Original Correspondence.

mended , " or ( 3 ) that he shall be " well vouched for , after due examination by one of the present brethren , " the " vouching" presumably being the statement by the examining brother ( after his due examination , inspection of G . L . certificate , or otherwise ) that the intending visitor is entitled to admission .

This , I take it , would be the only construction the regulation in the Book of Constitutions would bear if the comma after the words " vouched for" were omitted , but it may be argued that even as it stands it can be read in the manner suggested , at least as well as in that adopted in your article . Yours fraternally , P . M . 663 .

To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — As a constant reader of The Freemason for the last four years , since my admission into the Craft , I have carefully perused its columns . For some time past it has contained discussions

anentthe refusal ofthe Middlesex Lodge to admit Bro ; Biggs . In your leading article of the 17 th inst ., you incline towards justifying , on constitutional grounds , the treatment of Bro . Biggs by the Middlesex Lodge , and you base this justification upon the " Law of Visitors , " page 88 ,

section I , that " No visitor shall be admitted into a lodge , unless ( 1 ) he be personally known ( a ) , recommended , or ( 3 ) well vouched for , after due examination by one of the brethren present . Now , as a young Mason , I do not write to criticise , but to obtain knowledge . My opinion ,

then , is , that division first , * ' he be personally known , " stands altogether distinct from 2 and 3 . For , if an intending visitor be personally known , be it to one or all the brethren present in a lodge , no recommendation or voucher is required , in as much as the fact of his being personally

known , is at once a recommendation and a voucher ; of course I understand that the visitor be personally known , and be known to be a worthy Mason , member of some lodge . In ^ uch case there is no necessity to put him to " due examination . " This examination may be , if not necessary , expedient .

II . He be " recommended" and we will suppose not personally known . A member of I . M . ' s in my lodge are well known to G . L . and P . G . L . Grand Officers , and I have uo doubt on me visiting London anyone of them would give me an introduction or " recommendation" to any of his London friends and brethren . These

brethren might again " recommend" me to a brother in some lodge assembling on a day or at place when and where . They or any of them might not find it convenient to introduce me personally . I should as a stranger , though recommended , feel it perfectly in order if I were

asked for my certificate , and were besides " duly examined . " III . If he be neither personally known , nor recommended , if neither be the case , how can a visitor be " vouched for" ? Here I am in a dilemma , and I say , for want of any personal

voucher , my voucher is my "passport , " i . e . my Grand Lodge certificate , upon presenting which I may , und according to the law laid down in the Book of Constitution , ought to be " duly examined , " and having produced my certificate and satisfied my examiners , I shall expect to be

permitted to enter the lodge . I am of opinion ,, therefore , that the law on visitors was wisely and consideratel y framed , and without taking the three recommendations in section I ., page 86 , together , each one will , according to circumstances , be sufficient in itself to

meet the case . Moreover , Masonry recognizes a " strange brother , " and on page 13 , caput 6 , it is distinctly stated , "you are cautiously to examine him in such a method as prudence shall direct you . " To sum up , when I was initiated , I was told

that certain means ( I will call them ) are extant by which to know a Mason , and when properl y given , will be answered . Further , Masonry is universal , and any brother , a stronger , having proved himself a Mason , will be acknowledged

and meet with a fraternal reception b y his brethren . Suppose , then , I go to town , where I am not personally known or recommended , how can I be vouched for , except by the production of ray Grand Lodge certificate , and by satisfying

Original Correspondence.

my examiners '* If these two points will not secure my admission into a strange lodge , what is the good of my certificate ; what is the use of my ' . being perfectly conversant with signs , & c . ; and where is the universality of the Craft ? Would this universality not rather dwindle down to a local coterie ? Yours fraternally , Yorkshire . J . D .

LODGE REPORTS . ( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) Dear Sir and Brother , — From the enclosed slips cut from the Sheffield papers , you will see that the Freemasons here are publishing the reports of their proceedings . I wish to ask you if such is not contrary

to the spirit and letter ofthe Constitutions of our Order ; for I remember reading therein some time ago that no Mason should print or publish any report of the proceedings of a lodge , or even give the names of Masons present , without the special sanction ofthe G . M . or Prov ., G . M . under

the penalty of expulsion from the Order . Of course this has no reference to publishing reports in your valuable journal , which is under the sanction of the G . M ., & c . & c . Are our ancient landmarks to be allowed thus to disappear one by one , or is it one of the many innovations that are stealing upon us ? For mv

own part I consider these reports in the common press offensive to good taste , and simply placing our noble art on a level with " Oddfellows , " " Frozen-out-Gardeners" or "Druids , " & c „ and I will be glad if you will take up your pen in defence of our Constitutions . Apologising for trespassing so much on your space . I am yours truly , and fraternally , M . M .

Reviews.

Reviews .

The Masonic Calendar for the Province of Durham , compiled by Bro . J . H . Coates , 34 , Holmeside , Sunderland , will , no doubt , meet with the success it deserves . It contains a list of Craft Lodges , R . A . Chapters , Mark Lodges , & c , in Northumberland and Durham , with the names of their respective officers .

Masonic Tidings.

Masonic Tidings .

In answer to numerous enquiries we are requested to state that the Red Cross Ball , advertised in our columns to take place on the nth February , is not restricted to members of the Order , the friends of the Stewards being eligible to attend , provided their tickets are properly

signed by the Steward to whom they are known . PRINCE OF WALES LODGE , ( NO . 1035 ) . — It should have been stated in our report of the installation of W . M . of this lodge that a P . M . ' s jewel was during the evening , presented to Bro Sculthorpe , I . P . M .

DUKE OF EDINBURGH LODGE , ( NO . 1182 ) . — The annual ball in connection with this popular suburbian lodge will take place at the Town Hall , Wavertree , near Liverpool , on Thursday next the *; th inst ., the proceeds of which will be again devoted to the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution .

The Publisher will he glad to receive remittances from the following , and begs to remind his friends that the subscription to THK l ' tttiiiMAsoN is payable in advance . J 1 '* ., Lagos 140 1 . W . S ., Timaru i 4 o I '" . J . S ., George Town 1 1 ) 6 [ . "Si ., Costa Kiel 1 16 o * K . 11 ., Jamaica 1 4 9

| . M . \ v ., Jamaica I 16 o j . T . P ., Moutego Bav 380 ' Hi L . . D , Montcgo Hay 2 8 o . ] . G ., Montcgo Bay 280 T . C , Cmaeoa .... ' . 1 16 o G . R . N ., Cape Coast J 8 o S . J ) ., Cape Coast 1 16 o ) . H . \ V ., Bahamas 1 16 o

J . I . I \ L , Jamaica I 10 o Lodge 210 , Ilinapore 3120 R . M . VV ., IJns-ei-. terre I 16 o G . D . II ., Cape Coast Hi o Post Otlice orders to be made payable to George Kenning , Chief Onice , London .

It is very necessary for our friends to advise us of all money orders they remit , more especially those from the United States of America , otherwise we cannot tell where to credit them . Several remain uncredited at the present time owing to no advice having been received .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings.

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS .

For the Week ending Friday , February , 6 , 1874 .

Tht Editor will be glad to have notice from Secretaries of Lodges and Chapters of any change in place or time of meeting .

Saturday , January 31 . Lodge 1293 , "West Kent , Forest Hill Hotel , Forest Hill . Manchester Lodge of Instruction ( I J ) , Yorkshire Grey , 77 , London-street , Fitzroy-square , at 8 ; Bro . H . Ash Preceptor .

Lily Lodge of Instruction ( 820 ) , Greyhound Hotel , Richmond , Surrey . Star Lodge of Instruction ( 1275 ) , Marquis of Granby , New Cross-road , at 7 ; Bro . C . G . Dilley , Preceptor .

* Monday , February 2 . Lodge 12 , Fortitude and Old Cumberland , Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street . „ 25 , Robert Burns , Freemasons' Mall . „ Go , Unity , London Tavern , Bishopsgate-street . „ J 2 , Royal Jubilee , Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . „ 144 , St . Luke ' s , Masons' Hall , Masons ' -avenue .

„ 188 , Joppa , Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street . „ 256 , Unions , Freemasons' Hall . „ 131 * 9 , Asaph , Freemasons' Hall . Prince Leopold Lodge of Instruction ( r ^ c ) , Lor d Stanley Tavern , Sandringham-road , Kingsland , at ¦ *•; Bro . T . Austin , Preceptor .

Strong Man Lodge of Instruction ( 45 ) , Old Jerusalem Tavern , St . John ' s-gate , Clerkenwell , at 8 ; Bro . Beckett , Preceptor . Sincerity Lodge of Instruction ( 174 ) , Railway Tavern , Fenchurch-street Station , at J . Camden Lodge of Instruction ( 704 ) , Adelaide Tavem ,

Haverstock-hill , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor . Eastern Star Lodge of Instruction ( 95 ) , Royal Hotel , Mileend-road , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . E . Gottheil , Preceptor . British Oak Lodge of Instruction , Bank ot Friendsh ip Tavern , Mile-end , at 7 for 8 . St . James ' s Union Lodge of Instruction ( 180 ) , Horse and Groom Tavern , Winsley-street ( opposite the Pantheon ) ,

Oxford-street , at 8 ; Bro . J . R . Stacey , Preceptor . Wellington Lodge of Instruction , "White Swan Tavern , Deptford , at 8 ; Bro . C . G . Dilley , P . M . 115 $ , Preceptor . St . John of Wapping Lodge of Instruction ( 1306 ) , Gun Tavern , High-street , Wapping , at 8 j Bro . T . Mortlock ,

Preceptor . West Kent Lodge of Improvement ( 1297 ) , St . Saviour ' s College , Stansted-road , Forest-hill , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . H . W . Lindus , Preceptor . Metropolitan Mark Lodge of Instruction , Coach and Horses Hotel , 323 , Strand , at 8 .

Tuesday , February 3 . Colonial Board , at 3 . Lodge 7 , Royal York Lodge of Perseverance , Freemasons' Hall . ,, 9 , Albion , Freemasons' Hall . ,, 18 , Old Dundee , London Tavern , Bishopsgatestreet .

„ 101 , Temple , Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street . ,, 172 , Old Concord , Freemasons' Hall . ,, 217 , Stability , Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . n ? 6 a > St . James ' s , Bridge House Hotel , London Bridge , i , 1257 , Grosvenor , Caledonian Hotel , Adelphi . „ 1259 , Duke of Edinburgh , Cape of Good Hope

Tavern , Commercial-road , E . „ 1261 , Golden Rule , Cafe Royale , Regent-st . 11 ^ 12 9 8 , Royal Standard , Marquess Tavern , Canonbury . 11 1397 , Anerley , Thicket Hotel , Anerley . Chap . 145 , Prudent Brethren , Freemason ' s Hall . „ 169 , Temperance , White Swan Tavern , Deptford .

„ 507 , United Pilgrims , Horns Tavern , Kennington . Yarborough Lodge of Instruction , Green Dragon , Stepney , at 8 ; Bro . Barnes , P . M ., Preceptor . Domatie Lodge of Instrnction , Palmerston Tavern , Gros-\ cnor-park , Camberwell , at 8 . Faith Lodge of Instruction , Refreshment Rooms , Victoria-st . ( opposite Westminster Palace Hotel ) , at 8 ; Bro . C . A .

Cottebrune , Preceptor . Prince Fredk . William Lodge of Instruction ( 753 J , Lord ' s Hotol , Lord's Cricket Ground , St . John ' s-wood , at 8 . Bro . F . G . Baker , Preceptor . Dalhousie Lodge of Instruction , King Edward , Triangle , Hackney , at J . 30 ; Bro . Crawley , Preceptor , Prosperity Lodge of Instruction , Gladstone Tavern ,

Bishopsgatc-st ., Within , at 7 . 30 j Bro . Bolton , W . M . 1227 ) , Preceptor . St . " larylebonc Lodgeof Instruction ( 1305 ) , British Stores Tavern , New-street , St . John ' s Wood , at 8 Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor . Constitutional Lodge of Instruction ( 55 ) , Wheatsheaf Hotel , Hand-court , Holborn , at ** , ; Bro . . J . R . Stacey (" P . M . 180 ) , Preceptor

Wednesday , February 4 . Grand Chapter , at 7 . Lodge 511 , Zetland , Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . ,, 1420 , Earl Spencer , Freemasons' Hotel , New Wandsworth . Pythagorean Lodge of Instruction ( 79 ) , Prince of Orange Greenwich , at 8 : Bro . J . Robt . Nash , Preceptor .

United Strength Lodge of Instruction ( 228 ) , the Grafton Arms , Prince of Wales ' s-road , Kentish-town , at 8 ; Bro . J . N . Frost , Preceptor . Israel Lodge of Instruction , . Rising Sun Tavern , Globe-road , at 7 . 30 . New Concord Lodge of Instruction , Rosemary Branch Tavern , Hoxton , at 8 . . „ .,, „ . ^ . ,. f , m ,. . ^