The Installation Engraving.

THE INSTALLATION ENGRAVING .

We have seen , by the courtesy of Bro . Harty , the artist ' s proof of this remarkable engraving , and we can safely pronounce it to be a most decided and most striking success . We have no hesitation whatever in adding that as an attistic production , the engraving must rank

very high indeed in the history of all similar compositions . The grouping is admirable , the execution is most finished , and the portraiture , for such minute detail , is very close and clear . We think that we may fairly add that from the mass ot portraiture , the " tableau" is

perfectly unprecedented in the history of the engraving art . We congratulate Bro . Harty on the conclusion of his arduous undertaking , which reflects the greatest credit on his employes of every " genre . " When Bro . Harty has

submitted the engraving to the notice of H . R . H . the Grand Master , we shall have something more to say about it . We understand that the engraving will be ready for delivery to the subscribers about the third week in January .

Communique.

COMMUNIQUE .

We deeply regret to note the tone and the temper of the Monde Maconnique for December with reference to the Iiish Grand Lodge . We should have thought , that the ruling powers of the Grand Orient of France would have realized ere this , that the feeling among Anglo . Saxon Freemasons was very strong and very real in regard to the

dreadful mistake committed by the Grand Orient of France , and that they would also have perceived that they were very honest in their opposition to what they deemed an unwise , an un-Masonic , and we will add a godless change in the general system of French Freemasonry . But the only view which Bro . Caubet apparently takes of the matter is , that it does not much signify what opinion the

Grand Lodge of Ireland , ( and by analogy any other Grand Lodge ) , forms of the transaction . The Grand Orient " locuta est , causa finita est . " Happy union of ultramontane and ultra liberal opinions ! What are his words ? " Que nous importe l'opinon de la Grande Loge d'lrelande , " & c , & c , & c . Now we do not suppose for one moment that any such honest and legitimate opinion

does matter much to them who have so rcvolulionized French Freemasonry . It is in fact only another condemnation , according to them , of bigots and fanatics , of those who believe in God and read the Bible 1 For Bro . Caubet has the bad taste to say , ( we might well use a harder word ) , that the Grand Lodge of Ireland is " not an universal Grand Lodge , " but that it is a " narrow

sect , " only admitting " men who believe in a personal God , and are received on the Bible . " Really nothing more . We can quite feel how such a state of things must hurt , as it evidently does , the feelings of Bro . Caubet , but remembering Bro . Massol ' s expressed opinions , we are not the least astonished at such strong feelings on the part of our worthy Bro . Caubet . If such be a

fault on the part of the Irish Grand Lodge , it is one which all Freemasons in England , and America , and Scotland , and Canada , are quite ready to be blamed for , and whatever Bro . Caubet may say or think we will never give up that truer position of universal Freemasonry . All this only shows whither French Freemasons are going ,

and our readers will remember that we have from the first contended , that the great change they have effected on the specious and Jesuitical cry of toleration , was a complete revolution in French Freemasonry , and so it certainly is , so it is likely to prove to be . We will have nothing to do with the " unclean thing . "

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do nsthold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of theopiniona expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain Beccssary limits—free discussion . —ED . 1

THE GRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE . Dear Bro . Kenning ,- — I should not have troubled you again with respect to this painful question , but for a special reason . As no one ventured to confute my arguments ' or deny my facts in my former letters , about the Grand Orient of France , I had every reason to be contented , and so I should have

remained silent and satisfied , had I not been so greatly struck by the line of argument pursued b y Bro . Caubet , that I deemed it right to call the attention of your numerous readers to this untoward affair . Bro . Caubet at P age 354 , seeks t 0 dea ' wltn tl , e recent resolution of the Grand Lodge of Ireland . I pass over the technical objection that the resolution of the Irish Grant ! Lodge was

passed without any official communication from the Grand Orient of France , of the change it had approved . It is clear to everyone that the Grand Lodge of Ireland has full right to deal with a matter of public notoriety , the more so as the result of a deplorable agitation and a still more deplorable vote , had appeared both in the Clmim

( P Union , the Monde Maconnique , with a note of triumph from Bro . Caubet , and in the " Bulletin du . Grand Orient . " And so I pass on to Bro . Caubet ' s reply . It practically is nothing more nor less' than this , " The resolution of the Grand Lodge of Ireland matters nothing to the Grand Orient of France . " But I am not aware that Bro . Caubet can thus speak in the

Original Correspondence.

name of the Grand Orient , and I can only therefore look upon it as the opinion of Bro . Caubet quantum valet . Remembering all that has taken place , I am inclined to think , that Bro . Cmbet represents in this view of matters the intolerant and dominant majority of the last " Couvent , " and even though that be so , I should not even have called attention to this "deliverance" of Bro .

Caubet , but for another reason . For Bro . Caubet actually goes on to bring a charge against the Grand Lodge of Ireland , that it accepts a " personal God , " and the " Bible , " and is therefore not " Universal . ' . ' This then is the real cause of this foolish excitement which has culminated in this deplorable result in the Grand Orient of French Masonry , and this is what French Freemasons

are teaching , and is to be the position which French Freemasonry is henceforth to assume : Denial of belief in God , rejection of the Bible because incompatible with universal Freemasonry . Can anythieg be more sad , more suicidal ; or more senseless ? I fancy , there will be but one answer in England and elsewhere . It is somewhat curious and instructive to note , that at this moment Freemasonry is

attacked from two extreme points of view . It is condemned for instance by the Ultramontanes because it admits all who do believe in God;—others , in fact , than Christians . It is arraigned by the Infidel School because it will not disavow its belief in God , and builds its moral teaching on God and the Bible . Truth , as wc know , mostly lies between two extremes , and I for one am glad

to realize the " Vials of Wrath , " poured upon our "devoted heads , " as Freemasons , whether profusely showered upon us by an amiable Pontiff , or vigorously sprinkUd over us by the intrepid Caubet . I fancy , dear Bro . Kenning , that English and Irish Freemasonry will survive alike the anathema of Pius the IXth , and the unjust complaint < f Bro . Caubet . I for one think that we ought to be grateful to the Irish

Grand Lodge for the resolution it has passed with reference to the unmasonic act of the Grand Orient of France , and I know that the Grand Lodge of Ireland will care little indeed for the disapproval and criticism of those in Fiance who seek , as we regard it , to revolutionise , to de-rcligionise , to destroy French Freemasonry . It is , indeed , most melancholy to think what must be the future of that portion of

our great Order . How much longer can it , ( after all that has passed ) , consistently keep , at the head of its official document , " a lagloiredu Grand Architecte de l'Univers . " Logically , I fear , there can be but one necessary corollary of this last act of unwisdom , namely , its erasure also ! I

for one fully expect to hear of the additional proposal before long , but as things cannot be worse than things are , it really matters very little , one way or the other . I cannot conceive a more unhealthy , a more unhappy , or a more unmasonic state of affairs than that to which the French Grand Orient has now committed French

Freemasonry . I am , yours fraternally , MASKEI . YNE

PAST MASTERS' JEWELS . To the . Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In the Freemason of September 29 th last , in a letter signed " P . P . G . B . S . X ., " on " Past Masters'Jewels , " & c , I am quite of the writer ' s opinion , and as we have only three brethren in this district who even make an

attempt at the " installation " ceremony , and they each differ very much , I have written to the Grand Secretary to know if the correct ceremony is published in any form , that I may get it and so be able to insta ! my successor in office . Hitherto , 1 have obtained all my " working , " orally—but as I do not know the really correct ceremony of installation , even though I may have heard it ( having

heard several different versions ) , 1 shall be glad to get it in any constitutional manner . The Grand Secretary simply says in his letter to me "I am sorry I cannot assist you with the information you require respecting the ritual of the installation ceremony , " & c . Thinking . that , in the event of your not being able to furnish me with the

information , you would kindly forward this communication to your correspondent , I have taken the liberty of addressing this to you—and as time is now somewhat pressing perhaps you will pardon my suggesting that you will kindly let the matter have your early attention , and oblige , Yours faithfully and fraternally , C . T . RHODES , W . M . 448 .

APOLLO UNIVERSITY LODGE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I notice in your issue for last week that in the debate on the " German Question " in Grand Lodge , the Grand Registrar stated that the Apollo University Lodge of Oxford only received members of the University , at which statement Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson expressed dissent .

I think the following quotation from the " History of Apollo Lodge " may interest your readers as clearing up the point at issue . " A bye-law was proposed in 1853 , that henceforth no one shall be proposed for this lodge except he be or has been a member of this University , ' was not confirmed by the Provincial Grand Master ; but the restriction has been practically maintained . " I am , yours fraternally ,

A . CORRECTION . 7 b the JCdilor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Your last week's report of the Kennington Lodge ( usually so accurate ) contains an error , which , in justice to a very worth y brother , I am sure you will allow me to rectify . In proposing the health of the W . M . I am made to say " He laboured under great physical difficulties in

Original Correspondence.

the rendering of the ritual , in consequence of loss of voice . " Whilst what-in reality I did say was , " that he laboured under disadvantages which prevented him making the best of himself at the banquet table ( the room in which it took place being a large one ) , but that he more

than atoned for it by the excellent manner in which he rendered the ritual in the lodge . " Your insertion of this in your next issue will much oblige , Yours fraternally , GEO . EVERETT , P . M . 177 and 13 S 1 ; Treasurer 160 S .

SWEDENBORGIAN RITE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your to-day's number of the Freemason you say that many Scottish brethren are expected to join the Svedenborgian rite . I am glad to hear some

Scottish brethrer . have done so . But the Lod ge and Temple Royal Oscar , No . 9 , would especially welcome Swedish brethren . _ I have to thank you on behalf of any brethren of the rite for the kind manner in which you publish news concerning this rite , which is of the deepest interest to Biblical students .

I remain , dear Sir and Brother , ever yours fraternally , KENNETH R . H . MACKENZIE , Hounslow , Supreme Grand Secretary . Dec . 15 th , 1877 . P . S . Scottish was a misprint for Swedish .

Lodge Of Benevolence.

LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B ., Senior Vice President , was in the President ' s chair ; Bro . James Brett , P . G . P ., Junior Vice President , in that of Senior Vice-President ; and Bro . C . A .

Cottebrune , P . G . P ., in the chair of Junior Vice President . There were also present among others Bros . John Hervey , Grand Secretary ; H . G . Buss , Assist . Grand Secretary ; A . A . Pendlebury . S . Rawson , P . D . G . M . China ; Thos . Cubitr , P . G . P . ; John Coults , P . G . P . ; Col . Somerville Burney , Joseph Smith , P . G . P . ; W . Mann , P . M . 186 ; Thos .

Mortlock , A . J . Ireton , W . M . 1 314 ; Charles Atkins , P . M . 27 ; H . Bartletr , Griffiths Smith , E . F . Storr , W . M . 22 ; Conrad C . Dumas , P . G . A . D . C ; H . Bartletr , J . A . Farnfield , C . F . Hogard , Benj . Swallow , Edw . Terry , W . M . 1319 ; H . C . Levandcr , Herbert Dicketts , P . G . S . ; Magnus Ohren , Louis Beck , E . J . B . Bumstead , P . M . 548 ; H .

Murray , P . D . G . M . China ; Edw . Jones , W . M . 192 ; E . Couch , W . M . 1297 ; F . Binckes , P . G . S . ; John Diaper , P . M . 1305 ; and H . ftlassey ( Freemason ) . The amount of £ 280 , granted at last Lodge of Benevolence , which required confirmation , was first confirmed , after which the brethren proceeded with the new cases , of

which there were thirty-three on the list . Of these twentyfive were relieved with the total sum of £ 505 , consisting of one £ 50 ( £ 50 ) , two £ 40 ( £ 80 ) , two £ 30 ( £ 60 ) , two £ 23 f £ s ° ) . eight £ 20 ( £ lfio ) , one £ 15 ( £ i S ) , eight £ 10 ( £ 80 ) , and two £ 5 ( £ 10 ) . The remainder of the cases were deferred . The lodge was closed after sitting three hours .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

BRO . WM . WYATT . Bro . William Wyatt , the well known market gardener , died at his residence , Manor Farm , Upper Lewisham Road , New Cross , on Friday , Dec . 14 th , at the comparatively early age of 47 years , after a long , painful and lingering illness . Brother William Wyatt was initiated into Freemasonry at the Royal Oak Lodge , 871 , on July 22 nd , 1868 .

After filling the minor offices he was unanimously elected and duly installed W . M . of the Royal Oak Lodge in February 1873 , and after his successful year of office was unanimously voted a Past Master ' s Jewel . He was exalted into Royal Arch Freemasonry in the Pythagorean Chapter , No . 79 , and had he lived , would no doubt have filled the M . E , Z . chair . He was not unmindful of the Charities , and to prove his disinterestedness made

himself a Life Governor of both the Girls' and Boys' Schools , and had it in contemplation to do the same for male and female annuitants . A more amiable brother one seldom meets with than this worthy P . M . was . It is a truth to say he never made an enemy in the lodge . His reputa - tion was equally good in the world . The lodg-e will mourn his loss . His memory will ever remain green amongst them .

QUEEN MARGARET ' S CAVE . — The Edinburgh Daily Review reports the intended restoration of a hitherto neglected relic at Dunfermline , dating from the time when King Malcolm held Court at the Tower Hill . This relic is Queen Margaret's Cave , which consists of an apartment in the solid rock , and is situated a few hundred yards from the Tower Hill . It is 6 ft . 91 ' n . in height , 8 ft . 6 in . in width , and lift , gin , in length . At the bottom of the cave is a small

spring well , the water of which rises at times and covers the whole of the lower space . Queen Margaret was accustomed , historians tell us , to repair constantly to the cave for the purpose of private devotion , and the King , discovering the real cause of her long absences , hearing while he listened prayers uttered by her on his behalf , caused the rude excavation in the rock , always damp and dingy , to be fitted up as an oratory . After the Queen ' s death the place was permitted to fall into decay .