Correspondence.

with their own Grand Lodges , entirely independent of , and ignoring what , for the rest of the brethren , is the highest Masonic authority in the district , and lawfully doing things which , for the English Lodges , would he unconstitutional . In Great Britain the territorial boundaries of Masonic jurisdiction have been made to coincide with the political geographical divisions , and thus all danger of conflicting

authorities is removed , but in the colonies , although—to the honour of Masonry bo it said , the greatest harmony and good feeling exists between lodges holding under different constitutions , still an appearance of rivalry is sometimes unavoidable and the force of provincial authority is often considerably lessened by the fact that all are not equally subject to it . This -mi ght be easily remedied if the several Grand Lod

ges would but come to a mutual agreement that their rules , as far as lodges in the colonies are concerned , should be identical , and that isolated lodges of each constitution should , although not under the jurisdiction of the Prov . Grand Lodge , in whose district they may meet , be bound to recognise its acts and dispensations as those of a legallconstituted bod The points of difference involve

y y . no principle , and there could be no objection to assimilating the practice of all . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , Gibraltar , 27 th October , 1860 . G . W . AV . INGRAM .

Masonic Ramble.

MASONIC RAMBLE .

TO THE EDITOR OJJ inn FEEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AtfJJ MASONIC ICIEKOB . DEAU SIE , AKU BEOTIIEE , —Since the correction of my report as regards tho Oakley Lodge at Basingstoke , made by Bro . Hugging of AVinchester , and the remarks upon my observation as to the impropriety of ornamenting the W . M . ' s pedestal with the arms of Bro . AV . W . Beach , I have made another visit to that locality . If it was correct to lace such

p armorial bearings in so conspicuous a position in the lodge , why did the members of the lodge not carry out the same principle with regard to their banner , which is formed of purple silk ( not shy blue ) with the words , on an imaginary ribbon , "THE OAKLEY LODGE , BASINGSTOKE , No . 995 . " I notice in No . 71 the remarks of "A ProvGOfficer

your , . . of AVarwickshire" as to armorial bearings , and I venture my opinion that armorial bearings of the family of any member of a lodge are undesirable in the highest degree . If tho banner bo ornamented with anything more than the name and number of the lodge bearing it , the arms appertaining to Grand Lodge can only with any propriety be adopted . On the banner of one of the lodges I have the

honour to belong to , are such arms , with the name and number of the lodge surmounting them , bearing on the reverse , between the celestial and terrestrial pillars , the square and compasses with the letter G in the centre . It is an ancient banner , used by a lodge some years defunct , on originally sky blue silk , but now whitish by age . Yours faithfully and fraternally , Chester , Nov . 12 , 1860 . CORRESPONDENT .

The Late Election Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

THE LATE ELECTION OF THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

TO THE ED 1 TOB OF THE PEEE 5 IASONS MAGAZINE AND MAS 05 TC HIEROH . DEAU SIE AXD Biumnm , —I observe a letter from Bro . Fox , of Huntingdon , in your number of this date , in which I find the following sentence : — "As regards the candidate Ridgway , his father belongs to a lodge at Spalding , in Lincolnshire . It appears that his mother resides at Fletton , in Huntingdonshire , but we know of the and solicited

nothing case were never for our votes . " As I had undertaken to represent Ridgway ' s case at the election , and as some of his friends may feel disappointed , and doubt my integrity of purpose , I shall be glad to be allowed to explain , in your next number , how Ridgway ' s failure was brought about . I have no doubt Bro . Fox is correct in stating that the

Socrates Lodge ( No . 511 ) , had not been canvassed for its votes . That was the fault of the candidate ' s friends ; Icharged some of them to canvass every vote in and about Huntingdonshire , Northamptonshire , Lincolnshire , & c , and they should have done so . Most of the proxies sent from these

The Late Election Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

provinces were directed to the Secretary , and Mrs . Ridgway herself did the same . They should have been sent to me . I asked the Secretary for thein at the election ; but was informed thathe knew nothing about them . I do not believe they were polled at all . These causes would , however , have been quite insufficient to produce the result , which was , I regret to say , accomplished by deception , as follows -. —It is

well-known that my name has been associated with those of two other brethren ( one a past , and the other a present Grand Officer ) at most of our elections for several yeai-s AVe were engaged to support Ridgway ; from one of them I received but twenty-eight votes , whilst some six himdred were handed in for Armstrong . I was informed by letter , about three weeks before the election , that the other was working

for Armstrong , and had obtained a large number of proxies , that I ought to have received ; by stating that both of us were working for the same candidate . I told him on the Saturday preceding the election of what I had been informed , when he pledged his " word of honour , " that it was wholly untrue ; he admitted having been solicited to support Armstrongbut ledged himself that Rid 's interest

, p gway should not suffer . However I soon found , when at the election , that I had been deceived . Several liberal supporters of our charities and influential members of the Craft , have denounced the proceeding , and wished mc to fully expose it . I shall not further notice the matter , but will not be found in company with one of them again .

I amDear Sir and Brother , faithfully and fraternally yours , SAMUEL ALDRICH . Prov . G . J . D ., Suffolk , No . 522 , P . M . 196 . FTanvpstead , November 10 th , 1860 . [ We have modified one or two of Bro . Aldrich ' s expressions as too strong for our columns ] .

Armorial Bearings.

ARMORIAL BEARINGS .

TO THE SUITOR OP THE PBEEMASOITS' MAGAZINE AUD MASONIC M 1 EBOE . DEAE SIE AND BEOTIIEE , —My bad writing , and possibly some want of acquaintance on the part of your printer with Heraldic language , has made wild work of the description of the escutcheon of the Howe Lodge . Permit me to repeat it correctly . Aav . ro , on a bend Argent , cotised lozengy Or , three wolves heads eouped Sable ; on a canton of the third the square and compasses of the first .

Permit me also to take this opportunity of explaining what I should propose as the modus operandi , if my suggestion as to arms of private lodges were acted upon . Each new charter should contain a full exemplification of a coat of arms , the first sketch of which would probably be furnished by the petitioners , which would be the only lawful insignia of the lodge . A small additional fee might be paid to meet

any contingent expences . As to lodges already established Grand Lodge would supply the London brethren with duly blazoned shields , and might delegate to Provincial Grand Lodges the right to confer armorial insignia on their several dependent lodges , calling on them of course for a small payment . Such a plan would I am sure be acceptable to the great majority of the brethren . Allow me to subscribe myself more accurately than before , A P . PROV . G . OFFICER OF WARWICKSHIRE .

Masonic Halls.

MASONIC HALLS .

TO TIIE EDITOE OF THE PEEEMASONS MAGAZINE AMD MASONIC 3 IIKHOE . DEAE Sm AND BROTHER , — The Masons of Birkenhead have commenced a movement in favour of erecting or purchasing a building suitable for a Masonic Hall -, but , as the body is small in number , it is a question of time . To enable us to proceed , we are in want of information as to the manner in which other halls have been obtained , viz .,

whether by purchase , or on loan ? How the fund was commenced ? How many lodges are there in the town ? If you could answer the above , or give any information , I shall feel obliged . Or , perhaps , you could inform me where to get it . I am , Dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , Birkenhead , Nov . Uth , 1860 . W . H . [ Different districts have pursued different methods . No doubt some of our correspondents will give the Birkenhead brethren the benefit of their experience . —ED . ]