Correspondence.

thing which tends to cast discredit on the Fraternity . The considerations advanced on previous occasions -do not appear to have drawn attention to the subject , and I shall probably not again trouble your readers with my opinions upon it , wdiich are nevertheless entertained by many others , but rest content with the

protests I have entered , —trusting to time to remedy the evils complained of . Happily , such rulers of provinces are rare , and to this fact may be attributed the disregard with which our difficulties have been treated , and the want of interest exhibited by the Craft generally . "Were we in a less isolated position

, and were the Masonic authorities more accessible , no doubt the case would be different . Let it be borne in mind , however , that so long as Prov . G . M . 's are appointed by the Grand Master , without regard to the wishes of the provinces , and even in opposition to them , so long as the provincial rulers are to a great

-extent irresponsible , as we have had reason to believe is the case , others may , perchance , be placed in the same predicament as ourselves and suffer in like manner without a hope of redress . Tours fraternally , " P . M . " June , 1866 .

Ladies' Stewards; What Are Their Duties?

LADIES' STEWARDS ; WHAT ARE THEIR DUTIES ?

10 THE EDITOB Or TUB EltEEMASOHS ilAGAZIHE AND MASOXIC HIImOK . " But not to our brethren alone we confine True brotherly love ,- —that affection divine ; For our kind-hearted sisters in that have a share , For as we admire , we're beloved by the fair . " DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I have a natural aversion to rushing into printand more especially so

, for the purpose of stating a grievance in matters connected with the Craft in which I may be personally concerned . I have , however , on this occasion felt that as the subject upon which I have ventured to address you is not one involving a mere question of personal satisfactionbuton the contraryone

, , , seriously affecting the Craft in general , I have felt justified in writing you upon the duties of the so-called " Ladies' Bteivarcls " at our several festivals , with the view to a thorough ventilation of what I believe to be a very important question , when considered in connection with the prosperity of our

Charities . It will , I believe , be admitted that beyond any question our fair sisters may co-operate with us as important and powerful auxiliaries towards accomplishing successful results at our charitable festivals and gatherings . It should , therefore , be our policy , by

showing them the sunny side of Masonry , and allowing them to bask in its genial atmosphere , to cause their hearts to warm towards our Institution and its noble influences and efforts . They will thus see that we do not meet alone in sullen secret , conclave , become hard-hearted , and indulge in selfish enjoyments , but

by our exhibiting that true expansive element which should characterise us as Freemasons , and by carefully studying the interests of our fair patrons in every possible way , they will find that indeed they have a share , and a large one , too , in our love and attention ; but " revenons a nos moutons . " "What are the duties of Ladies' Stewards ? Do they

Ladies' Stewards; What Are Their Duties?

consist in a brother who holds that office at one of our festivals merely taking under his protecting wing a chosen , select party , who are to monopolise his attention , whilst those beyond the pale of such patronage are to take their chance of infinitely worse than " pot-luck , " and to consider themselves fortunate

indeed if , by dint of constantly besieging and entreating hireling and stupid waiters , they succeed in getting even the most stinted supply of any refreshment whatever ? The latter illustration , I regret to testify , was realised at the late Festival of the Girls ' School , to which I aud other brethren who have cause halves

to complain , in an evil moment took our better with us . We , in our capacity of Charity Stewards , were of course separated from the ladies , who _ we expected would at least receive ordinary attention . So far , however , from this being the , case , not only were they almost unprovided with the least modicum of refreshment , but the rough deal board and extemporised accommodation , in the shape of seats in the

ladies' gallery , to which they were consigned , was of such vilely inconvenient , cramped dimensions as to render it a case of boxed-up imprisonment , infinitely worse than the coicpe of an old French diligence . Indeed , my wife came out with dress torn and altogether disgusted with the way she had been served at the ¦

'• sight . " I am induced more especially now to address you on this subject as I find on perusal of your last issue that Bro . Muggeridge , in a speech at the consecration of the Cornwallis Lodge in referring to the late Festival of the Girls' School , states that " there was also a

marked improvement in the tavern keeper ' s arrangements , —many of you will perhaps say there was quite room enough for that . " JSTow , I am sure that if we are to count upon the patronage and support of our fair sisters it is quite evident that a decided improvement must also be made in the arrangements made for their comfort . Tours fraternally , " CHARITY STEWARD . "

Ar01003

Wo take the following from Bro . Guilbert ' s ( Grand Master ) late encyclical letter to the Iowa Craft : —Masonic Journalism —Referring to the topics contained in my last encyclical letter , I desire to reiterate more forcibly all that I said therein with regard to the importance of Masonic journalism , and the necessity that is laid upon us as Masons of supporting the illy-paid fraters who have made it a professionwith Our kind words and our

, kinder material subscription aid . I feel disposed , even more earnestly than I did on the occasion in question , to reaffirm the points 1 then made , and to urge upon yon again the merits of the journals I named : satisfied as I am , that in so doing I but counsel you to perform acts which will bring swift and sure reward . Masonic journals , properly and Masonically conducted are the commissioned and ever to be respected educators of the

rank and file of the Order , in the history and symbolism , the noticeable aims , and the wondrous uses of Masonry . They are all the more entitled to occupy this exalted position , because of the fact that they convey in a familiar and readable way that information which unfortunately few have time or inclination to seek in the elaborate volumes which adorn _ the shelves of tlia public and private Masonic libraries of the time . I would sea

these painstaking , and too often poorly requited editors and publishers so well sustained by the pecuniary suffrages of the faithful , as that they may add to their means of usefulness , by adequately compensating their writers , and thus succeed in bringing to aid them the productions of the master minds of the Fraternity .