Original Correspondence.

rediscovered science , I have , since Bro . Melville ' s demise , been engaged in simplifying them in the orig inal research , so that they who read may understand the same , while brethren may learn the celestial and terrestrial character of their order , and its influences regarding empires and king doms in the remotest antiquity , as well as its steadfast cultivation of the one form and simple faith in the Grand Architect of the Universe that is predestined to prevail over civilization . Fraternally yours , W . N . CRAWFORD .

Orchard-hill , Guernsey . THE CHARITY ORGANIZATION SOCIETY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Enemy , as I am , to all cadgers and mendicants , proper anel improper , and friendly as I am to duly discriminating charity , I yet doubt the value of a great deal of that hyper-organization and routine which seem to

prevail amongst us just now , with respect to ir , and which appears to mc to be redolent of nothing positively but red tape . I may be wrong , but such is my op i nion , and so I ventilate' it in the Freemason . What , for instance , can any i . nc think of such a fetter as this , which recently appeared in the Daily Chronicle ' " Sir , —Would you be so kind as to make known to the

subscribers of the Charity Oiganization Society the following case ? A few days ago 1 applied to the above society , stating that 1 had been out of employment since February last , and that I had tried all I could to get employment , and that 1 had a wife and three children depending on mc for support—ages nine years , two and a half years , and seven months . 1 was informed that they

could not assist me without 1 bad a prospect of work , and that they were afraid wc shoulel have to go into the house . Now , sir , I was always given to understand that they gave a little assistance to keepa man from going into the house . I showed them good testimonials of twenty years' character . 1 served ten years in the army , seven of which I was sergeant , anel ten in the metropolitan police , and I have

good characters from both services . I am , etc ., Compton-strcct , Brunswick-square , W . C . W . B . " J confess , when I saw ir , I felt almost inclined lo ask , Can such things be practically ? The idea of driving cvcryboely into the workhouse is simply absurd and wicked in my opinion , and though it is one e . f the favoured

fallacies i ' the day , it is increasingthc pauperism of the country . But this is too long a subject , and too seiious a question , to be disposed of to-day , so , with your permission , I will send you another communication shortly on the subj ct , to which , I may say , I have pail great attention for years . I propose also in my next , to call attention to the Charily

\> rgamzation Society's Report for July , ask appears lo me lo be anything but satisfactory , and as it is in the interest eif Freemasons , as well as of everyone else , to realize the need and claims of true charity , I shall not apologize , for trespassing on your space . I am , yours faithfully and fraternally , OMICRON .

FEE FOR INITIATION IN ENGLAND . To the Editor of the ' Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Bro . Hughan ' s letter in your issue for last wick well merits the thoughtful consideration of all sections e . f

the English Craft . There is no escape from the conclusion , that unless the minimum initiation fee adopted at the Union was ten high , the present initiation fee is much too low . Yours fraternally , II . F . GOULD .

OLD LIST OF LODGES . 7 "<> the Editor ttf the " Freemason . " Dear Sir anel Brother , — The year of issue of the list ol l . ) dgcs referred lo by Bro . Samuel Jones in your last number , can be read ly ascertained by emoting the number and elate of constitution

nl the junior loelge . The list for 1770 , is one of the mo-t interesting of the engraved series , the third of the periodical closing up ol numbers having talecn place in that year , ( the previous reniimberings hav ' ng occurred in 1740 and 1756 . ) 1 ours fraternally , H . F . GOULD .

FREEMASONRY IN CEYLON . To the Editor nf the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — la our out-of-the-way corner nf the woild , we are not much noticed by our more prominent brethren whose lot has been cast in busier scenes than this . As I do not observe much mention of Ceylon Masonry in your paper , 1 believe a few particulars regarding it may prove not

uninteresting to your readers . We have six lodges , three chapters and mark lodges , and also a preceptory and encampment of kni ghts Templar , in the island . A Provincial Grand Lodge has also been started , and is expected to be in working order by the beginning of next year . The majority of these are under 'he Irish , and the rest under the Scottish C institution ; English Masonry not being represented . The following is a list of theloelges .

IRISH CONSTITUTION . 107 Sphinx . Colombo . K . A . Chapter attached ' 12 Serendib . do . elo . dormant 115 L-inster . do . 29 S Dimbula . Dimbula .

SCOTTISH C INSTITUTION . -Mb " St . Andrew . Kandy . R . A . Chap ' er , dormant . "M _ Ronnie Doon . Colombo . . . . ' nus we have fiie lodges working , and one dormant , [ beSphint , ( the oldest lodge ) is a mixed lodge ol ' ' uropetns , Eurasians ( or as they aiecilled here , Burgherr ., 1

Original Correspondence.

and natives . All the other lodges arc exclusively European . The five lodges , in the aggregate , comprise a total of from i : ; o to 200 subscribing members . Not so bad considering the climate , latitule , and temperature , and the . small population of this " G : m of the East . " 1 remain , yours fraternally , ACACIA .

WAS THE LATE POPE A FREEMASON . ? To Ihe Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I send you the following extract from a document of the Lodge Etonia , Cadova , ( Paler mo ) .

that Ferretti Mastai , ( the Pope ) , was initiated in that lodge . It does not give the date of his initiation , but it was dated August , 1839 . Master of the loelge Mateo Chisao , signed Paul Dupless ' i , and countersigned by the Grand Master of the lodge , Sexto Calaro .

This is taken from a German paper , and states that it is a copy of a document , No . 13 , 715 , existing " » the lodge Fidelidad Germanba , Nuremburg . The certificate is countersigned by William Wittlcstach , Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Bavaria .

[ COPY . ] At a semi-annual meeting of the Grjnel Lodge of Masons , Scottish Rite of the Orient of Palermo , Italy , held in that c'ty on the 27 th of March , Mastia Ferretti was expelled freim the Order for violating his vows and for perjury . Mastai Ferretti is no other person than Pius IX ., Pope of Rome . The decree of the lodge at Palermo is published

in the official paper of the Order of Freemasons at Cologne , Germany , and dated March 27 th . It is prescribed by the minutes cf the lodge in which Mastia Ferretti , in 182 O , was initiated into the Order under the old Scottish Rite . The elecrcc was as follows : — " A man named Mastia Ferretti , who received the baptism of Masonry , and solemnly pledgcel his love and fellowship , and who afterwards was

crowned Pope ard King , under the title of P 10 Nono , has now cursed his former brethren and excommunicated all members of the Order of Freemasons . Therefore , said Mastia Ferretti is herewith , by decree of Grand Lodge of the Orient of Palermo , expelled from the Order for perjury . " The charges against Mastai Ferretti were first preferred in his lodge , at Palermo , in 1865 , and notification

and copy thereof sent to Rome , with a request to attend the lodge for the purpose of his vindication . To this the Pope made no reply , and for divers reasons the charges were not pressed until the Pope urged the clergy of Brazil to aggressive measures against the Freemasons of that country . The charges were pressetl , and the second and

third notifications sent , and after a formal trial a decree of expulsion was entered , and caused to be published . The decree bears the signature of Victor Emanuel , King of . Italy , and Gtaeiel Master of the Grand Orient oi luvly . W . M . [ Ihe whole of these eiocumenls arc apocryphal , Pius IX . was not a Freemason . —E 11 . ]

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF HAM " 'SMIRK AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT . To the Editor of ihe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother . I am pleased that W . M . is also aliee to the necessity of restricting any excesses in Masonic banqueting , and hail with satisfaction theattentinn which is now being

given to tin subject ; but I regret he should think 1 am finding fault with the sentiment which actuated the committee in placing the champagne on the tables ; as we all recognise and admire their unbounded hospitality in all things Masonic ; but it is the principle involved which 1 combat ! for as each brother paid for a pint of wine , the necessity of placing on 40 more bottles is not apparent ;

because if thirsty s mis require more than a pint of wine by all means let them have it ; but do not punish the funds of four lodges to gratify this appetite for gaseous diinks , as what may be a small expense when divided among four bulges ; becomes an intolcrpblc burden , when the Provincial Grand lodge is held at a place where only erne Masonic lodge exists , for if it is necessary to give v > iuc at Southampton it is equally necessary , when the meeting

is held at Fareham , Petersfield , Havant , cic . I must say in conclusion , that the scathing condemnation alluded to in " W . M . 's . " letter is scarcely applicable to the subject under discussion , as it certainly is an open q'lei-ti'in whether the Saviour of mankind contemplated his language being used lo justify champagne drinking at a Masonic banqutt . I am , dear 6 ir and Brother , faithfully and fraternally yours , PYTHAGORAS

7 b the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dcir Sir and Brother . — In your i sue of the 31 st ult ., a Southampton Masor . animadverts on the want of a system in the appointment of officers to purple honours in this province ; and I really think he has good grounds for bis assertion ; that there is an absence of any system at present , and the

sooner a more equitable arrangement is arrived at the better . But it is no argument to say , that the four entertaining lodges at Southarrpton should have had more honour given them simply because they maele the nccessiry arrangements for the meeting ; and he particularly mentiins Ihe Royal Gloucester , and mourns the loss of its prestige , "' hich , in other words , means the loss of the monopoly of

the lust purple others . I Ins lodge has been exceptionally favoured eluring past years , for in the last elecade it has furnished no less than two S aiior Grand Wardens , two Junior Grand Wardens , one Senior Grand Deacon , one Grand Superintendent nl Works , and one Grand Director of Ceremonies , besides appointments as Chaplains , Organists , and Stewards ; they have had likewise the distinguished honour eil having two nf the so-called permanent

Original Correspondence.

offieials as members , which no doubt materially assisted them in obtaining the superior appointments above mentioned , and as long as these lodges allow the officers of D . P . G . M ., P . G . Treasurer , and P . G . Secretary to remain life appointments , and make no agitation to secure their retirement after a fair tenure of office ( say five year ) to make room for other equally able , deserving , and willing

brethren ; so long will the remainder of the province consider these offices in the list of annual appointments to the respective lodges to which these belong . I need not say that those lodges which arc not favoureel with the august membership e > f a permanent official generally fail in obtaining a fair proportion of the superior

purple officers , for in addition to the appointments enumerated ; during the same period the Oakley Loelge has furnished two more Senior Grand Wardens , and the Portsmouth Lodge no less than three Junior Grand Wardens , and so it will be in the future unless tile brethren demand a more equitable system of appointments than

now obtains . 1 am , dear . Sir and Bro ., faithiully and fraternally yours , CONSISTENCY .

CHAMBER'S INDEX TO NEXT OF KIN . To the Editor of Ihe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — My attention has been called lo your review of the Fourth Edition of this work , in which you state " that the unclaimed funds in the Court of Chancery amounted in 187 G to £ 70 , 000 , 003 . " Permit me to say you have

misread my Preface , as appears by the following extract therefrom : — "The funds in the Court eif Chancery amounted in 1876 to the prodigious sum of upwards of £ 70 , 000 , 000 . A large proportion of these funels consists of unclaimcel money . " What the proportion is 1 am unable to say , as the return published last year does not give it .

I-or the information if those of your readers who may suppose themselves to be interested in these unclaimed funds , but who are chary about taking steps towards putting in a claim to a slice thereof , I may add that when the first List was published ( in 1855 ) many . persons came forward and pr . ferred their claims , and about one half of the stock , supposed to hi unclaimed , was transferred out of Court to successful claimants . 1 am , Sir , your obedient servant ,

EDWARD PRESTON . ( Proprietor of "Chamber ' s Index to Next of Kin , " and author of " Unclaimed Money . "

LONDON MASONIC CHAHITY ASSOCIATION . To the Edit ir of lltr " Frcemas . n . " Dear Sit ami Brother , — As I prognosticated , so it lias already cenne to pass . Bro . Perceval has , lor some weeks past , been praiseworthily advocating the interest of Mela Bell Brasier , a candidate fur election inlo tic Girls' School . During that

time he has also assisted in the formation of this society . Will Bro . Perce 1 al continue to support bis protoge ' e Brasier ' s case ? or lines he elect , in oreler to prove his loyalty to the Association , to throw over his provincial case that the new selections may be the better supported ? I hold

strongly lo the opinion that il the members- of each London lodge recommending a case would , for the purpose of the election , consider themselves a province , and work as energetically , more favouiable results weiuld be obtained than are , I think , likely 11 be proeluecd by this Ass ciation . Yours fraternally , M I

'IHE GRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE . To Ihe Editor ol the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Referring le > your recent article on the Grand Orient of France , 1 wish lo say that there is really 110 occasion to declaim against the Atheistical tendency of the French lodges , simply bceiusc they arc not Masonic lodges at all .

If a number nf Atheists choose to mccl together to vilify the Pope , anel every other religious authoiiiy , in whom yeiu or l . may or may not have confidence , if indeed they only meet , as I have seen and heard at the Amis ele la Putrie Lodge , Grand Orient , Rue Cadet , Pads , to constitute themselves a jecrct discussion forum , for purposes which , accoidi » g to our English rules and principle-- - , are

unmasonic , I cannot think why we should call them Masons at all , or trouble ourselves about their Atheism . 'I here is no safeguard against intruders lo the lod ge I cntereel ; although I took my certificate with me , I was asked neither for that nor my signature ; notwithstanding which , I insisted on producing the former , and it only met with a cursory and contemptuous glance . Yours obediently , ARTHUR D . RENSHAW .

The Inauguration of the Falkland Memorial took place at the Battle Fielrl , Newbury , on Monday last , uneler the presidency e . f the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , M . W . Pro Grand Master , anil the presence of a large number e . f Freemasons eif the Province cf Berks , and other provinces lent consielerable eclat to the meeting . A detfiled report of the proceedings , which unfortunatel y reached us too lite for the present number , will appear in our next .

heard Waveney , who arrived [ n fown on Monday from Aldeburg , Suffolk , has since left for Ballymena , Antrim . CLEOPATKA ' NEKIDLU . —We : are happy to inform our readers that this Obelisk was safely creeled at

a quarter to 4 on Thursday afternoon . 'The time taken in ihe erection being nbout thrcr-t / u .-irfers of an hour . 'The motion was very slow , the Nie-lle bring perfectly under control Ihe whole time nf op laliein . Hro . Dixon , C . E ., wi . -e , in 1 liargf thrtiiighoiit .