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¦ — ^ g'S Moule's EARTH System , ^ ° T W J . W . Girdlestone ' s Patent , E \ j esftsM- ' 5 a , G-ARBICK STREET , S __ COVENT GARDEN , LONDON .

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TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESSES ( Inland ) . For tlie Freemason Printing Works—FREEMASON , LONDON . For Jewels , Clothing , Banners , and Furniture—KENNING , LONDON . I

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TO OTJR READERS . THE F REEMASON is published every Friday morning , price 3 d ., and contains the fullest and latest information relating to Freemasonry of every degree . Subscriptions , including Postage : — United States , United Kingdom . Canada , the Continent , India , China , Ceylon , the Colonies Sec . Arabia , & c . 13 s . 6 d . 15 s . 6 d . 17 s . 6 d . Remittances may he made in Stamps , hut Post Office Orders oJ cheques are preferred , the former payable to GEOROE K ENNING , Chief Office , London , the latter crossed London Joint Stock Bank .

To Correspondents.

To Correspondents .

Several communications stand over . BOOKS . & c , RECEIVED . " Citizen , " Sunday Times" ( New York ) , " Die Bauhutte , " " El Taller , " " Freimatirer Zeitung , " " Minutes of the Proceedings of the District Grand Lodgeof the Punjah , September 20 th , 1 S 86 , " " Hull and East Yorkshire Times , " "Masonic ( ournal , " " Allen ' s

Indian Mail , " " Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales , " " Keystone , " " New Zealand Freemason , " ' * Freemasons ' Repository , " "Jewish Chronicle , " "Newcaste Daily Journal , " " Lancaster Daily Examiner , " " New York Dispatch , " " Sunday Times" ( New York ) , "Centennial Anniversary of the Melita Lodge , " " Cassell ' s National Library , " "El Pentalpa , " and "New Zealand Mail . "

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bATURUAi , J ANUARY 15 , 1 ^ 87 .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of the opinions expressed by ourcorrespondents . but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion J

" MASONIC RECORDS . " To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Will you allow me to emphasise the hope expressed in the concluding paragraph of Bro . Gould ' s "Observations on Bro . Lane ' s ' Masonic Records , ' " in your issue of the Sth inst ., viz ., "that brethren may be found in

Scotland , Ireland , and continental Eurpoe who will continue and carry on the work so ably done by Bro . Lane for England ? " Bro . Lane ' s work will be the means of clearing the ground for planting the seed of Masonic literature that in due time will bear abundant fruit , and the Craft cannot be sufficiently grateful to him for all the time , trouble , and expense he has been at in producing such a monument of

research . I trust that some brother as competent as Bro . Lane will be induced to undertake the preparation of a " Gazetteer " of the Scotch , Irish , and continental lodges on the same lines as his . If it is not unbecoming in me to suggest one or two names , who is so competent as Bro . J . G . Findel , of Leipzic , or Bro . G . W . Speth , of Margate , for a German or continental work ; Bro . Murray Lyon , for Scotland ; and Bro . J . H . Neilsonfor Ireland ? All those

, brethren have at command a mass of information which would render such a task a comparatively easy one to them , and , in order to avoid any pecuniary loss , the works should be issued in limited editions to subscribers only , at such a price as would pay for the time and labour involved . The continental work would be of inestimahlfi VP I MP tn all

Masonic students , bibliophiles , archaeologists , and numismatists , and lighten the labours of many seekers after Masonic truths . —Yours fraternally , GEO . L . SHACKLES . 7 , Land of Green Ginger , Hull , January Sth .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , kindly allow me to express my appreciation of the review of my " Masonic Records " which is appearing in the Freemason , and the hope that the Craft may find it as useful as the reviewer anticipates . At all events , I have done my utmost to make it as accurate as Dossible . con .

sidenng the difficulties that have attended my investigations . It is also very gratifying to have such a favourable notice from the renowned Masonic historian , Bro . R . F . Oould . I shall gladly welcome all communications which may enable me to add to the numerous details , as well as any corrections or additions that may be reliable and authentic .

. I should also state that whilst it is true , as Bro . Hughan intimates , that I detected the valuable contents of the volume know as " Morgan's Register , " the reference to it in the Freemason oi December iSth is apparently written under a misapprehension of the facts . The book in question , Which appears to have been unknown to Bros . Gould and Hughan , was , with the other registers , minute books , & c „ « c , handed to me by Bro . Sadler , from whom I

Original Correspondence.

received every kindness and assistance in my protracted researches . The discoveries I made in that "volume were those to which I referred in my letters to the Freemason of 24 th October and 2 Sth November , 1 SS 5 , viz ., the very important declaration , agreement or regulation of the 14 th September , 1752 , which undoubtedly furnishes the date of origin of the Atho ! Grand Lodge , on 17 th July , 1751 ; together with the three lists of Athol Lodges , 1751-2 , 1752-4 ,

and 1755-7 , which are now printed in " Masonic Records . ' In a work of such a character , with so many thousands of figures , one could scarcely hope for absolute freedom from inaccuracy , typographical or otherwise . I shall be obliged by you allowing me to point out to such of your readers as possess the work , that the date set opposite No . 79 < z on page 27 , should have been in brackets indicating that such date [ 1731 ] does not appear in the Dublin List of 1735 . —Yours fraternally , Torquay , January Sth . JNO . LANE .

BURNS AS POET LAUREATE OF No . 2 . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The correct wording of the paragraph in the minute of Burns' affiliation to Canongate Kilwinning , No . 2 , is as follows—to indicate the words written on the erasures they are printed in italics : — " The Right

Worshipful Master having obseived that Brother Burns was at present in the Lodge—who is well known as a great Poetic Writer , and for a late publication of his Works , which have been universally commended—and submitted that he should be assumed a member ol this Lodge , which was unanimously agreed to , and he was assumed accordingly . " When the subscriptions were being collected in aid of the

fund for the masoleum , it is worthy of remark that the membership included such distinguished men as the Hon . Henry Erskine ( Past Master ) , Lord Brougham , Professor Douglas Stewart , Professor Jas . Gregory , Mackenzie , author of the " Man of Feeling ; " Louis ( .. auvin , Burns ' French teacher : and many others . In 1845 , the resolution

as to Bro . Stewart Watson ' s celebrated painting was seconded by Bro . W . Campbell , W . S ., who stated that he had travelled in company of Burns , " and spent two of the most happy days with him at Anchtortyre Castle . "—Yours fraternally , A . McK ., R . W . M . No . 2 . Edinburgh , January 4 th .

WESTMINSTER AND KEYSTONE LODGE , No . 10 . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , If Bro . Ahbott , or any other brother will carefully examine the available records as I have done he will , 1 think , come to the conclusion that the reference which appears in the preface to the list of members of No . 10 is incorrect , and that the lodge never met at the "Griffin , in

Newgate-street . " Unfortunately this is not an isolated instance of history being compiled without due . regard to facts . Where , may I ask , could the compiler of the brief historical summary get the information that in 1721 the lodge " was then called No . 7 ? " Is it not notorious

that the earliest known lists of lodges of 1723 and 1725 are not numbered at all , and that the first known list of lodges with numbers is that of 1729?—Yours fraternally , JNO . LANE . Torquay , January Sth .

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother . I have been much interested in this discussion , the point being one to which I have given some little consideration . Where there is so " much to be said on both sides " the

question cannot be settled offhand by a hasty reference to one Article of the Constitutions , or even to two or three ; and I should much like , when 1 can find a little time , to examine the matter , with your kind permission , at some little length . For the present I will only quote Bro . Kelly ( " Freemasons' Pocket Companion , " p . 50 ) , whose remarks are , 1

think , well worthy of consideration : 1 he minutes . . . . should be read for confirmation or otherwise . The word confirmation has a two-fold meaning . In the first place , it refers to the accuracy of the record ; and , in the next , to make legal some transaction which requires confirmation in order to perfect it . As the rights of the brethren with regard to confirmation or non-confirmation

are not always clearly understood , it is right to point out that , although in certain matters confirmation is necessary , according to the constitutions or by-laws , yet there are some votes which do not require confirmation , unless so specified in the by-laws . Such , for instance , as votes to Charity , & c . At the same time , it is difficult to place a

limit on the power of non-confirmation . If the minutes contain a correct record of the lodge transactions , they must be confirmed ; but any act recorded in the minutes that may require to be confirmed as a condition precedent to its becoming legal , may be non-confirmed by a vote to that effect . "—Yours fraternally , LEX SCRIPTA .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Perhaps the opinion of the late Bro . Dr . George Oliver on this question may have some weight with your readers . I believe it is the fashion to tegard him as a mere Masonic enthusiast , and I am ready to allow that he is not a safe guide in matters historical ; but he had a large and

varied experience of lodge economy , both from within as a member and many times W . M ., and from without as having been for many years the D . P . G . M . of Lincolnshire . Indeed , the fact of his having been invited to write a work on Masonic jurisprudence proves , I think , incontestably that he was wtll qualified to offer advice on all matters of lodge usage and discipline . As he himself writes in the Preface

to his Jurisprudence— " Eleven times elected to the chair of a lodge , and never negligent of its duties , added to ten years incumbency of the ofiice of Deputy Provincial Grand Master in an extensive Province , all actively employed , here afforded me not only considerable experience , but also innumerable opportunities of collecting facts and opinions , cases and evidences , of which I did not neglect to avail myself . "

Original Correspondence.

Writing at pp . 203 , 204 , on the " Confirmation o £ Minutes , " Dr . Oliver says : " After reading and due confiimation of the minutes , it is the practice of many lodges for the Worshipful Master to direct the Secretary to read also a staiement of the receipts , disbursements , and balances , if there be any , that they may be put for confirmation ; for no resolution of a lodge , or any other

business , how unanimously so ever it may have been agreed to in the first instance , becomes binding , and no action can be taken upon it till it has been confirmed by open voting at a subsequent regular meeting , with , at least , five Master Masons and members of the lodge present ; for as no business can be transacted at a lodge of emergency , except what is named in the summons , it would be improper at

such a casual meeting of the brethren to read any minutes except those which distinctly refer to the matter for which the special lodge has been convened . So stands the lawand a very judicious law it is ; for it prevents all factious intriguing , which could scarcely fail to be occasionally successful if a resolution or law established by a majority of votes at one lodge were irreversible at another . " I think the opinion of the author of our only work on

"Masonic Jurisprudence is entitled to a respectful hearing in the present controversy , and the more so , as it appears to be supported by the views to which you have given expression , as well as by the practice of Grand Ludge , which , in the case of Bro . James Stevens ' s motion on uniformity , as I happen at the moment to remember , reversed at one meeting theiresolution it ha I adopted at the previous meeting . —Faithfully and fraternally yours ,

MASONIC EXHIBITION . To the Editor of the " Freemason " Dear Sir and Brother , Many studious brethren must have gazed with longing eyes at the announcements of Masonic Exhibitions which have from time to time appeared in your columns , have perused the catalogue of "Exhibits , " and felt what

golden opportunities for Masonic research were drifting out of reach on account of utter inability to attend the places where invaluable collections were brought together . Edified and delighted muat have been the favoured ones whose time and circumstances permitted a journey to York , Shanklin , or Worcester , and doubtless inestimable benefit has accrued by awakening a new or more fervid interest

in the higher and advanced branches of Masonic know * ledge . But the success of these Exhibitions , I venture to say , would be surpassed if one could be held in the great Masonic and business centre of the empire , London . Within ten miles alone of Freemasons' Hall must be an army of biethren who would gladly avail themselves of the opportunity of viewing , at their own doors , those treasures and relics of the past which have been to them thus lar

unknown ground . To these may be added an innumerable stream of visitors , on business or pkasure bent , to whom the capital brings attractions which no other city ever can . I trust I am not too sanguine in believing that a Masonic Exhibition in London would be a great success from every point of view .

Leaving the suggestion to the consideration ot your readers , the Metropolitan brethren , and the Craft at large . —1 am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , WILLIAM WATSON , P . M . Leeds , January 10 th . MUSIC IN LODGES .

To the Editor of the " Freemason " Dear Sir and Brother , 1 quite agree with your correspondent , Bro . Whitley , as to the introduction of vocal music into our ceremonies . I feel sure that such would add to the beauty and attractiveness of our lodge working , and induce many brethren to be present who now drop in for the social board ,

but before such can be done it will be necessary to ascertain the present opinion of the " ruling spirits " in Grand Lodge . 1 remember a short time since they most emphatically set their faces against the introduction of vocal music , although they admitted that a performance by a fourthrate amateur on a wheezy harmonium was in accordance with the ancient usages of the Craft .

I wonder how our ancient brethren managed before the harmonium was invented ; perhaps a fiddle or a Jews' harp was requisitioned to perform the musical portion of the ceremony . If the ancient usages are to be so strictly followed , those old fashioned instruments ought to be used

now . Just fancy one of our late and popular Grand Organists appearing as Jews' harpist in a lodge 1 Still , I firmly believe that he would produce as good music in that capacity as one sometimes hears ground out of the small harmoniums used in some of the lodges . —I am , yours fraternally , P . M .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The letter of Bro . Ed . Forbes Whitley respecting " Music in Lodge , " in your last issue , is one which calls for some remarks from myself , in defence of the " Freemasons' Liber Musicus , " upon which 1 spent so many years of laborious research , and which , with little

exception , really contains everything that is required for the various ceremonies , and festival celebrations connected with Masonry . Bro . Whitley mentions only four pieces that he has found useful as being composed for male voices . Surely he can only have obtained the first part of my work , as all the latter portion is filled with simple , suitable music , amounting very

nearly to ten times " four " selections . There is no end of suitable instrumental pieces , and certainly there need be no difficulty in making a choice for any purpose required . The fault is not with this or any other music for the lodge , but lies in the fact that you cannot—as they 00 in foreign lodges—get the musical brethren together to practise , and arrange before the meeting what should be done and how to do it . Press of engagements will not permit me to add

more at present than t- < ask you to heguod enough 10 alio * me to quote , for Bro . Whitley's careful perusal , an exiract from the preface to my small , cheap edition of the " Liber Musicus , " published in 1883 : — " 1 am fully senMble of the defects in the bookespecially the arrangement of certain pieces in the earlier portions for mixed—and not male voices . Nut only , however , can these be effectively used ( where there are not too many hypercritical musicians ) , but there are plenty oi