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A SUITE OF MASONIC ROOMS TO LET AT 16 AND 16 A , GREAT QUEEN STREET , ( Opposite Freemasons' Hall ) , NEWLY DECORATED AND FITTED FOR LODGES , CHAPTERS , PRECEPTORIES , CONCLAVES , CHARITY COMMITTEES , ARBITRATIONS , & c . For particulars apply at THE ' . 'FREEMASON" OFFICE , IG , GREAT QUEEN STREET , W . C .

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( Koucattonal . HIGH-CLASS PRIVATE SCHOOL THEOBALD'S PARK , WALTHAM CROSS , LONDON , N . PRINCIPAL : Rev . J . OSWALD JACKSON , Assisted by Five Masters . Limited numberof Gentlemen's Sons ; motherly care for delicate pupils ; individual teaching for backward ones ; playground of six acres . First Class Honours gained at last Cambridge Local Examinations , with Distinction in Mathematics . References kindly permitted to Rev . Dr . Reynolds , Principal of Cheshunt College , Herts . Rev . Charles E . Mayo , M . A ., Nottingham . Sir Thomas Chambers , M . P ., Recorder of London . Richard Toller , Esq ., Solicitor , Leicester . George Kenning , Esq ., Little Britain .

To Correspondents.

To Correspondents .

t he following communications stand over—Masonic Ball at Constantinople . First Anniversary ofthe Guelph Lodge ot Instruction , 16 S 5 . Opening of the New Masonic Hall at South Shields . Faith Lodge ot Instruction , 141 . Masonic Tobacco Box .

BOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . " Jewish Chronicle , " " Broad Arrow , " " Sunday Times , " " Daily Gazette and Bulletin , " " The Freemason " ( Detroit ) , "" Citizen , " "Hull Packet , " "Court Circular , " "Revista Delia Massoneria Italiana , " " Freemasons' Repository , " " Allen ' s Indian Mail . "

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SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 21 , 1885 .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

t \ Ve do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of the opfnionsexpressedby our correspondents , but we wish in aspirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ] ^—

SUSPENSION OF LODGES . _ To the Editor of " The Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , May I request " A Lover of Justice " to state the circumstances of the case upon which he says that the

Board of General Purposes gave the ruling he mentions , and of which he complains ; and to quote the actual words in which that ruling is given ?—Yours fraternally , S . M . M . C . O . [ We fully agree with the reasonableness of " S . M . M . C . O . ' s" request . There seems , from what we now learn , to be some grave misapprehension in the matter . —ED . ^ . ^ T . ]

MASONIC NOTES FROM ROME . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The extraordinary good fellowship myself and other brethren have been received with by the three lodges we have visited during the week , induces me to ask you to

put it on record in your universal journal , for the information of other brethren who may visit Italy . u ^ ues ^ ay we u " " an appearance at the Cabinetto lir Supreme Master , welcomed by our illustrious Bro . < i »» s ' Bass ' Grand Secrerary and Editor of the Italian Masonic Review . "

Our certificates and examinations proving highly satislactory we were introduced into the Lodge Rienzr , with Masonic honours . Venerable Master Mario Panizza } J ~ Puty ) occupied the chair . After the usual business of tne lodge had been finished an initiation followed , performed "nder the " Scottish Rite , " drawn swords being used , and alter labour the brethren retired for refreshments , and

w f io"s evening most harmoniously . Wednesday night we attended the Lodge Universo , " venerable Master Renaldo Roseo | in the chair . The minutes nL if * meeting were read , and the installation of a III ,, aster took P lace > at w"ich all the brethren assisted , fnrm J , Fran <* sco Curzeo , Deputy Grand Master , per"rmed the ceremonies . Bro . Bassi then read a valuable erUS S " n he Progress ? M . / onry in Ita | y > and specially greeted Bros . Martin , of California ; Potts , Apollo Lodge ,

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Oxford ; and Pegler , of Leeds . The business being finished , the brethren retired to a cold collation , and departed at a late hour . The Venerable Master invited the visiting brethren to a banquet on Friday evening at S . 30 , at which many members attended . The banquet was most sumptuous , consisting of huiters , potage , printanier royale , horse d' ceuvre , saumon , sauce Genoise ,

fillet de bauef a la Massena , ris dc veau a la Toulouse , faisano hordes sur croustades , salade d' escarole , petit pois francaise , gateau Genois , glace Africaine . Dessert—superb collection . After the cloth had been withdrawn "The Health of the Grand Master and Officers " was given , followed by that of " His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , and the Grand Master of California , " to which Bros . Pegler and Martin

responded . Selections from operas were then sung , and Bro . Pegler was called upon to address the members . He rose amidst deafening applause and proposed "The Officers of the Grand Orient of Italy " in a most impressive and fraternal address , hoping that the same Masonic unity might exist throughout the world as now reigns in united Italy . The Grand Secretary returned his thanks in a most earnest

manner . The Supreme Master next proposed "The Visiting Brethren , " with the most touching and hearty welcome , to which they all responded , assuring him that they should carry with them feelings of the greatest admiration for one and all of the brethren present . Selections from other operas were then sung , and the

parting cup being handed round , the company retired in the small hours , after spending the most happy evening on record . Saturday , at S . 30 , the Lodge Spartaco met and received the brethren with full honours . After the minutes had been read , III . Bro . Tommago Sisea , of the Supreme Council , 33 , installed Ven . Bro . Carugati Master for the

ensuing year , who appointed his officers . The brethren then retired to a very substantial repast , and after the usual toasts had been honoured , that of " The Visiting Brethren" was proposed amidst much applause . Bro . P . M . Martin , 32 ° , returned thanks for ! the very hearty reception the Masonic body had given himself and friends in Rome .

Bro . Pegler gave " The Health of the Venerable Master elect , " and prayed that the brethren , in Italy particularly , might go on increasing and rejoicing , adding daily to their numbers , despite all persecutions from Popes , Cardinals , and Priests .

" The marble may crumble , The pillar may fall , But Masonry , old Masonry , Shall stand after all . " It is impossible to close this letter without bringing into notice the good offices of our Illustrious Brother Ulissi Bassi , Grande Secretary , and editor of the " Italian Masonic Review , " a copy of which I send you . He is , without

exception , the most intelligent , zealous , and kind brother we ever met , and we congratulate the Grande Oriente upon having the services of a so very gifted a brother . Long may he live to adorn the position his great talents so eminently fit him to fill . He would , indeed , have done honour to the Tribunes of Ancient Rome , and we hope some day he may those of United Italy . P . M . Bro . Tennant , 2 S 9 , was prevented attending the banquet , having had commands to attend the Grande Ball at the Palace . —Accepting our hearty good wishes , we are , fraternally yours , EN VOYAGE .

MASONIC BIBLIOGRAPHY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I would recommend your correspondent " A Student in Masonry " to get a catalogue of the Worcester Exhibition , post free 2 s ., from Brd . G . Taylor , Summerdyne , Kidderminster . In it he will find valuable

information . Of Preston 1772 ( ist ) , 1775 ( and ) , 1792 , 1 S 01 , 1804 , and 1821 editions were represented . The 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th , 6 th , and 7 th being missing , did not detract from the collection , which also exhibited the ist ( 1775 ) and 2 nd ( 1795 ) of Hutchinson . Browne ' s work had two editions—ist ( 1708 ) and 2 nd ( 1802)—both represented at Worcester . Prichard is said to have reached 30 editions ; but I have only seen

one—the ist , in 1730—and doubt the statement . All the missing editions above-named , being large reprints of the ist editions , are not of inestimable value . " Ahiman Rezon" was well represented ( 1764 , 177 S , 1 7 S 7 , 1800 , and 1 S 03 missing ) ; but ist ( 1756 ) , 4 th ( 1782 ) , 1 S 01 , 1804 , 1607 , and 1 S 13 are a very good and useful collection . It is possible , of course , to name every edition of the several

works , with its date and place of publication , and I should be very glad to see a thoroughly reliable complete Mst . In the York Exhibition Bro . Whytehead had an American reprint ( 1825 ) of "Ahiman Rezon , " and I fear the reprints in Ireland and America will add erreat difficulties to the

compilation of such a list , unless my brother student draws a line somewhere as to date . Could he not take 1814 for Hutchinson , and 1 S 1 S for Preston , Dermott , and Harper ? Then you , Sir , will perhaps give us as good a list as is available in the Freemason ?—Yours truly and fraternally , J . RAMSDEN RILEY . Bradford , February 16 th .

THE GORMOGONS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — At the Worcester Exhibition ' I heard many enquiries , evidently resulting in much disappointment to wives of Masons present , with respect to the Gormogons . I anticipate therefore that the two letters which I have

copied ( sli g htly modernised only in spelling , & c ) , and now enclose , will be interesting to a large body of your readers . They appeared in the Plain Dealer of Monday , September 14 th , 1724 , the editor of which added the following : " I acknowledge the honor done me by the illustrious Mandarin HANG CHI , and , though 1 cannot prevail with

myselt to be DEGRADED , in the manner required by the Laws and Constitutions of the Order of GORMOGONS , I approve and applaud their admitting none but whom Merit recommends into the Fellowship of the ( ECUMENICAL VOLQEE . Moreover , I propose the Good conduct and Regularity of the GORMOGONS as a pattern to the FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS | for the future : and , if I shall

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be enabled to make any useful discoveries for the service of the Brotherhood , they may depend on my watchful Fidelity . " In transmitting this extract with the two letters I would % express a hope that we are not admitting into our Order the same class of individuals , who debase it , as well as practising that preference for wealth and- position rather than

Masonic merit , which brought our Order into ridicule 150 years ago . It was the grand principles on which Freemasonry is founded which alone , by bringing thoughtful men once more within its folds , thinned the ranks of the Gormogons from its foundation . The Society lasted 13 years , nevertheless , and , however

much we may be disposed to ridicule it to-day , there is a pregnant lesson to be derived from the little known history of the Gormogons . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours truly and fraternally , J . RAMSDEN RILEY . Bradford , February 14 th .

"HANG Cm TO THE BRITISH Plain Dealer , HEALTH . " Sage Sir , '"By the help of my Secretary and Interpreter I peruse your lucubrations ; and write this epistle to assure you of my esteem . I am informed , that you have taken notice of the advertisement 1 caused to be published in the newspapers ; and that you called at the Castle , to be

satisfied of the truth of my arrival in this place . " Your enquiry and the conversation you had with my Secretary , gave me occasion to gratify you farther ; and I am proud to have it in my power to distinguish orjt of your merit in the manner I intend . " The Laws and Constitutions of the most ancient and illustrious Order of the Gormogons oblige us to be cautions

and frugal in admitting new Members . Remarkable Virtues have always recommended the candidates . No rank , station , or condition in life , entitles a person to be of our Fraternity . We know neither prejudice , nor partiality , in conferring this honour ; and all the interest in the world to procure it would be fruitless , without merit . " My residence here will be short . It cannot therefore be

expected , that I should invite many worthy persons to enter into our Order ; nor dare I render it cheap and contemptible , by admitting every Pretender : but I know several who deserve to be received and to whom I have promised the distinction . " I shall consider it as an Ornament to our most ancient and illustrious Order , which is the Honor and Ornament of all its Members , if you Sage Sir , will be pleased to accept

the Pnveleges that I am empowered to bestow on the Deserving . I confess , you must first be Degraded , as our Laws require , and renounce and abandon the Society of False-builders . But as your great judgment must distinguish the excellence of our Order , 1 hope you will prefer being a Fellow with Us . Nothing would more sensibly concern me , when I leave London , than not be able to transmit your name in the List , that I must send to the Ecumenical Volgee in China .

" I am , Sage Sir , your affectionate Friend , "HANG CHI . " "SHIN SHAW TO HANG CHI AT LONDON . : HEALTH . " Most Illustrious Brother and Friend , — " I congratulate you on the speedy progress you have made from the Court of the Young Sophy , and your safe arrival in the isle of Britain . "Your presence is earnestly expected at Rome . The

I'athor of High Priests is fond of our Order , and the Cardinals have an emulation to be distinguished . "Our Excellent Brother GORMOGUN , Mandarin , CHAN FUE , is well and salutes you . " Since my last , I had advises from Pekin which confirm former accounts , that our new Emperor is an open enemy to the Jesuits : but I pray their disgrace in China may not provoke the Europeans to use Us ill . Take care of your health . Farewell . "SHIN SHAW . "

THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , As a supporter and admirer of our great Charities , will you allow me to offer a few remarks less pessimistic than most of those which have recently appeared in the

Freemason , re the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . Is there any sound reason why , with an increasing revenue , the numberof male annuitants should be limited to 170 , and the number of female annuitants to 1 S 2 ? Would it not be perfectly safe to raise the number of male annuitants to 200 , and the number of female annuitants to 220 ? For 200 at £ 40 each £ 8000 and 220 at £ 32 each 7040

Total £ i 5 > ° 40 The income for 1 SS 4 has been announced as reaching £ 19 . 900 Now deduct 15 , 040 And we have a residue of £ 4860 a sum amply sufficient to pay all the office and other working expenses of the Institution , and to leave a surplus for

increasing the invested funds of the Charity . But , some will say , " As the annuities are for life , is it safe to make this advance ? " Why not ? The reserve fun Js belonging to the Charity amount to £ 65 , , and one can hardly imagine with the increasing numbers and increasing generosity of the Craft that such a sum is not ample to meet

all possible emergencies . But this is not all the security . The £ 1600 a year given by the Grand Lodge and the £ 100 a year by the Grand Chapter , £ 1700 a year , represent a capitalised sum of , £ 5 6 , 000 , which practically makes the reserve fund of the Charity £ 121 , 000 . I ' quite agree with Bro . Hogg , that with such a reserve , we ought not to go on hoarding , but dispense liberally what the brethren liberally give . —Yours fraternally ,

CHARITY . February 17 , 1 SS 5 . YORKSHIRE LODGE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I am glad to see that there is a movement on foot to form , in London , a " Yorkshire , " or " Northern