Correspondence.

ever pays a fraction more than he is rated at , " surely our daily experience tends to prove that the truly benevolent regard not their pro rata as the maximum of their liberality , as evidenced in all the public and private charitable institutions of every description , and of which Englishmen are justly proud , as being the

spontaneous efforts of collective bodies or private individuals—this is too apparent to require special examples . " A W . M . " asks , Whether I have considered the results Avhich would follow on my plan coming into operation ? If he will kindlfavour me by referring

y io my Inst letter , he will find that I " express my strong conviction that the levying of this small amount would not interfere with the more extended voluntary contributions of those to whom Providence has been bountiful . "

The proposition submitted by " A W . M . " —as to whether Ereemasons have a right to claim assistance from the Masonic Charities — is simply so unconditional that it requires no refutation whatever . With respect to the details suggested by " A W . M ., " as the result of my plan being carried outit would

, be . premature to anticipate the " radical changes" he predicts . At all events I have no wish to appropriate his ideas , but will gladly give him the full credit of any advantage that may accrue from his condensed system .

I would here again observe that the amount proposed to be raised by the levying of half-a-crown from ¦ each member for each of the Charities would be so independent of the efforts now made , as not to interfere at all with the voluntary contributions Auade by the brethren for the various Charities ; and that the £ 12500 would be an additional annual income over

, and above the £ 16 , 500 at present subscribed by the ¦ " warm-hearted and generous donors" to these valuable institutions , which I regard not merely as " adjuncts , " but as fundamental and vital principles of our Order . Again thanking " A W . M . " for the expression of

his opinion that the discussion of this subject " will inevitably lead to good results , " although not , perhaps , in the direction I anticipate , I am , truly and fraternally yours , P . M . October 12 th , 1864 .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

SO THE EDITOE OF THE PEEEiTASOJfs' aTAGAZITTE AHT > ITASOKIC MIBROR . DEAR , SIR AND E . COMP . —Tour excellent MAGAZINE of the 15 th inst . contained a letter signed by "A M . M . " under the above heading , Avhich illustrates the old proverb that " One story is good until another is told . "

I happen to possess a copy of the by-laws of the 'Oriental Chapter ( No . 687 ) referred to ( enclosed for your inspection ) , wherein it appears that Bro . "M . M ., " I charitably suppose , has made a clerical error in his quotation . No . 9 by-law reads as folloAvs : — "No resident brother shall be proposed for exalta

- tion unless he be at the time of his proposition a subscribing member of a lodge . " I am , dear Sir and E . Comp ., Yours fraternally , A MEMBER OP THE SUPREME G . CHAP .

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

At the meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence , oil Wednesday , the 19 th inst ., Bro . Gr . Plucknett , S . G . D ., in the chair , twelve petitions were relieved with various sums , amounting in the aggregate to £ 135 10 . ? . ; and two petitions were recommended to Grand Lodge for £ 50 each . The children of the Boys' and Girls' Schools will visit the

entertainment of Bro . Anderson , the Wizard of the North , this afternoon , and we anticipate that there will be a goodly attendance of Masons . Bro . JNirnmo is the obliging D . C . of the Wizard , and has long been well known for his courtesy to all visitors .

Boys' School.

BOYS' SCHOOL .

The Quarterly Court of this Institution was held at the Freemasons' Tavern on Monday last , Bro John Symonds , V . P ., in the chair . The minutes of the various committees having been confirmed , and the ordinary business transacted , a notice of motion by Bro . Edward Cox , V . P ., relative to the subscriptions to the Building

Fund , was withdrawn . A ballot was then proceeded with for nine pupils out of the thirty-one approved candidates , which resulted as follows : — How , Georare Augustus Frank 920 Vink , Charles Edward 737 Harrison , Frederick Musgrave 622 HealJoseph . 595

, Rees , Rowland Frederick 549 Berkley , Alfred 513 Packer , William James 535 Longbotham , Alonzo 523 Wood , William Dunbar 508

Denton , Henry Joseph .-... 452 West , Walter Bowditch 433 Hill , John Staniforth 41 . 7 Recknell , George Samuel 39-1 Tappolet , Fredrick 357 Floyd , Henry William 305 Dawson , William 299

Thompson , Benjamin Henry 155 Johnson , Henry 151 Crab tree , Benjamin Townshend , 143 Pearson , LaumannSate 142 Martin , John Boss 135 Jones , Edwin Henry ; 107 Hicknott , Henry 90 Dawson , John Cowan 8 G

Wilson , Robert Christopher 72 Ash ton , Henry James 48 Collingwood , Samuel 32 Jackson , Herbert James 18 Owen , William Henry 10 Bentley , Edwin Thomas 3 Graham , Fredrick 3 The first nine were elected . Votes of thanks to the President and Scrutineers closed the proceedings . __

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

GEAND STEWAEDS' LOD & E . —This , the first and model lodge of the Craft , held its primary meeting for the season at the Freemasons' Tavern , on Wednesday , the 19 th inst . Present : Bros . S . E . Nutt , P . M ., as W . M , ; R . Spencer , S . W . ; John Gurton , J . W . ; W . Watson , Sec . ; G . S . States , S . D . ; W . Kirhy , I . G . ; Samuels , P . M . ; Matthew Cooke , visitor . The W . M ., Bro . John Bennett , Bros . Binckes , and John Udall joined the brethren at a later period of the evening . The lodge was regularly opened , and the general business transacted , due notice being