Correspondence.

so helcl when foreigners visit Grand Loclge . AVhen Prince Frederick AVilliam visited Grand Lodge in December , 1857 , he wore an apron trimmed ivith amber , and a sash to ivhich AVUS attacked a Master ' s jewel . The usual aprons worn by American brethren are made of linen , the satin apron being only put on when visiting other Lodges , or on state occasions , 'flic American

brother whom ive suppose to be alluded to by our correspondent , was received by the Grand Master in Grand Lodge , ivearing the apron objected to by our AVelsh brethren , and such aprons were common in England prior to the Union in 1813 . The wearing the Mark Master ' s jewel is decidedly illegal , and cannot be justified because " an eminent member of Grand Loclge" ( ive have

no idea whohe was ) violated the laws by wearing jewels in the proi'inces which he would not haA'e dared to put on in Grand Lodge . If Bro . Thomas ivould italicise the word his , in the lastline of his extract from the Book of Constitutions , as he has other Avords , he would find he had a different reading to that which he has adopted . —ED . ]

A Lady's Appeal.

A LADY'S APPEAL .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . MR . EDITOR , —If the value of any Avork depends on the importance of the end it is designed to answer , and the degree of perfection with which it accomplishes that end , may I hope , defective as my ivork is , that you will consider it Avorthy a place in your valuable Magazine , ivhich I peruse with much interest . I build my work on " Masonry divine , " anxious to promote its

interests here , and therefore take this liberty as a medium to appeal to the ladies of Great Britain . I maintain the law of mutual dependence that so universally preA'ails throughout the creation , there is not to be found one so deserving of mutual support , or should be more closely observed than everything connected with the brethren of the mystic tie . Amongst Masons every virtuous relation of society is strictl

y adhered to ; every act of theirs is reciprocity of feeling , subservient to the welfare of each other . AVhen mortals attempt to think concerning tbe nature of tbe works of the Great Architect of the universe , what can be expected but that their conceptions are feeble , their representations inadequate , even for the most perfect human understanding to unfold ? Can it then be wondered at that the imperfect mind cannot comprehend the perfections of

Masonry ? It is a ivork too vast for common intellects to appreciate ; it is too wonderful and high for all to attain ; it is a temple erected to preserve the order of nature , presided over by the great Being , everyivhere present ; it inculcates brotherly love , helps the needy , and gives to the widow and orphan an asylum . Masonry is , then , the eternal mind , the divine voice , which proclaims—provide for the fatherless . From the sacred volume are their laws taken . Mark the rule of universal charity ivhich it lays down , and

confess to the immensity of their benevolence to suffering mankind . Do not their laws declare them to be the trustees of an estate for the poor ? Do they not adjudge every shilling they can spare to the widow , the orphan , and destitute brother ? By their laAvs , on the battle field , amid the clang of arms , the moans of the expiring , the agonies ofthe mutilated , uncared for and unknown , even ivith the uplifted scimitar ready to take life , at the

recognition of a well known sign does it not drop nerveless from the grasp ; and instead of tbe death blow to be inflicted , brotherly Jove is given in exchange , ivith every aid opportunity offers , shielding their intended victim from the danger surrounding , even sharing their last meal with him ? This is Masonry—deny it who can . And for this Craft I now plead . Ladies , there is in contemplation the erection of a Masonic Hall in Skibbereenon the Art

, Union principle . Tickets , five shillings each—prize , a Master ' s apron , jewel , and collar , to be drawn for in May next . Though our sexis precluded the possibility of being initiated , let us prove Ave have hearts worthy to be trusted ; by our acts , Avorthy of being-Masons' wives and mothers . Let it be seen ive are Avilling to respond to tbe call of charity ; let the world see Ave give our mite to erect a building which ultimately ivill assist in supporting

female orphans ; we are bound to encourage the undertaking , as women we are bound to do so , when we consider the vast amount of misery it will save our sex . There is not a Mason ' s wife , daughter , or sister but should cast her mite into this treasury . Many a wife and daughter that rises ivith the morning ' s sun , joyous ancl gay , may , before that sun sets , be deprived of a ibnd husband and father , their only support , and be steeped in poverty to the very lips \ the orphan ' s only refuge then is the Masonic

A Lady's Appeal.

orphan school to save them from starvation , nay , ten thousand times a worse fate . That asylum must have funds to support its inmates . Au opportunity noiv oilers to help the brethren in such a praiseworthy cause , as any surplus funds belonging to Lodge-No . 15 will be appropriated for this purpose . Yc affluent , will you let my feeble pen plead in vain ? Gracious , beloved sovereign , daughter of a Mason , extend your kindness ; consider how

your example would be followed if you did but contribute . Ye press , I call on you to plead my cause ; you on my side , success would then be certain ; anil if ' I am instrumental in having one ticket taken from Mr . John Francis Levis , Secretary , I shall be more than repaid . Apologizing . Mr . Editor , for my lengthy communication , I have the honour to remain , your obedient servant , as well as a Eoyal Arch Mason ' s wife aud mother , Eagle Street . Skibbereen , Co . Cork , ERIXA .

The Grand Stewards' Lodge.

THE GRAND STEWARDS' LODGE .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR SIR AXD BROTHER , —As an old Mason , taking some little interest in the proper ivorking of our beautiful ritual ancl lectures , I have been much pleased ivith the earnest manner in which your correspondents have taken up the satisfactory working of the present members of the Grand Steivards' Lodge . The letter of your correspondent signed "Fiat Lux , " in this "" week ' s Magazine , is full of

good , sound advice ; and as we want an authority to ivhich the Avhole body of the Craft could look for proper and correct ivorking , something should be done to encourage the present and future members of the Grand Stewards' Lodge in the course they are now pursuing . It is true the hope of reward sweetens labour . Yet I am satisfied no thought of reward has for a moment entered the

minds of the brethren of that Lodge ; they are actuated by a sense of doing their duty , and of the responsibility that rests upon them as members of a distinguished Lodge ivhich once stood high in the Craft . But ivliy not restore to the Grand Stewards' Lodge the honour ancl privilege once belonging to them ? It must have occurred to

you , Sir , and others who wish well to the Lodge , that there can be no reason why the distinction once belonging to them should not be , again conferred , restoring tbem to their former high position . AVe want such a body , and I know of no more fitting time than the present for the Most AVorshipful Grand Master to appoint as formerly a Grand Officer from its most distinguished members . This custom was discontinued , not from any fault of the Lodge

itself , but ( as I am informed ) from one of its members having a misunderstanding ivith a brother high in the confidence of the Grand Master , and by this sinister influence the Loclge AA'as deprived of a privilege held by them ever since the Union . Previous to that misunderstanding the Grand Stewards' Lodge stood first in the Craft , not only in reputation but in numbers , ancl included many able and . influential brethren . The Loclge ivas a

nucleus of eminent brethren who had done suit and service ancl performed all their duties in their rcspectii'e Lodges . Such a body ivas and would be again a fit exponent and safe repository of our beautiful ceremonies and ivorking ( including the lectures ) , and an authority which the ivholc body of the Craft ivould look up to with confidence . The satisfaction ivith ivhich the Craft has hailed the

reneived i-itahty of the Grand Stewards' Lodge is a proof that they are prepared to Avelcome ivith satisfaction such a measure as I have proposed . Let it be once understood that grand office ivould be a fitting reward occasionally to be conferred upon those of its members who distinguish themselves , and you would have now , as formerly , the best ancl ablest members of the Craft , serving the office of Grand Steward not as nowmerelfor the

; , y sake of wearing a red apron , but to gain the distinguished privilege of becoming a member of the Grand Steivards' Lodge , the highest depository of our Masonic lore , and a chance of one day becoming a Grand Officer .

The policy of the present author ! Jos appears to be to give the office of Sword Bearer to provincial brethren . I do not see any reason ivhy it cannot be shared alternately with the Grand Stewards ' Lodge . That is the least that should be done ; for , unless the Lodge takes higher rank than it has done of late , of ivhat use is it—at present it is an anomaly ? Its proper position I conceii'e I have definedit could not be spared from amongst the best of

; Lodges , and'I think that if the case ivere properly put before the Most AVorshipful Grand Master , he would onl y lie too glad to do justice to the Grand Stewards' Lodge and restore it to its proper rank and dignity . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully and fraternally , April 8 th , 18 ( 10 , AN OLD P . M .