Original Correspondence.

and its keys of thc Old and New Testaments , that the theology of Catholicism is founded on astronomical fiction ; that the astro-Masonic theology of the one pure and simple faith in God is founded on His Divine sciences of creation , and that that faith will be the theology of the

future . The work will be illustrated by one Egyptian and four Planispherical pictures , and sold at two shillings or two shillings and sixpence , and be dedicated to the Grand Lodges of all nations . Yours fraternally , W . N . CRAWFORD . Orchard-hill , Guernsey .

Reviews.

Reviews .

LETTERS OF THE YOUNGER PLINY . LEWIS . SECOND NOTICE . Since we wrote the review of this interesting work , which appeared in the last Freemason , our attention has been called to the fact that the generally received statement as to the number of translations is not quite correct . On looking carefully into the matter we find that as far back as 1576 ,

Abraham Fleming , in his " Panoptic of Epistles , " 410 ., London , published "Certaine selected epistles out of C . Pliiiius , translated out of Latin into English . Pliny's Epistles were published , together with the Paneygerick , in 1724 , in two volumes , Svo ., London , by Mr . Henley . Robert Castell , in his "Villas of the Ancients , " fol ., London , 1720 , published two of the letters of Pliny , antl it may be well to

observe that in 1711 a book called the "Description of Epsom , " & c , four letters of Pliny were translated by John Toland . In 1746 , Wm . Melmoth published the "Letters of Pliny " in two volumes , a second edition appeared in 1747 , a third in 174 8 . Other editions appeared in 1757 , 1770 , 1777 , 1786 , 3111 ! 179 6 . John , Earl of Orrery , published in 175 1 , in two volumes , 4 I 0 ., London , the " Letters of Pliny the younger , " which were reprinted in

Dublin the same year in Svo ., as also in London . In 1747 , in the " Gentleman ' s Magazine , " appeared the sixteenth and twentieth epistks of the sixth book , translated . These , so far , besides Mr . Bohn ' s more recent edition , are all the translations of Pliny traceable , and Mr . Lewis seems to have been ignorant , as we were ourselves , of the edition of Mr . Henley in 1724 , until our attention was called to it by Mr . E . VV . Stibbs , of Museum-street .

THE CAUSE OF COLOUR AMONG RACES . VV . SHARP , M . D . David Bogue , 3 , St . Martin's-place . Wc have read this little " brochure" with much interest . It seems to give us a very sensible and reasonable explanation ofthe strange contrast of colour of races . As Ethnology has recently received great attention it is a seasonable contribution to the discussion of that matter-offact state of things which exists in this worltl of ours .

VVe commend the little work to the attention of our readers , as so much that is interesting , aud so much that is striking belong to the hisb-ry of mankind , in its physical as well as its psychological condition , that no more profitable path of study can be struck out , especially for the young . Freemasonry reminds us of a great truth , often forgotten , not unfrcijuently ignored—that whatever colour we be of , we arc all children of one Great Parent , that it is the same God who made us one and nlll .

UNIFORMITY OF RITUAL . Second Notice . We called attention to a work of Bro . Stevens's , propounding the uniformity of ritual in a recent issue , and fee 1-ing convince 1 that any such effort was a mistake , we said so , and to that opinion we adhere , and shall certainly give to any such proposal , from whomsoever emanating , all the opposition in our humble power and capacity . But since we

wrote the renew we have looked into this question of uniformity of ritual as a matter of history , and we give the following facts for the consideration of our readers . From 1717 to 1813 there was not , as far as we know , any one authorized system of ritual . At one time there were two competing antl conflicting systems of ritual in use—that of the Moderns ( our Grand Lodge * ! , that of thc Aiilieiits ,

or tbe Schismatic Grand Lodge . There was considerable sameness between the two systems , that of the Antients being a little more elaborate app irently , in symbolism and leaning a little more lo Christian symbolism . The earliest ritual of which we know of appears to be that of Desaguliers antl Anderson , anil if Oliver is to be credited a sort of Committee of Masons whom he names , revised

the old workings and adapted it to the Grand Lodge working's at that time . About 1732 Martin Clare again revised the working , whicli , until 1770 , when it was again revisetl by Dunckerley , seems to have prevailed in our lodges . Between 1770 and 1813 , William Preston again methodized the working and the teaching , aud in 181 -j , under the Lodge of

Reconciliation , Dr . Hemming preparetl a ritual , afterwards completed by Williams , which is now that of the Lodgeof Emulation , while the earlier working of Hemming , untouched by Williams , seems to be that of the Stability Lodge , so nbly presided over by our good friend and brother "Old Mug . " Thus any idta that before the Union there was any uniformity of working is alike a chimera anil

a myth , and subsequentl y to the Union the G . Lodge by a wise toleration has allosved—subject to uniformity of landmarks antl aporreta—some pardonable and innocuous variations . Any attempt , therefote , to introtluce an iron , or rather a leaden , uniformity can only he productive of

grave mischief , as it must inevitably leatl to a reign of " cribs " anil " cram :- - , " and that greatest of all curses to Masonry—a punted ritual . As Freemasons , proud of our oral trailitions , happy lo meet in lodges of instruction under skilful Preceptor .-. , when auy one is so rash as to endeavour again to raise this needless and inopportune

Reviews.

question , we fancy that an overwhelming majority of " brig ht Masons " will prove that , uninfluenced by nonsensical bombast or childish ignorance of the subject , they arc determined to " leave well alone . "

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 , occupied the President's chair ; Bro . James Brett , P . G . P ., Junior Vice-President , occupied the chair of Senior Vice-President ; and Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P ., took thc chair of

Junior Vice-President . The other brethren present were Bros . H . G . Buss , Asst . Grand Sec . ; W . Dodd , Neville Greene , W . M . 1524 ; W . Smithson , P . M . 1001 ( Harrogate ) ; S . Rawson , Past District Grand Master China ; Col . M . S , Somerville Burney , P . M . 161 s ; W . Mann , P . M . 186 ; H . Garrod , P . M . 749 : | amcs Kench , Asst . G . Pursuivant ; G . P . Britten ,

P . M . 18 ?; W . I-I . Perryman . P . M . 3 ; N . B . Headon , P . M . 1426 ; W . Stephens , P . M . 1489 ; Griffiths Smith , P . M . 21 ; W . J . Murlis , P . M . 1642 ; T . F . W . Knight Smith , VV . M . 1441 ; E . VV . Devereux , W . M . 1423 ; A . Middlemass , W . M . 957 ; C . F . Hogard , P . M . 205 ; Chas . Atkins , P . M . 27 - , W . R . Marsh , W . M . 1805 -, George Cooper , W . M . 507 ; Walter ] . Stride , P . M . 176 ; Charles Dairy ,

W . M . 141 ; W . H . Dean , P . M . 417 ; Richard Croydon , P . M . 254 ; J . A . Matthews , W . M . 143 ; E . Scrutton , P . M . 898 ; J . K . Young , P . M . 1327 ; Fred Drummond , P . M . 217 ; H . Sweetland , W . M . 1460 ; Chatles Daniel , W . M . 6 3 ; G . H . Wriggles worth , W . M . 975 ; W . Smith , W . M . 1158 ; Spencer J . Weston , VV . M . 7 ; F . A . White , P . M . 1437 ; Richard Jennings , VV . M . 907 ; J . Kemp Coleman ,

W . M . , 716 ; John Dennis , P . M . 1 S 04 ; G . F . Wcigc , W . M . 860 ; E . W . Braine , I . P . M . 1471 ; Percival A . Nairne , P . M . 1329 ; VV . Miller Geiss , P . M . 176 ; Thos . Edmondston , P . M . 1 ^ 08 ; James Garnar , P . M . 1622 ; A . McMi'lm , W . M . 1 : 565 ; John Henry Leggott , VV . M . 145 ; G . S . Elliott , P . M . ' 1623 ; *' * White , VV . M . 177 ; H . Vi ' ckery , W . M . 1475 ; Samuel 11 . Parkhouse , VV . M . 1642 ;

II . Potter , P . M . 11 ; W . F . Richards , VV . M . 27 ; E . Squirrel ! , W . M . 206 ; II . Sadler ( G . Tyler ) ; and H . Massey , P . M . 619 ( Freemason ) . The brethren first confirmed grants , recommended to the Grand Master at last meeting , to the amount of £ 310 , antl then proceeded with the consideration of the new cases , of which there were twenty-seven on the list .

Twenty-one of these were relieved with a total sum of jtw . S . ** . Two recommendations of £ 100 each were matle to Grand Lodge ; and five of £ 50 each ; three of £ 40 each were made to the M . W . Grand Master ; two of £ 30 each ; two of £ 25 each ; and onc of £ 20 . Five grants were matlc of £ 10 each , and one grant was made of £ 3 . Six cases were deferred . The lodge sat four hours .

Southampton New Masonic Hall.

SOUTHAMPTON NEW MASONIC HALL .

Thc new hall and premises built by the Freemasons of Southampton , in Albion-terrace , just off the High-street , though not yet completed , are in so forward a state that the banqueting room has been occupied this week by a party given by the Mayor of the borough ( Bro . J . Blount 'IM ......-. 1- 1 ) T \ t \ ... nJJ .. n ( n . 1 ... Int . t . m . . t , \ . .. f * ..... . 1 .., ! .. n ThomasPM ) to celebrate the laying of the foundation

, .., stone of new Municipal Offices for Southampton . The new buildings have been erected by a joint-stock company of Freemasons , the brotherhood in Southampton having outgrown the accommodation provided by the hall in Bugle-street , which has been eledicated to Masonic purposes for the past fifty-five years . So long ago as June ,

1823 , the brethren of the Royal Gloucester , then the only existing lodge in the town , removed to this hall from premises which they hail previously occupietl in East-street . Several years later the owner finding himself in financial difficulties , tbe hall fell into the hands of a few of the brethren , chiefly through the exertions of the late , Bro . C . E . Deacon , antl has been used by the brotherhood ever

since . The sue , however , being leasehold of the Corporation , who in their turn hold it of Queen's College , Oxford , it was thought advisable when thc question of rebuilding was revived a year or two since to secure a frceluild site . After considerable difficulty in obtaining a suitable position , a vacant piece of land overlooking the Western Shore was purchased of the executors of the late

Mr . John Aslatt , a limited liability company , with a capital of ^ 4000 , being formed for th * purpose of erecting thereon a new hall , which now occupies as nearly as possible the site of the old tlonjon or keep of Southampton Castle , close to some of the ( preserved ) walls of whicli it is built . The series of buildings thus erected is intended to provitle accommodation for the five Craft * lodges , three

Royal Arch chapters , the Mark , and other Masonic bodies in Southampton , thc brethren of which exclusivel y form the Masonic Hall Company . The building , treated in the Italian style , is constructed of white brick as a facing , with Doulting stone finishings to the entrance , principal windows , and balustrades ; and embraces an arched entrance porch , lobby , passage , and corridor , paved with

neat pattern Minton's tiles , leading * to the chief rooms . These are a lodge , whi : h is enclosed on all sides , 45 feet by 30 , lighted from the ceiling by two large lantern lights , and having in the principal walls , over two handsome fire places , ornamental niches for busts or pictures , of which

latter the Masonic botly here possess a goodly number , several of them being of great artistic as well as ( personal value ; a smaller mom designed for chapters or as a reception mum , is 24 ft . bin . by 18 ft . tiiii ., inclusive of a large bay window whicli commands a very extensive and pleasing view of the West Bay , the opposite shjre , New Foiest , & c .

Southampton New Masonic Hall.

whilst facing Albion-terrace there is a banqueting room , 38 ft . by 25 ft ., lighted by five windows , and intended to be let for public or quasi-public gatherings such as that of to-day , the lodge and chanter rooms being reserved exclusively for Masonic use . Besides a cloakroom , lavatories ,

and other offices , the domestic portion of the building consists of a kitchen , with ample cooking appliances , a scullery , & c , and four small rooms on the upper storey for the use of the hall keeper . The gas lighting in the lodge and banqueting room is by sun lights and pendants . The work throughout is of a plain and economical character .

The New Market Hotel.

THE NEW MARKET HOTEL .

A Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the C ; ty was held on Saturday , thc 18 th inst . There were present thc Lord Mayor , Mr . Alderman Finnis , Alderman Sir R ., W . Garden , Alderman Sir T . Dakin , Mr . Alderman Nottage , and Mr . Alderman Hadley . Bro . Thomas Butt , licensed victualler , applied for a new

licence for the New Market Hotel , Snow-hill , Fariingdonstreet , for music and dancing . Mr . Fulton appeared in support of the application , and Mr . Vennell opposed on behalf of Mr . Maskell , the landlord of thc Victoria , a neighbouring public-house . Mr . Fulton explained that his client , who bore an excellent character , and who had been a licensed victualler for twenty years , did not intend to convert to it

the house into a ^ music hall . His object was keep for balls exclusively , and he would give a guarantee that only the Masonic and other sccieties who held their meetings at his house should be allowed to hold their balls there . Alderman Sir T . Dakin observed that all the lodges in the list produced were not Masonic , and he wished to know whether applicant would give a guarantee to thc effect that

none but Masouic lodges should hoiel balls at his house . Mr . Fulton replied that if the Bench thought it necessary to exclude all hut Masonic lodges , his client would do so . Mr . Vermeil saiel bis ground for opposirg the application was that the neighbourhood was most unfitted for such a licence . The majority of Bro . Butt ' s customers were peisons employed at the Meat Market , who came early in the

morning , and consequently retired home at an earl y hour . The neighbourhtiod was an unusually quiet one , and hc submitted that should the Bench grant the licence the result would be that persons living in the neighbourhood would be annoyed by the noise . In addition to this he would put his client in the box , and he would swear most positively that for the last two years he

had been kept awake of a ni ght by the noise made by a piano played in Bro . Butt's house . Alderman Sir R . VV . Garden asked whether the learned counsel ' s client had not a piano in his house ? Mr . Maskell replied that he hatl not . Alderman Sir It . W . Garden : Then you are an exception to the general rule . The landlord of thc Victoria was put into the witness-box , and he corroborated

thc statement of his counsel . Hc generally closed his house at ten o ' clock , but had heard persons in Bro . Butt ' s after twelve . Cross-examined : He had often complained about thc music to Bro . Butt , who , on one occasion , acknowledged that a certain amount of noise had occurred at his house . Mr . Fulton : The petition in opposition is signed by thirteen persons , who do not vouch that

this house is a nuisance . How is that ? Why did Ihey not embody in their petition that it was a nuisance to the neighbourhood ? Was it ever suggested until by your counsel to-day : Witness : I do not know . Mr . Fulton : Your house is a small one . Witness : It is smaller than the other . Mr . Fulton : Thc other is a large place . You could not accommodate 200 or 500 at a banquet ?

Witness : No . Mr . Vennell : 1 hough the noise was sufficient to disturb you in your rest you thought it was not your duty to make complaints to thc police ? Witness : That is so . Mr . Vennell : So that you would not embody it in your petition ? Witness : No . Mr . Vennell : But

complaints have been made to you personally by these petitioners ? Mr . Fulton objected to the question . Thc Lord Mayor : The question is out of order . In answer to the Bench , Mr . Fulton said the music should be confined to Masouic and Foresters'lodges . The application was granted . —Citii Press .

Freemasonry In Phila Delphia.

FREEMASONRY IN PHILA DELPHIA .

SUPREME COUNCIL , TIIIHTY-TIHIII ) DEGREE . Had the clerk cf thc weather been a 33 ° Mason , hc could not have favoured the members of the Supreme Council with more deli ghtful weather than we have had during the present week , and it has addeel materially to the

comfort and pleasure of our distinguished visitors . On Tuesday morning and afternoon the sessions were largely attended . In the evening the formal reception by the members of Philadelphia Consistory took place in Corinthian Hall , when that body met and opened in the 14 ° , 111 . Commander in Chief , John Hanold , in the East . There

were present some 230 members of the body . The members of the Supreme Council met in the Grand Chapter Room at 7 . 30 o'clock , when the Committee of Arrangements , Bros . Meyer , Hutchinson , Dealy , Hall , Coulomb , Young , Garrigues , and Kendrick , met them , and escorted them to Corinthian II ill , where they were

received in due form . 111 . Bro . J . 11 . Drummond , Sovereign Grand Commander of the Northern Jurisdiction , headed the line , arm-in-arm with 111 . Bro . Albert G . Mackey , Dean of the Supicnic Grand Council of the Southern Jurisdiction ( Bro . Albert Pike not being able to attend ) .

I he guests were introduced b y Bro . 0 . E . Meyer , and welcomed by Bro . John Hanold . Addresses were made by Bros . Drummond and Mackey . After an interchange of courtesies , the line was formed , and thc entire body , numbering some 350 , were conducted