Services Of The New Grand Officers.

floard of General Purposes and of the Colonial Board four years .

GRAND SECRETARY FOR GERMAN CORRESPONDENCE . Bro . Ernest Emil Wendt , now re-appointed Grand Secretary for German Correspondence , was initiated into Masonry on the ist of November 1843 at Stettin , Germany , in the lodge of

, , The Three Compasses , working under the system of the Grand National Mother Lodge of the Xhree Globes . Having been passed on the 18 th December , 1844 , and raised on the 25 th November , 1846 , he was admitted on the 25 th January , jSco , to the Old Scotch Master ' s Degree , which ,

under the above system , is considered equivalent to the Royal Arch . Having , in the interim , removed to England , Bro . Wendt , in the years i 860 or 1861 , was delegated by the two senior Grand Lodges of Berlin to arrange with the Grand Lodge of England a mutual interchange

of representatives , such intercourse having up to that time taken place only with the Grand Lodge , Royal York of Friendship , the youngest of the three Berlin Grand Lodges . The lengthened negotiations which this important change entailed were not brought to a conclusion until

the year 186 9 , after Bro . Hervey had become Grand Secretary , in which year the late Bro . Dundas was admitted as representative of the three Grand Lodges of Berlin , and in the following year Bro . Wendt was appointed Grand Secretary for German Correspondence , in which

office he has now for the tenth time been re-invested . Through his intermediation an equally cordial Masonic intercourse has been established between the Grand Lodges of Berlin and those of Scotland and Ireland . Bro . Wendt was promoted on the 2 nd of July , i 860 , to the first steps of the so-called Inner Orient of the Three

Globes ; on the 23 rd of May , 1864 , to those next following , and on the 30 th of the same month to the hig hest Degree in that system , which is understood to combine everything that Freemasonry undertakes to teach . In April , 1870 , he joined English Craft Masonry , in the St .

Mary ' s Lodge , No . 63 , and while in the chair of that lodge in 1873 delivered a series of lectures upon Freemasonry in Germany . In 1877 he was exalted in the Belgrave Chapter , and in the same year became one of the founders of St . Mary ' s Chapter , No . 63 , at the consecration of

which , in May , ' 1878 , he was installed Second Principal , and he is at the present moment M . E . Z . elect . He was appointed Grand Scribe N . at the meeting of Grand Chapter on the Sth inst . Bro . Wendt is a Life Governor of all the Masonic Charities , and served as Steward to two

of them in 1872 and 1878 . He also enjoys the rare distinction of being an honorary member of the Three Globes Grand Lodge , and of the Countries of Germany Grand Lodge , both these honours being conferred for eminent services to the Craft .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do wot 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 . ]

MASONIC GRAMMAR , Sec . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I venture to cill your attention to the use of a word in last report of the Committee of Grand Chapter , which I hardly think is correct . It is said— " except in very exceptionable cases . "

is this a proper use of the ivord " exceptionable ? " Exceptionable , or exceptional , according to Dr . Johnson , means " liable lo objection , " though , I admit , it is often incorrectl y used in common conversation , to denote " special , " and the like . It seems , however , a pitv in Masonic public

ilocuments to use words which are not strictly correct , and as a stickler for thc purity of our English tongue , I venture to call attention to this misuse of words . The * ord " special " or " peculiar " would be the proper term to appl y . As it is , tne sentence is bad English . ' am , yours fraternally , LINDLEY MURRAY .

AN OLD MASON . ' To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " D « r Sir and Brother , — , Will you permit me to correct two errors in your . ast number ; one in the letter of Bro . Perceval , the other n tn of mine . Bro . Jas . Norris was torn January . i 1790 , not 1708 . The name should be Norris , not Morris .

Original Correspondence.

I enclose a letter , received this morning , from Bro . Coombe , of Hayle , Cornwall , on the subject . Your « faithfully and fraternally , HENRY J . STRONG , M . D ., Hon . Surgeon R . M . B . I ., Croydon . May 5 th , 1879 .

Dear Bro . Strong , — Referring to your letter , replying to my . quotation and remark therein , you stated Bro . Norris was born 21 st January , 1790 . Bro . Perceval ' s letter in the Freemason , 3 rd inst ., stated that he was born January , 179 8 . Which is correct ? You both agree with the date of his initiation , viz ., ioth March , 1812 .

I have no hesitation in saying that Bro . Norris is the oldest known Mason in England , Ireland , Scotland , Wales , and the United States of America . I would again refer you to reply to my enquiry in America : "The oldest Mason , so far as is known , is Francis Brinley Fogg , now residing in Memphis , Tennessee . He was made in St Paul ' s Lodge , No . 14 , in 1817 , and is one of the charter

members of the present St . Paul's Lodge . Next come S . Aynoult Robinson , now of Wakefield , who was made in St . John ' s Lodge in 1819 ; William S . Clarke , Providence , St . John ' s , 1822 ; Freeman Maybeiry , Newport , St . John's , 1824 . Capt . John Howland , of this city , was made a Mason in Mount Vernon Lodge , Providence , in 1821 . "—Newport Mercury , Rhode Island , U . S ., January ,

1877 . The second oldest in England is that of Bro . Nicholas Donnithorne , late Tyler of the Cornubian Lodge , No . 450 , Hayle , Cornwall , who was born 12 th July , 17 S 9 , and was initiated in the Royal Cornwall Militia Lodge , No . 6 ' 8 , now 230 ( One and All ) , Bodmin , 6 th Apiil , 1812 . He came from and old Masonic stock , his father having been

a member of the Craft for many years , and who died 180 : 5 . Bro . D . also enjoys excellent health . —See Freemason , vol . 8 , p . 229 ( Bro . Rich's letter , " Father of Freemasons" ) . The third is that of Sir Moses Montefiore , who is the oldest man , and seven days junior Mason to the last mentioned .

Bro . Marsh , initiated 1819 ( I believe there are many oi that age in England ) . Bro . Norris , born 21 st January , 1790 , initiated roth March , 1812 . Bro . Donnithorne was born 12 th July , 1789 , initiated 6 th April , 1812 . Bro . Sir M . Monttfiorc , born 24 th October , 1784 , initiated I 3 th April , 1812 .

If you think these hasty remarks are of any service to the Freemason you are at liberty to use them by making the necessary corrections , Sec . Apologising for the liberty I have taken in trespassing on your time , if you will kindly inform mc if Bro . Norris was born in 1790 or 179 8 I should feel obliged . Yours faithfully and fraternally , JOHN COOMBE , P . M .. P . Z ., 450 . P . Prov . G . D . Cornwall .

Reviews.

Reviews .

FREEMASONRY AND INTOLERANCE . B y B 110 . REV . J . H . SIMONSEN . George Kenning , 198 , Fleet-street . This little " brochure , " well-printe H , and put forward for " private circulation" by Bro . Rev . J . Simonsen , deserves to be read and thought over . We have already alluded to the subject , and will onl y add that it is an address by the Rev . Bro . Simonsen to the Scandinavian Lutheran Synod at Lisbon , Wisconsin , U . S ., condemnatory of certain

intolerant proceedings against Freemasonry and against himsrlf as a Freemason . It is both sad and strange to note that thc persecuting spirit of L'ltramontanism should be rampant in a Scandinavian Lutheran Synod , and that objections to Freemasonry should be made on a mournful misuse of a text of scripture , and complete and fanatical ignorance of the principles of scriptural exegesis . We commend Bro . Simonsen ' s pamphlet to the notice of our readers .

A DISSERTATION ON THE CELESTIAL SIGIN OF THE RAINBOW . By PROTEUS . Hodges , Foster , and Figgis , Grafton-street , Dublin . ZZZ This is one of a class of works abounding just now on which we look with astonishment , we confess mingled with awe . It is , with all its excellences , too " transcendental " for us , and though it may be " raviare " to the initialed , is ,

we are free to admit , beyond our powers of comprehension , digestion , and assimilation . But then we speak with deference and with bated breath . This ' school of interpretation , philology , ethnology , is very popular just now , and it is just possible that we are wrong and the " novi homines

right . " As Freemasons we are always bound to be tolerant and trusting , no less than open to conviction , and friendly to free discussion , and we , therefore , note the appearance of a class of literature , remarkable in itself , and wbich seems to have many purveyors and readers in the present day .

DICKENS' DICTIONARY OF LONDON , 1879 . By Bro . CiiAni . ES DICKENS , 26 , Wellington-street , Strand , W . C . This most useful little hand-book has come before us , and we commend it unhesitatingly to the notice and ap-I roval of our readers . It is a hand-book and vade

mecum , which worthy " provincials , " and even acute " Londoners" may well possess , and the information if useful , valuable , and concise in itself , is conveyed in kind and forcible language , which none can misunderstand . Foreigners will also find it a very useful book to possess , and we feel forced to add that Bro . Charles Pickens deserves great "Kudos" for thus seeking to place be-

Reviews.

fore visitors and inhabitants alike a mass of information relating to our " great metropolis , " difficult to put together , and yet most interesting and useful when thus summed up in so compact and handy a guide . We trust that the Dictionary of London will meet with the success that it so well deserves .

LIFE OF THE PRINCE CONSORT , Vol . IV . By THEODORE MARTIN . Smith , Elder & Co ., 15 , Waterloo-place . This is a deli ghtful volume of a very remarkable man , which we have taken up with pleasure and put down with a sigh , for it recalls to us most vividly , and makes us realize more than ever , the irreparable loss which the Queen

and the country suitained in the premature death of that truly great man , the late Prince Consort . Mr . Martin , who is fulfilling his responsible task with great clearness , fidelity , and honesty , deserves the thanks of all who like to contemplate the biography of the good and the great , and survey the " causes" of " events , " and realize the " arcana" of States , and the true explanation of the

progress of those curious episodes which the sceptical term ' fate , " and the faithful consider " Providence . " The li ghts and shadows , the " chiaro oscuro" which make up the picture so well limned , come before us , the more we are convinced how real , and true , and noble , as touched up by a master hand , as we ponder over them , was the man whom these faithful volumes attempt to pourtray .

And not only this , but the singular virtues and gifts , and early training and matured intelligence of a constitutional monarch were never more fitly represented than in these minute yet effective touches , which display the warm heart , the good sense , the rare discrimination , and the truthful judgment of the Queen . We await Vol . V . with the deepest interest .

Consecration Of The Granite Chapter, No. 1328.

CONSECRATION OF THE GRANITE CHAPTER , NO . 1328 .

The chapter attached to the celebrated Granite Lodge , No . 1328 , was consecrated on Friday , the 9 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , by Comp . John Hervey , Grand Scribe E . ; who was assisted by Comp . Col . F . Burdett , Grand Superintendent of Middlesex , acting as H . ; Comp . the

Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , Past Grand Chaplain of England , as J . ; and Comp . H . G . Buss , Past Standard Bearer , acting as Director of Ceremonies . Comps . Seymour Smith , G . T . Carter , and Theodore Distin performed the musical portion of the ceremony , which being held in the Zetland

Room , had the advantage of the use of the nice little organ that is placed there . The robes of the Principals were some of the most handsome and costly that could be employed , and the banners , staves , and other appointments of thc chapter were such as to do the greatest credit ' to the manufacturers .

The ceremony commenced a little before five o'clock , and thc list of companions attending comprised the names of Comps . Col . Francis Burdett . G . Supt . Middlesex ; R . Giddy , G . Supt . Griqualand ; S . Rawson , P . G . Supt . China } Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . Chap . ; Col . J . Creaton , G . Treas . ; J . Hervey , G . Scribe E . ; E . S . Snell , P . G . D . ; J . A . Rucker , P . G . D . ; J . Glaisher , P . G . D . ; J . M . Case ,

P . G . D . ; Lieut .. Col . Shadwell H . Gierke , P . G . D . ; F . Robinson , P . A . G . D . of C . ; A . J . Duff Filer , P . G . S . B . ; W . Hyde Pullen , P . G . S . B . ; H . G . Buss , A . G . Sec . ; J . W . Ellison Macartney , M . P ., Dr . Hugh Mackintosh , Rev . P . M . Holden , Rev . J . Scribe " , Chaplain to the Forces ; E . H . Letchworth , F . Richardson , Lieut .-Col . Peters , Fredk . Binckes , Jas . Terry , George Kenning , Dr . Kimber , Donald M . Dewar ,

H . C . Levander , G . R , Shervill , W . Battye , J . Lambert , G . A . lbbetson , F . G . Bailey , G . E . Wainwright , Prov . G . J . Surrey , P . Z . 370 ; T . Ford , W . Woodward , J . Lewis , C . F . Hogard , Herbert Dicketts , J . Chyneweth , John Gibson , John Oliver , J . O . Gardner , J . Western , John XV . Cox , W . Lake , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) . Officers : Comps . J . Lewis Thomas , P . G . S . B . of England ,

Z . j F . West , H . ; D . W . Pearse , J . ; W . H . Muggeiidge , E . designate ; Dr . J . H . Oswald , N . j Capt . J . Ritchie , R . A ., P . S . designate ; Woodstock , P . Z ., Janitor . After the formal opening of the convocation Comp . John Hervey , delivering the inaugural address , said : Companions , we are met here to-day for the purpose of consecrating this Royal Arch chapter , and I trust that ,

considering the strength of the lodge to which it is to be attached , we shall find that as a chapter it will progress not only in numbers but in good work . The Granite Lodge 1 believe is celebrated for its good work ; I have not recently been there , and , therefore , I cannot of my own knowledge state what the work is ; but I am quite sure that in confiding the sceptre , as I shall do this evening , to

Comp . Thomas , I shall place it in the hands of one who will take care that the rules of Royal Arch Masonry are properly carried out , and that the regulations of the Royal Arch ate strictly adhered to . We all know that the origin of the Royal Arch is a matter of some obscurity , and although I am not about to read you a long dissertation upon the Royal Arch , yet a day or two ago I came upon

one or two memorandas about the Royal Arch which , perhaps , it may not be out of place to mention here . Mackey , the American , writes of Royal Arch Masonry being established before 1740 , and states then that the Royal Arch formed a portion of the Third Degree , and was separated when the schism took place between what were then termed the ancient and the modern lodges , and then

they made it a distinct degree for their own purposes . Dr . Oliver , who was also a man of considerable research , as wc all know , thinks that it was fabricated by the Chevalier Ramsay between 1736 and 1740 , and Dr . Dussing speaks of it as a degree of 1744 . Those dates are not widely divergent , but , at any rate , there is a sufficient divergence among them to show that we have not at all