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We fully recognise the wisdom of the remarks contained in the earlier portion of the letter we published last week from Bro . H . H . Room , Prov . G . Secretary of Middlesex , on the subject ot " Masonic Vagrants . " It is true the Masonic tramp lives by cadging , and is utterly unworthy of relief . It is likewise true that

he works systematically , and has elaborated his methods of cadging into a science . We also admit that Bro . Room went the rig ht way to work to rid himself of those pests , and we are very glad , to learn that the course he adopted has proved so successful , and that for many years he has been neither personally nor officially troubled by these gentry .

But admitting all this , we nevertheless venture to differ with him in the conclusion at which he has arrived and which he sets forth so clearly in the latter part of the same letter . Indeed , this very conclusion as among the strongest of the reasons it is in our power to offer , why lodges and Provinces should co-operate in order to get rid of the vagabonds . Bro . Room ' s experience shows how clearheaded and discreet they are . As soon as they learned that he was not a man to be trifled with , not one whom a pitiful story prepared for the occasion would

impose upon , they gave him a wide berth , or rather they fled incontinently into other districts where their tales of woe were likely to prove effective in fleecing Almoners and others out of a part of their spare cash . But though the vagabonds no longer exercise the mind of Bro . Room , they exist and flourish in other parts of the country , and to judge from the many letters we have published about their proceedings , trade with them is prosperous , however otherwise it , may be with honest men .

But it is no good driving the vagrant effectually away from one part of the country , if immediately afterwards he turns up and does a roaring business in another . This is why we have been urging upon our readers the advisability of taking steps systematically , after they have done all in their power to ensure combined action on the part of the provinces , of which there are 46 , and of

the lodges of which , taking town and country together , there are about 1700 . What is needed is a plan by which the Masonic Vagrant may be wiped outor as nearly as possible wiped out—of existence ; and to accomplish this combined action on the part of the Provinces generally , not of one Province or one or even a few lodges , is needed .

We are unable to see the force of the objections that have been raised to the motion of which Bro . J . Ross Robertson , Past G . M ., gave notice for the recent annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Canada , Province of Ontario The object of this motion is described by our worthy contemporary , the Canadian

Craftsman , as being to prevent " any brother or brethren hailing from a foreign jurisdiction to illustrate , practice , or administer within its precincts , under any circumstances whatever , other than the authorised work of Grand Lodge ; and that where special work is authorised in the jurisdiction , the same be confined to the meeting-places of lodges having permits . "

In offering remarks on a question of this kind , which is one mainly of local interest , we are naturally at some disadvantage . But if we understand Bro Robertson's motion rightly , we see no grounds for taking exception to it . We do not imagine he objects to any one showing Canadian lodges how a ceremony is worked in other countries , if the members desire to notice the effect of any difference of which they may chaace to have heard . Bro . Robertson's great

object is to maintain intact the Canadian ritual . He realises that Masonry is nothing if not conservative . He dreads anything in the nature of innovation , and he knows perfectly well that in many of the United States Masonic jurisdictions there is quite a rage for the adoption of anything that is new . He believes in Canadian lodge work , and he does not wish to see it modified or altered because there are some brethren who fancy the work , as exemplified under the banners of other Grand Lodges , possesses attributes which do not characterise their own .

Nor do we sec any reason why " sister Grand Lodges of the United StateS j especially those bordering on the Canadian frontier , " should regard Bro . Robertson's proposed resolution as being " not calculated to produce that unity and good feeling among the Craft which the mover ( Bro . Robertson ) and many of his illustrious predecessors have laboured so hard in and out of season to cultivate and inculcate . " Why offence should be taken because Canadian Masons insist on

having the work done in their lodges in accordance with the Canadian ritual in preference to the ritual of other jurisdictions we are at a loss to understand . We presume our New York brethren , as well as those of Pennsylvania , Massachusetts , and other jurisdictions , prefer their own work to the work of other jurisdictions , and would be greatly surprised if offence were taken at any steps they might think

it worth their while to suggest in order to preserve the purity of the former . We do not suppose there will ever be absolute uniformity of work even in one and the same jurisdiction , much less throughout a number of jurisdictions . But there is no reason why each jurisdiction should not have its own standard or system of work , and forbid the introduction into it of anything peculiar to other standards or systems ,

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

I We ] ourselves responsible for 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 , I

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I have much pleasure in informing you that the results of the recent examinations in science and art by the South Kensington Department are just to hand , and that "Our Boys" have scored as follows : Practical , Plane , and Solid

Geometry , 14 certificates ; Geology , eight certificates , and nine marked up to the standard ot the old " second class ; " Model Drawing , two first-class , six second-class ; Mathematics—Stage 1 . —Six passes , and seven marked as up to the standard of the old second class ; Mathematics—Stage 2 . —Two first-class , seven second-class . Total—45 certificates , as against 31 last year . —Yours faithfully and fraternally , J . M . McLEOD ,

August 12 th . Secretary . P . S . —In addition to the above , certificates for freehand drawing have been oblaincd , but paiticulars of same have not yet reached me .

Reviews.

Reviews .

" DEVON MASONIC REGISTER 1895-9 ( 5 . "—This beautifully-printed annual was ready for circulation on the holding of the Provincial Grand Lodge at Barnstaple , on the 31 st ult ., but as the roll of Grand Officers ( Grand Lodge and Chapter ) is for 1894-5 , a slip should be inserted of the appointments for 1895-6 , and so also of the Provincial Grand Lodge . This issue is not so large as last , but it contains all the usual and needful information as to the lodges , chapters , and other Masonic bodies . We are sorry , however , to note that the list of votes in the Central Masonic Charities only includes those held by the various lodges & cthe names of the personal subscribers being omitted .

, , This is a great pity , as the publication of such a Register does much to advance tbe interests of these admirable Institutions , and we hope it will be a special feature of the Calendar for 1 S 96 . Several pages of particulars might be omitted if not room for them and for the full list of voters , such as local Masonic Associations at Plymouth , Exeter , & c . Even the three pages respecting the Institutions are of less importance than the table of votes . Some of the lodges of instruction are mentioned , but not all .

We advise all or none . The province is a large one and is to be congratulated on having such a useful directory . It is to be hoped that the support of the brethren will be such as to encour 3 ge the zealous editor and publisher , Bro . W . F . Westcott , to introduce all needful particulars in another issue , but it is to be regretted that the Fraternity in Devon are not much given to help those who seek to communicate valuable information of the character of this handy " Masonic Register , " which can be had for 13 d . ( neatly bound in blue cloth ) direct from the proprietor , Frankfort-street , Plymouth .

Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND .

A quarterly communication of the Grand Lodge of Scotland was held in Freemasons' Hall , Edinburgh , on Thursday , the 1 st instant , the Grand Master Mason of Scotland , Sir Charles Dalrymple , Bart ., M . P ., on the throne . Bro . James Berry , Provincial Grand Master of Forfarshire , acted as Depute Grand Master ; Bro . Major F . W . Allen , Glasgow , as Senior Grand Waiden ; and Bro . Dr . Dickson . Edinburgh , as Junior Grand

Warden . It was reported from the annuity branch of the extended scheme of Scotti . h Masonic Benevolence that 105 annuities , amounting to ^ 1090 , had been paid last year . The estimated income for this year was £ ' 1226 , During the last three months , £ 110 had also been paid in grants to Freemasons or widows of deceased brethren . Of the annuities , £ 145 are

apportioned to the Metropolitan Province , £ 175 to Glasgow City , £ 140 to Ayrshire , £ 135 to Forfarshire , £ 30 to Perthshire East , £ 10 to Invernessshire , £ 30 to Kincardineshire , £ 70 to Fifeshire , £ 35 to Aberdeen City , £ 10 to Aberdeenshire East , £ 10 to Aberdeenshire West , and £ 30 to Ross and Cromarty . It was reported that the lodges in the Province of Kincardineshire had

recommended Bro . J . J . Murray , Fasque , for appointment as Provincial Grand Master in room of Bro . Major W . D . Cowie of Innes , and on the recommendation of Grand Committee , Bro . Murray was accordingly appointed Provincial Grand Master of Kincardineshire . It was resolved to issue a charter to the new Lodge " Clydesdale , "

Cabooltwie , Queensland ; that the lodge in the south African Republic be erected into a District Grand Lodge , and that Bro . F . Douglas M'Millan be appointed District Grand Master ; and that the commission of Bro . Charles Louisson , District Grand Master of Canterbury , New Zealand , be renewed .

It was reported that the District Grand Master of Queensland had erected a lodge in Honolulu named " Pacific . " GRAND SECRETARY reported that he had received a voluminous report from the Special Committee on the alleged inauguration of Burns as Poet-Laureate of Canongate Kilwinning , No . 2 . Grand Committee had received the report , and Grand Lodge remitted to them anew to consider the whole question and report . Grand Committee submitted their report on a remit

made to the mon the suggestion of Bro . John Graham , of Broadstone , Provincial Grand Master of Glasgow City , on the question of honorary membership of lodges . It had been stated that there had been animated controversy in Glasgow on the question of what was the proper method of conferring this mark of distinction . Grand Committee unanimously ruled that no obligation should be taken . Grand Lodge delayed consideration of the whole question .

A report was submitted from Bro . Colonel Stirling , of Kippendavie , as Provincial Grand Master of Perthshire West , in which he stated that all the lodges in his province had been visited twice during the year . The books were reported in order and regularly kept , the working efficient and satisfactory , and generally there was improvement and continued progress in all the lodges within the province . Two new lodges had been erected within the past year .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Stirlingshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF STIRLINGSHIRE .

The Quarterly Communication of this lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , Falkirk , on the 30 th ult ., Bro . George Christie , Prov . G . M ., presiding . Among the others office-bearers present were Bros . Sir James Gibson Maitland , Prov . Grand Substitute Master ; William Black , Prov . Grand Master Depute ; James Haddow , Prov . S . G . W . ; W . H . Stephen , Prov . J . G . W . i Rev . W . E . Hall , Prov . G . Chap . ; Dr . Dyer , Prov . G . Treas . ; James

Brown , Prov . G . Sec . ; and others . There was a large attendance of brethren . Referring to the recent ceremony in connection with the laying of tl ' memorial stone of the new Masonic Hall being erected by Lodge Polmonti the PROV . GRAND MASTER said he had to thank very heartily Bro . Tay lofi R . W . M ., and the members of Lodge Polmont for the kindness , courtesy , and hospitality with which they had received and entertained the members ot tne

provincial Urand Lodge on the occasion referred to . Bro . DYER submitted the following motion , of which previous notice had been given : " That the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge do meet together annually , at such time as may be considered convenient , for t » purpose of harmony and social intercourse . " In support of the motion « r ?' Dyer alluded to the advantage likely to be derived from such meetings '"

bringing the brethren into closer contact with each other . , On the suggestion of the Chairman , the matter was submitted to tn Provincial Grand Committee to whom it was left to decide how often sue meetings should be held , and at what time it would be most convenient hold them .