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thirty-eight Provinces . Well , let every Freemason write to the G . Sec , or any one appointed for that object , a suggestion of a subject which would form an useful and profitable theme for a lecture in Lodge . Say " Astronomy , " " The Being , of of a God , " " Morality in accordance with Physical Science / ' or any subject which may occur to him . Many would suggest the same subject , and in order to abbreviate matters , let those subjects be sifted and arranged . Then publish the list of all

the suggested subjects , send a list to every Lodge , and let its vote for each subject be taken , the number of votes for each subject respectively be transmitted to the G . Sec , and thus the thirty-eight favourite subjects could be ascertained . Let those be divided out by lot , or otherwise ( according to the discretion of theG-. M . ) , amongst the thirty-eight Provinces , and let each Province contrive within itself to arrange a lecture on that particular subject . Then , in order to supply the matter for those lectures , let lists of the thirty-eight chosen subjects , and of the Provinces

to which they are respectively entrusted , be transmitted to every Lodge , and if possible to every Mason in England , and if he can contribute a fact , an illustration , a ' thought ,-a reflection ,, a ' peculiarly Masonic application , or even a well-turned expression , bearing upon anyone or more of those chosen subjects , let him commit the same to writing , and transmit it to the Province to which this particular subject is entrusted . Then , when each Province has received these contributions

of general thought , and condensed and arranged the same into a lecture of a prescribed length , let all be numbered in order by lot , for the sake of order in their delivery in Lodge , and then published in the cheapest form , and circulated through all the Lodges , at their own expense ( which would in these publishing days be trifling ) , and read aloud in Lodge by the W . M . or his deputy . If these lectures were revised periodically ( say every seven years ) , by being allotted to

fresh Provinces , and similarly contributed to and criticised ; if their number were by a similar process continually added to ; then Masons would be exalted by being kept continually thinking , afld Craftsmen would in a literal sense be " permitted to extend their researches into the more hidden mysteries of nature and science , " which in their present state are almost as fully open to the uninitiated world as they are to Craftsmen .

I respectfully put it to your readers and lovers of the Craft , whether such a plan , if adopted , would not more fully develop the spirit of Masonic instruction , and restore the Order to its ancient position , that of custodians of the highest and most liberal expansion of human knowledge . Apologising for the length of my letter , I am , Sir and Brother , yours

fraternally , W . H . Wright , Prov . G . Chap , for Staffordshire , W . M . 606 , Chap . 803 & 920 . St . LuTcds , Ilanley , Staffordshire .

TO THE EDITOE OF THE FREEMASONS * MONTHLY MAGAZINE . Sir , —At the late meeting of the Archselogical Society , under the presidency of Lord Dynevor , in this town , one of the most extraordinary instances of Cambrian " haymaking whilst the sun shines " was practised hy mine host of the inn there . Many gentlemen in the town , seeing the impossibility of sleeping accommodation at the public-house ., offered their own spare beds to the professors and others who attended the meeting , which were gladly accepted ; judge , then , the

surprise of the strangers , or stragglers ( as they are called ) , after they had duly returned thanks for their beds at the private houses , to find themselves charged for lodging , in the tavern-bill ; and even the chambermaids too , as the guests were departing , curtesying and simpering out , " Please to remember the chambermaid "—were exceedingly annoying . Those who had accepted the

hospitality of the inhabitants of Llandilo had already taken care to remunerate the private housemaid and the private man-servant of the house in which they slept , and therefore felt , as naturally enough they might , indignant at being charged , and obliged to pay in two places for the same night ' s lodging . Verily , these meetings can never expect to prosper , or to increase their numbers , when such deceptive impositions are tolerated , and even sanctioned . The expenses were