Original Correspondence.

of the Memorial Fund had been appropriated to supplement the slender provision which our late brother made for his sister . No doubt he did all he could ; but his own long illness , and , I believe , an unfortunate law suit in which his executors became involved , appears to have depleted the already insufficient legacy , and in the result we have

within two years of John Hervey ' s death , this poor lady compelled to part with the few mementos of her deceased brother in order to meet the pressing needs of age and inlirmity . I do not remember at the moment who were the brethren entrusted with the Ultimate disposition of the sum

subscribed to the "Hervey Memorial Fund , " but I venture to think they could hardly have devoted it to a better purpose than to have secured for John Hervey ' s infirm sister a sum sufficient for her needs during the probably few remaining years of her pilgrimage . At any rate , whatever might have been the reason , this appears not to have been

done , and 1 now write , Sir , to ask you to use your powerful influence , either at Grand Lodge , at the Board of Benevolence , or by an appeal through the columns of the Freemason to the Craft at large , that this crying scandal may be stopped . I think , Sir , it only requires to be known that Mrs . Mackenzie is old , feeble , and subject to the many infirmities of

age , without the means of alleviating them by the purchase of those little comforts suitable to her position , and hundreds of willing hands will be ready to show that they respect the memory of our loved brother too much to permit his aged relative to sue for help , and sue in vain . Yours fraternally , JAMES HILL . Clapton , July 17 th , 1 SS 2 .

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I much regret to see the very indiscreet advertisement in the Freemason al the 15 th inst ., appealing to the Craft to purchase a biscuit-box belonging to the late Bro . John Hervey , Grand Secretary , " in aid of his only

surviving sister , who is left very badly off . " As the executor of the late much respected Grand Secretary , I must beg to repudiate that advertisement , and most distinctly state that il has been inserted entirely without my knowledge or consent ; that it is contrary to tacts , and tends to cast an imputation on the memory of the late Bro .

Hervey that he had not provided for an aged sister , who , it was well-known to his numerous friends , had resided with him for many years previous to his death . The late Bro . Hervey left all he possessed to be divided into two parts—one half part to his sister absolutely , and the other half to a nephew ; but the income of the entirety

to his sister for her life . The whole is invested in Joint Stock Company shares , except £ 1000 , which Bro . Hervey had been induced to lend to a friend , without security , and which is now in litigation . This , I admit , produces but a small income , yet , for a lady of her very moderate

requirements , and added to a -small private income of her own , would be amply sufficient for herself , if she were the only party to be considered . Mrs . Mackenzie , the aged sister referred to , is now residing with her son , Bro . K . R . H . Mackenzie , the

advertiser . Yours fraternally , H . G . BUSS Barnsbury , N ., iSth July , 1 SS 2 .

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In the Freemason of Saturday , the 15 th July , there appeared an advertisement emanating from Bro . K . R . H . Mackenzie , offering for sale a biscuit-box which had been presented to the late Grand Secretary by his mother lodge ( the Royal York , No . 7 ) , the proceeds to be

applied to the benefit of Mrs . Mackenzie , the sister of the late Bro . Hervey , and the mother of the advertiser . This advertisement naturally conveys an impression to the mind of any reader thereof that our late Bro . Hervey had been an improvident man , and that he had made no provision for the maintenance of his sister , Mrs . Mackenzie , who was , for so many years , indebted to him for the comforts of home .

1 hat such an aspersion on the memory of our late brother is unwarranted , any one who choses to pay one shilling may soon satisfy himself by perusing his will at Somerset House . The fact is , Bro . Hervey left a sum approaching £ 4000 , one half of which he bequeathed absolutely to his sister , Bro . Mackenzie ' s mother , and he also gave her a life

interest in the other moiety . Bro . Mackenzie appears to ignore the fact that , notwithstanding the provision made by his uncle for Mrs . Mackenzie , he ( Bro . Mackenzie ) is himself legally , morally , and Masonically bound to support his aged parent . It may not be inopportune to mention that about two

years ago Bro . Mackenzie , through your columns , promised to issue an authentic memoir of his late uncle , the profits arising from the sale thereof to be devoted to Masonic charity . This boolc , I believe , lias not yet appeared , although it would , doubtless , have been eagerly purchased by many

who , like the writer , had the pleasure and privilege of enjoying the friendship of the late Bro . Hervey . I am , dear Sir and Brother , faithfully and fraternally y ° ui"s » NEMO . ^•S . —1 should have given my name , but I have no with to enter into any personal controversy with Bro . Mackenzie .

Original Correspondence.

AN URGENT CASE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I have had the case of Geoffrey Stuart Jones most prominently brought before me by several of our most influential brethren of the South Wales Province .

Bro Edwin Thomas , P . M . 37 S , P . P . G . P ., writes me as follows , viz .: " The father of this lad was one of the most kindhearted men and Masons I ever knew . " He was for years Captain of our local volunteers , and was a capital officer .

"Bro . Jones took an old mill and land in the country , and spent all his ready cash , about £ 4000 , in rebuilding the mill , & c , but little business came ; bis venture was a bad one . Everything was mortgaged ; and then notice came to pay off , on receipt of which he took to his bed and died , broken hearted , leaving a very delicate widow and seven

young children , all under twelve years of age , and the youngest nine months old at the . time of his death ; the whole being quite unprovided for . She is now with her mother , who is also a widow . " This being the last application , it is important , if

possible , to carry the case in , as otherwise the boy will lose his only chance of education . I trust some influential brethren will take the matter up . Knowing your desire to help any urgent case is my cause for troubling you . Yours faithfully and fraternally ,

VV . H . SAUNDERS , P . M . SSy and 1503 , P . P . G . D . Middx ., & c Pilgrim House , Brentwood , 17 th July .

ORPHAN WORKING SCHOOL . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Permit me to correct a printer's error in reference to the New Hall in connection with the above School . The stained-glass windows cost only £ 700 , notl £ 70 oo , as stated by you . Fraternally yours , HORACE B . MARSHALL .

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — The otherwise admirable letter of " A Life Governor of the Boys' School" concludes with an allusion to Friendly Societies that I cannot permit to pass

unnoticed , as it is not only inaccurate , but also an undeserved covert sneer at one Friendly Society at least . The Odd Fellows number amongst their members very many Masons and gentlemen in the very highest positions , as well as working men ; and the work they do is not only truly charitable , but it is also done in a way that does not

destroy the self-respect of those who are so unfortunate as to be obliged to claim assistance . The spirit that animates the members of the various Unities of Odd Fellows , might be , with advantage , cultivated amongst more pretentious societies . I am , Dear Sir and Brother ,

C . PFOUNDES . BLACKBALLING . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Referring to your leaderette in your last issue on blackballing , I presume before a lodge can exclude brethren they must first have been thrice formally admonished by the VV . M . ? Yours faithfully and fraternally , A . J .

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

PYTHAGORAS MENIAN PERIODIKON . This is the fourth number of the first volume of a Masonic magazine , published " En Athenais , " at Athens , by Bro . Dr . Emanuel Galani , Professor , as Editor . VVe alluded to it before , and we think it right to say that though this magazine in modern Greek is " caviare " to most of our readers , if any brother wishes to have the opportunity of reading modern Greek , the number is heartily at his service . It is full of Masonic treatises of much interest .

BULLETIN DU GRAND ORIENT DE FRANCE . June , nSS 2 . This bulky bulletin is before us , and contains a great deal of matter almost , however , entiiely interesting , and only interesting , to that body . But we must confess an utter astonishment to find in these official pages the fact recorded that the Conseil De l'Ordre has posisively submitted to its 260 lodges , ( or whatever the number may be ) ,

the proposal for unification , suggested by the new body calling itself the Grand Lodge Symbolique , with twenty lodges . How are the mighty fallen ! Pauvre Grand Orient de France ! In one thing , no doubt , the Conseil of the Grand Orient is consistent ; in that having most absurdly recognised this peculiar body , in defiance

of its own precedents as a Craft Grand Lodge , it perhaps could not well refuse to submit such propositions and conditions of unification to its lodges , which , as Bro . Gnmaux has well pointed out , are simply preposterous . The financial condition of the Grand Orient is on the whole satisfactory . It has greatly reduced its debt to the Societe Civile , and has brought about an equilibrium of receipts and cx-

Reviews.

penditures . The income for 1 SS 1-S 2 was 141 , 704 . 53 francs , its expenditure 130 , 460 . 70 francs , leaving a surplus of 11 , 460 . 70 francs , about 4460 . It would be a good thing for the Grand Orient if it could be separated from the Societe Civile , as its connection with that body seems to lend an air of doubt and unsatsfactoriness to its balance sheets . It lias spent about £ 400 in relief . The great weakness of

the Grand Orient , and of all French Freemasonry , is that its gifts of " Bienfaisance" are so very limited . There are , it seems , 16 , 530 Freemasons who pay a capitation tax to the Grand Orient . VVe fear that there must be a great falling off in the numbers of French Freemasonry under the Grand Orient . Can any one tell us what is the number of brethren under the Rite Ecossais ?

LOGEN BLATT . No . 146 . This is a magazine which is in its fifteenth year of existence , edited by Bro . Dr . Garvens , published by Bro . F . Rademacher , 6 , Catharinen-strasse , Hamburgh , and is sent to the brethren of the five united lodges under the Grand Lodge of Hamburgh . It seems to befull of interesting matters for those who read German ; and we notice

approvingly a thoughtful and clear article , by Bro . Rud . Maenel Halle , on a floor cloth of the First Degree . Longfellow ' s beautiful "Psalm of Life" is most effectively translated by Bro . VV . Grallert . We are glad to mention this monthly Masonic paper ( published every month in the year , except August and September , ) to some of our German brethren in England .

1-HE RESTORATION OF THE JEWS AND THE RE-BUILDING OF KING SOLOMON'S TEMPLE . By Bro . C . VV . MEITER , member of the Mizpah Lodge , 1671 ; companion of the Joppa Chapter , iSS , and Francis Burdett Chapter , 1503 . 87 , Gracechurchstreet .

That the restoration of the Jewish people to the Holy Land , will one day come to pass is the belief of many writers , Hebrews as well as Christians , ever since Jerusalem was destroyed . Bro . Meiter writes as a loyal Hebrew , full of trust and faith , in the future of his race . And certainly just now much righteous sympath y may , nay , must be felt for the Jewish people by all religious denominations , and not the less by us tolerant Freemasons , on the "round of

horrible barbarities , cruel treacheries , shameful outrages , and base plunder directed toward an inoffensive and industrious population . There is a great romance , so to say , cast around the history of Israel in the flesh ; and Christians have indeed to blush for the horrors of intolerant bigotry , directed by sectarian prejudice and inquisitorial zeal , against the sons and daughters of

Judah , up to a very late period in the world ' s history . At Rome , for instance , until recently , a Jew had to wear a special dress , thus marking them out for wrath . The proceedings and prejudices against the Jews on the part of Christians have always seemed to us , we confess , an awful paradox in respect of Christian charity , Christian forbearance , and Christian toleration . The Jews

are , as we know , industrious and energetic ; they make good citizens , effective colonists ; and if it be so ordained in the good providence of the T . G . A . O . T . U ., that the Hebrew people , as the Hebrew people , are to recolonize the fertile valleys and beautiful hills of their old and favoured land , then , no doubt , at the proper moment the ingathering will come , the isles of the Gentiles will give up teeming bands , and Jerusalem will weep no more .

Whether it will be so or not , time alone , the great Nemesis and redresserof human things , will show ; but there is no reason , " a priori , " that we can see , why Bro . Meiter's patroitic aspirations may not ere long be fully realized . There is a very great deal in his suggestions , but we do not feel quite sure , as regards the restoration of the Jews to Palestine , which we hold to be a literal fact , that as yet "the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled . "

TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY . Vol . X . This well-printed volume contains the report and the historical contributions of the Royal Historical Society for 1 SS 1 ; another offering for its members , as well as towards its special aim and object . We have some very interesting papers in it , especially Mr . Cornelius Watford ' s naDcr on

" King ' s Briefs , " " Notes from the Penrith Registers , " " Notes on the History of Old Japan , " " The Early History of Mediteranean Populations , " " Domestic Every Day Life and Manners , & c . VVe think , however , that the analogy between Jewish and Christian baptism permissible in itself as to facts no doubt , rather impinges on the absolute neutrality of the society , and drifts on to a turn o £

thought and discussion which hardly seems to belong to the region of scientific history . Doctrinal views are one thing , scientific history is another . The article from the Penrith Registers is most interesting , and , no doubt , many similar "Exccrpta" might be obtained up and down the land from registers now mouldering away in vestry chests and closets There

are very few contemporary registers extant of the original date , which seems to be about 153 S . It is said that former attempts had been made to set up parish registers , but to Cromwell must be conceded the lirst distinct Order as Vicar-General , in the reign of King Henry the Eighth . It was the rule then , after so many years , to retranscribe the entries from notes or sheets , so

that , unfortunately , we can only take early entries , as they are , not contemporary eviderce for the most part , not even necessarily trustworthy , but dependant on careful noting on the one hand , and accurate memory on the other . Still , such as they arc , they are to be treated with reverence

and husbanded with care ; and we are glad to see the Royal Historical Society setting the good example of republishing these old and often fading entries and evidences of a long buried past . The toth volume of the Royal Historical Society is both a very handy , well printed , and readable volume .

SOME REMARKS ON THE USE OF SPECTACLES . By GEO . H . THOMAS , Esq . George Kenning , 16 , Great Queen-street , W . C . This pamphlet is , we understand , the production of the son of our esteemed and well-known Bro . J . L . Thomas

P . A . G . D . C , and is marked by much clearness and ability . It is a peculiarity of our present generation that shortsightness affects them in a remarkable degree , and the use of spectacles , for some cause or another , is increasing as a necessary use , especially among our young men . Many causes have been ascribed to this state of things , but we