Kenning's Masonic Cyclopædia.

Presiding Officer , called a Grand Master , through a Grand Lodge , is , we apprehend , fairly a standing Landmark of our Order . And the Prerogatives ofthe Grand Master ( 5 ) , and the Privileges of Grand Lodge ( 6 ) , are , we quite agree , to be considered Landmarks of the Order , though contained in No . 4 .

7 . Granting Dispensations at irregular Times is contained in No . 4 . 8 . The Power of Granting * Warrants and

Dispensations is also included in No . 4 . 9 . The Making Masons at Sight we reject . 10 . The Division of the Craft into Lodges , and their government by the legal officers , is no doubtaLaridmarkjbut the Tyling of a Lodge ( ri ) is hardly , we are inclined fo think , a Landmark .

Neither is the right of representation in English Lodges ( 12 ) a Landmark , as our representation is not deputational , but by ex-officio qualified officers ofthe particular lodge , intended , no doubt , to represent the interests of that lodge , and as such they are called " representatives . " But the lodge does not elect ; they sit in Grand Lodge virtute

officii , as we said before , though they may be instructed by their own lodge . But as formerly all Grades appeared , it would seem , in Grand Lodge , we may fairly maintain that it is a Landmark , that eachlodgeshould be represented in the Grand Lodge by delegation , pure or in part , or jurisdiction , or by official representation , as with us .

So 13 . The Right of Appeal may be properly asserted to be a Landmark .

So 14 . Ihe Right of Visitation of Lodges , subject to tbe laws of safety and precaution laid down by the Grand Lodge . Equally i _ . The Right of Proving , is a Landmark . As regards 16 , the non-interference of one

lodge with another , and not conferring Grades , except on joining members , is no doubt a Landmark . But we apprehend that by our English law , a brother may join a second lodge , and if elected , mig ht ask . to be " crafted " in the lodge in which he is affiliated , or even without joiuing . 17 . The Amenability of all Freemasons to a

Masonic Jurisdiction is no doubt a Landmark , with some needful exceptions , as we apprehend that though abstractly , a non-subscribing Mason is subjected to Masonic Authority , practically he is not so , inasmuch as ' cessat ratio cessat lex , " unless from special circumstances of an aggravated character .

18 . The Qualification of Candidates may be fairly considered a Landmark of the Order . 19 . A Belief in the Existence of God is a necessary Landmark . No avowed Atheist can be made a Freemason . But as regards , 20 . The Immortality of the Soul , though it

is clearly taught by our ritual , and though a disbeliever in it can hardly comfortably continue to attend our well-known ceremonial , yet we hardly think it safe to lay down that it is a Landmark of the Order , as every great truth inculcated

by Freemasonry might be considered equally a Landmark , and there are many Masons equally impatient . The only test of admission which our Order actually require is belief in God .

21 . The Holy Bible is an essential Landmark in all English lodges , and we utterly disavow the opinion that , in any English lodge , under any circumstances , any other book can take the place of the Word of God . That we receive in Mahommedan lodges , for instance , or Hindoo

lodges , those who seek admittance in the way most binding on their conscience is freely admitted , but the Koran and the Vedas cannot take the place of the Bible in an English lodge , we repeat , nor can any other religious book be substituted for it . The Great Light of Freemasonry can never be banished from a lodge

under the English Constitution ; though perhaps another " Sacred Book " may be used , as we have already said , to meet the requirements of the candidate . 22 . The Equality of all Masons , abstractedly , in the lodge , is a Landmark of the Order practically , but as in the world , grades and various steps must necessarily exist amongst us .

23 . The Secrecy of Freemasonry is no doubt an imperishable Landmark of the Order , just as 24 . The Speculative Character of Freemasonry , founded on an operative symbolism , is a true representation of our Order .

Kenning's Masonic Cyclopædia.

25 . The unchangeability of our Landmarks cannot be accepted without some little qualification , as it is not quite so easy to lay down what Grand Lodge cannot do . Thus it will be seen that we accept the greater part of the Landmarks set forth by Mackey and

other writers , as a fair statement of the subject , though we cannot agree with them all ; and we feel also that such a representation does not accord entirely with Anderson ' s original words , and some may fairly raise the question whether many of these points assumed to be Landmarks are

not duties , qualifications , customs , rather than Landmarks . It is a mistake , it appears to us , to make such explanations too detailed or too com plicated , and we therefore feel that it is most advisable to consider properly the " Landmarks ofthe

Order " to be probably , those leading and essential characteristics which are generally received amongst us and so bound up with the very existence and condition of Freemasonry , Rut it is a subject on which much may be said , and little , after all , can be dogmatically laid down .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of iheopinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . 3

THE HEBREW QUESTION . 7 b the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir ami Brother , — One point cannot bc too strongly insisted upon , that wc must not forget or overlay tbe facts of the case . In only one Grand Lodge of Germany is the exclusion of Hebrews upheld , the " Great Countries Grand Lodge , " Berlin , and in that body the exclusion is only kept up by

tlie want of a necessary two-thirds vote to pass the resolution of admission , and to bring about the befitting result , a proper and lawful toleration . Yours fraternally , JlSTICI ** . In fact it might be a question whether the better course would not be to address the Great Countries Lodge itself directly , and in that movement Hebrews and Christians could unite . —J .

INTERESTING AND NOVEL INFORMATION . To Ihe Editor if the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I cannot help , in justice to Bro . Kenning , calling your attention to au amusing system , just now in vogue of ignoring the Freemason , and reproducing your information , as novel and interesting " titbits . " You received

from a friendly correspondent some short time back , as you said in a leader , an extract from the Correspondance Scandinare , " to which you called special attention , and which you wisely printed in French . This has rjn the round of thc Masonic press , and has recently appeared in the Monde Ma ^ onnujiie " without any reference however to you , and has since been announced in England as a novel piece of intelligence , and credited to the Monde

Maconnique . 1 cannot think this fair , though I know something of the unavoidable nature of " clippings , " and the stern rei-uircments of "padding . " " I ' almam qui meruit ferat" is my motto , though I bi-g to subscribe my «* : lf , IGSOTUS .

GRAND "MASTERS OF THE ANCIENT MASONS . To the Editor of Ihe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In reply to " A . T ., " in the Freemason for the 24 th inst ., the following is a correct list of the Grand Masters of the " Ancient Misons . " ist . Robert Turner elected i / *****

2 nd . Edward Vaughan „ 1755 3 rd . Earl of Blcssington ,, i ; - ;; 4 th . Earl of Kelly ,, 17 ( 11 ¦¦¦ th . Hon . Thomas Matthew „ 171 * 17

oth . John , 3 rd Duke of Athol „ 1771 7 th . John , 4 th Duke of Athol „ 1775 8 th . Earl of Antrim . - „ 1782 nth . John , 4 th Duke of Athol rc-clccted 1791 10 th . H . R . H . the Duke of Kent elected 1813 Yours frau-rnally , HENRY T . BOUAHT , P . M . io 8 v

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS . To thc Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Many brethren have doubtlessbeen hoping to see some authoritative reply to the letter from Bro . Tombs in the Freemason on thc 10 th , in which he distinctly says that the matron , " admitted that there

were no means at her disposal whereby instruction in thc art of cookery could be afforded . " " I . P . M ., " it is true , in your issue of to day says of his own two sisters that " at the time of leaving the school they were both well versed in the art of cookery . He docs not however tell us where their knowledge of that

art was acquired . Possibly they had thc advantage of a home and friends and were enahled to profitably employ the school vacations in acquiring domestic knowledge . Many , very many , of the girls at the school have not those advantages , and to these—to all in fact , but to

Original Correspondence.

these more especially—the school ought to supply the place of thc home training , of which misfortune has deprived them , that is , indeed as far as it is possible for any such an institution to do . In this view no education can bc considered complete which does not embrace that knowledge of those domestic duties , the possession of which on the part of the mistress

of the household is so essential to the welfare and happi . ness of every bome . All these advantages could bc—perhaps now are- ~ afforded by our excellent Institution for Girls , but I feel sure that some particulars of the system of education there

adopted would be hailed with general satisfaction and would awaken an interest that would not fail to shew itself to the benefit of the school on the lists for the ensuing festival . I am , Dear Sir and Brother , yours truly and fraternall y , WILLIAM NOTT , P . P . G . Reg "Wilts .,

P . M ., P . Z ., P . M . M ., & c . Devizes March , 1877 .

MASONIC QUERIES . To I lie Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I observe in your columns some correspondence and a notification to the effect that all receipts for payments of £ 2 and over arc to have a penny receipt stamp attached .

As this is a matter which in thc course of time will involve tlie payment of a good deal of money , it is very desirable we should be quite sure that we have been cor . rectly advised . The question answered by the government official , anil reported in your paper , may not have been quite understood by him .

I have always been under the impression that friendly societies and charitable institutions are , by the Stamp Act , exempt from stamp duties . Thus building and burial societies are free , and no stamps are used on the receipts for subscriptions to our hospitals and medical charities . The tubject is worthy of consideration , and perhaps some legal brother will , in the interests of the Craft ,

overhaul the Stamp Act and set us on the right track . Yours faithfully , RICHARD BROWN , P . M . 241 , Treas . 138 , & c . & c . [ We apprehend that unless a special exemption is made by the Stamp Act no society whatever can break the law . Can any legal brother give us a clause in the Stamp Act whicli cxemps building and other societies from the receipt stamp . We doubt the exemption . —Ei > . ]

Tu Ihe Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir , and Brother , If Bro . Case , writing to-day under above heading , will refer to Book of Constitutions , ( ed . 1871 ) , p . 84 , he will I think find reason to modify his assertion that " it is irregular for any brother to be balloted for at any lodge of emergency . "

The latter part of thc clause ( No . 2 ) , to be there found deals expressly with the proposing and balloting for candidates out of thc regular course , and provides , inter alia , that a proposition may be inserted in the " summons for a lodge of emergency" ( on seven days notice ) , " and if the candidate be then approved he may be initiated into the First Degree . Yours truly and fraternally , 661 .

To the Editor if the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In reply to your correspondent " T . E . " I have much pleasure in informing him that the M . W . Pro Grand Master , thc Earl of Carnarvon , was initiated in the "Westminster and Keystone Lodge , No . 10 , meeting at

Freemasons'Hall on thc 5 th February , 18 5 6 , and that his lordship twice served thc office of Master of the lodge , in 18 57 and 18 5 8 . Lord Carnarvon is still a member and a Past Master of the Lodge . I am , Sir , yours fraternally , OCTAVIL ' S HENRY PEARSON , W . M . 10 .

7 II Ihe Editor of Ihe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In reply to part of the enquiry of" T . E . " in your last issue , I can inform him that Lord Carnarvon was W . M . of the Westminster and Keystone Lodge , No . 10 , in the year 1857 .

At the same time it may also interest your correspondent to know that Lord Skelmersdale was initiated in the Apollo University Lodge , No . 357 , Oxford , in 1856 , and was W . M . of thc Lodge of Harmony , No . 580 , Ormskiik , in 1862 . Yours fraternally , APOLLO .

THE DUNDEE MS . Dear Bro . Kenning , Bro . W . J . Hughan alludes in the Voice of Masonry to a curious MS ., in the possession of Bro . Yarker , of which he has seen a transcript . It seems to bc a compound of Pritchard , the Great Mvstery , and Essex's MS ., British Museum , but it may

be an independent MS ., or rather a transcription of some common original . The fact of the date of 1727 , being given is not by itself decisive , but , if Bro . Yarker would kindly let us publish in the Mnsonic Maga-ine a facsimile of any portion of the MS ., we should soon obtain an approximate idea of the true date . It may be that 11— — - *••—j t

. towards the end of the last century and the beginning "' this , many similar documents were printed in Scotlandi as 1 have a copy of the Mason ' s Word , printed at Glasgow in 1803 . To what ritualistic MS . in the British Mu * scum does my good Bro . W . J . Hughan refer ? Yours fraternally , *'•„ ' , EDITOR "M ASONIC MAGAZINE . '