In Memoriam.

hardships and experience which are the lot of ur gallant soldiers in South Africa . In tl , e words of our exalted Bro . H . R . H . the Duke r Connaught , we shall never forget one who was a " kind friend , a true gentleman , and a

brave soldier . " We may indeed deplore that this ill-fated Zulu War shall have claimed such a victim ) one who has fallen from a sense of duty a nd love of a soldiei ' s career , but we shall say with simple faith , " L'homme propose , Dieu dispose . " We were among those who lamented

deep ly the death of his remarkable father , and did not hesitate to avow our loyal sympathy with his altered fortunes and our own sincere re gret for his premature death . To day , when the last hope of that widowed and gracious lady is buried in the grave , under circumstances even

more sudden and affecting , we are glad to be permitted in these humble pages to avow our unchanged respect for her , our unchanged admiration of the courage and dignity with which she has borne overwhelming trials , and to offer our respectful , but most sincere , condolence with her in this supreme sad hour of her affliction and bereavement .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

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

A WARNING . Dear Brother Kenning , — As I was going to the Lodge of Antiquity on Wednesday last , I was accosted on the stairs of Freemasons ' Masonic Hall by a foreigner ( not over cleanly ) , who said in broken English , whether actual or put on , " Yru are a Mason ; I am a Mason ; I am going to your lodge ; I want charity . " I said , " No , you cannot come to-night ,

as we have a private and special meeting . " Without a word the alleged brother wheeled round and " skedaddled , " and as it is just possible he may have paid some other lodge a visit , 1 put in this note of warning and enquiry . I object to this system altogether , and thiol : it well just to mention the fact . Yours fiaternally , A . F . A . W .

CAGLIOSTRO . Dear Bro . Kenning . — In your Cijclopa'dia , of which I was the Editor , your readers will find , under the heading * ' Cagliostro , " a full account of that great charlatan . After studying all available sources of information respecting him , 1 came to the conclusion there carefully indicated , that he was a

"supreme impostor , " and deserving neither of the admiration or remembrance of Frremasons in any w . iy whatever . Bro . Kenneth Mackenzie takes quite the opposite view of Cagliostro , and " constat" he has as much right to his opinion as I have to mine , and ingeniously seeks by an amusing and clever paradox , in my humble opinion , to invest him with the " gracious attributes " of a

true Mason . I think well to record my fraternal protest against any attempt to represent Cagliostro either as a Masonic hero , or a man of enlarged mind or liberal sympathies , because I venture to think such an attempt most mistaken sentiment in the first place , and utterly unwarranted by the facts of history in the next . With regard to " Egyptian Masonry " itself , with the

exception of some confused notices respecting it , nothing , that I can anywhere find , is known about it , except that it was " Androgyne , " and said to have had 90 degrees . No known authentic ritual of it exists , unless in the Vatican M- ^ ' . £ " some writers have said that the " Rite of Misraim " is a continuation or adaptation of it . We may "lus dismisscontemptuousl y any alleged expositions either

of its " mystic ceremonial" or " suMime teaching" as Wringing to the pure realm of "Muthos . " If Bro . Kenneth Mackenzie knows of any alleged ritual ''• Cagliostrian Masonry which will bear investigation , I s <| all be most happy to consider it rationally and amicably

* 'ih him . I have never yet , as 1 said before , been able to " ™ one . Thory's authority is only hiarsay . V Mackenzie mentions the Cardinal Prince of Fohan * s a friend of Cagliostro , as if that friendship was a trather in Cagliostro's cap . " To my mind , that he was n . e " protege " of such a person is fatal to anv theorv of

a « i honourable motives , his candour , or his reliability . The Cardinal Prince Lou s de Rohan was confessedly , s all contemporary French writers agree , the vainest and Mkest of mortals . He was given up to the absurdities of <* tmists and a prey to every impostor . His degraded c . his hopeless profligacy , his wistefuleipenditure plunged '" i into disrespectable coteries of all kinds , and , as all ,. i he was mixed im with Rwhmn M > A . « . VN- I _

0 | tf , and Cagliostro in that shameful conspiracy of the V " nd necklace , and he died after an ill- < p ; nt life , amid lv crsal neglect , contempt , and in utter i gnominy . If the J ' «* li ,. n of Cardinal Rohan is the only argument in ;< "r of Cagliostro it is as weak and as fatal a one as ixul , - b' * * But history . which rejects paradoxes and its " in truth and honest criticism , " has long since "' . cmr . ed Cagliostro . , ' " in ^ ° Ie ViUSe is a careei of im P ° sture and fraud first to last , and I , for one , venture ' to think

Original Correspondence.

that if we will only learn to leave him in bis happy obscurity and forbear to " rake up the ashes of his sinful dust" we shall do a good work for Freemasonry and morality . I should not speak so strongly did I not feel so , and as nothing is so bad in my opinion when we are affecting to write history as to relapse into untenable and paradoxical traditions , I enter my " caveat" as to" Bro .

Mackenzie ' s estimate of Cagliostro ' s real character in the Freemason , with all possible respect to Bro . Mackenzie ' s talents and opinions . I am , dear Bro . Kenning , THE EDITOR OF YOUR" MASONIC CYCLOPEDIA . " P . S . —Has Bro . Mackenzie read the article Cagliostro in the " Allgememes Handbuch ? "

STEWARDS' UNPAID FEES . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — No true Mason could read your leader in June 14 th FiTcintisoii . without a feeling of humiliation , that such a state of chronic indebtedness could exist amongst those

whose actions are said to be " regulated by Divine precepts , " one of which plainly says , " Owe no man anything . " As no suggestion or remedy appeared in this week's paper with reference to this " disagreeable subject , " I would suggest that certificate of Stewardship for charity jewel ,

illuminated testimonial , and clasps for two Stewardships be withheld from brethren who have not paid all the requisite fees . The two first are at present attainable by the Secretary ' s signature , testifying that the applicant has so served , but with no reference to pail up fees—let this condition in future be included ; then , as to the third , that coveted array

of clasps is to be had by merely applying and paying for it at a jeweller ' s . Payment of fees should also be a condition without which no clasp could be obtainable . I remain , yours fraternally , VICE-PRES . & STEWARD TO BOYS'FESTIVAL , 1879 . June 21 st .

OLD MASONS . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Referring to Bro . Coombe ' s letter in your paper of May 17 th , I think he will admit that Bro . Norris , born in 1788 and initiated in 1812 , is not the oldest Mason .

James Rac'dcff , of Portland , Maine , was born in Bristol , Maine , November a , 1779 , and will , therefore , be a century old next Nove mbtr . He was initiated in Ancient Landmark Lodge , in this city , in 1808 , four years before Bro . Norris . He was a master mariner urtil he retired with a competence , is now in excellent health and spirits , and

reads Masonic papers with interest . But there are five older Masons than he in this country , unless some of them have died since I have heard from them , viz ., Bro . Capt . John Knight , Manchester , Mass ., initiated 1801 . „ Marcus Richardson , Bangor , Me ., initiated 1802 . ,, Col . A . Stone Harmer , Marietta , Ohio , initiated 1803 .

,, Col . Nathan Huntson , Unity , N . H ., initiated 1803 . „ James Franklin , Chase , Nantucket , initiated 1807 . The list given by Bro . Cpombe of American Masons would none of them be classed among the " Fathers , " as we could make up a list of hundreds ranging from 1812

to 1817 . Our really old Mason was Bro . Peter Hammond , of Gcncses , Illinois , who died April gth , 1878 , on his 102 nd birthday . He was born in 1776 and initiated in 1799 . Fraternally youre ,

STEPHEN BERRY Portland , Maine , U . S . A ., June 6 th , 1870 .

To the Editor af the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — You will be glad to hear the enclosed motions of mine were proposed by me at the Prov . Grand Lodge yesterday , and carried unanimously . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , R . THORPE , I . P . M . 588 , P . G . Pursuivant . 2 otKJunf > 187 o .

BENEVOLENT FUND RULES . 1 . That in order to extend the operations of the Prov . Benevolent Fund in a more specific manner than at present particularised , the following be inserted in Rule 1 of the Benevolent Fund Rules after the word " children : " Rule 1 . This fund shall be called "The Masonic Benevolent Fund of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Lincolnshire ,

established for granting temporary relief to aged , distressed or necessitous brethren of this province or their indigent widows and children , 'as well as for making grants to assist in the education of their children if considered requisite , and shall be restricted to purposes of Masonic benevolence either of a ' local' character or in connection with the general Charities of the Order . "

PROVINCIAL GRAND BYB LAWS . Rule XV . Every lodge in the province shall pay to the Provincial Grand Lodge the sum of one shilling per annum for each contributing member , and a further cum of threepence per quarter to the Benevolent Fund .

QUERY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Pemit me to solicit opinions on the following subject , viz ., what should be the correct costume of the

P . G . C . when preaching before the Provincial Grand Lodge ? It seems to me that ( apart from his Masonic clothing ) he ought to preach in his full dress academical robes , i . e ., cassock ( ban 0 ? ! f H" M , A . ) and the gown and hood of his

Original Correspondence.

degree . 1 think this the most dignified and correct costume . Let us remember that he is preaching , not as a mere rector , or vicar in his parish church , but as a Mason to Masons , and this at the Provincial Grand Lodge , which , opened in due form prior to adjourning to church , is not yet closed .

The sermon then may be considered a part of the lodge business , and the P . G . C . should consider himself as still in lodge , in which he and all of us can be admitted only when " properly clothed . " Now the P . G . C . cannot be said to be properly clothed if he conceals his apron under a surplice . Yours fraternally ,

TASTE AND DISCIPLINE . [ We agree with our correspondent in general , but where the rule of the Church is to preach in a surplice , as in a cathedral , he must do so . —ED 1

Consecration Of The Clapham Lodge, No. 1818.

CONSECRATION OF THE CLAPHAM LODGE , NO . 1818 .

The Chapham Lodge , No . 1818 , was consecrated on " Tuesday last , at the Alexandra Hotel , Chapham Common , by Bro . James Terry , P . P . J . G . W . Herts , who was assisted by Bros , the Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . C , as Chaplain ; William Clarke , Prov . G . D . C . Suffolk , as D . C . ; H . G .

Buss , Assistant G . Sec , as S . W . ; J . Morrcll , P . P . G . Sup . nf Works Durham , as J . W . ; A . R . Cranch , 1216 , as I . G . ; W . Worrell , P . M . 766 , as Secretary . The complete list of brethren present on the occasion comprised the following names : Bros . Louis Hirsch , Dr . C . T . Pearce , A . Fairlie , R . A . Fairlie , W . Worrell , A . Pocock , Wm . Carlton Hale , R Clay Sudlow , J . Morrell , P . M . 111 , P . P . G . S . of Works

Durham ; A . R . Cranch , 1216 ; F . H . Cozens , 1216 ; A . Hubbard , 813 ; G . J . Wright , 1426 ; W . Clarke , 114 , P . G . D . C . Suffolk ; H . Ashton , 118 . 5 ; R-J- Simpson , 10 , P . G . Chaplain ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; H . G . Buss , Asst G . Sec . ; J . Terry , P . G . J . W . Herts ; F . Mead , P . M . Ionic ; J . H . Watts , P . M . 1201 ; John Dixon , P . M . 87 ; G . E . Goodinge , 171 ; A . G . Taylor , P . M . 1201 ; L . D . Berry ,

P . M . 179 ; W . W . Morgan , jun ., 1385 ; E . J . Harty , P . M . 1201 ; G . Gordon Johnston , P . M . 1402 ; and H . Massey , P . M . 619 ( Freemason ) . After the lodge had been opened in the Three Degrees , Bro . Terry announced the granting of the warrant for the lodge by the Prince of Wales , and the appointment of himself ( Bro . Terry ) as the Consecrating Officer , and

directed Bro . Worrell to lead the petition and warrant . This having been done , and the other preliminaries having been observed , Bro . Terry called upon Bro . Simpson to deliver the oration . Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . D ., in delivering the oration , said : Worshipful acting Matter and Brethren , I have accepted the very high and honourable position which

Bro . Worrell and the Worshipful Master designate of this lodge invited me to take , but I have felt conscious of having very little time or thought at my disposal to lay before you anything worthy of such an occasion as this . At the same time , such remarks as may occur to me I am sure you will receive with that indulgence common among Masons . On several occasions when it has been my good

fortune to stand in a similar position the name of a lodge has usually formed a very happy suggestive idea of the line of thought which I have ventured to lay before the brethren . On the present occasion , however , we have but the name of a very old and well known suburb of London and I was a little at a loss at first to know on what subject I should base my few remarks to the brethren . I

remember about this place are associated many of those nf old time who valued that volume of the Sacred Law which , we look upon as the foundation stone of our great building ,, and I considered whether we could not find in that great repertory of truth some few lines of thought which might indicate good lessons for you and for myself , and I reverted ) this morning as I was coming along to those ideas that

are put forward by one of the minor prophets which seem ; to me to indicate very remarkably the three great lines ' on which Masonry rests — " to do justly , to lovemercy , and to walk humbly in our God . '" Brethren , I need scarcely say to you that in ancient times among the pagan nations of Greece and Rome the virtue of justice was held up in high esteem , a . * ,

perhaps , the highest quality and characteristic of reasonable men ; and it has lost none of its lustre under late dispensations and in more modern times . There cannot be a doubt , whether in our homes , in Masonry , or in the world in general , that cultivation of certain habits ofthought , which shall enable us to adjust rightly and equally all matters , great or trivial , that may be brought before

us , is not only a virtue of high regard , but also tends most materially to bring about that peace and goodwill amongmen which we Masons profess to admire and observe . Inthe present day , among especially those from whom probably a large number of my brethren present are to befound , I mean the great commercial land of England , that virtue holds a very high place ; and it is a sad reflection

that , amidst all the education of the present day , amidst the great amount of culture in the higher lines of thought which have been introduced in modern times , we should find an absence of that good old principle of justice and truth which distinguished men in former days with much less light than we possess , and which , unhappily , hasbrought about in the present day not only much misery

upon homes , but has brought much shame upon many men whose reputation stood high among their fellows . As Masons , therefore , as well as men , as those who preside over homes ot are members of homes , I would say that there is scarcely any quality , perhaps , except those that shall presently allude to , which is so valuable in commri in family , and in Masonic life as a sense of justice , or , other words , of practising that good old rule , which ne