Antiquity Of Masonic Degrees.

but the result and modification of tbe former . When "Delta" says that the Grand Lodge of 1717 never believed such a thing , I would ask him his authority for such a statement , and as far as Dr . Anderson is concerned , what he meant to say was , clearly not as " Delta " would fain make us believe , that he considered operative and speculative Masonry entirely and essentially distinct ,

but that the speculative brethren , the able monk and abbot architects of those days directed the operative guilds , or sodalities , or lodges ; of this many examples might be given . One word more as to the derivation of Macon . - GrEat as are the aoknoAvledged talents , and high the authority of onr distinguished Bro . Leeson , I fear that

his derivation of Macon from the Coptic , will hardly pass muster with tbe learned in that interesting science . Indeed the derivation of Macon is so distinct and so simple from the use of magon and maqonner , according to Eoquefort , early in the 12 th centuiy , that it is a waste of time to go about seeking some farfetched and unlikely derivation . If any one can point out an older use ofthe

word , the matter will deserve reconsideration , but until that be established , I must uphold the direct derivation of Macon from the Norman-French , and thence from the Latin . With regard to the extract to which "Delta" especially

refers me , I have not the volume b j' me , so do not know , under what circumstances , or by whom this address was delivered . I , hoAvever , subscribe to it , ess animo in all its length , even to that portion which . " Delta , " I presume , has had put into italics . I would just remind " Delta" that in 1726 , even according to his OAVU argument , tbe admission of working

Masons had become the exception , as speculative Masonry , by that time , was completely paramount . But so far from seeing anything in that extract unfavourable to my vieivs , I find it in on the contrary au able corroboration of all that I have sought to express . Let me conclude this letter with another quotation from Dr . Oliver , a note at the 155 th page of his 17 th

edition , 1861 , of Preston . "Many good Masons , on reading the above revelations , have jumped at tbe conclusion that the Craft bad hitherto been restricted to Operative Masons only . " But this conjecture is scarcely correct , for although the institution , at its origin , was , undoubtedly , operative , j T et scientific menunconnected with buildingwere

oc-, , casionally introduced , as witness Ashmole , Mainwaring , and their company , in 1646 . Leaving , then , the controversy here , as Ave have both fairly said our say , I beg to subscribe myself alike to "Delta" and yourself . Dear Sir and Brother , fraternally yours , March 16 th , 1863 . EBOE .

The Boy's School.

THE BOY'S SCHOOL .

TO THE EDITOB OV THE EliEEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIKEOB . DEAR SIR AXD BROTHER , —To the letter under the above heading , in your impression of the 7 th inst ., I had prepared an elaborate reply , which I have cancelled , feeling that the most satisfactory answer was rendered on Wednesday last by the magnificent success attending our Anniversary Festival .

The remarks personal to myself I leave unnoticed , with the simple , wish that your correspondent who , by his signature , would lead us to believe that he understands practical benevolence , may be speedily brought to a comprehension of that " Charity which thinketh no evil . " One or two points , however , iu this spiteful effusion of a " Life Governor of both Charities " ( both whichout of

, three ?) demand attention . I am confident that there is not one single friend of this Institution ( your correspondent only excepted , perhaps , ) who does not still , and who will not continue to entertain the liveliest feelings of gratitude to the noble Provincial Grand Master and the brethren of Warwick-

The Boy's School.

shire for their splendid exertions in connection with the Festival last year , emulated as they have been by the brethren of West Yorkshire this year . "With me , the enjoyment of present benefits never obliterates the sense of past favours . If it be otherwise with your correspondent , I neither admire nor understand the constitution of such a mind .

Novelty has no charms for " A Life Governor of both Charities , " and innovations alarms him , epecially in the shape of a lady undertaking the duties of a SteAvardship and manifesting a charming earnestness in the work of doing good , the result of which was shown on Wednesday , in Mrs . Alfred Lamb ' s list of donations amounting to upwards of £ 200 .

" The parenthetical Captain Lamb " is the husband of this lady who has thus won honour for herself and set an example which , I trust , may be imitated by many of our fair sisters , and like a good Mason and gallant gentleman , as he is , shared in his wife ' s labours and discharged those duties incident to tho office she had undertaken from the performance of which she was

debarred by her sex . The Board of Stewards evinced their appreciation of Mrs . Lamb ' s efforts by enrolling her name amongst their Vice-Presidents , and by allotting to her the place of honour in the gallery at the Festival .

I shall not here attempt to justify tbe division of the list of subscribers , or of tbe names of the brethren officiating as Stewards , under the respective heads of London and the various provinces ; it has met with general approval . Energy and activity apparently find no favour with " A Life Governor , & o , " who seems rather to uphold the

laissez fairs system ( terribly out of place , to my mind , in an express age like the present ) , entertaining a dread of " well-meaning but over zealous officials . " In the sublime book terminating the canon of the sacred volume , once doubtless commended under peculiar circumstances to your correspondent as the rule and guide of his faith , I find a record of the denunciation to the Angel of the

Church of Laodicea of tbe sin of " lukewarmness . " In another part of the same volume I read " Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do , do it with thy might . " I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , F . BINCKES , Secretary , Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys . 16 A Great Queen-street , March 16 th , 1863 .

P . S . —Doubts having been expressed as to tho correctness of the amount announced at the festival on the llth inst ., I have myself carefully checked every list , and am happy to inform the friends of the Institution , through your columns , that the exact sum is £ 4511 8 s . 6 cZ ., and that I knoiv of additions to be made to their lists amounting to about £ 35 .

The Boys' School.

THE BOYS' SCHOOL .

TO THE EDITOB OF THE FBEEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEROB . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Tour weekly periodical has IIOAV attained a position so Avell recognised among members of tho Craft , and so extensively circulated wherever lodges are to be found , that it affords the best medium for offering suggestions on any points affecting the interests of the Avhole body of Freemasons in England .

Under this impression I venture to make a few remarks in reference to the Boys' School which may be worth consideration , in full confidence that they will find their way to the proper quarters and will receive any attention they may deserve . The report you have given in your last number of the annual festival of this important Institution isno doubtbeing read with great

satisfac-, , tion by all the lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of England , inasmuch as it bears testimony of more enlarged support , points to well founded hopes of more extended usefulness , records a satisfactory state of efficiency , and concludes with favourable reports