The Freemason.

Commander and ! Grand Master of the French Rite Ecossais , and that Bro . E . Avago continues in the post of Lieut . G . Commander ; Bro . Berard

is G . Secretary ; Bro . Delovgray , G . Treasurer ; and Bro . Meige , G . Orator . We shall give in our next the translation of an important circular of the Grand Council .

* * THE Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race , which was put off on Saturday last , owing to the fog , and greatly to the disappointment of many

angels in light blue and dark blue , came off on Monday last , when the Oxford crew , as was expected , won , after an exciting struggle . But we need not dwell on an event "discounted " already by so many of our readers .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ Wc do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approvinir of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in i spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary imits—free discussion . ]

ROYAL MASONIC PUPILS' ASSISTANCE FUND . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — As I perceive that there are some inaccuracies and misconceptions respecting the above fund , permit me to inform you that it is not by any means intended to abandon this scheme of supplementary benevolence , but it

will in no way interfere with the existing Charities , or tn the slightest degree destroy tbe independence and the selfreliance of those who are intended to profit by it . The fund will , on calmer consideration , I believe , meet with the approval of every one ; it will not clash with any existing charitv , and it will quietly do a very noble

and useful work . It will be the completion of the edifice , —the coping stone of the wall . Yours fraternally , ROSSLYN , P . G . M . N . B . —The assistance ol Bro . Radclyffe will be cheerlully and gratuitously given , and for the future , as heretofore , his energy and experience will be of inestimable advantage .

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Permit me , seriatim , to answer , and , 1 hope , explain , several misunderstandings in your leaders and correspondence in to-day ' s issue . 1 am at a loss to understand why you should consider "Othello ' s occupation gone . " I fail to see what should

lead you to this idea . If I am illustrated as Othello , I think the remarks of our R . W . D . G . M . and Lord Rosslyn , as also the resolutions passed to adjourn the meeting till His Royal Highness Prince Leopold is able to preside , as well as the appointment of Committee , Hon . Treasurer , and Secretary , prove to show I shall have occupation for

some time to come , but if I can be instrumental in doing good I shall be pleased . Had your reporter given the report o meeting in extenso , several matters would have teen explained . I beg most emphatically to state I never intended even to hint at the establishment of a fourth Masonic

Chanty , with paid officials . I think there are plenty of good Masons to be found who would act on Committee and as Treasurer and Secretary without pay . lam at a loss to understand on what ground you now " withdraw all" you have said in favourof the scheme , or in what way it has outiun its originally modest "dimensions . " I have published two circulars with suggestions ,

and tfiey have never been altered , but the following has been added : " To render assistance to the unsuccessful candidates for the benefits of existing Masonic Charities , and otherwise co-operate in the dispensing of Masonic Charity . " I may here remind you I have not had your notice of withdrawal , and I hope you will alter your resolution , at

least I will endeavour to shake it . You are aware all the ciiculars have contained are proposals simply , and brethren were invited to co-operate and offer suggestions . Amongst the few criticisms passed I had the following : 1 st . "The objects as set forth are a little too pretentious . " To this my reply has invariably been—possibly they

are ; but they are suggestions , and nothing will be done or decided upon till such time as a Committee is formed , selected at a public meeting , and not even then acted upon till confirmed at another meeting . I was not so arrogant or egotistical as to dictate what should be done . That the suggestions , which , please again note , have never been altered , met favour , is proved by list of supporters ,

and the very long list of signatures ( exhibited at the meeting ) , including the M . W . Grand Master , Pro and Deputy Grand Masters , as well as their Koyal Highnesses Princes Arthur and Leopold , the M . W . Grand Masters of Scotland and Ireland , and many others most high in the Craft , recommending the establishment of a fund ; and it has always been my idea that whatever is decided upon it will be after careful deliberation of a Committee sitting

for the purpose . 2 nd . "If you have funds enough assist the unsuccessful . " Amongst thos ; who suggested this I will mention SirH . Edwards , Bart ., P . G . M . vV . Yorks . This I thought a capital suggestion , and it was strengthened by the action taken by Bro . Clabon , when it was shown in Grand Lodge that , no matter how worthy the object , if the laws did not specify it to come within the range of assistance , the Board of ,

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Benevolence must not , no matter how much money they have , depart from the one groove . Again , the unfortunate discontent at the action of another Committee ( I do not wish to re-open a case which , I am happy to see , is at rest ) , as to the powers they possess in disbursing funds , made me feel , whatever the result of the appeal , I will endeavour to recommend , that from the first clear lines shall

be laid down , so that in the event of a " surplus ""it shall be possible to dispose of it in relieving necessitous cases instead of lavish grants on other applicants . Another reason was that some feared , notably the province of Warwick , that whatever moneys were collected for the Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund it would be at the expense of the other Institutions . This I deny in toto , and my

letter of last week explains my reasons , and as we are taught a " Mason ' s charity knows no bounds save those of prudence , " I cannot but feel , with the statistics I have had , and which prove the average is about zs . 6 d . fa sum rather tio much within the bounds of prudence ) per annum from every Mason to support the present requirements of the three

Institutions , there is plenty of room for an appeal for further aid . Besides , it is well understood Masonry is not a benefit society , consequently , if proper precautions were taken in introducing " worthy " members , —I fear we have many examples of members being admitted fat'the benefits—we should not have any difficulty in coping with the cases of unforeseen calamity and

misfortune . The ether suggestion was , " What qualifications do you propose ? " Many ( I may mention the suggestion is from more than one P . G . M . ) said , Let me know the qualifications , & c . Now , it is well known how few give without some return , and qualifications can hurt none , but materially add to the chances of

obtaining subscriptions ; besides , it will be the means of preventing much dissatisfaction . I propose the use of votes will be for the appointment of officers and Committee , and if done by papers , such as the R . H . S . and similar societies adopt , it will enable our country brethren to have a voice in the matter ; and as the Committee will , of necessity , be invested with great power , it is imperative all subscribers

should have a voice , and , no doubt , it will strengthen the confidence of the Committee . But , let me again add , these are only suggestions , and I must refer you to all my letters and circulars to confirm this , as I would not for a moment like it to be even thought I had a wish to dictate . You speak of " enlarged basis , " and that it is proposed to grant subsidies to all unsuccessful candidates . You surely

cannot have forgotten my letter in your last issue . I distinctly point out" deserving ; " and , again , is it not a guarantee to all who fear the money - will be raised at the expense of the existing Institutions that the fund is purely one of " assistance , " and that , rather than hurt the existing Institutions , we help not only the necessitous cases after leaving thc Schools , but alss the

necessitous cases which , loir want of friends , cannot be taken into the Schools ? and I would remind you of the great work you are advocating , viz ., thc Charity Association . Do you not here try to bring forward the most deserving and friendless , and to prevent waste of votes , and thereby ensure a greater number of successful ? Really , sir , I feel you . solicitous appeals in this good cause ( L . M . C . A . )

should alone enlist your sympathies for the " enlarged basis , " which , please again remember , like all other ' •objects " mentioned in prospectus , is but a suggestion , and would be cut out by the Committee if found unworthy and objectionable . As to the " benefit society ' question , you have my views , and 1 think a little more attention to the charges should be urged upon all W . M . 's and brethren

proposing candidates . Our charity should be most complete j better give our children less education than leave them to shift for themselves . As to the scheme falling through , I am at a loss again to follow your reasoning . By reference to the list of patrons you will see all the M . W . Grand Masters , more than half the Provincial Grand Masters , and their Deputies

support it ; besides , you have yourself admitted it started under favourable auspices , and gave it your support . Is it , therefore , all at once to collapse because one simple suggestion has been made ( I refer to the added clause ) . As to your praise , I am not insensible of your kindness , and am glad you give me credit for perseverance ; but I must further add , and I am in duty bound to give this

assurance to my supporters , that , until I have some much stronger proof of the " verdict" being undeniably against me , I shall consider my humble efforts pledged to carry on the work which they support , and which I consider the list of patrons shows to be undeniably the reverse to adverse . I may here mention I had three withdrawals . ; two have since net only approved , but consented to act on

Committee , one has promised to reconsider , but I have many additions . 1 really think this amply proves the reverse of your verdict ( I have not mentioned you in the withdrawals , as I have not received it ) . As to your reasons for supporting it , have the objects you thought worthy been withdrawn ? Before giving your ultimatum , why not first see what the Committee appointed to consider the scheme

will propose ? I cannot quite understand how " P . M . " can criticise the list of subscriptions , as you only publish them immediately above his letter , or is it an editorial comment ? Still , to satisfy even that section of the public , I may inform "P . M . " the R . M . P . A . F . stands pledged to nothing ; the monev paid in is banked , and the promises entered ; hence

the difference in totals , and is accounted for ; that until I know the exact position the fund is to take I have not urged money being sent . In answer to Bro . While ' s letter and his report in the Times , as alio letter in the Times , which , I presume , is his , as it immediately follows in your paper , and it is not customary for one paper to copy another ' s letters—I do not find it in the Freemasons ' Chronicle—I can only say I am sorry he should think fit to

Original Correspondence.

curtail his report ; it would have been fairer not to have suppressed any portion . However , no doubt , Bro . While means well , although his expressions are not flattering , and , I think , scarcely in fstrict accordance with Masonic etiquette . Still I will accept tl . em as meant in no ill spirit , and I hope one day to have the pleasure of a chat . If Bio . While is champion to suppress an evil , I am equally

convinced the R . M . P . A . F . will do but good . As to Lord Rosslyn withdrawing , Bro . While was present when not only Lord Rosslyn but Lords Skelmersdale and Brooke personally , and in public , accepted the office of Committeemen , and pledged themselves to work to assist the fund by obtaining subscriptions , & c . —vide your own report of the meeting . As to the organisation being " cut

and dried , " I think your report even will disprove ; and it always will be my aim to discountenance any hole and corner work or " clique . " As to the inconsistent remarks about marriage pDrtions , & c , I can only feel Bro . While is attempting a joke at the expense of what I hope will be a useful addition toour Institutions . The " attempt to endow a paid secretariat" and its attending charitable

remarks I will answer without intending any annoyance to our worthy brother—viz ., there are other attributes besides almsgiving that ' constitute " charity , " and as a P . M . he should teach this . I shall at all times be glad to explain anything respecting this scheme to Bro . While , and think it a pitj he did not call upon me before assailing me in public . In reply to " P . M . ' s " letter in thc Times .

I may mention I answered it , but , unfortunately , it and I hear several other leters were left out , showing how dangerous and one-sided criticism and reports in newspapers are . The substance of my reply was that instead of sapping the self reliant and self dependent spirit of our pupils the R . M . P . A . F . was to aid them . From Bro . While ' s point of

view it appears a boy with father or guardians stands in a bad position , and to a disadvantage . I have always felt sympathy for a fatherless boy or girl , and felt what " weight " they commenced tr . eir " race of life " with . My experience has taught mc boys and girls leaving school are then at the most critical time of life , and a friend to give advice then is often the finger post to

success . The cases the R . M . P . A . F . attempts to assist will be those without means or friends , and , without being " Quixotic , " can do much in giving advice , watching progress , keeping register of brethren willing to fill vacancies in their businesses or public offices , assisting the sick , and , without encouraging indolence or sapping self reliance , assist " our " children at a critical time . If Bro . While ' s

assertions are correct then every father stands in his son ' s way by sapping his self reliance , & c . To conclude , I fear I have taken up too much of your valuable space , still , as the subject is an important one , I hope you will allow me to wind up with one or two lemarks which , I think , tend to prove the fund will do good : ist . Lord Leigh's and others ' advocacy as to

Scholarships : —and in this you concur . ' ' 2 nd . Bros . Clabon and Hogg ' s repeated motions in Grand Lodge to obtain part of the Fund of Benevolence , and at the time of the Life Boat grant , as a thanksgiving offering for our M . W . G . M . ' s recovery—it was then one of the suggestions to endow a similar fund . 3 rd . The efforts of Bro . J acobs and Staffordshire brethren to perpetuate Lord Shrewsbury ' s memory by creating

an Assistance Fund ; and , lastly , the action of the Supreme Council and many individual brethren in supporting separate cases . ¦< I think , dear Sir and Brother , I have a strong case , and beg to assure you that until I cin hear better reasons I shall continue to exert the zeal and energy you so kindly notice with redoubled vigour in what I consider a good cause . 1 am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally ,

DICK . RADCLYFFE . 129 , High Holborn , March 20 th . [ We publish this long letter , but now the discussion must close . —ED . ]

WAS SWEDENBORG A MASON ? To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — With reference to this interesting question , a document may be cited of some considerable authority , which I think ought to convince our * good Bio . Woodford upon the point respecting which he evinces such

pardonable scepticism . Professor R . F . Tafel went to Sweden in the year 1868 to hunt up such evidence about Swedenborg as could be found , and states that , while in Lund , Bro . L . P . Regnell , Clerk of the County Court , and Master of the Lund Lodge , gave him a document to the following effect . In the archives of ' the chapter in Christianstad there is an old book of records , containing the minutes of

a convention held at Wittshofle , June 5 th , 1787 , at which King Gustavus III ., and his brother , Duke ( afterwards King Charles XIII . ) of Sodermanland , were present . The Utter presided , and the names of many brethren , from South Sweden , Stockholm , Pomerania , Greifswalde , and Stralsund , are also given . In these minutes itjjis recorded that the First Captain of Lines , Lieut-Colonel and Knight

Baltzar Wedemar , delivered a lecture on Masonry , in which he mentioned the writings of Swedenborg , and spike of his carter as a Mason ; that he vUited Charles XII . at Altenstedt , in order to promote the further progress of Freemasonry ; and this , Bro . Wedemar further stated , that he had visited the lodge in Lunden or Lund , and had seen the signatuie of Swedenborg ( then Swedberg ) in the lodge

register ; and it was likewise stated that the King and Duke both knew that Swedenborg was a Freemason . In the German periodical " Latona " there was an exact account of Swedenborg ' s reception . It is scarcely to be doubted that this register at Lund still exists , when we consider with what accuracy the Swedish nation have preserved their records . It would also appear that he after *