Archaeological Progress.

us of its truth , just the contrary . The wording of the Charter is not like that of tho early 14 th century verbiage , and yve fear that withont better proof we must relegate it to the "limbus" of Masonic fiction . There is an Order in Scotland called' * The Royal Order , " professing to date

from Robert the Bruce , but , as we understand , its evidences do not go beyond the last century . It would require a good deal of strict historical proof to accept so early a date , though we are open to conviction . The Masonic Knights Templar , as they were once called , " The Priory

of thfe Temple " as they are noyv called , are clearly the production of the last century . The Baldwyn Encampment cannot substantiate its claim to long antiquity , as once alleged , as its very name incontestably proves . We shall not be wrong in saving that in the south of

England the Masonic Knights Templar cannot go beyond 1750 at the earliest , if so early , and that in the north not beyond 17 S 0 . Such then is evidentially the position of the " Knightl y Order Question . " We do not suppose that any Masonic writer will noyv adopt a former

theory of " Templar perpetuation , " because the result of Archaeological research has been to demonstrate undoubtedly the late and not early creation of the so-called Knightly Grades , all being the " outcome , " in fact , of last century theories and practice .

The Boys' School.

THE BOYS' SCHOOL .

We are g lad to note the presentation by the boys in our Roya ' Masonic School of a " souvenir" of good will , and regard , and gratefulness to the Matron . It is a sign that recent events and complications have not affected the inner life and regime of the school materially , at any

rate , and that all is now progressing harmoniously and peacefully . We think that it is a subject for present rejoicing in all who value the Boys ' School , both for what it is and for what it may be to the Craft , that everything noyv appears to portend a careful carrying out of the great work of so important an educational

establishment in proper order , due discipline , and entire harmony . No educational institution can prosper or progress which is embarassed by open hostilities or secret cabals amongst its staff , which is at all afflicted by that partizan spirit yvhich is a standing nuisance to discipline , and a sure evidence of weakness and defect somewhere . All educational

establishments require to be conducted on the distinct principles of unity of action , and entire subordination to the ruling poyvers , whether scholastic or institutional , if we may use such a word , and wherever a clique is found , or unwise party spirit is engendered , there , assuredly , the school

work languishes , and the essential harmony of the entire institution is destroyed ! We trust that the little episode which appeared in our columns last week may be accepted by us all as an omen , not onl y of restored agreement and

efficiency in the whole executive " personnel " of the school , but also as a foreshadowing of real practical advance under their new head , of our Masonic orphans in an improving path of educational proficiency and reality , j

A Dreadful Crime.

A DREADFUL CRIME .

- Another sickening murder has been committed in the Metropolis , and has added a fresh and painful page to lhe long and dreary annals of human criminality . A man of the name of Charles Wainyvri ght , together with a young woman called Alice Day , only 20 , are in custody on the charge

of having a portion of a mutilated body in their joint possession , supposed to be the remains of a woman of the name of Harriett lane , one among several women yvith whom Wainyvri ght had beer , cohabiting . Owing ' to the perseverance of the . young man Stokes the arrest of Wainyvri ght by the police originally took place , and since that

time they have been diligently labouring to imravel the mournful mystery . At such a time , and in the pressure of temporary excitement , there crops up evidence of that deep and dark undercurrent of social evil and shrouded sin which pervades and permeates the great sea of human life , and lends often such pathos to its

A Dreadful Crime.

g loomier scenes , and such reality to its developed iniquities . Another young woman has been missing for a year , who was , it is said , known also to the prisoner , and the police probably have much important evidence behind . When our newspapers teem with such horrors , the general feeling ofthe

public is that the policeauthoritiesoughlimmediately to find outeverything , even when the matter is most complicated from a variety of causes . Noyv , yve always consider this unfair to a very meritorious body of men . There is no royal road to detection , just as there is to nothing else in

this world , and though to-day all seems plainsailing in the present case , we yet think it well to point out that the common vieyv is a fallacious vieyv of the yvhole subject of detection . When a great crime is before us , of which the detective body can have no previous cognizance , all that

they can possibly do is to apply the powers of observation and discovery , rendered in them more acute than in ordinary persons by a long apprenticeship to criminal studies , and a near acquaintance with bad characters , to the detection , if possible , of the crime , and the arrest of the

perpetrators of it . But it is incorrect to suppose , as so many seem to do , by what they say and what they write , that in a feyv moments of close investigation , however skilful or expert they may be , detectives can jump to a conclusion , or light upon the direct clue . The discovery of crime ,

the detection of criminals , is always made more difficult by the acts and arts of all malefactors , who seek to envelope their proceedings in a cloak of impenetrable obscurity . All criminals , whatever has happened to others , hope that they may and yvill elude the pursuit of the officers of

justice , just as we all of us , though mortal as yve know , hope that , whatever happen to others , we shall outlive our friends and neighbours . We therefore always feel how unwise and unfair it is for our press to complain of the slowness of detection , or for ourselves to be impatient or

ineriminative because that detection does not always follow the committal of crime , because that the criminal is not immediately hunted down and apprehended . Many false tracks , for instance , have to be followed out by the most experienced officers , many " red herrings " have to be run

over before the cautious and competent detective can get upon the right scent . The one consolation we always have and feel in such matters is , that crime generally aids to detect itself , and that in nine cases out of ten , by what we may fairly consider the compensatory and providential course

of human acts and events , crime not only bears with it its oyvn punishment , but its own eventual discovery . It often happens , as we all know , that the scientific labours of Detective-officer Jones , and the great acumen of Detective-officer Robinson , are marvellously aided by some one

act of deliberate stupidity on the part of the desperate offender , some blunder , some overlooked proof , which lands him inevitably into the hands of those who are so deeply interested in his whereabouts and well-being , to say nothing of his illdoings . Such is one link of that irresistible chain

which binds down for the general safety of society crime and criminals to-day , and sends them as the last act of the drama , to confront the vindicating majesty and the retributive justice of the Layv . In the present case there seems , as we said befoie . no cause to fear but that detection will

bring to full light , and that punishment will ere long overtake , such a deed of foul and fearful brutality . Since we wrote this the young woman lias b-. en discharged , but the enquiry goes on as regards Wainyvright both before the Coioner and the police magistrate .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ Wc Jo not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . — E » . l 11 II 111&—in-fc . uirjuiaaiuu , — i . i ; . j

GRAND MASTERS OF THE ENGLISH FREEMASONS . To the . Editor if the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — In an early volume of the " Builder " newspaper '

1844 , Vol . II ,, p . 4 , I find the enclosed list of Grand Masters of English I ' reemasonry . In a memo , the yvriter says : — " Having just met villi the subjoined v .-ry minute detailed list of the Grand Masters of tho English Freemasons , permit me through one of

Original Correspondence.

your columns to ask , as I take a great interest in an ¦ , ; torical and other matters relating " to Freemasonry , up ™ yvhat authoiity such a catalogue rests , hoyv are the ' dat authenticated , and yvher-i lie the records confirming SQ circumstantial a document . '" s Can you or anv brother throw any light upon it ? I am , faithfully and fraternally yours ,

T . W . WIIITU- . A . D . 397 Austin , the Monk . 680 Bonnet , Abbot of Wirral . 85 8 Saint Syvithin . 872 King Alfred . 900 Ethred , Prince of Mercia .

928 Athelstane . 957 Dunstan , Archbishop of Canterbury . 1041 Edyvard the Confessor . 1066 Gondulph , Bishop of -Rochester . 1100 Henry I . 1135 Gilbert de Clare , Marquis of Pembroke . 11155 The Grand Master ol the Templars .

1199 Peter de Colechurch . 1216 Peter de Rupibus , Bishop of Winchester . 1272 Walter Giffard , Archbishop of York . 1307 Walter Stapleton , Bishop of Exeter . 1327 Edward III . 1357 William a Wykeham , Bishop of Winchester .

1375 Simon Langham , Abbot of Westminster . 1 377 William a Wykeham , again . 1400 Thomas Fitz Allen , Earl of Surrey . 1413 Henry Chichely , Archbishop of Canterbury . 1443 William Waynfleet , Bishop of Winchester . 1471 Richard Beauchamp , Bishop of Salisbury . 1500 Thc Grand Master of thc Orderof Saint John , Henry

VII ., Patron . 1502 Henry VII . 1515 Cardinal Wolsey . 1530 Thomas Cromwell , Earl of Essex . 1 543 John Touchett , Lord Audley . 1549 Edyvard Seymour , Duke of Somerset . 1552 John Poynet , Bishop of Winchester .

1560 Sir Thomas Sackville . 15 6 7 Sir Thomas Gresham , in the South . Francis Russell , Earl of Bedford , in the North . 1580 Charles Hoyvard , Earl of Effingham . 1588 George Hastings , Earl of Huntingdon . 1 ( 103 King James I ., Patron . Inigo Jones , Grand Master .

1618 William Herbert , Earl of Pembroke . 1625 King Charles I . 1630 Henry Danvers , Earl of Danby . 1633 Thomas Hoyvard , Earl of Arundel . 1 ( 133 Francis Russel , Earl of Bedford . 1 ( 136 Inigo Jones , again . 1643 Henry Jermyn , Earl of Saint Albans .

1666 Thomas Savage , Earl of Rivers . 1674 George Villiers , Duke of Buckingham . 1679 Henry Bennett , Earl of Arlington . 1685 Sir Christopher Wren . 1698 Charles Lenox , Duke of Richmond . Sir Christopher Wren . 1717 Antony Sayer , Esq .

1718 George Payne , Esq . 1719 Dr . Desaguliers . 1720 George Payne , Esq ., again . 1721 John , Duke of Montagu . 1722 Phillip , Duke of Wharton . 1723 The Duke of Buccleugh . 1724 Thc Duke of Richmond .

1725 The Earl of Abercorn . 172 ( 1 William O'Brian , Earl of Inchiquin . 1727 Lord Coleraine . 1728 Lord Kingston . 1729 Thomas Howard , Duke of Norfolk . 1731 Lord I . ovel . 1732 Antony Broyvn , Viscount Montacute .

1733 Thc Earl of Strathmore . 1734 The Earl of Crayvford . 1735 Thomas Thynne , Viscount Weymouth . 173 6 John Campbell , Earl of Loudon . 1738 H . Brydges , Marquis of Carnarvon . 1739 Lord Raymond . 1740 Thc Earl of Kinton .

1741 The Earl of Morton . 1742 John Ward , Lord Dudley and Ward . 1 745 James , Lord Cransloyvn . 1747 Lord Byron . 1752 John , Lord Carysford . 1754 Marquis of Carnarvon , again . 1757 Sholto , Lord Aberdour .

17 62 Washington Shirley , Earl Ferrers . i ' , ( i 4 Lord Blaney . 1767 Henry , Duke of Beaufort . 1772 Robert Edyvard , Lord Petre . 1777 George , Duke of Manchester . 1782 H . R . H . Frederick , Duke of Cumberland . 1790 H . R . H . George , Prince of Wales . 1813 H . R . H . Augustus Frederick , Duke of Sussex , at ll' * *

Union . 1843 The Earl of Zetland . * i 872 Earl de Grey and Ripon . * i 874 H . R . H . Albert Edward , Prince of Wales , Acting-* The two latter are not in the " Builder" list , but are added to make same complete .

AFFILIATION . To the Editor of lhe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Could you kindly inform me if a member of a Scotch lodge living in Lancashire , and yvho wishes to alnliate yvith and English lodge , can , yvithout coming to London , affiliate , first by proxy to a London lodge , and aft ' -iyvards to a local lodge ?