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regret , as all will do , such very peculiar and untoward proceeding's . Our report is taken from the Times .

WE congratulate our readers on that very beautiful weather which has rendered the country so enjoyable and and refreshing to tourist and

wanderer . We who pen these words , from one of the most lovel y and peaceful of spots in this fair land of ours , feel more than ever how good and refreshing it is for us all to be able to look on Nature in all its vivid srrace and moving reality .

* * * ' Ox the 14 th August , 124 S , the foundation " stone of the Cathedral at Cologne was laid , and " on Saturday , after an interval of exactly 632 " years , that magnificent edifice was finished , the

" last stones being planted on the two sky-reaching " towers . " This paragraph from a contemporary carries us away at once to thc labours of the old operative fraternities and Jons HuLTZ , and invests for us Freemasons the " Dom Kirche " at Cologne with increasing interest .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsnde for , or even Approving of , the opinions expressed by our coTe-pondents , hut we wish in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

MASONIC TRIALS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Though it is , as some one puts it , " thunderin ' hot , " and few of us , perhaps , just now , care to write , much less to read , about things Masonic , yet I do venture to insert my humble protest in jour useful pages against thc

tendency just now nfc , for anything or nothing , for " brother to go to law against brother . " Some of us heard illomened threats of the same kind some time back , but happily they were a mere "brutum fulmen , " but now , in this " strange story " at the assizes at Leeds we have the

d istinct and disagreeable reality , full fleshed and full voiced , in our very midst . What are the Provincial Authorities about to allow such a scandal to " crop up" and come before us ? It is really too bad . ' But both indignation and annoyance evaporate in these " piping hot days . " Yours fraternally , A LOVER OF PEACE .

RESPONSE TO THE TOAST OF THE " GRAND OFFICERS . " To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Though you cannot profess to understand how there can be two opinions on the subject of who shall respond to the toast of the Grand Officers , it is quite

evident , as you truly say , that "it appears there are . " The point is not the precedence of Prov . or District Grand Masters , or of certain Grand Oflicers . I take it as to that there cannot be two opinions , for they follow immediately after Past D . G . Masters and before Grand Wardens . This question has not been raised by " Bayard , " but mainly who should respond to the toast of tlie Grand Oflicers . I do not

know who "Bajard" is , neither does it matter . Let us have the question settled on its own merits . It is quite correct , as you state , that Dist . Prov . G . Masters , as well as Prov . G . Masters , take the chair of the Grand Lodge in the absence of the G .. M ., the Pro G . M ., or thc D . G . M ., and do so , it is assumed , by virtue of Clause 14 ( Book of Constitutions , p . 23 ) . If the custom so to do proves that

such brethren are really ollieers of the Grand Lodge , we need say no more about it ; but it is quite possible—though most improbable now—for , 1 brother to preside legally in the Grand Lodge who is neither a Prov . G . M . nor a Grand Officer , for the same clause provides that , in the absence of better qualified brethren , the Master of the senior lodge may rule Grand Lodge . I note that you state that "

Masters and Wardens could in no case preside over Grand Lodge , " and beg' to point out your error as respects Masters . Evidently Prov . and District Grand Masters are selected at times to rule the Grand Lodge , so as not tu displace the regular Grand Officers , such as Grand Wardens , Sec , and the custom is certainly a convenient one . If it is put , as you partly suggest , and , to mv mind .

wisely , as a meeting of brethren "in the social circle , " even then I fail fo see so suitable a brother to respond on behalf of the Grand Officers , in the absence of the D . G . M ., as one of the Grand Wardens of the year . I do not claim to be " infallible , " and , though " Not Infallible " has failed to point out wherein I am fallible , to save any dispute on that point , I at once admit my liability to error , in common with all my brethren . REVIRESCO .

"BAYARD" AND THE GRAND LODGE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , As requested by vour foot note to mv letter , I have referred to the Table of Precedence and Preface in the 'Book of Constitutions , " pages 16-17 , and find that the K ' ° * Precedence relates not to Grand Lodge Officers

. ( Masters , Past Masters , and Wardens are included ) , but to members of Grand Lodge . Provincial Grand Masters arc included in it , not because they are Grand Officers , but because , like the W . M . ' s of private lodges , they are members of the collective body , styled the United Grand Lodge . I cannot help thinking my previous argument is irresistible .

Grand Officers cannot be removed without the approbation of the Grand Lodge ( see page 31 ) . The Provincial v » rand Master holds his office at the pleasure of the Grand Master ( see 12 , page 49 ) . Ergo , the Provincial Grand Master is not a Grand Officer . Yours fraternall y , P . P . G . SEC .

Reviews.

Reviews .

MAGAZINES FOR AUGUST . Some of the Magazines for August are very amusing . "Scribner" has many interesting articles , and is , as we have often taken occasion to say , A i among magazines . It contains matter equally effective , whether to English or American minds . The Plain Story of Savanarola ' s life is powerfully written . From the " Curiosities of Advertizing "

we take the following amusing passage , anent the " gent who does the large \" lettering , " wherever he can " find a "locus scribendi : " "We travelled over a million and a half of miles , sir , painted more than ninety thousand signs , and used more than five hundred barrels of linseed oil , mixed with live hundred barrels of turpentine , and a hundred and fifty tons of white lead . I say tons , sir , and will

show you the books to prove it . " "All the Year Round" sees the happy end of thc " Duke ' s Children , " when all but poor Lady Mabel are married and done for ; the continuation of "Set in a Silver Sea , " and thc first chapter of " Asphodel . " "Temple Bar" tells the story of "The Youth of Queen Bess . " It takes us back to the lines which she wrote with her diamond on the window at Woodstock :

" Much suspected by me " ¦ Nothing proved can be Ouoth Elizabeth , prisoner . " It has other articles of average merit . "The Scandalous Romance " is vividly unpleasant reading . " The Antiquary " gives some curious glimpses of "The Politeness of our Forefathers " from a book published in

1 ( 175 , and has a most striking and sensational article on Shakespeare's " Mask . " It is well worth reading . "The Gentleman's Magazine" gives us the always " nasty" story of Robert Cave ( Somerset ) , of whom we have heard " usque ad nauseam , " and has some curious articles , e . g ., the " Moon and its Folk Lore . " " From Cremorne to Westminster" is good writing and reading :

" lo steam down the river in one of the penny boats , to those who make a habit of it , is entertaining enough . For one with a headache , or overdone with work on a hot day in a ' stuffy' office , it is a pleasant restorative to zigzag across from pier to pier for half an hour . The company abroad is in itself a fruitful source of study ; good humour is the characteristic , and during some years' voyaging now

when they have often been crowded to inconvenience , I have never seen a dispute about a seat . " In " Eraser ' s Magazine , " among several interesting articles , " A Forgotten Empire in Asia Minor , " by Professor Sayce , is worth reading , for it is that of the Hittites , who , known to the Bible reader as a comparatively insignificant tribe , are now marvellously emerging into light as— " A

power which had its seat faraway on the banks of the Euphrates , but which carried its armies to the very shores of the iTigean Sea and helped the PhoeniciansMn communicating- to the nations of the West the civilisation of Assyria and Babylon . " " Macmillan , " besides "Un Journaliste malgre lui , " and

other contributions , has a sympathetic article on poor Tom Taylor , from which an extract will appear in the next "Alasonic Magazine . " "Good Words" "Sounds the Alarm " with the "Trumpet Alajor , " and has other well written articles . "The _ Monthly Packet , " from which we have already quoted , is pleasant reading .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

Can any brother favour thc writer with a sight of the actual original edition of " Pilchard ? " AIASONIC STUDENT . Care of Editor of Freemason .

THE DIRECT DESCENT THEORY . I am afraid that our esteemed Bro . Col . MacLeod . Moore has been led away by the "direct descent theory . " It is no doubt somewhat attractive at first sight , but larks the two main ingredients of all true history—probability and possibility . It is , in fact , a revival , in another form , ol Von Hund ' s " Strict Observance . " . MASONIC STUDENT .

NAPLES . — ' 1 he historyof Freemasonrv in Naples began before 1751 . because Jul y 10 th thatyeai , the King Charles III . forbad the meeting of Freemasons . But the accounts of it are very hazy , and so to say pre-historir . In 1754 , despite the royal order , some brethren met under a warrant from a lodge at Marseilles , probably the so-called " Alere Loge , " and in 1760 are said to have received another warrant from

Holland , and in 17 G 3 a third from England . Though these statements are also doubtful , it appears that tlie lodge called itself a National Grand Lodge until 17 O 4 , under the name "Del Zelo , " and had nt one time eight lodges under it : four in Naples— "Victoria , " " Uguglianza , " " Pace , " and " Amicizia ; " and fourotheis—one at Messina , one at Catania , one at Geata , and one at Caltarigoria .

l'liere were also two lodges in Naples professing tohave English charters , which acted independently . At one time the Neapolitan Grand Lodge was flourishing ' , as it boasted 170 members , including officers , among whom were thirty members of princely houses , and Prince George of Afec / denburg-Stretlitz . In 1775 , September 12 th , Ferdinand IV . ir . sued another rescript against the Freemasons , under which , as

the Grand Lodge said , Freemasons underwent " les plus etranges accidents , ct la persecution la plus cruellc . " But at this time Queen Caroline , the wife of Ferdinand IV ., daughter of a Freemason , the Emperor Francis I ., took the Freemasons under her protection , and stopped the persecution , as well as in 17 S 5 . A certain minister , Fanucci , seems to have been most bitter against thc Fremasons . In 1777 ( 110 High Grapes ( Strict Observance ) appear on the scene ;

and , as usual , wc have to confront many divisions and much confusion , —so much so that gradually Freemasonry became in a languishing and dormant state . In 1 S 09 Freemasonry revived under Murat , and a Grand Orient at Naples was formed , and a Supreme Council thc same year—only to he suppressed in 1 S 1 G , and again in 1 S 21 . At present we believe that there is a Grand Council at Naples , and a Grand Orient ( Rit Ecossais ) in Sicily . —Kenning ' s Masonic Cyclopadia .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

( Continued from page 375 J . The brethren afterwards dined under the presidency of the newly-installed W . M . ; and during the evening a valuable Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . G . Musker , I . P . M . A capital musical programme was g iven by Bro . Webster Williams and others , and a most enjoyable

evening was spent . Bro . H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec , responded to the toast of "The Right Hon . the F . arl of Lathom , Provincial G . M ., thc RighfHon . Colonel Stanley , D . P . G . M ., and the rest of the P . G . Officers , " and in doing so spoke in high terms of the present position occupied by the Duke of Edinburgh Lodge , and referred in complimentary terms to the quality of the working .

RIVERHEAD . —Amherst Ledge ( No . 1223 ) . —A regular meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday , the 7 th inst ., in the schoolroom , opposite thc Amherst Arms Hotel . There were present Bros . C . J . Dodd , 'W . M . ; Smalman Smith , J . W . ; R . Durtnell , P . M ., Treas . ; j . H . jewel ) , P . P . G . O ., Sec ; C . E . Birch , J . D . ; H . L . Hall , I . G . ; VV . C . Banks , I . P . M . ; E . 1 . Dodd . P . M .: A . W

Duret , P . AL ; Pilliner , Thorpe , J . Waller , Stewart , Stevenson , Taylor , and Morgan . Visitors : Bros . A . O . Steed , P . P . J . W . Suffolk , and J . G . Horsey , I . P . AI . 1619 . The lodge was opened at three o ' clock p . m ., and after the confirmation of minutes , Bros . W . Stewart and Rufus Stevenson were duly passed to the Second Degree . The ballot was then taken for , and proved unanimous in favour of , Mr . R . Langley , Air . Philip Hanmer , Mr . F . J . Crowest ,

and Air . J . Ithall Birch , who were respectively initiated into the secrets of Freemasonry . Some other business concluded , the lodge was closed , and the brethren afterwards re-assembled at banquet , which was admirably served at the Amherst Arms Hotel by !' » ro . John Waller . The W . M ., Bro . C . I . Dodd , deserves great credit for the excellent manner in whicli he performed the work of the lodge , in which he was ably supported bv his officers .

MORECAMBE . —Morecambe Lodge ( No . 1561 ) . —The monthl y meeting of this lodge was held on Gth inst . at the Masonic Hall , Edward-street . There was not a larfje attendance , and several of thc officers were absent on assize business at Leeds . Bro . VV . Longmire , I . P . M ., occupied the chair of IC . S . in the absence of Bro . K . A . Stansfeld , W . M . ; the I . P . M . ' s chair being filled by Bro .

T . Longmire , P . M . The acting W . M . was supported by Bros . Wilde , S . W . ; R . Bannister , J . W . ; John Atkinson , 2 S 1 ( Freemason ) , as S . D . ; A . E . Poole , J . D . ; G . Bingham , Secretary ; John Cutts , 1051 , as I . G . ; Bro . Hutton , S . ; and Bro . Wilkinson , Tyler . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for the Rev . E . Bannister , and proving

unanimous , that gentleman was duly initiated into the ancient mysteries of the Craft by Bro . W . Longmire , the working being capitall y gone thi ough . The working tools were presented by the J . W . The initiatory ceremony being over , the usual proclamations were made , eliciting the " Hearty good wishes" of the visitors present , and the lodge was closed with the formalities peculiar to the mystic body .

SALTBURN . —Handyside Lodge ( No . 1618 . )—The annual festival of this lodge , and installation of W . M . elect for the ensuing year , took place at the lodge rooms . There was a numerous attendance of Past Masters and brethren from the neighbouring lodges . The lodge was opened in ample form , after which Bro . Geo . Taylor ( the W . M . elect ) was presented to the Installing Alaster , Bro . Geo . Alarwood , R . W . P . D . P . G . AL , who , in a most impressive installed

manner , Bro . Taylor as W . AL for the ensuing year , after which the following officers were appointed and invested , viz : —Bros . If . N . Ground , I . P . M . ; H . Adairson , S . W . ; T . Dickinson , J . W . ; j . Walton , S . D . ; 1 . Robinson , J . D . ; D . \ V . Dixon , Treas . ; Edwin lanson , Sec ; John Goundry , S . ; H . I . Webster , S . ; W . Harland , I . G . ; R . Heighten , Tyler . The brethren dined together in the evening at the Zetland 1 Iotel , when a most recherche spread was provided by Air . and Airs . Verini .

GREAT STANMORE . —Unity Lod ge ( No . if > 37 ) - — ''"he 1 ! s » al meeting of ( his lodge was held on Saturday last , the 14 th inst ., at the Abercorn Hotel . The minutes of the last meeting were confirmed . Bro . Davis , Prov . A . G . D . Cer ., W . M ., presided , and duly Crafted Bro . Larkin . The lodge was honoured by a visit from the Provincial Grand Master , Sir F . Burdett , Bart ., who

was saluted according t > custom . This being the day of election , llro . Cooper , J . W ., was elected W . M ., the continued illness of the S . W ., Bro . Grist , preventing him at the presenttime accepting the position . Bro . W . Stephens , P . P . G . D . Cer ., was unanimously re-elected Treasurer . A resolution was proposed , seconded , and unanimously carried , that a Past Master ' s jewel of the usual value should be presented at the next meeting to the retiring W . M .

Thc lodge was then closed , and the brethren were joined by many ladies at the banquet The usual toasts were dispensed with to allow Sir F . Burdett an opportunity of speaking of the progress Alasonry was making in the Province of Aliddlesex . Bro . Thos . Cubitt spoke for the visitors , and Bro . Bristo for the ladies . Singing and dancing followed until late , when most of the members returned to town , delighted with the day's enjoyment at this charming and picturesque spot .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

MALTA . —William KingstonjChapter . ( No . 407 ) . —A regular meeting of this chapter was held on the 12 th inst . Present : E . Comps . A . M . Broadley , P . Z . 1717 , as / .. ; Lieut . Coffey , 11 . ; Capt . Gardner , J . ; Comps . Starkey , S . E . ; Forde , S . N . ; Alajor Ewing , ' P . S . ; Lieut . Hcwson and Dr . Grier , S . and J . A . S . ; Beck , Janitor ; attendance ol

ana a goou companions . A successful ballot was taken for Bros . Sir Francis Blackwood , R . N ., Captain Cox , and Lieut . Holloway , as candidates . Comp . the Rev . V . D . Backhouse , of the Athol Chapter , Birmingham , was elected a joining member . The abovenamed candidates being in attendance were duly exalted as Royal Arch Alasons . The chapter was then closed .

LANCASTER . —Rowley Chapter ( No . 1051 ) . — On Monday evening , the 16 th inst ., a meeting of this chapter was held in the Masonic Rooms , Athena : um . There were present on the occasion Ex . Comps . Col . the Rt . Hon . F . A . Stanley , M . P ., M . E . Z . ; H . Longman , H . ; Wm .