Original Correspondence.

contend against its arguments , I shall ever continue to "respect its fair opposition . We shall , I hope , notwithstanding difference of opinion and journalistic warfare , retain our mutual personal esteem , and think of each other as only " our friend the enemy . " I do sincerely hope that the Provincial Grand Lodges will each find some earnest Past Master , imbued with the

same sentiments on this subject as myself , to be their representatives on my Committee . The work I have undertaken so far has not only occupied my fullest leisure for a long period , but has occasioned me some expense , and I should prefer not to be obliged of necessity to be at more labour and cost in bringing the matter before the Provincial Grand Lodges by circu ' ars and other means , if

that object could be attained by the voluntary action of Provincial Grand Officers , or other Provincial Past Masters . Fa-bum sat . sapicnti ! I shall be glad to hear from any such . Bro . Bodenham , who thought fit to rise in his place and object to Bro . WoDdford ' s statement that the lodges in the provinces would not conform to the directions of

Grand Lodge as to working , Sec , gets his epithet hasty , " hasty remarks ! " as if there was always in Grand Lodge ample time allowed for the utterance of our thoughts in a deliberate and " don ' t hurry yourself" manner . Is there anything done in Grand Lodge which , if it takes more than a very limited amount of time to discuss , is not obstructed by cries of " Question " and " Vote" or

" Divide" ? How then can the necessary immediate denial of an assertion made in course of debate be properly des ignated as hasty ? But ; hasty or not , Bro . Bodenham is right . The provincial lodges arc every whit as loyal as those of the metropolis , and Bro . Woodford does not do justice when he speaks in such general terms in regard to them . Even those who aelopt the practices that others

condemn err , I believe , mure from the want of a reference to standard authority than from any intention to depart from what is recognised as fit and proper . And this remark brings me to a direct denial of the suggested inferences of both Bro . Woodford and Bro . John Neilson ( Frccnason , Dec . 20 th ) that I know nothing of the practices I have exposed in Grand Lodge . I repeat , and I

cannot do more than again anil again emphatically repeat , pledging my Masonic honour , and undertaking to name in proper place where 1 have witnessed some of them , and before which Provincial Grand Master , that , without any exaggeration whatever , pardonable or otherwise , I have represented facts within my own experience . Does Bro . Neilson think no man travels but himself ? I have nothing

to say about lodges under other Constitutions than that of England , anel tbe English provinces have been enough for me without the trouble of crossing St . George ' s Channel to observe what I know would further raise my indignation . It is sufficient that malpractices are to be found here , and whatever may be Bro . Woodford's opinion as to the present agitation "landing us in a region of ' cribs

and crams '" or helping to make the fortune of" accommodating brethren . " ( what are they ?) , I believe that those who took care to carry my motion will , despite all his beseeching and prayerful appeals , his denouncement of the enquiry to be made , and his hard words against all who do not agree with bim , remain staunch , and see that thc Committee is appointed in due course . " Nothing is done

whilst aught remains to do ' . " I fear I have greatly intruded on your space , and this letter has extended beyond even the anticipateel length ; therefore , I hasten to conclude . If no better arguments than those which have been hitherto advanced can be found to support the opposition to thc measure I advocate , I have no fear for thc result . When it becomes necessary to

depart from logical deductions , to misrepresent facts , even to the extent of mendacity , and to suggest interested motives , in order to discredit a movement having for its object the reformation of acknowledged evils , thc opponents thereof must be driven into a sad strait indeed . Such , I maintain , is the position of those against whose

cneleavours I now appeal to the general body of earnest Freemasons for continued assistance in making thc resolution of Grand Lodge on the 3 rd inst . complete , and aiding mc in the formation of a satisfactory Committee to carry out the enquiry and present its report . Vours faithfully and fraternally ,

JAMES STEVENS . Clapham , Dec . 23 rd .

THE ROVAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BO AND MR . WILSON . To the Editor if Ihe " Freemason . " Sir , — You having inserted in your paper a letter addressed by Mr . Wilson to the Geneial Committee reflecting on the House Committee , I must ask you in fairness to insert in your next issue the enclosed copy of my reply . Vours obediently , FREDK . STANLEY .

" , Austin Friars , London , E . G ., "Dec . 18 th , 1879 . "To the Chairman of the House Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . " Sir , — " My attention having been called to a letter of Mr . Wilson , dated the 27 th ult ., addressed lo the General

Committee , and published in the Freemason of the 13 th inst ., in which he purports to give a brief statement of the facts , and complains that he is not being treated fairly , I think it right to record my view of the facts . " Mr . Wilson sent in a large claim of a lump sum for

professional services , enumerated in his account under upwards of twenty different headings or descriptions . The account was referred to your Committee for investigation . For this ' purpose you requested Mr . Wilson to state how the amount was arrived at , but instead of complying with this reasonable request , and although he had been paid

Original Correspondence.

upwards of £ 300 on account of a claim of a little over £ 400 , he placed the matter in the hands of his solicitor , who threatened proceedings to recover the balance . Your Committee were , therefore , driven also to consult a solicitor , and I was instructed in the matter—this was in July last . I at once called upon Mr . Wilson ' s solicitors , and explained to them that a detailed account was required ,

showing what was charged for the different" items , and that Mr . Wilson " would be required to produce the plans and documents relating to the matter , and for which he had charged , with the view to the account being properly examined , and I stated that what ( if anything ) should be found due to Mr . Wilson would be paid without delay , but if we could not agree as to the amount the account should

be referred to an architect of standing , but not , of course , to Mr . Wilson ' s nominee , or to thc gentleman he suggests , who is not strictly an architect . Although I have lepeatedly during the past five months applied for a detailed account Mr . Wilson has not attempted to furnish it—now he complains of delay . I may mention that I have only asked for that which Mr . Wilson will be compelled to

give if he takes proceedings . " With regard to Mr . Wilson ' s statement that he had requested a professional fiiend to give me explanations , and that that gentleman was unable to obtain an appointment from me , 1 may mention that I am at my office e # ery day ( except Sundays and eluring a portion of the vacation ) , and can be seen there . I have , however ,

informed this gentleman , both personally and by letter , that a eletailed statement of account is required , and production of the plans and documents , and until this request is complieel with explanations are use-less . In reply to this Mr . Wilson ' s friend wrote me that Mr . Wilson had not the materials at command whereupon to Irame a detailed statement , yet in Mr . Wilson ' s letter to

the General Commiitce he states he can prove that the usual professional rates are higher than the charges on vvhich he has based his account . You will observe this is precisely thc information I have required , in ordrr to ascertain how he arrived at thc lump sum . " I explained to Mr . Wilson ' s friend that the matter having been placed in the hands of solicitors I could only

discuss the matter with them . Mr , Wilson states he has instructed his solicitors to stop further legal proceedings . Of this I am not aware , but I may mention that his friend in his letters to me threatens a continuance of proceedings unless , as I presume , Mr . Wilson's account is paid without proper investigation . " Vou are , of course , aware that to enable contractors to

tender for work they arc supplied by the architect with a bill of quantities ; for thc work in question one per cent , on the contract price would be ample for the preparation of these quantities , but I am infoimcd Mr . Wilson provided for a payment to him of five per cent ., which was , of course , added to the contract price , anil the contractor in due course would hand the amount at that rate to Mr .

Wilson . If this be so , 1 have no hesitation . n saying that it is an overcharge , and , being made without your leiiowledge , Mr . Wilson will be liable to account for the excess , and thus there will be nothing whatever payable to him ; probably this explains Mr . Wilson ' s difficulty in rendering a proper account , and producing the papers—hence his

elesire to obtain payment without further trouble . " Uneler the circumstances I am of opinion that the Committee , dispensing as they aic the monies of other persons , will be failing in their duty unless they have a full investigation of the matter . " I am , Sir , yours obediently , " FIIF . DK . STANLEY . "

THE MASONIC AND MILITARY ORDER OF KNIGHTS OF ROME AND OF THE RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Can you inform me if there is at this time in existence a Grand Imperial Council of this body ? I have

written to the published address , anil the letter was returned—answer : not known . I have written many letters during the past four years to this Council anel have net received any reply . The letter returned through the post-office has since been forwarded through Bro . Kenning , and , I have no doubt , reached the proper party , who has not replied . HENRY G . WADE , Delta Crucis Conclave , No . 126 on Roll .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

Bro . Gould ' s interesting book , on the Athill Lodge , reminds me that I have in my possession an old minute book of Lodge 194 , of the Antients , now 143 . It is marked No . 3 , and begins in 1797 , and ends in 1806 . The

Michael Corcoran mentioned by Bro . Gauld was initiated on the 6 th of January , 1803 , and John Maik Goldsworthy was initiated January 30 th , 1806 . I shall be very happy to return to Lodge 143 this old minute book of the lodge . A . F . A . W .

INIGO JONES' MS . I note al ) that my worthy confre ' re , W . J . Hughan , says , but the point he mentions had not escaped me , Inigo Jones' MS . is clearly not the same as Stones' MS , Indeed , the more I study the more I feel convinced how independent a MS . it is . I give a quotation in parallel columns .

INIGO JONES' MS . GRAND LODGE MS . F . First , that they should be The first is that they true to the king and to the should be true to the king Lord that they serve , and to and to the lords that they the fellowship whereof they serve , and that they should are admitted . live well together , and be true every one to others .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

As I have said befjre , there are many variations in the MS ., which may be the variations of a scribe , but , 1 confess , they apptar to me to be evidence of a distinct form . I hope in an early number of the Freemason in 1880 , ( D . V . ) , to compare the MS . with the Dowland and Lansdovvne MS . I may have something to say more in our next issue . A . F . A . W .

Consecratign Of The Ewell Lodge, No. 1851.

CONSECRATIGN OF THE EWELL LODGE , No . 1851 .

The Ewell Lodge , No . 1851 , was consecrated on Saturday afternoon , at the Glynn Arms , Ewell , by Bro . the Rev . C . XV . Arnold , Past Grand Chaplain , Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Surrey , in the unavoidable absence through illness of the Provincial Grand Master , General

Brownrigg , C . B . The brethren present on the occasion were Bros . Arthur E . Taylor , E . A . Baber , George Moss , W . D . Paddle , G . W . Saul , J . Rush , George Joseph Dunkley , Rev . C . W . Arnold , P . G . C , D . P . G . M . Surrey ; George B . Brodie , P . G . S . W . Surrey ; John Castle Gant , P . G J . W . Surrey ; Char ' es Greenwood , Prov . G . Sec . Surrev ; Rev . James

Amos , P . G . C . Surrey ; R . R . Davis-, P . M . 25 O ; Arthur Rule , P . M . 26 3 ( I . C . ) ; J . W . Maidwell , P . M . 1201 ; W . H . Barber , Sec . 1777 ; Alfred Lamb , P . M . 410 and 256 ; George Hall , 49 ; Henry Sibley , 201 ; E . A . W . Taylor , Sec . 302 ; R . G . Taylor , J . W . 144 ; W . Clegg , J . D . 1259 ; George . W . Evans , Org . 1602 ; Arthur Millwood , 179 ; W . J . Dunkley , I . G . 1777 ; James Louth , 1358 ; and H .

Massey , P . M . 619 ( Freemason ) . The S . W . chair was occupied by Bro . Dr . Brodie , Prov . G . S . W . Surrey , and the J . W . chair by Bro . John Castle Gant , Prov . G . J . W . Surrey . Bro . Chas . Greenwood , Prov . G . Sec . Surrey , acteel as D . C . for the Rev . J . Amos , Prov . G . Chaplain Surrey , as Chaplain . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . G . S . Graham , and

were executeel by Bros . A . Millward , R . J . Taylor , M . Clegg , XV . S . Dunkley ; Bro . G . Evans acting as Organist . Mucli of the lodge furniture was presented by founders . The W . M . presenteel the working tools ; Bro . Baber , Treas ., the tracing boards ; Bro . Paeldle the gavels ; Bro . Moss the collars ; Bro . Rush , S . D ., the volume of the Sacred Law and cushion ; Bro . Dunklev the Deacons '

wands ; anel Bros . Bisset and Parker the candlesticks . After the lodge had been formally opened , Bro . the Rev . C . XV . Arnold said the brethren had met for the purpose of consecrating a new loelge in thc Province of Surrey , and he was exceedingly sorry that the Prov . G . M ., General Brownrigg , was not present to do the work he could peroral so well . His intention was to have been present , and

lt was a great disappointment to that brother that he could not come . The state of his health , however , made it quite improper that he should go out . He ( the Rev . C . W . Arnold ) had but few observations to make . Masonry in the Province of Surrey was advancing with very rapid strides . It was but six years ago , or , at the outside , seven , that the present Prov . Grand Master was appointed , and in

thesame year the Weyside Lodge , at Woking , of which he ( the Rev . C . W . Arnold ) was still a member , was consecrateel . That made , he believed , the twelfth lodge in the province . To-day they were met to consecrate the twentieth lodge , and all the brethren present must have the same opinion with regard to Freemasonry—that as it was increasing so rapidly it

was necessary they should take the greatest care to admit only fit and proper persons among them . It was a very easy thing to get members to join a new lodge ; but it was very difficult to get rid of a member if in any way he became obnoxious to the brethren . Therefore , in opening this new lodge he thought he could not do better than impress strongly on thc minds of the

brethren that it was far better not to seek to increase their numbers too rapidly , but to insure that good men and true were enrolled under the banner of Masonry—those who would honour thc Masonic flag . To give another reason , in some of the large lodges members were hardly known to each other at all . It was a great advantage to a lodge that every brother shoulel know every other brother , and

be able to shake hands with him if he met him in the street . In some large lodges of the present day some members scarcely ever met each other . The Ewell Lodge was formed of brethren living outside the province ; but he trustee ! , as they were coming into the provinc ; ( to which he heartily bade them welcome ) , they would set the province the example of a good working lodge . The

brethren of the province had been endeavouring during the last few years very earnestly to get the lodges into thorough working order , and to instiutte a system ot uniformity by getting rid of some of that old-fashioned work which was occasionally met with here and there in thc country . He hoped that by coming elown from London the brethren who were mostly working Masons , and had had great

experience in the Craft , they would make this lodge a great success , and one of the best working lodges in the province . ( Hear , hear . ) After the usual formalities , the Rev . J . Amos , M . A ., Prov . G . Chap . Surrey , and W . M . elect No . 256 , delivered the following oration : —• Brethren , it falls to my lot to address to you a few

observations . We have here a fresh temple about to be erected , where the rites and ceremonies of Freemasonry will be celebrated ; where , to worthy men , and we trust to worth y men alone , will be entrusted the secrets and mysteries o £ our Order . Many are the topics to which your attention may be peculiarly and forcibly directed , but foremost

amongst these I incline to the consideration of "the di gnity and high importance of Freemasonry . " I . In these days we are not all Operative , but rather Free and Accepted , or Speculative , Masons . There is an operative side still to Masonry , for you are to study such of the liberal arts and sciences as may be within the compass of your attain-