Correspondence.

personal observation , I have quite recently seen one of the principal oflicers sitting in open lodge , and so far as I and others could believe our own eyes and ears , he was much the worse of certain devotions he had been paying to the shrine of Bacchus ; consequently when a candidate comes up expecting to see

and hear something good , and lo ! nothing but silly jokes are bandied about , intermixed with the jingling of glasses aud tumblers , he is very naturally much disappointed , and as a practical Master Mason observed a few days ago : — " I expected to get some instruction or informationbut instead great part of

, what I saw and heard was either nonsense or worse , " and so on with several others . But the question here rises , who is to blame ? To which I answer , Grand Lodge . Grand Lodge ought to have a higher tone

within itself , - it ought not only to speak out boldly and pointedly against all such unmasonic proceedings but also to act ; it ought to take higher aud truer ground than it has yet done , not supinely winking at faults as if it were afraid to act ; and I must add that unless that is done , Freemasonry ( in such an age of investigation as this ) , before the close of the present

century , will be in a very different position from what it at present is , or from what its Avell-wishers could desire . A few really good lodges are more honour to the Craft than many bad or sadly indifferent ones . In many cases it is not—How things can be improved ?

But—How can place be secured at least trouble ? And so low is the masonic tone in many places that it is not—Can he properly discharge the duties of the ofliee he aspires to ? But — Is he likely to stand treat pretty often ! I am yours fraternally , A FEEEMASOS " .

Order Of The Temple.

ORDER OF THE TEMPLE .

Dear Sir and Brother . —As an old subscriber I naturally look to the columns of your journal for information , and cheerfully acknowledge the frequent opportunities of mutual instruction thereby afforded , I am desirious of ascertaining and consulting the best authorities on the Order of the Temple , and the general history of the older Encampmentsas they

, existed previous to the formation of the present Grand Conclave , having no definite date of formation with especial reference to those registered under the Grand Conclave , and lettered A . to F . inclusive . Any information on the above subject will be most acceptable .

I am dear Sir and Brother , Tours fraternally , P . E . C . Eougemont Encampment , Exeter .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys, The Case Of Alfred Nutt.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS , THE CASE OF ALFRED NUTT .

TO THE EDITOR OE THE EBJBESIASOHs' MAGAZIKE AUD MASOHIC MIBBOB . Dear Sir and Brother , —Allow me through your columns to draw attention to an error in the voting papers for the approaching election for the above Institution . It is in connection with the case of Alfred Nutt , No . 27 on the list , and which , if left uncorrected , may be prejudicial to his claim for support .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys, The Case Of Alfred Nutt.

By an unfortunate error of the press the number of children dependant upon Mrs . Nutt is stated as two only , whereas the real number Jive . This mistake is more to be regretted as the ease is a truly deserving , one , the late Bro . John Nutt , after being in a good positionand a subscribing member of St . John Lodge

, , No . 279 , Leicester , for 17 years , became a bankrupt through losses iu a farm which he occupied , and ( it may literally be said ) died brolcen-hearted only a few weeks afterwards , leaving his widow and these five unfortunate orphans totally unprovided for . Any proxies in fa \* our of Alfred Nutt will be thankfully

received by the widow , or by , Dear Sir and Brother , Tours fraternally , WILLIAM KELLY . Prov . G . M ,, Leicestershire and Eutiand .

The Little Testimonial.

THE LITTLE TESTIMONIAL .

TO TEE EDITOR OS THE JFBJEEHASOJs ' s MAGAZINE AKD JMJASONIC UTIBBOB . Dear Sir and Brother , —I was present at the recent meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex , and I looked iu vain in your report of the proceedings for a record of the fact that the Provincial Grand Lodge voted the sum of ten guineas to the testimonal to Bro . Little , which , as I understand from allusion made to it in your

columns , is to he presented for services rendered to such new-fangled quasi-Masonie Orders as the Red Gross of Rome and Constantine , the Rite of Mizraim , Ac . I cannot understand upon what principle the funds of a Craft Provincial Grand Lodge were voted away in this manner . If the testimonial had been originated on account of

the great exertions rendered by Bro . Little in the formation of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex I could understand it , especially as the contribution was proposed by the Provincial Grand Master . But as a Craft Mason I protest against the funds which belong to the Craft alone being voted away in this ridiculous manner . I think it Avould be more becoming in this

newly-established Provincial Grand Lodge to devote its surplus funds to the augmentation of Benevolent Fund , or the maintenance of the Masonic charities , for which , as a province ' they have done so little . I would respectfully ask if there is no means of entering a protest against this misapplication of the funds , and whether the money can legallbe paid over till the

y confirmation of the minutes , at the next meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge ? 1 remain . Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , " ON THE SqiiARE , "

Masonic Sayings And Doings Abroad.

MASONIC SAYINGS AND DOINGS ABROAD .

The Eoyal Arch Masons of West Virginia propose withdrawing their allegiance from the Grand Eoyal Arch Chapter of Virginia , and establish a Grand Chapter of their own . The Grand Lodge of North Carolina intends to

celebrate its centennial anniversary . Invitations have been issued to the M . W . Grand Masters of sister Grand Lodges .