Chips Of Foreign Ashlar.

Accepting then the " gridiron " as representing the initiation of candidates for Freemasonry , we propose to refer to the impressions made in our mind by the ceremonies as conducted in France . We have seen initiations in lodges of the Grand

Orient as well as in those of the Sii / preme Oonseil Ancien et Accepte , and as the old woman said they " are much of a muchness . " In February 1869 we saAV a profane admitted to the light in the Lodge Renaissance of Paris . As a preliminary the individual in question was conducted to the " chamber of reflection " where he

was required to " make his will and ansAver certain interrogatories on paper , the replies to which were afterwards read to the lodge . He was then brought in and placed on a stool in front of the Venerable , and for nearly half an hour had to

undergo a running fire of cross-questioning from the Orateur and others , on sundry points of theology , politics and morals . Many of the questions were calculated to excite the risible faculties of an Englishman , aud we confess to having given way

to a smile now and then , though the freres generally maintained the utmost gravity of demeanour . Having successfully " passed his examination , " ononsieur was rnit through a variety of performances of which it would not do to say more than they

are unknown in English Masonry , and in our opinion would be " more honoured in the breach than iu the observance . " Finally he was sworn on a sword which Bro . Beaumont explained to us to

be the symbol of strength to maintain the right , Imn : ; -i : ' a : ely after the admission of the candidate , tie Oritur delivered an original and extempore £ / H :-v :-: s -vr . the principles of the Order , which struck us a" : i , wonderful improvement on the

parrot-like r- ^ r . Vi-. ioria which are called " charges " in English yvi gos . We clo not say one word against said " charges" they are most excellent in themselves , but the plan of original addresses prepared to meet the circumstances of the case ,

appears to us to be more interesting as well as calculated to exercise the higher intellectual faculties to a greater extent than can possibly be achieved by mere feats of memory . Let our French brethren learn of us how to conduct

initiations Avith solemnity and power , and on the other hand let English brethren not be too proud to copy French superiority wherever it is made manifest . As soon as the initiation was concluded "Bro . Massol , the Venerable , called the brethren to order

and the lodge assumed the aspect of a parliamentary assembly . Matters of interest to the lodge were then discussed with the greatest eloquence and animation , and with all the formalities of a legislative body . Bro . Massol seemed to be in

himself a speaker of the House of Commons minus the happiness of state . As one orator sat down , the Venerable called on the next who had caught his eye with the words " Parole au frere . " After hearing a few speeches we left , feeling that in some respects it is true that " they manage these things better in France . "

Shortly afterwards we were present at a seance of the Lodge L'Ollivier at Havre . There is a very fine Masonic Temple at Havre , and it is used by the lodp-es of both the Grand Orient and the Supreme Oonseil . This union of the two bodies

under one roof , is we trust a fore-shadowing ofthe still more complete union when the flag of the Grand Orient shall wave over all the Masons of France . On this evening two profanes were initiated at

one time , and except that the ceremonies were even more extraordinary , and we are bound to say ludicrous , they were very similar to those Ave saw in Paris . For the information of those whom it may concern , Ave may state that the " voyage " in

search of Avhat Bro . Melville calls "Masonic Celestial Mysteries" is in France through " much tribulation , " and we can only repeat with a frere Avho sat next us in the Lodge L'Ollivie ?; with reference to French candidates—Les Pauvres

Diables . Punch ' s advice to persons about to marry—dont—would be pretty much our own to any dear friend Avho wished to unloose "the mystic tie " under such circumstances . We betray no confidence Avhen we state that we have been

assured by Bro . Beaumont and other eminent French brethren , that they would like to abolish certain un-musical and rather hideous accompaniments to the giving of the first degree in French lodges .

A curious custom prevails in the Lodge L'OUiviev of paying wages to the brethren . Thus each brother is entitled to receive a medal for every lodge meeting he attends , and at the end of the year his subscription to the lodge is charged one

franc less for every medal he produces . In this way those Avho work the hardest , pay the least—by no means a bad idea . We received one of these medals which our esteemed Bro . Francis L . Law of Edinburgh afterwards made up into a really