Grand Conclave.

remuneration ; that it is a very considerable time since I acted in either capacity , and that there is no ground for the insinuation that to the condition in which I left the accounts is to be attributed the difficulty which has existed . After the expressions that functionary has used with respect to Captain

Boyle , it may suit his purpose to " champion the absent , " and set up a quasi defence on his behalf for the purpose of attempting to further blacken me , but the transparency of the effort is as patent as the advocacy is sincere . To enter at length into the merits of the question at

issue between Grand Conclave and Captain Boyle and myself would occupy more space than I dare ask at your hands . So far as pecuniary matters are concerned , I am a serious sufferer by a connection which I shall only regret once , ancl that for ever , for having formed . That bodhas ceased to

existhowy , ever , ancl let its memory perish with it . In my capacity as liquidator of the Bedford Club I have received less than £ 90 , and have paid nearly £ 120 , and my accounts can be inspected at any time . In the remarks I have made I have not intended to

reflect on Captain Boyle . Ho says he can , and he doubtless will , explain and defend his conduct in whatever particular it may have appeared censurable . J have acted from a reliance on his good faith , as I have before stated . He may take what course he may think best to substantiate his integrity . Eor

myself , I not only court , but , Avhen the proper time arrives , shall demand a full investigation into the particulars of my conduct in this matter , and confidently and fearlessly wait the result . Apologising for thus trespassing upon you , I am , dear Sir and Brother , Tours fraternally , FEEDEEICK BINCKIES . London , May 22 nd , 1867 .

Rights Of Visitors.

RIGHTS OF VISITORS .

TO THE EDITOE OE THE EREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND 2 IASONIC MIHROE . DEAE SIE AND BEOTHEE , —I feel considerable diffidence in writing to you again on this subject , and I should have no occasion to do so if I had not seen my name mentioned as holding an opinion from Avhich I dissent , the result of an apparent discrepancy in my first letter . The insertion of the word " If" lied

, supp hy Bro . Hughan , exactly expressed my meaning . The words omitted were " ( says your correspondent ) , " implying that the case supposed expressed the opinion of Bro . Hopkins , as understood from the note , to the report of the meeting of the Loyalty Lodge , viz ., that a lodcould exclude visitors during the

conge sideration of private business , but not during the reading of the minutes , the record of such discussion , and its result . Bro . Hopkins ' s first question , " Can a visitor demand admission to any lodge ? " is , I think , satisfactorily answered by the minute of the Board of General Purposes of the 2 nd of June , 1819 , quoted

by Bro . Hughan in the same week ' s Magazine , which was the result , I believe , of an appeal to Grand Lodge , and to which , but for the insertion of the word " general , " I should have previously drawn attention . As regards his second question , the point actually in dispute , my own views entirely coincide with Bro . Hughan's , —that a lodge under the English Constitution cannot legally exclude a visitor at any time between the opening and closing . An authorita-

Rights Of Visitors.

tive reply , however , can only be given by the Board of General Purposes ; and as the importance of the subject demands it , I trust a definite answer may be obtained . If it be contra to the opinion of Bro . Hughan it must then be clearly decided what is " private business , " as a loclge not a hundred mi ? es

from here sometime ago excluded A'isitors during the election of the Master . In conclusion , it may not he out of place to assure Bro . Hopkins that his struggle with officialdom ancl incapacity in high places has been Avatched with interest and much sympathy by many not personally acquainted Avith the particulars . Tours fraternally , W . S . L .

The Rights Of .'Visitors.

THE RIGHTS OF . 'VISITORS .

TO THE EDITOE OE THE EREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRItOB . DEAE SIE AND BEOTHEE , —A contemptuous stricture of Bro . Hughan ' s in the controversy relating to the rights of visitors , namely , " especially Avhen some of the members of that lodge may have some petty jealousy of one Avho has done more than any other six members put togetherin either Jersey or

Guern-, sey , for the general good of the Craft , " must , I am sure , have escaped your usual ancl responsible vigilance , otherwise you would not have allowed it to grace the pages of your paper . I Avill not enter into the merits or demerits of the case in question , but simply state Bro . Hughan hasas any other Mason

, , an undoubted privilege and duty to discuss and analyse any controvered matter in order to render it clearer and more intelligible , but I deny him a right of stigmatising the collective body Masonic of two provinces by his injudicious and gratuitous insulting comparison . I have known the brother by the tongue

of good report , and I have sincerely appreciated his services in nobly fighting for the good cause . Unfortunately imagining himself to be a Titanic genius , ancl losing all control of his goodAvill towards his neighbours , he overstepped the limits of common sense , of modesty , and charity in assailing the

collectivity of brethren Avithout the least cause or motive ivhatevcr , not being Avorth to be compared to a single brother as regards the fruits of their respective labours . I bear Avillingly and joyfully testimony to our brother , Dr . Hopkins ' s earnest zeal , talent , and ability in every branch of Masonic structure , being fully persuaded that he will not thankfullaccept the

y intended compliment , ( I say stigma ) , paid to him to the detriment of a supposed band of ignorant Masons ofthe two combined provinces . Bro . W . J . Hughan , therefore , deserves a lesson which may he of some use to him in future . He ought to know that tho G . A . O . T . U . in bestoAving more talent , more faculties

on any of His children expects of him , in the same ratio , more services , more usefulness to the great family of mankind , and he is bound to do so under the penalty of everlasting reprobation for having frustrated His intent and purpose in making uso of that talent for selfish and ambitious interestinstead

, of placing its resources at the service of the Avhole community ; for the Father of the human race is as pleased with one generous Avord or letter of a less fortunate being , as with millions of phrases and discourses of those few into whose minds He has implanted the seed of extraordinary powers . Let