Masonry In France.

S . G . W . of England within the province . Looking to the relative rank of his P . G . M . in Grand Lodge , he always considered he was entitled to a corresponding rank in Grand Lodge , that a P . D . G . M . ought to rank after the G . Wardens , and the P . G . Wardens after the GDeaconsThen he held rank

, . , as now , no at all , but was only allowed to rank in Grand Lodge as P . M ., and , though allowed to wear the insigns of his rank , everywhere , by the Book of Constitutions , he is compelled to wear a blue collar over his own collar .

Now the matter is worse . A measure was promised some years ago to give honorary rank in Grand Lodge to distinguished Grand Officers of Foreign and Colonial District Grand Lodges . As yet this has been done only in one case , an Indian S . G . W ., a brother who had rendered eminent service . On the other hand

, the local importance of these officers has been increased by their becoming Acting District Grand Masters , by their sitting in permanent Grand Lodges , and by the iucrease of Masonry in their districts . They find , however , they neither get Masonic promotions bbeing appointed Grand Masters in

y their own provinces nor permanent rank at home , and they now feel the more strongly the contrast whenever they leave their districts permanently or temporarily .

^ hus I say the whole question of our external Masonic policy requires to be put on another footing , ¦ and _ more particularly with regard to France , by receiving representations from the two Grand Lodges here , by accrediting our representatives to them , and by co-operation with them in France and abroad . They would greatly benefit in France with the Government and the public , and we shoxild benefit by their cordial action with us .

By bringing about this concordat , we should confer an international service and I beg thus publicly to bring it before the notice of the rulers of the Craft . So strongly , indeed , is the necessity of some step being taken , that I have contemplated bringing the subject before Grand Lodge , but prefer that it should be dealt with by the cabinet of the M . W . G . M .

Tours truly and fraternally , Q HYDE CLARKE , b . b-. l . A . 33 ° Supreme Council of France , Member of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of France , S . P . E . C . Grand Orient of France . 32 . St . George ' s-square , S . W ., March 23 . 1 S 67 .

The Tendency Of Some Correspondence.

THE TENDENCY OF SOME CORRESPONDENCE .

. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIKBOB . _ I apologise to " A Lover of the Craft " for doing him an injustice , and assure him I meant none . I do not think that scepticism would be produced by discovering the origin of all the degrees ; and , moreover , I believe that , although Freemasonry should be proved to be

a thing of yesterday , which is anything but the case , its principles are such as to recommend it to ages yet unborn . But I do believe that pretence , humbug , and fable , disgust many eminent brethren who would otherwise prove able exponents of our mysteries . Furthermore , I believe that , beyond St .

The Tendency Of Some Correspondence.

John ' s Masonry , Masonic equality is destroyed , and the beautiful structure of the Society marred . But everyone is entitled to hold to his own opinion , and on the question of the upper degrees I am sick of controversy . Tours fraternally , ANTHONY ONEAL HAYE .

Masonic Knights Of Constantinople.

MASONIC KNIGHTS OF CONSTANTINOPLE .

TO TIIE EDITOE OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEEOE . Dear Sir and Brother , —As doubtless some of your readers will be pleased to know something about this degree , which has been so zealously advocated lately , together with its sister degree of the Knights of the Eed Cross of ConstantineI take the liberty of

send-, ing you the description of it taken from Mackay's "Freemasonry for Masons" ( published by Griffin , Bohn , and Co ., London ) , a book which should be in the hands of every Mason .

" KNIG-HT OP CONSTANTINOPLE . " A side degree instituted doubtless by some lecturer , teaching , however , an excellent moral lesson of humility . Its history has no connection whatever with Masonry . " The degree is not very extensively diffused , but

several Masons , especially in the Western States , are in possession of it . It may be conferred by any Master Mason on another , although the proper performance of the ceremonies requires the assistance of several . When the degree is formally conferred , the body is called a council , and consists of several officers . "

The Grand Council meets in the Masonic Hall , Moriee Town , Devonport , and Bro . William James Hughan is a Past Sovereign of the Fortitude Council , which meets at Truro . The legend of this degree is as follows : — ** ' Constantine saw that the nobility had so

completely got the power of controlling the common people that his kingdom was likely to be endangered , and in order to remedy this very great evil , and bring the nobility to a proper level with the common people , he instituted this degree , and conferred it on some of his common people . He then engaged that he would not confer it again on any man ; but whosoever received it must receive it from the common

people . ' He also agreed that he would not associate with or show his favour to any but the Knights of Constantinople ; and he gave them orders to put any person to instant death who received the degree and would not acknowledge all men to be equal . ' '

Commending this to the notice and attention of the Craft generally , and to the President General of the Masonic Authors' Society . —Tours fraternally , KNIGHT K . H . 30 ° .

Lodge Of Instruction For Glasgow.

LODGE OF INSTRUCTION FOR GLASGOW .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIB . ROR . Dear Sir and Brother , —Now that your excellent Magazine is circulating so extensively in Glasgow and