long lane which has no turning , " and that " tide " which is said to govern the " affairs of men " may equally yet affect us as " Masons , " and float us on to more prosperous times of Masonic literary patronage and success .

# * # A ONCE very active and energetic brother in West Yorkshire has passed away—Bro . W . Wainman HOLMES—well known for his connection with the Baildon Lodge . Some of our more antique Yorkshire contemporaries will recall many olden hours of good work and hearty Masonic fellowship linked on to the name and presence of WAINMAN HOLMES .

# # THE horrible attempts of the "dynamite heroes" have naturally alarmed Society , and grieved alike deeply and angered all thoughtful English citizens . Let us hope and believe that such alarm , grief , and indignation are shared in by a civilized world . We are all , as Freemasons , peaceful members of the

great "body politic ; " butstill as loversof order , loyal subjects , law-abiding men , and opponents on principle of hateful anarchy , cruel revolution , and insensate barbarism , we unite in the trust and the belief , that the law of this country will eventually be found too strong for such atrocious evil doers , and

that a befitting punishment will be duly meted to those who thus set at nought every feeling of sympathy and humanity , duty and legality , and seek to signalize themselves by this appalling developement of recklessness and savagery , cowardice and cruelty .