Chips Of Foreign Ashlar.

Ancient and Accepted Rite which interpellating by its own sovereign pleasure the knighthood of the Temple as preliminary to the grade of Prince Rose Croix . In France there are unfortunately tAVO Grand

bodies each assuming the title of supreme , and both conferring the whole 33 degrees—the Grand Orient de France and the Supreme Oonseil Mite Hcossais Anoien et Accepte . We are hopeful that the day is approaching Avhen bhese twain will

be one and past rivalry forgotten . Germany exhibits a diversity of six or seven Grand Lodges all of which are very much alike as to the three first degrees of Apprentice Fellow-Craft and Master , but which vary considerably as

to the higher orders . In Prussia they have the " Swedish" system , but know not the degrees ascribed to their own Frederick . In

Frankforton-the-Maine they boast a system of their own which they have " dubbed" eclectre , but which is so only in name- In other parts of Germany the degree of " Inner Orient" an approximation to the Royal Arch is conferred .

Belgium maintains the separation of Craft Masonry from the high Grades and Holland loves not the latter , and will scarcely tolerate the Rose Croix which is as high as Dutchmen go . In Italy the whole of the Freemasons are united

under Bro . Garibaldi , aud another writer in the FEEEMASOBS' MAGAZINE has recently explained in a very interesting manner the state of our Order in Portugal . There are separate Grand Lodges in Denmark and Sweden but they both carry out the "Swedish" system . We have thus summarised the principal Masonic

bodies in Europe because Ave have thought a good deal lately of the view enunciated by our esteemed Bro . J . G . Findel , of Leipzig , who advocates what may be termed free trade in charters , and would allow Grand Lodges to issue charters wherever

their discretion may direct , irrespective of national Jurisdiction limits . There is certainly this to be said in support of Bro . Findel ' s ideas , that they are in the abstract logical and sound . Suppose there are a dozen English brethren in Hamburgh

who would prefer a lodge conducted in the English method , why should they not have it ? Suppose there are a dozen Germans in London who would also prefer to meet in a Germanly-managed lodge , why should they not also have it ? If there are differences in the rituals of Freemasonry there must be degrees of merit . Then why bolster up

any particular system by national landmarks ? Why not let the best system work its OAVU way with " a far field and no favour ? " It may do good to discuss these questions , but practically it has been found that " the balance of power has

hitherto answered very well , and though time may bring changes they must be gradual and not forced . It is , however worth remembering that there at present exist two violations of the established order in Frankfort-on-the-Maine , where there is a lodge

chartered for the first lodge of England , and in Jersey where there is a lodge under charter for the Supreme Consul rite ecossais Ancien et Accepte . Our object is , however , to point out the absurdity of any Masonic body arrogating to itself the power

to decide Avhat degrees Freemasons shall and shall not receive . First as to the Mark Degree it would certainly be well if existing differences could be settled ; but we do not see any valid reason why a Scotch Mark Mason should despise an English

one or vice versa . The degrees are to all intents and purposes the same , and those who have got them ought to shake hands and say , "let brotherly love continue . " Then it appears to us that the

Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Rite in England has got into a decidedly false position . This body which is composed of men of high respectability , although of no great note in Craft Masonry , has one of the most accomplished

Masons in England , Bro . Hyde Pullen , as its executive officer , and it is quite strong enough to stand on . its own merits without attempting to "burke" any other Masonic organisation . For some reason or other , however , of which no

intelligible explanation has ever been vouchsafed , the Supreme Council has endeavoured in every possible way to oppose the Red Cross Order . As might have been expected such a course of conduct has only increased the popularity of the Red Cross

Degrees , while it has created a painful impression as to the motives of certain parties behind the scenes of the Ancient and Accepted Rite . Readers who Avill refer to back numbers of Masonic periodicals will find that when the Ancient and Accepted

Rite was introduced into England only so recently as 1845 it Avas called all manner of bad names , spurious and the like . And yet the martyr of yesterday is the accuser of to-day ! Why should this be ? " Live and let live is a Avise maxim in

Masonry as well as in business , and let us hope we have heard the last of a strife which , is simply disgraceful to all concerned . The Red Cross Order