Public Processions.

other trade ( and the only honest one that is ) may he benefited , which is that of the public houses . As to the actual merits of the show itself , ask any person of common sense Avho has got a glimpse of it , and the same reply is always returned year after year , " Oh , its very poor , about the same as usual . "

The most noticeable effect of this " ancient institution" consists in the hindrance it is to business ; the carriageways being stopped during part of the tlay , and the footways almost impassable from the throng Avhich early accumulates upon them . Thus the obstruction occurs . during the most useful part of the

day , from about half-past ten in the morning till halfpast three in the afternoon . We should not raise such objections as this if there were any utility in the exhibition , but there really is not , and it certainly seems a great pity that , when the water procession was done away Avith , that Avhich obstructs the main thoroughfares of the City and West End Avas not also abolished .

Scarcely any one will he hardy enough to assert that this exhibition , ridiculous in itself , can add anything to the magnificence or dignity of the civic body . Hence , as it must be contemptible in the eyes of such as have arrived at the years of maturity ( though , by the way , some folks never do that , no matter to Avhat age they attain ) in regard to intellectual ability and

judgment , the only argument that can be brought forward in support of it is , that it may be amusing to children , though we ourselves do not believe that it even with them leads to anything but disappointment ; but even if Ave grant that it does afford them some entertainment , yet surely with all the popular amuse-Jiients now available , it is not necessary for the Lord Mayor and Aldermen to trouble themselves to produce such an end .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

EELIGIOX OP EBEEJIASOSEY AS A UKTVEESAL nrsTiTUxios " . A brother , member of an old London lodge , terminates a long letter , discussing a subject utterly improper for the pages of the FEEEMASONS' MAGAZINE ( I purposely avoid the mention of it ) , by asking

"What is the religion of Freemasonry as a universal ¦ institution ? " -Very few words will convey n > y answer to this question . There is a religion formed by man , with no assistance but that reason AA'hich distinguishes man from the brute . It is described in the treatises of natural theology and ethicsAvhich

, abound in the languages of all civilised nations , both ancient and modern , and which , in substance , are much the same . This is tbe religion of Freemasonry -as a universal institution . —CHAELES PUETON COOPEE .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed hij Correspondents . FEEEMASONEY IN JEESET . 30 THE EDITOIt OF THE FliEElTASOXS' 3 UGAZIXE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAE SIE AJTO BEOTHEE , —As the Avriter of the letter signed " P . M . " ivhich you inserted on September 30 th , I am bound to notice the reply in your number of October 2 Sth . On perusul , I was

surprised at the confusion of ideas , the misapprehension of facts , the absence of logical arrangement and deductions , and the disobedience and insubordination on the part of the Junior Warden of an English lodge of Freemasons which it exhibited . I cannot but regard him as I do clergymen holding Eomish opinions

and yearning to place themselves under the dominion of the weak minded Pope , who has lately served our cause so signally by his anathemas against us , while they cling to the loaves and fishes hy retaining their livings in the Church of England . On sitting down

to ' Avrite this , thirty-six hours after reading " J . W ' . s " effusion , I naturally run through the list of Junior Wardens in Jersey , when I fancy I have no difficulty in tracing the authorship with the help of others , and my astonishment ceases . AVith a view to elucidate my previous remarks ,

which have been so criticised , I shall now lay down a few propositions , and afterwards make a running commentary on some of " J . W . 's" observations . 1 st . Though , perhaps , there is no absolute agreement between the various Grand Lodges throughout the AvorldstillMasonic custom and courtesy forbid

, , the invasion of a country where a Grand Lodge exists , by the issue of warrants on the part of the Masonic authorities of another country . 2 nd . The issue of a warrant for Jersey , which is under English Constitution , by a French authority , is a violation of this acknowledged custom , and forms a

very dangerous precedent ; therefore the lodge formed under jit , though recognised in France and elsewhere , must still be deemed , irregular among English Masons . 3 rd . Members of this French lodge cannot therefore be admitted into English lodgesas they haA'e

, been suspended from their privileges by the Prov . Grand Master , Avhose act was confirmed by the Grand Lodge of England . 4 th . The Prov . Grand Master , and through him . the Grand Lodge of England , having taken this

course , and issued threats of pains and penalties thereupon , are bound to folloAV up their acts by further steps in case of continued contumacy , or by the omission to do so are liable to a charge of inconsistency and Avant of power to enforce their decrees . Moreover , by winking at opeu violations of their orders ,

and allowing them to pass unnoticed , they encourage insubordination , weaken their OAVU power , and commit a manifest injustice towards those who are more scrupulous , and are faithful in allegiance to the constituted authorities . 5 th . The Provincial Grand Master and Grand

Lodge of England , while exercising a legitimate control over the internal policy of lodges under their authority , have no power by the " Book of Constitutions " to forbid members of English lodges to frequent any society they please , and thus English Masons ought to be alloAved to visit the French lodgeand to Avear

, their clothing in any place other than " any funeral or public procession . " The veto which has been exercised is thus a questionable assumption of power , especially as it is not carried out , since the irregularity consists not in a denial that the members of Les