Original Correspondence.

men I have above referred to , two of whom p lace it at the beginning of the eighteenth century , while one says it may easyily be after 1717 . In writing to me some time ago anent its age , Mr . Bond inclined to put it between 1700 to 1710 , but he adds , "I see no certain evidence , and of

I judge by general' ^ character the writing . " Now , as Mr . Bond only judges from the writing it appears to me that we must allow a few years to go and come upon . For , if a man , 35 years of age , wrote in this style in 1710 , I ask : What difference , if any , would there be in the style of

his writing ra 1720 r * Very little , if any , onsider , for a stranger especially to judge by . Under the above circumstances , therefore , and for other reasons , such as its internal evidence , & c , I must g ive it as my opinion that this Sloane MS . 3329 , cannot be allowed to be pronounced any older

than 1717 , without the very best of real eindence to support it . I think , Bro . Hughan would do well to publish it , so that brethren interested might be able to read it for themselves . At page 490 , Bro . Hughan observes : " Undoubtedly , these ancient lodges were speculative as well as

operative . Now , that is highly calculated to mislead , for brethren who know no better would at once conclude that if these old pre-eighteenthcentury lodges " were speculative , " then , of course , they practised Speculative Masonry ; and also , of course , said speculative masonry was

undoubtedly our Speculative Masonry ! Which , according to Bro . Hughan ' s own showing , would simply be untrue . The fact is , these ancient lodges were not " speculative " in any such sense as we now use and understand the term ; although Masonic societies used to admit non-operatives ,

just as did the Tailors' Company , yet they therefore no more practised speculative Masonry thereby than the latter practised speculative Tailory . As to where Doctors Desaguliers and Anderson got their ideas from when they instituted our

system , that is another matter . If OUT doctrines and ceremonies were introduced by them , it shows that the term " Revival" is a mistake . Possibly , John Bunyan ' s " Solomon ' s Temple Spiritualized " might have afforded some suggestions or ideas to Dr . Anderson , while assistance

upon many points could be derived from other quarters . As to Bro . Hughan ' s idea ( page 485 ) of the " operative masons of the second decade of the eighteenth ( not" 17 th" ) century" being themselves deceived , that is simply gratuitous . No fear of that , they knew well enough what they were

doing ; the thing was , to deceive the public . In conclusion , as this is my second letter , and the next my third , and according to arrangement the last , I trust Bro . Hughan will enter into the matter as fully and pointedly in his answer as he possibly can , so that I may have a chance of replying to his statements . I am yours fraternally , W . P . BUCHAN .

"A MASONIC STUDENT" ON THE MASTER DEGREE AND THE ROYAL ARCH .

( To the Editor of The . Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — " A Masonic Student , " at page 586 , has done just as I expected—viz ., shown the " white feather . " So far as my experience goes in connection with this

subject , he has for long been a capital promiser , but a very poor performer ; he is always going to produce something in the " indisputable " way , but somehow it never comes ! How is this ? I am not astonished at our brother not exactly

relishing " the controversy on Bro . Buchans principles ; " the opponents of Wellington and Moltke did not like their " principles " either , each had such a curious " way of his own . " It is quite unnecessary , under the circumstances , for me to take up your space , only there is one statement

made by " A Masonic Student" which I must challenge , as I consider it is untrue , viz .: " what others besides myself have answered successfully before . " I deny that he has ever done so , and defy him to point out when , where , and how , he ever did so " successfully , " as yet ? I am , yours fraternally , W . B . BUCHAN .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Reports of Masonic Meetings .

— ?—THE CRAFT .

PROVINCIAL . LANCASTER . —Lodge of Fortitude , No . 281 . —The regular meeting of this old-established and prosperous lodge was held on Wednesday evening , the 13 th inst ., at the Masonic Rooms , Athenasum . The chair was occupied by the W . M ., Bro . Dr . Moore , P . M ., G . S . B . England , who was supported by the following officers and brethren : —Bros . J ohn Hatch ,

I . P . M . ; W . Hall , S . W . ; B . Mills , as J . W . ; E . Simpson , P . M . and Sec . ; W . J . Sly , S . D . ; J . Bell , J . D . ; J . Harrison , I . G . ; James Taylor , Organist ; Watson and Beeley , Tylers ; R . Taylor , Steward Whimpray , P . M . ; Kelland , P . M . ; Bailie , Hartley ( W . M . 1353 ) , W . Heald , J . Stanley , R . Balfour .

Visitors : Bros . R . Harger ( 1051 ) , R . R . D . Adams . The lodge was opened and the usual business transacted . The W . M . announced that he had represented the lodge at the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge on 6 th inst . Bro . Robert Balfour gave proof of his proficiency as a F . C , and Bro .

Hatch , I . P . M ., having taken the chair , he was raised to the degree of M . M . The ballot was taken for Mr . Robert Gregson , SchooImaster , * who was declared to be unanimously elected , and he being in attendance was initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry by the W . M ., the working tools being

presented by Bro . Hall , S . W . The brethren were reminded that the next meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge would be held in Liverpool on the 4 th October , and a brother having been proposed as a joining member the lodge was closed in due form . ALDERSHOT . —Aldershot Camp Lodge , No . 1331 .

The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Royal Hotel , on Thursday , the 7 th instant . The chair of K . S . was occupied by the W . M ., Bro . C . Carnegie , P . M ., G . Purs . Hampshire , who was supported by the following officers : Bros . J . Fenn , S . W . ; Captain Richardson , R . E ., as J . W . ; A .

M'Kenzie , as S . D . ; Gourley , as J . D . ; Laverty , I . G . ; Bennett , O . G . ; R . White , Sec . ; and Osmond , P . M . The lodge was opened in form , and with solemn prayer . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Sergts . Marversly and Horsford , A . H . Corps , and Corporal Orton , 9 th

Lancers , were initiated by the W . M ., the Senior Warden presenting the working tools . Bro . Bishop was passed to the second degree by Bro . Osmond . It was resolved to subscribe two guineas annually to the "Aldershot Camp Female Hospital . " The W . M . stated that he attended the Provincial Grand

Lodge meeting at Gosport on the 17 th ult ., with five brethren of the Lodge , and that the Prov . G . M . had been pleased to appoint him to the office of Grand Pursuivant ; and that , with twelve brethren , he had represented the lodge at the banquet given by the Sphinx Lodge , 12 th Lancers , No . 179 I . C , on the

25 th ultimo . Bro . J . Fenn , S . W ., was unanimously nominated as W . M . for the ensuing year . The votes of the lodge for the Masonic Charities were placed at the disposal of the W . M ., who was also requested to inquire into and relieve a case brought before the lodge by Bro . White . Some other business having

been transacted , the lodge was closed in due form and the brethren adjourned to refreshment . In responding to the toast of " The Visiting Brethren , " Bro . Steel , Sphinx Lodge , I . C ,. said it was a source of much pleasure to him in witnessing the excellent working of the Camp Lodge , and the Masonic spirit which pervaded its members .

INDIA . SECUNDERABAD , DECCAN . —St . John ' s Lodgei No . 434 . —This flourishing lodge held its annual banquet in honour of St . John the Baptist on the 2 nd August last . Previous to the banquet , the lodge was opened in due and ancient form in the

first degree , when Mr . Stones , Ex . Engineer H . H . the Nizam ' s State Railway , and Mr . Faux Dunn , Major H . M . 's 76 th Regt ., were initiated by the W . M . in his usual impressive style . The brethren sat down to a capital dinner at 8 p . m . After the cloth was removed , the following toasts were given :

" The Queen and the Craft , " by the W . M ., Major Twentyman , 18 th Hussars ; "The Prince and Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " by the W . M . —solo and chorus , " God bless the Prince of Wales , " by Bro . W . B . Gadsden , P . M . ; " Thc Rt . Hon . thc Marquis of Ripon

M . W . G . M ., " by the W . M . —glee , " Hail Smiling Morn , " by the choir ; " The Rt . Hon . the Earl of Zetland , P . M . W . G . M ., " by Bro . W . B Wilkins , P . M . and D . J . W . of Burmah ( Surgeon 29 th Regt . ) —solo and chorus , "Auld Lang Syne , " by Bro . Giles ( Lieut . 76 th Regt . ) ; " The Lord Patron of

Freemasonry in India , the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Mayo , " by W . Bro . Gadsden , P . M ., D . G . D . C of Madras ; "The R . W . D . G . M . of Madras , A . Macdonald Richie , " by W . Bro . Ramsey , I . P . M . ( Quarter-Master iSth Hussars)—glee , "The Hardy Norseman , " by the choir ; "The W . Dep . D . G . M . of Madras , and the rest of the D . G . Officers , " cou-

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

1 pled with the name of W . Bro . Gadsden—glee , " All Among the Barley , " by the choir ; " The D . G . Officers of other Districts present this evening , " by the I . P . M . —glee , " See our Oars , " by the choir ; "The W . M ., " by the I . P . M . —glee , " Since First I Saw your Face , " by the choir ; " The

Newly-Initiated Brethren , " by the W . M . —song , " The Entered Apprentice , " by W . Bro . Gadsden ; " The Visiting Brethren , " coupled with the name of W . Bro . O'Donoghue ( Colonel 76 th Regt . ) ; " The Ladies , " by the Treasurer , Bro . Rawlings ( Capt . Royal Artillery)—glee , " Here ' s a Health ;"

"The Officers of St . John ' s , No . 434 , " coupled with the name of the I . P . M ., ( by permission ) W . Bro . O'Donoghue ; " To all Poor and Distressed Masons , " by the Tyler , Bro . Wightman ( 18 th Hussars)—solo and chorus , " Hard Times , " by Bro . Logan ( Lieut . 76 th Regt . ); and the final

toast , by the W . M . —solo and chorus , " The Farewell Toast , " by W . Bro . Gadsden , P . M . During the evening capital songs were sung by Bros . Giles , Logan , and Taylor ( 76 th Regt . ) , Bro . Aylmer ( R . Artillery ) , and other brethren . The W . M . retired about 1 . 30 a . m ., but the younger brethren kept up

the fun until nearly 4 a . m . About thirty brethren sat down . The members within the last few years have so increased in number ( sixty-five on the register ) that it is proposed to enlarge the hall , which will , no doubt , be commenced next hot weather , as , notwithstanding the liberal donations

to local charities , widows , & c , there is a balance now in hands of over £ 100 . The W . M . and several ofthe brethren , however , object to these funds being used for alterations , but wish them to be carried out by subscriptions . The lodge was built many years ago at the private expense of aworthy Mason ,

who , when he left the station , presented it to the Fraternity . The days of meeting are : St . John ' s , No . 434 , last Saturday in the month ; Keystone , No . 81 ( Mark Masons ) , first Saturday ; Royal Arch Chapter , second Saturday ; Encampmentof Knights Templar , third Saturday ; and Priory of Malta , fourth Wednesday , in each month .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

PROVINCIAL . LIVERPOOL . — West Lancashire Lodge , No . 65 . — The regular meeting of this lodge was held on the evening of the 4 th instant , at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool . There were present : Bros . Edward Bootle Wilbraham , Lord Skelmersdale ,

W . M ., G . S . W . of England , P . G . S . W . of Lancashire ; Peter M . Larsen , D . W . M . ; Hamer , P . M ., P . G . O . ; " J . Robert Goepel , P . M ., Treas ., and P . G . S . O .- ; Robinson , P . M . ; J . K . Smith , P . M . ; W . T . May , P . M . and P . G . S . ; Clark , S . W . ; T . Ashmore . J . W . ; J . Wood , Sec . ; with a large number of other

officers and brethren of the lodge . After the minutes had been read and confirmed , Bros . Reed , Adams , Nelson , and Piatt were advanced to the degree of M . M . M . by the D . W . M . ( Bro . Larsen ) , assisted by the W . M . ( Lord Skelmersdale ) in a most admirable and efficient manner . The whole of the officers

also deserve great credit for the efficiency which ' marked their share in the advancement ceremonial ^ -an efficiency which was favourably criticised by several of the Past Masters , auguring well for the prosperity of Mark Masonry in Liverpool . The lodge then proceeded with the election of W . M .

and Treasurer . Bro . P . Clark , S . W .. was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year . Bro . J . R . Goepel , P . M ., was re-elected Treasurer for the same period—a position which he has filled for the last five or six years with the utmost application ,

and complete satisfaction to the lodge . Bros . May , Robinson , and Brown were elected Auditors . After the transaction of some routine business , the lodge was closed in proper form and the brethren separated , after a meeting marked by the utmost harmony and good feeling .

Scotland.

SCOTLAND .

EDINBURGH . A convocation of the Edinburgh Red Cross of Constantine , Conclave No . 4 ( recently transferred to that city from Ipswich ) , was held on Tuesday , Sept . 11 , at the Albert Hotel , Hanover-street , Edinburgh , and considering that this was only the second meeting , it was very well attended . Present ;

Sir Kts . D . Mercer , M . P . S . ; R . P . Brown , E . V . E . ; J . Taylor , Prelate ; J . Jonas , S . G . ; and there were also present : Sir Kts . Grant , Buttic , Henry ( W . M ., of the St . Clair Lodge ) , and H . Thompson , P . M ., P . S . of the St . George ' s Conclave , No . 18 . The conclave having been opened in imperial form , it

was announced that Bro . George Watson , P . M . of the St . Clair Lodge , was in attendance , and desired admission to the order . He was accordingly introduced , and duly installed as a knight of thc ancient order , that ceremony being excellently performed by the M . P . S . ; but , at the same time , it would be improper to omit mention of the talented manner