Ar00900

WE call attention to thc announcement in another column of Railway Arrangements forbrctbrcn visiting Truro . Thc Great Western Company has offered special facilities on all their system of railways , which , we think , the Craft will appreciate .

Services Of The Grand Officers.

SERVICES OF THE GRAND OFFICERS .

J UNIOR GRAND WARDEN . Bro . thc Right Honourable Sir FRAXCIS WYATT TRUSCOTT , the Lord Mayor , was initiated into Masonry in thc Grand Masters' Lodge , No . i , on the 20 th December , 1 S 58 . He represented thc

lodge as Grand Steward in 186 4-5 , and '" ^ 5 was installed W . M . This year he was elected a second time to the chair , and was installed , on the igth of January , in the presence of a large number of brethren . In Arch Masonry Bro . Sir F . Truscott was exalted in the St . James ' s Chapter , and

at thc meeting of Grand Chapter , held 011 the 5 th inst ., was installed as Grand Scribe N . He is a Life Governor of each of thc three Institutions , and has served as Steward on several occasions . This year he was elected President of thc Board of Stewards at the festival of the Girls' School , and

supported H . R . H . Prince Leopold at the banquet . His popularity as Lord Mayor is unbounded , and he is as highly esteemed in public life as among his brethren of the Craft . Although the public duties of our distinguished brother , as is well known , have absorbed the larger

portion of his time during many years , yet he has found some time for Masonry ; has worked conscientiousl y in the lodge , and shown that he has always taken great interest in its prosperity . That thc Chief Magistrate of the ( irsl city in thc world should , during his year of oflice , and in ihe midsl

of daily pressing claims on his time , accept and fulfil thc onerous duties of the W . M . of thc Grand Masters' Lodge , is a proof that he values Masonry , and that his interest in the Craft has rather increased than diminished . Bro . Sir F . Truscott was Sheriff of London and Middlesex in 1871-2 , when he was knighted .

In our last issue wc noticed thc Masonic services of several of thc officers appointed at the last Grand Lodge . The Supreme Grand Chapter has since been held , when , as is customary , thc Grand Officers for the year were appointed to office in Grand Chapter , and thc names , with the exception of Comp . thc Rev . R . P . Bent , are identical wilh those of Grand Lodge .

• GRAND ARCH CMIA 1 > LAINT . Comp . thc Rev . R . P . I 3 ENT has been a Mason over thirty years . He was initiated in the Alfred Lodge , No . 340 , Oxford , October 30 th , 1849 . He is P . M . of Unanimity Lodge , No . 102 , North Walsham , Norfolk ; P . Prov . Grand Chaplain of

Norfolk ; and has been Steward and is Life-Governor of all thc Charities . He was appointed Grand Chaplain by the Marquis of Ripon in 1 S 7 , } . In 1 S 74 he went to reside in Sweden , as Chaplain of the English Church at Gothenburg , but came over expressly in April , 187 .= ; , to officiate as Senior

Grand Chaplain at the installation of thc Prince of Wales , for which he composed the special prayer used on that occasion . On his return to Sweden His Majesty King Oscar , as Grand Master of the Swedish Freemasons , commanded him to receive some of the High Degrees of thc Order in

that country . We ( Freemason ) published a lcttcr from Bro . Bent in our issue of December 15 th , 1 S 77 , - in which he explained thc Swedish system of Ten Degrees , of which he himself is a member of thc Ninth Degree . Bro . Bent was exalted into Royal Arch Masonry April 29 th , 1863 , in thc

Unanimity Chapter , No . 102 , North Walsham . He has held office in the Northampton Chapter , No . . 560 , and is at the present time M . E . Z . of the Montagu Chapter , No . 466 , Stamford . Grand Chaplains , when qualified , are usually appointed to office in Supreme Grand Chapter ; but Bro . Bent's

departure for Sweden will account for his having had to wait for the office to which he has at length attained , and on which he may now be fairly congratulated . He isa member of the Bon Accord iSlark Lodge , of the Holy Palestine Preceptory ol Knights Templar , and of the Palestine Rose Croix

Chapter . He has yet another Masonic distinction , he is an honorary member of the Royal Solomon Mother Lodge of Jerusalem , which is a lodge that was consecrated at Jerusalem , in the very quarries of Solomon , under a charter from the Grand Lodge : of Canada , in 1873 . Bro . Bent was in the Holy

City in the spring of 1 S 7 S , and being inviled UJ attend this lodge , \ :. was ( out of compliment to thc Grand Lodge of i ingland ) requested to take the Master ' s chair , and perform the ceremony of initiation , which ' ne did , and was then made an honorary member .

By an unaccountable error in our last , which wc desire to correct , the Senior Grand Chaplain was named as the successor of the Rev . A . J . Purcy-C ' ust , Deputy Grand Master of Berks and Bucks , instead of Bro . the Kev . J . Studholme Brownrig-g * .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

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

BOYS' SCHOOL SPECIAL ADDRESS . To tlie Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — 1 have seen a " special address" for thc Boys ' School , which is now being circulated . Under whose

authority has this peculiarly-worded production been issued ? Has it been approved of either by the House or General Committee ? Can any brother who takes an active part in the management of the Boys' School give us this information ? 1 am , yours fraternally , A QUONDAM STEWARD .

MRS . RIGBY'S CASE . Dear Bro . Kenning , — As Bro . Fenn is unable to be at thc election on thc 21 st , having to go to Truro , he has asked mc to take charge eif the case of Mrs . Rigby for him , and as I understand that some votes are promised for that very excellent case 1 shall be obliged if all the subscribers wishful to help the poor

widow will kindly send their voting papers to me . I shall , as I trust , be able to carry the case to a successful issue . Bros . Hutton Gregory , Fenn , and others , have greatly interested themselves in support of Mrs . Rigby's application . Yours fraternally , A . F . A . WOODFORD . 25 A , Norfolk-crescent , Hjde Park , W . MayS , 1 SS 0 .

THE PROVINCES AND THE CHARITIES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir ancl Brother , — Allow me to correct one or two misprints in my letter of last week . Thc total number of votes ( boys and

girls ) for Dorset should bc ( 3 . * 5 * for Warwickshire 1461 ; and for Kent 1 707 . With these exceptions I believe the figures are correctly printed . Yours fraternally , A PAST MASTER .

VISITING ENGLISH LODGES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I read in thc " Masonic Review" for March n letter uneler thc heading * " About Visiting English Lodges , " which contains the following statements : " On Tuesday , the first day nf October , I found myself

in London , and having ** seen in thc London Freemason , that quite a number of lodges would meet during thc afternoon and evening , 1 presented myself at Freemasons' Hall , at about 5 o'clock p . m . "The Tyler informed me frankly that it was epiite uncertain as to my being * able fo visit any of the lodges . 1 notified him that my papers' were all complete , and that 1

was'rcadyto stand any test or examination that was legitimate . I will not be positive , but I think that 1 applied to five out of seven lodges , then in session , with the same result , ' that unless I brought Some one from the ' city to vouch for me to thc Tyler , I could not be admitted . I returned to my hotel , the Bedford , No . 0 . 5 , Southamptonrow , cjuitc near to the Hall , and after tea , referring * to the

Freemason again , I found that Grosvenor Lodge was yet to meet . Ihe T y ler brought back the same response as in the former application . Keeling * doubly chagrined , less , however , at my personal position than at the surrender of my long-life views of the universality of Masonry , I sent the Tyler hack ancl requested an interview with the Master , which was kindly granted . I was conducted up stairs and

presented at the door of what I took to be an ante-room , with a half-dozen or more gentlemen , clothed as Masons , in thc room . The Master inquired why I had desired an interview with him , and I informed him that 1 was an American Mason , and craved permission , under due and proper examination of self and papers , to visit his lodge . He replied promptly that he could not do so without having

some one to vouch for and introduce me , and declined to inspect my papers or examine me . I firmly replied that he was requiring * an utter impossibility , as I was a stranger in a strange land , ancl stood alone upon my Masonry . I asked him with all the pertinence possible , what became of thc

universality of Masonry ? With an impatient wave of the hand he declined to enter upon any discussion of thc matter ; and humbly apologising for my intrusion , 1 bade him good night ; ancl if this bc Masonry I would bid it a long , long * , good night . " Sincerely and fraternally yours ,

"J . M . Towi-KK . " As the son of an English P . M . I feci a very natural interest in English Masonry , anel at the same time 1 am unwilling to believe that it has lost that broad principle of universality which should everywhere be its characteristic . I

shall feel obliged if you will inform mc through the Freemason how far Bro . Towler ' s assertions are justified by the facts in such cases . Yours fraternally , W . M ., St . Vrain , No . 23 , Colorado , U . S . Longmont , Colorado , U . S ., April 23 rd .

Reviews.

Reviews .

ARCANA SAITICA . Amoy . This is the- production of an anonymous brother at Amoy , China , being professedly a lecture on the Tracing Boards . Wc do not like it , either in tone , temper , or substance-. It is an attempt , alike unwise and improper , to introduce into our non-controversial Craft sectarian discussions , inasmuch as the work before us is indirectly suggestive both of scepticism and unbelief , and , in fact , is the avowal of a " polished

Pantheism , if we understand tlie writer correctly . Think of a brother re-introducing in a Masonic Inci te the now forgotten " animus" and exploded theory of the " K . lohistic and Jeliovistie controversy . " The writer -rives a lucid account of the Rites of Isis , and wherever he- lias obtained bis facts from , in this respect they are , wc ; believe :, correct . All tbe early mysteries preserved the leaching of a purification , probation , death , resurrection , and sacrifice for sins and for mankind . The belief in the Triune Deity and a

Reviews.

future life of bliss or punishment were also undoubtedly inculcated , despite "Lobeck " and others . We confess we took up thc little paper with curiosity , and we put it down with pain . We say this because we think it always better to speak honestly , above all , in a review , and we equally detest "flummery" and "high falutin" by whomsoever emitted .

NOTES ON THE HISTORY OF THE MARK DEGREE . By Bro . T . B . WHYTEHEAD . York . This is a very able statement of the claims of the Mark Degree . And if it be that wc do not altogether g-o with thc writer , whose opinions always deserve careful consideration , it is not owing to any want of lucidity or logic on his part . But we have our difficulties , and we will impart them to our

readers . It is undoubtedly true that "Marks" were used by the operative guilds habitually until the seventeenth century . We have been told that they are still used in some measure by Masons . In Scotland the evidence of the use of " Marks " in Masonic lodges goes back to 1600 . In England we have none so far , until long- past 1717 . Evidence may yet turn up , but at present we believe we

arc correct in stating , no trace of Masons' Marks , whether of operative or speculative lodges , is to be found until after the middle of the iSth century . Now we are not prepared to deny , as we said at first , that marks were used by the medkeval g * uilds , ( as their works attest everywhere ) , and that in Scotland you have evidenceof the same . But neither south or north , in London or in York , is there anv

proof of " marks " being- known to Masons in these English "limitts" until late in the iSth century . How then do they come in ? We received our " mark" from the old Mark lodge that used to meet at " Bradford " years ago ; but there is no evidence , we apprehend , of much greater antiquity than the end of the last century so far anywhere . The present system of the "Mark" is admittedly modern , and

the " Crux " always has been how you were to "join" a piece of " new cloth " on an " oldgarment . " Some twentyfive years ago the subject was hotl y contested , and some brethren denied thc antiquity of { the Mark Degree , per se . " Wc arc ourselves aware of no old Mark ritual , and wc have

felt , ( though we may bc wrong ) , that the fact of the " marks" is one thing , the connection of Mark Masonxy with the marks "quod est demonstrandum . " We have , however , perused Bro . Whytchead's essay with much pleasure , and recommend all our readers to do the same . It will repay both reading and thought .

ESTATUTOS PARA LAS LOGIAS SIMBOLICAS , & c . DEL PERU . Peru , 1 S 70 . This is an official publication of the " Constitutions , " so to say , of the lodges and High Grades of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , Peru ! We regret again to see lodges , qua lodges , under the Ancient and Accepted Rite , as we feel sure thatit is a mistake , and the cause of constant

complication . Our Anglo-Saxon system is the only true one . Wc are pleased to note that their Constitutions , which seem clearly and admirably drawn up , proclaim the necessity of belief in the T . G . A . O . T . U . as an indispensable qualification foradmission into the Order . We never , for our part , could understand why , in the interests of Masonic unity and peace , thc Grand Orient of France could have been so rash

as to throw down' such a torch of contention isthis painful controversy . We trustthat better days are in store for France and Cosmopolitan Masonry , and that we may " all thc world over ' yet rally round and reunite in the simple admission of faith in thc great and Divine "Architeknos" of the world and of mankind . To those who read Spanish these statutes arc full of interest .

MAGAZINES FOR MAY . "Scribncr" is very effective indeed this month . We find to our surprise that it is still , despite its obvious merits , little known in England . "Temple Bar" rests on "Adam and Kre , " and "The Rebel of the Family , " and has an interesting account of "Colbert , " a stirring recital about "Thoraima , " and a most touching " monody " on " Henri Murgcr . " Let us read ancl note .

"All the Year Round " has the " Duke ' s Children " and several most interesting papers . We like "Set in a Silver Sea" wc honestly confess—no doubt wc have very bad taste —less and less . "The Antiquary" is very interesting for antiquarian students ancl lovers of " old tilings , old books , and old ways . "

Wc cannot , for some reason or other patent to the thoughtful Masonic mind , deal for the most part with such lesser luminaries as " Cornhill , " " The Argosy , " " ( Tassel ' s Family Magazine , " "The Ouiver , " "Hand and Heart , " "TheTireside , " " Little Folks , " " Blackwood , " " Fraser , " "Macmillan , " "The Month , " "The Sunday Magazine , "

l'he Gentleman s Magazine , & c . ; but they have many points of interest for habitual friends or casual readers . The greater lights , ( if they be greater ) , like "The Nineteenth Century , " "Fortnightly , " "The Contemporary Review , " are out of thc scope and boundaries of thc Freemason altogether .

YOUNG FOLKS . Red Lion House , Red Lion-court , Fleet-street . This stirring and sensational serial moves on with great energy , and is seemingly much in demand . We know a fair young lad y who reads it carefully month by monthand

, believes alikc in fairy tales and supernatural scenes . How far such a strain on the imagination can be good for the young , we honestly confess we think-, may be a matter of serious doubt ; but " Young Folks" is undoubtedly well written , and has many readers ancl admirers .

Till * . FREEMASON'S' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY TO Till' : PROVINCE OF GLOUCESTER . John Bellows , Gloucester . 'this issue for 1 SS 0 is compiled by Col . II . Basevi , P . D . D . G . M . Punjab , and P . P . G . R ., and is very neatly " got

up , " and full of needful information for the * Gloucester brethren . If all these " calendars" were printed in a some what larger size tbey could all be bound up in one volume , and issued to the Craft , as they are most helpful in their various localities .