Original Correspondence.

The foregoing remarks are merely made for the purpose of supporting the truth , and for enabling brethren to understand the difference between the old custom of using marks and the rise and progress of our modern " Mark degree "

I am yours fraternally , W . P . BUCHAN . P . S . —I observe the name of the late Dr . Walker Arnott introduced , but from his verbal and written remarks to me , I consider that he would not now , had he been living , support the ideas of Bro . Kerr , as he would have made use of the evidence so largely brought forward since i 860 . W . P . B .

SUBORDINATION IN THE HIGHER DEGREES . " Abstinc et susiiiie . " ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —As an impartial looker-on , and in the cause of good order and the fundamental principles of the Craft , I may be excused offering my opinion with a view to a

settlement of this question . I do not propose to discuss the merits of the present case , but to propound the broad principles of expediency and convenience as regards the Masonic Body at large . It appears to me , therefore , reasonable that Masons generally should desire

a cessation of the present dispute , and the appointment of a joint committee , composed of three moderate members , nominated by either party , with a president approved by both , and having a casting vote , and under the authority of the supreme head ofthe whole Masonic Order .

Such a committee should abstain from expressing any opinion on the original causes of dispute , and should confine itself to determining equitably and honourably the simple terms of an accommodation , the same to be held binding on all concerned , and to have the effect of restoring the status quo of

all the parties individually implicated before this disturbance commenced , the original provoker of it being , at the same time , held , to a certain extent , individually liable for the consequences , and compelled , under a Masonic penalty , to make the first of mutual apologies and concessions .

Should the original elements of strife , however , still continue to smoulder , some means might be found of obtaining , through a committee , the general opinion of a certain number of lodges , according to numerical seniority—the simplest plan , selection

always leading to intrigue—and on it based certain propositions on fundamental Masonic doctrines , for the final decision of the Grand Lodge of England , or ofthe Grand Master alone , as umpire . Fraternally yours ,

ROYAL ARCH THE ABUSE OF MASONIC CHARITY BOOK CANVASSING .

( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Seven months ago I was called upon by a Mason , who represented himself as a Frenchman , a linguist , and P . W . M ., in great distress , who had escaped from besieged Paris , where he had possessed much house property , but

was then quite ruined by the war . He had taken up canvassing for the sale of books issued by an Edinburgh firm of publishers to obtain a livelihood for himself and family . Moved by his apparent distress , by his making use of the name of one of the principal officers of my lodge as

recommending him , and on the faith of his being a worthy " brother , " I was induced to sign an order for a work he was selling ( " Faiths of World" ) to be delivered in monthly parts—in which he stated I should find an account ofthe origin and history of the Craft , at the same time pointing out the

engravings as of a Masonic symbolic character . Being myself newly-initiated , and but a few days before raised to the third degree , I felt anxious to do what good I could to benefit a " brother in distress , " and also a . desire for " more light" in connection with a Society I had so recently joined .

Not suspecting that my first experience therein would be to be swindled by the first "brother " with whom I should have dealings . Such , however , it proved , for , on examining the first part of the work taken , I found it did not treat in the remotest degree on Freemasonry ; neither had he received

the authority of the brother referred to for using his name as recommending him . The fraudulent manner in which he had obtained his orders from myself and several others was represented to his employers , but they have fully identified themselves with the sharp practice of their canvasser—for , instead of allowing the orders to be cancelled on

their being reimbursed the amount of commission they stated they had paid thereon , they reply , after five months' delay , that , as we had signed the orders , we must either take the seven parts that were due of the first work ordered , or select another at the same price from their ( very limited ) catalogue ( in which I cannot find a single book I care

to have ) , or be sued in the County Court for the amount . I am informed the man is now making victims in Lincolnshire , and ^ therefore wish to put the brethren generally on their guard . Yours fraternally , J . S .

The Marquis Of Ripon At Home.

THE MARQUIS OF RIPON AT HOME .

The citizens of Ripon on Monday gave a public reception to the Marquis of Ripon , it being his first visit to the city . Great preparations were made for the occasion , banners covering every available space from the station to the Market-place . His lordship , accompanied by the marchioness , arrived at 2 . 20

p . m . from town , and were ( met by the Bishop of Ripon , Mr . R . Kearsley , Mr . R . D . Oxley , and other gentlemen . They were escorted into the town by about 100 mounted tenantry . On arriving at Princess-terrace the Ripon 27 th West Work Rifle Volunteers , under the command of Captain Earl De Grey , replaced the tenantry as a guard of honour ,

and a procession , consisting of the different benefit societies , preceded his lordship ' s carriage into the market-place , where a dais was erected . The marquis was received by the mayor , aldermen , and corporation of the town . After the tremendous cheering , which had been continued along the route , had somewhat subsided the town clerk read the following address : —

" To the Most Honourable the Marquis of Ripon ' Knight ofthe Most Noble Order ofthe Garter . " May it please your Lordship , —We , the mayor , aldermen , and citizens of the city of Ripon , on behalf of ourselves and fellow-citizens , wish to offer our most sincere congratulations and most hearty

welcome to your lordship on your first appearance amongst us since your return from the important and delicate mission to America , in which so distinguished and onerous a part was assigned to you . Remembering the clear line of demarcation your lordship has been wont to draw at our annual civic

meetings between the discussion of national as distinguished from merely party politics , we are wishful now to follow as good as an example , and to conform most strickly to so salutary a rule . On a previous occasion , when efforts were made to settle our most unwelcome disputes with our Transtlantic cousins

we believe the arrangement then proposed was said to be one of which no one was proud . Be that as it may , we think that if nothing more could be said for the recent treaty of Washington than that , it is one at which all must rejoice and of which none need be ashamed . Even that would be saying no

little , but we feel sure that without running the slightest risk of trenching on any such delicate ground as party politics , very much more than that may safely be affirmed . Most assuredly it is impossible to exaggerate the incalculable importance attaching to any well-devised means for the removal

of the feelings of irritation and distrust and the substitution for them of those of good feeling . May there be a continuance of that frank and cordial friendship which ought ever to subsist between all branches of the Anglo-Saxon race , and most certainly between such Powers as the United Kingdom

and the United States . Surely for such a boon scarcely any price could be accounted too great , save that only which neither nation could afford to pay—viz ., the sacrifice or compromise of national honour and self-respect . That no such cost as that had been incurred , or was ever contemplated , the

names and character of her Majesty ' s High Commissioners , and the fact that your lordship was able to undertake so important and responsible a part in that commission , are , to us at least , and surely must also be to all to whom they are known , an ample guarantee . Most cordially and most

earnestly do we trust that the recent treaty may be found capable of effecting so desirable a consummation as has been sought to be obtained by it and that yourlordship may long live in the enjoyment of your wellearned accession of rank and honour , as well as of every happiness and prosperity which can

accompany it ; and that wc may long be enabled to recognise and remember an old friend , for such we feel sure your lordship would not only permit , but wish each one of us to consider , you under your new title as Marquis of Ripon . Given under our common seal at the Town Hall , in the said city , on the 14 th day of August , 1871 . HENRY KEARSLEY , Mayor . "

His Lordship then said he quite agreed with the address with respect to the great importance this treaty bore to England and the United States . A term should have been placed to the various subjects of difference which of late years had unhappily created a certain amount of irritation between the

two peoples . He believed that no task of more importance for the interest both of England and the people ofthe United States could have been undertaking than a task which was calculated to remove those differences , and which , he trusted , would go yet further , and realise in the future that which you .

The Marquis Of Ripon At Home.

Mr . Mayor , have most justly described as an object of first-rate importance to this country and the United States . He trusted that there would always exist between the two great branches of our race , not merely an absence of irritation and alienated feelings , but a hearty and cordial friendship , and we

felt proud that he had been permitted to take part in laying a deepi and weighty foundation for the future , which would create an intimate friendship between the two great nations . The procession then re-formed , and proceeded to the flower-show field where a sumptuous luncheon

was spread in a marquee . The Marquis was received at the luncheon tent by the mayor , the corporation , the bishop ofthe diocese , the dean , and the clergy of the cathedral and the neighbourhood . After the usual loyal toasts had been drunk , the Bishop proposed " The Health of the Marquis of

Ripon . " In his reply to this , the Most Hon . Marquis said he found it no easy task to express the feelings of gratitude which filled his heart at the hearty and friendly welcome which the citizens of Ripon had been pleased to accord him that day . He could not

hold lightly those distinctions , especially as he might venture to hope those honours had been offered by the Sovereign as a proof and as a mark of approval for the work done . The work which took him across the Atlantic was neither light nor simple . The Government believed that the time had

come when it might be possible to make a serious effort to close up the wounds of past misunderstanding . He was surprised when called upon by the head of the Foreign Office to undertake the mission ; and he doubted the possibility of attaining the object with which he was charged , because a series

of difficulties had sprung up over a course of years ; but , as it turned out , the time had been well chosen . Thanks to Sir Edward Thornton , the ground had been prepared for the present settlement , and he rejoiced to have this opportunity of thanking him for the skill and ability with which he had acted .

He also thanked his colleagues for their support . But this was not a party , but a national question , and no one more largely contributed to the settlement of these negociations than that distinguished Conservative Sir Stafford Northcote . He was proud

to have the honour of taking part , however humble , and having signed such a treaty , which it was trusted would be the forerunner of a lasting peace between the two great branches of the English race , and more especially as the Parisian Commune had shown that passion and crime lay beneath our

boasted civilisation . Other toasts followed , and the proceedings ter * minated most enthusiastically . —Standard .

Consecration Of A New Lodge At Wimbledon.

CONSECRATION OF A NEW LODGE AT WIMBLEDON .

The Royal Arthur Lodge , No . 1360 , held at the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel , New Wimbledon , was consecrated on the 3 rd inst ., at 4 p . m ., by W . Bro . James Brett , P . M . and P . G . Purs ., assisted by Bros , W . Watson , G . S . L ., as S . W . ; and J . Thomas , P . M . 507 , as J . W . The ceremony was performed

in a most beautiful and impressive manner , and excited the admiration of all prasent . Bro . Joseph Smith , P . M . and P . G . Purs ., who has already been the means' of founding several lodges , was installed as first W . M ., and the following officers were appointed : —Bros . Henry Robert

Willson , S . W . ; Robert Wiffen , J . W . ; Walter Snow , P . M ., Sec ; Henry Smith , S . D . ; Henry Jackson , J . D . ; Rogers ( elected ) , Tyler ; Bros . J . L . King , P . M . 657 , and Geo . Neall , P . M . 1208 and P . P . A . G . D . C , members . The following visitors were also present : —Bros . James Brett , P . M . and

P . G . Purs . ; W . Piatt , P . M . 144 and Sec . 23 and 946 ; W . Watson , G . S . L . ; John Reeve , 780 ; Thos , Lane , Daniel Truster , Henry F . Huntley , George Lilley , 720 ; Henry Cooper , 172 ; A . Treadwell , H . Masielski , Henry Etney , P . M . Crane , 177 ; M . A . Lowenstark , W . M . 73 ; E . H . Finney , 255 ;

James Stevens , 25 , P . M . 720 , 1216 ; W . S . Larlham , 1216 ; John Thomas , P . AI . 517 ; David Stoltz , 554 ; J . H . Lassam , 742 , 1269 ; J . Wright , S . D , 1158 ; J . R . Brown , 1158 ; A . D . Loewenstark , P . M . 548 and 733 ; John Hilton , J . D . 780 and J . W . 1351 ; Henry Potter , P . M . 11 , 177 , 1351 ; Thomas

Baker , 1269 , 429 ; D . D . Beck , S . W . 1306 . Bro . Stevens , P . M ., assisted most ably as Director of Ceremonies . After the lodge was closed the brethren sat down to a most excellent and liberal cold collation , provided at the expense of the worthy host of the Duke

of Edinburgh , himself a candidate for initiation into the mysteries of the Order . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were drank , and the brethren dispersed about 9 p . m ., after having seen one of the most interesting ceremonies performed in a manner that must have impressed all with the beauty solemnity , and sound foundation of Freemasonry .