Masonic Notes And Queries.

will deliver the address , entitled " Kabhalisticus auditus , " in connection with the mystic interpretation of HFumbers . In clue time we hope to announce the date of the forthcoming meeting , at which all members of the Craft will he invited to attend .

TIIE ORDER OE ST . JOH 3 S " . Our excellent Bro . Haye , errs in supposing that the project of re-constituting the British branch of the Order of St . John " never went further than a dinner to inaugurate the proposal . " * I explained in t : Notes by a Novice , " in recent issues of the Magazine , that

the English Langue was at present in a very flourishing state , and now add for Bro . Haye ' s information that the Chancery of the Order in England is located at No . 8 , St . 31 artirfs-place , Trafalgarsquare , London . The chapel to which Bro . Haye alludes—a perfect gem of its kind—belongs to the Romish Knights ( of whom Sir George Bowyer , M . P ., is a conspicuous member ) , and is situated in the quiet , old fashioned street , yclept ' Great Ormond . "

" Belinens vestigia fame . TIIE BALLOT . Is the ballot an ancient landmark of our Order ? Under the majority of constitutions , like the English and Irish , the admission of candidates by the ballot is compulsoryand I think there cannot be the slightest

, doubt as to the great advantages a strict adherence to this mode of admission must give to a society , that professes to be as exclusive as our boasted institution —indeed , where I find the practice of " ballotting " is not resorted to by a lodge , or at least only regarded as a matter of form , 1 immediately conclude that the

Masonic and social status of its members must be very inferior . I cannot , however , find any trace of the ballot among the old operative lodges from which most of our customs are derived . It would be curious to learn where we have records of " secret voting " being first in vogue . The Popes of Eome haveI

, believe , for a number of centuries been selected by ballot , and , if I mistake not , it is said that this system of recording votes was also adopted in those mysterious and terrible tribunals of the middle agesthe Yehmgericht .- —AV . S . L .

Correspondence.

COKRESPONDENCE .

The 'Editor is not responsible for ihe opinions expressed by Correspondents . CIRCULATION OF THE " MAGAZINE . " ; 10 THE EDITOR OF THE EHEE ^ IASOi'S 3 IAGAZISE AND MASONIC MIimOB . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I was glad to find the question of a more extended circulation of the

Magazine taken up in your last number by so able a Mason ancl so steady a correspondent as Bro . Cooper . It is one which has for some years frequently occupied my thoughts , occasionally elicited remarks while I have been writing for your columns , with a view to promote the objectand when visiting distant lod

, ges , as I have lately done to a considerable extent , I have seldom failed to inquire whether our only medium of communication is seen by the brethren ; and when the reply has been in the negative , have urged the

adoption of some plan , such as subscription on the part of a lodge , or a union of several members who may pass the numbers from one to another , and thus render the sum required from each insignificant . In such cases I have endeavoured to enforce the importance of the different subjects treated upon , the

necessity for acquaintance with discussions on doubtful Masonic questions , whether of ritual , history , , policy of the lodge or of the Craft generally , precedence , government , & e ., the desirability of reading reports of other lodges , from which important and useful hints may sometimes be obtained and a spirit

of generous emulation cultivated , the facility thus afforded for the acquaintance and personal knowledge of eminent brethren elsewhere , an advantage which I have had good reason to value ; and , finally , I have pointed out the probability , that in proportion as these matters interest the brethren and lead to

greater individual and united efforts , so is the prosperity of a lodge likely to increase , its usefulness advance , ancl its numbers extend . It may be laid down as a rule that in towns where there are several lodges , that one will be tbe most successful and attract others , whose members make the subject of

Freemasonry a study , prefer the work of the lodgeroom , rituals , lectures , discussions , charitable pursuits , all in due course , to the sensual pleasures of the banqueting room , and show to their friends not in the Craft that they are really interested in them . I could cite cases in which close observance of brethren actuated by such a spirit has converted opponents of our Institution , ancl led them to seek admission , and T must , in nnnrlnnr . nrlrl . tlmr , Tliave often seen a

contrary result arising from the unworthy conduct of some of our members . I regret to say , that though my efforts in behalf of the Magazine have not been entirely , lost , still my persuasions have more often than otherwise been poured into deaf ears . In three instances lately , in different localities , I have induced

hrethren to send you reports of proceedings of lodges , offering as an inducement my personal desire to havo regular continuous accounts of what is done . There aro three classes of persons to whom the circulation of the Magazine is of importance . First , yourself , Bro . Editor , as responsible for the matter it

contains , ancl also for the expense incurred in the publication . On the former point , you have now a large and strong corps of writers in various localities , which has of late years much increased , at one time strangers to each other , but gradually becoming acquainted through the mutual bondand what is of

, more importance to you , their efforts are not fitful , but continuous . Sometimes they differ in opinion , but this does not interfere with mutual esteem and brotherly regard . As to the expenses of publication and the money receipts , here arises an important questionof which you ought to be sole judge ; still

, 1 am sure you will be indulgent as to my remarks on the subject . ' In these days of cheap periodicals , the charge of sixpence for twenty pages appears high , and the only justification for it is the limitation of our Institution . The point is simply whether a high price and a small number of subscribers is more

remunerative than a lower price and an extended sale . Possibly the members of the Craft are sufficiently numerous to support the Magazine if the cost were less , without greater risk of pecuniary loss , in de