Correspondence.

mania for testimonial-presenting , where the worthy recipient is greatly mystified as to the source from whence the largest subscription comes . The touting also savours much of a system that prevails in low-class music halls in Birmingham and other Midland toivns . Flaming bills announce that the proprietor of the music-hall , in recognition of the

valuable services of Bill Scroggins , that gentleman will be presented ivith a diamond ring or silver cup . The admirers of the recipient rush to witness the ceremony , and produce an amount sufficient to pay for the diamond ring or the silver eup , the former invariably " paste , " and the latter ( as familiarly described in professional circles ) a " lated pot" instead of a silver .

p cup Another instance has come to knoivledge of a brother who inadvertently gave his name as a subscriber without fairly knowing the object to ivhich his guinea ivas to be applied , ivho says he Avould freely give another guinea to have his name expunged from the list . I enclose you a circular which , as W . M . of my lodge , I bave received , and which is headed Avith an embossed

red cross . I do not knoAV upon Avhat principle I am selected as a butt for this system of touting , as I am no admirer of the Bed Cross , or any of the other so-called " high degrees . " I consider the summit of perfection to be found in Symbolic and Capitular Masonry , and when I shall have attained the rank of P . M . aud P . Z . my ambition ivill be satisfied .

I must suppose , therefore , that the " canvass " has been a general one . I remain , Yours fraternally , A " W . M . "

10 THE EDITOR OF THE PKEEirASON ' s MAGAZINE AND MASONIC !_ I „___ . I have receii'ed a circular , relating to the above , -and I must say that I think it derogates greatly from the dynasty of a Provincial Grand Master , toalloiv his name to be used in an organized canvas on behalf of a testimonial to a junior clerk , iu the office of the Grand Secretary , in recognition of services rendered to the

order of the Red Cross and the Kite of Mizraim , bodies having no connection ivith and unrecognized in Craft Masonry , and also taking every opportunity of introducing- the subject in meetinge in his own province where ihis mysteries almost amount to a command . The mere allusion to such innovations must have a most prejudcial affect on tho minds of young Masons

, and lead them to belioA'e that these " orders" are part and parcel of the Masonry into which they have recently been initiated . I protest against such proceedings as both impolitic and undecorous , aud in contravention of the duties of a Provincial Grand Officer , and certainly undignified in one holding the position as representative in his province

of the M . W . Grand Master . They may have some fooling of gratitude for services rendered , but I think it might be made to take somo more appropriate form . I am Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully A MIDDLESEX MASTEE MASOX .

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

TweddcVs Middlesbrough Miscellany . Under this name , Bvo . Twoddel and Sons , have issued a neat brochure , ivhioh is to be completed in eighteen penny numbers . The publishers are not over sanguine of success , having , as they say , " repeatedly burnt their fingers by such attempts . " The contents include "A Middlesbrough Man ' s First Pilgrimage to Stratford-on-Avon and its vicinage ; " originally , written by Bro . Twoddel , for "The Freemasons' Magazine . "

Masonic Sayings And Doings Abroad.

MASONIC SAYINGS AND DOINGS ABROAD .

The Eeport on Foreign Correspondence of the Grand Chapter of Canada , says : — " There are three hundred and twenty-four Lodges and Chapters in Prance and throughout the Preneh possessions . Prance has several Lodges under charter

at Yienna and Constantinople ; quite a number in the Holy Laud , Algiers , Egypt , and North and South America . The sun never sets on the territory under jurisdiction of the Grand Orient of Erance . The Grand Orient charters Lodges and Chapters in any part of the earth , where Grand Lodges or Chapters

exist already , with the samesang froicl that they would were none existing there . This the Grand Orient does sans peur et sans reproelw . We believe the Grand Orient of Erance has chartered Lodges and Chapters in New Orleans , against the protest of the Grand Lodge and Chapter of Louisiana , into which expelled Masons have heen received , and honoured . "

" There are now within the jurisdiction of the State of Pennsylvania sixty-three Chapters , all in working condition , and fulfilling their important functions in peace , harmony and prosperity . The number of members in these Chapters by last report to the Grand Secretary for 1867 was 5 , 020 . There are three Mark Lodges , with a total membershi p then of 2 , 807 . "

The Grand Council of Eoyal and Select Masters of Michigan have refused to add the " Super Excellent" to the Council Degrees . A Correspondent of " The Craftsman" says that ,

the first lodge in Illinois was the " Western Star , " chartered 184-0 , thirty years ago . The Grand Lodge at this date ivas composed of four members ; it now numbers about 650 members . Number of Master Masons 36 , 000 . Springfield Chapter , No . 1 , -was organized August 13 th , 1841 . Eleven Chapters

comprised the Grand Chapter at its formation in 1850 . At present it numbers 140 Chapters with upwards of 8 , 000 members .

It seems that in Bio Janeiro Masonry has become the standard of respectability . A missionary states that nearly every Brazilian who wishes to he thought respectable becomes a Freemason . We are glad to hear that Masonry is thus tending to the elevation of

the Brazilians ; and we trust they will show that Masonry not only makes them respectable , but virtuous and useful . —Mystie Star .