Ernest Ii.

the words he spoke when accepting tho civ ' ¦ it Gotha . We will conclude this sketch by quoting tin "Centuries -igo Masonry v . ny lL . : . . ., uf the spirit of the age . Tho human race lias since adv ;; ..-, ; od with rapid strides iu its development ; lot therefore Masonry show now that it has dul y kept pace ivith the times ; let it also now represent

tho highest ideas of progress ; let it also now , as formerly , reflect the spirit of tho ago , not only in its noblest phase , but also in the special demands of human kiud . Let it be a free community , independent of tho state and tlie church ; let it be a guiding hand forward to the striving ; a hel ping brother to the mentally and bodily oppressed ; m . bje in will , free in thought , and cheering in action . "

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

[ THE EMTOI : docs not hold himself responsible for any opinions entertained hy Correspondents . ' } THE BRITISH MUSEUM . TO THE EDITOR 01 ? THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . BEAU Sin AXD BROTHER , —The reformation of such abuses as unconnected with

arc the Craft will scarcely be considered by the subscribers to the Freemasons ' Mac / azine as the peculiar mission of that journal . Since , moreover , there arc several distinguished brethren iu the British Museum , I think it is for the general interests of the Craft that the merits and demerits of that institution should be left to be dealt ivith bthose of public opinion which

y organs are devoted to the discussion of the political and social questions of the day . _ This is all the notice I shall take of the letter in your impression of the oth instant , signed "Fellow Craft ; " for , in the words ol feliakspeare , I look upon the Freemasons' Magazine as a "place where I could not breed no contentions with him . " Nearl as brief shall be notice of the article tho Shaks

y my on - pearcan controversy , which " Fellow Craft" deemed a convenient peg to hang his letter on . That article ivas singularly out of place , intemperate in its tone , and absurd in its advice . Mr . Hamilton is a gentleman who cannot fail to be esteemed by all who value sound scholarship ami varied accomplishments , united with amiability of temper and honesty of purpose .

Sneers about his initials , and elaborate calculations of the number of lines he wrote per diem in his pamphlet , will never bring such a-man into contempt ; but , on the contrary , will be regarded as evidences of the weakness of his opponent's cause . In conclusion , I venture to suggest the m'opriety of keepins the Freemasons' Magazine , popularly deemed the organ of the Masonic bodfree from these literary quarrels well from attacks

y , , as as on public bodies ; for it is only by such a course that it can retain the confidence of the great fraternity which embraces men ol every sect and opinion , and . which is ' represented in almost every public institution within the British possessions . I am , dear Sir , yours fraternal ! v , London , 12 th May , 1860 . M . M .

Blackballed Candidates.

BLACKBALLED CANDIDATES .

TO IKE EDHOTt- 01 ' THE MEEIIASOXS' MAGAZINE AND MASOUIC JIIJUIOII . Sin AXD BUOTIIEI ; , —In reference to the interpretation very generally given to the Constitutions , and recently laid clown as Masonic law by the Provincial Grand Master for Trinidad , but the correctness of which you justly question—namely , that a blackballed candidate cannot be reproposcd in the same Lodge—I am enabled to state that this point decidedlast b

very was , year , y the Board of General Purposes in a provincial case . The Board ruled , by letter from the Grand Secretary , that such interpretation was erroneous , and that a blackballed candidate was eligible for reproposition imthc same Lodge . I am . yours fraternally , May lOtlt , 1 S 00 . ' A . 13 . C .

Visitors' Certificates: Almoner Of Lodges.

VISITORS' CERTIFICATES : ALMONER OF LODGES .

TO THE EDITOR OP THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AXD 1 US 0 SIC MIRROR . DEAR Sin AND BROTIIKU , —The 15 th of the Antient Charges , which concerns every installed blaster , is " That no visitor shall be received into your Lodge without due examination and pro-

Visitors' Certificates: Almoner Of Lodges.

duciug proper vouchers of his having been initiated in a regular Lodge , " which clearly includes the documentary proof of initiation . Any stranger may call himself "Tiro . Cooke of Kentucky , " but we , who have no personal acquaintance ivith the real Bro . Cooke , have to use our discretion whether ive admit such stranger into our Lodge , he coming without his certificate ; and I most certainly should not admit such unknown , and not recommended by any

brother of my Lodge or visitor known to me . Any attempt to thrust himself within the porch or to attenrpt to remain and " argue the point , " is a miscalculation of any brother , and opposed to that courtesy ivhieh , most especially in a stranger , is the common duty of every brother towards each other ; and b } ' consequence the Worshipful Master of the Devonport Lodge is much to be commended for discharging what he conceived to be his duty , avoidiii " - fear on the one hand and rashness on the other .

I have a few remarks to offer on another subject . Several Lodges in this country preserve the office of Almoner ; and , as the Almoner of one of the Lodges 1 have the honour to belong to , I can speak with certainty as to the great utility of such an officer . If "W . M . St . George" ( p . 351 ) had been present on many applications to me for relief , he would have been convinced of the necessity of a vast deal greater proof of brotherhood than even the production of a

certificate , several attempts at imposition having been checked by the production of what the applicants stated was their certificate . During the last four or five j ^ ears I have held the honourable position of Almoner , aud during that period detected more than as many rank impostors . 'Previous to my appointment each brother belonging to the Lodge ivas subject to applications from all coinersand 1 have reason to believe that travelling vagrants

, , having learned what they call proofs of their belonging to us , possess lists of brethren belonging to different Lodges , amended periodically , handed , doubtless , for some valuable consideration , to their particular friends disposed to include particular Lodges within their intended ramble after the weak and inexperienced brethren .

It will be seen by this that the Almoner should be a brother of the utmost experience , and one to whom all applicants should be sent for such relief as he may think , in his judgment , proper to be given from the Lodge funds for such purpose . Frequently applicants have offered to me tokens of the esoteric degrees , doubtless under the impression that such productions would incite me to be more lavish of the funds placed at my disposal , tho majority of such have been Irishmen ; Scotchmen next , and then continental brethren ; very few English brethren

arc vagrants . In relieving an applicant I privately communicate with the Almoner of the Lodge or Lodges nearest to mine , and they do the same , that we may severally know what is done ; and such arrangement has produced incalculable benefit in checking and punishing impostors and adding to the relief and comfort of deserving applicants . Such an arrangement ought to exist between the Almoners ( or Secretaries in case of no Almoner ) Avhercver our Grand Master ' s authority and power readies . I am , fraternally yours , Villi May , I 860 . ' E . E . X .

Royal Arch Fees.

ROYAL ARCH FEES .

TO THE EDITOR OP THE FHEEMASOXS' MAGAZINE AND MASOMO MIRKOE . DEAR SIR ANI > BROTHER , —I cannot refrain from expressing the regret I feel , in common , I am convinced , with the great majority of provincial companions , at the decision of the Supreme Grand Chapter , on the 2 nd instant , in refusing to sanction the proposed reduction of the fee for exaltation into the Royal Arch Degreeand I cannot but think that had the majority present

con-, sisted of provincial instead of ( as must necessarily be the case ) London companions , a very different result would have been arrived at . From my experience of Royal Arch Masonry in this province , I firmly believe that if the alteration proposed by the committee had been adopted , it would have been attended with the happiest effect , in promoting the extension of this beautiful Order , to ivhieh it is so highly desirable that every M . M . should

attain . I cordially concur in the able remarks made by Comps . Havers and Warren ; and with every respect for the great Masonic attainments and experience of my old friend and worth y brother , Comp . Savage , I cannot but think that he has taken an erroneous view of the subject , so far , at leas * , as the provinces arc concerned . Had the proposition been to make the reduction compulsory instead of permissive only , it would doubtless have been an injudicious one , and would have merited rejection . As facts , however , arc far more potent than the mere expression of opinion ,