Our Architectural Chapter.

OUR ARCHITECTURAL CHAPTER .

AA ' have had of late little to record under this head , but ive have noiv the pleasure to announce thafc a number of the brethren ofthe North York Lodge , No . 876 , hare associated themselves together ivith the view of building a befitting Masonic Hall , at Middlesbrough , iu Yorkshire , where the Lodge holds its meetings—a suitable site of about tivo hundred , square yards having been obtained near the National

School Rooms , Marton Road , the estimated cost of the site and building being six hundred pounds , ivhich it is proposed io raise in shares of one pound each . It has been arranged that the annual charge to the North York Lodge for tiie rent of the Hall shall not exceed eighteen pounds , but that all internal repairs , decorations , and alterations , after the

building is first completely finished , shall be clone by the North York Lodge , and that the Lodge shall also be ansiverable for all parochial ancl toAA * n rates . That the term " completely finished" shall not be held to include- , furniture or fittings , unless they enu be provided out of the said sum of six hundred pounds . That the Hall shall and may be let by the committee for the holding of any Chapter of Royal Arch Masons that may

lie established at Middlesbrough , at an annual rent of not less than six pounds . That as long as the North York Lodge shall continue to pay the annual rent of eighteen pounds , the Hall shall lie used ( subject to the last provision ) solely for the meetings of the North York Lodge , No . 876 , or for such other strictly

Masonic purposes as may be sanctioned by that Loclge , ancl if that rent shall be reduced , then the Hall shall be used for such other additional purposes as the Committee of Management appointed by the subscribers shall think proper , provided such purposes shall not interfere with any meetings of the North York Lodge , or of any Royal Arch Chapter .

That any surplus receipts for rent , after paying the cost of repairs and insurance , and four pounds per cent , per annum interest to the subscribers on such portion of the shares as may be called up , and also the interest of any sum . for the time being on mortgage of the property , shall go to the general funds of the North York Loclge .

'That the North York Lodgo shall be empowered at any time to purchase the interest of the subscribers , or any of them , at par , aud that all certificates for shares be issued subject to that condition .

It will be perceived that the brethren , have entered upon the scheme in a truly business-like manner , and without looking to too large a return for the money to he ini * esfced . It is provided that should the whole six hundred pounds not be obtained by shares , a portion of it may be raised by mortgage ; ancl here it is that such a scheme as that latel y

propounded in Grand Lodge , might , in our opinion , be brought advantageously into play . Not that in this instance clo we think it likel y that the brethren will want any extraneous assistance , as wc have before us a list of only twentyfive brethren , who have subscribed for four hundred and seventy-six shares , or more than three fourths of the capiital .

Trustees , a treasurer and secretary have all been appointed , and there can be no doubt that the work will at once be proceeded with . Much of the success which has hitherto attended the proceedings of the brethren , being due to the energy and liberality of Bro . Thompson , Mayor of Middlesbrough , who has been appointed treasurer to the funds , ancl

authorized to purchase the site of the proposed building , the style of which has not , we believe , yet been determined upon . There is one admirable provision in the deed of association by which the brethren bind themselves together , which will no doubt ultimately vest the whole property in the hands of the North York Lodge , viz ., that " shares may be sold , but shall be offered in the first instance to the North York Lodge at par , six weeks before a sale . " In another column will be found a letter from a lady

Our Architectural Chapter.

soliciting aid for the brethren in their endeavour to build a hull at Skibbereen , county Cork , Ireland , to which we haA'e great pleasure in directing the attention of our readers ,

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

^ [ THE EDITOR does not hold himself responsible for any opinions entertained by Correspondents ^ THE GLASGOW KILAYIXNING LODGE . TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS" MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR SIR AXD BKOTIIEK , —I have seen , in the possession of a which

brother , an apron ( a sketch of ivhich I have enclosed ) Avas found at Fleetwood , Avashcd up with the tide , about twenty years ago . It appears to have belonged to a G . K . L . of a No . 4 Lodgo . and , from having a Scotch thistle in the corner , I am inclined to believe it must have belonged to a Scotch brother . Is there any possibility of getting to know Avhether such initials are to be found in that " Lodge , and , if so , what became of the

brother' ? The brother in ivhose possession it is would gladly give it up to any representative that might still be living . I shall be happy to have your opinion , or any brother ' s , through the columns ol the MaqarJne . " Yours fraternally , Preston , April 6 tlt , 1 SC 0 . J . MAOKIB , No . 1005 . [ Our correspondent is evidently not aware that the initials ,

" G . K . L . " designate the Lodge ( Glasgoiv Kil- « ° •» winning Loclge , Xo . 4)—and not tlie individual . / J ' ^ JA The badge is an ordinary Scottish J Easter Mason ' s J i ^~ i \ f apron , but in one part of it is a peculiar monogram , which might perhaps lead to identification , and ivhich AVO therefore reproduce . —En . ]

Craft Clothing.

CRAFT CLOTHING .

TO THE EDITOB OF TUB FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In your number for 81 st March I obsei * A * ed a reply to "Inquirer , " as follows : — "The law ol Grand Lodge does not forbid the admission into a Lodge of a brother under a foreign jurisdiction in the clothing recognized by his own Grand Lodge . " This appears rather inconsistent ivith the laiv laid down at p . 113 of the Constitutions , A'iz .: "The

folloAVing clothing shall be Avorn by the Craft , and no brother shall on any pretence be admitted into the Grand Loclge , or any subordinate Lodge , without his proper clothing /' I can find no qualification of this in favour of foreign brethren , nor any regulation for the guidance of officers of Lodges , or any means by which they can ascertain if the clothing , in ivhich a visitor may present himself , is recognized by his oivn Grand

Lodge . AVe have many foreign visitors to the Glamorgan Lodge , aud on one occasion a Frenchman presented himself clothed in the insignia of ivhat he called the eighteenth degree . The American brother , who evidently makes the inquiry referred to , presented himself in a satin apron embroidered with many emblems , and as he told us the Avorking in his Lodge Avas iii accordance ivith that received from England , it certainly appeared strange that they should have dispensed with the "badge of

innocence , " and that the appropriate lambskin should be displaced in favour of satin . The flippant reference to " common sense " in the second paragraph appears anything but appropriate , as two wrongs cannot make a right , and some of the brethren wearing Mark jewels had nothing whatever to do with the propriety or impropriety of admitting a visiting brother totally devoid of any Masonic clothing

as recognized in this country . There is no doubt the wearing ol Mark jewels is inconsistent ivith the Constitutions , but the brethren wearing them argue that it is a common practice , and quote the example of an eminent member of Grand Lodge ivho attended here in an official capacity , decorated with many jewels of the higher degrees . However , this is beside the question as to the proper clothing of visiting brethren . I shall be glad if you will

insert these remarks , together with your reasons for thinking the law quoted does not apply to brethren under "foreign jurisdiction . " It may also be the means of eliciting the opinion of some other experienced brother , as we are anxious to be set right in the matter for our future guidance . Yours fraternally , Cardif , 9 th April , 'I 860 . E . . 1 . Tuon . is , Sec . No . 43 . [ The proper clothing of a brother is that sanctioned by the Grand Lodge of the country from lyliieh he hails , and is always