Original Correspondence.

of the first four , xvhich are xvritten ; but the Grand Lodge Certificate is engraved , and xvell done , the design being , of course , different to the present one . The documents referred to are very interesting ; and as I am very anxious to see Bro . Txveddell ' s engraved Lodge Certificate , perhaps you xvould be willing to publish his and

those I refer to either in the Freemason or the " Masonic Monthly . " I mean , of course , with wood-cuts of the seals attached , and after obtaining Bro . Txveddell ' s permission for his , xvhich I am sure he xvill give . Will any brother kindly add similar certificates at the same time ? Yours truly and fraternally , J . RAMSDEN RILEY , P . M . 3 S 7 .

Reviews

REVIEWS

REPORT OF THE GRAND LODGE OF NEBRASKA FOR 1 SS 1 . This is one of those xveli-printed reports of American Grand Lodges which frequently come before us , and seem to point to much Masonic activity of organization in the United States . VVe confess that xve should like to see a little more of local or general action in respect of Masonic

philanthropy and charity , though xve are assured by competent witnesses that a very great deal of real hearty charity is quietly and unostentatiously done in the lodges , and by Grand Lodge Boards , and that the general feeling in America is adverse to greater and more patent " overt acts " of charitable relief . Be it so . VVe admit that each jurisdiction must judge for itself , and that the great

distances in America create difficulties unknoxvn in England . To some of our readers the system of mileage and alloxvance for the members of the Grand Lodges grates rather on their Masonic sensibilities and sympathies . It may , hoxvever , be necessary , and if necessary it is defensible . We think Bro . H . H . Griggs ' s report on German Freemasonry ( p . 335 ) , is somexvhat questionable in "form "

and somexvhat dubious as to facts , at least xve hope so . Nothing - xvould so loiver the status of American Freemasonry , far more than the childish attacks of fanatics ' mendacious exposures , and Roman Catholic Bulls , than the fact , if it be a fact , than any such foolish burlesque on

the solemn ceremonial of Freemasonry is extensively practised in the United States . We are inclined to hope that Bro . Griggs , as often happens , has put the " part" for the " xxihole , " and alludes to the practice of some German-American lodge , based on the silly usages of some "lodges " in the distant " Fatherland . "

THE ABERDEEN MASONIC REPORTER Nos . 1 , 2 , and 3 . Vol . ll . We have seen this useful local serial noxv for the first time , and xve highly commend its idea , and fully appreciate its outcome . It is xvell printed , carefully edited , full of much valuable matter , and many curious statistics . We xvish all good to Scottish and Aberdeen Freemasonry . VVe derive

that xve could see our good brethren in Scotland as they " extend their stakes , " draxvin ^ in and bracing up their Masonic system . It is , to our mind , far too easy and far too haphazard . The fees ought to be raised , and higher annual subscriptions enforced if Scottish Freemasonry is ever to assume the true position it is rightly entitled to take . The fact that of eighteen lodges eleven have an annual

subscription of is ., and that their initiation fee on the average does not exceed £ 2 2 s ., is pregnant xvith meaning , and suggests somecritical remarkson a system so different from our own . It may be true that each jurisdiction has its oxvn peculiar customs and ideas , and what suits one may not suit the other ; but the effect of such loxv fees is to make

Freemasonry too cheap , and xve fear that in some parts of England the prevalence of applicants for relief , bearing Scottish certificates , has become a great annoyance to many lodges . Can nothing be done by the Scottish authorities to raise the lodge fees and subscription ? VVe find some very interesting- papers in these serials , to xvhich xve shall call attention next xveek .

THE VOICE OF MASONRY , A very remarkable Masonic periodical . It is full alike of Masonic contributions and general literature . It is also most effectively illustrated , and is very ably edited and conducted .

THE REPORT OF ST . MARY'S HOSPITAL , PADDINGTON , FOR 1 SS 1 . The report of this Hospital is noxv before us , and makes us acquainted with the striking year's xvork of one of our great Metropolitan hospitals , xvhich are alike a credit to our country and a blessing , great and real , to our " little villaee . " St . Mary ' s

Hospital has , it seems , 190 beds ; of these 179 is the "daily average" of occupation . During 18 S 1 it has admitted 2126 inpatients , and attended to 19 , 065 out-patients . The average stay of each patient has been 30 V days , and the average cost of each in-patient has been £ 5 14 s , 3 d . The average cost of each occupied bed per annum is £ 07 iGs . Sd . Its income for 1 SS 1 has reached to £ 42 , 754

9 s . 2 d . This is made up of , balance , £ 409 ; donations , £ 320853 . 7 d ., including £ 196 . 16 s . gd . from the Hospital Saturday Fund ; annual subscriptions amount to ^ 4420 3 s . ; church collections reach £ 1022 19 s . 2 d . ( xvhich includes a grant from Hospital Sunday Fund of £ 1012 ios . ); legacies amount to £ 28 , 511 15 s . 4 d . ; sale of stock , £ 3015 ; Dividends are £ 082 17 s .: and small items ( including a

temporary loan of £ 400 , are £ 607 ; in all , £ 42 , 254 Ss . 2 d . Mr . Stanford ' s legacy of £ 25000 has been funded , and £ 2600 purchased . A repayment of a loan of £ 4000 has been . made , and the balance is £ 558 iSs . 6 d ., leaving an actual expenditure of £ 14 , 798 10 s . Sd ,, on behalf of this jneritorious institution ; so great a help , comfort and refuge for the sick and suffering of the really " destitute classes . "

We are asked to state that the Prosperity Chapter jjj Instruction xvill shortly resume its meetings at Bro . Maidwell ' s , Hercules Tavern . Leadenhall-street .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

55 ] BODE'S MASONIC ALMANACKS . I particularly xvant to see copies of Bode's Masonic Almanack ( " Almanack oder Taschen-Buch fiir die Bruder Freymaiirer" ) for the year 177 S , and any later editions . Shall be glad to purchase them or

have them lent me . In the latter case , they shall beforxvarded to the lender by return mail . I expect , often enough , I might have had them years gone by , but just at this particular time my agents in Germany have failed to get metliem , though they doubtless xvill ere long , only I do not xvant to xvait . "Aimana-: h oder Taschen-Buch " , 177 S , 1779 , & c . VV . J . HUGHAN .

5 G ] THE STEINMETZEN , OR GERMAN GILDS . At page 33 S of the Report of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska for 1882 appears the folloxving statement * . "THE GERMAN MODE ( that is of Reception ) . " The candidate , clad in a dress suit , and xvearing a silk hat , is xvelcomed into the lodge , and boxved to a seat . His attention is then directed to a costly oil painting suspended

upon the xvall , representing a majestic horned sheep . The folloxving lecture is then read to him , by the W . M ., from the secret lodge book : 'M y beloved brother , although Masonry itself is not ancient , it has appropriated the ceremonies of very ancient societies of house builders . To initiate any person into one of these Gilds it is knoxvn that a sheep or goat xvas required , ' " & c . This declaration of

the German ritual ( if true ) makes these unfounded statements : ( 1 ) That Masonry is not ancient ; ( 2 ) That it is knoxvn that such a goat or sheep xvas required at the reception of the Gilds . I invite Bros . Gould or Speth to tell us if they —or either of them , —have found traces of such customs , and hoxv far their researches bear out this nexv fangled ritual of modern German Freemasonry . THE REVIEWER .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Buckinghamshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE .

INSTALLATION OF THE FIRST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER . The nexv Masonic HaU at Buckingham , formerly knoxvn as the Toxvn Hall , xvhich has recently undergone considerable alterations and improvements , was opened xvith the

above interesting ceremony on the 13 th inst . The large room has been subjected to a complete and undoubtedly beneficial change , and is noxv an excellent room for entertainments , lectures , and other gatherings . The entrance is by Silver-street , and a nexv , substantial and convenient staircase has been added , making the ingress and egress considerably easier , its construction fortunately being of

such a nature as to avoid any danger xvhile ascending or descending , xvhich is an important feature in all public buildings . Several other acceptable improvements have also been made . Shortly before four o'clock a large number of Mark Masons assembled from the lodges in the district , besides several distinguished Masons from Grand Mark Lodge and

the Prov . Grand Mark Lodges adjoining the province of Bucks , including the R . W . Bro . General J . Studholme Brownrigg , C . B ., P . G . W . ; Bros . Deivar , A . G . Sec ; George , P . G . Stxvd ., P . M . 265 ; Hexvens , I . P . M . 245 , and P . P . G . S . D . of Leicestershire , Northants , and Derby . Bro .. General BROXVNRIGG , addressing the brethren said : 1 have to-day been commanded by Lord Henniker ,

the Grand Mark Master Mason of England , to act on his behalf in installing the first Prov . Grand Mark Master of the county . I am sure that the Grand Mark Master in honouring me xvith this duty knexv hoxv I , more than any other Mark Mason , xvould appreciate it . It xvould not be becoming for me to say much about your Prov . Grand Mark Master , but 1 am that sure you xvill believe xvithout my

telling you that it xvill be his earnest endeavour to promote the interests of Mark Masonry in the province . V . W . Bro . the Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , P . G . C , xvas then presented to the Acting Grand Master by the Grand Director of Ceremonies , Bro . T . Taylor , and xvas dul y installed Provincial Grand Mark Master of Buckinghamshire . The PROV . GKA . ND MASTER , in acknowledging the

high compliment paid him , said : Brethren , in the first place 1 have to thank you for the honour xvhich has been done me to-day . I can never forget that this patent is the result of a unanimous petition from the Mark Master Masons of Buckinghamshire to the Grand Mark Master Mason . I am proud to say that you conspired together to obtain for me what 1 did not seek , what 1 am conscious I

did not deserve . To the best of my power I xvill endeavour to promote the xvelfarc of this and every other legitimate branch of the Craft in this county . But to pass from a personal to a more general consideration of the matter . I am sure that the Assistant Grand Secretary xvill bear me out xvhen I say that in xvhatever county the Craft is flourishing , there also from the parent stem is

throxvn out a vigorous and healthy shoot of Mark Masonry . It is almost a necessary consequence . As soon as men begin to value and appreciate the beauties of our Order , they xvish to advance to a more perfect knoxvledge of it , and the result is that they form a close union xvith their old lodge , a lodge of Mark Master Masons . We ace happy to live in days xvhen this is possible xvithout even the

suspicion of disloyalty to the chief Masonic poxver of this country . The distinguished brother , xvhom I have to thank on your behalf for being the Installing Master , can tell you hoxv in days xvhen he lirst sat as a Grand Officer of the . Grand Lodge of England there xvas a bitter feud betxveen the txvo Grand Lodges In no measured terms did the one denounce the other . Time is the great

softener of all things , and the same voices xvhich once spoke in discordant antagonism are noxv blended together in perfect unison . Every shadow of ill feeling is gone forever , and as I have said a prosperous Mark lodge is sooner or later the natural outcome of every good Craft lodge . But more than this , I hope that in this particular county Mark Masonry is not merely folloxving the head of the Craft Province . I think that xve are in one important particular

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Buckinghamshire.

om talcing- the lead . It has been argued that poor little Buckinghamshire cannot stand alone , " that xve xvar . t the help and guidance of an elder sister . Brethren , the assemblage today is , I think , an answer . If three Mark lodges / all in North Bucks , can bring together such a meeting as this , surel y eleven Craft lodges can do as much . There is a trench proverb , "Toutvicnta celui qui pent attendre " "— " Every thing comes to the man xvho knoxvs hoxv to xvait . "

But xvaiting does not mean sitting with our hands before us , it does mean taking every legitimate step to prove the vitality and energy of our Buckinghamshire Masons . VVe have taken such a step to-day , let us make a few more like it , and in good time u-e shall be allowed OLT independence , and the elder sister xvill be proud to see us xvalk alone , xvhich xve shall not be forgetful of the days xvhen she bore xvith our infantine insubordination . As regards the Markwe start

, to-day young-, and perhaps foolish . We have all the dangers of infancy before us , xve have not yet even got through the discomfort of teething —( laughter)—xve shall come ' to that directly xvhen we discuss the bye-laws ; but we come of healthy parents , and xve don't mind a little hard xvork . I hope none of us aie afraid of the future . VVe mean to

do our best . I am saying this for every Mark Mason in the province , and I shall myself be glad to be the servant xvl-. enever there is any help xvanted of every lodge in the Province . I don ' t xvish to sit on the right hand of the W . M . if an Inner Guard is xvanted . The Provincial Grand Master appointed his officers as folloxvs : —

Bro . B . Fountaine Prov . G . S . W . „ McCubbin p . G . J . VV . „ W . H . Bull p rov . G . M . O . „ . v \ Fitch p rav . G . S . O . „ Mickley p . G . J . O . „ Rev . C . L . VVest , and the Rev . )„ „ „ . ,, F . VV . Harnett j Prov . G . Chaps . „ H . Poynter Prov . G . R . of M . „ I . Williams Prov . G . Treas .

„ J . R . VVilmer p . G . Sec . „ J . Cuthbert Prov . G . S . D . „ McDoxvall Prov . G . J . D . „ R . King ., Prov . G . L ofWk . „ L Taylor Prov . G . D . of C . „ I . Reeve p . G . A . D . C . " ,,, * J . \ „ Prov . G . Swd . Br . " \ £ - ' , r Parrot Prov . G . Std . Br . „ B . VVilford Prov . G . Org .

„ Hoxvell p rov . G . I . G . " - Cooper Prov . G . Stxvd . the Provincial Grand Lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned to the Swan Hotel , fcr the banquet , which xvas catered for h y Host Cannon . At the conclusion of the repast , the PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER gave the toast of "The Oueen and the Craft " and remarked that xvhether at home ' or abroad Her Maiestv

alxvays shoxved much concern for the xvelfare of her subjects . At the present time we are engaged in an anxious war , and xve need scarcely say that the sympathies of the Oueen xvere at that moment xvith those suffering in Egvpt . It xvas therefore at such times that they and all her subjects should sympathise with her , and he xvas convinced that he xvas reiterating the feelings of all present xvhen he said that he xvished her a speedy and happy termination of the in xvhich she

anxiety is noxv placed . r > - ' \ . , , alth of tna Gr : "id Mark Master Mason , thc Right Hon . Lord Henniker , " xvas next given by the Prov . Grand Master , xvho remarked that he had been associated with him in Masonry for many years , in fact he believed he proposed him for Masonry . Lord Henniker was a really thorough xvorking Mason , for there was scarcely any degree in xvhich he was associated that he did not enter

heartily into the xvork . " The , P uty Grand Master and the Deputy Grand Othcets came next , coupled xvith the name of Bro . Deivar , who the Prov . Grand Master remarked had been of considerable help to them during the ceremony that day . •j was impossible , he said , for any one xvho has to go to Grand Mark Lodge not to observe the courteous and kind manner in xvhich they always entered into any negotiations

respecting the Prov . Grand Lodges . There xvas no red tapeism in Red Lion-square , a circumstance xvhich commended itself . It xvas perfectly amazingto see the rapidity with which matters were arranged and favours granted at Grand Lodge , and murh of this was dee to Bro . Dewar , upon xvhom a very large share of the xvork devolved . Bro . DEWAR said : I sincerely thank the Provincial Grand Master tor the very complimentary terms in which he has

connected my name with the toast , and particularly for the kind invitation to be present at the recent ceremony . I congratulate him most heartil y on the inauguration and constitution of this Province , and I know under his rule it xvill prosper and increase in importance . It is dso a source of gratification to me to havc seen him installed in such an important ofiice by that distinguished Mason , Bro . Geneial Brownrigg , his esteemed father . We all knoxv the

distinction Bro . Brownri gg has attained in Masonic Ritual , and are fully convinced that whatever he undertakes xvill be carried out with a spirit which is sure to mark success . I will not here venture to speak upon the character of the vanous Grand Officers , but simply say that they oxve their position , especially in the Mark degree , to their past services ; a record is kept , as far as possible , of the work of the Mark Master Masons of the various Provinces , and the Grand

Master selects the most deserving Masons to fill the offices at his disposal . I again thank you for having given me the oppurtunity of spending such a pleasant evening . The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER said : Thencxttoast is one of the mos t difficult that has fallen to me to propose . I cannot say it is one I have not , hoxvever , proposed on previous occasions , for at one time the healths of my family , xvho have alxvays been prominently cssociated xvith

Masonry , formed a large proportion of the evening ' s proceedings . It is , hoxvever , doubly pleasing to me this evening to propose "The Health of my Father , General Broxvnnggi" xvho has been associated with me in Masonry nearly a quarter of a century , and xvho has kindly come doxvn to-day to do me thc honour of installing me as Provincial Grand Master of Buckinghamshire .

Bro . General BROXVNRIGG , in replying , said : To-day has afforded another proof that there is a kind of reverence for old age amongst Masons . The excellent xvay in xvhich the brethren have received me reminds me of the great ovation I received a short time since , xvhen on a visit to Pomfret upon Masonic business , when upxvards of fifty representatives from the various lodges in the district came to greet me . That occasion xvas a touching proof of that