Masonic Sayings And Doings Abroad.

We have received a pamphlet , very handsomely got up , containing the newspaper accounts of the magnificent Reception of the Grand Chapter of New York by the Royal Arch Masons of Albany . The scene is spoken of as one of " fairy-like splendour , '' the decorations grand , and the tout ensemble one of

unsurpassed brilliancy . We have only space for a short extract from the New York " World " : — "That wonderful order which does not let unfraternal look come to its inner life , allowed us to see the grandeur of its portals , the exquisite carvings i of its outer work in the reception given by the Royal Arch Masons of

Albany to the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State . The great room at Tweddle Hall was brilliant in light and colour . Everywhere dressing and wreathing made >

curves of beauty . The word of welcome was in fire that glowed and shadowed with every breath of the air . The jewels of the higher officials were of rare work and water . There was music , and the" disci plined movement of the review , and a delighted and impressed circle of ladies and gentlemen all around .

It was another superb page in the more than century old volume of the Masonic Order of this city . After the pageant of the review and the reception , " on went the dance , " and better secrets than the inmost recesses of the lodge can record were told by bright

eyes . Down on it all the portrait of the grand man , who was of Alexandria Lodge , looked , and as we saw his face and that of the great manorial proprietor , we thought of the old school of gentlemen , and congratulated Masonry that it had such names in its annals , "

A new Masonic Temple was recently dedicated at Akron , Ohio , with imposing ceremony . Ten thousand people are said to have been present on the occasion .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents KNOWLEDGE OF THE ARTS AND SCIENCES .

10 THE EDITOE OF * THE EBEEJIASONS MAGAZINE AUD MASONIC MIREOH . Dear Sir and Brother , —Whilst quite agree i ng with " A Masonic Inquirer " in his communication iu your last issue , as to the advisability of a knowledge of the Arts and Sciences being inculcated in our lodgesI cannot agree with him that " in most lod

, ges in London and several parts of the Kingdom a lecture on some point of Geometry or Architecture is given at every meeting . '' In the same number of the Magazine in which th's remark occurs there are reports of seven London Lodges , but I look in vain for the lecture on

Geometry or Architecture . If "A Masonic Inquirer" would kindly inform your readers in which of the London Lodges , and in

Correspondence.

which other parts of the kingdom this teaching is carried on , you will confer a favour upon , Yours fraternally , J . D . M .

[ Our correspondent has evidently lost sight of the nature of the article in question in which the passage referred to occurs , and which is a reprint of an interesting though quaint Masonic " speech" delivered to the Worshipful arid Ancient Society of Free and Accepted Masons afc a Grand Lodge , held in the city of York , December 27 fch , 1726 , —ED . F . M . and M . M . ]

THE PROPOSED TESTIMONIAL TO A JUNIOR CLERK IN THE GRAND SECRETARY'S OFFICE , AND MASONIC INNOVATIONS . TO THE EDITOR OE THE ITEEEMASONs' MAGAZINE AUD MASONIC MIBBOB . Dear Sir and Brother . —I must congratulate you upon the articles and letters which have recently

appeared in the magazine , deprecating the proposed "Testimonial ' ' movement , and the masonic innovations which have been introduced by the brother to whom it is proposed to present the said testimonial . The articles and letters to which I refer have broken the ground upon a subject which I have long thought

, with many others , ought to have engaged the attention of the Board of General Purposes ere this ; and the impression appears to be gaining ground that that body would appear to be wilfully blind ' and deaf upon the subject . I can heartily endorse tho remark made in your article in the Magazine of the 4 th inst . —

viz ., that tbe Masonic body in this country , looking to Grand Lodge , and more especially to the Board of General Purposes , have a right to demand that the subject of the recent deviations from the masonic landmarks , and in which one of the paid servants in the Grand Secretary ' s office has played a most

prominent part , should receive a most searching examination . I express tbe opinion alike of myself and numerous old masons and members of Grand Lodge , when I say that we shall certainly , at the next quarterly communication , look for some statement from the Board of General Purposes in connection with these matters , otherwise they will certainly have to be brought in a more decided manner under the notice of Grand Lodge . "AN OLD MASON . "

Recent Deviations From The Masonic Landmarks.

RECENT DEVIATIONS FROM THE MASONIC LANDMARKS .

10 THE EDITOE 05- THE EEEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIREOE . Dear Sir and Brother , —Tu your article on the above subject appearing iu your issue of the 4 th insfc ., I note that you draw attention , and ou very good grounds , to the awkward fact that those in the Grand Secretary ' s department should now stand charged with encouraging that which has been brouht under the ban from the

g very same department , viz ., during the Grand Secretary , ship ofthe late Bro . Gray Clarke . Tbe apparent inconsistency of this slate of things is however to me pretty plainly accounted for , if the rumour which circulates freely in any locality is correct , viz ., that the "Innovator " himself assumes to a great extent the Grand Secretary ' s powers—in other words , that the intended

recipient of the testimonial is the de facto Grand Secretary !¦— -I shall , -with a large number of the Craft , look anxiously to the next meeting of Grand Lodge for the edaircissement ) as regards the well grounded charges of complaint as to tbe working of the Grand Secretary's Department . " ANTI-HUMBUG . "