Original Correspondence.

THE RECENT BOYS' SCHOOL FESTIVAL . To the Editor of the "Freemason . ' ' Dear Sir and Brother , — The friends of our Boys' School are not unnaturally jubilant at the really magnificent sum subscribed at the recent festival . In last week's Freemason you gave a

very elaborate analysis of the returns ; but there is one most important omission , which , it is to be hoped , you will take the earliest opportunity to supply . Your readers are told that the returns of the festival amounted to the striking sum of £ 22 , 444 ; but no information whatever is given as to what portion of that amount was subscribed to meet the

ordinary expenses of the Institution , to defray which the proceeds of the festival are , as a general rule , devoted ; and what for the special fund for the building of the proposed Junior School ? In other words , What proportion of the total returns will entitle the donors to receive the premium votes promised the subscribers to the latter fund ? The suppression of information on this point , both at the

Festival and in your columns , has not unnaturally given rise to much comment and to all kinds of rumours . The sooner the actual result is made known the better it will be for the Institution , many of the old supporters of which are not altogether satisfied at the ruthless manner in which , without any apparent necessity , the value of the votes they purchased has been depreciated . —Yours

fraternally , AN OLD LIFE GOVERNOR

REBUILDING OF FREEMASONS' HALL . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Kindly allow me space to thank you and others for taking up the point I strongly advocate in the reconstruction of Freemasons' Hall . I take it the Craft will not

be satisfied with the simple reconstruction or enlargement of the Temple . The points I advocate are a larger and more convenient room for the officials in Grand Secretary's office ; a strong room of ample size for safe custody of books , papers , and regalia ; and a commodious room for Freemasons attending any duties connected with our

various Institutions ; where brethren can confer with each other , and write their letters if necessary ; also a waiting room quite independent of this writing room . I do not agree with the opinion that a library or museum are very important , and I strongly object to anything like a club being provided for , being fully persuaded that it would never answer , because it is not required . As to the

question of money , I believe that will easily be found , and if we get into debt a little we shall soon get out of it again . Yon may readily understand I want to receive some of the advantages of the funds raised during the 30 odd years that 1 have been in the Craft ; the younger branches can also share it with us , and meantime they can adopt a different system if circumstances render it desirable when we are removed . —I am , dear sir , yours faithfully ,

HENRY SMITH . [ We concur fully in much Bro . Smith so ably advocates , but cannot pretend to agree with our worthy brother in his depreciatory remarks as to a library and museum . We quite go with him as to the advisability of better official accommodation and a general waiting room , but cannot see why Grand Lodge is to find a waiting room for the Institutions gratuitously . —ED . F . M . ]

NATIONAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Sir , —The establishment of a National College of Music having been so universally responded to , induces me to ask "what will ultimately be the fate of its scholars ? " The College will be the means of , firstly—educating , and

secondly—throwing upon the musical world a vast number of Instrumentalists . The fact appears to be ignored that there is already in London alone a considerable number of talented English players who cannot obtain a living , owing to the distinguished patronage lavished on foreign artistes . British musicians naturally look forward to the London

season for their harvest , but as regularly as the season approaches we find two Hungarian bands located here , advertising themselves" under the immediate patronage of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the nobility , " engaged day and night at various garden parties , dinners , balls , Sic ., to the exclusion of the English musician .

There is also another band here from Vienna , whose arrival has thrown an entire orchestra out of employment , as they first play at a theatre , and afterwards at an aristocratic club , recently formed . The manifest injustice toEnglish artistes mustbeapparent ,

and I feel sure the facts need only to be brought under the notice of those who have the power of ., bestowing their Patronage on native talent to remedy ^ ne evil . By kindl y inserting these few remarks in your influential paper , you will greatly oblige a large section of the musical Profession . —I am , sir , yours obediently , AN ENGLISH MUSICIAN .

PROVINCIAL MASONIC CALENDARS . nJ . / S . , 7 " S omi"ed to notice the special feature con-« , „ 7 u } . issue of the Directory for Yorkshire , viz ., i « n . 1 S ! ^ - T - B - Whytehead , has ever since its v . ?? P . T llsnc , and circulated the numerous copies of each tn rt sole cost - The B ! lt is doubtless very acceptable think t £ [" , rcci P ients , as it is always to us ; but I still nnhlll j a Iar K "d comprehensive Directory should be shire ; , J- •!?J each ., of tbet , v ° Provinces into which Yorkshire , s d . vided . -W . J . HUGHAN .

Reviews

m ^^ B ^^^ s ^ w ^ h ^^^ ti ^ ^ m

HISTORY OF THE LODGE OF RELIEF , No . 42 . Compiled by Bro . E . A . EVANS , J . W ., with an introductory notice by Bro . J . NEWTON , P . M ., andalistof Modern Lodges in Lancashire by Bro . G . P . BROCKBANK , W . M . 3 } . Bury : Hope Office , Bro . O . C . Crompton . This is a most ! interesting little work , andjis ] a befitting addition to other Lancashire lodge histories . We have read

it with singular pleasure . The Lodge of Relief , No . 42 , as its number shows , is one of the oldest lodges on our list , having been constituted in 1733 . It celebrated its centenary some 50 years ago . Ori g inally , as Bro . Newton points out , it was practically a benefit society ; but it is quite clear , as it seems to us , that the Master Mason ' s Degree in 1733 was , at any rate , a well-known part and parcel of the system ,

and yet apparently no records are extant of its working . We have always held that we have in this Masonic doctrine of " Reserve " the secret of the dimness which covers all records anent the Third Degeee . It is quite clear that in England to a later period even , no records exist of the granting the Third Degree , and that law dominates other bodies and other countries .

Everything tends to prove the resolute adherence to ancient formula ; which marks our brethren , especially in England , and seems unmistakeably to point to the need and duty of a still more careful overlooking of lodge minutes , books , and dusty receptacles of forgotten and ancient documents . We thank our brethren the compilers for a very interesting work , and commend it to the notice of all Masonic students at home and abroad .

SESOUI-CENTENNIAL PROCEEDINGS OF GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLIVANA . This is the official record of the 150 th anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , and very interesting and well printed it is . As many of us are aware , the Masonic bodies in Pennsylvania constitute a very remarkable and homogeneous body of men and band of brethren ,

distinguished alike by their zeal tor Freemasonry , their " thorough " and intellectual appreciation ot its needs and mission , and above all by very kindly and sympathetic feelings towards all visiting brethren and pilgrim Masons . Remembering the actual trials and persecutions they have

gone through in their faithful adherence to the landmarks and the true teaching of our great and tolerant and beneficent Order , we are glad to hold out to them across " dividing waters " the faithful hand of Masonic fellowship , and the assurance of unchanging memories , of . regard , respect , and affection .

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FRENCH GRAMMAR . Hachette and Co ., iS , King William-street , Strand

, W . C . This new edition of a very valuable manual of French philology and grammar has been revised and edited by our esteemed Bro . Dr . P . H . E . Brette , Mr . Gustave Masson , Mr . Elphege Janau , and Bro . H . G . Levander . It appears to usto be a most valuable aid to learning French grammatically , soundly , and thoroughly , and

we desiderate for it an extensive patronage by all schools and seminaries where the French language is wisely made a very important element in the scholastic system . We have long rejoiced to see how much greater attention is paid to modern languages . We can remember the tirrie when all such instruction was practically a farce , and treated as a bore , and many of us must remember

with compunction how thoughtlessly we too often treated the good and patient old French teacher of 40 years ago , very often an old abbe who had left home never to return To-day , mainly as in many other things , thanks to the wholesome influence of the late Prince Consort , that must be a very retrograde school indeed where French and German do not form part of the usual studies ot the

pupils . Even our great public schools are waking up and encouraging the use and the knowledge of modern languages . And say what we will , French still forms the travellers " passe partout , " alike in Europe as in the Mediterranean and the East . Indeed , we are of opinion that no one ought to be allowed to enter even into the civil service who has not

mastered French . Much more ought it to be a " sine qua non" for the army and the navy and the diplomatic service . We think that this First Part , which contains the Accidence , is well worthy of study and consideration . We have gone through it , and are much struck with the "thoroughness " by which it is marked , and we can

ourselves most conscientiously commend it not only for schools and public institutions , but to all tutors and governesses . It gives a list of adopted words , a list which curiously enough is now increasing rapidly in France . One of the latest naturalizations of which we have heard is " Kettledrum , " for an afternoon tea , and which is now in common and fashionable use in Paris .

SUMMER TOURS IN SCOTLAND . —CALEDONIAN AND LONDON AND NORTH WESTERN RAILWAYS . This is a small but handy illustrated guide-book for intending holiday tourists and travellers , which suggests many pleasant thoughts and opens out many welcome progresses . For it seems to take us away perforce from hard work and harassing cares , from all that constitutes a

" burden of the flesh' for the man of money , the man of business , the man of Parliament , the man of literature today . The London season , that weird and incomprehensible state of existence , is slowly ending amid the din , the confusion , the dull streets , the bad odours of our dear " little village ; " and this welcome little book meets us with vistas of lorcst glades , the refreshing breezes of the hills and the moors , and gladdening charms of highlands and lowlands ,

of loch and wateriall , lakeland and deer forests , all that constitutes the special charm of Scotland for enthusiastic citizen or admiring stranger . We can recommend it to all who are intending to get and enjoy a holiday either " solus cum solfl , " or as an unit in a large and family circle where youth and health , good looks and fresh hearts , all admirable in themselves , are better in their capabilities of enjoyment , than all the ex-

Reviews

perience , all the wisdom of the world . The illustrations of this little "vade mecuni" are very effective , and make some poor smoke-dried denizen of that wonderful scene of tumult and uproar , beadledom and bumbledom , & c , which we term London , long for a sight of Oban , or a sojourn by Loch Katrine , a fishing excursion on Loch Awe , a pull upon Loch Taye , and a general acquaintance with " North Britain " in its wondrous scenery and amidst its glorious

hills , the sunny cities of the plains , the tumultuous waters of thestormy Hebrides . Many of our friends probably will soon be on the wing , solitary pilgrims , or a numerous and noisy band ; we wish them all amusement and enjoyment , sunshiny hours and favourable weather in the " Land of Cakes " and the " Land of Mist , " and may they all return with wonderful stories of what they have seen , and what they have done , sunburnt and somewhat " travel-stained , " in the fullest of health , and the highest of spirits .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

200 J EARLY EIGHTEENTH CENTURY MASONRY . In a recent work which I review " pace" the Editor elsewhere—mention is madeof a letter by a Bro . Moore , written in 1715 , in which he mentions having " spent a few evenings in festivity with many Masonic friends . " This is the earliest mention of Freemasonry in America or Philadelphia , and takes us back to pre-1717 , and in fact to seventeenth century Freemasonry . YOUR REVIEWER .

201 ] SEVENTEENTH CENTURY MASONRY . It seems to me that an energetic attempt should be made to try and throw light on that seventeenth century Freemasonry to which Ashmole and Randle Holmes belonged , and of which Dr . Plot speaks so distinctly . There must be remains of it somewhere . Several points require elucidation , and several sources of information demand

opening out . Among these are ( 1 ) Ashmole ' s private MSS ., which exist somewhere ; ( 2 ) the records of the Masons ' Company , which require overhauling by an expert ; ( 3 ) a search in the great libraries at Paris and Vienna ; ( 4 ) lodge boxes and collections in this country . Any brother or correspondent who can give the slightest information on this important topic will confer a great favour on all Masonic archaeologists and , above all , on MASONIC STUDENT .

202 ] CHRISTIAN HERMETIC 1 SM . _ Can any brother tell me of a work which deals exhaustively with this interesting subject ? It matters not whether it be in . French or German . ROSY CROSS . 203 ] CHEVALIER RAMSAY . Has Bro . Gould seen by any chance " Philosophical Principles of Natural and Revealed Religion Explained and Unfolded in a Geometrical Order" by the above ? Bohn says an edition was published in Glasgow in 1749 , two vols ., 4 to . BOOKWORM .

An Oration

AN ORATION

Delivered by Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . C ., at the Consecration of the Aldersgate Chapter , No . 1657 , on the 14 th instant . Most Excellent and Companions , —It has given me great pleasure to attend on this occasion , at the summons of our distinguished companion in the chair , to assist in

consecrating this chapter ; which , judging from the eminent Masons who have promoted it , the distinguished brother who will preside over it , from the important locality in which it is situated , and from the admirable arrangements and beautiful surroundings of the chapter room in which we are assembled , is likely to prove an ornament , a pleasure , and a profit to Masonry in this great city . The Royal

Arch Degree is a very beautiful and expressive one , and a Royal Arch Chapter a bond of no mean significance ; but as both are but outward and visible signs of high and solemn truths , and these not merely of a speculative , but of an eminently operative and practical nature , I would direct your thoughts and my own to an Arch , of which our Arch Degree is but a faint shadow . We read in Holy Writ that

the children of Israel passed through the Red Sea to the Promised Land , by a road cleft in the waters by an Almighty arm , while Pharoah and his host , " rider and horse , sank like lead " in the mighty waters . They that trusted in God ' s power , weak though they were in arms or numbers , crossed in safety through the perilous flood , while the hosts of Egypt , arrayed in all the strength and

grandeur of earthl y power , perished . Now , we too have to undertake a similar journey . Human life has been aptly compared to a river , which " though men may come and men may go , still flows on for ever . " From the cradle to the grave we may be said to be travelling over it ; but certainly from early manhood to its close , we find it a journey " real " and "earnest . " We are "sojourners , "

and must cross that broad , rapid , swollen stream somehow . Some attempt it in one way , some in another ; but a very large proportion in some fanciful or careless way , and relying on their own power , make shipwreck— " wonder and perish . " Not a few seem to stand like the rustic , mentioned by the Roman poet , waiting for the river to pass , while others seem to wait for some Prophet ' s mantle to

strike the obedient waters , and let them " pass over dry shod ; " but we must not iook for such miracles now . Yet has the great Architect not left us without remedy , or without a pathway of safety to pass over . He has graciously constructed a Royal Arch to span that formidable stream ; the path across may be narrow , but the Masonry is firm and well laid , and he who would reach the glorious shore

beyond must be ready to take God ' s way . The Arch of which I speak is composed of seven precious stones , which I proceed to name . The stones on which it rests are " Faith " and " Hope , " while , above , is seen the Keystone , which bears upon it , engraven in letters of gold , the name of

" Charity . " Between the foundation stones and the Keystone are inserted four fair stones , on which are inscr ibed "Humility " and Patience , " "Justice" and "Temperance . " 1 . —And surel y I do not venture to say too much when I assert that " Faith " must be the foundation of any fabric which is meant to stand against the storms of life , and