Original Correspondence.

^ p A man properly appearing in uniform and also ¦ wearing Masonic badges , is an anomaly , the Wcombination of the two dresses involves a comf bination of two separate and distinct capacities . They are not Masons because they are soldiers , nor are they soldiers because they are Masons ,

and it is not in accordance with the fitness of things that the brethren should appear in public dressed as soldiers . We feel quite surs that there has been no intention on the part of Bro . Hughan or the Committee to snub the Military Brethren , and

I trust that the latter , on thinking over the matter , will see that as soldiers they could not have joined the procession , except in a manner not permitted by the regulations of the service , viz ., in civilians' clothes , and I feel sure too that His Royal Highness ' sdisappointment at their absence

would give place to an unqualified approval of their conduct , on learning that their absence was caused by their disinclination to infringe the Queen ' s Regulations . I have attended lodges in uniform with Masonic clothing superadded , but I should feel

it wrong , to appear in public in the combined uniforms , greatly as I honour both . My own experience tends to prove that instead of soldiers being looked down upon by the civilian brethren , they are everywhere regarded with the highest esteem , and civilians may in most cases learn a

lesson from the simple , earnest , careful , and straightforward business-like manner in which our soldier brethren go about their work as Masons . Yours fraternally , C . B .

To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Supplementing " Leo ' s " letter in the Freemason of the 5 th inst ., I beg to say I have now before me the programmes of two Devon Provincial Grand Lodge meetings held at

Barnstable on the 13 th May , 1840 , and 14 th J une , 1848 , in each of which there is a foot-note to the " Order of Procession , " in the following words— " The Brethren will be expected to appear in proper clothing , and to wear white gloves . Naval and Military Officers

are requested to appear in their uniforms , and the Clergy in their gowns , with the hood appertaining to their Academical Degrees . " Clearly then , atthe dates given , our Soldier Freemasons were not prohibited from appearing in Masonic processions by the ' •Queen ' s

Regulations , " or by the manifesto of either the Commander-in-Chief , or the General in command of the Western Counties . We are glad to observe from " Leo ' s" letter that no fault , with reference to the grievance , is attributable to the Committee of Management ofthe late magnificent gathering ,

but from whatever source the prohibition may have come ( and we trust the source will be clearly tr £ «* d ) , we are quite sure that all civilian masons mast , and do , most sincerely sympathise with their military brethren in the harsh and

unmerited treatment to which they have been subjected , and in the bitter disappointment they have been called upon to suffer . Y ' ours fraternally , A DEVONSHIRE MASON

LODGE MINUTE BOOKS . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , I enclose verbatim copy of a circular issued by the Prov . G . Secretary of West Lancashire . Will you kindly inform me if there is

any power on the part of the Prov . G . M . to compel the W . M . of a lodge in his province , to send the minutes to a certain address , where they are to be retained for a week or more , much to the dissatisfaction of the lodge ? Yours fraternally ,

AN OLD P . M . " To the W . M . of Lodge No . — " Worshi pful Sir and Brother , —

" You are requested by the R . W . P . G . M . to send the Minute Book of your lodge by the 28 th day of September next , securely packed and sealed , to the Masonic Hall , 22 , Hope-street ,

Original Correspondence.

Liverpool , ( addressed to frie ) , for examination by the R . W . P . G . M ., and his examining officers . When the examination has taken place , and the books signed by the R . W . P . G . M ., they will be

returned at the Prov . Grand Lodge , on the 7 th October , for which purpose it will be necessary for vou to attend and receive back your Minute Book , or send some brother authorised to

receive it . " I remain yours fraternally , "H . S . ALPASS ., " Prov . Grand Secretary " a « i , Park-road , August 2- ; th , 1874 . "

[ We are of opinion that tin * W . M . and lodge are bound to produce the Minute Book , & c , on the requisition of the P . G . M ., at the place and special time stated , but the Book of

Constitutions does not provide for such property being left . The W . M . has full power to take them away again , as they are the private property of the lodge . —ED . ]

SECRECY * " OF FREEMASONRY . To the Editor of thc Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother . —

You say in your leader of 5 U 1 inst ., " that Freemasonry is , and professes to be , a ' secret society , ' is a fret which , ' nobody can deny . ' " Now , with all due respect , I do deny it . We

as Freemasons are not a secret society . It is quite true we have secret words and signs , known only to the initiated , but that does not make us a secret society—and 1 have always maintained it—I have said , and I repeat , that any just and upright man properly introduced and . vouched

for as a respectable man , will be received in any lodge in England , without enquiry as to his relig ious or political opinions . How then can this Le called joining a secret society ? I see that you propose to refer to the subject again

" at some convenient season . " When yon do so , pray do not call Freemasons a secret society . Yours fraternally , MAGNUS OIIRKN , P . M . and P . Z .

OUR LATE GRAND MASTER . To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Providing the Most Hon . the Marquis of Ripon does not communicate wilh those lodges

of which he is honorary member , what course are those lodges to take . I am a member of a lodge of which he is honorary member ; and perhaps you can inform me what to do undar the peculiar circumstances .

By giving your opinion , or ventilating the sub ject in the Freemason you will oblige , Yours faithfully and fraternally . W . M

[ Probably , Lord Ripon will formally withdraw from all his Masonic obligations , till then it is clearly premature to take any steps in the matter of an honorary membership . —ED . ]

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And.Queries.

Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and . Queries .

RABBINICAL LITERATURE . I have been expecting a further communication from the indefatigable Masonic student , Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . C , & c ,

and delayed thanking him for his interesting communication in the Freemason of August 2-jnd , in the hope that he would discover some more particulars respecting " Rabbinical Literature . "

1 . I remember most distinctl y seeing in a work—Dr . Mackay ' s Magnum Opus 1 think ( Encyclopaedia of Masonry ) , that some English translations of the Talmud appeared in 1711 , and one portion alluded to the " Hiram Ahifj

Legend . I have searched without success so far for the paragraph , but will try again . 2 . The information respecting Dr . Plot ' s Staftbrdshhe , 1686 , and 1 st edition of Bro . Elias

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And.Queries.

Ashmole ' s life , agrees my own researches , and I am glad to find Bro . Woodford confirms our previous statements as to the dates . 3 . The " Masonic Notes and Queries , ought to be a well used department by the Craft . . WILLI * , * . ! JAMES HUGHAN .

The New Porch Of Swanscombe Church.

THE NEW PORCH OF SWANSCOMBE CHURCH .

By the courtesy of Bro . Magnus Ohren we are enabled to give the following detailed account of the proceedings : — A very interesting ceremony took place at Swanscombe , Kent , oh Saturday last , when the memorial stone of the New Porch , which is

being built by the " Erasmus Wilson" Lodge of Freemasons , was laid with full Masonic honours by their Worshipful Master , The circumstances attending the gathering were altogether exceptional , and attracted a large number of

distinguished Masons and visitors , amongst whom was noticed Prince Rhodocanakis , Grand Master of Greece ; the Provincial Grand Secretary ; the Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works ; and other Past Provincial Grand Officers . The

Provincial Grand Master of Kent ( Viscount Holmesdale ) , and his Deputy , W . Bro . Eastes , were unavoidably absent . The brethren assembled in their lodge room , at the Pier Hotel , atone o ' clock , and then adjourned to Swanscombe , and having formed procession in the Rectory Grounds , proceeded to attend Divine Service at the Parish Church in the following order : —

The Tyler with drawn sword . Brethren not members of any lodge in the County of Kent , two and two . Brethren of Kentish Lodges , two and two . Brethren of the Erasmus Wilson Lodge , two

and two . The Choral Director , Bro . Buckham , The Architect with the Plans , Bro . Bignell . Cornucopia with Corn and Vessel with Coins , —Bro . Treasurer Two Ewers with Wine and Oil , —The Deacons .

1 he Mallet and Trowel , —The Secretary . TheJuniorWarden , with Column and Plumb Rule The Senior Warden , with Column and Level The Chaplain bearing the Volume of the Sacred Law on a velvet cushion . Provincial Secretary of Kent . The Worshipful Master , Erasmus Wilson , with

the Square , Past Masters . Service at the church by the Rector , the Rev . T . H . Candy , B . D ., consisted of the usual evening service , to which was added two beautiful dedicatory prayers . The first lesson , 1 Kings , viii .

22 to 53 verse , was read by Bro . the Rev . C . A . James , M . A ., of Stone , and the second lesson , Heb . vi . by the Rev . T . Blackburn , B . A ., of Greenhithe . Two more appropriate chapters it would have been difficult to find in the whole of the sacred volume .

During the laying ofthe stone by the W . M . the following Hymn was sung : — Here , Great God , to-day we offer •Of Thine own to Thee ; And for Thine acceptance proffer , All unworthily

Hearts and minds and hands and voices , In our choicest Melody . Yea , we know Thy Love rejoices O ' er each work of Thine Thou didst ears and hands and voices For Thy praise combine , Craftman ' s art and music ' s measure

For Thy pleasure didst design . Honour , glory , might and merit , Thine shall ever be Father , Son and Holy Spirit Blessed Trinity ! Of the best that Thou hast given , Earth and Heaven render 1 hee !

Amen . The stone being lowered with thtee distinct stops , the W . M . standing on the East of the stone bearing the Square , H . I . H . Prince Rhodocanakis , the Grand Master of Greece , on his right hand . The Wardens went to the west , having with them the Level and Plumb Rule ,