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NOTICE .

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Answers To Correspondents.

Answers to Correspondents .

All Communications , Advertisements , & c , intended for insertion in thc Number of the following Saturday , must 1 each thc Office not later than 12 o ' clock on Wednesday

morning . The following communications stand over : — Consecration of the Liverpool Lodge ; Letter from W . T . ; Reviews ; Reports of Lodges 42 , 114 , 177 , 191 , 617 , f ' 7 _> 754 . 7 .. N , oi . _ i . * 26 , 1 . -56 , E . C . ; 27 , 102 , 14 .., 17 s . 242 , 334 , S . C ; Chap . 1326 ; Mark Lodge Albert Victor ; Red Cross Conclave IJ 7 ; Provincial Grand Lodge of Essex .

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The Freemason , SATURDAY , JULY 24 , 187 <; .

The Dedication Of The New Surrey Masonic Hall.

THE DEDICATION OF THE NEW SURREY MASONIC HALL .

Our columns last week gave us a report of the Masonic proceedings at this most interesting gathering , and we recur to the subject g ladly today . The meeting was presided over by that popular nobleman and good Freemason , Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , and his presence and

kindness were duly appreciated by all the brethren . Several other distinguished Masons were also there , and the whole of the proceedings passed over with every satisfaction and " eclat . " Not only was a new hall dedicated , but a new lodge constituted and consecrated , which , under the

able presidency of Bro . Larlham , seems likely to take a prominent position in the Order . We are glad to allude to this meeting again , we said at the outset , for several reasons . Mr . Heckethorn , in his recent attack on Freemasonry , has said there is no further use for Freemasonry .

We entirely disagree with him , and the longer we live the more persuaded we feel that never at any time was Freemasonry more useful or valuable to the world than at this very period . So many are the conflicts of religions aud political life , so antagonistic often are the views and

opinions of us all alike , that Freemasonry is a p lace of shelter for many , and a harbour of refuge for more . -It is comforting to believe , and consoling to remember , that amidst our differences and divisions , at which the reflecting mind often gets weary and sorrowful , there is a place

of meeting where , though we differ , we agree to differ , and where political discussions are unknown , and polemical controversies enter not . Believing , then , that Freemasonry is useful and valuable , per se , helpful to man and a blessing to society , we think that our brethren are wise in their generation when they seek to render its

The Dedication Of The New Surrey Masonic Hall.

outward manifestation as distinct , and solemn , and stately as well may bo . The more that the profane world can see that we have our Masonic homes and centres , where we can work in peace and pleasantness , amid the outward and inward tokens of Masonic independence and individuality ,

the more is it likely to admit our claims to utility and to regard . And for ourselves the gain will be infinite . Our whole Masonic work and life will be permeated by a higher view of things and duties , a more precise measurement alike of our privileges and our responsibilities . We believe ,

sincerely , that Freemasonry has a great future before it in this country , if only it has learned already , " Stare super vias antiquas , " if only it is prepared with unflinching courage , in season and out of season , to proclaim unfalteringly its great principles , toleration , beneficence , and

brotherly love , the rights of the individual conscience and the full , fair , and impartial recognition of the great and important truth , that a man ' s individual religions connection is as sacred to him and to us , as are his freedom as an English subject , and his independence as a citizen of the world .

The Last Bulletinofficiel Of The Grand Orient Of France.

THE LAST BULLETINOFFICIEL OF THE GRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE .

We have read for many reasons with much interest the last official publication of the Grand Orient of France . For we feel that the Grand Orient of France may fairly claim , just now , some little Masonic sympathy and good will , on many points from us in England . We are not

to-day , intendingtore-open theold controversies on past unwise proceedings of the Parisian Freemasons or even of Monsigneur Dupanloup ' s angry invectives . We have already expressed our opinion to our French brethren on the matter , and we do not suppose that we are likely ever to "

envisager " things , and acts , and persons from exactly the same " point de mire . " We will therefore let byegones be byegones , and look on hopefully to a better future . We think that we see , if faint , perhaps as yet , still traces , in the last " Bulletin Officiel " especially , of the prevalence

at Paris of a calmer , a wiser , a more trul y Masonic view of things . We note two points particularly with great pleasure . In France lodges and brethren have the right to transmit to headquarters their wishes , or "voeux , " which are considered in the Conseil de l'Ordre , primaril y

and then finally decided in the assembly of the Orient itself . Among ' these "vceux , " some very amusing and some a little puerile , according to our notion , are the two following , to which we call attention : — " Que la formule AL . G . D . G . A . D . L'U . disparaisse enfin de nos

circulates et de nos planches . " This modest request is made by the " Ven _ rable " or Master of "La Loge L'Avenir , Orient de Paris , " and let us add his name , F . X . Trebois , for he deserves to be known to Masonic fame at any rate . Such an act would simply be a mournful corollary of precedent

hurtful propositions and resolutions , and if sanctioned by the Grand Orient would , in our hum . ble opinion , be the deathblow to true Freemasonry in France . Bro . Ferdeueil , who makes the report on the proposal , states , that the whole matter is now before a special commission , and

meets the " vucu" by moving , that it be also sent to the special commission . He is , however met by a proposition of the " Ordre du jour " answering to our " previousquestion , " which is carried , and which for the present is a virtual shelving of the matter . We gather from the presi "

dent , Bro . St . Jean ' s , remarks that there is no chance at present of any definitive solution of thc question , and we can only rejoice at it and say , so much the better for Freemasonry in France and the Grand Orient . Another " vu : u " was , that the formulary "Liberie , Egalite ,

Fraternite , " should take the place of the customary " Vivat , Vivat , Vivat . " Bro . Ferdeueil opposes the proposal on the ground that this " Trilogie " has a political as well as a Masonic Teaching . In England we know nothing of the "formula , "

though in the abstract" Liberty , Equality , and Brotherhood , " are Masonic virtues and principles , but wo have always objected to the use of this special form on account of its political use and party symbolism . The Conseil de l'Ordre rejected the proposal by passing to the " ordre

The Last Bulletinofficiel Of The Grand Orient Of France.

du jour . " We trust therefore that a new phase of existence is beginning for the Grand Orient when , leaving the sterile path of political coin ! plications , it will adhere to the great princi ples of Freemasonry , toleration , philanthropy , and fraternal benevolence . If such had been the

aim of French Freemasonry alone the Bishop of Orleans would never have penned his fiery invective , no .- should we have so often to regret and disapprove of the political colouring which the acts of the French Freemasons have latterly so unwisely and unmasonically assumed ! We

trust , sincerely , that better days are in store for the Grand Orient , and our brethren in France and that they will not be ashamed " ferre gradus rctorsumy ' and march henceforth within the lines of the better and older French Masonic teach ing . Our hearty good wishes < 'o with them .

Installation Of H.R.H. The Prince Of Wales, K.G.

INSTALLATION OF H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES , K . G .

In a recent impression we had occasion to take notice of a proposed piclure of this great event , but we had then no idea that the contemplated picture had assumed such proportions . We cannot do better than just relate what we understand are the facts in connection

with the picture , as they will best inform our readers , as well in England as in the colonies , of the present position of the scheme , and also what is intended . It may be remembered that our worthy Bro . Edward J . Harty , of 9 , Barnard's Inn , Holborn , E . G ., published a lithographic portrait of His Royal Hi ghness , which

has proved very successful , and he then conceived the idea of producing a picture ofthe Installation . By the special kindness of Bro . Sir Albert W . Woods , Grand Director of Ceremonies , be was granted a special position in the Hall , and has drawn a picture , perfect in every respect , of the unequalled scene . It appears it attracted the attention of several of the Grand Officers at the

last quarterly meeting , as it was kindly permitted by the amiable Grand Secretary , Bro . John Hervey , to be exhibited in the Grand Officers' Robing Room . The picture thus designed by Bro . Harty , is now submitted to thc fraternity by Bro . Harty , and

has received the special approval cf H . R . H . the Grand Master , so much so , that he has graciously consented to allow of its special dedication to himself . We think thc proper course has been adopted by dedicating it to H . R . H ., and we hope that the Masonic body will now do their part ,

and largely patronize it . Since then the Duke of Connaught , Lord Carnarvon , Lord Skelmersdale , the Marquis of Hamilton , the Lord Mayor , also many other of the leading brethren , amongst whom stand prominently forward , Sir Albert W . Woods , Bro . Thomas Fenn , & c , have seen it ,

highly commended andhave given their patronage to it . Tho scheme is now fairl y launched before the Masonic world , and it rests with the brethren now to decide whether it will prove a successful one to the undertakers . That it should meet with success , must , wc think be the

feeling of every brother , for no event of ancient or modern times in Freemasonry has created such enthusiasm in the Craft , and we should be inclined to suppose that the great majority of those who were present , at least , would like to possess themselves of such a

worthy commemoration of a sight which they will never witness again the like of . We are informed that arrangements are all but concluded with an eminent engraver , and that the impressions will be ready for delivering to subscribers at the anniversary of the installation day ,

viz ., the 28 th April , 1876 . Although the beautiful coup d ' ocil ofthe Albert Hall , so strikingly delineated , would , of itself , be anhistoricalrecord , the artist undertakes to produce several hundred actual portraits of the leading brethren in the positions in which they sat , thus grouping into one centre the whole of the leading Masons of

the present day , and of course most prominent will be the Grand , Pro Grand , and Deputy Grand Masters , the Grand Senior and Junior Wardens , and other eminent brethren . As the undertaking is a large one , a " Royal Masonic Installation Gallery " has been formed at 213 , Regent-street , W ., where the picture can be seen , and those