Correspondence.

interesting collections at the Grand Lodge of England , and of the acquaintance of Bro . Librarian and his distinguished colleagues . In his opinion , the collection of Gnostic gems is one of the most remarkable in Europe ; the Indian

collection is very cnrious , and has brought before him many remarkable facts which will be embraced in his neAV Avork—that the collection of Masons ^ marks , and mediceval vases , is more complete than any elsewhere ,. aud ought to be more carefully

studied , and so on ad nauseum . That made another appointment with Bro . Librarian to spend tAvo or three mornings in examining the Van Knocheubeiu collection of German archives .

Mrs . P ., puffed up like a peacock , makes a fool of herself . She says she used not to think much of Freemasonry , till the museum AA'as established , and she thinks it had led many Freemasons to take an interest in literary and scientific matters who did not care about them before . She knew

the time when Mr . P . never thought of going to such places , though he stopped aAvay Avhole evenings from home . She AA as very glad Mr . P . had the opportunity of spending the clay with his friend , and being useful to him , Mr . P . Avas a

A ery great Freemason , he was a Grand Master or something , she did not knoAV what , and Avas a subscriber to all the charities . He gave aAvay very large sums . She thought the Girls' School a very valuable institution , and that they gave a very

good education . She liked Masonic balls , because her girls ahvays got partners . Knew Mr . P . AA'ould do anything he could , was a great friend of the Librarian ' s , and had helped him to found the library . She ho | : > ed Mr . P . would give some

¦ of his things to tho library some day . She should not object , but she could say , that she thought it a very valuable institution , and did great credit to Freemasons and all connected Avith them .

I doubt very much whether the concocters and admirers of these libraries and valuable collections have the least notion of the way in which they spread and groAV , becoming dangerous nuisances . The Greenwich Naval Gallery , planned by Mr .

Lecberger , about thirty years ago , and without costing the country a farthing , has so increased by donations and bequests as to usurp a large space in the unoccupied part of the hospital . The United Service Institutions has grown u } D

in the same time . The Historical Portrait Gallery , chiefly by bequests , has grown too big for its home .

For that matter , the National Gallery has SAVolIen up within forty years , from donations and bequests . A feAV such examples as these are sufficient to give salutary warning as to the consequences ,

which will befall our noble hall , if it is once thrown open as an omnium gatherum . The promoters of ologies and collections , glad to take advantage of such an opportunity , will vie \ vith each other in making presents aud bequests .

Then , too , if we look at the field for collections , under a few heads , Ave cannot expect the least moderation from those who like to have the air of public spirit , and to do something for Avhat they call the public good .

Picture Gallery . As so many eminent men have been Freemasons in the last two centuries , Ave shall have no lack of portraits of distinguished Freemasons presented by their AvidoAVS , children , grandchildren , and nephews , or painted by

public subscrip tion . This will lead to another nuisance . Bro . Hawk ' s-eye finds out that a portrait is wanted to complete a series , only fifty guineas , to get one painted . Stump up your guinea . As the said picture gallery will range over

Solomon and the Temple , and a lot of Scripture subjects , so Ave shall get acres of canvas from anoicvnt masters and modern masters .

This -will let in the women and the children . When they have done the National Gallery , Dulwich Gallery , Hampton Court , the Naval Gallery , and the Historical Gallery , they will come down on the Gallery at Freemasons' Hall . Mr . P . M . is

a Freemason : " ask him for a ticket for the private days . " No . 2 Archives . With such a nest egg of old papers as there is in the premises , the collection will always be getting more complete from lodges ,

and private collectors . By-and-bye we shall have calendars printed and catalogues presented to members of Grand Lodge "Mr . P . M ., you are a P . M ., " says some literary friend or suckling , " please lend me your catalogue

of the MSS . at Freemasons' Hall ; I wish to investigate a subject for AA'hich there are no materials at Freemasons' Hall . Send down the volumes of

catalogues by a servant . " No . 8 , Library . —This speaks for itself ; and as it is unlimited in scope , and Avill be made to appeal to the sympathies of Freemasons , a volume a-jnece will soon fill yards of shelves .