The Masonic Schools.

subscriber to these schools , partly from an interest I take in their Avelfare , and partly from a desire , Avhich is perhaps shared by many , of having a voice in the annual elections . If I am to be deprived of my votes by the introduction of this new rule , it will be for me to consider Avhether my subscriptions shall be continued , and it will be for the committees of management to consider

whether they may not be seriously prejudicing the interests and prosperity of the schools , by doing away with subscribers , and by selling presentations for so insufficient a sum of money . I append a tabular statement shoAving the probable duration of life at different ages , compiled from the tables in use by most of the life insurance offices .

Assuming £ 30 to be the cost of each child for board , education , and clothing ; the annual cost to the institution for each child during the life of a person buying a continuous presentation Avill be £ 20 in excess of the interest accruing from the purchase money , and this must chiefly be made up by subscribers , who vrill lose , their votes . I have added in another column the total amount to be

disbursed either out of the funded property of the schools , or by means of subscriptions , to maintain a child , or rather a succession of children . If therefore six presentations should be purchased by persons not exceeding thirty years of age , the school funds or subscribers must be taxed in the aggregate to the extent of considerably beyond £ 3000 , and the subscribers meanwhile will cease to have votes , as there will be no open elections .

j- OT © t & J- " -S ^ O ^ > - § <« « 6 » o 2 i ! oa-- " rt O aart " ~ o ™ S ^ a PS S 3 a 2 . w . 0 __ s li I ° -2 II § ' §!§ § li 2 Is -s-l l | s §! * £ SS S 3 = 22 "" g'S ' -s S 3 £ * , 8 a ° ~ 5 , a- "to j Si * 2 i tC 0-Z . S 3

__ ~ . ^ *^ - - _ o ? 1- § " * §§ -3 2 ? S |" &~ go g cs gsu g « s-< p . < -3 < . 25 30 £ 10 £ 20 £ 600 30 28 10 20 560 35 25 10 20 500

40 23 10 20 460 45 20 10 20 400 50 15 10 ¦ 20 300 In the hope that these few remarks may prevent the sale of life presentations . I have the honour to be , your most obedient servant , A SUBSCRIBER .

Grand Lodge.

GRAND LODGE .

TO THE EDITOR OE THE EEBEMASONs' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR SIR AND BEOTIIEE . — "Will you allow me to correct two errors in your report of the proceedings of the last Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge , Avhich no doubt arose from a bad cold having prevented me from speaking sufficiently distinct to be heard by your reporter .

On the question of appointing a neAV Trustee , I said that I thought that before Grand Lodge was asked to appoint a Trustee without notice , some reason should be stated why due notice had not been given . On the question of the Grand Lodge Property I did not complain of the limitation in the poAvers of the Board of General Purposes , or express a hope that Grand Lodge ivould not confine them to the words of the resolutions of 1858 . On the contrary I stated that , as a

Grand Lodge.

member of the Board , I was satisfied with the powers already given ; that it must be evident to Grand Lodge from the request made by the Board that a majority of the Board desired to travel out of the instructions of Grand Lodge , and to consider the disposal of the property Avith the vieAV of increasing the tavern accommodation instead of devoting so much of the property as might be

necessary , exclusively to Masonic purpose ' s ; and that I hoped the question ivould not be referred to the Board again without a definite determination on the part of Grand Lodge , either confirming or contradicting the instructions clearly laid doAvn in 1858 . I am awaro that the individual opinion of any member of Grand Lodge is of small moment , but I should be in Grand

sorry to be supposed to haA'e supported , Lodge or elsewhere , any departure from those resolutions of 1858 , Avhich might prejudice our chances of having for the Freemasons of England a central establishment under our OAVU control and devoted to our OAVU purposes . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully and fraternally , CHARLES HUTTON GREGORY , J . G . D . Delahay-street , Westminster , March 11 , 1862 .

Wardens And Masters.

WARDENS AND MASTERS .

TO THE EDITOR OE THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . WoEsiiiri-UL SIE AND BIIOTHEE . — -Amongst the answers to correspondents in your number of the 1 st instant , I notice a statement that the Senior Warden of a lodge may laAvfully conduct the ceremonies of initiation , passing , and raising . I have heard many opinions on this subject , both pro and con , and particularly the editor of

theEfiEEJIASONS QUARTERLY REVIEAV in his ansAvers to correspondents in 1847 , states positively that such a proceeding is decidly contrary to ancient usage , and if brought before the Board of General Purposes Avould lay the loclge Avherein it took place open to severe censure and possible erasure . Now sir , I am of your opinion , I think that according to ancient usage a S . W . may legally conduct

the ceremonies , and I form such opinion chiefly for the following reasons : —In the last edition of Preston ' s Illustrations of Masonry ( 1861 ) , edited by our revered brother Dr . Oliver , I find at page 139 the folloAving statement attributed to the learned Antiquary Elias Ashmole : — "I was made a Ereemason at Wai-rington , Lancashire , Avith Colonel Henry MainAvaring , of Kerthingham , in Cheshire , by Mr . Richard Penket , the Warden , and the EelloAV Crafts on 16 th October 164-6 . " I also

find at page 142 , that amongst the resolutions past at a general assembly of the Craft , on the 27 th December , 1663 , under the Grand Mastership of the Earl of St . Albans , Avas the following : — " That no person , of what degree soever , be made or accepted a Ereemason , unless in a regular lodge , ivhereof one to be a Master or a Warden in that limit of division where such lodge is kept ,

& c . " I think it is therefore evident that in the 17 th century it Avas legal for a Warden to initiate—I have not heard of any alteration in the laAV . As this is a question involving considerable interest , especially to country lodges , perhaps some of your experienced readers will kindly favour me with their opinions and also the resolution or experience on Avhich such opinions are founded ;

perhaps our learned historian will himself express his views on the question . I would also gladly be informed whether in the eA ent of a W . M . being himself incompetent to conduct the ceremonies , and his Warden being both willing ancl able , the W . M . has a right to delegate his office to a stranger , or Avhether the S . W . could not insist the privilege of

upon conducting tho ceremonies of his own lodge . Of course I presume that there is no P . M . willing or able . Yours fraternally , EXCELSIOR . West Lancashire , llth March , 18 C 2 .