Contents.

CONTENTS .

LEADERS 409 Mark Benevolent Fund 410 Lod ^ e of Benevolence 411 Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 411 Provincial Grand Lodge of Kent 411 The New Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapterfor Nottinghamshire 411 CORRESPONDENCEA Point of Law 412 The Girls" School 4 ' = Sister 412

The I Ate Bro . John Hcrvey ' s An Urgent Case 413 Orphan Working School 413 Friendly Societies 413 Blackballing 4 ' 3 Reviews 413 Masonic Notes and Queries 414 Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey 414 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of the Mediterranean 4 ' s Provincial Great Priorv of Hants 415

Summer Banquet of the Royal Jubilee Lodge , No . 27 41 J Summer Outing of the Rose of Denmark Lodge , No . 1975 41 ; Su miner Outing and Ladies' Day of the St . John of Wapping Lodge , No / 1326 416 Royal Order of Scotland 416 Ireland 416 Jamaica 416 Hamburgh Freemasonrv 416

Home for Little Boys .. ' . 416 REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 417 Instruction 419 Royal Arch 410 The Theatres 420 Music 420 Science ami Art 420 Masonic and General Tidings 421 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 422

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ACCORDING to the Chaine d Union , persecution for Freemasonry sake , even under the Ministry of SAGASTA , himself a Freemason , has not altogether ceased in Spain . A Spanish brother of good repute has recently , according

to our worthy Bro . HUBERT , been imprisoned in Spain for six days for giving a dinner to eight persons , all of whom were Freemasons . But " COSAS D'ESPANA , " whoever has understood them ? Who understands them even to-day ?

* * THE movement for the fusion of the various Rites in France is not likel y we think to make much progress . To say nothing of absurd stipulations and unconscionable claims , there are difficulties just now , many and serious , in the way of an } ' such arrangement . As we always ventured to point out , though

our words were unheeded or contemned , the abnormal position of the Grand Orient itself creates obstacles all but insuperable , in respect of an unification of the French Rites . What the Grand Orient has always had to fear , and more reason now than ever to apprehend , is isolation . We are , as we said before , if certain rocks ahead can be safely avoided , friends entirely to a

proper scheme of unification . But , in our opinion , as some pre-requisites are necessary to be conceded and arranged , which the combatant parties are not likely to submit to , and , therefore , on the whole , we are inclined to believe that this proposed fusion is postponed to the " Greek Kalends . " There are these necessary steps to be taken , without which any such

unification would only amount to a hollow truce , and clearly would not last long . The one is the entire disappearance of the so-called Grand Lodge Symbolique from the scene . Instead of affecting to deal with the Grand Orient on an equality , this most irregular and abnormal Masonic body must bury alike its high-sounding titles and its inordinate pretension " dans le

sien " of the Grand Orient . The lodges must take out new charters from the GrandOrient to make them regular lodges , forastheold saying runs " exnihilo nihil fit , " nothing comes of nothing , so the Grand Lodge Symbolique being itself an irregular and clandestine body Masonically , its lodges have no legal Masonic existence . Then , as regards the symbolic lodges under the

Ancient and Accepted Rite , they have now certain usages which , if they join the Grand Orient , they must give up . It is , therefore , needful that if they do join that body they do so " without prejudice" and existing customs and usages , so long as the lodges think fit to retain them . The ultimate grouping of all lodges up to the Third Degree under the

Grand Orient , and all the grades from No . 4 to 33 under the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite , is much to be deside - rated . But troublous has been the past history of French Freemasonry as to rival bodies and canflicting claims , and we apprehend that the good

brethren in France have much to learn , perhaps no little bitter experience to realize , before they will have apprehended to value the great blessings of unity , and the peaceful and fraternal outcome of true Cosmopolitan Freemasonry . An union between the Grand Orient and so-called Grand Lodge Symbolique would amount to nothing .

* * A GENERAL dispersion of our good brethren has to a great extent taken place . The recess has begun , and metropolitan Freemasonry is for the present in abeyance ; its work is done for the season , its lodge-rooms are deserted ; and though Londoners are late , as a rule , in taking their normal

holiday , yet a large number of those who adorn Metropolitan Freemasonry are already on the wing . And wherever they go , wherever they are , may all of good attend them , and may they enjoy their well-earned holiday thoroughly , and come back to "the little village" and lodge labours and lodge symposia smiling and serene .

* * * THE Dutch Freemasons have got also a movement party among them , and are in the throes of a so-called era of enlightenment and

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progress . Though they have elected H . R . H . PRINCE ALEXANDER of the Netherlands G . M ., they have elected Bro . VAN DIGGELEN , his opponent for the Grand Mastership , and an avowed " Progressist , " ( whatever that term may really mean in Holland ) , the D . G . M ., and the Governing Bod }' , our Bro . HUBERT tells us with exultation , is composed of an

" ecvasante majorite " also of " Progressists . " There has been for some time a tendency in Dutch Freemasonry to imitate the proceedings of the Grand Orient of France , and we would earnestly and fraternally warn our old good Dutch friends to hesitate , and to be cautious . Let their habitual Dutch

phlegm and prudence induce them to weigh well the inevitable consequences of a departure from that true Cosmopolitan Freemasonry which they have practised now for 150 years , and let them firmly adhere to their ancient principles of Masonic thought and Masonic action .

Sixer . HANS BREITMANN wrote his famous ballads we have all felt how sentimental and how touching are those reminiscences of unforgettable episodes and persons , and scenes and enjoyments which pass away into "de ewigkeit . " Yes , as CAMPBELL has sung of old ,

" And memory conjures feelings up , Which wine nor music need not swell , " when to-day we recall pleasant hours and enjoyable gatherings . But all things must have an end here , even Masonic festive hours ; and , therefore , it is that some of us may all but regretfully recall now the close of another

Masonic season , the cessation of countless friendl y hospitalities . If of some meeting in old times , and even still , it might be said , as the French critic has it , " en a toaste beaucoup , et en a bu plus , " yet to how many agreeable assemblies do we recur now mentally often still . Now , especially , when the "dulces ccetus" of friendship are closed , and the attentions of

hospitality are over for the nonce , we shall all be affected with grateful recollections of that Masonic amiability which has cheered our long career , and that charming inner circle of Masonic sociality from which all that is unfriendly , unworthy , or unbecoming is rigorously excluded , and where all that is elevating , exhilarating , and excellent upholds its pleasant regime

* * IT is sometimes an amusing fact to realize the complete pause which takes place year by year in our lodge assemblies and social aggregations . A few weeks back many were the calls on London Freemasons lor work and for sociality . Night after night full meetings for labour and pleasant

assemblies for reshfreshment , —a necessary complement to toil , —attested the vitality , and geniality , and good digestions of Metropolitan Freemasonry . And as during the past season the efforts of the London Freemasons in the greater cause of charity have been both marked and commendable , we feel that this season of 1 S 82 has not been altogether in vain . Indeed , it is

wonderful to realize , especially when we remember the amount which other charitable festivals for the most part produce , what the zeal of English Freemasons in the Metropolis and in the provinces can do to prove to others that Freemasonry means something—is a reality , nota sham , of goodly and veritable life , not a mere " vordy pretence , " without energy , meaning , or

utility . And , therefo . e , as in Nature , so in all other things , rest is sometimes needed to develope new energies and educe fresh powers , when we all meet again in the closing autumn , if we do

all meet again , let us trust that our good old Craft will still be in all respects to the fore , going on its way in unity , concord , and activity , and demonstrating its lasting good and its living utility by its honest labours , its social virtues , and its charitable results .

* * SOME one has said that Freemasons " spend too much money on their banquets . " This allegation is supposed to apply almost entirely to London Freemasons . But it is a very difficult and delicate question in itself , which requires cautious handling , for it is one on which is is somewhat unadvisabla

we venture to think , to dilate too much . It is undoubtedly true that many lodges , by wise and careful arrangements , not only are very reasonable in their expenditure , but find a large margin for Charity ; though it is unfortunately also the case that many lodges expend a large portion of their funds on the social circle , and have but a small balance for Charity . But all this

arises from the habits and hours of London . In the country , for the most part , the lodges meet later than they do in London . In the metropolis it is no uncommon thing for lodges to meet at 3 . 30 and 4 . 30 in the afternoon ,

when there is very full work , and hence the late hours of London necessitate a dinner . In the extremely fashionable circles the dinner hour is often 8 . 30 , and , as a rule , our brethren in Masonry , following the habits of London , dine late , and not early . Despite this inevitable expenditure , and we