Correspondence.

work precisely alike . In the provinces you may detect at least 20 different ways of working ; and here , at the fountain head , where we are supposed to be under the immediate eye of Grand Lodge , how many different modes have we ? In the Magazine of the 11 th ult ., I see a letter headed" BroadfootThompsonand Muggeridge ' s

, , , Ritual . " Wehave seen and heard of Stephen Barton Wilson's Ritual ; we have also of Bros . Thomas and Brett ' s mode of work , and lots of others less known to fame ; and then many W . M . ' s and their officers make a hash by compounding two or more systems into one unsystematic fumble ; " each doing that

which is right in his own eyes . '' This anomalous state of things has been noted by brethren hi gher in the Craft , and commented on by abler pens tban mine , for some time past ; but the turning-point , I think , baa at length been reached . The Union Waterloo Lodge , doubtless , had felt the

want of an authorized version of the ritual ; but our Grand Officers tell us distinctly that they have not sanctioned any ritual , and the Grand Registrar is reported to have said that it did not matter whether the W . M . or Bro . H . was in ri ght , or whether the ritual was Bro . Muggeridge ' s or any other ' s , as " that

was not a question for them to decide . " It is plain , therefore , that there is no limit to the innovations that may be made by two classes of workers—those with defective memories , and those whose imaginations outstrip their judgment . It is stated that "the great difficulty is to obtain a competent tribunal . " True , but greater difficulties have been overcome when there is an earnest desire to accomplish the work .

Let Grand Lodge depute , say half-a-dozen , of the best Preceptors to meet and confer ¦ let them report to the Board of General Purposes , who should if necessary try to aid in the amalgamation of the best points of each system ; let the Board itself report to a select committee of literary brethren specially

appointed by the Grand Master , and let their report be presented to Grand Lodge , when , if it met their approval and was sanctioned by the Grand Master , we should have a form of ritual to refer to ; one that could be taught in all our lodges of instruction and introduced into all our provincial assemblies . If a

plan like this met with the approval of Grand Lodge , there would be very little difficulty in finding P . M . ' s , who are not mere parrots to repeat by rote what they have been taught , but men who would give correct grammatical sentences , and also an intelligent reason for the use of the terms employed .

Let the sister Grand Lodges be asked to co-operate with us in this movement ; we are on friendly terms with them , and , though we should have much to impart to our Scotch and Irish brethren , yet we should find that we had also something to learn . I know that with certain parties it is considered quite correct

to sneer at Irish and Scotch workings ; but I have seen in Dublin , Belfast , Ayr , and Glasgow , work that that would have reflected credit on any officer of our own Grand Lodge . We must not imagine that we possess all the light , or that the dust of ages has not obscured some of the panes , it may be in the dormer window , of our Temple , while , from presenting another aspect to the sun and rain , those very parts in Scotland may have remained clear and bright ; at any rate , if

uniformity is desirable in England , it is sadly desirable throughout the United Kingdom . To this end the letters of your correspondents , " Crux , " " Crescent , " and others tend ; and by none others will it be more warmly welcomed than by Tours fraternally , a . w . w .

ENGLISH MARK LODGES . TO THE EDITOE OE THE EREE 1 TASONS *' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEBOK . Dear Sir and Brother . —The closing sentence in a reporb ' of a meeting of St . Andrew ' s Mark Lodge ( No . 22 , S . C . ) at Manchester , in your last number , p . 295 , is , I am sure , worthy of notice and endorsement by all good

Mark Masons . Much has of late appeared in your pages respecting the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters and the lodges holding warrants from Scotland , and amongst the . writers on this subject is one whose opinions I generally agree with , but I fear , in the last article from his pen ( pp . 284 and 285 ) , there is much that will tend rather to open than heal the breach between the

conflicting jurisdictions . Surely a little good management and forbearance on both sides would bring about the muchwished-for day , when all Mark Masters advanced in England will " acknowledge the supremacy of the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters of England and Wales . " With your correspondent , " Crescent , " I would not suppose for a moment that the matter of fees stands in the way .

Neither can I suppose that our Grand Lodge would grudge a grant of warrants free of expense to the twelve lodges now holding them from Scotland , conditionally upon the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland acknowledging our supremacy south of the Tweed . Then with regard to the seniority of lodge numbers , a plan might be adopted which would not give offence to

the brethren under either jurisdiction . According to the return now before me I see that there are at present no less than eleven lodges under the English constitution in abeyance , viz ., 4 , 11 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 , 36 , 38 , 40 , 42 , and 44 . Why could not the Scotch lodges take these numbers as far as they hold out ? Surely a union under the rule of a Grand Lodge so well managed as the Grand Lod

ge of Mark Masters in London is , with a well supported Benevolent Fund to relieve the distressed , would be far preferable to the present un-Masonic state of things , and no one can deny that those who will bring about such a happy state , will deserve well of both the Grand Bodies . Tours fraternally , A W . M . UNDER THE ENGLISH

CONSTITUTIONGRAND LODGE HONOURS . TO THE EDITOR OE THE EEEmiASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIREOB . Dear Sir and Brother . —I am much obliged to some one who has coupled my name with that of a distinguished scientific man , Bro . Dr . Richardson , F . B . S . ( p . 291 ) , but he appears also to have intimated that I am entitled as a contributor to your Magazine , to Grand

Lodge honours . Although during many years , in common with Bro . Havers and many leading promoters of the Graft , I supported the Freemasons' Magazine , I am unaware of any contribution of mine to its pages which would entitle me to higher honours than those that I held . I cannot but be grateful to others for good opinions , but I must disclaim any concurrence on such a ground for the distinction assigned . Tours fraternally , HXDE CIASKE .

MASONIC LIFEBOAT . TO THE EDITOR OP THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIBBOB . Dear Sir and Brother . —How is it that the "Oddfellows " have launched Two Lifeboats , and we " poor Masons " cannot launch one F Tours fraternally , 12 th Oct ., 1869 . A P . G . O . or MONMOUTHSHIRE .