Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor h not responsible for ihe opinions expressed by Correspondents . CLUB LICENCES . TO THE EDITOR Or THE EKEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AUD MASONIC MIREOn . DEAE SIR AND BEOTIIEE , —Allow me , through your

-columns , to call the attention of the brethren to the budget of the Chancellor of tbe Exchequer , Article 8 , " Club Licences , " as seriously affecting all lodges held in private rooms ; and to urge that immediate steps be taken to exempt associations formed for charitable ^ or benevolent purposes , especially the society of Freemasons . There has , for some time , been a landible effort made in

the provinces to obtain private rooms for the purposes of lodge meetings , some of which have been accomplished at great cost , but a tax of £ -17 Is ., with 5 per cent , added annually , would divert this course , and act very prejudicially on those already established , in fact must in many cases either break them up , or cripple all their charitable exertions . I cannot but feel assured that

the influence the Craft could bring to bear would induce an exemption in our case , if at once well directed ; and I trust no exertion will be spared to cause the matter to bo fully and properly represented . The present is no time for words or arguments ; the matter is of such vital importance that it its immediate action is required ; let the same be by deputationor petitionno time should

, , be lost . Should lodges of emergency be necessary , whether Grand , Provincial , or private , by all means let them be called , so that our whole strength may be used to keep us without the pale of parliamentary interference , and leave our funds free for charitable purposes . I am dear Sir and Brother , yours truly and fraternally , Bradford , April 18 th , 1863 . P . M . 379 .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAE SIE AND BEOTIIEE , —Permit me through your columns to call the attention of tho Craft , to the serious effect upon all lodges which are held in private rooms , of tbe proposed " Club and Association Licenses , " in the budget of tho Chancellor of the Exchequer .

By this arrangement—if carried in the House of Commons—all private lodges retailing wines , beer , and spirits , to their own members , will have to pay an annual license of £ 17 Is ., and 5 percent , thereon . This will in many cases , either compel the lodge to put an end to refreshment altogether , or to return to the hotel system , from whicli so many of us have at last happily emergedand

, which has done so much injury to the Craft . 1 cannot but believe that a fair and frank statement of the facts of the case , will lead to a modification by the Chancellor of the Exchequer , of his plan as regards lodges , and I shall be giad to co-operate with any brethren who think with me , in obtaining an interview with the Chanchellor of tbe Exchequer .

I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , A . P . A . WOODPOED . Swiilington , Leeds , April 21 st , 1863 .

The Royal Arch Dispute In Scotland

THE ROYAL ARCH DISPUTE IN SCOTLAND

20 THE EDITOR OF THE rilEEJIASONs' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC illBROK . SIE AND COMPANION , —Tho article which appeared in last week ' s MAGAZINE , having reference to the so-called expulsion of several Boyal Arch Masons from Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland , I beg to inform yon , is a most unfair representation of tbe . facts which led so many ( about 200 ) Companions to renounce all connection with that body . This they well know ; yet they proceeded to expulsion without having any right to sit in judgment

over those on whom they have passed their dire sentence , and this without even making a charge against any one of them , simply because they acted from conscientious motives , and would not submit to those decisions which were contrary to the laws , ancl subversive to the best interests of the Order . I am , yours fraternally , P . Z .

TO THE EDITOK Of THE FEEEJIASOXS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEROK . DEAE SIE , —III your impression of the 18 th inst . you inserted a document purporting to emanate from the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland , and dated from Grand Scribe E . ' s chambers , —0 that you had a birdseye view of tbe same!—and by the said document , it , the

Supremo Grand Chapter , in its supreme wisdom and grand ire , expels fourteen Eoyal Arch Masons , all of whem had already withdrawn themselves , voluntarily , from its arched roof , seeking shelter and protection under a more general , if not so supremely grand a one ; and this voluntary act they accompanied with and justified by several reasons , amongst which is one of something

to the following effect , viz ., that , contrary to the laws of the Supreme Grand Eoyal Arch Chapter of Scotland , and also a recent interpretation of tbe same by tbe said Chapter itself , by which it is declared no companion can be suspended from Boyal Arch privileges , without a formal libel or complaint being preferred against and served upon him , —yet Supreme Grand Chapter , in

December , 1862 , did , in its supreme wisdom , suspend four chapters from working till September , 1863 , and thirteen companions from Eoyal Arch privileges for twelve months , and this without either libel or complaint being served on any of these chapters , or either of these conipanions . Nor in this all : the supreme wrath is not yet expended . On the Ofch of April , inst ., not only on those

who , from having borne tho lighter infliction of suspension , wore in some measure prepared for the fell swoop of its concentrated wrath on their expulsion or excommunication , but also on others , to whom neither time for preparation nor warning had been given , " down comes the blow , " and thev are cut off and without remorse

thrown over the sacred hedge of Supreme Grand Chapter enclosure . Kay , further , other Grand Chapters , & c , are seriously warned not to touch anything so defiled as that which said Supreme Grand Chapter has pronounced spurious and unclean . These proceedings , as well iu their wisdom (?) , as their regularity , can by anyone at all conversant with Scotch Eoyal Arch matters , easily be

traced to the proper source , and notwithstanding the boast in Supreme Grand Eoyal Arch Chapters report for the year ending 31 st March , 1863 , of "increased prosperity , " it needs no oracle to foretell that under its present director or directorship , it will soon bo numbered amongst those things eifete , that like Giant Pagan , retain the dispositionhaving lost tho power of making themselves

, hurtful . The truth is , Mr . Editor , that if ever the history of tbe secession from Supremo Grand Eoyal Arch Chapter of Scotland be written truthfully , it will be a record of one official blunder , endeavouring to hide itself behind a bigger one till consummatum est . I am sure you are not aware how we manage matters in Scotland ; for

illustration , what expense per annum do you think an income of £ 208 5 s . Id ., should cost for management ? Say for example that of the Eoyal Arch Chapter of Scotland : to be sure election expenses are rather a serious item , but you will scarcely believe me when I tell you that North the Tweed it only takes £ 168 6 s . Sd . for that purpose , I beg 3 'our pardon , from that remains to be deducted tho

munificent sum of £ ' 5 expended in charity . Such facts carry with them their own commentary , they require none from Yours fraternally , April 22 nd , 1863 . EZEA .