Masonic Notes And Queries.

propriety of this reference , ye who have been raised to the third degree in Masonry . "Were your minds enveloped in the shades of that darkness ? So shall you again he involved in the darkness of the grave , when death has drawn his sable curtain round . Did you rise to a splendid scene of intellectual brightness ? Soif you are obedient to the precepts of Masonry

, and the dictates of religion , shall you rejoice on the . resurrection morn , when the clouds of error and imperfection are separated from your mind , and you behold with unveiled eye the glories which issue from the expanse of heaven , the everlasting splendours of the throne of God I

KIXG CItAEEES ' s GOEBEX UTILES . 1 . Urge no healths . 2 . Profane no divine ordinances . 3 . Touch no state matters . 4 s . Reveal no secrets . 5 . Pick no

quarrels-6 . Make no companions . 7 . Maintain no ill opinions . S . Keep no had company . 9 . Encourage no vice . ¦ 10 . Make no long meals . 11 . Repeat no grievances . 12 . Lay no wagers . —J . F . SPURE .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents , FREEMASONS' HALL . SO THE EDITOR OS THE PltEEltASOXS' SIAOAZIXE AXD UASOIflC 3 IIEKOH . Dear Sir and Brother . —I hope that on the completion of our new building , the progress of which does us much creditthere will be cine provision made

, in the lodge rooms for all requirements of working the degrees with due attention to details , which cannot he done in their present state , and also that the decorations and fittings will he strictly Masonic in all rooms not intended for general public use , and that even in such Masonic emblems will not he avoided

, where they can be with propriety allowed . As a matter of decoration the style of ornamentation should not be left to any tradesmen who supplies upholstery and chandeliers , but should show the supervision of the masterhand . The new front in Great Queen-street is very suggestiveand calculated

, to impress the public . Let not our interior lack the like' care . Yours fraternallj r , TEKTOXIKUS .

THE BOYS' SCHOOLS . 10 THE EDITOR OF THE FREE 5 IAS 0 XS' J . IAGAZII . 'E AlfD 3 IAS 0 XIC 3 IUIH 0 E . Dear Sir and Brother . —I hail with thankfulness the letter you inserted iu your last issue from W . D ., P . M ., for there is nothing like ventilating a subject to understand all its bearings .

I am not offering "W . D ., P . M ., an answer directly , but indirectly . Bro . Binckes is quite able to answer for himself ; I know no man more capable than he to give a substantial reason for all his plans , proposed or accomplished . What he has already done for the school is quite sufficient guarantee to all concerned , that not his heart onl } but his head also are trustworthy , and that what he suggests as conducive to

the permanent benefit of the charity is worth the most careful consideration . I may add that certainly he will be a very bold man who , in limine , should dare to use the words " the proposed scheme would in probability be a failure . " Such is W . D . 's ipse dixit . Now , sir , this brother may be behind the scenes occasionally • I am not . Once only have I

hacl a short conversation with Bro . Binckes upon the subject of the school ; and my impression on leaving him was easily summed up ; that it would be strange if he was capable of a failure . Still this was only iivj impression ; let Bro . Binckes stand on his own merits and footing .

But the puzzle to me is why there should he this failure . W . D . is very illogical , " let well alone , " for . if you do not , one only is the result , a , failure . Surel y well may grow to better . Never was a more obstructive expression used , and never was an idea more detrimental to Masonry entertained than this . Letwell alone , as the result ( not a word of reason bem « offered ) may be a failure . It is well—may I add Cesar ' s death words ?

Now in the first place , I cannot see what analogy there is between our school and the Blue-coat School-, I suppose Christ's Hospital is meant . From W . D ., P . M . 's expressions I should say that he would not be capable of enlightening me , as he surely is not quiteup in the "Blues . " Do the Blues pay ? Next , if he is correct in an analogywhat does this prove but that

, the one school is perverted in its purposes ; but it would be absurd to argue thence that the other must become so . Next , is W . D ., P . M ., aware that all our schools are established on the paying and non-paying system ? What are our kin-foundationshi ps , our scholarshipsonr exhibitions ? Are the boys so

-, per verted , are things so horrible as he pictures , at the Charterhouse ? or does Tom Nameless ( as his father , if he has one , was before him ) very successfull y look down upon King Henry ' s descendants at Winchester ? If he knows school-boy nature , —if be knows anything of public schools—he will know his argument

, is perfectly untenable . "But once more , and to this I call the attention of the Craft ' generally , and of Bro . Binckes especially ; whilst I wish him God-speed in his hearty and Masonic endeavours ;

" Aide-toi , et Dieu t ' aidera . " How many an anxious , struggling father , working hard to give his sons a really good education , our school , as an instrument in God ' s hands , might help I Are we are only to help the orphans ? Is it really " a rule amongst Masons not to aid the struggling ?

not to lend an assisting hand to the hard working ?' Is it a landmark that we are never to make any progress iu Charity ? Are we to stand aud say to theparent : " Yes , things are had ; education for the middle class is shameful , —the cheap is bad , the highpriced unattainablewe know by you ; hut strive on

, , and hope never ; we intend to leave well alone , although we mig ht do a great deal of good by a littfe change ; no , we intend to bar progress , and insult Charity and , by and bye when you are dead , make your orphans change the dirge for the jubilate , whilst we declaim about our bountiful assistance . " Nosir

, ,, help the living brother to rear his little ones by offering him what he wants for them at a reasonable price ; and you will do good to Masonry , further Charity , and promote progress in the world .