Ancient And Acceped Rite.

newly perfected brother received into the mystic circle , the excellent brethren retired to the adjourned dining-hall , where an elegant supper was served . In responding to the toast of the newlyinstalled Prince , Bro . Browne spoke in glowing

terms of the beautiful ceremony he had just witnessed , expressing his belief , that Masonry could never have been the creation of man , but , to his mind , an inspiration direct from above . A most harmonious evening was spent .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ The following arrived too late for insertion in our last issue . IPSWICH , June 13 , 1872 . DEAR SIR AND VERY EXCELLENT BROTHER , — Though I think I mig ht have been consulted prior to the publication of a correspondence .

I certainly intended to be private , however much you may justly have implied the contrary . I must defer to your superior experience , as you deem such a course desirable for the benefit of Freemasonry in general , yet I should myself have been tempted to fear it would tend rather to

increase " unpleasantness , " if such exists between the two orders . There are , however , one or two points in your letter I feel bound to take up in justification of myself , and of an order to which several brethren of the highest Craft and other rank belong ** .

You assert that you " cannot understand how brethren , who have sworn allegiance to the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters , can take a part in the propagation of a rite outside her pale , consistently with their obligation . " Surely the following considerations can lead to but one conclusion .

If the Grand Mark Lodge enter into a treaty witli the Grand Lodge of the Royal Ark Mariners , if the Supreme Grand Commander of the latter order is made a Deacon in Grand Lodge of the former , then I argue the the Grand Mark Lodge most assuredly recognises the existence of

the R . A . Mariners , as an order possessing a jurisdiction , legitimate , yet separate from her own . As a consequence , consistency with sworn allegiance , cannot be imputed to myself or others , who have taken the Ark Mariner ' s Degree ; still further , if I add the assertion that never , either

in receiving or conferring the degree , have I heard or suffered the powers and privileges of the Mark to be questioned or infringed . As to the sufficiency of Bro . Moreton Edwards ' authority to confer the degree , that of course is a question it would be presumptuous in me to discuss , I leave the vindication of his sovereignty

to the Supreme Grand Commander , and the Grand Lodge of R . A . M ., and I feel confident that this clause of your reply will be answered by an abler pen than mine own . I will merely refer you , for information on this point , to Bro . E . H . Finney , the Dep . G . C , and J . O . Oxland , the Grand Senior AVarden .

Your sentiments as to the multiplication of Grand Lodges , I fully endorse , and 1 onl y hope the motion of Bro . Edwartls , with the amendment of Bro . Stevens in Grand Mark Lodge , at which I was present , and a report of which appears in the Freemason of J une Sth , will lead

to the amalgamation ot the two tlegrees , an issue which I most earnestly desire , and as far as can lie in my power , most strenuously strive to further . Lastly , I would add , that my first letter was addressed to you more than a month ago , before

1 became aware that the Treaty which I enclose was , if not a dead letter , at all events not entirel y adhered to . Had subsequent events not come to my knowledge , I might have hesitated longer in venturing to address you , but let me again assure you , it was written in no spirit of animosity , ( such . 1 gratefully see you do not impute to

me , ) but merely from an over anxious zeal perhaps to do the duties of an olfice entrusted to me , and by the request of my higher officers . I can onl y hope that the publicity you have given to this correspondence , a publicity I should have been the last to court , far i ' mtn increasing the unnecessary bickering and unpleasantness of which you speak mav tend to further the In—

Original Correspondence.

terests of the two Orders , and to hasten the time when they shall both be worked under one jurisdiction , that of the M . AV . Grand Mark Master Mason . For I cannot agree with some of my own chiefs , ( to whom you refer I know not , ) that the Ark ceremonial is unworthy of a name ,

but rather believe it would be a pity that a degree , doubtless of antiquity , and certainly widely prevailing abroad , should be entirel y lost . Assuring you of my grateful appreciation of the kind sentiments you express towards me , and of the courtesy you have displayed in your reply

to what may have appeared a presumptuous letter of one so much your junior . I have the honour to be , Dear Sir and Very Excellent Brother , yours fraternally , CHRIS . V . CHILDE , I . G . of R . A . M ., Suffolk . To Bro . Emra Holmes .

Pic Nic Of The Harmonic Lodge.

PIC NIC OF THE HARMONIC LODGE .

( No . 116 . J The annual " out " of this highly prosperous and excellent lodge took place on Thursday , the 13 th inst ., and , in every respect , eclipses all former excursions in connection with it . Good

weather and a merry company foreshadowed a pleasant trip , and the result was fully equal to the most sanguine expectant . By the kindness of Mr . J . O . Binger , three saloon carriages were placed at the disposal of the

party on crossing to Birkenhead , and on their arrival at Chester the pic-nickers were conveyed by stage carriages , to the grounds of the Marquis of AVestminster , Eaton Park , across the celebrated Iron Bridge , and subsequently to the quiet

little village of Aldford . Here , an excellent dinner was provided by Mr , and Mrs . AVhite , of the Grosvenor Arms , Bro . J . Jones , AV . M ., occupying the chair , and the vice-chair was occupied by Bro . Beesley , S . AV . After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts , Bro .

Pickering , P . J . G . D ., proposed , in happy terms , "Success to the Harmonic Lodge , " which was acknowledged in eloquent terms by the AV . M . The toast of the " Past Masters " was given by Bro . Fowler , and responded to b y Bros . McKune and Skeaf .

Bro . G . Rigby Smith , with his usual suavity , proposed the health of " the Marquis of AVestminster , " referring to the kindness which he had displayed that day , in allowing the party to visit his house and srrounds .

1 he toast was drunk in bumpers ; and in reply , Mr . Parsonage said the Marquis was always glad to see parties such as that , enjoy themselves thoroughly , and he kindly allowed them the privilege ol" seeing over the house and Hardens .

" Ihe Ladies was given 111 appropriate terms by Bro . Councillor D . Campbell , which was acknowledged by Bro . Ardran . Dancing afterwards commenced to the strains of the Chester quadrille band , and after an ample

tea and cold collation , the party returned by the same route to Liverpool , were they arrived shortl y before 10 o ' clock , every one being delighted with the excursion , which had passed of without a single hitch .

Special credit is due to Bro . Moore , of No J 16 , who acted as Secretary to the pic-nic com mittee .

Grand Fancy Fair In Liverpool.

GRAND FANCY FAIR IN LIVERPOOL .

Charity is the very essence of all true Masonry , ancl therefore the intelligence that the splendid sum of £ ' 20 , 000 has been realised by the recent fancy fair in Sefton Park , ou behalf of the Southern Hospital , must rejoice the hearts of

the whoie body iraternal throughout the world . A noble institution—because it helps the helpless , and gives succour to the needy—has thus been greatly enriched , and the people of Liverpool deserve immense cretlit for thus excelling all former efforts in a similar way . The fair in

Grand Fancy Fair In Liverpool.

Prince s Park , in 1849 , on behalf of the three principal institutions , realised upwards of £ - £ 9 , 000 ; that on behalf of the Stanley Hospital , in Stanley Park , two years ago , nearly A 26 , ooo ; which might have been greatly increased if the committee had not been burdened

with the expenditure resulting from one or two mismanaged departments ; but now , through the presence of royalty , the untiring zeal of the ladies , an energetic and enterprising executive and the cordial support of every class of the community , the full proceeds of the third great Liverpool fancy fair , have reached an amount which

it will be difficult to exceed in any future undertaking of a similar kind . It may in passing be interesting to note that the very first monetary contribution towards this grand total were made b y Dr . Costine , and Bro . Dr . Sheldon , both of the Stanley Hospital , -who each sent £ 10 ios ., with their warmest wishes for the success of the

scheme . The actual receipts amounted to £ 25 , 053 , and so well were things managed , and so liberal the assistance given by the public , that the expenses reached only g £ e , , 000 , of which about half was for tents , booths , stands , & c . The admission to the park brought £ 5 , 967 ; the bazaar , 5 ^ 12 , 134 ; the flower show , £ 1 , 083 ; the

sports , amusements , & c , £ 1 , 321 ; and the refreshments , £ 3 , 243 . Bro . Pearson ( the Mayor ) , Mr . E . Lawrence , andBro . Councillor Campbell , with the others workers , of both sexes , have all done nobly , and they deserve the hearty thanks of the whole community for their exertions on behalf of the sacred cause of charity .

The London And Middlesex Archæological Society.

THE LONDON AND MIDDLESEX ARCH ? OLOGICAL SOCIETY .

The last evening meeting of the session was held at the University College on Monday , 17 th inst ., Mr . J . AV . Butterworth , F . S . A ., in the chair . There was a large attendance of members .

The following interesting objects were sent for exhibition . By the Clockmakcrs' Company , through Mr . Deputy Atkins , their valuable collection of watches and watch movements , several silver cups and tankards , also the original charter of

incorporation granted b y King Charles I ., 22 nd August , 1631 , beautifully emblazoned , having a portrait of the king in full coronation robes in the right-hand corner ; the seal is almost perfect . The original grant of arms , conceded to them 31 st January , 1672 , and their bye-laws ;

ordinances bearing the signatures and seals of Thomas , Lord Coventry , Lord Keeper of the Great Seal ; Sir Thomas Richardson , Knight , Lord Chief Justice of the King ' s Bench , and Sir Robert Heath . Kni ght , Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas .

By Bro . G . Lambert , F . S . A .: Several examples of early watches , in an excellent state of preservation . By Sheriff Bro . Sir John Bennett : The perfection of clockwork , two piping bullfinches .

By Mr . J . G . Waller : A plan of Bruges , taken b y Marcus Gerardus in 1562 , the architectural details of which being so minute and clear , that the principal buildings are seen as in a photograph .

By Mr . Frank A . Burt : A black cinerary urn , which , when found , contained ashes ; the other , a gutlurum , or water-jug of a lightcoloured ware .

Mr . J . E . Price , F . S . A ., the honorary director , in the course of some remarks upon the interest attached to this discovery , stated that they were found , at a depth of twenty feet , in King Edward-street , formerly called Butcher Hall-lane , ami were enclosed by red tiles , indicating a Roman tile entombment , and , although

now within the City limits , must , when deposited , have been extra-mural . In 1842 , a large quantity of Samian pottery fragments of urns , tke ., were found at this precise spot , near to a chalk wall at least five feet thick , doubtless a portion of one of" London ' s mediawal walls . Mr . AV . II . Overall , F . S . A ., read a paper upon