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Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article To Correspondents. Page 1 of 1 Article Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1 Article Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00503
>> FOR MANSIONS 08 YiLLAS , . 3 % , AN < % < fy * IMPERISHABLE FLOORING " C % > . fr J FLOOR COVERING . ¦ / y h Estimates Free . 26 , BERNERS STREET , W .
Ad00504
KNITTING AT HOME , BY which Incomes can be Increased and recreative as well as Healthy Employment secured . Apply for terms to—PATENT AUTOMATIC KNITTING MACHINE CO ., LONDON : 417 , Oxford-street , W . j 1 59 , Upper-street , Islington . LIVERPOOL : 39 , Islington . GLASGOW : 7 , Howard-street .
Ad00505
_ . J . C CORDING & Co . 'S & Q WATERPROOFS FOB , ALL CLIMATES . ^ Ladies' Cloaks & , r Travelling , ^^ In New Patterns . ¦ J t ^ ORIGINAL MAKERS OF THB to * Ventilating Waterprooof Coats ^ O FOR ca Shooting , Fishing , Riding , c & Travelling , & General Use , £ 3 DRIVING APRONS IN BOX CLOTH £ ^ 7 *' OTHfcK MATEKIALS . g : ig , Piccadilly , Corner of Air St . * Sf ( Only Mdrtss . )
Ad00506
F . READ , READ , TAILOR & OUTFITTER , n / i A r- » rr Sixteen years with ALmEn WEUB MILES IYI A R K 5 and Co ., is , Brook-st ., Hanover-sq . ^ SPECIALITE 03 s . SUITS and . „ V - « « . 16 s . and 21 s . IROUSERS . LEARN 5 14 , Brook Street , Boud Street , W .
Ad00507
CARRIAGES . F and R . SHANKS particularly call - attention to their light ONE-HORSE LANDAUS , of the very best materials , and fitted with their patent Self-acting Head . Several building to order to be seen in all stages at their manufactory , 70 & 71 , Great Queen-st , Lincoln's Inn-Fields . Drags and new and second-hand Carriages of all descriptions . Estimates given for repairs .
Ad00508
, £ -, By Special Appointment to H . R . H . , Sr The Prince of Wales . # & John Underwood & Sons , < # # v SCULPTORS & MASONS , ^ c ^ V - ^ io , Duke . st ., Grosvenor . sq ,, W ., V * S * BUCKHURST HlLI ., N . E ., AND ClUKGFORD ^ y *&• ' / " MOUNT CEMETERV . <& J ^ Reredoses , Pulpits , Screens , Fonts , ^ Jy Mosaic in Glass or Marble , Inlaid and Cg * Incised Work . Designs , Estimates " ^ and References free on application .
Ad00509
OUR EYES . BROWNING'S IMPROVED METHOD OF SUITING THE SIGHT WITH SPECTACLES either personally or by correspondence . Browning ' s axis-cut pebbles are the most perfect lenses made , being cut from pure crystals of Brazilian pebbles at right angles to the axis , and every lens tested separately by the polariscope . Spectacles of superior quality from 4 s . 6 d . per pair ; with pebble lenses in best steel frames , from 10 s . < 5 d . per pair ; and in gold frames from £ 1 3 s . Cd . Full particulars of Browning ' s Method of Suiting the Sight by correspondence , and testimonials post free . —JOHN BROWNING , 63 , strand , London , W . C .
Ad00510
Naval , Military , and Tropical ^ ^ < ZT ^ BOOT MAKEES ^^^ ^ -r ^ r ^ iS ^^ - ^ gGj ^ - ' 2 i . _ ^ — — ^~" ~^ PICCADILLY , LONDON , W .
Ad00511
DFNT' ^ NEW ILLUSTRATED ^ iN ¦*¦ ° CATALOGUE of HIGH-CLASS WA PfH " r ? S I WATCHES and CLOCKS at * Vii . lUn . iUO . 1 . REDUCED PRICES , sent post &^\ jL free on application to E . DENT JXjr ^ Cfe , I and Co > > Makers to the Queen , s \ DFMTX 6 l > STRAND , LONDON , W . C , * UUI 1 I ^ I or 4 ) ROYAL EXCHANGE .
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
The following stand over : Opening of New Masonic Rooms at East Grinstead . au nmer Excursion of the Hundred of Elloe Lodge , No . 460 . U' -strict Grand Lodge of South Africa . Masonic Charity in West Lancashire .
, BOOKS . & c . RECEIVED . " -.. ' - « Monitenr de la Chance Univcrcelle , " " Jewish Chronicle , " "le Hauhfitte , " " The International Masonic Review , " "Court Ti ~ " .. " " Sunday Times" ( New York ) , "Citizen , " "Sunday ri . S It < Londo ") . " Broad Arrow , " * ' Masonic Truth , " "La Re-Man ,, tasonica ' " " > -c Monde Macconiquc , " and " Allen ' s Indian
Ar00512
g ^^^ mioil ^ ^ JS ^^ S ^^ PEy ' ^ y r ^^^ B ^^^ J ! SATURDAY , J 18 , 1885 . * -
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
rWedo not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving ol tlieopinionsexpressedby ourcorrespondents . hut we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ] . .
THE RECENT BOYS' SCHOOL FESTIVAL . ' To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Your correspondent , "Alpha , " appears at a loss to account lor the falling off in the returns of the recent Festival . For my own part , I am agreeably surprised they amounted to what they did . It cannot for a moment be
doubted , that the course pursued by the governing body of the Institution two years ago , when premium votes were offered for the purpose of swelling the amount collected on a special occasion , inflicted a very serious injury on all of the three Masonic Charities , by destroying the confidence of many of their supporters , who not unnaturally regarded the allotment of sudi extra votesas a direct
, violation of the terms on which they had previously been induced to become Governors . Although the bribe of double votes produced at the time a subscription list abnormally large , the experience at the recent Festival has most clearly demonstrated that the governing body of the school in the step they saw proper to take , discounted to a very great extent , their future
support . It has moreover shaken the confidence of very many , who hesitate to subscribe money for the acquisition of votes , the value of which may be still further diminished by a repetition of the operation to which I have referred . In this view I most earnestly trust , that in the interests of all our Charitable Institutions , the governing bod y of the Boys' School will not again be induced , under any circumstances , to commit a like error . —Yours fraternally , A LIFE GOVERNOR OF THE THREti CHARITIES .
THE PROVINCES AND THE METROPOLIS . lo the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In reply to the letter which appeared in your last issue under the above title , permit me to say that the figures quoted . have been taken from the official returns ot the Institutions , and I therefore piesume may be considered reliable .
With respect to the cash amounts , I wish to state that the balance-sheet for the Girls' School enabled me to give the sums contributed by the Provinces and London for the year 1884 ; but , owing to the balance-sheets of the Boys' School and the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution only giving the total amounts , I was obliged to fall back upon the Festival returns to show the respective amounts contributed by
the Provinces and the Metiopolis . The proportional representation I should like to have taken from the total amounts paid in by London and the Provinces since the foundation of the several Institutions , and probably that will yet be arrived at . It will be if 1 can ascertain the respective amounts . When 1 discovered the great difference between the
representation of the Provinces and London , I was struck with admiration at the combination , unity , and skill displayed by the former over the latter , and it appeared to me that such a noble example might well be fo lowed . I grant that the Provinces have considerable advantages over London , inasmuch as our Provincial brethren have their respective Grand Lodges to rally roundand thus have a
, bond of unity . Such advantages are absent from London ; but , as certain as the great Municipal difficulty will be settled , doubtless to the advantage and benefit of all concerned , so most assuredl y is there a way to be found for extending to London cases the great advantages conferred upon Provincial cases . The friendly rivaliy here loreshadowed will , 1 am confident , bring mutual benefit to our
respective applicants , and bestow lasting advantages to our grand Institutions . Owing to the vastness , and it may truly be said the unwieldy extent of the London Masonic body , it is utterly impossible to form at present a representative Masonic centre for the proper management and arrangement of the London votes ; therefore the great desire of the promoters
of this Association is to see London formed into , say , five or six centres or divisions , so that due consideration may be given to each London case , and , by mutual assistance , one division with another , to ensure success in our applications , and , in furtherance of that object , we shall be pleased to g ive every assistance , and receive the same from those desirous of forming those divisions . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully and fraternally , A SUPPORTER OF OUR INSTITUTIONS . July 14 th .
MASONS EMINENT IN THE STATE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Following on your article on " Masons Eminent in the State , " it may interest some of your readers to know that the following eminent men were initiated in the Apolto University Lodge , No . 357 , Oxford . Among Ministerialists :
Bros , the Duke of Abercorn , in 1830 ; the Chancellor of the Exchequer , in 1850 ; the Earl of Lathom , in 1856 ; the Marquis of Hamilton , in 1857 ; the Earl of Dunraven , in 1859 . The Earl of Carnarvon , joined the lodge in 1857 . Among members of the opposition : Bios , the Earl Granville was initiated in 1833 J Viscount Sheibrooke , in J 833 ; Lord Brabourne , in 1 S 50 ; F . arl Cowper , in 1853 ;
Sir Thomas Brassey , in 1855 ; and W . C . Borlase , in 1867 . Among persons not in Parliament : Bros , the Dean of York , in 18 4 8 ; Sir James Fergusson , in r 85 oj Mr . Justice Cave , in 1852 ; Sir Edward Malet , in 1856 ; and lastly , let me tecoid that one of the present Government was initiated in the Churchill Lodge , No . 478 ( also an Oxford Lodge ) , in the year 1871 , and that was Lord Randolph Churchill .
Original Correspondence.
I send you these few facts to show what a strong connection exists in very varied walks of life between Masonry and the University of Oxford , facts which could he largely added to if any one wished to do so , but I think I have given enough . Can anv one do the same for the Sister University of Cambud ge ?—Yours fraternally , S . M . M . C . O .
WHICH SHALL IT HE- " CHARITY " OR " DINNERS ? " To the Editor of the " Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , I have read "C . E . G . ' s " letter , which appeared in your columns a short time since , with a considerable amount of interest . The figures he has extracted from the Auditors' reports of the loil se in question for the years
specified appear to furnish a strong case against the practice in vogue among many Masonic lodges of dining sumptuously whenever a meeting is held . Most people will note the very striking contrast between the £ 52 15 s . devoted to purposes of benevolence and the "hotel b lis , £ 909 13 s . 7 d ., with but five meetings in the year , " and will hapten to the conclusion that a lodge which can thus appropriate the bulk of its funds is not as thoughtful as it might be of what
your correspondent speaks of as "the so-called 'distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason ' s heart . ' " But " C . E . G . " has only furnished a part of the data which are necessary in order to formulate a just answer to his query . He should ha ^ e told us , for instance , something about the numerical strength ot the lodge , and the average number of brethren , including visitors , who attended each banquet . He should have stated what , if any , amount the lodge in
its corporate capacity had contributed to our Charities previously to the quadrennial period mentioned , and whether —and , if so , to what extent—its offices were endowed with Life Governorships or what not , in perpetuity or for a term of years ; and , lastly , what , if any , amount of individual support the members severally , or any number of them , had already extended to one or more of our Institutions . Had he given us these data , your readers would have been in a
better position to satisfy his inquiries . Without them , it is somewhat hazardous to attempt anything like a direct answer ; but I don ' t mind trying , with your permission , a friendly interchange of views on the suhject . " C . E . G . " asks point blank , " Which shall it be'Charity' or 'dinners' ? " I say , unhesitatingly , "Both , or you will get neither . " If the members of a lodge are not imbued with a sense of Charity—that is , if they do not
entertain towards each other a certain kindliness of feeling , a desire to promote among themselves that goodfellowship which is the essence of Freemasonry , they may feed together even elaborately and laboriously , and propose toasts , but it will not be dining . On the other hand , if they don ' t dine together so as to promote good feeling amongst themselves , they are not likely to be influenced by much feeling of any sort or kind towards other people , not
any such feeling , at least , as will indu : e them to loosen their purse strings in beha'f of their poorer brethren . The first duty of every lodge , as a corporate body , is to encourage whatever will strengthen and extend the love and re .-. pect of its members for each other , and for the rest of the Fraternity , and there is , in my humble opinion , no likelier way of succeeding in this than for them to conclude each meeting with a good dinner . For my part , I have very
little faith in the people who go about exclaiming against the money that is spent in dining when it might so much better be given to some charitable i stitution . But I believe in people who dine , especially in those who make a point of dining well . When I say this , I am not thinking of what is called mere sensual gratification . I mean that I think people who appreciate good dining are more likely to do good actions than those who go about dining as it
were under protest , who , if they meet you at table , always make a point of offering some ' excuse or apology for their presence . There is no country in the world which is more generous towards the poor than England , and yet there is no nation which thinks more of dining as an institution than the English . And as with the people generally , so with our Masonic lodges ; there is no society which is more generous towards its poor members than the Freemasons ,
and there is none which knows better how to dine well . _ If —which is most unlikely—I were ever called upon to advise the members of a lodfe as to the line of conduct they should pursue , I should tell them to work well and dine well , and the rest would follow as a matter of course . Let "C . E . G . " take my word for it , "Charity" and
"dinners" go together . You can't have the former without the latter ; or the latter without the former . Possibly " C . E . G ., " and others of your readers , may say that what I have written is very illogical and very heterodox ; but I can't help it , and all 1 hope is that I have not trodden upon anyone ' s toes . —Yours faithfully and fraternally , CAKES AND ALE .
NORTHERN COUNTIES LODGE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Permit me through the medium of your paper , to remind all brethren who are interested in promoting the formation of a " Northern Counties Lodge" in London , that the adjourned meeting will be held at I 6 A , Great Queenstreet , at 3 o ' clock , tin Thursday next , the 23 rd inst . I hope that as many as can , will attend . —Yours very fraternally , I . S . CUMBERLAND , P . M ., & c .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
621 ] THE STATUTS OF 1755- . , Uro . Speth very properly calN attention to the fact that there is an error as to the name g iven by me to the Statutes he has so kindly forwarded , and which arose , no doubt , from a little haste or carelessness . 1 he Statuts of 1743 and 1755 are , of course , different . I think Bro . Speth had better let us have the 20 laws of 1743 . and then the
whole matter is complete . Two points come out if they exi't as Kloss represented , and we can then deal with them critically . I see no reason to suppose that the laws of ' 75 S are not what they profess to be , —a code of laws elaborated then , but I stick to my text , —they are not the laws of the Grand Lodge of France , but of a High Grade body . It is no doubt true , as Kloss points out , that the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00503
>> FOR MANSIONS 08 YiLLAS , . 3 % , AN < % < fy * IMPERISHABLE FLOORING " C % > . fr J FLOOR COVERING . ¦ / y h Estimates Free . 26 , BERNERS STREET , W .
Ad00504
KNITTING AT HOME , BY which Incomes can be Increased and recreative as well as Healthy Employment secured . Apply for terms to—PATENT AUTOMATIC KNITTING MACHINE CO ., LONDON : 417 , Oxford-street , W . j 1 59 , Upper-street , Islington . LIVERPOOL : 39 , Islington . GLASGOW : 7 , Howard-street .
Ad00505
_ . J . C CORDING & Co . 'S & Q WATERPROOFS FOB , ALL CLIMATES . ^ Ladies' Cloaks & , r Travelling , ^^ In New Patterns . ¦ J t ^ ORIGINAL MAKERS OF THB to * Ventilating Waterprooof Coats ^ O FOR ca Shooting , Fishing , Riding , c & Travelling , & General Use , £ 3 DRIVING APRONS IN BOX CLOTH £ ^ 7 *' OTHfcK MATEKIALS . g : ig , Piccadilly , Corner of Air St . * Sf ( Only Mdrtss . )
Ad00506
F . READ , READ , TAILOR & OUTFITTER , n / i A r- » rr Sixteen years with ALmEn WEUB MILES IYI A R K 5 and Co ., is , Brook-st ., Hanover-sq . ^ SPECIALITE 03 s . SUITS and . „ V - « « . 16 s . and 21 s . IROUSERS . LEARN 5 14 , Brook Street , Boud Street , W .
Ad00507
CARRIAGES . F and R . SHANKS particularly call - attention to their light ONE-HORSE LANDAUS , of the very best materials , and fitted with their patent Self-acting Head . Several building to order to be seen in all stages at their manufactory , 70 & 71 , Great Queen-st , Lincoln's Inn-Fields . Drags and new and second-hand Carriages of all descriptions . Estimates given for repairs .
Ad00508
, £ -, By Special Appointment to H . R . H . , Sr The Prince of Wales . # & John Underwood & Sons , < # # v SCULPTORS & MASONS , ^ c ^ V - ^ io , Duke . st ., Grosvenor . sq ,, W ., V * S * BUCKHURST HlLI ., N . E ., AND ClUKGFORD ^ y *&• ' / " MOUNT CEMETERV . <& J ^ Reredoses , Pulpits , Screens , Fonts , ^ Jy Mosaic in Glass or Marble , Inlaid and Cg * Incised Work . Designs , Estimates " ^ and References free on application .
Ad00509
OUR EYES . BROWNING'S IMPROVED METHOD OF SUITING THE SIGHT WITH SPECTACLES either personally or by correspondence . Browning ' s axis-cut pebbles are the most perfect lenses made , being cut from pure crystals of Brazilian pebbles at right angles to the axis , and every lens tested separately by the polariscope . Spectacles of superior quality from 4 s . 6 d . per pair ; with pebble lenses in best steel frames , from 10 s . < 5 d . per pair ; and in gold frames from £ 1 3 s . Cd . Full particulars of Browning ' s Method of Suiting the Sight by correspondence , and testimonials post free . —JOHN BROWNING , 63 , strand , London , W . C .
Ad00510
Naval , Military , and Tropical ^ ^ < ZT ^ BOOT MAKEES ^^^ ^ -r ^ r ^ iS ^^ - ^ gGj ^ - ' 2 i . _ ^ — — ^~" ~^ PICCADILLY , LONDON , W .
Ad00511
DFNT' ^ NEW ILLUSTRATED ^ iN ¦*¦ ° CATALOGUE of HIGH-CLASS WA PfH " r ? S I WATCHES and CLOCKS at * Vii . lUn . iUO . 1 . REDUCED PRICES , sent post &^\ jL free on application to E . DENT JXjr ^ Cfe , I and Co > > Makers to the Queen , s \ DFMTX 6 l > STRAND , LONDON , W . C , * UUI 1 I ^ I or 4 ) ROYAL EXCHANGE .
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
The following stand over : Opening of New Masonic Rooms at East Grinstead . au nmer Excursion of the Hundred of Elloe Lodge , No . 460 . U' -strict Grand Lodge of South Africa . Masonic Charity in West Lancashire .
, BOOKS . & c . RECEIVED . " -.. ' - « Monitenr de la Chance Univcrcelle , " " Jewish Chronicle , " "le Hauhfitte , " " The International Masonic Review , " "Court Ti ~ " .. " " Sunday Times" ( New York ) , "Citizen , " "Sunday ri . S It < Londo ") . " Broad Arrow , " * ' Masonic Truth , " "La Re-Man ,, tasonica ' " " > -c Monde Macconiquc , " and " Allen ' s Indian
Ar00512
g ^^^ mioil ^ ^ JS ^^ S ^^ PEy ' ^ y r ^^^ B ^^^ J ! SATURDAY , J 18 , 1885 . * -
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
rWedo not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving ol tlieopinionsexpressedby ourcorrespondents . hut we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ] . .
THE RECENT BOYS' SCHOOL FESTIVAL . ' To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Your correspondent , "Alpha , " appears at a loss to account lor the falling off in the returns of the recent Festival . For my own part , I am agreeably surprised they amounted to what they did . It cannot for a moment be
doubted , that the course pursued by the governing body of the Institution two years ago , when premium votes were offered for the purpose of swelling the amount collected on a special occasion , inflicted a very serious injury on all of the three Masonic Charities , by destroying the confidence of many of their supporters , who not unnaturally regarded the allotment of sudi extra votesas a direct
, violation of the terms on which they had previously been induced to become Governors . Although the bribe of double votes produced at the time a subscription list abnormally large , the experience at the recent Festival has most clearly demonstrated that the governing body of the school in the step they saw proper to take , discounted to a very great extent , their future
support . It has moreover shaken the confidence of very many , who hesitate to subscribe money for the acquisition of votes , the value of which may be still further diminished by a repetition of the operation to which I have referred . In this view I most earnestly trust , that in the interests of all our Charitable Institutions , the governing bod y of the Boys' School will not again be induced , under any circumstances , to commit a like error . —Yours fraternally , A LIFE GOVERNOR OF THE THREti CHARITIES .
THE PROVINCES AND THE METROPOLIS . lo the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In reply to the letter which appeared in your last issue under the above title , permit me to say that the figures quoted . have been taken from the official returns ot the Institutions , and I therefore piesume may be considered reliable .
With respect to the cash amounts , I wish to state that the balance-sheet for the Girls' School enabled me to give the sums contributed by the Provinces and London for the year 1884 ; but , owing to the balance-sheets of the Boys' School and the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution only giving the total amounts , I was obliged to fall back upon the Festival returns to show the respective amounts contributed by
the Provinces and the Metiopolis . The proportional representation I should like to have taken from the total amounts paid in by London and the Provinces since the foundation of the several Institutions , and probably that will yet be arrived at . It will be if 1 can ascertain the respective amounts . When 1 discovered the great difference between the
representation of the Provinces and London , I was struck with admiration at the combination , unity , and skill displayed by the former over the latter , and it appeared to me that such a noble example might well be fo lowed . I grant that the Provinces have considerable advantages over London , inasmuch as our Provincial brethren have their respective Grand Lodges to rally roundand thus have a
, bond of unity . Such advantages are absent from London ; but , as certain as the great Municipal difficulty will be settled , doubtless to the advantage and benefit of all concerned , so most assuredl y is there a way to be found for extending to London cases the great advantages conferred upon Provincial cases . The friendly rivaliy here loreshadowed will , 1 am confident , bring mutual benefit to our
respective applicants , and bestow lasting advantages to our grand Institutions . Owing to the vastness , and it may truly be said the unwieldy extent of the London Masonic body , it is utterly impossible to form at present a representative Masonic centre for the proper management and arrangement of the London votes ; therefore the great desire of the promoters
of this Association is to see London formed into , say , five or six centres or divisions , so that due consideration may be given to each London case , and , by mutual assistance , one division with another , to ensure success in our applications , and , in furtherance of that object , we shall be pleased to g ive every assistance , and receive the same from those desirous of forming those divisions . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully and fraternally , A SUPPORTER OF OUR INSTITUTIONS . July 14 th .
MASONS EMINENT IN THE STATE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Following on your article on " Masons Eminent in the State , " it may interest some of your readers to know that the following eminent men were initiated in the Apolto University Lodge , No . 357 , Oxford . Among Ministerialists :
Bros , the Duke of Abercorn , in 1830 ; the Chancellor of the Exchequer , in 1850 ; the Earl of Lathom , in 1856 ; the Marquis of Hamilton , in 1857 ; the Earl of Dunraven , in 1859 . The Earl of Carnarvon , joined the lodge in 1857 . Among members of the opposition : Bios , the Earl Granville was initiated in 1833 J Viscount Sheibrooke , in J 833 ; Lord Brabourne , in 1 S 50 ; F . arl Cowper , in 1853 ;
Sir Thomas Brassey , in 1855 ; and W . C . Borlase , in 1867 . Among persons not in Parliament : Bros , the Dean of York , in 18 4 8 ; Sir James Fergusson , in r 85 oj Mr . Justice Cave , in 1852 ; Sir Edward Malet , in 1856 ; and lastly , let me tecoid that one of the present Government was initiated in the Churchill Lodge , No . 478 ( also an Oxford Lodge ) , in the year 1871 , and that was Lord Randolph Churchill .
Original Correspondence.
I send you these few facts to show what a strong connection exists in very varied walks of life between Masonry and the University of Oxford , facts which could he largely added to if any one wished to do so , but I think I have given enough . Can anv one do the same for the Sister University of Cambud ge ?—Yours fraternally , S . M . M . C . O .
WHICH SHALL IT HE- " CHARITY " OR " DINNERS ? " To the Editor of the " Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , I have read "C . E . G . ' s " letter , which appeared in your columns a short time since , with a considerable amount of interest . The figures he has extracted from the Auditors' reports of the loil se in question for the years
specified appear to furnish a strong case against the practice in vogue among many Masonic lodges of dining sumptuously whenever a meeting is held . Most people will note the very striking contrast between the £ 52 15 s . devoted to purposes of benevolence and the "hotel b lis , £ 909 13 s . 7 d ., with but five meetings in the year , " and will hapten to the conclusion that a lodge which can thus appropriate the bulk of its funds is not as thoughtful as it might be of what
your correspondent speaks of as "the so-called 'distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason ' s heart . ' " But " C . E . G . " has only furnished a part of the data which are necessary in order to formulate a just answer to his query . He should ha ^ e told us , for instance , something about the numerical strength ot the lodge , and the average number of brethren , including visitors , who attended each banquet . He should have stated what , if any , amount the lodge in
its corporate capacity had contributed to our Charities previously to the quadrennial period mentioned , and whether —and , if so , to what extent—its offices were endowed with Life Governorships or what not , in perpetuity or for a term of years ; and , lastly , what , if any , amount of individual support the members severally , or any number of them , had already extended to one or more of our Institutions . Had he given us these data , your readers would have been in a
better position to satisfy his inquiries . Without them , it is somewhat hazardous to attempt anything like a direct answer ; but I don ' t mind trying , with your permission , a friendly interchange of views on the suhject . " C . E . G . " asks point blank , " Which shall it be'Charity' or 'dinners' ? " I say , unhesitatingly , "Both , or you will get neither . " If the members of a lodge are not imbued with a sense of Charity—that is , if they do not
entertain towards each other a certain kindliness of feeling , a desire to promote among themselves that goodfellowship which is the essence of Freemasonry , they may feed together even elaborately and laboriously , and propose toasts , but it will not be dining . On the other hand , if they don ' t dine together so as to promote good feeling amongst themselves , they are not likely to be influenced by much feeling of any sort or kind towards other people , not
any such feeling , at least , as will indu : e them to loosen their purse strings in beha'f of their poorer brethren . The first duty of every lodge , as a corporate body , is to encourage whatever will strengthen and extend the love and re .-. pect of its members for each other , and for the rest of the Fraternity , and there is , in my humble opinion , no likelier way of succeeding in this than for them to conclude each meeting with a good dinner . For my part , I have very
little faith in the people who go about exclaiming against the money that is spent in dining when it might so much better be given to some charitable i stitution . But I believe in people who dine , especially in those who make a point of dining well . When I say this , I am not thinking of what is called mere sensual gratification . I mean that I think people who appreciate good dining are more likely to do good actions than those who go about dining as it
were under protest , who , if they meet you at table , always make a point of offering some ' excuse or apology for their presence . There is no country in the world which is more generous towards the poor than England , and yet there is no nation which thinks more of dining as an institution than the English . And as with the people generally , so with our Masonic lodges ; there is no society which is more generous towards its poor members than the Freemasons ,
and there is none which knows better how to dine well . _ If —which is most unlikely—I were ever called upon to advise the members of a lodfe as to the line of conduct they should pursue , I should tell them to work well and dine well , and the rest would follow as a matter of course . Let "C . E . G . " take my word for it , "Charity" and
"dinners" go together . You can't have the former without the latter ; or the latter without the former . Possibly " C . E . G ., " and others of your readers , may say that what I have written is very illogical and very heterodox ; but I can't help it , and all 1 hope is that I have not trodden upon anyone ' s toes . —Yours faithfully and fraternally , CAKES AND ALE .
NORTHERN COUNTIES LODGE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Permit me through the medium of your paper , to remind all brethren who are interested in promoting the formation of a " Northern Counties Lodge" in London , that the adjourned meeting will be held at I 6 A , Great Queenstreet , at 3 o ' clock , tin Thursday next , the 23 rd inst . I hope that as many as can , will attend . —Yours very fraternally , I . S . CUMBERLAND , P . M ., & c .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
621 ] THE STATUTS OF 1755- . , Uro . Speth very properly calN attention to the fact that there is an error as to the name g iven by me to the Statutes he has so kindly forwarded , and which arose , no doubt , from a little haste or carelessness . 1 he Statuts of 1743 and 1755 are , of course , different . I think Bro . Speth had better let us have the 20 laws of 1743 . and then the
whole matter is complete . Two points come out if they exi't as Kloss represented , and we can then deal with them critically . I see no reason to suppose that the laws of ' 75 S are not what they profess to be , —a code of laws elaborated then , but I stick to my text , —they are not the laws of the Grand Lodge of France , but of a High Grade body . It is no doubt true , as Kloss points out , that the