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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
Thc Editor is not responsible for thc opinions expressed by CorresDondents .
THE PURPLE . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —From tbe love of fair-play , which , I see , pervades the whole of your interesting paper , I am led to think you will give some consideration to what is , I believe , a just and reasonable complaint . I wislito drawyour attention to
the existing mode of election of P . G . officers in the P . G . Lodge of West Lancashire , and shall be glad to know if , within your experience , you can recollect of a similar practice being the rule ? I have often beard it remarked tbat the difficulty of obtaining an office in the P . G . Lodge of West Lancashire is greater than in any other county ;
but I could not account for such an astounding report until after perusing the notice of the last annual meeting at Southport , on the 5 th inst ., in a Liverpool paper . I find tbat nearly all the old officers were re-elected to their late or some other office , thereby excluding many deserving brethren from wealing the purple . From tbe following table you will readily perceive my meaning r—
Bro . Lord Skelmesdale , D . P . G . M ., re-elected . „ Hon . Capt . Stanley . M . P ., P . G . S . W . ,, Schneider , P G . J . W ., „ „ Rev . H . G . Vernon , P . G . C , „ „ T . Hamer , P . G . Treas ., ,, „ T . Wylie , P . G . Reg ., „ H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec , ,,
., A . C . Mott , P . S . G . D ., „ „ H . B . White , P . J . G . D ., „ D . Moore , P . G . Sup . of Wks ., retired . „ R . Wylie , P . G . Dir . of Cer ., re-elected ., T . Marsh , A . P . G . Dir . of Cer .,
„ S . Hobbs , P . G . Sword-bearer , „ „ Skeaf , P . G . Organist , „ „ Laidlaw , P . G . Purst ., P . G . Sup . of Wks „ G . Broadbridge , P . G . Steward , re-elected „ Rowson , „ „ „ Fowler , „ „ ,, Pickering „ P . G . Purst
Now , sir , in my innocence , I fully believed that offices like these were conferred on brethren according to merit and ability , and that time and patience would enable every worthy brother to share in the honours of Masonry . Thc province of West Lancashire contains a large number of lodges ,
and I put it to you , in common fairness , what chance of gaining a purple collar is there for the numerous brethren of West Lancashire lodgesmany of whom , in point of education , social standing , and knowledge of thc Craft , are equal , if not superior , to the small knot of brethren in Liverpool who arc almost constantly rc-clccted ? The P . G . M .
cnrlysaw the propriety of holding the P . G . L . atother places than Liverpool , and it is to be hoped that be will not another year cast a slur upon thc Craft in bis province by re-electing the old officers . It is strange that sonic others did not follow the honourable example of Bro . Moore , and retire in favour of othcrclcserving Masons kept out in thc cold . Is it a
general rule that the offices of P . G . Sec , P . G . Reg ., and others , should be held for life ? Some lodges might ns well be at thc North Pole as in West Lancashire for the chance of ever seeing a brother of their lodge made a provincial officer . I wish it to be understood that I am not complaining on my own account . I am satisfied with
the fact that I belong to a lodgo whicb has thc most beautiful room ( private building ) , in decoration and furniture , out of London—its working correct , hearty , and with music always cleverly introduced , according to authorised method—a regular and punctual attendance of members—and ,
considering its age , as many votes to thc charitable institutions as any in the country . I do not desire the purple , but I am sorry to sec men passed over who arc well qualified nnd in every way eligible , because a few obstructions have not the grace to retire . J am , Sir ancl Brother , yours fraternally , M . M .
UNIFORMITY OF WORKING . ( To thc Editor of Thc Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — In reply to the question of ' W . M . " at page 49 S of your paper , I beg to offer him my humbie opinion , that as wc are informed the sanctum sanctorum was situated
in thc W ., both in thc Tabernacle and thc Temple of Jerusalem , there could be no door on that side , and therefore N ., S ., and E . appear to be thc proper situations for the three entrances . Yours fraternally .
W . II . REED , P . M . 1125 . P . P . J . . D . Devo-r . Tiverton , Devon , Uct . 11 . io 7 o .
Original Correspondence.
RELIEF IN SCOTLAND . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In the concluding letter from " A Brother in England to a Brother in Scotland , " No . 80 of THE FREEMASON , there are certain remarks and statements he makes which
astonish me . He states that several hundred pounds were collected some years ago for the purpose of founding a Freemasons' institution for the daughters of brethren . I should like to know where this money is , or where it went to ? We have a right to demand an answer to the question
either from Grand Lodge or from Lodge Canongate Kilwinning , No . 2 , seeing that the money was last known to be in the hands of Bro . Anthony Traill , W . S ., a Past Master of that lodge . I hope there will be no evasion of the question , and not , as he wisely remarks , shelve it—there are too many
things put aside in that manner . There are other remarks of bis which , I am sorry to say , we cannot refute . He states : " In England we have an almoner in each town , who dispenses alms to needy brethren—thus preventing a universal raid on the members of the Craft . In Scotland we have no
such system . " This I disagree with , as in the province of Glasgow we bave a benevolent fund , supported by a subscription or tax on each lodge of the sum of five shillings for every member initiated therein , and the ' proceeds of our annual festival , as well as a test fee from each of the P . G .
Officebearers , varying from three guineas down to five shillings . However , on examination of the financial statement of the P . G . Lodge at present before me , I find that only seven of the office-bearers have paid it , leaving the fees of eleven unpaid , and— " tell it not inGath , neither publishitin the streets of Askelotv "—
one of that eleven received the sum of three pounds ten shillings and sixpence , as expenses for visits to Grand Lodge Committee ! In our subordinate lodges we hold any one in arrears of their test fee disqualified to hold office , speak , or vote on any subject . I believe this is also the law in
thc Grand Lodge of England . Not so here . Those very parties are those who talk tbe loudest about reforming abuses , & c . Oh ! Scotland , how art thou fallen ; how unworthy of thy great patriots and Reformers ! This benevolent fund has been established about ten years , and a
great many have been relieved from it . It has been for a number of years under the able management of Bro . James Thomson , as Treasurer and Almoner , than whom a more indefatigable brother could not have been selected for the troublesome ancl , at times , disagreeable duties arising from the
importunities of English and Irish , as well as Scotch , Masonic tramps . I observe that last year the disbursements were £ 77 17 s ., against , £ 120 os . ; d . of income ; balance in bank , £ 177 3 s - 8 d . ; and in Treasurer ' s hands , ^ 18 2 s . 5 d . — making a total of . £ 195 6 s . id . sterling . We predict a considerable
advance this year , as it is now compulsory for all lodges to pay . We advise Bro . Thomson to publish yearly , through the columns of THE FREEMASON , his financial statement . I should not have taken up so much of your valuable space , but as Scotch Masonry has been
very hardly dealt with in the columns of your paper for some time back , it is only justice to ourselves to make this known , so that our English brethren may say there is at least one redeeming point in our Craft . The monetary items , I grant , are small
but if each province in Scotland would follow the example of Glasgow , a few years would bring about a change in our -Masonic atmosphere as regards relief in Scotland . Yours faithfully and fraternally , MONTRA .
AN EARNEST APPEAL TO THE CRAFT . ( To the Editor of Thc Freemason . ) SIR , —Will you kindly allow thc enclosed appeal to be inserted in your newspaper . It is a case of a most painful description , ancl one that will , I feel sure , meet with thc kind sympathy and
assistance of the r recmasons . By having this distressingcascbrought before the benevolent you will greatly oblige , Yours faithfully , GEORGE NODDLE , L . C . P ., & c , & c . East View House , Morccombe .
"An earnest appeal is made to the Freemasons of this country in behalf of a young lady by birth and education , who , from severe misfortune , will be deprived of her home very shortly , unless immediate aid is afforded ber . She is thc daughter of a deceased English officer , a Freemason , of tlic Mount Mcllick Lodge , Ireland ; is marriedand
, has two little children ( one partially paralysed ) , and daily anticipating an increase to their number . Continuous adversity , ill health , and severe privations caused this unfortunate lady to be deprived of her reason formally weeks , and has nearly lost the use of her right arm and h ; md from paralysis . "Thc truth of this statement will be verified and
Original Correspondence.
inquiries answered by the Principal of tbe Colle giate School , East View House , Morecombe , Lan cashire , who has kindly consented to receive con tributions "
THE SPHINX . ( To the Editor of thc Freemason . ) SIR , —The want of an additional Freemasons ' lodge in the increasingly influential neighbourhood of Peckham , Camberwell , and Dulwich having been felt by many , it is hoped that that requirement will now be supplied by the foundation of the one
proposed to be consecrated on Saturday , October 15 , at the Stirling Castle , Peckham-road , Camberwell . It is called the "Sphinx , " and numbered 1329 , although the matter of its future prosperity and the kindly welcome it has met with from the
neighbouring lodges is no uncertain proposition . The following brief sketch of the history of the Sphinx , so appropriate for the name of a Masonic lodge , may not be unacceptable to some of our elder brethren : —
Cadmus , who about the year 1580 B . C ., being in search of his sister Europa , brought the letters and learning of Phoenicia and Egypt into Europe , founded the city of Thebes , in Greece , but was warned by an oracle that great misfortunes would attend his posterity . A certain one of his
descendants , Laius , reigned over Thebes , and of his child the oracle predicted that he would become murderer of his father and spouse of his mother . Laius charged an officer to kill this infant , who , however , only hung him up by the feet in a wood . Thence a shepherd rescued and carried him to the king of
Corinth , who brought him up , naming him after his injured feet—GEdipus , or " swelled foot" oiSeco , to swell , and TOUS , a foot . CEdipus , also warned by an oracle , left what he thought his native country , and his parents . In travelling through a defile he was hostilely stopped by his own father , whom
unknowing he killed . After this incident , CEdipus betook himself to Thebes , and found it desolated by the ravages of the sphinx—a monster with the griffes of a lion , body and head of a woman , and wings of an eagle . It inhabited the road from Delphi to Thebes , where it proposed enigmas to
passers-by and destroyed all those who could not unriddle them . The usual enigma was : " What is that animal which walks in the morning on four , at midday on two , and in the evening on three feet ?" The old king Creon ( who had resigned his crown in favour of his murdered son Laius ) promised the
widow and kingdom of his deceased son to whoever would explain the riddle , as the monster declared it would then destroy itself . CEdipus explained the riddle— " MAN , " when the sphinx kept its promise and immediately destroyed itself . After having thus obtained the crown ancl espoused his mother ,
Iocasta , he had by her two sons , Eteocles ' . ' and Polyneces , and two daughters , Antigone and Ismene . On becoming aware of his double crime , CEdipus was horror-stricken , descended from his throne , and retired to Athens . Iocasta , his mother and wife , died of grief . CEdipus , on quitting his throne , had
left it to his two sons on condition they should reign each year alternately , but Eteocles , once mounted on the throne refused to descend , and Polynice formed a grand confederation of seven kings against him . All these perished before thc walls of Thebes with thc exception of Adrastus , whilst the two
brothers , who were said to have fought even in the womb of tbeir mother , killed each other in fight . Ten years afterwards their sons renewed thc fatal war , and the Thcbans at length yielded ; but , persuaded that the vengeance of thc gods would always be attached to the seed of CEdipus , they established
a republican form of government , and Thebes being rebuilt was finally ruined by Alexander the Great . This story , although little referred to and only slightly known or treated of by the Romans , was a great theme with thc Greeks , who adapted its various phases to tbeir tragedies . Their tragedians
/ Eschylus and Sophocles have both used it . The great Racine has also founded one of his chief dramas , tbe " Frers ennemis , " on their civil wars . As for the Sphinx itself , it has a philosophical or metaphorical meaning , and now , as then , is always asking tbe yet unanswered questions : What is
Man i What is God ? What is Nature ? What is Eternity ? I have thc honour to be , Sir and Brother , Fraternally yours , VV ' VINCER BEDOLFE , M . D ., M . M . 1194 , S . D . 1329 . Dulwich , October 7 , 1870 .
"A QUERY . " ( To the Editor of Thc Freemason . ) DI' . AR SIR AND BROTHER ,-- I was astonished to see the above in your issue of last week (\\ 49 8 ) . 1 would have thought that every PA of a chapter would have known that no such thing as the Excellent . Master ' s Decree- exist :-, in England , and for Comp . Rosi e r inform ition 1 beg of you to insert—
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
Thc Editor is not responsible for thc opinions expressed by CorresDondents .
THE PURPLE . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —From tbe love of fair-play , which , I see , pervades the whole of your interesting paper , I am led to think you will give some consideration to what is , I believe , a just and reasonable complaint . I wislito drawyour attention to
the existing mode of election of P . G . officers in the P . G . Lodge of West Lancashire , and shall be glad to know if , within your experience , you can recollect of a similar practice being the rule ? I have often beard it remarked tbat the difficulty of obtaining an office in the P . G . Lodge of West Lancashire is greater than in any other county ;
but I could not account for such an astounding report until after perusing the notice of the last annual meeting at Southport , on the 5 th inst ., in a Liverpool paper . I find tbat nearly all the old officers were re-elected to their late or some other office , thereby excluding many deserving brethren from wealing the purple . From tbe following table you will readily perceive my meaning r—
Bro . Lord Skelmesdale , D . P . G . M ., re-elected . „ Hon . Capt . Stanley . M . P ., P . G . S . W . ,, Schneider , P G . J . W ., „ „ Rev . H . G . Vernon , P . G . C , „ „ T . Hamer , P . G . Treas ., ,, „ T . Wylie , P . G . Reg ., „ H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec , ,,
., A . C . Mott , P . S . G . D ., „ „ H . B . White , P . J . G . D ., „ D . Moore , P . G . Sup . of Wks ., retired . „ R . Wylie , P . G . Dir . of Cer ., re-elected ., T . Marsh , A . P . G . Dir . of Cer .,
„ S . Hobbs , P . G . Sword-bearer , „ „ Skeaf , P . G . Organist , „ „ Laidlaw , P . G . Purst ., P . G . Sup . of Wks „ G . Broadbridge , P . G . Steward , re-elected „ Rowson , „ „ „ Fowler , „ „ ,, Pickering „ P . G . Purst
Now , sir , in my innocence , I fully believed that offices like these were conferred on brethren according to merit and ability , and that time and patience would enable every worthy brother to share in the honours of Masonry . Thc province of West Lancashire contains a large number of lodges ,
and I put it to you , in common fairness , what chance of gaining a purple collar is there for the numerous brethren of West Lancashire lodgesmany of whom , in point of education , social standing , and knowledge of thc Craft , are equal , if not superior , to the small knot of brethren in Liverpool who arc almost constantly rc-clccted ? The P . G . M .
cnrlysaw the propriety of holding the P . G . L . atother places than Liverpool , and it is to be hoped that be will not another year cast a slur upon thc Craft in bis province by re-electing the old officers . It is strange that sonic others did not follow the honourable example of Bro . Moore , and retire in favour of othcrclcserving Masons kept out in thc cold . Is it a
general rule that the offices of P . G . Sec , P . G . Reg ., and others , should be held for life ? Some lodges might ns well be at thc North Pole as in West Lancashire for the chance of ever seeing a brother of their lodge made a provincial officer . I wish it to be understood that I am not complaining on my own account . I am satisfied with
the fact that I belong to a lodgo whicb has thc most beautiful room ( private building ) , in decoration and furniture , out of London—its working correct , hearty , and with music always cleverly introduced , according to authorised method—a regular and punctual attendance of members—and ,
considering its age , as many votes to thc charitable institutions as any in the country . I do not desire the purple , but I am sorry to sec men passed over who arc well qualified nnd in every way eligible , because a few obstructions have not the grace to retire . J am , Sir ancl Brother , yours fraternally , M . M .
UNIFORMITY OF WORKING . ( To thc Editor of Thc Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — In reply to the question of ' W . M . " at page 49 S of your paper , I beg to offer him my humbie opinion , that as wc are informed the sanctum sanctorum was situated
in thc W ., both in thc Tabernacle and thc Temple of Jerusalem , there could be no door on that side , and therefore N ., S ., and E . appear to be thc proper situations for the three entrances . Yours fraternally .
W . II . REED , P . M . 1125 . P . P . J . . D . Devo-r . Tiverton , Devon , Uct . 11 . io 7 o .
Original Correspondence.
RELIEF IN SCOTLAND . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In the concluding letter from " A Brother in England to a Brother in Scotland , " No . 80 of THE FREEMASON , there are certain remarks and statements he makes which
astonish me . He states that several hundred pounds were collected some years ago for the purpose of founding a Freemasons' institution for the daughters of brethren . I should like to know where this money is , or where it went to ? We have a right to demand an answer to the question
either from Grand Lodge or from Lodge Canongate Kilwinning , No . 2 , seeing that the money was last known to be in the hands of Bro . Anthony Traill , W . S ., a Past Master of that lodge . I hope there will be no evasion of the question , and not , as he wisely remarks , shelve it—there are too many
things put aside in that manner . There are other remarks of bis which , I am sorry to say , we cannot refute . He states : " In England we have an almoner in each town , who dispenses alms to needy brethren—thus preventing a universal raid on the members of the Craft . In Scotland we have no
such system . " This I disagree with , as in the province of Glasgow we bave a benevolent fund , supported by a subscription or tax on each lodge of the sum of five shillings for every member initiated therein , and the ' proceeds of our annual festival , as well as a test fee from each of the P . G .
Officebearers , varying from three guineas down to five shillings . However , on examination of the financial statement of the P . G . Lodge at present before me , I find that only seven of the office-bearers have paid it , leaving the fees of eleven unpaid , and— " tell it not inGath , neither publishitin the streets of Askelotv "—
one of that eleven received the sum of three pounds ten shillings and sixpence , as expenses for visits to Grand Lodge Committee ! In our subordinate lodges we hold any one in arrears of their test fee disqualified to hold office , speak , or vote on any subject . I believe this is also the law in
thc Grand Lodge of England . Not so here . Those very parties are those who talk tbe loudest about reforming abuses , & c . Oh ! Scotland , how art thou fallen ; how unworthy of thy great patriots and Reformers ! This benevolent fund has been established about ten years , and a
great many have been relieved from it . It has been for a number of years under the able management of Bro . James Thomson , as Treasurer and Almoner , than whom a more indefatigable brother could not have been selected for the troublesome ancl , at times , disagreeable duties arising from the
importunities of English and Irish , as well as Scotch , Masonic tramps . I observe that last year the disbursements were £ 77 17 s ., against , £ 120 os . ; d . of income ; balance in bank , £ 177 3 s - 8 d . ; and in Treasurer ' s hands , ^ 18 2 s . 5 d . — making a total of . £ 195 6 s . id . sterling . We predict a considerable
advance this year , as it is now compulsory for all lodges to pay . We advise Bro . Thomson to publish yearly , through the columns of THE FREEMASON , his financial statement . I should not have taken up so much of your valuable space , but as Scotch Masonry has been
very hardly dealt with in the columns of your paper for some time back , it is only justice to ourselves to make this known , so that our English brethren may say there is at least one redeeming point in our Craft . The monetary items , I grant , are small
but if each province in Scotland would follow the example of Glasgow , a few years would bring about a change in our -Masonic atmosphere as regards relief in Scotland . Yours faithfully and fraternally , MONTRA .
AN EARNEST APPEAL TO THE CRAFT . ( To the Editor of Thc Freemason . ) SIR , —Will you kindly allow thc enclosed appeal to be inserted in your newspaper . It is a case of a most painful description , ancl one that will , I feel sure , meet with thc kind sympathy and
assistance of the r recmasons . By having this distressingcascbrought before the benevolent you will greatly oblige , Yours faithfully , GEORGE NODDLE , L . C . P ., & c , & c . East View House , Morccombe .
"An earnest appeal is made to the Freemasons of this country in behalf of a young lady by birth and education , who , from severe misfortune , will be deprived of her home very shortly , unless immediate aid is afforded ber . She is thc daughter of a deceased English officer , a Freemason , of tlic Mount Mcllick Lodge , Ireland ; is marriedand
, has two little children ( one partially paralysed ) , and daily anticipating an increase to their number . Continuous adversity , ill health , and severe privations caused this unfortunate lady to be deprived of her reason formally weeks , and has nearly lost the use of her right arm and h ; md from paralysis . "Thc truth of this statement will be verified and
Original Correspondence.
inquiries answered by the Principal of tbe Colle giate School , East View House , Morecombe , Lan cashire , who has kindly consented to receive con tributions "
THE SPHINX . ( To the Editor of thc Freemason . ) SIR , —The want of an additional Freemasons ' lodge in the increasingly influential neighbourhood of Peckham , Camberwell , and Dulwich having been felt by many , it is hoped that that requirement will now be supplied by the foundation of the one
proposed to be consecrated on Saturday , October 15 , at the Stirling Castle , Peckham-road , Camberwell . It is called the "Sphinx , " and numbered 1329 , although the matter of its future prosperity and the kindly welcome it has met with from the
neighbouring lodges is no uncertain proposition . The following brief sketch of the history of the Sphinx , so appropriate for the name of a Masonic lodge , may not be unacceptable to some of our elder brethren : —
Cadmus , who about the year 1580 B . C ., being in search of his sister Europa , brought the letters and learning of Phoenicia and Egypt into Europe , founded the city of Thebes , in Greece , but was warned by an oracle that great misfortunes would attend his posterity . A certain one of his
descendants , Laius , reigned over Thebes , and of his child the oracle predicted that he would become murderer of his father and spouse of his mother . Laius charged an officer to kill this infant , who , however , only hung him up by the feet in a wood . Thence a shepherd rescued and carried him to the king of
Corinth , who brought him up , naming him after his injured feet—GEdipus , or " swelled foot" oiSeco , to swell , and TOUS , a foot . CEdipus , also warned by an oracle , left what he thought his native country , and his parents . In travelling through a defile he was hostilely stopped by his own father , whom
unknowing he killed . After this incident , CEdipus betook himself to Thebes , and found it desolated by the ravages of the sphinx—a monster with the griffes of a lion , body and head of a woman , and wings of an eagle . It inhabited the road from Delphi to Thebes , where it proposed enigmas to
passers-by and destroyed all those who could not unriddle them . The usual enigma was : " What is that animal which walks in the morning on four , at midday on two , and in the evening on three feet ?" The old king Creon ( who had resigned his crown in favour of his murdered son Laius ) promised the
widow and kingdom of his deceased son to whoever would explain the riddle , as the monster declared it would then destroy itself . CEdipus explained the riddle— " MAN , " when the sphinx kept its promise and immediately destroyed itself . After having thus obtained the crown ancl espoused his mother ,
Iocasta , he had by her two sons , Eteocles ' . ' and Polyneces , and two daughters , Antigone and Ismene . On becoming aware of his double crime , CEdipus was horror-stricken , descended from his throne , and retired to Athens . Iocasta , his mother and wife , died of grief . CEdipus , on quitting his throne , had
left it to his two sons on condition they should reign each year alternately , but Eteocles , once mounted on the throne refused to descend , and Polynice formed a grand confederation of seven kings against him . All these perished before thc walls of Thebes with thc exception of Adrastus , whilst the two
brothers , who were said to have fought even in the womb of tbeir mother , killed each other in fight . Ten years afterwards their sons renewed thc fatal war , and the Thcbans at length yielded ; but , persuaded that the vengeance of thc gods would always be attached to the seed of CEdipus , they established
a republican form of government , and Thebes being rebuilt was finally ruined by Alexander the Great . This story , although little referred to and only slightly known or treated of by the Romans , was a great theme with thc Greeks , who adapted its various phases to tbeir tragedies . Their tragedians
/ Eschylus and Sophocles have both used it . The great Racine has also founded one of his chief dramas , tbe " Frers ennemis , " on their civil wars . As for the Sphinx itself , it has a philosophical or metaphorical meaning , and now , as then , is always asking tbe yet unanswered questions : What is
Man i What is God ? What is Nature ? What is Eternity ? I have thc honour to be , Sir and Brother , Fraternally yours , VV ' VINCER BEDOLFE , M . D ., M . M . 1194 , S . D . 1329 . Dulwich , October 7 , 1870 .
"A QUERY . " ( To the Editor of Thc Freemason . ) DI' . AR SIR AND BROTHER ,-- I was astonished to see the above in your issue of last week (\\ 49 8 ) . 1 would have thought that every PA of a chapter would have known that no such thing as the Excellent . Master ' s Decree- exist :-, in England , and for Comp . Rosi e r inform ition 1 beg of you to insert—